Ria Novosti

Italy’s president dissolves parliament

Italian President Sergio Mattarella has dissolved the national parliament, the office of the head of state said.

Before that, he received the resigned Prime Minister Mario Draghi and the speakers of both houses of the legislature.

Hungarian Foreign Minister spoke about the new package of EU sanctions

The leaders of the EU countries have agreed on a new package of anti-Russian sanctions, among them there is no ban on the transportation of energy resources and restrictions against Gazprombank, said Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto.

“Basically, it is about clarifying the existing rules. <…> There are no restrictions on the transportation of energy carriers in the package,” the diplomat said.

Italian Foreign Minister allowed the cessation of arms supplies to Ukraine

Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio expressed doubts that the political crisis would allow the continued supply of weapons to Ukraine.

Prime Minister Mario Draghi announced this week that he was resigning, but President Sergio Mattarella did not accept his request.

Hungary declares a state of emergency in the energy sector

The Hungarian government has declared a state of emergency in the field of energy, Gergely Guiyash, head of the Hungarian Prime Minister’s office , said at a briefing.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe dies after assassination attempt

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has died after being attacked, NHK reported.

The politician died at Nara Medical University Hospital. He was 67 years old.

Another woman killed in shark attack in Hurghada

The Egyptian Ministry of the Environment has reported another victim of a shark attack in the Hurghada area, experts are collecting information to determine the causes of the shark’s behavior.

Israel launches missile strikes on Syrian province of Tartus

Israel launched rocket attacks on the Syrian province of Tartus on Saturday morning, injuring two civilians, the Syrian Defense Ministry said.

“At approximately 06:30 this morning, the Israeli enemy carried out air aggression with several missiles fired from the Mediterranean Sea west of (the Lebanese city. – Approx. ed.) Tripoli on several poultry farms in the area of ​​the city of Al Hamidiya south of Tartus , in As a result, two civilians, including a woman, were injured,” the statement said.

Ukraine asked Turkey to detain a vessel flying the Russian flag

Kiev is asking Ankara to detain a Russian-flagged vessel heading to Turkey, allegedly carrying Ukrainian grain from Berdyansk, Reuters reports, citing a Ukrainian official and a document.

NATO leaders approve new strategic concept for alliance

NATO leaders have approved a new strategic concept for the alliance until 2030, according to a declaration released following the first meeting of the summit in Madrid.

The document was published on the NATO website .

G7 countries gathered to provide indefinite support to Ukraine

The leaders of the G7 are going to commit themselves to providing indefinite support to Ukraine, Bloomberg reports with reference to the draft document.

Italian Ambassador to Russia left the Foreign Ministry

Italian Ambassador to Russia Giorgio Starace left the building of the Russian Foreign Ministry, RIA Novosti correspondent reports.

The diplomat arrived at the ministry about an hour ago, the reason for the visit is unknown. He declined to comment.

In Germany, for the first time, real estate was confiscated from Russians due to sanctions

In Germany, for the first time, real estate of Russian citizens was confiscated after the imposition of sanctions due to a special operation in Ukraine, the n-tv channel reports with reference to the federal prosecutor’s office in Munich.

It is reported that we are talking about three apartments in the capital of Bavaria and a bank account “to transfer the rent.”

Second round of parliamentary elections begins in France

In France, the second round of elections for the National Assembly (lower house of parliament) has started.

Polling stations opened at 8 a.m. local time (09:00 Moscow time). In the regions, they will work until 18:00, and in large cities – until 20:00.

Gas supplies via Turkish Stream to be temporarily suspended

Turkish Stream will be closed for scheduled maintenance from June 21 to 28, Gazprom said.

“Transportation of gas along both strings of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline will be temporarily suspended <…> in connection with scheduled preventive maintenance,” the company’s Telegram channel says .

UK imposes sanctions against Patriarch Kirill

The UK has imposed sanctions on the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, according to a press release from the British government.

The Pope says World War 3 is underway

Golfer Tiger Woods becomes the third billionaire athlete in history

Forbes has valued 15-time Major golf winner Tiger Woods at over $1 billion, making him the third player in history to achieve this.

Less than 10 percent of the 46-year-old golfer’s fortune comes from tournament prizes. The bulk of the money comes from advertising contracts with companies such as Gatorade, Monster Energy, TaylorMade, Rolex and Nike. Woods also owns a number of golf-related companies and a restaurant.

Estonia plunges into turmoil: Russian spies found in the government

In Estonia, the ruling coalition collapsed, which, according to local nationalists, was based on the pro-Russian Center Party. They deny any connection with Moscow. About what kind of political future awaits the Baltic republic – in the material of RIA Novosti.

Media: Turkey has set ten conditions for Sweden and Finland on NATO membership

Turkey has put ten conditions on Sweden and Finland in response to the lifting of the NATO membership veto, the newspaper Yeni Şafak reported .

Finland and Sweden against the background of the events in Ukraine on May 18 handed over to the NATO Secretary General an application for joining the alliance. Turkey has blocked the start of the process of consideration of these applications. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said that Ankara cannot say “yes” to the membership of Finland and Sweden in NATO, because it cannot believe their assurances about relations with representatives of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party banned in Turkey .

People’s Artist of Russia Temur Chkheidze dies

The well-known theater director Temur Chkheidze has died at the age of 79, Rustavi 2 TV company reports .

“The director devoted half a century to the theater. Temur Chkheidze is the author of about 80 drama, opera and television performances, including in the theater for teenagers,” the report says.

The European Union imposed restrictions on certain purchases of Russian oil

The European Union has imposed sanctions against purchases of Russian oil, according to a document published in the Official Journal of the EU.

Media: Taiwan banned the import of chips and microprocessors to Russia

Taiwan’s Ministry of Economy has banned deliveries of “strategic high-tech goods” to Russia and Belarus, Digitimes Asia reported.

Under the restrictions, in particular, chips with a clock frequency of over 25 megahertz, chips with more than 144 contacts were included.

The sixth package of sanctions affected 80 Russian businessmen and three TV channels

The sixth package of sanctions against Russia affected 80 Russian businessmen and three TV channels, said French President Emmanuel Macron.

Poroshenko tried to leave Ukraine for the second time in a day, media reported

Former President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko is trying to leave Ukraine for the second time at the same checkpoint, according to the Ukrainian edition of Strana.ua on Telegram.

“According to Strana’s sources, ex-President Petro Poroshenko made an attempt today to leave Ukraine for the second time , and at the same checkpoint (Rava-Russkaya),” the publication reports. According to an unnamed source, Poroshenko “went into the oncoming lane to bypass the line, and was stopped by patrolmen.”

Canada admits it has been training Ukrainian military for seven years

The Canadian armed forces have been training the Ukrainian military for seven years, about 30,000 soldiers have completed the courses. This was stated by the Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine Larisa Galadza on the air of the Ukrainian TV channel Espreso.

“We are already long-term partners with Ukraine regarding military support. You know that more than 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers have already been trained by the Canadian armed forces, who had been working in Ukraine for seven years before the war,” Galadze said.

New McDonald’s expects to open in Russia on June 12

The new McDonald’s expects to open in Russia on June 12, the updated brand will be presented in the near future, RIA Novosti was told in the company’s press service.

“We can confirm that we aim to open for our guests on June 12. The exact schedule for the opening of enterprises will be known later. We will present the updated brand separately in the near future,” the press service said.

Nike leaves Russia

The American clothing and footwear manufacturer Nike has not renewed its franchise agreement with Inventive Retail Group (IRG), Vedomosti reports , citing a letter from IRG President Tikhon Smykov to company employees.

“He (Smykov – Ed.) explains this decision by the fact that Nike cannot organize the supply of goods to Russia “in the foreseeable future,” the article says.

Poland will terminate the agreement on the supply of Russian gas ahead of schedule

Warsaw is terminating the agreement on the supply of Russian gas ahead of schedule, Piotr Naimsky, the authorized representative of the Cabinet of Ministers for strategic energy infrastructure, said on the air of Polish Radio.

“On May 13, the government of Mateusz Morawiecki adopted a resolution to break the agreement between the government of Poland and the government of the Russian Federation. The agreement that is called “Yamal”, which was signed in 1993. After 30 years, it can be stated that gas relations between Poland and Russia cease to exist “, – he said.

The Ministry of Economy of Germany wanted to eliminate the gas network, media write

The German authorities plan to eliminate the gas distribution network in the country as part of decarbonization and the transition to clean energy, the Welt am Sonnta g newspaper writes, citing a source.

According to media reports, State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy Patrick Greichen at one of the events asked representatives of public utilities to plan the dismantling. At the same time, he referred to the decarbonization schedule.

Finland’s parliament speaker says country will ‘definitely’ join NATO

Finnish parliament speaker Matti Vanhanen said Finland would “definitely” join NATO.

Finland and Sweden on Wednesday handed over to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg applications to join the alliance.

Monkeypox confirmed in eight European countries

Monkeypox cases have been reported in at least eight European countries, said Hans Kluge, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Europe.

“To date, at least eight countries in the WHO European Region – Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom – have reported cases of monkeypox. Outside countries where monkeypox is known to be endemic, recently similar cases have also been reported in Australia, Canada and the United States,” he said in a statement.

McDonald’s to sell its Russian business to current licensee Govor

McDonald’s will sell its business in Russia to current licensee Alexander Govor, the company said in a release.

“After announcing its withdrawal from the Russian market and the beginning of the process of selling its Russian business, McDonald’s Corporation announced the conclusion of a sale and purchase agreement with its current licensee Alexander Govor,” the report says.

The French Ambassador left the building of the Russian Foreign Ministry

French Ambassador to Moscow Pierre Levy, summoned earlier to the Russian Foreign Ministry, left the building of the ministry without answering journalists’ questions, RIA Novosti correspondent reports.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported to RIA Novosti that the ambassador was summoned on Wednesday in connection with the announcement of retaliatory measures against him for the expulsion of Russian diplomats. The diplomat arrived at the Foreign Ministry building at about 11:00, stayed there for about 40 minutes and left without answering journalists’ questions, but waving goodbye to them.

McDonald’s leaves the Russian market

The McDonald’s fast food restaurant chain is leaving the Russian market, the company said.

In early March, McDonald’s announced the temporary closure of 850 fast food restaurants in Russia due to the situation around Ukraine and the suspension of all operations in the market. As the reason, the corporation’s CEO Chris Kempchinski cited the inability to “guarantee the uninterrupted operation of the main directions, the maintenance of the key assortment in the enterprises of the network and the high quality standards that guests are accustomed to.” At the same time, all 62,000 McDonald’s employees in Russia continue to receive wages.

New NATO strategy to contain Russia, Blinken says

The new NATO strategy will include, among other things, the containment of Russia, said Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.

Blinken told reporters on the sidelines of a NATO ministerial meeting in Berlin that the alliance’s new strategy will be worked out and discussed at a summit in Madrid in June. He stressed that the basis of the strategy is “protection and deterrence.”

UAE President Khalifa bin Zeid Al Nahyan dies

The President of the United Arab Emirates, Khalifa bin Zeid Al Nahyan, has died at the age of 73 after a long illness, the official Emirates News Agency reported.

The Ministry of Presidential Affairs extends its condolences to the people of the UAE , the Arab and Islamic nation and the world on the passing of His Highness the President of the UAE, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zeid Al Nahyan.

The Kremlin called Finland’s entry into NATO a threat to Russia

The expansion and approach of NATO to the Russian borders does not make the Eurasian continent more stable and secure, Finland’s accession to NATO certainly threatens Russia’s security, said Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

“We have repeatedly said that the expansion of NATO and the approach of the alliance’s military infrastructure to our borders does not make the world, and most importantly, our Eurasian continent, more stable and secure. This is unambiguous,” he said.

Shanghai subway shut down due to COVID-19 outbreak in the city

Shanghai’s last two subway lines have been shut down due to the COVID-19 outbreak, according to a post posted on the subway’s Weibo social media account.

“From 13:00 on May 10, 2022, and until further notice, the sixth and sixteenth lines of the Shanghai Metro will cease operation. At the moment, all lines and stations of the Shanghai Metro have ceased operation,” the post reads.

Macron called for the creation of a new European community that will accept Ukraine

French President Emmanuel Macron called for the creation of a new “European political community” that could accept Ukraine into its ranks.

Earlier, Macron said that the process of Ukraine ‘s accession to the EU could take several years, even decades.

Portugal to send 15 armored personnel carriers and five howitzers to Kyiv, media reported

The Portuguese government has decided to send Ukraine 15 M113A armored personnel carriers purchased from the United States, as well as five towed howitzers, Nascer do SOL reports, citing a source in the country’s defense ministry.

“Nascer do SOL has learned from a source in the Ministry of Defense that the Portuguese government … will send to Ukraine … 15 US-made M113 tracked armored personnel carriers, which have been in service with the national army for almost 30 years and whose transfer has been pressured by Washington in recent weeks … The government will also send five 15.5 caliber towed howitzers, fifty radios and some other light weapons.

Blinken accused Russia of distorting history

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, in a written statement on the occasion of the 77th anniversary of the end of World War II, stated that the Russian leadership was allegedly “trying to distort history in an attempt to justify” the military operation in Ukraine, while he did not mention the decisive contribution of the USSR to the Victory and millions of victims of the Soviet people.

“As war rages once again in Europe , we must strengthen our resolve to resist those who attempt to manipulate historical memory to advance their own ambitions. The Allied victory over the Nazis must be honored as a victory for collective heroism and self-sacrifice,” wrote Blinken, whose The statement was circulated by the American diplomatic service.

Citizens who sold humanitarian aid from the West for the army were detained in Ukraine

The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine announced the arrest in the Lviv region of two people red-handed while trying to sell bulletproof vests and helmets that came into the country as humanitarian aid, in the amount of more than 535 thousand hryvnia (1.2 million rubles).

“According to the investigation, during martial law, residents of the Lviv region organized the illegal sale of military equipment received as humanitarian aid,” the ministry’s Telegram channel said.

Spanish police confirm detention of Ukrainian blogger Shariy

The Spanish National Police confirmed the arrest of Ukrainian blogger and political activist Anatoly Shariy, who is suspected of high treason.

Britain ordered social networks to block the content of “Russia Today” and RT

Social networks, Internet services and app stores should block the content of the Rossiya Segodnya media group, follows from the sanctions list published by the British government. Earlier, London took similar measures against the RT channel.

“Take reasonable steps to prevent users in the UK from accessing content, sites or applications provided by the named individuals or entities,” the document says.

Borrell announced a possible disconnection from SWIFT of new Russian banks

The head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, announced that even more Russian banks would be cut off from SWIFT. He stated this to journalists during a visit to Latin America, the Venezuelan channel VPI reports .

The politician did not specify which financial organizations will fall under the new restrictions.

UNESCO rejects Russia’s bid for media freedom conference

Russia was not allowed to participate in the UNESCO conference on freedom of the media, according to the website of the Foreign Ministry.

World Press Freedom Day, proclaimed in 1993 by the UN General Assembly , is observed annually on 3 May. On this day, UNESCO traditionally holds thematic conferences.