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Coronavirus pandemic

Weekly COVID-19 mortality up 4% worldwide - WHO

The number of new infections decreased by 19%

GENEVA, February 16. /TASS/. Over 16 mln people contracted the novel coronavirus infection worldwide over the past week, almost 74,000 died, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Wednesday.

The number of new infections decreased by 19%, while the number of fatalities grew by 4% compared to the previous seven-day period.

According to the WHO COVID-19 Weekly Epidemiological Update, a total of 16,097,642 new cases and 74,494 deaths were reported to the global organization on February 7-13.

A significant increase in case incidence, as compared to the previous week (January 31 - February 6), was registered in the Western Pacific region (up 19%). At the same time, case incidence decreased in the remaining five global regions, with the most noticeable decline reported by Southeast Asia (down 37%), followed by America (down 32%) and Africa (down 30%). Europe, which accounts for 60% of all cases registered in the past seven days, saw a decline of 16%.

Mortality grew in Eastern Mediterranean (up 38%), Western Pacific (up 27%), Africa (up 14%), America (up 5%) and Europe (up 1%), but decreased by 9% in Southeast Asia.

The biggest number of the new cases in the past week was reported by Russia (1,323,391), followed by Germany (1,322,071), the United States (1,237,530), Brazil (1,009,678) and France (979,228). The United States accounts for the majority of deaths (17,225), followed by India (6,686), Brazil (6,658), Russia (4,834) and Mexico (2,530).

As of 19:50 Moscow time on Tuesday, the overall case count since the start of the pandemic stood at 412,351,279 people, the death toll was at 5,821,004. Global cases grew by 1,469,326 in the past day, while fatalities increased by 7,351.

Citizens of Poland, Germany, Italy apply for residence permit in Lugansk Republic

The decisions will be made in response to these applications in the near future

Europe resumes talks of troop deployment to Ukraine — newspaper

According to the sources, this is driven by the fact that Washington may scale back support for Ukraine after Donald Trump returns to office as US president on January 20, 2025

Moscow to announce new Russian ambassador to US after relevant decree is signed — Kremlin

Previously, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed Anatoly Antonov from the office of Ambassador of Russia to the United States

French politician calls for protests against deployment of Western troops to Ukraine

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Peace deal between Israel, Hezbollah 'very close' — TV

The Ynet news website reported earlier that Israel had given a preliminary green light to a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, subject to final approval by the cabinet

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Head of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency Veronika Skvortskova briefed the Russian President on the vaccine's development

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"Earlier, of course, such ideas were heard from different European capitals, but various counterarguments were also voiced not in favor of this idea," Dmitry Peskov noted

US needs Ukraine's rare earth metals, including lithium — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister noted that American companies had already bought up most of the fertile land

Russia acted responsibly in warning US about Oreshnik missile launch, Kremlin says

The US was notified automatically 30 minutes before the launch by Russia's Nuclear Risk Reduction Center

Ukrainian strikes inside Russia impossible without Western support — newspaper

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on September 12 that Ukraine was unable to strike inside Russia without the West’s assistance because it would require intelligence data from satellites and flight assignments

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Netanyahu approves deal with Hezbollah 'in principle' — report

The Israeli news website Ynet also reported earlier that Israel tentatively approved a proposed ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, and it is now subject to final endorsement by the cabinet

France, UK may deploy troops to Ukraine following ceasefire — expert

According to Elie Tenenbaum, European countries may send troops to east Ukraine to ensure the observation of a ceasefire regime and guarantee Kiev’s security

Press review: Russia to mass-produce Oreshnik missiles and EU gas prices reach record high

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Guterres condemns supply of anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine

The UN Secretary-General urged world leaders to join the Ottawa Convention

Russians liberate about 8 square kilometers east of Velikaya Novosyolka in Donbass region

Earlier, Rogov said Russian forces had pushed toward that locality from Novodonetskoye in the southeast and Yasnaya Polyana in the northeast

Defense contractor delivers new batch of Su-34 bombers to Russia’s Aerospace Forces

The new fighter-bombers have undergone necessary testing and have been sent to the places of their operation, Vadim Badekha noted

Ukrainian officer says 90% of fellow servicemen have no desire to fight

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Senior envoy sees Putin’s statement as signal of Russia’s readiness for military responses

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Biden’s decision to use ATACMS against Russia may 'blow up in America’s face' — US expert

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Weapons supplied to Ukraine cannot reach Russian territory, Spanish defense minister says

The New York Times reported on November 17 that US President Joe Biden had authorized the use of US-supplied ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles for strikes inside Russia

Russia’s Medvedev warns Europe could face 'catastrophic damage' from Oreshnik missile

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Kremlin sees US-led West ready to do anything to suppress Russia

The situation is "unprecedented," the spokesman told the reporter from the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company

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"As for New START, you are well aware of our decision to suspend it," Sergey Ryabkov said

Trump ‘incredibly concerned’ about escalation in Ukraine, his NSA pick Waltz says

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Theodore Postol also vehemently rejected suggestions that the Oreshnik system represents previous outdated developments of Moscow

Western air defense systems unlikely to intercept Russian missiles — France’s Le Monde

According to the French military source, Russia's recent use of the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile should be taken in the context of possible negotiations regarding the ongoing Ukrainian conflict

Kiev has ‘no chance’ of retaking lost territories — Blackwater founder

Erik Prince noted that it was necessary to end the Ukrainian conflict as soon as possible

Oreshnik can reach targets across entire Europe — missile troops commander

"Based on the tasks and the range of this weapon, it can hit targets across entire Europe, which sets it apart from other high-precision long-range weapons," Sergey Karakayev said

Kremlin doesn’t see Trump’s future term through ‘rose-colored glasses’ — spokesman

Trump is scheduled to be sworn in as president on January 20, 2025

US missile defense base in Poland long among Russian army’s targets — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova stated that the US-NATO construction project, ongoing for nearly a decade with complete disregard to Russian security concerns, has consistently been a focus of Russia's attention

NATO spies study damage from Oreshnik at Yuzhmash — expert

Alexander Stepanov emphasized that both Kiev and its Western allies are closely scrutinizing the consequences of the strike on the plant

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Russian forces eliminate Ukrainian MiG-29 on ground

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Russia gave OPCW over 30 reports proving Ukraine used banned substances, official says

Kirill Lysogorsky noted that "the Kiev regime continues to systematically use toxic chemicals and chemical riot control agents"

Zelensky shook up by Russia’s response to permission to attack it — Lavrov

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Russian armed forces defeat Ukrainian assault Battalion Shkval in DPR

Kiev forces lost over 440 troops in battlegroup group West responsibility zone

France, UK will have to pay for their helping Ukraine strike inside Russia — diplomat

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The Turkish side will also provide information on the progress of the investigation

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As the ministry’s the regional headquarters reported, the area of the fire is 6,000 square meters

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Sergey Ryabkov warned Russia’s adversaries against settling into a "false sense of security"

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Europe unable to wage war attrition on Russia — Ukraine’s ex-commander-in-chief

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According to Andrey Rudenko, Tokyo has no intention to change anything to the positive side

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Citizens of Poland, Germany, Italy apply for residence permit in Lugansk Republic

The decisions will be made in response to these applications in the near future

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The leaders also discussed some international issues

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Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, who leads the Social Democratic Party, ended up third with 19.15% of the vote

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UK mercenary taken prisoner in Russia’s Kursk area — source

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No int’l restrictions on deployment of Oreshnik systems — senior Russian diplomat

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FACTBOX: Cargo aircraft crashes into apartment building in Vilnius, Lithuania

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Russia will respond 'in every way' to Seoul’s arms supply to Kiev — MFA

Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Andrey Rudenko called on South Korean to soberly assess the situation and refrain from "reckless steps"

Russian official describes OPCW note on use of chemicals in Ukraine as absurd

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Ukrainian army mercenaries from Colombia linked to US-controlled drug cartels — expert

Commenting on the motivation of Colombian fighters to join the hostilities in Ukraine, Alexander Stepanov explained that it is linked to the situation in the South American drug trafficking market

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Comprehensive partnership agreement between Russia, Iran to cover defense sphere

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Russian troops mopping up enemy positions in Yelizavetovka in Donbass region — politician

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US did not contact Russia after use of Oreshnik missile — Deputy Foreign Minister

In his televised address to the nation on November 21, Putin stated that the United States and its NATO allies had authorized the use of long-range high-precision weapons before US and British missiles struck Russian military facilities in the bordering regions of Kursk and Bryansk

Kremlin accuses Biden’s team of trying to thwart Trump’s efforts for settlement in Ukraine

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Developments in Russia’s Kursk Region: Counselling for residents, enemy’s losses

Doctors, including psychologists, are working with the Kursk Region residents that returned from Ukraine

Abkhazia did not reach point of no return, ex-president says

Aslan Bzhania believes that the recent developments in the republic have inflicted reputational damage on it

Rome plans to arrange Ukraine conference with Russia's participation

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Russia encircles largest Ukrainian fortification in southern DPR — security services

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West beginning to realize only part of Ukraine will remain — Lavrov

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Putin doesn’t let US feel comfortable on global stage — Turkish columnist

Melih Altinok also praised Putin for "not surrendering to the World Health Organization during the pandemic" and pursuing the nation’s own policy in fighting the virus

Lukashenko tells Putin situation is "starting to get tense with Wagner"

The Belarusian leader noted that they want to go to Warsaw

Cyprus submits NATO accession plan to US — report

Nicosia reportedly asked to buy some military equipment from Washington as part of a three or five-year agreement, and sought help in bringing Cyprus’ military capabilities to NATO standards

US, European officials suggest returning nukes to Ukraine — NYT

US officials believe that ramping up weapons supplies to Ukraine is unlikely to change the situation in the combat zone short term, but it may help Kiev strengthen its stance in case a truce is reached

Warehouse catches fire in southern Moscow, over 2,500 square meters on fire

According to the emergency response services, the fire is spreading rapidly

British military instructor captured, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

In total, the enemy has lost more than 35,510 troops since the fighting began in the region

Kremlin spokesman says EU will look back on its foreign policy under Borrell with shame

According to Peskov, the EU is far from taking an independent, sober view of what is happening

Scholz vows to continue supporting Ukraine following his chancellor nomination

The German chancellor listed supporting Ukraine at the top of his priorities should the SPD win and form a government

Russian national Nikita Zhuravel sentenced to 14 years in prison for high treason

Nikita Zhuravel was detained in May 2023 in Volgograd for setting fire to the Quran in front of a mosque, and during questioning, he confessed that he did it for money, under instructions from Ukrainian intelligence

British mercenary claims he was sent to Russia’s Kursk Region against his will

The captive explained that he had served as a private in a battalion for four months

Ukrainian commander-in-chief reports threats to troops in Zaporozhye Region

Earlier, it was reported that the Russian forces had advanced for over 2 km near Malaya Tokmachka in the Zaporozhye Region

Zelensky begs ‘for his country to be flattened’ — US journalist

"Ukraine should be forever grateful that President Putin is calm, rational and kind - because Zelensky is practically begging for his country to be flattened," American political commentator Jackson Hinkle said

US Army under Trump may fire all trans persons — media

Pentagon nominee Pete Hegseth has publicly railed against weak and "effeminate" leadership in the Armed Forces, saying that the next commander-in-chief will have to get his house in order

Russia’s updated nuclear doctrine is a signal to the West, Kremlin confirms

Dmitry Peskov also noted that the outgoing US administration is taking increasingly reckless steps, increasing tensions around the Ukrainian conflict

US, West have no capabilities to intercept new Russian hypersonic missile — expert

"There is more in the Russian arsenal than many believe," said Karin Kneissl, the former Foreign Minister of Austria

Russia’s Sukhoi jet catches fire while landing in Turkey

According to HaberGlobal television, all 79 passengers on board were evacuated

Ukraine abandons Selidovo, laying mines in wells — security services

The Ukrainian armed forces used various modified Western-made mines and improvised explosive devices during the process

Potential deployment of intermediate-range missiles depends on US moves — Russian diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov stressed that "any escalation scenarios, if they start to materialize, will be a direct consequence of the reckless" and "inhumane policy that is pursued by Washington and leading European countries"

Large number of Ukrainians to lose mobilization exemption after February 28 — deputy

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Kremlin explains why Oreshnik missile came as surprise

"I am sure that neither of us is even aware right now of any new future developments," Dmitry Peskov said