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Middle East and North Africa

Israeli Air Force attacked Baalbek outskirts in Lebanon

This is the fourth Israeli air raid against Shia fighters’ bases in East Lebanon since February 26

BEIRUT, March 24. /TASS/. Israeli Air Force jets entered the Lebanon’s airspace and delivered missile strikes against the outskirts of the city of Baalbek, where a large stronghold of the Hezbollah armed militia is located, Al Mayadeen television reported.

Missiles were launched against a house in the Al-Asira area, where ambulance vehicles were sent, the TV channel said.

This is the fourth Israeli air raid against Shia fighters’ bases in East Lebanon since February 26.

According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, 336 people were killed and 1,200 were wounded as a result of Israeli bombing and artillery shelling since October 8, 2023.

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Middle East and North Africa

Israeli-Palestinian conflict

More children killed in Gaza over 6 months than in all world conflicts in 4 years — UNRWA

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Russia strikes major thermal power plant in western Ukraine — underground resistance

Five missiles hit Dnepropetrovsk while a strong blow with the subsequent detonation was registered in Krivoi Rog, the spokesman specified

Russian GDP gain 5.4% in Q1 2024 — Economy Ministry

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Kremlin vows legal action against US bill on seizing Russian assets

Dmitry Peskov noted that the trial will be "very complex," but will cause severe damage to US economic interests if the US authorities finally approve the bill regarding Russian assets

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Previously, the media reported that the Russian Health Ministry registered the first treatment for the Bekhterev’s disease in the world

Press review: China to weather US storm and ATACMS not 'wonder weapons'

Top stories from the Russian press on Saturday, April 27th

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Since the onset of Kiev’s military operation in Donbass in 2014, ceasefires have been repeatedly declared on major holidays, including religious ones and most of them were broken by Ukrainian forces within hours

Russia says its battlegroup West seized better positions

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Gazprom Export files lawsuits against European energy companies

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Russian cabinet extends obligatory sale of foreign currency revenue for one year

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South Sudanese Ambassador to Moscow Chol Tong Mayai Jang noted that the republic can become a good market for Russian entrepreneurs

Serbia thrusts door open to Russian ruble

The financiers have taken into account the growing foreign trade transactions between the two countries

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Uniper notified Russia about Unipro dispute, company says

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Russian government approves list of unfriendly countries

There are two countries on the list

Belgium’s rejection of exchange of assets in Russia to impede process — Kremlin

It was reported earlier that the Belgian side did not recognize the exchange of blocked assets

US stops hiding true purpose of sanctions on Moscow, Russian envoy says

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Abrams tanks easy targets for drones — Russian expert

According to Dmitry Kuzyakin, "as long as there is a lack of direct communication between those who make the tanks and who use them, the Abrams will not evolve to meet modern warfare requirements"

Russian investment in India’s strategic sectors of economy reaches $1.26 bln

India plans to step up cooperation with Russia in the area of oil and gas, metals, strategic natural resources and industrial equipment related to railways, ports and shipping industry

Court places Forbes reporter under house arrest for discrediting Russian armed forces

The press service specified that investigative and procedural actions are underway in coordination with Russia’s Federal Security Service

Ukraine struggles to use GLSDB efficiently due to Russian jamming capabilities — report

When the GPS signal is suppressed by Russian electronic warfare equipment, the munitions can only rely on their inertial navigation system to calculate their impact location, and this causes them to miss the target

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Russian stock indices rising on Saturday

The dollar edged up to 93.4 rubles, the euro - to 98.9 rubles

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Russian troops wipe out military train with Western armaments in DPR over past day

Russian troops improved their tactical position and repelled eight Ukrainian army counterattacks in the Avdeyevka area over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Ukrainian troops fleeing Ocheretino in small groups, says DPR

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"Poland’s authorities make no secret of their striving to lean closer on the US nuclear weapons deployed in Europe and are actively using these ambitions in their hostile Russian policy," Maria Zakharova stressed

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The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation signed an agreement with Fulton Bank to assume all of the closed bank’s deposits and on purchase of all its assets.

Ukrainian forces trapped on outskirts of Berdychi near Avdeyevka, says DPR official

Igor Kimakovsky reported that the enemy "experiences problems with logistics and the supply of ammunition and essentials"

Scholz reiterates German soldiers, Taurus long-range missiles not to be sent to Ukraine

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The Russian Investigative Committee added that measures are underway to locate their whereabouts and bring them to criminal liability

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The US businessman commented on remarks by Gad Saad, a Canadian professor of Lebanese origin, who insisted that "the path that the West is taking will result in civil war"

Kiev recognizes difficulties, losses on battlefield over six months of waiting for US aid

The office of the Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky notes that the Ukrainian army needs to stabilize the frontline

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The deal still looks advantageous even after two years of war, Welt am Sonntag said

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A source told the news outlet that the agreement will be most likely reached in the next couple of days

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"The combat exercises were conducted in the Barents Sea waters closed for shipping," the Russian Defense Ministry reported

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Anatoly Antonov says the Americans seek deportation of Russians to the United States

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Nine people were injured, the country’s Interior Ministry said

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Top Russian security official, Cambodian military official discuss situation in APAC

Leaders of delegations from ASEAN member states also participated in the conversation

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Alrosa is working in Angola since 1992

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South Sudan asks for Russia's help to build oil pipeline to country — Undersecretary

South Sudan is also interested in construction of a high-capacity refinery in the country and in training fuel and energy sector specialists in Russia, Mayen Wol Jong said

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Moscow to overcome possible EU sanctions against Russian LNG — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that "the attempts to squeeze Russia out of energy markets continue"

Network of international conspirators plotted Crocus terrorist attack — watchdog

Yury Chikhanchin pointed out that the perpetrators of the attack were provided with money, weapons, transportation and ammunition

Russia grateful to DPRK for unconditional support of special operation in Ukraine — MFA

Ivan Zhelokhovtsev said that the agreements that were reached during the DPRK leader's visit to Russia represent "evidence of the mutual desire of the sides to consistently implement and expand the rich heritage" that was passed down from previous generations

Refinery in southern Russia partially suspends operations after Ukrainian drone attack

Ten unmanned aerial vehicles flew directly into the plant, causing a big fire

Armenians protesting against border delimitation with Azerbaijan disrupt concert

A similar protest took place at the Paronyan Musical Comedy Theater

Erdogan moves back from May 9 his trip to US — report

The report hasn’t been officially confirmed

Kiev may use ATACMS missiles to hit Crimean Bridge — Russian defense ministry official

Russian military will do its utmost to repel such attacks, Apty Alaudinov said

NATO makes Russia its neighbor by expanding eastward, Russian envoy says

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VTB supervisory board recommends not to pay 2023 dividends

VTB Group received record net profit under International Financial Reporting Standards in the amount of $4.6 bln for 2023

Russia-Europe relations require fresh approach — Kremlin

Russia and Europe are geographically close anyway, Dmitry Peskov noted

Russia should maximize cooperation with friendly countries — PM

Mikhail Mishustin pointed out that another critical task is to establish modern infrastructure to strengthen connectivity of the Russian economy with CIS and Global South countries

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

Ukrainian troops in Kharkov Region lift antennas with kites to get better signal

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Russia provides UNRWA with platform to explain Gaza situation to BRICS — agency chief

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No conditions for talks with Kiev at this time — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov stated that the position of Russian President Vladimir Putin "is well-known"

China to send two pandas to American zoo in ten-year loan program

It is a part of international cooperation on conservation of bamboo bears

Russia welcomes Syria’s interest in joining BRICS, senior diplomat says

"This is yet another important signal that the grouping’s international weight has increased," Sergey Ryabkov added

Russian economy proves resilience amid large-scale sanctions — IMF

The IMF states that the restrictions led to the need to rebuild the economy

Russia delivers 35 precision strikes on Ukrainian military sites over week — top brass

Russian troops liberated the communities of Novomikhailovka and Bogdanovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic and advanced deep into the enemy defense

Russian T-14 Armata tanks tested in Syria

Serial supplies of Russia’s new T-14 tanks on the Armata platform to Russian troops will begin in 2021

Russian gas production to gain 4.6% in 2024 — Economy Ministry

Pipeline gas exports are forecast to edge up by 7% to 108 bln cubic meters

Russia to hold next international security meeting in 2025 — top security official

The date and location will be announced later

Top security official advises West to keep door open for joint research work with Russia

Nikolay Patrushev cited recent research showing that a simulated eruption of the Yellowstone Caldera, which has shown increasing signs of active volcanic status over the years, and what consequences such a natural disaster could potentially leave in its wake

Russia fighting puppet regime in Kiev, people to win from its defeat, security chief says

As Nikolay Patrushev said, ordinary Ukrainians have long understood that they were simply used as a bargaining chip, a tool to contain Russia

25-century-old Ukok Princess to find final resting place in Altai

First sketches of a would-be burial mound for the ancient mummy of a mysterious young woman have been presented

Bill submitted to Russian legislature seeks more control over immigration

One of the bill's provisions would limit the stay of a foreigner to 90 days within one calendar year

Economic figures turn out above projections in early 2024 — Putin

Russia’s GDP grew by 6% in January-February in annual terms, the Russian president stressed

Third of Ukrainian troops surrender near Lisichansk, LPR’s envoy to Russia says

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UN bound to stay as unique world organization — Russian ambassador

"If the UN did not exist, it should have been created," Vasily Nebenzya said

Russia’s top racket Medvedev through to next round of 2024 Madrid Open

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US intel finds no proof of Russian leadership’s involvement in Navalny’s death — newspaper

"Some European intelligence agencies have been told of the US view," The Wall Street Journal added

Russia proposes new rules for foreigners buying sim cards, requires biometric data

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SCO should unite against foreign attempts to trigger revolutions — Shoigu

"The main emphasis should be placed on the development of military contacts between the SCO and the CSTO,"the Russian defense minister said