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Coronavirus pandemic

Coronavirus incidence worldwide dropping for two straight weeks, WHO says

It is too early to talk about the end of the pandemic, Director General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said

© EPA-EFE/Jeffrey Arguedas

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Russia records 9,328 new daily COVID-19 cases, crisis center says

GENEVA, May 17. /TASS/. The number of new cases of the coronavirus infection and fatalities worldwide has been decreasing for the second week in a row, however, it is too early to talk about the end of the pandemic, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a briefing in Geneva on Monday.

"For the second week in a row there has been a global decline in cases and deaths from COVID-19," he noted. At the same time, "the situation in a number of countries continues to be very concerning. The COVID-19 pandemic is a long way from over," the director general stated.

Top Turkish, Iranian diplomats discuss situation in Iran — source

A source in the Turkish foreign ministry gave no further details

Scale of US potential operation in Iran likely to be limited — German expert

"Air strikes, covert actions, or maritime pressure would serve as demonstrations of power rather than instruments of transformation," Constantin von Hoffmeister stated

EU to present 20th package of sanctions against Russia by February 24 — Euractiv

Finland and Sweden are calling on the European Commission to ban the export of luxury goods to Russia and the servicing of Russian oil tankers

Russian troops repel Ukrainian counteroffensive near Konstantinovka

Igor Kimakovsky added that the Ukrainian military launched counterattacks in the Krasnoarmeysk direction

Russia developing stratospheric fighter drone called 'Predator'

The drone's design utilized monowing technology, which enhances the aircraft’s flight speed, payload capacity and stealth

China opposes US’ interference in Iran’s affairs — MFA

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said that Beijing supports Tehran's efforts to ensure national stability

West waging hybrid war against Russia to maintain global dominance — Russian diplomat

At the same time, Russia’s objective, as President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stated, "is to ensure Russia’s security and sovereignty," Maria Zakharova said

Greenland joining US would contradict NATO's articles 4 and 5 — expert

According to the Military-Political Analysis Bureau head Alexander Mikhailov, the rhetoric from the new US administration underscores a tectonic shift in how Washington sees its role in the bloc

US Congress unlikely to approve Greenland annexation bill — GovTrack

Experts estimate that the probability of this initiative being adopted by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs does not exceed 10%

Putin discusses process industry, space developments with First Deputy PM

The Russian leader pointed to high results of the segment

Russia’s UN envoy puts civilian death toll from Kiev’s attacks in December at 56

At least 367 civilians were injured, Vasily Nebenzya said

White House shares photo of Trump with Greenland map, invites monitoring of situation

Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that Greenland should become part of the United States

US may deploy tactical nuclear missiles in Greenland — expert

According to Nikolay Novik, the absorption of the world’s largest island is a major geostrategic step for the United States

US Congress introduces bill to protect Greenland from Trump’s ambitions — Axios

The initiative aims to curb the expansion of the US armed forces in Greenland and to conduct public campaigns to persuade the local population against supporting the island's takeover by American authorities

Russia says carefully documented Western hoax in Bucha

"Future researchers would have a much easier time navigating the issue leaning on sources, transcripts, rebuttals," Maria Zakharova said

Russian ambassador does not rule out that Maduro was betrayed by political elites

"As for betrayal, it was probably betrayal, it was probably indecisiveness, and, surely, sheer negligence of office duties," Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov said

Putin orders to put Canpack, Rockwool assets in Russia under temporary new management

The decision took effect on December 31, 2025

China to protect its interests if US imposes tariffs for cooperation with Iran — MFA

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said that Beijing takes a "clear and consistent position" on such issues

French officials concerned by Germany’s rearmament — Bloomberg

The news agency characterized the mood in France as "schizophrenic"

Israeli-linked rioters trained in sabotage abroad detained in Iran

According to Tasnim news agency, the detainees were planning to blow up critical infrastructure facilities

Press review: Ukraine attempts to stall peace talks as Trump takes control of Venezuela

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, January 12th

South Korean prosecutors ask for death penalty for ex-President Yoon Suk-yeol

Yoon Suk-yeol is charged with organizing a rebellion against the constitutional order by attempting to impose martial law in December 2024

G7 countries responsible for measures against China on rare earths — MFA

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning stressed that Beijing will protect the stability and security of global supply chains

Venezuela’s authorized president makes her first cabinet changes

Delcy Rodriguez has appointed the new Minister of Popular Power and Minister of Ecosocialism

Oreshnik’s launch is sudden, undetectable by satellites — analyst

The range of the Oreshnik system is up to 5,500 kilometers

Venezuela is ruled by own government, says interim president

On January 3, US President Donald Trump announced a military operation in Caracas that resulted in the capture of Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores by American forces

Switzerland updates anti-Russian sanction list — government

The government’s press service said that 5 individuals, 4 organizations and 41 ships were newly added to the annexes

Pentagon obtains, secretly tests device that causes Havana syndrome — CNN

Experts continue to study the device and are looking for its connection to dozens of bizarre incidents that the authorities have not been able to explain

Ukrainian drone attack damages facility in Rostov Region, no casualties — governor

Yury Slyusar added that the drone attack alert remains in effect in the region

NATO asks Turkey to send fighter jets for patrol mission in Baltic countries earlier

So far, Turkey has made no decision on NATO’s request

Oreshnik strike on Ukraine signal for NATO to abandon support for Kiev — Rutte

NATO Secretary General added that the alliance would still provide assistance to Kiev

Gazprom supplied more gas to China than to Europe in 2025

According to preliminary data, Gazprom supplied to China 38.8 bln cubic meters of gas in 2025

Iran to withdraw from naval maneuvers involving BRICS countries — news portal

Two Iranian Navy vessels that have already arrived in South Africa will not be taking a direct part in the exercise which runs until January 16

FACTBOX: What is known about F-16 fighter jet deliveries to Ukraine

Russian troops delivered a strike by the Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile system on January 9, crippling the Lvov state aircraft repair plant in western Ukraine

Trial for Russian sailor Motin begins in London

The hearing was devoted to organizational issues

French MEP dismisses idea of building a 100,000-strong European army as a folly

Thierry Mariani stressed that the authors of this initiative are ready for everything to drag EU into a war

Russia delivers massive overnight strike on Ukrainian army’s energy sites over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 190 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy tank and an armored combat vehicle in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

US can't do in Iran what it did in Venezuela, says Russian senator

Konstantin Kosachev said that external military intervention in the current conditions would only strengthen the unity of the nation

US ambition to claim Greenland driven by competition from Russia, China — White House

"Perhaps it would be in the best interest of Greenland to be part of the United States," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said

Zelensky, his patrons won’t escape responsibility for murders of reporters — diplomat

Maria Zakharova noted that, amid the West's ongoing hybrid aggression against Russia and its people, journalists are among the first to refute the large-scale dissemination of fake news about Russia and effectively block anti-Russian propaganda

Kiev in midst of near-total blackout — media

Supermarkets continue to shut down due to long-lasting power outages

'We choose Denmark' over US — Greenland PM

According to Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the island cannot be bought and it will remain part of the Western alliance

IN BRIEF: Russian First Deputy PM speaks about armament, space sector

Denis Manturov said that Russia completed trials of more than a thousand of new materiel specimens on the battle line in 2025

US senator believes annexation of Greenland to prompt NATO’s collapse

Chris Murphy said that NATO would have an obligation to defend Greenland, and so query whether this would lead to war with Europe

West completely ignores Kiev’s atrocities — Russia’s UN envoy

Vasily Nebenzya emphasized that Russia’s armed forces are not targeting civilians with their strikes

Russian Foreign Ministry gives breakdown of how West created Bucha hoax

Maria Zakharova said that for a Westerner, an outsider, or a person who has not conducted proper research on this issue, it all looks reliable

IN BRIEF: Casualties in Lipetsk Region, damage in Taganrog after overnight drone attack

Two people were injured as a result of UAV attacks on the town of Yelets in the Lipetsk Region

NATO is 'now done' — Tucker Carlson on Greenland

According to him, "the whole illusion has shattered in the past four days"

Previous Czech government secretly transferred weapons worth $822 mln to Ukraine — PM

Andrej Babis emphasized that Prague will no longer allocate funds for arming Kiev but will continue to coordinate the European initiative for military assistance to Ukraine for "interested foreign partners"

Trump says Zelensky would be destitute without him

The US president said that Vladimir Zelensky hadn't had any cards since day one of the special military operation

Finnish politician calls London’s missiles for Ukraine attempt to prolong conflict

The UK has been an obstacle to peace many times, Armando Mema noted

Medvedev advises Trump to 'take' Greenland before it choses to join Russia

In his opinion, if Greenland were captured, Donald Trump would have a new position — acting president of Greenland

The consequences of January 9 strike with Oreshnik missile system on targets in Ukraine

Russian troops delivered a strike by the Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile system on January 9, crippling the Lvov state aircraft repair plant

London supports Ecumenical Patriarch in driving out Russian orthodoxy — SVR

According to the report, Patriarch Bartholomew "has found common ground with the authorities of the Baltic states in an effort to sow discord in the Russian Orthodox world"

Medvedev considers use of Russian flag by Marinera inappropriate

He emphasized that the seizure of the tanker by the Americans was "a clear violation of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea"

Drone attack on Russia’s Taganrog damages 2 industrial sites, 8 houses

Mayor Svetlana Kambulova said that experts are inspecting the buildings to assess the damage extent

Ukrainian parliament votes to dismiss Security Service head

A total of 235 lawmakers voted in favor of Vasily Malyuk’s dismissal

US may establish controlled military dictatorship in Venezuela — expert

Alexander Stepanov said that the key tasks for a pro-American government in Venezuela will be to suppress any potential resistance from within and create the appearance of investment attractiveness and stability

Russian Oreshnik missile exposes US Patriot's weakness vs hypersonic missiles — expert

According to Alexander Stepanov, unbiased Western and Ukrainian sources recorded the warheads’ final velocity at approximately 13,000 km/h

Iran has evidence of US, Israeli involvement in riots — top diplomat

As Abbas Araghchi said, ex-US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo admitted that agents of Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad were guiding the terrorist movement together with rioters

Air power, missiles seen central to potential US military action against Iran — TV

Pentagon officials are also considering scenarios in which "conflict could extend beyond battlefield strikes to include sustained" operations in the digital space and influence campaigns, the TV channel said

Two tankers attacked by drones near CPC terminal — Kazakh Energy Ministry

Nobody was injured among crewmembers, the ministry informed

EU should decide unanimously to resume dialogue with Russia — Lithuanian envoy

According to Nerijus Aleksiejunas, the conditions for resuming political contacts with Russia have been worked out

Iran announces arrest of two Mossad-affiliated organizers of protests

According to the Tasnim news agency, the detainees played "a key role in organizing mass unrest in the country"

Tanker chartered by Chevron attacked by drone

All crew are safe, and the vessel remains stable

Russia’s international reserves set new record increasing to $763 bln — Central Bank

The previous record high of Russia's international reserves of $752.6 bln was reached on December 19

Russian troops liberate Novoboikovskoye community in Zaporozhye Region over past day

Russian troops struck Ukrainian military airfields and storage sites of long-range unmanned aerial vehicles over the past 24 hours

White House confirms Iran contacted Witkoff

According to the news agency, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi previously discussed the unrest in the Islamic republic and the possibility of a meeting over the weekend

Iranian president met with protest reps — top diplomat

The government has acknowledged the protests, Abbas Araghchi said

Nine newborns die in Kemerovo Region maternity hospital over New Year holidays

The authorities are investigating the circumstances of the incident

Russia’s on final stage of testing new aircraft as part of their certification — minister

Anton Alikhanov also announced that work on adjusting the Comprehensive Program for the Development of the Russian Aviation Industry is continuing

Bill on annexation of Greenland submitted to US House of Representatives

A member of the U.S. House of Representatives Randy Fine called the bill a "landmark legislation focused on securing America’s strategic national security interests in the Arctic"

Russian forces crush two Ukrainian breakthrough attempts near Kupyansk - top brass

Roughly 10 militants and a US-made M113 APC were wiped out

Iran shuts down internet to foil foreign-orchestrated terrorist operations

NetBlocks, an international internet monitoring service, reported earlier on Monday that Iran had been without internet access for 96 hours

Press review: Trump raises Latin America tensions and Greenland dispute tests NATO unity

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, January 13th

Trump announces 25% tariff on countries cooperating with Iran

The US leader stressed that it was a final and conclusive decision

EU countries clash over US arms purchases for Ukraine — newspaper

According to Politico, most EU countries believe that Kiev should have more freedom in deciding which weapons it needs under the assistance plan

Tehran answers Trump's threats to attack Iran with stark warning of its own

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf invited the US president to come and see how all America’s resources in the region are being blasted

Russian forces exerting heavy pressure on enemy near Stepnogorsk — expert

Igor Kimakovsky added that counter-attacks are ongoing in the Konstantinovka and Krasnoarmeysk directions in the DPR

West’s hoaxes, attempts to keep dominance: Russian foreign ministry’s statements

Maria Zakharova noted that Russia has carefully documented the hoaxes purported by the West and the Kiev regime, including the Bucha tragedy

Roszarubezhneft to continue to fulfill its obligations in Venezuela

Roszarubezhneft intends to continue steadily developing its assets together with the Venezuelan side

US expert doubts Trump will use force against Iran

US political commentator and co-host of the Russia Up Close talk show Eddie Gonzales opined that any military action against Iran carries a significant risk of escalation into a broader regional conflict

Russia, US have no current contacts on Afghanistan — special representative

There has been no such conversation so far, Zamir Kabulov added

Hundreds of farmers enter Paris on tractors to protest against deal with Mercosur

Law enforcement officials blocked some central roads to maintain order

Russian troops intensify attack efforts in Orekhovo in special military op zone — expert

During the New Year holidays, the Russian Armed Forces liberated six localities

Group of Ukrainian troops attempting to hoist flag destroyed near Krasnoarmeysk

The Kiev regime is still making attempts to deploy Ukrainian militants to stage such PR actions with a view to showing the presence of Ukrainian troops in localities liberated by Russian troops, Russia’s Defense Ministry said

NATO carries out over dozen recon flights over Belarus already this year — ministry

According to the ministry, over the past year, aerial reconnaissance over the territory of Belarus has reached a dozen flights on some days

Ukraine’s PM confirms Trump-linked investors win tender for lithium deposit

According to her, Ukrainian and foreign companies with financial resources, technical capabilities and experience in the field of subsoil use were invited to the competitive selection

Russia’s OSCE envoy says Europe to accept US 'absorbing' Greenland

Dmitry Polyansky said such a move would be unlikely to lead to NATO’s collapse

Limitations on US, Russian strategic nuclear arms will cease to exist on February 5

The United States seems to be unwilling to accept Russia’s proposal to continue adhering to the treaty's key provisions for another year after it expires in February, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the Vienna-based international organizations Mikhail Ulyanov said

Arctic is becoming potential theater of war through NATO's fault — expert

Dmitry Suslov noted that the EU is "hypocritically exploiting" the alleged need to protect the Arctic from Russia and China in order to "divert" US President Donald Trump's talk of the need to take control of Greenland

West aware their troops in Ukraine to become Russia’s legitimate target — envoy

Dmitry Polyansky noted that Moscow had repeatedly said it at various levels

No British troops to be sent to Ukraine unless safety guaranteed — UK chief of staff

Richard Knighton acknowledged that despite confidence in ensuring proper safety for British military personnel in Ukraine, "there is no such thing as zero risk in operational environments"

Iranian defense official accuses Israel, US of sending IS fighters to take part in unrest

Abdolrahim Mousavi warned that "the Iranian security forces would not allow a single IS terrorist or foreign puppet to gain a foothold in the country"

Proposals to resume dialogue with Russia gain support in Brussels, EU capitals — Politico

According to the source, there is a range of issues which cannot be discussed with only the US when they have direct implications on the security of Europeans

Russian MFA lodges protest with Polish ambassador over archeologist’s detention

The Russian side reiterated to Krzysztof Krajewski that "the accusations of the Kiev regime are absurd"

EU, British ruling elite actively obstruct peace deal on Ukraine — Zakharova

"Even the possibility of peace is viewed by the ruling elites of these countries and bureaucracy as a threat to their fading global dominance," Maria Zakharova said

US Navy seeks to enhance submarine stealth — Krylov Center expert

According to Valery Polovinkin, the US has begun installing small drones on Ohio-class submarines that pinpoint the submarine's location

Iranian foreign ministry demands four European countries stop supporting rioters

The Iranian foreign ministry expressed protest against "any form of political or information support for rioters" in Iran

US’ new Iran-related tariffs will force India to review its trade policy — newspaper

Accordint to the report, India will have to balance economics, strategy, and geopolitics to maintain good relations with the United States while protecting its interests

Musk must fix Grok's algorithms, otherwise EU to take action — European Commissioner

Henna Virkkunen deemed "horrendous" the use of Grok for "creating and sharing pictures of undressed women and children"