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Stampede in India kills 60 people

Doctors and police are working at the scene

NEW DELHI, July 2. /TASS/. The death toll in a stampede at a religious event in the town of Hathras in the central Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has risen to 60 people, local police spokesman Manish Chikara told reporters.

Earlier, 27 people were reported dead and 15 injured.

"The number of casualties stands at 60. This figure might grow," Chikara said.

Doctors and police are working at the scene. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered an inquiry into the tragedy.

US defense weapons plant rocked by explosion, casualties reported — AP

According to the news agency, the plant manufactures 105mm to 155mm artillery shells

Ukraine’s military admits retreat in Chasov Yar in DPR

DPR defense circles told TASS on July 3 that Ukrainian troops had abandoned their positions in the east of Chasov Yar and were trying to reinforce defenses in the town’s western part. Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on July 3 that Russian troops had fully liberated the Novy neighborhood in Chasov Yar

FSB declassifies document shedding light on SS atrocities in 1941 Ukraine

Isenmann testified during his interrogation that his platoon, part of the Wiking Division, arrived in Lvov immediately after the Germans occupied it - at the end of June and the beginning of July 1941

Russia-China relations entering golden age — Putin

The Russian president stressed that the bilateral ties "are being built on the principles of equality, mutual benefit and respect for each other’s sovereignty"

Russia developing new Kh-95 long-range hypersonic missile

Colonel-General Vladimir Zarudnitsky noted that such advanced and upgraded armaments were being developed to achieve supremacy in the aerospace, which is a vital condition for ground and naval groupings of forces to conduct combat operations successfully

Russia vows response to NATO's military buildup near its borders — Foreign Ministry

Russia is taking all necessary action, including military-technical, to counter aggressive decisions by Finland and its NATO allies, Andrey Nastasyin said

Russia, China, Mongolia reaffirm their interest in integration of economic projects

"Our trio is among key cooperation instruments on the Eurasian continent," the Russian Foreign Ministry Sergey Lavrov said

All Ukrainians who covered up Nord Stream sabotage identified, politician says

According to Andrey Derkach, members of the group led by Roman Chervinsky acted under instructions from Christopher Smith, "the No.2 at the US Embassy in Ukraine at that time and a well-known" CIA agent

'Rotten and lost': Russian diplomat says about OSCE

No European security system "has ever materialized in Europe," Maria Zakharova emphasized

Family of three injured in drone attack in borderline Belgorod Region

As a result of a drone munition dropped onto a private homestead a family of three - a married couple and their 16-year-old son - were injured

SCO nations see establishment of missile defense systems as global security threat

The SCO countries also emphasized that they saw attempts by some countries to ensure their security at the expense of the security of others as unacceptable

Tokyo refrains from commenting on meeting of Russian, Chinese leaders

At the same time, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi emphasized that Japan will keep an eye on how the Russian-Chinese relations develop

Israel, Hamas close to signing ceasefire deal — CNN

Hamas’ latest response will enable the two parties to enter "detailed negotiations" to reach an agreement, an Israeli source was quoted

Belarusian defense chief sounds nuclear alarm amid West’s continued 'aggressive' policy

It is noted that "the current military and political situation in the Eastern European region can be described as a crisis, with all the preconditions for switching to conflict mode"

Akkuyu nuclear plant construction on track — Rosatom

According to CEO Alexey Likhachev, the third countries are limiting supplies, worsen mutual payments and disrupt logistics

Biden to drop out of election race, to be replaced by Harris, Trump thinks

The US presidential candidate said that it will be easier to compete against Harris whom he considers "pathetic"

Multipolar world becomes reality, Putin says

The Russian president noted that "an increasing number of countries are calling for a fairer world order and express determination to defend their legitimate rights and traditional values; new centers of power and economic development are emerging and growing stronger"

Press review: Kiev puts out negotiation feelers and Moscow to put OSCE membership on ice

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, July 2nd

Putin sits down with Mongolian leader to open string of bilateral meetings in Astana

The Russian leader is scheduled to hold talks with the heads of at least six countries, namely Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, Turkey and Pakistan

Federation Council unanimously votes to suspend Russia’s participation in OSCE PA

"During the suspension period, any actions to amend the rules of procedure of the assembly with the aim of prejudicing the Russian delegation will be considered legally null and void," the document states

Severe thunderstorm hits Moscow, some of its satellite cities

Torrential rains, strong winds and bolts of lightning were reported

Combating terrorism, national currencies: key takeaways from Putin’s SCO comments

Russia attaches great importance to cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which "continues to develop progressively on the principles of equal rights, consideration of each other's interests"

Russian forces destroy another US-made Abrams tank in Ukraine

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, it was destroyed in the Avdeyevka area with the use of a Msta-S self-propelled gun

US Treasury adds secondary restriction risks wording to sanction lists for Russia

The executive order was signed by US President Joe Biden on April 15, 2021

Zelensky rejects idea of ceasefire

According to the Ukrainian president, a ceasefire would only freeze the conflict, not end it, so there needs to be a clear plan about what comes next

Explosions rock Kiev-controlled city of Kherson

Earlier, air raid sirens went off in the Kiev-controlled part of the Kherson Region

EU imposes duties of up to 37.6% on electric vehicles from China — European Commission

The EC stressed that these duties were introduced based on the results of an investigation into combating "unfair subsidization," which lasted nine months

Date of Putin’s visit to Turkey yet to be agreed via diplomatic channels — Kremlin

Vladimir Putin and Tayyip Erdogan met on Wednesday on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Astana

Russian diplomat blasts Kiev’s reaction to Orban’s peace initiative as smokescreen

After his talks in Kiev on Tuesday, Viktor Orban proposed that Ukraine consider a ceasefire as a step toward starting talks with Russia to settle the armed conflict at a press briefing

Top Russian diplomat discusses coordination in global affairs with Belarusian counterpart

Lavrov congratulated Ryzhenkov on his appointemnet

US and its satellites’ unceremonious policy provoked crisis in Ukraine — Putin

"We have repeatedly put on the negotiations table our concrete proposals regarding this issue," the Russian president noted

Russian troops destroy first Tunguska anti-aircraft missile system in Ukraine operation

Russia’s Southern Battlegroup inflicted roughly 450 casualties on the Ukrainian army and destroyed two enemy tanks in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Conflict in Ukraine could be stopped if strong foundation for peace is created — Erdogan

According to the statement, the Turkish leader affirmed Ankara's intention to "continue to strive for peace"

US experts brief UN journalists about their visit to Donbass

The briefing was organized by Russia’s permanent mission to the United Nations

Russian defense ministry reports losses among Russian troops during special operation

Konashenkov also said that several Russian soldiers have been taken prisoner

Russia ready to start producing short-range, medium-range missiles — Putin

Moscow can give a mirror-like response in case US short-and medium-range missiles are placed in any region of the world, the Russian leader noted

US tries to influence situation in Haiti with arms trafficking — Russian diplomat

According to the Russian Embassy in Venezuela and Haiti, gangs now control up to 90% of the capital city

Senior Russian diplomat discusses escalation in Red Sea with Houthi delegation

The sides exchanged views on the problems of comprehensive settlement of the nine-year-long military-political crisis in Yemen, the Russian Foreign Ministry added

Russian ambassador says latest US aid package to Ukraine will only increase civilian toll

According to Anatoly Antonov, the US wants to show its unwavering commitment to defending the unraveling world order based on American rules in the run up to a NATO summit in Washington

Ukraine deploys more troops to Karlovka in DPR to hold defenses — security official

It is reported that Ukraine has sustained heavy losses in terms of personnel and equipment as Karlovka is under fire control from several directions

Putin to participate in Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Astana

Twenty-four documents are to be adopted at the summit

Iskander missiles destroy Ukrainian MiG-29 at Dolgintsevo air base — defense ministry

Ballistic missile delivered at the base in the Dnepropetrovsk region

Chinese leader urges SCO member states to jointly counter external interference

The region’s peaceful development is in the hands of the SCO member states, Xi Jinping stressed

Press review: Orban heads to Kiev to make bid for peace and what's behind Turkey protests

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, July 3rd

Scholz vows Germany will never be party to Ukraine conflict

Germany is Ukraine’s second largest military equipment donor after the United States

Pink Floyd founder Waters confesses now he has more respect for Putin — Daily Telegraph

Security of member states remains central to SCO’s mission — Putin

The Russian president emphasized that a special cooperation program approved at the Astana summit would facilitate the fight against separatism and extremism in the SCO countries

Two Russian Northern Fleet warships call at Venezuelan port

During the port call, the crews of the Russian ships will be given an opportunity to rest after the long-distance voyage and see local sights

US defense weapons plant rocked by explosion, casualties reported — AP

According to the news agency, the plant manufactures 105mm to 155mm artillery shells

Russia, China exploring possibility of Chinese firms to participate in Vostok Oil project

Vostok Oil is the flagship project of Russia’s Rosneft, comprising 52 license areas in Arctic Russia with thirteen oil and gas fields therein

SCO member states reach agreement to reform organization, chief says

Zhang Ming expressed his confidence that "the joint efforts of the member states will result in a promising and constructive plan for the modernization and reform of the SCO"

Armenia ready for strategic partnership with US — PM

According to Nikol Pashinyan, "Armenia greatly values the role of the United States in the peace-building process in our region and deeply appreciates the US support for the sovereignty, independence, democracy, territorial integrity and inviolability of the borders of the Republic of Armenia in accordance with the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration"

One of biggest Democratic donors says Biden should step aside

US President have to to allow a vigorous Democratic leader to beat Donald Trump at the elections, Reed Hastings said

List of countries interested in cooperation with BRICS constantly growing — MFA

Sergey Ryabkov pointed out that one of the key priorities of Russia's BRICS chairmanship in terms of the association's expansion is to ensure "the smooth integration of new participants into the existing cooperation system"

US analyst says Biden, Trump misinformed about situation in Ukraine

Both politicians appear to be incompetent about some important issues, according to the professor of political science at the University of Rhode Island Nicolai Petro

US ready to cooperate with SCO on conflict resolution, prevention — secretary-general

The global organization's chief said both the UN and the SCO are committed to peace, dialogue and problem solving

Russian commander predicts Ukraine conflict will end this fall

According to Apty Alaudinov, officials in Kiev have figured out that the war is nearing an end

Foreign ministers of Russia, China and Mongolia discuss economic corridor

The SCO summit is being held in the capital of Kazakhstan on July 3-4

Ukraine needs some 200,000 recruits to address troop shortages — newspaper

In order to address its troop shortage, Kiev reportedly needs to recruit at least 50,000 people every quarter

Russian sniper reports elimination of Ukrainian serviceman wearing helmet with SS emblem

He specified that his group took the helmet as proof of the elimination

Kiev did not wait for 'permission' to strike Crimea, yet US involvement obvious — MP

"It is telling that no one has needed such 'authorizations' for some time now," Vladimir Konstantinov said

Russian exports to US climb to $438.7 mln in May

Export of US goods to Russia rose from $33.9 mln in April to $48 mln this May, according to the report

IAEA condemns drone attacks on Raduga substation of Zaporozhye NPP

The agency did not indicate who was behind the strikes

Dozens of experts urge NATO not to admit Ukraine — Politico

Kiev’s membership may trigger NATO’s Article 5, they said

Ukraine turns down Hungarian PM’s ceasefire proposal

According to the statement, Ukraine’s position is that the crisis settlement could be reached through the Kiev-initiated peace summits

Drone attack on ZNPP on July 3 undermines several pillars of nuclear security — Grossi

On July 3, the Kiev regime carried out a drone attack on the Raduga substation injuring nine people

Press review: Putin takes meetings with world leaders and Biden donors run for the hills

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, July 4th

Tankman who hijacked Ukrainian tank gets Russian citizenship

Maxim Likhachev described it as a "long-awaited document"

Israel declares 1,270 hectares in West Bank 'state lands' — human rights activists

"The declaration of state land is one of the main methods by which the State of Israel seeks to assert control over land in the occupied territories," the human rights organization Shalom Achshav said

Authorities detain four suspects in downtown Moscow kidnapping

According to the investigation, on June 28, the suspects, being near a residential building on Sadovaya-Triumfalnaya Street, attacked an Italian citizen, who also has Russian citizenship, using a gun

Pentagon's words about strikes on Crimea 'free pass' for Kiev — Russian diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov Pentagon's "responsibility has now degenerated into this agency pushing the political leadership of its country towards taking actions that are difficult to predict in terms of what may follow"

Tucker Carlson announces interview with Zelensky

The exact date when the interview will be published was not disclosed

Ukraine fears harsh debt restructuring terms from West

Alexey Kushch noted that back in 2022 he cautioned that Kiev was losing a "historic window of opportunity" in order to cast off the "debt noose"

US surveillance drones can be stopped by MiG-31 jets, air defense systems — analyst

Igor Korotchenko said the most effective way to fight such targets is to use long-range surface-to-air missile systems, such as the S-400 or S-300V, which are armed with long-range SAMs, as well as use air-to-air missiles carried by MiG-31s

Russia, Turkey actively working on crucial areas of international policy — Putin

The Russian leader noted that Russia and Turkey work both within international organizations and associations

Putin accepts invitation to visit Kazakhstan in November

According to the Russian leader, "it is most rational to do it in connection with the summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization"

General election kicks off in United Kingdom

According to a YouGov poll published one day before the vote, the Labor Party led by 61-year-old Keir Starmer, which has held a minority since 2010, may secure its biggest victory in almost 200 years

Russian official highlights growing threat coming from Ukraine's jet-powered drones

According to Andrey Tabekin, experts are currently working on ways to jam such drones

New cooperation architecture in Eurasia to replace Euro-Atlantic models — Putin

Everyone knows very well what such a world order has led to, the Russian leader noted

Former US President Trump can 'hardly' resolve Ukrainian conflict within 24 hours

Russian Ambassador to London Andrey Kelin noted that Russia was "not going to stop with its offensive actions" even if negotiations on the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine were launched

Belarus officially joins SCO as 10th member

In this regard, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated his Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko

India seeks to join planetary mission ahead of Apophis asteroid passing close to Earth

The Indian space agency eyes an opportunity of studying the object when it is 32,000 km away from Earth in 2029

Transformation of Russian economy is marathon with barriers — Central Bank chief

"We therefore need to estimate forces and understand how we work with constraints," Elvira Nabiullina added

Moscow weather sets records for second consecutive day — meteorologist

Another record is expected on July 4, with up to 34 degrees Centigrade forecasted

Ukrainian lawmaker says first F-16 jets to arrive in Ukraine as early as July

The politician clarified that Kiev plans to deploy them only in short-range operations

Russia’s plan on Ukraine could immediately end hostilities, Putin reiterates

The Russian leader also thanked SCO member countries for their efforts in pursuit of the same goal

Ukrainian military bringing reserves to Kharkov area amid heavy losses — expert

According to Vitaly Kiselyov, the Ukrainian military will be amassing forces and capabilities at its alternate positions in the Kharkov frontline area

Russian GDP gaining 4.5% annually in May — Economy Ministry

The national GDP surged by 5% in annual terms over January-May 2024

Erdogan not a possible mediator in Ukraine talks — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov confirmed that at today’s meeting, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Vladimir Putin touched upon the conflict in Ukraine

Russia, China to approve contract on gas supplies via Power of Siberia-2 shortly — Novak

Power of Siberia-2 is a planned gas pipeline that will go through the territory of Western Siberia to China

UK to vote in parliamentary elections, expected to end to Conservative rule

The majority will have the right to form the new government

NATO fails to strike deal on multi-year financial pledge to support Ukraine — DPA

NATO members could not agree on what share each country would contribute to an aid package worth about 40 billion euros

Retired Ukrainian general says Zelensky could pin his failures on Syrsky, fire him

Sergey Krivonos also said the political leadership failed to pivot the economy on a war footing to provide the military with munitions, drones, fuel, and to recruit and equip brigades

Putin takes part in SCO summit in Astana

The participants will recap the organization’s work in 2023-2024

Putin insists Ukraine rejected peace talks on US instructions

"It was Ukraine that rejected negotiations, and it did so publicly and on direct instructions" from London and Washington, the Russian leader stressed

Use of power methods rising in global politics — SCO declaration

The document starts from stating that "tectonic shifts are underway" in global politics, economy and other areas now

Hezbollah claims Israeli division headquarters in Golan Heights destroyed

According to the statement, this operation was carried out in response to the assassination of Hezbollah military commander Mohammed Naame Nasser by an Israeli drone

Hamas leader holds talks with representatives of Egypt, Qatar and Turkey

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s Mossad intelligence service said they had received a response from Hamas regarding a hostage deal

Russian forces overwhelming Ukrainians in northern Volchansk, military leader says

"And, certainly, we are pushing forward every day while squeezing the enemy out of all their positions," Major General Apty Alaudinov stressed

Russia strikes Ukrainian military-industrial sites, oil refinery over past day — top brass

Russia’s Dnepr Battlegroup inflicted roughly 140 casualties on the Ukrainian army in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported

Loss of five Su-27s unaffordable for Ukrainian forces — Forbes

According to the business magazine, the attack may have inflicted one of the costliest losses on the Ukrainians since Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine