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Middle East conflict

Full-scale conflict in Middle East must be avoided — UN

Volker Turk recalled the dire consequences of escalation in the occupied territories

GENEVA, September 9. /TASS/. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk believes that the global community should attach great attention to preventing a regional conflict in the Middle East.

"Ending that war and averting a full-blown regional conflict is an absolute and urgent priority," Turk said at the opening of the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva.

"Equally, the wider situation of illegality across the occupied Palestinian territory deriving from Israel’s policies and practices, as so clearly spelled out by the International Court of Justice in its Advisory Opinion in July, must be comprehensively addressed," the high commissioner added.

Turk recalled the dire consequences of escalation in the occupied territories. "Since the horrific October 7 attacks claimed the lives of over 1,200 victims in Israel and injured many others, over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces, several thousand injured, and thousands remain under the rubble in Gaza," the official said. According to him, "nearly 1.9 million people have been forcibly displaced."

Eleven months later, 101 Israeli hostages are still held in the Gaza Strip. Nearly 10,000 Palestinians remain in Israeli prisons or special military facilities, "with over 50 people having died due to inhumane conditions and ill-treatment." In the West Bank, Israel's "deadly and destructive operations" are exacerbating the "calamitous situation," Turk concluded.

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7 after militants from the Gaza Strip-based radical Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise incursion on Israeli territory, killing many Israeli kibbutz residents living near the Gaza border and abducting more than 240 Israelis, including women, children and the elderly. Israel declared a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and launched bombardments of the enclave and some areas in Lebanon and Syria, as well as a ground operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Clashes are also reported in the West Bank.

The 57th session of the HRC, which will last until October 11, will feature reports by Turk and UN Special Rapporteurs on Ukraine, Syria, Venezuela and Nicaragua. Other topics of the session include the situation in Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, the Central African Republic and some other countries. Russia is not a member of the HRC, but its delegation actively participates in the session.

Middle East conflict

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According to Al Jazeera, people were found dead after airstrikes on refugee tents in the Al-Baraka area of Deir al-Balah

Ukrainian evacuation teams overwhelmed by influx of injured near Ugledar — POW

According to Robert Pogorelov, the Ukrainian army losses in the past few days have been measured in dozens

Netanyahu says 'fundamental change' in security on border with Lebanon is needed

Benjamin Netanyahu thanked US Presidential Special Envoy Amos Hochstein for the United States’ support but noted that Israel is ready to settle security issues on the border Lebanon by itself

Two more settlements liberated: developments in Russia's Kursk Region

Over the day, Ukraine lost over 350 servicemen and 13 armored vehicles, including two tanks and 11 armored fighting vehicles, as well as two artillery pieces, three mortars, two multiple rocket launchers, including one US-made M270 MLRS, and eight vehicles

Russian envoy says he received calls from US ex-officials following Putin’s statements

Earlier Russian president warned that a potential decision to allow Ukraine to deliver long-range strikes inside Russia may have consequences

Ukrainian missile shot down over Kursk Region

Governor Alexey Smirnov warned people against coming close to and touching the missile fragments and asked them to inform emergencies services about suspicious-looking findings

Russian aviation defeats reserves of seven Ukrainian brigades in Sumy Region

Rising number of dead foreigners in Ukraine proves West's involvement — envoy to UN

"We have warned from the beginning that those who help the Zelensky clique stay afloat will become our legitimate targets," Vasily Nebezya reminded

Air defense shot down UAV in Russia’s Belgorod region, one person was injured — Governor

The Governor added that the roof of the building of the industrial enterprise was damaged

US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace seven times in past day

Apart from that, six violations of the deconfliction protocols of December 9, 2019 were reported

Moscow working on response to US sanctions on Russian media — diplomat

Maria Zakharova emphasized the need for a consolidated reaction from the Russian community to what she called unlawful restrictions

Explosion occurs in downtown Cologne, police block off area — German newspaper

According to preliminary data, no one was injured

Cabinet passes draft deal on construction of products pipeline in Republic of the Congo

Zakneftegazstroy-Prometey Ltd. and the National Petroleum Company of Congo, which acts as a customer, will become authorized companies responsible for implementation of the project from Russia and the Republic of the Congo, respectively

Medvedev says Trump assassination attempt could be orchestrated by Kiev

The suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, recruited mercenaries for the Ukrainian army

Court indicts suspected Trump assailant Ryan Wesley Routh — report

A court hearing on Ryan Wesley Routh’s imprisonment has been scheduled for September 23, the media said

Musk points to absence of assassination attempts on Biden, Harris

The American billionaire responded to a subscriber's comment on X "Why do they want to kill Donald Trump?"

Ukrainian troops captured: situation in Kursk Region

In total, the enemy has lost over 11,800 servicemen since fighting began in the region

Russia waits for US to explain how warfare agent got in hands Ukrainian troops — diplomat

"The Russian side thoroughly registers chemical incidents evidencing that Ukraine violates its commitments under the CWC," Vasily Nebenzya said

Syria’s Assad receives Sergey Shoigu in Damascus — Presidential Office

According to the statement, "during the negotiations, both sides stated their wish for strengthening of the Syrian-Russian relations, which meets the interests of the two friendly states"

UN may cease its activity in Gaza amid problems with humanitarian deliveries — diplomat

"It is obvious that the currently used route from Jordan, Egypt, and Israel is not enough to deliver as much of humanitarian aid as needed," Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasilyt Nebenzya underlined

West fully supported Ukraine’s assault on Russia’s Kursk Region — Defense Ministry

As Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin noted, it was proved "that the 'Ukraine project,' at least since the Maidan coup, has been and still remains an instrument of the collective West"

Putin always deliberate in choosing response to West’s actions — Kremlin

Russian experts discuss tough options among other things, Dmitry Peskov added

Access to last supply route actually cut for Ukrainian troops in Ugledar — Russian police

The Ukrainian troops have been struggling to travel along dirt roads as all of them are under the fire control of Russian forces

BRICS foreign ministers to gather in New York in late September — Lavrov

According to the Russian Foreign Minister, Russia and Egypt agree that the country's accession to BRICS in January gave a significant impetus to the partnership between the two nations

Russian forces foil three Ukrainian rotations in Zaporozhye Region — official

Vladimir Rogov specified that rotations of Ukrainian units had been disrupted over the past two days

Russian forces destroy two Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jets in 24 hours — defense ministry

The Russian Aerospace Forces downed two Su-27 fighter jets of Ukraine’s air forces in 24 hours

FBI has no info about accomplices of suspect in assassination attempt on Trump — agent

Special agent Jeffrey Veltri said that the investigation will determine that

Suspect in Trump assassination attempt recruited Afghans for Ukraine, Russian MFA says

Maria Zakharova added that US officials "confessed to journalists that, according to regulations, they spend only 10 minutes to check the documents of a potential foreign fighter"

White House taking Putin’s words about NATO’s involvement in Ukrainian conflict seriously

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that by allowing Ukraine to use its weapons to strike deep inside Russia the West will get directly involved in the Ukrainian conflict

West downplays threats to nuclear plants posed by Ukraine — Rosatom

Alexey Likhachev said Russia would defend its point of view and communicate to the world community "the authors of the real threats to the nuclear power industry"

Moldova may join EU without Transnistria — President Sandu

According to the Moldovan President, Brussels doesn’t demand that Chisinau settle the Transnistrian problem before being integrated into the European Union

Germany to deliver 6 PzH 2000 artillery guns to Ukraine within 2 months — Pistorius

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

NATO allies have no consensus on inviting Ukraine to alliance so far — Stoltenberg

"In the long run, there can be no peace and security in Ukraine without Ukraine becoming a NATO ally," NATO secretary general said

NATO coordinated Ukraine’s attack on Kursk Region, provided equipment — Russian top brass

Major General Apty Alaudinov stressed that US-made M113 and MaxxPro armored personnel carriers, MRAP and Humvee armored vehicles, as well as French and Swedish equipment were involved in the incursion into the Kursk Region

Suicide drones Kub destroy Ukrainian MLRS, self-propelled gun, howitzer over weekend

The Kub guided barrage munitions, designed to defeat armored vehicles and enemy manpower, have proven very effective in the course of the special military operation in Ukraine

Scholz calls for exploring opportunities for launching peace process on Ukraine

According to the German chancellor, "now is the time to see what is possible"

Bank of Russia considers necessary to additionally toughen monetary conditions

It is necessary to resume the disinflation process, lower inflationary expectations and get inflation back to the 4% target, according to files released by the regulator

West needs to sacrifice Zelensky to avoid World War III — politician

Viktor Medvedchuk emphasized that Russia may intensify its attacks on Ukraine which practically lacks its own air force or nuclear weapons

Countries need to grasp consequences of hosting US military bases — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova cited Germany, which portrays itself as a democratic state with a well-developed legal system, as an example

Two Palestinians killed in airstrike on refugee camp in Gaza — TV

According to Al Jazeera, people were found dead after airstrikes on refugee tents in the Al-Baraka area of Deir al-Balah

Four die, 50 missing after shipwreck in Democratic Republic of the Congo

A ship with 200 passengers sank on the Lukenie River in the central part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Russia will not leave US actions against Russian media unanswered — diplomat

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova drew attention to the fact that the United States has launched another wave of restrictions against Russian media and journalists, continuing to strictly follow the course of total extermination of any dissent

Russia, Turkey disagree on Crimea’s status, Moscow keeps persuading Ankara — Kremlin

"We hope that over time this will allow Ankara to understand us better and to agree with our arguments," Dmitry Peskov explained

Russian forces liberate Kursk Region’s Uspenovka, Borki

Reconnaissance and search operations in the forest areas continue in order to identify and destroy enemy sabotage groups trying to penetrate deep into Russian territory

Establishing Routh's ties with Kiev should be US secret services’ headache — Kremlin

"In any case, playing with fire has its consequences," Dmitry Peskov said

Austrian military analyst predicts Ugledar will likely fall as Russian forces gain ground

Colonel Markus Reisner said Russian troops are trying to strengthen their strikes on the flanks of Krasnoarmeysk

UN officials need Russia’s authorization to visit Kursk Region — spokesman

"The short answer from us is, we are ready to do it," Stephane Dujarric said

Poland at risk of direct confrontation with Russia, Belarus — Medvedev

According to the politician, "Poland's reckless actions, if rashly supported by its NATO allies, may have far-reaching dangerous consequences for the entire world"

FACTBOX: Student stages attack in Russian school

According to the Health Ministry, four people were wounded, namely three teenagers of 13 years and one adult

Suspect in assassination attempt on Trump did not have time to open fire — Secret Service

Acting Director Ron Rowe also noted that Trump "is aware that he has highest levels of protection that the Secret Service is providing him"

Russia appreciates Egypt's sensible stance on Ukraine — Lavrov

"We outlined our vision of the challenges currently emerging, including within the international community, and our view on how to overcome these difficulties while considering Russia's legitimate interests," the Russian foreign minister said

Russian armed forces consolidating in settlement of Borki in Kursk region — army

Apty Alaudinov said that the Arbat unit worked there together with the 810th brigade

Three settlements in Belgorod Region attacked by Ukrainian troops

Four single-family houses and two auxiliary structures burned down in the village of Kozinka after a shelling attack by Ukrainian troops

Meta Corporation blocks RT, Rossiya Segodnya accounts on its platforms — NBC

Meta has not yet responded to a request from TASS to comment

Zelensky's settlement plan based on strikes deep into Russia — adviser

Sergey Leshchenko at the same time described as speculations various assumptions about the content of the plan, which appeared in the Western media in recent days

Khibiny Mountains pass in Murmansk Region to be named after TASS

"The name TASS, proposed by scientists and supported by the region, will be put on the federal catalog of geographical names and will appear on all maps," the expedition's head of headquarters Oksana Tolstykh said

Press review: Kiev may get nod for long-range strikes and Israel-Hamas truce hope fades

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, September 16th

Russia after crisis in Ukraine should focus on relations with Asia — expert

Alexey Kupriyanov noted that "we will have to somehow build our interaction with the countries with which we manage to establish relations during this time"

Over 100 Russia’s requests for extradition of criminals turned down by EU since 2022

Most of the refusals came from Poland, Valery Kalachev, chief of the National Central Bureau of Interpol of the Russian Interior Ministry, said

Russian aviation hit formations of 7 Ukrainian brigades in Kursk region — Defense Ministry

It also struck reserves of 11 brigades in the Sumy region, the ministry reported

West already involved in Ukrainian conflict, issue needs to be formalized — Kremlin

"We see a lot of information fiddling around this, a lot of rumors, a lot of predictions by different analysts," Dmitry Peskov noted

Russian Army gets one of world’s most powerful self-propelled guns after upgrade

The 2S7M ‘Malka’ upgraded gun has received new running gear and electronics, according to the state hi-tech corporation Rostec

Kazakhstan still ready to act as intermediary in Russia-Ukraine talks — MFA

Kazakhstan considers it necessary to observe the principles of the UN Charter on countries’ territorial integrity, the official noted

Moscow views transfer of Russian aircraft to Ukraine by Portugal as hostile move — MFA

According to Maria Zakharova, it is evident that in this way Lisbon "is seeking to faithfully demonstrate its allied zeal and obedient compliance with the trajectory imposed on the Europeans by their handlers from across the ocean"

Frenchman Vinatier pleads guilty of violating foreign agent legislation

Earlier on Monday, the court granted his defense’s motion to consider the case under a special procedure

New UN Secretary-General may be elected for 7 years for first time — UN General Assembly

The office term of the United Nations current Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, expires on December 31

NATO making plans of sending its troops to Ukraine — Russian deputy defense minister

According to Alexander Fomin, this may lead to a direct military confrontation of nuclear powers

WW3 already declared, Pope Francis believes

The Pope pointed to conflicts in some parts of Africa, in northern Nigeria and in the north of the Congo, "where war is still raging, and no one cares"

Russia’s battlegroup West repels 8 counterattacks, inflicting roughly 600 enemy casualties

Units of Russia’s battlegroup Center repelled nine counterattacks and continued advancing deep into the enemy’s defenses

Developer states constant upgrade of Forpost UAV based on its use in special military op

According to the developer, the Forpost was developed to solve reconnaissance and strike tasks in conditions where the enemy does not have a highly organized air defense system, and within the Air Defense Forces the system is used where there is no enemy counteraction

Russia must respond to West's banditry — Peskov on limiting raw materials exports

We need to respond to — not just unfriendly, but thuggish — actions against us, he said

Russia’s continued offensive and Ukraine’s losses in the Kursk region

Palestine sits as state for first time at 79th session of the UN General Assembly

Palestine will be able to include its representatives in the list of speakers at meetings on Middle East issues, propose amendments and make procedural proposals on behalf of a group of countries

Almost 50 flights diverted to alternate airfields as operation of Moscow airports limited

According to Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency, "three airports of the Moscow Region were temporarily closed"

NATO not to become conflict side if West authorizes Kiev to strike at Russia — Stoltenberg

According to the Secretary General, NATO closely monitors what Russia is doing in its nuclear posture

BRICS platforms alternative to dollar, euro attract increasing number of states — Lavrov

"Many are attracted by the fact that payment platforms are being developed within BRICS, which allow trading, investing, carrying out other economic operations without being dependent on those that decided to weaponize the dollar and the euro," the foreign minister said

Medecins sans Frontieres terminates its activities in Russia

MSF points out that in August it received a letter from the Russian Ministry of Justice with a decision to withdraw the organization from the register of affiliate and representative offices of foreign NGOs

Governor of Russia’s Kursk region announces evacuation from two districts

According to Alexey Smirnov, regional law enforcement officers, officials and members of the Kursk-based Patriot voluntary public order squad will handle the coordination of the process

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

New names may emerge in Crocus City Hall terror attack investigation

One of the suspects, Mukhammad Zoir Sharipzoda, "may contact other unidentified co-conspirators in the crime" if he is not placed in pretrial custody

FACTBOX: Fires in Russia's Rostov Region: aftermath

The fires damaged 30 buildings, including 13 residential houses

Reconciliation with Abkhazia, Ossetia impossible without apologies — Georgian ruling party

"Political resolve and courage are needed to implement the idea of Georgia’s unification and part of this courage is apologizing where necessary for mutual forgiveness," the executive secretary noted

Roscosmos offered its help to NASA in Starliner situation — head

Yury Borisov recalled the December 2022 loss of pressure in Soyuz MS-22’s external radiator cooling loop, which resulted in a decision not to use it for crew return

Russia’s Ka-52M helicopters wipe out Ukrainian troops in borderline Kursk Region

Having eliminated Ukrainian troops and military hardware, the crews returned safely to their home base

Most Russians happy, poll reveals

The data of the daily all-Russian poll VCIOM-Sputnik serves as the foundation for estimating the indices

Russian biathlon champion says that IOC presidential candidate Coe hates country

Sebastian Coe heads the International Association of Athletics Federations, one of the few organizations in summer Olympic sports that refused to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete even in neutral status

Two people injured in fire in Lugansk People’s Republic village

Fire damaged 10 homes in the village of Valuyskoye

Ukrainian opposition leader sends letter to Trump saying Kiev had motive to kill him

"Physical elimination of political opponents and political corruption are links in a chain for those who are seeking to stay in power and are profiting from the war in Ukraine by means of selling weapons to Ukrainian neo-Nazis," Viktor Medvedchuk stressed

Zimbabwe president’s helicopter crashes after takeoff, president was not aboard — TV

The incident occurred on September 15 in the city of Masvingo

UK Foreign Secretary offends memory of fallen, accusing Russia of fascism — embassy

The embassy said that it took note a long time ago of "propensity for inappropriate and provocative statements"

Russia’s response to long-range weapons supplies to Kiev will be brutal — MFA

"The opponents in Washington, London, and other places clearly underestimate the degree of danger of the game they continue to play," Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Ryabkov said

Medvedev allows use of nuclear weapons by Russia when ‘patience runs out’

The politician underscored that no one really needs a nuclear conflict - it is "a very bad story with a very difficult outcome."

Press review: BRICS challenges existing security concepts and Europe's economy in trouble

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, September 13th

Russian National Guard says it destroyed some Ukrainian militants in Kursk Region

The agency said it was tipped off about a group of militants in the forest area near one of the settlements by local residents

Ukrainian military says suspect in Trump assassination attempt reached out to them — CNN

On September 15, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation reported a shooting outside the Trump International Golf Club in Palm Beach, where the politician was staying

Drug supplies to Ukrainian army come from US — POW

It is reported that under some psychotropics a person can stay awake for a week

Lavrov calls on UN not to ignore Gaza problem

The top Russian diplomat condemned the United States’ non-constructive approach to this matter and stressed that "this topic should be the focus of the Security Council"

IN BRIEF: What is known about alleged assassination attempt on Trump

The suspect was later apprehended by police and is now in custody

Kiev switches mercenaries to Kupyansk to hold back advance of Russian forces — expert

The expert specified that the Ukrainian national battalions near Kupyansk "are engaged in their traditional activities", playing the role of a "deterrent" - barrier detachments

Press review: UK may jettison Russian sanctions and Berlin eyes olive branch on Ukraine

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, September 10th

Gunman in Trump’s assassination attempt supported Kiev regime, says NYP

According to the news outlet, he promoted "the idea of having former Afghanistan troopers fight for Ukraine in Russia"