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Russian stock market declines at start of trading session

The yuan rose by 5.45 kopecks from the previous trading session’s closing level to 12.391 rubles at the opening of Moscow Exchange trading

MOSCOW, August 24. /TASS/. The Russian stock market is declining at the start of the main trading session, according to Moscow Exchange data. The yuan exchange rate is rising.

As of 10:00 Moscow time, the MOEX and RTS indices fell by 2.01%, to 2,092.01 and 794.77 points, respectively. The yuan rose by 5.45 kopecks from the previous trading session’s closing level to 12.391 rubles at the opening of Moscow Exchange trading.

By 10:15 Moscow time, the MOEX index’s decline had accelerated, with the index reaching 2,074.63 points (-2.83%), while the RTS index stood at 788.14 points (-2.83%). Meanwhile, the yuan stood at 12.385 rubles (+4.85 kopecks).

Arctic forum participants clean Pechora River coast

After the coastline was cleaned, the forum guests organized a friendly volleyball match on this site, and then launched kites into the sky

Iran to attack other oil export routes if Gulf countries support US sanctions — official

Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei said that "not a single drop of oil will be shipped from the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz" if Iran's neighbors join the sanctions

Two children killed, seven injured after UAV debris fell on children’s center in Krasnodar

Two adults have been hospitalized, Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said

Militants carried out more than 10 attacks injuring two people in southern Thailand

The perpetrators set fire to vehicles belonging to utility services, damaged cell phone towers, and attacked administrative buildings and a shop, Thai PBS reported

Houthis attack Yemeni port of Mokha with missiles, drones

The Houthis also attempted an attack on an oil tanker in the Bab El Mandeb Strait

Russian military keeps attaining special op’s goals, accelerate offensive — Putin

The Russian armed forces keep successfully coping with their tasks until the goals of the special military operation are achieved, Russian President said

Shutodown of Armenian NPP to make Yerevan more dependent on other states — diplomat

Maria Zakharova noted that the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant is a "system-forming element in the republic’s energy balance"

Russia is sole guarantor of Ukraine's sovereignty — MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized Western policies, suggesting that the West has little genuine interest in Ukraine as an independent or prosperous nation

Over 1,400 militants surrender in Central African Republic over past year

The Commonwealth of Officers for International Security also reported that of these, 932 have completed the reintegration program

Large gas field discovered in Iran

The field also contains gas condensate

Israel hits Hamas weapons manufacturing site in Gaza Strip, eliminates its commander

According to IDF, the attacked Hamas weapons manufacturing site was located "near an aid distribution point operated by an international organization"

Candidate for US president calls for more active humanitarian exchanges with Russia

There are far more similarities than differences between the two nations, Diane Sare said

Lavrov sees West fighting against Russia, using `bodies’ of Ukrainian regime

The West is being busy pumping the Kiev regime with weapons, Russian Foreign Minister said

New coalition of states could form around Trans-Arctic Corridor — expert

Irina Strelnikova, director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Arctic Studies at the Higher School of Economics, said that China, India, and the United Arab Emirates could become potential participants in this alliance

Two clergymen injured after Ukrainian drone attack near church in Gorlovka

At the moment of the attack, the clergymen were at a parking lot in front of the church

Nvidia in $6 billion deal to create competitor to Chinese AI models — WSJ

According to sources cited by the newspaper, the deal will allow the company to use AI startup Poolside’s technologies and hire most of its engineers

Russia’s frigate Admiral Kasatonov returns to base after long-range deployment

Commander of the Northern Fleet Admiral Konstantin Kabantsov received a report from the ship’s crew on the successful completion of their assigned tasks

Gold price surpasses $4,700 per troy ounce first since May 14

As of 2:30 a.m. GMT, the price of gold reached $4,713.8 per ounce

New corruption scandal in Kiev directly involves Zelensky, former PM says

Nikolay Azarov added that the new scandal involves "people who came to his office almost every day"

Putin, Trump to talk to each other at APEC summit if both are there — presidential aide

According to Yury Ushakov, there are no signals or hints in this regard yet as the summit is still three months away

West may replace Zelensky with ‘cheaper character’ — expert

According to Alexander Dudchak, a leading researcher at the Institute of CIS Countries, Vladimir Zelensky puts too much into his pocket

Kiev glorifies those behind killing hundreds of thousands of Russians, Poles, Jews — Putin

The basis of the Ukrainian statehood today is based on this neo-Nazi ideology, Russian President said

Japan accelerates line toward militarization — DPRK

The authors of the report highlighted the events held on August 15 at Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine, which is viewed in North Korea and several other Asian countries as a symbol of militarism

US Navy has announced development of ultra-long-range air-to-air missile

The range of the AIM-424 missile exceeds 460 km

Gaining control of Kudiyevka, Russia advances on two settlements at once — expert

Andrey Marochko says Russian troops are advancing towards Bugayevka and Goptovka

Burnham to announce transfer of classified data for production of SCALP missiles to Kiev

The UK prime minister will arrive in Kiev for a visit on August 24

Protests in Ukraine unlikely to change regime, expert believes

Alexander Dudchak, a leading researcher at the Institute of CIS Countries, said that the protests "can be used as a formal pretext" if there is an order "to replace Zelensky"

Minsk, Pyongyang to sign visa-free travel agreement soon - top Belarusian diplomat

They will sign it in the near future, Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov said

Russian Soyuz-2.1b rocket with spacecraft lifts off from Plesetsk spaceport — ministry

The rocket carries a spacecraft in the Russian Defense Ministry’s interests

Minsk, Pyongyang to sign visa-free travel agreement soon — top Belarusian diplomat

Maxim Ryzhenkov added that the agreement is ready, with only several technical aspects remaining

Top Iranian diplomat compares US sanctions to movie seen many times before

According to the Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the United States’ new anti-Iranian course is doomed to failure, as were all of its previous attempts

Putin describes attempt to defeat Russia in 40 days as another provocative move

The president said the 40-day deadline expired on August 5

Diversification in energy sector to be discussed at EEF — official

Deputy Prime Minister Yury Trutnev added that business dialogues with representatives from China, India, the UAE, Mongolia, Vietnam, and ASEAN countries are scheduled as part of the forum

Small aircraft crashes into water near beach in Florida — police

The sole occupant of the plane was taken to hospital

Kiev’s 'exotic proposals' for peace merely imitation of peacemaking — envoy

Rodion Miroshnik says European countries "have already promised Kiev colossal sums of money" to continue the conflict

Magnitude 6.0 earthquake strikes off Japan’s Hokkaido

No casualties of damage were reported

Press review: Ukraine crisis nears peak as Israel-Turkey tensions rise over Syria

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, August 20th

Government must keep under control situation with fuel — Putin

There are certain inconveniences for people, Russian President said

Independent candidate for US president sees rich opportunities in space cooperation

That is cooperation to protect our precious little planet from being struck by an incoming asteroid or comet, Diane Sare said

American lawmakers’ visit to Russia to help in fight against Russophobia in US

Dialogue is always better than silence, independent candidate for US President Diane Sare said

Israel sees US joint mechanism to resolve Gaza problem pointless — portal

"Just as it is clear that Hamas will not disarm of its own free will, so it is clear that such mechanisms will not work," the source said

Air defense system repels attack by six drones flying towards Moscow — mayor

Sergey Sobyanin says emergency services specialists are working at the site where the debris fell

AfD to withdraw Germany from eurozone, Schengen Agreement if comes to power - leader

Germany was much better off before the introduction of the euro, co-chair of the Alternative for Germany Alice Weidel said

No party to gain significant advantage in US Congress after midterm elections — expert

The president’s party almost always loses seats in the Senate and the House in the midterms, so that is the baseline expectation, Professor of Political Science from the California Institute of Technology Rod Kiewiet said

Shock from massive drone attacks on Donbass and Novorossiya mostly over — envoy

Rodion Miroshnik said that Russian authorities are finding ways to reduce the pressure from Ukraine and to create acceptable living conditions for the civilian population

Russian plane extinguishes major wildfire hotspots in Serbia

According to the Russian emergencies ministry, over the four days of participating in firefighting operations, the aircraft has performed 19 flights and dropped an overall of 798 tons of water

Witkoff, Kushner’s visit to Moscow delayed — source

This visit is unlikely to take place before the end of August, the source said

Ukraine attacks Ozon warehouse in Orenburg with drones — official

There are no casualties

Armenia to soon begin process of applying for EU membership — PM

Nikol Pashinyan has reiterated that a referendum makes sense when the discussion of the issue has reached a turning point

Russian Embassy in UK denies allegations on Moscow’s plans to lower relations with London

As for the state of Russia-UK relations across all areas, they have deteriorated to an unprecedentedly low level entirely on London's initiative, the Russian Embassy said

Warehouses catch fire in Dagestan after UAV debris fall

There were no casualties, acting head of the Republic of Dagestan Fyodor Shchukin said

Russia’s Team Spirit grabs Dota 2 trophy at The International for third time

The tournament was held in Shanghai

70 vessels redirected by US military since resumption of blockade of Iran - CENTCOM

U.S. forces have redirected 70 commercial vessels, disabled 3 and boarded 2 to ensure compliance

Kiev sends elite units to stabilize front in Dobropolye, DPR — expert

Andrey Marochko says Ukrainian command is trying to stabilize the situation amid a panic-ridden sentiment in the army caused by the advance of Russian forces

Russian troops hit Ukrainian army’s energy, transport infrastructure sites in past day

Targets attacked by operational/tactical aviation, attack drones, missile forces, and artillery

Dry cargo ship carrying weapons hit in port of Chernomorsk

Moreover, seven fuel storage tanks were hit, the Russian Defense Ministry said

PSG with Safonov in squad drew with Rennes in opening round of French championship

In the next round, PSG will play against Lille

Intensity of attacks on Donbass, Novorossiya directly linked to Western subsidies — envoy

Rodion Miroshnik said that after the 90-billion-euro loan to Ukraine was approved by the EU in April, a sharp escalation began

Battlegroup South air defenses down 99 Ukrainian fixed-wing UAVs, 122 heavy rotor drones

Spokesman Vadim Astafyev reported that unmanned systems forces in the Kramatorsk and Slavyansk directions destroyed 54 enemy communication antennas and UAVs, as well as 37 ground robotic systems

Voting at Kazakhstan’s parliamentary elections over

Voting at overseas polling stations continue

Ukraine signs documents on drone production in Finland

Vladimir Zelensky and Finnish President Alexander Stubb took part in a roundtable meeting on defense cooperation in Kiev

Five parties surpassing 5% threshold to win seats in Kazakh parliament — exit polls

The Adilet party scored more than 70% of votes

Russian military satellite delivered into target orbit — Defense Ministry

According to the report, stable telemetry communication has been established and is maintained with the satellite

Number of injured in chairlift collapse in Russia’s Nalchik climbs to eight

It was clarified that two of those injured had been discharged following a medical checkup

Transport capacity of Northern Sea Route to reach 45 mln tons by year-end — governor

Andrey Chibis noted that a distinct component of the development of the Murmansk transport hub’s logistics will be incorporated into the project for the development of the Arctic and the Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor

Implementation of US peace plan for Gaza de-facto stalled — Russia’s UN envoy

Vasily Nebenzya stated that the ceasefire was still being consistently violated, first of all by the Israeli side

Putin says economy behind motives of Polish PM Tusk's words about Nord Stream

The Russian president noted that initially the Nord Stream-2 route was planned to stretch across Poland

Trump loses trade war with Canada — The Atlantic

According to the article, the pressure directed at Ottawa has not proven effective

Voter turnout at Kazakhstan parliamentary elections exceeds 65% by late afternoon

The lowest turnout was reported in the country’s largest city of Almaty at 36.65%, and the largest in the Kyzylorda region at 81.38%, according to the CEC

Nearly 270 Ukrainian drones taken down over Russian regions during day

Russian air defense systems intercepted and destroyed Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles over Crimea, the Arkhangelsk, Belgorod, Bryansk, Kaluga, Kursk, Oryol, Rostov, Smolensk, Tula, Moscow, and Krasnodar Regions, and the Black Sea, he Russian defense ministry said

Akhmat Kadyrov's name to be forever inscribed in history of Russia — Putin

The Russian president pointed out that "Akhmat-Khadzhi was a courageous man, who understood very well how hard the burden was and what risks he was going to take on"

Israel could cease to exist after the Middle East conflict — senior Russian officer

Apty Alaudinov says Israel’s objective is to drag both the US and the entire NATO bloc into the struggle

Israel won't put up with Turkey's military presence in Syria — Netanyahu

The Israeli prime minister said that the prior warnings on the issue were not heard "clearly enough"

Russia expands control zone in Novogrigorovka in DPR with drones — expert

Andrey Marochko says almost all Ukrainian units have retreated from the settlement

Countries unsympathetic with Russia note Nazism heroization in Ukraine — Putin

Despite the well-known Russophobia in Polish politics, the Polish authorities are paying serious attention to the fundamental foundations of today's Ukrainian statehood, Russian President said

Russia’s cutting-edge weaponry capable of ‘blinding’ enemy's army

TASS outlines domestic electronic warfare systems

US sanctions against Iran will backfire on US economy, Iranian parliament speaker warns

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf illustrated the boomerang effect by several photos showing that economic pressure on Iran and disruptions in energy markets would ultimately have consequences for the United States

Resolution of fuel issues underway, PM Mishustin keeps situation under control — Putin

A special commission has been set up, Russian President said

IN BRIEF: Putin comments on Kiev’s provocative moves and Russia’s retaliatory strikes

The enemy is trying to intimidate Russians and disrupt the upcoming parliamentary elections, due in September, but these attempts will fail, the president said

Houthis attack Tihama again during rescue operation

One member of the rescue team was injured

US may be forced to take unpopular measures over mounting debt — WP

The story says that the US pays about $1 trillion annually in interest on the national debt

Israel warns Hamas against launching drones from Gaza

It would target those responsible for that, the Israeli prime minister’s office said

Ozon’s logistics center in Krasnodar attacked by drone

According to preliminary information, there were no casualties

Ozon logistics center in Makhachkala attacked by drone, casualties reported

A fire broke out, and emergency services are working at the scene, the company said

High-level delegations from Syria, Israel hold talks in Jordan — agency

According to a source cited by SANA, the sides discussed the need to halt Israeli aggression against Syria and return to the negotiating table

Russia ready to undertake mediation efforts to stabilize Middle East — MFA

Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov emphasized that the situation in Lebanon is a factor complicating attempts to revitalize the negotiation process between Washington and Tehran

Iran has scenario to avoid impacts of US sanctions — IRGC spokesman

In Hossein Mohebi's words, the Iranian authorities "are developing economic ties right under the United States' nose, bypassing them, and the results will be seen in the near future"

Kiev attacks civilian targets to exert political pressure on Russia — envoy

Rodion Miroshnik added that his working trip to Novorossiya confirmed information about attempts to blockade entire cities, complicate logistics, disrupt the delivery of food, priority goods and medicines, and the supply of energy and water

Death toll in Houthi strike on Tihama rises to six

Another 10 people were injured

Kiev builds up grouping near Druzhkovka to contain Russia — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, there is an influx of enemy personnel and equipment both in the settlement of Raiskoye and in Alekseyevo-Druzhkovka

FACTBOX: Aftermath of Ukrainian drone attack on Russia, three kids killed in Krasnodar

The Russian e-commerce company Ozon evacuated its warehouses in Adygeisk and Nevinnomyssk due to the threat of a drone attack

NATO, EU to be unable to talk their way out publicly from assisting Ukraine — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister pointed out that Russia will be taking into account everything that "openly Russophobic elites are doing now in Britain, in Brussels, in Paris, in Berlin, in other NATO and EU countries, in the vast majority of these countries"

US to launch 'financial offensive' against Iran on Monday — Treasury Secretary

Scott Bessent added that the US was "entering the endgame" in the conflict

82,000 square meters of St. Petersburg warehouse on fire — Emergencies Ministry

The warehouse building measures 680 by 120 meters

West's war on Russia, Russian flag as symbol of justice — Lavrov’s remarks

The foreign minister emphasized that the West will try to disrupt the September elections to the State Duma, but "these plans will thwarted"

New York Times highlights problems with three key factors of global food system

The assumptions of seamless trade, cheap energy, and stable climate are not met, the article says

Russia not to put up with Kiev holding neo-Nazism as basis of state ideology — Putin

The current Ukrainian government has laid the foundation for the state the neo-Nazism ideology, Russian President said

Russian athletes win medal count at 2026 European Artistic Gymnastics Championships

The Italian team took second place, athletes from Great Britain came in third

Six people injured in Nevada wildfire — agency

According to the report by the Associated Press, the fire dubbed Hawk spread across 53 square kilometers

Air defense repelling drone attack targeting industrial zone of Nevinnomyssk

Governor Vladimir Vladimirov says that some drones have been shot down