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Anti-Russian sanctions

Biden signed order allowing sanctions against Russian export pipelines — White House

The document was released on Friday

WASHINGTON, August 20. /TASS/. US President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Friday, allowing the US Administration to introduce sanctions against certain Russian export pipelines, the White House said in documents released on Friday.

"I have issued an Executive Order in order to take additional steps regarding certain Russian energy export pipelines to deal with the national emergency declared in Executive Order 14024 of April 15, 2021, with respect to the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States posed by specified harmful foreign activities of the Government of the Russian Federation," the US President said in his letter to Congress leaders.

"The order responds to certain Russian energy pipeline projects intended to expand Russia’s influence over Europe’s energy resources that would weaken European energy security - including that of Ukraine and Eastern flank NATO and EU countries - and thereby threatens the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States," Biden wrote.

"The order blocks the property and interests in property of foreign persons identified by the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury," for activities and services of such persons in facilitating construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, the document said.

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Sanctions vs. Russia United States Joseph Biden

Israel may strike Iranian territory to demonstrate its capabilities — TV

"We are continuing our efforts to prevent further escalation," the US official said

Ukraine offers to use neighbors' air defense systems to protect its gas storage facilities

According to German Galushchenko, the issue has been discussed, and "everyone is quite positive about it"

Official labels Ukrainian claims about Russia hitting nuclear facility 'total lie'

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Restoration of Notre Dame de Paris enters its final stage

The cathedral will open to the public on the fifth anniversary of the fire, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo promised in a statement

New sanctions against Moscow to push supplies of Russian metal to China up — Bloomberg

The London Metal Exchange’s ban on Russian aluminum, copper and nickel produced after April 13, 2024 leaves the Shanghai Futures Exchange as the only major commodities bourse in the world to accept Russian shipments of the three metals

US, Europe’s military force insufficient to fight Russia — expert

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Police detain 14 people at rally in Georgia

The Georgian Interior Ministry said that one police member was injured

Israel postpones Rafah operation after Iranian attack — CNN

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Netanyahu a threat for Israel, opposition leader says

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Russian forces improve situation along front line in Kupyansk direction

The Russian forces improved the tactical situation in the Avdeyevka direction

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Yury Borisov noted that SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket was used no more than ten times

Russia urges Middle East nations to show restraint amid escalation — Kremlin spokesman

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Russia to furnish advanced Korsar drones with electronic warfare systems

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Ukraine actively uses Caesar self-propelled howitzers in Zaporozhye Region — politician

Vladimir Rogov did not specified the amount of Ukrainian equipment

Iran’s possession of enriched uranium doesn’t mean it has nuclear bomb — Grossi

The IAEA director general said he plans to visit Tehran in the next few weeks

Attacks on ZNPP raise risks for nuclear safety — IAEA chief

Rafael Grossi reminded the Security Council that last year he outlined the principles of ensuring safety at the ZNPP to avert the danger of a nuclear incident and called on Russian and Ukraine to observe them

Servicemen of Russia’s battlegroup West receive certificates for destroyed Leopard-2 tanks

The Russian Defense Ministry pointed out that immediately after the award ceremony, the servicemen returned to their units to continue performing their assigned tasks in the special military operation zone.

Ukrainian paratroopers surrender in Avdeyevka area — Russian Defense Ministry

Nine Ukrainian paratroopers of the airborne platoon of the elite brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces seized the opportunity to surrender near Vodyanoye, turned to Russian soldiers and laid down their arms, the ministry said

Ukrainian Baba Yaga drone found in Moscow office

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Russia, Belarus boosting interaction despite sanctions

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"Such actions harm the intra-Yemeni settlement, undermining the efforts of international and regional mediators," Dmitry Polyansky noted

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Moscow shooter identified as European boxing champion Nikita Ivanov

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Japan concerned over Russia-China military cooperation — Foreign Ministry

The Russian Foreign Ministry has repeatedly emphasized previously that similar drills and patrols are held in strict compliance with international law

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According to Wei Dongxu, Tehran's firepower can cover most of the Middle East region, representing a fierce and precise long-range retaliatory means

IAEA chief slams attack on ZNPP dome as 'very dangerous precedent'

Rafael Grossi calls for attacks on ZNPP to stop as they raise safety risks

Russian paratroopers seize Ukrainian stronghold on tanks, combat vehicles

Russian troops suffered no casualties, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Ukraine uses GLSDB munitions to hit city in Zaporozhye Region

The Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb munitions were developed and are used by NATO countries, said operational services

Israel remains on highest alert as it chooses response to Iran’s attack — senior commander

"Iran will face the consequences for its actions," IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said

White House effectively rules out option for US forces to intercept Russian missiles

US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Joe Biden had made it clear that the United States would not take on a combat role in Ukraine

Ukraine suffered substantial power generation losses over recent weeks — minister

According to German Galushchenko, the value of the damage is being verified and could reach billions of dollars

Russian stock indices rising on Monday — market data

The dollar surged by 0.32% to 93.75 rubles, while the euro edged up by 0.22% to 99.83 rubles

Russia’s UN envoy says IAEA too cautious as it doesn’t name culprit behind attacks on ZNPP

Vasily Nebenzya said Russia was calling on the International Atomic Energy Agency to name the source of attacks

Israel to soon retaliate Iranian attack, no exact date yet — media

The Wall Street Journal did not specify the exact day

Russian investigators start inquiry into financing of terrorism by US, NATO officials

Investigators have established that the funds that were received through commercial organizations, such as the oil and gas company Burisma Holdings operating in Ukraine, have been used to carry out terrorist acts in Russia and abroad

US House could consider separate bills on aid to Israel, Ukraine this week — report

US House Speaker Mike Johnson announced the plans in a private meeting with GOP lawmakers on Monday, Politico said

Russian investors in Belarus interested in logistics, oil refining — minister

According to Roman Golovchenko, Russia is a key economic partner and source of finance for Belarus

Europe may soon toughen policy on Ukrainian migrants — expert

Vilde Hernes stressed that the protection permits for Ukrainian migrants contain many restrictions "such as fewer integration measures, less financial assistance, and no path to permanent residency"

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Georgian protesters end rally in Tbilisi over foreign agents bill

Rustaveli Avenue has been opened for traffic

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The Chinese yuan rose by 0.95 kopecks to 12.89 rubles

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The dependence on imported crude oil also increased in 2022, reaching 97.6%, the agency noted

Avtotor launches production of Jetour Dashing crossover in Kaliningrad

General agreement includes organizing the production of the brand’s products in Russia and gradually increasing the level of localization

Russian skiers unlikely to return to int’l competition before 2028 — sports official

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Iran detains MSC Aries ship over violation of maritime law — Foreign Ministry

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanani noted that Tehran monitors "all ships in the strategic strait" and prevents violations of the country's sovereignty

Russian Armed Forces hit IRIS-T air defense system launcher, Ukrainian ammunition depot

The personnel and equipment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were also defeated in 129 districts

Israeli response will likely targets outside Iran — NBC

The report said the Israeli retaliation will be "limited in scope"

Ukraine announces blocking of 83 TikTok channels, including 'tass_agency'

Meanwhile, almost half of all Ukrainians view the authorities’ attempts to control the information on the web negatively, according to polls

West believes Israel may retaliate against Iran as early as April 15 — WSJ

Israeli allies believe the Iranian strike does not warrant a large-scale response due to the lack of damage that it caused

Hamas not to make any concessions on Israeli troops’ withdrawal from Gaza

Izzat al-Rishq noted that Israel’s attempts to release its hostages held by radicals in the Gaza Strip have failed and "there is no alternative to a real deal on this matter with Palestinian groups"

Russian Ocean Way vessel docks at Socotra, captain needs medical aid

Stanislav Beryozkin was taken to a hospital to undergo thorough examination, with all the required tests made

Construction of future manned spacecraft reached its final stage — Roscosmos CEO

The spacecraft’s first flight is planned for 2028, Yury Borisov said

Israel considering retaliatory steps following Iranian attack — top brass

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Greece to hold Olympic flame lighting ceremony on Tuesday for 2024 Paris Games

The ceremony will be attended by Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and other dignitaries

Russian foreign ministry blames Paris for death of French mercenaries in Kharkov

The ministry hopes "that the people of France will ultimately learn the truth about the actual scope of France’s involvement in the conflict"

Italy’s minister estimates Israeli capability to defend from Iranian attack at one billion

Guido Crosetto didn’t specify whether the currency he meant was dollars or euros

US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace eight times in past day

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Roscosmos committed to continued collaboration with NASA — CEO

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Israeli defense minister holds meeting on preparations for operation in Rafah

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Iran plans negotiations with Russia on purchase of Sukhoi fighters

Iran's Ministry of Defense the country needs to strengthen its air force

Russia to continue boosting cooperation with countries of Global South, East — Lavrov

The Russian Foreign Minister added that these countries "are firmly committed to the principles of the UN Charter, advocate respect for the cultural and civilizational diversity of the world's peoples and their right to determine their own destiny"

FACTBOX: Water down in Orenburg, Kurgan and Tyumen at risk

More than 15,000 residential houses and over 23,600 garden plots are exposed to the flood in the Orenburg Region

Press TV reports all of Iran's hypersonic missiles hit intended targets in Israel

The report did not specify which facilities in Israel had been attacked with hypersonic missiles

Demarche delivered to UK consul general in Yekaterinburg over propaganda work

Alexander Kharlov also specified that the provision of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and the bilateral Consular Convention on the need for foreign diplomats to comply with the laws and rules of the host country had been reiterated to Kotecha

Ukrainian armed forces launch drone offensive on Belgorod Region

Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov added that attacks were recorded in the Krasnoyaruzhsky and Shebekinsky districts, with no casualties

Russian Su-34 jets destroy Ukrainian command post with high-explosive aerial bombs

"The strike was carried out with ODAB-500 high-explosive aerial bombs with a universal planning and correction module," the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Lavrov sees no chance of Germany, Japan becoming permanent UNSC members

The Russian foreign minister also said the two countries would bring absolutely nothing new to the Security Council discussions as they "obediently do Washington's bidding, just like virtually every other Western country"

Russian forces find coordinates of DPR churches at former Ukrainian positions in Avdeyevka

It was possible to establish that the Ukrainian servicemen were tasked with hitting Orthodox sites in the region aide to the head of the Donetsk People's Republic Igor Kimakovsky said

Share of young men in Ukrainian population drops to record low, says paper

According to the report, the situation "seriously undermines the combat effectiveness of the Ukrainian army, where young men under 30 years of age are the backbone"

Major shifts in US policy needed for dialogue on strategic stability — Russian diplomat

New agreements on arms control "will not emerge by waving a magic wand," Sergey Ryabkov stressed

Russia’s UN envoy says statements by West expose Kiev’s responsibility for attacks on ZNPP

"They not only completely gave away Zelensky's regime, but also confessed to their own complicity in these irresponsible bombardments," said Vasily Nebenzya

Russia open to help resolve situation in Sudan — ambassador

Andrey Chernovol recalled that the Russian embassy is currently located in the temporary capital of Sudan, Port Sudan, and diplomats are in contact with the country's official authorities

Russian air defenses suppress up to 400 Ukrainian UAVs in DPR over week

The drones neutralized by the air defenses included a Mavic-3 UAV and three Baba-Yaga drones carrying improvised explosive devices manufactured with the use of anti-tank aerial bombs and mines

Iran has warned US that Israeli response would set off harsh retaliation — minister

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the statement as he spoke by phone with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi

Russia unaware of any UN Security Council document on Iran — envoy

Malta's permanent representative to the UN Vanessa Frazier told reporters that so far only one country had expressed a desire to prepare a document on Iran

Zelensky irked by US’ request to stop attacking Russian energy infrastructure — media

It is noted that US officials believe the military benefits of Ukraine’s air raids on Russian oil refineries are "of questionable value," since "the strikes do little to diminish Russia’s war-fighting abilities"

Russia, Belarus sign aircraft production agreement

The complex of measures (plan) to stimulate Russian investment activity in Belarus was also signed