{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Strait of Hormuz developments

Iran calls on US to release seized Iranian vessel, its crew — Foreign Ministry

Iran warns of the serious consequences of this illegal and criminal act by the US

TEHRAN, April 21. /TASS/. The US seizure of an Iranian container ship is nothing but an act of maritime piracy; Tehran calls on Washington to release the vessel and its crew, as well as their family members, the Iranian Foreign Ministry stated.

"This act, accompanied by the intimidation of the passengers, the vessel’s crew and their families, is an act of maritime piracy and terrorism. Iran warns of the serious consequences of this illegal and criminal act by the US and emphasizes the need for the immediate release of the Iranian vessel, its passengers, and its crew, as well as their families," the ministry said in a statement.

Tehran noted that it will use all means at its disposal to protect its national interests and that the US is fully responsible for any further escalation of the situation in the region.

On April 20, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported intercepting an Iranian-flagged container ship en route to one of Iran’s ports in the Gulf of Oman. This action was taken as part of the US-imposed blockade of Iranian ports. According to the command, after the vessel refused to comply with US military demands, an American destroyer damaged the engine room of the container ship, after which US Marines boarded the vessel.

US-Israeli strikes on Iran

Preps for US-Iran talks in Islamabad now in final stages — newspaper

The publication notes that Pakistani officials have remained silent

Seven EU nations call for European sanctions against Israel

The EU Council has been returning to the topic of EU economic sanctions against Israel regularly over the past two years

Civilian fuel supplies to European airports via NATO pipeline reduced — Bloomberg

The increased use of the pipeline comes at a time when European airlines and airports are already facing serious fuel supply challenges due to the conflict with Iran

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

The previous record was 16 crossings on April 14

IAEA chief says nuclear arms race is his ‘worst fear’

"A world with 20 nuclear weapon states or more would be extremely dangerous," Rafael Grossi said

Brazil, Germany call for diplomacy solution to Ukraine problem

The parties welcomed efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting negotiated peace settlement

Foreign Ministry summons Mexican envoy over incident involving Russian citizen

Eduardo Villegas Mejias provided information regarding the investigative questioning of the minor Russian citizen

Trump declines to open Strait of Hormuz until deal with Iran signed

According to Bloomberg, oil prices have risen because the US has upheld its blockade of the strait while the Navy has seized an Iranian-flagged vessel

Russian ambassador rejects Czech protest against Russian Defense Ministry’s publication

The Russian Defense Ministry's statement, the embassy noted, is a serious warning signal, as "the public in Western countries must be aware of the risks associated with supporting the aggressive Kiev regime"

Moscow to continue monitoring situation involving detained Russian citizen — MFA

The Russian Foreign Ministry pointed to the Mexican side’s obligations to ensure unimpeded communication between authorized representatives of the Russian state and their citizens

Russia at final stage of developing advanced electronic warfare system

The onboard defense system comprises integrated technical means designed to identify and classify the threat of the protected object’s destruction, and also to neutralize it

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

Russian wounded in shooting at Teotihuacan pyramids in Mexico — authorities

Mexico's Security Secretary Cristobal Castaneda said that forensic experts were working at the scene. He reported four wounded

Russian foreign minister to meet with Libyan counterpart in Moscow

The officials will likely focus on discussing the future development of bilateral cooperation

Trump says US to ensure Iran has no nuclear weapons soon

The US leader says this is going to happen "very quickly"

Malaysian pilots praise Russia’s Su-30MKM fighter jets — Russian ambassador

Nail Latypov noted that military-technical cooperation was one of the important areas of interaction between Russian and Malaysia

Russia to deliver 27 tons of humanitarian aid to Lebanon

The Emergencies Ministry will send mobile power plants, food, tents, blankets, mattresses, and pillows

High terrorist threat level extended in Kursk region until June 8

According to the region's governor Roman Starovoit, the extension of a high terrorist threat level will allow security services to keep the region's residents safe

Iran refuses to hold talks amid ongoing threats — parliament speaker

Bagher Ghalibaf says that Tehran "is ready to demonstrate a new balance of power on the battlefield"

Iran crisis to dominate world politics for months, if not years to come — Politico

Governments across Europe, Asia, and Africa are preparing for a sustained energy shock, likely jet fuel shortages, food scarcity, and spiralling inflation, the newspaper reported

Situation in Energodar and around Zaporozhye NPP not improving — Likhachev

Rosatom CEO said the plant continues to receive electricity supply via only one external line Ferrosplavnaya

Russian envoy says US is so hung up on sanctions it doesn’t see they failed

Normal trade and economic cooperation is becoming a victim of Washington's sanctions policy, says Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov

Rosatom ready to share non-energy expertise with Uzbekistan — CEO

Rosatom press service earlier said that concrete works are underway at the construction site of a small nuclear power plant with a RITM-200N reactor in the Jizzakh region of Uzbekistan

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

Roscosmos resumes talks on ExoMars mission with European Space Agency — head

In his words, the equipment and Kazachok landing platform for the mission have the potential for launch in 2024

State Duma reappoints Nabiullina as Central Bank chief for new term

Elvira Nabiullina became the Central Bank chief in June 2013

Lavrov debunks rumors of Putin’s worsening health

Russian President makes public appearances on a daily basis, Foreign Minister noted

Russian special envoy calls Starmer’s resignation best scenario for UK

Kirill Dmitriev was referring to leaked drafts of the British prime minister's speeches, which included different apology options over a scandal involving former UK Ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson

Russia ‘defaults’ on Eurobonds — Moody’s

On 27 June, holders of Russia's sovereign debt had not received coupon payments on two eurobonds worth $100 million by the time the 30-calendar-day grace period expired, the statement said

Iran’s engagement in talks with US to depend on whether its conditions are met — agency

According to Tasnim, Tehran sees no point in negotiations until fundamental obstacles toward an acceptable agreement are removed

Russian stock market closes higher as major indices gain

The yuan fell by 11 kopecks to 10.99 rubles

US, Cuba discuss island’s economic reforms — NewsNation journalist

US representatives also proposed allowing the Starlink satellite communications system to operate on the island

Russia suggests UN Security Council commission look into US biolabs in Ukraine

The draft document is to be considered during the Security Council’s session on October 27

Trump says extracting enriched uranium in Iran to be lengthy process

The US leader says the strikes carried out in June 2025 ensured "a complete and total obliteration" of Iranian nuclear sites

Putin dismisses claims that Russia offered Iran satellite system as ‘fake news’

The Washington Post reported on Thursday citing current and former U.S. and Middle Eastern officials that Moscow planned to supply Iran with Russian-made Kanopus-V satellite

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

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

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

Iran calls on US to release seized Iranian vessel, its crew — Foreign Ministry

Iran warns of the serious consequences of this illegal and criminal act by the US

Trump says ready to meet with Iran's leadership

Iran must abandon any pursuit of nuclear weapons, the US President noted

Plane from St. Petersburg arrives in Istanbul after landing in Bucharest — dispatchers

The aircraft stayed in the Romanian capital for about three hours

Apple says Tim Cook to step down as CEO in September 2026

The executive will be succeeded by John Ternus, Apple’s head of hardware engineering

Trump denies Israel pushed him into war with Iran

The US president said that "Iran can have a great and prosperous future"

Roscosmos to extend flight duration of Soyuz manned spacecraft to 7-9 months next year

Next year, Roscosmos and NASA are set to sign the third supplement to the agreement on seat swap flights to the International Space Station

FACTBOX: Nearly 100 drones target Russia at night

A massive drone attack was repelled in Taganrog and 11 districts of the Rostov Region, with more than 40 drones shot down

Russia will view efforts to establish no-fly zone over Ukraine as taking part in conflict

Vladimir Putin said the implementation of a no-fly zone would entail "colossal and catastrophic consequences not only for Europe, but for the entire world"

Kremlin closely following developments after US airstrikes in Syria

Earlier on February 26, the US carried out airstrikes near the Syrian-Iraqi border

Putin could speak on Ukraine at news conference after Belarus talks on Thursday — Kremlin

The Russian president is scheduled to take questions jointly with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko

Uzbek President Mirziyoyev receives Russian First Deputy PM Manturov

Denis Manturov noted the broad agenda of the talks

Trump says Iran has 48 hours to make deal or open strait

Time is running out: 48 hours remain before all hell rains down on them, US President said

Number of injured in shooting at Mexican ancient pyramids rises to 13

According to official information, the injured include tourists from Colombia, Canada, Russia, Brazil, and the United States

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

Cuban foreign ministry confirms recent meeting between Cuban, US delegations

The top priority of the Cuban delegation was lifting the energy embargo against the country, Alejandro Garcia del Toro, deputy director general in charge of U.S. affairs at the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said

Russian Defense Ministry starts mass production of Tsirkon missiles - Shoigu

Russian Defense Ministry to continue production of Kinzhal missiles

Europe has long been on 'war path' with Russia — envoy

Rodion Miroshnik noted that today Europe is "the most zealous, the most bloodthirsty opponent" of Russia

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

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

Hungary to review contracts for Paks II NPP construction project by Rosatom — Magyar

The Tisza Party leader considers the project important, but would like to understand "the terms and conditions for its financing, whether the loan can be restructured, and whether it can be refinanced on more favorable terms"

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

Kalashnikov presents upgraded Skat-350M UAV at exhibition in Kuala Lumpur

The company noted that during 2025, Kalashnikov made more than 40 modifications to the UAV’s ground control station software and equipped the aircraft with equipment capable of countering spoofing systems

Thailand reduces visa-free travel to 30 days to combat crime

As data collected by the government's visa policy committee shows, approximately 90% of visitors to Thailand stay in the kingdom for up to 30 days

Brazil, Germany move to boost military cooperation

The countries have already adopted "a declaration of intent on defense technology cooperation"

Conductor Stadler dies on board plane that urgently landed in Romania

Governor of St. Petersburg Alexander Beglov expressed his condolences over the death of the artist

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

West to replace Zelensky with someone else in 2025, Putin predicts

"The blame for all unpopular decisions, including the lowering of the conscription age, will be put on him [Zelensky]", the Russian president 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

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

Japan approves easing of arms export rules — government

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara says the amendments include lethal weapons

Powerful earthquake in Japan leaves six injured — authorities

Two people were seriously hurt

EU envoys aim to unlock 90 bln euro for Kiev on April 22 — AFP

A meeting of EU foreign ministers will take place in Luxembourg, where the issue will also be discussed

Russia ready to facilitate agreements between Iran, Gulf countries — MFA

The Russian Foreign Ministry also added that the Iranian side "confirmed its readiness to do everything in its power to ensure the unimpeded passage of Russian ships and cargo" through the Strait of Hormuz

EU agreed seventh package of anti-Russian sanctions

It is reported that the seventh package of sanctions comprises the ban on gold purchases from Russia in the form of semi-finished products and scrap

Russia's artillery production twice that of all EU countries combined — EC

European Commissioner for Defense Andrius Kubilius described the numbers as "a big challenge"

Trump confident Iran to continue participating in talks

The US leader also says "problems like they've never seen before" will arise if Iran does not participate in the dialogue

Roscosmos to bring US astronaut back to Earth March 30 as scheduled

Earlier, some US media expressed doubts if Russia would agree to take US astronaut Mark Vande Hei back to Earth amid the sanctions imposed on Russia over the situation in Ukraine

Moskva cruiser sank while being towed in a storm — Russian Defense Ministry

"During the towing of the Moskva cruiser to the designation port, the ship lost stability due to hull damage, sustained during the detonation of ammunition because of a fire. Amid the heavy storm, the ship sank," the Ministry said.

Trump says ready to resume military action against Iran

The US president admitted that he cannot say for sure whether Iran will send a delegation to the Pakistani capital

Yolka drone being integrated into Russia's critical facilities anti-UAV defense system

The Yolka is a portable interception system that destroys targets with kinetic energy, no warheads needed

UN says attacks on civilian ships are inadmissible under international law

The Volgo-Balt-138 dry cargo vessel loaded with wheat sank in the Azov Sea on April 3 after a Ukrainian drone attack

Israel eliminates two groups of radicals in southern Lebanon — IDF

According to the report, the groups "violated the ceasefire understandings"

Russia's warning about assisting Kiev with drones also applies to Lisbon — Russian embassy

According to the statement, private initiatives to assemble UAVs for the Ukrainian armed forces are also being implemented on Portuguese territory

Russia records over 6,500 violations of Easter ceasefire by Ukraine — diplomat

Vasily Nebenzya says the Ukrainian army shelled civilian facilities as well, causing casualties

Western-Ukrainian military bloc already exists de facto — Kherson Region lawmaker

According to Yury Barbashov, the support of Kiev with money, weapons, and equipment from Europe, as well as the full transformation "into the military rear of the Ukrainian front," testify to the bloc's long-standing existence

EU aid to Ukraine frozen — Borrell

The ex-chief of EU diplomacy said the situation is similar with the approval of new sanctions against Russia

Oil flows via Druzhba to resume on April 21 — Hungarian minister

Janos Boka says that after the announcement of supply restart, the Druzhba operator will contact MOL Group, which receives Russian oil for its refineries

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

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

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

Radev's victory in Bulgarian polls speaks to society's fatigue from Russophobia — MP

Head of the State Duma’s committee on international affairs Leonid Slutsky also said that the fragmentation of "sovereigntists" was a response to the "aggressively militaristic appetites of the EU leadership, which is deliberately pushing the Europeans into a military confrontation with Russia"

Dmitriev comments sarcastically about Zelensky's 'rejection' of US

According to historian Phillips O'Brien, who contributed to The Atlantic, Zelensky lost faith in the United States

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

US faces crisis over need to deter Russia, China simultaneously — Pentagon

Robert Kadlec also said that "a new and more dangerous era" had begun

Russia unveils newest Rus-PE munition in Asia-Pacific region

The munition have been successfully tested in the Russian special military operation zone in Ukraine

Aggression against Iran threatens nuclear nonproliferation ideals — Russian MFA

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said the strikes on Iran were carried out primarily in the interests of Israel, a state that has historically ignored the NPT

Eleven-year-old Russia's Shogdzhiev wins under-18 world blitz chess tourney

In total, Russian chess players won seven gold, three silver, and five bronze medals at the World Youth Blitz Championship

Kiev steps up number of troops along border with Belarus, builds defenses — expert

Ukrainian servicemen are present in the Chernigov and Zhitomir Regions

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

Rosatom ready to share non-energy expertise with Uzbekistan — CEO

According to Alexey Likhachev, non-energy areas primarily include nuclear medicine

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"

IN BRIEF: What is known about thwarted terrorist attack in Pyatigorsk

The attack was timed for the morning hours, aiming to inflict significant casualties among law enforcement personnel

Sverdlovsk court sentences woman with dual Russian, US citizenship to 12 years in prison

During the trial, Ksenia Karelina pleaded guilty in full to fundraising for the Ukrainian armed forces

Russia introduces export ban on ammonium nitrate for two months — government

This is a temporary measure, First Deputy Prime Minister Andrey Belousov explained

Trump says time is not his adversary in situation with Iran

The US president dismissed the statements that he is under "pressure" as fake news