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IAEA to elect new director general on October 28-30

The new IAEA head is due to assume office no later than January 1, 2020

VIENNA, October 25. /TASS/. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors is set to hold the final voting rounds to elect a new director general, Russian Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov announced on Friday.

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Russian diplomat meets with Argentinian candidate for IAEA top job

"IAEA Board of Governors aims at appointing a new Director General by 2/3 majority in October. To this end, intensive balloting will take place — one per day on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Since ratings of two candidates are almost equal, the competition will be extremely tense," he wrote on his Twitter account.

Earlier on October, two informal straw polls were held, which failed to determine a frontrunner in the race. On October 21, the IAEA Board of Governors held a secret ballot that selected two top candidates for the job — IAEA Acting Director General Cornel Feruta (Romania) and Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Rafael Grossi (Argentina).

The election of a new IAEA chief is being held due to the passing of the former head of that organization, Japanese diplomat Yukiya Amano, in July. The procedure to elect a new director general is scheduled to be completed in October. In order to be elected, a candidate should secure the support of most members of the Board of Governors. The new IAEA head is due to assume office no later than January 1, 2020.

Israeli-Palestinian conflict

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Israel’s military upcoming operation in Rafah will also be on agenda, the New York Times reported

Russia to hold next international security meeting in 2025 — top security official

The date and location will be announced later

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TASS has put together the highlights of Shoigu's speech

Russian defense chief points to West’s double standards on right to self-defense

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Hungary sees Ukraine conflict entering new phase, NATO involvement rising

According to the minister Gergely Gulyas, the North Atlantic Alliance "wants to provide financial assistance, as well as supply weapons and train Ukrainian soldiers"

Israel eliminates one of al-Jamaa al-Islamiya commanders in Lebanon — IDF

The strike was conducted by Israel Air Force’s aircraft in the area of Meidoun in Lebanon

Over 10,000 Polish nationals fought in Ukraine in 2022, politician says

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Kiev's attacks on ZNPP may trigger another Chernobyl — Zaporozhye governor

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Global community changing tune about how Ukraine conflict started — security official

According to Nikolay Patrushev, these countries "understand perfectly well who is financing" the Kiev regime

Israel ready to accept release of fewer than 40 hostages in deal’s first phase — newspaper

According to the report, Israel is willing to acceprt the release of women, men over 50 years old and those seriously ill

Russia grateful to DPRK for unconditional support of special operation in Ukraine — MFA

Ivan Zhelokhovtsev said that the agreements that were reached during the DPRK leader's visit to Russia represent "evidence of the mutual desire of the sides to consistently implement and expand the rich heritage" that was passed down from previous generations

About 70% of businesses indicate staff shortage — Bank of Russia

The labor market is also affected by other long-term trends, particularly the demography and the labor productivity lagging behind the rise in salaries, Elvira Nabiullina noted

Ukraine turns into testing ground for future world order, says Belarus president

"The largest nuclear powers, albeit indirectly, are actually fighting on Ukrainian territory. And not indirectly," the president of Belarus noted

Russia ready to cooperate with all interested partners to ensure security — Putin

The Russian leader expressed confidence that the the 12th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues "will bolster cooperation for the mutual benefit of our countries and peoples"

Swiss conference on Ukraine undermines European security — Russian diplomat

In Maxim Buyakevich words, neither the talks nor their outcome can change the existing political and territorial realities

US can send Ukraine Patriot air defense systems currently deployed in other regions

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan added that the his country had doubled artillery production in order to help Kiev

Erdogan’s May 9 visit to US postponed to more convenient date — Foreign Ministry

"The high-level dialogue between Turkey and the US will continue," the spokesman Oncu Keceli said

Putin calls impending formation of new cabinet ‘crucial step’

The Russian leader pointed out that it is important to ensure stability and transparency in the Russian socio-political system

Kiev may use ATACMS missiles to hit Crimean Bridge — Russian defense ministry official

Russian military will do its utmost to repel such attacks, Apty Alaudinov said

West bends sanctions rules when it suits them — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that, "according to some parameters, companies in Europe and other regions can hardly maintain their competitiveness if they completely abandon our products"

Alrosa may leave Catoca project in Angola — Finance Ministry

Alrosa is working in Angola since 1992

Ukraine’s army leaves first defensive line in Berdychi near Avdeyevka, says DPR

The Ukrainian military has suffered heavy casualties among personnel and military hardware in that community, Igor Kimakovsky said

Iran announces establishment of Basij voluntary naval force

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Better situation for peace in Ukraine, threats to Belarus: new statements by Lukashenko

The head of state accused Washington of preparing a "Belarusian liberation army" and reiterated Minsk's readiness to "defend its country"

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The sides supported the early launch of the green corridor project aimed at the simplification of customs operations

Miguel Salgado’s ‘Shame’ wins main prize at Moscow International Film Festival

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Annual inflation in Russia gearing down to 7.82% over week — Economy Ministry

"Inflation in the consumer market slowed down to 0.08% over the week from April 16 to 22, 2024," the ministry informed

Lithuania’s prime minister warns US may curtail aid to Ukraine

Ingrida Simonyte called for getting ready for such a turn of events right away, and not just watch and wait

NATO bears direct responsibility for Ukraine crisis — Chinese Foreign Ministry

Spokesman Wang Wenbin stressed that China was not providing weapons to the conflicting parties and strictly controlled dual-use goods, including the export of drones

Putin’s trip to China will rivet world’s attention, Kremlin spokesman predicts

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Moscow reports 1,773 daily coronavirus hospitalizations

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Russia appreciates Bolivia’s push to defend sovereignty, Lavrov says

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Network of international conspirators plotted Crocus terrorist attack — watchdog

Yury Chikhanchin pointed out that the perpetrators of the attack were provided with money, weapons, transportation and ammunition

Cooperation of Serbia, Russia in military-technical sphere at highest level — president

Earlier, Aleksandar Vucic expressed his admiration for Russian technology several times

Ukraine had to negotiate agreements with Russia with ‘three masters’ — Russian envoy

"It is very difficult to negotiate with those who are unable to make decisions, even if they want, they can’t, and only act as a side to a difficult conflict," Vladimir Medinsky explained

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Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu underlined that this is being done by strengthening "military-political structures such as QUAD, AUKUS and the US-Japan-Philippines triad"

Negative trends still on rise in US-China relations — top Chinese diplomat

The United States should not cross the red lines with regard to China’s sovereignty and security, Wang Yi added

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Singapore Airlines resumes flights to Moscow starting from January 20

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Polish leader cautions NATO allies against provoking Russia

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Russian gas production to gain 4.6% in 2024 — Economy Ministry

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One more suspect in Crocus City Hall terror attack arrested — police

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Russian Economy Ministry expects trade balance surplus to decline

Exports of goods are expected to drop to $419.7 bln this year. Imports are forecast to grow to $315.7 bln in 2024

Russia's response to seizure of frozen assets in US to have no timeframe — chief delegate

Konstantin Gavrilov emphasized that the US will have to be brought to account for this decision

EAEU trade turnover reaches record high level of $8.7 bln in 2023 — Russian Prime Minister

The trade turnover between Russia and Belarus reached 4 trillion rubles ($43.8 bln)

Russian diplomat accuses US of facilitating chemical warfare in Ukraine

According to Russian Permanent Representative to the OPCW Vladimir Tarabrin, Russian troops have repeatedly recorded incidents where the Ukrainian army’s used chemical weapons, including riot control agents as means of warfare

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The Russian defense chief is certain that "this is an important moment in strengthening security in the SCO space"

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Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council added that the European Union’s financial system is not very stable and people are losing confidence

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"ALBA can be among the founders of a new world, a new international multipolar order," the Venezuelan president stressed

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Russian defense minister dismisses his deputy Ivanov

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Musk concurs that civil war looming in West

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West reluctant to punish those responsible for Nord Stream blasts — Russian diplomat

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Scholz asks allies to find additional air defense capabilities for Ukraine

Germany is the second largest arms supplier to Ukraine after the US

Russia’s natural population decline shrinks by 24% yoy in January-August — statistics

The Federal Statistics Service noted that mortality in the eight months of 2023 decreased by 9.8%, and the birth rate dropped by 2.5%

Istanbul accords could have stopped hostilities in Ukraine — German newspaper

The deal still looks advantageous even after two years of war, Welt am Sonntag said

Pelosi's remarks about US protesters undemocratic, Russian diplomat says

On April 25, US police said at least 127 people were arrested during large-scale protests on American university campuses against Israeli actions in the Palestinian enclave

Potential nuclear facilities in Poland to be military target for Russia — senior diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, discussions around the deployment of NATO nuclear facilities in Poland are an "unfolding story"

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Russia may abolish gold export duty from June 1 — Finance Ministry

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US’ Blinken to visit Israel amid rising tensions between two countries — NYT

Israel’s military upcoming operation in Rafah will also be on agenda, the New York Times reported

International cooperation needed to investigate Nord Stream incidents — Russian diplomat

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Putin proclaims Odessa Russian city, challenges Ukraine's historical narrative

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Abrams tanks easy targets for drones — Russian expert

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UN bound to stay as unique world organization — Russian ambassador

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Venezuela interested in Russia's participation in gold mining — official

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TotalEnergies expects gas price hike if Russian LNG falls under sanctions

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Russia supports Bolivia’s aim to join BRICS — Lavrov

The foreign minister noted that Russia is interested in "the maximum possible number of countries that want to be closer to BRICS to become either members or have sustainable and standing partner relations established"

Bank of Russia ready to keep high key rate as long as needed to bring inflation to target

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TotalEnergies to announce force majeure for Yamal LNG in case of EU sanctions

The company has two contracts for LNG supplies to Europe from the Yamal LNG project and one for Asia that requires closer consideration, CEO of the French energy company Patrick Pouyanne said

Erdogan moves back from May 9 his trip to US — report

The report hasn’t been officially confirmed

China, US free to have their own friends, partners — President Xi

Beijing sticks to the principle of non-alignment with any blocs, the Chinese leader said and called on Washington "to refrain from teaming up in small groups"

Kremlin spokesman describes European Parliament as 'Russophobic machine'

Dmitry Peskov added that the EP "has turned into a machine brimming with internal contradictions that keeps generating boorish statements"

Russia warns US, NATO against harming its security — diplomat

Maria Zakharova stressed that "the level of nuclear risks have risen dramatically as a result of the West’s destructive policy, which is fraught with a direct military confrontation between nuclear powers"

Russia fights West’s sanctions at UN for the sake of developing countries — envoy to UN

According to the diplomat, Russia is engaged in "fierce battles on this issue in different committees of the General Assembly"

Hamas fighters have destroyed more than 400 Israeli vehicles — group’s senior member

Abu Ubaida, a spokesman for the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, said the brigades had completely or partially destroyed 135 units of Israeli military equipment over the past three days

UNSC rejects amendment by Russia, China to resolution on nuclear weapons in outer space

The amendment gained seven votes from countries including Russia and China

Blinken’s visit to China meant to shatter Russian-Chinese ties — senior Russian diplomat

"I think that Beijing understands this perfectly well and will not even pretend being ready to reach any agreements with the Americans to the detriment of Russia’s interests," Sergey Ryabkov said

Press review: NATO flexes muscles near Russian border and South China Sea runs hot

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

Putin’s inauguration to take place on May 7, senator says

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Russian troops wipe out military train with Western armaments in DPR over past day

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US stops hiding true purpose of sanctions on Moscow, Russian envoy says

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