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Coronavirus pandemic

Covid incidence growing in nearly 70 world countries — WHO

Director General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called achieving a vaccination coverage of at least 70%

GENEVA, May 22. /TASS/. COVID-19 incidence is growing in nearly 70 world nations amid the decreasing testing rates, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Sunday and called achieving a vaccination coverage of at least 70%

"Reported cases are increasing in almost 70 countries in all regions - and this in a world in which testing rates have plummeted," he said in his opening address at the 75th World Health Assembly.

He drew attention to the increasing number of coronavirus deaths in Africa while aggregate "reported deaths are at their lowest since March 2020."

"This virus has surprised us at every turn - a storm that has torn through communities again and again, and we still can’t predict its path, or its intensity," he stressed.

He called on countries to "to reach 70% vaccination coverage as soon as possible, including 100% of those aged over 60; 100% of health workers; and 100% of those with underlying conditions."

By now, in his words, only 57 countries have vaccinated 70% of their population, whereas the mean vaccination coverage worldwide is 60% "We call on all countries to be prepared to reintroduce and adjust public health and social measures as necessary," he stressed.

He noted that the vaccine supply situation in the world has improved but some countries demonstrate "insufficient political commitment to roll out vaccines."

According to the WHO data as of 23:14 Moscow time on May 20, as many as 521,920,560 COVID-19 cases has been confirmed worldwide and the death toll was 6,274,323.

The 75th World Health Assembly is being held in Geneva on Sunday, in the offline format for the first time since 2019. Delegates from 194 WHO member states, including Russia, are taking part.

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White House effectively rules out option for US forces to intercept Russian missiles

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Russian forces find coordinates of DPR churches at former Ukrainian positions in Avdeyevka

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FSB prevents terror attack on Trans-Siberian Railway

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Iran says it won’t prevent return of Russian sailor from seized ship — MFA

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Russia developing Start-1M carrier rocket as derivative of Topol-M ICBM — source

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Israel considering retaliatory steps following Iranian attack — top brass

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Rustaveli Avenue has been opened for traffic

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Italy’s minister estimates Israeli capability to defend from Iranian attack at one billion

Guido Crosetto didn’t specify whether the currency he meant was dollars or euros

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According to the report, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi tried to remain neutral in the escalating conflict in the Middle East

Ukraine suffered substantial power generation losses over recent weeks — minister

According to German Galushchenko, the value of the damage is being verified and could reach billions of dollars

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The complex of measures (plan) to stimulate Russian investment activity in Belarus was also signed

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Macron draws distinction between Israeli, Russian Olympic participation

The French leader stressed that Israel was responding to a terrorist attack

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Russia’s UN envoy says IAEA too cautious as it doesn’t name culprit behind attacks on ZNPP

Vasily Nebenzya said Russia was calling on the International Atomic Energy Agency to name the source of attacks

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China's approach to Ukraine balanced, constructive, Russia welcomes it — Kremlin

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Ukraine struggles to garner support for Swiss conference — Russian Foreign Ministry

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Avtotor launches production of Jetour Dashing crossover in Kaliningrad

General agreement includes organizing the production of the brand’s products in Russia and gradually increasing the level of localization

Ukrainian paratroopers surrender in Avdeyevka area — Russian Defense Ministry

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Russian Su-34 jets destroy Ukrainian command post with high-explosive aerial bombs

"The strike was carried out with ODAB-500 high-explosive aerial bombs with a universal planning and correction module," the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Israel remains on highest alert as it chooses response to Iran’s attack — senior commander

"Iran will face the consequences for its actions," IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said

New generation Amur-LNG rocket to be reused 50-100 times — Roscosmos CEO

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Russian security chief urges measures against 'ethnic enclaves' in Russia

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IAEA chief slams attack on ZNPP dome as 'very dangerous precedent'

Rafael Grossi calls for attacks on ZNPP to stop as they raise safety risks

Iranian president warns of 'terrible response' to any action against country

Ebrahim Raisi opined that the UN Security Council and the organization as a whole "failed to fulfill their minimum legal obligations to condemn the [Israeli] attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus"

Envoy reports dozens of Russians killed in Ukrainian attacks in past week

According to Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik, over that period, Ukrainian troops fired "at least 1,362 munitions" at civilian facilities

Ukrainian Baba Yaga drone found in Moscow office

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Iran to retaliate for any new Israeli attack 'within seconds,' senior diplomat warns

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Xi Jinping proposes four principles for resolving Ukrainian crisis

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Senior Russian diplomat warns West against aggressive statements about Russia

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Putin expresses hope for restraint in Middle East in conversation with Raisi

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