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Coronavirus pandemic

Global COVID-19 cases on the rise for four weeks in a row, says WHO

These are "worrying trends as we continue to see the impact of variants, opening up of societies, and inequitable vaccine rollout," the WHO chief added

GENEVA, March 19. /TASS/. The number of global COVID-19 cases is on the rise for four weeks in a row after six weeks of decline in January and February, which is worrying, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during Friday’s briefing.

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"After six weeks of declining COVID-19 cases in January and February, we are now on track for a fourth consecutive week of increasing cases. For the moment, the number of deaths is still declining, but at a slower rate," he said.

"COVID-19 cases are increasing in most regions. These are worrying trends as we continue to see the impact of variants, opening up of societies, and inequitable vaccine rollout," the WHO chief added.

Energy infrastructure facility suffers damage in Ukraine’s Poltava Region

Ukrainian media outlets reported explosions in the city of Mirgorod

Putin apologizes to Harbin residents for tight security measures over his visit

"The greatest impression lies in the power of Harbin," the Russian leader noted, adding that "Harbin has turned into a powerful world-scale megacity in recent years"

Russian troops destroy 600 combat aircraft in Ukraine operation — top brass

The Ukrainian army lost over 520 troops in battles with Russian forces in the Donetsk area over the past day, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported

Ukrainian troops leave most positions in Netailovo near Avdeyevka, says DPR

It is reported that the Ukrainian military had been unsuccessfully trying to bring in reserves to hold the defense

Russia, China warn US, NATO against setting up military infrastructure in Afghanistan

The leaders of Russia and China also expressed their intention "to boost Afghanistan-related partner interaction both at the bilateral level and on multilateral platforms"

Born out of love: Putin hears heartwarming tale of panda Katyusha’s birth

Svetlana Akulova noted that the mama panda turned out to have very strong maternal instincts

Kyrgyz security forces cordon off street in center of Bishkek where crowd gathers

According to the 24.kg news agency, about 1,000 people, who arrived there after the fight in the hostel, gathered behind the cordon

Diplomat warns about response to EU ban on broadcasting of Russian media outlets

According to the Russian diplomat, the EU decision is based "solely on political motives."

US sanctions against Russia 'terrible stupidity' — Putin

"This situation, when one country dictates its will to the rest of the world, including in the political sphere, using financial and economic instruments, is unacceptable," the Russian president stressed

Russia to take response measures amid nuclear threats — senior diplomat

"Yet this vagueness has always been typical of the Western group’s doctrinal approaches, including nuclear weapons," Sergey Ryabkov noted

French army train unit of ‘super covert’ scouts in Estonia — radio

This "experimental unit of super covert scouts" is designed to identify enemy strongholds, locate entrances to trenches, and coordinate assault teams to capture them, the RTL reported

US believes Hamas not ready for hostage deal with Israel now — news outlet

According to Axios, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said at a meeting with ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions of 17 countries that Hamas has withdrawn from negotiations with Israel as it hopes to increase international pressure on the Jewish state by demanding an end to hostilities in the Gaza Strip

Expert sees attack on Slovak PM as challenge to all opponents of war in Ukraine

Adnan Sayed Hussein points out that the attack came at a time when a large batch of weapons is being prepared to be sent to Ukraine and discussions are underway on increasing military assistance to Kiev to $100 bln

Russia to find platforms for speaking out if US refuses to issue visas — senior diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, it is necessary to "treat both the issuance and non-issuance of American visas with coldness and detachment"

State Duma approves Mikhail Mishustin as Chairman of Russian Government

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin thanked State Duma lawmakers for approving his candidacy for the prime minister’s office

US directly responsible for emergence, escalation of Ukrainian crisis — Beijing

On May 16, US Department of State Deputy Spokesman Vedant Patel noted that China cannot improve relations with Europe, if it will support Russia at the same time, allegedly fueling the Russian military-industrial complex

North Pole platform back to Murmansk after 18-month-long Arctic mission

The expedition North Pole-41 was a continuation of the program for comprehensive research in the high latitudes of the Arctic founded by Soviet scientists decades ago

Russia working on logistics with Gulf countries — deputy PM Khusnullin

The work is underway on development of international transport corridors in different directions, Marat Khusnullin added

Orban sees link between attack on pro-peace Fico, war preparations in West

According to the Hungarian prime minister, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is planning to visit Hungary in the run-up to elections to the European Parliament scheduled for June 6-9 to try and persuade Budapest to reconsider its stance

Another five Chinese brands to enter Russian market in 2024

"By the end of the year the number of new Chinese brands may reach 10," analysts said

Press review: Day one of Putin's China visit and US stands by Ukraine

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, May 17th

Russia, China may pool efforts to create materials for future spacecraft — scientist

"It is fundamentally important to achieve the minimum mass while retaining such properties as strength and resistance to adverse external effects," Yevgeny Alexandrov pointed out

European Council suspends broadcasting activity of four Russian media outlets

According to the Council, this ban does not apply to any activities other than broadcasting

Ukraine’s military has about 2,000-strong garrison in Kherson — resistance fighters

Ukrainian service members have been moving little in the city lately and normally only at night, the Kherson Resistance guerilla unit commander added

London blacklists two Russian companies, one firm from North Korea

The restrictions were imposed on Vostochnaya Stevedoring Co LLC and Toplivo Bunkering Company, as well as North Korean Paekyangsan Shipping Company

Russia warns US, EU, Kiev they are playing with fire — MFA about Ukrainian strikes

Maria Zakharova pointed out that behind these barbaric attacks with Western weapons the silhouettes of US and British handlers of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky's were clearly visible

'Sanitary zone' near Kharkov and talks on Ukraine: What Putin told the media in Harbin

Even though Vladimir Putin’s visit to China was a state one, "it was a purely working trip"

Putin explains Russian army’s operation near Kharkov by need to create buffer zone

Civilians are being killed there as a result of Kiev’s bombardments, which is obvious, the Russian leader noted

Zelensky admits possibility of Ukraine losing Kharkov

The Ukrainian president asked US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to provide two Patriot systems to defend Kharkov, but the US diplomat did not give him an unequivocal answer

Sino-Russian trade to reach $300 bln by 2030 — deputy minister

Bilateral relations between Russia and China should be expanded with "detailed plans, roadmaps with specific events and projects," Dmitry Volvach noted

China expects peace to recover on European continent shortly — Xi Jinping

The Chinese leader added that Beijing "is ready to play its constructive role"

Putin’s visit highlights strategic partnership between Moscow, Beijing — Russian senator

Konstantin Kosachev pointed out that it was a mutually beneficial and promising partnership

Two civilians hurt in Ukraine’s attack on Belgorod

According to the governor, the two wounded men were taken to hospital

Finnish president says Helsinki doesn’t ask for hosting NATO nuclear weapons on its soil

Alexander Stubb pointed out that after joining the North Atlantic Alliance, Finland wants to play a meaningful role in it

Relations between Gulf countries and Russia reach new level — Omani minister

According to Said bin Mohammed Al Saqri, this happened thanks to Russia’s cooperation with both the Council in general and "bilateral cooperation with each of its member countries"

Russian air defenses down Ukrainian drone over Crimea

The Kiev regime’s attempt to use a fixed-wing drone to carry out a terrorist attack on targets in Russia was foiled, Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement

Ukrainian troops preparing for defense in northeastern Sumy Region, says top commander

Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky said that he "inspected all the units"

Russia to view seizure of its property as robbery — Russian MFA on Estonia’s move

Maria Zakharova added that "the Western puppeteers exploit the Baltic countries as a 'testing ground' to test the waters concerning various kinds of anti-Russian ideas"

Russia demands UN arbitration on non-issuance of US visas — diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov added that the question of finding alternatives for relevant events has been discussed, including on official platforms

Taiwan records approach of 18 Chinese aircraft, four warships

Taiwan's army responded by deploying aircraft, ships and land-based anti-aircraft missile systems to monitor the targets

Armenian ruling party says PM Pashinyan will not resign

Grass-roots protests against the delimitation and demarcation of the border with Azerbaijan in the Tavush region and ceding four villages to Baku are coordinated by the Tavush for the Homeland movement

New relations, successes of China's automobile industry: what Putin, Xi said in Beijing

According to the Russian leader, the partnership between Moscow and Beijing "will serve as a model of how ties between neighboring states should be built"

Assassination attempt on Slovak PM Fico was planned in advance — defense minister

It is reported that doctors are doing everything possible to stabilize the patient

Putin to visit Harbin on second day of visit to China

During his visit to the administrative center of China’s northernmost Heilongjiang province, the russian president will be accompanied by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng

Russia, Iran turn US sanctions into new possibilities — senior Iranian diplomat

"It is impossible to build peace in the region without close economic ties," Ali Bagheri Kani said

North Korea tested tactical ballistic missile with new guidance system on May 17

The test launch confirmed the accuracy and reliability of the system, the Korean Central News Agency reported

Slovakia’s PM Fico still in intensive care — TV

According to the report, Robert Fico is in stable but still serious condition

Legitimate Ukrainian president needed to sign any agreements, says Putin

Ukraine was expected to hold its presidential election in March but the vote was canceled because martial law is in effect in the country

Russia, Iran working to create single BRICS currency — Iranian ambassador

Kazem Jalali pointed out that the United States uses the dollar to create restrictions, and therefore the use of national currencies in mutual settlements is on the agenda

Hungary vetoes Council of Europe resolution on Ukraine — top diplomat

Peter Szijjarto said he had asked the Council of Europe to include alternative peace plans to the resolution but that his proposal had been declined by a majority vote

Over 10,000 Ukrainian fighters surrender since summer using special radio frequency

According to the source, the radio frequency operates in all directions of the line of engagement in the special military operation zone

Russian stocks close in the green on Friday

The dollar edged down by 0.02% to 90.95 rubles, while the euro decreased by 0.13% to 98.74 rubles

Putin’s visit reveals futility of US’ attempts to exert pressure on China — Indian expert

Melkulangara Bhadrakumar added that closer relations with China will "strengthen Russia's position and become a stepping through for major events"

Russian interior ministry’s center in Nicaragua to go on working despite US sanctions

"We will continue combating drug businesses along with those partners who share these and other goals of countering common security challenges," Maria Zakharova stressed

Current Kiev regime rooted in coup — Putin

The Russian leader blamed Kiev’s sponsors in the West for organizing this coup, saying they escalated it into an armed conflict

US carries out subcritical nuclear experiment at Nevada site

The NNSA claims that the current and previous 33 subcritical experiments were consistent with the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

Multipolar world a dominating issue at Kazan Forum — senator

"As long as the world is unipolar, this world will be extremely unstable, this world will continually generate threats," Konstantin Kosachev said

Russian troops deliver 28 precision strikes on Ukrainian military sites over week

Russian forces advanced to better positions and inflicted casualties on 18 Ukrainian army brigades in the Kupyansk area over the week, the Defense Ministry reported

Israeli Air Force fighter jet strikes Jenin neighborhood in West Bank — army

The target of the strike was not specified

Russian troops use latest Upyr FPV drones in Kharkov push

Russian troops employed the Upyr FPV drone for the first time in the special military operation in Ukraine in May 2023

Putin says up to Ukraine’s judicial system to decide on Zelensky’s legitimacy

"It’s a matter of assessment. And this assessment should primarily be made by the Constitutional Court and the political system in Ukraine itself," the Russian president reiterated

Slovakia’s Fico between life and death, it is loss for Slovakia, Hungary — Orban

The Hungarian prime minister believes that the upcoming months will be extremely important for the future of Europe in due to the upcoming European Parliament elections and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine

Russia has no plans today to seize Kharkov, says Putin

The current Kiev regime is to blame for ongoing battles in the Kharkov direction, the Russian leader stressed

Russia takes control of more land than Ukraine in 2023 counteroffensive — newspaper

Earlier, President Vladimir Putin said, commenting on Russia’s offensive operations in Ukraine, that the goal was to create "a sanitary zone" to protect border areas from shelling attacks

Different routes for Power of Siberia 2 under discussion, including through NSR — Putin

"You can 'bribe' the tanker fleet and arrange [supplies] along the Northern Sea Route almost like through the pipeline," the Russian leader

Slovakia’s PM in 'very serious' condition, president-elect says

Peter Pellegrini added that "the next few hours and days" will be decisive for Robert Fico, who is staying at a hospital in the town of Banska Bystrica

Russian Northern Fleet’s naval group embarks on long-distance deployment

"The naval group’s ships have set their course towards the Atlantic Ocean through designated areas of the Barents Sea," the press office said

Australia announces another package of anti-Russia sanctions

"Australia condemns, in the strongest possible terms, North Korea’s illegal export and Russia’s procurement and use of North Korean ballistic missiles," the statement reads

Shipments of long-range missiles to Kiev may expand ‘buffer zone’ toward Poland — Medvedev

"Once the Kiev regime uses Storm Shadow / SCALP-EG missiles with a range of at least 550 kilometers when the distance between Belgorod and Kiev is 429 kilometers, practically the entire central and most of the western parts of Ukraine fall within this sanitary zone," the deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council said

Strategic role of North Korean nuclear forces to increase by 2025 — Kim Jong Un

The North Korean leader also pointed to "the need to build an overwhelming nuclear war deterrent in response to the security situation caused by the enemies' reckless intrigues"

Law on new rules of mobilization comes into force in Ukraine

The new rules caused a storm of indignation among Ukrainian citizens of military age at the stage of the bill's introduction into the Verkhovna Rada at the end of last year

US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace three times in past day

Three shelling attacks on positions of Syrian government troops by militants of the Jabhat al-Nusra were reported in the Idlib governorate in the Idlib de-escalation zone, Yury Popov, deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria, said

Qatar to focus efforts on partnership with Russia on North-South project — envoy

The North-South project is also important for many countries of the region, Ahmed bin Nasser bin Jassim Al-Thani added

Patriot supplies unlikely to impact Russia’s plans to liberate Kharkov, expert says

According to Roman Shkurlatov, two Patriot systems will not make Kharkov safe

West should assess risks of Russia's response to asset confiscation — Foreign Ministry

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin noted that retaliatory measures "can be both symmetrical and asymmetrical in a variety of instruments, including legal, financial, and administrative"

Russian servicemen seize British FV104 Samaritan armored ambulance — top brass

"The vehicle has already been repaired and is being prepared to be added to the collection of foreign trophy weapons," the Russian Defense Ministry said

Hungary suggests EU countries adopt Georgian-style foreign agent law, adviser says

Earlier, Hungary took measures against foreign influence on the country’s domestic policy

Energy infrastructure facility suffers damage in Ukraine’s Poltava Region

Ukrainian media outlets reported explosions in the city of Mirgorod

Americans undermine trust in dollar, its role as reserve currency themselves — Putin

The Russian leader noted that solutions on how to make payments are possible and do exist

Foreign aid to Ukraine a money laundering scheme, head of Chechnya says

Ramzan Kadyrov noted that there is no need to worry about hostilities currently happening on Russian territory

US sanctions on Russian, Chinese goods to backfire, spiking inflation at home — Putin

The Russian president noted that sanctions are elements of economic war and are nothing new

US, Iran enage in indirect talks on Middle East security — news outlet

According to Axios, the consultations were devoted to discussing the possible "consequences of Iran and its proxies" in the region, as well as "US concerns about Tehran's nuclear program"

Israeli army says radical commander eliminated in airstrike on Jenin

Islam Khamayseh was involved in organizing a number of terror attacks in the area, the army’s press service reported

Russia ready for talks with Ukraine, but needs to know who is trustworthy there — Putin

The Russian leader stressed that it was politicians in Kiev who "withdrew from the negotiation process" as soon as troops were pulled back from Kiev

Russian troops advance towards Borovaya in eastern Kharkov region — official

Vitaly Ganchev added that as of today, more than 200 square kilometers of the region had been liberated from the Ukrainian armed forces

Blast at Budenny Academy in St. Petersburg not linked with terrorism — governor

The press service of the Leningrad Military District reported earlier in the day that seven servicemen were injured in an explosion that occurred in the academy’s utilities territory when garbage was being removed from basemen premises

Afghanistan to expand range of goods exported to Russia — deputy PM Overchuk

"We are interested in Afghan exports of agriculture products to our market," Alexey Overchuk said

Gaza ceasefire talks suspended — radio

The talks have reached an impasse because the parties to the conflict cannot agree on the conditions for the release of hostages, the Israeli state broadcaster Kan reported

Confiscation of Russian assets by Estonia for transfer to Ukraine is theft — MFA

Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin stressed that Russia considers this "a violation of international law"

Fico’s bodyguards saved his life — Slovakia’s Interior Minister

"The prime minister’s personal protection group acted absolutely properly amid a rapidly developing emergency situation," Matus Sutaj-Estok underlined

Seven servicemen hurt in blast in territory of Military Academy in St. Petersburg

The explosion occurred during clean-up operations at basement premises in the utility zone of the Budenny Military Academy, the press service of the Leningrad Military District reported

Crowd gathered in central Bishkek agrees to disperse after talks with top police officer

The meeting was held in a generally calm atmosphere, the 24.kg news agency reported

Over 500 military, special vehicles commissioned to Russia’s Central Military District

According to the press office, the commissioned vehicles made it possible to complete equipment of seven motorized infantry and tank units

Starlink’s failure helps Russian army take Kiev forces by surprise in Kharkov Region — WP

In addition, Ukrainian forces were facing ammunition shortages due to a stalled US aid package

Dedollarization of Russia-China trade will continue — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov also highly praised the cooperation between the regions of Russia and the provinces of China and emphasized its contribution to the development of the Russian territories bordering China

Ukrainian servicemen complain about heavy losses due to shortage of equipment, munitions

Ukrainian forces lose a large number of armored vehicles to Russian FPV drones, platoon commander Alexander Belyayev said

Russian, Chinese scientists working on carbon footprint reduction — Putin

The Russian president noted that the program for creation of carbon polygons that already exist in Russia, is being implemented together with Chinese partners

FACTBOX: Key facts and figures about Russia’s Victory Day

Festive processions, gatherings, assemblies and reception ceremonies are held across Russia on May 9 to honor veterans of the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War

Russian diplomat slams EU’s call for ensuring freedom of protest in Georgia

Georgia’s parliament passed the third reading of the bill On the Transparency of Foreign Influence on May 14

Commander-in-chief warns Russian troops can circumvent Ukrainian forces in Kharkov Region

Kiev acknowledges that the situation in the Kharkov Region is extremely difficult for the Ukrainian troops

Kiev asks US to lift restrictions on using weapons against targets in Russia — newspaper

According to The Wall Street Journal, Kiev has also asked Washington to lift restrictions on the use of US weapons against targets on Russian territory