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Death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon exceeds 3,000 — health ministry

According to the report, 9,273 people were injured

BEIRUT, May 18. /TASS/. At least 32 people died and 64 more were injured after Israeli airstrikes on southern and southeastern Lebanon during the past day, despite the ceasefire that has been in force since April 17, the country’s health ministry said.

"The overall death toll since the outbreak of the ongoing armed escalation on March 2 has climbed to 3,020, with 9,273 people being injured," it said in a statement posted on its X page.

According to the ministry, rescue operations continue in some areas, so the number of casualties may go further up by the end of the day.

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Europe ready to come to negotiating table to resolve conflict in Ukraine — Merz

The German chancellor underscored that "the fighting must cease first"

Israel stepping up fight against FPV drones, analyzing Ukraine conflict experience — PM

Touching upon the issue of the use of drones during a war cabinet meeting, he recalled that six year ago he had warned about this threat

Russian forces moving in western part of Konstantinovka — DPR head

According to Denis Pushilin, fighting continues in the industrial zone and near the railway terminal

Ukrainian military drone found crashed in Lithuania — crisis management center

The drone fell near the village of Samane in Utena District Municipality in eastern Lithuania

Tea talk with Chinese leader to conclude Putin’s visit to China — Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov said that Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping are set to discuss all the most important issues in a friendly and sincere manner

Yermak leaves pre-trial detention center after spending four nights there — TV

He reluctantly answered journalists’ questions and confirmed that he had been held in a paid cell

Kiev forces lost over 1,100 troops in 24 hours across all special military operation zone

In the Battlegroup North zone, the enemy lost up to 155 soldiers

International Gymnastics Federation lifts restrictions against Russian athletes

The decision applies to all five disciplines governed by the Russian Gymnastics Federation

US Congress unlikely to approve more military aid for Kiev — lawmaker

Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Brian Mast also emphasized that Washington’s European allies should increase their support for Kiev

German expert sees EU weakening on a scale unimaginable five years ago

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Iran ready to hand over enriched uranium to Russia instead of US — Al Hadath

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Leaders of Russia, China to discuss global, regional issues — Chinese diplomat

Guo Jiakun emphasized that Russia and China will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the strategic partnership and the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Good Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation

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Ernesto Soberon Guzman emphasized that Cuba has the right to legitimate self-defense, which is based on the principle of international law and the United Nations Charter

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US needs stability on Taiwan issue — trade representative

Taiwan has been governed by its local administration since 1949 when the Kuomintang’s remaining forces headed by Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) were defeated in the Chinese Civil War and took refuge on the island

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Russian MP warns of nuclear proliferation risk if Israel uses nukes against Iran

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Iran guarantees safe passage through Hormuz Strait for all vessels after end of war — MFA

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed that complete cessation of hostilities is the only solution

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Ukrainian journalist Mikhail Tkach said there were about 200 payments

Bushehr NPP project concerns only Russia and Iran — Lavrov

Russia's position is that "the project is being implemented, and additional power units are being constructed," the foreign minister stressed

Chinese embassy condemns planned trip by Canadian MP to Taiwan

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Senior Russian official sees prospects for cooperation in energy, agriculture with China

Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev highlighted tourism as yet another promising sphere

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Two crew members will stay in the orbit longer than scheduled due to Russia’s plans to shoot the first movie in space aboard the statio

Kallas would face difficult time as negotiator with Russia, Kremlin spokesman says

EU foreign policy chief won't have an easy time, Dmitry Peskov said

Press review: US, Israel preparing new strikes against Iran as Ukraine mum on Russia talks

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Russia ready to send tourists into space

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Zelensky becomes ‘inconvenience’, setting stage for his removal — expert

Viktor Medvedchuk recalled that Vladimir Zelensky's name had repeatedly popped up in corruption investigations

Death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon nears 2,990 — health ministry

9,210 people being injured

Putin's test for Europe, Nazi revival, US-China relations: Lavrov's statements

Russia will not be drawn into any triangulation attempts by the US to pit Moscow and Beijing against one another, the Russian foreign minister said

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The Russian top diplomat briefed Equatorial Guinea’s Foreign Minister Simeon Oyono Esono Angue on the state of affairs in relations between Russia and the United States

Leaders of Russia, China to adopt declaration on emergence of multipolar world — Kremlin

Yury Ushakov said that Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping will sign a Joint Statement on further strengthening the comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction

Finland scrambles fighter jets over potential drone activity — media

According to Yle, defense forces officially confirmed that control in these areas had been tightened

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Russian scientists peek into skull of Earth’s top predator from 250 million years ago

The Garjainia reptile genus that inhabited the Earth approximately 250 million years ago, was an archosaur - the ancestor of the dinosaurs

Ten-point plan for talks with US is 'red line' for Iran — lawmaker

Mohammad Saleh Jokar, Chairman of the Iranian Parliament's Interior Affairs Committee, noted that Iran "never trusted the US," and his country has no other option but to "become stronger"

Ukrainian attack on Belgorod Region leaves two dead, two wounded

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Pakistan conveys Iran's revised proposal to US — media

According to the source, both sides "keep changing their goalposts"

Iran calls on Saudi Arabia to ‘eject’ US troops from region

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed that Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly nation

Russian embassy receives many requests from Transnistria for citizenship

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Around 80 countries have introduced emergency measures to shield their economies

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Dan Shapiro noted that the US leader continued to toggle back and forth between the same unappealing options

Russia has completely switched to its own software in oil, gas sector — PM

Mikhail Mishustin added that domestic software accounts for more than 90% in transport sector

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Cuba to use its right to self-defense if attacked — Foreign Ministry

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Iranian military ready to unveil 'new surprises' to the enemy — Foreign Ministry spokesman

Esmail Baghaei said that Tehran is fully prepared for any contingency

Russian physicists divide magnetic vortices into collectivists and individualists

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China reassures US of not providing material support to Iran — official

According to Greer, the United States is not seeking "to have joint military options with the Chinese" in the Strait of Hormuz

Putin holds phone conversation with Kazakh President Tokayev — Kremlin

The two leaders discussed current matters pertaining to the preparations for Vladimir Putin's upcoming state visit to Astana and the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council to be held there

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Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that "the shift in thinking that ‘at some point we’ll have to talk to the Russians,’ that’s a good thing"

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Mikhail Mishustin made this statement during the Digitalization of Industrial Russia conference

36 Ukrainian drones taken down over Russian regions, Azov Sea in seven hours

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IOC should allow all world's athletes to compete — Russian lawmaker

The IOC press office said earlier in the day that the organization must take into account the present-day political context, but does not take sides in global conflicts, as that falls outside its intended mission

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Iran to stand firm on its demands to US — president

Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized that Tehran is conducting negotiations with honor

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According to Yevgenia Yashina, the Ukrainian armed forces are attempting to attack Energodar and the Zaporozhye NPP site not only to cause damage but also to exert psychological pressure on the plant's employees

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According to ZNPP Communications Director Yevgenia Yashina, the Ukranian attacks continue around the clock, with both artillery threats and drone activity

Sweatshirts with Putin's quotes turn into top sellers at Harbin expo

Besides clothing, high-quality Russian handicrafts are generating immense interest among Expo visitors

Zaporozhye NPP, Energodar under repeated attack over past day — Rosatom CEO

According to Alexey Likhachev, the Ukrainian troops attack civilian buses used by the plant’s employees, and residential houses

Libya sends message to both friends, foes with major military exercise — general

According to the report, over 25,000 troops are participating in the exercises under the command of Marshal Khalifa Haftar

Trump warns Iran of harder strikes than before if there is no deal

Earlie on Sunday, the US president urged urged Iran to act faster to move to a potential deal

IN BRIEF: Drone attack on Moscow, surrounding region kills three people, leaves 18 injured

According to preliminary reports, three people were killed and another six suffered injuries in the Moscow Region

Presidential Aide Ushakov to reveal details of Putin’s China visit later — Kremlin

Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed that expectations from the Russian leader's upcoming visit to China are very serious

Difficult to expect major peace talks under Zelensky, former Ukrainian PM says

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US sets Iran five conditions for continuing peace process — Fars news agency

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Drone attacks on Moscow leave 12 people injured — mayor

Sergey Sobyanin added that three residential buildings had been damaged

Russian presidential envoy urges EU to find constructive voice in support of peace

Kirill Dmitriev’s statement came in response to former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who said that the European Union has failed to use its diplomatic potential in the situation around Ukraine

US leader holds national security team meeting on Iran — CNN

Meanwhile, the Pentagon has prepared military target plans should the US leader decide to resume the hostilities against the Islamic Republic

Putin to meet in China with grown-up participant in 2000 joint photo — Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov emphasized the significance of this encounter

Iranian national football team to take part in 2026 FIFA World Cup — Foreign Ministry

According to the statement, the decision was made based on the evaluation of the Iranian Ministry of Sports and Youth and the Iranian Football Federation

Kremlin hopes Ukraine peace process will resume

Dmitry Peskov said the process is currently on hold

MV Hondius cruise ship arrives at port of Rotterdam — news website

Crew members and the remaining staff from the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment disembarked under medical supervision

Iran believes attack on Namu ship could be false-flag operation

Esmaeil Baghaei said it is important to consider that "there are forces interested in instability in the region"

Press review: Putin V-Day speech gives life to Ukraine peace and Iran's new superweapon

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

Iran wants to strike deal, but its proposals are irrelevant — Trump

The US president previously urged Iran to act quickly on the potential deal, noting that time is of the essence

New phase of crisis, oil price at $111 per barrel: situation on energy markets

The global energy crisis caused by the Middle East conflict is entering a new phase as the summer season approaches

Kiev actively pushing toward escalation of terrorist war — Russian Foreign Ministry

Ambassador-at-Large for the Kiev regime's crimes Rodion Miroshnik pointed to Ukraine's deliberate attacks on the civilian population and infrastructure

Sarmat needs no advertising, no one else has analogues — Russian deputy foreign minister

This system allows guaranteed penetration of both existing and any missile defense systems still in the development phase, Sergey Ryabkov said

One civilian killed, four wounded in Ukraine’s attacks on DPR during day

Apart from that, according to Pushilin, two civilian infrastructure facilities, two cars, and two trucks were damaged

Ukraine attacking Energodar, Zaporozhye NPP site virtually continuously — plant

ZNPP Communications Director Yevgenia Yashina emphasized that there were no casualties as a result of the strikes over the weekend

German politics centered on image of Russia as an enemy — expert

According to Reiner Braun, Russia possesses the potential of a great power

No signal from Kiev regarding new round of talks, senior Russian diplomat says

Mikhail Galuzin noted that for successful negotiations Vladimir Zelensky will need to order the Ukrainian armed forces to cease fire and pull troops from Donbass

US to extend sanctions relief on Russian oil transactions for 30 days — Reuters

As the agency specified, several countries had previously requested the waiver

Zaporozhye NPP’s Raduga substation attacked by Ukrainian drone

Apart from that, according to the ZNPP, Ukrainian troops also attacked the facility’s transport shop, damaging its roof and personnel buses

Putin, Xi to discuss most sensitive issues of bilateral relations — Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov said the Russian president will begin his meeting with Xi Jinping after the welcome ceremony in the Great Hall of the People

Iran continues dialogue with Oman on security in Hormuz Strait — Foreign Ministry

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stressed that Tehran was in constant contact other stakeholders to develop a mechanism to ensure safe passage for all nations

Finland to practice forcefully crossing Russian border during naval drills — expert

Alexander Stepanov warned that industrial facilities in northwestern Russia as well as taking control of Karelia may be priority objectives in the course of potential aggression against Russia

Russian troops deliver massive overnight strike on Ukrainian military-industrial sites

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,075 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Six Ukrainian attacks on DPR recorded over past day

One person was reported killed and four civilians sustained wounds

Cuban diplomat rejects allegations that Cuba poses threat to US national security

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