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Coronavirus pandemic

Russia detects new Omicron variant in 16 out of 177 people arrived from South Africa

The WHO on November 26 assigned the Greek letter Omicron to coronavirus variant B.1.1.529 that was discovered in southern Africa

MOSCOW, December 13. / TASS /. The new Omicron COVID-19 variant has been confirmed in 16 out of 177 people arriving in Russia from South Africa, which proves its high transmissibility, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Policy Tatyana Golikova said on Monday.

"The Omicron variant was detected in 16 out of 177 people who returned [to Russia] today. All of them remain under observation, but there is only one reason why I am citing this data - to reconcile these figures. It stands at almost 10%, a fairly high level, and this points to high transmissibility and possible spread," Golikova noted.

According to the decree issued by Head of the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing Anna Popova, from December 8, those arriving in Russia from Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Eswatini, South Africa and Hong Kong must self-isolate for two weeks. Furthermore, they need to be tested for COVID-19 by the PCR method twice, the first test has to be carried out within two days after arrival and the second one - on the 10th or 12th day.

The World Health Organization on November 26 assigned the Greek letter Omicron to coronavirus variant B.1.1.529 that was discovered in southern Africa. The WHO stated the variant has a large number of mutations, some of which cause concern. South Africa has the most Omicron cases, while the strain has been detected in a total of 63 countries. Meanwhile, no fatalities due to the new strain have been recorded so far.

Kremlins spokesman calls for vigilance over deepfake technology

Dmitry Peskov noted that it was impossible to combat the deepfake technology

Russian space agency still in talks on launching two Luna-27 mission spacecraft

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Ukrainian army leaving positions near Avdeyevka over Russia’s incessant gunfire — POW

The escape gives only a few a chance to survive as frequently incessant Russian artillery accurate strikes rule out this option for Ukrainian troops, Yury Yurechko noted

Aleksandar Vucic greets Chinese leader at Belgrade Airport

The ceremony on the occasion of the visit of the 400-strong Chinese delegation will take place at Palata Srbije

US trying to destabilize situation in India ahead of general election — Russian diplomat

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Kremlin sees Ukrainian petition for deployment of NATO troops as dangerous provocation

The petition to invite foreign troops to Ukraine was posted on the Ukrainian president’s website on Tuesday

Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day

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Kiev forces view journalists wearing 'press' vests as primary target — war reporter

Christelle Neant recommended using small "press" labels in order to help Russian troops identify media workers

Musk's assertions about ancient Martian civilizations could hold true — Roscosmos

Earlier on Tuesday, Elon Musk spoke at a conference in Los Angeles, during which he suggested that humanity could find evidence of ancient civilizations existing on Mars

Double standards with regard to Russia make US look pathetic — experts

As the conflict in Ukraine continues, "the global situation grows more dangerous by the day," Peter Kuznick said

Pashinyan leaves for Moscow to attend summit, meet with Putin

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Russia to join ranks of top four global economies — presidential decree

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Kiev meddling in Russia’s domestic affairs by calling Putin’s presidency illegitimate

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Ukraine loses several hundred servicemen near DPR’s Novopokrovskoye due to lack of defense

It is noted that any Ukrainian activity on this section of the front is immediately suppressed by Russia’s precise and coordinated actions

FACTBOX: What is known about string of blasts at Ukraine’s power facilities

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the strikes were carried out with drones as well as sea-and air-launched precision weapons, including Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missiles

European Commission confirms agreement on expropriation of income from Russian assets

This decision must now be approved by the EU Council at ministerial level

Armenia to refrain from financing CSTO activity in 2024

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said earlier that his country cannot rely on the CSTO and he cannot answer Armenian society’s question why the country should be its member

Germany’s recalling ambassador to Russia another unfriendly step, diplomat says

According to Maria Zakharova, Berlin’s accusations of Moscow in the alleged ongoing cyberattacks were made in the "highly likely" style

Detention of US soldier in Russia’s Vladivostok has no relation to espionage — diplomats

Russian Foreign Ministry’s mission in Vladivostok that "not following the case of the US citizen closely"

Russia vows not to deport Ukrainian citizens missing ‘green card’ deadline

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Dutch MEP congratulates Putin on his inauguration

"Congratulations president Putin and congratulations people of Russia with your president," Marcel de Graaff from the Dutch party Forum for Democracy said

FACTBOX: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s biography

Since June 12, 2013, Putin has been the leader of the non-governmental movement All-Russia People’s Front, created at his initiative as a coalition of social and political forces

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Department of Defense spokesperson Sabrina Singh said that the United States views the decision to hold a military exercise of this kind as "deeply irresponsible"

FSB declassifies documents about Nazi Germany’s crimes in Crimea

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

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Aerospace Forces receive new Su-35S fighters

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Russian diplomat accuses EU spokesman of 'inciting terrorism' with Crimean Bridge remarks

According to Maria Zakharova, it is shocking that the statement was made by a European official who "in general speaks on behalf of the entire European Union"

FSB declassifies Hitler aide’s testimony how Red Army rescued Allies in Ardennes in 1945

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UK announces expulsion of Russian defense attache, new diplomatic visa restrictions

According to Home Secretary James Cleverly, this is a message to Moscow in response to its actions allegedly aimed at undermining British assistance to Ukraine

Ukraine approves bill on drafting convicts for military service

279 parliament members had voted in favor of the document

West plotted aggression against Russia on eve of special military operation — top brass

"History repeats itself," Chief of the Russian General Staff’s Main Intelligence Department, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Hero of Russia Admiral Kostyukov said

Australian Navy’s destroyer, helicopter impede Chinese drills in Yellow Sea — top brass

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French tired of supporting Ukraine — war correspondent

Christelle Nahan noted that people were tired of the fact that there was not enough money for the development of infrastructure, hospitals and schools, for pensions and benefits for children

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Attack on Soviet Union was OUN’s aim from outset — declassified archives

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Pashinyan arrives in Moscow for summit, meeting with Putin

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A traditional friendly dinner for the heads of CIS delegations took place on Tuesday night

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Dmitry Peskov recalled that after the inauguration, the Russian government resigned and the members of the Cabinet continued to work in the status of acting ministers

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Indonesian ambassador says Su-35 fighter jets contract remains in force

Indonesian Ambassador to Russia Jose Tavares said that around 30% of weapons in service with his country’s armed forces are Russian-made

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Russian troops gained better positions in the south Donetsk area over the past day, the ministry reported

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The Ukrainian army’s losses in the Kupyansk direction over the past 24 hours amounted to 55 personnel and two 122mm D-30 howitzers, it specified

Xi Jinping arrives in Serbia on his first visit in eight years

Chinese President began his visit on the day marking the anniversary of the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade by NATO aircraft

Ten powerful solar flares erupt from Sun over past day

Some of those flares disrupted radio communications on the short wave

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"We consider the bans discriminatory and contrary to the spirit of post-war historical reconciliation of the peoples of Russia and Germany," the Russian diplomats pointed out

Kiev troops presumably used ATACMS missiles to strike Lugansk — politician

"Missiles hit an oil storage facility within city limits," Vladimir Rogov said

Russia to develop cooperation with North Korea in all possible areas — Kremlin

US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said earlier that the US together with its partners would continue imposing sanctions for allegedly assisting weapons and petroleum products supplies between Russia and North Korea

US losing favor around world, while Russia's image improving — poll

The US’ image saw the biggest dip in the Middle East and North Africa (12 percentage points on average), as well as in Europe (seven percentage points)

West should engage in dialogue with Russia — US expert

In Peter Kuznick opinion, the world is on the verge of a most serious conflict while "NATO is conducting massive war games"

Russian government resigns

The cabinet will continue to carry out its duties until a new government is appointed

Russian sniper reports elimination of Ukrainian serviceman wearing helmet with SS emblem

He specified that his group took the helmet as proof of the elimination

Putin signs decree setting Russia’s development goals for 2030

The decree is titled On the National Development Goals of the Russian Federation until 2030 and for a Longer Term until 2036

Ukraine to be able to mobilize no more than 10,000-15,000 convicts — report

According to the source, there are currently about 28,000 inmates, and this number includes women, people unfit for military service due to health conditions, age and their criminal offenses

Russia may strike Britain's military facilities if London's threats materialize — MFA

Maria Zakharova described British Foreign Secretary David Cameron’s remark that London considered it legitimate for the Kiev regime to use British weapons for strikes on Russian territory as "something absolutely insane"

French troops to become target for Moscow forces if deployed to Ukraine — Russian MFA

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Putin says Russia had to use force to defend people in Donbass as peaceful means failed

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Ukrainian companies report damage to energy facilities

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Russia hands over last RD-180 rocket engines to US under existing deal

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Putin wants number of foreign students in Russia to rise to 500,000 by 2030

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US begins Astral Knight 2024 exercise in Europe involving 5,000 troops — Pentagon

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Russian diplomat slams Western ambassador for being absent from Putin’s inauguration

Maria Zakharova also asked a rhetorical question about what these countries’ new ambassadors would do when they have to hand over their credentials to the president

Putin will now use restyled Aurus car — Kremlin

Putin made the first trip on the Aurus exactly six years ago, on May 7, 2018, when he also departed to the inauguration

Emergency Ministry employee detained in Kherson Region over collaboration with Ukraine

According to the investigators, he kept improvised explosive devices for sabotage operation

NATO wants 'hot war' with Russia which may destroy US, Carlson says

According to the journalist, everything that Washington does shows that it wants this war

Putin’s inauguration kicks off in Kremlin

The main event will be held at the Grand Kremlin Palace but parts of it will take place outside at Cathedral Square where the Kremlin Presidential Regiment will march following the ceremony

Belgium explains absence of ambassador at Russian president’s inauguration ceremony

The European Parliament adopted a resolution at a plenary session in Strasbourg on April 25 alleging that the recent presidential election in Russia was undemocratic

Freak snowstorm hits Moscow

The snow falling on the ground does not melt immediately

MAKS air show may be canceled in 2024 — source

There are no dates for the event on its official website

China supports Serbia in defending its sovereignty on Kosovo issue — Xi

Xi Jinping is on a state visit to Serbia on May 7-8

Appeal for Western troops posted on Ukrainian president’s website

A petition needs to be signed by at least 25,000 people to be referred to the president for consideration

Arms supplies to Kiev unlikely to drastically change situation on battlefield — US expert

In Peter Kuznick opinion, despite Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky's assertions, "Ukraine is not going to drive every Russian soldier from the country"

French military already present in Donbass — French journalist

Christelle Neant said that the Ukrainian armed forces is drafting people with no military experience as part of its mobilization campaign and sends them to the frontline after "just two or three weeks of training"

Russian embassy expresses regret over London’s new restrictions

Earlier in the day, UK Home Secretary James Cleverly announced in parliament that the British authorities will expel Russia’s defense attache, impose new restrictions on Russian diplomatic visas and remove diplomatic status from some Russian properties

Belarusian president sees aggravating military situation at western, southern borders

"Remarks of war and nuclear strikes can already be heard from certain figures," the Alexander Lukashenko said

Press review: Russia flexes nuclear muscle and Israel signals imminent offensive in Gaza

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, May 7th

Russia praises Xi Jinping’s idea about peaceful summit on Ukraine

Maria Zakharova pointed out that Beijing adheres to a balanced position in the context of the events unfolding in Ukraine, "perfectly understands both historical and geopolitical reasons for the conflict"

Senior Russian diplomat, Libyan general discuss ensuring Libya’s sovereignty

"During a thorough exchange of views on the settlement of the military-political crisis in Libya, the focus was on the task of uniting all patriotic political and religious forces in the interests of ensuring the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Libyan state," the ministry said

IMF warns against violations related to use of Russian assets for helping Ukraine

Deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund Gita Gopinath said that rebuilding mutual trust among countries requires a lot of time and effort and called for preserving "some of the enormous gains from economic integration"

More than 90% of payments in EAEU are carried out in national currencies — Putin

The Russian leader noted that the combined GDP of the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union, according to available estimates, increased from $1.6 trillion to $2.5 trillion

Ukrainian shelling leaves female civilian wounded in Gorlovka, mayor says

In addition, two of the city’s neighborhoods lost power

IN BRIEF: Unity, care for people, country-civilization: Putin’s inaugural speech

The atmosphere in society has changed, now "reliability, mutual responsibility, sincerity, decency, nobility and courage" are highly valued, the Russian leader stressed

Five workers wounded during Ukrainian strike on oil storage facility in Lugansk

Leonid Pasechnik also said the strike "damaged power lines, disrupting electricity supplies to nearby houses"

Southern neighbors of US to regain stolen lands — Russian Security Council’s secretary

Nikolay Patrushev speculates that country may split into the North and the South again to get back to its original shape

Rally organizers plotting riots involving volunteers from Ukraine — Georgian intel agency

The State Security Service claimed that foreign instructors were training protesters to stage provocations against police and create chaos in the country

US envoy leaves Russia for certain amount of time — senior Russian diplomat

"The Foreign Ministry was told about this some time before the issue with inviting ambassadors to the inauguration ceremony of the Russian president was resolved," Sergey Ryabkov said

Inquiry against German Air Force chief over leaked conversation closed

"In particular, there was no evidence of deliberate actions on behalf of the above-mentioned individual," Business Insider wrote

Euroclear fighting over 100 lawsuits in Russian courts against investors demanding refund

According to Euroclear's new chief executive Valerie Urbain, the likelihood that the depository will win these cases is quite low