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LNG imports to Asia hit lowest level since 2022 in March — Bloomberg

According to the agency, LNG imports to Asia totaled 20.6 mln tons in March

NEW YORK, April 1. /TASS/. Imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Asia fell by 8.6% in March compared with the same period last year, marking the lowest level in the past three years, Bloomberg reported.

According to the agency, LNG imports to Asia totaled 20.6 mln tons last month. Such low levels have not been recorded since December 2022. China and India were the hardest hit, although specific figures were not disclosed.

The decline in imports was attributed to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the conflict between the United States and Israel and Iran, as well as the shutdown of the world’s largest oil and gas processing plant in Qatar. According to Bloomberg analysts, LNG prices in Asia could rise by 50% as a result.

Brent oil price on ICE rises briefly before resuming decline

The price of WTI crude futures for May 2026 delivery was down 1.7% at $99.66 per barrel

Iran seeks complete end to Middle East war rather than ceasefire — top diplomat

Abbas Araghchi added that Iran’s conditions include guarantees that aggression will not recur

Over 20 countries refuse to support UN Human Rights Council’s resolution on Ukraine

Four countries voted against the document and 18 abstained from voting

Kiev unable to honor ceasefire obligations, whole world knows it — Russian intel chief

According to Sergey Naryshkin, Zelensky and his so-called team need to gather what remains of their critical thinking and accept the Russian side's reasonable peace proposals that will ensure peace for many decades to come

France, Romania take up duty in Lithuania as part of NATO’s Baltic air security mission

The French contingent arrived with four Dassault Rafale fighter jets, while the Romanian contingent brought six F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters

IN BRIEF: Putin urges to use modern digital solutions for transport

The Russian leader launched the robotic trucks traffic over the M-12 route linking Moscow and Kazan

Russian troops firmly hold initiative in conflict with Ukraine — deputy foreign minister

As for issues, the Kiev regime has had and continues to have many, with more to come in the future, Mikhail Galuzin noted

Russia ready to facilitate resolution of Middle East conflict — ambassador to Iran

Alexey Dedov said that Moscow advocates an immediate cessation of hostilities by the parties to the conflict and the adoption of comprehensive measures to ensure the safety of civilians and civilian infrastructure in all Middle Eastern countries

EU calls Ukraine’s move to hold up inspection of Druzhba 'an enigma'

The EU diplomats dismissed Kiev’s attempts to block an inspection as "not smart" enough and "unclear"

US intends to create global energy crisis with attacks on Iran — expert

Dmitry Kuzyakin noted that earlier media reports indicated that the Pentagon had begun preparations for the operation dubbed "Final Blow"

West denies Central Asia’s sovereignty, seeks intel on Russia — deputy foreign minister

According to Mikhail Galuzin, the United States and the European Union are pressuring Russia’s Central Asian partners to join illegal anti-Russian sanctions, which Moscow "simply does not recognize"

Thirty casualties of plane crash over Crimea: what is known about missing An-26 aircraft

The An-26 military transport aircraft crashed into a cliff

Russian security services analyzing Ukrainian drones shot down over DPR

Arina Klepanova, spokesperson for the regional Federal Security Service Directorate, emphasized that most of the drones launched over the region were produced in NATO countries

Russia not going to tolerate interception of its tankers by France — OSCE envoy

Commenting on the incident, Dmitry Polyansky noted that "all this falls in line with blatant broader lawlessness currently unfolding"

Russian ambassador says which countries work hard for resolving Iranian crisis

Alexey Dedov stressed that Russia welcomes the efforts of third countries to end destructive military actions

Kiev possibly getting nuclear weapons threatens not only Russia but whole world — senator

"The transfer of nuclear weapons to a country engaged in military conflict would violate the entire architecture of international security and effectively dismantle the non-proliferation regime," Alexander Voloshin said

War with Iran ‘coming to an end,’ Trump says

The US president added: "We’re doing great"

Russia alarmed by Trump's 'military adventures' — deputy foreign minister

Mikhail Galuzin noted that international relations keep turning more chaotic and less stable

Japan deploys new weapons, gaining retaliatory strike capability for first time

According to the Japanese Defense Ministry, the country has deployed Type 12 land-based cruise missiles with a range of over 1,000 kilometers at two bases of its Ground Self-Defense Force

Putin, Pashinyan to discuss development of relations between Russia, Armenia

Current regional issues, in particular the development of economic, transport and logistics ties in the South Caucasus, will also be on the agenda of the meeting

Skorlupa uncrewed boats deployed to special military op zone — Ushkuynik Center

Scenarios for the new reserve system’s use are currently being developed

Hezbollah launches over 50 projectiles, drones at northern Israel

According to the movement, the targets were attacked with "a barrage of advanced missiles and a swarm of attack drones"

EC provides 80 mln euros to Kiev in profits from frozen Russian assets — Kallas

The EU foreign policy chief admitted that she had no good news on 90 mln euros in military funding to Ukraine

Two Russian women freed from scam call centers in Myanmar — embassy

Both women are currently under the protection of embassy staff and are awaiting deportation to Thailand for further repatriation, the statement reads

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards threaten to attack US tech firms in Mideast

According to the statement, the US companies in the sphere of information technology and artificial intelligence are a key element in working out and tracking targets for the attacks

US, Israel launch second strike on Iranian steel plant — news agency

According to Tasnim, the plant is owned by Mobarakeh Steel

Iranian citizens banned from entering United Arab Emirates — airline

The company does not disclose the reason for the decision

Russia, Mali football teams play to scoreless draw in St. Petersburg

A failed penalty by Russia’s Ivan Oblyakov was the highlight of the match

Russia discovered new lithium reserves first time in more than two decades — Deputy PM

Booked reserves amount to 3.5 mln metric tons of lithium oxide, which is sufficient to meet needs of the Russian economy, the Ministry of Natural Resources said

Russia says not to supply oil to countries that support price cap

Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko stressed that official appeals from foreign countries will be subjected to careful consideration

Iraq detains one of suspects in kidnapping of US journalist — Interior Ministry

The suspect carried an ID card of an employee of a private security firm

Robotic transport proved its cost efficiency — Putin

The Russia robotic truck fleet will total over 4,000 units by the end of 2030, the president said

US urging Kiev to compromise with Moscow — Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Galuzin

The official says that Vladimir Zelensky, according to his statement, has no plans to withdraw troops from Donbass

Pentagon says US military begins flying B-52 bomber missions over Iran

According to Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, the use of this type of aircraft allows to switch towards more dynamic targets

Ukraine plans to build nuclear fuel production facility

The plant will use technologies developed by US Westinghouse

US leader calls NATO 'paper tiger'

Donald Trump admitted to never having been a huge fan of the alliance

Ukrainian army attacks two municipalities in Belgorod Region, injuring three people

A drone struck a bus near the village of Babenkov in the Shebekinsky district, injuring the driver

Ukraine sends Israel extradition request for Mindich, Tsukerman

The text of the request was prepared by the Prosecutor General’s Office, together with Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau

Moscow Military District to receive TOS-1A, TOS-2 heavy flamethrower systems in 2026

According to the military district’s press office, formations and military units of the Moscow Military District are currently equipped with up-to-date weaponry

Houthis announce ballistic missile attack on targets in southern Israel

The Yemeni rebels said the attack achieved its objectives and was conducted jointly with Iran and the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah

An-26 crash site discovered, 29 passengers, crew members died

Contact with the plane was lost during a routine flight over Crimea on March 31

Contact with An-26 aircraft lost over Crimea

Search and rescue teams have been dispatched to the scene of a potential incident

Press review: US nears Iran ground invasion as Ukraine hits Russia with Flamingo missiles

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, March 30th

Senior Russian diplomat vows continued support to Cuba amid fuel crisis

Commenting on reports that a Russian tanker carrying oil has arrived in Cuba, Sergey Ryabkov described the developments as "a victory of common sense"

India boosts imports of Russian oil including spot orders — Russian MFA

As Andrey Rudenko noted, "many countries need oil right now"

Putin approves Russia’s bid to chair APEC in 2035 — MFA

Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry and Senior Official at APEC Marat Berdyev officially notified APEC Executive Director E. Pedrosa and his colleagues at the forum, senior officials, of the head of state’s decision

US not even considering operation to seize Iran’s nuclear materials — Trump

Previously, the US government had not ruled out attempting to seize these materials

Rosneft’s net profit under IFRS amounts to $3.6 bln in 2025

Revenue fell by 18.8% on the year to $101 bln

Iran’s judiciary chief killed in attack on Tehran, says Al Hadath

The government has not commented on the information

Moscow does not share intelligence with Iran — Russian deputy foreign minister

The US and UK provide such information to Ukraine for strikes on Russian civilian infrastructure, Andrey Rudenko noted

Old world order coming apart, ceasefire in Iran: Lavrov’s statements

Russia’s top diplomat stressed that Moscow calls for an immediate end to US and Israeli aggression against Iran, described the use of military force against civilians and civilian infrastructure as unacceptable

Oil supplies to Europe, Asia fell by 40% due to Iranian crisis — Russian Security Council

According to Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council Alexander Venediktov, the consequences of the crisis in the Middle East have already been felt in virtually every country in the world

Errol Musk says he believes Lavrov’s explanation of special military op reasons

Errol Musk mentioned that he had spoken with Sergey Lavrov about Donbass

Missing An-26 aircraft crashes into cliff — source

Technical malfunction is the preliminary cause of the crash

Press review: Espionage scandals strain Russia-UK ties as G7 moves to curb oil prices

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, March 31st

Europe stiffens opposition to US demands on Iran — Politico

According to political science professor Sven Biscop, Europe’s tougher stance reflects its view that the Iran war is a "strategic folly" and the US strategy becoming "less and less clear"

Magnitude 5 earthquake strikes north of Tokyo — seismologists

No tsunami threat has been reported

Vessels violating Iran’s Strait of Hormuz law to be forcibly detained — Majlis member

The official says that Iran will charge for the passage in its national currency

US will end its campaign against Iran within 2-3 weeks — American leader

Donald Trump says he sees no reasons to continue the military operation

Brent prices soar by more than 40% in March 2026

WTI futures with the settlement in May 2026 rose to $101.38 per barrel in the period

King of Jordan refuses to meet with Netanyahu — media

The purpose of the meeting was to make it clear to the United States that Israel and Jordan are on good terms, especially after the ceasefire in Gaza

Central Israel comes under new fire from Iran, explosions heard in Tel Aviv

Earlier, the Israeli army warned the population that it had detected a new missile launch from Iranian territory

Kherson governor says it’s Russia, not Ukraine, that controls skies in the region

Vladimir Saldo noted that the situation in Kherson remains dire for residents

Negotiations on Ukraine "on pause" — Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Galuzin

The official says that Russia has always been and remains open to political and diplomatic resolution of the Ukrainian conflict

Central Israel comes under four missile attacks during two hours, blasts heard

Air raid sirens were sounded four times this morning, including in Tel Aviv and adjacent areas

RDIF CEO derides EU for infighting, says focus should be on solving energy problems

Kirill Dmitriev said that Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk "will soon be busy explaining to his people why his Russophobic policies ensured that they have no fuel, no gas"

Russia responds to Western hostility in challenging circumstances — Patrushev

According to the Russian presidential aide, the aggressive actions of the United States seeking to maintain its dominance in strategically important areas of the World Ocean had a serious destabilizing effect on the global agenda

US Secretary of State asks G7 to participate in international mission in Strait of Hormuz

According to the source, Marco Rubio still indicated that the US does not need G7 assistance in opening the strait

Russia, China, other BRICS, SCO members facing aggressive opposition — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat emphasized that what is currently happening on the world stage "shows signs of developing into an increasingly large-scale conflict"

Russian troops liberate Malaya Korchakovka community in Sumy Region over past day

According to the latest figures, the Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,260 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Baltic states, afraid to attack Russia themselves, using Ukraine instead — expert

According to Alexander Mikhailov, Kiev's ultimate goal is to draw NATO countries directly into the conflict

Russia needs lasting peace in Ukraine instead of ceasefire — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov also said that Vladimir Zelensky’s Easter ceasefire proposal did not actually represent a clear initiative

US to re-examine NATO’s value after war with Iran — Rubio

The secretary of state says that the decision will be made by the president

Zelensky offers Easter ceasefire to rotate Ukrainian troops on front lines — expert

"As experience has shown, such initiatives from the Ukrainian side are primarily aimed at addressing their own local military and logistical needs," Alexander Mikhailov said

UAE preparing to help US open Strait of Hormuz — WSJ

An official told the newspaper that Abu Dhabi was exploring how it would participate in the conflict

Mojtaba Khamenei currently in Iran — Russian ambassador to Tehran

Alexey Dedov reported that he has not yet talked with the new Supreme Leader of Iran

IN BRIEF: Russian intel chief says CIA contact continues, Kiev loses trust

The entire world knows that the Kiev regime fails to meet its obligations regarding ceasefire proposals

US sends third aircraft carrier strike group to Middle East — newspaper

The redeployment is taking place as US President Donald Trump is mulling further military options against Iran

NATO short on air defense systems — Russian law enforcement agencies

The source reported that the US asked Poland to supply Patriot air defense systems, but Polish National Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that Warsaw does not intend to transfer its weapons to the US side

Brent prices in the red on ICE — market data

WTI futures for May 2026 delivery lost 0.55%

Gold price exceeds $4,750 per troy ounce first since March 19

As of 3:30 a.m. Moscow time, the price increased 4.23%

Bank of Russia set dollar rate at 81.25 rubles for April 1

The official euro rate was lowered by 16.3 kopecks to 93.2739 rubles

Lukoil discovers seven new oil and gas fields in Russia

The success rate of exploration drilling increased from 81% to 85%

Israel, US carry out strikes on 24 pharmaceutical industry facilities — Iranian minister

The official said that medical equipment production and supply chains have been seriously damaged

Russian stock market closes in the red on Tuesday

The yuan edged down by one kopeck to 11.74 rubles

Former NATO AF personnel incur losses in Russian strikes on Ukrainian airfields — expert

Boris Rozhin said that strikes on airfields like Starokonstantinov or Knatovo are carried out quite regularly

Russia’s Donbass Dome system upgraded to counter new threats

The Donbass Dome system was created in the DPR with the participation of the regional FSB Directorate

Iranian Interior Minister Momeni thanks Russia, other allies for humanitarian aid

Eskandar Momeni called these actions a manifestation of solidarity and cooperation between friendly countries

US Navy aircraft carriers withdraw 1,000 km from Iranian shores — IRGC Deputy Commander

The most vulnerable point for the US is its ships, Major General Ali Fadavi stressed

Press review: US may end Iran war as Ukraine drones strike Russia’s Ust-Luga

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, April 1st

Russia demands investigation into Israeli strike that injured RT crew in Lebanon

Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya said the deliberate strike hit right next to where they were filming, with no military facilities anywhere in the vicinity, which can be seen clearly from the footage of ammunition explosions shot by the crew’s cameraman

Rosneft refines 75.7 mln tons of oil, sells 40.3 mln tons of fuel in Russia in 2025

The company named sustainable supply of high-quality motor fuel to Russian consumers one of its main priorities

Iran hits Qatar Energy oil tanker with cruise missile — Qatari defense ministry

An operation was carried out in coordination with the competent authorities to evacuate the crew, with the incident resulting in zero casualties

Trump says US will end operation against Iran regardless of making deal

According to the US president, the operation will end when Washington makes sure that Iran cannot produce nuclear weapons

IRGC says about 200 US troops killed, wounded in attack on airbase in Saudi Arabia

According to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the majority of those killed and wounded are fighter pilots

Netanyahu says Iran spent nearly $1 trillion on military programs

The Israeli prime minister reiterated that Tehran planned to destroy Israel, "take over the Middle East, and threaten the entire world"

Drone attack repelled in 10 municipalities in Rostov Region, 15 private homes damaged

There were no casualties

Russian expert warns of 'underwater front' as Ukraine deploys submersible drones

According to Alexander Stepanov, the Black Sea could serve as a primary testing ground for such systems, "with the subsequent implementation of this sabotage tactic against both the fleet and underwater infrastructure"

Trump says he would not restore shipping in Strait of Hormuz

Other countries will "take care of themselves," the US president says

Fire in Nizhnekamsk became one of the largest in many years

According to the latest data, 72 people were injured

Iranian filmmaker Majidi suggests that MFA demand US extradite Pahlavi

Majid Majidi is considered one of the most authoritative and well-known filmmakers in Iran