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Trump, Harris start debate by shaking hands

The presidential candidates also exchanged remarks before the speeches began

NEW YORK, September 11. /TASS/. US Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat, and former US leader Donald Trump, a Republican, began a pre-election debate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, shaking hands and exchanging remarks, according to US media.

Harris approached Trump and shook his hand. The presidential candidates also exchanged remarks before the speeches began. In late June, Trump and US President Joe Biden did not shake hands before the start of the debate.

The current televised primary debate between Harris and Trump is hosted by ABC. This round, broadcast live by all major US news outlets, may be the only one. Trump and Harris have not yet agreed on whether there will be at least one more such meeting.

The US presidential election will be held on November 5. The Democratic Party was supposed to be represented by Joe Biden, but after his failed performance in the June debate with Trump, calls for the incumbent head of state to give up the fight grew louder among Democrats. On July 21, he decided to withdraw from the race and endorse Harris for the state's top office. Her candidacy was officially approved by delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Trump is the Republican Party's nominee.

Ukrainian leadership appointed from outside, as was Saakashvili in 2003 — Georgian PM

In Georgia, it resulted in total racketeering of businesses, murders of people in the streets, prisons, Irakli Kobakhidze said

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

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

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

Russian units, advancing toward Seversk in DPR, force Ukrainian troops out — expert

North-west of Zolotarevka, an enemy stronghold located at a strategic high point was eliminated, Andrey Marochko said

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

Current situation in world much more dangerous than during Cold War — envoy to Germany

According to Sergey Nechayev, at that time there were certain rules that were observed by both sides

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

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"

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

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"

Ukrainian troops captured: situation in Kursk Region

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

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."

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"

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

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

FACTBOX: Fires in Russia's Rostov Region: aftermath

The fires damaged 30 buildings, including 13 residential houses

EU’s overall assistance to Kiev amounts to €118 bln — EC

The EU and its Member States have so far mobilized around €43.5 billion in military support to Kiev, of which €6.1 billion comes from the European Peace Facility

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

Helicopter carrying three people gone missing in Amur region — Emergencies ministry

About 20 people and seven pieces of equipment involved in the search

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

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

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

Rescuers discover crash site of Robinson helicopter in Amur Region

About 20 people and seven pieces of equipment were involved in the search

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"

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

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

Russia awaits signals from South Korea to normalize relations, senior diplomat says

"Unfortunately, Seoul has so far preferred to communicate with us using sanctions," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said

Meta blocking accounts of Russian media to complicate normalization of relations — Kremlin

"Such selective actions with regard to Russian media are unacceptable," Dmitry Peskov stressed

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

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

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

No talk about return to wearing masks in Russia — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, the topic of possible pandemics was not on the agenda in general

Medvedev says Trump assassination attempt could be orchestrated by Kiev

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

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

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

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

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

Drug supplies to Ukrainian army come from US — POW

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

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

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?"

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

Slovaks care about remembrances of struggle against Nazis — intel chief

The Russian Historical Society recalled that the uprising, which broke out on August 29, 1944, was one of the major episodes of popular resistance to the Nazi invaders

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

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"

No specific proposals from Scholz on Ukraine talks, Russian envoy says

Sergey Nechaev stressed that the proposals should be valid and completely clear in essence

Russian aviation defeats reserves of seven Ukrainian brigades in Sumy Region

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"

Kiev intel agent preparing to blow up man eliminated — FSB

According to the service, the terrorist, on the instructions of his handlers, manufactured a homemade explosive device intended to blow up the car of one of the senior employees of a defense enterprise in the Sverdlovsk Region

Israeli authorities block over 80% of humanitarian cargo for Gaza Strip — TV channel

The statement pointed out that "100% of Gaza’s population is now dependent on aid and the shortages mean people are starving"

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

The incident occurred on September 15 in the city of Masvingo

Most Russians happy, poll reveals

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

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

Russia provides $40 mln aid to Armenia for implementing UN programs — embassy

According to the statement, Russia finances projects worth $9.7 million through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP)

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

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

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

Venezuelan President believes Russia will put an end to surge of Nazism in Ukraine

Nicolas Maduro said that "there are very balanced, very calm, very strong people, such as President Vladimir Putin"

Solutions to problem of payments with China exist, work in hand — MFA

Earlier, the media reported of Russian entrepreneurs complaining about conducting transactions with Chinese partners

Seven people injured in September 16 shelling of Belgorod region remain in hospitals

The injury of the woman is particularly alarming, governor Vyacheslav Gladkov noted

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"

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

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"

Russian envoy to Germany warns of consequences of strikes on Russia

"This would be a completely new situation for us and President Putin highlighted this a couple of days ago. For us, this will be a completely new situation with all ensuing consequences," the diplomat noted

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

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

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

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

According to preliminary data, no one was injured

Brussels' attempting to attract more migrants to Europe — top Hungarian diplomat

Peter Szijjarto added that "there are conscientious African countries that keep migration under control"

Zelensky remains in power only in conditions of conflict with Russia — envoy to London

"It’s a figure that can live only in the conditions of this war, because otherwise he will be toppled and he will have to leave," Andrey Kelin emphasized

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"

Press review: Russia moves to boost its army and Zelensky to present victory plan to Biden

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, September 17th

Russia needs law protecting citizens from audio deepfakes as soon as possible — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov admitted that he himself had come across a situation when fraudsters called and spoke with familiar voices

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

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

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 forces advance in Stepnogorsk area in Zaporozhye Region — politician

According to Vladimir Rogov, the advance was under constant strikes by Ukrainian tube artillery, drones and multiple launch rocket systems

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

Russian ambassador to London says UN Security Council paralyzed due to UK, US actions

Andrey Kelin noted that the UN "cannot take care of all conflicts in the world," and in order to settle local issues, it is necessary to create effective regional organizations

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

Ukraine suffers major infantry losses in Sudzha area — Chechen commander

Major General Apty Alaudinov specified that the Akhmat fighters shot down several drones and eliminated one motor vehicle and one self-propelled artillery system

EU channels €1.4 bln of profit from frozen Russian assets for buying weapons for Ukraine

"Close to €1.4 billion have already been channeled through the European Peace Facility to deliver priority equipment, including artillery ammunition and air defense, as well as - for the first time - procurement from the Ukrainian defense industry," the statement says

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

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

Many Europeans 'on the right side of history' — Russian intel chief

Sergey Naryshkin expressed confidence that "the memory of the heroic participants of the Slovak Uprising unites Russians and Slovaks"

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

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

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

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

Size of Russian army increased due to threats to country — Kremlin

"This is triggered by an extremely hostile situation on western borders and instability on eastern borders," Dmitry Peskov pointed out

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

Russia destroys key Ukrainian highways leading to DPR’s Krasnoarmeysk — security forces

As a result, according to the security services, Krasnoarmeysk has been virtually cut off from supplies

In case of deep strikes Russia to respond with more powerful weapons — Duma speaker

According to Vyacheslav Volodin, it is crucial for the parliaments of the United States and European countries to "understand and realize what can happen"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Israel likely to start war with Hezbollah in Lebanon within 6 weeks — media

Israel's political leadership got confident about the military operation against Hezbollah after it successfully thwarted Hezbollah’s rocket attack on August 25 this year

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

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

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

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"