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Botswana finds diamond weighing over 2,400 carats

Lucara Diamond Corporation did not specify the quality and approximate value of the stone

PRETORIA, August 22. /TASS/. A diamond weighing 2,492 carats has been found at the Karowe mine in northeastern Botswana, Canadian mining company Lucara Diamond Corporation said.

This "remarkable" find is "one of the largest rough diamonds ever unearthed," Lucara President William Lamb said in the statement. He recalled that the aforementioned mine produced diamonds weighing 1,758 and 1,109 carats.

The company did not specify the quality and approximate value of the stone.

The largest gem diamond is the legendary Cullinan Diamond (Star of Africa) weighing 3,106 carats. It was found in January 1905 on the territory of modern South Africa. The stone was presented to King Edward VII by the government of the British colony of Transvaal, and after processing, the diamond was set in the scepter of the British monarchs. The largest non-jewelry quality diamond was found in Brazil in 1895 (3,167 carats).

Botswana is the largest diamond producer in Africa and the second largest in the world after Russia.

Cargo turnover of Russian seaports down 3.1% YOY in 8M 2024 — Association

The cargo turnover of Russian seaports in January-August 2024 totaled 596.2 mln metric tons

Russia assumes Iran heard its position on Zangezur Corridor — Foreign Ministry spokeswoman

"We have provided all necessary explanations in this regard," Maria Zakharova stressed

Ukraine suffers heavy losses after repeated attempts to advance in Kursk Region — army

Apty Alaudinov emphasized that "the situation remains difficult but under control"

Russia simulates firing Kalibr missiles in Lake Ladoga during massive naval maneuvers

Also, the warships practiced causing jamming during the maneuvers, the ministry said

Soyuz MS-26 takes new crew, including new TASS correspondent, to ISS

The spacecraft carries Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner and NASA astronaut Donald Pettit

West's reaction to situation around Nord Streams just show — Lavrov

According to the foreign minister, Russia has sent "numerous requests to Germany for legal assistance, which should have been answered under international law, but none of them have been fulfilled"

Medvedev doubts prospects of century-long UK-Ukraine partnership

Kiev is unlikely to last even a quarter of this term, he said

North Korea fires presumed ballistic missile towards Sea of Japan

The projectile splashed down outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone

Xiangshan Security Forum to gather record number of participants in Beijing

Organizers said that delegations from more than 90 countries and international organizations will take part in the 11th edition of the annual forum, to run through September 14

Stoltenberg to become new Munich security conference chairman — media

According to the report, Jens Stoltenberg will assume the office after the Munich Conference in February 2025

No more illusions about talks with Kiev after attack on Kursk — activist

"We must not fall into this trap again just to be swindled by our Ukrainian 'partners,'" Zakhar Prilepin said

Russia to take additional measures to support Cuba — Shoigu

The Security Council secretary noted that Moscow and Havana will develop their strategic cooperation in a wide array of areas

US presidential debate mere dog and pony show — Russian diplomat

"Is that big news that we could see yet another show performed by people who clearly take no responsibility whatsoever for their words?" Maria Zakharova asked rhetorically

Germany has not passed information on Scholz peace plan to Russia — Zakharova

At the same time, Maria Zakharova said, in case of such a peace initiative from Germany "no one will give it a standing ovation," because it is Scholz, who alongside others "sends money and weapons to the Kiev regime"

Mi-28NM copter hits Ukrainian armored vehicles in Kursk border area — Defense Ministry

Reconnaissance confirmed the elimination of Ukrainian manpower and armor, the Defense Ministry said

Iran suggests creating security format within BRICS framework

Iranian security official met with his Russian counterparts Sergey Shoigu and other top security officials from the BRICS member states

Russian diplomat says Washington, London stand behind Ukrainian strike on Ramenskoye

According Maria Zakharova, attempts by Western governments and special services to push Russia’s non-systemic opposition toward destabilizing the internal political situation in Russia are doomed to fail

Scholz says conference on resolving Ukrainian conflict with Russian participation needed

The German chancellor reiterated that "peace that respects Ukraine's integrity and sovereignty must be just, and not imposed or achieved by capitulation"

Russian military has plan for pushing Ukrainian troops out of Kursk Region — Kremlin

Russia’s borderline Kursk Region came under a massive attack from Ukraine on August 6

Ukraine’s failed attack on drilling rig may be sign of infighting in its military — expert

According to Vasily Prozorov, the attack might be a result of infighting between Kirill Budanov and Alexander Syrsky

Ukrainian forces attempt to eliminate their own troops captured by Russian units

"Look at us: there are injuries but these wounds came from the drones that attacked us," the Ukrainian soldier said

Ambassadors of friendly countries visit Russian ship in Angola

During the call at the Luanda port, the Baltic Fleet’s training ship Smolny will replenish water, fuel and food supplies and undergo technical maintenance

Russian army hits airfields, Ukrainian military’s energy facilities

Russia’s battlegroup West has repelled three Ukrainian counterattacks over the past day, eliminating up to 445 enemy servicemen, the Defense Ministry emphasized

Ten settlements liberated: developments in Kursk Region

Russian troops also repelled four Ukrainian attempts to break through the border towards the settlements of Novy Put and Medvezhye

Russian MFA says Ukraine set up ‘something like concentration camps’ in Kursk Region

"For example, from 70 to 100 civilians were forcibly taken into the basements of the Sudzha boarding school, where they were subjected to psychological abuse and used for filming propaganda stories by Ukrainian and foreign journalists," the report says

ICRC says three staff members killed in Kiev-controlled territory of DPR

ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric said that she strongly condemned the "attacks on Red Cross personnel"

Soyuz MS-26 crew enters International Space Station

The crew is scheduled to spend 202 days in orbit and return on April 1, 2025

Liberating settlements: developments in Kursk Region

The Russian military also foiled Ukrainian attempts to attack the settlements of Cherkasskaya Konopelka, Borki and Fanaseyevka

Islamists win over 30 seats in Jordan’s 138-seat parliament — election authority

In accordance with the 2022 election law, 30% of all seats - or 41 seats in total - are allocated to political parties

Putin meets with BRICS representatives on security in St. Petersburg

After the meeting with them, bilateral talks with some of the visiting BRICS representatives are also possible

Russia, China, countries of global South seek just world order — Putin

"We will do everything to prepare relevant decisions on the basis of consensus, customary in our relations," the Russian leader stressed

Russia, Bolivia to build lithium carbonate producing plant

The Russian company’s project envisages the launch of production in the second half of 2025

Hamas rejects any new preconditions for Gaza ceasefire agreement, regardless of author

The radicals also underscored that Hamas considers the "post-war organization of Gaza an exclusively internal Palestinian affair"

European elites seek to bring iron curtain back, which is way to nowhere — Lukashenko

The Belarusian president noted that at times it seems as though people coming to the country "leave their mutual quarrels, reproaches, and grudges at the border crossings"

Ukrainian intelligence recruits Islamists for terrorism in Russia, abroad — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat drew attention to the fact that the Ukrainian intelligence had involved radical Islamists in preparing and carrying out the bloody massacre at Crocus City Hall concert venue

China to take 'effective measures' if US missiles deployed in Asia — general

Earlier, US Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said that the US side is interested in the deployment of land-based intermediate-range missiles on the territory of Japan, which is actually prohibited by the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, from which Washington withdrew in 2019

Harris rejects Trump's claims about meeting with Putin days before special op start

During a televised debate, Trump claimed that Harris was sent to "negotiate peace," adding that Russia’s special military operation began "three days later"

Restrictions on Russian nickel exports may cause deficit, price surge worldwide — expert

This will hit especially hard industries using nickel to produce batteries and electric vehicles, Yaroslav Kabakov noted

UK already permitted Kiev to use Storm Shadow, but will not admit it publicly — paper

The report quotes anonymous sources as saying that "it would be considered unnecessarily provocative" in London to make a public announcement of this kind

Russian troops take full fire control of LPR's Makeyevka — military expert

Earlier, Andrey Marochko told TASS that the Ukrainian armed forces' command began pulling military personnel and equipment from Makeyevka after Russian servicemen successfully crossed the Zherebets River running in the settlement

China, BRICS partners to promote equitable multipolar world order — foreign minister

China will continue to fully support Russia as BRICS chair this year and promote the full success of the October summit in Kazan, Wang Yi stated

West moves closer to giving Kiev official go-ahead for strikes inside Russia — Lavrov

"Now attempts are being made to wrap it in a nice package for the public to see," Russia’s top diplomat explained

Press review: UK may jettison Russian sanctions and Berlin eyes olive branch on Ukraine

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, September 10th

Talk of Kiev’s potential strikes inside Russia seeks to pressure Moscow — Russian diplomat

This is an element of psychological warfare, which in turn is part of the hybrid war that Washington has waged against our country for a long time, Ryabkov said

Tajikistan’s Chief Mufti Abdulkodirzoda wounded in assassination attempt — police

The suspected assailant had been detained at the scene

None of Russian regions can be disputed in talks on Ukraine — diplomat

Maria Zakharova commented on a statement by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who said that the return of Crimea was allegedly a provision of international law

Russia in favor of settlement in Ukraine, no counter-readiness recorded — Lavrov

The top diplomat pointed to the Swiss meeting on Ukraine, adding that "the West is trying in every possible way to keep Ukraine within the framework of the ultimatum"

US military-industrial complex may instigate new conflicts after Ukraine — diplomat

Maria Zakharova pointed out the "explosive growth of the American military-industrial complex’s income," but added that "the path of total militarization of the economy is a dead end," because "switching back to the peaceful track is oftentimes very costly"

Rising number of dead foreigners in Ukraine proves West's involvement — envoy to UN

"We have warned from the beginning that those who help the Zelensky clique stay afloat will become our legitimate targets," Vasily Nebezya reminded

Finland suspends work of advisory council with Russia on Saimaa Canal

The main activities of the Advisory Board have mainly focused on determining the dates of the beginning and end of navigation along the Saimaa Canal, exchange of information on the situation in the Saimaa region

West directly coordinates Kiev regime’s strikes on civilian infrastructure in Russia

"Besides supplying Ukraine with extended range strike weapons, NATO states also provide Kiev with its military and space-based intelligence data," the Russian foreign minister stressed

Rada admits Ukrainian army struggles in Kursk Region

On September 11, Major General Apty Alaudinov, deputy chief of the Russian Armed Forces’ Main Military-Political Department and commander of the Akhmat special forces commando unit, reported that the Russian army had liberated several settlements in the Kursk Region

EU prolongs individual sanctions against Russia, removes two persons from blacklist

The EU Council stressed that the blacklist against Russia currently includes more than 2,200 individuals and legal entities

US’ Blinken admits Ukraine’s discussion of strikes at Russia may cause escalation

The US diplomat also noted that he discussed strikes at Russia during the meeting with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and his British counterpart and plans to report on the outcome of his negotiations to US President Joe Biden

Russian air defenses down Ukrainian missile over Kursk Region

"We thank the fighters of the Air Defense Forces and defenders of the state border," region's acting Governor Alexey Smirnov said

Iran has no intent to change relations with Russia, intends to develop them — official

Ali Akbar Ahmadian also relayed salutations and best wishes to the Russian President from Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

Russia finishing preparations for signing new interstate agreement with Iran — Shoigu

"We continue keeping an eye on issues of the practical implementation of top-level agreements," the Russian Security Council secretary underlined

Putin invites Cabinet to consider restricting exports of uranium, titanium, nickel

The Russian leader reiterated that the government should "think about certain restrictions on supplies to the foreign market" of these and a number of other goods

Russian air defense weapons are world’s best — expert

According to CEO of the Complex Unmanned Solutions Center Dmitry Kuzyakin, neither China, nor the United States, nor any of the European countries now could even come close to repelling an overnight drone attack like the one that happened on the territory of Russia on September 10

Ukrainian troops execute comrades attempting to surrender in Kursk — army

Major General Apty Alaudinov added that getting captured Ukrainian soldiers out of the combat zone is no easy task

Musk warns of looming World War Three if US approves strikes on Russian soil

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said that Washington’s intention to let Kiev use its long-range projectiles for strikes deep into Russia’s interior is another step in escalating the conflict

Ukrainian trench system discovered in settlements liberated on way to Krasnoarmeysk

DPR head Denis Pushilin announced that he had visited Karlovka, Novosyolovka Pervaya, Peski and seven other settlements

West tries to present 'Zelensky’s formula' as holy scripture — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister recalled that after the conference on Ukraine in Buergenstock the participants decided to move forward at least on some points of the "Zelensky formula"

Solar plasma cloud almost certain to reach Earth, causing geomagnetic storm — scientists

Current calculations project the solar matter arrival at around 10:00 p.m. Moscow time

Press review: US keeps itself at arm's length from Kiev and Russia, China flex naval power

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, September 11th

Russia hits only military-linked energy facilities in Ukraine — Lavrov

"Our armed forces hit only those infrastructure facilities that are directly related to the organization of combat operations, only those facilities on which the actions of Ukrainian troops on the line of engagement depend, and especially those to be used to attack Russian territory, I mean the Kursk Region first of all," the top Russian diplomat said

Russia will not accept any ultimatums on Ukraine — senior diplomat

The deputy foreign minister added that an agreement between Russia and the West on the exchange of prisoners has not increased trust in relations

Russia must be ready to repel military aggression from any direction — Putin

The Russian leader wished the participants of the exercise "success in accomplishing the assigned tasks"

Russia says its battlegroup North inflicted up to 180 casualties on Ukrainian troops

As a result of Battlegroup South units’ dynamic actions, the Ukrainian armed forces’ 72nd mechanized and 79th air assault brigades were defeated near Yelizavetovka and Katerinovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic

Ukrainian withdrawal from Kursk Region to deal 'symbolic blow' for Kiev — newspaper

At the same time, a Ukrainian military officer told the newspaper that the situation in the area was difficult for Ukrainian forces

Poland has zero desire to defend Ukraine, top Polish diplomat says

According to Radoslaw Sikorski, Poland is now discussing whether to shoot down Russian cruise missiles over Ukraine's airspace from its own airspace without entering the Ukrainian territory

Ukrainian troops captured: situation in Kursk Region

In total, the enemy has lost over 11,800 servicemen since fighting began in the region

West trying to add so-called Crimean platform into its formats on 'peace summit' — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister pointed to the fact that the Kiev regime had repeatedly voiced its real intentions regarding Crimea

Press review: US moves to allow strikes inside Russia and Trump, Harris trade debate blows

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, September 12th

Countries need to grasp consequences of hosting US military bases — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova cited Germany, which portrays itself as a democratic state with a well-developed legal system, as an example

Former Austrian Foreign Minister Kneissl confirms West’s plans to split up Russia

Some people in the Atlantic Council, and this is not only Americans, but also British, even German and Austrian scholars, said that Russia could be divided just as the Federation of Yugoslavia was divided

Kiev pulling militants to stabilize situation near Kupyansk, Kremennaya — military expert

Kiev may have deployed Azov militants for reinforcement and for "stabilizing the situation at problem sectors of the front line," Andrey Marochko surmised

Hungary believes in dialogue, not in 'lectures and sanctions' — Orban

Earlier, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto called for honesty on EU enlargement and criticized its leaders for playing a joke on the Western Balkan countries with accession to the EU

US goal of inflicting strategic defeat on Russia unrealistic — Russian ambassador

The US government is "ready to sacrifice the well-being of the citizens by delivering weapons and ammunition worth billions of dollars to the Kiev regime"

Kiev lost some 7,000 troops in Sudzha district of Kursk Region — commander

According to Apty Alaudinov, Ukraine is taking heavy casualties

BRICS security leaders convene in St. Petersburg to discuss new world order

According to the preliminary agenda, the representatives of the BRICS group, chaired this year by Russia, intend to talk about how to work together to counter the "rules-based order" imposed by the West

Lavrov shows ambassadors video footage of Ukrainian forces’ atrocities in Kursk Region

"There were shooting of prisoners of war, forbidden by every conceivable convention," the top Russian diplomat said

Russia has no doubt Baku fully assesses risks of interaction with NATO — MFA

Maria Zakharova recalled that there was a large number of examples of the US infiltrating the national security sphere of other countries under the pretext of improving the situation there

Reaction to permission to hit Russian territory with Western weapons to follow — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, "this raises significantly the degree of the collective West’s involvement in this war around Ukraine"

Zelensky complains West refused to use long-range weapons against Russia

"If restrictions are lifted on some weapons for which there are no missiles, that is not a lifting of restrictions," the Ukrainian president said

Russia says its forces liberated 10 settlements in Kursk Region over past two days

Reconnaissance and search operations continue in wooded areas to detect and destroy enemy sabotage groups attempting to infiltrate deeper inside Russia, the Defense Ministry said

West pushes Moldova towards catastrophe after testing it in Ukraine — Russian MFA

According to Maria Zakharova, "the anti-Russian rhetoric of the official Chisinau is taking on increasingly grotesque forms"

Army liberates Krasnogorovka after taking enemy by surprise — Russian serviceman

According to the report, all the assault operations in Krasnogorovka were carefully planned

Washington tasks Kiev with attacking ordinary Russians — ambassador

Anatoly Antonov added that Washington strategists use provocative slogans about alleged Moscow's plans to take over almost half of the world

Roscosmos offered its help to NASA in Starliner situation — head

Yury Borisov recalled the December 2022 loss of pressure in Soyuz MS-22’s external radiator cooling loop, which resulted in a decision not to use it for crew return

Musk believes Harris to be in charge of US office already

The televised debate between Trump and Harris organized by ABC News was held on Tuesday in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Number of Ukrainian troops going AWOL on the rise — report

Other widespread issues in the Ukrainian ranks are drug abuse and alcohol and gambling addiction

Xi accepts Putin invitation to attend BRICS summit in Kazan, China’s top diplomat says

According to Wang Yi, the two leaders will "build on their strategic interaction" at the summit

US missile deployment in Asia poses biggest danger to region — general

In the spring, the US deployed an intermediate-range missile system in northern Japan as part of a Philippine-US exercise. Beijing strongly objected to the move

Russian army approaches Seversk to increase range of weapons used — military expert

Andrey Marochko noted that this development will allow Russian troops to "increase pressure" on the enemy and "expand the range of weapons used"

US military-industrial complex doesn’t want cash cow Ukraine conflict to end — expert

The reason is that this conflict, according to Dominique Trencan, "generates huge profits" for the US military industry because of aid to Kiev and shipments of weapons to European countries

Top Polish diplomat laughs with pranksters, talking about Nord Streams sabotage

Radoslaw Sikorski added that "the Americans had advance knowledge of it and didn’t stop it"

Russian troops rescue over 200 civilians of Krasnogorovka — commander

The commander emphasized that during the liberation of the town, the priority was to preserve the lives of the locals, many of whom were in Krasnogorovka

Russia pushing Ukrainian troops out of Kursk Region, will undoubtedly succeed — Lavrov

The foreign minister pointed out that "it is the West that supplies Ukraine with offensive weapons that are used in terrorist attacks"

IN BRIEF: Trump, Harris talk Putin, trade jabs on Ukraine, Middle East in Tuesday's debate

Donald Trump mentioned Russian President Vladimir Putin’s name six times and referred to Russia 10 times in the debate, while Kamala Harris mentioned Putin four times and Russia two times

Kremlin calls for critical approach to reports of drones flying into Russia from Norway

Dmitry Peskov cautioned "against treating reports of various digital media or media-like outlets as primary sources"