{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

WHO reports thousands of suspected plague cases worldwide each year

According to the Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention Department Director Maria Van Kerkhove, between 2019 and 2025, ten countries reported nearly 4,000 suspected human plague cases and 423 related deaths to the organization

© Sergey Bobylev/TASS

GENEVA, October 8. /TASS/. Thousands of suspected cases of plague are reported each year in various countries around the world, World Health Organization’s (WHO) Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention Department Director Maria Van Kerkhove said.

"There are thousands of cases of suspected plague every year that happen around the world," she told reporters.

According to Van Kerkhove, between 2019 and 2025, ten countries reported nearly 4,000 suspected human plague cases and 423 related deaths to the organization. She noted that these cases included both the bubonic and pneumonic forms of the disease. The WHO official emphasized that plague is caused by a bacterium and is treatable with antibiotics.

Four in five Russians view Putin as one of world’s most influential leaders — poll

About seven in ten Russians believe that Russia has become stronger during Putin’s years in office

EU, NATO to squeeze Kiev regime for everything it has — Russian delegation head

Head of the Russian delegation to the Vienna negotiations on military security and arms control Yulia Zhdanova emphasized that the West primarily "needs experience in high-intensity combat"

Over 100 Ukrainian drones taken down over Russian regions during day

From 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Moscow time Russian air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 110 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles over Crimea, Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, Tula, Ryazan, Oryol, Lipetsk, Rostov, and Moscow Regions

Missile production plant in Ukraine halts production after Russian strikes

Production and warehouse facilities sustained serious damage

WHO chief says 237 attacks on healthcare verified in Middle East since October 7

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said 218 attacks were carried out in the occupied Palestinian territories

Russian delegation warns confrontation with West could enter most severe phase

According to Yulia Zhdanova, head of the Russian delegation to the Vienna talks on military security and arms control, Western politicians continue to intensify their military rhetoric

IMF backs global central bank rate hikes, chief Georgieva says

"Now may be a good time for a prudently hawkish bias in many countries’ monetary policy," Kristalina Georgieva said

Senior NATO commanders pay unannounced visit to Ukraine

Italian Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone said that the visit had been aimed "to reaffirm unwavering support for Ukraine"

Bolshoi Ballet Company begins major tour in China

The Bolshoi Ballet’s China tour runs from October 7 to 25, with performances in three cities - Beijing, Nanjing and Shanghai

Kalashnikov delivers batch of Dragunov sniper rifles to Russian security forces

Kalashnikov noted that the rifle’s greatest strengths are its semi-automatic operation, compact design, light weight, as well as its high accuracy and precision

Ukraine pays $450 mln on debt in September — National Bank

Ukraine’s total state and state-guaranteed debt stood at $215.55 bln, as of August 31

What we know about attack on oil tanker in Black Sea with unmanned surface vehicles

The tanker's crew of 23 Indian nationals has been rescued

Kremlin briefing covers Putin's birthday, probability of talks with Trump

Russian forces approach Novoukrainka in Zaporozhye Region — military expert

Andrey Marochko said that Russian servicemen are advancing near liberated Golubkovo

International organizations offer no help over Alyoshki situation — governor

"The conduct of organizations whose charters require them to act in people’s interests is a matter for their conscience," Vladimir Saldo said

FACTBOX: Russia’s sanitary watchdog says no epidemic risks in Irkutsk Region

Rospotrebnadzor has provided the WHO with information about the situation in the region

Moscow court fines Zoom around $772,110

The company was fined for failing to comply with obligations established by Russian law governing the activities of foreign entities on the Internet

US crude oil inventories fall by 3.2 mln barrels over week — Energy Department

The department noted that current inventories are 1% above the five-year average for this time of year

Medical monitoring ends for 60% of those in contact with pneumonia patient in Siberia

The agency stressed that the situation remains under its control

IRGC plans to block illegal oil transportation routes through Strait of Hormuz

The volume of oil illegally transported through the strait is estimated as extremely small

Russia creates control system for group of drones using voice, text commands

Before giving a command, the system also analyzes the capabilities of a particular robotic vehicle for implementing the assigned mission

Four in five Russians view Putin as one of world’s most influential leaders — poll

About seven in ten Russians believe that Russia has become stronger during Putin’s years in office

Lithuanian army to send up to 100 troops to border with Russia’s Kaliningrad Region

According to the Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas, the army will be stationed at the border for the next few weeks

WHO reports thousands of suspected plague cases worldwide each year

According to the Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention Department Director Maria Van Kerkhove, between 2019 and 2025, ten countries reported nearly 4,000 suspected human plague cases and 423 related deaths to the organization

FACTBOX: What we know about Flydubai pilots fight and emergency landing

The plane’s captain and co-pilot were hospitalized with injuries, Saudi airport operator Cluster 2 said

US acknowledges Russia's position on potential Ukraine meeting — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister recalled the "unprecedented number of terrorist attacks on civilian targets, including polling stations," carried out by the Kiev regime

Lithuania plans to deploy army units to Kaliningrad border area

Interior Minister Martynas Katelynas called the deployment of the army a preventive measure

Two commercial ships hit with drones in Black Sea off Bulgaria

The Togo-flagged Alfa Watan suffered severe damage before sinking

US sees no link between infection in Russia’s Irkutsk Region, bioweapons research — Trump

On October 4, the Russian Federal Service for Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being said the sanitary and epidemiological situation in Russia’s eastern Irkutsk Region was stable

EU ambassadors endorse 22nd sanction package — source

Over 1,500 companies and individuals have been blacklisted

Russian troops liberate Golubkovo community in Zaporozhye Region over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicted more than 240 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy armored combat vehicle in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Thailand eyeing introduction of departure fee — newspaper

The collection of the fee is planned to be delegated to airlines, which will include it in the ticket price at the time of booking

Russia’s National Wealth Fund totals $151.85 bln as of October 1

The fund’s liquid assets totaled $44.45 bln as of October 1, or 1.6% of GDP projected for 2026, equivalent to $45 bln

Iranian army to decisively strike US forces should they launch ground operation — TV

According to the TV channel, the Iranian army is constantly updating its database of enemy targets and has already identified numerous sites in the region, including military bases, that could be attacked by Iranian forces

Agroexport center names key agricultural export markets for Russia

Main selling markets by 2030 will be China, Turkey, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Iran, Egypt, India, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan

Bakery of father of 13 children, who died in drone attack, delivered bread to Alyoshki

Sergey Georgiyev said that together with Alexander Kolotun they also planned to provide assistance to residents of frontline villages in winter

Timeframe for troop return to Russia depends on West’s actions, Belarusian top brass says

The joint Russian-Belarusian drills Union Resolve 2022 took place in Belarus on February 10-20

World Bank projects lifting of anti-Russia sanctions in 2018

Russia’s Reserve Fund will be fully spent by the end of 2016, says a World Bank report

Lavrov describes CIS culture as highly diplomatic, with issues resolved jointly

The Russian foreign minister stressed that the organization takes into account the specific national interests of individual countries and has a "diplomatic culture of balancing those interests"

Mediation efforts in Iran-US talks reach deadlock — TV

"The Strait of Hormuz is no longer a priority for Washington" after Iran, in the US assessment, "lost control over it," the TV channel said

Ukrainian drone attack kills father of 13 children, 15-year-old daughter in Kherson Region

"This morning a Ukrainian drone attacked a passenger car near Rykovo of the Genichesk district," Vladimir Saldo said

Russia has 'clear conscience' over Ukraine talks in Alaska — Lavrov

According to the foreign minister, is not Russia's fault that the US side could not withstand the unprecedented and brazen pressure from Europe, which later proudly declared that it had ‘buried Anchorage’

Zaporozhye NPP backup power line damaged in Ukraine-controlled territory — director

"Whether it will be repaired or not will be decided either by some international agreement or by that side," ZNPP Director Yury Chernichuk said

Russian army advances 1.5 kilometers near Miropolye in Sumy Region

Active military activities are currently underway in this area along a front approximately 8 kilometers wide, military expert Andrey Marochko told

Russia reports no drug trafficking from Ukraine amid special military operation — official

Acting head of the Russian Interior Ministry’s Main Directorate for Narcotics Control Kirill Smurov recalled that the law enforcement agency had witnessed targeted drug trafficking from Ukraine to Russia at the turn of 2020

Hungary risks situation near energy catastrophe if cut off from Russian gas — expert

Artyom Ilyinsky said that the delivery of major volumes under non-Russian gas agreements is scheduled to begin only in 2028, creating a critical time gap that "will prevent Hungary from navigating the pivotal year of 2027 smoothly"

CIS countries concerned by forecast of arms race in outer space

The CIS Foreign Ministers noted the crucial importance of immediately taking practical measures to prevent an arms race in outer space

EU fears US diesel export ban — Der Spiegel

The EC noted that even awareness of economic damage to US companies themselves might not prevent Washington from taking such a step

Russia achieves full technological sovereignty in hydropower

Russia’s General Scheme for the Development of Electric Power Facilities through 2042 envisages the commissioning of 6.7 GW of new hydropower generation capacity, comprising seven hydroelectric power plants and four pumped-storage power plants

NATO’s statements on potential war with Russia, West’s responsibility: Lavrov’s remarks

The Russian Foreign Minister says he is "taking a philosophical view" of reports about NATO's "defensive" plan for its eastern flank

Mali to buy Kamaz trucks worth $51.5 mln

The contract, signed in accordance with an intergovernmental agreement between Mali and Russia, is aimed at expanding Mali’s transport and logistics capacity

Houthis report missile strikes on coalition forces near Bab el-Mandeb Strait

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree noted that the attacks killed or wounded dozens of people, including commanders, and destroyed numerous pieces of military equipment

Iran should reduce uranium enrichment capacity to end war with US — vice president

JD Vance expressed concern over Iran's possession of highly enriched fuel and added that the US would demand concrete concessions from Iran in the nuclear sphere

Three killed in attacks on two Saudi airports

A Sudanese national was killed in the strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, while eight others were injured, including five Saudis, two Egyptians and one Pakistani

No reason for international uproar over Alyoshki situation — governor

According to Vladimir Saldo, the situation in the Kherson Region city of Alyoshki is not so critical

West’s course over next decade to determine its global standing — Rubio

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio believes the collective West is at a crossroads

Netanyahu claims Hamas plots attack on Israel ahead of elections

The Israeli PM said that over the past years Israel had become "the strongest country in the Middle East," while its enemies were currently "weaker than ever"

Fedor Emelianenko elected as president of Russia’s Mixed Martial Arts Union

Emelianenko secured the majority of votes against his closest contender in the elections, Radmir Gabdullin, who had been at the helm of the Russian MMA Union since 2018

Dairy consumption growth to continue in Russia in 2024 — expert

In 2023, gross consumption of dairy products gained 5% and the increase was 3% per capita, Artyom Belov noted

Iran, Oman to submit agreement on Strait of Hormuz to international body — diplomat

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei pointed out that consultations between Tehran and Muscat were successful, and the parties reached an agreement on the geographical coordinates of the safe corridors

Drones connection to ERA-GLONASS system may help to ease flight restrictions

"Such transparency is precisely what is needed for a gradual transition from case-by-case permits and restrictions to broader industrial applications of drones," Maxim Chizhov said

Sberbank launches direct business settlements with Myanmar

The bank's press service explained that Sberbank’s Indian branch will serve as a key element of the new arrangement

Russia develops drone interceptor flying with maximum speed of 500 km/h

DOFA-Tek Technical Director Vitaly Dobrovolsky noted that the interceptor can be launched from any rooftop or the ground

Ukrainian troops fire six Grad rockets towards Yasinovataya – DPR

Ukrainian soldiers fired six missiles at the city

Russian troops use flamethrower system against Ukrainian forces Near Krasny Liman

The flamethrower system’s primary targets are temporary deployment sites, UAV control posts, and enemy troops concentrations

Somali pirates reportedly seize Iranian ship in Indian Ocean — maritime security center

According to the report, the incident took place some 400 nautical miles east of Mogadishu

Three DPR residents killed, eight wounded in Ukrainian attacks since start of day

The attacks damaged three residential buildings, three infrastructure facilities, trucks and passenger cars

India calls on Russia, Ukraine to halt Black Sea attacks in truce plan — Foreign Ministry

"Insofar as specifics are concerned, India is trying to be helpful, starting with the Black Sea, safety of the shipping issue, addressing immediate concerns of Russia and Ukraine on grain and energy exports, and non-attack possibilities," Randhir Jaiswal said

UAE warned Israeli PM of looming Hamas attack before October 7 — newspaper

Haaretz cites sources from a new book on the incident as saying that about ten days before the attack, UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan called Benjamin Netanyahu to warn him that Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar was preparing a major attack on Israel

FACTBOX: Russian forces hit enterprises producing Flamingo missiles in Ukraine

Russian troops struck the Kiev Cardboard and Paper Mill plant that served as a production and storage facility for FP-5 Flamingo cruise missiles and their components

Trump says call with Putin set up, mentions Russian president’s birthday

The US president mentioned the Russian leader’s birthday

Russian forces strike Ukrainian UAV assembly workshops over past day — top brass

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,440 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

FSB detains Kherson Region woman for spying for SBU in Crimea

The Russian Investigative Committee's office for the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol arrested the suspect and initiated a case under Article 276 of the Criminal Code (espionage), which carries up to 20 years in prison

CIS foreign ministers discuss regional security, economy at meeting in Turkmenistan

The summit resulted in decisions aimed at "consistently developing and strengthening multifaceted cooperation within the bloc"

Bank of Russia lowers dollar rate to 85.48 rubles for October 8

The official euro rate was increased by 29.74 kopecks to 96.3287 rubles

Kherson Region children's ombudsman calls UAV blow on car with father of 13 kids terror

Irina Kravchenko said that there can be no justification for such actions

Israeli forces shell Quneitra province in southern Syria — TV

No civilian casualties have been reported

West should not be surprised by fuel price hikes over Ukraine actions — Russian envoy

Yulia Zhdanova said Kiev has stepped up efforts to block Russian shipping in the Black and Azov Seas at the urging of its Western handlers

Russia boost agricultural technologies exports by 15% this year — Agriculture Minister

Last year saw a "solid breakthrough" in the exports of Russian agricultural technologies, Oksana Lut said

CIS partners recognize need to address root causes of Ukraine crisis — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister added that the talks covered in detail the situation in the Middle East

Trump believes Iran involved in Flydubai incident

The US president also pointed out that Washington knew who was behind the threat that prompted the US to withdraw all its B-1 strategic bombers from the UK’s RAF Fairford

Russia to take retaliatory measures if Canada confiscates Russian assets — ambassador

Oleg Stepanov said Ottawa should consider the legal, investment and reputational consequences "of such ‘lawmaking’"

Trump believes conflict in Ukraine nearing its end

The US president admitted that he thought this conflict "would be the easiest one for me"

Russian intelligence chief extols covert operatives as cream of the crop

Information on a number of successful operations carried out by Soviet and Russian covert intelligence services has remained top-secret to date, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service chief says

World leaders congratulate Putin on his birthday

In a telephone conversation, Putin and Lukashenko agreed to continue discussing bilateral cooperation and the international situation on the sidelines of the CIS summit in Turkmenistan

Press review: Black Sea ceasefire efforts gain momentum as Houthi advances raise war risk

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, October 7th

West furthers military-industrial interests with OSCE Russia disinformation campaign

"Even here, within the framework of the OSCE's military-political direction, we have already had the opportunity to see that the Western participating states are not interested in a fact-based professional dialogue," Yulia Zhdanova said

Russia’s inflation stands at 0.96% from September 29 to October 5 — Rosstat

According to a review of the current price situation prepared by the Russian Economic Development Ministry, Russia’s annual inflation stood at 7.17% from September 29 through October 5

Japan’s MPs will ask government to consider building gas pipeline from Russia to Tokyo

Members of parliament intend to present the relevant proposal to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Economy Minister Hiroshige Seko, Kyodo news agency reports

Putin to make two-day visit to Turkmenistan to take part in CIS summit

Vladimir Putin's first day on the Caspian coast will be devoted to protocol events related to the arrival of many distinguished guests

Demand for ship protection against drones surges — FT

According to the newspaper, the largest number of such inquiries comes from companies involved in oil and gas transportation

Kiev complains to the West about Russia to wheedle more billions — Crimean legislator

The main thing is not to slow down or stop pushing Ukraine toward peace, Vladimir Konstantinov emphasized

Ukrainian army unable to independently use Taurus missiles — military analyst

Igor Korotchenko emphasized the importance of assessing the situation objectively

Russia budgets nearly $468 mln for farm machinery programs in 2027-2029

A total of $17.55 mln is expected to be allocated to DOM.RF’s preferential leasing program next year

Trump says decided against prosecuting Obama, Biden, Clinton

Trump said people around him had urged him to pursue legal action against them

EU Commission hits new low by accusing Russia of isolating Alyoshki — lawmaker

Liberal Democratic Party of Russia leader Leonid Slutsky emphasized that Brussels is using the same information warfare tactics it tested in Syria and Bucha

Russia cuts pipeline gas supplies to Turkey by 17% in eight months

Russian gas supplies to Turkey via pipelines reached 12.1 bln cubic meters in January-August

Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026 awarded for discovery in asymmetric organic synthesis

France’s Henri Kagan and Japan’s Kenso Soai have received the award

Common Eurasian space to take shape gradually but steadily — Lavrov

The foreign minister pointed in this regard to cooperation memorandums among the secretariats of integration organizations including the CIS, the Eurasian Economic Union, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations

Diplomat says Russian Foreign Ministry’s message to foreigners in Kiev was 'crystal clear'

According to Maria Zakharova, foreigners "should be aware of the risk and understand its source"

Eight Palestinians killed in Gaza Strip during Israeli attacks — Health Ministry

The total number of victims of the escalation of the conflict in Gaza since October 2023 has increased to 74,030