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Musk slams Democrats for trying to deprive Americans of freedom of speech

"The Democratic Party openly wants to take your freedom of speech under the guise of what they deem to be ‘hate’," the entrepreneur said

NEW YORK, October 3. /TASS/. The Democratic Party seeks to deprive the American people of freedom of speech, US billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk said.

"The Democratic Party openly wants to take your freedom of speech under the guise of what they deem to be ‘hate’," he wrote on the X social media platform.

Earlier, Republican candidate for US vice president James David Vance said that censorship was the main threat to democracy in the country. According to him, incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic hopeful for US presidency, wants "to silence people from speaking their minds."

Middle East conflict

Iran lifts all restrictions on flights imposed after missile attack on Israel

On the evening of October 1, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC, the elite unit of Iran's armed forces) launched a massive ballistic and hypersonic missile attack against Israel in retaliation for the deaths of top leaders of the Hamas, Hezbollah and IRGC groups

Iran proves that Israel's Iron Dome is more fragile than glass — president

Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated that Tehran does not want war, but is not afraid of it, and "will stop at nothing to protect the country's national security, honor and authority"

New NATO Secretary General Rutte 'proven Russia hater' — diplomat

"That said, we should probably expect even harsher anti-Russian rhetoric; but we will definitely see nothing constructive," Maria Zakharova noted

Russia urges Israel to immediately stop its ground operation in Lebanon — MFA

According to the statement, Moscow expresses solidarity with the leadership and people of the friendly Lebanese nation targeted by the Israeli aggression

Unrecovered bodies of European mercenaries litter Kursk fields — Russian MP

According to Viktor Vodolatsky, the West needed the Ukrainian incursion into the borderline Russian region of Kursk to test how well Russia’s border is protected

Israel carries out strikes on coastal cities in western Syria — TV

The attack targeted a weapons depot in the Jableh rural area on the coast

Moscow may expand list of countries citizens of which can move to Russia easier — MFA

Russia approved a list of foreign states and territories that promote destructive neoliberal ideologies contradicting traditional Russian spiritual and moral values, Head of the Russian Foreign Ministry's consular department Alexey Klimov noted

IN BRIEF: World awaits Israeli response as Iran says 'not afraid of war'

The Iranian Foreign Ministry said the attack targeted Israeli military facilities only, while Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant described the country's defenses against the massive Iranian missile attack as "successful"

Iran 'crosses red line' with attack on Israel — Israeli Foreign Minister

"The support and solidarity from leaders and nations around the world will never be forgotten," Israel Katz 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"

Russian Aerospace Forces hit three militant bases in two Syrian provinces

The Russian Aerospace Forces have carried out strikes on three bases of militants coming from the Al-Tanf area

OPEC refutes WSJ article on Saudi minister’s statements

"The alleged statements, attributed to unnamed sources, lack any credibility and are completely fabricated," OPEC noted

Musk slams Democrats for trying to deprive Americans of freedom of speech

"The Democratic Party openly wants to take your freedom of speech under the guise of what they deem to be ‘hate’," the entrepreneur said

Russia, China actively preparing Xi's visit to BRICS summit — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova stated that Russia and China are now focusing their cooperation in practical areas on implementing initiatives in bilateral trade, transportation, logistics, finance

Lavrov holds meeting with Arab ambassadors — Foreign Ministry

"During the exchange of views on the evolving situation in the Middle East, the main attention was paid to the ongoing unprecedented escalation of violence," Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said

Israel to respond to Iran strikes within 'days' — news outlet

Israel "is going to respond on its own," but wants to coordinate its plans with the US in the context of the "strategic implications" of the situation, the publication pointed out

Liberation of Ugledar paving way to large lithium deposit — expert

"Full-scale lithium production on already explored reserves can be an important element of replenishing the budget of the Donetsk People’s Republic and significantly help the Western countries in making the energy transition," Nikolay Novik noted

Israel bears all blame for Middle East escalation — Russia’s UN envoy

"As part of its mandate to maintain international peace and security, the UN Security Council must compel Israel to immediately cease hostilities," Vasily Nebenzya went on to say

Scholz hopes to hold conversation with Putin in coming weeks — media

As the weekly Die Zeit emphasized, Olaf Scholz last talked with Putin in December 2022, also over the phone

Georgian parliament speaker signs law banning LGBT propaganda

Shalva Papuashvili said the president’s refusal to sign the law came as no surprise, describing her as "the nominal opposition leader"

Russian troops advance: situation in Kursk Region

The Russian military repelled two Ukrainian attempts to break through the border towards Novy Put

Press review: Putin sends nuke smoke signal to West and China shows off military might

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, September 26th

Hungary won’t support EU plan to send instructors to Ukraine — top diplomat

Peter Szijjarto stressed that such step would significantly increase the risk of escalation of the war and thus its further expansion

BRICS rise driven by most countries' fatigue with Western diktat — Russian envoy

According to Alexey Labetsky, Western countries are attempting to divide BRICS, but the organization remains stable and united

Syrian Defense Ministry confirms Israeli strike on residential house in Damascus

According to the ministry, the shelling "killed three civilians and wounded three others"

Three killed, 24 wounded in Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s Belgorod Region

Injured people were taken to various regional medical facilities

Europe will soon turn to the side of peaceful settlement of Ukrainian conflict — Orban

The West jumped into Ukrainian-Russian conflict recklessly based on miscalculations and a misguided strategy, the Hungarian Prime Minister noted

Press review: Moscow snubs US on arms control and Kiev not fan of China peace initiative

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, October 1st

Russia has no plans of introducing visa restrictions for US citizens — diplomat

Visa restrictions will not be introduced despite the controversial policy of the US administration, Russian Foreign Ministry’s Consular Department Head Alexey Klimov said

Lebanon calls for ceasefire, ready to send army south — prime minister

Najib Mikati made the statement in the presence of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and the political leader of the Druze community, Walid Jumblat

Israel detects launch of more than 100 projectiles toward its north from Lebanon

According to the IDF, about 70 missiles were launched toward Western Galilee and another 30 projectiles toward Upper Galilee

Seoul rebukes Moscow to justify nuclear weapons-related preparations — Russian MFA

According to the statement, "South Korea’s demands that Moscow 'must' do something go beyond diplomatic communication"

Ukrainian lawmaker says Zelensky will end up in prison

According to Artyom Dmitruk, the conflict could have been ended as long ago as March 2022

Israeli soldiers advance 400 meters into Lebanon, then withdraw — army

Earlier, the Al Mayadeen TV channel reported that a Lebanese soldier was killed near Machghara in the western Bekaa region when an Israeli missile hit his house

Report says 14 Israeli troops killed in gunfights with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon

The death toll rose after Hezbollah fighters detonated an anti-personnel mine on the border near the village of Khirbet Yarun, the report said

Ukrainian army controls less than one percent of LPR territory, military expert says

Andrey Marochko specified that "a small piece of land" in the Svatovo and Kremennaya area remained under Ukraine’s control

Russian troops liberate Verkhnekamenskoye community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 855 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy ammunition depot in its area of responsibility over the past day

Russian GDP gained 4.2% in 8M 2024 — Economy Ministry

"The main driver is the "right-shift" of the harvesting campaign in agriculture," the ministry pointed out

Russia ready for long-term confrontation with US — Deputy Foreign Minister

"We are sending warning signals to our opponent so that they don’t underestimate our determination," Sergey Ryabkov said

West set to stage chemical weapons use by Syria and Russia in Arab republic — SVR

According to the statement, "the leadership of the United States and Britain, being aware of their failed course towards inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia in the Ukraine conflict," pays special attention to undermining Russia’s prestige in Global South states

Russia's Pantsir to have no problems with shooting down F-16 fighter jet — Rostec

Earlier this year, the manufacturers said that the Pantsir system successfully coped with the destruction of both ATACMS ballistic missiles and Storm Shadow cruise missiles in the special operation

Russia successfully conducts last test of Burevestnik strategic missile, says Putin

"Right now, we have actually completed work on advanced strategic weapons that I spoke about and announced several years ago," the head of state specified

Russian air defenses shoot down six Ukrainian drones in Kursk Region

Russian air defenses have destroyed six Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles in the Kursk Region, Governor Alexey Smirnov said

Iran attacked Mossad headquarters, two Israeli airbases, says chief of General Staff

Iran also attacked radars of anti-missile systems and clusters of Israeli tanks

Strategic stability dialogue with US not possible amid hostile policies — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova explained that Moscow opposed the idea of "holding talks in isolation from military and political realities"

Temporary security restrictions imposed at Kazan airport — Russian aviation authority

The aircraft crews, air traffic controllers and airport services are taking the necessary measures to ensure the safety of flights

Moscow rejects Japan’s demarche over alleged incident involving Russian aircraft

Russia pointed out that it was counterproductive on the part of Tokyo to politicize such issues, "which should be discussed via the relevant channels," Maria Zakharova said

Even partial suspension of oil production in Iran may lead to price growth — expert

"The halt of at least a portion of such production volume may lift oil prices by 10-15% more," Alexander Potavin said

Bus, truck collision kills four in Russia’s Belgorod Region

Another 12 sustained injuries

Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

The Russian troops are systematically liberating the Kursk Region, clearing it of Ukrainian servicemen, Akhmat Special Forces Commander Major General Apty Alaudinov said

Israel making plans to fuel conflict between Iran, US — Russian envoy to UN

"We would like to believe that our American colleagues will finally begin to see things clearly and fully realize their responsibility as a permanent UN Security Council member," Vasily Nebenzya added

Ukraine’s General Staff admits tense frontline situation amid loss of Ugledar

Ukraine’s General Staff also admitted that Russia had an advantage in manpower and military equipment

China’s stance on Ukraine balanced, consistent — top Russian diplomat

Sergey Lavrov said, that primary causes of conflict include NATO’s eastward expansion

Russian forces entrap Ukrainian troops near Lisichansk in LPR — expert

Russia’s Battlegroup South liberated the settlement of Verkhnekamenskoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic on October 2

Israel to give large-scale response to Iranian attack — envoy to Russia

"Yesterday's attack on Israel by Iran is an act capable of igniting a full-scale war," Simona Halperin noted when asked about the likelihood of a direct conflict between Israel and Iran

Press review: Iran rains down missiles on Israel and Rutte takes helm as captain of NATO

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, October 2nd

Ex-US intel officer Ritter says his passport was seized to hamper anti-Russophobia

He expects to have his passport before the BRICS summit in Russia’s Kazan in October

Arabs remove Hezbollah from list of terrorist organizations — senior Arab League official

"The military escalation in the south poses a severe challenge to security and stability not only in Lebanon, but also across the Middle East, especially if the conflict spills over," Hossam Zaki said

OPEC+ notes high level of compliance with agreement in August, September — Novak

Countries that reported overproduction in the past, submitted their output compensation schedules, the Russian deputy prime minister added

Japan to keep sanctions against Russia, continue to support Ukraine — new Foreign Minister

Takeshi Iwaya also noted that "security in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region are inseparable" and "any attempt to change the status quo by force anywhere is unacceptable"

Russian air defenses down another four Ukrainian drones in Kursk Region

Governor Alexey Smirnov wrote about this on Telegram

Drones now capable of missions that used to be assigned exclusively to planes — Putin

"Modern unmanned aerial vehicles are gradually but fundamentally changing the principles of military operations," the Russian leader underlined

Scholz calls for conference that both Ukraine and Russia will attend

The chancellor said it is very important to discuss what opportunities exist

Bold Russian jet maneuver near Alaska shows who ‘rules the roost’ — analyst

Accordnig to the expert, "It's not so much about professionalism as the extreme courage"

Over 40 dead, 85 wounded in Israeli strikes on Lebanon in 24 hours — Health Ministry

On October 2, 55 were killed and 156 injured

Russian Su-25 attack aircraft wipe out Ukrainian army stronghold in Kursk area

According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, the strike was delivered by air-launched missiles against reconnoitered targets

Israel's ground operation in Lebanon to entail years of fighting — Russian envoy

Anatoly Viktorov stressed that the Israeli politicians and military officers are "well aware of this"

Russian forces clear Ugledar in Donbass region of Ukrainian troops — defense circles

Kiev has sustained "heavy losses" due to its refusal to withdraw its troops from the city when it was possible, the source said

Russian-Iranian relations reach all-time high — Foreign Ministry

It is reported that Russian-Iranian ties are friendly

Oil price to fall to $50 per barrel — WSJ citing Riyadh

Riyadh has warned a number of countries, including Iraq, against an increase in oil production, indicating that they should observe their OPEC+ commitments

Gmail stops working on some iOS devices in Russia

TASS sent a request for comment to Google

Russia strongly condemns Israel’s attack on Lebanon — envoy to UN

Vasily Nebenzya pointed out that Russia sees "no justification for more civilian casualties, which are already in the thousands"

Yemen’s Houthis carry out drone strikes on Tel Aviv, spokesman says

According to the movement’s military spokesman Yahya Saria, Israeli air defenses failed to down the drones, which "hit their targets"

China, Russia share stance on norms of international relations — Wang Yi

Foreign Minister also noted that "both sides are actively seeking out opportunities for the development of the Global South countries"

More than 10 drones eliminated over Russia’s borderline Voronezh Region — governor

Alexander Gusev wrote that the danger of an UAV attack in the region remains

Ukraine’s failed breakthrough attempts and strikes on reserves: situation in Kursk Region

According to the report, Russia’s tactical aircraft and missile forces carried out strikes on Ukrainian reserves in the Sumy Region

Russia postpones first launch of new Soyuz-5 carrier rocket to 2026

The Soyuz-5 is an advanced Russian medium-class carrier rocket, which is being developed to deliver automatic spacecraft to near-Earth orbits

Borrell issues call to allow use of Western weapons for strikes on Russian airports

Top EU diplomat claimed that the West "promised to support Ukraine with whatever it takes for as long as it takes and the energy front will be decisive this winter"

Two drones, 25 projectiles fired from Lebanon into Israel, some intercepted

One of the two drones launched from Lebanon was intercepted by the Israeli Air Force off the coast of Nahariya, while the other fell in an unpopulated area

High-Precision Systems delivers Pantsir missile systems to army ahead of schedule — Rostec

According to Rostec, new modifications made to the Pantsir have improved its performance against drones, shells and missiles

Israel's tough response to Iran to result in loss of control, serious escalation — expert

Shu Meng believes this time that Iran's actions were due to both internal and external factors

Iran fires over 500 missiles at Israel — newspaper

Earlier, the Israeli army said that Iran had launched a missile attack on the country

Putin has no common topics to discuss with Scholz now — Kremlin

However, Dmitry Peskov said, the Russian president has always been and remains open to dialogue

Russian army in Donbass moves at 'unseen pace,' Finnish analyst tells The Washington Post

The Russian army’s greatest advances "occurred from mid-August to mid-September, coinciding with the Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk Region," Pasi Paroinen said

Russian troops control larger part of Ugledar in DPR, says politician

Ukrainian troops are already chaotically fleeing Ugledar, Vladimir Rogov said

Chevron resumes gas production and supplies from Tamar and Leviathan platforms in Israel

"Any questions regarding the current security situation should be addressed to the appropriate Israeli governmental authorities," the company said

Russian Emergencies Ministry’s aircraft delivers 33 tons of humanitarian aid to Lebanon

The flight was carried out based on orders from the Russian government and Lebanon’s request

Russia urges countries to react to Israel’s move to declare UN chief persona non grata

"It’s a slap in the face of not only the UN but all of us", Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya said

Georgian president refuses to sign bill banning LGBT propaganda into law

Under Georgian laws, the parliament’s speaker can sign the bill into law instead

Lebanese hospitals overwhelmed by large numbers of injured civilians — WHO

Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the health system has been weakened

Ukraine’s Khortitsa battlegroup admits troop withdrawal from Ugledar in Donbass region

The Khortitsa battlegroup claimed that it was withdrawing troops to gain positions for further battles

Conflict US escalating with Russia may 'destroy the entire world' — Tucker Carlson

"In a year, no one could be alive if we continue sleep-walking into a wider war with Russia," the reporter emphasized

Zelensky reshuffles top of Ukrainian Foreign Intelligence Service

On October 1, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov also made some changes to his department. He asked the government to dismiss three of his deputies

Hezbollah leader agreed to ceasefire before being killed, Lebanon’s foreign minister says

According to Abdallah Bou Habib, movement informed US and French representatives about the decision

Russia seizes trophy Bradley infantry fighting vehicle near Ugledar — security forces

The security forces noted that in recent months the Western-made equipment is scarce on this segment of the line of engagement

US billionaire sees Zelensky’s 'victory plan' leading to third world war

David Sacks said hopefully Joe Biden can remember why he has rejected the points of the Ukrainian president’s plan

Georgian prime minister sees Ukraine conflict ending in 2025

Irakli Kobakhidze added that even now, Georgia is ready to reboot relations with the US and hopes the American side is ready to do the same

Relations with Russia important even in case of total disagreement

"The relations between Israel and Russia are important and significant, even if there are key issues on which our positions absolutely do not coincide," the Israeli Embassy in Moscow said

Hezbollah says its fighters engage in battles with Israeli army in southern Lebanon

The movement said that the Israeli army unit had been forced to retreat due to the losses it suffered

Iranian missile attack causes no serious harm to capabilities of Israeli air force — IDF

Thanks to air defense systems, minimal damage was caused, Spokeswoman for the Israel Defense Forces Anna Ukolova said

France starts training strategic nuclear forces first time in decades — expert

Alexander Stepanov said that the French arsenal, "according to Nuclear Notebook, is about 290 nuclear warheads for three sets of 16 submarine-launched missiles and 54 ASMP-A cruise missiles"