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Coronavirus pandemic

Russia’s technique for identifying Omicron strain being tested in South Africa

On Monday, 16 out of 177 people who arrived in Russia from South Africa have tested positive for the new SARS-CoV-2 strain, Omicron

MOSCOW, December 14. /TASS/. A new technique for identifying the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant that was developed in Russia is currently being tested in South Africa, Anna Popova, chief of Russia’s sanitary watchdog, said on Tuesday.

"To date, a testing system for the new Omicron strain has been developed. It is currently being tested in South Africa," she noted.

According to earlier reports, the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology had developed the said technique for identifying the Omicron variant.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said on Monday that 16 out of 177 people who arrived in Russia from South Africa have tested positive for the new SARS-CoV-2 strain, Omicron.

On November 26, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated B.1.1.529 as a "Variant of Concern" and assigned it the Greek letter Omicron. It also said that the new variant has "a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning."

Most of the Omicron cases have been reported from South Africa.

This year, most of Russian asylum seekers come from Syria — statistics

Also, Russia received 2,527 such requests from Ukrainians between January and September, down by 248 people year-on-year

EU sets unrealistic rules to punish companies that reject censorship — Durov

In Telegram co-founder's words, the EU exclusively targets platforms that host inconvenient or dissenting speech

Trump open to dialogue with Putin, Xi — Pentagon chief

Like President Ronald Reagan, President Donald Trump is willing to talk to rivals, from Mikhail Gorbachev to Deng Xiaoping in the 1980s to Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping today, Pete Hegseth said

Russia did not annex Crimea, but extended helping hand to its people — Putin

According to the Russian leader, the residents of Crimea recognized that they had become part of an independent Ukraine following the Soviet Union's collapse

EU sees US as ally despite criticism in National Security Strategy — Kallas

The updated US National Security Strategy expresses, among other things, the concern that Europe will become unrecognizable in 20 years and is on the verge of destruction as a civilization due to the subversive policies of the leadership of the European Union and other supranational structures

Press review: US proposed four-part Ukraine plan as EU eyes expropriating Russian assets

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 5th

Earthquake with magnitude of 7.0 occurred in Alaska — USGS

No information about injured people and damage was reported thus far

Von der Leyen, Merz fail to convince Belgian PM to authorize seizure of Russian assets

"We agreed to continue our discussions with the aim of reaching a consensus at the European Council meeting on December 18," European Commission President said

Chennai-Vladivostok corridor to help achieve trade turnover of $100 bln — consul general

The sea corridor will reduce cargo transportation time, lower logistics costs, and improve operational efficiency, Siddarth Gowrav said

Putin links RT's ban in some countries to their fear of the truth

The Russian president described RT as the really trustful source of information, targeting a progressive audience

Iran, Russia sign agreement on cooperation in AI

The agreement was inked by Russian Deputy Digital Development Minister Alexander Shoitov and Iranian Deputy ICT Minister Meysam Abedi

Ukrainian army conducts punitive operations against civilians — official

Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik said that this situation reflects the real policy pursued by the Kiev authorities today

US not going to change status quo in Taiwan issue — Hegseth

"Our interests in the Indo-Pacific are significant, but also scoped and reasonable," war secretary said

EU’s losses from sanctions against Russia estimated at almost €1.6 trln — Russia’s MFA

The use of unilateral coercive measures has been a major obstacle to establishing a fair and equal polycentric world order, the Russian Foreign Ministry added as it dismissed such measures as a key instrument of the collective West’s neocolonial policies

Athens police used tear gas, flash bangs against anarchists

Small clashes between anarchists and police squads occurred after the march when the protesters attempted to go to the place where the adolescent was shot down on December 6, 2008

US fears reparations loan will undermine dollar’s status — economist

"The US is acting with restraint not because of sympathy for Russia, but because of concerns that asset confiscation would significantly undermine the status of the dollar and the euro as reserve currencies," Nikolay Gaponenko said

US Department of State describes talks with Ukrainian delegation as ‘constructive’

The talks will continue on December 6

European Commission’s plans on asset seizure contradict EU norms — Russian mission

According to the statement, any illegal actions with Russian assets will have long-term negative consequences for the European economy and will entail Russia’s harsh response measures

Russian budget based on conservative forecast for oil prices

Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said Russia will have “a virtually deficit-free budget” in 2015

Potential visa-free travel, fuel supplies: takeaways from Putin-Modi negotiations

Russia is satisfied with the results of discussions with Indian counterparts in New Delhi, the country’s head of state noted

Russian forces liberate Oleshnya in Kursk Region — top brass

The total losses of the Ukrainian armed forces in the Kursk Region have exceeded 75,000 servicemen, the Russian Defense Ministry added

Zelensky removes Yermak from national security council, supreme headquarters

The executive orders will come into force once published

Radiation levels at Zaporozhye NPP comply with standards, no threats

The station is operating in accordance with safety requirements

Long range, multirole capability make S-400 most powerful air defense system — Almaz-Antey

The Russian Defense Ministry has repeatedly reported that the S-400 system has been successfully used in repelling Ukrainian army strikes

NATO destroys all relations with Russia — MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the bloc's plans to dissolve the Russia-NATO Council do not really matter

Russian Navy to get ten new diesel submarines by 2020

The headquarters of the Russian Navy expect to use diesel powered submarines as an important component of naval groups in peninsular and insular sections

US Democrats prefer Ukraine to their home country — Elon Musk

Earlier, Trump addressed the US House of Representatives and Senate with a speech on the situation in the country and domestic and foreign policy priorities

US to prevent deployment of adversaries’ weapons in Western Hemisphere — Hegseth

The US uses such dominance " to protect our homeland and access to key terrain throughout the region," Pete Hegseth said

Gambian-flagged tanker in distress off coast of Bulgaria after marine drone attack

According to the Maritime Administration of Bulgaria, in whose waters the tanker is anchored, the crew requested evacuation

Safety mechanisms activated during attack on CPC, no environmental threat — ministry

Kazakhstan uses all oil export options

Qatar Energy head expresses bewilderment at EU's decision to phase out Russian gas by 2027

Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi noted that ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods recently announced his intention to withdraw the company from Europe

Population collapse gathering pace in Ukraine — agency

Ukraine’s population, which stood at 42 million before the conflict, has now shrunk below 36 million

Russia to continue conflict if Kiev rejects settlement — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, Russia's position is clear, and it has not changed since the Alaska summit

Putin underscores importance of Montreux Convention preservation to Erdogan

The Convention provides for free pass through the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits only for trade ships and regulates the pass of non-Black Sea states’ military ships, seriously limiting their classes and displacement

Merz urges Israel to refrain from annexing West Bank

"We should keep the path toward Palestinian statehood open," the German chancellor said

Unjust fine on X confirms prospects for Europe’s ‘civilizational erasure’ — RDIF CEO

"EU’s viscous censorship machine and the unjust fine against X once again prove Trump’s National Security Strategy warning about Europe’s ‘stark prospect of civilizational erasure’," Kirill Dmitriev said

Supermodel Vodianova, TV presenter Shepelev to run 2018 FIFA Preliminary Draw show

The draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Preliminary Competition will be held on July 25 in Russia’s second largest city of St. Petersburg

Zelensky holds phone call with Kushner, Witkoff

Umerov and Ignatov are currently visiting the United States

Putin’s visit to India clearly shows Russia not isolated — TV

"Signing of numerous contracts between Russia and India in different spheres during the visit is a kind of a demonstrative response to the Western pressure in late months," according to France 5

Putin’s visit to Israel to bring bilateral relation to new level – presidential envoy

Russia and Israel are involved in the process of geopolitical changes

US, Ukraine underscore need for ceasefire, de-escalation - Department of State

According to the document, the negotiators emphasized that "credible steps toward ceasefire and de-escalation" are necessary to prevent the conflict from breaking out again

Merz to join consultations on Ukraine in London on Monday — DPA

Alongside the chancellor, British Prime Minister Kier Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and Vladimir Zelensky will take part in the upcoming consultations

Ukraine loses around 1,450 troops in special military operation area in past 24 hours

The Russian military launched a massive strike using the Kinzhal missile systems against Ukrainian military-industrial complex enterprises and energy facilities in response to Kiev’s terrorist attacks in Ukraine

S-400 gets new features unusual for air defense systems — Almaz-Antey

Modernization potential of the S-400 Triumph air defense system allows it to quickly mitigate emerging threats during the special military operation

Putin-Japarov meeting in Bishkek gives impetus to multifaceted relations — Kremlin

During the conversation, the Russian president warmly congratulated his Kyrgyz counterpart on his birthday

Trump thanks Azerbaijani leader, Armenian PM for nominating him for Nobel Peace Prize

In it, Trump stressed that, as President of the United States, he remains committed to ending conflicts globally and to securing peace and prosperity for all people

Ukrainian military sites to be hit soon in retaliation for strike on Grozny — Kadyrov

According to Chechen leader, the attack on high-rise buildings makes absolutely no sense from the tactical point of view

Signing Ukraine peace deal looks unlikely by end of 2025, Russian expert says

According to Zharikhin, Europe has also been actively hampering the peace process

Chechen leader urges Ukrainians to make a stand against conflict with Russia

Ramzan Kadyrov added that captured Ukrainian servicemen often ask not to be returned back, fearing for their lives

Putin thanks military for liberation of Krasnoarmeysk

Regarding the Zaporozhye direction, Russian President stated that Ukrainian forces cannot match Russia's offensive pace

International Court of Justice ready to assess Kiev's crimes — Russian Foreign Ministry

The West's hopes of using "legal weapons" against Russia have once again failed, the ministry said

All EU countries should share Belgium’s risks regarding Russian assets — Merz

"Belgium's particular vulnerability in the issue of using the frozen Russian assets is indisputable, and must be addressed in such a way that all European states bear the same risk," the chancellor said

Ukraine’s biggest gas producer Ukrgazdobycha raises gas output in 2011

The company produces almost 75 percent of the country’s gas output. Ukrgazdobycha is a subsidiary of the Naftogaz Ukrainy company

US, Ukraine discuss security, deterrence — Department of State

According to the document, the sides discussed "the results of recent meeting of the American side with the Russians and steps that could lead to ending" the conflict

This year, most of Russian asylum seekers come from Syria — statistics

Also, Russia received 2,527 such requests from Ukrainians between January and September, down by 248 people year-on-year

Russia insists on fulfillment of NATO’s promises not to expand NATO eastwards — Putin

The Russian president stressed that multiple waves of NATO’s expansion have taken place, culminating in efforts to include Ukraine in the alliance

Production of passenger cars in Russia up 47.2% in January-August to 442,000 — Rosstat

Production of trucks grew by 13% in the first eight months of this year in annual terms to 122,000 units

Medvedev supports Musk’s call to abolish EU

"Exactly," the senior Russian security official commented on Musk’s post on X

NATO provokes conflicts in various regions of world — defense official

According to Zhang Xiaogang, in recent years, the alliance has gone beyond its geographical boundaries, causing increased vigilance worldwide, particularly among Asian countries

Russian troops liberate seven communities in Ukraine operation over week — top brass

In particular, during the week, Battlegroup North units liberated the town of Volchansk in the Kharkov Region through decisive operations

Conflict in Ukraine entering its decisive phase — Bloomberg

European leaders are deeply concerned about US attempts to broker a deal they see as a capitulation of the West, according to the report

Russia downs eight more Ukrainian drones over same three regions

Earlier on Saturday, the Russian Defense Ministry reported downing 11 Ukrainian drones over the same three regions in a span of five hours

Messi won 48th trophy in career, became MLS champion

The team from Miami defeated Vancouver Whitecaps 3:1 in the final playoff match

Odessa Appeals Court adjourns hearing of extradition of Putin’s suspected assailant

The court said the Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office must supply documents to prove the identity of the 31-year-old Chechen Adam Osmayev

Indian foreign ministry spokesman describes Putin’s visit as ‘highly successful’

"A visit to remember!" Randhir Jaiswal said

High-rise Grozny City building attacked by Ukrainian drone — Kadyrov

The head of Chechnya condemned this attack as an attempt to intimidate the republic’s civilian population

Macron acknowledges that Europeans cannot compel Russia to negotiate Ukraine with them

According to the French president, it is necessary to "build up pressure on the Russian economy to compel Moscow to return to the negotiating table"

Seizure of frozen Russian assets could impact euro’s role as reserve currency — FT

Euro-denominated assets account for around 20% of foreign exchange reserves held by central banks worldwide, according to the publication

Source in Ukrainian intelligence calls Rubicon 'tough guys' — Le Parisien

According to a Ukrainian soldier in the drone battalion stationed near Krasnoarmeysk, which was previously liberated by the Russian Armed Forces, Rubicon has good weapons and well-trained operators

FIFA awards in first-ever Peace Prize to Trump

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States

US mediation on Ukraine has chance of success — Fidan

The Turkish foreign minister pointed out that "a platform for interaction and continued dialogue is necessary," despite the ongoing hostilities

US-Ukraine meeting in Florida produced no serious breakthrough — Bloomberg

"Despite the positive language, there was little indication of a major breakthrough that might signal new momentum in the talks," agency reported

US-Ukraine talks in Miami conclude — daily

The Ukrainian side at the talks was represented by Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Andrey Gnatov

Russia-India talks held in open, constructive atmosphere — Putin

The Russian leader expressed deep gratitude to Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as well as to all Indian colleagues for their exceptionally warm and cordial welcome

Putin’s visit to India shows West’s failure to isolate Russia — The Sunday Times

The Russian leader was met with great pomp and fanfare, as well as a hug from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

More than 20 people died due to fire in night club in India — newspaper

A cylinder blast reportedly caused the fire, police informed

Putin’s visit to New Delhi highlights strengthening of alliance with India, China — expert

Yosmany Fernandez Pacheco particularly emphasized the role of Moscow-New Delhi cooperation in energy and the talks between the Russian president and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on related issues

Rogozin says small arms facility will be built in Tula

Today the key task is to convert defence plants for new uses

The Results of the Negotiations in Moscow: What the Parties Are Willing to Concede

Putin explains what it takes to avoid big mistakes

When asked about the potential establishment of a BRICS currency and other alternative systems of payment aimed at reducing dollar dependence, Vladimir Putin noted that "in this process there's no rush anywhere"

Ukraine demolishes buildings with soldiers inside as Russian forces advance — DPR leader

Amid the successful advance of Russian forces, Ukrainian troops have been indiscriminately attacking civilian neighborhoods in Gorlovka, which is adjacent to Dzerzhinsk, Denis Pushilin said

Russia can receive unlimited number of Indian specialists — first deputy PM

Denis Manturov confirmed that the labor mobility agreement was signed during the Russian-Indian summit in New Delhi

Putin concludes two-day state visit to India

The Russian president held a series of bilateral talks with Indian officials, took part in the Russia-India Business Forum, and laid a wreath at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial

Polish Foreign Minister suggests Musk going to Mars after call to disband EU

"There's no censorship of Nazi salutes there," Radoslaw Sikorski said

If Russian assets are seized, retaliatory measures to 'surprise' EU — MFA

Maria Zakharova also criticized European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s conduct, describing it as inappropriate and expressing concern over what she called the "inadequacy" of her actions

Bombs with power of 13 kilos of trotyle found in Russia’s Kabardino-Balkaria

An active accomplice of bandits was detained in the search operation and gave confessing testimony

Russian forces capture Ukrainian FPV drone operators near Krasnoarmeysk

According to commander of a Russian assault detachment Vladimir Khodykin, many Ukrainian soldiers were unaware that Krasnoarmeysk had been taken by Russian troops

Strikes paralyze operations of 26 wine houses in France

According to LCI data, 80% of employees of Ruinart and Moet & Chandon were on strike on Friday in the Champagne-Ardenne region

Massive strikes launched on Ukraine in response to drone attack on Grozny — Chechen leader

According to him, more than 60 targets across Ukraine were hit overnight

Hungary says no to EU’s preparations for conflict with Russia — Orban

The Hungarian prime minister called on his nation to vote for the ruling Fidesz party at the parliamentary election coming in April 2026 so that Hungary can "stay away" from Brussels’ dangerous plans

Russia tops list in production of munitions, air bombs — Rostec

"The output volumes are incomparable with the ones before the Special Military Operation," Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov stressed

Umerov to hold another meeting with Witkoff, Kushner on Friday — media

According to the source, another round of talks "on further steps in the peace process" will be held in Florida

US armed forces learning lessons from conflict in Ukraine — Pentagon chief

The United States are studying the experience of using autonomous weapon, Pete Hegseth said

German parliament turns down two anti-Russian resolutions

A total of 455 lawmakers voted against the first resolution, and 77 supported it

Zaporozhye NPP left without external power supply for several hours at night

The reasons for the disconnection from external power sources are being investigated, according to a statement posted on the ZNPP’s Telegram channel

Foreigners can submit their question for Putin’s year-end Q&A, too — Rostelecom

Foreigners can call to the mobile hotline (+7 (499) 550-40-40 and +7 (495) 539-40-40) or submit their questions online on moskva-putinu.ru

Washington, Kiev discuss post-conflict reconstruction of Ukraine — Department of State

The talks were attended by Special Envoy for Peace Steven Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, as well as Ukrainian Secretary of National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov and Chief of General Staff General Andrey Gnatov

Lavrov says Savchenko will be headache for Ukraine

The foreign minister considers handing the ex-servicewoman over to Kiev the right decision as Moscow had to bring back its citizens sentenced on terrorism charges in Ukraine

United Russia approves people’s program Putin to present in presidential race

By proposal of Boris Gryzlov, the audit commission will upgrade the program with due account of Putin’s speech at the party congress and latest proposals and additions

Russia to reduce list of restricted trades for women in 2027

Changes will apply to the spheres of transport and processing industry

End of conflict in Ukraine close — Kellogg

The issues of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant and the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic remain on the agenda, special envoy of the US president said