themoscowtimes--2020-06-29--Scandinavian Radiation Spike Linked to Russian Nuclear Plant Malfunction

Radiation-monitoring sensors in northern Europe said last week that they recorded higher-than-normal amounts of radioactive isotopes that are harmless to humans and the environment .
The Associated Press cited the Netherlands National Institute for Public Health ( RIVM ) as saying Friday that the spike could be traced to Russia .
Russian nuclear operators deny the claims , and Swedish , Norwegian and Finnish authorities did not speculate about the source of the radiation .
A slight increase in radioactivity over Scandinavia this month may have spread from the direction of western Russia , Dutch authorities said , but later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country of origin .
“ The calculations indicate that the nuclides come from the direction of western Russia .
Determining a more specific source location is not possible with the limited data available , ” RIVM said .
RIVM said that the man-made radionuclides ’ composition may reflect “ an anomaly in the fuel elements of a nuclear power plant.
” In an English-language statement published Sunday , the agency said its initial Dutch-language update that the radiation originated in western Russia may have been “ mistranslated.
” “ The claim RIVM makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ direction of western Russia to Scandinavia , but that no specific country of origin can be pointed out at this moment , ” it said .
Two nuclear power plants in northwestern Russia are operating as normal , according to Rosenergoatom , the electric power unit of state nuclear corporation Rosatom .
“ Radiation levels at both NPPs and surrounding areas remained unchanged in June , and no changes are also observed at present , ” the state-run TASS news agency quoted an unnamed Rosenergoatom spokesperson as saying Saturday .
“ No incidents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ structures have been reported , ” Rosenergoatom said , referring to the Leningrad plant near St. Petersburg and the Kola plant near the Arctic city of Murmansk .

Radiation-monitoring sensors in northern Europe said last week that they recorded higher-than-normal amounts of radioactive isotopes that are harmless to humans and the environment.
The Associated Press cited the Netherlands National Institute for Public Health (RIVM) as saying Friday that the spike could be traced to Russia. Russian nuclear operators deny the claims, and Swedish, Norwegian and Finnish authorities did not speculate about the source of the radiation.
A slight increase in radioactivity over Scandinavia this month may have spread from the direction of western Russia, Dutch authorities said, but later stressed that they have not identified a country of origin.
“The calculations indicate that the nuclides come from the direction of western Russia. Determining a more specific source location is not possible with the limited data available,” RIVM said.
RIVM said that the man-made radionuclides’ composition may reflect “an anomaly in the fuel elements of a nuclear power plant.”
In an English-language statement published Sunday, the agency said its initial Dutch-language update that the radiation originated in western Russia may have been “mistranslated.”
“The claim RIVM makes is that the radionuclides traveled from the direction of western Russia to Scandinavia, but that no specific country of origin can be pointed out at this moment,” it said.
Two nuclear power plants in northwestern Russia are operating as normal, according to Rosenergoatom, the electric power unit of state nuclear corporation Rosatom.
“Radiation levels at both NPPs and surrounding areas remained unchanged in June, and no changes are also observed at present,” the state-run TASS news agency quoted an unnamed Rosenergoatom spokesperson as saying Saturday.
“No incidents related to release of radionuclide outside containment structures have been reported,” Rosenergoatom said, referring to the Leningrad plant near St. Petersburg and the Kola plant near the Arctic city of Murmansk.
Ten nuclear plants currently operate in Russia.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-29--Exit Poll Shows Russians Strongly Backing Constitution Reforms

Some 76 % of respondents voted for the package of amendments , which range from better pensions and minimum wages to a reset of term limits that would allow President Vladimir Putin to run again in 2024 and potentially stay in power until 2036 .
Russian state pollster VTsIOM on Monday published an exit poll showing a vast majority of Russians backing proposed constitutional reforms , days before the end of voting .
The vote , which the opposition has slammed as illegal and prone to rigging , began last week and is due to end on Wednesday .
VtsIOM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Opinion Research Center , polled more than 163,000 voters in 25 regions , with about 70 % agreeing to say how they voted .
The co-chairman of election monitoring group Golos , Grigory Melkonyants , told Business FM radio that the publication of figures before the end of voting could unduly `` influence the will of citizens . ''
This is why the publication of exit polls is banned before the end of voting , he noted .
VTsIOM said it decided to publish the figures because of `` high demand '' for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it could influence the outcome .
`` It 's not against the law to publish , '' the center 's director Valery Fyodorov told AFP in an emailed comment .
Election commission chief Ella Pamfilova said the body had recommended to wait until the end of voting but that the center did not do anything illegal .
The constitutional vote has to abide by its own special law , rather than Russia 's regular election legislation , which forbids publication of data during a `` silent period '' immediately before and during voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constitutional vote ) does not regulate this , '' Pamfilova told Business FM radio .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the plebiscite `` is not a competitive vote , not an election , '' and refrained from further comment .
Voting started in Russia on Thursday after a decision to spread the plebiscite over a week to avoid crowds during the coronavirus epidemic .
Advertisements running frequently on television ask Russians to vote without any mention of the clause that effectively `` zeroes '' Putin 's time in the Kremlin and opens the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more terms until 2036 .
The Kremlin reluctantly postponed the vote , originally scheduled for April 22 , as coronavirus cases increased and officials imposed restrictions to slow the spread .

Some 76% of respondents voted for the package of amendments, which range from better pensions and minimum wages to a reset of term limits that would allow President Vladimir Putin to run again in 2024 and potentially stay in power until 2036.
Russian state pollster VTsIOM on Monday published an exit poll showing a vast majority of Russians backing proposed constitutional reforms, days before the end of voting.
The vote, which the opposition has slammed as illegal and prone to rigging, began last week and is due to end on Wednesday.
VtsIOM, which stands for the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center, polled more than 163,000 voters in 25 regions, with about 70% agreeing to say how they voted.
The co-chairman of election monitoring group Golos, Grigory Melkonyants, told Business FM radio that the publication of figures before the end of voting could unduly "influence the will of citizens."
This is why the publication of exit polls is banned before the end of voting, he noted.
VTsIOM said it decided to publish the figures because of "high demand" for the data and dismissed the idea that it could influence the outcome.
"It's not against the law to publish," the center's director Valery Fyodorov told AFP in an emailed comment.
Election commission chief Ella Pamfilova said the body had recommended to wait until the end of voting but that the center did not do anything illegal.
The constitutional vote has to abide by its own special law, rather than Russia's regular election legislation, which forbids publication of data during a "silent period" immediately before and during voting.
"The law (on the constitutional vote) does not regulate this," Pamfilova told Business FM radio.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the plebiscite "is not a competitive vote, not an election," and refrained from further comment.
Voting started in Russia on Thursday after a decision to spread the plebiscite over a week to avoid crowds during the coronavirus epidemic.
Advertisements running frequently on television ask Russians to vote without any mention of the clause that effectively "zeroes" Putin's time in the Kremlin and opens the possibility of him staying on for two more terms until 2036.
The Kremlin reluctantly postponed the vote, originally scheduled for April 22, as coronavirus cases increased and officials imposed restrictions to slow the spread.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-29--Siberian Wildfires Swell Amid Historic Heatwave

Forest fires in Siberia have grown at least threefold amid a record-breaking heatwave in the region , according to Russia ’ s agency for aerial forest fire management Aviales .
The figures state that 1.37 million hectares ( 3.4 million acres ) were burning in areas unreachable to firefighters as of midnight Monday .
Less than 450,000 hectares ( 1.1 million acres ) had been burning in the area last week .
More than 80 % of the blazes hit the republic of Sakha , the region where the town of Verkhoyansk reported possibly the hottest-ever temperature above the Arctic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June .
The isolated town ’ s previous record high temperature of 37.3 C was measured in July 1988 .
The record high temperature for any location north of the Arctic Circle of 37.8 C was set in Fort Yukon , Alaska , in June 1915 .
Other parts of Siberia saw higher-than-average temperatures this spring , with some towns in the Arctic Circle beating their previous records by double digits and temperatures reaching the mid-20s and low-30s .
Temperatures in May alone were up to 10 C warmer than average .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ massive oil spill near the Arctic city of Norilsk is believed to have been caused by melting permafrost that has accelerated with the region ’ s warming climate .
The Associated Press reported a nearly fivefold increase in forest fire coverage Saturday .
Districts in six Russian regions including the republic of Sakha have introduced states of emergency in connection with the fires .
Around half of Russia ’ s forest coverage is located in remote areas where firefighters are allowed to let fires rage if they don ’ t threaten nearby residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 90 % of Russia ’ s 2019 wildfires had burned in these areas .
The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry is seeking to almost entirely do away with the “ control zones ” where wildfires are allowed to burn , the Kommersant business daily reported last week .

Forest fires in Siberia have grown at least threefold amid a record-breaking heatwave in the region, according to Russia’s agency for aerial forest fire management Aviales. The figures state that 1.37 million hectares (3.4 million acres) were burning in areas unreachable to firefighters as of midnight Monday.
This is mighty river Kolyma covered with smoke from wildfires in the extreme north of Yakutia above the Arctic circle. Picture is taken from a ship outside Srednekolymsk. Picture @ Vera Salnitskaya https://t.co/28yiakwu8U pic.twitter.com/2ugEsLfcgs — The Siberian Times (@siberian_times) June 29, 2020
Less than 450,000 hectares (1.1 million acres) had been burning in the area last week. More than 80% of the blazes hit the republic of Sakha, the region where the town of Verkhoyansk reported possibly the hottest-ever temperature above the Arctic Circle of 38 degrees Celsius earlier in June. The isolated town’s previous record high temperature of 37.3 C was measured in July 1988. The record high temperature for any location north of the Arctic Circle of 37.8 C was set in Fort Yukon, Alaska, in June 1915.
news Arctic Temperatures Hit Record High in Russia Amid Heat Wave Read more
Other parts of Siberia saw higher-than-average temperatures this spring, with some towns in the Arctic Circle beating their previous records by double digits and temperatures reaching the mid-20s and low-30s. Temperatures in May alone were up to 10 C warmer than average. In addition to the wildfires, a recent massive oil spill near the Arctic city of Norilsk is believed to have been caused by melting permafrost that has accelerated with the region’s warming climate.


themoscowtimes--2020-06-29--Russia's Coronavirus Cases Surpass 640K

Russia's Coronavirus Cases Surpass 640K

Moscow lifted restrictions including compulsory travel passes on June 8 , a move welcomed by residents who rushed out to enjoy the streets and parks .
Many other regions are lifting lockdown restrictions as Russia prepares to hold a July 1 national vote despite the pandemic .
President Vladimir Putin is seeking public backing for constitutional amendments that would allow him to stay on at the Kremlin beyond his current term .
Critics have cast doubt on Russia 's low official mortality rate and accused authorities of under-reporting to play down the scale of the crisis .
Russia attributes its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has identified many cases with mild or no coronavirus symptoms .
The Health Ministry is now adjusting how it reports numbers to include all deaths believed to be related to the virus even if the direct cause of death was another condition or the patient tested negative .
Former Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin , a liberal politician known for his outspoken comments , said Russia 's health system requires more funds and modernization in many regions .
`` Medicine is significantly underfunded even according to the current norms and also it needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who heads the Audit Chamber that examines government spending , said in an interview with the state-run TASS state news agency .
`` We will carry out a check and show these figures , '' he added .
Nevertheless the economist said Russia `` is not doing a bad job with the pandemic , '' crediting the role of the military , which has built emergency facilities .

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--2020-06-29--News From Russia: What You Missed Over the Weekend

The Russian military intelligence agency that has been linked to assassination attempts in Europe offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants in return for killing U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan last year , The New York Times reported , citing anonymous officials briefed on the matter .
The Washington Post reported that an unnamed number of U.S. soldiers have died as a result .
Russia denounced the report , with its embassy in Washington tweeting that the `` baseless and anonymous accusations '' in the NYT story had `` already led to direct threats to the life of employees '' at its embassies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also denied the report .
President Vladimir Putin gets tested for the coronavirus `` every three to four days , '' he told the state Rossia 1 broadcaster in an interview that aired Sunday .
All of the tests have come back negative so far , he added .
An enrichment plant belonging to the Russian mining giant behind last month 's enormous Arctic fuel spill was found to be pumping wastewater from a dangerously full tanker into nearby tundra .
Norilsk Nickel said it had suspended employees responsible for the incident at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city of Norilsk , citing a `` flagrant violation of operating rules . ''
The Investigative Committee , which probes serious crimes , said it had opened an inquiry after receiving reports of `` unauthorized dumping of liquid waste into the tundra '' on the site of the facility .
Siberian forest fires have grown almost fivefold amid a heat wave scorching the region , The Associated Press reported , citing Russia ’ s agency for aerial forest fire management .
The figures state that 1.15 million hectares ( 2.85 million acres ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Around 80 % of the blazes hit the republic of Sakha , where the town of Verkhoyansk reported possibly the hottest-ever temperature above the Arctic Circle earlier in June .
At least 40 people in Moscow and three in St. Petersburg were detained for staging solo pickets opposing pornography charges against artist and LGBT activist Yulia Tsvetkova , the OVD-Info police-monitoring website reported .
Tsvetkova , 27 , faces up to six years in prison in the Far Eastern Russian city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur for posting body-positive artwork of female genitalia on social @ @

Taliban bounty
The Russian military intelligence agency that has been linked to assassination attempts in Europe offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants in return for killing U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan last year, The New York Times reported, citing anonymous officials briefed on the matter. The Washington Post reported that an unnamed number of U.S. soldiers have died as a result.
Russia denounced the report, with its embassy in Washington tweeting that the "baseless and anonymous accusations" in the NYT story had "already led to direct threats to the life of employees" at its embassies in Washington and London. The Taliban also denied the report.
Regular testing
President Vladimir Putin gets tested for the coronavirus "every three to four days," he told the state Rossia 1 broadcaster in an interview that aired Sunday. All of the tests have come back negative so far, he added.
Arctic spill
An enrichment plant belonging to the Russian mining giant behind last month's enormous Arctic fuel spill was found to be pumping wastewater from a dangerously full tanker into nearby tundra.
Norilsk Nickel said it had suspended employees responsible for the incident at the Talnakh enrichment plant near the Arctic city of Norilsk, citing a "flagrant violation of operating rules." The Investigative Committee, which probes serious crimes, said it had opened an inquiry after receiving reports of "unauthorized dumping of liquid waste into the tundra" on the site of the facility.
Siberian fires
Siberian forest fires have grown almost fivefold amid a heat wave scorching the region, The Associated Press reported, citing Russia’s agency for aerial forest fire management.
The figures state that 1.15 million hectares (2.85 million acres) were burning in areas unreachable to firefighters. Around 80% of the blazes hit the republic of Sakha, where the town of Verkhoyansk reported possibly the hottest-ever temperature above the Arctic Circle earlier in June.
LGBT protests
At least 40 people in Moscow and three in St. Petersburg were detained for staging solo pickets opposing pornography charges against artist and LGBT activist Yulia Tsvetkova, the OVD-Info police-monitoring website reported.
Tsvetkova, 27, faces up to six years in prison in the Far Eastern Russian city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur for posting body-positive artwork of female genitalia on social media.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-01--Russians Celebrate LGBT Pride in Front of U.S. Embassy's Rainbow Flag

Russians posted photos of themselves in front of the flag dressed up in bright rainbow outfits and makeup , or kissing their same-sex partners .
The flag was unveiled on the day that Russians nationwide started voting on constitutional amendments that would add a clause defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman to the Constitution .
Critics say the clause would effectively prevent gay marriage from ever being legalized in Russia .
U.S. President Donald Trump banned American embassies from hanging Pride flags on official embassy flagpoles in early June , contradicting the Trump administration 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community for Pride month .
The U.S. Embassy wrote in a statement that `` June is Pride Month and we celebrate that everyone deserves to live a life free from hatred , prejudice and persecution . ''
According to public polling , young Russians tend to be more tolerant of the LGBT community than older generations .
This photo shows two men kissing and holding the popular gay romance novel `` What If It 's Us . ''
`` I want this reality for all of us : Support , pride , equal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope , '' the Instagram user who posted the photo wrote .
The flag 's June 25 unveiling also marked the 42nd anniversary of the rainbow flag 's first appearance at a gay pride parade in San Francisco in 1978 .
Despite gradually improving opinions , gay rights continue to be a contentious topic in Russia , with one in five Russians believing that LGBT people should be “ eliminated , ” according to a poll conducted in April .
LGBT people in Russia often face discrimination , threats and violence .

Russians posted photos of themselves in front of the flag dressed up in bright rainbow outfits and makeup, or kissing their same-sex partners.
The flag was unveiled on the day that Russians nationwide started voting on constitutional amendments that would add a clause defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman to the Constitution. Critics say the clause would effectively prevent gay marriage from ever being legalized in Russia.
U.S. President Donald Trump banned American embassies from hanging Pride flags on official embassy flagpoles in early June, contradicting the Trump administration's official statements in support of the LGBT community for Pride month.
The U.S. Embassy wrote in a statement that "June is Pride Month and we celebrate that everyone deserves to live a life free from hatred, prejudice and persecution."
According to public polling, young Russians tend to be more tolerant of the LGBT community than older generations.
This photo shows two men kissing and holding the popular gay romance novel "What If It's Us." "I want this reality for all of us: Support, pride, equal treatment. Honestly, I have no hope," the Instagram user who posted the photo wrote.
The flag's June 25 unveiling also marked the 42nd anniversary of the rainbow flag's first appearance at a gay pride parade in San Francisco in 1978.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-01--Putin Slams New U.S. Sanctions Aimed at 'Suffocating' Syria

`` Despite the call from the UN secretary general for easing the pressure of sanctions under pandemic conditions , Washington like Brussels decided to prolong measures against Syria , '' Putin said during a televised meeting with his Iranian and Turkish counterparts on Syria .
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday denounced the United States for imposing new sanctions on Syria 's regime during the coronavirus pandemic .
`` In addition , new sanctions presumably aimed at economically suffocating Syria have been adopted , '' he said during the video conference with Iran 's Hassan Rouhani and Turkey 's Recep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new U.S. sanctions in Syria came into force in mid-June , with the first batch of designations targeting 39 people or entities , including President Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma .
The sanctions laid down in the law aim to force Assad to accept UN Security Council Resolution 2254 of 2015 that calls for a ceasefire , elections and political transition in Syria .
Russia and Iran are key allies of Assad and Tehran also criticized the sanctions .
The two countries have met several times with Turkey , which has backed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolving Syria 's decade-old civil war .

"Despite the call from the UN secretary general for easing the pressure of sanctions under pandemic conditions, Washington like Brussels decided to prolong measures against Syria," Putin said during a televised meeting with his Iranian and Turkish counterparts on Syria.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday denounced the United States for imposing new sanctions on Syria's regime during the coronavirus pandemic.
"In addition, new sanctions presumably aimed at economically suffocating Syria have been adopted," he said during the video conference with Iran's Hassan Rouhani and Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The Caesar Act imposing new U.S. sanctions in Syria came into force in mid-June, with the first batch of designations targeting 39 people or entities, including President Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma.
The sanctions laid down in the law aim to force Assad to accept UN Security Council Resolution 2254 of 2015 that calls for a ceasefire, elections and political transition in Syria.
Russia and Iran are key allies of Assad and Tehran also criticized the sanctions.
The two countries have met several times with Turkey, which has backed Assad's opposition, to work on resolving Syria's decade-old civil war.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-01--First Results Show Overwhelming Support for Russia’s Constitutional Reforms

Polling stations have closed in the Russian Far East as the rest of the country continues voting for or against the package of 206 constitutional amendments .
In addition to enshrining populist and conservative measures in the Constitution , the changes cancel a sitting or former president ’ s term limits , allowing Putin to seek two more terms when his current term ends in 2024 .
Nearly three-quarters of Russian voters have backed constitutional changes that pave the way for extending President Vladimir Putin ’ s rule until 2036 , according to the Russian election commission ’ s preliminary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 % of the ballots , the Central Election Commission ( CEC ) said 74.54 % voted “ yes ” and 24.3 % voted “ no ” to the package of amendments .
Observers criticized the CEC for releasing early results before polling stations close in the rest of the country .
Opponents of the vote who conducted their own exit polls said support for the reforms stood at 51 % in Moscow ( versus 49 % against ) and 44 % in St. Petersburg ( versus 56 % against ) .
Nationwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so far , the CEC said .
Observers have previously said that the Kremlin was seeking a high turnout and “ yes ” votes to give legitimacy to the amendments , which have already been approved by both chambers of parliament , the Constitutional Court and Putin himself .
The Kremlin pulled out all the stops to encourage turnout , with polls extended over nearly a week , the last day of voting declared a national holiday and prizes — including apartments and cars — on offer to voters .
Putin has said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unless supported by a majority .
Golos , an independent election monitor , says it has received hundreds of complaints of violations , including people voting more than once and claims employers are putting pressure on staff to cast ballots .

Polling stations have closed in the Russian Far East as the rest of the country continues voting for or against the package of 206 constitutional amendments. In addition to enshrining populist and conservative measures in the Constitution, the changes cancel a sitting or former president’s term limits, allowing Putin to seek two more terms when his current term ends in 2024.
Nearly three-quarters of Russian voters have backed constitutional changes that pave the way for extending President Vladimir Putin’s rule until 2036, according to the Russian election commission’s preliminary results released Wednesday afternoon.
After processing 1% of the ballots, the Central Election Commission (CEC) said 74.54% voted “yes” and 24.3% voted “no” to the package of amendments.
Observers criticized the CEC for releasing early results before polling stations close in the rest of the country.
Opponents of the vote who conducted their own exit polls said support for the reforms stood at 51% in Moscow (versus 49% against) and 44% in St. Petersburg (versus 56% against).
Nationwide voter turnout stands at over 60% so far, the CEC said.
Observers have previously said that the Kremlin was seeking a high turnout and “yes” votes to give legitimacy to the amendments, which have already been approved by both chambers of parliament, the Constitutional Court and Putin himself.
The Kremlin pulled out all the stops to encourage turnout, with polls extended over nearly a week, the last day of voting declared a national holiday and prizes — including apartments and cars — on offer to voters.
Putin has said the changes would not come into effect unless supported by a majority.
Golos, an independent election monitor, says it has received hundreds of complaints of violations, including people voting more than once and claims employers are putting pressure on staff to cast ballots.
AFP contributed reporting to this article.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-01--Russia Emerges From Coronavirus Quarantine, in Photos

As regions across Russia have ended their coronavirus lockdowns and reopened businesses , life is slowly returning to normal across @ @ @ @ @ Although safety guidelines like masks and social distancing are still in place in many cities @ @ @ @ @ get out and enjoy the summer while it lasts .
Here 's a look at @ @ @ @ @ they emerge from lockdown :

Russia Emerges From Coronavirus Quarantine, in Photos
As regions across Russia have ended their coronavirus lockdowns and reopened businesses, life is slowly returning to normal across much of the country.
Although safety guidelines like masks and social distancing are still in place in many cities, Russians are ready to get out and enjoy the summer while it lasts.
Here's a look at Russians across the country as they emerge from lockdown:


themoscowtimes--2020-07-01--Make Putin President for Life, Chechnya's Kadyrov Says

Millions of Russians are voting on more than 200 constitutional amendments , one of which clears the term limits of sitting or former presidents .
The clause paves the way for Putin , 67 , to seek two more six-year presidential terms when he is constitutionally mandated to step down in 2024 .
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has called for the election of Vladimir Putin as Russia ’ s president for life ahead of a nationwide vote that could allow Putin to stay in power for another 12 years .
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov : `` We should elect Putin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there today to replace him ? ''
pic.twitter.com/3Mw8AZ7Py2 “ I ’ ve always said that we need to elect Vladimir Putin as a lifetime president , ” Kadyrov said in a video published on his social media accounts Tuesday .
“ Who can replace him today ?
There ’ s no political leader like that on a global scale , ” he said during an open-air meeting .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded to Kadyrov ’ s suggestion by saying that the Russian Constitution does not allow lifetime appointments for presidents .
Nationwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as of mid-Wednesday , with Chechnya reporting the highest turnout of nearly 90 % among 85 Russian regions .
In the video posted on the Telegram messaging app , Kadyrov called on his compatriots to turn out for the vote on the constitutional referendum , adding that the plebiscite is being held to “ preserve the state.
” Kadyrov , 43 , has gone from rebel fighter to Putin ’ s fearsome enforcer in his war-scarred region since rising to power in 2007 .
Rights groups accuse him of overseeing torture and killings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has famously denied exist in majority-Muslim Chechnya .
Despite Russia 's secular tradition , he has sought to impose Islamic values in Chechnya such as encouraging women to wear headscarves and men to take up to four wives , even though polygamy is forbidden under Russian law .

Millions of Russians are voting on more than 200 constitutional amendments, one of which clears the term limits of sitting or former presidents. The clause paves the way for Putin, 67, to seek two more six-year presidential terms when he is constitutionally mandated to step down in 2024.
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has called for the election of Vladimir Putin as Russia’s president for life ahead of a nationwide vote that could allow Putin to stay in power for another 12 years.
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov: "We should elect Putin as president for life. Who is there today to replace him?" pic.twitter.com/3Mw8AZ7Py2
“I’ve always said that we need to elect Vladimir Putin as a lifetime president,” Kadyrov said in a video published on his social media accounts Tuesday.
“Who can replace him today? There’s no political leader like that on a global scale,” he said during an open-air meeting.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded to Kadyrov’s suggestion by saying that the Russian Constitution does not allow lifetime appointments for presidents.
Nationwide turnout for the vote neared 60% as of mid-Wednesday, with Chechnya reporting the highest turnout of nearly 90% among 85 Russian regions.
In the video posted on the Telegram messaging app, Kadyrov called on his compatriots to turn out for the vote on the constitutional referendum, adding that the plebiscite is being held to “preserve the state.”
Kadyrov, 43, has gone from rebel fighter to Putin’s fearsome enforcer in his war-scarred region since rising to power in 2007. Rights groups accuse him of overseeing torture and killings of dissidents and sexual minorities, who he has famously denied exist in majority-Muslim Chechnya.
Despite Russia's secular tradition, he has sought to impose Islamic values in Chechnya such as encouraging women to wear headscarves and men to take up to four wives, even though polygamy is forbidden under Russian law.
AFP contributed reporting to this article.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-01--Russians Set to Back Reforms Allowing Putin to Extend Rule

The changes were passed weeks ago by Russia 's parliament and copies of the new Constitution are already on sale in bookshops , but Putin says a nationwide vote ending Wednesday is essential to give legitimacy to the plans .
Russians are set to approve constitutional reforms on Wednesday denounced by critics as a maneuver to allow President Vladimir Putin to stay in the Kremlin for life .
The reforms include conservative and populist measures — like guaranteed minimum pensions and an effective ban on gay marriage — but crucially for Putin will also reset presidential term limits allowing him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Kremlin pulled out all the stops to encourage turnout , with polls extended over nearly a week , the last day of voting declared a national holiday and prizes — including apartments and cars — on offer to voters .
Initially planned for April 22 , the referendum was postponed by the coronavirus pandemic but rescheduled after Putin said the epidemic had peaked and officials began reporting lower numbers of new cases .
There is little doubt the reforms will be approved , with a state-run exit poll of more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in favor .
Russia 's election commission said early on Wednesday that after six days of voting turnout was at more than 55 % .
Results are expected to be announced after the last polling stations close at 6:00 p.m. GMT .
Putin says the changes are needed to ensure stability and cement Russian values in the face of pernicious Western influences .
`` We are voting for the country ... we want to pass on to our children and grandchildren , '' he said Tuesday in a final appeal to voters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , prosperity and a decent life only through development , only together and by ourselves . ''
State television showed Putin voting on Wednesday at his usual polling station at the Russian Academy of Sciences , where he was handed a ballot by an electoral worker wearing a surgical mask and gloves .
Dressed in a dark suit and tie , Putin was not wearing any protective gear .

Russians overwhelmingly approved a package of constitutional changes in a nationwide vote, partial results showed Wednesday, allowing President Vladimir Putin to potentially extend his two-decade rule until 2036. With almost 30% of polling stations reporting after the end of seven days of voting, 74% of voters had supported the reforms, the central election commission said.
There had been little doubt that voters would back the changes, which Putin announced earlier this year and critics denounced as a manoeuvre to allow him to stay in the Kremlin for life. The amendments had been passed weeks ago by Russia's parliament and copies of the new constitution were already on sale in bookshops, but Putin had said voter approval was essential to give them legitimacy. The reforms include conservative and populist measures — like guaranteed minimum pensions and an effective ban on gay marriage — but crucially for Putin also reset presidential limits allowing him to run twice again after his current six-year term expires in 2024. Turnout as of 1700 GMT was just under 65%, the election commission said. The Kremlin pulled out all the stops to encourage voting, with polls extended over nearly a week, the last day of voting declared a national holiday and prizes — including apartments and cars — on offer to voters. Initially planned for April 22, the referendum was postponed by the coronavirus pandemic but rescheduled after Putin said the epidemic had peaked and officials began reporting lower numbers of new cases. In a final appeal to voters on Tuesday, Putin said the changes were needed to ensure Russia's future "stability, security, prosperity." State television showed Putin voting Wednesday at his usual polling station at the Russian Academy of Sciences, where he was handed a ballot by an electoral worker wearing a surgical mask and gloves. Dressed in a dark suit and tie, Putin was not wearing any protective gear.
Президент посетил избирательный участок № 2151 в Москве, где принял участие в голосовании по поправкам в Конституцию https://t.co/QXFCiVacPu pic.twitter.com/Sns6H1SN47 — Президент России (@KremlinRussia) July 1, 2020
At a polling station in Vladivostok in Russia's Far East, 79-year-old Valentina Kungurtseva told AFP she supported the reforms. "For us as pensioners, it's very important that they will increase our pension every year," she said, adding that she had no problem with resetting presidential terms. "As long as we have a good president, life will be good," she said. In the second city, Saint Petersburg, 20-year-old Sergei Goritsvetov said he opposed the reforms but doubted it would make any difference. "I voted against and I hope there will be many of us, but I don't know what it will change," he said. "At least I expressed my opinion."


themoscowtimes--2020-07-01--Bank Transfers Bolstered U.S. Suspicions of Russia-Taliban Bounty – NYT

The alleged intercepts bolstered U.S. intelligence conclusions , also reported by the NYT , that Russia offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants to kill American troops in Afghanistan .
Both Russia and the Taliban have denied the claims .
U.S. officials have intercepted data showing financial transfers between a Russian military spy unit and Taliban-linked accounts , The New York Times reported Tuesday , citing three unnamed officials familiar with the intelligence .
The U.S. intercepts showed large financial transfers from a bank controlled by Russia ’ s GRU military intelligence agency to a Taliban-linked account , the NYT reported .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the transfers were most likely part of a bounty program , ” the newspaper wrote .
The GRU has been linked to assassination attempts in Europe including the 2018 poisoning attempt on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in Britain .
Afghan officials reportedly corroborated the intelligence , saying Afghanistan has arrested 13 suspected middlemen between the GRU and Taliban-linked militants in the past six months and seized $ 500,000 in cash from one of their homes .
Trump administration officials have briefed several House Republicans on intelligence that both supports and undermines the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bounty operation , two anonymous officials were quoted as saying .
The NYT reported that at least two deadly attacks linked to the alleged bounties were under scrutiny , one of which killed three Marines in April 2019 .

The alleged intercepts bolstered U.S. intelligence conclusions, also reported by the NYT, that Russia offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants to kill American troops in Afghanistan. Both Russia and the Taliban have denied the claims.
U.S. officials have intercepted data showing financial transfers between a Russian military spy unit and Taliban-linked accounts, The New York Times reported Tuesday, citing three unnamed officials familiar with the intelligence.
The U.S. intercepts showed large financial transfers from a bank controlled by Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency to a Taliban-linked account, the NYT reported.
“Analysts concluded from other intelligence that the transfers were most likely part of a bounty program,” the newspaper wrote.
The GRU has been linked to assassination attempts in Europe including the 2018 poisoning attempt on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in Britain.
Afghan officials reportedly corroborated the intelligence, saying Afghanistan has arrested 13 suspected middlemen between the GRU and Taliban-linked militants in the past six months and seized $500,000 in cash from one of their homes.
Trump administration officials have briefed several House Republicans on intelligence that both supports and undermines the conclusion that Russia was running a covert bounty operation, two anonymous officials were quoted as saying.
The NYT reported that at least two deadly attacks linked to the alleged bounties were under scrutiny, one of which killed three Marines in April 2019.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-01--Where Can I Travel in Russia This Summer?

The country closed its borders and grounded most international flights in late March to slow the spread of the outbreak , allowing only special evacuations of its own citizens from abroad and other government-authorized flights .
Other countries also grounded flights and sealed their borders to fight the spread of Covid-19 .
Russia opened its domestic tourist season Wednesday as it continues to grapple with the deadly coronavirus pandemic that has seen it record the world ’ s third-highest number of infections .
Three months later , Russia has largely exited its coronavirus lockdown , leaving many wondering when and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Here ’ s a look at where Russians can and can ’ t go this summer as the country seeks to salvage its battered tourism industry : More than 70 Russian regions are expected to open their tourist seasons on July 1 , Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has said .
Annexed Crimea and the neighboring Black Sea coast of the Krasnodar region in southern Russia remain top tourist destinations , according to a BBC Russia survey of bookings and industry experts .
The Moscow , Leningrad and Kaliningrad regions also ranked among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Krasnodar region accounts for around 20 % of bookings .
Rossiya Airlines resumed flights to the region and more than 700 hotels opened their doors to vacationers last week , the state-run TASS news agency reported .
Crimea , which accounts for 15 % of bookings , officially opened its borders to Russians on July 1 .
Also on July 1 , passenger trains to Russia 's western exclave of Kaliningrad resumed from Moscow and St. Petersburg via neighboring Belarus and Lithuania .
Experts have also named the Altai region and the republic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ufa in the Volga region ; and Volgograd , Makhachkala and Mineralnye Vody in the Caucasus as popular tourist destinations .
Around 36 Russian regions including Kaliningrad require visitors to either self-isolate or undergo 14 days of observation upon arriving , according to a map compiled by the RBC news website .
Crimea lifted self-isolation rules on June 15 .
However , visitors from outside Russia will still be required to undergo two weeks of quarantine .
The Crimean city of Sevastopol waives observation requirements if visitors have documents proving they have either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Kaliningrad waives observation requirements for visitors who book hotels for more than two days .
The Federal Tourism Agency has launched the Russia.travel website to track current rules for visitors from specific Russian regions .
An official travel ban is still in effect in Russia .
Only Russians with residence permits in destination countries , as well as those who need to work , study , seek treatment or attend relatives ’ funerals , are allowed abroad .
However , Russia ’ s flagship carrier Aeroflot is reportedly still flying passengers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Frankfurt , Seoul , Tel Aviv , Barcelona , Rome and Nice at least once a week .
Tickets go on sale less than a week before the flights and are not openly advertised , the Vedomosti business daily reported last month .

The country closed its borders and grounded most international flights in late March to slow the spread of the outbreak, allowing only special evacuations of its own citizens from abroad and other government-authorized flights. Other countries also grounded flights and sealed their borders to fight the spread of Covid-19.
Russia opened its domestic tourist season Wednesday as it continues to grapple with the deadly coronavirus pandemic that has seen it record the world’s third-highest number of infections.
Three months later, Russia has largely exited its coronavirus lockdown, leaving many wondering when and where they can take their summer holidays.
Here’s a look at where Russians can and can’t go this summer as the country seeks to salvage its battered tourism industry:
Domestic tourism
More than 70 Russian regions are expected to open their tourist seasons on July 1, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has said.
Annexed Crimea and the neighboring Black Sea coast of the Krasnodar region in southern Russia remain top tourist destinations, according to a BBC Russia survey of bookings and industry experts. The Moscow, Leningrad and Kaliningrad regions also ranked among the top five vacation spots.
The Krasnodar region accounts for around 20% of bookings. Rossiya Airlines resumed flights to the region and more than 700 hotels opened their doors to vacationers last week, the state-run TASS news agency reported.
Crimea, which accounts for 15% of bookings, officially opened its borders to Russians on July 1.
Also on July 1, passenger trains to Russia's western exclave of Kaliningrad resumed from Moscow and St. Petersburg via neighboring Belarus and Lithuania.
Experts have also named the Altai region and the republic of Khakasia in Siberia; Kazan and Ufa in the Volga region; and Volgograd, Makhachkala and Mineralnye Vody in the Caucasus as popular tourist destinations.
Quarantine
Around 36 Russian regions including Kaliningrad require visitors to either self-isolate or undergo 14 days of observation upon arriving, according to a map compiled by the RBC news website.
Crimea lifted self-isolation rules on June 15. However, visitors from outside Russia will still be required to undergo two weeks of quarantine.
The Crimean city of Sevastopol waives observation requirements if visitors have documents proving they have either recovered or never been infected with Covid-19.
Kaliningrad waives observation requirements for visitors who book hotels for more than two days.
The Federal Tourism Agency has launched the Russia.travel website to track current rules for visitors from specific Russian regions.
Foreign destinations
An official travel ban is still in effect in Russia. Only Russians with residence permits in destination countries, as well as those who need to work, study, seek treatment or attend relatives’ funerals, are allowed abroad.
However, Russia’s flagship carrier Aeroflot is reportedly still flying passengers to New York, Paris, London, Frankfurt, Seoul, Tel Aviv, Barcelona, Rome and Nice at least once a week. Tickets go on sale less than a week before the flights and are not openly advertised, the Vedomosti business daily reported last month.


themoscowtimes--2020-07-01--Russia's Coronavirus Cases Pass 650K as Country Votes on Putin Reforms