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Middle East conflict

Saudi foreign minister says normalization with Israel at risk

The security of the entire region is at risk, if we don't take care of the rights of the Palestinians, if we don't find the path that will lead us to the establishment of a Palestinian state," Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said

DOHA, October 31. /TASS/. Normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel is under threat, so Riyadh will not discuss this issue as long as there is no solution to the problem of creating an independent Palestinian state, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, has said.

"I would say that the normalization of relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is not just in jeopardy, it is off the table until we make a decision on Palestinian statehood," he told the Future Investment Initiative conference in the Saudi capital. Asked whether the issue of establishing diplomatic relations with the Jewish state was in jeopardy if there was a lack of commitment on the Israeli side to the establishment of a Palestinian state, he replied: "I would say it's not only the normalization of relations with the kingdom that is at risk. I would say that the security of the entire region is at risk, if we don't take care of the rights of the Palestinians, if we don't find the path that will lead us to the establishment of a Palestinian state."

Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud said on September 18 that his country would not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without the creation of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. On April 29, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a special session of the World Economic Forum in Riyadh that Washington and Riyadh were actively working in recent months to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. He said the key conditions for this were the resolution of the Gaza conflict and the implementation of the decision to establish a Palestinian state.

Military operation in Ukraine

Former CIA, Pentagon chief describes incursion into Kursk as Kiev’s ‘strategic mistake’

In Robert Gates opinion, Russia is capable of continuing its special military operation in Ukraine until it decides that its goals are met, and underestimating its ability to carry on "is a huge mistake"

Rheinmetall plant in Ukraine Russia's legitimate military target — Kremlin

Earlier, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger announced that the company was opening a plant in Ukraine specializing in the repair and production of armored vehicles

Hungary receives record volume of gas from Russia — Szijjarto after meeting Lavrov

A total of 20 mln cubic meters of gas are supplied to Hungary via TurkStream each day, the Hungarian foreign minister said

Russia’s migration policy must correspond to domestic interests — Medvedev

According to the official, the state structures must "cover all the key directions of the government’s policy on migrants"

Several countries request UNSC meeting on November 4 on DPRK missile launch

The decision on holding a meeting will be made by the British permanent mission to the UN, which will take over the presidency of the Security Council in November

Ukrainian General Staff building damaged in Kiev — ex-lawmaker

The air alert declared in Kiev overnight to Wednesday lasted about two hours

Ruscon launches scheduled service for delivering package freight from Israel to Russia

The service is suitable for a wide range of cargoes, including hazardous and chemical ones

Ending Ukrainian conflict in draw won't ensure everyone's interests — Lavrov

Earlier, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that the West has realized that it is necessary to try to negotiate a "draw" in the Ukrainian conflict

Finland charges Russia’s Torden of war crimes in Ukraine — media

The arrest warrant states that the alleged crimes occurred between 2014 and 2015

Russia says 5 drones shot down over Bryansk, Kursk regions and Crimea

In a separate statement, the Russian Defense Ministry said 10 Ukrainian drones were shot down over the Kursk and Belgorod regions slightly earlier on Thursday

Death toll from Spain flooding rises to 155

The EFE news agency earlier reported the disaster took 140 lives across the entire country, but said most casualties happened in in Valencia

FACTBOX: Western countries' military support for Ukraine

The total military aid to Kiev from February 2022 to August 2024, according to calculations by Germany’s Kiel Institute for the World Economy, amounted to $123.5 billion

Russian forces liberate two communities in Donbass region, Kharkov area over past day

Battlegroup Center units liberated the settlement of Selidovo in the DPR and battlegroup West units liberated the settlement of Kruglyakovka in the Kharkov Region

Low-skilled migrants should come to Russia for work period only — Medvedev

"All the conditions should be formed for compatriots, high-skilled specialists coming to our country," the official stressed

Liberation of Yasnaya Polyana in DPR to worsen Kiev’s logistics near Velikaya Novosyolka

The Ukrainian army set up a powerful fortified area near the settlement

Minsk, Budapest must act more coherently to resolve conflict in Ukraine — Belarus MFA

Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov noted that it was very important for the two countries to promote stability and reduce confrontation in the European region

West still tries to digitally interfere in Russia's affairs — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister noted that modern technologies, while opening up additional opportunities, "also give rise to considerable risks"

Retaliation against Kiev's strike on special forces university was prompt — Kadyrov

The Russian Defense Ministry's Air Force hit the unmanned systems control center of the General Staff in Kiev with two Geran drones

Head of Chechnya reports UAV attack on Russian special forces university

Ramzan Kadyrov noted that investigators have already commenced their work to identify the culprits

Two out of six Moldovan Constitutional Judges state dissenting opinion on Euroreferendum

The Constitutional Court of Moldova approved the outcome of the European referendum

Top Russian diplomat to attend Eurasian security conference in Minsk

According to the Belarusian Foreign Ministry, the aim of the conference "is to have a frank and inclusive discussion"

Iran plans to carry out major strike on Israel from Iraq within days — report

The US doesn't know if Tehran has made a decision to go ahead with the strike soon, a US official told Axios

Former CIA, Pentagon chief describes incursion into Kursk as Kiev’s ‘strategic mistake’

In Robert Gates opinion, Russia is capable of continuing its special military operation in Ukraine until it decides that its goals are met, and underestimating its ability to carry on "is a huge mistake"

Death toll in Israeli strikes on Syria’s Al-Qusayr rises to six

Earlier, Syria's state-run SANA news agency reported that Israel had shelled residential neighborhoods and an industrial zone in Al-Qusayr

Georgian elections saw unprecedented foreign interference — premier

Foreign funding is used for this purpose, noted Irakli Kobakhidze

Slovak prime minister looks forward to attending Moscow’s Victory Day Parade in 2025

Robert Fico emphasized that he has consistently paid tribute to the bravery of Soviet soldiers, particularly during celebrations of the Slovak National Uprising and the 80th anniversary of the Red Army’s Carpathian-Dukla offensive earlier this year

Ukraine accelerates fleeing from Selidovo to save remaining troops — security services

"They come out in groups along the roads that are subjected to shelling, losing significant numbers of people there," the source said

Time to book capacity for 2025 gas supplies from Russia via Ukraine is up — Putin

The Russian leader recalled that "the contract ends at the end of this year, in December"

Russian foreign trade to be above $700 bln as of 2024 year-end

China, India, Turkey and member-countries of the Eurasian Economic Union are main trade partners of Russia at present

Bank of Russia denies buying St. Petersburg Currency Exchange

The Bank of Russia has been a shareholder in SPCEX since 2022

Hungary’s Orban expects Trump to reach agreement with Russia if he wins US elections

According to the Hungarian prime minister, the Republicans are not interested in sending billions of dollars as aid for Ukraine

Russia-North Korea agreements should not alarm anyone — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov refrained from commenting on the recent missile launch by North Korea, specifically not confirming whether Russia provided any technological assistance to its North Korean partners

Comprehensive partnership with Iran to be signed soon — Lavrov

According to the Russian foreign minister, the treaty will outline the parties' commitment to closer cooperation in the areas of defense and in the interests of peace and security both regionally and globally

Sun unleashes powerful X-class solar flare — scientists

It lasted for 27 minutes

Putin dismisses scope of 'bomb effect' in US on reports of North Korean troops in Russia

The Russian president said the satellite images were "a serious thing" but added that NATO troops had been directly involved in the Ukraine conflict for a long time now

Press review: Russia strengthens nuclear triad while Ukraine awaits US strike approval

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, October 30th

Hungarian premier slams EU reluctance to negotiate with Russia

In Viktor Orban opinion, Ukraine has no chance of achieving its goals, and "the situation is getting worse day by day"

General Staff reports challenges for Ukrainian forces in Pokrovsk area

Sergey Dobryak, the head of the Kiev-controlled Pokrovsk Military Administration, announced on October 30 that the town would be sealed off from entry and exit to various neighborhoods and streets

Kiev regime attacks port of Berdyansk, presumably using kamikaze drones — city authorities

Vladimir Rogov, head of the Civic Chamber Commission on sovereignty, patriotic projects and support for the veterans, said the attack involved at least six drones

South Korea doesn’t plan to send troops to Ukraine — report

Earlier, a lawmaker from a leading opposition party said sending military analysts to Ukraine would require parliamentary approval

Ukraine, Russia should begin peace talks without preconditions — Belarusian president

Alexander Lukashenko noted that once peace talks commence, it may be possible to achieve a ceasefire under certain conditions and subsequently withdraw troops from the front lines

Drones attack enterprises in Russia’s Bashkortostan, no casualties reported — official

According to regional leader Radiy Khabirov, there have been no casualties or damage

Russian Su-35 fighters cover aircraft in air strikes on Ukrainian army in Kursk area

One of the fighter jets uncovered enemy air defense sites by its weapons suite

Ukrainian strike on Berdyansk damages at least six buildings

According to the city administration, the consequences of the Ukrainian shelling are expected to be eliminated within two days

IAEA reports minor water leak from Zaporozhye NPP reactor, sees no threat

The team on the site was informed on Thursday that welding work had been completed and that radiography checks of the welds were on-going

Kremlin dismisses rumors on halting attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities as fake news

"Today, many fakes circulate that have no relation to reality. Even the most respected outlets do not hesitate to publish such fabrications," Dmitry Peskov said

Russian forces liberate 20-kilometer-long strip of land in south Donetsk area

Vladimir Rogov pointed out that Ukrainian forces were quickly leaving their positions

Russian Skvorets drone takes out expensive Canadian-made Senator armored vehicle

The ONF specified that the drone is equipped with a PG-7VL hollow charge anti-tank grenade that is very effective against modern armored targets, enemy fortifications and manpower inside brick and reinforced concrete buildings, and earthen shelters

Capture of Kruglyakovka in Kharkov Region blocks vital supply route for Ukraine — official

The Russian Defense Ministry reported about the liberation of the settlement on October 30

Google's fines to Russian government could soon exceed company’s value — experts

According to lawyer Ivan Morozov, Google's fines to the Russian government for administrative violations had reached 2 undecillion rubles

Over 200 injured after Typhoon Kong-Rey makes landfall on Taiwan

At least one person has died

Russian Ka-52M helicopters destroy Ukrainian manpower, equipment in borderline Kursk area

After the strike, the army aviation crews performed a missile-evasion maneuver at an ultra-low altitude by firing decoy flares to evade hits by enemy surface-to-air missiles

DPRK fires ballistic missile towards Sea of Japan — Yonhap

The launch was also reported by the Defense Ministry of Japan

Press review: Putin highlights GDP growth while the Russian military claims top rank

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, October 29th

Serbia gives up purchase of S-400 systems over threat of US sanctions

Earlier, it was reported that Serbian authorities were considering buying S-400 surface-to-air missile systems on long-term credit

Case against Ukrainian servicemen, enemy losses: situation in Kursk Region

Russia’s Battlegroup North repelled eight enemy counterattacks towards the settlements of Daryino, Nizhny Klin, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Novoivanovka and Plekhovo

IN BRIEF: Ukrainian drone attack targets Berdyansk port, key details uncovered

According to Governor Yevgeny Balitsky, three individuals have been hospitalized with injuries of varying severity

Russia successfully puts spacecraft into orbit to serve its defense needs

The spacecraft was launched and orbited normally, the Russian Defense Ministry stressed, saying that it has already been taken under the control of ground-based facilities of the Russian Aerospace Forces

Over 4,300 people cross into Syria from Lebanon in past day — Russian military

In a separate development, the Russian reconciliation center carried out five humanitarian missions in the provinces of Aleppo, Raqqa, Idlib and Tartus, distributing 980 sets of food weighting almost over 9.7 metric tons in total

Ukraine admits number of deserted soldiers from Armed Forces of Ukraine surpasses 100,000

Earlier, military lawyer from the Center for Support of Veterans and Their Families Roman Likhachev said that more than 100,000 servicemen had voluntarily left their units

Georgian opposition to hold rally protesting election results on November 4

Leader of the Strong Georgia opposition party Anna Dolidze insisted that the opposition has already figured the scheme that the ruling Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia party had purportedly used to falsify the election results

West attempted to disrupt Aeroflot flights to Mauritius — Russian Ambassador

The Western countries "stoop to nothing" in order to prevent other countries from developing relations with Russia, Konstantin Klimovsky said

French mercenary involved in transporting internal organs of Ukrainian soldiers — official

Maxime Roger Henri Barrat is also under investigation by the civilian-military administration’s department of the interior in connection with the crime against a female civilian from the village of Glubokoye in the Kharkov Region

TotalEnergies unable to withdraw Novatek dividends from Russia

"The dividends of Novatek were representing around $600 million per year," CEO of the French energy company Patrick Pouyanne noted

Polyus produces first ton of gold from Sukhoi Log goldfield ore

"This field is the largest in Russia and one of the most promising worldwide," the company said

Georgia’s CEC receives more than 1,100 complaints over parliamentary elections

CEC representative Giorgi Santuriani noted that the number of complaints has decreased compared to the previous election period

Lebanon hopes for ceasefire 'in coming hours or days' — premier

According to Najib Mikati, he had just held a phone conversation with US Special Presidential Coordinator for Global Infrastructure and Energy Security Amos Hochstein

Russia's asset revenues total €5.15 bln in nine months of 2024 — media

A total of €176 billion in Russian funds are held in the depository's accounts, the report states

Caspian countries jointly contribute to stability in Eurasia — Lavrov

"The Caspian region has enormous development potential in trade, economic, transport, transit, environmental, scientific, humanitarian and other spheres," the Russian foreign minister noted

Google’s fines in Russia reach stratospheric levels — lawyer

Google can return to the Russian market only if it complies with the court’s decision

Case against US mercenary, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

According to the report, Russian tactical aircraft and artillery hit clusters of manpower and equipment of 14 Ukrainian brigades in the Kursk Region

Iran says Israel struck from US-controlled area in Iraq

On July 23, Reuters reported that there were around 2,500 US troops in Iraq

Russian Defense Ministry releases video of Bulava missile launch

The launch was carried out from the Sea of Okhotsk

Pacific Fleet ships enter South China Sea via Strait of Malacca

During the crossing of the strait, Pacific Fleet personnel held shipboard exercises on air defense and damage control

Russian diplomat slams US for violating obligations on media pluralism

Maria Zakharova stressed that "the illustrative action was aimed at unambiguously demonstrating the country’s readiness to use its repressive machinery at any moment in order to shut down access to the information that it finds inconvenient"

Zelensky advises Ukrainian troops to retreat when heavily outnumbered

"We must save our soldiers and protect our people," the Ukrainian president emphasized

International Testing Agency temporarily suspends Russian boxer Povetkin

Alexander Povetkin announced his retirement from sports in 2021

Russia’s new bill on immigration will seek to tighten control — Medvedev

Medvedev also said it is necessary to "know exactly who comes here and why, where they work and live, and whether they are ready to integrate into Russian society"

Ukrainian defenses crumbling everywhere as reserves run out — official

Vitaly Ganchev added that it is too early to talk about the Ukrainian army’s complete exhaustion

Bosch CEO not ruling out further job cuts

"Bosch will not reach its economic targets in 2024," CEO of the German industrial giant Stefan Hartung said

Battlegroup North’s flamethrower hits Ukrainian manpower near Kharkov

The accuracy of the strike with thermobaric munitions on the shelters of Ukrainian manpower was confirmed by data recorders

Lavrov labels Zelensky's 'victory plan' as lunatic and unhelpful for peace in Europe

According to the top Russian diplomat, stability in this part of the Eurasian continent is achievable only if "long-term, reliable security guarantees" are provided

OSCE aware of Sandu's resource use for victory, stays silent — foreign intel agency

"The leadership of the OSCE Secretariat believes that the Moldovan authorities will employ similar tactics during the second round of the presidential election on November 3," the SVR press bureau highlighted

Georgian prosecutors bring charges against organizers of ballot stuffing

Earlier on Thursday, the Georgian Interior Ministry said in a statement it had detained two persons for ballot stuffing at the 69th polling station in the Marneuli district

Saudi foreign minister says normalization with Israel at risk

The security of the entire region is at risk, if we don't take care of the rights of the Palestinians, if we don't find the path that will lead us to the establishment of a Palestinian state," Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said

Orban says he sought to broker at least ceasefire in Moscow, Kiev talks

The politician said he believed at the time he could broker a ceasefire if he could convince both sides that "time was working against them"

US authorizes energy transactions for Russian banks

Energy-related transactions are understood as all the transactions related to production, refining, processing, transportation and purchase of oil

Press review: US election set to shape politics while Kiev seeks 'energy deal' with Moscow

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, October 31st

Frontline developments leave Kiev regime 'quite nervous’ — Kremlin Spokesman

"Evidently, all the ‘peace plans’ and ‘victory plans’ — whether classified or not — are essentially attempts by Kiev to draw Western countries deeper into the conflict and legitimize that involvement," Dmitry Peskov noted

Bank of Russia lowers dollar rate to 97.02 rubles for November 1

The official yuan rate is fixed at 13.61 rubles, up two kopecks

Zelensky’s request for US Tomahawk missiles irks Washington — Lavrov

The Russian Foreign Minister is confident that Washington will put Vladimir Zelensky in place "every time he tries to drag the United States into a war against Russia"

Google should not restrict Russian TV channels broadcasting on its platform — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that the fine of two undecillion rubles imposed on the company "is full of symbolism"

Yerevan sees peace treaty with Baku close at hand

According to the top Armenian diplomat, Yerevan and Baku will soon notify each other of the ratification of the regulations for the work of the commissions on border delimitation

Reporter injured during attempt to interview British diplomats at Vnukovo Airport

The Ministry noted that if the claim is deemed valid, a procedural decision will be made despite the potential status and immunity of the perpetrator

Israeli strike on central Gaza leaves at least 13 killed, 30 wounded — TV

The attack targeted two residential buildings north of the Nuseirat refugee camp

Ukrainian military has severe shortage of troops, ammunition — Iranian analyst

"The West and its supporters are suffering significant damage from the advance of Russian troops in the special military operation zone," Ruhollah Modabber said

US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace 13 times in past day

In the reported period, the center also registered three violations of the December 9, 2019 deconfliction protocols on the part of the coalition

Russian troops liberate Yasnaya Polyana community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 810 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy ammunition depots in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

West must stop view Russia, China ‘through rifle sights’ — Belarusian Foreign Minister

"Political will is necessary to achieve a sustainable and serious peace, to ensure security," Maxim Ryzhenkov said

IN BRIEF: What is known about new US sanctions against Russia

Almost 400 companies from Russia and a number of other countries have been blacklisted

Central Bank chief says period of tight monetary policy new for Russian economy

The regulator raised its key rate by 2 percentage points to a record level of 21% per annum at its meeting of the board of directors on October 25