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German ex-chancellor to chair Nord Stream 2 project operator — media

Gerhard Schröder earlier headed the consortium for construction of the first stage of the gas pipeline

Gerhard Schroder Federico Gambarini/ dpa via AP

Gerhard Schroder

© Federico Gambarini/ dpa via AP

BERLIN, October 5. /TASS/. Ex-chancellor of Germany Gerhard Schröder has become the Chairman of the Board of Nord Stream 2 company - operator of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project, Germany’s media outlet Tagesspiegel reported on Wednesday citing a source in the company.

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The company confirmed such information, the media outlet said. Schröder earlier headed the consortium for construction of the first stage of the gas pipeline.

Switzerland-based Nord Stream AG was founded for planning, construction and operation of two lines of the Nord Stream-2 subsea gas pipeline. Gazprom currently holds 100% of shares in the company.

Gazprom’s European partners in the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project - Engie, OMV, Shell, Uniper and Wintershall - confirmed their position to facilitate its implementation, the Russian gas holding said earlier on Tuesday.

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PhosAgro posts 7% rise in production of agrochemicals to record 3 mln tons for Q1

"This result was attributable mainly to the fact that our Volkhov production complex reached its design capacity," CEO Mikhail Rybnikov said

Turkish foreign minister urges West to stop Israel, prevent war in region

"The US and Western countries should stop Israel, tell it "Stop!" and prevent the conflict from spilling over," Hakan Fidan said

China to act over possible US measures for alleged support of Russian defense sector

"China always opposes the illegal unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States and will continue to take necessary measures to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises," Liu Pengyu said

Hezbollah fires rockets at Israeli barracks in Shebaa Heights

Anti-tank guided missiles hit an artillery battery in Al-Samak in the Kfarchouba hills

Xi Jinping proposes four principles for resolving Ukrainian crisis

The Chinese leader had an in-depth exchange of views on the Ukrainian crisis with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who is on an official visit to Beijing

Ukrainian president admits Russian troops’ advancement

Vladimir Zelensky asked his country’s supporters to provide "everything that helps to hold the frontline," including shells, military vehicles and drones

Lavrov states West’s growing concern about BRICS plans to develop own financial tools

According to the minister, Russia is interested in increasing the role of the BRICS states in the international monetary, financial and trading systems, developing interbank cooperation, expanding the use of national currencies and creating its own exchange

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Russia bans 235 Australian local government officials from entering country — MFA

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Over 40 nations want to join BRICS — Russian lawmaker

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EU vows new sanctions against Iran, calls on Mideast conflict parties to show restraint

The European Union is also poised to impose new sanctions on Iran, related to drones and missiles

India's new ambassador to Russia discusses high-level bilateral visits with Lavrov

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G7 countries to prevent Iran from producing, purchasing weapons

The G7 finance ministers and Central Bank chiefs also condemned "the unprecedented attack against Israel by Iran"

Georgian president says she will veto law on foreign agents

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Georgia’s parliament approves first reading of foreign agent bill

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Russia’s advanced radar in Kaliningrad to monitor entire territory of Europe — source

The first Konteiner radar went on combat duty in the Volga area region of Mordovia on December 1, 2019

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New US bill calls for $26 bln in assistance to Israel

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Ukrainian military under constant gunfire by Russian troops near Urozhainoye, says POW

Yevgeny Pogrebnyak said that he was treated well by Russian troops in his captivity

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According to the report, Israel’s war cabinet will meet on April 16 for a third straight day

Russia to scrap moratorium on intermediate missiles if US deploys them anywhere — MFA

Sergey Ryabkov said the US seeks to maintain military superiority in a great variety of areas

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US not going to be in armed conflict with Russia — official

The President of the United States has made that very clear

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UN concerned about 'increasingly dangerous rhetoric' in Middle East, official says

On the evening of April 13, Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel in response to what it called "repeated crimes," including an attack on the consular office of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus

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Nikol Pashinyan said about it, replying to a question from a resident of the borderline village of Berkaber about the necessity to hold snap elections before delimiting the border with Azerbaijan

Russian artillery thwarts Ukrainian army’s rotation near Kupyansk — underground resistance

The Ukrainian army used the outbuilding as an ammunition depot, which accommodated about 15 fighters at the time of the air strike, spokesman Sergey Lebedev specified

Iranian president warns of 'terrible response' to any action against country

Ebrahim Raisi opined that the UN Security Council and the organization as a whole "failed to fulfill their minimum legal obligations to condemn the [Israeli] attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus"

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After Truss’ statements urging Moscow to move its forces, located on Russia’s soil, away from the border with Ukraine, Sergey Lavrov asked his British counterpart if she recognized Russia’s sovereignty over the Voronezh and Rostov Regions

US believes that Russia tested 9M729 missile for range beyond 500 km

"All NATO allies agree that the 9M729 is not compliant with the INF Treaty," the US embassy’s spokesperson said

Press review: US throws Russia New START curveball and Washington's aid balancing act

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DPR leader reports heaviest fighting near Avdeyevka, Chasov Yar

According to Denis Pushilin, it is too early to say when the city could be liberated

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

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Ukraine turns from sovereign country into Western protectorate, Hungarian PM says

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Iran says it won’t prevent return of Russian sailor from seized ship — MFA

The Russian Embassy in Tehran keeps the issue under special control, Maria Zakharova said

Russian government approves list of unfriendly countries

There are two countries on the list

Israel planned to strike back at Iran on April 15, but decided to postpone, Axios reports

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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

Former Ukrainian MP sees Zelensky turning into 'usurper' after his term expires

The legitimacy of the authorities is a hot button issue in Ukraine, where parliamentary and presidential elections are prohibited during martial law

Russian forces pummel Ukrainian army, equipment in 133 areas over past day

Russian troops took better frontline positions in the Donetsk area over the past day, the ministry reported

Ukraine’s military loses positions near Avdeyevka, says DPR

Igor Kimakovsky said that Ukrainian forces suffered heavy casualties among personnel and military hardware, including Western equipment

Russia says its forces repel four Ukrainian counterattacks in Kupyansk area

The Ukrainian army losses were up to 70 servicemen, three motor vehicles, a D-30 howitzer, 2 Plastun-3000 electronic reconnaissance stations and a Nota electronic warfare station

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

According to Wei Dongxu, Tehran's firepower can cover most of the Middle East region, representing a fierce and precise long-range retaliatory means

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Almost 3,000 shots fired at Russia’s Kursk Region during military operation

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Russia assumes that Security Council will soon return to Gaza ceasefire issue — diplomat

"Ramadan has passed, and the question of a long-term ceasefire is once again very acute," Vasily Nebenzya said

Romania now hosts as many as 11 F-16 jets for training of Ukrainian pilots

The ministers expressed their willingness to find a way for the center to continue to operate beyond 2025

Iran may break through Israel’s air defenses in major attack by drones, missiles — expert

Iran has the region’s largest arsenal of ballistic missiles, estimated to number in the low thousands, Behnam Ben Taleblu noted

Hamas grateful to Erdogan for his support — TV

The Turkish leader also announced talks with Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh in Turkey on April 20

Gasoline output in Russia up 12.1% week-on-week on April 1-7 to 845,900 tons — statistics

The statistics service does not provide the year-on-year dynamics of gasoline production

Russian software sales soaring over last four years — Minister

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Ukrainian president signs law tightening mobilization rules

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Israeli Air Force strikes Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon

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Both main US parties threatened Telegram, co-founder says

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G7 seeks to accelerate supplying air defenses to Ukraine — sources

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US deliberately fuels tensions in Asia — Russian envoy to Washington

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Kiev’s attacks on Zaporozhye nuke plant result of impunity encouraged by US

Sergey Ryabkov stressed that the attacks on the nuclear facility "must be stopped"

Russia restores gasoline production after decline — Energy Ministry

The increase in motor gasoline production in mid-April is associated with production recovery after a local drop due to unscheduled repairs at refineries