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Middle East and North Africa

Israel Defense Forces record about fifty missile launches from Lebanon

"Earlier tonight, IDF fighter jets struck a Hezbollah manufacturing site containing weapons in the area of Baalbek," the press service added

TEL AVIV, March 24. /TASS/. The Israeli military registered about fifty missile launches from Lebanon against northern Israel and struck areas of launch.

"Approximately 50 launches were identified from Lebanon toward northern Israel, a number of launches were intercepted while the rest fell in open areas. Aircraft struck the launchers from which some of the launches were identified toward northern Israel," the press service of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.

"Earlier tonight, IDF fighter jets struck a Hezbollah manufacturing site containing weapons in the area of Baalbek," the press service added.

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Middle East and North Africa

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 film is focused on two teenagers Pedro and Lucio, who are forced to fight each other to the death in order to survive after being abducted

Russia has many questions for UN chief, Russia’s envoy says

Vasily Nebenzya said that he has "good personal relations" with the secretary general

Kiev troops may strike targets in Crimea with ATACMS missiles — newspaper

The goal "is to put more pressure on Crimea," The New York Times said

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Istanbul accords could have stopped hostilities in Ukraine — German newspaper

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

International cooperation needed to investigate Nord Stream incidents — Russian diplomat

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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

Ukrainian troops fire 57 rounds at DPR over 24 hours

According to the statement, a civilian fatality was reported, and two civilians sustained wounds

Erdogan’s May 9 visit to US postponed to more convenient date — Foreign Ministry

"The high-level dialogue between Turkey and the US will continue," the spokesman Oncu Keceli said

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 aerospace forces hit two terrorists base in Syria’s Homs governorate

Yury Popov, deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria, also said that one shelling attack on the positions of government forces was reported in the Idlid de-escalation zone from positions of the Jabhat al-Nusra

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West prepares puppet structures in case of coup in Belarus — KGB

Ivan Tertel said various methods were being considered, up to "instigating a forceful seizure by illegal armed groups" being trained in the West and Ukraine

Medvedev warns that Russia’s default may entail Europe’s default

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council added that the European Union’s financial system is not very stable and people are losing confidence

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

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TotalEnergies expects gas price hike if Russian LNG falls under sanctions

Patrick Pouyanne expressed confidence that the European leaders understood that security of gas supplies depended on LNG and would not like to see a price crisis in Europe again until 2027

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"

US’ Blinken to visit Israel amid rising tensions between two countries — NYT

Israel’s military upcoming operation in Rafah will also be on agenda, the New York Times reported

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

NATO bears direct responsibility for Ukraine crisis — Chinese Foreign Ministry

Spokesman Wang Wenbin stressed that China was not providing weapons to the conflicting parties and strictly controlled dual-use goods, including the export of drones

TotalEnergies to announce force majeure for Yamal LNG in case of EU sanctions

The company has two contracts for LNG supplies to Europe from the Yamal LNG project and one for Asia that requires closer consideration, CEO of the French energy company Patrick Pouyanne said

No conditions for talks with Kiev at this time — Kremlin

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

Bank of Russia does not rule out keeping key rate at current levels until year's end

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EAEU trade turnover reaches record high level of $8.7 bln in 2023 — Russian Prime Minister

The trade turnover between Russia and Belarus reached 4 trillion rubles ($43.8 bln)

Tourists discover fragment of Iranian missile in Israeli desert

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The Russian foreign minister said that the sides would exchange opinions on how to develop bilateral relations along the path outlined by Bolivian President Luis Arce and Russian President Vladimir Putin

Medvedev vows Moscow's response to US law on seizing Russia's frozen assets will sting

The Russian Security Council deputy chairman suggested enacting legislation to allow Russia to confiscate assets belonging to the citizens of unfriendly countries

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

Russia may abolish gold export duty from June 1 — Finance Ministry

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Putin calls impending formation of new cabinet ‘crucial step’

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

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Local Administration Head Ivan Prikhodko said that "a female resident of Gorlovka was injured as a result of yesterday’s shelling of the Stroitel residential compound in the Nikitovsky district of Gorlovka"

Russia-Europe relations require fresh approach — Kremlin

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Global community changing tune about how Ukraine conflict started — security official

According to Nikolay Patrushev, these countries "understand perfectly well who is financing" the Kiev regime

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"The premises and rooms are being checked for explosives," the source said

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Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu underlined that this is being done by strengthening "military-political structures such as QUAD, AUKUS and the US-Japan-Philippines triad"

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Rafael Grossi may visit Russia in late May

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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.

Kiev's attacks on ZNPP may trigger another Chernobyl — Zaporozhye governor

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Ukraine’s army chief reports deteriorating battlefield situation to Western allies

The Ramstein group meeting also discussed the state of the Ukrainian energy infrastructure, Alexander Syrsky said

Lithuania’s prime minister warns US may curtail aid to Ukraine

Ingrida Simonyte called for getting ready for such a turn of events right away, and not just watch and wait

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

The report hasn’t been officially confirmed

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The head of state accused Washington of preparing a "Belarusian liberation army" and reiterated Minsk's readiness to "defend its country"

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"

Chances of Baku-Yerevan conflict settlement higher than ever, Scholz says

The German chancellor emphasized that Berlin's "offer to lend support in finding a long-term and acceptable solution remains valid"

Refinery in southern Russia partially suspends operations after Ukrainian drone attack

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

One more suspect in Crocus City Hall terror attack arrested — police

The detention was reported earlier by the media, which said that police had captured Tajik national Djumokhon Kurbonov

Russian GDP to add over 3% in 2024 — Putin

The current real state of economy allows improving its development forecasts, the head of state noted

Ukraine had to negotiate agreements with Russia with ‘three masters’ — Russian envoy

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Scholz asks allies to find additional air defense capabilities for Ukraine

Germany is the second largest arms supplier to Ukraine after the US

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

Blinken’s visit to China meant to shatter Russian-Chinese ties — senior Russian diplomat

"I think that Beijing understands this perfectly well and will not even pretend being ready to reach any agreements with the Americans to the detriment of Russia’s interests," Sergey Ryabkov said

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

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 fights West’s sanctions at UN for the sake of developing countries — envoy to UN

According to the diplomat, Russia is engaged in "fierce battles on this issue in different committees of the General Assembly"

Lukashenko invites South Africa’s Ramaphosa to visit Belarus

The Belarusian President noted that, in the three last decades, Minsk and Pretoria supported each other at multilateral platforms, developed trade, industrial and scientific cooperation, expanded the contacts between businessmen

Ukrainian drone attack on Russia’s Belgorod Region leaves five civilians injured

Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov specified that four people had been taken to the hospital

Kremlin spokesman addresses WSJ article about Putin’s non-involvement in Navalny’s death

"I wouldn’t describe it as a high-quality article that deserves attention," Dmitry Peskov went on to say

Poland practices transfer of mechanized brigade to Lithuania's Suwalki Corridor area

The exercise under the classified Orsha plan involves 1,500 military personnel from Lithuania's Zemaitija Motorized Infantry Brigade, Poland's 15th Mechanized Brigade, allied US and Portuguese units, as well as about 200 pieces of military equipment

Musk concurs that civil war looming in West

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"

Police checks reports of bomb allegedly planted at Russian embassy in Brazil — newspaper

The Russian embassy has not yet commented on the situation

French neo-Nazi ringleader liquidated near Avdeyevka — sources

There is confirmed evidence of his connections with French secret services

Ukraine’s army leaves first defensive line in Berdychi near Avdeyevka, says DPR

The Ukrainian military has suffered heavy casualties among personnel and military hardware in that community, Igor Kimakovsky said

US can send Ukraine Patriot air defense systems currently deployed in other regions

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan added that the his country had doubled artillery production in order to help Kiev

Medicine for Bekhterev’s disease may cause medical tourism to Russia — Health Minister

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

Hamas says it received Israel’s response to proposal on resolution in Gaza

The movement will analyze the Israeli proposal and will provide its own response afterwards, Hamas politburo member Khalil al-Hayya said

UN bound to stay as unique world organization — Russian ambassador

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

Polish general expects Russia to continue wiping out Abrams tanks in Ukraine

Waldemar Skrzypczak underlined that "no tank is invincible"

Kiev refused to sign Istanbul agreements under pressure from London, Kremlin says

"Everybody knows very well that the document was actually initialed and everyone is also well aware, thanks to a statement from the Ukrainian side, of the reason behind Ukraine halting negotiations and not finalizing the document," Dmitry Peskov stressed

DPRK supports Russia in defending sovereignty, security — ambassador

The North Korean ambassador Sin Hong Chol praised the "sincere and excellent friendly relations" between Russian President Vladimir Putin and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un

Inflation in Russia slowing down gradually — Putin

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Russian defense chief points to West’s double standards on right to self-defense

In this regard, Sergey Shoigu mentioned the operation that Tehran carried out "in retaliation for a blatant attack on the Iranian consulate building in Damascus"

Alrosa may leave Catoca project in Angola — Finance Ministry

Alrosa is working in Angola since 1992

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

People covered under the new rules will only be allowed to buy a sim card at physical telecom locations, and not via the Internet

Taiwan says 22 Chinese aircraft approach island

The Taiwanese army said that 12 aircraft had crossed the so-called median line of the Taiwan Strait

Trade turnover between Russia, Indian surpass targets over past years — envoy

Vinay Kumar added that Moscow and New Delhi will have to work on supporting this level of bilateral trade in coming years

China is able to defend its interests, Kremlin says about US pressure on Beijing

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that Moscow and Beijing would push ahead with developing cooperation