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Strait of Hormuz developments

Philippines bans sending country's sailors to Gulf combat zones — Bloomberg

The Philippines has the most sailors on board globally operating ships of any country in the world

NEW YORK, April 27. /TASS/. Authorities in the Philippines have told HR agencies in the country to stop sending nationals to work on ships that have to traverse the Persian Gulf and other areas of hostilities, Bloomberg reports, citing sources.

The Department of Labor and Employment issued the relevant recommendations, according to them. This step was taken after areas around the Persian Gulf, the Hormuz Strait and the Gulf of Oman were declared combat zones by large international trade-unions, thus granting crews additional rights. The decision made by the Philippines will complicate the rotation of thousands of seafarers on board ships unable to go through the Hormuz Strait.

The Philippines has the most sailors on board globally operating ships of any country in the world. According to IMO estimates, more than 20,000 Filipino sailors are on vessels stuck in the Persian Gulf.

Final batch of 28 US-made Abrams tanks delivered to Taiwan — newspaper

Taipei Times reported that the Abrams tanks, dubbed the "most powerful on Earth," are to be deployed with the Sixth Army Command to defend northern Taiwan

Ukrainian drone attack on Zaporozhye nuke plant leaves driver killed

The ZNPP called the incident an irreparable loss and a great shock

Top Russian defense official arrives in North Korea on working visit

Andrey Belousov will meet with North Korea's top leaders

Russia is integral part of Europe, cannot be its main threat — Kremlin

Russia cannot be the main threat to Europe, because Russia, no matter what anyone says, is still an integral part of Europe while being a Eurasian country, he said

Rosatom unconcerned about Hungary’s attempts to revisit economics of Paks-2 project

Alexey Likhachev stressed that the cost of constructing a nuclear power plant is not a political slogan but the result of professional calculations, engineering solutions, safety requirements, localization, logistics, and a whole range of mandatory procedures

Not all is lost in Russian-German relations — Russian ambassador

Sergey Nechayev expressed gratitude to the German public, who came in such large numbers to the monument in Torgau today.

Press review: Forty nations back Gulf vessel evacuation plan and Germany seeks to lead EU

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, April 24th

Kiev forces lost over 1,200 personnel in special military operation zone in past 24 hours

In particular, Kiev forces lost over 195 servicemen in the area of responsibility of Russia’s Battlegroup North

Ukrainian counterintelligence officer rejects repatriation

Sergey Mikhailov emphasized that he would prefer to stay in Russia

Putin to meet with top Iranian diplomat on Monday - spokesman

The Russian Foreign Ministry previously confirmed Abbas Araghchi's visit to Russia for talks

US carries out strike on alleged drug vessel, kills three

The US Southern Command added that intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations

Russia expects number of foreign leaders to attend Victory Day parade — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that a number of leaders had expressed a desire to join Russians in celebrating Victory Day

Iran presents mediators with three-stage plan laying out conditions for talks with US — TV

According to the broadcaster, the Iranian side is demanding that the first phase of negotiations "focus on ending the war and obtaining guarantees" that military operations against Iran and Lebanon will not resume

US, still claiming domination, displays most hostile behavior — Russian Foreign Ministry

According to the statement, Washington acts without regard for international law and multilateral institutions, "in the spirit of colonial empires, relying on forceful methods, control over resources and trade routes"

Global military expenditure gains 2.9% in 2025 to $2.887 trillion — SIPRI

Military spending declined in the US but rose by 14% in Europe, and by 8.1% in Asia and Oceania, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute

General Staff of Mali's Armed Forces announces continuation of operation against militants

The army has been put on high alert across the country

Top Iranian diplomat to visit Moscow on Monday to discuss Middle East conflict

Iran's Foreign Minister hopes to hold talks on the Middle East conflict

About 100 Ukrainian UAVs targeted Sevastopol overnight — Governor

Mikhail Razvozhayev noted that the attack was repelled and large-scale consequences were avoided

US war against Iran poorly prepared in military terms — Russian senator

According to Alexey Pushkov, the US approach may have been influenced by its experience in Venezuela, which Washington may have perceived as an example of the effectiveness of "precise and surgical" operations.

White House fails to ensure proper security at event where shooting occurred — media

According to the newspaper, the Trump administration provided a lower level of security for the White House correspondents’ dinner than it has for other gatherings of high-ranking officials

Russian forces strike Ukrainian transport, energy infrastructure over past day

Operational-tactical aviation also struck temporary deployment sites of Ukrainian armed forces and foreign mercenaries in 140 districts, the statement said

Magnitude 6 earthquake strikes Japan

There have been no reports of casualties or damage

New snowfall record set in Moscow — meteorologist

Mikhail Leus noted that a record for atmospheric pressure in the capital had also been set in the morning

Kiev deploying hidden ground platforms on engagement line — expert

Andrey Marochko added that Kiev has used so-called "meat assaults" in several areas over the past week and suffered heavy losses

Trump claims Iran’s oil pipelines may explode in three days due to US blockade

According to the US leader, as a result, Iran may lose half of its oil production capacity

Trump says disappointed in NATO

The Alliance did not help Washington in its operation against Iran, US President said

Russia, China rethink Eurasia as space of shared future — expert

Zheng Runyu said the interaction between the two states on the continent helps establish a more just and equitable international order

Press review: US-Iran talks stall as Trump may seek gain after assassination attempt

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, April 27th

Top Iranian diplomat arrives in Russian city of St. Petersburg — agency

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the Russian President was scheduled to meet with the Iranian minister

US relations with Brussels, London increasingly unpredictable — Russian Foreign Ministry

Director of the First CIS Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry Mikael Agasandyan said that both the US and European countries are facing significant socio-economic challenges themselves

Rosel’s Vika system provides 360-degree anti-drone protection — Rostec

According to the company, the system blocks GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou communication channels, protecting facilities and territories from unmanned aerial vehicle attacks

Russian air defenses down 530 Ukrainian fixed-wing UAVs over past day

Air defense systems shot down seven guided aerial bombs, two US-made HIMARS multiple launch rocket system projectiles

Russia’s T-90M tank is currently most advanced tank in world — experts

The experts emphasized that the new T-90 tanks are 15-20 tons lighter than their Western counterparts, while boasting more powerful and effective armor protection and a larger-caliber gun

Russia, Egypt interested in expanding freight turnover — Maritime Board chairman

Nikolay Patrushev arrived in Cairo for consultations on issues of cooperation between the two countries in the maritime sphere

Russia’s fiber-optic drones 'driving Ukrainian soldiers crazy' in special op zone — expert

"Often, the drone begins moving toward its target from a distance of about 15 meters, when the enemy doesn’t even have time to take their machine gun off safety mode," the source said

Kim stresses role of North Korea, Russia’s joint efforts in preventing revival of Nazism

The DPRK leader expressed deep gratitude to the Russian Federation delegation for participating in the opening ceremony of the Memorial Complex and Museum of the Military Exploits of the Heroes of the Foreign Military Operation

Trump says he is unaware if shooter planned to target him at Washington dinner event

According to the US leader, the attacker "was radicalized"

Kenya’s Sawe sets world marathon record, becoming first to break two-hour barrier

He completed the 42.195 km distance in 1 hour 59 minutes and 30 seconds

Top US diplomat avoids participating in Iran talks — newspaper

The Financial Times emphasized that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was absent during both of the US delegation's trips to Islamabad

Attempts to discredit Rosatom, food crisis risk: statements by Russian Security Council

TASS has compiled the key statements made by the Russian Security Council deputy secretary

Resumption of hostilities against Iran may lead to new world war — Jeffrey Sachs

The director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University says that if the attacks resume, Tehran will "strike back, and strike back very hard and very rapidly"

Iran gives US new proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz — media

The new proposal was given to the US via Pakistani mediators

US-Iran standoff threatens EU with political crisis — newspaper

According to Politico's source, energy costs are cascading into food, transport and housing, hitting lower-and middle-income households hardest

Source of drone threat identified by special services — Kremlin

The discussion arose in the context of drone attacks on the Urals

Finland’s refusal to build Hanhikivi NPP contradicts legal norms, common sense

According to Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev, practice shows that in such a sensitive and capital-intensive field as energy, decisions made under the influence of political conjuncture quickly collide with reality

Russian senator sees no sign of rift in Iranian society

Alexey Pushkov emphasized that Iran has "a powerful urban culture and strong ideas in the form of the Shiite religion, which cements Iranian society"

British king’s US visit to go as planned despite Washington shooting incident — statement

King Charles III will make a state visit to the US on April 27-30

FACTBOX: What is known about shooting at reception attended by US President

No members of the US administration, including the President, First Lady Melania Trump, or Vice President J.D. Vance, were injured

Russia needs to create buffer zone to liberate Zaporozhye Region — Donetsk leader

Denis Pushilin said that Russian forces moved fast at some stages but the process had slowed down and the enemy tried to counterattack

Iran cannot be stopped from reviving nuclear program — Russian MP

Alexey Pushkov noted that, despite years of sanctions pressure, Iran had not only developed missile technology and accumulated significant stockpiles of enriched uranium, but also "created a resilience potential that the American ‘hyperpower’ cannot surpass

Europe security architecture unthinkable without Russia's interests — Kremlin

One can only hope that this constellation of politicians will eventually give way to more pragmatically-minded ones, the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted

Mali's intel head, chief of staff wounded in terrorist attack — media

According to the AFP, the attacks targeted the town of Kati, located near the capital, Bamako

Energy facility sustains damage in northern Ukraine

Mayor Ratan Akhmetov said that some industrial facilities had also sustained damage

Iran may have tens of thousands of drones, missiles — senior Russian MP

According to Alexey Pushkov, this conflict is a matter od survival for Iran and it will "hold out to the last"

Russia deeply concerned by terrorist activities in Mali — Foreign Ministry

The ministry notes that the actions "could have the most negative consequences for the entire surrounding region"

Many countries to be interested in buying Russia’s Su-75 fighter — Malaysian journalist

According to Jonathan Edward, Western fighter jets have recently demonstrated a lack of readiness for the realities of modern combat

Ukraine to repay EU’s 90 billion euros in aid by implementing reforms — newspaper

According to the report, specifically, the reforms will concern the rule of law and fighting corruption

Hezbollah says Israel has violated ceasefire over 500 times

The Shiite organization emphasized that it rejects all accusations from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and reserves the right to "defend its land and people"

Death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon exceeds 2,500 — health ministry

7,755 people have been injured

Iran seizes Epaminondas vessel as it was used by US — agency

Tasnim reported that the Liberian-flagged vessel has repeatedly entered US ports over the past six months

IN BRIEF: Staff member killed in Ukrainian drone strike on Zaporozhye nuke plant

The ZNPP pledged full support and assistance to the driver’s bereaved family

Russian Foreign Ministry delivers note of protest to German Ambassador Lambsdorff

The ministry stressed that the German side had been warned in advance about "the detrimental nature" of a German parliament’s member meeting the head of a terrorist organization banned in Russia

Ukrainian attacks leave civilian injured in DPR in past day

Two attacks by the Ukrainian armed forces were recorde

US leader says Washington discussing with Tehran removal of nuclear material

The US imposed a naval blockade on Iran on April 13

Russia’s Battlegroup Center UAV operators destroy Ukrainian ground robotic systems

The high efficiency of drone crews in destroying equipment, manpower, and strongholds ensures the continuous advance of Russian assault units in the Dobropolye direction

About 20,000-25,000 mercenaries fighting for Ukrainian army — expert

Militants arrive in Ukraine from 107 countries

Tehran, Moscow hold close consultations on wide range of issues — top Iranian diplomat

Abbas Araghchi also pointed to constant bilateral talks between Iran and Russia

Russia’s Battlegroup South destroys 62 Ukrainian dugouts, shelters over past 24 hours

Unmanned systems troops destroyed six Starlink terminals and four ground robotic systems

DPR head says UAVs lend new meaning to ‘gray zone’ phenomenon

Denis Pushilin emphasized that the "gray zone" is continuously shifting due to the widespread use of drones

Europe turns into fortress besieged from all sides — politician

Viktor Medvedchuk noted that the IMF had already cut its economic growth forecast for 21 eurozone countries in 2026, and had sharply lowered its growth projection for the United Kingdom

Top Iranian diplomat to visit Russia on Monday, meet with Putin

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi planned "to hold consultations with the Russian authorities on the current situation in the talks, the ceasefire and developments around the conflict" in the Middle East"

North Korea to support Russia’s policy aimed at protecting sovereignty — Kim Jong Un

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expressed gratitude to the Russian leadership for efforts to develop allied relations between the two countries

Russian defense minister awards Orders of Courage to North Korean soldiers

The Russian Minister of Defense called them true heroes and the elite of the DPRK's armed forces

Trump strongly denies allegations made by White House event shooter

On April 25, shooting took place at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner with Donald Trump in attendance

State Duma Speaker Volodin meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang

On April 25, Volodin arrived in North Korea on a working visit

US mistakenly considers itself world’s most powerful country — Jeffrey Sachs

The director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University says that Washington should start looking for ways to cooperate with other strong international players

China to respond to inclusion of its companies in EU's 20th package anti-Russian sanctions

The Chinese side called on Brussels to immediately remove the companies from the sanctions lists and resolve any concerns that arise through dialogue

Trump still at event where shooting occurred — White House press pool

The Associated Press news agency reported that neither the US president nor Vice President JD Vance were harmed in the incident

Trump says US ready to continue negotiations with Iran over phone

According to the US leader, he doesn’t want to send his envoys "to travel 18 hours to meet"

Russian Pacific Fleet ships detachment docks at Chinese port of Qingdao

As part of the business visit, the Russian navy men are scheduled to attend protocol events and conferences to share experiences with Chinese Navy personnel, city tours, visits to local attractions, and sports events with Chinese sailors

Zelensky's attempts to become Europe's ‘defender’ will not end well — Lavrov

Vladimir Zelensky has already established an openly Nazi regime in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister said

Communal clash in eastern Chad kill at least 42 — agency

Fighting broke out following a dispute between two families over a water point

Trump says US continues working on Ukrainian settlement

The American leader stated that the United States continues to work to resolve the conflict in Ukraine

Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

Battlegroup North units gained control of the settlement of Taratutino in the Sumy Region and Battlegroup West units liberated the settlement of Ilyichovka in the DPR

West launches large-scale campaign to prevent Rosatom from entering neighboring countries

Alexey Shevtsov, Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council, said that Rosatom currently holds approximately 90% of all global export contracts

Iranian ambassador to Russia outlines conditions for talks with US

According to Kazem Jalali, if there are talks, they must be fair and aimed at achieving lasting peace

Russian Defense Minister holds talks with Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang

According to Andrey Belousov, Russian-Korean interstate relations are at an unprecedentedly high level

Blockade of Hormuz Strait to hit food production — Russian Security Council

Deputy Secretary Alexey Shevtsov said that all of this affects fertilizer production as well

Ukraine loses over 1,100 troops in special military op zone over past day

Russian troops have also gained control of the settlement of Bochkovo in the Kharkov Region

FACTBOX: Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster

Since 2004, the CIS member states have observed April 26 as International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Radiation Accidents and Disasters

Israel appoints first-ever ambassador to Somaliland

He will perform his duties without being in Somaliland

Putin thanks North Korean soldiers for their participation in Kursk Region combat

The memorial, which opens today, is intended to perpetuate the memory of the heroism of the Korean People's Army servicemen and the sacrifices made for the sake of a common victory, the head of state noted

West’s actions harm global security architecture — Russian official

The world is undergoing an era of global change, Russian Security Council Deputy Secretary Alexey Shevtsov noted

Oil purchases from Russia by India confidential — agency

Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell under the Indian Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas refused to publish information on oil imports from Russia from June 2022 to June 2025

Cargo ship hijacked off Somalia’s coast — British maritime security authority

According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center, unauthorized persons have taken control of a cargo vessel which has been redirected to within territorial waters

Russian Baltic Fleet ships destroy mock enemy submarine

The ships’ mine and torpedo warfare specialists practiced laying bottom and floating mines

UAV attacks on Russian regions, Putin-Trump contacts: remarks by Kremlin spokesman

As for reports that UAVs may have been launched from Kazakhstan, determining the source and geography of potential drone attacks on Russia is the responsibility of the special services, primarily the military, Dmitry Peskov said

At least 20 people killed in terror attack on Pan-American Highway in Colombia

Thirty-six people were injured

Crisis in Europe worsening in all areas - Kremlin

These are economic crises, existential crises, and a security crisis, but most importantly - a crisis in understanding themselves and their core guidelines," the Kremlin spokesman emphasized

Russia is eternal, Putin says as he urges more legislative flexibility

The country is facing unprecedented challenges and risks, and it should overcome them with dignity, the Russian head of state said

West provoking new military conflicts globally, including around Russia — official

Russian Security Council Deputy Secretary Alexey Shevtsov noted that the consequences of these conflicts and economic crises have not yet been fully felt