{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Larry the Cat dismisses death rumors with iconic Mark Twain quote

Earlier, the Politics UK account posted a message claiming that Larry had passed away

LONDON, August 22. /TASS/. Larry the Cat, the resident of the British Prime Minister's official home, has dismissed rumors of his death by using a famous line penned by American writer Mark Twain.

"Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated..." a post reads on the chief mouser's official X account.

Earlier, the Politics UK account on X posted a message claiming that Larry had passed away. The post was later deleted, with the account clarifying that the information was false and had originated from a previously compromised source.

Larry the Cat has resided at Downing Street since 2011, outlasting six British prime ministers: David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak, and Keir Starmer. Adopted from a shelter, he holds the official title of Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office. Larry's X page regularly features sarcastic commentary targeting British politicians.

Tags

Ebola virus outbreak

More than 2,500 people die from Ebola in Democratic Republic of Congo — authorities

The outbreak, which began in the DRC and Uganda on May 15, has already become the second-deadliest in the history of Ebola outbreaks in Africa

Battlegroup North artillery destroys Kiev forces positions,militants — platoon commander

Units of the Battlegroup North, advancing simultaneously along several fronts, continue to expand the security zone in the Sumy and Kharkov regions

Iran to look at lifting restrictions on Iraqi tankers in Hormuz Strait

Iraqi parliament speaker Haibat al-Halbousi asked the Iranian authorities to grant Iraq a "special status" regarding oil exports via the Strait of Hormuz

IN BRIEF: What we know about Russia’s massive attack targeting defense-tech sites in Kiev

Russian forces struck a Fire Point plant, a Kiev-based assembly site owned by the Antonov aircraft manufacturing factory and an arsenal with M-900 thermobaric bombs and munitions for Baba-Yaga drones

Russia conducting 'surgical operation' in Ukraine to avoid harming civilians — TASS chief

Andrey Kondrashov said the Russian forces avoid causing completely unjustified civilian casualties

Bering Strait tunnel project requires massive infrastructure development — senator

"The implementation of the ambitious Bering Strait tunnel concept will be, without exaggeration, a major technological milestone of the 21st century," Elena Perminova said

IEA chief compares situation surrounding Strait of Hormuz to broken vase

Fatih Birol said the volume of transit through the Strait of Hormuz, which stood at around 25 mln barrels per day prior to February 2026, had fallen to roughly 15 mln

Turkey’s NATO membership does not protect its servicemen in Syria — Israeli expert

Shay Gal pointed out that on August 18, Israel "allegedly struck Syria's Abu al-Duhur air base before Turkish forces arrived"

Israel strikes suspected radicals in security zone in southern Lebanon

According to the statement, several suspects crossed the Security Zone in the Baraashit area, entered a structure, and posed a threat to IDF soldiers

US allies unsure of Washington’s ability to defend them if necessary — newspaper

The newaspaper noted that military operation against Iran had depleted US arsenals and "laid bare the limits of American hard power"

Nord Stream situation brings losses to Berlin, dangerous dizziness to Warsaw — spokeswoman

Maria Zakharova commented on Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s remarks justifying the terrorist attack against the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 pipelines

Press review: US, Iran opt for war of attrition as Kiev diverts focus with Russia attacks

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, August 17th

IN BRIEF: Novak’s directives on supplying Russian fuel market and refineries’ repairs

TASS has compiled the key takeaways from the meeting chaired by the Russian deputy prime minister

Russian diplomat warns about catastrophic consequences of Ukraine’s attacks on ZNPP

Both the ZNPP’s territory and its satellite city of Energodar regularly come under Ukraine’s attacks

Fyodorov launches all-out war against Zelensky, his entourage — publication

Despite these aggressive efforts, the publication indicated that the former Ukrainian defense minister can expect resistance from his opponents

Russian forces hit Ukrainian naval patrol boat in port of Chernomorsk

Throughout the day, the Russian Armed Forces continued to strike ports and ships being used in the interests of the Ukrainian military

FACTBOX: Putin’s statements on positive economic growth, impact of Ukrainian attacks

Boosting investment activity is the primary condition for economic growth in Russia, the head of state said

Croatian court rules to place in custody Ukrainian suspect in Nord Stream sabotage

Germany is seeking his extradition

Von der Leyen pushing EU toward war with Russia — Finnish politician

Armando Mema said the European Commission president tends to baselessly accuse Russia of violating the airspace of European countries

Sinner withdraws from US Open

The Italian withdrew from the Masters 1000 tournaments in Montreal and Cincinnati ahead of the US Open because of a right knee injury

Ukrainian Abrams tank hit by Russian Upyr FPV drone in Avdeyevka area

It was the third Abrams tank to be struck near Avdeyevka

Russia open to dialogue with US, refuses to sacrifice its principled positions — diplomat

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stressed the importance whether "Washington can influence the decisions of the Kiev regime and its European sponsors"

Finland closes border with Russia to prepare for military conflict — war correspondent

Claims that Russia is waging some kind of hybrid war against Finland using Middle Eastern migrants are absolute nonsense, Kosti Heiskanen said

Russia develops first combat robot that disarms mines with laser

The system is completely safe for bomb disposal experts

Ove 300 filling station damaged in Ukraine — energy minister

Reports of damaged gas stations are coming in from various regions of Ukraine almost daily

Trump says the US, Mexico beginning work on a new trade deal

The US leader also announced that the US had "largely" reached agreements with Canada on trade issues

Russian troops liberate 11 communities in Ukraine operation over week — top brass

Russian troops delivered one massive and nine combined strikes by precision-guided weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles on Ukrainian military-industrial facilities, logistics centers and cruise missile launch sites over the week

Diplomat calls West’s silence on Kiev’s nuclear terrorism 'strange'

The Zaporozhye NPP has been without an external power supply for over a day due to the shutdown of the last 330 kV high-voltage power supply line

Russian diplomat points to increasing terror against Serbians in Kosovo

Maria Zakharova described the developments as all the more outrageous because local self-government bodies in Pristina that claim the status of legitimate authorities are implicated in this terror

Romania records highest fuel price increase in EU over past year

The average fuel price increase across the European Union was 16.9%

National debt worth $50 trillion threatens US as early as 2029 — expert

Ilya Grashchenkov also said the $50 trillion mark itself is not a threshold beyond which the US economy would automatically collapse

German politician warns against further escalating Ukrainian conflict

Sahra Wagenknecht noted that German technologies and German money are used to attack Moscow

Top Iranian diplomat compares threat of US sanctions to movie already seen many times

Abbas Araghchi stated that all of these threats "failed"

Experts forecast gold prices rising to $5,000 amid inflation, central banks’ demand

The ongoing conflict between the US and Iran is driving up oil prices, which is a significant pro-inflationary factor

Witkoff, Kushner do not confirm visit to Kiev — agency

The two Americans had reportedly intended to visit Kiev for Ukraine's Independence Day

No need for new constitutional amendments now — presidential envoy

Garry Minkh ecalled that the 2020 amendments were aimed at protecting Russian national interests and strengthening sovereignty

Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett leads voting for UN secretary general post, poll shows

Eight Security Council members backed Rodrigues-Birkett’s continued participation, three opposed it and four expressed no opinion

Two die after Ukraine’s attack on minibus in DPR

Four more people were wounded

Netanyahu’s office slams Turkey’s int’l arrest warrant for him as intimidation attempt

The prime minister’s office also reiterated Israel’s previous accusations against Recep Tayyip Erdogan, calling him "an antisemitic dictator who has massacred Kurds"

Iranian parliament speaker calls for refusing from US dollars in trade

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stressed that the use of US dollars in trade as an outdated method of payments

Attempts to cut Russia off from world permanent tactic of Western policy — adviser

Anton Kobyakov noted that Russia had never closed itself off from the world throughout its history

Zaporozhye NPP has sufficient safety margin amid Ukraine’s attacks — Russian diplomat

Rodion Miroshnik said it does not mean Russia should ease the pressure on the Ukrainian side and its sponsors

Slavyansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkovka turned into ‘ghost cities’ by Ukrainian army — expert

Andrey Marochko said that Ukrainian militants are using abandoned civilian facilities for military purposes

Press review: US tightens Iran pressure while Russia expands nuclear power projects abroad

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, August 21st

Russia waits for appropriate int’l reactions to disruption of IAEA chief’s visit to ZNPP

Russian Foreign Ministry’s Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik said that Kiev is openly embarking on a path of undermining the system of radiation and nuclear safety

Poland plans to deploy missiles with range of over 1,000 km in its east — defense ministry

At the same time, Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said that Poland had already constructed 150 km of fortifications under the "East Shield" program and plans to add another 50 km by the end of this year

Kiev forces shell populated areas of Donetsk People's Republic 40 times over past 24 hours

Two residential buildings, six civilian infrastructure facilities, special equipment and trucks, as well as cars and a passenger minibus, were damaged

Ten African countries step up border controls due to Ebola in Democratic Republic of Congo

The six-month program includes plans to assess border service readiness, conduct drills, and develop response plans in the event that cases are detected

New mobilization rules forcing Ukrainians into servitude, driving them to front — diplomat

Maria Zakharova stressed that Ukrainian leaders offered no explanation to ordinary people about how they are supposed to survive

Houthis attack Tihama again during rescue operation

One member of the rescue team was injured

Russia-China relations seeing best period in their history — Chinese ambassador

According to Zhang Hanhui, Russian-Chinese relations are characterized by a steady deepening of political mutual trust

Congress of Industrialists, BRICS Innovation Center sign cooperation agreement

According to experts, the opening of an ICIE representative office at the BRICS Innovation Center in Xiamen in 2027 will mark a significant step in the development of Russian-Chinese economic cooperation

Perm industrial facility comes under attack: 325 drones target Russian regions

On-duty air defense systems intercepted Ukrainian UAVs over 16 Russian regions

IN BRIEF: Kremlin on Putin’s work schedule, Polish PM’s justification of terrorist attacks

Russian President Vladimir Putin is to hold an in-person operational meeting of the Russian Security Council

Deaths of ‘Iranian leaders’ hindering deal with US — Trump

The US leader emphasized that Washington was successfully achieving its goals in the conflict with Iran

Transit through Strait of Hormuz falls to low amid risks to vessels — Reuters

According to the analysts, four vessels entered the strait and three exited it

IN BRIEF: Russian MFA statements on FAZ reporter’s provocation, UN criticism

The Foreign Ministry calls on the citizens living abroad to be vigilant and not to give in to provocations ahead of the State Duma elections

Russia seeks sustainable peace in Ukraine conflict — Kremlin spokesman

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

Powerful blast occurs in weapons depot in Libya’s Misrata — media

Measures are being taken to ensure security in the area

Iran was not the one to trigger escalation in Middle East — Russia’s UN envoy

Vasily Nebenzya said that the US should be the one to blame for the latest escalation in Middle East

Ukrainian troops shot at Kharkov Region residents attempting to evacuate — administration

According to Yevgeny Lisnyak, people had to drink rainwater and eat what they had stockpiled before the front line closed in until Russian soldiers arrived

Several injured in attack at school in Sweden — TV

Police and emergency services were called to the scene

US, Brazilian presidents call for soonest settlement of conflict in Ukraine

According to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's press service, the Brazilian president also drew attention of his US counterpart to the need for discussing a reform of the United Nations and its Security Council

New meeting of Coalition of Willing to take place on Monday — Elysee Palace

The previous meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing was held in Paris on July 13

Kosovo 'authorities' prepared to repress Serbs at first opportunity — MFA

Maria Zakharova stressed that the decision to scale back the presence of KFOR units at vulnerable points of Serb-Albanian contact was cynical and irresponsible

Belarus moves to close its embassy in Finland early next month

The decision comes into effect, starting from September 1, 2026

Russian Emergencies Ministry firefighting plane suppresses major wildfires in Serbia

The crew’s efforts have proved highly effective

About ten countries eager to buy Russian S-400 missile systems, says defense official

Dmitry Shugayev noted that the procedure of signing a contract is a multi-stage and complex process

US wants its economy to grow faster than state debt — Vance

US Vice President JD Vance did not disclose details of the plan

Trump believes Democrats will impeach him if they win congressional elections

Donald Trump is the first president in US history to face two impeachment proceedings

Press review: Ukraine crisis nears peak as Israel-Turkey tensions rise over Syria

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, August 20th

Russian stock market ends week with main indices up

The yuan exchange rate against the ruble added 1 kopeck to 12.33 rubles

More than 2,500 people die from Ebola in Democratic Republic of Congo — authorities

The outbreak, which began in the DRC and Uganda on May 15, has already become the second-deadliest in the history of Ebola outbreaks in Africa

Too early to discuss reduction in threat of merchant ship seizures — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov commented on whether the Kremlin has observed a decline in threats to maritime trade

Musk agrees that state debt of $50 trillion will be critical for US

Earlier this week, the US state debt exceeded record $40 trillion

Russian military to take note of Blinken’s remarks on Ukrainian counteroffensive — Kremlin

It was reported earlier that the US Secretary of State said Ukraine could start a counteroffensive in the next few weeks

Implementation of US peace plan for Gaza de-facto stalled — Russia’s UN envoy

Vasily Nebenzya stated that the ceasefire was still being consistently violated, first of all by the Israeli side

MFA raises concern over illegal actions of foreign law enforcement agencies in Russia

According to Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, the amendments were needed to prevent unfriendly countries from interfering in Russia's internal affairs

Press review: Ukraine conflict fuels EU ultra-right as Trump seeks Iran pressure via Oman

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, August 19th

US-brokered Lebanese-Israeli talks to be held in Rome in early September — TV

A US Department of State official told Al Jazeera that the sides are facing political restrictions and internal pressure, while Washington is trying to settle the issues

Three civilians killed in Ukrainian drone attacks on DPR during day

According to the DPR’s head Denis Pushilin, two residential houses and six civilian infrastructure facilities were damaged

Iran’s Navy to continue defending country's interests in Strait of Hormuz — commander

Rear Admiral Shahram Irani said the Navy has a strong presence in the straits

Ukraine will lose war due to Zelensky’s "wild illusions" — former spokesperson

Yulia Mendel believes that "the front will be moving in Russian favour against the backdrop of a collapsing economy, democracy, and political crisis"

Russian strike brings Ukrainian industrial site in Brovary near Kiev offline — top brass

The facility was struck by Separate Unmanned Systems Brigade Varyag

Kazatomprom agrees on uranium supplies to Russia, China

An agreement on uranium supply has been reached with the Russian company Uranium One Group, part of the Rosatom management structure

European gas price tops $800 for first time since March

The previous high was recorded on March 19, when the price of gas exceeded $850 per 1,000 cubic meters

Death toll in Houthi strike on Tihama rises to six

Another 10 people were injured

Russian troops evacuating residents from Konstantinovka

Wounded Russian servicemen are also being evacuated

Polish prime minister defends Nord Stream sabotage — TV

Donald Tusk opined that those who built the pipeline should be held accountable, not those who destroyed it

Kiev should beg Moscow for peace to save Ukraine — former Zelensky spokesperson

Yulia Mendel said this is now a matter of the country’s "survival"

CIA has ‘no alibi’ over Nord Stream 2 — Putin

When asked who blew up the pipelines during interview with Tucker Carlson, the Russian leader replied with a laughter: ‘You for sure’

Cuba to withstand US pressure — Fidel Castro’s grandson

Fidel Antonio Castro Smirnov said that Cuba’s experience has demonstrated the importance of "international solidarity, diversification of ties, and the ability of countries to support each other"

Warsaw moving closer to control of Kiev’s Soviet-era gas transit system — spokeswoman

Maria Zakharova emphasized that Warsaw is benefiting from re-exporting US liquefied natural gas to Ukraine

Death toll from Colombia earthquake rises to 329

The latest government assessment reveals that the earthquake completely destroyed over 31,000 homes and damaged another 171,273 buildings

Eight detained for attempting to launch drone attack on strategic plant near Moscow — FSB

One of the accomplices put up armed resistance during the arrest and was neutralized

Death toll in Houthi strike on vessel rises to four

Another four crew members were injured

Israel could cease to exist after the Middle East conflict — senior Russian officer

Apty Alaudinov says Israel’s objective is to drag both the US and the entire NATO bloc into the struggle

Larry the Cat dismisses death rumors with iconic Mark Twain quote

Earlier, the Politics UK account posted a message claiming that Larry had passed away