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Middle East conflict

Conflict in Middle East causes gas-to-coal switching in energy sector — IEA

Gas-to-coal switching, including in China, could reduce gas burn in the power sector by 60-65 bcm on an annualized basis, the International Energy Agency noted

MOSCOW, April 24. /TASS/. The military conflict in the Middle East has led to a partial substitution of gas with coal in the energy sector, which could reduce global gas consumption by 60-65 bln cubic meters (bcm), according to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Gas Market Report.

"The strong increase in Asian and European prices is already incentivizing gas-to-coal switching in the power sector. The share of natural gas in the European Union’s fossil fuels-based thermal mix fell from an average of 58% in February to around 52% during March. In Asia, Japan and Korea lifted administrative restrictions on coal-fired power generation, while Thailand ordered the restart of retired coal-fired power plant units," the report said.

Gas-to-coal switching, including in China, could reduce gas burn in the power sector by 60-65 bcm on an annualized basis, the IEA noted.

In 2025, roughly 85% of combined LNG supplies from Qatar and the UAE went to Asian buyers, with Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and Singapore accounting for more than half of their LNG imports from these volumes, according to the report. As a result, in March, LNG imports lost 70% by Pakistan, 11% by Bangladesh, 16% by India, and 30% by China.

Overall, global LNG production fell by 8% in March, while Asian imports decreased by 6%.

Bank of Russia revised corporate lending growth forecast to 7-11% by 2026 year-end

The Central Bank also narrowed the range of mortgage lending growth from 6-11% to 6-10%

Mexican President Sheinbaum demands US explain unauthorized CIA operations on its soil

According to Claudia Sheinbaum, the Mexican authorities will send a related inquiry to the US government

US fires more than 1,200 Patriot missiles in its operation against Iran — newspaper

The New York Times noted that a single missile costs about $4 million

New sanctions package comprises 36 export bans for Russian energy sector

According to the European Commission, the package targets emerging players which have recently increased their export market share

US leader says deal with Iran impossible if naval blockade lifted

According to Donald Trump, Iran could "make $500 million dollars a day" with the open strait

Russia to halt rocket engine deliveries to US, says Roscosmos chief

The ban applies to RD-180 engines that are used on US Atlas V launch vehicles as the main propulsion systems and RD-181 thrusters operated as the first stage of Antares rockets

Moscow prepares official invitations for participants in Russia-ASEAN summit — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov explained that any potential bilateral meetings at the upcoming summit would depend on the progress of preparations

EU to ban LNG terminal services for Russian companies since 2027

The 20th package of sanctions "bans the provision of maintenance and other services for Russian liquified natural gas tankers and ice-breakers"

Iran collects revenue from Strait of Hormuz transit fees for first time — parliament

It has been transferred to the Central Bank's account, Parliament Deputy Speaker Hamid Reza Hajibabai said

Kremlin considers Finland’s plans to allow import of nuclear weapons confrontation

Moreover, confrontation in a concentrated form, Peskov indicated in a comment to Channel One

EU seeks to compensate for ‘erosion in NATO’ by declaring Russia enemy — Kremlin

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov pointed out that Western countries were once again trying to create a dividing line

EU intends to use Russian assets as compensation of loan for Kiev

According to the source, such wording was inserted with the aim of returning again in the future to the discussion on expropriation of Russian assets

US uses over 1,000 Tomahawk missiles in war with Iran — newspaper

According to the newspaper, fully replenishing the depleted stockpiles could take up to six years

EU’s imposing a transaction ban on 20 Russian banks

In addition, the EU is targeting four financial institutions in third-countries with a transaction ban

Zelensky offering Middle East 'non-existent services' — diplomat

Ukraine and its European partners are currently making every effort to stay in the news so that the conflict in the Middle East does not push them out of the media spotlight, Rodion Miroshnik noted

Two doctors injured in knife attack at hospital in Russia’s Dagestan

The injured doctors were a traumatologist and a surgeon on duty, Dagestan’s Health Ministry said on Max

Russia’s Battlegroup South eliminates 20 Ukrainian ground robots over past 24 hours

Each robotic system was used by the enemy to deliver materiel, ammunition and control panels

US considers strikes on Iranian targets in Strait of Hormuz — CNN

According to the TV channel, potential US targets could include the Islamic republic’s mine-laying vessels and fast attack craft

Russia’s fiber-optic drones 'driving Ukrainian soldiers crazy' in special op zone — expert

"Often, the drone begins moving toward its target from a distance of about 15 meters, when the enemy doesn’t even have time to take their machine gun off safety mode," the source said

EU to never get back €90 billion allocated to Ukraine — Medvedev

The politician emphasized that it was money from Europeans' pockets

No information on new round of US-Iran talks in Islamabad — Iranian ambassador to Russia

The sides held several rounds of talks in Islamabad on April 11

Ukraine eliminates own mercenaries in friendly fire episode in Kharkov Region — expert

Andrey Marochko said the shots were likely fired by a retreat-blocking detachment

US arms shortage brings Ukrainian forces closer to defeat — State Duma member

Mikhail Sheremet recalled that US manufacturers accounted for approximately half of the total arms transferred by the West to Ukraine

Iranian ambassador to Russia outlines conditions for talks with US

According to Kazem Jalali, if there are talks, they must be fair and aimed at achieving lasting peace

Nuclear issue not main topic in talks with US now — Iranian MFA

The main issue now is ending the conflict in a way that meets Tehran’s interests, Esmaeil Baghaei emphasized

Launch of Luna-26, Luna-27 may be postponed, space chief Rogozin says

After its trials are concluded, the control launch date will be determined

Unity of Eurasian peoples, EU conditions for Serbia: remarks by Kremlin spokesman

According to Dmitry Peskov, Moscow is confident that Belgrade will continue to act based on its national interests despite EU pressure

Bank of Russia board to decide on key rate on April 24

At its previous meeting in March, the Bank of Russia cut the key rate for the second time in a row since the beginning of the year by 0.5 percentage points to 15% per annum

Russian forces thwart Ukrainian counteroffensive in Zaporozhye Region — expert

Vitaly Kiselev noted that Ukrainian military analysts are panicking

Other oil supply routes to secure interests of Kazakhstan — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, the decision to stop Kazakh oil supplies to Germany over the Druzhba oil pipeline is related to technical aspects

Russia invited to partake at highest level in G20 summit in US — deputy foreign minister

It will be held in Miami, Florida, on December 14-15

Pentagon discusses suspending Spain's NATO membership over Iran stance — Reuters

According to the source, such ideas are outlined in a memo that was circulated among officials "at high levels" in the Pentagon

Trump says Strait of Hormuz ‘sealed up tight’ by US until Iran agrees to make deal

No ship can enter or leave without the approval of the United States Navy, the US leader noted

Press review: EU backs Ukraine loan, adds Russia sanctions as France denies nukes to EU

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

Cargo traffic along Northern Sea Route grew from 4 to 38 mln tons in 10 years — envoy

Yury Trutnev noted that the Arctic region’s development is directly linked to the Arctic projects of major Russian companies

Searches in Dagestan, 'Eksmo' scandal: latest Kremlin briefing

The Russian president gave instructions to help residents of Dagestan with housing restoration, including housing that is not properly registered

Russian diplomat slams UN official’s data on those affected by Kiev’s attacks as 'big lie'

"The Westerners make every effort to ignore and hush up or distort these horrible numbers, particularly with the help of UN officials," Rodion Miroshnik pointed out

Hungary starts receiving Russian oil over Druzhba pipeline — MOL

Oil supplies over the Druzhba oil pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia resumed after the almost three-month interval, the company said

New round of Israel-Lebanon contacts to take place at White House — Axios

On April 14, the first round of direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon in 43 years took place in Washington with the participation of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio

EU resorts to coercion of sovereign states in 20th sanctions package — Russian mission

"The European Union has once again demonstrated its complete disregard for international law and the UN Charter," the Russian Mission to the EU said

Restricting internet access, protecting interests in Arctic: Putin’s statements

Internet outages in major Russian cities are linked to preventing terrorist threats, the Russian president said

Lula da Silva calls sale of rare earths mining company to US disgrace

Brazilian President accused former governor of the Goias state Ronaldo Caiado, who signed the agreement, of abuse of authority

Russian presidential envoy comments on possible Putin invitation to G20 summit in US

"Russia has always been part of the G20," Kirill Dmitriev noted

Trump plans to invite Russian president to G20 summit in December — WP

According to the newspaper, Donald Trump has been clear that Russia is welcome to attend all G20 meetings

Russia shoots to be second-largest exporter of arms globally despite sanctions — Rostec

Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov stressed that MGIMO’s experience and research could help the state corporation develop export relations with countries of the CSTO, BRICS and SCO, as well as with partners in Asia, Africa and Latin America

Hospital in Dagestan operating normally after attack

The hospital’s duty team remains at their post

NATO officers are being planted in Ukraine under cover — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova said that Western military personnel involved in this structure orchestrating terrorist operations against Russia

Russia’s counter-UAV systems attract much interest abroad — STC

The Special Technology Center also emphasized that the Russian systems can be considered sophisticated

Ukraine’s public debt to grow to $300 billion by end of 2027 — economist

But there is also good news: neither we nor our children will have to repay it, because repaying such a debt is physically impossible, Kushch said

Russian troops take up positions on outskirts of Rai-Aleksandrovka in DPR — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the Russian military are building on their success southwest of Kaleniki in the DPR

EU sanctions Russian oil producers, refineries

Sanctions affected Tuapse, Komsomolsk, Angarsk, Achinsk, Syzran, Ryazan and Afipsky refineries

Iran does not trust US when it comes to negotiations — ambassador to Russia

Kazem Jalali stressed that the US side had betrayed diplomacy several times and left the negotiating table

Italy actively supplies weapons to Ukraine, deploys UAV production facilities — Miroshnik

Active Italian arms deliveries to Kiev continue to fuel the ongoing bloodshed, Rodion Miroshnik, Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry for the Crimes of the Kiev Regime, said

EU imposes sanctions on creator of drone that destroyed first Abrams tank

The EU also imposed sanctions on the Arkhangel Center military training center

Israel reports first rocket fire in north since truce with Hezbollah

Several projectiles were launched toward the northern border community of Shtula

Iran compiles list of targets in Middle East in case of US attacks — agency

According to the report, the list was drawn up on the principle of reciprocity

EU imposed sanctions against Kalashnikov Concern’s General Designer Vladimir Lepin

The document reads that the sanctions were imposed for his position as general designer at a company that develops and manufactures military equipment, including rifles, missiles, and vehicles

Russia’s steel output down 11.4% YOY in March — WSA

Steel production in Russia amounted to 5.4 mln metric tons in March 2026

Ukrainian forces attack DPR territory four times over past day

Reports were received of two civilians being wounded

Crew-13 mission with cosmonaut Teteryatnikov expected from mid-September

Alongside Sergey Teteryatnikov, NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, as well as Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk, will travel to the orbital station

Kiev’s AI-powered drones are half-baked, cannot distinguish targets — expert

The AI-equipped drones of the Ukrainian armed forces are carrying out random strikes, Vitaly Kiselev noted

Russian stock market ends Thursday’s session in the green

The yuan-to-ruble rate gained 12 kopecks to reach 11.07 rubles

Aoun, Netanyahu may arrive in Washington within 3 weeks — Trump

The US President confirmed that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend the ceasefire for three weeks

Russia sees rising threats to nuclear sites, including Zaporozhye, Bushehr — MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted that Moscow attaches great importance to strengthening physical nuclear security across the world

Russian, Iranian presidents stay in close contact — ambassador to Moscow

Kazem Jalali noted that Vladimir Putin and Masoud Pezeshkian have held three phone calls since the start of the US-Israeli military operation against Iran

EU seeks to put Serbia up against Russia — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov said this kind of policy is extremely wrong

Russia sees no intention of Kiev, Europe to settle Ukrainian conflict — MFA

Rodion Miroshnik emphasized that Europeans "have not once made a proposal for a peaceful resolution of the conflict"

Trump supports maintaining direct contacts with Putin

Donald Trump also added that the United States continues to work on a settlement of the Ukrainian crisis

Russia to be justified in targeting EU UAV factories supplying Ukrainian military — expert

Alexander Stepanov said that counteraction is only possible through preemptive, asymmetric measures and firm responses to the Kiev regime's publicly articulated intentions to build up its offensive capabilities

Israel’s defense minister declares readiness to resume war with Iran if US permits

The Israel Defense Forces are prepared for both defense and offense; the targets have been identified, Israel Katz emphasized

Ukrainian army losses in Dnepropetrovsk Region increase over past week — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, Kiev is also suffering severe losses near the Verkhnyaya Tersa locality in the neighboring Zaporozhye Region

Nuclear drills by France, Poland will not intimidate Russia, lawmaker says

According to Andrey Kartapolov, such plans mean that Russia's relations with France and Poland are going to be even more unfriendly

At least 10 people injured in shooting in Louisiana, US

The city's mayor Sid Edwards noted that the shooting incident is being investigated as a probable targeted attack

EU bans provision of LNG terminal services to Russian companies from 2027

The new sanctions also prohibit the provision of technical maintenance and other services to Russian LNG tankers and icebreakers

Two injured in drone attack on Sevastopol humanitarian aid convoy

The injured received first aid on the spot and were then taken to the hospital

Kiev ‘resets to zero’ territories it cannot hold — Russian special envoy

Rodion Miroshnik criticized Kiev’s political regime, highlighting its "disregard for human rights not only of residents in Russian regions but also of the Ukrainian citizens still officially registered as such"

Loan to Kiev is step toward European capitals' loss of sovereignty, Shoigu believes

The Russian Security Council secretary argued that the new expenditures to support the Kiev regime will impose an extra burden on ordinary Europeans, who are already experiencing significant cuts to pensions and social programs

US faces difficult dilemma over weapons spending — NYT

The shortage of munitions for air defense systems will affect the combat readiness of US forces in Asia

At least 125,000 civilian sites in Iran attacked by US, Israel — envoy to Russia

According to Kazem Jalali, the outcome of the war imposed on Iran by the US and Israel is a historic victory for Iran

Russia views European arms production sites for Ukraine as military targets — diplomat

Rodion Miroshnik pointed out that "Ukrainian militants underwent training on a whole number of territories in other states and some countries use their territories as logistics depots for weapons delivered to Ukrainian militants"

Entire units of Ukrainian motorized infantry brigade missing near Volchansk

The liberation of Volchansk by troops of Russia’s Battlegroup North was reported on December 1, 2025

European Union bans digital ruble support — statement

The EU also banned transactions in RUBx cryptocurrency

ICC Pre-Trial Chamber confirms charges against former Philippine President Duterte

The court concluded that there were substantial grounds to believe that Mr. Duterte had been responsible for the crimes against humanity of murder and attempted murder

Ukrainian saboteurs, UAV control centers destroyed in Konstantinovka — FSB

According to the report, the terrorists were preparing ambushes along the route of Russian troops

Bank of Russia sets dollar rate at 74.83 rubles for April 24

The official yuan rate is fixed at 10.94 rubles, down 4.9 kopecks

Many countries to be interested in buying Russia’s Su-75 fighter — Malaysian journalist

According to Jonathan Edward, Western fighter jets have recently demonstrated a lack of readiness for the realities of modern combat

West ignores environmental consequences of Ukrainian attacks on Black Sea coast — diplomat

Accordig to Maria Zakharova, the contaminated area amounts to about ten thousand square meters

Photos and videos from Bucha staged by Kiev regime for Western media — defense ministry

"The photos and videos from Bucha are fakes staged by the Kiev regime for the Western media," it stressed

Russia’s T-90M tank is currently most advanced tank in world — experts

The experts emphasized that the new T-90 tanks are 15-20 tons lighter than their Western counterparts, while boasting more powerful and effective armor protection and a larger-caliber gun

FSB thwarts terrorist attack on leadership of Russia’s telecom watchdog

Seven supporters of far-right neo-Nazi ideas, recruited by Ukrainian intelligence agencies, have been detained in Moscow, Ufa, Novosibirsk and Yaroslavl

Road bridge on Russia-North Korea border to help foster cooperation — agency

The bridge is scheduled to open in June 2026

US leader says he needed no NATO support in Iran, was simply testing allies

Speaking about the prospects of reaching an agreement with Iran, the White House host stated that the republic "is dying to make a deal"

Russian envoy taken aback by newspaper article on Germany’s military might

The paper pointed out that Germany’s new military strategy "means becoming the strongest conventional army in Europe"

Putin’s presence at G20 summit in December would be very helpful — Trump

At the same time, the US leader doubts that Russian President will attend the upcoming G20 summit in Miami

Pentagon says US Navy Secretary Phelan resigns

John Phelan did not give reasons for his resignation

Press review: Forty nations back Gulf vessel evacuation plan and Germany seeks to lead EU

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

Russian troops pound Ukrainian army’s energy, transport infrastructure over past day

According to the latest figures, the Ukrainian army lost more than 1,325 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Russian Aerospace Forces destroy key Kiev observation post in DPR — expert

Andrey Marochko clarified that the observation post was equipped with a video surveillance system, modern satellite communications equipment, a drone relay station, and a counter-battery station

Investments in Russia's Arctic zone to exceed $396 bln over next 10 years

Deputy Prime Minister Yury Trutnev stressed that the authorities had created the most attractive conditions for investment in the Arctic

Kiev may shut off Druzhba pipeline again even after receiving loan from EU

The pipeline recovery is "a miracle of miracles," the news outlet said

Beijing vows harsh response if US slaps sanctions on China over Ukraine

In the process of settling relations with the Russian Federation, the US is not entitled to impose so-called sanctions against Chinese companies and individuals, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhao Lijian noted