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Price of futures contracts of Brent oil up 2.9% amid Middle East escalation

As of 5:35 a.m. Moscow time, the Brent price was up by 2.94% at $90.69 a barrel

MOSCOW, August 31. /TASS/. The price of futures contracts of Brent crude oil for November 2026 delivery on London’s ICE has grown by more than 2.9% following strikes between the US and Iran in the Middle East, according to trade data.

As of 5:35 a.m. Moscow time (2:35 a.m. GMT), the Brent price was up by 2.94% at $90.69 a barrel. As of 7:28 a.m. Moscow time (4:28 a.m. GMT), the price of Brent oil was up by 2.68% at $90.46 per barrel. Meanwhile the price of futures contracts of WTI crude oil for October 2026 delivery was up by 2.34% at $85.35 per barrel.

Axios reported on August 30 that US forces had struck two missile launchers on Larak Island in southern Iran, after which the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the shelling of US military facilities in Jordan in response to the strike on Larak Island. Jordan’s air defense systems repelled the Iranian attack, the Al Hadath TV channel reported, citing a statement from a spokesperson for the kingdom’s military command.

Arkhangelsk to host Russian North's culture festival

The program features musical, theater performances, master classes, traditional practices, and other events

Kiev reluctant to engage in true settlement — Kremlin spokesman

Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov commented a proposal to organize a trilateral meeting between Putin, Donald Trump, and Vladimir Zelensky

Russia readies to strike Ukraine’s energy sites to retaliate attacks on its infrastructure

At the same time, Russian servicemen continued to launch coordinated strikes against Ukrainian military-industrial facilities that support the Ukrainian military overnight, the ministry emphasized

No meeting between Putin, CIA director in Moscow — Kremlin spokesman

Russian President Vladimir Putin did not meet with CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Putin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov said

US strikes two missile launchers on Iran’s Larak island — media

According to a US official cited by Axios correspondent Barak Ravid, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces were seen preparing to launch rockets with sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz

237 people saved from sunken vessel off northern Cyprus — authorities

According to Prime Minister of the unrecognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Unal Ustel, all of those rescued are in satisfactory condition

Russia advancing along entire frontline in special op’s zone — Kremlin spokesman

The dynamic is absolutely positive for Russia, Dmitry Peskov said

Russia has good prospects for cooperating with BRICS partners in Far North — Lavrov

The foreign minister added that Russia is also ready to develop cooperation in the Arctic with Belarus and other partners and allies in the CIS

Iran’s Fars news agency reports about explosions in Jordan

No other details are known at this point

Putin-Trump-Zelensky summit possible only at end of talks — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov said there have been calls for organizing a Putin-Trump-Zelensky summit for quite some time now

Georgia’s Kulevi oil refinery stops processing Russian oil

The refinery has switched to processing oil from Kazakhstan and Libya, the media outlet bm.ge reported

US seriously considers use of nuclear weapons in Europe — Russian MFA

According to Andrey Belousov, Washington’s efforts to initiate discussions on Russia’s non-strategic nuclear weapons serve to divert international attention from what he described as the threat posed by US nuclear weapons stationed in Europe

Top Vatican diplomat says his visit to Moscow underscores commitment to dialogue

The trip took place on August 24-28

Denmark suspends issuance of residence permits to Ukrainians of mobilization age

According to parliamentary documents, the proposal was approved by 98 votes to 11

CIA chief proposes Putin-Trump-Zelensky meeting during visit to Moscow — Axios

According to the news outlet, John Ratcliffe also sought to determine whether talks with Ukraine could be resumed with US mediation

Russia still open to talks on Ukraine, but there are no conditions for them — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov commented on whether President Vladimir Putin could discuss the possibility to continue the work of negotiating groups on Ukraine in Istanbul at a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Iceland’s current government not to initiate EU accession talks — PM

Kristrun Frostadottir said a referendum on resuming the negotiations cannot be held "every one or two years"

Trump's 'Greenland plan' aims to bring Arctic under US control — presidential adviser

Anton Kobyakov opined that this project was an alternative to the NSR from the Pacific Ocean to the North Atlantic

Omsky-107 vessel runs ashore near Istanbul after being attacked by Ukraine — agency

According to the agency, the crew evacuated from the ship in lifeboats following the attack

Fate of 99 people on board the vessel remains unknown — Kyrenia mayor

Mayor Murat Shenkul stated that Turkish Cypriot authorities have so far managed to contact 159 of the 258 people who were on board

30 vessels not let pass through Strait of Hormuz without Iran’s permit in past week

Currently, navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is only possible upon an agreement with the Iranian side and after paying corresponding fees

Ship with 270 passengers sinks off coast of Northern Cyprus — TV

According to TRT Haber, the ship capsized for unknown reasons

Iran’s supreme leader calls on all Muslim countries to stand up to US

Mojtaba Khamenei pointed out that the US and Israel are at war not only with Iran and its regional allies, but also with all Muslims, "including the peoples of West Asia and North Africa"

North Korean defense minister removed from post, KCNA reports

According to the news agency, Kim Song-gi, head of the Korean People's Army General Political Bureau, was appointed the new North Korean Defense Minister

Russia begins mass production of Volna Kupol Garant EW system — defense source

According to the source, the Volna has become a factor affecting not only the special military operation zone, but also having global influence

Finnish citizens outraged by their president’s policy toward Russia — politician

Armando Mema emphasized that the direction in which Stubb is leading Finland "remains uncertain and very dangerous"

Putin says Russia holds world's second-largest coal reserves

The Russian leader noted that coke, iron ore, and other minerals remain one of the foundations of the national economy today

Moscow, Bishkek cooperate fruitfully in various areas — Russian president

"Relations between our countries are developing dynamically in the spirit of strategic partnership and alliance," Vladimir Putin said

Nearly 1,500 drones target Moscow Region on August 22-30 — capital’s mayor

Most were neutralized by air defenses at a distance, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin reported

Placido Domingo to perform with Russian conductor Yuri Bashmet in Moscow

The concert’s program will feature musical pieces of different genres, which Domingo has performed over the course of his 60-year career

Kiev increasingly losing on battlefield — US journalist

Russian forces continue to liberate territories, Christopher Helali said

Strauss-Kahn overshadows true IMF scandals

Russia adds over 100 mln carats to diamond reserves since start of year

Head of Rosnedra Oleg Kazanov noted that reserve additions are driven not only by new deposits but by additional geological exploration and the reassessment of existing deposits

Putin to hold meeting on Far East’s development on sidelines of Eastern Economic Forum

Before attending the Eastern Economic Forum, Russian president will pay a visit to Kyrgyzstan, which will host a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit

Number of AI agents going out of control peaks in July — British newspaper

The study notes that the number of such incidents nearly doubled compared to the previous month

Six people died in catamaran accident off coast of Northern Cyprus — TV

Also 172 others were rescued, TRT Haber reported

All options on table to sanction China for ties with Iran — US Treasury secretary

Scott Bessent also said he would hold talks with his Chinese counterparts during the meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank chiefs

Jordan intercepts eight Iranian missiles — Petra news agency

The type of the missiles is unknown

241 people saved from sunken vessel off northern Cyprus — authorities

The search for 18 more continues

Iranians not fighting for Hezbollah in southern Lebanon — official

Mahmoud Qamati, deputy head of the Hezbollah political council, also condemned the Lebanese government’s intention to disarm all illegal groups in the country

Two, killed, two wounded in US strike on Iran’s Larak island — agency

According to the report by Tasnim, no official comments are available at the moment

Angelina Jolie arrives in Ukraine — news agency

According to UNIAN news agency, the actress visited Lvov and Ternopol

Special op, security in Europe more important for Russia than ties with overseas countries

Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov told this Vesti host Pavel Zarubin

Iranian lawmaker warns US of retaliation over Middle East escalation

Ebrahim Azizi noted that the United States will pay "a heavier price"

Impact of Russia’s strikes on Ukrainian army’s infrastructure visible — Kremlin spokesman

Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov stressed that Russia is targeting only military facilities

Iceland deals blow to EU’s dreams of expanding northward — news outlet

Before the referendum, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos engaged in a flurry of media activity

Death toll from flooding in northern Nepal up to 788 — police

Also 2,752 people have been injured or rescued

No restrictions on air traffic in Gulf countries imposed — air traffic controllers

Earlier in the day, Iran’s missile attack on US ships in the Strait of Hormuz was reported

FACTBOX: Russian strikes on Ukrainian logistics centers, seaports: What is known

TASS has compiled the key facts about the strikes on facilities in Ukraine.

NATO military activities in Arctic may lead to catastrophic consequences — Lavrov

The foreign minister said NATO's Operation Arctic Sentry involves intensive military preparations in close proximity to Russia's northern borders

Kazakhstan’s parliament votes to appoint Karin as vice president

Erlan Karin’s candidacy, proposed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, was supported by 141 of the 145 deputies present

Putin to travel to Bishkek to attend SCO summit

The Russian leader’s schedule includes attending the SCO Council of Heads of States, a meeting in the SCO+ format, and bilateral talks with his counterparts

Putin to lay out Russia’s position on referendum on EU to Armenian PM — Kremlin

Each top-level contact is important, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said

US redirected 83 ships since resuming maritime blockade of Iran

The US military also disabled three and boarded two vessels

Russian forces liberate Rubezhnoye, Novoandreyevka, take control of Khrapovshchina

Russian forces also struck Ukrainian fuel and energy facilities and logistics centers used by Ukrainian forces over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Maduro posts photo of him in prison

Venezuelan President addressed it to his grandchildren and children

EU needs Russia as ‘external enemy’ to collect more taxes — Kremlin

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that voters do not like this

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"

Pentagon chief Hegseth considers running for president — NBC

But Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s assistant for public affairs, denied this, the TV channel said

Tanker struck by projectile off Oman — UKMTO

No casualties or environmental impact are reported at this time

Energy cooperation always on agenda of Russian-Chinese contacts — Kremlin

This is mutually beneficial cooperation, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said

Six drones taken down while approaching Moscow — mayor

Sergey Sobyanin says first responders are working on the crash site

Number of wounded in Belgorod missile attack rises to 16

Acting Governor Alexander Shuvayev reported that three more people wounded in the missile attack sought medical aid

Belgium blocks new attempt to expropriate Russian assets — minister

"This door is closed", stressed Belgian Defense and Foreign Trade Minister Theo Francken

Putin may have brief conversation with UN chief on SCO summit’s sidelines

No separate meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is planned on the sidelines of the AShanghai Cooperation Organization summit, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said

Russia’s Alexandrova, Medvedev advance to second round of US Open

The players defeated McCartney Kessler and Hugo Gaston respectively

Kiev loses 9,600 soldiers, mercenaries in special op zone last week — expert

Andrey Marochko added that over the past week, the Russian military also destroyed nearly 6,000 unmanned aerial vehicles, three uncrewed boats, three tanks, 47 field artillery guns

Sweden to reinforce Finnish patrols along border with Russia with its own units

These may include Swedish JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets and Visby-class corvettes

Putin warmly congratulates Lukashenko on his birthday

Russian President congratulated his Belarusian counterpart over the phone

Man hijacks plane in Hungary, directs it toward Paks NPP — media

After being intercepted, the plane crashed onto a sunflower field

Putin briefed on CIA director visit’s results — Kremlin spokesman

John Ratcliffe arrived in Russia on August 25

Ukraine’s defeat drawing nearer every day; Kiev understands this — Kremlin

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated that the Kiev regime is receiving and will continue to receive"an even more than adequate response" to its attacks on civilian sectors of the Russian economy

US to use Venezuelan oil to replenish its strategic reserves — Trump

The ‘topping out’ process will begin very shortly, and is a gift from Venezuela to the people of the United States, US President wrote on his Truth Social platform

Gunmen tried to enter hotel housing AES parliament members — Russian ambassador

Viktor Voropayev attended a gala dinner at the hotel on the evening of August 28 for lawmakers taking part in the parliamentary session

Putin could speak on Ukraine at news conference after Belarus talks on Thursday — Kremlin

The Russian president is scheduled to take questions jointly with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko

Russia ready to resume Arctic Council’s work, but if partners work in good faith — Lavrov

The foreign minister said Russia is also "prepared for the scenario currently being pursued by NATO countries within the organization," implying attempts to discuss issues without its participation

Uncrewed boat found off Turkish Samsun province coast — agency

The site has been cordoned off

No links between Putin’s meetings with Lukashenko to CIS chief’s visit — Kremlin

Russian-Belarusian relations constitute an absolutely different dimension, which in no way depends on contacts with the Americans, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said

US convinced that Iceland referendum results to have no effect on NATO membership

Department of State spokesman Tommy Pigott said that the US is looking forward "to strengthening our partnership with Iceland on all fronts"

Death toll from northern Nepal flooding exceeds 900

Nearly 4,200 people, including 592 foreign nationals, remain missing

Russia supports Niger in its fight against extremists — Foreign Ministry

The ministry assured that Russia will continue to support its friends in Niger in their fight against extremists, including those incited by former European colonial powers

Kiev troops shell DPR 25 times in past day, civilian wounded

Six residential buildings, four civil infrastructure sites, as well as cars and trucks were damaged

Medvedev declares Russia's drone supremacy over rest of world

It is because of the dramatic developments taking place in Russia amid the military conflict, the Russian security council deputy chairman said

Civil war provoked by Kiev authorities raging in Ukraine - Luhansk Region Council

Luhansk Regional Council stressed that “the authorities are provoking and organizing confrontation between people in the south-east of the country and using political repressions against dissidents"

Blocking extradition of Ukrainian to prove Kiev’s fault in Nord Stream sabotage — lawmaker

According to Steffen Kotre, the Ukrainian military "does not have carte blanche to sabotage German or European energy infrastructure"

Erez crossing not to be opened for deliveries to Gaza — Israeli PM’s office

Adviser Dmitri Gendelman emphasized that media reports on the matter are not true

Ozon sorting center comes under attack in Belgorod, several people injured

Employees were evacuated

At least two killed, 12 injured in Ukraine’s attack on Belgorod

A man and a 16-year old teenager were killed in the territory of an enterprise, acting governor of the Belgorod Region Alexander Shuvayev said

Putin begins long, busy trip — Kremlin spokesman

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit will be held in Bishkek on August 31 and September 1

Northern Fleet task force departs on long Arctic mission

The fleet will practice measures to ensure safety of Russian navigation via the Northern Sea Route, Captain 2nd Rank Alexander Zinovyev said

Woman dies in hospital after minibus runs over group of people in southern Siberia

Three children were seriously injured

Ukrainian interceptor drones powerless against new Russian jet-powered UAVs — newspaper

Welt TV correspondent Christoph Wanner stated that Ukraine "has not yet kept pace with the development of these technologies for its own interceptor drones," and "the problems are now evident"

Without additional $6.75 billion, Ukraine unable to pay its military

Maintaining combat operations at the current level will require around $20 billion

Opponents of EU accession talks are leading polls in Iceland — TV

In the referendum, 52.5% of voters, or more than 99,000 people, voted against resuming negotiations

IRGC says supertanker hits mines in Strait of Hormuz — agency

The vessel attempted to use an "illegal route" in the southern part of the Strait of Hormuz

US to impose sanctions on Iran every week — Treasury secretary

Scott Bessent added that banks cooperating with Iran will be the first target

Anthropologists to carry out genetic test of Grand Prince Dmitry Donskoy’s relics

Deputy Director General for Research at the Moscow Kremlin Museums Andrey Batalov said that the age of the person and the grand prince matched

Iran’s IRGC reports destroying US fighter jet deployment sites in Jordan — Tasnim

Earlier, it was reported that a series of explosions was heard on Jordan’s territory

Press review: CIA chief's Moscow visit raises questions as Russia warns UK of retaliation

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, August 28th

Gold futures drop below $4,450 per troy ounce first time since August 19

By 2:59 a.m. GMT, the decline slowed down, with gold trading at $4,472.4 per troy ounce

Russia to respond to hostile actions of its opponents, including asymmetrically — Lavrov

The foreign minister said that Russia favors constructive dialogue but, if necessary, will defend "national interests by all available means"