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Coronavirus pandemic

Belgian court throws out von der Leyen’s vaccine transparency case

"The decision also applies to other parties that joined the lawsuit," the court said in a statement

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen AP Photo/Markus Schreiber

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen

© AP Photo/Markus Schreiber

LIEGE /Belgium/, February 21. /TASS/. A Belgian court has dismissed a lawsuit against EU chief Ursula von der Leyen over the transparency of COVID-19 vaccine purchases worth 35 billion euro, the court said in a statement.

The court said it had "turned down the lawsuit, filed by Frederic Baldan."

"The decision also applies to other parties that joined the lawsuit," the court said in a statement.

China to enhance practical cooperation with BRICS partners, MFA states

Spokesperson Mao Ning characterized the group as an important platform for collaboration among developing nations

Trump signs order announcing 90-day pause in foreign assistance

According to the order, "disbursements of foreign development assistance funds may resume for a program prior to the end of the 90-day period if a review is conducted"

Trump may recognize reunified Russian regions, says US expert

Ukraine’s membership into NATO remains the main issue of the conflict, Christopher Helali emphasized

Trump prioritizes settlement in Ukraine — Lavrov

"They make it clear that they understand certain aspects of Russia's position, such as the unacceptability of Ukraine's membership in the North Atlantic Alliance," the Russian foreign minister noted

Russian forces in final stage of liberating Lugansk region, expert says

Right now, Russian troops are fighting to liberate the remaining Kiev-controlled settlements in the republic

Russia’s LNG exports to Europe up by 17% in 2024 — IEA

Belgium, France, and Spain accounted for 85% of the total volume of European LNG imports from Russia

Chief of Russia’s General Staff visits Battlegroup Center command post

Upon completion of his work, Valery Gerasimov summed up interim results with military commanders of the Battlegroup Center and assigned them objectives for further actions, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Ukraine’s army lacks strength to hold Krasnoarmeisk in Donbass area — ex-military officer

Igor Romanenko also highlighted that the situation in the Pokrovsk area "is indeed, difficult and is deteriorating"

Trump announces dismissals of hundreds of Biden’s appointees

Earlier, The Washington Post reported, citing sources, that the Trump team demanded the resignation of numerous career US Department of State diplomats

Snowden's spouse applies for Russian citizenship — lawyer

Anatoly Kucherena sees no problems that might prevent Lindsay Mills from obtaining citizenship

Syria terminates Tartus port management contract with Russian company

The 49-year-long agreement was signed between the Syrian government and Russia’s Stroytransgas company in 2019

One of Hezbollah leaders dies in armed attack in Western Beqaa

According to Janoubia, the vehicle carrying the Shiite politician was ambushed near the village of Machghara

Russia to continue supporting Cuba — Russian diplomat

"Cuba has an impeccable, model reputation as an active participant in international anti-terrorism cooperation," Maria Zakharova emphasized

Russian troops advance along three sectors of frontline, military expert says

Besides, Russian troops have "improved their frontline position" near Makeyevka in the Lugansk People’s Republic, Andrey Marochnko pointed out

Gas pipeline damaged in Kakhovka after Ukrainian attack

No casualties have been reported

Iran to be Trump’s biggest test in Middle East — portal

According to the portal’s assessments, many are concerned about the possibility of an all-out military conflict breaking out between the US and Iran, with Israel taking part as well

5.2 magnitude earthquake strikes western Turkey

The The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority stated that 'currently, no negative consequences have been recorded'

Trump hopes to meet with Putin 'very soon'

US president also did not rule out the possibility of a complete cessation of arms supplies to Kiev

EU should give up sanctions against Russia — Hungarian PM

Viktor Orban said that the sanctions only harm the European Union itself

Israel Defense Forces claims killing 20,000 Hamas militants in 15 months

Chief of the IDF General Staff Herzi Halevi said that during its operation against Hezbollah movement, Israel has elliminated almost 4,000 of its members, including its head Hassan Nasrallah

Trump’s team prepares sanctions against Zelensky’s entourage — Ukrainian reporter

According to Diana Panchenko, these measures mark the beginning of the end for the "era of impunity" for Vladimir Zelensky

Hungary, Slovakia demand from Ukraine to find gas transit solution — Orban

Not merely the Russian gas transit halt by Kiev but also the refusal to hold talks with Bratislava on resumption of fuel supplies are absolutely unacceptable, the Hungarian PM said

Russia’s engineer troops to receive latest equipment — top brass

During the special military operation in Ukraine, Russian engineer troops are effectively solving all the ten objectives of engineering provision, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Ukraine’s General Staff describes frontline situation as tense

Ukrainian commanders of various ranks have been describing the frontline situation as very complex lately

Plans to meet Putin, revoking 78 Biden’s orders among Trump's first statements, actions

The US leader also signed an executive order to create a government efficiency agency headed by billionaire ally Elon Musk

Over two mln tourists travel between Russia, China in 2024

Yury Ushakov also noted the developing sport ties between the two countries

Ukrainian shelling kills civilian in Gorlovka, mayor says

Ivan Prikhodko noted that the Ukrainian army had carried out 23 shelling attacks on Gorlovka in the previous 24 hours

Trump’s Greenland statements could ignite conflict inside NATO — expert

This would be the first major instance of a land grab between two NATO countries, Christopher Helali noted

Putin, Xi discuss their countries’ relations with US — Kremlin aide

"In this context, the leaders, naturally, discussed certain aspects of the development of potential contacts with the US administration," Yury Ushakov said

China able to diverge from Trump in trade war

Donald Trump will resume high duties on Chinese products during his second term in office, which will lead to a new round of the trade war between China and the United States, Wu Xinbo said

Parade of planets to be visible from inside Russia until mid-March — scientists

Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune will align in the night sky, joined later by Mercury

Russian forces seek to trap Ukrainian troops near Novoyegorovka in ‘killzone’ — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the Ukrainian battlegroup has already found itself in a very difficult position but Ukrainian soldiers still have time "to catch the last train"

Russian forces liberate Zeleny Gai settlement near Kupyansk — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the Ukrainian soldiers remaining in Zeleny Gai abandoned their positions and fled in the direction of Borovskaya Andreevka

Almost 70 people killed in Turkish hotel fire — interior minister

Ali Yerlikaya went on to say that firefighting crews responded promptly to the alert, and started putting out the fire at 4:15 a.m. local time (1:15 a.m. GMT)

IEA does not expect resumption of Russian gas transit to Europe via Ukraine in 2025

The IEA maintains that this situation does not pose an immediate threat to the security of supply to the EU

Trump's decrees to change not only America, but the world too — Hungarian Prime Minister

According to Viktor Orban, with Donald Trump back in power in the US, "the rebellion against the woke liberal democracy has entered a new stage"

Russia expects Trump to respect rule of law on Panama Canal — senior diplomat

According to Alexander Shchetinin, the legal framework for operating the canal is clearly defined and formulated in the Treaty Concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the Panama Canal between the United States and Panama

Lavrov says US thinking about reinstating military presence in Afghanistan

The top Russian diplomat said he was referring to the policies of the outgoing US President Joe Biden’s administration

Moscow notifies Tokyo of terminating agreements that set up Japan Centers in Russia

"The unprecedented unfriendly steps that has been taken by Tokyo against our country since February 2022 are contrary to the spirit and letter of the memorandums," the Russian Foreign Ministry stated

Trump aims at long-term deterrence of Russia — nominee

"I believe peace through strength is our strongest deterrence," Elise Stefanik said

Russian troops liberate Volkovo community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 510 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed seven enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Trump will ensure step-by-step normalization of US-Russia relations — expert

US president "knows the strength and power of the country and Russia’s influence in the world," Bill Boerum said

Moscow, Beijing's positions on most issues identical — Kremlin aide

President Vladimir Putin and President Xi Jinping also noted that the Russian-Chinese relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation in 2024 were developing successfully

Melania Trump captures global mood with inauguration outfit — fashion expert

The First Lady’s outfit, designed by New York-based Adam Lippes, has drawn widespread attention for its sophistication and daring choices

Infrastructure facilities suffer damage in Kiev-controlled part of Zaporozhye Region

Air raid sirens went off in the Kiev-controlled part of the Zaporozhye Region five times on January 21 and once on January 22

Putin, Xi Jinping hold talks, say Russia-China ties 'self-sufficient,' ready for new high

Trade between Russia and China expanded by 7% year on year over the first 11 months of 2024, reaching more than $220 billion, despite a negative outside impact, the Russian leader said

Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin have spoken via video link — TV

The Chinese leader spoke with Putin from the building of the National People’s Congress

Von der Leyen’s vaccine purchase transparency case to continue — plaintiff

"Today’s court decision will only grant Ursula von der Leyen a temporary respite from trial," Belgian lobbyist Frederic Baldan stressed

US may impose duties of up to 25% against Mexico, China over fentanyl — Trump

According to US President, duties might imposed at February 1

Total of 7.81% of voters cast their ballots early in Belarus election

The Belarusian CEC also reported that over 44,000 national observers are overseeing the voting

BRICS does not give consideration to Trump’s threats to impose 100% duties — Russian envoy

Moscow expects Jakarta, which joined the group as a full-fledged member not long ago, to take a similar position, Sergey Tolchenov added

Xi Jinping invited to Victory Day celebrations in Moscow — Kremlin

In turn, China has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to commemorative events marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the formal end of World War Two, Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov said

Putin commends Egypt’s role in mediating Israel-Hamas deal

The leaders of Russia and Egypt have "discussed the situation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict zone in the context of the latest agreement between Israel and the Hamas movement"

Trump issues 'two sexes' order, upending gender ideology

The document criticizes gender ideology that classifies the category of sex as "a self-assessed gender identity" as wrong

Russia’s foreign debt down by $27.5 bln at $290.4 bln as of January 1, 2025 — Central Bank

As of January 1, 2024, Russia’s foreign debt amounted to $317.89 bln

Press review: Iranian leader’s Moscow visit alarms Tehran's foes as Trump plans China trip

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, January 20th

Russia, China carry out more than 95% of trade in rubles, yuan — Kremlin aide

Earlier today, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke via video link for 95 minutes

Lavrov, Kyrgyz foreign minister to discuss CSTO agenda under Bishkek's chairmanship

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova listed topics on the agenda, naming Eurasian integration, global and regional security, and the coordination of joint efforts on international platforms

Trump may tighten sanctions on Russia due to complexity of talks on Ukraine — expert

"The fact is that as soon as the Trump administration comes to the conclusion that the negotiations will be very difficult and that Russia has its own position," Deputy Director of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at the Higher School of Economics Dmitry Suslov said

Press review: Trump reveals his priorities as US president and Iran threatens to exit NPT

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, January 21st

US wants lasting peace in Ukraine — top diplomat

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the negotiating process will not be smooth and each party will have to make concessions

Trump reverses 78 Biden-era orders

Following the signing, the US leader threw the pens he had used to sign the papers at the crowd, the media reported

Kursk governor condemns Ukraine's killing of civilians in local village as genocide

The Main Military Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee has launched criminal proceedings against the Ukrainian militants

Ukrainian army destroys Belitskaya mine in DPR while retreating — DPR head

Denis Pushilin added that the Ukrainian military is causing damage to hinder Russian authorities from restoring enterprises

Trump declares readiness to meet with Putin any time he wants

Presidents last spoke over the phone on July 23, 2020

Rubio takes oath of office as US secretary of state — White House press pool

The US vice president described Rubio as a "conservative of great principle and great vision"

Kadyrov says drones destroyed Ukrainian firing positions equipped with Starlink

The operation was carried out in the Kharkov Region by servicemen of the West Akhmat battalion of the Russian Defense Ministry and the police department of Chechnya’s Kurchaloyevsky District

Erdogan going to discuss Russian gas supplies to Slovakia with Putin

The Turkish leader expressed hope to hold telephone talks with the Russian President this week

Potential US military intervention in Panama under Trump to lead to occupation — newspaper

Donald Trump said earlier that Washington needed to retain control over the Panama Canal

Nearly 900 trucks carrying humanitarian aid enter Gaza — TV

OCHA warned two weeks ago that the hunger crisis in Gaza was getting worse due to restricted access to the Palestinian enclave

Kiev announces decline in gas stocks after Russian attack on storage facility

According to the former energy minister, the total amount of natural gas in Ukrainian underground storage facilities is 8.9 billion cubic meters

Trump administration allows to deport illegal migrants without court order

It is reported that the expedited removal process has "long been reserved primarily for the area near the southern border," with its major flows of illegal migrants while now it can be used across the US

Trump’s early statements show America-first attitude in global affairs — Lavrov

The United States’ attitude to global affairs "never changes, regardless of who occupies the White House, a Democrat or Republican", the top Russian diplomat said

Talks between Putin, Xi Jinping important as US seeks to divide them — analyst

Alexey Maslov conceded that formally the virtual talks were unrelated to the inauguration of US President Donald Trump

Russia resembles one big family — American previously working for Moscow

Daniel Martindale also compared Russian President Vladimir Putin to the head of a family

Trump becomes 'less precise' about China, Ukraine — former US legislator

Despite Trump’s calls on NATO allies to increase defense spending to five percent of GDP, many European countries "may find that the additional financial burden is simply too much to bear," Richard Black argued

Slovak PM calls for postponing Kiev’s NATO membership for peace talks

Robert Fico reassured that Bratislava "supports Ukraine’s accession to the European Union," noting that many of those who want the Ukrainian conflict to continue would be against Ukraine’s membership in the association

French court issues new arrest warrant for ex-Syrian president Assad — media

The warrant was issued at the request of France's National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office, which investigated the death of 59-year-old Franco-Syrian national Salah Abou Nabout

Four wounded in stabbing attack in Tel Aviv — portal

According to Ynet, the attack was carried out by a 29-year-old Moroccan national with a US residence permit who entered Israel as a tourist

Germany not the one to lecture others on freedom of speech — Foreign Ministry

Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova referred to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's statement at the World Economic Forum in Davos

Western countries using ‘hidden veto’ to block UNSC resolutions — Russian mission

According to First Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dmitry Polyansky, Western countries openly abuse their membership in the UN Security Council

Trump has no bargaining power to pressure Russia on Ukraine, says ex-Polish president

"The Russians are capable of waging the war for much longer, while the Ukrainians are running out of manpower and cannot do without assistance," Aleksander Kwasniewski said

Trump instructs special envoy to resolve Ukraine conflict in 100 days — newspaper

Trump is determined to control peace talks himself, the Wall Street Journal notes

Taiwan reports 14 Chinese planes, five vessels approaching island

Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense said that it have 'monitored the situation and responded accordingly'

Sahel Alliance nations establish 5,000-strong contingent to combat terrorism

According to Niger's National Defense Minister Salifou Modi, the activation of the new contingent is 'a matter of weeks'

Death toll in Turkish hotel fire climbs to 76 — interior minister

According to Ali Yerlikaya, 52 of them have been identified and 45 bodies have been handed over to relatives

Trump signs orders to rename Gulf of Mexico, Mount Denali

In the order to rename the body of water, Donald Trump mentioned that it is the "largest gulf in the world" and stressed its economic significance

World needs shared prosperity, not 'golden age of America' — Medvedev

The dialogue between the heads of Russia and China, held after the US presidential inauguration is undeniable proof of the multipolarity of the modern world, the official noted

Drunken American goes on rampage in Moscow cafe over Trump’s inauguration

The 44-year-old American said he wanted Biden to stay in office, while his girlfriend backed Trump

EU crazy if it thinks its troops can march on Red Square — Hungarian PM

According to Viktor Orban, the EU has already found itself on the losing side due to its strategy of supporting military action in Ukraine and imposing sanctions on Russia

Orban says Ukraine shouldn’t dictate terms to Hungary, Slovakia

The Hungarian PM stressed that Kiev was in the position of a seeker of help

US Senate confirms Marco Rubio as Secretary of State

He represents the state of Florida in the upper chamber of Congress

Russia's top prosecutor reveals startling new details about 1918 Romanov family execution

According to Igor Krasnov, members of the royal family did not die immediately because they had diamonds and jewelry sewn into their clothes, and the bullets ricocheted off

New Russian fiber-optic drone wipes out Ukrainian combat vehicle in Kursk Region

The Knyaz Vandal of Novgorod FPV cable-controlled drone has been engineered by the Ushkuinik research and production center

Three fighters of Buran detachment held off attack by 22 Ukrainian troops in Kursk Region

The wounded managed to retreat to a point in the rear where they were picked up by an evacuation team

Europe will have to boost LNG purchases in 2025, IEA says

Europe lowered LNG imports by 18% or by 30 bln cubic meters in 2024

Global oil market can maintain balance — expert

Maria Belova recalled that the US President Donald Trump vowed to reduce prices, fill strategic reserves and export US oil and gas globally in his inauguration address

Belgian court throws out von der Leyen’s vaccine transparency case

"The decision also applies to other parties that joined the lawsuit," the court said in a statement

Russia-China foreign policy relations stabilize world affairs — Putin

According to the Russian leader, last year was very productive for the two states

Trump would be fine with Elon Musk acquiring TikTok

Trump also stated that he would be open to dialogue regarding the acquisition of TikTok by another major American entrepreneur

West's illegal actions set stage for terrorism in Africa — Russian envoy to UN

Vasily Nebenzya also referenced reports from African states and European security agencies about weapons supplied by Western countries to Ukraine ending up in the hands of criminal and terrorist groups in various regions of the world