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Middle East conflict

US upgrading bases in Cyprus to create Middle East evacuation hub — AP

The Andreas Papandreou Air Force Base, located in the southwest of the island, will also be expanded

NEW YORK, April 20. /TASS/. The United States is funding the modernization of military bases in Cyprus in order to create an evacuation hub for the Middle East region on the island, the Associated Press (AP) reported, citing Cyprus National Guard spokesperson Paris Samoutis.

According to him, the Evangelos Florakis Naval Base, located 229 kilometers from Lebanon’s coast, will get a new heliport that will be capable of accommodating large, Chinook-type transport helicopters for airlifting evacuees from conflict zones. In addition, new port facilities will be built at the base, allowing it to accommodate larger ships, such as frigates, which are larger than the light vessels currently in service with the Cypriot Navy.

The Andreas Papandreou Air Force Base, located in the southwest of the island, will also be expanded. A refueling and maintenance facility will be built there for heavy-lift military transport aircraft, designed to transport personnel and equipment in support of humanitarian missions in the region.

According to the Associated Press, work on the base expansion project will begin in 2027. Exact funding for both projects hasn’t been released as cost assessments are underway. Samoutis said the US has put up 500,000 euros ($588,000) for a development plan that will determine the overall cost of the air base’s expansion to include the new apron.

Transfer of uranium within AUKUS partnership violates NPT — Chinese Foreign Ministry

The ministry strongly protested against the AUKUS actions, as well as against similar cooperation between Washington and Seoul, calling them a direct threat to regional stability

Russia promises to help overcome Middle East crisis through UN Security Council

Deputy Foreign Minister Yevgeny Ivanov stressed that Russia welcomed all mediation efforts aimed at advancing the settlement process in the Middle East

At least one killed, another wounded in Ukrainian drone attack on Russia’s Tuapse

A fire broke out at the seaport following the drone attack

Rada lawmaker calls Zelensky 'cannibal' over plan to send Ukrainians abroad to frontlines

Vladimir Zelensky and his entourage liked "this unlimited power," Alexey Goncharenko noted

Russian air defense forces shoot down 274 Ukrainian UAVs over past day

Six guided aerial bombs were shot down by air defense systems

US upgrading bases in Cyprus to create Middle East evacuation hub — AP

The Andreas Papandreou Air Force Base, located in the southwest of the island, will also be expanded

US intelligence warns Trump of threat from Pakistani military chief — TV

The intelligence agencies said that Field Marshal Asim Munir is "playing a double game" in efforts to resolve the situation in the Middle East

Price of Brent oil up by 5.5% trading at over $97 per barrel on London’s ICE

As of 2:38 a.m. Moscow time the Brent price was at $96.62 per barrel

Iran asks US to significantly ease sanctions, release $20 billion — TV channel

The US began a naval blockade of Iran on April 13

Kremlin believes premature to expect change in European sentiments toward Russia

Dmitry Peskov pointed to the statements of a very different nature coming from Brussels

Seven of eight slain children in US Shreveport tragedy were shooter’s own — NYP

The gunman was identified as 31-year-old US military veteran Shamar Elkins

Russian air defenses down one HIMARS rocket, 568 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones in past day

Overall, the Russian Armed Forces have destroyed 671 Ukrainian combat aircraft, 284 helicopters, 135,370 unmanned aerial vehicles since the start of the special military operation, Russia’s Defense Ministry said

US offers Iran new negotiation plan through mediators — ambassador to Russia

Kazem Jalali added that Iran had developed a 10-point plan

IN BRIEF: Kremlin spokesman on relations with Europe, situation on energy markets

Dmitry Peskov noted that Moscow positively perceives the statements of Bulgaria’s future Prime Minister, Rumen Radev, about the need for pragmatic dialogue with Russia

EU would have unblocked money for Kiev regardless of Orban — Kremlin spokesman

One should not harbor any illusions in this regard, Dmitry Peskov noted

Ukrainian forces started counteroffensive, have a lot of personnel, weapons — Prigozhin

Yevgeny Prigozhin said that in the past 24 hours, Wagner PMC forces advanced 230 meters in Artyomovsk

US diplomat says attacks on Iranian power plants will not be war crime

The Iranian air defenses have been absolutely decimated, US Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mike Waltz said

Progressive Bulgaria leads in parliamentary elections after 87% of ballots counted

Representatives of 14 political parties and 10 coalitions competed for 240 seats in the 52nd National Assembly

Anglo-Saxons only understand force, forcing Iran to develop nukes — Pierre de Gaulle

The President of the Foundation for Peace and Friendship Among Peoples noted that the world is witnessing the collapse of core international laws

At least eight children die in shooting incident in US’ Louisiana — TV

According to a police office, those killed are aged from one to 14

US, Israel suffer 'strategic defeat' in conflict — speaker of Iranian parliament

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf emphasized that Iran does not trust Israel and the United States and is ready to resume combat operations at any moment

EU’s militarization becomes ‘magnet for criminals’ — newspaper

According to the European Anti-Fraud Office's chief Petr Klement, the agency is receiving an increasing number of reports of irregularities in the defense sector, particularly in research projects and procurement

Moscow to host Parliamentary Assembly meeting of post-Soviet security bloc CSTO

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to deliver a report during the session

Kremlin announces creation of blockchain-based payment system in BRICS

Work will continue to develop the Contingent Reserve Arrangement, primarily regarding the use of currencies different from the US dollar," the Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov pointed out

Hungary not to approve EU’s loan to Kiev until it resumes oil supplies via Druzhba — PM

Through Brussels, Budepest has "received an indication from Ukraine that they are ready to restore oil deliveries" via the Druzhba pipeline "as early as Monday, provided that Hungary lifts its blockade of the €90 billion EU loan", Viktor Orban said

Slovak PM says supports Ukraine’s accession to EU, but Kiev is not ready for that

According to Robert Fico, that country must comply with the requirements for candidates for the EU membership

FSB foils terror attack involving German suicide bomber in Russia’s Pyatigorsk

A native of a Central Asian republic, born in 1997, a supporter of radicalism, "who was supposed to detonate the explosive device remotely" was exposed

EU bureaucrats too blind to see scale of energy crisis impact — RDIF CEO

Kirill Dmitriev commented on Bloomberg reports that the cumulative effect of the Middle East conflict will begin to be felt already next week

Relations with Putin, Europe’s reluctance to go to war: Lukashenko speaks to RT

The Belarusian leader opined that US President Donald Trump could come to Russia as a peacemaker via Belarus

International flights to resume at Iran’s Mashhad airport from April 20 — TV

According to earlier reports, air service has partially been resumed at six Iranian airports, including in Tehran

Press review: Syrian envoy slams US raid as aid for IS and Russia doubts OPEC cut

Top stories in the Russian press on Monday, April 10

Iran refuses from engaging in second round of talks with US — agency

The Tasnim agency said that Tehran will make a decision on whether to send its negotiating team to Pakistan only after Washington lifts its naval blockade or Iran

Iranian president calls for resolving conflict with US through diplomacy

According to Masoud Pezeshkian, war benefits no one

Trump considers Israel great ally of US, unlike other countries

Unlike other countries that showed their true colors during the conflict, the Jewish state is fighting to the last, the American leader said

Top Lithuanian diplomat says wants to establish good relations with Belarus

Kestutis Budrys hopes that one day Lithuania and Belarus will have perfect relations, after all the issues will be settled

Russian troops strike Ukrainian military-industrial sites over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted more than 315 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed six enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Iran has no plans to discuss defense capabilities, missile program with — agency

According to a senior Iranian official, differences over Iran's nuclear program still remain, and a continued US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz "undermines the peace talks"

Spanish party asks government to leave NATO, break relations with Israel

Pablo Fernandez supported Madrid’s idea of suspending the EU association agreement with Israel

MOEX Index up as morning trading session opens

As of 7:10 a.m. Moscow time the MOEX Index was up by 0.9%

US delegation to arrive in Pakistan tomorrow for negotiations with Iran — US leader

According to the New York Post, US Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner will represent the US in the new round of negotiations

IMO calls for not passing Strait of Hormuz without security guarantees

The IMO spokesperson said that ships should take maximum caution

US should lift blockade of Cuba — Lula da Silva

The leader of Brazil also urged the global community to pay attention to the continuing humanitarian catastrophe in Haiti

US not serious about conflict settlement by posing threats to Iranian vessels — Araghchi

The Iranian top diplomat added he believed that "the contradictory stance and violations of the ceasefire regime on behalf of the United States speaks for America's ill intentions"

Ukraine faces increase of terrorist attacks similar to Kiev tragedy shootout — diplomat

Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik pointed out that the Kiev regime led by Vladimir Zelensky "does not comply with its social obligations pledged to the population"

Iran plans future of its nuclear program within NPT framework — ambassador to Russia

The Islamic Republic of Iran has the right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy in accordance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, Kazem Jalali said

S&P removes Russian and Belarusian bonds from its 11 indices

S&P Dow Jones Indices conducted a consultation with market participants

NATO not being in its best form — Lavrov

Russia is not mimicking the bloc whose emissaries have been calling on other countries to sever relations with Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister said

FACTBOX: Candidates for UN Secretary-General for 2027-2031

The election of a new Secretary-General is scheduled for July 2026

Iran will not agree to stop nuclear program, source says

According to the TV channel, Iran "will never accept" such proposals

Iran in constant communication with Russia, China, grateful for their stance — MFA

Iran thanks Russia and China for their responsible stance in blocking the adoption of a resolution on the Strait of Hormuz, Esmaeil Baghaei said

Iran’s arsenals of missile launchers, drones replenished during ceasefire — IRGC commander

Sayyid Majid Mousavi said that "the enemy is unable to create such conditions for themselves, and they have to deliver ammunition from the other side of the world"

Houthis threaten to block Bab el-Mandeb Strait if US hinders peace

US President Donald Trump and those who appease him should immediately put an end to all actions and policies that hinder peace and show the necessary respect for the rights of our people and our country

Telegram co-founder says he faces multiple years in prison in France

"Macron’s France is losing legitimacy as it weaponizes criminal investigations to suppress free speech and privacy," Pavel Durov said

Press review: Hormuz crisis risks talks as EU rehearses collective defense without NATO

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, April 20th

Split in Islamic world and revival of Nazism in Europe: Lavrov’s statements

The Russian foreign minister said that the Nazi ideology and practices are being revived in Germany and other countries that joined "Hitler’s hordes"

Press review: Foreign firms flock to Army-2023 and China’s defense chief heading to Moscow

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, August 15th

German automakers shifting to weapons production — newspaper

According to the report, Germany’s industrial sector is experiencing its longest period of stagnation since World War II due to falling demand and competition from China

US has no right to deprive Iran of chance to implement its nuclear program — president

US President Donald Trump previously said that the US and Iranian delegations had agreed on most of the problematic issues in Islamabad, but the nuclear issue remained unresolved

China urges US to honor nuclear disarmament commitments — Chinese MFA

As Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun clarified, Beijing expresses "deep concern over the challenges facing the NPT"

Russian Battlegroup West destroy 121 Ukrainian drones

The Russian military also destroyed four mortars, 19 ground robotic systems, 47 drone control stations, a Starlink terminal and two field ammunition depots

Serbian politician calls for strengthening ties with BRICS

Since BRICS is not that structured as the European Union, this format allows each BRICS member to "make decisions independently" and take "only what they need" from the cooperation, rather than what is being imposed on them, Aleksandar Vuclin noted

Zakharova: West has not abandoned idea of seizing Ukrainian black soil, Russian oil

This refers to revanchism, "which assumes that they now want to carry out that very revenge that will allow them to still win in this very division of the world, the redrawing of the world’s resources for themselves," Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman added

Criminal probe launched after tiger incident at Rostov-on-Don circus

An animal jumped over a wire mesh into the audience during a performance

Two civilians hurt in Ukraine’s drone attack on their car in Bryansk Region

They were taken to a hospital

One fatality, fire at seaport in Krasnodar Region: consequences of overnight UAV attack

The drones were shot down over the Astrakhan, Bryansk, Voronezh, Kaluga, Kursk and Krasnodar Regions, Crimea, as well as over the waters of the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea

Photos and videos from Bucha staged by Kiev regime for Western media — defense ministry

"The photos and videos from Bucha are fakes staged by the Kiev regime for the Western media," it stressed

Czech MFA lodges protest with Russian envoy over Defense Ministry’s report

The Russian Embassy did not comment on the ambassador’s visit to the Czech Foreign Ministry

Russian air defense doctrine more effective than Western in modern warfare — experts

The analysts said it is clear that Western air defense doctrine which relies on fighter-interceptors and long-range systems is considerably less in line with modern realities than Russia’s multi-layered air defense system doctrine

Russian MFA sounds alarm on US European ally plans to field nuclear weapons

Sergey Ryabkov said this is extremely provocative and destructive to the nuclear non-proliferation regime

Russia to respond in kind if US violate moratorium on nuclear testing — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov said that Washington’s statements about a potential resumption of full-scale nuclear testing could trigger a self-sustaining chain reaction in this field

Over 20 ships cross Strait of Hormuz on April 18 — Reuters

Many of the ships are loaded with energy products from Persian Gulf countries

Estonia not to let Slovak PM’s jet fly over its territory on its way to Moscow — minister

Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna recalled that a similar precedent occurred in 2025

Belarus ready for big deal with US, but it needs to be prepared — president

Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that Western sanctions had not played their part

Tehran refrains from retaliation over US seizure of Iranian ship amid crew safety concerns

The Iranian command vowed to forcefully retaliate against US actions once the security of the crew members and their families was ensured

Iran is investigating incident with Indian ships in Strait of Hormuz — Foreign Ministry

The matter is under review, Esmail Baghaei said

Iran’s military deliver drone strikes on US warships in response to its vessel’s seizure

According to the news agency, Iran's military intended to continue responding to "piracy" policy and attacks on behalf of the US side

Iranian foreign ministry slams US naval blockade as war crime

It violates Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, Esmail Baghaei said

Oil slick near Tuapse covers 10,000 sq m after drone attack

A total of 750 meters of containment booms and five specialized oil recovery devices have been deployed at the spill site, and an oil trap has been installed

Launch of Luna-26, Luna-27 may be postponed, space chief Rogozin says

After its trials are concluded, the control launch date will be determined

Seized Iranian cargo vessel was en route to Iranian Bandar Abbas port — US Central Command

Guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance intercepted M/V Touska as it transited the north Arabian Sea, the US Central Command said

Vance to travel to Islamabad for talks with Iran, despite Trump’s statement — media

American leader said earlier that US Vice President will not take part in the Islamabad talks due to security considerations as the Secret Service cannot do it on 24 hours notice

Turkey’s merchant ship Azburg on fire near Mariupol — Donetsk militia

The Ukrainian nationalists still holding the port of Mariupol have been purposefully eliminating infrastructures and the foreign ships there, Eduard Basurin stressed

Zelensky proposes Ukrainian army serve as Europe’s 'gendarme' — politician

For the European model of maintaining power, it’s important that the war be somewhere far away, Viktor Medvedchuk emphasized

Russia’s public debt lowest among G20 nations in 2026 — IMF

Russia’s public debt currently stands at 19.1% of GDP, according to the Fund

Magyar calls on Zelensky to stop blackmail, resume Druzhba oil flows to Hungary

The Tisza Party leader also expressed hope that Russia would continue supplying crude oil through this pipeline

Progressive Bulgaria collation winning parliamentary elections — exit polls

The polls indicate that the coalition is garnering from 37.5% of votes (Alpha Research) to 38.9% (Market Links)

More than 40 ships cross Strait of Hormuz over past weekend — TASS calculations

The previous record was 16 crossings on April 14

Khabarovsk company launches UAV printed-circuit-board production line

The company’s production capacity has reached tens of thousands of drones per month

Russian ships detachment leaves Chinese port to continue long-distance voyage

During their stay in the foreign port, the detachment’s crews participated in official events, as well as the cultural and sports program

Kiev loses nearly 7,300 troops, mercenaries in special op zone over week — expert

Russia’s battlegroup Center inflicted the greatest losses on Ukrainian troops along the western border of the Donetsk People’s Republic and in the Dnepropetrovsk Region

Air defenses down 46 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions in eight hours

UAV were destroyed over the territories of Samara, Bryansk, Belgorod, Vologda, Kursk, Nizhny Novgorod, Ryazan Regions, and the waters of the Black Sea

IN BRIEF: What we know about oil spill in Russia’s Tuapse after drone attack

The area of contamination of the Black Sea with oil products amounts to 10,000 square meters

Two Ukrainian police officers flee shooting scene, leaving victims unprotected — newspaper

They were suspended from duty during the investigation

Russia’s newest Su-57E fighter jet unveiled in Malaysia exhibition

The fighter jet is on display as part of the joint Russian exhibit of the arms exporting company Rosoboronexport

Kiev recruiting EU citizens for terrorist attacks — FSB

Russia’s Federal Security Service made this statement following the arrest of a 57-year-old German citizen in Pyatigorsk

US-Israeli strike on humanitarian aid aircraft in western Iran reported

The Civil Aviation Organization of the Islamic Republic called on all international bodies to take appropriate measures in response to this incident

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervises test launch of upgraded ballistic missiles

Kim Jong Un expressed great satisfaction over the test results, the news agency said

IN BRIEF: What is known about powerful earthquake off Japan’s coast

Seismologists at the Japan Meteorological Agency have raised the estimated magnitude of the earthquake in Japan to 7.7

US Energy Secretary says sanctions against Russian oil will be resumed

Chris Wright said that the issuance of a license for operations with Russian oil and its extension were temporary measures

Some EU leaders pursuing militarization course, preparing for war — CSTO chief

According to Taalatbek Masadykov, the system of treaties in the field of European security has effectively been destroyed

Iranian president, Pakistani PM discuss situation in Middle East

Masoud Pezeshkian stressed that Pakistan, with the support from its partners, remains committed to "its role as an honest and sincere facilitator of lasting peace and regional stability"