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Coronavirus pandemic

Scientists debunk rumors of unnatural coronavirus origin

Some media speculated that the virus could have originated from a laboratory

© Zhang Yuwei/Xinhua via AP

MOSCOW, February 20. /TASS/. Medical experts from Germany, the Netherlands, the US and other nations debunked rumors of unnatural origin of the COVID-19 coronavirus, according to Xinhua report citing The Lancet journal.

"We stand together to strongly condemn conspiracy theories suggesting that COVID-19 does not have a natural origin," the 27 scientists say in their joint statement. "Conspiracy theories do nothing but create fear, rumors, and prejudice that jeopardize our global collaboration in the fight against this virus."

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Novel coronavirus death toll in China reaches 2,118

Earlier, some media speculated that the virus could have originated from a laboratory.

The Chinese authorities registered an outbreak of the novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV in the city of Wuhan. Outside China, cases of new coronavirus were confirmed in 25 other countries and territories, including in Russia. The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.

In late December 2019, an outbreak of the pulmonary disease caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, an economic and industrial megacity with a population of 11 million. The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations. Apart from China, 25 other countries, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases.

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Economic sanctions against Russia not working — top Hungarian diplomat

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Press review: Turkey to mediate in Russian-Ukrainian conflict while IDF strikes Gaza

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Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg appears at a rally in Georgia

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Russian Guardsmen uncover Ukrainian arms cache with over 100,000 munitions in LPR

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Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, November 1st

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Ukrainian ombudsman asks Russia to provide lists of Ukrainians POWs for exchange

Dmitry Lubinets contacted his Russian counterpart Tatyana Moskalkova

Prosecutor's Office deems activities of US-based business society undesirable in Russia

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West itself signed death warrant for dollar, turning it into punishment tool — Lavrov

At the same time, the volume of mutual settlements in national currencies in foreign trade between the BRICS member countries reaches around 65%

Russia says its troops mined, blocked one route used by Ukrainian forces in Kursk Region

According to the ministry, soldiers of the regiment's reconnaissance company with the call signs Porsh and Pochta destroyed the enemy that was covering the passage in the engineering barriers and moved forward to fulfill the combat mission

Attempts to destroy Iran’s nuclear capacity may expand conflict — top Turkish diplomat

According to Fidan, Israel continues to put forward conditions in talks with the Palestinian movement Hamas

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An Israeli official said the message was passed from Washington to Tehran through the Swiss

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Putin participates in Russia’s strategic deterrence force training

The Russian president observed the drills from the Kremlin’s situational center

Events in Bangladesh show similarities with color revolutions — Indian expert

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Industrial facility suffers damage in Ukraine’s Dnepropetrovsk Region

Meanwhile, explosions have been reported in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev and the Kirovograd Region

Southern sector of Ukrainian defense in DPR close to collapse — The Guardian

Kupiansk military-civilian mayor Andrey Besedin described the situation as "critical" and said that approximately 1,400 people were refusing to evacuate from their homes, awaiting the arrival of Russian troops

Kiev wants to exchange only militants from its nationalist battalions — Russian diplomat

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Fencing installed around Harris’ residence in Washington ahead of election

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According to Professor Ruhollah Modabber, Washington has effectively banned free elections in Ukraine

Western military assistance to Ukraine tops 100 bln euros — minister

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Ukrainian forces lose 11,800 soldiers on LPR borders in a week — military expert

During the mentioned period, the Russian military destroyed 196 vehicles, 89 various armored vehicles, five tanks, three multiple launch rocket system launchers

Moldova’s presidential runoff can be considered valid — CEC

Turnout in the second round has amounted to 54.18%

Russian diplomat says Ukraine took back just 279 POWs, although 935 were offered

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called such actions of the Kiev regime "political tourism on the blood of its own citizens, its own servicemen"