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Mortality rate in Russia rises by 24% during New Year holidays — Health Ministry

Rafael Shavaliev promised that during the New Year holidays, all healthcare services will be working in an enhanced capacity

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. The mortality rate in Russia increases by 24% during the New Year holidays, Rafael Shavaliev, head of the Department of Medical Care for Children, Maternity Services, and Public Health at the Russian Ministry of Health, said.

"As for mobilization [of the healthcare system] after the New Year, we're talking about a 24% increase in mortality during the New Year holidays. For example, when I was the head of a medical organization, I saw that 70% of intensive care patients during the New Year holidays were men of working-age," he said at a meeting of the State Duma inter-faction working group on protecting citizens' health from alcohol, drug, and tobacco threats.

Shavaliev noted that it's difficult to provide timely assistance because citizens themselves do not call ambulances promptly.

"Everything is delayed, so it's important to make full use of all possible means," he stressed.

He promised that during the New Year holidays, all healthcare services will be working in an enhanced capacity.

Terrorist plot by Central Asian inmates in Rostov Region prevented

During the searches, security forces uncovered improvised stabbing weapons, pieces of fabric bearing the flag of a banned terrorist organization, and cell phones

Backing out of reparations loan for Kiev to damage EU’s image — Politico

The qualified majority vote on using the assets, which the paper called a "nuclear option," also splits the EU

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West tries to destabilize situation in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger — Deputy Foreign Minister

Sergey Vershinin also pointed out that Moscow is paying increasing attention to building multifaceted cooperation with Africa’s subregional communities

MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center director shot dead in US

According to the newspaper, the scientist was found with gunshot wounds at his Brooklyn home on Monday

European countries' drift towards Beijing won’t change China's peaceful policy — diplomat

"China's position on the Ukrainian crisis has always been consistent and unambiguous," Guo Jiakun emphasized

NABU detectives to carry out investigative actions at embassy in Israel — ambassador

Yevgeny Korniychuk did not name the reasons for the investigative actions or their date

EU’s 19 packages of sanctions on Russia weaken European economy — Italian official

Italian deputy prime minister and minister of transport and infrastructure Matteo Salvini emphasized that sanctions brought European economies to their knees, leading to more expensive energy for Italians

Russian embassy calls UK’s claims about threat from Moscow unfounded

The diplomatic mission emphasized that Russia had no plans, intentions or reasons to engage in armed confrontation with the United Kingdom

Ukrainian troops attacked refugees during evacuation from Krasnoarmeysk, killing woman

Another woman was injured

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Lukashenko says Putin seeks to achieve peace in Ukraine conflict

Belarusian President believes that Vladimir Zelensky also wants the end of the conflict

Russian ambassador calls efficiency of increasing British military spending questionable

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Russia opens language centers in 27 African countries — Foreign Ministry

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Erdogan warns against attacks on commercial ships in Black Sea

Turkey issue a clear warning to both sides concerning this matter, the Turkish president said

Moscow to assess EU leaders' statement on guarantees to Kiev once it sees text — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that Moscow has only seen media reports about the joint statement by EU leaders on security guarantees for Kiev

Investigative Committee outraged by publication of footage of school attack near Moscow

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Last year several countries began working within the BRICS framework, and many states are planning to join this association, the diplomat noted

BRICS nations seek alternatives to US dollar — Brazilian official

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One child was killed and a security guard was injured in the attack, the Russian Investigative Committee’s press service reported

Russian forces thwart Ukrainian troops attempt to approach liberated Kupyansk

Airborne observation posts and mobile air defense teams ensured combat safety of the self-propelled guns

Trump says Ukraine 'already lost territory'

Donald Trump also added that the US is working with Europe on the security guarantee

Germany’s Left party critical of ‘multinational force’ idea for Ukraine

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Number of Cambodians killed in border conflict with Thailand up to 17 — top brass

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Lada-class submarines are quiet and capable of diving to depths of around 300 meters

China opposes use of frozen Russian assets by European Union — MFA

Beijing advocates for the creation of a "positive atmosphere and favorable conditions for advancing dialogue and negotiations" through the efforts of all interested parties

Russian shipbuilders deliver 19 ships, three subs to Navy in 2025

Head of the Russian Presidential Directorate for State Defense Industry Policy Viktor Yevtukhov emphasized that domestic innovative solutions were used in the construction of each ship

Africa should be free to manage its national resources independently — diplomat

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin stressed that Africans should stop financing the prosperity of the United States, the European Union, NATO, and their allies at their own expense

Kiev lying about battlefield situation to influence US peace plan — source

The Ukrainian mass media are disseminating reports alleging that the Ukrainian army has taken control of the settlements of Kondrashovka, Radkovka, and Moskovka northwest and southwest of Kupyansk

Hungary refuses loyal cooperation with EU on issue of Russian assets — Orban

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The protests, where people demanded the resignation of the government led by Prime Minister Robert Fico, a Social Democrat, were organized by opposition liberal parties and movements of Slovakia

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US national security strategy states diagnosis for Europe — Deputy Secretary of State

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Russia is open-minded in terms of what decisions might be made, Sergey Ryabkov noted

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Sergey Vershinin pointed out that one of the priorities was to assist Africa in achieving food self-sufficiency

Russia may ultimately replace UK in technology deal with US — Dmitriev

Russian Presidential Special Representative Kirill Dmitriev emphasized that "the UK needs to learn to solve real problems - not imaginary ones"

Total of 94 Ukrainian UAVs intercepted and destroyed overnight over Russian regions

31 of them were destroyed over the Krasnodar Region

'Coalition of Willing' prepares plans to deploy troops to Ukraine — British PM

Keir Starmer stated that the prior question is whether a just and lasting peace can be achieved

Putin studies questions from Russians for upcoming Q&A session in detail — Kremlin

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Moscow has not yet received this information, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

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The event will be held at noon on December 19

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Mario Bojic said it needed to happen for the world to change

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Georgian PM says Tbilisi’s prospects for NATO membership are vague

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Steel consumption in Russia to fall to lowest level since 2011 in 2025 — forecast

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Turkey’s Marmara Sea recedes 20 meters from shore — TV

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Ukrainian troops mine evacuation routes for civilians from Dimitrov

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West uses 'Russian threat' narrative to justify confiscation of frozen assets — Dmitriev

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Lukashenko says Ukraine simply handed Crimea over to Russia, no one fought for it

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Merz assesses chances of EU agreement on Russian assets at 50-50

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Foreign journalists to be able to ask questions during Putin’s Q&A session — Kremlin

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Ukrainian troops launch seven attacks on Zaporozhye region in past day, killing one

Governor Yevgeny Balitsky added that one man was injured in an attack on the village of Velikaya Znamenka

Belarus suppresses attempt to arrange provocation during national assembly

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