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Coronavirus pandemic

One in 40 people in the world contracts coronavirus

Five countries account for about half of those infected, including the United States, India, Brazil, Russia and France

MOSCOW, August 5. TASS/. The global number of coronavirus cases has exceeded 200.2 mln, according to TASS estimates based on data from governments, experts and the media.

The share of those infected has passed 2.5% of the global population, estimated by the United Nations Population Fund at 7,875,000,000, which means that one in 40 people in the world have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Five countries account for about half of those infected, including the United States (35.3 mln), India (31.8 mln), Brazil (20 mln), Russia (6.4 mln) and France (6.3 mln).

Western European countries reported a new wave of the coronavirus in the early summer but have managed to stabilize the situation over the past few weeks. In addition, the number of daily cases skyrocketed in North America and Asia in July.

The total coronavirus death toll has passed 4.25 mln, meaning that 2.1% of coronavirus patients have died. The United States accounts for the majority of fatalities (615,000), followed by Brazil (560,000) and India (426,000). The highest mortality rates have been recorded in Yemen (19.5%) and Peru (9.3%).

A coronavirus outbreak was first reported in the city of Wuhan, in central China, in late 2019. Since then, cases of the coronavirus have been reported in almost every country. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.

Israel may strike Iranian territory to demonstrate its capabilities — TV

"We are continuing our efforts to prevent further escalation," the US official said

New sanctions against Moscow to push supplies of Russian metal to China up — Bloomberg

The London Metal Exchange’s ban on Russian aluminum, copper and nickel produced after April 13, 2024 leaves the Shanghai Futures Exchange as the only major commodities bourse in the world to accept Russian shipments of the three metals

Russian forces improve situation along front line in Kupyansk direction

The Russian forces improved the tactical situation in the Avdeyevka direction

Russian Ocean Way vessel docks at Socotra, captain needs medical aid

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Iran plans negotiations with Russia on purchase of Sukhoi fighters

Iran's Ministry of Defense the country needs to strengthen its air force

Ukraine uses GLSDB munitions to hit city in Zaporozhye Region

The Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb munitions were developed and are used by NATO countries, said operational services

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Volume of frozen Russian assets in Germany reaches around €3.9 bln

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Israel considering retaliatory steps following Iranian attack — top brass

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Russia, Belarus boosting interaction despite sanctions

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US House could consider separate bills on aid to Israel, Ukraine this week — report

US House Speaker Mike Johnson announced the plans in a private meeting with GOP lawmakers on Monday, Politico said

Zelensky irked by US’ request to stop attacking Russian energy infrastructure — media

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Russia’s top brass reports destroying first Khmara jammer in Ukraine operation

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Russian, Israeli security chiefs discuss current escalation in Middle East

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Official labels Ukrainian claims about Russia hitting nuclear facility 'total lie'

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Russia’s UN envoy says statements by West expose Kiev’s responsibility for attacks on ZNPP

"They not only completely gave away Zelensky's regime, but also confessed to their own complicity in these irresponsible bombardments," said Vasily Nebenzya

Italy’s minister estimates Israeli capability to defend from Iranian attack at one billion

Guido Crosetto didn’t specify whether the currency he meant was dollars or euros

Ukrainian armed forces launch drone offensive on Belgorod Region

Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov added that attacks were recorded in the Krasnoyaruzhsky and Shebekinsky districts, with no casualties

Russian skiers unlikely to return to int’l competition before 2028 — sports official

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Press review: Iran fires back at Israel and Russia, West spar over AI rulebook

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Macron draws distinction between Israeli, Russian Olympic participation

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Iran’s possession of enriched uranium doesn’t mean it has nuclear bomb — Grossi

The IAEA director general said he plans to visit Tehran in the next few weeks

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Russian, Tajik troops kick off joint military drills in Tajikistan

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Russian stock indices rising on Monday — market data

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Putin signs decree on spring draft to armed forces

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Russia unaware of any UN Security Council document on Iran — envoy

Malta's permanent representative to the UN Vanessa Frazier told reporters that so far only one country had expressed a desire to prepare a document on Iran

Israel remains on highest alert as it chooses response to Iran’s attack — senior commander

"Iran will face the consequences for its actions," IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said

Russian envoy calls UN Security Council meeting on Iran strike parade of hypocrisy

"If Western missions were attacked, you would not hesitate to retaliate and prove your case in this room. Because for you, everything that concerns Western missions and Western citizens is sacred and must be protected," Vasily Nebenzya said

Russian forces find coordinates of DPR churches at former Ukrainian positions in Avdeyevka

It was possible to establish that the Ukrainian servicemen were tasked with hitting Orthodox sites in the region aide to the head of the Donetsk People's Republic Igor Kimakovsky said

Ukrainian paratroopers surrender in Avdeyevka area — Russian Defense Ministry

Nine Ukrainian paratroopers of the airborne platoon of the elite brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces seized the opportunity to surrender near Vodyanoye, turned to Russian soldiers and laid down their arms, the ministry said

Hamas not to make any concessions on Israeli troops’ withdrawal from Gaza

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Russia’s UN envoy says IAEA too cautious as it doesn’t name culprit behind attacks on ZNPP

Vasily Nebenzya said Russia was calling on the International Atomic Energy Agency to name the source of attacks

Moscow shooter identified as European boxing champion Nikita Ivanov

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Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the statement as he spoke by phone with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi

IAEA chief slams attack on ZNPP dome as 'very dangerous precedent'

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Restoration of Notre Dame de Paris enters its final stage

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Servicemen of Russia’s battlegroup West receive certificates for destroyed Leopard-2 tanks

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Russia to furnish advanced Korsar drones with electronic warfare systems

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Russian investigators start inquiry into financing of terrorism by US, NATO officials

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Russia urges Middle East nations to show restraint amid escalation — Kremlin spokesman

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White House effectively rules out option for US forces to intercept Russian missiles

US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Joe Biden had made it clear that the United States would not take on a combat role in Ukraine

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Ukraine actively uses Caesar self-propelled howitzers in Zaporozhye Region — politician

Vladimir Rogov did not specified the amount of Ukrainian equipment

Georgian parliament passes bill on foreign agents in first reading

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US reaffirms commitment to defending Japan, including with nuclear weapons

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Iran to retaliate for any new Israeli attack 'within seconds,' senior diplomat warns

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Russian Su-34 jets destroy Ukrainian command post with high-explosive aerial bombs

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According to German Galushchenko, the value of the damage is being verified and could reach billions of dollars

Senior Russian diplomat warns about proportional response to threats coming from Finland

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Japan concerned over Russia-China military cooperation — Foreign Ministry

The Russian Foreign Ministry has repeatedly emphasized previously that similar drills and patrols are held in strict compliance with international law

Russian foreign ministry blames Paris for death of French mercenaries in Kharkov

The ministry hopes "that the people of France will ultimately learn the truth about the actual scope of France’s involvement in the conflict"

Israeli response will likely targets outside Iran — NBC

The report said the Israeli retaliation will be "limited in scope"

Russian Armed Forces hit IRIS-T air defense system launcher, Ukrainian ammunition depot

The personnel and equipment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were also defeated in 129 districts

Construction of future manned spacecraft reached its final stage — Roscosmos CEO

The spacecraft’s first flight is planned for 2028, Yury Borisov said

Russian air defenses suppress up to 400 Ukrainian UAVs in DPR over week

The drones neutralized by the air defenses included a Mavic-3 UAV and three Baba-Yaga drones carrying improvised explosive devices manufactured with the use of anti-tank aerial bombs and mines

Israel postpones Rafah operation after Iranian attack — CNN

According to the sources, Israel is now focused on how to respond to the Iranian attack

Attacks on ZNPP raise risks for nuclear safety — IAEA chief

Rafael Grossi reminded the Security Council that last year he outlined the principles of ensuring safety at the ZNPP to avert the danger of a nuclear incident and called on Russian and Ukraine to observe them

Russia open to help resolve situation in Sudan — ambassador

Andrey Chernovol recalled that the Russian embassy is currently located in the temporary capital of Sudan, Port Sudan, and diplomats are in contact with the country's official authorities

Europe may soon toughen policy on Ukrainian migrants — expert

Vilde Hernes stressed that the protection permits for Ukrainian migrants contain many restrictions "such as fewer integration measures, less financial assistance, and no path to permanent residency"

Russian paratroopers seize Ukrainian stronghold on tanks, combat vehicles

Russian troops suffered no casualties, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Israel to soon retaliate Iranian attack, no exact date yet — media

The Wall Street Journal did not specify the exact day

Demarche delivered to UK consul general in Yekaterinburg over propaganda work

Alexander Kharlov also specified that the provision of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and the bilateral Consular Convention on the need for foreign diplomats to comply with the laws and rules of the host country had been reiterated to Kotecha

Russia, Belarus sign aircraft production agreement

The complex of measures (plan) to stimulate Russian investment activity in Belarus was also signed

Ukraine offers to use neighbors' air defense systems to protect its gas storage facilities

According to German Galushchenko, the issue has been discussed, and "everyone is quite positive about it"

West believes Israel may retaliate against Iran as early as April 15 — WSJ

Israeli allies believe the Iranian strike does not warrant a large-scale response due to the lack of damage that it caused

Roscosmos committed to continued collaboration with NASA — CEO

"We, both sides, and you can take it from me - as I meet with colleagues from NASA, would hate to lose this cooperation," Yury Borisov noted

Police detain 14 people at rally in Georgia

The Georgian Interior Ministry said that one police member was injured

Israel Defense Forces announce planned military drills in country’s north on April 16

According to the IDF, "the military exercise was planned in advance as part of the IDF's annual military training program for the year of 2024, and as part of the IDF's increased preparedness for possible threats in all spheres"

Greece to hold Olympic flame lighting ceremony on Tuesday for 2024 Paris Games

The ceremony will be attended by Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and other dignitaries

Press TV reports all of Iran's hypersonic missiles hit intended targets in Israel

The report did not specify which facilities in Israel had been attacked with hypersonic missiles

Dollar falls to 93.52 rubles, euro drops to 99.65 rubles

The Chinese yuan rose by 0.95 kopecks to 12.89 rubles