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Coronavirus pandemic

Mutated coronavirus strain found in Jordanian couple returning from London, says minister

Jordan suspended accepting flight from the UK between December 21 and January 3

BEIRUT, December 28. /TASS/. The first cases of the mutated coronavirus infection were registered in Jordan, Health Minister Nazir Obeidat announced Sunday.

According to the Minister, the new strain was found in a married couple who returned from London on December 19.

"The spouses currently feel normal, but they remain in total isolation on a 14-day quarantine," Obeidat said.

Jordan suspended accepting flight from the UK between December 21 and January 3. The Health Minister explained that this decision was made due to the epidemic situation in the United Kingdom, which reported a new mutated strain of the coronavirus.

On December 14, UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced that British scientists had identified a mutated version of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which might explain the rapid spread of the disease in Southeastern England. According to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the new strain could be up to 70% more contagious, although there is no indication that the strain is more lethal than its previous variant.

According to the statistics, 1,590 COVID-19 cases were registered in Jordan in the past 24 hours, with 29 deaths, which bring the total case count in the kingdom to 287,946. A total of 3,758 people died, while 261,514 have recovered.

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"Russian territory and Russian regions cannot be the subject of any discussion or transfer to anyone," Dmitry Peskov emphasized

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Lavrov says he agrees with Trump about destructiveness of sanctions for US dollar

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Some 101 Ukrainian drones intercepted in Russian regions, Azov Sea overnight — ministry

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Ukrainian forces create concentration camps in Russian border areas — diplomat

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Russian forces take control of two settlements in Kursk Region

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Ten Ukrainian drones destroyed over Russia’s Bryansk Region — governor

There are no casualties or damage

Nazi Germany’s Gestapo officers accompanied Katyn commission

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Iran warns about pending response to Israel after Hamas leader Haniyeh’s killing

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Russia sanctions likely to dilute US dollar’s dominance, IMF says

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FIDE General Assembly to consider full-fledged access of Russian athletes

The Ukrainian Chess Federation requested earlier that the International Chess Federation rule out its plans to consider resuming the Russian and Belarusian participation in international competitions at its General Assembly in Budapest

Turkish banks want to stop transactions with Russia, transfer them to one bank — source

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Russian prime minister approves list of countries imposing destructive attitudes

It includes the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan and other states

Gazprom warns Naftogaz about possible Russian sanctions if transit trial continues

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Ukrainian drones attack Kamenka-Dneprovskaya in Zaporozhye Region

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US’ new military aid package for Ukraine to be worth $375 mln — agency

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Report on alternative payment systems will be prepared by BRICS summit in Kazan — Lavrov

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Drones downed in southwest of Russia’s Tver Region

Emergency services together with representatives of the territory’s administration are working on the spot

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Russia-Africa summit to be held in 2-3 years on African continent — Lavrov

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Russia’s air defenses repel massive attack on Bryansk region, taking down over 50 drones

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