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Dozens may be trapped under rubble of Greek Orthodox Church in Gaza, bombed by Israel

This was reported on Friday by the Naftemporiki newspaper, citing sources in Gaza

ATHENS, October 20. /TASS/. Dozens of people may be trapped under the rubble of the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius in the Gaza Strip, destroyed by Israeli bombing, the Naftemporiki newspaper reported on Friday citing Gaza sources.

The report says that the church was bombed by Israel late on Thursday.

"According to sources in the vicinity, dozens of Palestinians probably died under the rubble of one of Gaza’s oldest churches. The majority of those killed are parishioners, who sought refuge from air strikes in the historical building of the Church of Saint Porphyrius, and displaced persons from northern and southern districts of Gaza," the newspaper wrote.

"They [the sources] estimate that around 1,000 people found shelter in the church, school and other facilities," the report says.

Archbishop Alexios of Tiberias of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem said in an exclusive comment to Greece’s ERT-1 television that around 400 people were inside the building at the time of the attack.

"They struck offices and the entrance to the monastery. They fired a missile, and the entire building collapsed. There were lots of Christians inside. Many of them were injured and some were killed," the archbishop said from the church.

"We will need bulldozers to see how many people are buried under the rubble," the priest added.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry of Palestine said the bombing of the Church of St. Porphyrius in Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in southern Gaza killed two people - a girl child and a woman. Dozens of people received various injuries. The church building sustained serious damage, and a building next to it was destroyed.

The HAMAS movement descried the attack as a "yet another crime by Israel against religions and innocent civilians" and called upon the global community to condemn it.

The situation in the Middle East sharply escalated following an incursion of Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip into Israel on October 7. Hamas regards the attack as a response to Israeli actions against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Jerusalem's Temple Mount. Israel has declared a complete siege of the Gaza Strip and has started delivering strikes on that area and parts of Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also taking place in the West Bank.

Over 100,000 people take to streets in France protesting against Macron’s policy

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The Russian Security Council deputy chairman pointed out that no one could have imagined that drone usage would become so widespread before the special military operation

Russia to protect interests of people in Ukraine defending rights to speak Russian — Putin

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Kiev seeks lifting of restrictions on strikes on Russia amid dire battlefield situation

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West escalates situation in Ukraine, does not want a ceasefire — Iranian Ambassador

The ambassador stressed that "this is the West's approach not only to Ukraine".

BRICS countries may present instruments for mutual settlements at summit in Kazan

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US allocates new $250 million military aid package to Ukraine — Pentagon

According to the statement, the package includes RIM-7 missiles and air defense support, ammunition for HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, artillery shells of 155 mm and 105 mm caliber, Stinger MANPADS, Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems

Russia plans to create 90 nm lithography machine — minister

The first commercial specimen of the lithographic printer operating on the 350 nm topology already appeared this year

Scholz wants to know who is behind Nord Stream blasts — government spokesman

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More than 500,000 Israelis protesting in Tel Aviv — organizers

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German-made Leopard tanks prove inefficient on battlefield, says DPR

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Kremlin spokesman denies Russia meddles in US elections

"This is not the first time that Russia has been blamed for interfering into America’s elections," Dmitry Peskov told

Fire area in Chernobyl exclusion zone in Ukraine exceeds 2,600 hectares

The radiation background in the area is normal, with critical infrastructure facilities not at threat

Over 100,000 people take to streets in France protesting against Macron’s policy

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Russia becomes largest economy in Europe, 'being right in hot pursuit of Japan' — aide

Maxim Oreshkin stressed that the gradual loss of all these elements leads to long-term stagnation of the European economy

Putin convinced Russia to keep boosting ties with Tajikistan

Putin pointed out that relations between the two countries are "making progress in the spirit of strategic partnership and alliance."

Ukrainian forces daily send troops to Kursk area, suffering losses — commander

In particular, three Baba Yaga drones and three mortars were destroyed during the day

INTERVIEW: Russia to address issue of efficient use of ports for energy export

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Serbia sees how high Putin values it — deputy PM

The deputy prime minister pointed out that the presence of high-ranking officials at the meeting was meaningful for Serbia

Ukraine’s troops cling to outskirts of Krasnogorovka, sustain daily losses — DPR head

Denis Pushilin said Russian soldiers were very resourceful in selecting methods and tactics of liberating the city, as well as rescuing the local population

Collapse of Operation Citadel 2.0

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US cannot confirm downing of MQ-9 Reaper drone by Houthis

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UK to extend training program for Ukrainian soldiers in 2025

Defense Secretary John Healey said that since early 2022, as many as 45,000 Ukrainian personnel have been trained under Operation Interflex, which provided them with "the vital skills they need to defend their nation"

North Korea sending trash balloons to South Korea for the second day

On Wednesday evening, Pyongyang launched nearly 420 trash balloons

Former NASA chief hopes for US-Russia-China cooperation in outer space

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Iranian President plans to attend BRICS Summit in Kazan — Ambassador

There Masoud Pezeshkian plans to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Kazem Jalali said

Passenger left note about bomb onboard Indian plane landed in Turkey in plane’s restroom

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Response to mpox requires $290 mln over six months — WHO

"The strategy, plan and resource requirement will be reviewed and adjusted quarterly," the organization said

Top Hungarian diplomat condemns idea of using Western weapons deep inside Russia

According to the statement, Peter Szijjarto "reiterated Hungary’s commitment to diplomacy over arms, emphasizing that Hungary remains the only EU and NATO member that has not and will not supply weapons to Ukraine"

Friendly football match between Russia and Thailand canceled — source

The match was scheduled to take place on September 7, but was canceled due to bad weather

Russia offers safe haven for people trying to escape Western liberal ideals

Under the document, such foreign nationals will have the right to apply for temporary residence in Russia "outside the quota approved by the Russian government and without providing documents confirming their knowledge of the Russian language, Russian history and basic laws"

First Starships to Mars to launch in two years, Musk says

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Voter turnout at gubernatorial election in Kursk Region nears 47%

As many as 55,040 people took part in the voting online

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The ministry said that, in cooperation with forward reconnaissance teams and unmanned aircraft, Grad crews strike enemy locations, strongholds and observation posts

Gazprom gas supplies to Europe through Ukraine reach 42.1 mln cubic meters

Earlier, Gazprom spokesman Sergey Kupriyanov said that the events in the Sudzha area of the Kursk region have already led to a sharp increase in the price of natural and liquefied gas

Final day of regional, municipal elections starts in Russia

Residents of 25 Russian regions will have an opportunity to cast their ballot in an online vote

Ukrainian ambassador’s visit to Yasukuni Shrine 'affronts' Asian peoples — Chinese daily

The newspaper also recommended Sergey Korsunsky not to forget about China's peacekeeping efforts to resolve the Ukrainian conflict

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Ukraine’s former Interior Minister Yury Lutsenko said that the best Ukrainian units and equipment had been deployed to the Kursk Region

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Bloomberg reported that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said that Kiev could use the situation in the Kursk Region "as a bargaining chip in talks"

Procedure to enter Russia for foreigners not sharing Western values simplified

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"We continue to have regular communication at various levels, including in very, very sensitive areas," Dmitry Peskov noted

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"Our next task is to do everything possible to ensure that we remain a united family ready for future challenges," Apty Alaudinov said

Putin appreciates Brazil, India, China for trying to help resolve Ukraine crisis

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Kiev reiterates hopes for Moscow’s attendance of second peace conference

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French war correspondent says country had hand in planning attack on Kursk

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Trump says he was offended by Putin’s ironic remark about endorsing Harris

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EU officials focus on serving US energy interests, Russian diplomat says

Maria Zakharova noted that the EU distorted facts and spread direct disinformation to portray Russia as an unreliable energy supplier

Russian Air Defense shoots down 4 HIMARS MLRS missiles, 3 Hammer bombs, 30 Ukrainian UAVs

The Russian Defense Ministry added that since the beginning of the special military operation, Russian troops have destroyed 17,953 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 14,226 field artillery pieces and mortars, and 25,766 special military vehicles

Ukraine’s 80th Brigade mopped up Kursk Region villages — captured solder says

Oleg Ivanenko surrendered to the Akhmat special forces on August 16

US, Europe working on substitutes for S-300 system, R-27 missile — Pentagon chief

Earlier, Western media outlets reported that Ukraine had failed to fully replace Soviet-made S-300 missile systems with Western-manufactured ones

Russian missile cruiser Varyag enters Mediterranean Sea

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

Ukraine runs out of money to pay its military — Rada committee

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Putin slams Germany's refusal to turn on Nord Stream 2 as lunacy, nonsense

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Three civilians wounded in Ukrainian shelling attack on borderline Belgorod Region

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Landing humans on Mars needs international collaboration — former NASA chief

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Oil market still underestimates OPEC+ actions and geopolitical risks — experts

Finam analyst Nikolay Dudchenko noted that yesterday’s OPEC+ decision demonstrates the cartel’s readiness to continue controlling the situation on the oil market

Russian Defense Ministry announces liberation of Kalinovo settlement in DPR

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Starliner undocks from ISS, returns to Earth without crew

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China interested in cooperation with Russian technology companies

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Iran’s mission to UN denies country supplies weapons to sides of conflict in Ukraine

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Author of "My Heart Will Go On" hit dies in US

He had been in declining health for the past 5-6 years

Chernobyl would pale in comparison to strike on Kursk NPP — Rosatom chief

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Ukrainian mass resignations speak of Kiev's transition to full dictatorship — envoy

Rodion Miroshnik emphasized that many deputies, even from the President's Servant of the People party, are no longer willing to follow the instructions of the President's Office

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Durov declines Russian, Emirati diplomatic assistance — Politico

"The person concerned refused Russian consular protection and an Emirati consular visit but agreed that the Emirati embassy be kept up to date on his situation," the official said

BRICS summit in Kazan to bring together leaders of important, powerful countries — Vucic

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Lavrov says his only meeting with Kuleba lacked constructiveness

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

According to the Russian defense minister, the liberation of several residential settlements in Donbass, disclosed Kiev attempts to prevent the collapse of the front

IAEA intends to increase cooperation with Russia

"I hope everybody understands the work of the IAEA, the technical basis of what we do, and our un-relentless compromise with nuclear safety," Director General Rafael Grossi stressed

Russia to allocate $1.9 bln for purchases of currency, gold from September 6 to October 4

Daily volume of purchase of foreign currency and gold will equal 8.2 bln rubles

Lavrov begins talks with Swiss counterpart Cassis

The meeting, organized on Switzerland’s initiative, is currently under way at the UN headquarters in New York

Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

According to the report, the Russian military repelled two attacks by enemy assault groups towards Matveyevka and Olgovka, and foiled Ukrainian attempts to attack three settlements

US charges political scientist Simes, his wife with violating American sanctions

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Press review: Big bucks flow at EEF and Macron's PM pick has left talking impeachment

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, September 6th

Kremlin won’t help US 'decipher' Putin's remarks on Harris

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Lavrov slams as blackmail Kiev's demands for letting it use Storm Shadow against Russia

The Russian top diplomat warned that the West was playing with fire whenever it started discussions on this topic

Russian government orders to set up embassy in Dominican Republic

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Russian forces wipe out Ukrainian training center with NATO instructors in Poltava

Vladimir Saldo stressed that the military bloc is providing both financial and administrative support for the operation of such centers

Turkey's entry into BRICS will encourage other countries to join association — expert

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Striking Ukrainian reserves: situation in Kursk Region

Over the day, the Ukrainian military lost up to 370 servicemen and 17 armored vehicles

German fighter jets practice landings in Finland, 180 km from Russian border

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Paris sees 26,000 people take to streets protesting against Macron’s policy — prefecture

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Russian forces use drones in road mining to wipe out enemy vehicles — businessman

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Foreign aid to Ukraine a money laundering scheme, head of Chechnya says

Ramzan Kadyrov noted that there is no need to worry about hostilities currently happening on Russian territory

Ukraine loses over 600 men after Russian attack on Poltava military school — politician

Igor Mosiychuk noted that the blame for what happened lies mainly with the Ukrainian military authorities, who allowed such a large number of servicemen to gather in one place