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Russian stocks down as main trading session opens

The yuan exchange rate against the ruble fell by 5.9 kopecks

MOSCOW, May 18. /TASS/. Russia’s stock market went down as the main trading session started on Monday as the MOEX and RTS indices lost 0.09% to 2,631.46 and 1,133.59 points, respectively, according to trading data as of 10:00 a.m. Moscow time (07:00 a.m. GMT). The yuan exchange rate against the ruble fell by 5.9 kopecks as trading opened compared with previous closing to 10.652 rubles.

As of 10:15 a.m. Moscow time (07:15 a.m. GMT), the indices were down by 0.31% at 2,625.72 and 1,131.12 points, respectively. Meanwhile, the yuan exchange rate was down by 7 kopecks at 10.641 rubles.

The MOEX Index with additional IMOEX2 ticker added 0.35% as morning trading session started on the Moscow Exchange as of 7:00 a.m. Moscow time (4:00 a.m. GMT), reaching 2,643.13 points.

More than half of Russian companies already implementing AI — PM

The integration of AI-based components into automated design and manufacturing management platforms is becoming standard, Mikhail Mishustin noted

Iran calls on Saudi Arabia to ‘eject’ US troops from region

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed that Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly nation

Six Ukrainian attacks on DPR recorded over past day

One person was reported killed and four civilians sustained wounds

Air defenses repel another attack involving ten drones heading for Moscow — mayor

According to Sergey Sobyanin, 64 drones have been shot down

Russian embassy receives many requests from Transnistria for citizenship

The admission procedure in accordance with the decree will be launched upon completion of the necessary technical approvals

US-Israeli strike on humanitarian aid aircraft in western Iran reported

The Civil Aviation Organization of the Islamic Republic called on all international bodies to take appropriate measures in response to this incident

Netanyahu discusses Iran with Trump, calls war cabinet meeting — media

Shortly after this conversation, Netanyahu called a meeting of the Israeli war cabinet, which will be held later in the day

Chinese embassy condemns planned trip by Canadian MP to Taiwan

A certain Canadian MP's visit to the Taiwan region and his meetings with officials of the Taiwan region authorities gravely contravene the one-China commitment Canada upholds and send a wrong message of support for 'Taiwan independence', the Chinese embassy said

Finland to practice forcefully crossing Russian border during naval drills — expert

Alexander Stepanov warned that industrial facilities in northwestern Russia as well as taking control of Karelia may be priority objectives in the course of potential aggression against Russia

Sarmat needs no advertising, no one else has analogues — Russian deputy foreign minister

This system allows guaranteed penetration of both existing and any missile defense systems still in the development phase, Sergey Ryabkov said

At least ten people injured as car rams into crowd in Modena — Il Giornale

The exact number of the affected is being determined

German politics centered on image of Russia as an enemy — expert

According to Reiner Braun, Russia possesses the potential of a great power

Kremlin views discussions on dialogue with Russia in Europe as positive thing

Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that "the shift in thinking that ‘at some point we’ll have to talk to the Russians,’ that’s a good thing"

US fighter jet downed over Iran likely conducted strikes on ground targets — media

According to CBS News national security analyst Aaron MacLean, the pilots of the downed fighter had sidearms

UAE defense ministry investigating drone attack on generator near Barakah NPP

Abu Dhabi authorities reported earlier in the day that a fire broke out following a drone strike on a generator near the Barakah NPP

Press review: Russia not done building nuke triad and Trump taps Xi to help with Iran

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, May 14th

Naval blockade unlikely to undermine Iran’s economy, envoy says

Alireza Sanei noted that Iran shares borders with 15 countries, including Russia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey, Iraq, Azerbaijan, and Armenia

Russian army controls 85% of Krasny Liman, over 50% of Shiykovka — Gerasimov

The troops of the grouping are also successfully operating on the Boguslav and Rubtsovsk directions, the Chief of Russia’s General Staff Army General said

Kiev loses over 6,500 soldiers, mercenaries in special op zone over week — military expert

Ukrainian armed formations suffered the heaviest losses in the area of responsibility of Russia's Battlegroup Center

US military aircraft struck by Iran makes it to Kuwait — TV

Iran also fired at two US UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters conducting a search and rescue operation

Cuban diplomat rejects allegations that Cuba poses threat to US national security

Earlier, the news portal said, citing classified intelligence data, that Cuba had allegedly purchased more than 300 combat drones and was looking at using them against the US base in Guantanamo

Kiev forces lost over 1,100 troops in 24 hours across all special military operation zone

In the Battlegroup North zone, the enemy lost up to 155 soldiers

Russian army liberates two settlements, continue fighting for four more — Gerasimov

Russia’s Battlegroup West is conducting active offensive operations within its area of responsibility along a frontline of approximately 350 kilometers, the Chief of Russia’s General Staff Army General said

UAE reserves right to respond to attack on Barakah NPP’s generator — top diplomat

According to the WAM news agency, the top UAE diplomat "strongly condemned the terror attack" when a drone struck a generator outside the Barakah NPP’s inner perimeter causing fire to it

Yermak leaves pre-trial detention center after spending four nights there — TV

He reluctantly answered journalists’ questions and confirmed that he had been held in a paid cell

Death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon nears 2,990 — health ministry

9,210 people being injured

Finland scrambles fighter jets over potential drone activity — media

According to Yle, defense forces officially confirmed that control in these areas had been tightened

Difficult to expect major peace talks under Zelensky, former Ukrainian PM says

Nikolai Azarov noted that the scenario of "Vladimir Zelensky stepping down and an interim government being formed at the helm for a transition period will be the best"

Russian armed forces liberate Borovaya and Kutkovka in Kharkov Region

The Russian Defense Ministry also reported that Ukraine lost about 1,045 servicemen in the special military operation zone over the past day

US has no good options left to end Iran conflict — ex-ambassador to Israel

Dan Shapiro noted that the US leader continued to toggle back and forth between the same unappealing options

Brent futures on ICE climb above $110 per barrel for first time since May 5

By 1:20 a.m. Moscow time, Brent pared gains to trade at $110.40 per barrel

US Congress unlikely to approve more military aid for Kiev — lawmaker

Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Brian Mast also emphasized that Washington’s European allies should increase their support for Kiev

China reassures US of not providing material support to Iran — official

According to Greer, the United States is not seeking "to have joint military options with the Chinese" in the Strait of Hormuz

Leaders of Russia, China to discuss global, regional issues — Chinese diplomat

Guo Jiakun emphasized that Russia and China will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the strategic partnership and the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Good Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation

Political relations between Russia, China spearheaded by two leaders, senior official says

Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev also added that it is impossible not to say that these relations are built between specific people

Israel stepping up fight against FPV drones, analyzing Ukraine conflict experience — PM

Touching upon the issue of the use of drones during a war cabinet meeting, he recalled that six year ago he had warned about this threat

Zaporozhye NPP’s transport shop comes under Ukraine’s shelling attack

It also said that Ukrainian troops tried to attack the facility’s Raduga substation with a use of a drone, which was shot down and did not detonate

Iran guarantees safe passage through Hormuz Strait for all vessels after end of war — MFA

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed that complete cessation of hostilities is the only solution

Tehran to strike enemy infrastructure similar to that attacked in Iran — top diplomat

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said that Iran will attack US infrastructure in the Persian Gulf region

US needs stability on Taiwan issue — trade representative

Taiwan has been governed by its local administration since 1949 when the Kuomintang’s remaining forces headed by Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) were defeated in the Chinese Civil War and took refuge on the island

Zaporozhye NPP, Energodar see increased Ukrainian troop activity during weekend

According to ZNPP Communications Director Yevgenia Yashina, the Ukranian attacks continue around the clock, with both artillery threats and drone activity

Trump says Iran has 48 hours to make deal or open strait

Time is running out: 48 hours remain before all hell rains down on them, US President said

Russian forces moving in western part of Konstantinovka — DPR head

According to Denis Pushilin, fighting continues in the industrial zone and near the railway terminal

Kallas would face difficult time as negotiator with Russia, Kremlin spokesman says

EU foreign policy chief won't have an easy time, Dmitry Peskov said

Russia downs 67 Ukrainian UAVs over regions in last two hours

Ukrainian aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles were intercepted and destroyed by the air defense systems on duty over the territories of the Belgorod, Kaluga, Kursk, Oryol, Bryansk, Voronezh, Rostov, Tula, Krasnodar, Moscow Regions and over the Black Sea

Press review: Putin V-Day speech gives life to Ukraine peace and Iran's new superweapon

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, May 12th

Cuba to use its right to self-defense if attacked — foreign iistry

The New York Times reported on Saturday, citing sources, that the United States does not rule out capturing one of the leaders of the Cuban Revolution, Army General Raul Castro

Drone attack on Moscow overnight into Sunday becomes largest in more than a year

Over the past 24 hours, more than 120 UAVs have been shot down

Top Iranian diplomat comments on Russia’s uranium proposal, attempts to derail talks

Abbas Araghchi pointed to the Iranian authorities' efforts to maintain a ceasefire with the US in order to resolve the conflict diplomatically

Tenth Russia-China Expo kicks off in Harbin

The event is organized by Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade and Ministry of Economic Development together with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and the Heilongjiang Provincial People's Government

Sweatshirts with Putin's quotes turn into top sellers at Harbin expo

Besides clothing, high-quality Russian handicrafts are generating immense interest among Expo visitors

Russian scientists peek into skull of Earth’s top predator from 250 million years ago

The Garjainia reptile genus that inhabited the Earth approximately 250 million years ago, was an archosaur - the ancestor of the dinosaurs

Putin's test for Europe, Nazi revival, US-China relations: Lavrov's statements

Russia will not be drawn into any triangulation attempts by the US to pit Moscow and Beijing against one another, the Russian foreign minister said

German expert sees EU weakening on a scale unimaginable five years ago

"In response to this weakening, there's a perceived need to fight adversaries like Russia and China, to regain lost ground," Reiner Braun said

Russia ready to send tourists into space

Russia's Glavkosmos provides orbital flights on board the Soyuz spacecraft, with docking at the International Space Station

Putin holds phone conversation with Kazakh President Tokayev — Kremlin

The two leaders discussed current matters pertaining to the preparations for Vladimir Putin's upcoming state visit to Astana and the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council to be held there

Critics label Elon Musk US 'shadow president' — media

The report says that "Musk’s rapid-fire messages - which included numerous false claims about the contents of the spending bill - ricocheted" across Washington

Air defenses down 84 Ukrainian drones in Kursk Region over past 24 hours — governor

There were no fatalities or injuries

Ten-point plan for talks with US is 'red line' for Iran — lawmaker

Mohammad Saleh Jokar, Chairman of the Iranian Parliament's Interior Affairs Committee, noted that Iran "never trusted the US," and his country has no other option but to "become stronger"

Russian MP warns of nuclear proliferation risk if Israel uses nukes against Iran

Alexey Pushkov noted that the question of whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will use nuclear weapons in Iran has been actively discussed on American television in recent days

Soyuz MS-18 landing scheduled for October 17 — cosmonaut

Two crew members will stay in the orbit longer than scheduled due to Russia’s plans to shoot the first movie in space aboard the statio

US sets Iran five conditions for continuing peace process — Fars news agency

According to the agency, the US refuses to pay any compensation for damage caused by the bombings of Iranian territory

Global energy crisis over Middle East conflict enters new phase

Around 80 countries have introduced emergency measures to shield their economies

Tanker with Iranian oil change course, heading to China — PTI

The change in the destination of Pin Shun appears to be payment-related, Sumit Ritolia, Lead Research Analyst at Kpler, noted

Trump calls on Iran to act faster on issue of potential deal

The United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28

EU preparing for possible energy supply crisis due to conflict in Iran — Spanish newspaper

The EC assures that there is currently no risk to supplies, though markets are feeling the impact of rising Brent crude oil prices, which has led to higher gas and oil prices in Europe

International Gymnastics Federation lifts restrictions against Russian athletes

The decision applies to all five disciplines governed by the Russian Gymnastics Federation

Russia needs no Eurovision with its ‘sexless monsters’ — senator

Today it is more important for Russia to invest in its own cultural projects and cooperation with friendly countries of the CIS, Asia, BRICS, Airat Gibatdinov said

Over 50 aircraft divert from Moscow airports to alternate airfields over restrictions

In addition, about 32 flights were reported to be delayed for departure by more than two hours

Court receives full bail amount paid for Yermak

Ukrainian journalist Mikhail Tkach said there were about 200 payments

Israel, US attack amusement park in central Iran

No information on casualties or damage has been reported yet

Earthquake in southern China leaves two people killed

One person remained missing

A 'no-money world' and things for free? Japanese billionaire views our future from space

Israel build two covert bases in Iraq for Iran war — media

According to The New York Times, Israel began preparations to build one of the bases in late 2024

Ukrainian military drone found crashed in Lithuania — crisis management center

The drone fell near the village of Samane in Utena District Municipality in eastern Lithuania

Lithuania to send troops to Strait of Hormuz after US, Iran sign peace deal — president

I don’t think that our military should take part in this mission amid the continuing conflict, Gitanas Nauseda said

Putin: Russia stands for demilitarization of Ukraine

Russian President said he wished the Donbass problem could be settled through talks and the implementation of the Minsk agreements, but "regrettably, this is no longer relevant"

Kiev actively pushing toward escalation of terrorist war — Russian Foreign Ministry

Ambassador-at-Large for the Kiev regime's crimes Rodion Miroshnik pointed to Ukraine's deliberate attacks on the civilian population and infrastructure

US leader holds national security team meeting on Iran — CNN

Meanwhile, the Pentagon has prepared military target plans should the US leader decide to resume the hostilities against the Islamic Republic

Senior Russian official sees prospects for cooperation in energy, agriculture with China

Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev highlighted tourism as yet another promising sphere

Ebola death toll in Democratic Republic of Congo rises to 88 — epidemiologists

The number of presumptive cases is 336

36 Ukrainian drones taken down over Russian regions, Azov Sea in seven hours

Russian air defense systems intercepted and destroyer 36 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles over Crimea, the Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, Novgorod, Rostov, Smolensk, Moscow, and Krasnodar Regions, and the Azov Sea

One civilian killed, four wounded in Ukraine’s attacks on DPR during day

Apart from that, according to Pushilin, two civilian infrastructure facilities, two cars, and two trucks were damaged

IN BRIEF: Lavrov speaks of US plans to control energy flows, Western neocolonialism

The West uses unscrupulous methods to prevent countries from purchasing Russian oil, the Russian foreign minister said

Trump warns Iran of harder strikes than before if there is no deal

Earlie on Sunday, the US president urged urged Iran to act faster to move to a potential deal

Drone attacks on Moscow leave 12 people injured — mayor

Sergey Sobyanin added that three residential buildings had been damaged

Ukraine attacking Energodar, Zaporozhye NPP site virtually continuously — plant

ZNPP Communications Director Yevgenia Yashina emphasized that there were no casualties as a result of the strikes over the weekend

Zaporozhye NPP’s Raduga substation attacked by Ukrainian drone

Apart from that, according to the ZNPP, Ukrainian troops also attacked the facility’s transport shop, damaging its roof and personnel buses

Russian air defense shoots down 1,054 Ukrainian drones, Flamingo, Neptune-MD missiles

The Black Sea Fleet destroyed six unmanned boats of Ukrainian armed forces

Iran divides countries into three categories based on use of Strait of Hormuz — TV

According to the TV channel, all states are divided into three categories — "hostile," "neutral," and "friendly"

US loses control of its biolabs around world — expert

According to Alexey Shablya, the theory that the SARS-CoV-2 virus originated in one of these labs, while not 100% confirmed, also cannot be disproved

No signal from Kiev regarding new round of talks, senior Russian diplomat says

Mikhail Galuzin noted that for successful negotiations Vladimir Zelensky will need to order the Ukrainian armed forces to cease fire and pull troops from Donbass

Ex-Romanian foreign minister calls for normalizing relations with Russia

Andrei Marga stressed that normalizing relations with China, Russia, and Turkey is essential for Romania’s democratization, modernization and welfare

IN BRIEF: Drone attack on Moscow, surrounding region kills three people, leaves 18 injured

According to preliminary reports, three people were killed and another six suffered injuries in the Moscow Region

Russian physicists divide magnetic vortices into collectivists and individualists

Studying the behavior of skyrmions will help to create unique quantum devices based on new physical principles

Putin thanks Tokayev for attending Victory Day celebrations

The Russian president has sent a congratulatory telegram to the Kazakh leader on his birthday

NATO secretary general to put pressure on EU defense companies to please US — FT

According to the newspaper, the North Atlantic Alliance is interested in European industry helping to meet Washington's demands for increased defense spending to mitigate Trump's "anger" at the alleged inability of allies to support the United States in the conflict in the Middle East

Serbia to develop military-technical, energy cooperation with Azerbaijan — Vucic

According to the Serbian leader, the two countries may begin the construction of a 500 MW gas-turbine power plant near the city of Nis in southern Serbia already in 2027 to commission it by 2030

Russian chess player may be banned for life after trying to poison opponent

The RCF executive added that the federation is deeply disappointed by the incident involving chess player Umaiganat Osmanova

IOC should allow all world's athletes to compete — Russian lawmaker

The IOC press office said earlier in the day that the organization must take into account the present-day political context, but does not take sides in global conflicts, as that falls outside its intended mission

Cuba has right to self-defense in case of US aggression — Cuban diplomat

Ernesto Soberon Guzman emphasized that Cuba has the right to legitimate self-defense, which is based on the principle of international law and the United Nations Charter