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Explosion occurs in downtown Cologne, police block off area — German newspaper

According to preliminary data, no one was injured

© REUTERS/ Thilo

BERLIN, September 16. /TASS/. An explosion occurred in the center of Cologne (German state of North Rhine-Westphalia), prompting the law enforcement agencies to block off the area of the incident, the local newspaper Koelner Stadt-Anzeiger reported.

As indicated by the Cologne police, the incident occurred on the Hohenzollernring between Rudolfplatz and Ehrenstrasse, details remaining unknown.

The Express newspaper quoted a law enforcement official saying that the explosion occurred at around 05:50 local time (06:50 Moscow Time). As eyewitnesses noted, after the explosion a fire broke out. However, the firefighters who got to the scene indicated that nothing needed to be extinguished by the time they arrived.

According to preliminary data, no one was injured. "We have blocked off the area, the investigation is ongoing," police commented on the incident.

Moldova stepping up pressure on Transnistria under pretext of EU integration — Tiraspol

"Citing the EU standards, Moldova plans to toughen imports of all types of packaged merchandise, including food, to Transnistria," Transnistrian foreign ministry said

IN BRIEF: Ex-Ukrainian intel officer’s car blown up in northern Moscow

The explosion occurred in a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado off-road vehicle parked on Korovinskoye highway in the north of Moscow, when the driver started the SUV

Houthis claim responsibility for missile attack on Tel Aviv

According to the spokesman, who was cited by the Houthi-owned Al Masirah television channel, the missile covered a distance of 2,040 kilometers in 11.5 minutes

Moscow categorically disagrees with Armenian PM’s criticism of CSTO — Kremlin

"The CSTO cannot and does not pose any threat to Armenia’s sovereignty," Dmitry Peskov stressed

Experience gained in special op thoroughly studied to boost army capabilities — Putin

"We focus attention on the technical rearmament of the army and navy," the Russian leader underlined

NATO sets new tasks for Tallinn in event of conflict with Russia — Estonian General Staff

Major General Vahur Karus noted that, as opposed to a decade ago, Estonia can unequivocally count on allied units, stationed on its soil, to immediately participate in a conflict with Russia

UN chief, Security Council should condemn attack on Iran’s ambassador in Lebanon — mission

Iranian mission said that UN must also condemn "violations of Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and attacks and targeting of Lebanese civilians"

Ukrainian servicemen captured: developments in Kursk Region

Over the day, Ukraine lost up to 400 troops and 23 armored vehicles

West is persuading Ukraine to give up claims to 1991 borders — legislator

Yegor Chernev shared a "feeling" that the Western world is ready to declare as a victory for Ukraine at least the fact that "Kiev has not fallen" and that it "has not lost its sovereignty"

Abramovich took part in initial stage of negotiations with Ukraine — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, now the negotiations are going on between Russian and Ukrainan negotiating teams

Six people died of hunger in Kharkov Region after Ukraine blocked supply routes — official

Yevgeny Lisnyak said the victims were mostly elderly people who struggle to take care of themselves

Import-substituted SJ-100 to make about 200 test flights in 2025 — minister

"We are actually waiting for permission to conduct flight tests," Anton Alikhanov said

Putin extends food embargo on imports from Western countries for two years

The food embargo, introduced in response to the unfriendly actions of the West, has been in effect in Russia since August 7, 2014

First five Baikal aircraft will be delivered in 2026 — minister

"It has been decided that we will switch to the domestic VK-800 engine," Anton Alikhanov said

Lebanon pager explosions an act of terrorism by Israel, says Iran’s mission to UN

The Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns this act of sabotage and terrorism by the rogue regime of Israel, said the document presented by the Iranian diplomatic mission.

Ukrainian troops complain about poor fortifications, lack of men — report

According to the report, the 110th mechanized brigade numbered less than 40% of required staff as of July 2024

Russia increases size of armed forces to staff new military districts — Putin

The decree will come into force on December 1,

Inflation in Russia accelerated to 0.1% on September 10-16

Since the beginning of September, consumer prices in Russia have grown by 0.18%, and since the beginning of the year - by 5.46%

UK Foreign Office summons Russian envoy over expulsion of diplomats from Moscow

The Russian Embassy in London has not yet commented on Andrey Kelin's summons to the Foreign Office

Hungarian BAC company denies involvement in pager blasts in Lebanon — media

BAC Consulting has blocked access to its website following claims by Gold Apollo, the Hungarian Telex website reported

Belarus coup conspirators planned to shoot at Lukashenko’s helicopter

On September 5, 2022, a court in Minsk sentenced lawyer Yury Zenkovich to 11 years in prison in the case of conspiracy to seize power in Belarus

Tver region governor says no serious injuries in drone attack on Toropets

Earlier reports said a fire occurred at the scene where drone fragments fell in Toropets

Russian president signs law banning GMO production

The document obliges importers of GMO products to a compulsory public registration

Russia to study reasons for mass pager blasts in Lebanon to rule out such attack — Kremlin

On September 17, many pagers exploded practically simultaneously in several districts of Lebanon

Expert: Demand for Far Eastern, Arctic hectares is growing

More than 140,000 people have participated in the program, and more than 92,000 hectares of land have been allocated for free

In contrast to Lebanon pager attacks in Russia impossible — expert

Anton Nemkin explained that nowadays almost all the functions that pagers once performed have been completely taken over by smartphones, messengers, social networks and e-mail

Death toll from detonations of electronic devices in Lebanon rises to 14 — report

At least 450 people sustained injuries, according to the report

Russia records no increased background radiation near Norway — Kremlin

"Our services have not informed us about increased levels of this or that isotope in the atmosphere. Nor have we received any notifications about threats to people's health," Dmitry Peskov said

UN officials need Russia’s authorization to visit Kursk Region — spokesman

"The short answer from us is, we are ready to do it," Stephane Dujarric said

Russian forces take control of two settlement in Kursk Region

According to Major General Apty Alaudinov, the entire frontline in moving forward, with Ukrainian soldiers surrendering

Georgia under Saakashvili went to war in 2008 on orders from abroad — prime minister

According to Irakli Kobakhidze, "it is not the issue of starting a war that has enraged the radical opposition, but the topic of mutual forgiveness and reconciliation" with Ossetians

Expulsion of British diplomats from Moscow a logical response to London — Russian embassy

"In the context of the discussion of the current situation in bilateral relations, Andrey Kelin, at the request of the British side, explained the motives behind the Russian side’s decision," the statement reads

Georgian PM says US leadership is under informal influence of group of individuals

Irakli Kobakhidze expressed the hope that the US would not impose any more sanctions against Georgia

West afraid to even discuss interception of Russian missiles over Ukraine, Zelensky admits

Vladimir Zelensky noted that Western states did discuss ensuring Israel’s air defense during the Iranian attack on April 13, but they refuse to make the same steps for Ukraine

Russian units strike energy facilities of Ukrainian military-industrial complex

Russia’s battlegroup Center has continued to advance into enemy defenses and wiped out more than 500 Ukrainian servicemen over the past 24 hours, the Defense Ministry said

Ukraine suffers major infantry losses in Sudzha area — Chechen commander

Major General Apty Alaudinov specified that the Akhmat fighters shot down several drones and eliminated one motor vehicle and one self-propelled artillery system

US uses sanctions to show off harsh stance toward strategic rival Russia — ambassador

Anatoly Antonov said sound-minded US analysts and journalists repeatedly questioned the effectiveness of sanctions against Russia

Rising number of dead foreigners in Ukraine proves West's involvement — envoy to UN

"We have warned from the beginning that those who help the Zelensky clique stay afloat will become our legitimate targets," Vasily Nebezya reminded

Member of Yemen’s presidential council arrives in Moscow — agency

According to the Yemeni news agency, Saleh is expected to hold a number of meetings with Russian officials during his visit, which will last a few days

Medvedev allows use of nuclear weapons by Russia when ‘patience runs out’

The politician underscored that no one really needs a nuclear conflict - it is "a very bad story with a very difficult outcome."

Guterres urged to avert threat of third world war amid multiple conflicts

"Any country or any military entity feels that they can do whatever they want, because nothing will happen to them, and this poses an even greater threat to stability," the UN secretary-general

In case of deep strikes Russia to respond with more powerful weapons — Duma speaker

According to Vyacheslav Volodin, it is crucial for the parliaments of the United States and European countries to "understand and realize what can happen"

Four members of female cell of terrorist group arrested by Kazan court

According to the investigation, the accused women were members of the Islamic Liberation Party international terrorist organization

Russia and Rwanda intend to create an commission on trade and science — Ambassador

The issue of creating a Russian-Rwandan intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, and scientific-technical cooperation is currently on the agenda, Russian Ambassador to Kigali said

Trump believes US to benefit from cooperating with Russia, China

Republican presidential candidate reiterated that he had good relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping

BRICS platforms alternative to dollar, euro attract increasing number of states — Lavrov

"Many are attracted by the fact that payment platforms are being developed within BRICS, which allow trading, investing, carrying out other economic operations without being dependent on those that decided to weaponize the dollar and the euro," the foreign minister said

Kiev asks West's permission for strikes on Russia, funds for defense, NATO membership

Kiev believes these measures would increase pressure on Moscow in military, economic, political, and diplomatic terms

US mistaken if it thinks nuclear conflict would affect Russia, Europe only — diplomat

Anatoly Antonov reiterated that there must never be a nuclear war and that there can be no winners in any nuclear conflict

Kiev regime fired its missile at Kharkov park, but blamed Russia — official

On August 31, 2024, the forces of the Ukrainian air defense system carried out a false launch of an anti-aircraft guided missile, which hit civilian objects in the area of Yuriev Park in Kharkov, Yevgeny Lisnyak said

Snowden said exploding pagers in Lebanon likely to be stuffed with explosives

Former NSA employee and whistleblower blamed Israel for this, slamming its actions as reckless, bordering on terrorism

Israel behind Hezbollah walkie-talkie explosions — media

According to the sources, the walkie-talkies were stuffed with explosives in advance by Israeli intelligence and then supplied to Hezbollah as par of the emergency communication system to be used during combat operations with Israel

FACTBOX: What is known about shooting at Wildberries office in central Moscow

The shooting took place at the entrance to the Wildberries office in the Romanov Dvor business center, the emergency services reported

Pager blasts in Lebanon may trigger conflict in region — Kremlin

"What happened - whatever it is - is certainly leading to an escalation of tensions. The region is in a volatile state," Dmitry Peskov said

Second security guard wounded in shooting in Wildberries office dies — source

According to the press service of the Wildberries-Russ company, the shooting in the Wildberries office in the Romanov Dvor business center in Moscow was started by people accompanying the co-owner of the online retailer Vladislav Bakalchuk

Israeli military chief endorses defensive, offensive plans for country’s north

Israeli forces are on high alert in the north of the country, Halevi said following the meetings

Gold price reaches new all-time high as Fed cuts interest rate

Prices rose sharply after the US Federal Reserve decided to cut its key interest rate by 0.5 percentage points for the first time in four years to 4.75-5%

Iran pledges to take measures in response to attack on ambassador in Lebanon

Iran’s Permanent Mission to the UN said that "the continued terrorist actions and violations of international law by the Israeli regime pose a serious threat to international peace and security"

Kennedy Jr., Trump Jr. call for direct talks with Russia on Ukraine

"Nuclear war would mean the end of civilization as we know it, maybe even the end of the human species," they said

Schools in one municipality of Russia’s Tver region withdraw services after drone attack

The region's governor Igor Rudenya has authorized a partial evacuation of residents to the town of Zapadnaya Dvina

Mexican president-elect refuses to visit Ukraine

"I will attend certain international events, which we consider important, but we will not travel much - our responsibility lies here," Claudia Sheinbaum said

Stoltenberg's statements about possible strikes on Russia provocative — Kremlin spokesman

"Such an ostentatious wish not to take the Russian president's statements into consideration is a move that is absolutely shortsighted and unprofessional," Dmitry Peskov said

Russian units, advancing toward Seversk in DPR, force Ukrainian troops out — expert

North-west of Zolotarevka, an enemy stronghold located at a strategic high point was eliminated, Andrey Marochko said

Press review: Russia moves to boost its army and Zelensky to present victory plan to Biden

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, September 17th

Zaluzhny objected to attacking Russia’s Kursk Region — media

Russia’s tactical successes and ongoing offensive in Donbass cause big losses in the Ukrainian army, Politico said, citing the Ukrainian military

Biden plans to travel to Germany in mid-October — report

The German government and the White House declined to comment on the report to the NTV

Russia’s response to long-range weapons supplies to Kiev will be brutal — MFA

"The opponents in Washington, London, and other places clearly underestimate the degree of danger of the game they continue to play," Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Ryabkov said

Explosives in Lebanon pagers undetectable by import-control equipment — report

Sources in the Lebanese security forces told the television channel that the explosives were planted in the pagers by the Israeli Military Intelligence and Mossad

Thirteen people in hospital after drone attack on Tver Region — Russian Health Ministry

Aide to the Russian health minister Alexey Kuznetsov noted that 15 more people were being examined by doctors

Russia strongly condemns unprecedented attack on Lebanon, its citizens — MFA

"In all likelihood the organizers of this high-tech attack purposefully sought to foment a large-scale armed confrontation with the aim to provoke a major war in the Middle East," Maria Zakharova said

New wave of explosions in Lebanon affects personal devices, including phones — TV

According to the report, radios, phones, fingerprint devices, as well as devices working on solar and lithium-ion batteries exploded in different regions of the country

Press review: BRICS challenges existing security concepts and Europe's economy in trouble

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, September 13th

Trump says may meet with Zelensky next week — agency

Republican presidential candidate did not say however where and when this meeting might take place

Press review: Hezbollah pagers attack threatens wider war and Russia ready to test nukes

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, September 18th

Two people killed, seven inured in shooting in downtown Moscow

The list of wounded includes two law enforcement officers who arrived at the site to stop criminal actions

Russia destroys key Ukrainian highways leading to DPR’s Krasnoarmeysk — security forces

As a result, according to the security services, Krasnoarmeysk has been virtually cut off from supplies

New bomber Tupolev-22M3M presented in Kazan

The Tupolev-22M3M was equipped with the newest on-board digital radio-electronic equipment

Lula da Silva, Putin discuss Brazilian-Chinese peace plan for Ukraine

"The two presidents talked about the meeting and the subjects to be discussed at the BRICS summit next month in Kazan, as well as bilateral relations between the countries," the statement reads

Putin notes importance of building new, progressive world

The head of state said Russian women make a huge contribution to the achievement of national development goals and thanked them for their work for the benefit of society

Russia's successor to McDonald's prepares to enter foreign markets

The chain's owner Alexander Govor said in early September that Vkusno I Tochka was ready to open restaurants in the Chinese city of Heihe and is waiting for the US company's decision on this issue

Death toll from walkie-talkie blasts in Lebanon up to 20 — health ministry

According to the ministry’s bulletin posted on its Telegram channel, the number of those wounded has increased to 460

Russian envoy says he received calls from US ex-officials following Putin’s statements

Earlier Russian president warned that a potential decision to allow Ukraine to deliver long-range strikes inside Russia may have consequences

First MC-21 flight in fully imported version expected this year — minister

The domestic MC-21 is the most promising aircraft for international markets, Anton Alikhanov said

Russia welcomes Pakistan's bid to join BRICS — Russian Deputy Prime Minister

"Over the past year, we have seen a significant expansion of BRICS, and countries from all over the world are showing great interest in joining," Alexey Overchuk said

Moldova stepping up pressure on Transnistria under pretext of EU integration — Tiraspol

"Citing the EU standards, Moldova plans to toughen imports of all types of packaged merchandise, including food, to Transnistria," Transnistrian foreign ministry said

Size of Russian army increased due to threats to country — Kremlin

"This is triggered by an extremely hostile situation on western borders and instability on eastern borders," Dmitry Peskov pointed out

Ukrainian leadership appointed from outside, as was Saakashvili in 2003 — Georgian PM

In Georgia, it resulted in total racketeering of businesses, murders of people in the streets, prisons, Irakli Kobakhidze said

West needs to sacrifice Zelensky to avoid World War III — politician

Viktor Medvedchuk emphasized that Russia may intensify its attacks on Ukraine which practically lacks its own air force or nuclear weapons

Untrained Ukrainian soldiers seen deserting `en masse’ near Kremennaya — expert

The majority of freshly mobilized Ukrainian soldiers have no military specialty record, Andrey Marochko stressed

Kiev's allies discuss possible end to conflict in Ukraine — report

According to Bloomberg, as the conflict drags on without significant changes on the battlefield, some Western officials started to consider using diplomacy to break the stalemate

Georgia should cancel its LGBT law ‘derailing the country from its EU path’ — Borrell

"The Georgian Parliament adopted laws on ‘family values and protection of minors’ which will undermine the fundamental rights of the people and increase discrimination & stigmatization," the EU top diplomat stated

Global challenges should be solved through joint effort, says Putin

The Russian leader said that the Eurasian Women’s Forum is "one of the more prestigious international venues which showcases the potential and opportunities of modern women"

Pager exploding near Iranian ambassador to Lebanon did not belong to him — TV

According to the television channel, the ambassador doesn’t have such a device

Medvedev says Trump assassination attempt could be orchestrated by Kiev

The suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, recruited mercenaries for the Ukrainian army

Israel notified US ahead of Lebanon operation, but gave no details of its plans — CNN

It was reported that Israeli officials had not notified their US counterparts until reports of hundreds of exploding pagers started coming from Lebanon

Russian diplomat sees US mired in tyranny already

Earlier, American entrepreneur Elon Musk surmised that there would no longer be real US elections if Trump lost the presidential race in 2024

Israel lambasts new UN General Assembly resolution on Palestine

According to the statement, the decision "is disconnected from reality, encourages terrorism and harms the chances for peace"

US Federal Reserve lowers key rate by 50 bp to 4.75-5%, first time in four years

The US Federal Reserve also lowered its forecast for US GDP growth in 2024 to 2% from 2.1%

Georgia could reconsider US ties if Washington imposes more sanctions — prime minister

The previous sanctions brought the US to "a critical point," the prime minister’s office said in a statement following the meeting

Ukraine lost in conflict with Russia, says Iranian lawmaker

Abolfazl Zohrevand pointed out that the country’s Foreign Ministry has repeatedly denied allegations of arms sales

Participation of convicts in special military operation needs to be formalized — Kremlin

At a plenary meeting on Wednesday, the State Duma considered draft laws to exempt those mobilized or people who sign up for military service from criminal charges

IN BRIEF: What is known about new wave of explosions in Lebanon

Explosions of portable radios, phones and other devices running on lithium-ion batteries and solar batteries were recorded in different regions of Lebanon