tass--2020-07-22--Hainan authorities report inflation at 4.6% over six months

HAIKOU , July 22 .
/TASS/ .
Hainan 's consumer price index ( CPI , inflation ) grew by 4.6 % year on year , down by 1.2 percentage points from the first quarter , reported the regional statistical office .
According to deputy head of the department Wang Yu , at the same time there was an increase in local budget expenditures in order to implement measures to stimulate the economy .
Thus , the growth of allocations for the development of forestry and agriculture in six months amounted to 17 % , the service sector - almost 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16 % , for the needs of social security and employment - about 2 % .
`` Over the six months , the Hainan authorities have introduced a number of comprehensive measures to stabilize prices , '' said Zheng Lu , an inspector at the statistical office .
`` The CPI growth was seen mainly due to the rise in food prices , but inflation slowed down after the first quarter . ''
According to the official , prices for petroleum products , which decreased due to a drop in demand for hydrocarbons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant restraining effect on inflation in the province : gasoline and diesel fuel prices on the island dropped by 16.2 % and 13.3 % in January-June , liquefied natural gas — by 3.2 % .
According to Chinese economists , inflation on Hainan is maintained `` at a rational level , when consumer demand and business growth compensate for the rise in prices . ''
According to statistics , the CPI index in 2017-2019 amounted to 2.8 % , 2.5 % and 3.4 % , respectively .
According to experts , this indicates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gradual increase in the competitiveness of products and services of regional companies .

HAIKOU, July 22. /TASS/. Hainan's consumer price index (CPI, inflation) grew by 4.6% year on year, down by 1.2 percentage points from the first quarter, reported the regional statistical office.
According to deputy head of the department Wang Yu, at the same time there was an increase in local budget expenditures in order to implement measures to stimulate the economy. Thus, the growth of allocations for the development of forestry and agriculture in six months amounted to 17%, the service sector - almost 10%, for the environment - about 16%, for the needs of social security and employment - about 2%.
"Over the six months, the Hainan authorities have introduced a number of comprehensive measures to stabilize prices," said Zheng Lu, an inspector at the statistical office. "The CPI growth was seen mainly due to the rise in food prices, but inflation slowed down after the first quarter."
According to the official, prices for petroleum products, which decreased due to a drop in demand for hydrocarbons on the international market, had a significant restraining effect on inflation in the province: gasoline and diesel fuel prices on the island dropped by 16.2% and 13.3% in January-June, liquefied natural gas — by 3.2%.
According to Chinese economists, inflation on Hainan is maintained "at a rational level, when consumer demand and business growth compensate for the rise in prices." According to statistics, the CPI index in 2017-2019 amounted to 2.8%, 2.5% and 3.4%, respectively. According to experts, this indicates market stability, as well as a gradual increase in the competitiveness of products and services of regional companies.


tass--2020-07-22--Hainan introduces total control system of wastewater at medical facilities — media

HAIKOU , July 22 .
/TASS/ .
The Haikou authorities have introduced a system of `` total monitoring '' of wastewater in all local medical institutions , reported the Haikou Daily newspaper .
According to the newspaper , a set of relevant measures was recently approved at a meeting of representatives of the leadership of the health committees of all Haikou districts .
`` Such a mechanism for monitoring the quality of water resources on Hainan began to operate on the island for the first time , '' a spokesman for the city 's office for environmental protection told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new standards , the government has organized special training for persons who will be responsible for the monitoring .
Their task is to ensure the safety of wastewater treatment , which , as noted , pose certain epidemiological risks .
In total , the innovation affected one thousand medical institutions .
Earlier , the authorities said that the Chinese wastewater treatment plants are capable of processing over 6,200 tonnes of water used in hospitals daily .
This is by 27 % more than in January , when the spread of the novel coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no outbreaks of any infection on Hainan , the province plans to continually improve the effectiveness of measures to ensure high standards of healthcare .
According to plan for the water supply network , by 2035 , the Hainan administration will completely solve the problem of water resources shortage and complete the formation of a system for their effective redistribution and purification .
The authorities plan to completely modernize the island 's unified water supply network , where the area of artificial irrigation will exceed 5,300 square kilometers .

HAIKOU, July 22. /TASS/. The Haikou authorities have introduced a system of "total monitoring" of wastewater in all local medical institutions, reported the Haikou Daily newspaper.
According to the newspaper, a set of relevant measures was recently approved at a meeting of representatives of the leadership of the health committees of all Haikou districts. "Such a mechanism for monitoring the quality of water resources on Hainan began to operate on the island for the first time," a spokesman for the city's office for environmental protection told the media.
In order to implement the new standards, the government has organized special training for persons who will be responsible for the monitoring. Their task is to ensure the safety of wastewater treatment, which, as noted, pose certain epidemiological risks. In total, the innovation affected one thousand medical institutions.
Earlier, the authorities said that the Chinese wastewater treatment plants are capable of processing over 6,200 tonnes of water used in hospitals daily. This is by 27% more than in January, when the spread of the novel coronavirus began in China. Although there are no outbreaks of any infection on Hainan, the province plans to continually improve the effectiveness of measures to ensure high standards of healthcare.
According to plan for the water supply network, by 2035, the Hainan administration will completely solve the problem of water resources shortage and complete the formation of a system for their effective redistribution and purification. The authorities plan to completely modernize the island's unified water supply network, where the area of artificial irrigation will exceed 5,300 square kilometers.


tass--2020-07-23--No preconditions for second COVID-19 wave in Russia yet, PM says

MOSCOW , July 23 .
/TASS/ .
Experts haven ’ t observed yet any preconditions for the second wave of @ @ @ @ @ , Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said in an interview with the Russia-24 TV channel @ @ @ @ @ whether there will be a second wave ] can be answered by the scientists if @ @ @ @ @ this .
So far our experts and researchers do not observe such factors .
So @ @ @ @ @ if we follow the recommendations of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection @ @ @ @ @ the doctors , then the second wave won ’ t happen , '' the prime @ @ @ @ @ minister noted that currently a massive decrease in the coronavirus incidence is registered in the @ @ @ @ @ it is approximately 0.2-0.3 % , nationwide it is a bit less than 1 % @ @ @ @ @ the virus is decreasing as well as its virulence , '' he added .

MOSCOW, July 23. /TASS/. Experts haven’t observed yet any preconditions for the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic in Russia, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said in an interview with the Russia-24 TV channel.
"This question [whether there will be a second wave] can be answered by the scientists if they register any preconditions for this. So far our experts and researchers do not observe such factors. So let’s hope that if we follow the recommendations of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing and of the doctors, then the second wave won’t happen," the prime minister said.
The prime minister noted that currently a massive decrease in the coronavirus incidence is registered in the country. "In Moscow it is approximately 0.2-0.3%, nationwide it is a bit less than 1%. But the spread of the virus is decreasing as well as its virulence," he added.


tass--2020-07-23--Kremlin says multi-day voting proves effective

MOSCOE , July 23 .
/TASS/ .
Multi-day voting has proved effective , Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said , commenting on a bill introducing multi-day voting in elections and referendums , which had been passed by the State Duma ( the lower house of parliament ) .
`` There are some who are negative about it [ the bill - TASS ] but there also are those who support this practice , particularly because it has proved effective , '' Peskov pointed out .
When asked to comment on the removal of the results of a poll on multi-day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s social media accounts , '' Peskov said : `` We have seen media reports on the matter but we don ’ t have any details of the poll . ''
Central Election Commission Chairperson Ella Pamfilova said earlier that polls on multi-day voting did not reflect the actual situation `` because it is a competition between bots , and the winners are those who have more bots . ''
The State Duma earlier passed the third reading of a bill amending election laws , which particularly says that voting in elections and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the document , election commissions have the right to make a decision on the matter within ten days following the announcement of elections .
A multi-day voting process will not involve early and absentee voting though voters will have the opportunity to cast their ballots in residential areas outside of temporary polling stations .

MOSCOE, July 23. /TASS/. Multi-day voting has proved effective, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, commenting on a bill introducing multi-day voting in elections and referendums, which had been passed by the State Duma (the lower house of parliament).
"There are some who are negative about it [the bill - TASS] but there also are those who support this practice, particularly because it has proved effective," Peskov pointed out.
When asked to comment on the removal of the results of a poll on multi-day voting from the Central Election Commission’s social media accounts," Peskov said: "We have seen media reports on the matter but we don’t have any details of the poll."
Central Election Commission Chairperson Ella Pamfilova said earlier that polls on multi-day voting did not reflect the actual situation "because it is a competition between bots, and the winners are those who have more bots."
The State Duma earlier passed the third reading of a bill amending election laws, which particularly says that voting in elections and referendums can last up to three days. According to the document, election commissions have the right to make a decision on the matter within ten days following the announcement of elections. A multi-day voting process will not involve early and absentee voting though voters will have the opportunity to cast their ballots in residential areas outside of temporary polling stations.


tass--2020-07-23--Two Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bombers perform air patrol over Black Sea

MOSCOW , July 23 .
/TASS/ .
Two Tupolev Tu-22M3 bombers carried out an air patrol over the Black Sea , Russia ’ s Defense Ministry reported on Thursday .
`` Two Tu-22M3 long-range bombers of the Aerospace Force carried out a scheduled flight in the airspace over the neutral waters of the Black Sea , '' the ministry said in a statement .
At some sections of the route , `` the long-range aircraft were escorted by Romanian Air Force MiG-21 planes , '' the statement says .
The flight of the Russian Tu-22M3 bombers lasted more than five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of about 4,500 kilometers , the ministry specified .
The pilots of Russian long-range aircraft regular perform flights over the neutral waters of the Arctic , the Northern Atlantic , the Pacific Ocean and the Black and Baltic Seas , the ministry said .
The aircraft of Russia ’ s Aerospace Force perform all their flights in strict compliance with the international rules of using the airspace , the Defense Ministry of Russia stressed .
The Ukrainian-US exercise Sea Breeze-2020 kicked off in the Black Sea on July 20 .
The exercise involves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including over 20 ships , and also aircraft and helicopters .
Apart from Ukraine and the United States , the forces from Bulgaria , Georgia , Norway , France , Romania , Span and Turkey will participate in the exercise Sea Breeze-2020 that will involve the US Navy guided missile destroyer Porter and P-8 Poseidon anti-submarine warfare patrol plane , and also ships of NATO ’ s standing maritime group .
The active phase of the drills is running in the north-western part of the Black Sea .
Russia ’ s Defense Ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sea Fleet was monitoring ships and aircraft of the NATO allied naval forces involved in the Sea Breeze-2020 exercise .

MOSCOW, July 23. /TASS/. Two Tupolev Tu-22M3 bombers carried out an air patrol over the Black Sea, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on Thursday.
"Two Tu-22M3 long-range bombers of the Aerospace Force carried out a scheduled flight in the airspace over the neutral waters of the Black Sea," the ministry said in a statement.
At some sections of the route, "the long-range aircraft were escorted by Romanian Air Force MiG-21 planes," the statement says.
The flight of the Russian Tu-22M3 bombers lasted more than five hours and the aircraft covered a distance of about 4,500 kilometers, the ministry specified.
The pilots of Russian long-range aircraft regular perform flights over the neutral waters of the Arctic, the Northern Atlantic, the Pacific Ocean and the Black and Baltic Seas, the ministry said.
The aircraft of Russia’s Aerospace Force perform all their flights in strict compliance with the international rules of using the airspace, the Defense Ministry of Russia stressed.
Ukrainian-US drills in the Black Sea
The Ukrainian-US exercise Sea Breeze-2020 kicked off in the Black Sea on July 20. The exercise involves about 2,000 personnel from nine countries, including over 20 ships, and also aircraft and helicopters.
Apart from Ukraine and the United States, the forces from Bulgaria, Georgia, Norway, France, Romania, Span and Turkey will participate in the exercise Sea Breeze-2020 that will involve the US Navy guided missile destroyer Porter and P-8 Poseidon anti-submarine warfare patrol plane, and also ships of NATO’s standing maritime group.
The active phase of the drills is running in the north-western part of the Black Sea.
Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on July 22 that the Black Sea Fleet was monitoring ships and aircraft of the NATO allied naval forces involved in the Sea Breeze-2020 exercise.


tass--2020-07-23--Kremlin says nothing new in Britain’s Russia report

MOSCOW , July 23 .
/TASS/ .
There is nothing new in the report on Russia published by British MPs @ @ @ @ @ there was nothing [ new ] .
Yes , probably , [ there was nothing @ @ @ @ @ '' Peskov said .
In the report published on Tuesday , the British parliament ’ @ @ @ @ @ said it was impossible to improve relations between London and Moscow under the current Russian @ @ @ @ @ that Russia is carrying out `` malicious cyber activity '' involving organized crime groups .
@ @ @ @ @ Russia had tried to influence the Scottish independence referendum in 2014 .
On June 21 @ @ @ @ @ s publication , Peskov voiced hope that the British MPs would not slap unfounded accusations @ @ @ @ @ that Russia had never interfered in election campaigns in other countries .

MOSCOW, July 23. /TASS/. There is nothing new in the report on Russia published by British MPs, Krem
lin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday.
"No, there was nothing [new]. Yes, probably, [there was nothing new] for all," Peskov said.
In the report published on Tuesday, the British parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee said it was impossible to improve relations between London and Moscow under the current Russian leadership. The MPs claim that Russia is carrying out "malicious cyber activity" involving organized crime groups. The committee also alleged that Russia had tried to influence the Scottish independence referendum in 2014.
On June 21, before the report’s publication, Peskov voiced hope that the British MPs would not slap unfounded accusations against Moscow. He stressed that Russia had never interfered in election campaigns in other countries.


tass--2020-07-23--Russia unlikely to see serious growth in coronavirus cases this autumn, experts say

According to doctors , during that period the epidemiological situation is not going to seriously deteriorate .
MOSCOW , July 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is not expected to see a usual rise in respiratory infections this autumn , and although the number of coronavirus cases could increase , the authorities are taking enough preventive measures , experts told TASS on Thursday .
Earlier , the World Health Organization warned about the new wave of coronavirus cases in Europe .
After several restrictions were lifted some countries again saw a rise in coronavirus cases and this could trigger a surge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a healthcare system ’ s crisis in Europe .
According to professor and specialist in infectious diseases Nikolai Malyshev , in various regions the situation could develop in different ways .
`` In Russia there are still various restrictions in many regions .
Moscow was the first to introduce and end them but the others failed to keep up with it .
The regions started doing this later and that ’ s why they are ending them later .
So , the situation in our entire huge motherland is different everywhere , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are unlikely to introduce harsh restrictions over the coronavirus in the future .
`` We will live calmly but probably with certain restrictions , '' Malyshev said .
Oksana Drapkina , the Russian Health Ministry ’ s chief visiting therapist , in her turn noted that the decisions on imposing restrictions are made depending on the epidemiological situation , which remains rather favorable at the moment .
`` In any case , probably , this [ introduction of new restrictions ] can not be fully ruled out now .
However , we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s say the scenario is not that bad , '' Drapkina said .
According to experts , it ’ s difficult to make any exact forecasts for this autumn now .
`` I don ’ t like to make forecasts , I make them only relying on facts .
Now the facts and figures indicate that the number of infections here is declining and we provided assistance to everyone and it is available .
Let ’ s say there are not that many complications compared with the examples that we see in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Meanwhile , Malyshev noted that autumn is always the time for a rise in respiratory diseases and the coronavirus is also a respiratory disease .
`` So , there is no doubt that the cases will somehow increase but this won ’ t be critical , '' the expert noted .
Many Russians comply with restrictions that are still in place and wear face masks , he said .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
According to the latest statistics , over 15,382,800 people have been infected worldwide and more than 630,300 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 9,357,600 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , 795,038 coronavirus cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 580,330 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 12,892 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

According to doctors, during that period the epidemiological situation is not going to seriously deteriorate.
MOSCOW, July 23. /TASS/. Russia is not expected to see a usual rise in respiratory infections this autumn, and although the number of coronavirus cases could increase, the authorities are taking enough preventive measures, experts told TASS on Thursday.
Earlier, the World Health Organization warned about the new wave of coronavirus cases in Europe. After several restrictions were lifted some countries again saw a rise in coronavirus cases and this could trigger a surge of COVID-19 infections, which could spark a healthcare system’s crisis in Europe.
According to professor and specialist in infectious diseases Nikolai Malyshev, in various regions the situation could develop in different ways. "In Russia there are still various restrictions in many regions. Moscow was the first to introduce and end them but the others failed to keep up with it. The regions started doing this later and that’s why they are ending them later. So, the situation in our entire huge motherland is different everywhere," the expert noted.
The Russian authorities are unlikely to introduce harsh restrictions over the coronavirus in the future. "We will live calmly but probably with certain restrictions," Malyshev said.
Oksana Drapkina, the Russian Health Ministry’s chief visiting therapist, in her turn noted that the decisions on imposing restrictions are made depending on the epidemiological situation, which remains rather favorable at the moment. "In any case, probably, this [introduction of new restrictions] cannot be fully ruled out now. However, we are having a favorable situation, let’s say the scenario is not that bad," Drapkina said.
Forecast for autumn
According to experts, it’s difficult to make any exact forecasts for this autumn now.
"I don’t like to make forecasts, I make them only relying on facts. Now the facts and figures indicate that the number of infections here is declining and we provided assistance to everyone and it is available. Let’s say there are not that many complications compared with the examples that we see in the United States and Europe," Drapkina said.
Meanwhile, Malyshev noted that autumn is always the time for a rise in respiratory diseases and the coronavirus is also a respiratory disease. "So, there is no doubt that the cases will somehow increase but this won’t be critical," the expert noted. Many Russians comply with restrictions that are still in place and wear face masks, he said.
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. According to the latest statistics, over 15,382,800 people have been infected worldwide and more than 630,300 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 9,357,600 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, 795,038 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 580,330 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 12,892 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-07-23--Press review: More Russia meddling myths from London and Turkey takes aim at Greece, Egypt

The United Kingdom has cooked up new accusations against Russia of allegedly trying to interfere in Western countries ’ election processes .
The British parliament ’ s Intelligence and Security Committee published a report this week claiming that Moscow is not only meddling in British domestic politics , but also is seeking to undermine the rules based international order .
Russian officials and experts in turn argue that these Russophobic accusations are far-fetched and believe that this report demonstrates the UK ’ s attempt to find itself in a changed modern world as well as search for a common enemy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to experts , the British government had shelved the document ’ s publication for nearly one year and a half because the report mentioned Brexit , thus putting UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson in an unfavorable light .
Disinformation , the use of 'trolls ' for propaganda campaigns on the Internet and distortions in the coverage provided by Russian state-owned international broadcasters such as RT and Sputnik are on the list of accusations in the 50-page document .
However , this report , like a dozen of similar others , lacks one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the paper says .
The British MPs also voiced concerns over Russian businessmen who moved to the UK and many of whom allegedly maintain close relations with Russian authorities although some of them claim to belong to opposition circles .
Meanwhile , the authors of the report say that Western countries can effectively counter Russia ’ s `` aggressive action '' through joint efforts and `` a continuing international consensus '' is needed against Moscow .
Program Director of Valdai International Discussion Club Timofei Bordachev notes that this report `` reflects what accumulated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in relations with Russia and the EU - this is the continuation of the UK ’ s rather chaotic search for its place in the world . ''
According to the expert , currently the United Kingdom is facing serious problems , and many among them are linked to the coronavirus pandemic .
Furthermore , the British establishment seeks to bring back the practice used during the confrontation between the West and the Soviet Union .
The current international environment is not in favor of the US and its allies , including the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action .
Turkey is testing Greece ’ s `` red lines '' in the eastern Mediterranean region .
Athens in turn condemned seismic exploration works by a Turkish vessel near a disputed maritime area as intervention and put its armed forces on standby .
In response , Ankara rejected these claims .
Experts believe that the Turkish leadership ’ s moves are linked to the Libyan conflict .
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan apparently seeks to `` test '' the reaction of his opponents , Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes .
The timing of Turkey ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Jalel Harchaoui , a research fellow at the Netherlands-based Clingendael Institute .
According to the expert , there is a link between Ankara ’ s steps and the latest moves of its regional opponent Egypt in the Libyan conflict .
In June , Cairo , which supports Libyan National Army Commander Khalifa Haftar , put forward its initiative to iron out the military crisis in Libya .
This month , after understanding that the Turkish-backed LNA opponents are unstoppable , Egypt warned that would send troops to its neighbor to protect regional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ audience ’ is both Greece and Egypt , Harchaoui noted .
Athens and Cairo are in talks on the demarcation of an exclusive economic zone in the sea , which runs counter to Turkey ’ s position along the Mediterranean region ’ s borders .
Ankara seeks to use its confrontational behavior as a way to bully Greece into being flexible in negotiations .
According to the expert , Russia is not expected to react to the maritime dispute .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has not yet made a strategic decision to directly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure Haftar ’ s absolute victory , although there is such an opportunity .
COVID-19 has hit the Central Asian region very hard .
Russian military medics , who earlier helped Italy , Serbia , Armenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina , were sent for the first time there .
A plane from the Russian Defense Ministry transported doctors and humanitarian assistance consisting of medication and equipment to the tune of 150 mln rubles ( $ 2.1 mln ) to Kyrgyzstan .
Hundreds of Russian doctors will be working in hospitals in Bishkek and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average population density in Kyrgyzstan is just 32 people per square kilometer , the coronavirus infection rate started rapidly climbing there , Kommersant writes .
To date , more than 29,000 cases and 1,100 deaths have been registered in the country .
As a comparison , in Moscow , where the average population density is more than 5,000 people per square kilometer and the population is at least twice as much as in entire Kyrgyzstan , some 600 new COVID-19 cases have been recorded .
Meanwhile , Kyrgyzstan has recorded more than 1,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that the situation in the Central Asian country was virtually critical .

Izvestia: UK blames Russia for attempts to undermine global world order The United Kingdom has cooked up new accusations against Russia of allegedly trying to interfere in Western countries’ election processes. The British parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee published a report this week claiming that Moscow is not only meddling in British domestic politics, but also is seeking to undermine the rules based international order. Russian officials and experts in turn argue that these Russophobic accusations are far-fetched and believe that this report demonstrates the UK’s attempt to find itself in a changed modern world as well as search for a common enemy with the West, Izvestia writes.
Read also Kremlin hopes British MPs won’t make unfounded accusations in new security report
According to experts, the British government had shelved the document’s publication for nearly one year and a half because the report mentioned Brexit, thus putting UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson in an unfavorable light. Disinformation, the use of 'trolls' for propaganda campaigns on the Internet and distortions in the coverage provided by Russian state-owned international broadcasters such as RT and Sputnik are on the list of accusations in the 50-page document. However, this report, like a dozen of similar others, lacks one but very important detail - evidence, the paper says. The British MPs also voiced concerns over Russian businessmen who moved to the UK and many of whom allegedly maintain close relations with Russian authorities although some of them claim to belong to opposition circles. Meanwhile, the authors of the report say that Western countries can effectively counter Russia’s "aggressive action" through joint efforts and "a continuing international consensus" is needed against Moscow. Program Director of Valdai International Discussion Club Timofei Bordachev notes that this report "reflects what accumulated and happened in British foreign policy, in relations with Russia and the EU - this is the continuation of the UK’s rather chaotic search for its place in the world." According to the expert, currently the United Kingdom is facing serious problems, and many among them are linked to the coronavirus pandemic. Furthermore, the British establishment seeks to bring back the practice used during the confrontation between the West and the Soviet Union. The current international environment is not in favor of the US and its allies, including the UK, so London seeks to take action. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Erdogan goads Greece to spook Haftar’s allies Turkey is testing Greece’s "red lines" in the eastern Mediterranean region. Athens in turn condemned seismic exploration works by a Turkish vessel near a disputed maritime area as intervention and put its armed forces on standby. In response, Ankara rejected these claims. Experts believe that the Turkish leadership’s moves are linked to the Libyan conflict. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan apparently seeks to "test" the reaction of his opponents, Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes. The timing of Turkey’s operation is not a coincidence, said Jalel Harchaoui, a research fellow at the Netherlands-based Clingendael Institute. According to the expert, there is a link between Ankara’s steps and the latest moves of its regional opponent Egypt in the Libyan conflict. In June, Cairo, which supports Libyan National Army Commander Khalifa Haftar, put forward its initiative to iron out the military crisis in Libya. This month, after understanding that the Turkish-backed LNA opponents are unstoppable, Egypt warned that would send troops to its neighbor to protect regional security. Ankara’s supposed ‘audience’ is both Greece and Egypt, Harchaoui noted. Athens and Cairo are in talks on the demarcation of an exclusive economic zone in the sea, which runs counter to Turkey’s position along the Mediterranean region’s borders. Ankara seeks to use its confrontational behavior as a way to bully Greece into being flexible in negotiations. According to the expert, Russia is not expected to react to the maritime dispute. Russian President Vladimir Putin has not yet made a strategic decision to directly join a lengthy war in Libya and ensure Haftar’s absolute victory, although there is such an opportunity. Kommersant: Central Asia battles coronavirus pandemic COVID-19 has hit the Central Asian region very hard. Russian military medics, who earlier helped Italy, Serbia, Armenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, were sent for the first time there. A plane from the Russian Defense Ministry transported doctors and humanitarian assistance consisting of medication and equipment to the tune of 150 mln rubles ($2.1 mln) to Kyrgyzstan. Hundreds of Russian doctors will be working in hospitals in Bishkek and Osh to treat coronavirus patients. Although average population density in Kyrgyzstan is just 32 people per square kilometer, the coronavirus infection rate started rapidly climbing there, Kommersant writes. To date, more than 29,000 cases and 1,100 deaths have been registered in the country. As a comparison, in Moscow, where the average population density is more than 5,000 people per square kilometer and the population is at least twice as much as in entire Kyrgyzstan, some 600 new COVID-19 cases have been recorded. Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan has recorded more than 1,000 cases. In June, official statements said that the situation in the Central Asian country was virtually critical.
Other Central Asian countries are also facing an uphill battle against coronavirus. The first COVID-19 case in the region was registered rather late - only on March 13, but by late June, the situation had sharply deteriorated. By July 22, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan had registered a total of 130,000 cases of the disease. Kazakhstan accounts for more than half of them, tallying up over 76,000 cases. Against this background, the authorities reinstated a national lockdown, which had been in force between mid-March and early May. The best situation is now seen in Turkmenistan. The republic has not registered a single COVID-19 case. However, the authorities decided to close the main market in the capital in mid-July for sanitary measures and suspended train services until July 23. Cafes and restaurants were also shut down under preventive measures. Citizens were strongly advised to wear masks because of "an excessive amount of dust in the air." Meanwhile, Reporters Without Borders, an international NGO, reported that in late March, the Turkmen authorities prohibited journalists to use the world "coronavirus" in publications and withdrew it from special booklets, which the Health Ministry sends to educational institutions, hospitals and offices. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Russian gold heads out for export, not for reserves Gold export from Russia in March-May saw an 11-fold surge compared with last spring to $4.2 bln and an 8-fold hike in terms of tonnes due to the increase in prices on precious metal and the Central Bank’s decision to suspend its purchases, according to research by the FinExpertiza international audit and consulting network, Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes. Precious metals - primarily gold - are seen as a traditional safe asset during crises. Over the past years, the Russian Central Bank has been pumping up the share of gold in international reserves, but announced that it would stop purchasing gold on April 1. Experts believe that there are several reasons why the Central Bank stopped buying gold from domestic producers. The share of gold in reserves reached a rather high level (20%) and due to huge demand, the cost of the real metal was significantly higher than on its futures trading. Another possible reason is that the regulator helped producers to earn money. According to chief analyst at TeleTrade Mark Goykhman, Russia produces nearly 330 tonnes of gold per year (as of 2019) and is ranked third in the world. "It’s impossible to sell that volume on the domestic market," he said. Until April 2020, the Central Bank was the main buyer. As of March 1, 2020, the regulator had 2,290 tonnes in its reserves. However, in the near future, the Central Bank is unlikely to resume massive gold purchases. "This does not only allow, but also forces gold producers to increase the export of the precious metal. There is no point in restraining their activities in production and export. On the contrary, given the current environment, all parties would benefit. The country receives an inflow of foreign exchange revenues, to some extent partially replacing the decline in revenues from oil and gas. Exporters are significantly improving their sales, income and profits. Accordingly, in the foreseeable future, the sales of the precious metal abroad from Russia are likely to increase," the expert believes. Izvestia: Retail online trade revenues nearly triple in Russia The coronavirus spread gave a serious boost to developing retail online trade. This May, its volume grew 2.8 times higher than the same period last year, according to Russia’s official statistics. Retailers began actively entering online market. The demand in new domain names (most of them are names of famous brands) grew 60%. Some 37% domain buyers opened Internet shops, while 24% created promo sites, Izvestia writes.
Read also Moscow online sales turnover in March up by 38%


tass--2020-07-23--Russia will open borders on reciprocal basis, no specific decisions yet — Kremlin

MOSCOW , July 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russia will open its borders with other countries on a reciprocal basis , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday , noting that these issues are being discussed with the foreign partners but no specific decisions have been made yet .
`` Certainly , the opening of the borders will be implemented on a reciprocal basis .
As far as it is known , contacts are in progress right now , but no decisions have been made , '' he stressed .
The Kremlin representative reiterated the Russian government and its anti-coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue .
Due to the spread of the coronavirus Russia fully suspended regular and charter international flights on March 27 , carriers could only operate special flights to return passengers home .
Russia ’ s government also handed down instructions to temporarily restrict traffic into and out of the country at automotive , railway , pedestrian , and other checkpoints at Russia ’ s state border starting on March 30 .
Earlier , Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko in an open interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman said that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s borders with the EU countries is linked directly with the citizens ’ safety .
He also spoke against the attempts to politicize this issue .

MOSCOW, July 23. /TASS/. Russia will open its borders with other countries on a reciprocal basis, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday, noting that these issues are being discussed with the foreign partners but no specific decisions have been made yet.
"Certainly, the opening of the borders will be implemented on a reciprocal basis. As far as it is known, contacts are in progress right now, but no decisions have been made," he stressed. The Kremlin representative reiterated the Russian government and its anti-coronavirus crisis center are in charge of the issue.
Due to the spread of the coronavirus Russia fully suspended regular and charter international flights on March 27, carriers could only operate special flights to return passengers home. Russia’s government also handed down instructions to temporarily restrict traffic into and out of the country at automotive, railway, pedestrian, and other checkpoints at Russia’s state border starting on March 30.
Earlier, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko in an open interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman said that the issue of possible opening of Russia’s borders with the EU countries is linked directly with the citizens’ safety. He also spoke against the attempts to politicize this issue.


tass--2020-07-23--Shipbuilders prepare five Northern Fleet warships for Russia’s Main Naval Parade

`` This year , the Zvyozdochka Shipyard has fulfilled work for implementing state contracts on providing maintenance and ensuring the technical readiness of five ships and boats of the Northern Fleet for their participation in the Main Naval Parade in St. Petersburg , '' the press office said in a statement .
MOSCOW , July 23 .
/TASS/ .
The Severodvinsk-based Zvyozdochka Ship Repair Plant ( part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation ) has prepared five warships , submarines and boats of Russia ’ s Northern Fleet for their participation in the Main Naval Parade in St. Petersburg and Kronshtadt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s press office reported on Thursday .
The parade formation on Russia ’ s Navy Day will include the Project 949A nuclear-powered missile-carrying submarine Oryol and the Project 1155 large anti-submarine warfare ship Vice-Admiral Kulakov .
The shipbuilders earlier carried out maintenance work on both warships ’ radio-technical equipment and electro-mechanic assemblies and mechanisms .
At Russia ’ s Main Naval Parade on July 26 , the Northern Fleet will also be represented by three Project 21980 anti-sabotage boats : the P-340 Yunarmeyets Zapolyarya , the P-421 Yunarmeyets Belomorya and the P-430 Valery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parade , planned works were completed aboard the boats to provide maintenance for their electro-mechanical assemblies and mechanisms .
The Main Naval Parade will take place in St. Petersburg and Kronshtadt on July 26 on Russia ’ s Navy Day .
The Russian Navy is set to involve 46 warships , boats and submarines , naval aviation aircraft and helicopters and over 4,000 personnel in the Main Naval Parade .
Apart from St. Petersburg , the naval parades will be held at the bases of all the Russian Navy ’ s fleets and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Kaspiysk and Vladivostok and also at Russia ’ s Tartus naval facility on the Mediterranean coast in Syria .

"This year, the Zvyozdochka Shipyard has fulfilled work for implementing state contracts on providing maintenance and ensuring the technical readiness of five ships and boats of the Northern Fleet for their participation in the Main Naval Parade in St. Petersburg," the press office said in a statement.
MOSCOW, July 23. /TASS/. The Severodvinsk-based Zvyozdochka Ship Repair Plant (part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation) has prepared five warships, submarines and boats of Russia’s Northern Fleet for their participation in the Main Naval Parade in St. Petersburg and Kronshtadt on July 26, the Shipyard’s press office reported on Thursday.
The parade formation on Russia’s Navy Day will include the Project 949A nuclear-powered missile-carrying submarine Oryol and the Project 1155 large anti-submarine warfare ship Vice-Admiral Kulakov. The shipbuilders earlier carried out maintenance work on both warships’ radio-technical equipment and electro-mechanic assemblies and mechanisms.
At Russia’s Main Naval Parade on July 26, the Northern Fleet will also be represented by three Project 21980 anti-sabotage boats: the P-340 Yunarmeyets Zapolyarya, the P-421 Yunarmeyets Belomorya and the P-430 Valery Fedyanin. In the run-up to the parade, planned works were completed aboard the boats to provide maintenance for their electro-mechanical assemblies and mechanisms.
The Main Naval Parade will take place in St. Petersburg and Kronshtadt on July 26 on Russia’s Navy Day. The Russian Navy is set to involve 46 warships, boats and submarines, naval aviation aircraft and helicopters and over 4,000 personnel in the Main Naval Parade.
Apart from St. Petersburg, the naval parades will be held at the bases of all the Russian Navy’s fleets and flotillas in Severomorsk, Baltiysk, Sevastopol, Kaspiysk and Vladivostok and also at Russia’s Tartus naval facility on the Mediterranean coast in Syria.


tass--2020-07-23--Russia reports over 5,800 new coronavirus cases in the past day

MOSCOW , July 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russia recorded 5,848 new coronavirus cases in the past day , taking the @ @ @ @ @ country to 795,038 , the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Thursday .
According to @ @ @ @ @ the past two days the daily growth did not exceed 0.74 % .
New 608 @ @ @ @ @ Moscow , 249 in the Sverdlovsk Region , 202 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region , @ @ @ @ @ Region and 184 in St. Petersburg .
The lowest growth rate in the past day @ @ @ @ @ Autonomous Region ( 0 % ) , Sevastopol ( 0 % ) , Kalmykia ( @ @ @ @ @ Moscow Region ( 0.2 % ) , the Jewish Autonomous Region ( 0.2 % ) @ @ @ @ @ ) , Kabardino-Balkaria ( 0.3 % ) and the Lipetsk Region ( 0.3 % ) @ @ @ @ @ people are currently ill in Russia .

MOSCOW, July 23. /TASS/. Russia recorded 5,848 new coronavirus cases in the past day, taking the total case tally in the country to 795,038, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Thursday.
According to the crisis center, over the past two days the daily growth did not exceed 0.74%.
New 608 COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Moscow, 249 in the Sverdlovsk Region, 202 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region, 198 in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region and 184 in St. Petersburg.
The lowest growth rate in the past day was recorded in the Nenets Autonomous Region (0%), Sevastopol (0%), Kalmykia (0.2%), the Moscow Region (0.2%), the Jewish Autonomous Region (0.2%), Moscow (0.3%), Kabardino-Balkaria (0.3%) and the Lipetsk Region (0.3%).
To date, 201,816 people are currently ill in Russia.


tass--2020-07-23--Armenian Defense Ministry describes border situation as relatively calm

`` The situation on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border remained relatively calm on the night of July 23 .
The enemy violated the ceasefire six times , firing about 43 munitions at the Armenian positions , '' she said .
Tensions on the Azerbaijan-Armenia border started to escalate on July 12 .
The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said that the Armenian military had attempted an artillery attack on Azerbaijan ’ s positions along the border .
According to the ministry , 12 military servicemen have been killed .
The Armenian Defense Ministry , in turn , says that tensions started to rise after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to Yerevan , four Armenian troops have been killed and ten suffered wounds .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

"The situation on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border remained relatively calm on the night of July 23. The enemy violated the ceasefire six times, firing about 43 munitions at the Armenian positions," she said.
Tensions on the Azerbaijan-Armenia border started to escalate on July 12. The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said that the Armenian military had attempted an artillery attack on Azerbaijan’s positions along the border. According to the ministry, 12 military servicemen have been killed. The Armenian Defense Ministry, in turn, says that tensions started to rise after a breakthrough attempt by the Azerbaijani military. According to Yerevan, four Armenian troops have been killed and ten suffered wounds.
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--2020-07-23--Over 26 mln coronavirus tests conducted in Russia

MOSCOW , July 23 .
/TASS/ .
Over 26 mln coronavirus tests have been conducted in Russia so far , @ @ @ @ @ on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing said in a statement on Thursday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ tests have been conducted in Russia , '' the statement reads .
As many as @ @ @ @ @ in the past 24 hours .
According to the watchdog , 267,315 people remain under @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, July 23. /TASS/. Over 26 mln coronavirus tests have been conducted in Russia so far, the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing said in a statement on Thursday.
"More than 26 million coronavirus tests have been conducted in Russia," the statement reads. As many as 296,000 tests were carried out in the past 24 hours.
According to the watchdog, 267,315 people remain under medical observation over the coronavirus.


tass--2020-07-23--Argentina identifies record number of coronavirus infections in 24 hours

BUENOS AIRES , July 23 .
/TASS/ .
Argentinian doctors identified 5,782 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours , the highest daily increase since the pandemic began , the national health ministry said Wednesday .
The total number of confirmed infections reached 141,900 .
Most new cases are reported from the province of Buenos Aires ( 3,801 ) , followed by Buenos Aires itself ( 1,390 ) .
The previous record-high number was set on Tuesday ( 5,344 ) .
Previously , the country had fewer than 4,600 new cases recorded daily .
Over the past 24 hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Overall , 2,588 people died from virus-related causes in Argentina .
On March 3 , Argentinian authorities confirmed the first coronavirus case .
On March 20 , the country imposed a nationwide lockdown .
Argentinian President Alberto Fernandez on June 4 announced lifting of mandatory self-isolation in most regions , noting that lockdown with a number of eased measures will stay in place in Buenos Aires and the province of Buenos Aires until at least August 2 .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

BUENOS AIRES, July 23. /TASS/. Argentinian doctors identified 5,782 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, the highest daily increase since the pandemic began, the national health ministry said Wednesday.
The total number of confirmed infections reached 141,900. Most new cases are reported from the province of Buenos Aires (3,801), followed by Buenos Aires itself (1,390).
The previous record-high number was set on Tuesday (5,344). Previously, the country had fewer than 4,600 new cases recorded daily.
Over the past 24 hours, 98 patients with coronavirus died. Overall, 2,588 people died from virus-related causes in Argentina.
On March 3, Argentinian authorities confirmed the first coronavirus case. On March 20, the country imposed a nationwide lockdown. Argentinian President Alberto Fernandez on June 4 announced lifting of mandatory self-isolation in most regions, noting that lockdown with a number of eased measures will stay in place in Buenos Aires and the province of Buenos Aires until at least August 2.
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. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-07-23--Russian consumer watchdog launches portal for coronavirus-related publications

MOSCOW , July 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s consumer watchdog has announced the launch of COVID-19 Preprints , the Russian portal for scientific publications about the novel coronavirus infections , where both Russian and foreign authors can upload their research before official publication in journals , the news came out on the watchdog ’ s website Thursday .
`` The aim of the new portal is to increase openness and accessibility of COVID-19 research results , boost cooperation between scientists and inform about the results of research .
The portal makes it possible to quickly communicate results of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diagnosis , clinical picture , treatment and prevention of the novel coronavirus infection to the scientific medical community , '' the statement reads .
The agency added that both Russian and foreign scientists and authors , including researchers from CIS , EAEU and SCO member states , can upload their research results in Russian or English .
At the time of the launch , the portal has four sections : Epidemiology , Diagnosis , Clinical Picture and Treatment , Prevention .
Preprints can be published for free , articles can also be accessed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the materials are pre-moderated but not reviewed .
`` Authors receive an opportunity to instantly inform the scientific community about the results of their research and receive feedback from colleagues before publication in journals , '' the project ’ s website notes .
Preprints can be uploaded before or simultaneously with submitting the research to journal , however , the portal will reject already accepted and published materials .
Preprints are accessible at the platform 48 hours after submission .

MOSCOW, July 23. /TASS/. Russia’s consumer watchdog has announced the launch of COVID-19 Preprints, the Russian portal for scientific publications about the novel coronavirus infections, where both Russian and foreign authors can upload their research before official publication in journals, the news came out on the watchdog’s website Thursday.
"The aim of the new portal is to increase openness and accessibility of COVID-19 research results, boost cooperation between scientists and inform about the results of research. The portal makes it possible to quickly communicate results of research on the issues of epidemiology, diagnosis, clinical picture, treatment and prevention of the novel coronavirus infection to the scientific medical community," the statement reads. The agency added that both Russian and foreign scientists and authors, including researchers from CIS, EAEU and SCO member states, can upload their research results in Russian or English.
At the time of the launch, the portal has four sections: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Clinical Picture and Treatment, Prevention. Preprints can be published for free, articles can also be accessed free of charge. It is noted that the materials are pre-moderated but not reviewed. "Authors receive an opportunity to instantly inform the scientific community about the results of their research and receive feedback from colleagues before publication in journals," the project’s website notes.
Preprints can be uploaded before or simultaneously with submitting the research to journal, however, the portal will reject already accepted and published materials. Preprints are accessible at the platform 48 hours after submission.


tass--2020-07-23--Khabib Nurmagomedov opens up about father’s death for the first time

TASS , July 23 .
Russia ’ s UFC Reigning Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has revealed that his father , @ @ @ @ @ everything in life , the martial artist wrote on his Instagram page .
`` Father @ @ @ @ @ .
You were my father , friend , brother and coach in one .
You @ @ @ @ @ know .
I hope you were pleased with me , '' Khabib Nurmagomedov wrote .
@ @ @ @ @ into the octagon on September 7 , 2019 for a fight against American Dustin Poirier @ @ @ @ @ championship belt in 2018 .
Overall , Khabib Nurmagomedov , 31 , has 28 victories @ @ @ @ @ in his professional MMA career .

TASS, July 23. Russia’s UFC Reigning Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has revealed that his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, taught his everything in life, the martial artist wrote on his Instagram page.
On July 3, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov died aged 57 due to coronavirus-related complications.
"Father, I will miss you. You were my father, friend, brother and coach in one. You taught me practically everything I know. I hope you were pleased with me," Khabib Nurmagomedov wrote.
The martial artist last stepped into the octagon on September 7, 2019 for a fight against American Dustin Poirier. He won his UFC championship belt in 2018. Overall, Khabib Nurmagomedov, 31, has 28 victories and not a single defeat in his professional MMA career.


tass--2020-07-23--Greek PM, Putin hash over situation in the Mediterranean

ATHENS , July 23 .
/TASS/ .
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the phone on Wednesday , discussing the situation in the Mediterranean , bilateral relations and Turkey ’ s decision to convert the Hagia Sophia museum into a mosque , the Greek prime minister ’ s press office said .
`` The conversation focused on bilateral relations , on the Eastern Mediterranean and the region in general as well as on the issue of Hagia Sophia cathedral ’ s conversion into a mosque .
The event is a challenge to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement says .
On July 10 , the Turkish Council of State invalidated Mustafa Kemal Ataturk ’ s 1934 decree that had bestowed Hagia Sophia with its museum status .
Later in the day , President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed an order declaring Hagia Sophia open for Muslim worship .
Local Orthodox Churches , including the Russian Orthodox Church , voiced their regret over the decision , along with UNESCO .
Hagia Sophia is a Byzantine-era architectural monument .
The cathedral was constructed between 532 and 537 AD by a decree from then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fall of Constantinople in 1453 , the cathedral was converted into a mosque .
In 1935 , following the decree of the Turkish government signed by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk , the founder of the modern Turkish state , the building was transformed into a museum .
White plaster covering Christian mosaics and murals were removed .
In 1985 , the building was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site .

ATHENS, July 23. /TASS/. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the phone on Wednesday, discussing the situation in the Mediterranean, bilateral relations and Turkey’s decision to convert the Hagia Sophia museum into a mosque, the Greek prime minister’s press office said.
"The conversation focused on bilateral relations, on the Eastern Mediterranean and the region in general as well as on the issue of Hagia Sophia cathedral’s conversion into a mosque. The event is a challenge to the entire Christian Orthodox world," the statement says.
On July 10, the Turkish Council of State invalidated Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s 1934 decree that had bestowed Hagia Sophia with its museum status. Later in the day, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed an order declaring Hagia Sophia open for Muslim worship. Local Orthodox Churches, including the Russian Orthodox Church, voiced their regret over the decision, along with UNESCO.
Hagia Sophia is a Byzantine-era architectural monument. The cathedral was constructed between 532 and 537 AD by a decree from then Emperor Justinian I of Byzantium. After the fall of Constantinople in 1453, the cathedral was converted into a mosque. In 1935, following the decree of the Turkish government signed by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the modern Turkish state, the building was transformed into a museum. White plaster covering Christian mosaics and murals were removed. In 1985, the building was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.


tass--2020-07-24--US F-15 fighter kept safe distance from Iranian passenger plane - Pentagon

WASHINGTON , July 24 .
/TASS/ .
A US F-15 fighter kept a safe distance from the Iranian passenger plane operated by Mahan Air when it was flying over Syria earlier on Thursday , Spokesman for US Central Command Captain Bill Urban told TASS when asked to comment on the incident .
The spokesman added that the F-15 had professionally intercepted the passenger aircraft in accordance with international standards .
`` A U.S. F-15 on a routine air mission in the vicinity of the CJTF-OIR ( Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve - TASS ) At Tanf garrison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a Mahan Air passenger airliner at a safe distance of approximately 1,000 meters from the airliner this evening , '' the spokesman informed .
`` Once the F-15 pilot identified the aircraft as a Mahan Air passenger plane , the F-15 safely opened distance from the aircraft .
The professional intercept was conducted in accordance with international standards , '' he added .
Urban informed of only one F-15 fighter .
According to earlier reports , there were two fighters involved in the incident .
On Thursday evening , Fars news agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Mahan Air passenger plane flying over Syria .
The plane was headed to Lebanon and landed safely at Beirut Airport .
It then returned to Tehran .
As a result of forced maneuvering , three passengers of the plane as well as several members of the crew have been injured .
The pilot of the Iranian plane stated that the fighter jets were American .

WASHINGTON, July 24. /TASS/. A US F-15 fighter kept a safe distance from the Iranian passenger plane operated by Mahan Air when it was flying over Syria earlier on Thursday, Spokesman for US Central Command Captain Bill Urban told TASS when asked to comment on the incident. The spokesman added that the F-15 had professionally intercepted the passenger aircraft in accordance with international standards.
"A U.S. F-15 on a routine air mission in the vicinity of the CJTF-OIR (Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve - TASS) At Tanf garrison in Syria conducted a standard visual inspection of a Mahan Air passenger airliner at a safe distance of approximately 1,000 meters from the airliner this evening," the spokesman informed.
"Once the F-15 pilot identified the aircraft as a Mahan Air passenger plane, the F-15 safely opened distance from the aircraft. The professional intercept was conducted in accordance with international standards," he added.
Urban informed of only one F-15 fighter. According to earlier reports, there were two fighters involved in the incident.
On Thursday evening, Fars news agency informed that two fighter jets had intercepted a Mahan Air passenger plane flying over Syria. The plane was headed to Lebanon and landed safely at Beirut Airport. It then returned to Tehran. As a result of forced maneuvering, three passengers of the plane as well as several members of the crew have been injured. The pilot of the Iranian plane stated that the fighter jets were American.


tass--2020-07-24--Brazil documents steep rise in COVID-19 cases

RIO DE JANEIRO , July 24 .
/TASS/ .
Brazil has documented 59,961 cases of COVID-19 , a disease caused by the novel coronavirus , in the past 24 hours , with the total number of recorded cases in the country reaching 2,287,475 , the Brazilian health ministry informed on Thursday .
For two days running , the daily number of COVID-19 cases has been increasing at a higher rate than in the past four weeks .
On Wednesday , a record 67,860 COVID-19 cases were documented , while for the past month , the number of daily cases has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ministry informed that 1,311 people had died from the virus in Brazil in the past 24 hours .
The death toll since the start of the pandemic in the country has reached 84,082 .
Meanwhile , 1,570,237 patients have recovered .
There are currently 633,156 active cases of COVID-19 in Brazil .
There are 1,090 persons infected with COVID-19 per 100,000 Brazilian residents and 40 deaths .
Those figures are currently on the rise .
The first case of COVID-19 was documented in Brazil on February 26 .
It currently ranks second in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amount of COVID-19 cases and deaths .
The Brazilian health ministry predicted earlier that the situation would stabilize by July , and in August , the infection rate would begin to decrease gradually .

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 24. /TASS/. Brazil has documented 59,961 cases of COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in the past 24 hours, with the total number of recorded cases in the country reaching 2,287,475, the Brazilian health ministry informed on Thursday.
For two days running, the daily number of COVID-19 cases has been increasing at a higher rate than in the past four weeks. On Wednesday, a record 67,860 COVID-19 cases were documented, while for the past month, the number of daily cases has oscillated between 40,000 and 50,000.
The ministry informed that 1,311 people had died from the virus in Brazil in the past 24 hours. The death toll since the start of the pandemic in the country has reached 84,082. Meanwhile, 1,570,237 patients have recovered. There are currently 633,156 active cases of COVID-19 in Brazil. There are 1,090 persons infected with COVID-19 per 100,000 Brazilian residents and 40 deaths. Those figures are currently on the rise.
The first case of COVID-19 was documented in Brazil on February 26. It currently ranks second in the world after the USA on the amount of COVID-19 cases and deaths. The Brazilian health ministry predicted earlier that the situation would stabilize by July, and in August, the infection rate would begin to decrease gradually.


tass--2020-07-24--Iranian passenger plane intercepted by fighter jets earlier safely lands in Tehran

TEHRAN , July 24 .
/TASS/ .
Iran ’ s Mahan Air passenger plane that was intercepted by fighter jets @ @ @ @ @ has landed safely in Tehran , Tasnim news agency reported on Friday .
The plane @ @ @ @ @ Khomeini International Airport .
The plane returned to Tehran after refueling in Beirut .
Mahan @ @ @ @ @ statement regarding the incident within the day , the company noted .
On Thursday evening @ @ @ @ @ a Mahan Air passenger plane flying over Syria .
The plane was headed to Lebanon @ @ @ @ @ Airport .
As a result of forced maneuvering , three passengers of the plane as @ @ @ @ @ the crew have been injured .
The pilot of the Iranian plane claimed that the @ @ @ @ @

TEHRAN, July 24. /TASS/. Iran’s Mahan Air passenger plane that was intercepted by fighter jets when flying over Syria earlier has landed safely in Tehran, Tasnim news agency reported on Friday.
The plane has landed at Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport. The plane returned to Tehran after refueling in Beirut.
Mahan Air will make an official statement regarding the incident within the day, the company noted.
On Thursday evening, two fighter jets intercepted a Mahan Air passenger plane flying over Syria. The plane was headed to Lebanon and landed safely at Beirut Airport. As a result of forced maneuvering, three passengers of the plane as well as several members of the crew have been injured. The pilot of the Iranian plane claimed that the fighter jets were American.


tass--2020-07-24--US-Russia arms control cooperation makes the world safer, says Pompeo

NEW YORK , July 24 .
/TASS/ .
The cooperation between Moscow and Washington in the sphere of arms control reinforces global security and stability , US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said during a Q & A session on the outcomes of his speech at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in California .
`` There are places where we need to work with Russia , '' he stated .
`` Today , or tomorrow I guess it is , our teams will be on the ground with the Russians working on a strategic dialogue to hopefully create the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ former US President Ronald ] Reagan did . ''
`` It ’ s in our interest , it ’ s in Russia ’ s interest .
We ’ ve asked the Chinese to participate , they ’ ve declined to date .
We hope that they ’ ll change their mind , '' Pompeo added .
Pompeo noted that Russia and the US are faced with `` big strategic challenges '' in the sphere of non-proliferation .
`` If we work alongside with Russia , I ’ m convinced we can make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretary of state said .
`` I think there is a place for us to work with the Russians to achieve a more likely outcome of peace , not only for the United States , but for the world , '' he concluded .

NEW YORK, July 24. /TASS/. The cooperation between Moscow and Washington in the sphere of arms control reinforces global security and stability, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said during a Q&A session on the outcomes of his speech at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in California.
"There are places where we need to work with Russia," he stated. "Today, or tomorrow I guess it is, our teams will be on the ground with the Russians working on a strategic dialogue to hopefully create the next generation of arms control agreements, like [former US President Ronald] Reagan did."
"It’s in our interest, it’s in Russia’s interest. We’ve asked the Chinese to participate, they’ve declined to date. We hope that they’ll change their mind," Pompeo added.
Pompeo noted that Russia and the US are faced with "big strategic challenges" in the sphere of non-proliferation. "If we work alongside with Russia, I’m convinced we can make the world safer," the US secretary of state said. "I think there is a place for us to work with the Russians to achieve a more likely outcome of peace, not only for the United States, but for the world," he concluded.


tass--2020-07-24--Pompeo says there is opportunity of involving Russia in US policy against China

NEW YORK , July 24 .
/TASS/ .
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo thinks that there is an opportunity to involve Russia in the US policy aimed against China , he said during a Q & A session on the outcomes of his speech at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in California .
Pompeo was asked by the host whether it is possible to `` coax them [ Russia ] into the battle to be relentlessly candid about the Chinese Communist Party . ''
`` I do think there ’ s that opportunity , '' the US secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ born of the natural relationship between Russia and China .
And we can do something as well , there are places where we need to work with Russia . ''
During his speech on Thursday , Pompeo offered to form `` a new alliance of democracies '' to counter China .
According to Pompeo , through its actions , China presents `` a complex new challenge '' the West has never faced before .
Earlier this month , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said during an online session of the Primakov Readings forum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ USA and China is not in Russia ’ s interest , nor is it in the interest of other states .

NEW YORK, July 24. /TASS/. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo thinks that there is an opportunity to involve Russia in the US policy aimed against China, he said during a Q&A session on the outcomes of his speech at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in California.
Pompeo was asked by the host whether it is possible to "coax them [Russia] into the battle to be relentlessly candid about the Chinese Communist Party."
"I do think there’s that opportunity," the US secretary of state said. "That opportunity is born of the natural relationship between Russia and China. And we can do something as well, there are places where we need to work with Russia."
During his speech on Thursday, Pompeo offered to form "a new alliance of democracies" to counter China. According to Pompeo, through its actions, China presents "a complex new challenge" the West has never faced before.
Earlier this month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said during an online session of the Primakov Readings forum that an escalation of tensions between the USA and China is not in Russia’s interest, nor is it in the interest of other states.


tass--2020-07-24--US officials see no obstacles for resuming flights from Russia

WASHINGTON , July 24 .
/TASS/ .
Russian air carriers can resume flights to the USA and back at any moment , provided that they file their proposed schedules at least 30 days prior to the inauguration of flights , a spokesperson for the US Department of Transportation informed TASS on Thursday .
`` The U.S. Department of Transportation has not taken any action to limit service by Russian air carriers in response to the public health emergency , '' the spokesperson said .
`` Russian air carriers are subject to the terms of Order 2018-5-36 that requires that Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department at least 30 days prior to the inauguration of services to or from the United States .
Beyond the requirements of this Order , there is nothing that would prevent Russian carriers from serving the United States as long as the operations are consistent with the U.S.-Russia Air Transport Agreement , '' the official added .
On Thursday , US Acting Assistant Secretary of State Philip Reeker said during a telephone press briefing in response to a TASS question that air carriers themselves will make decisions on the resumption of air service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the US government will estimate the prospects of canceling the border restrictions introduced earlier .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier that Russia would open borders with other states based on the principle of reciprocity , however , no concrete decisions have been made yet .

WASHINGTON, July 24. /TASS/. Russian air carriers can resume flights to the USA and back at any moment, provided that they file their proposed schedules at least 30 days prior to the inauguration of flights, a spokesperson for the US Department of Transportation informed TASS on Thursday.
"The U.S. Department of Transportation has not taken any action to limit service by Russian air carriers in response to the public health emergency," the spokesperson said.
"Russian air carriers are subject to the terms of Order 2018-5-36 that requires that Russian carriers file their proposed schedules with the Department at least 30 days prior to the inauguration of services to or from the United States. Beyond the requirements of this Order, there is nothing that would prevent Russian carriers from serving the United States as long as the operations are consistent with the U.S.-Russia Air Transport Agreement," the official added.
On Thursday, US Acting Assistant Secretary of State Philip Reeker said during a telephone press briefing in response to a TASS question that air carriers themselves will make decisions on the resumption of air service between Russia and the US. Meanwhile, the US government will estimate the prospects of canceling the border restrictions introduced earlier.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier that Russia would open borders with other states based on the principle of reciprocity, however, no concrete decisions have been made yet.


tass--2020-07-24--Russia and China likely to build joint Moon base - Roscosmos chief

MOSCOW , July 24 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is likely to build a joint research base on the Moon together @ @ @ @ @ space corporation Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin informed .
`` Recently , we [ together with @ @ @ @ @ Space Administration Zhang Kejian ] have agreed that we will probably research the Moon and @ @ @ @ @ together - Russia and China , '' Rogozin said on the Solovyev LIVE Youtube channel @ @ @ @ @ that he has a lot of respect for his Chinese colleagues .
He noted that @ @ @ @ @ has had several accidents this year , `` they continue working , continue testing their @ @ @ @ @ their guns . ''
Earlier , Rogozin informed that he had discussed space cooperation with @ @ @ @ @ the construction of a Moon research base .
He added that the sides had agreed @ @ @ @ @ that direction .

MOSCOW, July 24. /TASS/. Russia is likely to build a joint research base on the Moon together with China, Russian state space corporation Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin informed.
"Recently, we [together with Director of the China National Space Administration Zhang Kejian] have agreed that we will probably research the Moon and build a Moon research base together - Russia and China," Rogozin said on the Solovyev LIVE Youtube channel.
The Roscosmos chief stressed that he has a lot of respect for his Chinese colleagues. He noted that despite the fact that China has had several accidents this year, "they continue working, continue testing their resolve, they stick to their guns."
Earlier, Rogozin informed that he had discussed space cooperation with his Chinese partners, namely the construction of a Moon research base. He added that the sides had agreed to take mutual steps in that direction.


tass--2020-07-24--Over 4 mln COVID-19 cases registered in the USA - Johns Hopkins University

MOSCOW , July 24 .
/TASS/ .
The US has documented 4,055,414 cases of COVID-19 , a disease caused by @ @ @ @ @ the start of the pandemic , the Johns Hopkins University informed on Thursday .
According @ @ @ @ @ the university ’ s website , since the start of the pandemic , 143,820 patients @ @ @ @ @ in the USA , and 1,210,849 have recovered .
The highest number of people infected @ @ @ @ @ ( 421,857 ) , New York ( 409,697 ) , Florida ( 389,868 ) and @ @ @ @ @ In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) @ @ @ @ @ previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of @ @ @ @ @ 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

MOSCOW, July 24. /TASS/. The US has documented 4,055,414 cases of COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus, since the start of the pandemic, the Johns Hopkins University informed on Thursday.
According to the data published on the university’s website, since the start of the pandemic, 143,820 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 have died in the USA, and 1,210,849 have recovered.
The highest number of people infected has been registered in California (421,857), New York (409,697), Florida (389,868) and Texas (363,615).
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. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-07-24--WHO reports single-day increase in coronavirus cases by nearly 247,000

GENEVA , July 24 .
/TASS/ .
Almost 247,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide in the past day , exceeding 15.01 million , while the coronavirus-related fatalities increased by over 7,000 to surpass 619,000 , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin on Thursday .
As of 11.00 Moscow time on July 23 , as many as 15,012,731 novel coronavirus cases and 619,150 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases grew by 247,225 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 202,726 new cases and 4,286 fatalities were documented throughout the world .
The WHO statistics are based on officially confirmed data provided by countries .
South and North America account for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 7,948,513 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 137,386 and the number of deaths - by 4,153 to top 317,962 .
The number of confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 3,147,860 and the number of fatalities is 208,970 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of deaths went up by 501 .
South East Asia has 1,571,317 cases and 37,203 fatalities .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 50,537 and the number of deaths - by 1,312 .
The biggest number of coronavirus cases is registered in the United States ( 3,868,453 ) , followed by Brazil ( 2,159,654 ) , India ( 1,238,635 ) , Russia ( 795,038 ) , South Africa ( 394,948 ) , Peru ( 362,087 ) , Mexico ( 356,255 ) , Chile ( 336,402 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Iran ( 281,413 ) .
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 .

GENEVA, July 24. /TASS/. Almost 247,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide in the past day, exceeding 15.01 million, while the coronavirus-related fatalities increased by over 7,000 to surpass 619,000, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin on Thursday.
As of 11.00 Moscow time on July 23, as many as 15,012,731 novel coronavirus cases and 619,150 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by 247,225 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 7,097.
The day before, 202,726 new cases and 4,286 fatalities were documented throughout the world. The WHO statistics are based on officially confirmed data provided by countries.
South and North America account for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 7,948,513. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 137,386 and the number of deaths - by 4,153 to top 317,962. The number of confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 3,147,860 and the number of fatalities is 208,970. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew, by 22,909 and the number of deaths went up by 501.
South East Asia has 1,571,317 cases and 37,203 fatalities. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 50,537 and the number of deaths - by 1,312.
The biggest number of coronavirus cases is registered in the United States (3,868,453), followed by Brazil (2,159,654), India (1,238,635), Russia (795,038), South Africa (394,948), Peru (362,087), Mexico (356,255), Chile (336,402), the United Kingdom (296,381), and Iran (281,413).
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--2020-07-23--Chechnya’s Ramzan Kadyrov announces receiving rank of Major General

GROZNY , July 23 .
/TASS/ .
Head of Russia ’ s Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov announced that he has been assigned a rank of Major General .
`` I took the announcement of this decision as I was supposed to : standing at attention .
During the phone call , the President himself read the order and congratulated me with this event , wished me further success .
It is a high praise that is worth a lot , '' Kadyrov wrote on his VK page Thursday .
The promotion order was not published .
Kadyrov also disclosed that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Interior to the Russian National Guard .
`` I express my big gratitude to my dear brother , head of the [ Federal Service of the National Guard Forces ] Viktor Zolotov for his decision to transfer me from the Ministry of the Interior to the National Guard , '' the head of Chechnya added .
Kadyrov received a number of ranks and awards , including the Russia ’ s highest award - the title of Hero of the Russian Federation .
In 2009 , then-President Dmitry Medvedev promoted him to the special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Russian police service ) .
Besides , the head of Chechnya was given an order `` For Merit to the Fatherland '' IV class , and an Order of Courage .

GROZNY, July 23. /TASS/. Head of Russia’s Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov announced that he has been assigned a rank of Major General.
"I took the announcement of this decision as I was supposed to: standing at attention. During the phone call, the President himself read the order and congratulated me with this event, wished me further success. It is a high praise that is worth a lot," Kadyrov wrote on his VK page Thursday.
The promotion order was not published.
Kadyrov also disclosed that he was transferred from the Ministry of the Interior to the Russian National Guard.
"I express my big gratitude to my dear brother, head of the [Federal Service of the National Guard Forces] Viktor Zolotov for his decision to transfer me from the Ministry of the Interior to the National Guard," the head of Chechnya added.
Kadyrov received a number of ranks and awards, including the Russia’s highest award - the title of Hero of the Russian Federation. In 2009, then-President Dmitry Medvedev promoted him to the special rank of Major General of Militsiya (former Russian police service). Besides, the head of Chechnya was given an order "For Merit to the Fatherland" IV class, and an Order of Courage.


tass--2020-07-23--Progress MS-15 cargo spacecraft docks to ISS

MOSCOW , July 23 .
/TASS/ .
The Progress MS-15 cargo spacecraft , launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by Soyuz-2.1a @ @ @ @ @ has docked to the International Space Station ( ISS ) .
The Russian space agency @ @ @ @ @ .
The spacecraft docked to the ISS automatically , and that was monitored by the @ @ @ @ @ Earth and by Russian cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner from the ISS .
The @ @ @ @ @ tonnes of supplies to the orbital outpost , including tanks with water and oxygen cylinders @ @ @ @ @ system , kits for space experiments , sanitary and hygienic items , clothing , medicines @ @ @ @ @ A Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket with a Progress MS-15 resupply ship blasted off from the Baikonur @ @ @ @ @ .
Roscosmos Chief Dmitry Rogozin earlier said that the possibility of postponing two space launches @ @ @ @ @ over the pandemic was not considered .
The Baikonur spaceport continued operating in the normal @ @ @ @ @ due to the pandemic in the nearby namesake town .

MOSCOW, July 23. /TASS/. The Progress MS-15 cargo spacecraft, launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle on Thursday, has docked to the International Space Station (ISS). The Russian space agency Roscosmos is streaming the docking.
The spacecraft docked to the ISS automatically, and that was monitored by the Mission Control Center from the Earth and by Russian cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner from the ISS.
The Progress MS-15 delivered about 2.6 tonnes of supplies to the orbital outpost, including tanks with water and oxygen cylinders, fuel for the refueling system, kits for space experiments, sanitary and hygienic items, clothing, medicines and standard food rations.
A Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket with a Progress MS-15 resupply ship blasted off from the Baikonur spaceport at 17.26 Moscow time. Roscosmos Chief Dmitry Rogozin earlier said that the possibility of postponing two space launches on July 23 and 30 over the pandemic was not considered. The Baikonur spaceport continued operating in the normal mode, despite tighter restrictions due to the pandemic in the nearby namesake town.


tass--2020-07-23--Putin, Trump hope to boost trade, economic cooperation, says Kremlin

MOSCOW , July 23 .
/TASS/ .
The Presidents of Russia and the United States , Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump , held constructive and meaningful talks on the phone on Thursday , hoping to enhance trade and economic cooperation , the Kremlin said in a statement .
`` [ They ] voiced mutual willingness to boost Russian-US commercial and economic cooperation , '' the statement says .
According to the Kremlin press office , in the conversation the presidents `` gave a positive assessment to cooperation in the fight against the coronavirus infection . ''
`` The conversation was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underscored adding that the leaders had agreed to continue contacts at various levels .
The presidents reaffirmed the need to hold Russian-US talks on arms control .
`` [ They ] discussed in detail strategic stability and arms control , taking into consideration the particular responsibilities of Russia and the US in maintaining international peace and security , '' the Kremlin said in a statement on Thursday after the two leaders ’ talks .
The Kremlin pointed out that `` in this context , they confirmed the relevance of bilateral consultations on those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms [ known as New START - TASS ] . ''
Apart from that , Putin and Trump `` noted the importance of the Russian initiative to convene a summit of the permanent members of the UN Security Council on a wide range of international security issues. ''
.
The sides also believe that collective efforts aimed at preserving the global nuclear nonproliferation regime are in great demand .
`` The situation around the Iran nuclear deal was touched upon .
Both sides emphasized the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stability and the global nuclear nonproliferation regime , '' the statement says .
Putin and Trump held previous talks over the phone on June 1 .
Earlier , Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said that Russia and the US could considerably boost bilateral trade , which amounted to $ 28 billion in 2019 .
According to the ambassador , an objective of the dramatic increase in business contacts , trade and investments was set out at the highest level .
On March 30 , Putin and Trump focused on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during their phone call .
First , Moscow delivered aid to the US and later , Washington sent 200 lung ventilators to Russia .

MOSCOW, July 23. /TASS/. The Presidents of Russia and the United States, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, held constructive and meaningful talks on the phone on Thursday, hoping to enhance trade and economic cooperation, the Kremlin said in a statement.
"[They] voiced mutual willingness to boost Russian-US commercial and economic cooperation," the statement says.
According to the Kremlin press office, in the conversation the presidents "gave a positive assessment to cooperation in the fight against the coronavirus infection." "The conversation was constructive and meaningful," the Kremlin underscored adding that the leaders had agreed to continue contacts at various levels.
The presidents reaffirmed the need to hold Russian-US talks on arms control.
"[They] discussed in detail strategic stability and arms control, taking into consideration the particular responsibilities of Russia and the US in maintaining international peace and security," the Kremlin said in a statement on Thursday after the two leaders’ talks.
The Kremlin pointed out that "in this context, they confirmed the relevance of bilateral consultations on those issues, including on the Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms [known as New START - TASS]."
Apart from that, Putin and Trump "noted the importance of the Russian initiative to convene a summit of the permanent members of the UN Security Council on a wide range of international security issues.".
The sides also believe that collective efforts aimed at preserving the global nuclear nonproliferation regime are in great demand. "The situation around the Iran nuclear deal was touched upon. Both sides emphasized the need for collective efforts to maintain regional stability and the global nuclear nonproliferation regime," the statement says.
Putin and Trump held previous talks over the phone on June 1.
Earlier, Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said that Russia and the US could considerably boost bilateral trade, which amounted to $28 billion in 2019. According to the ambassador, an objective of the dramatic increase in business contacts, trade and investments was set out at the highest level.
On March 30, Putin and Trump focused on the Russian-US cooperation in combatting the coronavirus pandemic during their phone call. First, Moscow delivered aid to the US and later, Washington sent 200 lung ventilators to Russia.


tass--2020-07-23--Washington fuels anti-Russian sentiments in Africa via media, says diplomat

According to the spokeswoman , the Foreign Ministry noted that the US Department of State allocated grants to African journalists , education facilities and the NGOs for countering the alleged Russian propaganda .
MOSCOW , July 23 .
/TASS/ .
Using the pretext of enhancement of transparency of state institutions in Africa , the US fuels anti-Russian sentiments in the region through the media , Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday .
`` Using enhancement of transparency of state institutions and improvement of sustainability of the judicial system on the African continent , they fund the search for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with hunt fashion , '' she explained .
`` We perceive this as Washington ’ s aspiration to curb the positive public and political background in relations between our country and the region , which has become particularly apparent , following the 2019 Russia-Africa Summit .
It feels like the US deliberately fund anti-Russian publications in a number of African media and seek to paint our country as a some sort of destabilizing force , '' she said .
The diplomat underscored that the grant allocation falls in line with the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of zero alternatives to the Western policies of state governance , and to impose alien values on sovereign countries .
`` We consider it a yet another display of neo-colonialism , albeit more covert .
An element of covert enforcement of inequality in the common system of international ties , '' Zakharova said .
`` And considering the 60th anniversary of UN Declaration of independence of colonial countries and peoples this December , we call on our US colleagues to follow the spirit of this most important historic document and to completely abandon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The Russia-Africa Summit took place on October 23-24 , 2019 , in Sochi , under joint presidency of Russia and Egypt .
It was attended by representatives of all 54 countries of the continent , 43 were represented at the highest level .
Eight major African integration associations and organizations participated in the event .

According to the spokeswoman, the Foreign Ministry noted that the US Department of State allocated grants to African journalists, education facilities and the NGOs for countering the alleged Russian propaganda.
MOSCOW, July 23. /TASS/. Using the pretext of enhancement of transparency of state institutions in Africa, the US fuels anti-Russian sentiments in the region through the media, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday.
"Using enhancement of transparency of state institutions and improvement of sustainability of the judicial system on the African continent, they fund the search for the hand of Kremlin in a classical with hunt fashion," she explained.
"We perceive this as Washington’s aspiration to curb the positive public and political background in relations between our country and the region, which has become particularly apparent, following the 2019 Russia-Africa Summit. It feels like the US deliberately fund anti-Russian publications in a number of African media and seek to paint our country as a some sort of destabilizing force," she said.
The diplomat underscored that the grant allocation falls in line with the White House’s efforts to promote the idea of zero alternatives to the Western policies of state governance, and to impose alien values on sovereign countries.
"We consider it a yet another display of neo-colonialism, albeit more covert. An element of covert enforcement of inequality in the common system of international ties," Zakharova said. "And considering the 60th anniversary of UN Declaration of independence of colonial countries and peoples this December, we call on our US colleagues to follow the spirit of this most important historic document and to completely abandon the mentor tone towards the developing countries."
The Russia-Africa Summit took place on October 23-24, 2019, in Sochi, under joint presidency of Russia and Egypt. It was attended by representatives of all 54 countries of the continent, 43 were represented at the highest level. Eight major African integration associations and organizations participated in the event.


tass--2020-07-23--Russian Su-27 escorts US P-8A Poseidon recon plane over Black Sea

Russia ’ s embassy hands note of protest to US over attack on Russian reporters in Portland Ambassador Anatoly Antonov @ @ @ @ @ rights activists , the number of incidents with the press has already surpassed 500 .
@ @ @ @ @ United States will evidently top the world ratings in this nomination , '' he assumed

Biden says alternative to sanctions against Russia would be Third World War
"Russia will pay a serious price for this short term and long term, particularly long term," the US leader stressed
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