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President's plans: parliament's two chambers unite to push the program

MOSCOW, December 13. /ITAR-TASS/. The two chambers of Russia's parliament will prepare a co-ordinated legislation plan to drive through proposals in President Vladimir Putin's state of the nation address on Thursday, said upper house Speaker Valentina Matvienko.

Experts are focused on how Putin's plans for the country's short-term development will be implemented. These include controlling capital flight and repatriating Russian money hoarded abroad.

Support for small business and Russian villages are considered agenda priorities alongside local government reform and new principles of forming the Russian Civic Chamber, set up to analyse draft law and monitor parliamentary and government activities.

Vladimir Vasiliev, deputy speaker of the United Russia faction in the State Duma lower house, said on Friday that the chamber would set up a cross-party group to work on draft law to advance the president's plans.

“Some of them are being formulated now, some have already been implemented,” he said.

Terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall

Afghan Foreign Ministry condemns terrorist attack on Crocus City Hall outside Moscow

The ministry’s Spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi said, that considers it a blatant violation of all human standards

Russian diplomat slams US State Department report on human rights as 'actual segregation'

"Not a word in the report about American journalist Gonzalo Lira, who was murdered in Ukrainian torture chambers," Maria Zakharova said

Several Ukrainian drones destroyed over Kursk Region

Apart from that, according to Roman Starovoit, Ukrainian troops staged several shelling attacks on the Kursk Region

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

Ukrainian forces refuse to obey Commander-in-Chief Syrsky — CIA ex-analyst

Larry Johnson also noted that the Russian forces manage to advance recently despite the slush on the roads

US can ship weapons to Ukraine within few days if funding approved — Pentagon

Russia has significant amount of West’s funds in case of confiscation of its assets

Russia views the West’s encroachment on its assets as "a blatant and shameless theft for the purpose of lining its pockets," Maria Zakharova noted

Modern weapons make up 82% in Russian air defense troops — Shoigu

"The Kiev regime has failed to achieve the goals of its counteroffensive prepared by NATO instructors," the defense minister said

Russian troops destroy four boats with Ukrainian assault force on Dnieper River

Russia’s Dnepr Battlegroup inflicted casualties on the 141st, 65th and 128th brigades of Ukrainian armed formations, delivered strikes on temporary deployment sites, military hardware and artillery positions of the Ukrainian army on the right bank of the Dnieper River, Vladimir Saldo said

NATO has no plans to deploy nuclear forces in Poland — Stoltenberg

NATO Secretary General did not immediately understand the reporter’s question, forcing the reporter to explain that they were referring to the idea of deploying nuclear weapons in Poland

Russia to incorporate US nuke scenario in Poland in its military planning — diplomat

"Poland’s authorities make no secret of their striving to lean closer on the US nuclear weapons deployed in Europe and are actively using these ambitions in their hostile Russian policy," Maria Zakharova stressed

Ukrainian army strikes own surrendering soldiers — POW

Andrey Babenko said that after a crash course in Britain he had been sent to the frontline near Liman

Russia presents world’s first hydrogen-fueled luxury car at Innoprom exhibition

The unique vehicle was built on the basis of the Aurus Senat luxury car

Detained deputy defense minister suspected of taking grand bribe of over $10,000

This charges carries a punishment of up to 15 years behind bars

Russian envoy, authorities of Afghanistan call for unfreezing of Afghan assets

The Foreign Ministry noted that the sides discussed "further development of the diverse bilateral cooperation in political and economic areas, and the establishment of the regional cooperation with Afghanistan within the Moscow format"

Beijing condemns US hypocrisy around Ukraine conflict

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin reiterated that China "is not an instigator or a party to the Ukrainian crisis and has never fanned the flames of the conflict, not to mention, used the situation for its own purposes"

Russia invites all countries to develop North - South transport corridor — Putin

"The North-South transport corridor should become an example of the broadest international cooperation," the Russian leader said

Putin proclaims Odessa Russian city, challenges Ukraine's historical narrative

At the same time, the president noted that once upon a time "Vladimir Lenin gave away the whole of Ukraine when he created the Soviet Union"

Russia’s UN envoy, Serbian leader discuss coordination on Kosovo at UN

They "exchanged opinions on a wide range of pressing bilateral and international issues while focusing on the situation in the Balkans," the Russian diplomatic mission to the UN said

Moscow Zoo delegation arrives in North Korean capital — media

Russia and North Korea have intensified bilateral exchanges since late 2023

Four women killed in Zaporozhye Region in Ukrainian drone attack

The local emergencies services stressed that the car was targeted deliberately

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

According to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko, many of such measures have already been announced

Gaza settlement crucial for Islamic world, Erdogan believes

In his opinion, it would be a mistake to view the Gaza issue solely from the perspective of October 7, 2023, when the Palestinian-Israeli conflict sharply escalated

Finnish President calls for calmer discourse on Russia — FT

Alexander Stubb called on European countries to "be more like Finland" now, explaining that they need to be "more prepared"

Russian troops level off frontline near Kremennaya in LPR for further advance

Russian combat aircraft and artillery "have begun to operate more intensively" at that frontline, delivering "precision strikes" on the Ukrainian army, Andrey Marochko said

Initial court hearing on footballer Promes’ extradition slated for May 2 — web portal

According to the web portal, it will be the first ever case regarding the extradition of an athlete from the United Arab Emirates to the Netherlands upon a request of a European country

Putin signs law on holding World Friendship Games

Funding will be provided from the federal, regional and local budgets, as well as taxes from gambling transferred to the organizer

Russian court sentences Meta spokesman Stone to six years in prison in absentia

According to the investigation, Andy Stone, while being outside of Russia, on March 11, 2022, posted a comment on the Internet advocating aggressive, hostile and violent actions against Russian servicemen participating in the special military operation

Speakers of EU parliaments back idea of creating rapid response forces

The speakers praised the EU initiative to have its own military capability to "defend the security of its people, their interests and democratic values"

Flow of cargo traffic via North-South transport corridor to reach 60-100 mln tons

The presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan, Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev, met with veterans, builders and employees of the Baikal-Amur Mainline on Monday

Qiwi projects $247 mln loss over sale of Russian assets

Moreover, Qiwi plc acknowledged impairment by $155 mln in 2023 due to the same reason

Republika Srpska president praises Moscow-Banja Luka relations, favors strengthening them

Milorad Dodik also touched upon the topic of sanctions mentioned by Patrushev earlier

US provided Kiev with ATACMS missiles without GPS because Russia jams signals — reporter

Previously, White House National Security Council Spokeswoman Adrienne Watson confirmed that the US shipped ATACMS tactical missiles with range of 165 km to Ukraine

Russian deputy defense minister detained on suspicion of bribe-taking

"Russian Deputy Defense Minister Timur Vladimirovich Ivanov was detained on suspicion of committing a crime under part 6, article 290 of the Russian Criminal Code," the Russian Investigative Committee said

Any potential peace deal to reflect Ukraine’s capitulation — Russia’s UN mission

"However, you have nothing to worry about, as Ze’s Ukraine has blown its chances for such a favorable outcome, and therefore any possible deal will now reflect its capitulation," Russian First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Dmitry Polyansky said

Throughput capacity of Baikal-Amur Mainline surging threefold in twelve years

Shipments over the Eastern Range uniting BAM and the Trans-Siberian railroad is to reach 270 mln metric tons per year over the ten-year period, the head of state said

Value of frozen Russian assets in Switzerland drops to $6.36 bln over the year

The Swiss authorities pointed out that the value of assets of the Bank of Russia "may fluctuate in either direction, notably as a result of valuation changes on frozen securities, bank charges and exchange rate movements"

Border delimitation commissions of Armenia, Azerbaijan hold meeting

According to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, the sides of the meeting, which was held on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border, agreed to finalize the draft regulation on joint activities as soon as possible

Azerbaijani president accuses West of seeking to draw vision lines in South Caucasus

"That is why we expressed our concern over the unprecedented meeting in Brussels between the European Commission president, the US secretary of state, and the Armenian prime minister," Ilham Aliyev stressed

Mexicans, Colombians recruited in US jails to be deployed in Ukraine — SVR

Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service said that in case the inmates agree to this "mission," "they are promised full amnesty, reckoning they would never come back"

Russia recovers black boxes from crashed Tu-22M3 bomber

According to the law enforcement, the search for the fourth crew member is ongoing

One more Ukrainian drone shot down over Belgorod Region — defense ministry

The Kiev regime’s attempted terrorist attack on facilities in Russia’s territory with the use of a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle was thwarted

Most agents at Security Service of Ukraine set on war with Russia — former officer

Vasily Prozorov said that "it is extremely difficult to count on any better judgement on their part"

UN chief describes current state of climate as ‘preview of disaster’

Antonio Guterres stressed that the world community must reduce global greenhouse emissions by 43% by 2030 compared to 2019

Top Russian security official praises Republika Srpska’s principled position on Ukraine

"In this context, we particularly appreciate the principled position against joining the sanctions regime, your firm and consistent line on the Ukrainian crisis is particularly valuable for us," Nikolay Patrushev pointed out

Lenin Museum in Finland's Tampere to shut down in November

According to the report, the New Museum of Relations with the East will open on the same premises on February 15, 2025

Russian-Kazakh commission discusses border demarcation issues

The next meeting of the commission will be held in Moscow in May

37 Russian, Ukrainian children receive treatment in Qatar — diplomat

Qatari Foreign Ministry Spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said that ten families from Ukraine, including 16 children, and ten families from Russia, including 21 children, arrived in Doha on April 18

Erdogan urges Armenia to work out pragmatic roadmap for ties with Turkey

According to the Turkish president, "the window of opportunity will not remain open forever so it is necessary to take the bull by the horns"

Moldovan authorities seize large sums of money from opposition activists

Searches conducted in various parts of the country today yielded sums in rubles, leus, and dollars, as well as mobile phones

Russia’s top brass reports destroying US-made Hawk air defense system in Ukraine operation

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted casualties on personnel and equipment of two Ukrainian army brigades and improved its tactical position over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Press review: Dissecting US aid package to Ukraine and sands of global economy shifting

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, April 22nd

Azerbaijanian leader says reaching peace with Armenia by November 'quite realistic'

According to Ilham Aliyev, the option of coordinating a basic agreement is also being considered

Turkey will not join sanctions against Russia — Erdogan

"Firstly, I cannot leave my people to freeze in the winter, and secondly, I cannot completely reboot this industry of ours," Erdogan said

France won’t address NATO if Russia strikes its servicemen in special op zone — newspaper

According to the report, President Emmanuel Macron cited France's military campaigns in Africa, where the country suffered losses without addressing its allies

Weapons for new US package for Kiev yet to be found — Ukrainian ambassador

Oksana Markarova explained that $4 billion worth of weapons that was to be provided under the previous decisions still remained undersupplied

NATO to set up ground forces headquarters 140 km from Russian border in Finland

"The commander of our defense forces has recommended this," Norwegian Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram said

Russia increases its fertilizer output by around 20% in January

By December 2023, the figure increased by 0.7%

Economic Development Ministry revises Russian GDP growth forecast for 2024 up to 2.8%

Minister Maxim Reshetnikov pointed out that domestic consumer and investment demand remain the main growth factor

Raisi doubts 'Israeli regime' to exist in case of its attack on Iran

"If Israel makes a mistake and attacks Iran, completely new conditions will emerge for it and it is unclear whether anything will be left of the Israeli regime at all," the presidential press service quoted Raisi as saying

Number of houses affected by floods in Russia down to 15,280

The trend of the falling number of household plots affected by the flood also persists

Putin informed about detention of Deputy Defense Minister Ivanov

Minister Sergey Shoigu was also informed beforehand, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

Ukrainian presidential office confirms London’s agrement to Zaluzhny as ambassador

Verkhovna Rada legislator Alexey Goncharenko said on Monday that the UK had granted its agrement to the Ukrainian former Commander-in-Chief

Ukraine no longer sovereign state, says Hungarian Prime Minister Orban

Viktor Orban also stated that it was imperative to return to the negotiating table as peace talks represent the only means of saving lives

Ukrainian connection to Crocus terrorist attack undeniable — ex-SBU officer

Vasily Prozorov noted that the perpetrators could have been eliminated once they crossed the border

Israel retaliates missile launches from Gaza Strip — IDF

A warning had been issued before the attack calling on people to temporarily evacuate from the area

US expert says more ATACMS won't alter battlefield dynamics in Ukraine

"There is no magic weapon, there is no series of weapons that could change this" situation for the Ukrainian armed forces, Scott Ritter said

Press review: GOP tussles over Ukraine bill and Putin, Aliyev talk partnership

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, April 23rd

US again forbids Russian diplomats from laying flowers to ‘Spirit of Elbe’ plaque — envoy

"Last December, our diplomats were not allowed to visit the National Ford Richardson Cemetery in Anchorage," Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov noted

Builders from Azerbaijan participate in BAM upgrade — Putin

"Design engineers and construction workers from Azerbaijan built two settlements with terminal facilities during BAM construction - Ulkan and Angoya," the Russian President said

US has no idea what to do about Zelensky — Seymour Hersh

According to the journalist, the decision to conduct the operation was made by US President Joe Biden personally, following nine months of discussions with White House national security advisers

Baku cannot turn blind eye to France, India, Greece arming Armenia — President Aliyev

"If we see a serious threat to us, we will have to take serious measures," the Azerbaijani President warned

Water level in Ishim River in Tyumen’s Abatsky up to 770 cm

The level of water grew by 69 cm in 24 hours

US 'not forgetting' to help itself with aid to Ukraine — Kremlin

"In any case, whatever the modality of providing this aid, de facto it is about provoking Ukraine into further hostilities down to the last Ukrainian, putting guarantted money in the pockets of the US," Dmitry Peskov said

Destroyed TV tower in Kharkov carried Ukrainian air defense coordination device — official

Digital TV signal interruptions are now observed in the city

Russian forces take Ukrainian strongholds near Klescheyevka under control

Apty Alaudinov posted a drone video footage of elimination Ukrainian personnel and Russian forces capturing enemy trenches

Switzerland unblocks Russia-related assets worth 290 mln Swiss francs

The total amount of blocked assets of the Russian Federation decreased by 150 million Swiss francs (about $165 million) due to the fact that a number of individuals "were removed from the EU sanctions lists"

Mikhail Khodorkovsky’s father does not plan to leave Russia — lawyer

Boris Khodorkovsky at the questioning mostly used Article 51 of the Russian Constitution which grants a right not to give self-incriminating evidence or evidence incriminating close relatives

Ukraine’s military intelligence chief recognizes Russia’s success in Avdeyevka

Ukrainian troops suffered significant losses in the fighting for the control of this town

Current Russian turn eastward possible owing to Baikal-Amur railway — Putin

BAM personifies giant labor and courage of two million very young people from across the entire Soviet Union, the Russian leader said

Foreign agent law has to stay in place owing to will of Georgian people — deputy PM

The ruling Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia party announced in early April that it had decided to reintroduce the bill On the Transparency of Foreign Influence to parliament

Hamas threatens that hostages remaining in Gaza may go missing

Spokesman for the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades Abu Ubaida emphasized that at the moment "the ball is in the court of Israel's allies," but "time and opportunities are limited"

No plans of NATO combat presence in Ukraine — Stoltenberg

The United States and NATO’s military aid to Ukraine is "too late" but the delays has had its "consequences," NATO secretary general also said

Severstal reports 13% net profit growth under IFRS in Q1 2024

The company’s EBITDA surged by 25% year on year to $707.7 mln, driven by the increase in revenues and higher capacity utilization

Rosatom denies reports about flooding of uranium deposit wells in Kurgan region

To prove the situation on the ground, Rosatom is ready "at any time to organize a visit of representatives of media and regulatory authorities to the field," ARMZ said

Mobilization law condition for new supplies of arms to Kiev by NATO — source

Arms supplies are only reasonable if a large number of military personnel able to use those weapons in defense and assault operations is available

Russian Foreign Ministry gives Israeli ambassador talking-to over critical remarks

According to the ministry, a rebuttal to Simona Halperin’s statements was posted on its official website

US Abrams tanks, Bradley APCs unloaded in Greece — report

The website underscores the great importance of the port of Alexandroupolis for the US and NATO

Iranian military advisor killed by Israeli airstrike in Syria

Previously, the Sham FM radio reported an explosion in the town of Sayyidah Zaynab 10 km away from Damascus