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Three killed as helicopter crashes in Los Angeles

Another person was injured

NEW YORK, September 16. /TASS/. At least three people were killed and another person was injured in a helicopter crash in Los Angeles, California, CBS News reported.

The helicopter reportedly belonged to a local media outlet. The cause of the crash is not yet known.

The helicopter crashed near the scene of a major traffic accident.

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Explosions heard in Iranian city of Qeshm — agency

According to sources cited by IRNA, the sounds came from the sea

Unlike Ukraine, Russian army not targeting civilians in its attacks, diplomat says

Maria Zakharova's comment came in response to a question from media regarding allegations in the Western press about a recent "deliberate" Russian strike on a passenger train carrying former and current Western officials

Only 15% of Russia's trade done in dollars, euros — Kremlin official

Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Russian Presidential Executive Office, noted that sanctions pressure enabled a faster transition to a 'new track'

NATO intelligence services find evidence linking Kiev to Leipzig incident — Russian SVR

The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service noted that "many in the West are merely pretending to believe the German leadership"

Explosions heard in Iranian city of Qeshm — agency

According to sources cited by IRNA, the sounds came from the sea

UN secretary-general candidate proposes creating special body on AI

According to Olara Otunnu's assessment, the world is simultaneously on the threshold of a potential "golden age" and a period of serious upheaval, during which "drones and artificial intelligence might evolve to dominate the human race"

West’s interference with freedom of navigation causes concern — Lavrov

"European states have detained 12 vessels since January this year based on made-up categories unknown to international law, such as the so-called 'shadow fleet' and others," the Russian foreign minister said

Iran-backed Houthis’ actions go beyond domestic conflict — Yemen’s PM

Shaya Mohsen al-Zindani says Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia "cannot be separated from the military escalation" on Yemen’s Red Sea coast

US Navy escorts oil tankers through Strait of Hormuz at night, energy secretary says

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that the United States had taken away Iran's leverage in negotiations by preventing it from holding shipping hostage like it wanted

War between US, Iran to enter 'different phase' in coming months — Vance

According to the vice president, the US has already completed the first phase, which was to destroy the nuclear program and conventional military of Iran

Russian football stars Safonov, Batrakov on national team’s roster for upcoming friendlies

According to last week’s reports from the Russian Football Union, the national squad is set play friendly matches next month against Namibia and Nigeria

Lukoil refinery crisis shows Europe cost of severing ties with Russia — expert

"The longer the Petrotel refinery remains idle, the more the sanctions issue will transform from a foreign policy matter into a domestic political challenge for the country's authorities," Ilya Grashchenkov said

Russia, US need to launch dialogue on trade, investment prospects — MFA

Maria Zakharova noted that in relations with the United States, "with the arrival of the current administration, some things have moved in the right direction"

IN BRIEF: Russian Foreign Minister on asset dispute, threats to freedom of navigation

The Russian foreign minister stressed that Western interference with freedom of navigation is a concern, as European states have detained 12 vessels since January of this year

Leaders of Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland sign memorandum on right to leave UK

The signing ceremony took place in the Welsh capital of Cardiff

US laying ground for Iran making changes to nuclear doctrine — parliament

In the absence of any international protocols, the United States is requesting Iran cooperate by allowing inspections of its nuclear facilities that have been subjected to bombing, Hassan Ghashghavi said

'Whisky war' brewing between England, Scotland — newspaper

Scotch Whisky Association Chief Executive Mark Kent said the rules governing English whisky are "entirely inconsistent with the reputation of single malt whisky"

Switzerland not being considered for new round of Ukraine talks — Russian foreign ministry

Maria Zakharova cited the loss of neutrality in Switzerland’s policy, Russophobia in the context of joining anti-Russian sanctions and related statements as reasons

Japan maintains its presence in oil and gas projects in Russia — diplomat

Maria Zakharova noted that Tokyo maintains and reaffirms the importance of its relations and energy cooperation with Moscow

Brent crude surges past $109 a barrel in ICE trading rally

By 08:19 p.m. Moscow time, Brent was up 3.38%, trading at $109.25 per barrel

AfD seeks full normalization of relations with Russia — Bild

Sources told the newspaper that the party is also seeking an end to military aid to Ukraine

Diplomat blasts European attempts to pull nukes closer to Russian borders

Maria Zakharova commented on Finland’s move to join a France-led nuclear deterrence initiative

G7 losing ground in global economy, BRICS drives over half of growth — Kremlin official

"If you look at the global GDP structure, China is the leading economy by a wide margin, India has risen to third place, and Russia and Japan share fourth and fifth places," Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Russian Presidential Executive Office, said

Only 20-25 million people live in Ukraine now, former Zelensky press secretary says

Yulia Mendel added that Ukrainians continue to flee the country

Russian forces break through Ukrainian defenses in Orekhov area — expert

Andrey Marochko noted that Russian troops had made significant advances in this sector

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

Ruble’s real effective exchange rate down 7.1% in August — Central Bank

Since the beginning of this year the exchange rate has decreased by 5.1%

US House approves resolution demanding end to Iran war

The resolution is not legally binding and serves as a recommendation

UN secretary-general candidate wants peace in Gaza based on Oslo, Abraham Accords

He described the resolution of major conflicts as one of the issues he intends to prioritize, noting that international peace, security, and international cooperation constitute "the core mandate of the United Nations"

US, Germany agree to advance defense industrial cooperation — Pentagon

According to the statement, Pete Hegseth and Boris Pistorius signed an agreement that aligns the Pentagon’s "acquisition transformation strategy with Germany's Procurement Acceleration Act"

Russian indices decline as trading closes on Moscow Exchange

The MOEX Index falling 1.02% to 2,337.1 points and the RTS Index dropping 0.90% to 874.02 points

Europe unlikely to go back to being Russia's top gas buyer — expert

The European market will remain large and attractive for Russia, Ilya Grashchenkov noted

FACTBOX: Russian strikes hit Kievstar mobile provider building, railway facilities

Russian pilots used aerial bombs and X-39 missiles to hit temporary deployment sites and drone command posts in the communities of Fyodorovka in the Kharkov Region and Zemlyanoye in the Sumy Region, respectively

Overwhelming majority of Germans dissatisfied with Merz's performance — poll

Only 10% of respondents, three percentage points fewer than last week, gave a positive assessment of the government head’s performance

Russia tests new concept for intercepting UAVs, unmanned surface vehicles

Alexey Chadayev emphasized that the tests demonstrated the concept’s effectiveness and feasibility

US cannot trust Merz’s words — Trump’s envoy

"Merz is mad that Americans want the German government to pay its NATO obligations," Richard Grenell said

Taimazova, Tasoyev to headline Russian squad at 2026 World Judo Championship in Baku

The 2026 World Judo Championships is scheduled to take place on October 4-11, 2026, at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, Azerbaijan

Iran lifts ban on use of foreign messengers by government agencies

Islamic Republic Government Spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said that the main goal of the move is "to ensure the ability to promptly respond to emerging doubts and planted information, as well as effectively counter psychological operations and the information war" against Iran

European Council president to call for creating European Security Council — media

According to an article in Euractiv, Ursula von der Leyen will announce the proposal in her annual State of the European Union address in Strasbourg on Wednesday

Large group of countries ready to host Ukraine talks, source tells TASS

Earlier, Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov told Russian state-controlled television Channel One in a comment that Abu Dhabi has been discussed as a platform for hosting trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States, and that Turkey and other countries too have offered their services

Russian Baltic Fleet pilots destroy simulated enemy fortifications during exercise

Crews of Su-30SM2 multi-role fighters and Su-24M tactical front-line bombers from the Baltic Fleet’s naval aviation participated in the exercise

Bank of Russia lowers dollar exchange rate to 84.24 rubles for September 16

The official euro exchange rate has been lowered by 46.14 kopecks to 97.3012 rubles

IN BRIEF: Russian Armed Forces strike Ukrainian military, energy, transport facilities

As a result of strikes in the Velikaya Balka settlement in the Odessa Region, a logistics center for the storage and distribution of military cargo arriving in Ukraine from abroad was struck

Sikorski's plans to restore Poland's greatness show 'unhealthy ambitions' — Kremlin aide

Nikolay Patrushev said he was previously surprised with the Polish foreign minister's lack of knowledge about history and Russia

DPR leader sees Kiev regime, West making money on continued Ukraine conflict

EU countries capitalize on weapons supplies to Kiev, Denis Pushilin says

Mideast facing worst energy logistics crisis in modern history — Russian Energy Minister

Sergey Tsivilyov commented on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz

New cargo spacecraft to be launched to ISS this week — Roscosmos CEO

Progress MS is used to deliver various cargo to the ISS, as well as to adjust its orbit

EU foreign policy chief Kallas says would answer phone call from Russia’s Putin, Lavrov

Kaja Kallas also recalled her meetings with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov at international forums, including at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the G20

US agrees to return 'unreleased funds' to Belarus — Trump’s envoy

According to John Coale, the US is now trying to "chase back" this money

Russia to work on permanent visa-free regime with China — foreign ministry

Maria Zakharova recalled that Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed a visa-free regime through mid-September 2026 a year ago, an initiative supported by Russian President Vladimir Putin, after which a reciprocal visa-free regime was introduced for Chinese citizens

Thousands of migrants remain in Spain’s Ceuta — European Commissioner

At the end of July, nearly 80,000 illegal migrants crossed from Morocco into Spain’s African exclave of Ceuta

Kalashnikov Group presents Kalitka-KA anti-drone system

The system is designed to protect strategic facilities from drone attacks at low and extremely low altitudes

Zelensky dismisses Kravchenko as prosecutor general

Kravchenko had held the post since June 2025

Russia presses for urgent measures to prevent arms race in space — diplomat

The statements from US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink only serve as evidence how relevant Russian multilateral initiatives toward launching talks, Maria Zakharova said

Press TV: Israeli military abducted Iranian TV journalist near Bethlehem

According to one of Hamed’s colleagues, the Israelis detained the entire crew and searched them, after which the cameramen were released, while the journalist herself was taken to an unknown location

Press review: EU eyes Russian assets as Ukraine corruption scandal erodes Western trust

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, September 15th

US House advances Russia sanctions bill

The House of Representatives voted 214-211

Russia to secure return of its foreign exchange reserves from West — Lavrov

The Russian Foreign Minister said the European Commission still wants to confiscate these assets

Any use of Russian assets would cause greater damage to Europe than to Russia — portal

Europe is forced to balance between aiding Ukraine and financial suicide, media outlet InsideOver said

Information warfare has no rules, creating them is our next step — GFCN president

Interview with Vladimir Tabak, president of the Global Fact-Checking Network

Ukraine carries out two attacks on residential areas in DPR in past day

One civilian was reported injured

Kiev loses some 1,225 troops along engagement line in past day — Defense Ministry

Overnight, the Russian Armed Forces struck a logistics center in Velikaya Balka in the Odessa Region

UK actively explores participation in NATO’s defense bank — newspaper

A senior Labour figure told The Financial Times that participation in the DSRB initiative could potentially help the UK reach a milestone of spending 3% of GDP on defense by 2030

Moscow vows response to Hungarian move to expel Russian diplomats — MFA

On September 8, Hungary’s top diplomat Anita Orban said Budapest was expelling 10 Russian diplomats, citing the need to protect national security

Casualties in Sochi, 399 UAVs: aftermath of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian regions

Falling UAV debris injured five people, including a child, in Russia’s southern city of Sochi in the Krasnodar Region

Russia remains guarantor of global energy security — Energy Minister

Russia holds the world's largest combined oil and gas reserves, amounting to approximately 60 billion tonnes of oil equivalent, Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilyov said

Denmark’s provocative actions against Russian frigate raise concern — ambassador

Vladimir Barbin expressed regret over Denmark’s reluctance to prevent maritime escalation and push toward strengthening mutual confidence

Three fires break out after massive attack on Taganrog

Mayor Svetlana Kambulova said the missile attack had damaged windows in five apartment buildings and three private homes

Russia says Chisinau has no right to strip Russians in Transnistria of chance to vote

"Russian citizens have the right to freely express their will; this is one of the fundamental human rights," Maria Zakharova noted

Russian national pleads guilty to illegally exporting aircraft parts — Justice Department

Samuylovsky faces up to 20 years in prison

British national eliminated in Russia’s special mil-op zone in Ukraine — top brass

The sources said that three more Ukrainian officers have been killed as well, including a senior lieutenant of the National Guard of Ukraine

Trade, tech curbs only worsen global energy imbalances — Russian Energy Minister

Sergey Tsivilyov commented on Moscow's key proposals for the G20 ministerial energy meeting in Houston, Texas, which runs through September 16

Not enough air defense assets in whole world to meet Kiev’s needs — former Estonian leader

The situation for Ukrainians has clearly worsened, Kersti Kaljulaid said

War with Iran costs US taxpayers $38 billion — congressional budget office

The authority also confirmed that the war had depleted US weapons stocks, including critically important interceptors for air defense systems

Massive missile attack on Taganrog, 222 downed drones: Ukrainian strikes' aftermath

Warehouses belonging to the Ozon company and agricultural enterprises were damaged, as were the windows of residential buildings and an educational institution in Rostov Region’s Taganrog

Russia's pipeline gas exports to Turkey fall 10% in January-July

In July alone, Turkey imported a combined 948 million cubic meters of Russian gas via the TurkStream and Blue Stream pipelines

Russia to respond accordingly if Lithuania moves to field nuclear weapons — MFA

As for the autumn session of the Lithuanian Seimas on amending legislation to allow the deployment of foreign nuclear weapons, this is a completely irresponsible act, Maria Zakharova said

Ukrainian servicemen shot, tortured civilians in Kursk Region — human rights commissioner

Yana Lantratova said that many civilians were shot in their homes

China calls for building more balanced security architecture — defense chief

Dong Jun stated that this architecture "should address the legitimate security concerns of all countries"

Russia fighting against both Ukrainian army, Western war machine — DPR leader

Denis Pushilin added that the Ukrainian military receives support from Western intelligence services

Russia seeks sustainable peace in Ukraine conflict — Kremlin spokesman

According to Dmitry Peskov, The Ukraine process is currently on hold

UN secretary-general candidate calls for comprehensive agreement on Iran

Olara Otunnu identified the resolution of the Iran conflict as one of the areas to which he intends to immediately give priority in the sphere of international peace and security

Oil exports to Europe reach around 25 mln tons in 2025 — Novak

The Russian deputy prime minister noted that the share of hard-to-recover reserves in Russian oil production surged from 20% in 2010 to 63% in 2025

PREVIEW: Beijing Xiangshan Forum opens with around 100 state delegations attending

The three-day event has brought together official representatives from around 100 countries

Kremlin briefing touches on Ukrainian attempt to strike energy site, Trump’s truce idea

It is possible to discuss the resumption of Russian gas supplies to Europe only if they are beneficial for the country, Dmitry Peskov said

Kiev loses some 1,375 troops along engagement line in past day — Russia’s top brass

Russian airstrikes hit Ukrainian targets in Kharkov, Sumy Regions

Trump became $2.7 bln richer after 2024 election — media

According to Forbes, the US president cashed in on crypto ventures and overseas deals

Russia, Ukraine preparing new family reunification initiative — human rights commissioner

Yana Lantratova declined to specify the number of people involved or when the humanitarian initiative might take place

Drone attacks fishing vessels near Iran’s Hormozgan province, IRIB reports

A search operation is currently underway

Leader of France’s 'Stand up, France!' party slams Macron’s 'nuclear umbrella' idea

Nicolas Dupont-Aignan said that French President Emmanuel Macron’s nuclear deterrence initiative threatens the interests of the republic

Most UAVs flying deep into Russia downed by mobile armed units along border — expert

Oleg Ivanov said that mobile armed units had become an effective layered defense system in the Kursk Region

Vucic states plans to resign on September 27

On September 9, the Serbian president approved the dissolution of the National Assembly, the country’s unicameral parliament, and called a snap election for October 25

Merz cancels trip to New York for UNGA events — news agency

German officials told DPA that the situation requires chancellor's presence in Berlin

UN secretary-general candidate calls for organizing peace conference on Ukraine

Olara Otunnu called for urgent work with key stakeholders

Middle Eastern countries disappointed with US security guarantees — ex-top diplomat

Antony Blinken said the US had no good military solution to the current conflict "absent a full-scale invasion of Iran, which would be a disaster"

Viktor Bout sees no real readiness from US to restore relations with Russia

Viktor Bout noted that the US Congress continues to consider new sanctions against Russia

Russia backs sovereign right of nations to choose their energy mix — Energy Minister

"Russia’s position is to respect the sovereign right of every country to determine its own development path and energy mix," Sergey Tsivilyov said

Russian diplomat warns NATO countries against supporting nuclear proliferation

Maria Zakharova advised Western European hotheads to take a sober look at the world

US seeks to normalize military use of outer space — newspaper

The Wall Street Journal reported that, according to officials, open discussion of the issue could deter adversaries that also seek to launch weapons into orbit

Ukraine's interceptor drones fall short in July tests — Reuters

Many of the interceptor drones proved difficult to control at speeds sometimes exceeding 400 kilometers per hour, with some crashing into nearby fields and forests, the news agency noted

Kiev deliberately turns its civilian facilities into military targets — Russian diplomat

Ukraine is now reaping the inevitable consequences, Rodion Miroshnik stated