EU Preparing for Energy Crisis Amid Iran Conflict, Rubio Calls for Military Mission

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

West should consider launching military mission in Strait of Hormuz — Rubio

The US Secretary of State is not sure that this would necessarily be a NATO mission

Strike on Starobelsk college carried out to maximize number of casualties — envoy to UN

Vasily Nebenzya says the strike on a civilian facility, where children study and live, was deliberate

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

IN BRIEF: What we know about US move to send 5,000 troops to Poland

The US leader did not elaborate on exactly what US Army units will be deployed to Poland

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"

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"

Kalashnikov working to make Chukavin rifle more corrosion-resistant — designer

According to Andrey Chukavin, as part of the rifle’s modernization, the gas system has been slightly modified to make disassembly more convenient, and the stock has been improved to eliminate any looseness

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

E3 vows to step up support for Ukraine following Starobelsk attack

According to the statement, "the leaders confirmed they would double down on their support" for the Ukrainian authorities "in the coming months"

Ombudswoman puts number of college children affected by Ukrainian attack in LPR at 36

Regional children’s rights commissioner Inna Shvenk said that 18 families are awaiting the results of a search and rescue operation at the scene of the attack

Putin condemns strike on Starobelsk as act of pure terror by Ukraine

The Russian president said that everything that could and should be said has been said

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

Some 350 European companies continue to operate in Russia despite challenges — AEB

The statement was made at the Second International Socio-Political Hearings on Eurasian Security, currently being held in the city

UN SC to convene emergency meeting in wake of Starobelsk attack later on Friday

Four people have been reported killed, while the number of those injured has climbed to 39

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

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

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"

EU will not return to Russian oil and gas purchases under any circumstances

European Commissioner for Economy Valdis Dombrovskis said the largest gas supplies for the European Union now come from Norway

Russia has right to respond forcefully to EU for its siding with Ukraine — politician

Viktor Medvedchuk noted that Vladimir Zelensky was counting on a direct military conflict between Europe and Russia and was doing everything to achieve that

Dirty Games: US to host first 'Steroid Olympics'

On May 23-25 of this year, athletes from around the world will compete enhanced with drugs banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency

Iran fires 3,300 missiles, drones at UAE since start of conflict — advisor

According to Anwar Gargash, only about 4% of these missiles and drones reached targets within the UAE

Global platforms where Western countries have advantage lost credibility — Medvedev

The Security Council deputy chairman emphasized that inclusive multilateral cooperation platforms, including the CSTO, CIS, SCO, ASEAN, and other forums, will play a significant role in shaping an interconnected Eurasian security architecture

Fire breaks out at oil depot in Novorossiysk due to falling UAV debris

There were no casualties

Kiev loses two companies of troops in battle for Verkhnyaya Tersa in Zaporozhye area

The Ukrainian army also lost six armored combat vehicles, 17 pickup trucks, 15 all-terrain vehicles, over 30 ground robotic vehicles and more than 60 heavy R-18 hexacopters

Gagauzia head Gutsul may be removed from post after court hearing on May 28 — lawyer

If the court of appeal upholds the sentence, it will become enforceablе, Sergey Moraru said

Russia-Africa summit to open up great opportunities — Republic of Congo official

Jean-Dominique Okemba says Moscow remains an important historical partner for a number of African countries

Russian 7.62x54mm cartridge still viable despite being more than century old — Chukavin

The 7.62x54mm rifle cartridge was first introduced in 1891

BRICS countries align on key areas of counterterrorism — Russian MFA

According to Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department for New Challenges and Threats Pyotr Ilyichev, it is important that the BRICS countries are united in their understanding that "the root causes of the terrorist threat must be addressed first and foremost"

US not changing its program for supplying weapons to Kiev — top US diplomat

Marco Rubio said that Ukraine is getting more support than ever through the PURL program

US attacks on Raul Castro on eve of his 95th birthday unite Cubans — President

Cuba does not threaten, challenge, or provoke the United States or any other country in the world, Diaz-Canel emphasized

Kalashnikov unveils Kub-10ME guided munition with range of over 100 km

According to the arms manufacturer, the key features of the new system include an optoelectronic guidance system that enables the engagement of moving targets, and improved protection against electronic warfare and air defense systems

Request for UNSC meeting and new terror chapter: reaction to attack on LPR college

No leniency will be shown to anyone guilty of the attack on the college in Starobelsk, the Russian foreign ministry said

Ukraine talks not currently underway, but US remains ready to mediate — top diplomat

Marco Rubio also emphasized that there is no military solution to the conflict in Ukraine

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

Qatar sends negotiating team to Tehran in coordination with US — agency

According to the agency, until now Doha has been refraining from playing a mediatory role in this conflict amid strikes on its territory during this conflict

Russia could become part of new impetus for Alliance of Civilizations — UN

High Representative for the alliance Miguel Angel Moratinos called Russia a big partner and a big actor in the international arena

Air defenses shoot down 17 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions in two hours

They were destroyed over the Bryansk, Kaluga, Kursk and Ryazan regions between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Moscow time

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

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

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

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

Ukrainian strike on college in LPR, punishment for Kiev: new briefing by Kremlin spokesman

The Ukrainian strike on the college in Starobelsk in the Lugansk People's Republic is a horrible crime, Dmitry Peskov said