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IOC president believes 28 sports optimal for Olympic program

Federation have decided that it is possible to include new sports at the expense of the old

ST. PETERSBURG, May 31 (Itar-Tass) - President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Jacques Rogge is certain that 28 sports is the optimal number in the Olympic Games program. The IOC head made this statement a press conference on the results of a meeting of the organisation’s Executive Board that was held in St. Petersburg.

“We’ve had a great Executive Board meeting. The main considered document - additional sports, the second - the distribution of income, the IOC presentation and strategic development,” Rogge said.

According to the official, thinking about what has happened over the past 15 years, the IOC has been adding few sports, and now the dynamics has changed. “We considered the Games’ scale boundaries, because there were too many sports, and decided that 28 will be enough, but it is impossible to freeze the program. So the federations decided that it is possible to include new events at the expense of the old,” Rogge said.

Bombs with power of 13 kilos of trotyle found in Russia’s Kabardino-Balkaria

An active accomplice of bandits was detained in the search operation and gave confessing testimony

Russian forces improve situation along front line in Kupyansk direction

The Russian forces improved the tactical situation in the Avdeyevka direction

Share of young men in Ukrainian population drops to record low, says paper

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Hamas not to make any concessions on Israeli troops’ withdrawal from Gaza

Izzat al-Rishq noted that Israel’s attempts to release its hostages held by radicals in the Gaza Strip have failed and "there is no alternative to a real deal on this matter with Palestinian groups"

Deflecting Iran attack cost billions, Israel, US can't repeat it — former UN inspector

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Russian paratroopers seize Ukrainian stronghold on tanks, combat vehicles

Russian troops suffered no casualties, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Ukraine actively uses Caesar self-propelled howitzers in Zaporozhye Region — politician

Vladimir Rogov did not specified the amount of Ukrainian equipment

Russian foreign ministry blames Paris for death of French mercenaries in Kharkov

The ministry hopes "that the people of France will ultimately learn the truth about the actual scope of France’s involvement in the conflict"

Iran has no need to buy Russia’s S-400 missile systems — defense minister

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Servicemen of Russia’s battlegroup West receive certificates for destroyed Leopard-2 tanks

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Russian investors in Belarus interested in logistics, oil refining — minister

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Volume of frozen Russian assets in Germany reaches around €3.9 bln

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Georgian protesters end rally in Tbilisi over foreign agents bill

Rustaveli Avenue has been opened for traffic

White House effectively rules out option for US forces to intercept Russian missiles

US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Joe Biden had made it clear that the United States would not take on a combat role in Ukraine

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

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Israel Defense Forces announce planned military drills in country’s north on April 16

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'Iron Dome' can't fully protect from UAV swarms — Chinese expert

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New sanctions against Moscow to push supplies of Russian metal to China up — Bloomberg

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Russian Su-34 jets destroy Ukrainian command post with high-explosive aerial bombs

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Russia developing Start-1M carrier rocket as derivative of Topol-M ICBM — source

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Avtotor launches production of Jetour Dashing crossover in Kaliningrad

General agreement includes organizing the production of the brand’s products in Russia and gradually increasing the level of localization

China’s Jetour plans to sell up to 50,000 cars in Russia this year

Sales volumes depend on the demand for it, Liang Bin stated, noting that this refers not merely to sales of the Jetour Dashing crossover but also to other brand models, including X70 and X90 crossovers and the T2 SUV

Russia, Belarus sign aircraft production agreement

The complex of measures (plan) to stimulate Russian investment activity in Belarus was also signed

Official labels Ukrainian claims about Russia hitting nuclear facility 'total lie'

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Russian, Tajik troops kick off joint military drills in Tajikistan

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Russian stock indices rising on Monday — market data

The dollar surged by 0.32% to 93.75 rubles, while the euro edged up by 0.22% to 99.83 rubles

Ukrainian paratroopers surrender in Avdeyevka area — Russian Defense Ministry

Nine Ukrainian paratroopers of the airborne platoon of the elite brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces seized the opportunity to surrender near Vodyanoye, turned to Russian soldiers and laid down their arms, the ministry said

Ukrainian armed forces launch drone offensive on Belgorod Region

Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov added that attacks were recorded in the Krasnoyaruzhsky and Shebekinsky districts, with no casualties

Russia’s UN envoy says statements by West expose Kiev’s responsibility for attacks on ZNPP

"They not only completely gave away Zelensky's regime, but also confessed to their own complicity in these irresponsible bombardments," said Vasily Nebenzya

French mercenaries operate Caesar howitzers in Ukraine — French reporter

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US reaffirms commitment to defending Japan, including with nuclear weapons

Joe Biden reiterated the unwavering commitment of the United States to the defense of Japan under Article V of the Treaty, using its full range of capabilities

Israel considering retaliatory steps following Iranian attack — top brass

According to Herzi Halevi, the Israeli military was well-prepared for the Iron Shield operation to counter the Iranian attack

Construction of future manned spacecraft reached its final stage — Roscosmos CEO

The spacecraft’s first flight is planned for 2028, Yury Borisov said

Russia to furnish advanced Korsar drones with electronic warfare systems

The cutting-edge drone was unveiled during the night rehearsals of the Victory Day parade in Moscow

Russian investigators start inquiry into financing of terrorism by US, NATO officials

Investigators have established that the funds that were received through commercial organizations, such as the oil and gas company Burisma Holdings operating in Ukraine, have been used to carry out terrorist acts in Russia and abroad

Ukraine suffered substantial power generation losses over recent weeks — minister

According to German Galushchenko, the value of the damage is being verified and could reach billions of dollars

Roscosmos committed to continued collaboration with NASA — CEO

"We, both sides, and you can take it from me - as I meet with colleagues from NASA, would hate to lose this cooperation," Yury Borisov noted

Tajikistan’s aluminum production up 27% in Q1 2024 year-on-year

In 2023, the company’s production amounted to 66,649 tons, which is 7% higher than in 2022, while total production in 2024 is expected to exceed 84,000 tons of aluminum, which will be 25% higher than in 2023, Pavel Dyck said

Iran has warned US that Israeli response would set off harsh retaliation — minister

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the statement as he spoke by phone with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi

Ukrainian Baba Yaga drone found in Moscow office

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Russia’s top brass reports destroying first Khmara jammer in Ukraine operation

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Senior Russian diplomat warns about proportional response to threats coming from Finland

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Police detain 14 people at rally in Georgia

The Georgian Interior Ministry said that one police member was injured

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Yury Borisov noted that SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket was used no more than ten times

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Russian skiers unlikely to return to int’l competition before 2028 — sports official

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Georgian parliament passes bill on foreign agents in first reading

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Press TV reports all of Iran's hypersonic missiles hit intended targets in Israel

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Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, April 15th

Putin shocked by brutality, cynicism of terrorist attack in Iran - Kremlin

The killing of civilians visiting a cemetery is shocking in its cruelty and cynicism Putin said

Putin signs decree on spring draft to armed forces

The document also dismisses soldiers, sailors, sergeants and petty officers, whose conscription time span has expired

Man killed in DPR's Gorlovka in Ukrainian drone attack

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Ukraine offers to use neighbors' air defense systems to protect its gas storage facilities

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Iran plans negotiations with Russia on purchase of Sukhoi fighters

Iran's Ministry of Defense the country needs to strengthen its air force

Israel to soon retaliate Iranian attack, no exact date yet — media

The Wall Street Journal did not specify the exact day

Russia urges Middle East nations to show restraint amid escalation — Kremlin spokesman

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Attacks on ZNPP raise risks for nuclear safety — IAEA chief

Rafael Grossi reminded the Security Council that last year he outlined the principles of ensuring safety at the ZNPP to avert the danger of a nuclear incident and called on Russian and Ukraine to observe them

Israeli response will likely targets outside Iran — NBC

The report said the Israeli retaliation will be "limited in scope"

Lavrov sees no chance of Germany, Japan becoming permanent UNSC members

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Russia open to help resolve situation in Sudan — ambassador

Andrey Chernovol recalled that the Russian embassy is currently located in the temporary capital of Sudan, Port Sudan, and diplomats are in contact with the country's official authorities

Tobol River level may reach more than 10 meters near Kurgan — authorities

There are 309 residential houses and 571 household plots exposed to the flood in the region

US, Europe’s military force insufficient to fight Russia — expert

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Water level in Tobol River near Kurgan city may rise to 1,082 cm — authorities

Meanwhile, "the forecast of the National Center of the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations says that in the worst developments, it may rise to ten meters and 82 centimeters," the government said

Ukraine announces blocking of 83 TikTok channels, including 'tass_agency'

Meanwhile, almost half of all Ukrainians view the authorities’ attempts to control the information on the web negatively, according to polls

Zelensky irked by US’ request to stop attacking Russian energy infrastructure — media

It is noted that US officials believe the military benefits of Ukraine’s air raids on Russian oil refineries are "of questionable value," since "the strikes do little to diminish Russia’s war-fighting abilities"

Ukraine uses GLSDB munitions to hit city in Zaporozhye Region

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Demarche delivered to UK consul general in Yekaterinburg over propaganda work

Alexander Kharlov also specified that the provision of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and the bilateral Consular Convention on the need for foreign diplomats to comply with the laws and rules of the host country had been reiterated to Kotecha

West believes Israel may retaliate against Iran as early as April 15 — WSJ

Israeli allies believe the Iranian strike does not warrant a large-scale response due to the lack of damage that it caused

Macron draws distinction between Israeli, Russian Olympic participation

The French leader stressed that Israel was responding to a terrorist attack

Europe may soon toughen policy on Ukrainian migrants — expert

Vilde Hernes stressed that the protection permits for Ukrainian migrants contain many restrictions "such as fewer integration measures, less financial assistance, and no path to permanent residency"

Russian Ocean Way vessel docks at Socotra, captain needs medical aid

Stanislav Beryozkin was taken to a hospital to undergo thorough examination, with all the required tests made

Iran detains MSC Aries ship over violation of maritime law — Foreign Ministry

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanani noted that Tehran monitors "all ships in the strategic strait" and prevents violations of the country's sovereignty

Russian forces find coordinates of DPR churches at former Ukrainian positions in Avdeyevka

It was possible to establish that the Ukrainian servicemen were tasked with hitting Orthodox sites in the region aide to the head of the Donetsk People's Republic Igor Kimakovsky said

Over 40 nations want to join BRICS — Russian lawmaker

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Russian envoy calls UN Security Council meeting on Iran strike parade of hypocrisy

"If Western missions were attacked, you would not hesitate to retaliate and prove your case in this room. Because for you, everything that concerns Western missions and Western citizens is sacred and must be protected," Vasily Nebenzya said

Kazakhstan ready to host talks on Ukraine — envoy to Spain

Diplomacy is the wisest approach in today's age, Danat Mussayev noted, adding that it should take the interests of all parties into account

Senior Russian diplomat warns West against aggressive statements about Russia

Sergey Ryabkov pointed out that the West "is ignoring elementary and, as a matter of fact, absolutely obvious principles," such as the idea that a nuclear power "can never be defeated"

Restoration of Notre Dame de Paris enters its final stage

The cathedral will open to the public on the fifth anniversary of the fire, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo promised in a statement

Greece to hold Olympic flame lighting ceremony on Tuesday for 2024 Paris Games

The ceremony will be attended by Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and other dignitaries

Russian Armed Forces hit IRIS-T air defense system launcher, Ukrainian ammunition depot

The personnel and equipment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were also defeated in 129 districts

Russian forces suppress nearly 80% of Ukrainian drones in island zone of Dnieper River

According to a servicemen of Russia's Northern Fleet marine infantry from the battlegroup Dnepr, control of this area is necessary to organize a buffer zone that ensures the safety of Russian units on the left bank and civilians

Israel remains on highest alert as it chooses response to Iran’s attack — senior commander

"Iran will face the consequences for its actions," IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said

Russia raises issue of transferring talks on South Caucasus from Switzerland — ministry

Maria Zakharova emphasized that "several states rightfully lay claim to such a role, and some of them have already agreed to provide their territory for holding regular discussion meetings"

Russian, Israeli security chiefs discuss current escalation in Middle East

On the evening of April 13, Iran launched dozens of drones and missiles toward Israel in response to what it called "repeated crimes" from Tel Aviv, including the attack on the consular office of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus ascribed to Israel

Russia to continue boosting cooperation with countries of Global South, East — Lavrov

The Russian Foreign Minister added that these countries "are firmly committed to the principles of the UN Charter, advocate respect for the cultural and civilizational diversity of the world's peoples and their right to determine their own destiny"

Russia unaware of any UN Security Council document on Iran — envoy

Malta's permanent representative to the UN Vanessa Frazier told reporters that so far only one country had expressed a desire to prepare a document on Iran

Netanyahu a threat for Israel, opposition leader says

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Russia, Belarus boosting interaction despite sanctions

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin added that the record-high indicator of mutual trade turnover is $45.2 bln

Italy’s minister estimates Israeli capability to defend from Iranian attack at one billion

Guido Crosetto didn’t specify whether the currency he meant was dollars or euros