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Natural Disasters

USGS estimates potential losses from quake in Venezuela at from 2 to 20% of GDP

The US authority also warned about probable high casualties and widespread damage

© AP Photo/ Ariana Cubillos

WASHINGTON, June 25. /TASS/. Potential damage from Wednesday’s powerful earthquake in Venezuela may range from 2 to 20% of the country’s GDP, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

It also warned about probable high casualties and widespread damage.

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Natural disasters Venezuela

Natural Disasters

Powerful earthquake rocks Venezuela

A tsunami warning was issued

About $500 mln in unfrozen Iranian assets to be allocated to US goods purchases — TV

US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said earlier that the initial money would likely be released from Qatar, with Treasury officials in Doha overseeing how the funds are allocated

NATO unity not worth much in real war situations — Medvedev

The Russian Security Council deputy chairman said that the aftermath of the strikes on Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz showed how quickly Washington's allies can turn their back on you

Catastrophic consequences for West, Lavrov-Rubio contacts: senior diplomat’s statements

Sergey Ryabkov emphasized that Russia would not back down from its position that all agreements reached in Anchorage should be implemented

Trump believes Iran to be ‘on ropes,’ willing to give in to US in all areas

According to the US leader, by adopting War Powers Act the US Senate "has provided aid and comfort the enemy"

Trump says school in Iran’s Minab was not attacked by US forces

The US president added that "there were a lot of missiles being fired at that time"

Switzerland beats Canada, with both reaching FIFA World Cup knockout stage

Switzerland defeated Canada 2-1

European allies let US down during Iran conflict, Trump says

The US president added that a proposal of assistance would have been welcome

Russian marathon runner Chekalina sets new world record in Backyard Ultra event

Vera Chekalina managed to run 96 laps covering a total distance of 643.7 kilometers in four days

Parallel imports to Russia amount to $8.7 billion in January-May 2026

The figure reached about $2.3 billion in May 2026

Eurasian Economic Union heads of state sign 20 documents

The Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan will be the biggest association with a consumer market of more than 170 million people

Medvedev says Russia, Global South see eye to eye on many issues

According to the Russin politician, cooperation with Global South countries is based on a shared understanding of historical injustice and the current structure of international relations

Resolving Ukrainian conflict through diplomacy remains possible — Lavrov

According to the foreign minister, this requires specific legally binding security guarantees based on the principle of indivisibility of security, including ensuring Russia's security on its western borders

Russia, Laos agree on cooperation to ensure biological security

The sides confirmed that the countries share a unified approach to biological security issues

USGS estimates potential losses from quake in Venezuela at from 2 to 20% of GDP

The US authority also warned about probable high casualties and widespread damage

Bees on planet dying out for unknown reasons — scientist

Dmitry Boguslavsky says scientists thought that bees became disoriented after leaving the hive. However, even if a colony was confined to the hive with food, water, and the right temperature, all bees still died

Moldova, Armenia now facing same scenario as Ukraine once adopted — Medvedev

The Russian Security Council deputy chairman noted that after the collapse of the Soviet Union, NATO used puppet regimes as a battering ram against Russia

Over 70 ships pass through Strait of Hormuz in past day — US energy secretary

On June 22, Chris Wright stated that oil and gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz had recovered to the pre-crisis level

United Nations, UN Security Council now devaluing — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, it is even more evident that the entire system of international relations is depreciating

Powerful earthquake rocks Venezuela

A tsunami warning was issued

Western military bases provide no protection to states — Medvedev

The Russian Security Council deputy chairman added that "in case of danger, personnel of such military bases cares only about hasty evacuation with all their belongings"

Opta supercomputer now picks Argentina to win World Cup

According to the provided figures the possibility of Argentina winning is estimated at 15.46% while France is 2nd at 15.06% and Spain is third - 12.48%

Trump says values Russia, China, Turkey’s non-interference into war against Iran

The US president called the decision "pretty amazing"

UK, Italy, Poland, France, Germany agree to strengthen defense cooperation

The leaders of the UK, Germany, Italy, Poland, and France reaffirmed their commitment to "a stronger European role within NATO"

Russia’s new anti-tank gun evokes customers’ interest in Southeast Asia

This is a unique weapon that has no analogs in the world, Russian state arms seller Rosoboronexport's CEO said

Lavrov would like to see Russia out of 'half-dead' OSCE, but it's up to Putin to decide

The Russian foreign minister explained that Moscow would not feel "any discomfort" leaving the organization on its own

Putin inspects new Russian aviation equipment in Zhukovsky

The head of state will hold a meeting on aviation development

Kremlin highlights weakened global institutions, nuclear deterrence as core of security

New non-nuclear weapons that are potentially comparable in destructive capacity to nuclear arms will soon appear in the world, Dmitry Peskov warned

US seeks $672 million for removal of Iranian uranium, nuclear inspections — TV

According to sources cited by Fox News, the amount is part of a broader $80 billion supplemental funding request

Russia to ship first Ansat helicopters to China this year

The contract for the supply of 20 Ansat helicopters was signed in November 2018

Air defense forces shoot down drone flying towards Moscow

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said 20 drones had been eliminated since the beginning of the day

Board of Peace to meet in Cyprus from June 30 to July 1 — portal

According to an In-Cyprus diplomatic source, the country is neither the organizer nor co-organizer of the event

Al Hadath reporter killed in car blast in Yemen — TV

The incident took place in the city of Al Mukalla

Rubio believes that Iran should let IAEA inspectors in 'as soon as possible'

The US Secretary of State urged the Iranian government to immediately grant IAEA inspectors the right to enter the country

Trump says Iran making 'very big concessions' to US

The US leader made brief comments to reporters at the Capitol

Hungary once again holds up Ukraine's EU accession process — Politico

Hungary opposed sending a letter to the European Council and Commission on behalf of the bloc's 27 members that spells out the joint position of EU capitals

West tries to destroy systemic integrity of international law — Medvedev

The politician noted that the peoples of the world were moving towards equality and independence "at the cost of enormous efforts through blood and tragedy"

US disappointed with UK, Spain, Italy, France, Germany as NATO allies — Trump

The US president also criticized Spanish authorities as they "don't want to pay anything"

Power outage reported in Sevastopol as Russia downs 323 Ukrainian drones overnight

Two civilians were killed each in a Ukrainian drone attack on Gorlovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic and on the Nizhny Novgorod Region

Postponement of State Duma elections not under discussion — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov said that preparations for the elections are in progress

US tests new aircraft for nuclear weapons trials — media

Fox News noted that NNSA specialists used artificial intelligence and 3D-printing technologies in the aircraft's development

IN BRIEF: Russian aircraft surpass foreign peers — Putin

According to the Russian leader, the new airplanes, MC-21, SSJ-100 and Il-114 "have a very good level

UK, Italy, Poland, France, Germany welcome US-Iran memorandum

They also reiterated the position that Iran must not possess nuclear weapons and once again voiced support for unconditional and unrestricted freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz

Fico states intention to do everything to keep Slovakia out of military loans for Ukraine

Bratislava is ready to provide humanitarian assistance to Kiev, the prime minister added

Kiev regime depends on war continuing for survival — Medvedev

According to him, the Ukrainian problem is connected not only with external governance but also to how the will of the people in Ukraine is shaped, as well as who exactly is doing the shaping

Lebanon, Israel, US discussing boundaries of ‘pilot zones’ in southern Lebanon

The project of the zones was proposed by the US during the fourth round of talks in Washington on June 2 and 3

Russian interceptor FPV drones destroy Ukrainian heavy-payload UAVs in ramming attack

The Ukrainian R-18 UAVs were uncovered by radar teams within the Battlegroup West area of responsibility

UK, Italy, Poland, France, Germany announce intention to bring Ukraine closer to NATO

According to a joint statement, the E5 leaders "reiterate their commitment to deepening NATO’s partnership with Ukraine"

Armenia at crossroads and threats against Belarus: Kremlin's statements

Dmitry Peskov noted that Russia, as an ally of Belarus, would always stand by this country in resolving economic issues and repelling various threats

Russia attaches great importance to improving relations with India — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that the two countries were working to expand trade and economic relations

US seeks to buy European section of Nord Streams, resell Russian gas to EU — Lavrov

The Russian Foreign Minister believes that it will be at a substantial markup

Peskov points to trend toward declining role of dollar as global reserve currency

The Kremlin spokesman noted that the foundations of the international economic order are being depreciated

West not not crazy enough to poke Russia into using nukes — Medvedev

The Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman expressed confidence that every Western politician understood the consequences a nuclear conflict could entail

Russia warns Japan of countermeasures over military drills — MFA

The Japanese side "was told that provocative military activity next to the Far Eastern borders of our country, conducted also in cooperation with extra-regional countries - NATO members - is categorically inadmissible"

Russian stock market closed in the red

The MOEX Russia Index lost 3.96%, the RTS Index dropped by 4.16%

Trump says Iran agreeing to all US demands

The US president says Tehran has to do it "otherwise we just go back and do what we have to do"

Liberation of Ivolzhanskoye in Sumy Region expands security zone along Russian border

Russia’s Defense Ministry reported earlier on June 24 that its Battlegroup North units "gained control of the settlement of Ivolzhanskoye"

UN chief’s report overlooks near-daily Ukrainian attacks on Russian children — mission

According to Moscow’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Maria Zabolotskaya, Antonio Guterres "has attributed to Ukraine only nine incidents in which children suffered severe casualties and three children were killed"

Investigation launched into von der Leyen over secret chat with Zelensky — newspaper

European Ombudsman Teresa Anjinho is examining whether the EC violated transparency rules by refusing to grant the Dutch organization Follow the Money access to the correspondence

Medvedev calls for lawfully curbing Western military bases in other countries

The Russian politician noted that these deployments had become a significant factor undermining the collective security system and eroding the sovereignty of states

US carries out successful test of Golden Dome missile system — top defense official

According to Pete Hegseth, during the test, "cutting edge directed energy was harnessed and the Dynamic Defense Autonomous Defeat system flawlessly and autonomously cued, targeted, and eliminated a multitude of incoming threats"

Thailand interested in buying Russian energy resources — expert

Executive Director of the Russian-Thai Business Council Vladimir Kovalyov says Russia is the largest and most reliable supplier of energy resources to third countries

Russian diplomat blames Europe for complicity in Ukrainian attacks on Russian children

UN Deputy Permanent Representative Maria Zabolotskaya noted that Germany's defense corporation Hensoldt "openly announced cooperation with Ukrainian manufacturers"

Medvedev outlines options for regime change in Kiev

The Russian Security Council deputy chairman emphasized that legitimate government institutions were crucial

Russia to partake in electricity projects in Pakistan, says energy minister

The proposals to be separately discussed at a different level

Russia’s top female racquet Andreeva fails starting 2026 WTA Bad Homburg Open

The 2nd-seeded Mirra Andreeva lost in straight sets to unseeded Yekaterina Alexandrova

Ukraine’s, collective West actions may exhaust all patience — politician

Viktor Medvedchuk said that a lot of Western politicians and Vladimir Zelensky are doing everything they can to bring a nuclear apocalypse closer to reality

'Signs of shift' in US position on Anchorage, dialogue on Ukraine: Ryabkov’s statements

According to the Russian diplomat, Moscow remains committed to the understandings reached between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump in Alaska

Russia shoots down 245 Ukrainian drones over day

In particular, UAVs were intercepted over Belgorod, Bryansk, Kaluga, Kursk, Nizhny Novgorod, Oryol, Orenburg, Rostov, Ryazan, Tula, Smolensk, Moscow and Krasnodar Regions

Ukrainian army loses first BRAWLR anti-aircraft missile system in special op zone

Russian servicemen of the Battlegroup North destroyed the system

US LNG exports remain high in April, with Egypt leading way

LNG exports were 6% lower than in March and 20% higher than in April 2025

IN BRIEF: Lavrov's remarks on contacts with EU and faith in diplomacy

According to the Russian foreign minister, the Ukrainian conflict can still be resolved through political and diplomatic means

Australian researchers date Earth’s oldest known asteroid impact

The findings helped identify the exact age of the impact structure

Perpetrators of attack on bus carrying kids identified, wanted — Investigative Committee

The perpetrators will be arrested in absentia soon

Former Polish PM acknowledges Kiev's extermination of Donbass residents after 2014 coup

Leszek Miller noted that it is difficult to say today how many people actually died on the Ukrainian and Russian sides

Federation Council expects observers from almost 150 countries at Duma elections

The main criteria are independence, objectivity, recognition of the country's sovereignty and the primacy of the norms of national electoral law, Senator Sergey Perminov said

Only legitimate authority in Ukraine is its parliament — Medvedev

According to Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, there is no one on the Ukrainian side to negotiate with

Some European elites hope for Russia’s defeat, collapse — Medvedev

According to Dmitry Medvedev, the belligerent rhetoric from officials in Brussels, Paris, Berlin, and London stems from this very desire

Escalation on Ukrainian-Belarusian border and Armenia's choice: CSTO statements

Chairman of the CSTO's Permanent Council Viktor Vasilyev stressed that Armenia's membership in the CSTO would be thoroughly discussed

Ukrainian POW demands 'just punishment' for Ukraine army commanders, Zelensky

According to Sergey Rykov, the policy course being pursued by the Ukrainian leadership is pushing the country’s population to the brink of extinction

No use talking to ‘vassal’ Ukraine, racism, Western piracy: Medvedev comments

According to the Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, Western elites retain the ideas of racial and national superiority

Bank of Russia set dollar rate at 74.77 rubles for June 25

The official yuan rate was set at 10.97 rubles

Moscow establishes BARS volunteer formation

BARS-Moscow volunteers practice the full cycle of field operations under near-combat conditions

Victory in The Hague secures Russia's rights to waters around Crimea — MFA

Director of the Legal Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maxim Musikhin highlighted that all unfounded demands had been rejected in international arbitration

Russian Guardsmen destroy two Ukrainian army’s relay stations in Kharkov area

According to the report, the enemy used the devices to extend the flight zone of strike FPV drones and provide communications between units

Qatar loses chance to reach FIFA World Cup knockout stage

The team was defeated by Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-3

West provided Ukraine with $66 bln since launch of Russian asset income scheme

The stated amount of $66 bln does not include deliveries of military equipment, weapons and supplies

US wants Lebanon to 'secure' its territory — Rubio

The US Secretary of State commented on Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz's statement that the Jewish state does not intend to withdraw its troops from South Lebanon, even if the United States demands it to

Merz says ‘time will come to enter peace negotiations’ on conflict in Ukraine

According to the German Chancellor, EU support for Ukraine will not weaken

Russian troops liberate Ivolzhanskoye community in Sumy Region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted more than 215 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed a US-made surface-to-air missile system in its areas of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Russian forces penetrate 15 km into Ukraine’s defenses in Sumy Region — expert

Andrey Marochko explained that this became possible after taking control of the settlement of Ivolzhanskoye

Kiev’s terrorist attacks cannot change situation at frontline — Putin

The Russian forces are liberating one settlement after another, the Russian president said

West is attempting to challenge Russia's rights to its Arctic territories — MFA

The Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized that the issue of indigenous peoples' rights is being overly politicized by Western countries

Russian artillery wipes out Ukrainian UAV control posts in Kharkov Region

The Russian Defense Ministry reported that Giatsint-S crews delivered strikes by 152mm high-explosive fragmentation shells from sheltered positions

Russia upgrades T-90 tank using troop feedback from battlefield — Rostec

The knowledge of fighters is useful for modernizing hardware and creating new models, Rostec Deputy CEO Nikolay Volobuyev said

Russia, Thailand to move to using national currencies in trade — expert

Executive Director of the Russian-Thai Business Council Vladimir Kovalyov says the countries have already established the necessary mechanisms

Press review: EU may freeze Brexit talks and Kiev to step up pressure on Russian companies

Top stories in the Russian press on Tuesday, March 28

Russia not to stop on front line to start talks on Ukraine — Lavrov

The Russian top diplomat recalled that Moscow had already did that when the sides had reached the agreement in Istanbul

Putin signs law bringing Russia’s anti-doping legislation in compliance with WADA Code

All-Russia national as well as regional sports federations in addition to professional sports leagues will be required to comply with anti-doping rules

Russia warns about countermeasures in event of Baltic region's development by NATO

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said a recent statement by the Nuclear Planning Group was "a reflection of the alliance’s overall super-aggressive attitude toward Russia"

Press review: Israel-Lebanon talks reveal rift and US reassures Gulf as Iran reshapes ties

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, June 24th