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Space tourism to be as affordable as first-class flight ticket in 50 years, says cosmonaut

According to Alexander Misurkin, space tourism will allow a large number of people to look at the Earth from the outside and be convinced of its geometric form and make one’s own profound conclusions

MOSCOW, December 22. /TASS/. Space tourism will be comparable to a first-class airplane ticket in terms of pricing in 50 years, cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin said at a TASS online press conference held jointly with Roscosmos and the Cosmonaut Training Center on Wednesday.

"In 50 years, it will be comparable surely to the first-class, if not business-class," Misurkin said.

Space tourism will allow a large number of people to look at the Earth from the outside and be convinced of its geometric form and make one’s own profound conclusions, the cosmonaut said.

On the morning of December 20, a Soyuz MS-20 descent module carrying Roscosmos cosmonaut Misurkin, Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa and his business assistant Yozo Hirano returned to Earth after 12 days in orbit. Misurkin also became the first TASS correspondent in space.

Vladimir Putin's visit to China

Russian, Chinese scientists working on carbon footprint reduction — Putin

The Russian president noted that the program for creation of carbon polygons that already exist in Russia, is being implemented together with Chinese partners

Over 500 military, special vehicles commissioned to Russia’s Central Military District

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FACTBOX: Key facts and figures about Russia’s Victory Day

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Svetlana Akulova noted that the mama panda turned out to have very strong maternal instincts

US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace three times in past day

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Hungary suggests EU countries adopt Georgian-style foreign agent law, adviser says

Earlier, Hungary took measures against foreign influence on the country’s domestic policy

Orban sees link between attack on pro-peace Fico, war preparations in West

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Current Kiev regime rooted in coup — Putin

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Russia to view seizure of its property as robbery — Russian MFA on Estonia’s move

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Qatar to focus efforts on partnership with Russia on North-South project — envoy

The North-South project is also important for many countries of the region, Ahmed bin Nasser bin Jassim Al-Thani added

Russia working on logistics with Gulf countries — deputy PM Khusnullin

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US, Iran enage in indirect talks on Middle East security — news outlet

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Taiwan records approach of 18 Chinese aircraft, four warships

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Sino-Russian trade to reach $300 bln by 2030 — deputy minister

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Law on new rules of mobilization comes into force in Ukraine

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North Korea tested tactical ballistic missile with new guidance system on May 17

The test launch confirmed the accuracy and reliability of the system, the Korean Central News Agency reported

Foreign aid to Ukraine a money laundering scheme, head of Chechnya says

Ramzan Kadyrov noted that there is no need to worry about hostilities currently happening on Russian territory

US believes Hamas not ready for hostage deal with Israel now — news outlet

According to Axios, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said at a meeting with ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions of 17 countries that Hamas has withdrawn from negotiations with Israel as it hopes to increase international pressure on the Jewish state by demanding an end to hostilities in the Gaza Strip

Russia, China warn US, NATO against setting up military infrastructure in Afghanistan

The leaders of Russia and China also expressed their intention "to boost Afghanistan-related partner interaction both at the bilateral level and on multilateral platforms"

Russian interior ministry’s center in Nicaragua to go on working despite US sanctions

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North Pole platform back to Murmansk after 18-month-long Arctic mission

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Russian troops destroy 600 combat aircraft in Ukraine operation — top brass

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Israeli army says radical commander eliminated in airstrike on Jenin

Islam Khamayseh was involved in organizing a number of terror attacks in the area, the army’s press service reported

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Hungary vetoes Council of Europe resolution on Ukraine — top diplomat

Peter Szijjarto said he had asked the Council of Europe to include alternative peace plans to the resolution but that his proposal had been declined by a majority vote

Kyrgyz security forces cordon off street in center of Bishkek where crowd gathers

According to the 24.kg news agency, about 1,000 people, who arrived there after the fight in the hostel, gathered behind the cordon

US sanctions on Russian, Chinese goods to backfire, spiking inflation at home — Putin

The Russian president noted that sanctions are elements of economic war and are nothing new

Russian diplomat slams EU’s call for ensuring freedom of protest in Georgia

Georgia’s parliament passed the third reading of the bill On the Transparency of Foreign Influence on May 14

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Konstantin Kosachev pointed out that it was a mutually beneficial and promising partnership

West should assess risks of Russia's response to asset confiscation — Foreign Ministry

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin noted that retaliatory measures "can be both symmetrical and asymmetrical in a variety of instruments, including legal, financial, and administrative"

Australia announces another package of anti-Russia sanctions

"Australia condemns, in the strongest possible terms, North Korea’s illegal export and Russia’s procurement and use of North Korean ballistic missiles," the statement reads

Expert sees attack on Slovak PM as challenge to all opponents of war in Ukraine

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Strategic role of North Korean nuclear forces to increase by 2025 — Kim Jong Un

The North Korean leader also pointed to "the need to build an overwhelming nuclear war deterrent in response to the security situation caused by the enemies' reckless intrigues"

French army train unit of ‘super covert’ scouts in Estonia — radio

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Russian Aerospace Forces destroy three militant bases in Syria — Defense Ministry

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Russian troops deliver 28 precision strikes on Ukrainian military sites over week

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Multipolar world a dominating issue at Kazan Forum — senator

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In addition, Ukrainian forces were facing ammunition shortages due to a stalled US aid package

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Armenian ruling party says PM Pashinyan will not resign

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US sanctions against Russia 'terrible stupidity' — Putin

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Zelensky admits possibility of Ukraine losing Kharkov

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Russia, China may pool efforts to create materials for future spacecraft — scientist

"It is fundamentally important to achieve the minimum mass while retaining such properties as strength and resistance to adverse external effects," Yevgeny Alexandrov pointed out

London blacklists two Russian companies, one firm from North Korea

The restrictions were imposed on Vostochnaya Stevedoring Co LLC and Toplivo Bunkering Company, as well as North Korean Paekyangsan Shipping Company

Russia developing thermal imager for Black Sea Fleet to repel night naval drone attacks

The devices help detect targets at a distance of over 1 km

New relations, successes of China's automobile industry: what Putin, Xi said in Beijing

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Putin to visit Harbin on second day of visit to China

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Russian troops use latest Upyr FPV drones in Kharkov push

Russian troops employed the Upyr FPV drone for the first time in the special military operation in Ukraine in May 2023

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Russia to take response measures amid nuclear threats — senior diplomat

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Russia to find platforms for speaking out if US refuses to issue visas — senior diplomat

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State Duma approves Mikhail Mishustin as Chairman of Russian Government

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin thanked State Duma lawmakers for approving his candidacy for the prime minister’s office

China expects peace to recover on European continent shortly — Xi Jinping

The Chinese leader added that Beijing "is ready to play its constructive role"

Ukrainian troops preparing for defense in northeastern Sumy Region, says top commander

Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky said that he "inspected all the units"

Assassination attempt on Slovak PM Fico was planned in advance — defense minister

It is reported that doctors are doing everything possible to stabilize the patient

Patriot supplies unlikely to impact Russia’s plans to liberate Kharkov, expert says

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Russian stocks close in the green on Friday

The dollar edged down by 0.02% to 90.95 rubles, while the euro decreased by 0.13% to 98.74 rubles

Dedollarization of Russia-China trade will continue — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov also highly praised the cooperation between the regions of Russia and the provinces of China and emphasized its contribution to the development of the Russian territories bordering China

Confiscation of Russian assets by Estonia for transfer to Ukraine is theft — MFA

Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin stressed that Russia considers this "a violation of international law"

Shipments of long-range missiles to Kiev may expand ‘buffer zone’ toward Poland — Medvedev

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Putin apologizes to Harbin residents for tight security measures over his visit

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Russian, Chinese scientists working on carbon footprint reduction — Putin

The Russian president noted that the program for creation of carbon polygons that already exist in Russia, is being implemented together with Chinese partners

Diplomat warns about response to EU ban on broadcasting of Russian media outlets

According to the Russian diplomat, the EU decision is based "solely on political motives."

Relations between Gulf countries and Russia reach new level — Omani minister

According to Said bin Mohammed Al Saqri, this happened thanks to Russia’s cooperation with both the Council in general and "bilateral cooperation with each of its member countries"

Russian Northern Fleet’s naval group embarks on long-distance deployment

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Russia, Iran turn US sanctions into new possibilities — senior Iranian diplomat

"It is impossible to build peace in the region without close economic ties," Ali Bagheri Kani said

Finnish president says Helsinki doesn’t ask for hosting NATO nuclear weapons on its soil

Alexander Stubb pointed out that after joining the North Atlantic Alliance, Finland wants to play a meaningful role in it

Russian troops advance towards Borovaya in eastern Kharkov region — official

Vitaly Ganchev added that as of today, more than 200 square kilometers of the region had been liberated from the Ukrainian armed forces

Afghanistan to expand range of goods exported to Russia — deputy PM Overchuk

"We are interested in Afghan exports of agriculture products to our market," Alexey Overchuk said

Seven servicemen hurt in blast in territory of Military Academy in St. Petersburg

The explosion occurred during clean-up operations at basement premises in the utility zone of the Budenny Military Academy, the press service of the Leningrad Military District reported

Another five Chinese brands to enter Russian market in 2024

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Russia, Iran working to create single BRICS currency — Iranian ambassador

Kazem Jalali pointed out that the United States uses the dollar to create restrictions, and therefore the use of national currencies in mutual settlements is on the agenda

Two civilians hurt in Ukraine’s attack on Belgorod

According to the governor, the two wounded men were taken to hospital

Fico’s bodyguards saved his life — Slovakia’s Interior Minister

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Putin’s visit reveals futility of US’ attempts to exert pressure on China — Indian expert

Melkulangara Bhadrakumar added that closer relations with China will "strengthen Russia's position and become a stepping through for major events"

Slovakia’s PM Fico still in intensive care — TV

According to the report, Robert Fico is in stable but still serious condition