tass--2020-07-18--WHO reports single-day increase in coronavirus cases by over 259,000

MOSCOW , July 18 .
/TASS/ .
More than 259,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide in the past day , surpassing 13.8 million , while the coronavirus-related fatalities increased by over 7,300 to over 593,000 , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin on Saturday .
As of 11.00 Moscow time on July 18 , as many as 13,876,441 novel coronavirus cases and 593,087 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases grew by 259,848 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 237,743 new cases and 5,682 fatalities were documented throughout the world .
The WHO statistics are based on officially confirmed data from the countries .
South and North America account for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 7,306,371 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 151,531 and the number of deaths - by 4,653 to top 302,508 .
The number of confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 3,042,330 and the number of fatalities is 206,684 .
In the past 24 hours , the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of deaths went up by 1,202 .
The East Mediterranean region has 1,360,791 cases and 33,738 fatalities .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 13,809 and the number of deaths - by 457 .
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was registered in the United States ( 3,544,143 ) , followed by Brazil ( 2,012,151 ) , India ( 1,038,716 ) , Russia ( 765,437 ) , Peru ( 341,586 ) , South Africa ( 337,594 ) , Chile ( 326,539 ) , Mexico ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 293,243 ) , and Iran ( 269,440 ) .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

MOSCOW, July 18. /TASS/. More than 259,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide in the past day, surpassing 13.8 million, while the coronavirus-related fatalities increased by over 7,300 to over 593,000, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin on Saturday.
As of 11.00 Moscow time on July 18, as many as 13,876,441 novel coronavirus cases and 593,087 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by 259,848 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 7,360. The day before, 237,743 new cases and 5,682 fatalities were documented throughout the world. The WHO statistics are based on officially confirmed data from the countries.
South and North America account for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 7,306,371. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 151,531 and the number of deaths - by 4,653 to top 302,508. The number of confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 3,042,330 and the number of fatalities is 206,684. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew, by 33,358 and the number of deaths went up by 1,202.
The East Mediterranean region has 1,360,791 cases and 33,738 fatalities. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 13,809 and the number of deaths - by 457.
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was registered in the United States (3,544,143), followed by Brazil (2,012,151), India (1,038,716), Russia (765,437), Peru (341,586), South Africa (337,594), Chile (326,539), Mexico (324,041), the United Kingdom (293,243), and Iran (269,440).
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-07-18--Pentagon mum on US officer charged with passing classified data to Russian national

WASHINGTON , July 18 .
/TASS/ .
The US Department of Defense refused from commenting on Saturday on the case of a US sailor , who is suspected , according to the US media , of giving classified information to a Russian national .
`` We do not comment on pending or ongoing litigation , '' the press office of the Department of Defense told TASS .
On July 16 , the Virginian Pilot daily reported that Chief Petty Officer Charles Briggs was suspected of allegedly passing secret information to a Russian national who is not identified .
The publication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says that he had access to national defense information from October 2018 to January 2019 .
On or around January 9 , 2019 , Briggs allegedly used a government computer to get classified information and had reason to believe that the information could be used to `` injure the United States or benefit a foreign national . ''
Briggs was stationed at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska then , the daily says .
The Virginian Pilot underlines that it is not specified in the military court documents what kind of information he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian or where he met that individual .
Apart from that , Briggs is facing charges of obstructing justice as well as possessing and attempting to view child pornography .
Briggs could be indicted on Wednesday , July 22 , but the newspaper says dates could change .
The suspect `` is being held in pretrial confinement .
`` .

WASHINGTON, July 18. /TASS/. The US Department of Defense refused from commenting on Saturday on the case of a US sailor, who is suspected, according to the US media, of giving classified information to a Russian national.
"We do not comment on pending or ongoing litigation," the press office of the Department of Defense told TASS.
On July 16, the Virginian Pilot daily reported that Chief Petty Officer Charles Briggs was suspected of allegedly passing secret information to a Russian national who is not identified.
The publication refers to a charge sheet, which says that he had access to national defense information from October 2018 to January 2019. On or around January 9, 2019, Briggs allegedly used a government computer to get classified information and had reason to believe that the information could be used to "injure the United States or benefit a foreign national." Briggs was stationed at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska then, the daily says.
The Virginian Pilot underlines that it is not specified in the military court documents what kind of information he is suspected of passing on to the Russian or where he met that individual.
Apart from that, Briggs is facing charges of obstructing justice as well as possessing and attempting to view child pornography.
Briggs could be indicted on Wednesday, July 22, but the newspaper says the date could change. The suspect "is being held in pretrial confinement."


tass--2020-07-18--Russian Defense Ministry informs foreign counterparts of snap combat readiness drill

MOSCOW , July 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Defense Ministry has notified foreign counterparts about goals and objectives of the snap combat readiness drill , Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin told reporters on Saturday .
`` In the spirit of goodwill , the Russian Defense Ministry informed foreign counterparts through military and diplomatic channels about the goals and objectives of the activities conducted during the surprise combat readiness drill , '' Fomin said answering reporters ’ questions .
Fomin recalled that the surprise combat readiness drills have been held by the Russian Armed Forces since July 17 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Putin .
The drills involve forces of the Western and Southern Military Districts , the Airborne Force along with the Northern , Pacific , Baltic , Black Sea Fleets and the Caspian Flotilla .
`` Now , the troops are on high alert , finishing concentration in designated areas and preparing for combat training tasks , '' Fomin said .
According to the deputy defense minister , forces , formations and military units are assigned the task of operational and combat training activities at 35 firing ranges and 17 maritime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large spatial scope and scale of the snap drills . ''
Fomin pointed out that the drills involve about 15,000 service members , about 400 aircraft , over 26,000 weapons and military hardware , and over 100 vessels .
`` Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered that the results of the troops ’ action during the snap drills should be taken into account for their admission to the Kavkaz-2020 strategic command and staff exercise ( scheduled for September - TASS ) , '' Fomin added .

MOSCOW, July 18. /TASS/. Russia’s Defense Ministry has notified foreign counterparts about goals and objectives of the snap combat readiness drill, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin told reporters on Saturday.
"In the spirit of goodwill, the Russian Defense Ministry informed foreign counterparts through military and diplomatic channels about the goals and objectives of the activities conducted during the surprise combat readiness drill," Fomin said answering reporters’ questions.
Fomin recalled that the surprise combat readiness drills have been held by the Russian Armed Forces since July 17 following an order by Russia’s Supreme Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Putin. The drills involve forces of the Western and Southern Military Districts, the Airborne Force along with the Northern, Pacific, Baltic, Black Sea Fleets and the Caspian Flotilla.
"Now, the troops are on high alert, finishing concentration in designated areas and preparing for combat training tasks," Fomin said.
According to the deputy defense minister, forces, formations and military units are assigned the task of operational and combat training activities at 35 firing ranges and 17 maritime firing ranges, "which shows a large spatial scope and scale of the snap drills."
Fomin pointed out that the drills involve about 15,000 service members, about 400 aircraft, over 26,000 weapons and military hardware, and over 100 vessels.
"Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered that the results of the troops’ action during the snap drills should be taken into account for their admission to the Kavkaz-2020 strategic command and staff exercise (scheduled for September - TASS)," Fomin added.


tass--2020-07-18--Defense Ministry rejects link between Russian drills and Azeri-Armenian escalation

MOSCOW , July 18 .
/TASS/ .
The snap combat readiness drills of Russia ’ s Armed Forces are being held as scheduled and are preparations for the Kavkaz-2020 military exercise , and thus have no connection with the escalation between Azerbaijan and Armenia , Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin told reporters on Saturday .
The deputy defense minister strongly dismissed any link between the combat training activities held by the Russian Armed Forces and the escalation on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border .
`` These checks are being conducted as planned and are a major part of preparations for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff exercise , '' Fomin said .
The Russian Defense Ministry pointed out that on July 20 Fomin would hold a briefing for foreign military attaches to inform them about the snap combat readiness drills .
Fomin recalled that the surprise combat readiness drills have been held by the Russian Armed Forces since July 17 following an order by Russia ’ s Supreme Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Putin .
The drills involve about 15,000 service members , about 400 aircraft , over 26,000 weapons and military hardware , and over 100 vessels .
`` Currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , finishing concentration in designated areas and preparing for combat training tasks .
Forces , formations and military units are assigned the task of operational and combat training activities at 35 firing ranges and 17 maritime firing ranges , which shows a large spatial scope and scale of the snap drill , '' Fomin said .
Tensions escalated on the two countries ’ border on July 12 .
Azerbaijan reported that Armenia ’ s Armed Forces had tried to launch an attack on its positions with the use of artillery systems , whereas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ border had aggravated after Azerbaijan ’ s attempted assault .
Baku said that its twelve service members had been killed since last Sunday .
Yerevan reported that four troops had been killed and ten more wounded .
On Friday and Saturday , both sides reported that the situation on the border was relatively calm .
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group , led by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

MOSCOW, July 18. /TASS/. The snap combat readiness drills of Russia’s Armed Forces are being held as scheduled and are preparations for the Kavkaz-2020 military exercise, and thus have no connection with the escalation between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin told reporters on Saturday.
The deputy defense minister strongly dismissed any link between the combat training activities held by the Russian Armed Forces and the escalation on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border.
"These checks are being conducted as planned and are a major part of preparations for the Kavkaz-2020 (Caucasus-2020) strategic command and staff exercise," Fomin said.
The Russian Defense Ministry pointed out that on July 20 Fomin would hold a briefing for foreign military attaches to inform them about the snap combat readiness drills.
Fomin recalled that the surprise combat readiness drills have been held by the Russian Armed Forces since July 17 following an order by Russia’s Supreme Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Putin. The drills involve about 15,000 service members, about 400 aircraft, over 26,000 weapons and military hardware, and over 100 vessels.
"Currently, the troops are on high alert, finishing concentration in designated areas and preparing for combat training tasks. Forces, formations and military units are assigned the task of operational and combat training activities at 35 firing ranges and 17 maritime firing ranges, which shows a large spatial scope and scale of the snap drill," Fomin said.
Escalation on Azerbaijani-Armenian border
Tensions escalated on the two countries’ border on July 12. Azerbaijan reported that Armenia’s Armed Forces had tried to launch an attack on its positions with the use of artillery systems, whereas Armenia said that the situation on the border had aggravated after Azerbaijan’s attempted assault. Baku said that its twelve service members had been killed since last Sunday. Yerevan reported that four troops had been killed and ten more wounded. On Friday and Saturday, both sides reported that the situation on the border was relatively calm.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-07-18--UN Secretary General initiates New Global Deal for fairer world order

UNITED NATIONS , July 18 .
/TASS/ .
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has put forward an initiative to battle inequality - a New Global Deal that will aim to create a fairer model of global governance , Guterres said on Saturday in his lecture commemorating Nelson Mandela .
`` The COVID-19 pandemic has brought home the tragic disconnect between self-interest and the common interest ; and the huge gaps in governance structures and ethical frameworks , '' he said .
`` To close these gaps , and to make the New Social Contract possible , we need a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , wealth and opportunities are shared more broadly and fairly at the international level , '' Guterres stressed .
According to the UN chief , another factor that people `` have had enough '' is the anti-racism movement that has spread from the United States all over the world after the killing of George Floyd .
`` [ They have had ] enough of inequality and discrimination that treats people as criminals on the basis of their skin color ; enough of the structural racism and systematic injustice that deny people their fundamental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` These movements point to two of the historic sources of inequality in our world : colonialism and patriarchy . ''
Not all in the same boat The UN Secretary General pointed out that the former model of a social contract has stopped functioning in the modern world .
`` COVID-19 has been likened to an x-ray , revealing fractures in the fragile skeleton of the societies we have built .
It is exposing fallacies and falsehoods everywhere : the lie that free markets can deliver healthcare for all ; the fiction that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the delusion that we live in a post-racist world ; the myth that we are all in the same boat , '' Guterres listed .
`` Because while we are all floating on the same sea , it ’ s clear that some are in superyachts while others are clinging to the floating debris , '' he stressed .
In Guterres ’ opinion , `` A New Social Contract within societies will enable young people to live in dignity ; will ensure women have the same prospects and opportunities as men ; and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and minorities of all kinds . ''
`` The New Social Contract , between Governments , people , civil society , business and more , must integrate employment , sustainable development and social protection , based on equal rights and opportunities for all , '' he explained .
`` Inequality starts at the top : in global institutions .
Addressing inequality must start by reforming them , '' Guterres suggested .
`` A new model for global governance must be based on full , inclusive and equal participation in global institutions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ inequalities and gaps in solidarity - like those we see today in the fragmented global response to the COVID-19 pandemic , '' he warned .
`` The nations that came out on top 70 years ago have refused to contemplate the reforms needed to change power relations in international institutions .
The composition and voting rights in the United Nations Security Council and the boards of the Bretton Woods system are a case in point , '' the UN Secretary General said .
He said with confidence that developing nations should have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We also need a more inclusive and balanced multilateral trading system that enables developing countries to move up global value chains , '' Guterres said .
The United Nations chief plans to discuss his new initiative with all the countries at the next 75th session of the UN General Assembly as well as on other international platforms .

UNITED NATIONS, July 18. /TASS/. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has put forward an initiative to battle inequality - a New Global Deal that will aim to create a fairer model of global governance, Guterres said on Saturday in his lecture commemorating Nelson Mandela.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has brought home the tragic disconnect between self-interest and the common interest; and the huge gaps in governance structures and ethical frameworks," he said.
"To close these gaps, and to make the New Social Contract possible, we need a New Global Deal to ensure that power, wealth and opportunities are shared more broadly and fairly at the international level," Guterres stressed.
According to the UN chief, another factor that people "have had enough" is the anti-racism movement that has spread from the United States all over the world after the killing of George Floyd.
"[They have had] enough of inequality and discrimination that treats people as criminals on the basis of their skin color; enough of the structural racism and systematic injustice that deny people their fundamental human rights," he continued. "These movements point to two of the historic sources of inequality in our world: colonialism and patriarchy."
Not all in the same boat
The UN Secretary General pointed out that the former model of a social contract has stopped functioning in the modern world.
"COVID-19 has been likened to an x-ray, revealing fractures in the fragile skeleton of the societies we have built. It is exposing fallacies and falsehoods everywhere: the lie that free markets can deliver healthcare for all; the fiction that unpaid care work is not work; the delusion that we live in a post-racist world; the myth that we are all in the same boat," Guterres listed.
"Because while we are all floating on the same sea, it’s clear that some are in superyachts while others are clinging to the floating debris," he stressed.
In Guterres’ opinion, "A New Social Contract within societies will enable young people to live in dignity; will ensure women have the same prospects and opportunities as men; and will protect the sick, the vulnerable, and minorities of all kinds."
"The New Social Contract, between Governments, people, civil society, business and more, must integrate employment, sustainable development and social protection, based on equal rights and opportunities for all," he explained.
New Global Deal
"Inequality starts at the top: in global institutions. Addressing inequality must start by reforming them," Guterres suggested.
"A new model for global governance must be based on full, inclusive and equal participation in global institutions. Without that, we face even wider inequalities and gaps in solidarity - like those we see today in the fragmented global response to the COVID-19 pandemic," he warned.
"The nations that came out on top 70 years ago have refused to contemplate the reforms needed to change power relations in international institutions. The composition and voting rights in the United Nations Security Council and the boards of the Bretton Woods system are a case in point," the UN Secretary General said.
He said with confidence that developing nations should have a much stronger voice in global decision-making.
"We also need a more inclusive and balanced multilateral trading system that enables developing countries to move up global value chains," Guterres said.
The United Nations chief plans to discuss his new initiative with all the countries at the next 75th session of the UN General Assembly as well as on other international platforms.


tass--2020-07-18--Tripoli-based government assures Moscow of solution to release of Russian nationals

MOSCOW , July 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russia has received written assurances from the Libyan Government of National Accord that a solution to the release of the Russian nationals - Maksim Shugalei and Samer Hasan Ali Sueifan , employees of the Russian non-profit organization ‘ Foundation for National Values Protection ’ - who were detained in 2019 , will be found in the near future , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement on Saturday .
`` As a result of our persistent efforts , we have received written assurances from [ Foreign Minister ] of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the problem of our citizens will be closed in the foreseeable future , '' the statement says .
The Russian Foreign Ministry recalled that it started negotiation on the release of Shugalei and Sueifan `` almost immediately after receiving tardy information through unofficial channels about their unlawful arrest in Tripoli '' in May 2019 .
`` We have been sending relevant signals to the Government of National Accord through its diplomatic mission in Moscow .
We raise the issue in a pressing manner at all the meetings with representatives of the Tripoli authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian nationals , '' Zakharova emphasized in her statement .
She added that `` the Foreign Ministry will continue its focused and vigorous efforts in this direction . ''
Earlier , the Tripoli-based Attorney General ’ s Office accused Shugalei and Sueifan of meddling in Libya ’ s domestic affairs and elections , and of conducting public activities in the country without permission from local authorities and security agencies .
Moreover , the Attorney General ’ s Office claims that the Russian men had gone to the locations which they were forbidden @ @ @

MOSCOW, July 18. /TASS/. Russia has received written assurances from the Libyan Government of National Accord that a solution to the release of the Russian nationals - Maksim Shugalei and Samer Hasan Ali Sueifan, employees of the Russian non-profit organization ‘Foundation for National Values Protection’ - who were detained in 2019, will be found in the near future, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement on Saturday.
"As a result of our persistent efforts, we have received written assurances from [Foreign Minister] of the Government of National Accord Muhammad Siyala that the problem of our citizens will be closed in the foreseeable future," the statement says.
The Russian Foreign Ministry recalled that it started negotiation on the release of Shugalei and Sueifan "almost immediately after receiving tardy information through unofficial channels about their unlawful arrest in Tripoli" in May 2019.
"We have been sending relevant signals to the Government of National Accord through its diplomatic mission in Moscow. We raise the issue in a pressing manner at all the meetings with representatives of the Tripoli authorities, seeking speedy and unconditional release of the Russian nationals," Zakharova emphasized in her statement.
She added that "the Foreign Ministry will continue its focused and vigorous efforts in this direction."
Earlier, the Tripoli-based Attorney General’s Office accused Shugalei and Sueifan of meddling in Libya’s domestic affairs and elections, and of conducting public activities in the country without permission from local authorities and security agencies. Moreover, the Attorney General’s Office claims that the Russian men had gone to the locations which they were forbidden to visit.


tass--2020-07-19--Russia’s coronavirus spread rate remains unchanged at 0.98 - TASS estimates

MOSCOW , July 19 .
/TASS/ .
The coronavirus spread rate remained unchanged at 0.98 in Russia in the past day , according to TASS estimates based on the data of the anti-coronavirus crisis center .
In Moscow the figure was unchanged since Saturday at 0.88 .
In seven out of 10 most-affected regions the coronavirus spread rate is lower than 1 .
Besides Moscow , this is St. Petersburg ( 0.83 ) , the Moscow Region ( 0.9 ) , the Voronezh Region ( 0.92 ) , the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region ( 0.93 ) , the Irkutsk Region ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 0.99 ) In the Nizhny Novgorod the rate stood at 1 , while in the Rostov Region and the Sverdlovsk Region it reached 1.02 and 1.14 , respectively .
The coronavirus spread rate shows the number of people one patient can infect before being isolated .
In accordance with the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing ’ s recommendations , the regions with the coronavirus spread rate at 1 or lower can relax restrictions if they meet the conditions regarding free hospital beds and tests .
If the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the region can switch to the second stage of easing restrictions , while the rate at 0.5 or less allows them to move to the third stage .

MOSCOW, July 19. /TASS/. The coronavirus spread rate remained unchanged at 0.98 in Russia in the past day, according to TASS estimates based on the data of the anti-coronavirus crisis center.
In Moscow the figure was unchanged since Saturday at 0.88.
In seven out of 10 most-affected regions the coronavirus spread rate is lower than 1. Besides Moscow, this is St. Petersburg (0.83), the Moscow Region (0.9), the Voronezh Region (0.92), the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region (0.93), the Irkutsk Region (0.95) and the Krasnoyarsk Region (0.99)
In the Nizhny Novgorod the rate stood at 1, while in the Rostov Region and the Sverdlovsk Region it reached 1.02 and 1.14, respectively.
The coronavirus spread rate shows the number of people one patient can infect before being isolated. In accordance with the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing’s recommendations, the regions with the coronavirus spread rate at 1 or lower can relax restrictions if they meet the conditions regarding free hospital beds and tests.
If the spread rate is 0.8 or less, the region can switch to the second stage of easing restrictions, while the rate at 0.5 or less allows them to move to the third stage.


tass--2020-07-19--Moscow will find the way to punish those imposing sanctions against Russians - envoy to UK

LONDON , July 19 .
/TASS/ .
Russia will find the way to punish those who impose personal sanctions against Russian citizens as part of the Magnitsky case , Russia ’ s Ambassador to the United Kingdom Andrei Kelin said in an interview with the BBC on Sunday .
`` Believe me as for Magnitsky we will find the way to punish those who are making this type of sanctions .
Because sanctions are illegal .
There is only one body who can impose sanctions and this is the United Nations , '' Kelin told the Andrew Marr Show , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member of the UN Security Council .
In comment on the anchor ’ s question whether this means that Moscow would target individuals who are involved in the Magnitsky process on the UK and US side , the ambassador noted : `` I haven ’ t said that , this is you who have said that .
But probably it ’ s a good idea . ''
On July 6 , UK Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Dominic Raab announced the so-called `` Magnitsky Amendment '' to the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House of Commons in May 2018 , and was supposed to come into effect immediately after the UK ’ s withdrawal from the European Union .
The amendment is named after Hermitage Capital lawyer Sergey Magnitsky , who died in 2009 in the Matrosskaya Tishina detention facility in Moscow .
London believes that people in the sanctions list were involved in his torture and death .
Among them are Chief of Russia ’ s Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin , Deputy Prosecutor General Viktor Grin , former Deputy Interior Minister Alexei Anichin , judges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials .
These persons are barred from entering the United Kingdom , as well as from doing business both in that country and with British go-betweens .
Apart from that , their assets in the United Kingdom , if any , will be frozen .
The list is not limited only by Russia and comprises a total of 49 individuals and entities , including from Saudi Arabia , Myanmar and North Korea .
The Russian Foreign Ministry rejected this as a politically motivated decision , stressing that Moscow reserved the right to impose @ @ @ @

LONDON, July 19. /TASS/. Moscow has vowed to find a way to punish those who slap personal sanctions on Russian citizens as part of the Magnitsky case, Russia’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom Andrei Kelin said in an interview with the BBC on Sunday.
"Believe me as for Magnitsky we will find the way to punish those who are making this type of sanctions. Because sanctions are illegal. There is only one body who can impose sanctions and this is the United Nations," Kelin told the Andrew Marr Show, recalling that the UK is a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
In comment on the anchor’s question whether this means that Moscow would target individuals who are involved in the Magnitsky process on the UK and US side, the ambassador noted: "I haven’t said that, this is you who have said that. But probably it’s a good idea."
On July 6, UK Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Dominic Raab announced the so-called "Magnitsky Amendment" to the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill. It was adopted by the House of Commons in May 2018, and was supposed to come into effect immediately after the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. The amendment is named after Hermitage Capital lawyer Sergey Magnitsky, who died in 2009 in the Matrosskaya Tishina detention facility in Moscow. London believes that people in the sanctions list were involved in his torture and death.
Among them are Chief of Russia’s Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin, Deputy Prosecutor General Viktor Grin, former Deputy Interior Minister Alexei Anichin, judges, investigators, and the Interior Ministry officials. These persons are barred from entering the United Kingdom, as well as from doing business both in that country and with British go-betweens. Apart from that, their assets in the United Kingdom, if any, will be frozen. The list is not limited only by Russia and comprises a total of 49 individuals and entities, including from Saudi Arabia, Myanmar and North Korea. The Russian Foreign Ministry rejected this as a politically motivated decision, stressing that Moscow reserved the right to impose adequate retaliatory measures.


tass--2020-07-19--Russia’s COVID-19 death toll climbs by 95, a record low since June 29

MOSCOW , July 19 .
/TASS/ .
The number of COVID-19 fatalities in Russia grew by 95 in the past @ @ @ @ @ of 12,342 , the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Sunday .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ a record low death toll recorded per day since June 29 .
Some 26 fatalities @ @ @ @ @ , 14 in Moscow , 10 in the Moscow Region , 6 in the Nizhny @ @ @ @ @ the Novosibirsk Region and 4 in the Tula Region .
In 20 other regions the @ @ @ @ @ 3 .
The deaths accounted for 1.6 % of all coronavirus infections in Russia in @ @ @ @ @ The crisis center ’ s data is not final and does not take into account @ @ @ @ @ in the previous months earlier provided by the authorities .

MOSCOW, July 19. /TASS/. The number of COVID-19 fatalities in Russia grew by 95 in the past day, reaching a total of 12,342, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Sunday.
According to the crisis center, this is a record low death toll recorded per day since June 29. Some 26 fatalities were registered in St. Petersburg, 14 in Moscow, 10 in the Moscow Region, 6 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region, 5 in the Novosibirsk Region and 4 in the Tula Region. In 20 other regions the death toll did not exceed 3.
The deaths accounted for 1.6% of all coronavirus infections in Russia in the past three days.
The crisis center’s data is not final and does not take into account the revised statistics on deaths in the previous months earlier provided by the authorities.


tass--2020-07-19--Russia reports over 6,100 new COVID-19 cases in the past day

MOSCOW , July 19 .
/TASS/ .
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Russia grew by 6,109 in the past day , reaching 771,546 , the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Sunday .
Over the past two days the growth rate stood at 0.8 % .
Some 591 COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Moscow , 245 in the Sverdlovsk Region , 218 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region and 237 in the Khanty Mansi Autonomous Region .
St. Petersburg confirmed 202 coronavirus cases , the lowest figure since April 28 .
The lowest coronavirus spread rate was reported in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case was registered in the past day , as well as in Moscow , the Moscow Region , Sevastopol and the Kabardino-Balkaria ( 0.4 % ) .
In North Ossetia , the Nenets Autonomous Region and the Bryansk Region the coronavirus spread rate reached 0.4 % and in Dagestan , the Kaliningrad , Kaluga and Lipetsk Regions - 0.5 % , the crisis center reported .
The number of Russians discharged after undergoing treatment for the coronavirus grew by 3,481 over the past day to 550,344 .
According to the crisis center , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have recovered in Russia .
The biggest number of recoveries was registered in Moscow ( 359 ) , the Moscow Region ( 319 ) , the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region ( 234 ) , the Sverdlovsk Region ( 170 ) , the Tyva Republic ( 150 ) , the Krasnoyarsk Region ( 144 ) , the Novosibirsk Region ( 134 ) , St. Petersburg ( 101 ) , the Vladimir Region ( 101 ) , the Altai Region ( 105 ) and the Khabarovsk Region ( 103 ) .

MOSCOW, July 19. /TASS/. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Russia grew by 6,109 in the past day, reaching 771,546, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Sunday.
Over the past two days the growth rate stood at 0.8%.
Some 591 COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Moscow, 245 in the Sverdlovsk Region, 218 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region and 237 in the Khanty Mansi Autonomous Region. St. Petersburg confirmed 202 coronavirus cases, the lowest figure since April 28.
The lowest coronavirus spread rate was reported in Chukotka, where not a single new case was registered in the past day, as well as in Moscow, the Moscow Region, Sevastopol and the Kabardino-Balkaria (0.4%). In North Ossetia, the Nenets Autonomous Region and the Bryansk Region the coronavirus spread rate reached 0.4% and in Dagestan, the Kaliningrad, Kaluga and Lipetsk Regions - 0.5%, the crisis center reported.
The number of Russians discharged after undergoing treatment for the coronavirus grew by 3,481 over the past day to 550,344.
According to the crisis center, more than 71% of COVID-19 patients have recovered in Russia.
The biggest number of recoveries was registered in Moscow (359), the Moscow Region (319), the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region (234), the Sverdlovsk Region (170), the Tyva Republic (150), the Krasnoyarsk Region (144), the Novosibirsk Region (134), St. Petersburg (101), the Vladimir Region (101), the Altai Region (105) and the Khabarovsk Region (103).


tass--2020-07-19--Over 273,000 remain under supervision over coronavirus in Russia

MOSCOW , July 19 .
/TASS/ .
Nearly 273,700 people remain under medical supervision in Russia over a suspected coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ said on Sunday .
`` Some 273,737 people remain under medical supervision in Russia , @ @ @ @ @ Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing reported .
More than 24.9 mln tests @ @ @ @ @ out , including 314,000 tests in the past day , according to the sanitary watchdog @

MOSCOW, July 19. /TASS/. Nearly 273,700 people remain under medical supervision in Russia over a suspected coronavirus infection, the sanitary watchdog said on Sunday.
"Some 273,737 people remain under medical supervision in Russia," the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing reported.
More than 24.9 mln tests for COVID-19 have been carried out, including 314,000 tests in the past day, according to the sanitary watchdog.


tass--2020-07-19--Vaccination against new coronavirus will not interfere with other inoculations - expert

MOSCOW , July 19 .
/TASS/ .
Vaccination against the novel coronavirus will not prevent other inoculations , including seasonal @ @ @ @ @ National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology Alexander Gintsburg told TASS .
`` [ Several @ @ @ @ @ each other at all .
According to general considerations , vaccinations should have a certain @ @ @ @ @ are quire sufficient , '' the expert said .
`` Our immune system is very @ @ @ @ @ be enough for it to understand how to behave properly in respect of new antigens @ @ @ @ @ '' Gintsburg said .
Activities are underway to produce as much coronavirus vaccines as possible @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, July 19. /TASS/. Vaccination against the novel coronavirus will not prevent other inoculations, including seasonal ones, Director of the National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology Alexander Gintsburg told TASS.
"[Several vaccines] will not overlap each other at all. According to general considerations, vaccinations should have a certain time gap; two-three weeks are quire sufficient," the expert said. "Our immune system is very smart and this time will be enough for it to understand how to behave properly in respect of new antigens introduced as the vaccine," Gintsburg said.
Activities are underway to produce as much coronavirus vaccines as possible, the expert added.


tass--2020-07-19--Russian Cabinet presents bill on tax support of publishers to State Duma

MOSCOW , July 19 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian government presented a bill providing for tax support of books and @ @ @ @ @ Duma , the lower house of the Russian diet .
The text of the document @ @ @ @ @ of the lawmaking support system .
The current version of the Russian Internal Revenue Code @ @ @ @ @ of the cost of reject and unsold books and mass media products as sundry expenses @ @ @ @ @ of the income tax .
Amendments introduced by the Cabinet increase the maximum volume of @ @ @ @ @ the circulation , while the current law provides for no more than 10 % .

MOSCOW, July 19. /TASS/. The Russian government presented a bill providing for tax support of books and periodicals publishers to the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian diet. The text of the document is posted in the database of the lawmaking support system.
The current version of the Russian Internal Revenue Code categorizes losses in the form of the cost of reject and unsold books and mass media products as sundry expenses and reduces the tax base of the income tax.
Amendments introduced by the Cabinet increase the maximum volume of losses to 30% of the circulation, while the current law provides for no more than 10%.


tass--2020-07-19--Driverless trains in Russia to undergo trials at virtual test site - newspaper

MOSCOW , July 19 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Ministry of Transport intends in cooperation with Russian Railways to perform trials of driverless trains at a virtual test ground to be developed by mid-December 2020 , Izvestiya newspaper reports on Sunday .
A simulator will make possible to test operability of automated trains software , using railway conditions simulation and potential contingencies .
The terms of reference for a tender to design the test site was presented and approved in early July at a meeting of the working group of the Digital Economy autonomous nonprofit organization , the newspaper says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been determined yet .
The main task of the virtual simulator is to check reliability and accuracy of computer vision to be provided for driverless transport , department director of the Ministry of Transport Dmitry Bakanov said .
`` Snow , rain , fog , twilight , sudden obstacles and dangerous collision approaches with other traffic participants - all of them should be tested in virtual conditions before releasing driverless transport equipped with computer vision systems into the real world , '' Bakanov said , cited by the newspaper .
Russian Railways is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for driverless trains .
`` Development of several key technologies at once is required for automatic operation of trains .
Driverless trains shall have remote control systems with artificial intelligence , machine vision , secured communication channels and high-precision positioning , '' the railway operator ’ s press service told the newspaper .

MOSCOW, July 19. /TASS/. The Russian Ministry of Transport intends in cooperation with Russian Railways to perform trials of driverless trains at a virtual test ground to be developed by mid-December 2020, Izvestiya newspaper reports on Sunday.
A simulator will make possible to test operability of automated trains software, using railway conditions simulation and potential contingencies.
The terms of reference for a tender to design the test site was presented and approved in early July at a meeting of the working group of the Digital Economy autonomous nonprofit organization, the newspaper says. The exact project cost has not been determined yet.
The main task of the virtual simulator is to check reliability and accuracy of computer vision to be provided for driverless transport, department director of the Ministry of Transport Dmitry Bakanov said. "Snow, rain, fog, twilight, sudden obstacles and dangerous collision approaches with other traffic participants - all of them should be tested in virtual conditions before releasing driverless transport equipped with computer vision systems into the real world," Bakanov said, cited by the newspaper.
Russian Railways is currently developing a hardware and software package for driverless trains. "Development of several key technologies at once is required for automatic operation of trains. Driverless trains shall have remote control systems with artificial intelligence, machine vision, secured communication channels and high-precision positioning," the railway operator’s press service told the newspaper.


tass--2020-07-19--US Navy officer charged with transmitting classified email to Russian national

WASHINGTON , July 19 .
/TASS/ .
Charles Briggs , the Chief Petty Officer of the US Navy , is charged with transmitting an email containing classified information to an unidentified Russian national , according to the charge sheet furnished to TASS by the US Navy .
The charge sheet refers to an incident occurred in January 2019 at or near Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska , when Briggs was on active duty .
Briggs `` on or about 9 January 2019 , knowingly access a government computer with an unauthorized purpose and obtained classified information , to wit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the document says .
[ He ] `` intentionally transmitted such information to a Russian national , a person not entitled to receive it , '' the document says .
The name of the Russian national is not disclosed in documents .
On July 16 , the Virginian Pilot daily reported that Chief Petty Officer Charles Briggs was suspected of allegedly passing secret information to a Russian national who is not identified .
The Virginian Pilot said that it is not specified in the military court documents what kind of information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian or where he met that individual .

WASHINGTON, July 19. /TASS/. Charles Briggs, a Chief Petty Officer of the US Navy, is charged with transmitting an email containing classified information to an unidentified Russian national, according to the charge sheet furnished to TASS by the US Navy.
The charge sheet refers to an incident occurred in January 2019 at or near Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, when Briggs was on active duty. Briggs "on or about 9 January 2019, knowingly access a government computer with an unauthorized purpose and obtained classified information, to wit: an email containing secret classified information," the document says.
[He] "intentionally transmitted such information to a Russian national, a person not entitled to receive it," the document says. The name of the Russian national is not disclosed in documents.
On July 16, the Virginian Pilot daily reported that Chief Petty Officer Charles Briggs was suspected of allegedly passing secret information to a Russian national who is not identified. The Virginian Pilot said that it is not specified in the military court documents what kind of information he is suspected of passing on to the Russian or where he met that individual.


tass--2020-07-20--Volunteers participating in Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine trials develop antibodies

MOSCOW , July 20 .
/TASS/ .
Members of the second group of volunteers taking part in trials of a coronavirus vaccine at Moscow 's Burdenko Main Military Clinic Hospital have developed antibodies , Medical Service Colonel Sergei Borisevich , the head of the 48th Central Research Institute of the Russian Nuclear , Biological and Chemical Protection Troops , told the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper .
`` Tests show that the volunteers have developed coronavirus antibodies , and the vaccine ’ s components are safe and well-tolerated , '' he said .
`` The vaccine ’ s pre-clinical trials involved many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emphasized .
The vaccine was developed by experts from the Russian Defense Ministry and the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology .
The same platform was used for the creation of an Ebola vaccine .
Another 20 volunteers taking part in trials of a coronavirus vaccine will be discharged from Moscow 's Burdenko Main Military Clinic Hospital on July 20 .
`` The second and final group of volunteers , which consists of 20 people , will be discharged today , on July 20 , '' he said .
Borisevich pointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trials ’ results and after that , the vaccine would undergo the process of state registration .
According to Borisevich , the experts ’ experience made it possible to significantly reduce the period of pre-clinical trials aimed at assessing the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine .
The second component of the vaccine was administered to the members of the volunteer group on July 13 .
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on June 30 that the trials were expected to be completed before the end of July .

MOSCOW, July 20. /TASS/. Members of the second group of volunteers taking part in trials of a coronavirus vaccine at Moscow's Burdenko Main Military Clinic Hospital have developed antibodies, Medical Service Colonel Sergei Borisevich, the head of the 48th Central Research Institute of the Russian Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection Troops, told the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper.
"Tests show that the volunteers have developed coronavirus antibodies, and the vaccine’s components are safe and well-tolerated," he said.
"The vaccine’s pre-clinical trials involved many large and small animals," Borisevich emphasized.
The vaccine was developed by experts from the Russian Defense Ministry and the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology. The same platform was used for the creation of an Ebola vaccine.
Another 20 volunteers taking part in trials of a coronavirus vaccine will be discharged from Moscow's Burdenko Main Military Clinic Hospital on July 20.
"The second and final group of volunteers, which consists of 20 people, will be discharged today, on July 20," he said.
Borisevich pointed out that experts would later analyze the trials’ results and after that, the vaccine would undergo the process of state registration. According to Borisevich, the experts’ experience made it possible to significantly reduce the period of pre-clinical trials aimed at assessing the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.
The second component of the vaccine was administered to the members of the volunteer group on July 13. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on June 30 that the trials were expected to be completed before the end of July.


tass--2020-07-19--Number of COVID-2019 cases across globe up by over 166,000 in past day - WHO

MOSCOW , July 19 .
/TASS/ .
More than 166,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide on July 19 , with the overall number of such cases exceeding 14 million , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin on Sunday .
As of 11:00 Moscow time on July 19 , as many as 14,043,176 novel coronavirus cases and 597,583 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases grew by 166,735 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 4,496 .
The WHO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the countries .
South and North America accounts for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 7,376,748 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 70,377 and the number of deaths - by 2,777 and reached 305,285 .
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 3,060,525 and the number of fatalities is 206,965 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 18,195 and the number of deaths - by 281 .
Southeast Asia has 1,391,407 cases and 33,543 fatalities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of cases grew by 43,453 and the number of deaths - by 636 .
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States ( 3,544,143 ) , Brazil ( 2,046,328 ) , India ( 1,077,618 ) , Russia ( 771,546 ) , South Africa ( 350,879 ) , Peru ( 345,637 ) , Mexico ( 331,298 ) , Chile ( 328,846 ) , the United Kingdom ( 294,070 ) , and Iran ( 271,606 ) .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million , in late December 2019 .
Since then , cases of the new coronavirus have been reported from nearly all parts of the world .
On March 11 , 2020 , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

MOSCOW, July 19. /TASS/. More than 166,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide on July 19, with the overall number of such cases exceeding 14 million, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin on Sunday.
As of 11:00 Moscow time on July 19, as many as 14,043,176 novel coronavirus cases and 597,583 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by 166,735 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 4,496.
The WHO statistics is based on officially confirmed data from the countries.
South and North America accounts for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 7,376,748. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 70,377 and the number of deaths - by 2,777 and reached 305,285.
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 3,060,525 and the number of fatalities is 206,965. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 18,195 and the number of deaths - by 281.
Southeast Asia has 1,391,407 cases and 33,543 fatalities. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 43,453 and the number of deaths - by 636.
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States (3,544,143), Brazil (2,046,328), India (1,077,618), Russia (771,546), South Africa (350,879), Peru (345,637), Mexico (331,298), Chile (328,846), the United Kingdom (294,070), and Iran (271,606).
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December 2019. Since then, cases of the new coronavirus have been reported from nearly all parts of the world. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-07-19--Russia’s Black Sea Fleet begins to track US Navy Porter destroyers in Black Sea

MOSCOW , July 19 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Black Sea Fleet has begun to track USS Porter , @ @ @ @ @ which entered the Black Sea on Sunday , Russia ’ s National Defense Management Center @ @ @ @ @ Sea Fleet ’ s forces have begun to track USS Porter ( an Arleigh Burke-class @ @ @ @ @ Navy ) , which entered the Black Sea at 19:45 Moscow time on July 19 @ @ @ @ @ said .
The United States Sixth Fleet said earlier on Sunday , USS Porter was @ @ @ @ @ to take part in Sea Breeze-2020 drills with Ukraine .
The drills to be held @ @ @ @ @ are expected to involve some 2,000 servicemen , 27 ships and 19 planes from nine @ @ @ @ @ Georgia , Spain , Norway , Romania , the United States , Turkey , France @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, July 19. /TASS/. Russia’s Black Sea Fleet has begun to track USS Porter, a US Navy destroyer, which entered the Black Sea on Sunday, Russia’s National Defense Management Center said.
"The Black Sea Fleet’s forces have begun to track USS Porter (an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the United States Navy), which entered the Black Sea at 19:45 Moscow time on July 19, 2020," it said.
The United States Sixth Fleet said earlier on Sunday, USS Porter was heading to the Black Sea to take part in Sea Breeze-2020 drills with Ukraine. The drills to be held from July 20 through 26 are expected to involve some 2,000 servicemen, 27 ships and 19 planes from nine countries, namely Bulgaria, Georgia, Spain, Norway, Romania, the United States, Turkey, France, and Ukraine.


tass--2020-07-19--Radio contact lost with An-2 plane with 6 people aboard in Buryatia - emergencies services

MOSCOW , July 19 .
/TASS/ .
Radio contact has been lost with an An-2 plane with six people aboard @ @ @ @ @ republic of Buryatia , a spokesman for the Russian emergencies ministry ’ s regional department @ @ @ @ @ at 20:21 Moscow time that contact was lost with an An-2 ( tail number 71276 @ @ @ @ @ company .
There were six people aboard , including two crewmembers .
The An-2 plane @ @ @ @ @ of Kyren in Buryatia .
Its flight route is unknown , '' the spokesman said @ @ @ @ @ underway .
According to preliminary data , the plane was used to spray chemicals over @ @ @ @ @ application for a flight permit was not approved .

MOSCOW, July 19. /TASS/. Radio contact has been lost with an An-2 plane with six people aboard in Russia’s Siberian republic of Buryatia, a spokesman for the Russian emergencies ministry’s regional department.
"It was reported at 20:21 Moscow time that contact was lost with an An-2 (tail number 71276) of the Fenix air company. There were six people aboard, including two crewmembers. The An-2 plane took off from the settlement of Kyren in Buryatia. Its flight route is unknown," the spokesman said.
A search operation in underway. According to preliminary data, the plane was used to spray chemicals over lands under crops. The application for a flight permit was not approved.


tass--2020-07-19--Reports about release of two Russians in Libya not confirmed by Russian foreign ministry

MOSCOW , July 19 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s foreign ministry has not confirmed reports about the release of two Russian nationals , Maksim Shugalei and Samer Hasan Ali Sueifan , employees of the Russian non-profit organization Foundation for National Values Protection who were detained in 2019 .
`` The Russian foreign ministry does not confirm this information , '' a ministry official told TASS on Sunday .
Al Hadath television channel said earlier in the day , citing its own sources , that the two Russians had arrived in Istanbul .
No further details were given .
Shigalei @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 2019 .
The Tripoli-based Attorney General ’ s Office has accused them of meddling in Libya ’ s domestic affairs and elections , and of conducting public activities in the country without permission from local authorities and security agencies .
Moreover , the Attorney General ’ s Office claims that the Russian men had gone to the locations they were barred from visiting .
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on July 18 that Russia had received written guarantees of the Libyan Government of National Accord that the issues of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon .

MOSCOW, July 19. /TASS/. Russia’s foreign ministry has not confirmed reports about the release of two Russian nationals, Maksim Shugalei and Samer Hasan Ali Sueifan, employees of the Russian non-profit organization Foundation for National Values Protection who were detained in 2019.
"The Russian foreign ministry does not confirm this information," a ministry official told TASS on Sunday.
Al Hadath television channel said earlier in the day, citing its own sources, that the two Russians had arrived in Istanbul. No further details were given.
Shigalei and Sueifan were detained in Libya in May 2019. The Tripoli-based Attorney General’s Office has accused them of meddling in Libya’s domestic affairs and elections, and of conducting public activities in the country without permission from local authorities and security agencies. Moreover, the Attorney General’s Office claims that the Russian men had gone to the locations they were barred from visiting.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on July 18 that Russia had received written guarantees of the Libyan Government of National Accord that the issues of the Russian nationals’ release would be resolved soon.


tass--2020-07-19--Tripoli-based government released two Russian nationals to Turkey - TV

CAIRO , July 19 .
/TASS/ .
Libya ’ s Tripoli-based Government of National Accord has released to Turkey two @ @ @ @ @ and Samer Hasan Ali Sueifan , employees of the Russian non-profit organization Foundation for National @ @ @ @ @ in 2019 , Al-Hadath television channel said on Sunday , citing its own sources .
@ @ @ @ @ Russian nationals arrived in Istanbul on Saturday .
No further details were given .
Shigalei @ @ @ @ @ Libya in May 2019 .
The Tripoli-based Attorney General ’ s Office has accused them @ @ @ @ @ s domestic affairs and elections , and of conducting public activities in the country without @ @ @ @ @ security agencies .
Moreover , the Attorney General ’ s Office claims that the Russian @ @ @ @ @ locations they were barred from visiting .
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on @ @ @ @ @ received written guarantees of the Libyan Government of National Accord that the issues of the @ @ @ @ @ be resolved soon .

CAIRO, July 19. /TASS/. Libya’s Tripoli-based Government of National Accord has released to Turkey two Russian nationals, Maksim Shugalei and Samer Hasan Ali Sueifan, employees of the Russian non-profit organization Foundation for National Values Protection who were detained in 2019, Al-Hadath television channel said on Sunday, citing its own sources.
According to Al-Hadath, the Russian nationals arrived in Istanbul on Saturday. No further details were given.
Shigalei and Sueifan were detained in Libya in May 2019. The Tripoli-based Attorney General’s Office has accused them of meddling in Libya’s domestic affairs and elections, and of conducting public activities in the country without permission from local authorities and security agencies. Moreover, the Attorney General’s Office claims that the Russian men had gone to the locations they were barred from visiting.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on July 18 that Russia had received written guarantees of the Libyan Government of National Accord that the issues of the Russian nationals’ release would be resolved soon.


tass--2020-07-19--15 more coronavirus patients die in Moscow in past day - crisis center

MOSCOW , July19 .
/TASS/ .
Fifteen more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day , with the @ @ @ @ @ 4,300 the city ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Sunday .
`` Fifteen coronavirus-positive @ @ @ @ @ died in Moscow , '' it said , adding the overall number of coronavirus-related deaths @ @ @ @ @ .
In all , Moscow has more than 233,500 confirmed coronavirus cases .
A total @ @ @ @ @ .
To date , 771,546 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 550,344 @ @ @ @ @ disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 12,342 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the @ @ @ @ @ Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, July19. /TASS/. Fifteen more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day, with the overall number of fatalities exceeding 4,300 the city’s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Sunday.
"Fifteen coronavirus-positive patients diagnosed with pneumonia have died in Moscow," it said, adding the overall number of coronavirus-related deaths in Moscow has reached 4,314.
In all, Moscow has more than 233,500 confirmed coronavirus cases. A total of 170,539 patients have recovered.
To date, 771,546 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 550,344 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 12,342 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-07-19--Lukashenko’s spokeswoman refutes allegations about his health problems

MINSK , July 19 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian president ’ s press secretary Natalia Eismont has refuted medial allegations that Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has health problems .
`` ’ Don ’ t count on it , ’ Eismot told Ekho ( Ekho Moskvy , or Moscow ’ s Echo , radio station - TASS ) .
It is a response to the echo of media allegation about the leader ’ s ( Alexander Lukashenko - TASS ) health , '' as follows from a Telegram post on the Pul Pervogo channel close to the press service of the Belarusian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that much about the president ’ s health .
Take care of your own health as well , '' the message says .
Eismont has not yet answered a TASS question about the president ’ s health .
A number of Telegram channels reported on Sunday that the Belarusian president had been taken to hospital with a high blood pressure bout .
According to these reports , health problems allegedly appeared on Friday night , after Lukashenko ’ s meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin , who attended a meeting of the @ @ @ @

MINSK, July 19. /TASS/. Belarusian president’s press secretary Natalia Eismont has refuted medial allegations that Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has health problems.
"’Don’t count on it,’ Eismot told Ekho (Ekho Moskvy, or Moscow’s Echo, radio station - TASS). It is a response to the echo of media allegation about the leader’s (Alexander Lukashenko - TASS) health," as follows from a Telegram post on the Pul Pervogo channel close to the press service of the Belarusian leader.
"Thank you for caring that much about the president’s health. Take care of your own health as well," the message says.
Eismont has not yet answered a TASS question about the president’s health.
A number of Telegram channels reported on Sunday that the Belarusian president had been taken to hospital with a high blood pressure bout. According to these reports, health problems allegedly appeared on Friday night, after Lukashenko’s meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, who attended a meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council.


tass--2020-07-19--Rostselmash’s ex-director wounded, his sister killed in robbery attack on their house

ROSTOV-ON-DON , July 19 .
/TASS/ .
Former director of Rostselmash , Russia ’ s leading agricultural machinery manufacturer , Yuri Peskov has been wounded and his sister has been killed in a robbery attack on their house in Russia ’ s southern Rostov region , a source in the local law enforcement agencies told TASS on Sunday .
`` A robbery attack was committed on Sunday on the house of Rostselmash former director Yuri Peskov .
Along with Peskov , his sister was in the house at the moment of the attack .
She was killed .
Peskov was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
According to medics of the hospital Peskov was taken to , the man has a head injury and is satisfactory condition .
A criminal case was opened .
According to investigators , the body of a 80-year-old woman with the signs of death through violence was found in a house in the village of Novomargaritovo .
The house ’ s 83-year-old owner with head and body injuries was also found inside the house .
The man was taken to hospital .
Yuri Peskov was Rostselmash ’ s director for about 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also worked as Deputy Minister of Tractor and Agricultural Machinery Building of the former Soviet Union .
He told the title of Hero of Socialist Labor .
Now he is on retirement benefit and lives in a village on the Azov Sea coast , some 100 kilometers of Rostov-on-Don .

ROSTOV-ON-DON, July 19. /TASS/. Former director of Rostselmash, Russia’s leading agricultural machinery manufacturer, Yuri Peskov has been wounded and his sister has been killed in a robbery attack on their house in Russia’s southern Rostov region, a source in the local law enforcement agencies told TASS on Sunday.
"A robbery attack was committed on Sunday on the house of Rostselmash former director Yuri Peskov. Along with Peskov, his sister was in the house at the moment of the attack. She was killed. Peskov was taken to hospital," the source said.
According to medics of the hospital Peskov was taken to, the man has a head injury and is satisfactory condition.
A criminal case was opened. According to investigators, the body of a 80-year-old woman with the signs of death through violence was found in a house in the village of Novomargaritovo. The house’s 83-year-old owner with head and body injuries was also found inside the house. The man was taken to hospital.
Yuri Peskov was Rostselmash’s director for about 20 years, starting from 1978. He also worked as Deputy Minister of Tractor and Agricultural Machinery Building of the former Soviet Union. He told the title of Hero of Socialist Labor. Now he is on retirement benefit and lives in a village on the Azov Sea coast, some 100 kilometers of Rostov-on-Don.


tass--2020-07-19--Voting at Syria’s parliamentary elections extended for four hours

TASS , June 19 .
Voting at Sunday ’ s parliamentary elections in Syria has been extended for four hours @ @ @ @ @ , citing Syria ’ s Higher Judicial Committee for Elections ( HJCE ) .
According @ @ @ @ @ has been extended until 23:00 local time as too many people are coming to polling @ @ @ @ @ .
HJCE chairman , Samer Zemreik , said earlier that the voting proceeded without violations @ @ @ @ @ the flow of voters at polling stations had visibly increased in the second half of @ @ @ @ @ was looking at extending the voting time .
A total of 7,277 polling stations opened @ @ @ @ @ the morning .
As many as 18.7 million Syrians older than 18 enjoy the right @ @ @ @ @ of 1,656 candidates , including 200 women , are vying for 250 seats in the @ @ @ @ @ s Council .

TASS, June 19. Voting at Sunday’s parliamentary elections in Syria has been extended for four hours, SANA News Agency reported, citing Syria’s Higher Judicial Committee for Elections (HJCE).
According to the HJCE, voting has been extended until 23:00 local time as too many people are coming to polling stations to cast their votes.
HJCE chairman, Samer Zemreik, said earlier that the voting proceeded without violations. He also said that the flow of voters at polling stations had visibly increased in the second half of the day and the committee was looking at extending the voting time.
A total of 7,277 polling stations opened for voter at seven in the morning. As many as 18.7 million Syrians older than 18 enjoy the right to vote. A total of 1,656 candidates, including 200 women, are vying for 250 seats in the Syrian parliament, People’s Council.


tass--2020-07-19--Ankara, Baku slam media rumors of Turkey redeploying mercenaries from Syria to Azerbaijan

TASS , July 19 .
Media reports about Turkey sending Syrian armed opposition militants to Azerbaijan are utter falsehoods , @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday , commenting on reports from the Firat Kurdish news agency .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ reality , '' he insisted .
An official Azerbaijani spokesperson also refuted these allegations , @ @ @ @ @ false information and fake . ''
The Firat News Agency reported earlier that Turkey was @ @ @ @ @ of the Free Syrian Army to Azerbaijan .
No official statements on this matter were @ @ @

TASS, July 19. Media reports about Turkey sending Syrian armed opposition militants to Azerbaijan are utter falsehoods, a Turkish official told TASS on Sunday, commenting on reports from the Firat Kurdish news agency.
"It has nothing to do with reality," he insisted.
An official Azerbaijani spokesperson also refuted these allegations, telling TASS it was "false information and fake."
The Firat News Agency reported earlier that Turkey was allegedly looking at sending units of the Free Syrian Army to Azerbaijan. No official statements on this matter were cited however.


tass--2020-07-19--Key suspect in Russian newborn trade case staying in Prague - attorney

MOSCOW , July 19 .
/TASS/ .
The key suspect in a criminal case into trafficking children born by surrogate mothers , lawyer Konstantin Svitnev , is currently staying in Prague and is ready to return to Russia as soon as international air service is resumed , attorney Igor Trunov , who represents the suspects , told TASS on Sunday .
`` Svitnev has confirmed that he is in Prague .
He is ready to come to Russia , '' Trunov said , adding that Svitnev had `` received no summons from the Investigative Committee '' after a conversation with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` He told me he can not come to Russia because of the quarantine , with air service with Russia being still suspended , '' Trumov said .
`` On Monday , we will ask the investigators to show a writ on putting Svitnev on the wanted list and on charges brought against him . ''
Svitnev , in turn , also said he had received no summons from the Russian Investigative Committee .
`` No one has contacted me personally .
The situation looks strange to me .
Over the six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one has ever bothered to speak to me , to invite me for an interview , at least to issue a summons , '' he told the Govorit Moskva radio station .
`` I am not hiding .
I am in Prague .
I plan to return to Moscow as soon as air service is resumed '' .
A source in law enforcement agencies told TASS earlier the Russian Investigative Committee had put Svitnev on the federal wanted list and brought charges against him in absentia .
Moscow ’ s Basmanny district court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case into trafficking infants born by surrogate mothers .
The key suspect was put on the federal wanted list .
Among those arrested besides doctors is a translator and a director general of a surrogacy center .
A criminal case was opened in January by the Odintsovo Investigative department in the Moscow Region on charges of inflicting death by negligence ( part 1 , article 109 of the Russian Criminal Code ) and human trafficking ( clauses of part 2 , article 127.1 of the Criminal Code ) .
The case was opened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been found in one of the apartments in the Vniissok locality .
Later , charges under article 127.1 of the Criminal Code were changed to graver ones , and the case was transferred to the central office of the Russian Investigative Committee .
The suspects in the case were detained the day before and their places of residence were searched .
They are accused of child trafficking .
According to preliminary data , a boy born by a surrogate mother in December of 2019 was under the nanny ’ s care in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also born by surrogate mothers , were held .
Investigators believe the newborns were staying there while their biological parents , foreign citizens , were taking care of the necessary paperwork , including documents required to take the children outside Russia .
The investigators and forensic specialists in the course of the investigation searched the apartment , questioned the building ’ s residents , the directors and the manager of the surrogate motherhood law firm .
Preliminary expert findings showed that the baby had died from the sudden infant death syndrome .
All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrogate motherhood contracts , were subpoenaed from the law firm which specialized in surrogate motherhood programs .
The three newborns found at the apartment were taken to the children ’ s city hospital .
Apart from that , checks were organized in local law enforcement and child protection agencies on charges of improper performance of duties .

MOSCOW, July 19. /TASS/. The key suspect in a criminal case into trafficking children born by surrogate mothers, lawyer Konstantin Svitnev, is currently staying in Prague and is ready to return to Russia as soon as international air service is resumed, attorney Igor Trunov, who represents the suspects, told TASS on Sunday.
"Svitnev has confirmed that he is in Prague. He is ready to come to Russia," Trunov said, adding that Svitnev had "received no summons from the Investigative Committee" after a conversation with the investigators in charge of the case.
"He told me he cannot come to Russia because of the quarantine, with air service with Russia being still suspended," Trumov said. "On Monday, we will ask the investigators to show a writ on putting Svitnev on the wanted list and on charges brought against him."
Svitnev, in turn, also said he had received no summons from the Russian Investigative Committee. "No one has contacted me personally. The situation looks strange to me. Over the six months of the so-called investigation, no one has ever bothered to speak to me, to invite me for an interview, at least to issue a summons," he told the Govorit Moskva radio station. "I am not hiding. I am in Prague. I plan to return to Moscow as soon as air service is resumed".
A source in law enforcement agencies told TASS earlier the Russian Investigative Committee had put Svitnev on the federal wanted list and brought charges against him in absentia.
Moscow’s Basmanny district court last week arrested seven suspects in a case into trafficking infants born by surrogate mothers. The key suspect was put on the federal wanted list. Among those arrested besides doctors is a translator and a director general of a surrogacy center.
A criminal case was opened in January by the Odintsovo Investigative department in the Moscow Region on charges of inflicting death by negligence (part 1, article 109 of the Russian Criminal Code) and human trafficking (clauses of part 2, article 127.1 of the Criminal Code). The case was opened after a body of a newborn boy had been found in one of the apartments in the Vniissok locality. Later, charges under article 127.1 of the Criminal Code were changed to graver ones, and the case was transferred to the central office of the Russian Investigative Committee. The suspects in the case were detained the day before and their places of residence were searched. They are accused of child trafficking.
According to preliminary data, a boy born by a surrogate mother in December of 2019 was under the nanny’s care in the apartment where three more infants, also born by surrogate mothers, were held. Investigators believe the newborns were staying there while their biological parents, foreign citizens, were taking care of the necessary paperwork, including documents required to take the children outside Russia. The investigators and forensic specialists in the course of the investigation searched the apartment, questioned the building’s residents, the directors and the manager of the surrogate motherhood law firm.
Preliminary expert findings showed that the baby had died from the sudden infant death syndrome. All the relevant documents, including licenses and surrogate motherhood contracts, were subpoenaed from the law firm which specialized in surrogate motherhood programs. The three newborns found at the apartment were taken to the children’s city hospital.
Apart from that, checks were organized in local law enforcement and child protection agencies on charges of improper performance of duties.


tass--2020-07-19--Two missiles hit area near US embassy in central Baghdad - TV

MOSCOW , July 19 .
/TASS/ .
Two missiles hit Baghdad ’ s Green Zone , near the US embassy @ @ @ @ @ Sumaria television channel reported on Thursday .
One more missile fired at central Baghdad exploded @ @ @ @ @ Green Zone , Al Sumaria said citing a source in the Iraqi security agencies .
@ @ @ @ @ it was impossible to spot the site where the missiles had been fired from .
@ @ @ @ @ damages were immediately available .
According to the television channel , the missile attack was @ @ @ @ @ Mohammad Javad Zarif was visiting the Iraqi capital .
At the very moment of the @ @ @ @ @ diplomat was finishing a series of talks with the Iraqi top officials in the Green @ @ @ @ @ , or the International Zone , is a heavy guarded diplomatic and government area in @ @

MOSCOW, July 19. /TASS/. Two missiles hit Baghdad’s Green Zone, near the US embassy, Iraq’s Al Sumaria television channel reported on Thursday.
One more missile fired at central Baghdad exploded in another quarter of the Green Zone, Al Sumaria said citing a source in the Iraqi security agencies. According to the source, it was impossible to spot the site where the missiles had been fired from.
No data about casualties or damages were immediately available.
According to the television channel, the missile attack was staged when Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was visiting the Iraqi capital. At the very moment of the attack, the Iranian top diplomat was finishing a series of talks with the Iraqi top officials in the Green Zone.
The Green Zone, or the International Zone, is a heavy guarded diplomatic and government area in Baghdad.


tass--2020-07-19--Russian envoy wishes UK to remain UN Security Council member forever

LONDON , July 19 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Ambassador to the United Kingdom Andrei Kelin wished in an interview with the BBC ’ s Andrew Marr Show that the UK should remain a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council forever .
In the interview , the Russian diplomat laughed at the claims that Moscow has been secretly seeking the UK ’ s withdrawal from the UN Security Council .
According to Marr , the Conservative Party and the British government feel that Russia `` is enthusiastic about breaking up the UK and if that happened of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the UN Security Council .
`` Interesting idea , very frankly , '' Kelin joked answering this question .
`` First , I don ’ t believe that Scotland will withdraw from the United Kingdom because as I understand for Scotland it will be very uneasy to live being separate from the UK .
Second , it is just a guess that Britain will lose its permanent seat in the Security Council , '' Kelin said , explaining that Russia did not lose its seat after the Soviet Union collapsed .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member of the Security Council forever .

LONDON, July 19. /TASS/. Russia’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom Andrei Kelin wished in an interview with the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show that the UK should remain a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council forever.
In the interview, the Russian diplomat laughed at the claims that Moscow has been secretly seeking the UK’s withdrawal from the UN Security Council.
According to Marr, the Conservative Party and the British government feel that Russia "is enthusiastic about breaking up the UK and if that happened of course Britain would lose her permanent seat on the UN Security Council. "Interesting idea, very frankly," Kelin joked answering this question.
"First, I don’t believe that Scotland will withdraw from the United Kingdom because as I understand for Scotland it will be very uneasy to live being separate from the UK. Second, it is just a guess that Britain will lose its permanent seat in the Security Council," Kelin said, explaining that Russia did not lose its seat after the Soviet Union collapsed.
The diplomat wished the UK to remain a member of the Security Council forever.


tass--2020-07-19--Russia still faces risk of increasing COVID-19 cases, expert warns

MOSCOW , July 19 .
/TASS/ .
There is still danger that Russia could see a rise in coronavirus cases and the achieved success needs to be confirmed by vaccinating citizens , Director of the Gamalei National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology Alexander Gintsburg told TASS .
`` Nearly every day Director of the World Health Organization [ Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus ] tells us that the world is only facing a rise in cases and the peak in disease has not passed in the globe < ... > .
Just a dozen of asymptomatic patients are enough to appear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Gintsburg said .
According to Gintsburg , now there are much fewer cases and there is no peak in Russia .
`` But we are still dissatisfied with this situation when there are new infections and lethal cases .
In the neighboring republics < ... > everything is only beginning , '' he noted .
It ’ s important to confirm the achieved success in the anti-coronavirus fight with vaccinating citizens , Gintsburg said .
`` We should immediately confirm the success that we achieved by huge efforts as a result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Speaking on whether the resumption of international flights could affect the coronavirus situation in Russia , the scientist noted that the government was taking all necessary measures to avoid any deterioration .
The countries ’ authorities find themselves in a challenging situation and seek to avoid measures , which would bring the economy to a standstill .
They understand that in this situation people would be hurt more than by any COVID-19 , he said .
There is the need to find a balance when the economy will work and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the scientist explained .
`` All the time they think some steps ahead flights to which country will be allowed and to which will be banned…This will continue until the majority [ of citizens ] develops an immunity .
Then everyone will breathe again and forget about this discomfort , '' Gintsburg said .

MOSCOW, July 19. /TASS/. There is still danger that Russia could see a rise in coronavirus cases and the achieved success needs to be confirmed by vaccinating citizens, Director of the Gamalei National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology Alexander Gintsburg told TASS.
"Nearly every day Director of the World Health Organization [Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus] tells us that the world is only facing a rise in cases and the peak in disease has not passed in the globe <...>. Just a dozen of asymptomatic patients are enough to appear and spoil the entire epidemiological situation," Gintsburg said.
According to Gintsburg, now there are much fewer cases and there is no peak in Russia. "But we are still dissatisfied with this situation when there are new infections and lethal cases. In the neighboring republics <...> everything is only beginning," he noted.
It’s important to confirm the achieved success in the anti-coronavirus fight with vaccinating citizens, Gintsburg said. "We should immediately confirm the success that we achieved by huge efforts as a result of quarantine measures by vaccination," he said.
Speaking on whether the resumption of international flights could affect the coronavirus situation in Russia, the scientist noted that the government was taking all necessary measures to avoid any deterioration. The countries’ authorities find themselves in a challenging situation and seek to avoid measures, which would bring the economy to a standstill. They understand that in this situation people would be hurt more than by any COVID-19, he said.
There is the need to find a balance when the economy will work and a new peak in cases will be prevented, the scientist explained. "All the time they think some steps ahead flights to which country will be allowed and to which will be banned…This will continue until the majority [of citizens] develops an immunity. Then everyone will breathe again and forget about this discomfort," Gintsburg said.


tass--2020-07-19--More than 50 Russian doctors to arrive in Kyrgyzstan to treat COVID-19 patients

BISHKEK , July 19 .
/TASS/ .
A group of Russian doctors will arrive in Kyrgyzstan to help colleagues treat coronavirus patients , the Central Asian republic ’ s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday .
`` A crew consisting of 51 medical personnel from Russia ’ s Bashkortostan Republic has been created for work in Kyrgyzstan ’ s medical facilities and for consultative assistance , '' the ministry said in a statement .
The group is scheduled to arrive in the republic on July 22 .
The agreement on providing assistance to Kyrgyzstan was reached earlier by Russian President Vladimir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On July 3 , a delegation of Russia ’ s sanitary watchdog , the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing , arrived in Bishkek , which `` examined the current epidemiological situation '' in the republic and `` provided practical assistance in combating the COVID-19 spread . ''
Under an agreement between the Russian and Kyrgyz governments , the Russian Emergencies Ministry will soon send humanitarian assistance to the Central Asian republic .
Besides , as part of interregional cooperation with Russia ’ s North Caucasus republic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive humanitarian assistance , namely medication and individual protection gear .
Since the start of the pandemic , Russia has supplied to the republic kits for carrying out 110,000 COVID-19 tests and medication , medical equipment and individual protection gear .
Kyrgyzstan has registered a total of 25,047 cases of COVID-19 and community-acquired pneumonia , which the republic considers as complication after the infection .
The death toll has hit 858 .
More than 2,000 medical personnel are among those ill .
Lately , more than 1,000 new cases of infection and over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Despite the worsening situation , Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov rejected the plans on introducing new restrictions in the republic .
According to Prime Minister Kubatbek Boronov , tough restrictions would deal a heavy blow to the republic ’ s economy .

BISHKEK, July 19. /TASS/. A group of Russian doctors will arrive in Kyrgyzstan to help colleagues treat coronavirus patients, the Central Asian republic’s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday.
"A crew consisting of 51 medical personnel from Russia’s Bashkortostan Republic has been created for work in Kyrgyzstan’s medical facilities and for consultative assistance," the ministry said in a statement.
The group is scheduled to arrive in the republic on July 22. The agreement on providing assistance to Kyrgyzstan was reached earlier by Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Kyrgyz counterpart Sooronbay Jeenbekov.
On July 3, a delegation of Russia’s sanitary watchdog, the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, arrived in Bishkek, which "examined the current epidemiological situation" in the republic and "provided practical assistance in combating the COVID-19 spread."
Under an agreement between the Russian and Kyrgyz governments, the Russian Emergencies Ministry will soon send humanitarian assistance to the Central Asian republic. Besides, as part of interregional cooperation with Russia’s North Caucasus republic of Chechnya, Kyrgyzstan is expected to receive humanitarian assistance, namely medication and individual protection gear.
Since the start of the pandemic, Russia has supplied to the republic kits for carrying out 110,000 COVID-19 tests and medication, medical equipment and individual protection gear.
Kyrgyzstan has registered a total of 25,047 cases of COVID-19 and community-acquired pneumonia, which the republic considers as complication after the infection. The death toll has hit 858. More than 2,000 medical personnel are among those ill. Lately, more than 1,000 new cases of infection and over 50 fatalities are registered every day.
Despite the worsening situation, Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov rejected the plans on introducing new restrictions in the republic. According to Prime Minister Kubatbek Boronov, tough restrictions would deal a heavy blow to the republic’s economy.


tass--2020-07-19--Key suspect in Russian baby trafficking case put on wanted list

MOSCOW , July 19 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Investigative Committee put on a wanted list a key suspect in a criminal case into trafficking children born by surrogate mothers , a source in the law enforcement agencies told TASS .
The suspect , lawyer Konstantin Svitnev , has been charged in absentia over human trafficking , resulting in inflicting death by negligence , causing serious damage to health or other serious consequences as part of an organized group .
`` Soon , the investigators will put him on an international wanted list , '' the source said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , representing the suspects , told TASS that his client Svitnev was an attorney of an international level in the field of reproduction technologies and had been dealing with this issue for 25 years .
The lawyers also seek the return of four children , who had been illegally detained as part of the case .
`` The children were made hostages of the criminal case into trafficking children , '' the lawyer explained .
Last week , Moscow ’ s Basmanny court arrested seven suspects in a case into trafficking infants born @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was placed under house arrest .
Among those arrested besides doctors is a translator and a director general of a surrogacy center .
A criminal case was opened this January by the Odintsovo Investigative department in the Moscow Region under Part 1 , Article 109 of the Russian Criminal Code ( inflicting death by negligence ) and the clauses of Part 2 , Article 127.1 of the Criminal Code ( human trafficking ) .
It was opened after the discovery of a body of a newborn boy in one of the apartments in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 127.1 of the Criminal Code was changed to a graver one , and the case was transferred to the central office of the Russian Investigative Committee .
The suspects in the case were detained the day before with searches conducted at their house .
They are accused of several counts of child trafficking .
According to preliminary data , a boy born by a surrogate mother in December of 2019 was under the nanny ’ s care in the apartment where three more infants , also born by surrogate mothers , resided .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ until their biological parents , foreign citizens , were taking care of the necessary paperwork , including documents required to transport the children abroad .
The investigators and forensic specialists in the course of the investigation searched the apartment , questioned the building ’ s residents , the directors and the manager of the law firm on the issues of surrogate motherhood .
Preliminary expert findings showed the cause of newborn ’ s death was the sudden infant death syndrome .
All the necessary paperwork was subpoenaed from the law firm which specialized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appropriate licenses and surrogate motherhood contracts .
The three newborns found at the apartment were taken to the children ’ s city hospital .

MOSCOW, July 19. /TASS/. Russia’s Investigative Committee put on a wanted list a key suspect in a criminal case into trafficking children born by surrogate mothers, a source in the law enforcement agencies told TASS.
The suspect, lawyer Konstantin Svitnev, has been charged in absentia over human trafficking, resulting in inflicting death by negligence, causing serious damage to health or other serious consequences as part of an organized group.
"Soon, the investigators will put him on an international wanted list," the source said.
In his turn, lawyer Igor Trunov, representing the suspects, told TASS that his client Svitnev was an attorney of an international level in the field of reproduction technologies and had been dealing with this issue for 25 years. The lawyers also seek the return of four children, who had been illegally detained as part of the case. "The children were made hostages of the criminal case into trafficking children," the lawyer explained.
Last week, Moscow’s Basmanny court arrested seven suspects in a case into trafficking infants born by surrogate mothers. One of them was placed under house arrest. Among those arrested besides doctors is a translator and a director general of a surrogacy center.
A criminal case was opened this January by the Odintsovo Investigative department in the Moscow Region under Part 1, Article 109 of the Russian Criminal Code (inflicting death by negligence) and the clauses of Part 2, Article 127.1 of the Criminal Code (human trafficking). It was opened after the discovery of a body of a newborn boy in one of the apartments in the Vniissok locality. Later the Article 127.1 of the Criminal Code was changed to a graver one, and the case was transferred to the central office of the Russian Investigative Committee. The suspects in the case were detained the day before with searches conducted at their house. They are accused of several counts of child trafficking.
According to preliminary data, a boy born by a surrogate mother in December of 2019 was under the nanny’s care in the apartment where three more infants, also born by surrogate mothers, resided. Investigators believe the newborns were staying there until their biological parents, foreign citizens, were taking care of the necessary paperwork, including documents required to transport the children abroad. The investigators and forensic specialists in the course of the investigation searched the apartment, questioned the building’s residents, the directors and the manager of the law firm on the issues of surrogate motherhood.
Preliminary expert findings showed the cause of newborn’s death was the sudden infant death syndrome. All the necessary paperwork was subpoenaed from the law firm which specialized in surrogate motherhood program, including the appropriate licenses and surrogate motherhood contracts. The three newborns found at the apartment were taken to the children’s city hospital.