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Middle East conflict

Hamas confirms death of field commander in Lebanon

The Israel Defense Forces also said al-Hajj was killed

CAIRO, August 10. /TASS/. Hamas confirmed one of its field commanders was killed by an Israeli air strike in southern Lebanon.

"Samer al-Hajj heroically died today, on August 9, 2024, in a strike by enemy drones in the southern Lebanon city of Sidon," the group said on Telegram.

On Friday, the Lebanese news website Naharnet reported that an Israeli drone struck a car in Sidon. The strike killed Samer al-Hajj, who was inside the car, and wounded another Hamas member. According to the report, al-Hajj headed Hamas’ security forces in the Ein al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp near Sidon.

The Israel Defense Forces also said al-Hajj was killed. According to the IDF, the man was responsible for projectile launches from Lebanon toward Israeli territory and "recruiting and training terrorists to attack the State of Israel.".

Armenia–Azerbaijan conflict

Yerevan, Baku agree upon 13 articles, preface of draft peace agreement

According to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the part of the peace agreement approved so far includes a provision on "establishing diplomatic relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan"

Kiev seeks more terror while weakening on battlefield — Foreign Ministry

"Everything is unfolding exactly as we said before: the weaker the Kiev regime becomes on the battlefield, despite receiving massive financial and military support, the more it seeks revenge by engaging in criminal terrorist activities," Maria Zakharova emphasized

Russia - China mutual tourist flow to recover by 50% of pre-COVID figures in 2024

In terms of Chinese tourists visiting Russia, around 1 mln trips are expected in 2024

Firefighters extinguish fire in Rostov Region depot 12 days after drone attack

There were no casualties

Russian forces wipe out several dozen Ukrainian militants near Slavyansk in DPR

It is reported that the exact number of eliminated Ukrainian neo-Nazi fighters is currently being determined

Russia’s coal supplies total 100.9 mln tons to China, 26.2 mln tons to India in 2023

According to Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilyov, the geography of supplies includes countries of the Global South such as India, China, Brazil, Mexico, African countries and a number of others

Russian Navy launches Ocean 2024 strategic drills

It is reported that the drills will be conducted in a bilateral format under General Direction of Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Alexander Moiseyev

Foreign mercenaries operating in Kursk direction particularly brutal — security source

It is the mercenaries that act the most brutally towards civilians, a source in security agencies said

Conditions in Russian hostage even better than in Ukrainian units — commander

Major General Apty Alaudinov said that Russia "fully provides the prisoners of war with food and everything they need, and they receive full medical care"

Russian Battlegroup North hits Ukrainian troops in Kursk Region’s border area

According to the report, the operation was controlled online

Harris team brings in Trump's stand-in to prepare for debate — newspaper

The two presidential candidates will debate on September 10 on ABC in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Russian forces liberate DPR’s Novogrodovka

Also the Defense Ministry said that Russian servicemen have hit a temporary deployment site of Ukraine’s Special Operations Center South

De Gaulle’s grandson says Putin wants peace, unlike Western leaders

"I believe in the wisdom of the Russian soul," Pierre de Gaulle said

Ukrainian attacks thwarted: situation in Kursk Region

Over the day, Ukraine lost up to 240 servicemen and 13 armored vehicles, including two tanks and 11 armored combat vehicles

Plane en route from Moscow to Istanbul makes unplanned landing in Warsaw — website

According to the online service database, the plane is owned by Turkey’s Pegasus

Russian air defense intercepts, eliminates 144 Ukrainian drones over nine Russian regions

According to Bryansk Region Governor Alexander Bogomaz, there have been no casualties or damage in the region as a result of the massive attack by the Ukrainian armed forces

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

UNGA should respect decisions by member countries including Russia — diplomat

President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly Dennis Francis said he had hoped the conflict in Ukraine would have come to an end already

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

The key principles in designing the new financial system are decentralization of international interaction and the use of digital technologies, Andrey Mikhailishin said

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

Seven civilians killed in Ukraine’s shelling attacks on DPR in past week

56 civilians were wounded during the week

Ukraine peace proposals fail to protect Russian speakers — Lavrov

According to the foreign minister, the root of the conflict in Ukraine was a crackdown on the rights of Russian-speaking residents by the Kiev regime following the coup in 2014

Actor James Earl Jones, iconic voice of Darth Vader, dies at the age of 93

The cause of the actor's death was not made public

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

However, according to Maria Zakharova, this will turn out to be "a plan of trouble" for Kiev rather than "a plan of victory"

Main thing in Ukraine settlement is protection of people's rights, says Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister pointed out that it is easy to agree on the place and time of the negotiations on Ukraine, but first it is necessary to understand what will be discussed

Ukraine pulling fresh forces to Kursk area — Russian officer

According to the commander of the Akhmat special forces commando unit Apty Alaudinov, there were no large-scale attacks on Wednesday

Armenia, EU begin visa liberalization talks — Armenian deputy PM

"We see this process as a strategic agenda on the modernization of such spheres as migration, people’s movements and border management," Mger Grigoryan said

Gulf countries support mediatory efforts toward settling Ukrainian crisis

The ministers stressed that "that the GCC position on the Russian-Ukrainian crisis is based on the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter, and the preservation of the international system based on respect for the sovereignty of states, their territorial integrity and political independence, non-interference in their internal affairs, and non-use or threat of force"

Armenia and EU start talks on visa regime liberalization — Pashinyan

The Armenian prime minister added that "especially after his speech in the European Parliament last year, discussions continue in the country regarding the possibility of joining the EU"

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

It is reported that France strategically calls its military specialists in Ukraine mercenaries to avoid responsibility

Persian Gulf countries concerned about Iran's nuclear program — statement

According to the statement, the Persian Gulf countries are ready to cooperate to solve problems related to Iran's nuclear program and to participate in all relevant negotiations at the regional and international levels

Int’l institutions unable to resolve crises in Ukraine, Gaza — de Gaulle’s grandson

"With no real political will for peace, the scale of the conflicts is only growing," Pierre de Gaulle stressed, adding that "international institutions have proved to be useless"

IDF stops UN convoy to check for Palestinian suspects

The Israeli military said they received intelligence that several Palestinian suspects could be hiding in one of the vehicles

Princess Catherine of Wales completes her cancer treatment

The princess said that she would focus on making sure that the remission that had occurred lasted as long as possible

Gulf countries call for return of Palestinian Authority to Gaza

"The Ministerial Council underscored the importance of preparing a comprehensive plan for the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza upon the conclusion of the war, reaffirming the GCC's rejection of entrenching the idea of separating Gaza from the West Bank, including East Jerusalem," the statement said

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"

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

Coal supplies from Russia to China to return to 100 mln tons starting 2025 — minister

The export dynamics is affected by duties on Russian coal imposed by China, a drop in global prices, as well as coal producers’ supply and production costs that have risen in recent several years, Sergey Tsivilyov noted

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

If those landings go well, then the first crewed flights to Mars will be in 4 years

Lavrov says West doesn’t want to reach fair agreement on Ukraine

"The West wants to continue to do everything so that Russia, as they hope, approaches a situation when it will be possible to declare that a strategic defeat has been inflicted on us on the battlefield," the Russian foreign minister stressed

Missing 75th Victory Day celebrations in Moscow would be a mistake for WWII allies — Putin

Russia sent invitations to many world leaders to attend the celebrations

Russia, North Korea to keep strengthening strategic partnership — Putin

"This, undoubtedly, meets the core interests of our peoples and is in line with the course on ensuring security and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the Northeastern Asian region in general," the Russian president said

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

US approved five deliveries of cluster munitions to Kiev in 2023-2024 — report

"Ukraine may have acquired cluster munitions from other countries in this period, but reports of such transfers have been denied by the countries concerned," according to the data presented in the Coalition's annual Cluster Munition Monitor report

Reports about death of child in UAV attack not confirmed, 46-year-old woman died

Andrey Vorobyov also reported that three people were injured as a result of a drone strike, they were hospitalized

Nine-year-old child killed in Ramenskoye drone strike

Another person was injured, Governor of the Moscow Region Andrey Vorobyov reported

Kremlin aware of Scholz’s 'peace plan' only from media

"We are not rejecting any plans in advance but it is necessary to understand what this is about," Dmitry Peskov noted

Kiev loses over 11,400 troops since incursion in Kursk area — Russia’s top brass

The Ukrainian military also lost 89 tanks, 42 infantry fighting vehicles and 74 armored personnel carriers

New Apple Watch Series 10 boasts thinner case, larger display

According to the company, it's the fastest-charging Apple Watch ever, reaching an 80% charge in 30 minutes

US resident arrested on charges of conspiring to evade US sanctions against Russia

According to the charges, Sam Bhambhani worked with a Russian citizen who resold laser equipment to a subsidiary of the Russian government-owned company Rosatom from 2015 to 2021

Poll reveals what Russians think about office love, polyamory

It is noted that opinions are changing not only about relationships with colleagues, but also about romance between a subordinate and a supervisor

Lavrov says US attempts to meddle in Russian elections only unite people

According to the foreign minister, the United States "still cannot realize that longstanding attempts to stir up Russian society inevitably end in complete failure, as it happened this time"

Syrsky to be fired over fallout from attack on Kursk Region, says Ukrainian politician

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

China's trade turnover with other countries rises by 3.7% in January-August

In 2022, China's foreign trade turnover grew by 4.4% and reached a record $6.3 trillion

Russian Su-34 jet hits Ukrainian forces in Kursk border area with aerial bombs

According to the Defense Ministry, after receiving confirmation from the intelligence service that the targets had been destroyed, the crew returned safely to the airfield

Turkey’s ambitions to join BRICS reflect its push to reduce reliance on West — newspaper

According to the Turkish newspaper, Turkey’s membership of BRICS will "complicate things at NATO," of which Turkey is one of the oldest allies

Ukrainian troops targeting civilian vehicles in Kursk Region — volunteer

Alexander Kasaurov cited an incident when a Ukrainian drone broke the windshield of a moving car with two civilians on board, a man and a woman

De Gaulle's grandson tells State Duma speaker about plans to move to Russia

On September 9, Vyacheslav Volodin met with Pierre de Gaulle in the State Duma

Russian Defense Ministry announces liberation of Kalinovo settlement in DPR

The Armed Forces of Ukraine lost up to 810 servicemen in the area of responsibility of Russia’s South battlegroup over the day

Joint Polish-Lithuanian-Ukrainian military unit may be used to occupy Ukraine, Putin warns

The Russian leader stresses that if Polish units enter Lvov or some other territories in Ukraine, they will be staying put there to remain on the ground "for good"

Russia, China to hold joint drills in two seas in September — Chinese top brass

The drills will be held according to a plan agreed by the two countries, the Chinese ministry noted

Kremlin sees no reason for Putin to give interview to freed US journalist Gershkovich

Eight Russian nationals, detained or convicted in several NATO countries, as well as two minors, had returned home following a prisoner swap conducted at Ankara’s airport

Russia works for preventing major war in Middle East — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister pointed to "a sharp deterioration of the military and political situation in the entire region - from the border of Lebanon and Israel to the Red Sea"

It’s up to Eurasian nations to decide about their future, West must accept this — Lavrov

At the same time, the top Russian diplomat noted that no one is closing the doors on communicating with the West

De Gaulle's grandson elected as deputy chairman of Tolstoy Peace Prize jury

According to Vladimir Tolstoy, director general of the Leo Tolstoy State Museum, the writer's great-grandson, the prize will be awarded annually at the Bolshoi Theater

Hungary’s Orban prepares new peace initiative event in September — TV

The Hungarian PM did not give any details about the upcoming event

FACTBOX: What is known about plane crash near Moscow

Moscow’s interregional transport prosecutor’s office has launched a probe into the crash

IAEA chief rules out restarting reactors at Zaporozhye nuke plant amid ongoing hostilities

According to Rafael Grossi, all the plant’s reactors remain in cold shutdown

Potential catastrophe at Kursk NPP to affect entire Europe — Russian officer

He said that he doesn’t understand "why Europe as yielded to America’s globalist interests and is doing everything it can to let America stage a catastrophe that would affect not only Russia and Ukraine, but also entire Europe."

Restrictions lifted on operations of three Moscow airports — Russian aviation watchdog

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry said that air defense systems have intercepted and eliminated 20 Ukrainian drones over the Moscow Region overnight

Russia says its battlegroup North inflicts up to 150 casualties on Ukrainian troops

The Russian Defense Ministry also reported that air defenses shot down two French-made guided aerial bombs Hammer, four HIMARS rockets of US manufacture and 45 unmanned aerial vehicles

Zelensky destroying Ukrainian economy — politician

Viktor Medvedchuk stressed that "during martial law, Zelensky has been actively raising prices," for example, by signing a bill on raising excise duties on gas, diesel and autogas

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

Bank of Russia raises dollar rate for September 10 to 90.39 rubles — regulator

The regulator raised the euro-to-ruble exchange rate by 19 kopecks to 99.9067 rubles

China-Russia trade turnover rises by 1.9% to $158.47 bln in January-August

According to the General Administration of Customs of China, imports of goods from Russia to China increased by 3.2% to $86.56 bln in the same period

Russia expects to launch visa-free regime with Saudi Arabia and Malaysia in 2025

Interstate agreements on abolishing visa regime are also being developed with Bahrain, some African countries and Kenya

World opting for BRICS as it is tired of US’ aggression — Russian diplomat

When asked why so many countries are seeking BRICS membership, Zakharova said that the world is tired of "America’s claims," attacks and "implicit or even explicit aggression."

UN General Assembly opens 79th Session in New York

The Russian delegation will be led by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

Lavrov calls for practical steps toward establishing Palestinian State

The Russian foreign minister emphasized "the position that it is necessary to immediately stop violence, resolve humanitarian problems"

Kiev’s allies worried Ukraine could be pushed out of Kursk border area in a few months

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

Enemy wanted to disrupt elections, sow panic, Russian society consolidated — politician

"As always, Russian society responded to aggression and escalation with even greater consolidation around our president," Boris Gryzlov said

Equipment failure may have caused crash of only Alex-251 amphibious aircraft

According to the source, the plane was flown by an experienced pilot

Russia, Saudi Arabia aim to expand investment cooperation — Russian MFA

According to the ministry, during Sergey Lavrov's visit to the kingdom, the Russian Foreign Minister was received by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud and met with the country's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud

First-ever Leo Tolstoy Peace Prize awarded to African Union

The prize was handed over to African Union Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat by Jury President and Bolshoi Theater Director Valery Gergiev

Putin congratulates Kim Jong Un on North Korea's 76th anniversary — Kremlin

The Russian leader noted that relations between the two countries remain at a high level, which was fully confirmed by the recent substantial and fruitful talks in Pyongyang

Apple unveils iPhone 16 models

The new models have the Action button introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro models last year, and a touch button for camera control, giving quick access to shooting settings

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

US to face domestic problems regardless of presidential election results — Russian MFA

The next US presidential election will take place in November 2024

Russia, China regularly exchange views on Middle East settlement — Lavrov

The Russian top diplomat recalled that Beijing had earlier come up with an initiative for resolving the Palestinian-Israeli crisis and drew attention to its similarity to similar efforts by Moscow

Hungary’s MOL reaches agreement on oil supplies from Russia via Druzhba pipeline

According to the document, in 2024 the Group "will take over ownership of the affected volumes of crude oil at the Belarus-Ukraine border, effective from 9 September 2024"

First televised debates between Trump and Harris to be held in the USA

All major US TV networks will broadcast the debate beginning at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time (4:00 a.m. Moscow time on Wednesday)

Press review: Kiev bets on own arms production and US, NATO bearing down on Latin America

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, September 9th

Uzbekistan will benefit from participation in Eurasian integration — Russian PM

Uzbekistan's participation in Eurasian integration can give additional advantages for business thanks to the opening of new sales markets and the creation of conditions for fair competition, Mikhail Mishustin said

PM Mishustin to meet with President of Uzbekistan Mirziyoyev on second day of his visit

The Prime Minister will be received in the building of the Senate of the Republic of Uzbekistan

US pursuit for maintaining dominance in Middle East fails — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister added that there should be "an immediate cease-fire" and recalled that the root of the conflict's problem was the "80-year-old unresolved issue of the establishment of a Palestinian state"

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

"It is very difficult to end this war diplomatically without the Russian side," Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said

Gulf countries support Qatar, US, Egypt’s mediatory efforts toward Gaza settlement

The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Persian Gulf has called for an immediate ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave

Large package of documents to be prepared for BRICS summit in Kazan — Lavrov

According to the Russian foreign minister, Russia plans more than a hundred various BRICS events throughout its presidency

FACTBOX: Drone attack on Moscow and other Russian regions

At least 14 drones were shot down by air defense forces during an attempt to attack Moscow and the Moscow Region, several dozen UAVs were destroyed in other regions of Russia

Gulf countries stand for preserving Syria’s territorial integrity — statement

The Ministerial Council also affirmed its firm positions towards supporting the efforts of the United Nations to reach a political solution in Syria in line with Security Council Resolution 2254

Yerevan hands over to Baku completely agreed draft of peace treaty — top diplomat

According to Ararat Mirzoyan, Armenia and Azerbaijan have all the chances to sign a peace treaty soon