themoscowtimes--2020-05-28--Russia's Coronavirus Cases Approach 380K as New Infections Stabilize

Officials have predicted a higher death toll for May than April , attributing this to the deaths of hospital patients @ @ @ @ @ peak of the epidemic several weeks ago .
President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday hailed a @ @ @ @ @ country 's virus situation and Thursday 's number of new cases was below 9,000 for @ @ @ @ @ 8,371 .
In Moscow , the worst affected city , there were 2,054 new cases @ @ @ @ @ April 23 .
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin on Wednesday announced new steps towards lifting lockdown @ @ @ @ @ non-food shops and allowing people to go on walks with masks on .
Russia has @ @ @ @ @ of confirmed cases at 379,051 , behind the United States and Brazil .

The highest number of new cases were in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Russia's fatality rate has remained low compared to other badly-hit countries, raising speculation that Moscow could be underreporting figures.
Russian authorities began easing anti-virus measures in June ahead of a massive World War II military parade in Moscow and a nationwide vote on constitutional reforms that now allow President Vladimir Putin to stay in power until 2036.
Both events were initially postponed due the epidemic.
Moscow opened cinemas and theaters on Aug. 1. In the capital, masks are mandatory in stores and on public transport but not in the streets.
Several institutes in Russia are working on a coronavirus vaccine.
The Russian Defense Ministry has said it developed a "safe" vaccine following clinical trials on a group of volunteers.
The trials are ongoing, and the Defense Ministry expects clinical trials to be fully completed in the coming weeks.
AFP contributed reporting to this article.


themoscowtimes--2020-05-28--Russia Slams 'Dangerous' U.S. Foreign Policy Moves

Russia said on Thursday the United States was acting in a dangerous and unpredictable way , after Washington withdrew from @ @ @ @ @ moved to ramp up pressure on Iran .
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova made the @ @ @ @ @ would end sanctions waivers for nations that remain in a nuclear accord signed with Iran @ @ @ @ @ the deal include Britain , China , France , Germany and Russia .
U.S. officials @ @ @ @ @ away from the Open Skies Treaty , which allows each signatory 's military to conduct @ @ @ @ @ country each year on short notice .
`` Washington 's actions are becoming more and @ @ @ @ @ '' Zakharova told reporters .
`` The nature of this behaviour is clearly disruptive , @ @ @ @ @ Washington of undermining international security .

Russia said on Thursday the United States was acting in a dangerous and unpredictable way, after Washington withdrew from a key military treaty and moved to ramp up pressure on Iran.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova made the comments after Washington announced it would end sanctions waivers for nations that remain in a nuclear accord signed with Iran. The remaining parties to the deal include Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia.
U.S. officials also said they would walk away from the Open Skies Treaty, which allows each signatory's military to conduct surveillance flights over another member country each year on short notice.
"Washington's actions are becoming more and more dangerous and unpredictable," Zakharova told reporters.
"The nature of this behaviour is clearly disruptive," Zakharova said, accusing Washington of undermining international security.


themoscowtimes--2020-05-28--Moscow, Ankara 'Divide Up Influence' in Libya: Analysts

The oil-rich North African nation has suffered almost a decade of violence since longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled and killed in a 2011 uprising backed by several Western powers .
After backing rival sides in Libya 's long-running conflict , Russia and Turkey appear to have agreed to avoid direct confrontation and instead carve the country into `` spheres of influence , '' analysts say .
Since April last year , eastern Libya-based strongman Khalifa Haftar has been battling to take the capital Tripoli from the UN-recognized Government of National Accord ( GNA ) .
But despite the backing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , among others , his offensive stalled on the edges of the capital .
And in recent weeks the GNA , supported by Turkey with drones and air defense systems , has inflicted a string of battlefield setbacks on Haftar 's forces .
In April , they reseized key western coastal cities , followed by the strategic Al-Watiya airbase southwest of Tripoli .
In recent days , hundreds of Russian mercenaries belonging to the Wagner Group , a shadowy paramilitary organization seen as close to President Vladimir Putin , have withdrawn from combat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Africa Command on Tuesday accused Russia of `` clearly trying to tip the scales in its favour in Libya '' and also accused Moscow of sending fighter jets to support the mercenaries .
France 's Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Wednesday expressed concern about the `` Syrianization of Libya . ''
How do analysts assess the latest developments ?
GNA forces on Monday suspended air attacks and gave their rivals 72 hours to withdraw from the Tripoli region .
Hundreds of Wagner fighters were evacuated to Bani Walid , southeast of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transported them to the central Al-Jufra air base , some 500 kilometers ( 300 miles ) south of Tripoli .
`` The suspension of Turkish drone strikes during the withdrawal of Russian mercenaries ... suggests there is a Russian-Turkish understanding , '' said Wolfram Lacher , a senior associate at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs .

After backing rival sides in Libya's long-running conflict, Russia and Turkey appear to have agreed to avoid direct confrontation and instead carve the country into "spheres of influence," analysts say. The oil-rich North African nation has suffered almost a decade of violence since longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled and killed in a 2011 uprising backed by several Western powers.
Since April last year, eastern Libya-based strongman Khalifa Haftar has been battling to take the capital Tripoli from the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA). But despite the backing of Russia and the United Arab Emirates, among others, his offensive stalled on the edges of the capital. And in recent weeks the GNA, supported by Turkey with drones and air defense systems, has inflicted a string of battlefield setbacks on Haftar's forces. In April, they reseized key western coastal cities, followed by the strategic Al-Watiya airbase southwest of Tripoli. In recent days, hundreds of Russian mercenaries belonging to the Wagner Group, a shadowy paramilitary organization seen as close to President Vladimir Putin, have withdrawn from combat zones south of the capital. The U.S. Africa Command on Tuesday accused Russia of "clearly trying to tip the scales in its favour in Libya" and also accused Moscow of sending fighter jets to support the mercenaries. France's Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Wednesday expressed concern about the "Syrianization of Libya." How do analysts assess the latest developments? Have Moscow and Ankara made a deal? GNA forces on Monday suspended air attacks and gave their rivals 72 hours to withdraw from the Tripoli region. Hundreds of Wagner fighters were evacuated to Bani Walid, southeast of the capital. Russian military aircraft then transported them to the central Al-Jufra air base, some 500 kilometers (300 miles) south of Tripoli. "The suspension of Turkish drone strikes during the withdrawal of Russian mercenaries... suggests there is a Russian-Turkish understanding," said Wolfram Lacher, a senior associate at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.
news Libya Unity Govt Says Russian Mercenaries Evacuating Read more


themoscowtimes--2020-05-28--Leading Russian Journalists Detained for Protesting in Support of Jailed Colleague

Mediazona chief editor Sergei Smirnov and Ekho Moskvy journalists Tatyana Felgenhauer and Alexander Plyushchev had been protesting the arrest of popular journalist and activist Ilya Azar .
Azar was jailed for protesting the jailing of Vladimir Vorontsov , a former policeman who works to expose law-enforcement abuses .
Several prominent Russian journalists were detained in central Moscow on Thursday for staging solo pickets in support of a fellow journalist who was jailed earlier that day .
Police detained Smirnov , Felgenhauer and Plyushchev outside the Interior Ministry headquarters , the independent Dozhd broadcaster reported , and brought them to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalists were allowed to hold onto their phones and posted photos of themselves in the back of the police van to social media .
Takie Dela chief editor Anastasia Lotareva was detained shortly after , the independent Novaya Gazeta newspaper reported , as were photographer Victoria Ivleva and writer Alisa Ganieva .
News of Azar ’ s sentencing to 15 days in jail for repeat violations of a protest law had sparked outrage among his supporters earlier on Thursday .
`` Bloody hell !
A 15-day sentence for a one-man picket , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Telegram following the court ruling .
Police detained the 35-year-old municipal lawmaker and journalist for the independent Novaya Gazeta newspaper on Tuesday during a demonstration in support of Vorontsov .
Vorontsov was arrested in early May on extortion charges .
He was later accused of also illegally distributing pornography .

Several prominent Russian journalists were detained in central Moscow on Thursday for staging solo pickets in support of a fellow journalist who was jailed earlier that day. Mediazona chief editor Sergei Smirnov and Ekho Moskvy journalists Tatyana Felgenhauer and Alexander Plyushchev had been protesting the arrest of popular journalist and activist Ilya Azar. Azar was jailed for protesting the jailing of Vladimir Vorontsov, a former policeman who works to expose law-enforcement abuses.
Police detained Smirnov, Felgenhauer and Plyushchev outside the Interior Ministry headquarters, the independent Dozhd broadcaster reported, and brought them to the Tverskoy district police station. The three journalists were allowed to hold onto their phones and posted photos of themselves in the back of the police van to social media. Takie Dela chief editor Anastasia Lotareva was detained shortly after, the independent Novaya Gazeta newspaper reported, as were photographer Victoria Ivleva and writer Alisa Ganieva. News of Azar’s sentencing to 15 days in jail for repeat violations of a protest law had sparked outrage among his supporters earlier on Thursday. "Bloody hell! A 15-day sentence for a one-man picket," Azar wrote on the popular messaging app Telegram following the court ruling. Police detained the 35-year-old municipal lawmaker and journalist for the independent Novaya Gazeta newspaper on Tuesday during a demonstration in support of Vorontsov. Vorontsov was arrested in early May on extortion charges. He was later accused of also illegally distributing pornography.


themoscowtimes--2020-05-28--Moscow's First Steps Out of Coronavirus Lockdown, Explained

“ The new walking rules may seem too complicated .
I am not pleased with them either , ” Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said after residents took to social media to compare the rules to George Orwell 's `` 1984 '' and the Gulag labor camps .
Starting Monday , Muscovites will be allowed to walk outside for the first time in two months — with a number of restrictions still in place — as the Russian capital eases some parts of its lockdown to slow the spread of coronavirus .
The Moscow Times dove into the new rules , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ canceled depending on how the June 1-14 experiment works .
When and where are walks permitted ?
— Three times per week — twice on workdays and once over the weekend — from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. within 2 kilometers of your residence .
— The city ’ s website mos.ru and the Yandex search engine will publish the walking schedules , which will divide addresses into six groups allotted three specific walking days each .
— Nearly all parks and green spaces will re-open , with Zaryadye Park near Red Square @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Visitors are advised to check Yandex for real-time crowding information at specific parks , as they may be closed in times of overcrowding .
— Use of infrastructure that could transmit Covid-19 , including benches , pavilions and children ’ s and sports playgrounds , is banned .
— Muscovites are still asked to follow social distancing guidelines .
— Outdoor sporting activities will be allowed for everyone before 9 a.m. beyond the 2-kilometer limit .
— Personal sporting equipment including bicycles , scooters and electric scooters , roller skates , skateboards and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Do I need a digital pass to take a walk ?
— Not if you ’ re traveling by foot .
— Passes are required if you ’ re going by car , public transport or are visiting the non-food shops that will reopen Monday .
— Currently valid digital passes have been extended through June 14 .
Do I need to wear a mask and gloves ?
— Masks are required at all times , including when going out for a walk and exercising outdoors .
— Gloves are required on public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Can I use the walking time to visit friends and family ?
— Coronavirus patients , their contacts , people with respiratory symptoms and other quarantined individuals are still banned from walking outside .
What ID should I bring with me ?
— Copies or screenshots of passports , registration papers or lease agreements , or proof of property ownership .
— Authorities and inspectors will check the address listed on your documents for compliance with the walking schedule .

“The new walking rules may seem too complicated. I am not pleased with them either,” Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said after residents took to social media to compare the rules to George Orwell's "1984" and the Gulag labor camps.
Starting Monday, Muscovites will be allowed to walk outside for the first time in two months — with a number of restrictions still in place — as the Russian capital eases some parts of its lockdown to slow the spread of coronavirus.
The Moscow Times dove into the new rules, which Sobyanin said could be extended or canceled depending on how the June 1-14 experiment works.
When and where are walks permitted?
— Three times per week — twice on workdays and once over the weekend — from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. within 2 kilometers of your residence.
— The city’s website mos.ru and the Yandex search engine will publish the walking schedules, which will divide addresses into six groups allotted three specific walking days each.
— Nearly all parks and green spaces will re-open, with Zaryadye Park near Red Square the only park to remain closed. Visitors are advised to check Yandex for real-time crowding information at specific parks, as they may be closed in times of overcrowding.
— Use of infrastructure that could transmit Covid-19, including benches, pavilions and children’s and sports playgrounds, is banned.
— Muscovites are still asked to follow social distancing guidelines.
Can I exercise outdoors?
— Outdoor sporting activities will be allowed for everyone before 9 a.m. beyond the 2-kilometer limit.
— Personal sporting equipment including bicycles, scooters and electric scooters, roller skates, skateboards and Nordic walking sticks will be allowed.
Do I need a digital pass to take a walk?
— Not if you’re traveling by foot.
— Passes are required if you’re going by car, public transport or are visiting the non-food shops that will reopen Monday.
— Currently valid digital passes have been extended through June 14.
Do I need to wear a mask and gloves?
— Masks are required at all times, including when going out for a walk and exercising outdoors.
— Gloves are required on public transport and inside all shops and businesses.
Can I use the walking time to visit friends and family?
— No.
— Coronavirus patients, their contacts, people with respiratory symptoms and other quarantined individuals are still banned from walking outside.
What ID should I bring with me?
— Copies or screenshots of passports, registration papers or lease agreements, or proof of property ownership.
— Authorities and inspectors will check the address listed on your documents for compliance with the walking schedule.