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Death toll from Madagascar cyclone rises to 11, more than 7,000 affected

The cyclone is expected to leave the island on Thursday evening

NAIROBI, March 28. /TASS/. The Gamane tropical cyclone has killed at least 11 people in Madagascar, with more than 7,000 people altogether affected, the AFP news agency reported, citing the National Office of Risk and Disaster Management.

Six people drowned and five died as a result of collapsing houses or falling trees. The day before, six people were reported dead and 2,600 injured. More than 1,200 huts were flooded. Many roads and bridges are also flooded or completely destroyed.

The cyclone is expected to leave the island on Thursday evening.

Madagascar experiences about 30-40 tropical cyclones annually during the rainy season from October to March. Such storms are often very destructive.

Death toll in Armenian bus accident rises to five

Nine people were injured, the country’s Interior Ministry said

Ukrainian forces fire 72 rounds of ammunition at DPR settlements over past 24 hours

During the day, the mission received reports about three injured civilians, four damaged houses and two civilian infrastructure facilities

Over 3,100 foreign mercenaries fight for Ukraine, most of them from US

The Russian Investigative Committee added that measures are underway to locate their whereabouts and bring them to criminal liability

Ukrainian forces trapped on outskirts of Berdychi near Avdeyevka, says DPR official

Igor Kimakovsky reported that the enemy "experiences problems with logistics and the supply of ammunition and essentials"

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Kremlin spokesman says Zelensky’s fate is sealed

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Economic figures turn out above projections in early 2024 — Putin

Russia’s GDP grew by 6% in January-February in annual terms, the Russian president stressed

Press review: Belarus' new national security strategy and Russia, US butt heads at UN

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, April 26th

Bill submitted to Russian legislature seeks more control over immigration

One of the bill's provisions would limit the stay of a foreigner to 90 days within one calendar year

UNRWA to dissolve only when Palestine becomes full-fledged state — agency chief

And if there is a political solution, agency can phase out, Philippe Lazzarini said

Court places Forbes reporter under house arrest for discrediting Russian armed forces

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Belarus detects 7 violations of its airspace from Ukraine so far this year

Belarusian State Border Committee Chairman Konstantin Molostov said Belarusian border guards continue to record "provocations on the border, which are caused by vehicles and armed persons crossing over Belarus' border"

UNRWA chief considers involving ICC in investigation into deaths of his staff in Gaza

It also could be the Board of Inquiry or the Commission of Inquiry, Philippe Lazzarini said

Third of Ukrainian troops surrender near Lisichansk, LPR’s envoy to Russia says

According to Rodion Miroshnik, the operation to liberate the LPR would be brought to an end as soon as the operation in Lisichansk was finished

Ukraine’s army chief reports deteriorating battlefield situation to Western allies

The Ramstein group meeting also discussed the state of the Ukrainian energy infrastructure, Alexander Syrsky said

Russian cutting-edge missile frigate holds artillery firings in Arctic drills

"The combat exercises were conducted in the Barents Sea waters closed for shipping," the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Serial production of missiles for S-500 air defense systems begins in Russia — source

State trials of S-500 are under way at a testing range in southern Russia

Russian government approves list of unfriendly countries

There are two countries on the list

Russian Interior Ministry puts Ukrainian lawmakers, TV anchors on wanted list

In addition, former Ukrainian Prosecutor General Vitaliy Yarema and businessman Seyar Kurshutov were included in the database

US airdropping humanitarian aid to Gaza not enough — UNRWA chief

According to Philippe Lazzarini, currently, no other agency can quickly and efficiently replace UNRWA

Repaired strategic bomber Tu-22M3 re-enters service with Russia’s Aerospace Force

The bombers will get advanced precision weapons while their radio-electronic devices and engines will be similar to the equipment aboard the latest Tu-160M2 aircraft

China to send two pandas to American zoo in ten-year loan program

It is a part of international cooperation on conservation of bamboo bears

Ukrainian troops fire at least 60 rounds at borderline Belgorod Region

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Russian troops wipe out military train with Western armaments in DPR over past day

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Reuters producer in custody over YouTube publications posted on NavalnyLIVE web platform

Konstantin Gabov is accused of committing a crime under Part 2 of Article 282.1 of the Russian Criminal Code (participation in an extremist community), the court’s press office said in statement

Death toll in Armenian bus accident rises to five

Nine people were injured, the country’s Interior Ministry said

Kiev requests over 800 Vector reconnaissance drones from Germany — media

According to Der Spiegel, last week the head of the German company Quantum-Systems GmbH, Florian Seibel, visited Ukraine together with German Vice Chancellor and Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Robert Habeck

Air defenses down three drones near oil depot in Kaluga Region — governor

There are no casualties and no destruction

VTB supervisory board recommends not to pay 2023 dividends

VTB Group received record net profit under International Financial Reporting Standards in the amount of $4.6 bln for 2023

Russian T-14 Armata tanks tested in Syria

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Musk concurs that civil war looming in West

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Network of international conspirators plotted Crocus terrorist attack — watchdog

Yury Chikhanchin pointed out that the perpetrators of the attack were provided with money, weapons, transportation and ammunition

Ukraine struggles to use GLSDB efficiently due to Russian jamming capabilities — report

When the GPS signal is suppressed by Russian electronic warfare equipment, the munitions can only rely on their inertial navigation system to calculate their impact location, and this causes them to miss the target

Shoigu talks about ties with NATO, attacks on Zaporozhye NPP as he attends SCO meeting

TASS has put together the highlights of Shoigu's speech

Azov units suffer heavy losses in fighting near Avdeyevka, DPR official says

Igor Kimakovsky specified that the number of Azov members killed in action was in the hundreds

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Armenians protesting against border delimitation with Azerbaijan disrupt concert

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Moscow court orders arrest of 12th suspect in Crocus City Hall terror attack

Dzhumakhon Kurbonov, a Tajik citizen, will remain in custody until May 22

Eight violations by US-led international coalition’s aircraft recorded in Syria

The Russian military police had conducted patrols in Raqqa and Al-Hasakah provinces, Major General Yury Popov, the deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria, said

Top security official advises West to keep door open for joint research work with Russia

Nikolay Patrushev cited recent research showing that a simulated eruption of the Yellowstone Caldera, which has shown increasing signs of active volcanic status over the years, and what consequences such a natural disaster could potentially leave in its wake

Germany lukewarm to China’s idea of international investigation into Nord Stream blasts

"The investigation is already being conducted by the German Public Prosecutor General’s Office," the German foreign ministry spokesman said

Erdogan’s May 9 visit to US postponed to more convenient date — Foreign Ministry

"The high-level dialogue between Turkey and the US will continue," the spokesman Oncu Keceli said

India confident Russia’s pivot to East profitable for both countries’ economies

"Russia is India’s long-standing and reliable partner," Secretary at the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade of the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry Rajesh Kumar Singh said

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Bank of Russia keeps key rate at 16% per annum again

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Alrosa is working in Angola since 1992

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UNRWA chief believes Israel preparing large-scale military operation in Rafah

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Russian border guards are in direct contact with foreign partners, Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said

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Istanbul accords could have stopped hostilities in Ukraine — German newspaper

The deal still looks advantageous even after two years of war, Welt am Sonntag said

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Military infrastructure in the area of Markaba in south Lebanon was attacked

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Ukrainian army says it will not ‘hide’ Abrams tanks, but keeps quiet about their location

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Hezbollah shells Israeli Air Force base, neighboring settlements

Al Mayadeen TV reported that at least 30 projectiles were fired at the facility from several rocket launchers

Russian cabinet extends obligatory sale of foreign currency revenue for one year

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World Badminton Federation extends indefinitely its ban against Russia

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Maria Zakharova stressed that "the level of nuclear risks have risen dramatically as a result of the West’s destructive policy, which is fraught with a direct military confrontation between nuclear powers"

Russia’s Tasoyev wins 2024 European Judo Championship in over-100kg weight category

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Refinery in southern Russia partially suspends operations after Ukrainian drone attack

Ten unmanned aerial vehicles flew directly into the plant, causing a big fire

Southern neighbors of US to regain stolen lands — Russian Security Council’s secretary

Nikolay Patrushev speculates that country may split into the North and the South again to get back to its original shape

One of 12 dismissed from UNRWA over October 7 massacre reinstated — agency chief

This person has been completely cleared, Philippe Lazzarin said

Bus carrying Iranians overturns in Armenia, killing three

Rescue work at the scene is ongoing

Russia provides UNRWA with platform to explain Gaza situation to BRICS — agency chief

Philippe Lazzarini explained that against the backdrop of the terrible crisis in Gaza, he wanted to warn the BRICS members of the consequences of banning UNRWA's activities in the conflict zone

Russia strikes major thermal power plant in western Ukraine — underground resistance

Five missiles hit Dnepropetrovsk while a strong blow with the subsequent detonation was registered in Krivoi Rog, the spokesman specified

Kremlin vows legal action against US bill on seizing Russian assets

Dmitry Peskov noted that the trial will be "very complex," but will cause severe damage to US economic interests if the US authorities finally approve the bill regarding Russian assets

Musk travels to China — Reuters

He had not advertised the trip in advance

Medicine for Bekhterev’s disease may cause medical tourism to Russia — Health Minister

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Russia proposes new rules for foreigners buying sim cards, requires biometric data

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US can send Ukraine Patriot air defense systems currently deployed in other regions

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan added that the his country had doubled artillery production in order to help Kiev

Portuguese government refuses to pay reparations for colonial past

The colonial empire at various times included Angola, Brazil, East Timor, Cape Verde and Mozambique, as well as some parts of India

No conditions for talks with Kiev at this time — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov stated that the position of Russian President Vladimir Putin "is well-known"

Russian GDP gain 5.4% in Q1 2024 — Economy Ministry

In March 2024, the Russian economy grow by 4.2% annually

Russia delivers 35 precision strikes on Ukrainian military sites over week — top brass

Russian troops liberated the communities of Novomikhailovka and Bogdanovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic and advanced deep into the enemy defense

Hamas publishes another video with hostages — newspaper

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Erdogan moves back from May 9 his trip to US — report

The report hasn’t been officially confirmed

West prepares puppet structures in case of coup in Belarus — KGB

Ivan Tertel said various methods were being considered, up to "instigating a forceful seizure by illegal armed groups" being trained in the West and Ukraine

US intel finds no proof of Russian leadership’s involvement in Navalny’s death — newspaper

"Some European intelligence agencies have been told of the US view," The Wall Street Journal added

Russia closely watches all NATO maneuvers — MFA

Maria Zakharova pointed out that the lion’s share of the alliance’s wargames is designed precisely as the unfolding scenarios of confrontation with Russia

Ukraine’s army leaves first defensive line in Berdychi near Avdeyevka, says DPR

The Ukrainian military has suffered heavy casualties among personnel and military hardware in that community, Igor Kimakovsky said

Kiev refused to sign Istanbul agreements under pressure from London, Kremlin says

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Russian stock indices rising on Saturday

The dollar edged up to 93.4 rubles, the euro - to 98.9 rubles

Regulators close US’ Republic First Bank — FDIC

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation signed an agreement with Fulton Bank to assume all of the closed bank’s deposits and on purchase of all its assets.

Russian mission to UN critisizes post of Lithuanian ambassador on Crimean Bridge

On Friday, Lithuanian Ambassador to Sweden Linas Linkevicius published the photo of the bridge, saying "If someone hasn't had a chance to take a photo at the Kerch bridge, it's still time

UNRWA Chief: Number of child lives lost in Gaza is staggering

Belgium’s rejection of exchange of assets in Russia to impede process — Kremlin

It was reported earlier that the Belgian side did not recognize the exchange of blocked assets

SpaceX launches Falcon 9 rocket with European Galileo satellite on board

According to the broadcast on the page of the company in the X social network, the launch took place at 00:34 a.m. GMT

Medvedev vows Moscow's response to US law on seizing Russia's frozen assets will sting

The Russian Security Council deputy chairman suggested enacting legislation to allow Russia to confiscate assets belonging to the citizens of unfriendly countries

Russia to grant asylum to Kyrgyz citizen convicted of participation in special military op

According to Interior Ministry Spokeswoman Irina Volk, the young man lived in Russia even before the start of the special military operation and worked in the film industry

Settlement proposal on Gaza to Hamas provides for release of 20-40 hostages — TV

A source told the news outlet that the agreement will be most likely reached in the next couple of days

More children killed in Gaza over 6 months than in all world conflicts in 4 years — UNRWA

Philippe Lazzarini pointed out that it is very difficult to get precise figures under war situation

China, US free to have their own friends, partners — President Xi

Beijing sticks to the principle of non-alignment with any blocs, the Chinese leader said and called on Washington "to refrain from teaming up in small groups"

Polish general expects Russia to continue wiping out Abrams tanks in Ukraine

Waldemar Skrzypczak underlined that "no tank is invincible"