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Coronavirus pandemic

Updated at:

Biden tests positive for Covid

He returns to quarantine

US President Joe Biden AP Photo/Susan Walsh

US President Joe Biden

© AP Photo/Susan Walsh

WASHINGTON, July 30. /TASS/. US President Joe Biden tested positive for Covid Saturday, and returns back to quarantine, Biden’s doctor Kevin O’Connor said in a written statement, adding that the US leader feels well and experiences no symptoms.

"After testing negative on Tuesday evening, Wednesday morning, Thursday morning and Friday morning, the President tested positive late Saturday morning, by antigen testing," the doctor said, adding that Biden "has experienced no reemergence of symptoms and continues to feel quite well."

However, due to the positive antigen test, "Biden will reinitiate strict isolation procedures."

O’Connor noted that the President was taking Paxlovid medicine, known for return of symptoms in some patients after negative test results, or, as in Biden’s case, positive tests results. According to the doctor, there "is no reason to reinitiate treatment at this time," but the specialists will continue observing the President’s condition.

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US defense contractors in Ukraine to repair F-16s, Patriots — TV

According to the official, these contractors will be located far from combat operations areas

Putin’s congratulations to Trump can be viewed as official — spokesman

Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Donald Trump on becoming the US president-elect at the plenary session of the Valdai International Discussion Club

Russia not to mess around if Japan returns to cooperation – Putin

He underscored that Russia is ready to build relations with Japan "both for the next 5 and for the next 50 years"

Press review: Trump’s victory stuns investors while Russia’s economy holds strong

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, November 7th

Russians win four gold medals on opening day of World Sambo Championships

The World Sambo Championships are held on November 8-10

Russian military blocked two Ukrainian groups of 15,000 troops in total — Putin

About 10,000 Ukrainian troops are blocked on the bank of a water reservoir. In another area near Kupyansk, about 5,000 troops are blocked, Russian President said

Americans were on the Moon but footage may have been filmed in advance — Russian cosmonaut

Sergey Prokopyev pointed out that the fact that US astronauts did land on the Moon "is confirmed by automatic probes and cannot be subjected to doubt"

IN BRIEF: What President Putin told the Valdai discussion club

TASS has compiled a summary of the Russian leader’s remarks

Zelensky to try to rebrand himself as peacemaker after Trump's victory — politician

Viktor Medvedchuk explained that no one asks Zelensky's opinion anymore

Western plot to strategically defeat Russia failed — Shoigu

It is noted that the countries where color revolutions, supported by the West, took place had experienced "decreased living standards, weakened economic potential, the uncontrolled drain of capital and resources, and, in the worst-case scenario, the country becoming an instrument for implementing the interests of Western elites"

Democrats blame Biden for Harris’ election loss — report

The party "needs a complete reboot," hedge fund manager Bill Ackman said

Russia’s latest TOS-3 flamethrower to have firepower exceeding effect of several air bombs

According to reports, the TOS-3 will feature an increased striking range

Russian troops overtake forest belt, railway station in Kupyansk advance — military expert

Russian forces also expanded the liberated area north and south of Kruglyakovka and took over the Skorostnoi railway station, Andrey Marochko specified

FACTBOX: Developments in Kursk Region: Russian advance, Ukrainian losses

The battlegroup North repulsed 11 enemy counterattacks toward the settlements of Daryino, Zeleny Shlyakh, Malaya Loknya, Nikolayevo-Daryino and Novoivanovka

Ukraine’s army chief preparing troop retreat from Kursk area — lawmaker

Maryana Bezuglaya also proposed that Syrsky himself stay in the Kursk Region

Data on recon drone base in Finland near Russian borders must be verified — Kremlin

"If you recall their statements when they were joining NATO, they said that Finland will not deploy any elements of military infrastructure near our borders," Dmitry Peskov said

Trump vows to settle conflict in Ukraine before his inauguration

He also pledged to prevent World War Three

Soros family makes deal with Kiev to use Ukrainian land as toxic waste dump — journalist

"This agreement authorizes the disposal of chemical waste from companies linked with financier George Soros in the black soil of Ukraine," he said

Trump sees possibility of talks with Putin

The president-elect went on to say that he had already talked to approximately 70 world leaders

Air balloon capable of increasing FPV drones’ range to 40 km to be tested in combat zone

The plan is to use the balloon to distribute a signal from a repeater so that drone operators can see farther and the vehicles can fly farther, the product’s engineer said

Putin reaffirms Russia's stance at Valdai Forum, signals readiness for US ties — expert

According to Alexander Dynkin, the Russian leader gave his assessment "on all key issues of the international agenda"

Warsaw gave Kiev all it could, Ukraine has no right to complain — Polish Defense Ministry

On October 31, during a meeting with the heads of territorial communities and districts in the Zakarpatye Region, Vladimir Zelensky criticized Poland for its reluctance to deliver the promised MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine despite prior agreements

Assassination attempt on Putin mentioned by Budanov prepared with US money — Russian MFA

"Yesterday one of chiefs of the Kiev regime Buganov openly admitted that the Ukrainian intelligence service prepared assassination attempts on the Russian president. This assassination attempt was again prepared with US money," Maria Zakharova wrote on her Telegram channel

Russia to raise wheat export duty to $26.32 per ton from November 13

The duty on corn will increase to $33.69 per ton

Russia open to dialogue on Ukraine, but this does not change special op goals — Kremlin

"Putin has repeatedly spoken about openness to dialogue with all interested parties and all those who can contribute to the settlement of this conflict," Dmitry Peskov noted

Putin doesn’t expect Trump to offer alliance against China

Putin said he believes that Trump realizes that this issue is "very far from the realities in which we live"

Russia pounds Ukrainian military-industrial sector, army, mercenaries’ sites over week

Russia’s Battlegroup South repelled 11 Ukrainian army counterattacks and inflicted more than 4,420 casualties on enemy troops in its area of responsibility over the past week, the ministry reported

Russia to build new aircraft carrier no sooner than 2030 — expert

No less than a decade will be required to build it, given favorable conditions, the expert said

Putin congratulates Trump on his election as US president at Valdai Forum

We will work with any head of state who is trusted by the American people, Putin said

Russia has repeatedly stopped those who pressed for world domination — Putin

The head of state recalled that some had already tried to ruin Russia and to eliminate everything that remained after the collapse of the Soviet Union

Russia’s inflation slows down to 0.19% on October 29 – November 5

Since the beginning of November consumer prices in Russia have increased by 0.12%

Daily death toll from Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon stands at 15 — health ministry

The overall death toll from Israeli bombardments and artillery attacks since the outbreak of the current escalation in October 2023 has reached 3,117

US companies can return to Russian market if so desire — Putin

"We see there are certain signals coming even from the US companies that they want to return to our market," the president said. "Let them return but certainly in new conditions, with losses, naturally; it was not actually our fault," Putin added

Europe unable to finance Ukraine conflict without US — Hungarian PM

According to Viktor Orban, "the number of people who think they need to adjust to the new circumstances is rising"

President of Palestine states readiness to work with Trump

Mahmoud Abbas wished the president-elect success and expressed his hope that "the United States, led by Trump, will support the Palestinian people’s right for self-determination and acquisition of its own state"

Russian diplomat says Ukraine being converted into international private military company

Rodion Miroshnik noticed that "Ukraine is simply being turned into a war machine expected to resist and create problems for Russia"

US-China trade up by 2.8% to $564.17 billion over Jan-Oct 2024 period — customs service

Chinese supplies to the United States increased by 1.2%

Putin grants Russian citizenship to Finnish human rights activist

Johan Backman has defended the rights of the Russian-born families, whose children were taken away by the Finnish authorities, and has participated in many international conferences on the outcome of World War II

Ukrainian military to blow up experimental nuclear reactor at Kharkov Institute — ministry

The Russian Defense Ministry noted that "on March 6, foreign journalists arrived in Kharkov to register the consequences of the provocation, followed by accusing Russia of creating an environmental disaster"

Number of people injured in Ukrainian attack on Kursk Region rises to 364

A total of 7,164 people, including 1,493 children, are staying at 96 temporary accommodation centers in the Kursk Region

Kiev lost over 30,000 troops in Russia’s Kursk Region — Putin

At the same time, Ukraine lost fewer tanks - around 200, compared to 240 lost last year

Bitcoin price hits fresh all-time high exceeding $77,000

By 10:45 p.m. Moscow time the Bitcoin price had extended gains trading at $77,109

BNY Mellon intends to terminate depositary agreement for Russian retailer’s GDR program

The company has 90 days after receiving the resignation notice to appoint a new depositary and at least 90 days to terminate the program if no successor is appointed

Israel not to tolerate threats similar to events in Amsterdam — Netanyahu

Previously, the Israeli media reported that at least 10 Israelis were injured in the attack in Amsterdam, which took place after the UEFA Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi

Russian diplomat says White House likely works to cover up corrupt deals in Ukraine

"It is remarkable that US Department of State Inspector General Cardell Richardson was sent to Ukraine on November 4 to inspect the transparency and accountability of how it spent aid from across the ocean under the guise of supporting Kiev's Euro-Atlantic aspirations," Maria Zakharova said

Kremlin redirects question on DPRK troops in special op area to Defense Ministry

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently commented on the satellite images published by Seoul, which allegedly indicate the presence of North Korean military personnel in Russia, calling them "a serious matter"

Ukrainian troops in Volchansk will soon be trapped in a pocket — Russian lawmaker

As the State Duma deputy Viktor Vodolatsky noted, despite the fact that it is a small city, it is heavily fortified

Exporters increase currency sales by 21% in October — Central Bank

At the same time, the ruble continued to weaken due to the recovery of import volumes with a stable level of exports in October

Stupinets fast attack craft to be handed over to Russian Navy in 2025 — source

The main strike weapon of the Project 12418 fast attack missile boat is the Uran anti-ship missile system fitted with Kh-35 missiles

Putin says West supported al-Qaida when it fought against Russia

According to Putin, Russia’s goal at the time was to use all means to hold the country together

Biden, Harris aides blame each other for presidential election loss

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump defeated Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party’s contender, in the November 5 election

Battlegroup West’s artillery destroys Ukrainian MLRS Olkha — Russian Defense Ministry

After analyzing the intelligence received, a decision was made to destroy the enemy's combat vehicle, the report said

Russia to send Cuba diesel fuel and equipment worth $62 mln in aid

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko added that Russia will send repair kits for damaged power equipment

Houthis say they hit Israeli base with hypersonic missile

The movement’s military spokesperson said that "the Yemeni armed forces conducted a military operation and attacked the Nevatim Airbase in Negev"

EU’s Borrell to travel to Ukraine in upcoming days to discuss aid for Kiev

According to the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, the European Union must help Ukraine, regardless of what is happening in the United States

US defense contractors in Ukraine to repair F-16s, Patriots — TV

According to the official, these contractors will be located far from combat operations areas

US to pressure Europe, which may turn to Minsk, Moscow — Belarusian leader

The Belarusian president did not rule out that in the future, the EU might unite and begin collaborating with Belarus and Russia

Tens of thousands to march 'on Washington' ahead of Trump's inauguration — newspaper

In January 2017, before the beginning of Trump's first presidential term, hundreds of marches of various sizes took place in many US cities, including Chicago (Illinois), Boston (Massachusetts), New Orleans (Louisiana), Miami (Florida), and Denver (Colorado)

Kiev conceals true casualties from Russian strike on Motor Sich Factory

Vladimir Rogov emphasized that all the victims were involved in the production of drone components

Nearly 20% Ukrainian servicemen gone AWOL from battlefield — The Economist

According to the journal’s estimates, Kiev may face acute shortages of personnel and ammunition within about six months

Putin expects next 20 years to be even more difficult

"Experts point to the threats stemming from new regional conflicts, global epidemics, the complicated and controversial ethical aspects of interaction between humans and artificial intelligence, as well as to the way traditions and progress go together," the head of state noted

Arctic master plans due to be approved in early 2025 — minister

Earlier, the minister reported work on determining funding sources for the Arctic master plans, where two-thirds would be off-budget funds

Countries of collective West virtually live on credit — Shoigu

"An increasing number of countries are abandoning the dollar and the euro as instruments of mutual payments," the Russian Security Council secretary pointed out

Ukrainian lawmaker calls on Zelensky to step down

According to Artyom Dmitruk, Vladimir Zelensky's resignation "would be the best gift for millions of Ukrainians and the entire country because the deaths would stop"

Wine imports to Russia fall 1.5-fold in 10 months to 357,700 tons

The report also noted that in the first 10 months of 2024 Russian wine exports increased by 20% compared to the same period last year and reached 1,680 tons

Industrial enterprise, infrastructure damaged in Ukraine’s Dnepropetrovsk Region

Earlier, three air alerts were announced in the Dnipropetrovsk Region

Russia warns Canada of retaliation for hostile actions, accuses Ottawa of provocations

"The Canadian authorities should exercise caution and refrain from harmful steps that could escalate confrontation with Russia," the Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized

Hungarian PM denies allegations of being isolated in EU due to position on Ukraine

According to Viktor Orban, had Hungary really been isolated, it would have been unable to hold discussions with its allies, while discussions continue despite disagreements

No casualties or damage from downed drones in Voronezh Region — official

The official noted that last night, a Russian air defense system intercepted six UAVs in the skies over the Voronezh Region

Russian Mi-28NM helicopter crew destroys Ukrainian stronghold in Kursk Region

The Russian Defense Ministry noted the combat mission was aimed at providing support to ground troops

Press review: Trump’s foreign policy reshapes alliances while Germany’s coalition crumbles

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, November 8th

US lifts ban on sending US contractors to Ukraine to service US-made weapons

According to Reuters, a small number of US defense contractors will be located far from combat operations areas and will not engage in fighting

Nobody to be safe from West's geopolitical intrigues, crises in 2024 — Lavrov

The top diplomat pointed out that Russia's partners in the international arena are aware of this situation, and most of them are in solidarity with Moscow that sooner or later the West "will have to accept the realities of a multipolar world, and then all issues will be resolved on the basis of a balance of interests"

West brought situation to coup in Ukraine, forced Russia to begin special op – Putin

The West needs to rip Russia and Europe apart, especially Russia and Germany, France, Russian President said

EU must achieve unity to survive — Borrell

It is reported that the EU must develop its own capabilities, including in defense

Over 10 UAVs destroyed over Russia’s borderline Voronezh Region

The governor Alexander Gusev wrote that the threat of more UAV attack in the region had remained

IN BRIEF: What is known about aftermath of drone attack on Russia’s Saratov

First responders and representatives from the local administration were dispatched to the site of the incident

BRICS summit showed Russia not isolated, Congo's foreign minister says in Russian

Jean-Claude Gakosso welcomed "Russia's diplomatic success on the international stage"

Extension of OPEC+ production cuts may be related to winter oil demand decline — Novak

The Russian deputy prime minister stressed that at the OPEC+ ministerial meeting, the alliance countries will once again analyze the situation on the oil market

Ukraine terminates air service agreement with Iran

Ukraine’s decision means that after it opens its airspace, flights to and from Iran will not be resumed

Trump’s leadership key to quick resolution of Ukraine conflict, says Erdogan

"More weapons, more bombs, or more chaos will not end this war," the Turkish leader argued

Russian forces destroy US-made Abrams tank in Avdeyevka area, top brass reports

According tot the Defense Ministry, Russian forces took advantageous sites and repulsed two Ukrainian army counterattacks in the Kupyansk area

Russian troops cut off Zaporozhye-Kurakhovo highway — official

Previously, press officer of Ukraine’s 33rd Brigade Nazar Voytenkov said on Ukrainian Liberty (deemed foreign agent and undesirable in Russia) that Ukrainian forces may get surrounded under Kurakhovo on the Kiev-controlled part of the Donetsk People’s Republic

Hezbollah attacks Israeli air base near Tel Aviv

According to the statement, the training camp of an Israeli airborne brigade in the Carmel settlement in the western Galilee came under missile attack

Trump to appoint campaign manager Wiles as his chief of staff

Susie Wiles became the first female chief of staff in US history

IN BRIEF: What is known about new UK sanctions against Russia

The British authorities have imposed restrictive measures against the Afrika Corps paramilitary organization, allegedly linked to Russia

US engages in policy of dual deterrence on Russia, China – Putin

In Putin’s opinion, Washington views China’s economic growth as a threat to its global dominance

Russian, Ukrainian ombudspersons meet in Belarus

Russian Human Rights Ombudswoman Tatyana Moskalkova noted that the sides "discussed further humanitarian cooperation in providing assistance to civilians, including efforts to locate those missing"

Russian troops seize section of Seversky Donets-Donbass canal

Additionally, the division reported eliminating several dozen Ukrainian armed forces personnel

Trump’s readiness to resolve Ukrainian conflict overnight is overstatement — Peskov

Kremlin spokesman added that if the new US administration "will be eyeing peace instead of conflict," it will certainly do better than its predecessors

Elon Musk takes part in Trump-Zelensky phone call — Axios

The Republican reportedly promised to continue supporting Ukraine, but the sides did not delve into such details as Trump’s purported plan to end the conflict

Russia’s cooperation with North Korea impacts Euro-Atlantic security, NATO claims

The North Atlantic Council called on all countries "not to provide any kind of assistance" to Russia and "condemn all those who are facilitating and thereby prolonging" Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine

Russia open to countries ready to build relations in multipolar world — senior official

Sergey Obryvalin noted that Russia "is not trying to use sectoral dialogue platforms as an arena for political machinations to distort the truth"

Russian troops destroy group of foreign mercenaries in Kharkov area

Two militants sustained wounds incompatible with life and one militant was hospitalized in severe condition, Andrey Marochko specified

Change of power in US increases likelihood of military coup in Kiev, expert says

According to Vyacheslav Smolenko, under the new administration, circles associated with the Democratic Party will remain sidelined in the United States

National Bank expects 500,000 people to leave Ukraine in 2024

The report points out that energy issues increased immigration in the summer

Russia’s Rubicon UAV technology teams operating in special military op area — top brass

"The Center’s teams have destroyed more than 400 items of armament and equipment of the Ukrainian army and wiped out about 800 site targets," the Defense Ministry said in a statement

Trump’s proposed peace plan for Ukraine sparks alarm in Kiev — newspaper

According to Corriere della Sera, the demilitarized zone could be patrolled by European troops, who would also be assigned the task of defending Ukraine, with US weapons supplies continuing

Russia dealing with tragic consequences of Soviet foreign policy of mid-1980s — Putin

He pointed out that in the middle of the 1980s, the Soviet Union had called for ending ideological confrontation, overcoming the legacy of the Cold War, and removing the barriers preventing common integration and universal development

Putin's speech at Valdai Forum gives a chance to end Ukrainian conflict — expert

"It has long been known about [the conditions for ending the conflict, which include] Kiev’s neutrality, determination of Ukraine's new borders along the division line, maybe with taking our new regions into account," Alexander Dynkin noted

FACTBOX: What we know about collapse of ruling coalition in Germany

The German chancellor said he would call for a confidence vote on January 15, 2025, in the Bundestag, which could trigger a snap election before late March