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Crisis in Belarus

Belarus blocks several news websites, including Deutsche Welle

The Ministry of Information also confirmed the blocking of other news websites, including Nastoyascheye Vremya (Present Time) and Novy Chas (A New Hour)

MINSK, October 28. /TASS/. Belarusian authorities blocked the Deutsche Welle website, Belarusian Journalist Union reported Thursday.

"When opening the DW website, a window comes up saying it is blocked under a decision of the Ministry of Information," the Union said in its Telegram channel.

The Union noted that "DW gained particular notoriety by a series of propaganda materials about the situation in the country in 2020." In particular, the Union says, the website "disseminated fake news about people ‘raped and gone missing,’ about ‘forced dismissal’ from the Belarusian Broadcasting Company, about the ‘landing party’ of Russian reporters led by RT, and many other things."

The Ministry of Information confirmed the blocking of the website, adding that the blocking also covers other news websites, including Nastoyascheye Vremya (Present Time) and Novy Chas (A New Hour). The websites were blocked because of publication of materials deemed extremist, the Ministry said.

"On October 28, the Ministry of Information decided to limit access to a number of news websites - Deutsche Welle, Nastoyascheye Vremnya and Novy Chas. This step was caused by publication of hyperlinks to materials deemed extremist by a court ruling," Deputy Minister Andrey Kuntsevich said, according to BelTA.

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Slovak leader urges suspension of country's campaign for European Parliament elections

Peter Pellegrini emphasized that "Slovakia must choose the path of peace and coolheadedness"

Russia, China to strengthen contacts through banks — Putin

Moscow and Beijing also consider rehabilitation of global economic institutions, including WTO, G20 and APEC, necessary, the president said

Prime Minister of Slovakia shot by 71-year-old assailant — report

The man reportedly owned his weapon legally

US imposes sanctions against Russian police training center in Nicaragua

According to Washington, the training center "contributes to anti-democratic actions and repressions from the Ortega-Murillo regime"

Russia developing thermal imager for Black Sea Fleet to repel night naval drone attacks

The devices help detect targets at a distance of over 1 km

Putin, Xi begin talks

Russian and Chinese Presidents have begun talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing

Europeans go for broke seeing risk of collapse for Kiev in special op situation — Kremlin

According to Peskov, currently, "the moment is crucial."

President of Slovakia confirms PM Fico’s assailant detained — report

Zuzana Caputova called the attack on Fico an "attack on democracy," adding that such crimes are being motivated by the "hateful rhetoric"

Czech president speaks out in favor of halting hostilities in Ukraine

Petr Pavel believes it is "naive" to imagine that Kiev will be able to regain territory taken by Russia in the foreseeable future

Dnepr battle group destroys 15 Ukrainian boats in one day — Kherson governor

In addition, 23 drone control centers were destroyed and 34 drones shot down or disabled

Ukrainian commanders flee Kupyansk, leaving covering force — Russian lawmaker

The Kharkov direction is the most important and challenging frontline area for Russian troops, Viktor Vodolatsky pointed out

Political motives behind assassination attempt on Fico

The shooter made a statement right after his detention, saying that he had opposed the government’s policy limiting media freedom

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Ukrainian drone shot down over Bryansk Region — governor

No one was hurt, no damage was reported, the region’s governor Alexander Bogomaz said

Russian troops liberate three communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

Russian troops repulsed ten Ukrainian army counterattacks in the Kupyansk area over the past day, the ministry reported

China expects peace to recover on European continent shortly — Xi Jinping

The Chinese leader added that Beijing "is ready to play its constructive role"

Russian forces advancing daily in special op, everything going according to plan — Putin

The Russian leader opened his meeting with commanders of troops of military districts by extending his greetings on the occasion of Victory Day

Putin, Xi sign statement on deepening relations

The document was signed after extensive Russian-Chinese negotiations

Israeli losses surpass 620 troops since Gaza conflict escalated

It is reported that since the onset of the ground operation in Gaza the Israeli army has lost 273 troops

Ukrainian crisis may be resolved by yearend, says former Virginia senator

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Russian president’s visit to Vietnam to propel deepening of bilateral ties — envoy

The exact dates of the visit are yet to be coordinated

Cuban president calls on US to remove Cuba from list of state sponsors of terrorism

Russia, China sign ten joint documents

The agreements penned included an initiative to develop the Bolshoy Ussuriysky Island, protocols on requirements for beef and other products exported to China

Slovak PM Robert Fico wounded in shooting — portal

The suspected shooter has been apprehended

Russia’s onslaught on Kharkov may compel Ukraine to truce — NYT

On May 11, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported liberating several populated localities in the Kharkov Region

Duma speaker threatens more powerful response to attacks against Russian citizens

According to Vyacheslav Volodin, attempts by Ukrainian lawmakers to get Washington’s okay to use US-supplied weapons to strike targets inside Russia risk causing a tragedy that "may affect everybody globally"

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According to the governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, a car shelter and a passenger car caught fire after the attack

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Putin thanks outbound Russian defense minister for his work

The Russian leader added that Sergey Shoigu would now serve as Russian Security Council secretary

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Press review: Putin embarks on state visit to China and assassination attempt on Slovak PM

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"If they want to remain Afghan patriots, albeit with a large share of Islamism, they must act so that not to spoil relations at least with the surrounding world," Zamir Kabulov noted

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Ukrainian troops shelling civilians in Kharkov Region villages they were driven from

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Putin asks Belousov to "open" Defense Ministry as much as possible

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Russia’s Defense Ministry reported earlier that Russian troops had liberated several communities in the Kharkov Region

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"In case of a first nuclear missile strike against Russia we should be able to destroy the aggressor with a retaliatory strike in a guaranteed manner," Igor Korotchenko noted

Several airborne targets downed approaching Belgorod — governor

Vyacheslav Gladkov added that three houses were damaged in the settlement of Petrovka

State Duma approves Mikhail Mishustin as Chairman of Russian Government

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Priority attention will be focused on trade and economic cooperation

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The Russian president is scheduled to visit Beijing and Harbin

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Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, May 15th

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The city’s Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev noted that there had been no reports of damage to civilian infrastructure

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Robert Fico was shot after a cabinet meeting in the city of Handlova in western Slovakia

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"Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin, Minister of Defense of Belarus, and Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov held a telephone conversation," the Belarusian Defense Ministry's press service reported

Russia’s Strategic Missile Force builds up combat capabilities with new missile systems

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Germany's recalled ambassador to arrive in Russia 'in the near future' — embassy

The German Foreign Ministry earlier reported that its ambassador to Russia Alexander Lambsdorff was recalled for consultations following an alleged cyberattack by Russia against the Social Democratic Party of Germany

Russian Su-25 attack aircraft wipe out Ukrainian equipment, personnel over past day

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Business activity is on the rise, with certain progress and prospects in a number of joint projects in various fields in place

Liberation of Rabotino to accelerate Russian advance in Zaporozhye Region — politician

Vladimir Rogov said Ukraine still holds the heights to the north of the village, and fierce battles are underway to control them

General Lapin to command Leningrad Military District, General Kuzovlyov Moscow district

Colonel-General Alexander Lapin previously served as first deputy commander and chief of staff of the Ground Forces

Afghanistan needs wheat and asks Russia to lower grain prices — minister

Nooruddin Azizi also said that he will work to ensure that exports from Afghanistan are subject to tariff preferences provided for least developed countries

World demands that Palestine be admitted as equal UN member — Venezuelan official

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez stressed that Palestine is an example of the struggle for "self-determination, independence and sovereignty"

No changes in General Staff management, none planned — Putin

"This combat operation bloc is well-established," the Russian leader went on to say

At least three civilians killed in Israel’s air strike on Gaza City — TV

Casualties were also reported after Israel’s air raid on Gaza’s Daraj neighborhood

Several people injured in knife attack in Switzerland’s Zofingen — report

The attacker has been detained, AFR reported

Foreign mercenaries in Ukraine to inevitably become Russia’s targets — MFA

"Any weapons supplied to Kiev’s Nazi regime are considered by Russia’s Armed Forces as legitimate military targets and must be destroyed," Maria Zakharova stressed

Latin America refuses to sacrifice its future for US interests, Russian envoy believes

Dmitry Feoktistov noted that the EU industry, which refused direct supplies of Russian hydrocarbons due to sanctions, is currently experiencing a deep crisis, losing its profitability and competitiveness

New head of Taiwan claims readiness for dialogue with mainland China

China’s authorities have repeatedly noted that what is known as the 1992 Consensus is a condition for dialogue with Taiwan, however, Lai Ching-te claimed not to support it

Russia views positively China's plan on Ukraine, it addresses causes of conflict — Lavrov

In February 2023, the Chinese Foreign Ministry published a position paper on a political settlement to the crisis in Ukraine

If West wants to solve Ukraine conflict on battlefield, 'so be it' — Lavrov

Sergey Lavrov reiterated that Russia was ready to negotiate peace not only in words, but also in deeds

Discussing Ukrainian settlement without Russia to be empty scholasticism — Kremlin

"It is absolutely useless to discuss security issues that concern us without Russia," Dmitry Peskov stressed

Afghanistan ready to sign agreement on transit of goods with 3 countries, including Russia

Acting Industry and Trade Minister Nooruddin Azizi noted that Afghanistan could become a convenient point for the transit of goods to the states of South Asia

Russia hails any peace initiatives for Ukraine — Kremlin spokesman

"We know the situation on the Ukrainian side, which excludes any talks for itself even from the legal point of view," Dmitry Peskov noted

EU agrees to ban access to three Russian media outlets, one European

The measure needs to be approved by the EU foreign ministers

Russian tech firm develops portable EW system to shield assault teams from drones

One system suppresses munition-dropping drones, creating a dome of 250-300 meters and shielding an assault group while the other suppresses FPV drones

Blinken says Ukraine may engage in talks if Russia shows 'interest'

Antony Blinken noted that in terms of negotiations, these are "decisions for Ukraine to make"

Slovakia’s PM Fico in critical condition — defense minister

Robert Kalinak said that the prime minister had been undergoing surgery for more than 3.5 hours

Moscow ready to navigate market challenges amid US' uranium import ban

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov noted that this latest move from Washington showed just how low it would go to try to hurt the Russian economy

Russian MFA sees Western media focus on Georgian protests, silence on Armenian rallies

According to Maria Zakharova, Western news media "forgive everything" to protesters in Georgia

Blinken’s visit to Kiev shows US concerned over Ukrainian failures on frontline — diplomat

"He sang a song, ate some pizza and left," Maria Zakharova noted

Putin arrives in Great Hall of the People in Beijing for talks with Chinese leadership

The talks were preceded by an official welcoming ceremony

Ukraine’s military has about 2,000-strong garrison in Kherson — resistance fighters

Ukrainian service members have been moving little in the city lately and normally only at night, the Kherson Resistance guerilla unit commander added

All Ukrainians who covered up Nord Stream sabotage identified, politician says

According to Andrey Derkach, members of the group led by Roman Chervinsky acted under instructions from Christopher Smith, "the No.2 at the US Embassy in Ukraine at that time and a well-known" CIA agent

Nord Stream saboteurs prepped in Ukraine, Romania — Ukrainian politician

According to Andrey Derkach, they trained on the South Stream, rented a large yacht, and then they were taken to Poland

Russia, China to continue strengthening military ties — joint statement

The two countries are also set to hold joint naval and air patrols on a regular basis

Slovak PM Fico’s life out of danger — deputy PM

Robert Fico was wounded in a shooting incident that happened after a government meeting in the city of Handlova in the western part of Slovakia

Two single-family houses, passenger car damaged by missile fragments in Sevastopol

No one was hurt, Sevastopol’s governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said

Slovakia’s Fico suffers several wounds, in life-threatening condition — PM’s Facebook page

As the post on the prime minister’s profile specifies, he was rushed by helicopter to a hospital of the city of Banska Bystrica in central Slovakia

Afghan Taliban no longer Russia’s enemy — Russian diplomat

According to Zamir Kabulov, relations between Russia and the Taliban are on the rise but "there are certain political limits"

Putin appoints Russian new government

This is the first Russian government formed under the new procedure envisaged by the 2020 constitutional amendment

Putin says he is in constant contact with Xi Jinping

The Russian president also recalled that his state visit to China is taking place in the year of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two states

Moscow, Beijing seriously develop practical cooperation — Putin

The Russian leader named energy, industry and agriculture as priorities

Ukraine’s terror attacks on Russia 'revenge' for military failures — North Korean envoy

According to Sin Hong Chol, "the Zelensky puppet clique committed hundreds of unethical atrocities of killing innocent inhabitants by striking civilian objects"

Israel hits Hezbollah targets in eastern Lebanon, casualties among civilians reported

One of the missiles hit a three-storey house, killing two civilians, the Al Mayadeen television channel reported