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Middle East conflict

Israel attacked 50 Hezbollah sites in Lebanon in past month — IDF

"These strikes were carried out following violations of the ceasefire and understandings between Israel and Lebanon, which posed a threat to the State of Israel and its citizens," Israel Defense Forces said

TEL AVIV, April 28. /TASS/. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) delivered strikes on 50 Hezbollah sites throughout Lebanon in the past month, the IDF press service said.

"Over the past month, the IDF has struck more than 50 terror targets across Lebanon. These strikes were carried out following violations of the ceasefire and understandings between Israel and Lebanon, which posed a threat to the State of Israel and its citizens," the IDF said in a statement.

"The IDF will continue to operate to remove any threat to the State of Israel and its citizens and to prevent the rebuilding of the Hezbollah terrorist organization," the statement reads.

Leading EU countries, UK express support for 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine

The participants in the meeting also agreed "to pursue ambitious measures to reduce Russia’s ability to wage war"

US priority for Ukraine is ‘an immediate ceasefire’ — Rubio

"The Secretary expressed U.S. support for direct dialogue between India and Pakistan and encouraged continued efforts to improve communications," the statement says

Afghanistan bans chess over ‘religious considerations’

All events related to this sport have been canceled

Paris insists white object on Macron's desk nothing but handkerchief, not narcotic

The Elysee Palace stated that when European unity becomes inconvenient, disinformation goes so far as to make a simple tissue look like drugs

Russia’s Krakow consulate to close in at least 30 days — senior Polish diplomat

Three diplomats will be declared personae non gratae

Hamas confirms plans to release hostage with U.S. citizenship

The movement stressed that the release of the prisoner should be "part of the measures taken to ensure a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip"

Zelensky says ready for talks in Istanbul

This statement came after US President Donald Trump called on Ukraine to immediately agree to the negotiations proposed by Russian leader Vladimir Putin, which could take place in Turkey on May 15

Senator labels Poland’s decision to close Russian consulate in Krakow as unfriendly move

According to Konstantin Kosachev, Poland seeks to pitch its citizens against Russia as much as possible in order to untie its hands in its policy course on Ukraine and other anti-Russian policies

Hostilities now under way, Russia suggests resuming talks - Putin

He expressed gratitude to Russia’s foreign partners for their peace-oriented efforts

NATO top diplomats' meeting in Turkey happens to coincide with potential Ukraine talks

The diplomat emphasized that "the alliance can use the presence of its ministers in Turkey during the Russia-Ukraine talks to provide moral support to Kiev or to hold additional consultations with it in the course of the talks with Russia, if they take place"

Putin discusses with Erdogan his initiative to resume talks with Kiev

According to the Kremlin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has fully supported his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin's initiative to resume direct talks between Moscow and Kiev

As many as 230 air attacks by Ukrainian forces thwarted in a week in DPR

According to the FSB Directorate, the most intensive activity of enemy reconnaissance UAVs over the regional capital was recorded on the eve of the Victory Day celebration

Dodik finds Putin’s decision to launch special military operation justified

The president of Republika Srpska described Putin as a "person who understands perfectly well where the world is, where Russia is"

China, US agree to create mechanism for trade and economic consultations — Xinhua

China and the US will soon agree on the relevant details and publish a joint statement on the results of the talks on May 12, the agency reported

Emergencies Ministry sappers destroy 2,100 munitions in Kursk Region over month

The demining zone includes 122 border settlements

Russia to respond appropriately to Polish move to close its consulate in Krakow — diplomat

"Warsaw deliberately seeks to ruin the relations, by acting against its citizens," Maria Zakharova stated

UN does not comment on Russia’s proposal of direct talks with Kiev

Earlier in the day, Putin suggested resuming direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15

Russia views Nigeria as promising partner in Africa — defense minister

Commenting on the meeting, Belousov stated, "We regard Nigeria as a promising partner on the African continent"

NATO countries launch massive anti-Russian campaign before May 9 — Piskarev

Head of a State Duma commission also noted that the commission had recorded "facts of desecration of war graves and memorials in 15 European countries, a ban on the performance of Soviet songs and marches of the war years

Putin's proposals of talks shows distrust of Europe — newspaper

The newspaper emphasized that the Russian leader's latest words were an obvious move against Kiev's European partners

Extending May ceasefire was possible, depended on Kiev’s reaction — Putin

The president described the Victory Day as the holy day for Russia, because the Great Patriotic War claimed the lives of 27 million Soviet people

EU to prepare fresh anti-Russian sanctions unless truce in Ukraine starts by May 13

If the ceasefire is not in place by the end of the day, the European side will move for further sanctions, German Government Spokesman Stefan Kornelius said

Hungary cancels meeting with Ukraine on national minorities over espionage scandal

Magyar said that Ukraine’s actions "cast doubt on the sincerity of their intentions to resolve open issues" in relations with Hungary

Russian Security Council Secretary Shoigu extends military contract until 2030

Sergey Shoigu's military rank is Army General

Ukraine’s Odessa to protest against political repressions in Ukraine

US approves Germany’s transfer of 100 Patriot missiles to Ukraine — NYT

According to the report, these weapons are manufactured on the US territory and cannot be handed over to a third country without the US government’s approval

Putin's offer of talks shows real desire for peace — Kremlin

"A lasting peace can be achieved only through serious negotiations, and the readiness for these negotiations has now been shown and demonstrated by the [Russian] president," Dmitry Peskov emphasized

Russian investigators launch criminal probe into Ukrainian attack on Rylsk in Kursk Region

Investigators are currently looking at which Ukrainian armed formations may have been behind this crime

Hostage with US citizenship may be released in Gaza on May 12 — The Times of Israel

According to the source, the negotiating group has set the goal to secure Edan Alexander's release at the beginning of the coming week

Kotlyarovka’s liberation paves way for Russian troops to Dnepropetrovsk Region

Kotlyarovka neighbors the Dnepropetrovsk Region to the southwest of Krasnoarmeisk

Putin declares creation of unstoppable nuclear-powered missile

Putin showed a video modelling the flight of a nuclear power plant-equipped cruise missile circumventing missile defenses

Kiev left Russia’s Victory Day ceasefire proposal unanswered — Putin

Shortly after Russia announced this proposal on May 5, the Kiev government launched large-scale attacks overnight to May 7, noted president

US tells Israel Hamas ready to release hostage — Netanyahu's office

The statement said that negotiations will continue with fighting unrelenting in the Gaza Strip

Ukraine hit LPR frontline zones during ceasefire, killed residents — military expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the situation at the line of engagement has not changed significantly and remains steadily tense

Bitcoin price exceeds $105,000 for the first time since January 31

By 04:19 a.m. Moscow time (01:19 a.m. GMT) its price slowed its growth and was at $104,495

Ukraine has no strategy for responding to Russia's ceasefire offer, expert says

According to Zheng Renyi, Russia’s call for talks carries elements of both inevitability and surprise

China supports all efforts to establish peace in Ukraine — MFA

Lin Jian highlighted China’s readiness "to work together with the international community on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, and to continue playing a positive role in resolving the conflict"

Kremlin praises Trump’s calls to Kiev to take part in meeting proposed by Russia

Dmitry Peskov also recalled that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed his readiness to do everything possible to host talks

Truce must be reached before negotiations on Ukraine — Kellogg

Earlier, US President Donald Trump welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal to resume direct talks with Kiev

Ukrainian shelling of Kherson Region kills four, injures two — governor

According to Vladimir Saldo, two apartment buildings and a private house were damaged in Novaya Kakhovka

Russian government approves list of unfriendly countries

There are two countries on the list

Moscow's May 9 parade marks expansion of global politics space — expert

Fyodor Lukyanov pointed out that over 80 years after World War II ended, it gives a clear message that the war was global, that it affected the entire world and laid the foundations for a fundamentally different international order

China-US trade talks are important step toward resolving differences — Vice Premier

He Lifeng believes that the talks in Switzerland have attracted the close attention of the world community

Magnitude 5.6-magnitude earthquake rocks China

No injuries or damage were reported

Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr destroys Ukrainian manpower in Zaporozhye Region

Grad MLRS teams effectively suppress artillery positions, destroy UAV control and stationing sites and make a substantial contribution to destroying the Ukrainian army’s manpower, hardware and military installations

Poland’s top diplomat moves to close Russian Consulate in Krakow

Polish Foreign Minster Radoslaw Sikorski explained that the decision comes after what Sikorski called a sabotage attack on the Marywilska 44 shopping center

At least 15 people killed by Israeli air force strike on a school in Gaza Strip — TV

Al Jazeera also reports that over the past 24 hours, during strikes and raids by the Israel Defense Forces in the Gaza Strip, at least 40 Palestinians were killed, over 80 were injured

US, China agree on mutual reduction of tariffs to 10% — statement

The US will cut additional tariffs on Chinese goods imposed in April by 24 percentage points "for an initial period of 90 days," "while retaining the remaining ad valorem rate of 10%," the statement reads

US is ‘only side’ that can force Israel to stop war in Gaza — Palestinian Vice President

Hussein al-Sheikh said that "Hamas is part of the people and cannot be eliminated from the political life"

Press review: Turkey to host Russia-Ukraine talks as NATO starts drills by Russian border

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, May 12th

Russian army to start battles for Krasnoarmeysk after seizure of Kotlyarovka — expert

Since 2014, Ukrainian troops have built "a large number of fortifications" in Krasnoarmeysk, Andrey Marochko noted

North Korean soldiers showed courage and heroism while liberating Kursk Region — Putin

North Korean servicemen professionally and conscientiously carried out the tasks of liberating the border areas of the Kursk region from Ukrainian formations, Putin emphasized

Australian mercenary eliminated in Kharkov Region — ABC

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the country’s Foreign Ministry have confirmed Parsons’ death and advised Australians against traveling to Ukraine

Russia holds initiative in Ukrainian issue despite Europe's efforts — senator

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that Ukraine resume direct negotiations and start them on May 15 in Istanbul "

Russian troops liberate Kotlyarovka community in Donetsk region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted more than 440 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy armored fighting vehicles and two artillery guns in its area of responsibility

Ukrainian shelling kills, injures dozens throughout May holidays — Russian envoy

The allegedly peaceful rhetoric of Vladimir Zelensky does not in any way correspond to the situation on the ground, Russian Foreign Ministry’s Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik emphasized

Russian forces advance within 1 km of Ukrainian border in Dnepropetrovsk, DPR advisor says

Russian forces have been pushing forward along the entire line of contact in the DPR, Igor Kimakovsky noted

Settlement in Ukraine not just signing of document, but complex process — Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 11 invited Ukraine to resume the direct negotiations without preconditions interrupted in 2022

Things for Kiev ‘not going so well’ on battlefield — US Vice President Vance

"The Ukrainians would like to do a ceasefire", he said

US, China reach deal to cut trade deficit, US officials say, details on Monday — Reuters

Bessent told reporters that details would be announced on Monday and that U.S. President Donald Trump was fully aware of the results of the "productive talks"

Trump welcomes Russia's initiative on talks with Ukraine, unlike Macron — senator

Alexey Pushkov noted that Trump's reaction to Russian President Vladimir Putin's offer of talks is quite different from that of Macron, who is trying to dictate his own terms

Russian cuisine standard to be finalized — ministry

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Roman Chekushov added that the Russian cuisine is an integral part of cultural heritage

Russia now has no channels of dialogue with French president — Kremlin

Meanwhile, Macron, together with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, arrived in Kiev on Saturday

Kurdish PKK decides to dissolve itself, embracing democratic politics

The PKK added that at this stage, it is important that Turkey’s parliament assume its historical role

Turkey’s top diplomat thinks Russia, Ukraine may soon reach compromise on talks

Hakan Fidan described the current situation where Ukraine demands a ceasefire before any talks and Russia insists that negotiations be held first as a political impasse

Putin’s talks proposal, new sanctions threats — key themes of Kremlin briefing

According to Dmitry Peskov, Russia is set "to seriously seek ways for a long-term peaceful settlement of the Ukraine conflict"

Representatives of over 150 countries invited to security meeting in Moscow in late May

The forum is expected to focus on international cooperation in the field of security

Russian forces hit airplane repair shop, drone boats warehouses — top brass

According to the ministry, since May 8, Russian air defenses have downed 58 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones outside the special military operation zone

Direct talks necessary for ceasefire in Ukraine, Kremlin says

"A simplistic approach towards this issue is inappropriate," Dmitry Peskov stated

Negotiations proposal with Kiev aimed at eliminating root causes of crisis — United Russia

According to him, the president's peace initiative was expressed in a timely manner and its message is simple - Russia is not looking for "a temporary peace" and is ready to work on ironclad guarantees, which it expects from other participants in the process

World community supports Putin's approach on Ukrainian settlement — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov recalled that the Russian leader had made a statement in which he clearly and unambiguously outlined Moscow's position on the resumption of direct talks in Istanbul "without any preconditions"

Macron slams Russia's offer of talks 'unacceptable' for Kiev

"It is unacceptable for the Ukrainians because they cannot hold talks while they are being shelled," French President said

Russian Navy strategy through 2050 nears completion — deputy PM

Denis Manturov emphasized that the civilian and military objectives of shipyards should be aligned

Trump angered by question about his role in choosing new pope

The US leader also emphasized that he won the Catholic vote by a wide margin and urged ABC News president Robert Iger to be more careful in choosing employees

Hungary rejects EC’s plans to halt Russian oil, gas imports — PM Orban

Viktor Orban noted that the initiative would lead to soaring oil, natural gas and electricity prices and "simply destroy the Hungarian economy"

Iran may agree to limit level of uranium enrichment or volumes — Foreign Minister

The Iranian delegation at the consultations was led by Araghchi, while the American delegation was led by US special envoy Steven Witkoff

Russian troops destroy Ukraine’s HIMARS MLRS used to shell Kursk Region — top brass

The reconnaissance unit of Russia’s battlegroup North uncovered the location of the system near the settlement of Nagornovka in the Sumy Region

UAC delivers another batch of Su-35S fighter jets to Russian Defense Ministry

The 4++ generation aircraft have run the gamut of tests by the manufacturer, have been tested in various working modes, and have performed a flight to the base aerodrome

China to cut tariffs on US goods to 10%

Beijing and Washington agreed to establish a mechanism to continue discussions about economic and trade relations

Coming to Istanbul and beginning negotiations is easy if Kiev wants it — Kremlin aide

"A proposal on negotiations without preconditions has been made," Yury Ushakov noted

Trump to sign decree on May 12 to reduce drug prices in the US by 30-80%

US President stressed that he has been concerned for years about the high cost of drugs

Top Russian defense official, Libyan National Army commander discuss situation in Libya

"The sides confirmed their mutual willingness to develop cooperation through the defense ministries of the two countries in order to ensure security and stability in the Middle East region," the statement said

Ukraine waging smear campaign against Budapest — top Hungarian diplomat

"This is happening because of the strong position Hungary has taken on continued war in Ukraine," Peter Szijjarto said

Pope Leo XIV calls for peace in Ukraine, Middle East in his first Regina Caeli prayer

"As Pope Francis said, I appeal to the world's leaders: no more war," the pontiff, who was elected on May 8, said

PREVIEW: US president embarks on foreign trip to Middle East

The official part will be held on May 13-16

Ukraine’s EU accession to lead Europe into war with Russia, Hungarian PM warns

Viktor Orban confirmed that the Hungarian government opposed the idea of granting EU membership to Ukraine

PM proposes Slovenia as venue for direct Russia-Ukraine talks

Robert Golob compared the possibility of holding talks in his country to the first meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart George W. Bush Jr. on Slovenian territory in 2001

Moscow now center of world politics and decision-making — senator

Commenting on Saturday's visit to Kiev by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk, Kosachev noted that it had yielded nothing

India shoots down several Pakistani planes — air force spokesman

Bharti declined to talk about the losses of the Indian Air Force

Egypt and Qatar call Hamas' decision to release hostage ‘encouraging step’

According to a statement the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, Cairo and Doha "affirm the urgent need to end the war on Gaza to avoid further humanitarian consequences"

Putin makes concession by offering Ukraine direct talks — Kneissl

Speaking to reporters in the Kremlin in the early morning hours of May 11, the Russian head of state proposed to the Kiev authorities to resume direct talks without preconditions Ukraine had interrupted in 2022

European countries pledge to rearm Ukraine

The sides also expressed commitment "to robust security guarantees for Ukraine"

Ukraine violates ceasefire 14,043 times — top brass

According to it, the Russian Armed Forces mirrored the Ukrainian military's ceasefire violations and reacted adequately to the emerging situation

US optimistic about trade negotiations with China — Commerce Secretary

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant held two rounds of talks in Geneva on Saturday to resolve tensions in the wake of imposition of mutual customs duties

Many world leaders traveled to Moscow for Victory Day defying pressure, Kremlin says

According to the Dennik news website, the Slovak prime minister's plane flew to Moscow on a longer, southern route because Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania denied the plane access to their airspace

Chinese foreign minister urges India and Pakistan to observe ceasefire

On May 10, Wang Yi held phone conversations with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar and Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval

Zelensky's Istanbul meeting comments 'pure theatrics' — senior Russian senator

"That’s not how high high-level meetings are arranged, especially given the seriousness of the situation", Konstantin Kosachev said

Top Iranian diplomat warns Eurotroika against escalating situation around nuclear program

Iran warned all JCPOA signatories that any misuse of the snapback mechanism would lead to consequences — not only ending Europe’s role in the deal, but potentially escalating tensions to a point of no return

Lula da Silva offers Putin to mediate talks on Ukrainian settlement

According to chief presidential advisor Celso Amorim, the Brazilian leader's position on Ukrainian crisis is close to that of the administration of US President Donald Trump

EU gradually turning into 'European NATO,' Russian senator says

Pushkov stressed that the strengthening of military cooperation between the UK and the EU was being carried out on an anti-Russian basis

Russia effectively develops cooperation with Islamic countries — Putin

For centuries, Russian multi-ethnic country has been open to broad cooperation with the countries of the Islamic world, the president noted