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Coronavirus pandemic

Sabalenka tests positive for COVID-19

The 23-year-old ranks second in the Women's Tennis Association

Aryna Sabalenka EPA-EFE/ALEX GRIMM

Aryna Sabalenka

© EPA-EFE/ALEX GRIMM

MOSCOW, October 3. /TASS/. Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenka tests positive for Covid-19, the World #2 single racket wrote in her Instragram account on Sunday.

"Unfortunately, I've tested positive at Indian wells and wont be able to compete. I've started my isolation and I'll be staying here until I'm cleared by the doctors and health officials," Sabalenka wrote.

The 23-year-old ranks second in the Women's Tennis Association (WTA). Her best Grand Slam performance is reaching Wimbledon semifinals and the US Open in 2021.

"So far I'm feeling ok, but really sad to not be able to play this year," she wrote. The Indian Wells Premier Series kicks off on October 6th.

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Russia’s top brass reports destroying US-made Hawk air defense system in Ukraine operation

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US arms supplies unable to change situation in Kiev's favor — Kremlin

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Top Russian security official pledges continued push toward global justice

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Russian forces take Ukrainian strongholds near Klescheyevka under control

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Russian deputy defense minister detained on suspicion of bribe-taking

"Russian Deputy Defense Minister Timur Vladimirovich Ivanov was detained on suspicion of committing a crime under part 6, article 290 of the Russian Criminal Code," the Russian Investigative Committee said

Canada allows Airbus to use Russian titanium despite sanctions — Reuters

"Airbus is aware of the Canadian government imposing sanctions on VSMPO and has obtained the necessary authorization to secure Airbus operations in compliance with the applicable sanctions," the company said

Top Swiss diplomat reiterates need for Russia’s involvement in resolving Ukraine issue

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US Senate approves aid bills for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan

As many as 79 senators backed the initiative and 18 voted against

Western countries plant spy infrastructure in their embassies, says CSTO secretary general

Among other challenges Imangali Tasmagambetov named the lack of an international legal framework for regulating relations in the field of information security and the implementation of a unilateral policy in this field

US stops hiding true purpose of sanctions on Moscow, Russian envoy says

"It’s not about any mythical aspirations to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, but about banal opportunistic and predatory ambitions," Anatoly Antonov said

Calls for joint use of nuclear weapons with US dangerous — ICAN

The organization believes that the states that deploy nuclear weapons on their territory are "consenting to be party to mass murder of civilians"

Israel retaliates missile launches from Gaza Strip — IDF

A warning had been issued before the attack calling on people to temporarily evacuate from the area

Putin proclaims Odessa Russian city, challenges Ukraine's historical narrative

At the same time, the president noted that once upon a time "Vladimir Lenin gave away the whole of Ukraine when he created the Soviet Union"

Russia, Africa united by common vision on global issues — senior diplomat

Mikhail Bogdanov noted that "the African continent is a dynamically developing part of the world with an enormous growth potential, attractive domestic market and expanding export prospects"

Ukrainian troops in Kharkov Region lift antennas with kites to get better signal

Military expert Andrey Marochko speculated that the Ukrainian army had to resort to this tactic because the TV tower in Kharkov was damaged

Mexicans, Colombians recruited in US jails to be deployed in Ukraine — SVR

Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service said that in case the inmates agree to this "mission," "they are promised full amnesty, reckoning they would never come back"

Musk concurs that civil war looming in West

The US businessman commented on remarks by Gad Saad, a Canadian professor of Lebanese origin, who insisted that "the path that the West is taking will result in civil war"

Ukrainian presidential office confirms London’s agrement to Zaluzhny as ambassador

Verkhovna Rada legislator Alexey Goncharenko said on Monday that the UK had granted its agrement to the Ukrainian former Commander-in-Chief

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Apty Alaudinov added that if the Ukrainian army received long-range weapons, it might try to attack Russia's civilian infrastructure due to its powerlessness on the front

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"We developed this car in close cooperation with European, Korean and other foreign partners, but due to certain events we had to abandon this cooperation," Alexander Lebedev pointed out

Switzerland unblocks Russia-related assets worth 290 mln Swiss francs

The total amount of blocked assets of the Russian Federation decreased by 150 million Swiss francs (about $165 million) due to the fact that a number of individuals "were removed from the EU sanctions lists"

Russian troops destroy four boats with Ukrainian assault force on Dnieper River

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Moscow slams NATO drills near Russian borders as inflammatory

"It is obvious that the upcoming combat training on the territory of Finland is part of a hybrid war against our country," Maria Zakharova said

Ukraine lost best fighters near Artyomovsk, retired general says

Sergey Krivonos added that relocation of troops from one direction to another will not solve Ukrainian forces’ problems, and that each fighter should be used according to their specialization

Russia’s advanced radar in Kaliningrad to monitor entire territory of Europe — source

The first Konteiner radar went on combat duty in the Volga area region of Mordovia on December 1, 2019

Development of Sino-Russian cooperation to be main topic of AmurExpo forum

AmurExpo is the off-site venue of the Eastern Economic Forum

Press review: NATO flexes muscles near Russian border and South China Sea runs hot

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, April 24th

Gaza settlement crucial for Islamic world, Erdogan believes

In his opinion, it would be a mistake to view the Gaza issue solely from the perspective of October 7, 2023, when the Palestinian-Israeli conflict sharply escalated

Russia presents world’s first hydrogen-fueled luxury car at Innoprom exhibition

The unique vehicle was built on the basis of the Aurus Senat luxury car

Armenia’s decision on CSTO membership its sovereign choice — secretary general

Commenting on the possibility of a confrontation between Armenia and the CSTO amid Yerevan’s remarks on its aspiration to leave the organization and get closer with NATO, Imangali Tasmagambetov noted that such a scenario is "merely hypothetical"

Russian envoy, authorities of Afghanistan call for unfreezing of Afghan assets

The Foreign Ministry noted that the sides discussed "further development of the diverse bilateral cooperation in political and economic areas, and the establishment of the regional cooperation with Afghanistan within the Moscow format"

Russia recovers black boxes from crashed Tu-22M3 bomber

According to the law enforcement, the search for the fourth crew member is ongoing

US military aid for Kiev cannot stop Russian army’s advance — North Korean diplomat

The US Congress House of Representatives earlier passed bills on military aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan

Putin stays in daily contact with Sergey Shoigu, Kremlin spokesman says

Timur Ivanov was arrested by Moscow’s Basmanny Court

US can ship weapons to Ukraine within few days if funding approved — Pentagon

Over 14,700 residential houses remain flooded in Russia

The source also said that 38,302 Russians have been evacuated from flooded areas and settlements potentially falling into these zones since the beginning of the spring floods

Raisi doubts 'Israeli regime' to exist in case of its attack on Iran

"If Israel makes a mistake and attacks Iran, completely new conditions will emerge for it and it is unclear whether anything will be left of the Israeli regime at all," the presidential press service quoted Raisi as saying

Biden administration raking it in from Ukrainian conflict — North Korean diplomat

According to Im Chon Il, Washington's goal is to use the Ukrainian conflict to serve the interests of the US military monopolies and at the same time to subjugate the "puppet regime" of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky

Destroyed TV tower in Kharkov carried Ukrainian air defense coordination device — official

Digital TV signal interruptions are now observed in the city

US has no idea what to do about Zelensky — Seymour Hersh

According to the journalist, the decision to conduct the operation was made by US President Joe Biden personally, following nine months of discussions with White House national security advisers

Russia seeks to break down barriers for its food exports — MFA

Sergey Vershinin recalled that Russia suspended its participation in the Black Sea initiative for the export of grain and food due to the fact that it could not be implemented in the original volume

Russia to incorporate US nuke scenario in Poland in its military planning — diplomat

"Poland’s authorities make no secret of their striving to lean closer on the US nuclear weapons deployed in Europe and are actively using these ambitions in their hostile Russian policy," Maria Zakharova stressed

North Korea’s economic delegation leaves for Iran — agency

According to Yonhap news agency, the trip may be related to the two countries’ plans to boost military ties

West’s unwillingness to give up hegemony escalates tensions in world — security official

According to Nikolay Patrushev, this creates conditions for the devaluation of international law and its institutions and the erosion of the UN's central role in resolving global and regional conflicts

Russia's response to seizure of frozen assets in US to have no timeframe — chief delegate

Konstantin Gavrilov emphasized that the US will have to be brought to account for this decision

Russia ready to cooperate with all interested partners to ensure security — Putin

The Russian leader expressed confidence that the the 12th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues "will bolster cooperation for the mutual benefit of our countries and peoples"

Biden to sign Ukraine aid bill on April 24

According to a statement released by the White House, the US plans to resume weapons supplies to Kiev this week

Ukrainian army short about 150,000-200,000 troops, says Polish general

Waldemar Skrzypczak also said it was "a matter of hours" until Kiev received the weapons allocated by the US as part of its latest military aid package

Energy facilities catch fire in Russia’s Smolensk Region following drone attacks

Governor Vasily Anokhin added that rescuers from the Russian Emergencies Ministry were dealing with the aftermath of the Ukrainian drone attacks

US authorities prepare military aid for Ukraine worth $1 bln — Reuters

The aid package includes vehicles, Stinger man-portable air defense system munitions, HIMARS rockets, 155-mm artillery shells, TOW and Javelin anti-tank missiles and other weapons that could be "used at the battlefield immediately"

US expert says more ATACMS won't alter battlefield dynamics in Ukraine

"There is no magic weapon, there is no series of weapons that could change this" situation for the Ukrainian armed forces, Scott Ritter said

Moscow court arrests Deputy Defense Minister Ivanov over bribery case

The court said that Timur Ivanov is accused of receiving a bribe as part of an organized group while performing contracted and subcontracted work for the Defense Ministry

NATO makes Russia its neighbor by expanding eastward, Russian envoy says

Earlier, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg claimed that increased payments to the bloc’s budget were the cost of having Russia as a neighbor

Ukraine could send special forces to capture Zaporozhye NPP — politician

According to Vladimir Rogov, the Ukrainian troops are holding drills to cross the Dnieper from the right bank to the left bank and capture a large industrial site

No damage, casualties after drone attack over Russia’s Kursk Region

Roman Starovoit thanked air defense troops and the regional crisis center and cautioned residents against approaching the drone wreckage if found

EU may sanction 10 firms for allegedly shipping weapons tech to Russia — Bloomberg

According to the agency, the companies being assessed for potential sanctions are based outside Russia but have links to Russian and Belarussian individuals and firms

US incapable of replicating Cold War-era arms race — Valdai club expert

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Global community changing tune about how Ukraine conflict started — security official

According to Nikolay Patrushev, these countries "understand perfectly well who is financing" the Kiev regime

US 'not forgetting' to help itself with aid to Ukraine — Kremlin

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Hamas threatens that hostages remaining in Gaza may go missing

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Ukrainian connection to Crocus terrorist attack undeniable — ex-SBU officer

Vasily Prozorov noted that the perpetrators could have been eliminated once they crossed the border

Ukrainian army strikes own surrendering soldiers — POW

Andrey Babenko said that after a crash course in Britain he had been sent to the frontline near Liman

Russia has significant amount of West’s funds in case of confiscation of its assets

Russia views the West’s encroachment on its assets as "a blatant and shameless theft for the purpose of lining its pockets," Maria Zakharova noted

Russia tasked with 'building new world' — Putin

Speaking at a plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club, the Russian leader also highlighted "the role and responsibility" of its members

Putin informed about detention of Deputy Defense Minister Ivanov

Minister Sergey Shoigu was also informed beforehand, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

Most agents at Security Service of Ukraine set on war with Russia — former officer

Vasily Prozorov said that "it is extremely difficult to count on any better judgement on their part"