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Middle East conflict

Israel fears full-scale conflict with Iran — newspaper

Israel is likely to give up the idea of striking nuclear sites in Iran, the Jerusalem Post said

TEL AVIV, October 9. /TASS/. Israel is likely to give up the idea of striking nuclear sites in Iran as part of its retaliation for the latest Iranian missile attack, because it fears getting drawn into a full-scale military conflict with Tehran, the Jerusalem Post wrote citing unnamed Israeli officials.

In their opinion, a strike on Iranian nuclear facilities will trigger a regional Israeli-Iranian war, which "could significantly distract and impair Jerusalem’s ability to finish off Hamas" and "achieve a more secure situation" with Hezbollah.

The article says that attacking Iran’s nuclear program would not necessarily be consistent with the "goals of the war" set by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet.

Israeli sources were quoted as saying that Israel’s retaliatory strike may focus on various military and intelligence targets in Iran and would fall "more in the medium range of attack scenarios."

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7, 2023, when HAMAS militants staged a surprise attack on Israeli territory from Gaza, killing residents of Israeli border settlements and taking over 250 hostages, including women, children and the elderly. Hamas described its attack as retaliation for the aggressive actions taken by Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City. In response, Israel declared a total blockade of the Gaza Strip, home to 2.3 million Palestinians before the crisis, launching air strikes on Gaza as well as some parts of Lebanon and Syria before starting a ground operation in the Palestinian enclave.

On the evening of October 1, Iran launched a massive missile attack on Israel as a response for the killings of the key leaders of Hamas, Hezbollah and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Tehran claims that 90% of the missiles hit their intended targets, while Israel says that Iran only launched 180 missiles and most of them were intercepted. Israeli General Staff vowed to "choose the right moment" to surprise Iran with a counter-attack, while Khamenei, speaking Hebrew, warned that the attacks on Israel will only be expanded.

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Middle East conflict

Israel delivers four strikes on southern neighborhoods of Beirut

"Several powerful explosions were heard. Eyewitnesses reported from the scene that serious damage was observed in residential areas," the a TASS correspondent

Kiev uses Western chemical weapons under guise of smoke shells in Sudzha — top brass

These munitions in the amount of 3,800 shells were supplied to Ukraine in September 2023 under a military assistance package, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov pointed out

Kalashnikov gunmaker to launch serial production of upgraded AM-17 assault rifle

The AM-17 assault rifle is set to replace the AKS-74U submachine gun accepted for service in 1979

FACTBOX: What is known about the death of Russian climbers in Nepal

On the morning of October 6, the group of climbers left the camp to climb, and after that contact with them was lost

Russian teen sensation Andreeva breaks into top-20 of WTA Rankings for first time

Mirra Andreeva also won a silver medal at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris in women’s doubles (playing in pairs with Russia’s Diana Shnaider)

Russian embassy rejects Mi-5 claims about alleged Russian sabotage

The scare tactics Director of MI-5 Ken McCallum "seeks to employ are clearly aimed at sustaining the ebbing public support for the Kiev regime which is quickly draining the UK's finances and arsenals," the embassy added

UK conceals evidence of Kiev’s use of banned toxic substances — Russian embassy

The embassy noted that the introducing unilateral restrictions on Russia had become a routine for London, which was focused on confrontation

Ka-52M attack Ukrainian military near Kursk Region’s border

Helicopters carried out strikes against Ukrainian manpower and armored vehicles

Iran warns countries helping Israel down Iranian missiles about its ‘crushing response’

According to the Iranian lawmaker, Israeli allies’ efforts proved to be futile as they "were unable to stop the operation and bar it from reaching its goals"

Israel fears full-scale conflict with Iran — newspaper

Israel is likely to give up the idea of striking nuclear sites in Iran, the Jerusalem Post said

Russian aircraft strike two terrorists’ bases in two Syrian governorates

The command of the Syrian armed forces, backed by the Russian taskforce, continues reconnaissance and rescue operations in desert and mountainous areas in the Homs and Deir ez-Zor governorates

Kaspersky Lab apps deleted from Google Play

Google unilaterally deleted all Kaspersky Lab products from the Google Play and deprived users of their app store all over the world with the access to company’s solutions for Android, despite the fact that restrictions adopted in the US have no legal force outside the country, the Russian company stressed

China wants stronger cooperation with Russia in BRICS, SCO — Chinese State Councilor

"We are ready to proudly carry the banner of multipolarity, defend international equity and justice, increase cooperation within international platforms, unite the Global South, and contribute to forming a community with a unified course for humanity," Shen Yiqin said

CIS leaders see their duty in protecting world from new war

"Our common duty is to sacredly honor the memory of those who died for freedom and peace on Earth, to defend with all our might the just cause for which they fought and gave their lives, and to strengthen in every possible way the unity of all people of good will in the fight against any manifestations of Nazism and neo-Nazism, as well as the threat of a new world war," the statement reads

Russian exports to the US lowest since January 1993 — statistics

Exports of US goods to Russia contracted to $54.5 mln this August

FACTBOX: Putin highlights payments in national currencies, growth of CIS weight

The weight of the CIS as the regional integration association is steadily growing, the Russian leader noted

Belarus hails Russia’s adjusted nuclear doctrine as reinforcing mutual stance

Alexander Lukashenko pledged that Belarus would never unilaterally use nuclear weapons, even if these weapons were its own

Ukrainian troops leave key defense positions in Tsukurino in DPR

An uneasy situation has also emerged for Ukrainian troops in the neighboring community of Gornyak, the defense circles said

Iran's foreign minister advises Israel not to test Tehran’s willpower

Abbas Araghchi added that the purpose of his visits to Syria and Lebanon was "to show that Iran has supported and will support the resistance with all its might"

At least 36 killed in Israel’s strikes on Lebanon in past day — ministry

According to the Lebanese Health Ministry,150 more were wounded

Russian stock indices falling on Tuesday — market data

The ruble-denominated MOEX Russia Index edged down by 0.2% to 2,788.37 points

About 180 rockets fired at Israel from Lebanon since midnight — IDF

The largest attack was a rocket strike toward Haifa and the neighboring cities in northern Israel

Israeli military dismantles tunnel crossing into Israel from Lebanon

It is reported that the tunnel was under full operational control until the arrival of the soldiers in the area to prevent its use for terrorist activities

Kiev, allies start to realize need for negotiations with Russia — FT

The article says that "the mood is shifting" in "Washington and some western capitals," as well as "in the corridors of" the Kiev government

Iran, its allies working toward pact to counter potential US, Israeli attack

The authors of the bill argue that Iran’s Security Council should be in charge of considering applications to join the Pact of Resistance

Ukraine’s NATO membership impossible, most members understand it — top Hungarian diplomat

Peter Szijjarto said most of his NATO counterparts share his opinion in private conversations behind closed doors

CIS foreign ministers adopt statement on security in Eurasia — executive committee

The statement reaffirms the readiness of the Commonwealth countries "to make a practical contribution to the creation of an architecture of equal and indivisible security in Eurasia, sustainable and long-term stabilization of the military and political situation, as well as the settlement of existing regional conflicts and the prevention of new ones"

Stoltenberg could face life imprisonment for his crimes — lawyer

"We are talking about very serious charges," Philippe Vanlangendonck pointed out

Ukrainian conflict can end in 15 days without Western support for Kiev — Borrell

In that case, Russian President Vladimir Putin would have achieved his goals, the EU top diplomat said

Net sales of foreign currency by Russian top exporters down 30% in September

The Bank of Russia noted high demand in the currency market for yuan funding, which remained high against the concurrent decline in the yuan offer

Leaders of Britain, US, France, Germany to meet in Berlin on October 12 — source

The latest meeting of the contact group on military assistance to Ukraine took place on September 6

Syrian foreign ministry slams Israeli’s strike on civilian building in Damascus

The ministry once again underscored "the need for urgent measures to restrain" the Jewish state

Cuba officially applies to join BRICS as partner country — senior diplomat

Carlos Pereira noted that BRICS "is consolidating global politics and the hope of the Global South as a key player"

Scholz open to phone call with Putin, 'no taboo' on talks — government source

However, it is pointed out that the chancellor would only initiate contact with Putin if "the moment is right"

Nuclear test ban organization says Iranian seismic event looks like earthquake — diplomat

A 4.5-magnitude earthquake was recorded in Iran’s province of Semnan southeast of the capital Tehran on October 5

Liberation of western DPR could collapse Ukraine’s defenses up to Dnieper River — adviser

According to Igor Kimakovsky, Russian forces have almost encircled Kurakhovka and Selidovo

Israel delivers four strikes on southern neighborhoods of Beirut

"Several powerful explosions were heard. Eyewitnesses reported from the scene that serious damage was observed in residential areas," the a TASS correspondent

Israeli PM urges Lebanese people to free their country from Hezbollah

Benjamin Netanyahu noted that Lebanon used to be called the pearl of the Middle East and blamed the current situation on Iran, Hezbollah’s supporter

2016 World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan

Sports include eagle hunting, bone throwing and kok-boru, a Central Asian form of polo in which two teams battle for control of a decapitated goat carcass

Brent prices tumble more than 5% — trading data

WTI futures with the settlement in November dropped by 4.69% to $73.52 per barrel in the meantime

Belarus sets up over ten air operations centers — senior defense official

According to Pavel Muraveiko, within the framework of the first stage of this exercise, the troops practiced "the issues of countering enemy aviation, repelling attacks of air attack means and solving other attacks on shielding the territory"

Hungary wants to reform EU, not quit it — premier

Viktor Orban said he would like to see the European Union as an alliance of strong and independent nations, rather than as "the United States of Europe"

Ukrainian servicemen loot apartments of Ugledar residents before fleeing — top brass

The ministry emphasized that the Ukrainian troops tried to literally knock people out of the town

Situation in Ugledar remains tense as Ukrainian troops continue shelling attacks

The Russian Defense Ministry announced the liberation of Ugledar on October 3

Shipbuilders to deliver Project 22800 missile corvette Rzhev to Russian Navy

All the work was carried out in compliance with the construction schedule and large-size equipment and weapons systems were mounted on the ship

Discord messenger blocked in Russia for violation of laws — regulator

Discord was included into the register of social networks, which obliged it to find and block unlawful content on its own

Israeli military says 50 radicals killed in its strike on underground bunkers in Lebanon

The IDF said it had struck underground command centers of Hezbollah’s units in southern Lebanon: Nasser Unit, Bader Unit, Aziz Unit, and the Radwan Forces

At least four killed in Israel’s strike on residential house in Damascus — TV

On April 1, Israeli warplanes delivered a strike on a building in the Mezzeh neighborhood that housed the Iranian embassy’s consular department

Lukashenko calls for reviving ‘CIS family’

The Belarusian leader called on the CIS countries to value what they have within the association

Berlin wants to explore all options to achieve peace in Ukraine — source

At the same time, Berlin believes that "Russia should not achieve its goals" in Ukraine, and "Ukraine should not lose"

Response measures to be in effect as soon as West approves long-range strikes — Lavrov

Commenting on Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s remark that the upcoming October 12 Ramstein-format meeting of the contact group on military aid for Kiev will become special, and the entire next week will become "historic in many ways," the top Russian diplomat noted that he "does not follows their meetings"

Second conference on Ukraine not to be held in November — presidential office

According to Darya Zarovnaya, so far, "thematical conferences on each provision of the 'formula' (the so-called peace formula proposed by Zelensky - TASS) are being held" and yield communiques

US journalist describes Russia’s liberation of Ugledar as "major setback" for Kiev

In Stavros Atlamazoglou opinion, now the Ukrainian military will have to ensure that the Russian forces don’t take advantage of the fall of Ugledar "and create an operational breakthrough in the wider area"

Putin to receive CIS leaders in Kremlin

During the summit, the leaders will discuss key cooperation tasks of the Commonwealth, as well as topical regional and international problems and outline main areas of work in the future

North Korea to speed up steps toward becoming military super power, Kim says

"The military alliance of the United States and the Republic of Korea, as flouted by the puppets themselves, has become completely nuclear-based, and we need to keep our military preparedness at an endlessly high level," Kim Jong Un added

Press review: Israeli reprisal against Iran looms and Iraq bets on Russia amid US exit

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, October 3rd

Israel takes out two successors to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, PM says

On September 23, Israel launched Operation Northern Arrows against the Lebanon-based Hezbollah Shia movement, carrying out massive airstrikes on its military targets

Russian defense minister hold talks with Burkina Faso’s PM

According to the ministry, the sides discussed areas of cooperation between the two countries

Some 3,000 Ukrainian troops may be trapped near Seversk in DPR — expert

"We have recently received information that we broke the line of defense and approached Serebryanka and Grigorovka, so it could be said that the fight for these settlements has already started," Andrey Marochko said

EU approves new sanctions regime against Russia for 'hybrid activities'

It specifies that this mechanism is aimed against certain "Russia’s destabilizing actions abroad"

Sri Lanka to request BRICS membership at Kazan summit — cabinet spokesperson

Vijitha Herath also said that Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake would not be able to attend the summit

Nobel Prize in physics awarded for discoveries in machine learning

"Although computers cannot think, machines can now mimic functions such as memory and learning," the Nobel Committee said

Israeli official confirms that HAMAS leader Sinwar still alive — portal

According to the source, Sinwar sent a number of messages to HAMAS mediators in Qatar recently

Hurricane Milton may fall under hypothetical Category 6 — Newsweek

According to the report, gusts of wind brought by Milton reached the speed of 80 meters per second at some point, while Category 5 hurricanes envisages winds of up to 70 meters per second

Ruling Georgian party accuses EU ambassador of interference in election process

Earlier, Pavel Gerchinsky criticized the ruling party's election videos, which showed footage of the destruction brought by the fighting in Ukraine in contrast to the views of peaceful Georgia

Russian authorities discussing diesel fuel export restrictions, sources say

The Ministry of Energy and oil producers are concerned of the situation that may lead to further price growth on the commodity exchange, the sources said

SVR chief implicates US, Britain in Nord Stream sabotage

"While the investigation into this sabotage is ongoing in the West, "its course gives no hope that the real culprits behind the incident will ever be punished," Sergey Naryshkin stressed

Israeli strikes on Gaza Strip kill at least 13 people, 25 wounded — WAFA

Emergency services continue search and rescue operations in in the Bureij refugee camp in the central part of the enclave, the agency noted

History of relations of Soviet Union, Russia with African countries

Russia’s Su-25 ground-attack aircraft foil rotation of Ukrainian troops in Kursk region

After the use of aviation weapons, the crews performed a maneuver, released decoy flares, and returned to the departure airfield

Press review: West's new NATO angle for Kiev and Putin plans powwows with regional bigs

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, October 8th

Group of Russian climbers found dead in Nepal — mountaineering community

One of the climbers began to feel symptoms of altitude sickness and was forced to descend to a lower camp, Spokeswoman Anna Piunova said

Armenian PM praises active political dialogue with Russia at meeting with Putin

While in Moscow, Nikol Pashinyan will take part in the Commonwealth of Independent States summit

Press review: Gaza conflict turns one year old and who could be Russia's next envoy to US

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, October 7th

Putin calls T-90M Proryv world’s best main battle tank

"The tank fires to a longer range and more accurately. It also has better protection," the head of state noted

Russia committed to deepening CIS collaboration — Putin

Regarding the meeting’s agenda, the Russian president said it was quite extensive

Russian troops liberate Grodovka community in Donbass region over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 410 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy ammunition depots in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Press review: Russia urges Israel to see reason and NATO at wits end on how to help Kiev

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, October 4th

US military base in eastern Syria comes under missile attack — TV

No data about casualties and damage was provided

Kaspersky Lab starts winding down UK office operations

Kaspersky Lab announced gradual winding down of its office in the US in July, amid personal sanctions

Over 3,000 projectiles fired at Israel from Lebanon since September 23 — military

The IDF said that Israel’s air defense units and the Air Force successfully intercept a significant portion of these projectiles

Scientists Ambros, Ruvkun win Nobel Prize in Medicine for groundbreaking microRNA work

The Nobel Committee said that microRNAs are "fundamentally important for how organisms develop and function"

CIS leaders adopt numerous documents, approve Interparliamentary Assembly’s work

The national leaders also approved the Cooperation Program on De-radicalization for 2025-2027, developed on the Uzbekistan’s initiative

Iran not going to allow Israel to launch new round of violence — envoy to Russia

According to Kazem Jalali, the behavior of Western countries is "surprising" in this context

Russia hammers Ukrainian military airfields by Kinzhal hypersonic missiles

Russia’s Battlegroup South liberated the community of Zoryanoye Pervoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) over the past day, the ministry reported

Russia exports 14.73 mln tons of wheat in July-September — Rusagrotrans

The number of countries to which Russia exported wheat increased to 62 from 58 last year

Politicization of MH17 crash case prevents thorough investigations — Russian embassy

The embassy pointed out that "the Hague has been consistently shielding the Kiev authorities, deliberately ignoring any facts that would indicate the latter’s responsibility for the disaster"

Ukrainian attacks kill 70, injure 300 civilians in Kursk Region — envoy

"The significant part of these people are those injured on the territory controlled by the Kiev militants," Rodion Miroshnik said

Armenia, Azerbaijan agreed to speed up work on peace deal draft document — Armenian PM

"Foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan reached an agreement recently to intensify the work on finalizing the draft peace treaty," Nikol Pashinyan said

Biden postpones trips to Germany, Angola in view of Milton hurricane — White House

On September 25, Category 4 Hurricane Helene made landfall in the sparsely populated Big Bend region in Florida

Putin says he expects Pashinyan to attend BRICS summit in Kazan

The Russian leader stressed that the BRICS summit is expected to encompass "lots of contacts"

Seven killed, 11 wounded in Israel’s strike on Damascus’ neighborhood

According to the ministry, seven civilians, including children and women, died and eleven more received wounds

Russian assets frozen in the Netherlands melt to 97.2 mln euros from 660 mln — newspaper

According to the publication, "Russian assets worth more than half a billion euros were apparently released with the approval of the ministry"

Russia repels enemy attacks, hits reserves, Kiev loses troops: situation in Kursk area

Russia’s battlegroup North continued offensive operations and defeated the Ukrainian troops near Daryino, Lyubimovka, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Novy Put and Plekhovo

US assessed chance of Russia using nuclear arms in Ukraine at 50% in 2022 — US journalist

According to a new book by Bob Woodward, an American veteran investigative journalist and an associate editor of The Washington Post, in 2022 there was a phone call between Pentagon chief, Lloyd Austin, and the then Russian defense minister Sergey Shoigu

Desertion epidemic reaches massive proportions in Ukraine — journalist

Accoridng to Vladimir Boiko, the total number of deserters now stands at 170,000 people

Iranian embassy condemns Israel’s strike on Damascus

The embassy condemns this act of terror and says that no Iranian citizens were among the victims

Trump criticizes $300-bln aid to Ukraine amid hurricane in US

US Republican presidential candidate also criticized the government’s post disaster response in certain US states, most notably North Carolina

Russian military distributes humanitarian aid in Syria’s Damascus governorate

A total of 600 sets of food weighting 5.9 metric tons in total were distributed among those in need

Hungary opposes transition to 3-year freeze of Russian assets in EU — Finance Minister

The amount of the Bank of Russia’s sovereign assets blocked in the EU countries’ jurisdictions in 2022 is about 220 billion euros

50 French nationals contact Russian embassy after decree on support of traditional values

The embassy noted that the procedure for provision of visas and residence permits, as well as Russian citizenship for French nationals has existed for years