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Russian oil companies earn nearly $1 bln thanks to US sanctions — Bloomberg

The demand for Urals oil in the Mediterranean region is at its historic peak, according to analysts polled by the agency

© Yuri Smityuk/TASS

MOSCOW, August 16. /TASS/. US oil sanctions against Iran and Venezuela increased demand for oil from Russia, which allowed Russian exporters to earn at least $905 mln in additional revenues between November and July, Bloomberg wrote.

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Sanctions are part of Trump administration’s policy, says Russian diplomat

Bloomberg’s calculations take into account the difference between the price of Russia’s exported Urals oil and the Brent benchmark over the period compared to the five-year average.

Thus, the demand for Urals in the Mediterranean region is at its historic peak, according to analysts polled by the agency.

The US administration imposed sanctions against Venezuela at the end of January 2019, and tougher sanctions against Iran cane into effect in May (entered into force in November 2018, but with exceptions).

China strongly opposes illegal unilateral US sanctions — embassy

The anti-Russian sanctions imposed by Washington affected 21 chinese companies

Tucker Carlson interviews Russian philosopher Dugin

The interview lasted over 20 minutes

Houthis attack two commercial vessels, two US destroyers

Movement’s representative Yahya Saria said that the Ansar Allah delivered drone strikes on two US destroyers in the Red Sea. According to him, the hits "reached their targets"

Chinese diplomat comments on Blinken’s warning on support to Russia

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian pointed out that the US was supplying Ukraine with arms and ammunition and at the same time making unfounded accusations regarding trade between China and Russia

Soros family makes deal with Kiev to use Ukrainian land as toxic waste dump — journalist

"This agreement authorizes the disposal of chemical waste from companies linked with financier George Soros in the black soil of Ukraine," he said

Putin requests increasing financing of Russian Science Foundation

The request is to be fulfilled by May 1

Kiev openly flaunts involvement in murder of Russian journalists — Russian mission to UN

Dmitry Polyansky noted that Russian journalist Daria Dugina, military reporter Vladlen Tatarsky, Tavriya broadcasting company editor-in-chief Rostislav Zhuravlyov, Rossiya-24 TV reporter Boris Maksudov were killed by Ukrainian intelligence agencies and their agents

Israeli Air Force strikes Hezbollah outposts in southern Lebanon

The airstrikes followed an ambush of a military vehicle between the Israeli settlements of Yiftah and Ramot Naftali, Al Mayadeen television reported

Police arrest over 200 people at protest rallies in Columbia University

According to the TV channel, police officers used flash-bang grenades to enter a university building where the protesters had barricaded themselves

Snowden says shot down UFOs meant to divert attention from Nord Stream sabotage

According to him, "it’s just the old engineered panic" to ensure that national security reporters "get assigned to investigate balloon" nonsense "rather than budgets or bombings"

Ties between China, Argentina shouldn’t be influenced by other nations — Chinese minister

Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing and Buenos Aires should pursue an independent foreign policy, eliminate external interference and support each other to accelerate the economic development of both countries

Colombia to sever diplomatic relations with Israel on May 2 — president

The Colombian government is radicalized against Israel, but at the same time it has not condemned the Palestinian Hamas movement for its attacks

Ukrainian suicide drone attacks village in Belgorod Region

Two passenger cars were damaged

Iran authorizes 130 IAEA inspectors — AEOI chief

Mohammad Eslami emphasized the continuous interaction and dialogue between Iran and the IAEA under the comprehensive safeguards agreement

Leader of Georgia’s largest opposition party beaten by police at rally — report

Levan Khabeishvili is a chairman of the party called United National Movement

Georgia’s riot police fire rubber bullets at protesters near parliament building

At least one person was injured

US’ anti-Russia sanctions cast doubts on its constructive role in world — diplomat

The United States is seeking "to intimidate Russia’s partners, including China, to block the channels of normal foreign trade cooperation", Anatoly Antonov said

Kremlin announces creation of blockchain-based payment system in BRICS

Work will continue to develop the Contingent Reserve Arrangement, primarily regarding the use of currencies different from the US dollar," the Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov pointed out

Ukrainians to reunify with Russia in ten years — Medvedchuk

Ukraine is "genetically linked with Russia," leader of the Other Ukraine movement said

Russian missile cruiser Varyag enters Mediterranean Sea

The ship's crew continues to fulfill the mission it was given for the long-range voyage

Russian forces strike Ukraine’s Operational Command South headquarters

The enemy’s troops and military hardware had been hit in 112 districts

UNSC becomes hostage to US Middle East policy — Russian envoy

"The actions of our American colleagues do not reflect the principled position of the rest of the UN Security Council members," Vasily Nebenzya said

WHO chief warns Israel would set off disaster with Rafah operation

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urges all parties to work for a ceasefire and lasting peace

Russia to close its advanced stealth corvette project — source

Severnaya Verf and the Amur Shipbuilding Plant will continue serial production of ships from Project 20380 and Project 20385

US, NATO countries intensify military activity in Arctic — Admiral Yevmenov

The practice of regular single and group cruises by ships and supply vessels of the US Navy and NATO countries has been introduced

West continues to buy titanium from Russia despite sanctions — Washington Post

Most of the supplies went to those Western countries that supported Ukraine, including the UK, Germany, France, and the USA

Zimbabwe ready to buy 1 mln tons of grain to ease shortages after drought

"Significant resources will be channeled to buy grain from the domestic market", Information Minister Jenfan Muswere said

Russian aerospace forces hit two terrorists base in Syria’s Homs governorate

Deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria Yury Popov also said that during the day, no shelling attacks on the positions of government forces were reported in the Idlid de-escalation zone

Russia's gas production down 5.5% in 2023

Production of large-scale polymers in Russia in 2023 fell by 2.8% to 6.9 mln tons

Ukrainian troops shell DPR 6 times over 24 hours, wounding two civilians

Overall, the adversary fired 21 rounds of various munitions

US court sentences Binance founder to four months in prison — Bloomberg

A judge handed down a much lighter sentence than the three years sought by the prosecution, the agency reported

US Congress passes bill to ban enriched uranium imports from Russia

It now needs to be signed by US President Joe Biden

Georgia's ruling party intends to pass law on foreign agents despite protests

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said that "in the long run we will make the country secure from polarization and radicalism for years"

Press review: US tries to strong-arm China and Zelensky's bid to bring men home

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, April 25th

Exhibition of captured NATO military hardware kicks off in Moscow

In all, there are 32 items

Thousands of students in Venezuela march in support of Palestinian people

Palestinian Ambassador Fadi Alzaben said Israel in Gaza "destroyed 500 schools and educational centers, five universities, and killed 80 university presidents"

Protesters in Tbilisi toss smoke grenade into parliament building’s window

Currently, the situation around the parliament building is relatively calm, with the square in from of the building being empty

US seeking to throw Balts, Poles, Germans, French ‘into fire of war’ — Medvedchuk

"They are clearing the way for this, since the Ukrainians are running out while the scheme of turning their deaths into America’s profits is waiting for new victims," leader of the Other Ukraine movement said

Russian defense ministry reports losses among Russian troops during special operation

Konashenkov also said that several Russian soldiers have been taken prisoner

Russia’s Battlegroup East improves positions in DPR, hits roughly 100 Ukrainian troops

Ukrainians lost two pickup trucks and two US-made 155mm M777 howitzers

Russian Defense Minister attends meeting on special military operation

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu gave instructions to take measures to reduce the maintenance and repair time for military hardware, increasing supplies of spare parts in combat zones and support areas

Russia opposes idea to pass resolution on Srebrenica at UNGA — Russia’s UN envoy

"The draft UNGA resolution as nothing to do with the stated goal of commemorating the victims of the 1995 tragedy", Vasily Nebenzya said

Death toll in China highway collapse climbs

At least 24 people were killed

Russia’s Battlegroup East takes new positions near Ugledar — top brass

One of the assault regiment commanders told that Ukrainian units frequently deliver erroneous artillery strikes on their own positions

Press review: China to weather US storm and ATACMS not 'wonder weapons'

Top stories from the Russian press on Saturday, April 27th

West plans to give Kiev not only F-16s, but also weapons for them — Pentagon

"It’s not only the airplanes, but also the training of the pilots, training of the maintenance and also making sure we have the weapon systems to go with it," US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Charles Brown said

Medvedev vows Moscow's response to US law on seizing Russia's frozen assets will sting

The Russian Security Council deputy chairman suggested enacting legislation to allow Russia to confiscate assets belonging to the citizens of unfriendly countries

Syria introduces electronic visas — embassy

Syrian diplomats explained to TASS that a relevant platform will issue visas online, obliterating the need to visit an embassy or a consulate

Jordan condemns Israeli settlers’ attacks on humanitarian aid convoys

Sufyan Quda emphasized, "despite the provocation, the convoys delivered humanitarian supplies to the Palestinian enclave, given the threat of starvation looming over them"

Latvia must name countries that allow Ukraine to hit Russia — MFA

In this way Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commented on a statement by the Latvian Foreign Ministry that Kiev had already received from some partners Western weapons with permission to use them for strikes on Russian territory

China holds objective, fair position on Ukraine — embassy to US

Liu Pengyu said that China had "never provided lethal weapons or equipment to any party"

F-16 fighter jet crashes in US, pilot ejected

The pilot was the only occupant onboard the aircraft, Fox News television reported

Mexico buys 30 Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft from Russia — ambassador

According to the Ministry of Economy of Mexico, in 2014 the volume of trade between Mexico and Russia amounted to $1.78 billion

Over 140 people detained at Istanbul rally for resisting police — TV

Local authorities banned any May Day rallies of trade unions and political parties blocking off the square and engaging over 42,000 police officers to ensure security

West bears responsibility for Afghanistan’s plight — Russian delegation

As the Russian delegation’s spokesman emphasized, "the determination of the Afghan authorities to correct the human rights situation in the country as a whole deserves support"

Top security official advises West to keep door open for joint research work with Russia

Nikolay Patrushev cited recent research showing that a simulated eruption of the Yellowstone Caldera, which has shown increasing signs of active volcanic status over the years, and what consequences such a natural disaster could potentially leave in its wake

Example of Great Patriotic War veterans inspires amid current trials — Putin

President expressed hope that the festival would arouse great interest among the participants and become a bright event among the events dedicated to Victory Day

Production of upgraded version of Su-57 fighter is to start in 2025 — source

"In the upgraded version of the fighter as part of the Megapolis research and development project, a completely upgraded cockpit with the most advanced avionics will be installed,a source in the military-industrial sector said

Russia calls for investigating mass graves in Gaza — Russian diplomat

"An independent international investigation in needed to bring the criminals to responsibility," Vasily Nebenzya said

Russian air defense forces block Ukrainian attempt to use ATACMS on Crimea — politician

The Ukrainians used several ATACMS ballistic missiles in an attempt to attack civilians on the peninsula

Russia says its FPV drones delivered 40 strikes on Ukrainian sites in Donetsk area

Operators of FPV also destroyed a large number of personnel and equipment in their area of responsibility, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Georgian parliament votes for foreign agents bill in second reading

According to the procedure, the bill is now to undergo the final, third reading. If supported, it will be sent to President Salome Zourabichvili for signature

Riot police start to leave scene of rally in Georgian capital

Some of the police relocated to April 9 Street, which leads to the service entrance to the Georgian parliament, while some others moved to Liberty Square

Panic on frontline growing on Ukrainian side — Kremlin

Russia must support the current dynamics in the special military operation zone, Dmitry Peskov said

Foreign agents law to accelerate Georgia's European integration, prime minister says

Irakli Kobakhidze said that Georgia will avoid even mental revolutionary processes

NATO defense ministers to discuss support for Ukraine in Brussels on May 16

The first session will see the Chiefs of Defense meet in a NATO-Ukraine Council format to discuss Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the situation on the ground, and NATO and Allied continued support to Ukraine

Lavrov informs Tajik counterpart about terrorism-prevention measures in Russia

Tthe two top diplomats agreed that it is necessary to continue developing the time-tested Russian-Tajik allied relations of strategic partnership and strengthen their positive dynamics

Protest rally against Poland’s military support for Kiev held in Warsaw

The organizers noted on the X social network that the rally is attended by several hundred people

Conflict in Ukraine may develop into nuclear war, top Hungarian diplomat warns

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto recalled that after the outbreak of the conflict western politicians promised to supply the Ukrainian army only with helmets and blankets, then came weapons, tanks, warplanes

Range of Russian EMP weapons increased to 10 km — sources

Фn electromagnetic pulse lasts a fraction of a second and reaches the target almost immediately, travelling with the speed of light

US undermines participation of Russian representative in UN Committee on Information

Dmitry Polyansky added that Moscow hoped that the current situation will be "cardinally corrected." He also reiterated that legally binding agreements with the host country existed

Police detain 63 people at protest rally in Georgian capital

Six operatives of the Interior Ministry sustained various serious injuries

Musk says Ukraine should have reached agreement with Russia in Istanbul

Musk responded that he saw eye to eye with billionaire David Sacks, who said on the social network X that Kiev probably should have agreed to a deal in Istanbul

Press review: NATO flexes muscles near Russian border and South China Sea runs hot

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, April 24th

Blast in Moscow City district shatters glazing, people are evacuated

There are no casualties and no fire has started

Russia fighting puppet regime in Kiev, people to win from its defeat, security chief says

As Nikolay Patrushev said, ordinary Ukrainians have long understood that they were simply used as a bargaining chip, a tool to contain Russia

Serbia sees China as reliable ally — candidate for premiership

Vucevic expressed the certainty that the Chinese President Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit to Belgrade "will mark a new stage in the development of the firm friendship between Serbia and China"

China strongly opposes illegal unilateral US sanctions — embassy

The anti-Russian sanctions imposed by Washington affected 21 chinese companies

Gas supply by Gazprom for Europe through Ukraine totals 42.4 mcm via Sudzha

The nomination for the Sokhranovka gas pumping station has been rejected

Riot police detaining protesters near parliament building in Tbilisi

Several dozens of protesters are still staying in front of the parliament building, a TASS correspondent reported

Zelensky cannot be legitimate president after May 21 — Medvedchuk

"Ukraine has already lost its statehood," leader of the Other Ukraine movement said

Russia’s UN envoy calls on UNSC to prevent conflict in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Vasily Nebenzya said that the situation in the country was getting worse

Kremlin spokesman says Zelensky’s fate is sealed

The comment concerns both the fate of Zelensky and the outcome of the Russian special military operation

Police using tear gas against protesters in Tbilisi

Police are trying to push the protesters off the building

At least eight hurt during protests in Tbilisi on May 1 — health ministry

They were taken to hospitals, the Georgian health ministry said

Majority of Germans against sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine — poll

37% favored such supplies

Protesters in Tbilisi tear Russian flag

At first, protesters flocking around the staff entrance to the parliament building put the flag on the building’s gate and attempted to set it on fire, a TASS correspondent reported

Russia, Turkey to hold consultations on issues on UN agenda — Russian foreign ministry

It will be another round of bilateral consultations, a Russian foreign ministry official said

US authorizes energy-related transactions with Russian banks until November 1

According to the document, the banks in question include the Central Bank of Russia, VTB, Alfa Bank, Sberbank, Vneshekonombank, Otkrytiye, Sovkombank, Rosbank, Zenit and Sankt-Peterburg

Voting on foreign agents law in third reading due in two weeks — Georgian PM

"In two weeks from now we will have the third reading. After that in a month, in four weeks’ time, a procedure to override the veto will follow," Kobakhidze said

Almost 34,600 Palestinians killed in Gaza since last October — Health Ministry

77,765 people have been injured

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

Inflicting a defeat on forces of the 68th Infantry Brigade, the 23rd and 115th mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian armed forces, the 109 Territorial Defense Brigade and mercenaries from the International Legion near Novoalexandrovka, Arkhangelskoye, Tarasovka and Zavetonoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic

Number of millionaires in Ukraine increases by more than 15% in 2022

The number of official millionaires in 2022 increased from 8,177 to 9,511, head of Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada committee on finances and tax and customs policy Daniil Getmantsev said

Russia says battlegroup East eliminated up to 100 Ukrainian soldiers, 4 ammunition points

The battlegroup's units improved their forward positions, said Alexander Gordeyev, a spokesman for the battlegroup

Palestine deserves a say in UN — Mozambique's ambassador

The Mozambican ambassador also added that his country supported a two-state solution of the Palestinian issue

Russian flag hoisted over northern outskirts of Rabotino in Zaporozhye — politician

Rogov remarked that there were no houses left in the village now, for which reason it made no sense to fortify positions there

Russian envoy attends solemn event dedicated to liberation of Sachsenhausen death camp

Participants the mourning events laid flowers and wreaths to three memorials

Ukrainian troops use over 10 drones in 24 hours to attack borderline Belgorod Region

There were no injuries, five private residences, two cars and two sheds were damaged

Russian government approves list of unfriendly countries

There are two countries on the list

Unaware of decline of its military industry US gets trapped in Ukraine — French historian

Emmanuel Todd believes that "one of Washington's goals is to prevent a rapprochement between Russia and Germany"

Russian cutting-edge missile frigate holds artillery firings in Arctic drills

"The combat exercises were conducted in the Barents Sea waters closed for shipping," the Russian Defense Ministry reported