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Natural disasters

Death toll from floods, landslides in Afghanistan exceeds 130 — news agency

Severe weather, which has lasted 12 days, has completely or partially destroyed 5,400 buildings

ISLAMABAD, April 7. /TASS/. The death toll from floods and landslides caused by torrential rains in Afghanistan has risen to 132, with 192 more people injured, Xinhua reported, citing Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority.

The agency said the severe weather, which has lasted 12 days, has completely or partially destroyed 5,400 buildings. A large number of livestock were also lost. Rescue and humanitarian teams dispatched to the hardest-hit areas are carrying out thorough assessments of the damage.

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Natural disasters

Iran war close to over, Kiev’s interference in elections: Vance’s statements

The US vice president said that reaching peace in the shortest order meets the interests of the United States, Europe and Ukraine

Russia destined to dominate in space exploration — Roscosmos CEO

Dmitry Bakanov stressed that it had been inscribed in Russians' cultural code over the past few generations

Russian court designates 'Chechen Republic of Ichkeria' as terrorist organization

According to the FSB, since the start of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine, "CRI members have been taking part in military operations against the Russian Army as part of the Ukrainian armed forces"

Dry cargo ship attacked by Ukrainian drone in Azov Sea found, towed to shore

On April 3, the Ukrainian military attacked a dry cargo ship carrying wheat in the Sea of Azov

Iranian missile debris fall on energy sites in Saudi Arabia — Defense Ministry

The Saudi military also reported that the country’s air defenses had intercepted and destroyed seven missiles launched from Iran toward the kingdom’s Eastern Province"

Iran to strike US data centers in UAE over attack on university in Tehran — agency

According to its information, data centers of Amazon, Microsoft, Oracle, and Equinix could come under attack

Press review: Russia to set up Caribbean base and meet Israeli brass to discuss Iran

Top stories in the Russian press on Wednesday, December 12

Middle East crisis will increase inflationary pressure globally — Russian PM

Mikhail Mishustin noted that a number of countries are forced to limit exports to protect their domestic markets and the interests of their consumers

Washington aware of Kiev’s attempts to interfere in US, Hungarian elections — Vance

The US vice president said this is part of the cost of doing business within some elements of Ukraine's system

Strengthening ties with Islamic countries among Russia's priorities, Lavrov says

The foreign minister emphasized that interethnic and interfaith harmony "has been and remains the most important element of the centuries-old Russian statehood"

Trump says he would prefer to seize Iran’s oil, but Americans want US forces home

The US president added that the American people would like to see America win

FACTBOX: What to know about armed attack on Israeli Consulate General in Istanbul

One of the attackers was killed, while two others were wounded

Ukraine loses some 1,210 troops in special military op zone over past day

Units of the Russia's Battlegroup Center destroyed four armored vehicles, two trucks, two artillery pieces

Houthis report joint cruise missile attack with IRGC on targets in Israel

"According to its military spokesman, the joint operation "successfully achieved its objectives," Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said

US exploits Venezuela narrative to tame oil price fluctuations — Russian ambassador

According to Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov, this primarily involves speculative factors

Oil storage facility in Iran’s Isfahan comes under attack — TV

There has been no information about the damage so far, according to Al Hadath

Seventeen residential areas in Iran come under airstrikes this morning — Red Crescent

No information on casualties has been reported

Russian troops strike Ukrainian cruise missile components enterprises over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted more than 360 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

EU, UK hide anti-Trump stance to keep US support for Kiev — Russian envoy

Kirill Dmitriev cited a chart with data on voting preferences in various European countries regarding the 2024 US presidential election, saying it "proves the abyss" between the EU and the UK on one side and the MAGA movement on the other

UK to host international meeting on security in Strait of Hormuz — newspaper

According to Financial Times, the video conference will include representatives of countries that signed a joint statement in March, urging Iran to "cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks and other attempts to block the Strait to commercial shipping"

Kiev increases transit of NATO equipment through Moldova — military expert

Andrey Marochko said that Ukrainian engineering troops are constructing temporary pontoon crossings and using specialized medium-sized floating transporters

US obsessed with idea of dealing strategic blow to Russia, says envoy

The United States does not think that by such actions they are adding fuel and provoking the expansion of the geography of the Ukrainian crisis, Anatoly Antonov said

Press review: Iran rejects US ultimatum as EU seeks to strip Hungary of voting rights

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, April 7th

Russia negotiating oil supplies to alternative consumers — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov said there is a huge number of requests to purchase Russia's energy resources

US military denies IRGC report about strike on USS Tripoli ship

"Fact: USS Tripoli has not been attacked and continues to sail in the Arabian Sea in support of Operation Epic Fury," CENTCOM said

Polish justice minister to make final decision on extradition of Russian scientist

Alexander Butyagin could face up to 10 years in prison in Ukraine

All workers evacuated from LPR mine after Ukrainian attack

According to the statement, the rescue operation went smoothly

Pakistan’s efforts to end Iran conflict approach critical stage, Iranian envoy says

US President Donald Trump said in an interview with Axios on April 5 that a deal with Iran could be made by April 7

Mongolia ready to permit opening of Russian bank branch — prime minister

Gombojavyn Zandanshatar noted that this will help to resolve payment difficulties amid sanctions

Three dead and 4,000 evacuated: dam collapse aftermath in Dagestan

More than 2,000 residential houses have been flooded in nine settlements

Catastrophic oil shortage inevitable — Russia’s envoy

"For the first time in history, Saudi Arabia is charging a $20 per barrel premium over the already sky-high benchmark for its oil," Kirill Dmitriev said

IN BRIEF: Russia evacuates personnel from Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant

The Russian embassy expressed gratitude to the Armenian authorities "for their kind attitude and quick handling of exit procedures" for Rosatom personnel

Russia's Kamaz may start assembling trucks in Angola

Russian Railways may participate in upgrading the rail infrastructure in this country

Vietnam’s parliament elects Communist Party chief To Lam president

At the party’s 14th congress in January, he was re-elected general secretary of the Central Committee for a term from 2026 to 2031

Pezeshkian places himself among 14 million Iranians ready to die for their country

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf earlier said that some 7 million Iranian citizens are ready defend their country

Russia’s Lavrov discusses Persian Gulf escalation with UAE counterpart

"The importance of an immediate cessation of hostilities, which leads to human casualties and causes serious damage to vital civilian infrastructure was noted," the Russian Foreign Ministry stated

Trump claims US could help reconstruct Iran

The United States is unwilling to destroy Iran's civilian infrastructure, the American leader said

Alien signal detected by Russian astrophysicists turns out to be terrestrial disturbance

Earlier it was reported a telescope possibly registered a signal from an extraterrestrial civilization sent from a stellar system in the constellation Hercules

US lost aircraft worth more than $500 million during rescue of pilot in Iran — expert

Alexander Stepanov opined that the rescue operation was primarily a public relations effort, driven by the Trump administration’s desire for some form of victory

FACTBOX: What we known about foiled sabotage on Serbian section of TurkStream

The sabotage attempt against the pipeline connecting Serbia and Hungary was intended to halt gas supplies to Bratislava and Budapest ahead of Hungary’s parliamentary elections on April 12, Srbijagas Director General Dusan Bajatovic said

US vice president could join potential direct negotiations with Iran — newspaper

Earlier, US President Donald Trump said that negotiations between Washington and Tehran are underway with the participation of Vance and Witkoff

Trump may delay strikes on Iran’s civilian, energy infrastructure — Axios

According to the sources, the US president holds the most "hawkish" position on Iran among members of his Cabinet

Iran strikes bases in Kuwait, Iraq, several cities in Israel — IRGC

According to Tasnim News Agency, aircraft were hit at the Ali Al Salem Airbase, troops were targeted in Petah Tikva, and factories were struck in Beersheba

UNGA has no authority to collect any ‘reparations’ from Russia — Russian mission

According to the Russian diplomat, putting this draft for vote, Western nations are opening a Pandora’s box

Trump escalates rhetoric against Iran as deadline for deal nears

The US president said that "a whole civilization will die tonight"

Russia achieves major progress over course of special military operation — Roscosmos CEO

Dmitry Bakanov revealed that 1,357 Roscosmos staff were taking part in the special military operation

'Restrictions lifted': Iran warns of attacks on US energy infrastructure in Middle East

"Regional US allies also need to know that, until today, Tehran has shown considerable restraint while taking certain restrictions on selecting retaliatory targets into account," the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said

US may decide to use tools against Iran it hasn’t so far decided to use — JD Vance

The US vice president did not elaborate on the precise tools

Artemis moon mission breaks record for distance from Earth

They sailed about 5,000 miles further than the Moon, said the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Russian Foreign Ministry says Japan's aid to Ukraine hurts already strained relations

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Japan is becoming increasingly involved in the Ukrainian conflict by helping the neo-Nazi regime of Vladimir Zelensky

Iranian diplomat suggests US F-15 rescue operation had hidden purpose

According to Esmaeil Baghaei, the US rescue aircraft landed in southern Isfahan, what is far from the place where the downed pilot is believed to have been hiding

Situation in Middle East keeps getting worse — Russian foreign ministry

Moscow, the ministry says, believes that chances for a political and diplomatic settlement of the conflict still exist

Lavrov hopes warmongers eager to attack Syria won’t gain upper hand in US

Lavrov assured that the US Secretary of State never mentioned during phone talks or personal meetings that the Syrian crisis had a military solution

Putin convinced Africa will be among leaders of multipolar world order

The Russian president is convinced that all the objective prerequisites for this are in place

FACTBOX: Drone attack kills three in central Russia’s Vladimir Region

The top brass reported that air defense alert capabilities shot down 45 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles over the past night

Russian ministry names risk of possible economic stagnation in the country

Russia’s economy will demonstrate stagnation if global economic growth rates slide below 2%

US, Israel lost 11 aircraft while searching for F-15 pilots in Iran — MWM

As MWM notes, this scale of losses demonstrates the significant risks associated with operating aircraft over Iranian territory

Kiev’s attacks on CPC energy facilities 'pure terrorism' — Russian diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, "Bankova Street knows how terrorists operate, and they act in the exactly same way"

Iranian deputy minister calls for protests near power plants across country

Alireza Rahimi said he believes that "young people, athletes, artists, students, and professors" could join the protests

Moscow to move threat further away if long-range weapons supplied to Kiev, says Lavrov

On June 1, Washington announced that it would provide a new military aid package to Ukraine that would include the delivery of HIMARS weapons and ammunition

Putin opens new, cutting-edge Mercedes-Benz auto assembly plant

The plant’s planned capacity is 25,000 cars per year

French retail network Auchan to continue its work in Russia

Auchan CEO Yves Claude’s comments come in the wake of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s calls on French companies to leave the Russian market

Iran carries out strikes on several petrochemical facilities in Saudi Arabia

According to the media outlet, the attacks targeted Sadra Chemical, ExxonMobil, Dow Chemical and Chevron Phillips facilities

EU preparing for possible energy supply crisis due to conflict in Iran — Spanish newspaper

The EC assures that there is currently no risk to supplies, though markets are feeling the impact of rising Brent crude oil prices, which has led to higher gas and oil prices in Europe

Effect of sanctions less acute than expected so far — Bank of Russia

However, it is premature to say that the full effect of sanctions has showed itself, Elvira Nabiullina pointed out

Drone hits residential building in Russia’s Vladimir Region, three killed, including child

Governor Alexander Avdeyev said that another child managed to escape and is now in hospital with burns

Kiev has long since crossed 'red lines' with attacks on US tankers — expert

Olzhas Baidildinov said that such actions cannot be justified under any circumstances

Russia to send three missions to Moon by 2026

The Moon has now become a place for the space race (lunar race 2), President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Alexander Sergeyev said

Moldova freezes talks on trade barriers lifting with Russia — Minister

Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry of Moldova Vladimir Bolea specified that now the government is "not interested" in such contacts

Democrats may push for Pentagon chief impeachment — news portal

According to Axios, the move may be linked to Pete Hegseth’s role in overseeing US military operations in Iran

Attack on Nord Stream aimed at cutting Russia-Europe ties – diplomat

The Russian Ambassador to the United States noted that from such steps "ordinary citizens and industrial enterprises turn out to be at a loss"

Russian companies invest $4.5 bln in Iran’s oil and gas projects — Minister

"Certain projects are 7-35% implemented," Oil Minister of Iran Javad Owji said

Russian ambassador denies claims of decrease in Russian-Venezuelan contacts

Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov recalled that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Venezuelan counterpart Yvan Gil Pinto had recently exchanged congratulatory messages on the occasion of the 81st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations

Argentina, Chile suspended lithium supplies to Russia — official

According to deputy department director of the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade Vladislav Demidov, Russian companies are preparing to start lithium feedstock mining in Russia but the paperwork on licenses for their operation should be expedited

IN BRIEF: Kremlin spokesman comments on CPC attack, global energy crisis in daily briefing

Russia has received "a large number of requests" for energy supplies from alternative consumers and talks are underway, Dmitry Peskov said

Zelensky has lost interest in events on frontline, according to Russian security officials

For the past two months, Zelensky has refused Syrsky the opportunity to provide him with a personal briefing,

US may try to seize Bushehr nuke plant to fabricate evidence against Iran — expert

Alexander Stepanov pointed out that an information campaign could precede the actual use of weapons of mass destruction

Sanctions hinder US-announced prosperity for Venezuela — Russian envoy

Sanctions are doing nothing to promote economic recovery, Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov stressed

Press review: US, Iran threats escalate as Britain disrupts Ukraine peace efforts

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, April 6th

Teacher stabbed by teenager in Russia’s Perm Region dies — governor

Dmitry Makhonin expressed his condolences to the victim's family, friends, and colleagues

Crocus City Hall attack organizers planned second attack in Moscow same day

"The second attack was to be carried out [simultaneously] with the assault on Crocus City Hall. It was to involve two people, while three others would take part in the Crocus attack," the source said

Russia not conducting campaign to persecute US nationals — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that legal measures are taken only against those US citizens who violate the law

US leader says he does not consider destruction of civilian facilities in Iran criminal

Allowing a sick country with demented leadership to have a nuclear weapon is a war crime, Donald Trump said

Serbia discovers planted explosives near its gas pipeline — top brass

According to the ministry, law enforcement officials are continuing their work on site to search for additional evidence and identify those involved

Never again will we rely on the West: Lavrov says Russia will solve its economic issues

"We will make sure that we never find ourselves in a similar situation again and that no ‘Uncle Sam’ or anyone else can make decisions that are aimed at destroying our economy," the top diplomat vowed

Central Israel comes under attack, explosions sound in Tel Aviv

According to police and the ambulance service, missile debris came down in several locations

US drones gather data for Kiev’s future strikes on Russia — ambassador to US

Anatoly Antonov quoted US National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby as saying that US UAVs make these kinds of overflights on a daily basis

More EU countries calling for abolition of veto in decision-making — newspaper

According to the report, Germany and Sweden are leading this group

West wants to turn Eurasia into conflict hot spot, says Russia’s security chief

"We regard as a threat consistent efforts being made by the US and its allies to thwart post-Soviet alliances" like the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Nikolay Patrushev said

IN BRIEF: Drone attack on CPC facilities and attempt to destabilize hydrocarbon market

The attack was geared to inflict maximum damage on its largest shareholders, companies from the United States and Kazakhstan

Israel urges US against agreement with Iran without Strait of Hormuz deal — Axios

The portal reported that the leaders of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates also urged Washington against concessions on the Strait of Hormuz

Russia to carefully consider request for Maduro's asylum if petitioned — ambassador

Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov emphasized the firmness of Russia’s position

Iran says risk of closing Bab el-Mandeb Strait pushes US toward negotiations

Washington "is aware of the scale of the possible defeat following the failure of the special operation in Isfahan," a senior Iranian official said

US proposes replacing Witkoff with JD Vance on negotiating team, Iran reveals

According to the source, Washington is concerned about a possible energy price rise next week amid the ongoing conflict with Iran

US vice president plans to discuss Ukrainian settlement with Hungarian PM

"We’ll talk about any number of things related to the US-Hungary relationship," JD Vance added

Teenager stabs teacher at school entrance in Russia’s Perm Region — governor

Dmitry Makhonin said the teacher’s condition is assessed as critical

Trump calls opening of Hormuz Strait 'very big priority'

The US president also suggested that if Washington takes control of the Strait of Hormuz, it may well charge a toll for passage through it

Iran seeks $2 mln vessel fee for Strait of Hormuz passage under its peace plan — NYT

According to the newspaper, Tehran also intends to split the fees from vessels with Oman, which lies across the strait

Trump says Iran could be destroyed in one night

On Sunday the US president said there was a good chance a deal with Iran would be signed by April 7

Russia, US, India to cooperate in developing national orbital stations — Roscosmos CEO

According to Dmitry Bakanov, national orbital stations are designed for orbits with the same inclination and in future they may interact with each other through cross-flights, approaching, docking, and undocking

Russian-Syrian agreement on Tartus base under preparation — senator

Russia's deputy defense minister announced on October 10 that Russia planned to have its permanent naval base at Tartus