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Middle East and North Africa

Syria withdraws two-thirds of all stockpiles of chemical weapons

Earlier in April, 59% of chemical weapons stockpiles have been withdrawn

© EPA/PHILIPP SCHULZE

MOSCOW, April 14./ ITAR-TASS /. Syria has already taken away two-thirds of all stockpiles of chemical weapons. It is important that the process completed as soon as possible, the director general for the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Ahmet Üzümcü said during his lecture in the Moscow State Institute of International Relations.

"Russia and USA have provided sufficient materials and equipment for implementing this process," Üzümcü said. He recalled that the delays were caused by the militants' attacks.

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Middle East and North Africa

Military operation in Ukraine

US State Department says 10,000 North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia’s Kursk Region

They "could enter combat in the coming days," Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesman said

Russian forces liberate settlement of Vishnyovoye in Donetsk People’s Republic

Ukrainian lawmaker Bezuglaya calls out ‘catastrophic situation’ in country’s army

Maryana Bezuglaya accused Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky for his alleged failure of the military operation in Russia’s borderline Kursk area and the complicated situation in the southern directions of the frontline

Putin meets with visiting North Korean foreign minister — Kremlin spokesman

On November 1, Choe Son Hui held talks with her Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov

Industrial facility suffers damage in Ukraine’s Dnepropetrovsk Region

Meanwhile, explosions have been reported in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev and the Kirovograd Region

Economic sanctions against Russia not working — top Hungarian diplomat

As an example, he cited Europe’s continuing purchases of Russian liquified natural gas and Russian uranium supplies to the United States for the production of fuel for US nuclear plants

Mishustin to travel to Minsk for meeting of Russia-Belarus Union cabinet

The meeting’s agenda includes about 20 issues, such as mobile communications tariffs and development of suburban rail service

Thai Airways exploring opportunity to open scheduled air service with Russia

The deputy governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand also pointed to the increasing of air fares, linking it with the rise of air transportation costs, comprising fuel prices, airport service costs, inflation

Putin to accept diplomatic credentials from 28 ambassadors of countries like Japan, Canada

The ceremony on Tuesday will be the first in 2024

Plane with 103 Russian POWs lands near Moscow

They were swapped for 103 Ukrainian POWs

US citizen who shared data on Ukrainian military with Russian army wants to stay in Russia

Daniel Martindale noted that after peace is restored, he would like to go back to farming

Press review: Lavrov embarks on EU visit and Russia permits individual crypto mining

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

Bulgaria, Westinghouse sign engineering deal for additional reactors at Kozloduy NPP

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Southern sector of Ukrainian defense in DPR close to collapse — The Guardian

Kupiansk military-civilian mayor Andrey Besedin described the situation as "critical" and said that approximately 1,400 people were refusing to evacuate from their homes, awaiting the arrival of Russian troops

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

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

Total losses of Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk Region reach over 29,600 servicemen

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Ukrainian forces lose 11,800 soldiers on LPR borders in a week — military expert

During the mentioned period, the Russian military destroyed 196 vehicles, 89 various armored vehicles, five tanks, three multiple launch rocket system launchers

Israeli minister’s suggestion of nuclear strike on Gaza raises questions — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova stressed that such statements by Israeli officials shed light on the true reasons why Tel Aviv was opposing the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East

North Korea probably launched ballistic missile, Japan’s coast guard says

The missile, whose type remains unclear so far, fell about 20 minutes after launch, the agency said

Russia’s latest Lotos artillery gun for paratroopers to receive counter-drone system

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Ukrainians do not want war with Russia, but US keeps them trapped — expert

According to Professor Ruhollah Modabber, Washington has effectively banned free elections in Ukraine

Kremlin spokesman says he cannot recall Putin ever talking to Kamala Harris

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Kremlin aide sees continued Western attempts to drive Russia away from Black Sea

Nikolay Patrushev stressed how important it was "to determine not only the promising tactical-technical characteristics of warships and their weapons but also to ensure the balance of forces that make up the combat power of the fleet and means of supporting them"

Over 78 mln US citizens vote early in presidential election — Florida State University

According to the report, more than 42.6 million people attended polling stations

Medvedev sees West waging real war on Russia in Ukraine

"Our current adversaries argue that they have a right to send any weapons to Ukraine or that they have a right to dispatch their advisors to consult on how to conduct hostilities," the Russian Security Council deputy chairman said

NATO intends to fight ‘defensive battles’ thousands of miles from its territory — Lavrov

According to Lavrov, all reasonable observers understand "that this is a road to nowhere".

Hezbollah fires 105 rockets from Lebanon at Israel on November 3 — IFD

The army "will continue to protect Israel and its people from threats" from Hezbollah, the press service noted

Kiev's violation of agreements means less territory for Ukraine — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister also recalled the Istanbul agreements

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

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

Final poll by NBC shows equal support for Harris, Trump in US presidential election

Both candidates are being supported by 49% of registered voters with merely 2% remaining undecided

New Russian combat equipment in 2024

Prosecutor's Office deems activities of US-based business society undesirable in Russia

The international company incorporated in the United States has been engaged in promoting the policies of unfriendly states regarding the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and actively supports the LGBT community, the Russian Prosecutor General's Office explained

Moscow calls on Seoul to refrain from sending weapons to Ukraine — diplomat

"We call on our South Korean colleague to think twice and not to embark on this extremely dangerous path, which will lead Seoul to nothing good", Anna Yevstigneyeva said

US-led coalition aircraft violate Syrian airspace eight times in past day

Apart from that, in his words, as many as 5,175 people crossed Syria’s border from Lebanon via the checkpoints of Al-Arida, Al-Jawasiyeh, Al-Dabousiyah, Jisr Qamar, and Jdaidet Yabous during the past day

Putin participates in Russia’s strategic deterrence force training

The Russian president observed the drills from the Kremlin’s situational center

Kiev wants to exchange only militants from its nationalist battalions — Russian diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, Kiev is also "interested in the fate of foreign mercenaries who took part in combat operations against Russia"

Ghost town of Pripyat after Chernobyl disaster

On April 26, 1986, the fourth reactor of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded causing the world's worst nuclear disaster

Georgian opposition plans to disrupt first session of newly-elected parliament

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Kiev may look at Qatar-mediated agreement with Russia on non-targeting energy facilities

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Germany ‘shamefully resigned’ itself to destruction of Nord Stream — Lavrov

Lavrov also drew attention to the fact that "reckless proposals" are being made about strikes with Western long-range systems deep into Russian territory

Russian Air Defense Forces shot down four HIMARS missiles, Hammer bomb, 42 Ukrainian UAVs

Russia’s East battlegroup improves its position, Ukraine loses up to 110 servicemen

Russian forces destroy US-made Stryker armored fighting vehicle in Kharkov Region

The target was attacked by an FPV drone, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Attacks on reserves and Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

The Ukrainian armed forces lost over 150 troops in the Kursk area in the past day

Israel informs UN of termination of cooperation with UNRWA

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US warns it won’t be able to restrain Israel if Iran attacks — report

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Russia’s Ionosfera-M satellites successfully put into orbit after launch

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Japan’s defense minister says North Korea launched 7 missiles that flew 400 km each

Japan issued a protest to Pyongyang through diplomatic channels

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Ukraine regularly asks for additional military assistance from its Western partners, occasionally criticizing them for delays and insufficient amount of supplies

Russian Guardsmen uncover Ukrainian arms cache with over 100,000 munitions in LPR

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BRICS to consider expanding group in 2025 — Lavrov

"Criteria for the partner country category will be agreed upon," the Russian Foreign Minister said

Russian, Azerbaijani prime ministers discuss current issues of cooperation over phone

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President Zourabichvili and all the opposition parties refuse to recognize the election results, slamming them as rigged

PREVIEW: Putin to lay flowers at monument on Red Square to mark National Unity Day

Representatives of religious denominations, public and youth organizations will take part in the ceremon

Ukrainian ombudsman asks Russia to provide lists of Ukrainians POWs for exchange

Dmitry Lubinets contacted his Russian counterpart Tatyana Moskalkova

Attempts to destroy Iran’s nuclear capacity may expand conflict — top Turkish diplomat

According to Fidan, Israel continues to put forward conditions in talks with the Palestinian movement Hamas

Crowds throw mud at Spanish king during visit to flood zone

As a result, the king's visit to Paiporta was cut short

Ukraine lost 6,000 more fighters on LPR borders in one month than in September

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Malaysia rejects US call to 'stop being friendly' with Russia — PM

Anwar Ibrahim said the call came during a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the 19th East Asia Summit in Laos

Moldova’s presidential runoff can be considered valid — CEC

Turnout in the second round has amounted to 54.18%

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A rise of the radiation level was registered

Russian-North Korean partnership treaty called to stabilize region — Russian diplomat

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Sandu is winning in 2nd round of Moldovan presidential elections with 55.04% — CEC

Votes at a number of polling stations abroad are yet to be counted

Sandu wins Moldova's elections with 55.33% of votes, Stoianoglo gains 44.67%

In total, 1,699,025 people came to the polling stations in Moldova and abroad, which is more than 54.31% of the people included in the electoral lists. In the second round of the 2020 presidential elections, this figure reached 58.22%

Putin to accept letters of credentials from 28 new ambassadors on November 5

The ceremony will also be attended by representatives from Argentina, Italy, Spain, New Zealand, Ireland, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Finland

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At the same time, the volume of mutual settlements in national currencies in foreign trade between the BRICS member countries reaches around 65%

Events in Bangladesh show similarities with color revolutions — Indian expert

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Russia is not going to attack Poland, Baltics, Ukraine through Belarus rule — Lukashenko

The Belarusian President called for building relations in a neighborly manner

Russia’s Medvedev cautions next US leader against adding fuel to fire in Ukraine

The politician doubted the deep state in the United States wants another global war

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg appears at a rally in Georgia

According to some reports, she came to the country at the invitation of a non-governmental organization

US to hold 60th election of president, vice president on Tuesday

Election results must be officially certified in states by December 19

Gazprom supplies 42.1 mln cubic meters of gas to Europe via Ukraine

The day before the pumping volume reached 42.1 mln cubic meters

Medvedev says any new uprising in Ukraine would seek to execute current leaders

The Russian politician said the goal of Zelensky and his team is to stay in power in the country as long as possible

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

Syrsky admits Ukraine faces one of strongest Russian offensives since 2022

"Active combat operations that continue in certain directions require constant renewal of resources," the Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief said

For US losing dollar as a standard of settlements would be like losing a war, Trump says

The Republican presidential candidate criticized the current US administration for allowing the unification of Russia, China, Iran, the DPRK and a number of other countries into one group

Russian diplomat slams Moldova’s election as most undemocratic in country’s history

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Putin plans to discusses rural development with government

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