Russia

"We are against the break-up (WHO), which would refer to the political or geopolitical interests of one country, and that is the United States," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said, adding that there are ways to improve work by calling for reforms.

The global tally for novel coronavirus infections surpassed 4.8 million late on May 18, according to U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University. 

The university's data showed that the death toll worldwide from the virus has reached 318,465, with the number of recoveries exceeding 1.78 million.

Turkey and Germany have been engaged in talks for cooperation in the field of tourism for the coming season as the former says Turkish resorts are the safest destinations for European tourists as the country has taken the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic under control.

Moldova's General Prosecutor, Alexandr Stoianoglo, on Monday said the fugitive tycoon Vlad Plahotniuc, the former leader of the Democratic Party, PD, had illegally got hold of 100 million US dollars from the banking system.

European countries must prepare for a deadly second wave of coronavirus infections as the pandemic is not over, said a top World Health Organization official in Europe. In an exclusive interview with the Daily Telegraph, Dr.

Turkey started to carry out telephone diplomacy with 70 countries to inform them about the country's health infrastructure over the pandemic, the culture and tourism minister said on May 18. 

Turkey in a certification system detailed that the country is a safe place for tourism, regarding measures against COVID-19, said Mehmet Nuri Ersoy in a written statement.

Turkey's hospitals are largely expected to return their normal operations and start to receive regular patients as of June 1 in line with the government's plan to ease some of the measures imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.

Turkey and Russia agreed to lift mutually some of the time limits on ground shipments, Russia's Transport Ministry announced in a written statement on May 16.

Russian Transport Minister Yevgeny Ditrikh had a phone conversation with Turkey's Transport and Infrastructure Minister Adil Karaismailoğlu, said the statement.

Turkey will accept patients from 31 countries as of May 20 as it loosens coronavirus restrictions, according to the country's Health Ministry.

An official letter from the ministry lists acceptance conditions for patients, entry to the country, admission to hospital, treatment, discharge and isolation rules.

Turkish and Russian forces have carried out their 11th joint patrol along a key highway in northwestern Syria, Turkey's Defense Ministry said on May 14.
"Within the framework of TUR-RF Agreement/Protocol, the 11th TUR-RF Combined Land Patrol on M-4 Highway in Idlib was conducted with the participation of land and air elements," said the ministry on Twitter.