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Personal devices blasts in Lebanon

Israel planted explosives inside Hezbollah pagers fearing group was onto operation — Axios

A former Israeli official with knowledge of the operation said the country’s special services intended to use the booby-trapped pagers they had planted in Hezbollah ranks in a surprise attack "in an all-out war"

WASHINGTON, September 18. /TASS/. Israeli intelligence services decided to blow up pagers and other devices carried by Hezbollah out of concern the Lebanese group might discover their secret operation, Axios quoted three US officials as saying.

"It was a use it or lose it moment," one of the US officials said.

A former Israeli official with knowledge of the operation said the country’s special services intended to use the booby-trapped pagers they had planted in Hezbollah ranks in a surprise attack "in an all-out war," Axios reported

The US news website said earlier that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his senior government officials and the heads of the intelligence services approved the operation earlier this week.

Israel did not inform the United States in advance about preparations for such an operation, two US officials told Axios. According to Israeli officials, they are aware that a major escalation is possible following the incident, while the military is on high alert for a possible response by Shia militia.

Pagers detonated across Lebanon almost simultaneously on Tuesday. Hezbollah blamed the explosions on Israel as it vowed to retaliate against the Jewish state. Reuters said the pagers had been imported by Hezbollah months ago. Acting Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad said at least eight people were killed and 2,800 others were wounded in the pager attack. Israel has not commented on the incident yet.

Zelensky may be overthrown if Ukraine fails to hold elections — Ukrainian MP

Ukraine is still facing the question of the legitimacy of power in the absence of parliamentary and presidential elections, which cannot be held during martial law

Mexican president-elect refuses to visit Ukraine

"I will attend certain international events, which we consider important, but we will not travel much - our responsibility lies here," Claudia Sheinbaum said

Russian forces move to better positions in Zaporozhye Region — politician

The Russian forces are making progress in the Orekhov direction near Malaya Tokmachka, Novodanilovka, and Marfopol

Kremlin spokesman explains why Kremlin has resumed publications on YouTube

It was done in order to have more possibilities to reach foreign audiences, Dmitry Peskov said

US House of Representatives fails to pass government funding bill until March 2025

The document was supported by 202 members of the House while 220 voted against

Russia-Lao ‘Laros-2024’ drills kick off in Primorsky Region

During the exercise, servicemen of the Lao People's Army will work out all stages of practical operations in unified combat formation with units of the Eastern Military District

Russian units strike energy facilities of Ukrainian military-industrial complex

Russia’s battlegroup Center has continued to advance into enemy defenses and wiped out more than 500 Ukrainian servicemen over the past 24 hours, the Defense Ministry said

Harris may meet with Zelensky next week — agency

According to the sources, Zelensky also hopes to meet with US President Joe Biden in New York

Guterres urged to avert threat of third world war amid multiple conflicts

"Any country or any military entity feels that they can do whatever they want, because nothing will happen to them, and this poses an even greater threat to stability," the UN secretary-general

Russian aviation wipes out base of Ukrainian militants in DPR — expert

The Russian Aerospace Forces delivered a strike with a glide munition

Trump says may meet with Zelensky next week — agency

Republican presidential candidate did not say however where and when this meeting might take place

Russia strongly condemns unprecedented attack on Lebanon, its citizens — MFA

"In all likelihood the organizers of this high-tech attack purposefully sought to foment a large-scale armed confrontation with the aim to provoke a major war in the Middle East," Maria Zakharova said

Israel behind Hezbollah walkie-talkie explosions — media

According to the sources, the walkie-talkies were stuffed with explosives in advance by Israeli intelligence and then supplied to Hezbollah as par of the emergency communication system to be used during combat operations with Israel

Bulgarian company may have shipped pagers used in Lebanon blasts, says news portal

According to its information, the Budapest-registered BAC Consulting served merely as an intermediary with the Taiwanese company, while the Sofia-based company was directly involved in purchasing the devices

Press review: US shifts rhetoric on Ukraine and walkie-talkie explosions rock Lebanon

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, September 19th

Georgia under Saakashvili went to war in 2008 on orders from abroad — prime minister

According to Irakli Kobakhidze, "it is not the issue of starting a war that has enraged the radical opposition, but the topic of mutual forgiveness and reconciliation" with Ossetians

Expert: Demand for Far Eastern, Arctic hectares is growing

More than 140,000 people have participated in the program, and more than 92,000 hectares of land have been allocated for free

Member of Yemen’s presidential council arrives in Moscow — agency

According to the Yemeni news agency, Saleh is expected to hold a number of meetings with Russian officials during his visit, which will last a few days

Seoul warns Russia, North Korea of consequences if they threaten its security

Yoon Suk Yeol told ahead of his visit to the Czech Republic, where he said he plans to discuss Russia’s cooperation with North Korea, as well as Pyongyang’s nuclear missile program

Biden plans to travel to Germany in mid-October — report

The German government and the White House declined to comment on the report to the NTV

First MC-21 flight in fully imported version expected this year — minister

The domestic MC-21 is the most promising aircraft for international markets, Anton Alikhanov said

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

Four members of female cell of terrorist group arrested by Kazan court

According to the investigation, the accused women were members of the Islamic Liberation Party international terrorist organization

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

Lebanon pager explosions an act of terrorism by Israel, says Iran’s mission to UN

The Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns this act of sabotage and terrorism by the rogue regime of Israel, said the document presented by the Iranian diplomatic mission.

Ukraine attacks Belgorod Region with over 160 munitions over past day

Three drones were shot down by air defenses

Exploding pagers disrupt Hezbollah’s communications network — ex-CIA operative

According to Robert Baer, the pager attack rendered the Lebanese Shia group unable to coordinate operations effectively, giving Israel a significant strategic advantage

Moscow categorically disagrees with Armenian PM’s criticism of CSTO — Kremlin

"The CSTO cannot and does not pose any threat to Armenia’s sovereignty," Dmitry Peskov stressed

Gold price reaches new all-time high as Fed cuts interest rate

Prices rose sharply after the US Federal Reserve decided to cut its key interest rate by 0.5 percentage points for the first time in four years to 4.75-5%

New bomber Tupolev-22M3M presented in Kazan

The Tupolev-22M3M was equipped with the newest on-board digital radio-electronic equipment

Medvedev says Trump assassination attempt could be orchestrated by Kiev

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

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

Israel set up fake pager manufacturing company — media

The newspaper noted that at least two other front companies were set up to conceal the identities of Israeli intelligence officers involved in the operation

Thirteen people in hospital after drone attack on Tver Region — Russian Health Ministry

Aide to the Russian health minister Alexey Kuznetsov noted that 15 more people were being examined by doctors

Russia and Rwanda intend to create an commission on trade and science — Ambassador

The issue of creating a Russian-Rwandan intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, and scientific-technical cooperation is currently on the agenda, Russian Ambassador to Kigali said

Harris holds slim lead over Trump in latest poll

According to the poll, 50% of its participants are ready to support Harris at the presidential election, with 48% of those polled supporting Trump

Israeli military arrest suspected terrorists in West Bank

According to Walla, suspected terrorists were arrested in Nablus, Jenin, and Qalqiliya

FACTBOX: What is known about shooting at Wildberries office in central Moscow

The shooting took place at the entrance to the Wildberries office in the Romanov Dvor business center, the emergency services reported

New wave of explosions in Lebanon affects personal devices, including phones — TV

According to the report, radios, phones, fingerprint devices, as well as devices working on solar and lithium-ion batteries exploded in different regions of the country

Six people died of hunger in Kharkov Region after Ukraine blocked supply routes — official

Yevgeny Lisnyak said the victims were mostly elderly people who struggle to take care of themselves

Georgian PM says US leadership is under informal influence of group of individuals

Irakli Kobakhidze expressed the hope that the US would not impose any more sanctions against Georgia

Press review: Hezbollah pagers attack threatens wider war and Russia ready to test nukes

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, September 18th

Kiev asks West's permission for strikes on Russia, funds for defense, NATO membership

Kiev believes these measures would increase pressure on Moscow in military, economic, political, and diplomatic terms

Islamic State terrorists seeking to destabilize situation in Afghanistan — diplomat

"Of special concern for us are security risks stemming from the continuing terrorist activities of the Islamic State Afghan wing," Vasily Nebenzya said

UN chief, Security Council should condemn attack on Iran’s ambassador in Lebanon — mission

Iranian mission said that UN must also condemn "violations of Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and attacks and targeting of Lebanese civilians"

Moldova stepping up pressure on Transnistria under pretext of EU integration — Tiraspol

"Citing the EU standards, Moldova plans to toughen imports of all types of packaged merchandise, including food, to Transnistria," Transnistrian foreign ministry said

Russian diplomat sees US mired in tyranny already

Earlier, American entrepreneur Elon Musk surmised that there would no longer be real US elections if Trump lost the presidential race in 2024

US afraid Israel may launch offensive in Lebanon — media

The newspaper emphasized that Israel had deployed a military contingent of thousands of special forces and paratroopers from the south to the north of the country

Death toll from walkie-talkie blasts in Lebanon up to 20 — health ministry

According to the ministry’s bulletin posted on its Telegram channel, the number of those wounded has increased to 460

Russia's successor to McDonald's prepares to enter foreign markets

The chain's owner Alexander Govor said in early September that Vkusno I Tochka was ready to open restaurants in the Chinese city of Heihe and is waiting for the US company's decision on this issue

Hungarian BAC company denies involvement in pager blasts in Lebanon — media

BAC Consulting has blocked access to its website following claims by Gold Apollo, the Hungarian Telex website reported

North Korea test launches new short-range ballistic missile

The launch was carried out on September 18 to test its accuracy at a distance of up to 320 kilometers, KCNA said

Moldova may organize energy blockade of Transnistria — Moldova’s ex-president

"I think the highest risks are linked with gas transit via Ukraine," Igor Dodon said

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"

Schools in one municipality of Russia’s Tver region withdraw services after drone attack

The region's governor Igor Rudenya has authorized a partial evacuation of residents to the town of Zapadnaya Dvina

UK Foreign Office summons Russian envoy over expulsion of diplomats from Moscow

The Russian Embassy in London has not yet commented on Andrey Kelin's summons to the Foreign Office

Putin extends food embargo on imports from Western countries for two years

The food embargo, introduced in response to the unfriendly actions of the West, has been in effect in Russia since August 7, 2014

Zaluzhny objected to attacking Russia’s Kursk Region — media

Russia’s tactical successes and ongoing offensive in Donbass cause big losses in the Ukrainian army, Politico said, citing the Ukrainian military

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

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 welcomes Pakistan's bid to join BRICS — Russian Deputy Prime Minister

"Over the past year, we have seen a significant expansion of BRICS, and countries from all over the world are showing great interest in joining," Alexey Overchuk said

NATO sets new tasks for Tallinn in event of conflict with Russia — Estonian General Staff

Major General Vahur Karus noted that, as opposed to a decade ago, Estonia can unequivocally count on allied units, stationed on its soil, to immediately participate in a conflict with Russia

Israel says Lebanon’s death toll from wave of attacks may be much higher — newspaper

According to Israeli investigative reporter and analyst Ronen Bergman, the attacks caused "significant harm" to Hezbollah’s elite Radwan unit which, has lost most of its leaders

Tver region governor says no serious injuries in drone attack on Toropets

Earlier reports said a fire occurred at the scene where drone fragments fell in Toropets

Stoltenberg's statements about possible strikes on Russia provocative — Kremlin spokesman

"Such an ostentatious wish not to take the Russian president's statements into consideration is a move that is absolutely shortsighted and unprofessional," Dmitry Peskov said

Kiev regime fired its missile at Kharkov park, but blamed Russia — official

On August 31, 2024, the forces of the Ukrainian air defense system carried out a false launch of an anti-aircraft guided missile, which hit civilian objects in the area of Yuriev Park in Kharkov, Yevgeny Lisnyak said

Lebanon blasts must be thoroughly investigated — Russian Duma speaker

In Vyacheslav Volodin's opinion, the possibility of mass production of "such ‘weapons’ takes terrorism to a new level"

Ukraine lost in conflict with Russia, says Iranian lawmaker

Abolfazl Zohrevand pointed out that the country’s Foreign Ministry has repeatedly denied allegations of arms sales

Russia increases size of armed forces to staff new military districts — Putin

The decree will come into force on December 1,

Japanese company probing into reports that its walkie-talkies exploded in Lebanon

The company said that it received information that walkie-talkies with its logo had exploded in Lebanon and promised to share the results of the probe

Russian forces take control of two settlements in Kursk Region

According to Major General Apty Alaudinov, the entire frontline in moving forward, with Ukrainian soldiers surrendering

Iran pledges to take measures in response to attack on ambassador in Lebanon

Iran’s Permanent Mission to the UN said that "the continued terrorist actions and violations of international law by the Israeli regime pose a serious threat to international peace and security"

Belarus coup conspirators planned to shoot at Lukashenko’s helicopter

On September 5, 2022, a court in Minsk sentenced lawyer Yury Zenkovich to 11 years in prison in the case of conspiracy to seize power in Belarus

Israeli military chief endorses defensive, offensive plans for country’s north

Israeli forces are on high alert in the north of the country, Halevi said following the meetings

Experience gained in special op thoroughly studied to boost army capabilities — Putin

"We focus attention on the technical rearmament of the army and navy," the Russian leader underlined

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

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."

Ukrainian servicemen captured: developments in Kursk Region

Over the day, Ukraine lost up to 400 troops and 23 armored vehicles

Untrained Ukrainian soldiers seen deserting `en masse’ near Kremennaya — expert

The majority of freshly mobilized Ukrainian soldiers have no military specialty record, Andrey Marochko stressed

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

Lula da Silva, Putin discuss Brazilian-Chinese peace plan for Ukraine

"The two presidents talked about the meeting and the subjects to be discussed at the BRICS summit next month in Kazan, as well as bilateral relations between the countries," the statement reads

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

IN BRIEF: What is known about new wave of explosions in Lebanon

Explosions of portable radios, phones and other devices running on lithium-ion batteries and solar batteries were recorded in different regions of Lebanon

Russia records no increased background radiation near Norway — Kremlin

"Our services have not informed us about increased levels of this or that isotope in the atmosphere. Nor have we received any notifications about threats to people's health," Dmitry Peskov said

Israel notified US ahead of Lebanon operation, but gave no details of its plans — CNN

It was reported that Israeli officials had not notified their US counterparts until reports of hundreds of exploding pagers started coming from Lebanon

Expulsion of British diplomats from Moscow a logical response to London — Russian embassy

"In the context of the discussion of the current situation in bilateral relations, Andrey Kelin, at the request of the British side, explained the motives behind the Russian side’s decision," the statement reads

Snowden said exploding pagers in Lebanon likely to be stuffed with explosives

Former NSA employee and whistleblower blamed Israel for this, slamming its actions as reckless, bordering on terrorism

Participation of convicts in special military operation needs to be formalized — Kremlin

At a plenary meeting on Wednesday, the State Duma considered draft laws to exempt those mobilized or people who sign up for military service from criminal charges

Import-substituted SJ-100 to make about 200 test flights in 2025 — minister

"We are actually waiting for permission to conduct flight tests," Anton Alikhanov said

In contrast to Lebanon pager attacks in Russia impossible — expert

Anton Nemkin explained that nowadays almost all the functions that pagers once performed have been completely taken over by smartphones, messengers, social networks and e-mail

First five Baikal aircraft will be delivered in 2026 — minister

"It has been decided that we will switch to the domestic VK-800 engine," Anton Alikhanov said

IN BRIEF: Ex-Ukrainian intel officer’s car blown up in northern Moscow

The explosion occurred in a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado off-road vehicle parked on Korovinskoye highway in the north of Moscow, when the driver started the SUV

Israeli intel officials sent messages in Arabic to pagers before they exploded — media

According to the report, the officers assumed that some pager owners believed the messages were from the supreme leadership of the Shiite Hezbollah movement

Israel lambasts new UN General Assembly resolution on Palestine

According to the statement, the decision "is disconnected from reality, encourages terrorism and harms the chances for peace"

Global challenges should be solved through joint effort, says Putin

The Russian leader said that the Eurasian Women’s Forum is "one of the more prestigious international venues which showcases the potential and opportunities of modern women"

Two people killed, seven injured in shooting in downtown Moscow

The list of wounded includes two law enforcement officers who arrived at the site to stop criminal actions

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

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

US mistaken if it thinks nuclear conflict would affect Russia, Europe only — diplomat

Anatoly Antonov reiterated that there must never be a nuclear war and that there can be no winners in any nuclear conflict

Russia to study reasons for mass pager blasts in Lebanon to rule out such attack — Kremlin

On September 17, many pagers exploded practically simultaneously in several districts of Lebanon

West is persuading Ukraine to give up claims to 1991 borders — legislator

Yegor Chernev shared a "feeling" that the Western world is ready to declare as a victory for Ukraine at least the fact that "Kiev has not fallen" and that it "has not lost its sovereignty"

Explosives in Lebanon pagers undetectable by import-control equipment — report

Sources in the Lebanese security forces told the television channel that the explosives were planted in the pagers by the Israeli Military Intelligence and Mossad