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

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Belarussian President Lukashenko speaks with French President Macron over phone

The telephone call took place at the initiative of the French side

MINSK, May 24. /TASS/. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko held a telephone conversation with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, BelTA news agency reported on Sunday.

BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian leader that: "The telephone call took place today at the initiative of the French side."

According to the agency, the heads of state "discussed regional issues and relations between Belarus and the EU, and France in particular.".

Tags

Belarus France Alexander Lukashenko Emmanuel Macron

Macron calls on Minsk to refrain from dragging into Ukrainian conflict

The French president also called on his Belarusian counterpart AlexanderLukashenko to take necessary measures to improve relations between Belarus and Europe

At least three series of explosions heard in Ukraine’s Kiev

An air raid warning is in place on the entire territory of Ukraine

Death toll from Ukrainian attack on Starobelsk college rises to 12

According to the Russian Emergencies Ministry, nine more people remain under the rubble

Iran proposes suspending uranium enrichment above 3.6% for ten years — TV

According to its information, "Iran has proposed suspending uranium enrichment above 3.6% for ten years"

Fragments of drones that attacked Starobelsk college demonstrated to foreign reporters

The journalists also inspected the damaged and destroyed buildings of the educational institution, including the dormitory where students were staying at the time of the strike

Air defenses shoot down 42 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions in five hours

They were intercepted and destroyed over the Belgorod, Bryansk, Kaluga, Kursk, Nizhny Novgorod, Smolensk, Tula, Perm and Moscow regions, as well as over Crimea

One wounded in Ukrainian shelling attacks on DPR in past day

A total of eight shelling attacks by Ukrainian armed groups were registered over the past day

Kiev regime suffers frontline failures — Putin

The Russian president said the reasons for criminal behavior by the Kiev regime are clear

Ten people remain in hospitals after deadly drone attack on college dorm in LPR

First responders said 32 people had been discharged for out-patient treatment

Ukraine military strikes train in Lgov district of Kursk Region, one carriage is ablaze

According to unconfirmed information, there have been no reports as of yet regarding possible casualties, Kursk Region Governor Alexander Khinshtein stated

Trump, other officials unharmed during White House shooting

The US president was in the White House during the incident

UAC to unveil Il-114-300 aircraft during St. Petersburg International Economic Forum

Denis Pogodin, First Deputy Director of the P.A. Voronin Lukhovitsy Aircraft Plant, noted that the national aircraft industry has been tasked by the government to ensure technological sovereignty and produce new domestic aircraft

Upper house speaker slams US-Israeli operation against Iran as geopolitical mistake

Valentina Matviyenko emphasized that this intervention has destabilized the Middle East, triggering an energy crisis, yet it ultimately changes nothing

Iran calls on Saudi Arabia to ‘eject’ US troops from region

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed that Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly nation

Nobel Prize in medicine awarded to two scientists for COVID-19 vaccine research

"The discoveries by the two Nobel Laureates were critical for developing effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 during the pandemic that began in early 2020," the statement reads

Armenia interested in preserving, developing cooperation with Russia — top diplomat

Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stopped short of linking the state of bilateral relations with Russia with the upcoming June 7 parliamentary elections in the republic

European diving champion swaps Ukrainian citizenship for Russian

Sofia Lyskun faced discrimination in Ukraine due to her communication with Russian-speaking athletes and coaches

Death toll from Ukrainian attack on student dorm in LPR rises to ten

As many as 11 students remain unaccounted for after the attack, Lugansk leader Leonid Pasechnik said

Russia’s Fregat booster delivers 53 small satellites into target orbit

Considering Ionosfera-M No. 1 and Ionosfera-M No. 2 heliogeophysical satellites put into orbit, Russia launched a record 51 domestic satellites into orbit

Iran divides countries into three categories based on use of Strait of Hormuz — TV

According to the TV channel, all states are divided into three categories — "hostile," "neutral," and "friendly"

At least 35 space industry companies to move to newly created National Space Center

According to Roscosmos chief Dmitry Bakanov, the new center will house, among other things, control centers for Russia’s entire orbital constellation, including communication, navigation and remote sensing satellites and laboratories and design bureaus

Former Prince Andrew under investigation for inappropriate behavior — newspaper

According to sources cited by The Sunday Times, the incident possibly occurred during the Royal Ascot horse racing event near London in 2002

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

Israel, US attack amusement park in central Iran

No information on casualties or damage has been reported yet

BBC declines to visit site of Ukrainian attack on college in Starobelsk — Russian diplomat

"CNN must be on vacation," Maria Zakharova added, making it clear that no requests had been received from the US media outlet

NATO forces intercept missile presumably launched from Iran — Turkish Defense Ministry

According to the ministry, "all necessary measures are being taken decisively and without hesitation against any threat directed at Turkey's territory and airspace"

US, Iran to continue talks on nuclear program — Axios

The news portal emphasized that it is unclear whether a deal will lead to a lasting peace agreement that also addresses the nuclear demands of the US president

Ukrainians acting like Nazis, targeting children — presidential aide

Vladimir Medinsky noted that only the Nazis deliberately targeted schools, pioneer camps, and children in general during the Great Patriotic War

Putin: Russia stands for demilitarization of Ukraine

Russian President said he wished the Donbass problem could be settled through talks and the implementation of the Minsk agreements, but "regrettably, this is no longer relevant"

New type of war well underway in Eurasia — Lavrov

"It is well underway in Eurasia following the Western-plotted Ukrainian aggression against Russia and another attempt to weaken our country and remove it from the ranks of major global players," the Russian foreign minister said

Finnish president says Europe may engage in dialogue with Russia this year

When asked whether he can act as a mediator, the Finnish president said that if he is asked, "it will probably be difficult to say ‘no"

Ukrainian forces not easing up on their attacks on Energodar, damaging two buses — ZNPP

Two more passenger buses have been damaged in Energodar

Zelensky rejects Merz’s proposal to grant Ukraine EU associate membership

The time is right to move forward with Ukraine’s membership in a full and meaningful way, Zelensky said

Gunfire heard near White House in Washington — NewsNation

According to correspondent Libbey Dean, the Secret Service has moved the press off the North Lawn

West knows no bounds to aggression, tries to resolve issues by force — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister noted that Western policies result in number of unprecedented sanctions that undermine core principles of the Western order, such as free trade, market forces, and the inviolability of property

Death toll in Israel’s attack on Lebanon rises to 3,123 — health ministry

12 people were killed and 109 wounded in the past day

Sixteen people hurt in explosion on barge in New York — TV

CBS reports, citing the New York City Fire Department, that two firefighters and one civilian suffered serious injuries

Presidential aide urges people to consider what would happen if Ukraine won

What these people are capable of doing to us and our children if they win, Vladimir Medinsky noted

Lavrov highlights need to achieve goals of Russia’s special military operation

Russia’s friends and neighbors, as well as its opponents and enemies, are keeping the closest eye on it, the foreign minister said

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

Ukrainian army attacks host city of Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant

Civilian infrastructure were damaged, Zaporozhye Region Governor Yevgeny Balitsky said

Potential death toll from Ebola outbreak in DR Congo tops 200

A total of 204 probable deaths and 867 probable infection cases were registered, the Ministry of Communication and Media says

US inconsistency on troop deployment undermines Poland’s trust — newspaper

According to data obtained by Politico, the contradictory US statements have caused a "major political and psychological shock" in Warsaw

Tanker with Iranian oil change course, heading to China — PTI

The change in the destination of Pin Shun appears to be payment-related, Sumit Ritolia, Lead Research Analyst at Kpler, noted

Another strike hits area near Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in Iran

One of the facility’s security guards was killed, Iran’s AEOI said

Ukraine deliberately attacks civilian facilities — senior Russian lawmaker

Ukraine’s terrorist neo-Nazi regime carries out strikes with full knowledge that it’s targeting hospitals, educational institutions and residential buildings Vyacheslav Volodin, said

Persian Gulf countries running out of interceptor missiles - Bloomberg

Iran has fired almost 1,200 ballistic missiles and 4,000 Shahed drones at the Gulf states since the start of the war

Iran offers to open Strait of Hormuz in exchange for compensation from US — TV

The Iranian authorities have also proposed "discussing the issue of sanctions and frozen assets before signing any agreement

US interested in calling on Arab nations to help pay for cost of Iran operation — official

The United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28

Death toll at Starobelsk college up to 21; search operations over — ministry

All the bodies of the victims have been recovered from the rubble

US president to discuss Iran with Persian Gulf leaders on Saturday — TV channel

According to CBS the consultations will take place via videoconference

Western Europeans must accept world has changed — UN Under-Secretary-General

Miguel Angel Moratinos says there are others that "want to really share and participate, and to be at the same level"

Kremlin closely following developments after US airstrikes in Syria

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

US troop buildup near Iran not sign of any new decisions — White House

The United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28

Pentagon, US intelligence community preparing for strikes on Iran this weekend — CBS

The TV channel added that no final decision on strikes had been reached as of Friday afternoon

One-page US-Iran agreement may be published on May 24 — Axios

Correspondent Barak Ravid said, citing his sources, that the mediators want to initiate negotiations on a detailed agreement a few days later

Pakistani senator sees Yalta as appropriate place for Putin-Trump-Xi meeting

hese three must sit across the table, as has happened in history, and they must come up with a solution for peace, Aimal Wali Khan said

NBC News publishes name of suspected White House shooter

Sources told the channel that the suspect had unspecified mental disorders on his medical record

INTERVIEW: Russia ready to join forces in fight against new challenges — UN deputy chief

Miguel Angel Moratinos noted that relations between the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and Russia have a long history

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

Slovakian premier urges Russia-EU dialogue on Ukraine for peace in Europe

Robert Fico expressed significant concern about the escalation of tensions in the EU

Russian envoy praises potential Iran-US truce extension as ‘chance to avoid escalation’

The world needs peace to avoid a catastrophic, irreversible collapse, Kirill Dmitriev stated

IRGC calls for US Air Force chief to resign after aircraft downed in Iran

The IRGC Navy also congratulated the air defense forces of the Islamic republic’s army on intercepting an US F-15E fighter jet and an A-10 attack aircraft in the skies over Iran

Critics label Elon Musk US 'shadow president' — media

The report says that "Musk’s rapid-fire messages - which included numerous false claims about the contents of the spending bill - ricocheted" across Washington

Israeli warplanes attack Lebanon’s southern districts, 17 killed — rescuers

According to the country's emergency response center, 25 more were wounded

General HQ of Iranian army warns of potentially larger strikes on Tel Aviv

The Iranian military also advised "host countries of US military bases to force the Americans to leave their territory, if they want to avoid damage"

Pakistan optimistic about possible long-lasting US-Iran peace deal — top diplomat

US President Donald Trump has previously stated that the draft of the future agreement with Iran has been generally agreed upon

Final NPT document not approved due to US hardline stance — Russian Foreign Ministry

Thanks to the efforts of Ambassador Do Hung Viet and the support of other responsible states, a number of difficult compromises were achieved, the ministry said

Over 50 foreign journalists from 19 countries set off to LPR’s Starobelsk — diplomat

They include media representatives from Austria, Brazil, Britain, Hungary, Venezuela, and Germany

Response to attack on Starobelsk, Time of Heroes, frontline situation: Putin’s statements

The president said he instructed the defense ministry to submit proposals on a potential response

Russian troops liberate five communities in Ukraine operation over week — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted more than 1,260 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed six enemy armored combat vehicles in its areas of responsibility over the week, the Defense Ministry reported

Nebenzya responds to doubts about attack on Starobelsk voiced by Denmark’s envoy

Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN says the Ukrainian army’s General Staff confirmed the attack

Russia uses Oreshnik weapon to strike Ukrainian military command posts

That was response to terrorist attacks by the Ukrainian military against civilian facilities located on the territory of the Russian Federation, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Draft US-Iran memorandum stipulates 60-day ceasefire extension — Axios

During the truce, navigation via the Strait of Hormuz will resume, and Iran will be able to sell its oil freely

Situation with Islam in Russia remarkable unlike in US, Europe — UN

Miguel Angel Moratinos, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General, High Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations, believes Russia can be proud of its achievements in interreligious and interfaith dialogue

US fighter jet downed over Iran likely conducted strikes on ground targets — media

According to CBS News national security analyst Aaron MacLean, the pilots of the downed fighter had sidearms

Pezeshkian asks global community to judge which side, Iran or US, actually favors dialogue

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian invited the world to judge which side engages in terrorism

Georgia plans meeting with Russia’s representative this week

The meeting will take place in a European country

Death toll in coal mine explosion in China’s Shanxi Province rises to 90

A search and rescue operation continues at the site

Duration of stay on Russian prospective orbital station limited to about 3 years — expert

In Vyacheslav Shurshakov' estimates, typical length of space missions to ROSS would be about 10-11 months

Russian air defenses intercept 320 Ukrainian UAVs over past day — top brass

Seven guided aerial bombs and six Czech-made Vampire MLRS rockets were also destroyed during the day

Pakistani top diplomat points to ‘significant progress’ in US-Iran negotiations

Ishaq Dar expressed his gratitude to the American side for its involvement in the process and to the Iranian leadership for its desire to resolve the disagreements peacefully

Iran to hit more targets if US attacks Kharg Island — ambassador

Tehran’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe Amir Hossein Hosseini also expressed hope that the conflict would be resolved diplomatically

European Gymnastics clears Russian athletes to compete under national flag in Bulgaria

The tournament will be held in Varna from May 27 to 31

Over 30 ships pass through Strait of Hormuz in past day — IRGC Navy

According to the statement, the ships sailed through the strait "upon receiving permits" and "in coordination with the IRGC Navy"

Two US nuclear submarines ‘closer to Russia,’ Trump says

"We always want to be ready", US president added

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

World to face crisis like in 2008 if Strait of Hormuz remains closed — Bloomberg

Acccording to the analysis by Rapidan Energy Group, if the Strait reopens in July, an average oil demand reduction of 2.6 million barrels a day and the spot-market price for benchmark Brent crude peaking near $130 a barrel over the summer could be expected

At least 16 killed, several more injured in passenger train blast in southwest of Pakistan

The explosion occurred in the Chaman-Pattak area

Death toll from Ukrainian attack on Starobelsk college rises to 16

Four more bodies have been recovered from under the rubble, spokesperson for the Russian Emergencies Ministry said

Further phases of BRICS expansion will follow, says South African president

It is noted that the membership will take effect from January 1, 2024

Russia knows West supplying Ukrainian forces with intelligence — envoy to UN

According to Vasily Nebenzya, Western countries are assisting the Ukrainian military with targeting

Press review: Cuba readies for US attack as Moscow outlines ties with Washington

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, May 22nd

Russia to arrange visit of foreign reporters to site of Starobelsk attack — diplomat

“I hope BBC and CNN reporters won’t happen to be on vacation,” Maria Zakharova said

US military aircraft struck by Iran makes it to Kuwait — TV

Iran also fired at two US UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters conducting a search and rescue operation

Russia restricts shipments from Ecuadorian banana exporter — watchdog

Rosselkhoznadzor has been forced to impose restrictive measures on banana imports from an Ecuadorian exporter due to the continued detection of quarantine pests, Sergey Dankvert said

Slovakia faces tough economic times due to EU’s fault — senior lawmaker

Europe’s competitiveness is declining. Electricity is one and a half times more expensive here, and gas is three times more expensive than in the US, Tibor Gaspar said

US president says draft future agreement with Iran mostly negotiated

According to Donald Trump, the draft deal is subject to finalization between the US, Iran, and the various other countries on the list

Islamic leaders urge Trump to end war with Iran — journalist

The US president said earlier he had held a conference call with the leaders of Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan. Qatar, the UAE, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey

Clashes with police in Belgrade over, 23 detained

The Interior Ministry estimated that approximately 34,300 people attended the anti-government rally

US president threatens strikes on Iran’s energy, civilian infrastructure

Donald Trump called on Iranian leaders to open the Strait of Hormuz, claiming that otherwise the country "will be living in hell