9 Apr, 09:38

US to restore some terminated foreign aid programs — Reuters

In particular, the World Food Program awards in Lebanon, Syria, Somalia, Jordan, Iraq and Ecuador were restored

WASHINGTON, April 9. /TASS/. The administration of President Donald Trump has decided to reinstate at least six recently canceled US foreign aid programs, Reuters reported citing sources familiar with the matter.

USAID Acting Administrator Jeremy Lewin asked staff in an internal email to reverse the terminations, sources said. The programs that he asked to restore were the World Food Program (WFP) awards in Lebanon, Syria, Somalia, Jordan, Iraq and Ecuador, five sources familiar with the matter said. The administration has also resumed four awards to the International Organization for Migration in the Pacific region, two sources said. "Sorry for all the back and forth on awards," Lewin said in the internal email seen by the agency. "There are a lot of stakeholders and we need to do better about balancing these competing interests," he added.

The decision to restore some aid followed pressure from inside the administration and from Congress, sources told Reuters. In particular, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Democrats on Tuesday wrote a letter to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding plans to restructure the State Department, including by folding in USAID, which they said was unconstitutional, illegal, unjustified, damaging, and inefficient. According to Stand Up For Aid, an advocacy group of current and former US officials, WFP contracts canceled on Lewin’s orders last weekend for Lebanon, Syria, Somalia and Jordan totaled more than $463 mln.

Trump suspended the activities of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which allocated funds to finance international organizations, in early February. Later the US administration announced the intention to cancel 92% of USAID and State Department contracts for foreign aid, which would save about $60 bln from the state budget.

On March 10, Rubio who was earlier appointed USAID’s temporary head, said that the Trump administration had officially ended 83% of USAID programs following a six-week review. The 5,200 contracts that were cancelled, spent tens of billions of dollars in ways that did not serve, and in some cases even harmed, the core national interests of the US, he noted.

Middle East conflict

Nearly two million Palestinians in dire need of humanitarian assistance — government

The public health system is ruined, bakeries are not working

Yesterday, 16:36

Zelensky’s office official confirms Ukraine’s participation in London talks next week

"I will not disclose who will be on the team," Sergey Leshchenko said

Putin explains strike on Sumy congress center by Ukrainian military award ceremony

The Russian president exemplified that in restaurants, the Ukrainian military personnel "hold some gatherings, meetings, conferences"

Press review: Easter truce may shift Ukraine conflict as Iran, US report nuclear progress

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, April 21st

Russia ready to talk directly to Ukraine about civilian infrastructure strikes — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov underscored that "earlier the president repeatedly voiced his readiness for negotiations with the Ukrainian side"

Nothing to add to Defense Ministry’s report of Kiev’s ceasefire violations — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that Russia would share the information with all relevant parties

Golden Dome missile defense shield won’t protect US from Russia or China, analyst says

Thomas Countryman noted that the system "could be overwhelmed by the much cheaper option of simply building a lot more missiles"

Nazis whom Zelensky made welcome in power to sacrifice him whenever possible — politician

Viktor Medvedchuk emphasized that Zelensky had long ago become a pawn in both foreign and domestic politics

EU Commission president urges big tech giants to comply with EU’s digital laws

According to Ursula von der Leyen, the EU is ready to enforce its full digital rulebook

Pentagon chief shared details of strikes on Yemen in Signal private chat — NYT

According to the publication, on March 15, Hegseth posted the flight schedules for the F/A-18 Hornet fighters, which struck positions of Yemeni Houthis from the Ansar Allah rebel movement

China is top marine economic power now — Russian presidential aide

The struggle for the World Ocean lasted for several centuries and a small quiet period was only after 1991, when the socialist block disintegrated, Nikolay Patrushev said

Trump not coming to Victory Day Parade in Moscow on May 9 — Kremlin

Earlier, Peskov said that more than 20 heads of state and government are expected at the parade in honor of the 80th anniversary of the Victory

Yesterday, 23:15

Russia’s Economy Ministry downgrades forecast for average annual dollar rate for 2025

The Ministry has downgraded its forecast for the average annual US dollar exchange rate for 2025 from 96.5 to 94.3 rubles per dollar

Yesterday, 13:20

Incomprehensible how EU openly willing to resume Nazi ideology — Lavrov

The European Union’s intention to establish a coalition on sending troops to Ukraine demonstrates a superiority intention, the Russian Foreign Ministry said

Two days ago, 11:49

Holy Fire descends in Church of Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem

The Holy Fire symbolizes the light of Christ's resurrection

Russian troops strictly observed ceasefire during Easter truce — top brass

Despite the declared Easter truce, Ukrainian armed formations kept delivering artillery fire and strikes by unmanned aerial vehicles on the positions of Russian troops and civilian facilities in the border areas of the Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk Regions and the Republic of Crimea, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Kiev failed to honor even 30-hour truce — senior Russian senator

During the Easter days, the Kiev regime actually underwent a test for its ability to think and honor accords, Grigory Karasin added

Over 11,000 US agency staff gained access to confidential files — newspaper

The documents reveal that employees inadvertently shared a Google Drive folder containing sensitive files with the entire General Services Administration staff

US proposes making territory around Zaporozhye nuke plant neutral — WSJ

The publication does not indicate which territories around the ZNPP Washington proposes to designate as neutral and in what format the United States could exercise control over these territories and the plant

Rearmament initiative could fragment Europe, ex-Italian PM warns

Giuseppe Conte believes that the European public is being misled by promises of more security and efforts to arm every country, even though the military approach pursued until recently has not succeeded

Yesterday, 22:09

Easter truce between Russia and Ukraine announced by Moscow expires

As Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS on April 20, Russian President Vladimir Putin has not ordered to extend it

Houthis claim strikes on two US aircraft carrier groups

"Missile forces and drone units launched two cruise missiles and two drones at the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier and its associated ships in the northern part of the Red Sea," the movement said

FACTBOX: Pope Francis' biography

The 266th head of the Roman Catholic Church, has passed away at the age of 88

Kiev was 'prompted' to accept Russia's Easter ceasefire proposal — Putin

The Russian president noted that initially Ukraine issued a statement dismissing the proposal "as a game with people’s lives"

Yesterday, 22:07

Trump says hopes for Russia-US deal to be made in coming week

"Both will then start to do big business with the United States of America," US leader said

Trump says many world leaders asking him to reduce tariffs

They "must right the wrongs," US president said

Moscow welcomes US statements on Ukraine’s impossibility to join NATO — Kremlin

Bloomberg news agency reported earlier that Washington presented its allies in Paris with proposals for a Ukrainian settlement and they included a refusal to discuss Kiev’s NATO membership and the easing of sanctions against Russia

Yesterday, 13:37

Russian groups of forces in area of special military operation strictly observe ceasefire

The Ukrainian army attacked the positions of Russian forces 444 times after the Easter truce was declared, as well as carried out 900 drone attacks, the Defense Ministry reported

Kremlin aide Patrushev says Russia faces enhanced maritime threats from West

He warned that Western measures will be met with an "adequate and proportionate response" from Russia

Two days ago, 10:19

Russian forces liberate Oleshnya in Kursk Region — top brass

The total losses of the Ukrainian armed forces in the Kursk Region have exceeded 75,000 servicemen, the Russian Defense Ministry added

Easter ceasefire was initiated by Putin, Kremlin spokesman says

The Russian president declared a cessation of hostilities at a Saturday meeting with Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov

All countries will lose if global trade back to law of jungle — China's Commerce Ministry

Beijing is strongly against any country concluding deals to the detriment of China's interests, "if this happens, the PRC will never put up with it and will firmly take retaliatory measures," the ministry stressed

Earth trembles at Russia’s tallest active volcano

Continued activity may affect low-flying aircraft

Russian Economy Ministry lowers forecast for 2025 Brent price from $81.7 to $68 per barrel

The forecast expectations for the price of Russian Urals crude oil in 2025 are $56 per barrel

Putin treated Pope Francis with great respect — Kremlin

Putin and Francis were personally acquainted

Russia to resolve Ukraine conflict quickly if EU, US 'wash hands of it' — Medvedev

Earlier, US President Donald Trump said that the United States could withdraw from the negotiation on Ukraine if the parties sabotaged it

Russian forces advance in South Donetsk area, DPR leader says

The Russian troops have advanced towards the settlements of Bogatyr, Otradnaya and Komar in the Velikaya Novosyolka area

Russia started strengthening marine potential before US actions — official

The situation will evolve "more likely the other way around," the presidential aide said when answering the question whether Russia endeavors to catch up with the US, considering extensive plans of the US administration

US vice president arrives in India

During the visit, JD Vance will meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

US national shot dead during plane hijacking attempt in Belize

The pilots managed to land the aircraft at Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport

Two days ago, 13:24

Kiev will not become part of NATO, it’s out of the question — Trump’s special envoy

US President Donald Trump suggested earlier that the Ukrainian conflict may have been triggered by Kiev’s ambitions to join the alliance

Ex-Ukrainian PM slams Kiev's idea to extend ceasefire as demagogy

Nikolay Azarov recalled that the Kiev regime, which came to power as a result of the 2014 coup, lacked commitment

Combat operations restart in special military operation area after Easter truce — Putin

The Russian president announced a ceasefire on the eve of Easter at a meeting with Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov

Yesterday, 08:14

Ukrainian armed forces attack Donetsk during ceasefire — operative services

The Ukrainian army has also attacked Gorlovka, with four artillery shells fired at the town, according to the administration of the Donetsk People Republic’s head and government reported

Yesterday, 12:49

South Korea supplies cars worth $72 mln to Russia in March

Russia was the 12th-biggest trade partner of South Korean exporters of cars

IN BRIEF: What is known about end of Easter truce, Ukrainian violations

The Russian Defense Ministry stated that after the truce expired, Russian troops resumed their special military operation

Israel unlikely to strike Iran without Trump’s endorsement — media

Meanwhile, the US president himself is currently focused on pursuing diplomatic solutions to address Iran's nuclear program

Ukraine seeks to stage counterattack in Krasnoarmeysk direction — DPR head

Denis Pushilin noted that the heaviest fighting was currently taking place near the village of Novoye near Krasny Liman

Pope Francis to be buried late this week

The spokesman also recalled that the pontiff had expressed the wish to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome with a public viewing at St. Peter’s Basilica

Yesterday, 04:19

Russian LNG deliveries to China plunge 18.7% in Q1 2025 — customs

Imports lost 24% in value terms to $800.61 mln, the Main Customs Administration of China said

Russian-made SJ-100 jet preparing for maiden flight — company executive

A prototype of the passenger jet with imported systems and domestically-produced PD-8 engines successfully completed its first test flight in March 2025

Putin pays tribute to Pope Francis, praises efforts to build interfaith dialogue

The president noted that Pope Francis was beloved globally as a faithful servant of Christian teachings, adding that he was a wise religious leader and statesman, a consistent defender of humanitarian values and justice

Press review: US could rally 70 countries against China and EU targets Russia before May 9

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, April 17th

Yesterday, 19:06

Israeli chief of General Staff visits Israel-controlled areas in Syria

Eyal Zamir vowed that Israel will retain its military presence there, the IDF said

Yesterday, 00:50

Kiev had no choice regarding Easter truce — Russian lawmaker

Alexey Pushkov assumed that Vladimir Zelensky had urgent telephone talks with Prime Minister of the Unied Kingdom Keir Starmer and France’s President Emmanuel Macron, during which the decision to consent to the truce was made

26 Nov 2024, 23:16

Kiev troops attempted to kill British mercenary who surrendered to Russians — officer

In his words, they fired conventional 120mm mortar rounds, silent munitions and at least one FPV drone with a fragmentation charge

Putin calls Pope's passing during Easter period 'special sign'

The Russian president stressed that "the Pope did much good not only for his flock, but for the world as a whole"

Sultan of Oman departs for Moscow to hold talks with Putin — media

The head of state is accompanied by a high-ranking delegation, including Deputy Prime Minister for Defense Affairs Shihab bin Tariq Al Said and Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi

US remains committed to a full ceasefire in Ukraine — State Department

According to the State Department, "it is a long past time" to stop the conflict

EU seeks to tweak methane emission rules to increase US LNG imports — agency

A European Commission spokesperson declined to comment on whether it was exploring possible flexibilities in the methane law that could benefit US LNG exporters

Kiev used Easter truce to advance military goals, says DPR advisor

Igor Kimakovsky emphasized that yet another breakdown of the ceasefire had demonstrated Kiev's complete lack of commitment and inability to control its own army

Yesterday, 13:59

No peace is possible without disarmament — Pope Francis

The 88-year-olf pontiff called for peace in the Holy Land and across the entire Middle East, for extending prayers for Christian communities in Lebanon and Syria, and called for peace in Ukraine

Seasonal peak of Arctic ice area has shrunk to all-time low — JAXA

According to the scientists' findings, the maximum ice area peaked this season on March 20 and amounted to 13.79 million square kilometers

FACTBOX: Vatican enters sede vacante period, as pontiff passes

Sede Vacante is a period that spans from the death or resignation of the Pope to the election of his successor

Yesterday, 19:21

Ukraine used US-made HIMARS systems to violate Easter truce — Russian diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, this was quite expected from the Ukrainian side

Two days ago, 13:31

Russian forces hit test site of Ukrainian Sapsan missile defense system — top brass

Russian servicemen have liberated the Shevchenko settlement in the Donetsk People’s Republic, the Defense Ministry said

Yesterday, 20:26

Ukraine running out of gas reserves, will need to import up to 6 bln cubic meters by fall

Storage facilities are filled only to 2.22%, "the lowest level over the entire record of their operation," Sergey Makogon, former CEO of Ukraine’s GTS Operator, said

Russia will not abandon its other partners for sake of dialogue with US — diplomat

"The United States, we welcome you. But you are not the only one. And we will see what becomes of the dialogue with you," he added

Two days ago, 08:39

Vulin not included in Serbia’s new cabinet because of Western pressure on Vucic — source

"Aleksandar Vulin has been removed from the government because of pressure from Brussels," the source pointed out

Kiev vows to mirror Russia’s truce moves, but its reflection warped — Russian lawmaker

Leonid Slutsky stressed that the Ukrainian regime has repeatedly displayed its inability to comply with agreements

EU cannot support Ukraine in military conflict without US — Kneissl

According to the former Austrian foreign minister, "France is now very upset that Germany and Poland are buying weapons from the United States, and not from France"

Yesterday, 17:31

No orders to extend Easter truce issued by Putin — Kremlin spokesman

The ceasefire is in force for 30 hours, from 6:00 p.m. Moscow time on April 19 until 00:00 Moscow time on April 21

Russia has no intention to get into naval arms race — presidential aide

Nikolay Patrushev drew attention to the "increased competition" between the United States and China in the naval sphere

IN BRIEF: Putin signs off on bills to protect Russians from foreign influence

Foreign agent status will also be given for supporting similar decisions by foreign governments

China tests non-nuclear hydrogen bomb

When activated by conventional explosives, the magnesium hydride underwent rapid thermal decomposition, releasing hydrogen gas that ignited into a sustained inferno, the researchers said in a peer-reviewed paper published in the Chinese-language Journal of Projectiles, Rockets, Missiles and Guidance

No lasting peace possible in Ukraine without regime change, former PM says

Nikolay Azarov has repeatedly stated that Ukraine is being led by a Nazi regime, under which there is no freedom of speech, and the opposition and the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church are being persecuted

Russian Orthodox Church praises Pope Francis for his role in building communication

The Holy See said earlier on Monday that Pope Francis has died at the age of 88

Witkoff may travel to Russia again

The US President special envoy is likely to visit Russia in case of coincidence in positions of Washington, Europe and Kiev at the meeting in London this week

West trains drone engagement in Ukraine for future wars

The engagement of tanks and armored vehicles is likely to move to the background in future

Netanyahu may lead Israel into crisis, former Israeli intel chief warns

According to Ami Ayalon, the Israeli prime minister’s most dangerous actions include a move to reform the country’s judicial system, which provides the government with more control over it

First Swedish AWACS aircraft arrives in Ukraine, test flight completed — UNIAN

Sweden promised to supply Kiev with two Saab 340 AEW&C (ACS-890) aircraft

Two days ago, 10:32

Putin instructs to consider buyback mechanism for departed brands by May 15

Companies that left the Russian market after February 22, 2022 will be subject to this measure

Pope Francis passes away

He has died at the age of 88

Putin says Ukrainian soldiers make restaurants military targets by holding parties there

This issue needs to be addressed, perhaps, through bilateral talks, according to the president

Former Italian PM says Russia’s wish not to have enemies at its doorstep understandable

Giuseppe Conte also believes that the EU has never intended to promote dialogue on settling the conflict

West incapable of competing in trade on legal grounds — Russian Foreign Ministry

Improvements in the state of global economic relations are not expected in the near future because the West has historically engaged in trade and sanction wars, Maria Zakharova noted

Russia to discuss joint arms projects with Peru

Peru operates Russian-made airplanes, helicopters, armor, antitank complexes and air defense means

Kiev foolishly squanders chances given it by Russia, int'l community — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova said that the Russian leadership has repeatedly stated that Kiev is incompetent

6 Oct 2024, 03:18

Russian soldiers eliminated Ukrainian militants who shot civilians in Kursk region

During one of these clashes, fighter eliminated two Ukrainian soldiers in hand-to-hand combat

Pope Francis dies on anniversary of Rome's birth

Although this holiday is not an official day off, the city’s authorities typically organize various events, ceremonies, costume parades and shows

Russian troops continue special military operation after truce expires

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted roughly 20 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy artillery gun in its area of responsibility over the past 24 hours, the ministry reported

Ukrainian official says Kiev did not agree to recognize Crimea as part of Russia

Sergey Leshchenko pointed to the lack of official statements from any of the negotiators

Kiev needs to draft 18-year-olds despite demographic issues, expert says

Alexander Gladun pointed out that in the current demographic situation, Ukraine must increase its birth rate

Press review: UN ready to join Black Sea deal while Russia lifts Taliban ban

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, April 18th

FSB detains Crimean resident for passing data on military facilities to SBU

The FSB Investigative Department for the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol has opened a criminal case against the detainee under Article 275.1 of the Russian Criminal Code

Russia must repay moral debt to residents of Donbass, Novorossiya — Putin

The president noted that restoration of Donbass and Novorossiya is a complex but gradually advancing process

Putin ratifies agreement on strategic partnership with Iran

The agreement sets out the legal framework for further development of cooperation between Moscow and Tehran for the long-term perspective

Durov says Telegram never disclosed single byte of private messages in its 12-year history

The messenger's co-founder said that Telegram would only disclose the IP addresses and phone numbers of criminal suspects, if provided with a valid court order

Yesterday, 17:53

Trump uses Easter address to slam his political opponents

"With great love, sincerity, and affection", the US President wished happy Easter to all, "including the Radical Left Lunatics" who are seeking to bring dangerous criminals, such as members of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) Salvadorian gang, back to the United States

Yesterday, 17:29

Israeli military detain several Israelis trying to illegally cross into Gaza Strip

The civilians were transferred to the Israel Police for further questioning, the Israel Defense Forces said

Zelensky loses London's support, hits out at Beijing — Medvedchuk

"If even London is tired of this political clown, that shows he is losing the last pillars of his support," the politician noted