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Coronavirus pandemic

Almost 14,000 new coronavirus cases registered worldwide in past day

The overall death toll now stands at 6,606

© AP Photo/Kin Cheung

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. The World Health Organization (WHO) has registered a total of 13,903 newly confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus worldwide and 862 deaths in the past 24 hours, the organization said in a report published on its website on Monday night.

The overall number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases now stands at 167,511. More than half of them - 86,434 - were registered outside mainland China.

The total number of fatalities increased to 6,606, including 3,388 deaths outside mainland China.

A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December 2019. Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from about 130 countries and territories, including Russia, which has 93 coronavirus cases. The WHO has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic.

Pobeda bloc expects global community to respond to struggle against opposition in Moldova

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Moreover, Qiwi plc acknowledged impairment by $155 mln in 2023 due to the same reason

WHO reports over 430 attacks on Gaza healthcare system since October 2023

Only 11 out of 36 hospitals are partially functional in Gaza at the moment

Over 280 recovered from mass grave at hospital in Khan Yunis — TV

The operation to recover bodies of people killed in Israeli bombardments continues in the city

Putin-Pashinyan personal contact may take place in 'short term' — Kremlin

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TikTok criticizes bill that would ban platform in US as free speech violation

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US accusing Russia of allegedly deploying nuclear weapons in space absurd — Lavrov

The foreign minister also pointed out that Russia is firmly committed to its international legal obligations, including the 1967 Outer Space Treaty

Transport National Project funding estimated at over $109.2 bln by 2030

"The greater portion is railroad projects - 60%," Russian Deputy Transport Minister Valentin Ivanov said

Russian economy to see serious structural changes — presidential aide

"The first one is the technology agenda, the very large one, with huge demands for our own small, medium and large solutions," Maxim Oreshkin said

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This must be followed by a decree of the Ukrainian president on the appointment

EU Council to discuss weapons supplies to Ukraine, Russian assets, sanctions on Iran

Also, the EU Council will consider using immobilized Russian assets to help Kiev

Russia sees tendency for Latin America to become one of multipolar world order centers

"The very fact that the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States returns back to its roots is a good sign," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said

Russian missile cruiser Varyag enters Mediterranean Sea

The ship's crew continues to fulfill the mission it was given for the long-range voyage

Press review: Dissecting US aid package to Ukraine and sands of global economy shifting

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, April 22nd

Balticconnector gas pipeline returns to operation

The gas pipeline has its operations suspended on October 8 of the last year because of the detected leak

Armenia purchasing only defensive weapons — PM

Yerevan's defense spending is 15-20% of what Azerbaijan spends on it, Nikol Pashinyan said

Mobilization law condition for new supplies of arms to Kiev by NATO — source

Arms supplies are only reasonable if a large number of military personnel able to use those weapons in defense and assault operations is available

Lavrov speaks of West’s agony, Russia’s approach to any future talks with Kiev

The Russian foreign minister also described Armenia and Russia as more than formal allies

Pobeda bloc expects global community to respond to struggle against opposition in Moldova

The opposition suggests that Moldovan President Maia Sandu is behind the law enforcement officers’ actions

Development of Baikal-Amur, Trans-Siberian railways important for Russia, CIS — Putin

The Russian leader recalled that Heydar Aliyev, the father Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev, supervised construction of the Baikal-Amur railway

Ukraine turns from sovereign country into Western protectorate, Hungarian PM says

Viktor Orban noted that there should be a buffer zone between NATO and Russia and Ukraine could serve as one

Hamas leader wants to see Russia, Egypt, Turkey as guarantor countries for Gaza

Talking about the current situation in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh noted that "the resistance is still strong"

Moldova punishing Gagauzia for refusal to call Russia aggressor — Gagauz leader

We have always been standing and will continue to stand for friendly relations with Russia, Yevgenia Gutsul said

Russian ambassador criticizes Germany for lack of answers in spy case

During the visit to the German foreign ministry on April 18, 2024, we did not receive any answers to our questions, Sergey Nechayev said

Russia pins future of nuclear test ban on US actions

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Russia becomes Europe’s first economy despite 'pressure from all sides,' Putin says

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Azerbaijani president hails pace at which Baku-Moscow ties developing

Ilham Aliyev reiterated that Azerbaijan and Russia have been working for more than two years within the framework of the Declaration on Allied Interaction signed by their presidents in February 2022

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Current Russian turn eastward possible owing to Baikal-Amur railway — Putin

BAM personifies giant labor and courage of two million very young people from across the entire Soviet Union, the Russian leader said

North Korea stages first combined tactical drill simulating nuclear counterattack — KCNA

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Moldovan authorities try to present Gagauz as separatists — official

Earlier, Yevgenia Gutsul noted that the Gagauz autonomy would withdraw from Moldova if Chisinau decides it wants to unify with Romania

Senior lawmaker threatens US with retaliation for 'stealing' Russian assets

"Now, our country has every reason to make symmetrical decisions against foreign assets," Vyacheslav Volodin said

Ukraine’s military intelligence chief recognizes Russia’s success in Avdeyevka

Ukrainian troops suffered significant losses in the fighting for the control of this town

New US military aid will not prevent end of Kiev regime — Russian mission to the UN

"That’s what happens when the head of state doesn’t care about his own people and sells out his country," Dmitry Polyansky said

Top Security Council official meets with Cuban interior minister, foreign counterparts

Nikolay Patrushev also held talks with Brazilian Special Advisor for International Affairs Celso Amorim

Moldovan opposition announces creation of Pobeda political bloc

Among representatives are Governor of the autonomous Gagauzia region of Moldova Yevgenia Gutsul and parliamentary deputy Marina Tauber

EU reacts to worsening of situation for Ukraine by preparing for new world war — Szijjarto

The Hungarian Foreign Minister noted that the participants of the EU foreign and defense ministers meeting "did not challenge the information about the degree of Russia’s arms superiority"

Russia to incorporate US nuke scenario in Poland in its military planning — diplomat

"Poland’s authorities make no secret of their striving to lean closer on the US nuclear weapons deployed in Europe and are actively using these ambitions in their hostile Russian policy," Maria Zakharova stressed

Russia looking to open diplomatic missions in South Sudan, Niger, Sierra Leone — diplomat

According to Alexey Klimov, in 2023, almost 30,000 temporary entrance (return) permits were issued abroad and over 460,000 foreign passports were issued

Liberation of Novomikhailovka brings closer encirclement of Ugledar, says DPR official

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Russia invites all countries to develop North - South transport corridor — Putin

"The North-South transport corridor should become an example of the broadest international cooperation," the Russian leader said

US has no idea what to do about Zelensky — Seymour Hersh

According to the journalist, the decision to conduct the operation was made by US President Joe Biden personally, following nine months of discussions with White House national security advisers

Russia has significant amount of West’s funds in case of confiscation of its assets

Russia views the West’s encroachment on its assets as "a blatant and shameless theft for the purpose of lining its pockets," Maria Zakharova noted

Russia’s Battlegroup West repels three attacks in past day, moving to better positions

Units of Battlegroup Center have improved their tactical positions

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Russia’s Battlegroup West repulsed four Ukrainian army counterattacks over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

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They "exchanged opinions on a wide range of pressing bilateral and international issues while focusing on the situation in the Balkans," the Russian diplomatic mission to the UN said

Kremlin vows legal action against US bill on seizing Russian assets

Dmitry Peskov noted that the trial will be "very complex," but will cause severe damage to US economic interests if the US authorities finally approve the bill regarding Russian assets

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Gagauzian leader on unity of Moldova’s opposition, ability to watch Russian TV channels

Yevgenia Gutsul underlined that Gagauzia plans to start exporting products to Russia in the near future

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Belarusian air defense registers increased number of NATO aviation sorties

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West balancing on edge of direct military confrontation between nuclear powers — Lavrov

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WADA explains difference between Valieva’s case and Chinese swimmers’ violations

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The battlegroup’s spokesman Ivan Bigma said that a Gvozdika self-propelled system, nine mortar squads, two Furiya fixed-wing type unmanned aerial vehicles were destroyed

Russia recovers black boxes from crashed Tu-22M3 bomber

According to the law enforcement, the search for the fourth crew member is ongoing

Russian troops level off frontline near Kremennaya in LPR for further advance

Russian combat aircraft and artillery "have begun to operate more intensively" at that frontline, delivering "precision strikes" on the Ukrainian army, Andrey Marochko said

Knauf to transfer its Russian business to local management — company

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Russia expects Xi Jinping to attend BRICS summit in Kazan — Lavrov

On January 1, Russia assumed the rotating presidency of the BRICS group of nations, which currently brings together ten states

Cossack Brigade ‘Dnieper’ takes out two Ukrainian boats at Kinburn Spit

The spy boats managed to come at such a close distance for the first time since the Dnieper brigade started to hold these positions on the Kinburn Spit, the brigade’s commander sayd

Russia ready to offer access to Asian markets to partners in BAM upgrade — Putin

"To this end we intend to implement plans of expedited upgrade of BAM, the Trans-Siberian Railway, development of the entire eastern range of railroads on the basis of advanced technologies," the Russian President said

Over 40 nations want to join BRICS — Russian lawmaker

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Ukraine lost best fighters near Artyomovsk, retired general says

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Ukraine says Western systems ineffective against Russia's electronic warfare

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Ukrainian troops fleeing Ocheretino in small groups, says DPR

"There is one more or less suitable road but it is also being shelled," adviser to the DPR head Igor Kimakovsky said

US 'not forgetting' to help itself with aid to Ukraine — Kremlin

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Assad says sure Russia will win conflict in Ukraine, re-unite brotherly peoples

Russia, in his words, is "correcting what others have done"

UNESCO remains universal institution despite Western manipulation — Lavrov

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Almaz-Antey adapts air defense launchers for various missiles

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Destroyed TV tower in Kharkov carried Ukrainian air defense coordination device — official

Digital TV signal interruptions are now observed in the city

New anti-Russian sanctions to include ban on LNG supplies — Swedish Foreign Minister

Tobias Billstrom deemed adopting the 14th sanctions package "one of the most important things"

Revival Party leader released after being questioned by Moldovan special services

According to Natalia Parasca, around 100 delegates to the Moldovan opposition forum in Moscow were held at the Chisinau airport for about three hours

Ukraine 'not in a position to win' against Russia — Spanish reserve colonel

"The Western world cannot accept Ukraine's defeat, because from the point of view of our security, a Russian victory in the war would be a failure," Francisco Rubio pointed out

Russian peacekeepers leave Karabakh after Yerevan recognizes Baku’s state borders — Peskov

"Geopolitical realties in the region have changed and there are no more operational functions left for the peacekeepers," the Kremlin spokesman said

Dollar almost completely gone from Russia-China trade relations — Lavrov

"The supply of our agricultural products to the Chinese market is growing," the top Russian diplomat noted

Damage to TV tower in Kharkov causes problems with digital TV signal

Earlier, Ukrainian media reported an explosion in Kharkov, which was cofirmed later by Mayor Igor Terekhov

Russia firmly ready for peace solution in Ukraine — Kremlin spokesman

"There has been no new peace initiative, there has been a statement of the fact of Russia's readiness for a peace solution to the Ukrainian problem," Dmitry Peskov said

Romanian rescuers find Ukrainian deserters who spent four days in mountains

Romanian media regularly report the discovery of young Ukrainians in the mountainous terrain on the Romanian-Ukrainian border

Russian peacekeepers heading for temporary deployment centers in Armenia

The Armenian government provided Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh with places for temporary deployment in Goris and Sisian

Top Hungarian diplomat warns US-NATO-EU competition in Ukraine could spark WWIII

"Preparations for a world war are intensifying in Brussels," Peter Szijjarto warned

No point in peace conference on Ukraine without Russia — top Hungarian diplomat

All parties involved in combat operations must meet at the negotiating table, Peter Szijjarto said

Lavrov slams West for promoting 'dishonest schemes' for restrictions on nuclear weapons

The top Russian diplomat stressed that "striving to attain decisive military superiority, Washington and its allies are enlarging the network of alliances directed against third countries"

US capitalizing on Israel-Palestinian conflict — Syrian president

America preys on any conflict and then steps aside to watch the growing havoc, waiting for a moment to deal a knockout blow, Bashar Assad said

Scholz says era of fossil fuel will be over soon

The chancellor also said Germany will make every effort to produce 80% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030

North Korea presumably launches ballistic missile — Japan Coast Guard

This is North Korea’s fourth ballistic missile launch this year

NATO, Poland made no decision on deployment of nuclear weapons — Andrzej Duda

Polish President pointed out that this issue is being raised during his meetings with NATO partners from time to time

Russia's eyes open to nature of US sanctions — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov added that the Russian authorities will try to minimize the effect of new EU sanctions against the country

Ukrainian intelligence predicts dire situation from mid-May onward

Kirill Budanov acknowledged that the Ukrainian army had long experienced problems on the frontline

Confiscation of Russian assets by the US to affect Europe more — expert

The US decision may provoke panic among investors that would start withdrawing their funds from European banks, being concerned of their freeze and further confiscation

Involvement of NATO states prolongs Ukrainian conflict — Russian ambassador to Germany

"Ukraine today is fully dependent on supplies of Western weapons, military hardware, ammunition, financing, intelligence, and assistance from military advisers," Sergey Nechayev said

Units of South battlegroup fully free Bogdanovka in Donetsk People’s Republic — top brass

The enemy lost up to 440 troops, three cars and an Osa-AKM air defense system, a 152mm D-20 weapon

Dollar exchange rate down to 93.29 rubles on Moscow Exchange, euro up to 99.4 rubles

The yuan added to 12.851 rubles

Builders from Azerbaijan participate in BAM upgrade — Putin

"Design engineers and construction workers from Azerbaijan built two settlements with terminal facilities during BAM construction - Ulkan and Angoya," the Russian President said