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Chinese envoy hails Moscow Zoo for creating great atmosphere for pandas

Zhang Hanhui also congratulated panda Katyusha on her birthday

© Yevgeny Pakhomov/TASS

MOSCOW, August 24. /TASS/. Pandas at the Moscow Zoo couldn't ask for better care, Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui told reporters at a ceremony marking panda Katyusha’s third birthday.

The diplomat praised the zoo staff for doing an excellent job. "Chinese pandas live in Russia," the ambassador stressed, emphasizing the word "live." "I believe they feel better here. They're doing as good as can be."

Zhang Hanhui also congratulated Katyusha on her birthday, calling her birth and growth a positive result of Chinese-Russian friendship.

Ukraine assisting terrorist groups in Africa with UAVs — war correspondent

Alexander Kharchenko pointed to the emerging interest in drone technology among militants in Mali

If Armenia does not need CSTO membership, it can leave organization — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov commented on Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s statement that Yerevan would be pleased if it were expelled from the CSTO

Russia ready to undertake mediation efforts to stabilize Middle East — MFA

Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov emphasized that the situation in Lebanon is a factor complicating attempts to revitalize the negotiation process between Washington and Tehran

US to launch 'financial offensive' against Iran on Monday — Treasury Secretary

Scott Bessent added that the US was "entering the endgame" in the conflict

Iran has scenario to avoid impacts of US sanctions — IRGC spokesman

In Hossein Mohebi's words, the Iranian authorities "are developing economic ties right under the United States' nose, bypassing them, and the results will be seen in the near future"

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As of 2:30 a.m. GMT, the price of gold reached $4,713.8 per ounce

Six people injured in Nevada wildfire — agency

According to the report by the Associated Press, the fire dubbed Hawk spread across 53 square kilometers

Russian troops hit Ukrainian army’s energy, transport infrastructure sites in past day

Targets attacked by operational/tactical aviation, attack drones, missile forces, and artillery

Western NGOs implicated in attempts to destabilize Russia ahead of elections — legislator

Vasily Piskarev highlighted that personnel from Western NGOs were engaged in training provocateurs to be used the electoral period

Five parties surpassing 5% threshold to win seats in Kazakh parliament — exit polls

The Adilet party scored more than 70% of votes

Putin, Trump to talk to each other at APEC summit if both are there — presidential aide

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Houthis attack Tihama again during rescue operation

One member of the rescue team was injured

Armenia to soon begin process of applying for EU membership — PM

Nikol Pashinyan has reiterated that a referendum makes sense when the discussion of the issue has reached a turning point

Large gas field discovered in Iran

The field also contains gas condensate

Ozon logistics center in Makhachkala attacked by drone, casualties reported

A fire broke out, and emergency services are working at the scene, the company said

Burnham to announce transfer of classified data for production of SCALP missiles to Kiev

The UK prime minister will arrive in Kiev for a visit on August 24

Trump loses trade war with Canada — The Atlantic

According to the article, the pressure directed at Ottawa has not proven effective

Resolution of fuel issues underway, PM Mishustin keeps situation under control — Putin

A special commission has been set up, Russian President said

Russian military satellite delivered into target orbit — Defense Ministry

According to the report, stable telemetry communication has been established and is maintained with the satellite

Kiev sends elite units to stabilize front in Dobropolye, DPR — expert

Andrey Marochko says Ukrainian command is trying to stabilize the situation amid a panic-ridden sentiment in the army caused by the advance of Russian forces

Trade between Russia, India has increased this year — Putin

The Russian president stressed that the Indian foreign minister’s current visit to Moscow underscores the level of relations that Russia and India have built over decades

Kiev’s 'exotic proposals' for peace merely imitation of peacemaking — envoy

Rodion Miroshnik says European countries "have already promised Kiev colossal sums of money" to continue the conflict

Two children killed, seven injured after UAV debris fell on children’s center in Krasnodar

Two adults have been hospitalized, Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said

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The Russian e-commerce company Ozon evacuated its warehouses in Adygeisk and Nevinnomyssk due to the threat of a drone attack

Kiev glorifies those behind killing hundreds of thousands of Russians, Poles, Jews — Putin

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82,000 square meters of St. Petersburg warehouse on fire — Emergencies Ministry

The warehouse building measures 680 by 120 meters

Russian Soyuz-2.1b rocket with spacecraft lifts off from Plesetsk spaceport — ministry

The rocket carries a spacecraft in the Russian Defense Ministry’s interests

Russia’s frigate Admiral Kasatonov returns to base after long-range deployment

Commander of the Northern Fleet Admiral Konstantin Kabantsov received a report from the ship’s crew on the successful completion of their assigned tasks

Israel warns Hamas against launching drones from Gaza

It would target those responsible for that, the Israeli prime minister’s office said

Battlegroup South air defenses down 99 Ukrainian fixed-wing UAVs, 122 heavy rotor drones

Spokesman Vadim Astafyev reported that unmanned systems forces in the Kramatorsk and Slavyansk directions destroyed 54 enemy communication antennas and UAVs, as well as 37 ground robotic systems

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Russia expands control zone in Novogrigorovka in DPR with drones — expert

Andrey Marochko says almost all Ukrainian units have retreated from the settlement

Diversification in energy sector to be discussed at EEF — official

Deputy Prime Minister Yury Trutnev added that business dialogues with representatives from China, India, the UAE, Mongolia, Vietnam, and ASEAN countries are scheduled as part of the forum

Ukraine attacks Ozon warehouse in Orenburg with drones — official

There are no casualties

Russian athletes win medal count at 2026 European Artistic Gymnastics Championships

The Italian team took second place, athletes from Great Britain came in third

PSG with Safonov in squad drew with Rennes in opening round of French championship

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Japan accelerates line toward militarization — DPRK

The authors of the report highlighted the events held on August 15 at Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine, which is viewed in North Korea and several other Asian countries as a symbol of militarism

Akhmat Kadyrov's name to be forever inscribed in history of Russia — Putin

The Russian president pointed out that "Akhmat-Khadzhi was a courageous man, who understood very well how hard the burden was and what risks he was going to take on"

Kiev attacks civilian targets to exert political pressure on Russia — envoy

Rodion Miroshnik added that his working trip to Novorossiya confirmed information about attempts to blockade entire cities, complicate logistics, disrupt the delivery of food, priority goods and medicines, and the supply of energy and water

Transport capacity of Northern Sea Route to reach 45 mln tons by year-end — governor

Andrey Chibis noted that a distinct component of the development of the Murmansk transport hub’s logistics will be incorporated into the project for the development of the Arctic and the Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor

Russian Embassy in UK denies allegations on Moscow’s plans to lower relations with London

As for the state of Russia-UK relations across all areas, they have deteriorated to an unprecedentedly low level entirely on London's initiative, the Russian Embassy said

Dry cargo ship carrying weapons hit in port of Chernomorsk

Moreover, seven fuel storage tanks were hit, the Russian Defense Ministry said

EU countries’ depleted arsenals limit their ability to provide aid to Ukraine — portal

Sources noted that some EU countries intend to push for a resumption of discussions on the use of frozen Russian assets

New corruption scandal in Kiev directly involves Zelensky, former PM says

Nikolay Azarov added that the new scandal involves "people who came to his office almost every day"

US Navy has announced development of ultra-long-range air-to-air missile

The range of the AIM-424 missile exceeds 460 km

Russian fighters modernizing ground robotic systems to increase control range — soldier

The ground robotic system crew commander noted that operators are also enhancing camouflage systems to conceal the equipment from enemy drones

IN BRIEF: Russian forces strike fuel tanker, ports used in Ukrainian army’s supplies

The Russian Armed Forces delivered strikes by air-launched precision-guided weapons and attack UAVs

Russian troops develop methods to bypass Ukrainian EW systems — soldier

Russian developers track which frequencies are being jammed, switch to a different frequency, reflash the system, and the control works better, the soldier said

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70 vessels redirected by US military since resumption of blockade of Iran - CENTCOM

U.S. forces have redirected 70 commercial vessels, disabled 3 and boarded 2 to ensure compliance

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Five parties win seats in Kazakh unicameral parliament following election results — CEC

The Adilet party received 71.17% of the vote

Russian stock market declines at start of trading session

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Iran sees US military infrastructure in third countries as legitimate targets — MFA

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei expressed hope that countries providing infrastructure to US troops will take "necessary measures"

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Voting at overseas polling stations continue

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Dmitry Peskov recalled Vladimir Putin’s words that the Kiev regime itself had opened Pandora’s box

Putin says economy behind motives of Polish PM Tusk's words about Nord Stream

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Rodion Miroshnik said that after the 90-billion-euro loan to Ukraine was approved by the EU in April, a sharp escalation began

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Witkoff, Kushner’s visit to Moscow delayed — source

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Putin congratulates Tokayev on Adilet party's victory in parliamentary elections

The Russian leader stated that he has no doubt that the members of the Kurultai will cooperate fruitfully with Russian parliamentarians to further strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership

Air defense repelling drone attack targeting industrial zone of Nevinnomyssk

Governor Vladimir Vladimirov says that some drones have been shot down

Shock from massive drone attacks on Donbass and Novorossiya mostly over — envoy

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Magnitude 6.0 earthquake strikes off Japan’s Hokkaido

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Andrey Marochko says Russian troops are advancing towards Bugayevka and Goptovka

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

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Minsk, Pyongyang to sign visa-free travel agreement soon — top Belarusian diplomat

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New York Times highlights problems with three key factors of global food system

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Iran will not accept US conditions for ending conflict — Foreign Ministry

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei pointed out that the country responsible for initiating the armed conflict should bear the consequences of its actions

Israel hits Hamas weapons manufacturing site in Gaza Strip, eliminates its commander

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Two clergymen injured after Ukrainian drone attack near church in Gorlovka

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Pashinyan says to be pleased if Armenia were expelled from CSTO

The Armenian PM said he knew that such discussions were underway within the alliance

Israel won't put up with Turkey's military presence in Syria — Netanyahu

The Israeli prime minister said that the prior warnings on the issue were not heard "clearly enough"

Russian troops liberate three communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,400 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

US sanctions against Iran will backfire on US economy, Iranian parliament speaker warns

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Ozon’s logistics center in Krasnodar attacked by drone

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NATO, EU to be unable to talk their way out publicly from assisting Ukraine — Lavrov

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Kiev builds up grouping near Druzhkovka to contain Russia — expert

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Russian plane extinguishes major wildfire hotspots in Serbia

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Iran threatens consequences for countries that join blockade

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Iran to attack other oil export routes if Gulf countries support US sanctions — official

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Countries unsympathetic with Russia note Nazism heroization in Ukraine — Putin

Despite the well-known Russophobia in Polish politics, the Polish authorities are paying serious attention to the fundamental foundations of today's Ukrainian statehood, Russian President said

Kiev loses nearly 9,900 soldiers, mercenaries over week of fighting — expert

Andrey Marochko stated that fighters of Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicted the heaviest losses on the enemy

US will strike Iran if Tehran responds to sanctions with military escalation — secretary

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that the US goal at this stage is to completely isolate Iran economically

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

AfD to withdraw Germany from eurozone, Schengen Agreement if comes to power - leader

Germany was much better off before the introduction of the euro, co-chair of the Alternative for Germany Alice Weidel said

High-level delegations from Syria, Israel hold talks in Jordan — agency

According to a source cited by SANA, the sides discussed the need to halt Israeli aggression against Syria and return to the negotiating table

Armenia’s CSTO future, response to Kiev's strikes on targets in Russia: Kremlin’s briefing

Dmitry Peskov stressed that Armenia could withdraw from the Collective Security Treaty Organization if it no longer required its membership

Fewer than 20 vessels pass through Strait of Hormuz over weekend — Reuters

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New coalition of states could form around Trans-Arctic Corridor — expert

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