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

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

King Harald V of Norway dies at 89 — Royal House

King Harald V of Norway was hospitalized on August 17 due to an infection and complications from hemolytic anemia

King Harald V of Norway AP Photo/ Francisco Seco

King Harald V of Norway

© AP Photo/ Francisco Seco

STOCKHOLM, August 28. /TASS/. King Harald V of Norway died in a hospital in Oslo at the age of 89, the Royal House’s press office reported.

"It is with deep grief that we announce that His Majesty King Harald has passed away," the statement said.

The Royal House added that the monarch "died peacefully" in a hospital in Oslo. He passed away at 6:35 a.m. local time (7:35 a.m. Moscow time).

The official website of the Norwegian Royal House currently contains only one piece of information: a photograph of Harald V accompanied by a text announcing his death and stating his age. No information on the funeral or the line of succession has been provided yet. "The website is temporarily unavailable while appropriate changes are made," a technical notice said.

The day before, the Royal House’s press service reported that the monarch’s health had deteriorated, prompting members of the royal family to cancel official engagements and gather at the hospital.

King Harald V of Norway, 89, was hospitalized on August 17 due to an infection and complications from hemolytic anemia. He had remained in the hospital ever since. On August 27, the Royal House announced that his condition had deteriorated and was assessed as "very serious." The king, a member of the House of Glucksburg, had ruled Norway since 1991. His 53-year-old son, Haakon, will inherit the throne.

Tags

Strait of Hormuz developments

Top Iranian diplomat says returning to talks with US possible

Abbas Araghchi called on the US administration to engage in respectful dialogue, recognize Iran’s rights, and honor its commitments

Rescue of 9 Russian soldiers from ‘shadow captivity’ in Ukraine: statement by ombudswoman

According to Yana Lantratova, Russian servicemen spend several months in torture cells before being transferred to general captivity

Russian stocks close mixed on Thursday

The MOEX Index added 1.07% to 2,093.4 points, while the RTS Index fell by 0.9% to 767.23 points

Patriot missile shortage in Europe reaches 'beyond critical' level — media

The Associated Press linked the situation primarily to the transfer of US missile stocks from Europe to the Middle East amid the US war with Iran

Lukashenko arrives in Russia for visit

Earlier, BelTA reported that the Belarusian President plans to hold talks with President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin during his working visit to Russia

Former Ukrainian deputy defense minister leaves door open for women being mobilized

The final word in this discussion should be left to the military, and specifically to the General Staff

Moscow issued no ultimatums to Washington about its role in Kiev’s strikes — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister said Moscow had a question, as information is leaked to the Western media on how exactly the administration of Donald Trump, is helping Ukraine with financial aid, weapons and intelligence

CSTO PA delegation to monitor State Duma elections — secretary general

The elections of deputies to the State Duma of the ninth convocation will be held on September 18, 19, and 20

Russia adds over 100 mln carats to diamond reserves since start of year

Head of Rosnedra Oleg Kazanov noted that reserve additions are driven not only by new deposits but by additional geological exploration and the reassessment of existing deposits

Merchant ship sinks in Romania’s exclusive economic zone in Black Sea

All 12 people on board were rescued, the coast guards said

Russia, China close gap with US in space — media

This "could have frightening consequences for the national security" of the United States, the newspaper writes

West systematically targets Russian intelligentsia — MFA

Maria Zakharova also noted that Kiev’s neo-Nazi ideology is manifesting itself in the academic sphere

Russia ranks fourth by number of billionaires in 2025 — study

The United States remained the leading country by the number of billionaires

FACTBOX: Russian forces strike Ukrainian military targets, oil refinery, steel mills

Energy facilities supplying power to Ukrainian ports in the Odessa Region were also struck, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Russia urges IAEA to influence Kiev over attacks on ZNPP — diplomat

Maria Zakharova noted that "such actions would be impossible without constant support for the Kiev junta by Western nations"

Russian embassy in Serbia offers condolences over Mladic’s death

The former Bosnian Serb army commander died in prison in The Hague on August 27

Share of foreign investment in Russian federal loan bonds up to 3.1% in July — regulator

As of July 1, 2026, the share of non-residents in OFZ equaled 3%

Decision to grant Assad refuge in Russia humanitarian in nature — MFA

There were and are no political grounds behind his stay in Russia, Maria Zakharova said

Russia’s SVR chief confirms he met CIA director in Moscow

Sergey Naryshkin said there is nothing unusual to it

Saudi Arabia preparing for new war with Houthis in Yemen — media

According to the newspaper, Riyadh would prefer to preserve peace but is prepared for a military scenario

CIA head, Vatican diplomacy chief visited Russia to talk — foreign minister

Sergey Lavrov briefly commented on the visit by John Ratcliffe and Paul Richard Gallagher "on the very same day"

Lukashenko heads to Russia on working visit — BelTA

The heads of state may discuss the key areas of cooperation and pressing issues on the regional and international agenda, including security

First meeting of subcommission on uninterrupted operation of key industries takes place

Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov heads the body

Retired US rear admiral claims he possibly found Atlantis

Tim Gallaudet added that he would not go into details because he does not want the location to be revealed

Kiev tries to convince West of military successes in absence of real results — Gerasimov

As part of a propaganda campaign, the Kiev regime is spreading false information about an allegedly successful offensive in the Zaporozhye Region

US Open women's draw announced, Andreeva to face Indonesia's Tjen in first round

Mirra Andreeva, who is playing under a neutral status at international tournaments, is the fifth-seed at this year’s closing Grand Slam tournament

Ruling Republika Srpska party leader plans to visit Moscow in late September

The politician stressed that at present he was waging a "just and defensive war" against "part of the European Union"

Armenia would lose up to 27% of exports if it withdraws from EAEU — expert

Armenia will also lose such a significant asset as the unhindered movement of labor, Anton Sviridenko added

Russian films could add flavor to Chinese online platforms — Roskino

According to Roskino General Director Elsa Antonova, Russian and Chinese filmmakers are already discussing new projects and expanding distribution networks

US companies preparing for potential Republican defeat in November elections — newspaper

According to The Wall Street Journal, major technology companies that have made large donations to Trump’s projects fear becoming targets of congressional investigations and legal prosecutions

Iran could harm US economic interests in response to sanctions — security official

Mohsen Rezaei said that Washington’s shift toward economic pressure demonstrates that "a military solution to the conflict produces limited results"

Russian Foreign Ministry blames Mladic’s death on those who denied humane treatment to him

IRMCT President Graciela Gatti Santana repeatedly denied humanitarian release "to the bedridden, terminally ill man," the ministry noted

US holding off on returning to talks with Iran — White House

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said "this will continue until the president feels that maybe they come to the table in a meaningful way"

Russian intel chief says meeting with US counterpart is 'part of job'

John Ratcliffe visited the Russian capital on Tuesday

Unclear when, if Zaporozhstal steel plant to be able to resume work — Ukrainian lawmaker

The consequences are extremely serious, Musa Magomedov said

At least 43 Russians killed in Ukraine’s attacks on buses — diplomat

Rodion Miroshnik says more than 300 people were wounded, including 17 minors, since the start of 2026

Russian Deputy PM lays out objectives of new economic subcommission

The resilience of the sectors will be assessed by the subcommission through the lens of existing risks and damage incurred, Denis Manturov said

Russia’s international reserves up $5.6 bln in one week to $761 bln — Central Bank

As of August 14, the country’s reserves totaled $755.6 bln

US does not plan to restore memorandum with Iran — media

The US authorities are currently focused on increasing economic pressure on the Islamic Republic, the newspaper said

Foreign ministers to hold meeting on Iran in Istanbul on Sunday — media

The ministers will discuss ways to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the regional security situation

Kiev troops shell DPR 24 times in past day, civilian wounded

Two residential buildings, special equipment, and five civil infrastructure sites were damaged

Trump's 'miscalculations' throw Middle East into chaos — Iranian parliament speaker

Mohammad Ghalibaf also expressed confidence that the US economic blockade of Iran "would yield no results"

Von der Leyen admits EU economy relied on energy from Russia, exports to China

The European Commission president chose not to point out that the disruption of global trade and the blocking of energy supplies from Russia were a direct result of sanctions drafted by the European Commission

'We don't want to speak to them': Trump on negotiations with Iran

The Strait of Hormuz is open and loads of barrels of oil pass through it, said US President

Venezuela mulls possibility of quitting OPEC — Bloomberg

According to the report, Caracas discussed the idea of withdrawal with US officials, but the final decision is yet to be made

Syrian president appoints Kurdish leader his adviser

Mazloum Abdi, the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, announced on August 25 that the military force will be dissolved and integrated with the Syrian army

Russia destroys Ukraine’s infrastructure capable of producing SCALP missiles — expert

Sergey Lipovoy noted that even if Kiev manages to assemble them somewhere using available components, "it is not a given that these missiles will be fully controllable"

IN BRIEF: Kremlin briefing covers frozen assets, 'spooks' of Russia’s 'plans' against NATO

Dmitry Peskov added that Russia continues contacts with the United States on Ukraine "at the working level"

Moldova holds military parade featuring NATO equipment in Chisinau on Independence Day

"This is an opportunity to show people how we have strengthened the country’s defense," Moldovan President Maia Sandu said

Death toll in Nepalese floods rises to 469 — police

1,545 people have been wounded and rescued

Royal Navy commander says UK-led coalition may replace NATO in northern Europe

The Joint Expeditionary Force provides a political flexibility to respond to crises because consensus among all ten nations is not required, General Gwyn Jenkins said

UEFA prepares to initiate criminal proceedings against FIFA chief Infantino — journalist

Gianni Infantino announced a proposal on July 30 to sell a share of the FIFA World Cup commercial rights to private investors

Army general comments on Russia’s unabated offensive, Ukraine’s attempts to hold Donbass

Kiev’s main strategic objective is to maintain control over the remaining part of Donbass, and the Ukrainian army has created a defense in depth, Valery Gerasimov said

US escorted around 1,500 vessels through Strait of Hormuz — CENTCOM

Admiral Bradley Cooper claimed that since the US resumed its maritime blockade on Iran in mid-July, the Islamic republic "has exported zero oil from its shores"

CIA chief's visit to Russia, Kiev regime’s collapse, Armenia situation: Kremlin’s briefing

According to Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, there were no direct contacts between the Russian President and John Ratcliffe

Lake Ontario got its name before US independence and will keep it — Canadian PM

Mark Carney said Canadians know "that naming reality means calling it Lake Ontario"

Bank of Russia raises dollar exchange rate to 85.95 rubles for August 28

The official euro exchange rate has been raised by 2 rubles and 1.01 kopecks to 100.2998 rubles

Russia develops range of turrets, tripods for anti-UAV mobile armed units

The equipment is designed for the stable mounting of machine guns on a vehicle platform or directly on the ground

Period of early parliamentary vote begins in several Russian regions

Donbass, Novorossia, and eight other border regions will have the option of holding an early vote on their territory for security reasons

Foreign military contingents in Ukraine to be Russia’s legitimate targets — diplomat

Maria Zakharova said the responsibility for this will fall on Western politicians

White House remains silent on Europe’s remarks about ‘burial’ of Anchorage — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister said that the Europeans, alongside with Vladimir Zelensky, made a year-long lobbying effort before these statements were made

Tatyana Kim tops Forbes ranking of Russia’s richest women for fifth time

Her net worth is estimated at $5 bln

Trump personally dispatched CIA chief to Russia — WSJ

According to sources cited by the newspaper, John Ratcliffe's mission was "so sensitive" that even some White House officials had no prior knowledge of it

Critical infrastructure seriously damaged in several regions of Ukraine — prime minister

This was reported by Ukrainian Prime Minister Sergey Koretsky

Ukrainians massively fleeing training camps in Germany — diplomat

The Ukrainian conscripts who have fled make it clear that they do not wish to fight for the ideas of this Kiev regime in its neo-Nazi guise, Maria Zakharova noted

EU condemned Mladic, but remains silent about nationalism in Ukraine — senior legislator

Konstantin Kosachev said that even before the start of the special military operation, at least 16,000 people had been killed in Donbass by "the heirs, adherents, followers and admirers of Ukrainian nationalists"

UEFA not to back Infantino’s candidacy if he runs for another FIFA presidential term

The FIFA presidential election will take place in March 2027 in Rabat

US fully cleared Strait of Hormuz of mines — CENTCOM head

Bradley Cooper said that mines in the strait’s international shipping lanes were laid by IRGC

Six EU countries call for hundreds of billions of euros in cuts to new EU budget

The statement emphasized that the European Union should make clear choices and reprioritize within the budget

OSCE/ODIHR not invited to monitor State Duma elections — diplomat

The ODIHR has established itself as a tool of hypocrisy, Maria Zakharova said

UK Navy commander admits might of Russian submarine fleet

Russia can deal serious damage to the UK critical undersea infrastructure if it chooses to, Gwyn Jenkins said

Moscow to respond to Ukrainian strikes on Russian economic, trade infrastructure — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, Russia does not need "military escalation," as it is making advances in the special military operation without it

Russian UN envoy urges Israel to halt military adventurism

Vasily Nebenzya cited Israeli Air Force strikes on the Abu al-Duhur airbase and a drone attack on a vehicle near the town of Beit Jinn as examples

Court in Armenia rules to place former President Kocharyan in custody

Robert Kocharyan was earlier hospitalized after his health deteriorated

Rostec increases tank ammunition production 50-fold since start of special op

Acording to the state corporation, the production of combat fighter jets have been doubled and the production of artillery ammunition has been increased 20-fold

Israel won't put up with Turkey's military presence in Syria — Netanyahu

The Israeli prime minister said that the prior warnings on the issue were not heard "clearly enough"

Russian, US intel chiefs on good terms, talk regularly — Trump

The US president downplayed Ratcliffe’s recent trip to Moscow, calling it "routine"

US Open men’s draw pits Russian Safiullin against defending champ Alcaraz in opener

Andrey Rublev will begin the tourney against Croatia’s Marin Cilic

Poland not planning to host nuclear warheads, deputy defense minister says

Pawel Zalewski said that Poland wants to participate in NATO nuclear deterrence, which does not mean having nuclear warheads on its territory

King Harald V of Norway dies at 89 — Royal House

King Harald V of Norway was hospitalized on August 17 due to an infection and complications from hemolytic anemia

Israel carries out sweep in Quneitra province, south of Damascus — TV

According to the report, the Israeli military blocked the road between the settlements of Ufaniyah and Khan Arnabah, where their patrols are searching homes in search of militants from radical groups and weapons caches

West’s aggression against Russia played role in BRICS expansion — SVR head

According to Sergey Naryshkin, the unifying potential of BRICS has grown significantly since the ideas of neocolonial dominance were revealed to the world in all their unattractive form

Four wounded in drone attack on Sevastopol — governor

According to Mikhail Razvozhayev, two of them sustained minor injuries and declined hospitalization

Russian forces hit oil refineries, logistics centers in Kiev, other cities — top brass

Nearly 1,000 people listed as missing in Nepal, over 3,200 rescued

According to available information, 13,295 people are involved in the rescue operation

Shipping in Strait of Hormuz depends on US talks — Iranian Security Council chief

Mohsen Rezaei added that "an end to all conflicts in the Middle East," particularly in Gaza and Lebanon, was the top-priority condition for the resumption of vessel traffic

Grossi says relations with Russia would be serious if elected UN secretary-general

The IAEA director general said he had developed a very good working relationship with Russia

Russian forces continue their offensive unabated, chief of General Staff says

General Valery Gerasimov said the offensive continues in all directions

Vatican official underscores importance of mutual understanding for living in peace

Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations Paul Richard Gallagher is in Russia on a five-day working visit, which began on Monday

Press review: SDF plans dissolution in Syria as Bangladesh invited to join Mecca pact

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, August 27th

Hersh says FBI caught Israeli agent installing surveillance devices at Epstein apartment

According to the journalist, US intelligence agencies may have concluded after the agent’s detention that Israel was aware of Epstein’s client list and the potential value of compromising material

Some 50,000 US troops deployed in Middle East — US CENTCOM

Admiral Bradley Cooper added that since the the Strait of Hormuz blockade was resumed in mid-July, it has been maintained by over 20 US warships

What is known about summons of Romania's charge d’affaires in Russia to Foreign Ministry

According to the ministry’s statement following Thursday’s summons of the charge d’affaires, Russia declared an employee of the Romanian embassy in Moscow persona non grata in retaliation

Russia’s budget revenues rising, exceeding forecasts — PM

The head of Russian government highlighted the changing the structure of budget revenues, emphasizing that the share of non-oil and gas revenues has surpassed 80% of the total amount

Sanctions could split off Russian crypto market from global benchmarks — Finam head

This factor could make the Russian market extremely appealing, Vladislav Kochetkov said

MFA comments on viability of hitting British targets, Stubb's shameful Russophobia

Given Ukraine’s strikes with British weapons, Moscow has every right to attack British military facilities, Maria Zakharova stated

Group of Japanese students visited St. Petersburg on August 12-20 — Foreign Ministry

A Japanese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that the visit took place in the framework of the first exchange on the governmental level in seven years

General Mladic’s son confirms his death

General Mladic was serving a sentence at a UN detention facility in The Hague

UAC delivers batch of Su-35S fighter jets to Russian Aerospace Forces

The 4++-generation aircraft have undergone a full cycle of factory testing

Woman seriously wounded during drone attack on Sevastopol — governor

According to Mikhail Razvozhayev, a drone struck a section of a five-story residential building

More than 900 people remain missing in Nepal, nearly 1,500 rescued

The authority said that 73 people were injured