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Coronavirus pandemic

Updated at:

Albania expels Russian diplomat for breaching Covid guidelines

It is noted that the diplomat has been reported to breach the guidelines since April 2020

Tirana's main Skanderbeg Square AP Photo/Hektor Pustina

Tirana's main Skanderbeg Square

© AP Photo/Hektor Pustina

ZAGREB, January 22. /TASS/. The Albanian government has officially expelled a Russian diplomat from the country for violating epidemiological measures imposed to counter the coronavirus pandemic, Albania’s Top Channel TV reported Thursday.

"The Albanian government has declared Russian diplomat Alexei Krivosheyev, who was not following the anti-coronavirus measures, persona non grata, mandating that he leave the country within 72 hours from the official announcement," the channel quoted the statement by the Albanian Foreign Ministry.

At the same time, it is noted that the diplomat has been reported to breach the guidelines since April 2020. "Unfortunately, <…> the diplomat continued to violate the measures despite expressions of good will from both sides to stop these violations," the Albanian ministry underlined.

Moreover, the ministry underlined that the country seeks to improve friendly relations with Russia, voicing hope that Moscow will be understanding of "this decision made in the difficult period for the whole world."

According to Johns Hopkins University, Albania has recorded more than 69,000 cases of COVID-19 and more than 1,200 deaths.

Al Jazeera Media Network condemns ban on its operation in Israel

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Chinese President Xi Jinping embarks on European tour to France, Serbia, Hungary

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian stated that these visits would boost global peaceful development

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Swiss conference to be showcase for Zelensky's failed peace plan — Medvedev

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Israel not to accept Hamas reestablishing control over Gaza — Netanyahu

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Earlier, Vitor Gaspar, director of the International Monetary Fund’s Fiscal Affairs Department, said that the growth of the US national debt spurred side effects across the globe

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Russian President Putin attends Easter service at Christ the Savior Cathedral

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The Israel Defense Forces confirmed reports about the shelling attack on Kerem Shalom

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Maria Zakharova emphasized that Switzerland cannot serve as a platform for a settlement dialogue

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Maria Zakharova noted remarks by Josep Borrell who asserted that without Western arms supplies Kiev would capitulate in two weeks

Qatar likely to accept US request on expulsion of Hamas leaders from Doha — report

According to the source, Washington may file a request on expulsion of Hamas leaders if the Palestinian movement rejects the latest proposal on resolution of the hostage crisis

US mercenaries let their fighting skills 'atrophy,' one of them says after trip to Ukraine

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Russian ministry puts former Ukrainian President Poroshenko on wanted persons list

A database entry says Poroshenko is wanted for a criminal offense, without naming specific charges

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Trinidad and Tobago recognizes State of Palestine

As of today, 141 out of the 193 UN member states, including Russia, recognize Palestine as an independent nation

Kremlin vows to resolve situation with Turkish Airlines refusing service to Russians

Russia has "very constructive and friendly relations" with Turkey, Dmitry Peskov stressed

Russian forces carry out 25 group strikes at energy, military industrial facilities

The Russian Defense Ministry noted that the strikes also hit temporary deployment locations of Ukrainian neo-Nazi militias and foreign mercenaries, as well as concentrations of military vehicles

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Putin expresses gratitude to Patriarch Kirill for work towards strengthening Fatherland

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Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said more than 9,000 people, aircraft and 75 units of military equipment will take part in the parade on Red Squar

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According to the minister, the Israeli army is ready to continue combat operations in the entire Gaza Strip, including in Rafah

Russia engages TOS-2 flamethrowers in Ukraine

220mm TOS-2 is a successor to TOS-1A with improved characteristics

Final report on 2019 Aeroflot Superjet 100 crash in Sheremetyevo complete — IAC

The Committee underscored that, during the investigation, all hazard factors are being forwarded to the Russian Federal Agency for Air Transport (Rosaviatsiya), the designers, the producers and the users of this type of aircraft

Putin congratulates Orthodox Christians on Easter Sunday

Russian President also emphasized the "constructive, productive activity of the Russian Orthodox Church and other Christian confessions" that preserve Russia's historical, cultural and spiritual heritage

Some 400 US citizens killed in hostilities in Ukraine — former Pentagon official

"We know that at least 400 Americans have died whether they are contractors or in uniform. Our administration won't say this," he said

Russia not depending on foreign gas turbines anymore — Rostec

"Two plants were constructed in Crimea and one in the Taman Peninsula - the Udarnaya, which we will launch in full as early as in this year," Sergey Chemezov noted

Any European country’s involvement in Ukrainian conflict to trigger world war — Szijjarto

Hungarian Foreign Minister noted that Europe is living through an emergency situation, with a war being held

France preparing contingent of 2,000 troops to be sent to Ukraine — intelligence chief

According to Sergey Naryshkin, the French military "fears that such a large military unit cannot be transferred and stationed in Ukraine unnoticed"

G7 considers giving Ukraine $50 bln worth of aid — Bloomberg

The US pushing to sign an agreement when G7 leaders convene in Italy in June

South Korea-Russia relations were not doomed to worsen because of Ukraine, says expert

According to Park Byung-hwan, director of the Eurasian Strategy Research Institute, countries in their relations with each other are not guided by morals, but only pursue state interests

Cuban president plans to visit Russia, attend May 9 parade — diplomatic source

"Such a visit is in the works," the source said

Kiev loses 18 observation posts on right bank of Dnieper in past day — Russian official

The Russian army carried out active defensive operations on the left bank of the Dnieper, conducting precise strikes on enemy military facilities, equipment and artillery weapons on the right bank

French President Macron says dialogue with Russia must be continued

Emmanuel Macron also said that technical capabilities and the striking range of Russian ballistic missiles endangered European countries

Kremlin slams Macron's statement about possible sending troops to Ukraine 'very dangerous'

On May 2, the French President named in an interview two conditions for sending troops to Ukraine: Kiev's request and Russia's breakthrough on the front line

Cuba opts to scrap visa regime for Chinese nationals, says Cuban tourism minister

Juan Carlos Garcia Granda announced this decision in view of the fact that China will be the guest of honor during the next International Tourism Fair

Ukrainian authorities talk about negotiations guided by public sentiments — experts

Political researcher Oleg Posternak noted that the authorities constantly carry out sociological public opinion surveys, see the dynamic and adjust their statements in accordance with the poll results

Russia launches production of smartphones with protection against data leakage

A special feature of AYYA T1 is the impossibility of unauthorized data collection by cameras and microphone thanks to the option of their hardware shutdown

Trump develops plan on peaceful resolution in Ukraine — Telegraph

Former US President will not reveal it until the election, the Daily Telegraph reported

Dutch ambassador to Russia wraps up his term — embassy

Gilles Beschoor Plug started his tenure as ambassador to Moscow in 2021

Fire gutting German plant of industrial group making IRIS-T air defense systems

The Diehl Group also makes ammunition and communications systems

Two Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers perform flight over Bering Sea near Alaska

The crews of Su-30SM aircraft of the Aerospace Forces provided fighter support

Ruling party wins parliamentary election in Togo

Prior to the election, the parliament adopted a new constitution that changes the country's form of state rule from presidential to parliamentary

Holy Fire from Jerusalem delivered to Christ the Saviour Cathedral

The service is conducted by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill

Extinguishing fire at Berlin metal factory halted

Firefighters have suspended extinguishing a blaze due to the threat of contaminating local water with chemicals, Bild reported

Retaking Chasov Yar is just a matter of time for Russia — Ukrainian intelligence

Vadim Skibitsky admitted that the Russian forces now operate as a "single body, with a clear plan, and under a single command"

Almost 34,600 Palestinians killed in Gaza since last October — Health Ministry

77,765 people have been injured

Europe needs China to address security, climate challenges — Macron

Focusing on the economy, Macron spoke in favor of strengthening European sovereignty while maintaining cooperation with China

Blasts reported in Kharkov

An air raid alert has been declared in the Kharkov Region

Russian air defenses shoot down Ukrainian drone over Belgorod Region - Defense Ministry

The Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle was destroyed over the territory of the Belgorod Region by on-duty air defenses

Patriarch Kirill thanks Putin for supporting Orthodox Church endeavors

In his congratulatory message to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, the patriarch also expressed the hope that their interaction would continue to promote the ideals of mercy and love in people's lives, and would contribute to peace and harmony in society

Russia not initiating severing of relations with Baltic States — diplomat

"It is highly undesirable to come to this point," Maria Zakharova said, adding that Russia would continue to use diplomatic measures of influence

Russian troops seize Ukrainian T-64 tank near Ugledar in DPR

The Ukrainian crew had the time to leave the vehicle while the tank was evacuated and is currently under repairs

Idea of cutting Russia off from Kaliningrad is absurd — region’s authorities

Dmitry Lyskov clarified that Russian passenger planes use the same GPS system as European ones and do not experience any difficulties in navigation

Ukrainians trying to leave country into Moldova — border guard service

Andrey Demchenko from the State Border Guard Service added that the border guard service is trying to thwart such escape attempts in cooperation with Moldovan counterparts

Russian ministry puts former Ukrainian Defense Minister Koval on wanted persons list

Koval served as Ukraine's acting defense minister from March 25 to July 3, 2014

US destroyed Germany’s domestic energy supply as it blew up Nord Stream — Carlson

The journalist emphasized that the alliance "is terrible for the United States and should be disbanded immediately"