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Coronavirus pandemic

Over 250 cases of Omicron subvariant BA.2 recorded in Russia

A wide range of countries suggest even higher contagiousness of this lineage, chief sanitary doctor Anna Popova noted

MOSCOW, February 2. /TASS/. Russia has detected more than 250 cases of BA.2, which is believed to be a highly transmissible variant of the Omicron strain of the coronavirus, Anna Popova, the head of the Russian consumer health watchdog, said on Wednesday.

"As of today, 80,875 genome sequences have been uploaded to the Russian national database. Of those uploaded, 8,239 are the Omicron gene variant. I would like to indicate that we are very attentively monitoring the further development of the situation and mutations within this variant. I would like to report that to date, 253 sequences belong to [the] BA.2 [sub-lineage], which is 3%," she said at a meeting of the Russian government’s anti-coronavirus coordination council.

According to Popova, no BA.3 cases have yet been identified in Russia.

"A wide range of countries suggest even higher contagiousness of this lineage [BA.2]. It has become predominant in Denmark (82%), but in the United Kingdom and the United States it accounts for 8-9% [of the cases] now," Popova added.

Georgian foreign ministry condemns pressure on its diplomats abroad

According to earlier reports, Georgia’s ambassadors to Bulgaria, Italy, the Netherlands, the United States tendered their resignation amid protests in Tbilisi

WHO condemns Ukrainian drone attack on hospital in Kherson Region

The organization is committed to documenting and investigating attacks on health care through an online surveillance system

Russia’ special operation has every chance to reach Transnistria — French expert

Regis Chamagne added that Ukrainian men were now being chased on the streets and sent to fight 'as cannon fodder'

Slovakia sees Russia’s readiness for peace, ready to host talks — Fico’s party

On December 26, 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, is not against Slovakia becoming a platform for talks on Ukraine

Shooting in cafe in Montenegro leaves seven dead — media

According to the local police department, a 45-year-old man

Tesla investigates Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas — Musk

One person died and seven others were wounded as a result of the Cybertruck explosion on Wednesday

Russian air defenses down Ukrainian Su-27 aircraft — Defense Ministry

According to the ministry, a total of 651 aircraft have been destroyed since the start of Russia’s special military operation

Putin issues orders to draft Basics of State Language Policy by June 1

Also, the Russian president instructed to develop and submit to the State Duma a federal law "On the languages of the Peoples of the Russian Federation" until May 1

Kiev’s newly built host airfields for F-16s to be wiped out before paint dries — experts

It is noted that the Russian Armed Forces will wait until the construction work reaches a certain point and then carry out strikes to destroy what has been built

Murderer in Montenegro died after suicide attempt

The attacker died from sustained injuries when being transported to a medical institution

The world's most legendary tanks

On September 15, 2016, the tank turns 100

No major incidents during New Year celebrations in Russia

A total of 41,300 law enforcement officers were involved in ensuring law and order, along with members of the National Guard and public organizations, as well as representatives of private security companies

Monthly minimum wage in Russia to rise to $226.4 in 2025

The statutory monthly minimum wage is the minimum salary of Russians before deducting personal income tax

Durov explains blocking of Russian media’s Telegram channels by EU laws

He also noted that "all Western media Telegram channels remain freely accessible in Russia

Russian pipeline gas supplies to Europe rise by 14% in 2024

In 2023, Russian pipeline gas supplies to Europe stood at about 28.15 bln cubic meters

Clashes between Palestianians, Israeli troops take place in West Bank — TV

According to Al Mayadeen, fighters from Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the radical Palestinian organization Islamic Jihad, attacked Israeli military vehicles

India, Pakistan exchange lists of nuclear facilities, inmates

India and Pakistan often arrest each other’s nationals, particularly fishermen, for crossing the unmarked border

Russian troops liberate Novoelenovka settlement in Donetsk People's Republic

At the same time, the Russian Armed Forces hit energy facilities of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex, airfields, storage depots, command posts, and launch sites for attack drones over the day

Death toll from Montenegro shooting incident rises to 12 — prosecution

Victims had been killed at five different locations

Terrorist in New Orleans was carrying IS flag

In the pickup truck used in the attack operatives also found suspected explosive devices hidden in a thermal container

Cybertruck explosion unrelated to pickup truck malfunction — Musk

All vehicle telemetry was positive at the time of the explosion, he added.

Ukraine loses over 46,460 troops since start of fighting in Kursk area

The Russian Defense Ministry also added that Russian forces repelled six counterattacks by Ukrainian assault teams in the past day

Russian paratroopers destroyed three Ukrainian tanks by drones

Russian paratroopers destroyed vehicles in Kursk region

President expects Bolivia to obtain new opportunities as BRICS partner state

According to Luis Arce, it will make possible for the country to expand and diversify trade relations with growing markets

Russia's newest Su-57 fighter jet superior to China's new J-35 — test pilot

Sergey Bogdan emphasized that the newest Russian fighter was a "magnificent platform for a future generation of configurations, just as the Su-27 aircraft in its heyday"

Putin approves Russia’s development goals by 2030

The Cabinet is to finalize and approve an integrated plan for achievement of national development goals for the period by 2030 and in the longer term by 2036 by February 15 of this year

Russian Armed Forces made more than 1,500 strikes by precision weapons in 2024

At least five mass strikes were also delivered from the beginning of the last year.

Serbia not joining NATO for obvious reasons, says President Vucic

On March 24, 1999, NATO began a military operation against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Haitian people face neocolonial challenges from outside — Russian Foreign Ministry

Russian-Haitian cooperation is based on the principles of friendship, equality and respect for sovereignty, the ministry said in a statement

Houthi movement strikes US aircraft carrier — spokesperson

The US forces were preparing a "major strike" against the Yemen’s territory

French military expert says NATO may repeat Soviet Union’s fate

Regis Chamagnedescribed NATO and the EU as 'two sides of the same coin'

Eight Palestainians die of hypothermia in refugee camps in Gaza — TV

Meanwhile, heavy rains and flooding are making life for displaced Palestinians living in makeshift tents even more dire

FBI looks for possible accomplices of New Orleans attacker

The FBI has set up a digital tip line and is asking anyone with information or video of the incident to share it

Ukrainian attack targets civilian infrastructure in Kursk Region — acting governor

Alexander Khinshtein emphasized that he is personally engaged in continuous monitoring of the situation

Putin addresses Russians with New Year's greetings from Kremlin

Putin's New Year's address will be shown before midnight local time in all time zones

Death toll in New Orleans terrorist act increases to 15 — CBS

Ten died and 35 injured people were reported earlier

FBI confirms death of hit-and-run driver in New Orleans

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation is working with partners to look into the details of this terrorist attack

Ukraine’s 2014 coup was CIA’s political mistake — Putin

The Russian president noted that the US agency had achieved its goal of changing the government but failed to see what it would evolve into

Las Vegas Police finds gasoline canisters in exploded Cybertruck — sheriff

The Cybertruck design made it possible to significantly reduce the damage, Kevin McMahill noted

Russian human rights commissioner reports meeting with Ukrainian counterpart

In exchange, 150 prisoners of war of the Ukrainian armed forces returned home

World’s oldest Olympic champion Agnes Keleti dies at 103

She won her first Olympic gold in 1952

Hungary lost one billion euro of EU funding due to violation of statute law supremacy

Funds were intended for implementation of the development program of the EU region by 2027

Kiev's forces shell village in Kursk Region, no casualties reported yet — acting governor

The head of the Rylsk district, as well as all emergency response services are at the scene of the attack

Russian doctors not recommended to use hypnosis in tobacco addiction treatment

At the same time, it is advised to use drug treatment and psychotherapy

Scientists present Russia's first 50-qubit cold atom quantum computer — MSU

The experiment that allowed testing the supercomputer prototype took place on December 19, the Moscow State University said

Tourist bus accident in Thailand leaves 27 Russians injured

The bus reportedly went out of control when nearing a motorway toll gate and rammed into a guardrail

Ukrainian troops attempt unsuccessful counterattack in DPR — republic’s head

The adversary attempted a counterattack with several of these attempts resulting in enemy losses

One person killed in Cybertruck explosion outside Trump hotel in Las Vegas — police

Law enforcement authorities have not yet identified the deceased person

Russia open to talks on Ukraine, agreement must be ironclad — Lavrov

"I would like to particularly emphasize that this can only be about reliable, legally binding agreements which must remove the root causes of the conflict and enshrine the mechanism of the impossibility to violate them," he explained.

Over 1 mln members of Ukrainian armed forces killed or wounded since start of special op

Data obtained from the Russian defense ministry’s daily bulletins and other open-access information from its officials indicates that Kiev lost some 595,000 troops as killed or wounded in action in 2024

Authorities investigate Cybertruck explosion as potential terrorist act

Investigators have not yet ascertained definitely the cause of the explosion

No connection between Cybertruck explosion and Islamic State

One person died and seven others were wounded as a result of the Cybertruck explosion on Wednesday

INTERVIEW: US applies Ukrainian scenario to pressure China — Lavrov

"We do not make assumptions about the plans of the future US administration", Russian Foreign Minister said

Europe to lose up to 30% of gas import from Russia after Ukrainian transit stops

Without the Ukrainian route, Russia's gas traffic to the EU will slump to 39 billion cubic meters per year, Alexey Bobrovsky, the director of the Institute for the Study of World Markets, predicts

China, Russia move ahead avoiding confrontation — Xi Jinping

According to Chinese President, mutual political trust and coordination of positions between China and Russia "regularly rise to higher levels under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries"

Brazil as BRICS chair to focus on partner relations — expert

Speaking about the content of the Brazilian presidency, the expert noted that Brazil, like Russia, was in favor of de-dollarization

Perpetrator of New Orleans attack had IS flag, terrorist links being investigated — FBI

The IS flag was located in the vehicle and the FBI is working to determine the subject's potential associations and affiliations with terrorist organizations

Russian diplomat highlights Moscow’s main achievement of past years

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that "developments at home are more important to us"

Attacker in New Orleans incident recorded videos with threats — Biden

The FBI reported to him the killer was an American citizen, born in Texas, served in the US Army on active duty for many years

Cybertruck explosion may be terrorist act — Musk

One person died and seven others were wounded as a result of the Cybertruck explosion on Wednesday

Putin nearly doubles number of foreign visits in 2024 — TASS estimates

Russian President made 11 visits to other countries last year compared to six in 2023

At least ten dead as vehicle plows into crowd in New Orleans

30 people suffered injuries, the local authorities said

FACTBOX: Celebrities who passed away in 2024

Many well-known politicians, statesmen, scientists and cultural figures passed away in 2024

Russian diplomat blames shutdown of Russian gas transit via Ukraine on West, Kiev

According to Maria Zakharova, the Kiev authorities decided to end the transit of Russian gas to European countries even though the Gazprom company was complying with its contract obligations

Montenegrin authorities to discuss complete ban on weapons possession

The government of Montenegro made the decision to declare January 2-4 as days of mourning

Montenegro’s police mobilized for apprehending cafe shooter — prime minister

The prime minister declared three days of mourning

Biden instructs to help with investigating explosion in Las Vegas

The president was also informed about the latest developments in the investigation into the attack in New Orleans

Two militants killed while preparing terrorist attack against Kadyrov

They had arrived in Grozny on instructions from warlord Doku Umarov

Gas supplies to household consumers suspended in Transnistria

The authorities in both Moldova and Transnistria have declared emergencies

Putin congratulates foreign leaders on New Year and Christmas

The list did not include the leaders of the UK, Germany, the US, France, Japan, and other large states unfriendly to Russia

FBI identifies driver of Cybertruck that exploded in Las Vegas

According to KTNV, the suspect was an army veteran

Ukraine attacks 13 residential areas in Russia’s Belgorod Region in past day

According to regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, the attacks damaged 15 private houses, four apartment buildings, five cars, three garages and a powerline

Four people may be involved in terrorist act in New Orleans — news agency

Their detention is not reported

Russia withdraws from agreement on multilateral nuclear environmental program

The agreement also involved Belgium, Denmark, the European Union, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the UK, as well as EURATOM and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Thoughts of millions of Russians are with special military operation fighters — Putin

He recalled that in their honor, as well as in honor of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War

Russia not satisfied with Trump team’s proposals on Ukraine — Lavrov

At the same time, Lavrov noted that Moscow has not received any official signals from the United States on the Ukrainian settlement at the moment

Press review: EU preps for gas cuts via Ukraine as China boosts naval and air power

Top stories from the Russian press on Saturday, December 28th

Concern mounts in Netherlands about superbug from Ukraine

According to the report, superbugs are often found in Ukrainian soldiers, who undergo treatment in the country

Press review: Putin discusses EU gas supplies and Russia open to Ukraine talks with Trump

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 27th

German lawmaker slams Ukrainian diplomat for demanding more weapons

According to Sevim Dagdelen, Friedrich Merz, Economic Minister Robert Habeck and current Chancellor Olaf Scholz 'will probably continue to burn German taxpayer money in Ukraine'

Russia bans mining in ten regions from January 1

The ban was introduced in Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachai-Circassia, North Ossetia, Chechnya, Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions

FACTBOX: New Year’s key traditions reviewed

Russia has celebrated New Year and Christmas with decorated fir trees since Peter the Great’s reign

Israeli military wounded four people in West Bank — WAFA

The Israeli special troops assaulted an Old City district in Nablus

At least 11 people suffer injuries in shooting incident in New York

Police are looking for the suspect

Palestine’s authorities suspend Al Jazeera broadcasting in its territory

The management of Al Jazeera has not yet commented on this decision of Palestinian authorities

2025 to see four great celestial events, scientists say

In the spring of 2025, we will also witness a partial solar eclipse

Houthis claim to have downed US drone over Yemen

According to the movement’s military spokesman Yahya Saria, this is the second MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle destroyed over Yemen in the past 72 hours

Ukraine loses up to 1,050 troops in all areas of special military operation in past day

Russian air defenses downed seven HIMARS and Uragan rockets and 66 Ukrainian drones in the past day, according to the Russian Defense Ministry’s bulletin

Press review: US, Israel aim to curb Turkey’s gains while Moscow, Tehran strengthen ties

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 24th

Ten people killed in Israel’s army attack against refugee camp — TV

According to its information, the Israeli army delivered a strike against a tent camp for displaced Palestinians in the Al-Mawasi

New Orleans attacker identified as 42-year-old US citizen Shamsud Din Jabbar — FBI

The incident is being investigated by the Bureau, which has classified the incident as a terrorist attack

More than 70,000 tons of polluted soil gathered in Krasnodar Region

Activities of gathering and removing soil polluted with fuel oil are now underway on the area with the total length of 63 km

Authorities checking potential link between New Orleans, Las Vegas incidents — Biden

The intensive work on the incident will continue "until we have a full and complete information," the president said

Russian gas transit through Ukraine stops completely — gas operators

Russia’s gas giant Gazprom said that Kiev’s refusal to extend a gas transit deal with Moscow had forced the Russian company to stop gas transit on January 1

UN agency points to record-high number of Israeli settlers-related incidents in West Bank

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs pointed out that some 160,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, had been killed or injured in Israeli operations in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023

Assad allegedly hands list of military targets over to Israel before leaving Syria — media

According to the Turkish newspaper, the former Syrian president did it to ensure his own safety

Almost 1,000 vehicles burned down in France in New Year night

Hooligans burned down 690 vehicles last year, earlier reports said

Critical infrastructure suffers damage in Kiev-controlled part of Kherson Region

Meanwhile, Ukrainian media outlets have reported several explosions in Kiev

Russia’s Gazprom stops gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine as transit deal expires

The deal provided for the transit of 40 bln cubic meters of Russian gas through Ukraine annually

Over 20 Ukrainian drones attack Russia’s Belgorod Region in past day

The attack left two civilians injured, while two cars were damaged

Hundreds of Syria’s health facilities partially or completely ruined — minister

According to the minister of health in the interim government, Maher al-Sharaa, the Health Ministry has prioritized measures to address the sector's problems