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Middle East conflict

US to deploy additional forces to Middle East — Pentagon

Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder added that these forces will begin to arrive in the Middle East in coming months

© AP Photo/Kevin Wolf

WASHINGTON, November 2. /TASS/. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered to deploy additional forces to the Middle East, including destroyers, fighter jets and long-range strike bombers, Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder said.

"In keeping with our commitments to the protection of US citizens and forces in the Middle East, the defense of Israel, and de-escalation through deterrence and diplomacy, the Secretary of Defense ordered the deployment of additional ballistic missile defense destroyers, fighter squadron and tanker aircraft, and several US Air Force B-52 long-range strike bombers to the region," he said in a statement.

Ryder added that these forces will begin to arrive in the Middle East in coming months as the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group prepares to leave the region.

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7, 2023, when militants from the Gaza-based Palestinian radical group Hamas staged a surprise incursion into Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip. Hamas described its attack as a response to the aggressive actions of Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City. In response, Israel has declared a state of war readiness; announced a total blockade of the Gaza Strip, home to 2.3 million Palestinians; and began delivering air strikes on the enclave and certain parts of Lebanon and Syria, followed by a ground operation in the enclave. Clashes are underway in the West Bank as well.

On September 23, Israel launched an offensive operation, dubbed Northern Arrows, targeting the Lebanon-based Shiite party Hezbollah’s military facilities, carrying out massive air strikes across Lebanon. Overnight on October 1, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced a ground operation in borderline regions in Lebanon’s south.

Middle East conflict

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According to Al Jazeera, several were wounded

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Russia strikes Ukrainian General Staff’s unmanned systems command center over week

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Ukrainian drone attacks DPR head’s adviser on Yasinovataya-Gorlovka road

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French, German citizens detained for unlawfully entering Baikonur cosmodrome

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DPRK says it tested newest Hwasong-19 ICBM on Thursday

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Erdogan calls on Middle East, world to unite against Israeli aggression

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

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Russian scientists increase yield and medicinal properties of sage using selenium

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

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NATO allies hesitant to provide more support for Ukraine as they fear escalation — report

According to the report, the pessimistic sentiment is starting to embrace Ukraine more broadly as Russia makes gains, advancing faster than at any other point this year

Death toll from railway roof collapse in Serbia’s Novi Sad rises to 13 — interior minister

The Serbian government declared November 2 a day of national mourning

First-ever TV-bridge concert held in Moscow

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Almost 3,000 people cross into Syria from Lebanon in past day — Russian military

Terrorist groups carried out five shelling attacks on the positions of Syrian government forces in the Idlib de-escalation zone in the past day, Oleg Ignasyuk said

US to deploy additional forces to Middle East — Pentagon

Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder added that these forces will begin to arrive in the Middle East in coming months

TASS acquires new photos of Ukrainian troops training on UK ranges

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

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Iran says Israel struck from US-controlled area in Iraq

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Russian forces liberate another 20 square kilometers in DPR — politician

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Russian Lancet kamikaze drone wipes out Ukrainian artillery gun in Sumy Region

The strike’s accuracy and efficiency were confirmed by data-recording equipment in real time

NATO undecided on intercepting projectiles over Ukraine — top Polish diplomat

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Russia’s small business is joining the chains of supplies of major Belarusian producers, replacing foreign comparables, he noted

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Russia, Belarus to prepare first joint socio-economic forecast — minister

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Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, November 1st

North Korea’s Kim authorized support to Russia since start of special military op — MFA

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Death toll from railway roof collapse in Serbia’s Novi Sad rises to 14 — president

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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 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

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

Turkish mediation unlikely to succeed, because Kiev, West do not want peace — Lavrov

"Washington and its allies continue to provide extensive support to Kiev, discuss the possibility of using Western long-range missiles for strikes deep into Russian territory," the Russian foreign minister said

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"We are in general a friendly neighbor of Georgia," Russian security council deputy chairman noted

Musk says Trump’s potential second term to be 'the most fun' for US

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Presidential elections in Moldova reveals deep divide in society — lawmaker

According to Bogdan Tirdea, the government is responding to this by persecuting the opposition, as well as intimidating people with war and an economic crisis in the event of its defeat

US, NATO plot regime change in Black Sea straits — Kremlin aide

Nikolay Patrushev noted that unfriendly Western countries are working to diminish Russia's role in the Black Sea region

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

Trump denies speculation about his alleged ties to Russia

The US Republican presidential candidate recalled that he blocked the construction of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline

Medvedev says NATO has easy choice on Ukraine, as admission could lead to WWIII

"With all due respect, I believe he was mistaken about that. This is not inevitable. Because, choosing between some promises and the possibility of starting a third World War, the choice is quite clear," the politician underscored

Russia liberates 341 DPR residents since special military operation’s launch

"Nearly all of them were subjected to various kinds of torture," DPR human rights ombudswoman Darya Morozova said

Ukraine fortifies Dnepropetrovsk Region amid fears of losing Krasnoarmeysk — official

According to Igor Kimakovsky, the entry and exit to Kranoarmeysk have been blocked while the Ukrainian armed forces prepare to defend the city

Trump roasts Democrats, says country 'run by fools'

The US Republican presidential candidate also harshly criticized incumbent President Joe Biden

Ukraine abandons Selidovo, but not before planting mines everywhere — security services

According to the security forces, demining the city may take up to several months

Captured Ukrainian officer says chances of command mutiny rising

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Monastery attack case, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

Russian tactical aircraft and artillery hit clusters of manpower and equipment of 13 Ukrainian brigades in the Kursk Region

Drone crashes at oil depot in south Russia’s Stavropol Region, nobody injured

According to the region's head, emergency services are working at the site

Tanker suspected of carrying goods under anti-Russian sanctions detained in Germany

"The tanker was prohibited from continuing moving until loaded materials will be finally inspected," the Kiel police added

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

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

Russia, Norway agree on fish resources management in Barents, Norwegian Seas

Decisions made at annual sessions of the commission enable more rational use and regulation of common Russian and Norwegian reserves in the Barents Sea

UK assumes rotating presidency of UN Security Council for one month

It is possible that one of the first meetings of the Security Council under the UK presidency will be held on Monday, November 4

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

Duden dictionary picks longest German word

The top spot is taken by a 67-letter word

Putin plans to discusses rural development with government

The Minister of Agriculture Oksana Lut and the Governor of the Altai Territory Viktor Tomenko will make a report

Russian attack UAV thwarts Ukrainian troop rotation in overnight strike in Kharkov Region

"The UAV operators dropped explosives from the drone that accurately hit the target," the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Russian frigate carrying hypersonic weapons embarks on first deployment in distant waters

"The group comprises the frigate Admiral Golovko carrying long-range precision weapons and the medium sea tanker Vyazma," the Northern Fleet’s press office said

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

US Army Ranger among mercenaries eliminated in Bryansk Region — expert

One of the destroyed mercenaries was linked with the 75th Ranger Regiment, which is a deep reconnaissance unit specializing mainly in staging acts of sabotage behind enemy lines and destroying military infrastructure facilities and airfields, Alexander Stepanov 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

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

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

Georgian president provokes coup by calling election outcome pro-Russian — Medvedev

"A provocation is possible, it follows from the development of the events as a whole," the politician believes

Moscow-Pyongyang relations at record high — Lavrov

Dialogue between the two countries was propelled to a brand-new level following the signing of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty at a historic summit in Pyongyang, the Russian foreign minister said

Russia blocks adoption of UK agenda for UNSC presidency

A meeting is only considered agreed upon on the day it is held, when the Security Council approves the agenda

US announces new package of weapons for Ukraine worth $425 mln

The Pentagon said the weapons will be provided through Presidential Drawdown Authority

Lenta retailer opens first dark store

The opened facility’s area is 400 square meters and more than 5,000 goods are present there

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

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FACTBOX: Aftermath of UAV attacks on apartment buildings in Bryansk, Oryol regions

A drone attack on an apartment building in Bryansk resulted in one injury, while two residential buildings sustained damage in the Oryol Region

Russian stock market indices in the green on Friday — market data

The yuan rate gained 0.62% to 13.66 rubles

Russian National Guard downs over 50 Ukrainian drones in Belgorod Region over past month

National Guard servicemen suppressed the drones with electronic warfare