tass--2020-07-16--Diplomat rejects as baseless UK statements about Russia’s alleged election meddling

`` A statement [ of Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab ] is so vague and contradictory that it is practically impossible to understand it , '' the diplomat said .
MOSCOW , July 16./TASS/ .
Accusations from the UK targeting Russia for its alleged meddling in the 2019 general election are illogical and baseless , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a briefing on Thursday .
`` On the one side , there is no evidence , while on the other side certain possible retaliatory measures are mentioned .
These are the conflicting things .
One may get an impression @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highly likely ’ tactics is being launched , '' she added .
The diplomat drew attention to the wording in the statement .
`` I took a look at the original .
Apparently , from the experience of the previous years , the UK government has come to the conclusion that there is no point in using the ‘ highly likely ’ term any longer , '' Zakharova said .
`` The UK government graced us with a new ‘ gem ’ today - now it sounds as ‘ almost certain ’ .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely ’ , but the tactic is the same , '' the diplomat summed up .
Earlier , the UK government maintained that Russia had tried to interfere in the 2019 general election .
`` It is almost certain that Russian actors sought to interfere in the 2019 General Election through the online amplification of illicitly acquired and leaked Government documents , '' Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement on Thursday .
`` Whilst there is no evidence of a broad spectrum Russian campaign against the General Election , any attempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completely unacceptable '' the statement said .
`` The Government reserves the right to respond with appropriate measures in the future , '' the statement added .

"A statement [of Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab] is so vague and contradictory that it is practically impossible to understand it," the diplomat said.
MOSCOW, July 16./TASS/. Accusations from the UK targeting Russia for its alleged meddling in the 2019 general election are illogical and baseless, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a briefing on Thursday.
"On the one side, there is no evidence, while on the other side certain possible retaliatory measures are mentioned. These are the conflicting things. One may get an impression that a new spiral of the ‘highly likely’ tactics is being launched," she added.
The diplomat drew attention to the wording in the statement. "I took a look at the original. Apparently, from the experience of the previous years, the UK government has come to the conclusion that there is no point in using the ‘highly likely’ term any longer," Zakharova said. "The UK government graced us with a new ‘gem’ today - now it sounds as ‘almost certain’. This term comes to replace ‘highly likely’, but the tactic is the same," the diplomat summed up.
Earlier, the UK government maintained that Russia had tried to interfere in the 2019 general election.
"It is almost certain that Russian actors sought to interfere in the 2019 General Election through the online amplification of illicitly acquired and leaked Government documents," Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement on Thursday.
"Whilst there is no evidence of a broad spectrum Russian campaign against the General Election, any attempt to interfere in our democratic processes is completely unacceptable" the statement said.
"The Government reserves the right to respond with appropriate measures in the future," the statement added.


tass--2020-07-16--Russian hackers target organizations developing COVID-19 vaccines: UK security officials

`` Throughout 2020 , APT29 [ hacking group ] has targeted various organisations involved in COVID-19 vaccine development in Canada , the United States and the United Kingdom , highly likely with the intention of stealing information and intellectual property relating to the development and testing of COVID-19 vaccines , '' NCSC said in a document released on Thursday .
LONDON , July 16./TASS .
The UK National Cyber Security Center maintains that Russian cyber actors are making attempts to steal information relating to the development of vaccines to fight the novel coronavirus .
`` The NCSC assesses that APT29 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or `` Cozy Bear '' almost certainly operate as part of Russian intelligence services , the report said .
`` APT29 ’ s campaign of malicious activity is ongoing , predominantly against government , diplomatic , think-tank , healthcare and energy targets to steal valuable intellectual property , it said .
`` APT29 is likely to continue to target organisations involved in COVID-19 vaccine research and development , '' it warned , urging them to take active active measures to detect the activity .
`` The group uses a variety of tools and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known as `` WellMess '' and `` WellMail , '' NCSC said .
Reaction from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office In comments on the report , Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab called ‘ unacceptable ’ the alleged activity of Russian intelligence services .
`` It is completely unacceptable that the Russian Intelligence Services are targeting those working to combat the coronavirus pandemic , '' the foreign secretary said .
`` The UK will continue to counter those conducting such cyber attacks , and work with our allies to hold perpetrators to account , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their selfish interests with reckless behaviour , the UK and its allies are getting on with the hard work of finding a vaccine and protecting global health , '' Raab said .

"Throughout 2020, APT29 [hacking group] has targeted various organisations involved in COVID-19 vaccine development in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom, highly likely with the intention of stealing information and intellectual property relating to the development and testing of COVID-19 vaccines," NCSC said in a document released on Thursday .
LONDON, July 16./TASS. The UK National Cyber Security Center maintains that Russian cyber actors are making attempts to steal information relating to the development of vaccines to fight the novel coronavirus.
"The NCSC assesses that APT29, also named "the Dukes" or "Cozy Bear" almost certainly operate as part of Russian intelligence services, the report said. "APT29’s campaign of malicious activity is ongoing, predominantly against government, diplomatic, think-tank, healthcare and energy targets to steal valuable intellectual property, it said.
"APT29 is likely to continue to target organisations involved in COVID-19 vaccine research and development," it warned, urging them to take active active measures to detect the activity.
"The group uses a variety of tools and techniques, including spear-phishing and custom malware known as "WellMess" and "WellMail," NCSC said.
Reaction from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
In comments on the report, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab called ‘unacceptable’ the alleged activity of Russian intelligence services.
"It is completely unacceptable that the Russian Intelligence Services are targeting those working to combat the coronavirus pandemic," the foreign secretary said.
"The UK will continue to counter those conducting such cyber attacks, and work with our allies to hold perpetrators to account," he pledged. "While others pursue their selfish interests with reckless behaviour, the UK and its allies are getting on with the hard work of finding a vaccine and protecting global health," Raab said.


tass--2020-07-16--Embassy unveils event-packed plans of Russia, Germany for October

MOSCOW , July 16./TASS/ .
Moscow and Berlin expect to hold joint events in October , as well as official meetings , even top level ones , Viktor Richter who heads the political section at the Germany Embassy in Moscow , told the online 6th Youth Forum of the Potsdam Meetings on Thursday .
`` I would like to say a few words about anniversary events .
We were preparing special events for [ the ] 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations , the Treaty of Moscow and the Two Plus Four Agreement among others .
A lot of dates , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that many events were planned for October .
`` We also presume that we will have official meetings , bilateral meetings , and this also plays a major role since these are contacts at the top level , '' Richter pointed out .
Focusing on the diplomatic agenda , he noted that the pandemic has dealt a blow to joint diplomatic activity , but has not paralyzed it .
`` The theme year and its events continue .
We have already spoken about the year of scientific and academic exchanges .
The year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are planning a meeting at the foreign ministerial level with the participation of [ Russian Foreign Minister Sergey ] Lavrov , '' he stressed .
According to the diplomat , joint Russian-German activity will continue with the year of economy and sustained development and the year of Germany in Russia .
A lot of cultural events are planned , he stressed , adding that many of them will be held online .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 13,717,900 people have been infected worldwide and more than 587,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 8,172,400 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

MOSCOW, July 16./TASS/. Moscow and Berlin expect to hold joint events in October, as well as official meetings, even top level ones, Viktor Richter who heads the political section at the Germany Embassy in Moscow, told the online 6th Youth Forum of the Potsdam Meetings on Thursday.
"I would like to say a few words about anniversary events. We were preparing special events for [the] 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the Treaty of Moscow and the Two Plus Four Agreement among others. A lot of dates," the diplomat said.
He said that many events were planned for October. "We also presume that we will have official meetings, bilateral meetings, and this also plays a major role since these are contacts at the top level," Richter pointed out.
Focusing on the diplomatic agenda, he noted that the pandemic has dealt a blow to joint diplomatic activity, but has not paralyzed it. "The theme year and its events continue. We have already spoken about the year of scientific and academic exchanges. The year ends soon. At the end, we are planning a meeting at the foreign ministerial level with the participation of [Russian Foreign Minister Sergey] Lavrov," he stressed.
According to the diplomat, joint Russian-German activity will continue with the year of economy and sustained development and the year of Germany in Russia. A lot of cultural events are planned, he stressed, adding that many of them will be held online.
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 13,717,900 people have been infected worldwide and more than 587,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 8,172,400 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-07-16--Hainan to host 2020 Global e-Sports Summit on August 24

HAIKOU , Juky 16 .
/TASS/ .
Hainan will host the Global e-Sports Summit and the annual Tencent e-sports conference on August 24 , www.hinews.cn reported citing Tencent press service .
The Global e-Sports Summit is being held for the third time .
The first one was held in 2017 .
This year 's agenda includes the summit itself , Tencent 's annual e-sports conference , and a conference on the promotion of e-sports industry .
Tencent Corporation is actively developing business in the field of high technology , AI ( artificial intelligence ) and electronic entertainment .
It owns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are very well-known in China and abroad .
The corporation began to promote e-sports ten years ago .
During this time , e-sports competitions were held at the Beijing National Stadium `` Bird 's Nest '' , and the discipline was included in the Asian Games .
The corporation believes that in the next ten years , e-sports will become a kind of a representative of the `` smart industry '' , as well as an important part of cultural exchanges between young people from all over the world .
The e-sports industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sectors .
As part of the project to create a free trade zone on this tropical island , the Chinese authorities plan to promote the development of a modern service industry and a high-tech industry .

HAIKOU, Juky 16. /TASS/. Hainan will host the Global e-Sports Summit and the annual Tencent e-sports conference on August 24, www.hinews.cn reported citing Tencent press service.
The Global e-Sports Summit is being held for the third time. The first one was held in 2017. This year's agenda includes the summit itself, Tencent's annual e-sports conference, and a conference on the promotion of e-sports industry.
Tencent Corporation is actively developing business in the field of high technology, AI (artificial intelligence) and electronic entertainment. It owns Tencent QQ and WeChat messengers, which are very well-known in China and abroad. The corporation began to promote e-sports ten years ago. During this time, e-sports competitions were held at the Beijing National Stadium "Bird's Nest", and the discipline was included in the Asian Games. The corporation believes that in the next ten years, e-sports will become a kind of a representative of the "smart industry", as well as an important part of cultural exchanges between young people from all over the world.
The e-sports industry is one of Hainan's economy priority sectors. As part of the project to create a free trade zone on this tropical island, the Chinese authorities plan to promote the development of a modern service industry and a high-tech industry.


tass--2020-07-16--Russia’s Lavrov to hold talks with UN General Assembly President-elect on July 23

MOSCOW , July 16 .
/TASS/ .
Volkan Bozkir , the President-Elect of the 75th United Nations General Assembly will @ @ @ @ @ 22-23 , and will conduct negotiations with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov , the Ministry @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Volkan Bozkir will visit Moscow on July 22-23 .
He has been elected @ @ @ @ @ 75th United Nations General Assembly which will begin in September in New York .
On @ @ @ @ @ conduct substantial talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov , '' Zakharova said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ pressing international issued on the World organization ’ s agenda , issued of UN ’ @ @ @ @ @ modality of the upcoming anniversary General Assembly Session , '' the diplomat noted .
During @ @ @ @ @ Bozkir will also meet the leadership of the Federation Council and the State Duma , @ @ @

MOSCOW, July 16. /TASS/. Volkan Bozkir, the President-Elect of the 75th United Nations General Assembly will come to Moscow on July 22-23, and will conduct negotiations with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday.
"Volkan Bozkir will visit Moscow on July 22-23. He has been elected as the President of the 75th United Nations General Assembly which will begin in September in New York. On July 23, he will conduct substantial talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov," Zakharova said.
"The sides plan to discuss pressing international issued on the World organization’s agenda, issued of UN’s effectiveness, and the modality of the upcoming anniversary General Assembly Session," the diplomat noted.
During his visit to Moscow, Bozkir will also meet the leadership of the Federation Council and the State Duma, Zakharova added.


tass--2020-07-16--France’s Air Liquide to invest 100 mln euro in flagship site of NLMK in Lipetsk

MOSCOW , July 16 .
/TASS/ .
Air Liquide will invest around 100 mln euro in the production site of Russia ’ s NLMK in Lipetsk .
The French company will construct a state-of-the-art Air Separation Unit and acquire NLMK ’ s existing hydrogen unit for the steel plant and the unit for rare gases production , Air Liquide said in a statement on Thursday .
`` Air Liquide and NLMK have entered into a new long-term partnership .
Under the agreement , Air Liquide will invest around 100 million euros in the flagship site of NLMK in Lipetsk , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the construction of a state-of-the-art Air Separation Unit ( ASU ) , the acquisition of existing hydrogen unit for the steel plant and of the unit for Rare Gases production , '' the statement said .
In Lipetsk , Air Liquide will design and build an ASU with a capacity of 34,000 cubic meters of oxygen per hour , as well as a steam turbine and a number of infrastructure facilities , NLMK said .
Start-up of the unit will boost the efficiency of NLMK production processes and help reduce costs , thanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efficiency performance and gas production technology that does not require additional compressor units .
The commissioning of the new equipment is planned for Q2 2023 .
`` NLMK will sell two hydrogen production stations , a section producing inert gases ( neon helium and krypton xenon mixes ) and several filling stations to the French company , '' the Russian steelmaker said .
NLMK Group is Russia 's largest steel producer .
Its production assets are located in Russia , Europe and the US .
The company 's liquid steel production capacity exceeds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Liquide is a global leader in gases , technologies and services for industry and health , being present in 80 countries across the world , including Russia .
In 2019 , its revenue amounted to 22 bln euro .

MOSCOW, July 16. /TASS/. Air Liquide will invest around 100 mln euro in the production site of Russia’s NLMK in Lipetsk. The French company will construct a state-of-the-art Air Separation Unit and acquire NLMK’s existing hydrogen unit for the steel plant and the unit for rare gases production, Air Liquide said in a statement on Thursday.
"Air Liquide and NLMK have entered into a new long-term partnership. Under the agreement, Air Liquide will invest around 100 million euros in the flagship site of NLMK in Lipetsk, a combination of three projects which include the construction of a state-of-the-art Air Separation Unit (ASU), the acquisition of existing hydrogen unit for the steel plant and of the unit for Rare Gases production," the statement said.
In Lipetsk, Air Liquide will design and build an ASU with a capacity of 34,000 cubic meters of oxygen per hour, as well as a steam turbine and a number of infrastructure facilities, NLMK said. Start-up of the unit will boost the efficiency of NLMK production processes and help reduce costs, thanks to the ASU’s prime energy efficiency performance and gas production technology that does not require additional compressor units. The commissioning of the new equipment is planned for Q2 2023.
"NLMK will sell two hydrogen production stations, a section producing inert gases (neon helium and krypton xenon mixes) and several filling stations to the French company," the Russian steelmaker said.
NLMK Group is Russia's largest steel producer. Its production assets are located in Russia, Europe and the US. The company's liquid steel production capacity exceeds 17 mln tonnes per year.
Air Liquide is a global leader in gases, technologies and services for industry and health, being present in 80 countries across the world, including Russia. In 2019, its revenue amounted to 22 bln euro.


tass--2020-07-16--US sanctions on Nord Stream 2 - attempt at blackmail

BERLIN , July 16 .
/ TASS / .
The additional sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline announced by US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on July 15 , 2020 , are an attempt at blackmail that requires a response from the European Union , said the Eastern Committee of the German Economy in a statement on Thursday .
`` Thus , the United States tramples free and fair competition under its feet and freely uses sanctions to promote its own economic interests , '' the words of the committee chairman Oliver Hermes are quoted in the document @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but to respond appropriately to this attempt at blackmail .
The European Commission must , as already stated , oppose all attacks from outside on its sovereignty and quickly submit a list of tough measures , '' the organization stressed .
`` In addition , an effective mechanism is needed to protect European companies that will be unfairly affected by the US sanctions , '' Hermes added .
He noted that such a mechanism should help prevent financial damage to them .
`` The threat of immediate US sanctions against the European companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marks an incredible deterioration in transatlantic relations , '' the statement said .
The committee noted that the American side `` practically overnight without consulting European allies '' questioned the existing norms , and also threatened sanctions of about 120 companies from 12 EU countries and investments of about 12 billion euros .
`` In addition , all European gas consumers are forced to proceed from additional costs of up to 4 bln euros per year , since this unheard-of American interference in the European sovereignty of energy supply will lead to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the organization said .
The committee recalled that the United States itself last year imported oil and gas from Russia worth more than $ 12 bln .
In this regard , the organization pointed out that if the United States wants to take action against Moscow , then it has enough space to act `` on its own field , '' and not in Europe .
`` New US sanctions at the expense of Europe are absolutely unacceptable , '' the committee stressed .

BERLIN, July 16. / TASS /. The additional sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline announced by US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on July 15, 2020, are an attempt at blackmail that requires a response from the European Union, said the Eastern Committee of the German Economy in a statement on Thursday.
"Thus, the United States tramples free and fair competition under its feet and freely uses sanctions to promote its own economic interests," the words of the committee chairman Oliver Hermes are quoted in the document. "The EU has no choice but to respond appropriately to this attempt at blackmail. The European Commission must, as already stated, oppose all attacks from outside on its sovereignty and quickly submit a list of tough measures," the organization stressed.
"In addition, an effective mechanism is needed to protect European companies that will be unfairly affected by the US sanctions," Hermes added. He noted that such a mechanism should help prevent financial damage to them.
Unheard of interference
"The threat of immediate US sanctions against the European companies involved in the Nord Stream 2 project marks an incredible deterioration in transatlantic relations," the statement said. The committee noted that the American side "practically overnight without consulting European allies" questioned the existing norms, and also threatened sanctions of about 120 companies from 12 EU countries and investments of about 12 billion euros. "In addition, all European gas consumers are forced to proceed from additional costs of up to 4 bln euros per year, since this unheard-of American interference in the European sovereignty of energy supply will lead to a shortage of supply and higher prices," the organization said.
The committee recalled that the United States itself last year imported oil and gas from Russia worth more than $ 12 bln . In this regard, the organization pointed out that if the United States wants to take action against Moscow, then it has enough space to act "on its own field," and not in Europe. "New US sanctions at the expense of Europe are absolutely unacceptable," the committee stressed.


tass--2020-07-16--Research Institute of Influenza in St. Petersburg testing three foreign COVID-19 vaccines

`` Our institute has begun clinical testing of three foreign vaccines , this is the third stage .
< … > Those vaccines have shown to be safe during previous testing .
Previously , several dozen , even several hundred people were vaccinated , the vaccines showed to be safe , they triggered an immune response .
Right now , this research is held on thousands [ of people ] , this is a multicentral research in various states that can help estimate the efficiency of this vaccine , '' Lioznov said , not specifying the country that had developed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16 .
/TASS/ .
The Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza in St. Petersburg has begun testing of three foreign vaccines against the novel coronavirus on volunteers , acting director of the institute Dmitry Lioznov said at a press conference at TASS on Thursday .
According to him , research should begin in early August .
The director of the institute expressed confidence that one of the tested vaccines would be accessible in Russia .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 13,717,900 people have been infected worldwide and more than 587,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 8,172,400 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia , with 531,692 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 11,937 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

"Our institute has begun clinical testing of three foreign vaccines, this is the third stage. <…> Those vaccines have shown to be safe during previous testing. Previously, several dozen, even several hundred people were vaccinated, the vaccines showed to be safe, they triggered an immune response. Right now, this research is held on thousands [of people], this is a multicentral research in various states that can help estimate the efficiency of this vaccine," Lioznov said, not specifying the country that had developed those vaccines.
ST. PETERSBURG, July 16. /TASS/. The Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza in St. Petersburg has begun testing of three foreign vaccines against the novel coronavirus on volunteers, acting director of the institute Dmitry Lioznov said at a press conference at TASS on Thursday.
According to him, research should begin in early August. The director of the institute expressed confidence that one of the tested vaccines would be accessible in Russia.
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 13,717,900 people have been infected worldwide and more than 587,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 8,172,400 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, 752,797 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 531,692 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 11,937 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-07-16--Haikou's international business center drew over 100 enterprises in a year

HAIKOU , July 16 .
/TASS/ .
International business complex dubbed the Window to Global Trade located in Hainan 's Haikou attracted 100 companies from 16 countries this year .
According to the Hainan Daily , this business center became the first object of the local authorities ' program to draw foreign enterprises dubbed One Hundred Countries — Thousand Companies .
`` Since June , 2020 , 24 new companies were registered in the Window to Global Trade business complex , and currently there are 100 enterprises and offices , '' vice president of the company for attracting investors HNCT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publication .
According to the businessman , a recent increase in the number of companies is associated with the Chinese authorities ' launch of the official program on the creation of Hainan 's free port on Hainan in early June .
The Window to Global Trade business complex was opened on July 1 , 2019 as part of the One Hundred Countries — Thousand Companies program , which intends to attract investors to create a free trade zone and port on Hainan , build an international platform for cooperation between small and medium-sized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the province .
Currently , among the companies registered in the business complex are enterprises from Australia , Belarus , Vietnam , the USA , France , South Korea and other countries .
`` This year , the business center has been set to conclude an agreement with 300 firms from 30 states , '' said HNCT CEO Wan Ming .
The organization has already held over 40 presentations abroad on business opportunities on Hainan , the business center also held events in Russia .
Earlier , the Central Committee of the Communist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council published the “ General Program for the Establishment of a Free Port on Hainan , ” according to which the island ’ s administration intends to create an effective system to fulfill a number of important social and economic goals by 2025 , and within 10 years to decisively enhance the innovative mechanisms for the region 's development .

HAIKOU, July 16. /TASS/. International business complex dubbed the Window to Global Trade located in Hainan's Haikou attracted 100 companies from 16 countries this year. According to the Hainan Daily, this business center became the first object of the local authorities' program to draw foreign enterprises dubbed One Hundred Countries — Thousand Companies.
"Since June, 2020, 24 new companies were registered in the Window to Global Trade business complex, and currently there are 100 enterprises and offices," vice president of the company for attracting investors HNCT Zhao Jun said as quoted by the publication. According to the businessman, a recent increase in the number of companies is associated with the Chinese authorities' launch of the official program on the creation of Hainan's free port on Hainan in early June.
The Window to Global Trade business complex was opened on July 1, 2019 as part of the One Hundred Countries — Thousand Companies program, which intends to attract investors to create a free trade zone and port on Hainan, build an international platform for cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises and accumulation of foreign capital in the province. Currently, among the companies registered in the business complex are enterprises from Australia, Belarus, Vietnam, the USA, France, South Korea and other countries.
"This year, the business center has been set to conclude an agreement with 300 firms from 30 states," said HNCT CEO Wan Ming. The organization has already held over 40 presentations abroad on business opportunities on Hainan, the business center also held events in Russia.
Earlier, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Сhinese State Council published the “General Program for the Establishment of a Free Port on Hainan,” according to which the island’s administration intends to create an effective system to fulfill a number of important social and economic goals by 2025, and within 10 years to decisively enhance the innovative mechanisms for the region's development.


tass--2020-07-16--Russia cancels Immortal Regiment march on July 26 over pandemic

MOSCOW , July 16 .
/TASS/ .
The Immortal Regiment march scheduled for July 26 will not take place , the march ’ s organizers told TASS on Thursday .
`` The procession surely will not take place on July 26 .
We will look at the epidemiological situation to decide when it takes place , '' press secretary of the Immortal Regiment of Russia united public movement Olga Baibulova said .
According to the statement posted on the public movement ’ s website , requests for the march will be filed as soon as the epidemiological situation in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also says that Co-Chairman of the Movement ’ s Central Headquarters , USSR People ’ s Artist Vasily Lanovoi suggested holding the Immortal Regiment march on May 9 , 2021 .
`` Tens of millions of people have already taken part in commemorative events called upon to glorify our fathers , grandfathers and great grandfathers .
On May 9 , June 22 and 24 , we remembered their feat , honored living veterans and paid tribute to the dead .
Perhaps , we should think about holding the procession in its full-fledged format @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2021 , '' the public movement ’ s press office quoted Lanovoi as saying .
Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky earlier said that a decision on postponing the Immortal Regiment march scheduled for July 26 to a later date was being discussed and it would be made proceeding from the epidemiological situation in the country .
The Immortal Regiment march is an annual public event held in Russia and other countries to commemorate those who fought or died during the Soviet Union ’ s 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War against Nazi Germany .
During the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on May 9 or on the nearest days , its participants pass in a formation carrying placards with the photographs of their relatives who fought during the war .
Also , people who join the march are offered to post the photos of their relatives and their brief biographies on the official website of the ‘ People ’ s Chronicle ’ project .
The Immortal Regiment movement was first launched in the city of Tyumen in West Siberia in 2007 and was initially called `` Victors ’ Parade . ''
It acquired its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in 2013 it involved 120 cities .
The movement officially became nationwide in 2015 .
By now , the Immortal Regiment march has spread beyond Russia .
This year , it was decided to organize the march in the online format on May 9 because of the ongoing coronavirus lockdowns .
About three million people applied for their participation in the nationwide Immortal Regiment march online .
To date , 752,797 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 531,692 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, July 16. /TASS/. The Immortal Regiment march scheduled for July 26 will not take place, the march’s organizers told TASS on Thursday.
"The procession surely will not take place on July 26. We will look at the epidemiological situation to decide when it takes place," press secretary of the Immortal Regiment of Russia united public movement Olga Baibulova said.
According to the statement posted on the public movement’s website, requests for the march will be filed as soon as the epidemiological situation in the country allows holding it. The statement also says that Co-Chairman of the Movement’s Central Headquarters, USSR People’s Artist Vasily Lanovoi suggested holding the Immortal Regiment march on May 9, 2021.
"Tens of millions of people have already taken part in commemorative events called upon to glorify our fathers, grandfathers and great grandfathers. On May 9, June 22 and 24, we remembered their feat, honored living veterans and paid tribute to the dead. Perhaps, we should think about holding the procession in its full-fledged format on Victory Day on May 9, 2021," the public movement’s press office quoted Lanovoi as saying.
Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky earlier said that a decision on postponing the Immortal Regiment march scheduled for July 26 to a later date was being discussed and it would be made proceeding from the epidemiological situation in the country.
History of Immortal Regiment march
The Immortal Regiment march is an annual public event held in Russia and other countries to commemorate those who fought or died during the Soviet Union’s 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War against Nazi Germany.
During the Immortal Regiment march, which takes place on May 9 or on the nearest days, its participants pass in a formation carrying placards with the photographs of their relatives who fought during the war. Also, people who join the march are offered to post the photos of their relatives and their brief biographies on the official website of the ‘People’s Chronicle’ project.
The Immortal Regiment movement was first launched in the city of Tyumen in West Siberia in 2007 and was initially called "Victors’ Parade." It acquired its current name in 2012 in Tomsk, and in 2013 it involved 120 cities. The movement officially became nationwide in 2015.
By now, the Immortal Regiment march has spread beyond Russia.
This year, it was decided to organize the march in the online format on May 9 because of the ongoing coronavirus lockdowns. About three million people applied for their participation in the nationwide Immortal Regiment march online.
To date, 752,797 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 531,692 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 11,937 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-07-16--Ambassador says pandemic failed to dent active Russian-German political dialogue

MOSCOW , July 16./TASS/ .
Moscow and Berlin continue to maintain an active dialogue on a number of tracks despite the coronavirus pandemic , Russian Ambassador to Germany Sergei Nechayev told the online 6th Youth Forum of the Potsdam Meetings on Thursday .
`` Of course , the pandemic has made [ some ] adjustments to our life .
We have to communicate online much more often .
But there is a certain element in this that encourages us to unite our positions , and to consolidate our efforts in the fight against this abomination .
This important element must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from thinking that the pandemic has had a strong effect on the pace of Russian-German relations , '' the ambassador said .
Both nations continue an active political dialogue , he stressed .
In particular , on Wednesday the Russian and German leaders discussed key international issues , including the settlement of the conflict in southeastern Ukraine .
`` Our countries are the co-sponsors of the Minsk process and they must talk the Ukrainian side into strict compliance with the Minsk agreements and [ encourage ] a concrete dialogue with Donbass , since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such discourse , '' Nechayev explained .
The ambassador also pointed to the active and effective cooperation of the top diplomats as well as legislators .
`` We have a lot of historical dates .
Historical memory is a major dimension of Russian-German cooperation and our relations , since we have gone a long way towards historical reconciliation after the war , '' he noted .
`` We must not allow the erosion of what has been achieved in bilateral relations between Russia and Germany , '' Nechayev summed up .

MOSCOW, July 16./TASS/. Moscow and Berlin continue to maintain an active dialogue on a number of tracks despite the coronavirus pandemic, Russian Ambassador to Germany Sergei Nechayev told the online 6th Youth Forum of the Potsdam Meetings on Thursday.
"Of course, the pandemic has made [some] adjustments to our life. We have to communicate online much more often. But there is a certain element in this that encourages us to unite our positions, and to consolidate our efforts in the fight against this abomination. This important element must not be ignored. I am far from thinking that the pandemic has had a strong effect on the pace of Russian-German relations," the ambassador said.
Both nations continue an active political dialogue, he stressed. In particular, on Wednesday the Russian and German leaders discussed key international issues, including the settlement of the conflict in southeastern Ukraine. "Our countries are the co-sponsors of the Minsk process and they must talk the Ukrainian side into strict compliance with the Minsk agreements and [encourage] a concrete dialogue with Donbass, since a long-term settlement is hardly possible without such discourse," Nechayev explained.
The ambassador also pointed to the active and effective cooperation of the top diplomats as well as legislators. "We have a lot of historical dates. Historical memory is a major dimension of Russian-German cooperation and our relations, since we have gone a long way towards historical reconciliation after the war," he noted. "We must not allow the erosion of what has been achieved in bilateral relations between Russia and Germany," Nechayev summed up.


tass--2020-07-16--Over 60% of Russians ready to travel within country, survey reveals

MOSCOW , July 16 .
/ TASS / .
Over 60 % of Russians are ready or inclined to travel within the country , according to a survey done by IDF Eurasia ( operates under the brand of the online lending service Moneyman ) , made available to TASS on Thursday .
More than half of the respondents would prefer to go to the resorts of the Crimea and Krasnodar Region .
According to a previous study , 78 % of Russians intend to take a vacation during the summer of 2020 .
`` More than half of the respondents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or another are potentially ready or inclined to travel within the country .
In terms of the demand for specific locations , the Black Sea coast with its variety of resorts in the Crimea and Krasnodar Region is unconditionally in the lead , in total 53 % of respondents would like to visit those places , '' the results say .
Yet 13 % of respondents would like to visit Moscow and the Northern capital St.Petersburg , 8 % each expressed a desire to go to Altai and Lake Baikal .
Kaliningrad and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % and 6 % of the respondents , respectively .
Respondents who would rather not go on vacation or are definitely not going ( 39 % in total ) , the main reasons are the high cost of the trip ( 36 % ) and the level of service ( 27 % ) .
The lack of infrastructure is an obstacle for 21 % of respondents , 10 % do not consider traveling in Russia safe .
The survey involved 4,170 respondents across the country ages 20-60 .

MOSCOW, July 16. / TASS /. Over 60% of Russians are ready or inclined to travel within the country, according to a survey done by IDF Eurasia (operates under the brand of the online lending service Moneyman), made available to TASS on Thursday.
More than half of the respondents would prefer to go to the resorts of the Crimea and Krasnodar Region. According to a previous study, 78% of Russians intend to take a vacation during the summer of 2020.
"More than half of the respondents (61%) in one way or another are potentially ready or inclined to travel within the country. In terms of the demand for specific locations, the Black Sea coast with its variety of resorts in the Crimea and Krasnodar Region is unconditionally in the lead, in total 53% of respondents would like to visit those places," the results say.
Yet 13% of respondents would like to visit Moscow and the Northern capital St.Petersburg, 8% each expressed a desire to go to Altai and Lake Baikal. Kaliningrad and Karelia are top vacation choices for
7% and 6% of the respondents, respectively.
Respondents who would rather not go on vacation or are definitely not going (39% in total), the main reasons are the high cost of the trip (36%) and the level of service (27%). The lack of infrastructure is an obstacle for 21% of respondents, 10% do not consider traveling in Russia safe. The survey involved 4,170 respondents across the country ages 20-60.


tass--2020-07-16--Lavrov to hold talks with Algerian foreign minister in Moscow on July 22

MOSCOW , July 16 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will hold talks with his Algerian colleague Sabri Boukadoum on July 22 , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during Thursday ’ s briefing .
`` Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will hold talks with the Algerian Foreign Minister in Moscow on July 22 in order to maintain dialogue on the current issues of bilateral relations and the issues on the regional agenda , '' the diplomat said .
Zakharova reminded that Russia and Algeria had signed the Declaration on Strategic Partnership in 2001 , which set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` In nearly two decades , we have managed to expand the basis of our cooperation significantly .
We are successfully developing mutually beneficial ties in the economic , military-technical , research and humanitarian spheres , and in 2019 , the turnover between our states reached $ 3.4 bln .
This is a significant figure , '' Zakharova said .
The spokeswoman noted that Algeria plays an important role in maintaining regional stability in North Africa .
`` We believe that the upcoming talks will strengthen multifaceted bilateral cooperation , '' the @ @ @

MOSCOW, July 16. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will hold talks with his Algerian colleague Sabri Boukadoum on July 22, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during Thursday’s briefing.
"Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will hold talks with the Algerian Foreign Minister in Moscow on July 22 in order to maintain dialogue on the current issues of bilateral relations and the issues on the regional agenda," the diplomat said.
Zakharova reminded that Russia and Algeria had signed the Declaration on Strategic Partnership in 2001, which set out the long-term goals of joint work. "In nearly two decades, we have managed to expand the basis of our cooperation significantly. We are successfully developing mutually beneficial ties in the economic, military-technical, research and humanitarian spheres, and in 2019, the turnover between our states reached $3.4 bln. This is a significant figure," Zakharova said.
The spokeswoman noted that Algeria plays an important role in maintaining regional stability in North Africa. "We believe that the upcoming talks will strengthen multifaceted bilateral cooperation," the diplomat concluded.


tass--2020-07-16--Safronov was slandered and accused of crime he didn’t commit, says attorney

`` The scientists are sent to the defendant ’ s bench in droves already and receive long prison terms after contrived accusations of high treason .
The Safronov ’ s case is the harbinger .
Any other journalist may be next .
Safronov was slandered and accused of a crime he didn ’ t commit , '' defense attorney Ivan Pavlov told TASS .
MOSCOW , July 16 .
/TASS/ .
The defense of advisor to the Roscosmos chief Ivan Safronov , accused of high treason , thinks that he was slandered and accused of a crime he did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday upheld the Safronov ’ s arrest excluding from the verdict the reference to lengthy collaboration of the defendant with the Czech intelligence .
The appeal by the defense was reviewed in a closed session with Safronov present .
The review lasted about four hours during which the court studied the classified materials of Safronov ’ s surveillance presented by the investigation for the first time .
.
The defense thinks that the secret documents submitted to court do not clarify the essence of the accusation .
According to the defense attorney , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were announced by the court but the attorneys did not receive them for detailed examination .
According to the Federal Security Service ( FSB ) , Ivan Safronov was recruited by the Czech intelligence service in 2012 .
The mission itself he completed in 2017 : he collected and handed over information on Russia ’ s military-technical cooperation with African countries and military activity in the Middle East that year .
According to the investigation materials , Safronov worked for the Czech Office for Foreign Relations and Information but the final recipient of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ An FSB investigator claimed that Safronov ’ s case is not connected to his journalist work , although his defense believes otherwise .
He worked for Kommersant newspaper until May 2019 , in July 2019 he joined Vedomosti .
Safronov was employed as the Roscosmos advisor on June 18 , 2020 .
He was detained and arrested on July 7 , charged with high treason .
He is pleading not guilty .

"The scientists are sent to the defendant’s bench in droves already and receive long prison terms after contrived accusations of high treason. The Safronov’s case is the harbinger. Any other journalist may be next. Safronov was slandered and accused of a crime he didn’t commit," defense attorney Ivan Pavlov told TASS.
MOSCOW, July 16. /TASS/. The defense of advisor to the Roscosmos chief Ivan Safronov, accused of high treason, thinks that he was slandered and accused of a crime he did not commit.
The Moscow City Court on Thursday upheld the Safronov’s arrest excluding from the verdict the reference to lengthy collaboration of the defendant with the Czech intelligence. The appeal by the defense was reviewed in a closed session with Safronov present. The review lasted about four hours during which the court studied the classified materials of Safronov’s surveillance presented by the investigation for the first time. .
The defense thinks that the secret documents submitted to court do not clarify the essence of the accusation. According to the defense attorney, these documents were studied superficially - they were announced by the court but the attorneys did not receive them for detailed examination.
According to the Federal Security Service (FSB), Ivan Safronov was recruited by the Czech intelligence service in 2012. The mission itself he completed in 2017: he collected and handed over information on Russia’s military-technical cooperation with African countries and military activity in the Middle East that year. According to the investigation materials, Safronov worked for the Czech Office for Foreign Relations and Information but the final recipient of the classified information was the US. An FSB investigator claimed that Safronov’s case is not connected to his journalist work, although his defense believes otherwise.
He worked for Kommersant newspaper until May 2019, in July 2019 he joined Vedomosti. Safronov was employed as the Roscosmos advisor on June 18, 2020. He was detained and arrested on July 7, charged with high treason. He is pleading not guilty.


tass--2020-07-16--UK claims that Russia sought to meddle in 2019 general election

LONDON , July 16./TASS/ .
The UK maintains that Russia made attempts to interfere in the 2019 general election .
`` It is almost certain that Russian actors sought to interfere in the 2019 General Election through the online amplification of illicitly acquired and leaked Government documents , '' Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said on Thursday .
`` Sensitive government documents relating to the UK-US Free Trade Agreement were illicitly acquired before the 2019 General Election and disseminated online via the social media platform Reddit , '' he added .
Dominic Raab said , however , that these attempts were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Russian campaign against the election .
`` Whilst there is no evidence of a broad spectrum Russian campaign against the General Election , any attempt to interfere in our democratic processes is completely unacceptable .
It is , and will always be , an absolute priority to protect our democracy and elections , '' Raab went on to say .
He said a criminal investigation was launched .
`` There is an ongoing criminal investigation and it would be inappropriate for us to say anything further at this point , '' Raab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right to respond with appropriate measures in the future , '' the foreign secretary emphasized .
The statement was made ahead of the release of a report on Russia ’ s alleged meddling in British democratic processes earlier .
Meanwhile , Moscow reiterates that it makes no attempts to meddle in political processes in other countries .
Last December , Russian Ambassador to the UK Andrei Kelin rejected some British politicians ’ accusations that Moscow tried to meddle in the democratic processes in Britain .
`` We closely follow the speeches during party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approved , since the sentiment , which prevail in the leading parties today , is important for us , '' the ambassador said , commenting on the election campaign ahead of the 2019 parliamentary elections .
`` However , we do not interfere in this process in any way .
Whoever comes to power , we will seek common ground , based on which we will be able to work to improve relations , '' the diplomat said .
`` It is very important to ensure that the ‘ Russian issue ’ does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign in Britain , the way it was in the United States .
It has nothing to do with economic or political life in the country , that ’ s a completely different story .
In this case , there is just one thing I can say - there are people who dishonestly make the most of the Russian issue trying to score political points , '' Kelin said .

LONDON, July 16./TASS/. The UK maintains that Russia made attempts to interfere in the 2019 general election.
"It is almost certain that Russian actors sought to interfere in the 2019 General Election through the online amplification of illicitly acquired and leaked Government documents," Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said on Thursday.
"Sensitive government documents relating to the UK-US Free Trade Agreement were illicitly acquired before the 2019 General Election and disseminated online via the social media platform Reddit," he added. Dominic Raab said, however, that these attempts were not part of ‘a broad spectrum’ Russian campaign against the election.
"Whilst there is no evidence of a broad spectrum Russian campaign against the General Election, any attempt to interfere in our democratic processes is completely unacceptable. It is, and will always be, an absolute priority to protect our democracy and elections," Raab went on to say.
He said a criminal investigation was launched. "There is an ongoing criminal investigation and it would be inappropriate for us to say anything further at this point," Raab said. "The Government reserves the right to respond with appropriate measures in the future," the foreign secretary emphasized.
The statement was made ahead of the release of a report on Russia’s alleged meddling in British democratic processes earlier.
Meanwhile, Moscow reiterates that it makes no attempts to meddle in political processes in other countries.
Last December, Russian Ambassador to the UK Andrei Kelin rejected some British politicians’ accusations that Moscow tried to meddle in the democratic processes in Britain.
"We closely follow the speeches during party conventions and the programs, which are approved, since the sentiment, which prevail in the leading parties today, is important for us," the ambassador said, commenting on the election campaign ahead of the 2019 parliamentary elections.
"However, we do not interfere in this process in any way. Whoever comes to power, we will seek common ground, based on which we will be able to work to improve relations," the diplomat said. "It is very important to ensure that the ‘Russian issue’ does not become a question of a political campaign in Britain, the way it was in the United States. It has nothing to do with economic or political life in the country, that’s a completely different story. In this case, there is just one thing I can say - there are people who dishonestly make the most of the Russian issue trying to score political points," Kelin said.


tass--2020-07-16--Azerbaijan’s president names Jeyhun Bayramov as new foreign minister

BAKU , July 16 .
/TASS/ .
Azerbaijan ’ s President Ilham Aliyev has named Education Minister Jeyhun Bayramov as @ @ @ @ @ Foreign Minister .
The relevant decree has been published on the presidential website .
`` @ @ @ @ @ hereby appointed as Azerbaijan ’ s Prime Minister , '' the document reads .
Bayramov @ @ @ @ @ since 2018 .

BAKU, July 16. /TASS/. Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has named Education Minister Jeyhun Bayramov as the country’s new Foreign Minister. The relevant decree has been published on the presidential website.
"Jeyhun Aziz oglu Bayramov is hereby appointed as Azerbaijan’s Prime Minister," the document reads.
Bayramov has served as education minister since 2018.


tass--2020-07-16--About 70,000 COVID-19 tests held in Moscow daily, says mayor

MOSCOW , July 16 .
/TASS/ .
About 70,000 tests for COVID-19 are held in Moscow daily , Moscow Mayor @ @ @ @ @ in an interview with Komsomolskaya Pravda radio .
According to him , Moscow is currently @ @ @ @ @ as other Russian regions .
`` This figure is one of the highest in the @ @ @ @ @ about 70,000 tests daily .
< … > Starting today , you can register for @ @ @ @ @ for COVID in clinics .
You can pick a comfortable time for the next two @ @ @ @ @ to expand such services when we can , '' the mayor said .
Earlier , @ @ @ @ @ that Moscow residents can get tested for COVID-19 for free starting Thursday .
In late @ @ @ @ @ notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown @ @ @ @ @ Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - @ @ @ @ @ - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .

MOSCOW, July 16. /TASS/. About 70,000 tests for COVID-19 are held in Moscow daily, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Thursday in an interview with Komsomolskaya Pravda radio.
According to him, Moscow is currently holding twice as many tests as other Russian regions.
"This figure is one of the highest in the world, we are holding about 70,000 tests daily. <…> Starting today, you can register for free polymer chain reaction tests for COVID in clinics. You can pick a comfortable time for the next two weeks. We will try to expand such services when we can," the mayor said.
Earlier, Moscow Deputy Mayor Anastasia Rakova that Moscow residents can get tested for COVID-19 for free starting Thursday.
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.


tass--2020-07-16--Employment restoration key task facing Russian economy, says Putin

NOVO-OGARYOVO , July 16 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin considers it necessary to restore employment in the country @ @ @ @ @ task of the economic policy is to restore the employment level , provide people with @ @ @ @ @ earn , keep their families , '' he said at a meeting on federal budget @ @ @ @ @ period of 2022 and 2023 on Thursday .
`` The task of full recovery of @ @ @ @ @ should be fulfilled , '' Putin added .
Though `` many enterprises , companies have @ @ @ @ @ , '' `` the number of unemployed still remains high as around 3 mln people @ @ @ @ @ as of today , '' President noted .
`` It is necessary to use all @ @ @ @ @ of the federal budget , of course , for triggering growth of employment and people @ @ @ @ @ he emphasized .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, July 16. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin considers it necessary to restore employment in the country.
"Currently the key task of the economic policy is to restore the employment level, provide people with an opportunity to work, earn, keep their families," he said at a meeting on federal budget for 2021 and the planned period of 2022 and 2023 on Thursday.
"The task of full recovery of the labor market in 2021 should be fulfilled," Putin added.
Though "many enterprises, companies have returned to normal operating conditions," "the number of unemployed still remains high as around 3 mln people are registered by employment services as of today," President noted.
"It is necessary to use all instruments, including the possibilities of the federal budget, of course, for triggering growth of employment and people’s income," he emphasized.


tass--2020-07-16--Putin praises crisis response solutions for being on target

NOVO-OGAREVO , July 16 .
/TASS/ .
The decisions taken in Russia in order to respond to the crisis sparked by the coronavirus hit the mark , President Vladimir Putin said at Thursday ’ s meeting on the federal budget .
`` Apparently , we managed to hit the right targets , '' the head of state said .
“ Not without problems , not without disruptions , but still we got to the right spots , including direct payments to families with children , an increase in unemployment benefits , tax write-off , placing additional orders for enterprises in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other measures , '' Putin emphasized .
The coronavirus pandemic and related lockdown restrictions `` actually froze the global economy , '' the nation ’ s leader said .
Russia ’ s GDP contracted by 12 % in April and by 10.9 % in May , Putin noted .
`` The situation demanded prompt action from us , '' he added .
`` Certainly , it was necessary to back certain sectors of the economy , enterprises , business in general , employees of enterprises and organizations , to weather this difficult , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ income of Russian families , ” the head of state explained .

NOVO-OGAREVO, July 16. /TASS/. The decisions taken in Russia in order to respond to the crisis sparked by the coronavirus hit the mark, President Vladimir Putin said at Thursday’s meeting on the federal budget.
"Apparently, we managed to hit the right targets," the head of state said. “Not without problems, not without disruptions, but still we got to the right spots, including direct payments to families with children, an increase in unemployment benefits, tax write-off, placing additional orders for enterprises in key industries and a whole range of other measures," Putin emphasized.
The coronavirus pandemic and related lockdown restrictions "actually froze the global economy," the nation’s leader said. Russia’s GDP contracted by 12% in April and by 10.9% in May, Putin noted. "The situation demanded prompt action from us," he added. "Certainly, it was necessary to back certain sectors of the economy, enterprises, business in general, employees of enterprises and organizations, to weather this difficult, crisis stage, and to preserve the income of Russian families,” the head of state explained.


tass--2020-07-16--Two medical center directors, 6 staffers detained for child trafficking in Moscow

MOSCOW , July 16 .
/TASS/ .
A criminal case has been opened against two directors of medical centers , three doctors , and three more staffers with the charges of trafficking children born by surrogate mothers , Investigative Committee ’ s spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko told TASS .
`` During investigative activities and active search measures eight members of the criminal group have been detained .
Among the accomplices are three doctors of private medical centers , two heads of commercial organizations , and their staff , '' she said .
Charges were brought against the detainees .
The searches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the investigators , in 2014-2020 in Moscow , directors and staff of two commercial organizations , with the involvement of the staff of private medical centers were offering services of surrogate mothers .
The investigation thinks that they were violating the Russian legislation on the use of assisted reproductive technologies .
On July 15 , Moscow ’ s Basmanny court arrested four obstetricians accused of trafficking children born by surrogate mothers .
On Thursday , the investigation is asking to arrest four more case subjects , an interpreter among them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the surrogate motherhood center .
A criminal case was opened in January of this year by the Odintsovo Investigative department in the Moscow Region under Part 1 , Article 109 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ( Infliction of death by negligence ) and the clauses of Part 2 , Article 127.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ( Human trafficking ) .
It was opened after the discovery of a body of a newborn boy in one of the apartments in the Vniissok locality .
Later the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian Federation was changed to a graver one , and the case was transferred to the central office of the Investigative Committee of Russia .
The case subjects were detained the day before with searches conducted at their residences .
They are accused of several counts of child trafficking .
According to the preliminary investigative data , a boy born by surrogate mother in December of 2019 was under the nanny ’ s care in the apartment where three more infants , also born by surrogate mothers , resided .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there until their biological parents , foreign citizens , were taking care of the necessary paperwork , including documents needed to transport the children abroad .
The investigators and forensic specialists in the course of the investigation searched the apartment , questioned the building ’ s residents , the directors and the manager of the law firm on the issues of surrogate motherhood .
According to the preliminary expert findings , the cause of newborn ’ s death was the sudden infant death syndrome .
All the necessary paperwork was subpoenaed from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program , including the appropriate licenses and surrogate motherhood contracts .
The three newborns discovered at the apartment were taken to the children ’ s city hospital .

MOSCOW, July 16. /TASS/. A criminal case has been opened against two directors of medical centers, three doctors, and three more staffers with the charges of trafficking children born by surrogate mothers, Investigative Committee’s spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko told TASS.
"During investigative activities and active search measures eight members of the criminal group have been detained. Among the accomplices are three doctors of private medical centers, two heads of commercial organizations, and their staff," she said.
Charges were brought against the detainees. The searches were conducted at their places of residence.
According to the investigators, in 2014-2020 in Moscow, directors and staff of two commercial organizations, with the involvement of the staff of private medical centers were offering services of surrogate mothers. The investigation thinks that they were violating the Russian legislation on the use of assisted reproductive technologies.
On July 15, Moscow’s Basmanny court arrested four obstetricians accused of trafficking children born by surrogate mothers. On Thursday, the investigation is asking to arrest four more case subjects, an interpreter among them, as well as the general director of the surrogate motherhood center.
Substance of the case
A criminal case was opened in January of this year by the Odintsovo Investigative department in the Moscow Region under Part 1, Article 109 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (Infliction of death by negligence) and the clauses of Part 2, Article 127.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (Human trafficking). It was opened after the discovery of a body of a newborn boy in one of the apartments in the Vniissok locality. Later the Article 127.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation was changed to a graver one, and the case was transferred to the central office of the Investigative Committee of Russia. The case subjects were detained the day before with searches conducted at their residences. They are accused of several counts of child trafficking.
According to the preliminary investigative data, a boy born by surrogate mother in December of 2019 was under the nanny’s care in the apartment where three more infants, also born by surrogate mothers, resided. According to the investigation, the newborns were staying there until their biological parents, foreign citizens, were taking care of the necessary paperwork, including documents needed to transport the children abroad. The investigators and forensic specialists in the course of the investigation searched the apartment, questioned the building’s residents, the directors and the manager of the law firm on the issues of surrogate motherhood.
According to the preliminary expert findings, the cause of newborn’s death was the sudden infant death syndrome. All the necessary paperwork was subpoenaed from the law firm which specialized in surrogate motherhood program, including the appropriate licenses and surrogate motherhood contracts. The three newborns discovered at the apartment were taken to the children’s city hospital.


tass--2020-07-16--Second stage of testing of Russian COVID-19 vaccine to conclude on August 3

MOSCOW , July 16 .
/TASS/ .
The first stage of testing of a Russian vaccine against the novel coronavirus developed at the N. F. Gamaleya Federal Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology went successfully , and the second stage will conclude on August 3 , 2020 , head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) Kirill Dmitriev said during an online press conference on Thursday .
`` Yesterday , the first stage of clinical testing of a Russian vaccine ended < … > , it went very successfully .
The second stage of testing of the Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
According to the RDIF , Russia will produce about 30 mln doses of COVID-19 vaccine by the end of 2020 , with the required amount of 50 mln doses .
The full vaccination of Russians may be complete by early 2021 .
Globally , about 200 mln doses of vaccines are expected to be produced by the end of 2020 .
`` According to predictions , next year , about 3 bln vaccines based on the adenovirus vector will be produced : not only the Russian vaccine , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine as well , '' Dmitriev added .

MOSCOW, July 16. /TASS/. The first stage of testing of a Russian vaccine against the novel coronavirus developed at the N. F. Gamaleya Federal Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology went successfully, and the second stage will conclude on August 3, 2020, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) Kirill Dmitriev said during an online press conference on Thursday.
"Yesterday, the first stage of clinical testing of a Russian vaccine ended <…>, it went very successfully. The second stage of testing of the Russian vaccine will conclude on August 3," he said.
According to the RDIF, Russia will produce about 30 mln doses of COVID-19 vaccine by the end of 2020, with the required amount of 50 mln doses. The full vaccination of Russians may be complete by early 2021.
Globally, about 200 mln doses of vaccines are expected to be produced by the end of 2020. "According to predictions, next year, about 3 bln vaccines based on the adenovirus vector will be produced: not only the Russian vaccine, but the Oxford University vaccine and the Chinese vaccine as well," Dmitriev added.


tass--2020-07-16--Rouhani tells Putin cooperation in Astana format is vital for peace in Syria

TEHRAN , July 16 .
/TASS/ .
Tehran , Moscow and Ankara should continue cooperation in the Astana format in order to achieve peace in Syria , Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in a phone conversation on Thursday .
`` Rouhani mentioned the recent online summit between Iran , Russia and Turkey , aimed at establishing peace in Syria , highlighting the need to continue trilateral cooperation in the Astana format for the sake of achieving this goal , '' the Iranian president ’ s press service said .
The Iranian leader also emphasized special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal both as an international deal between the signatories and [ the means ] of countering US unilateral steps on maintaining armed embargo against Iran .
Rouhani also stressed the need for bilateral cooperation and sharing experience in the anti-coronavirus fight .
According to the press service , Rouhani expressed satisfaction over developing balanced bilateral cooperation with Moscow at all levels in the economic , political , scientific and cultural fields as well as the negotiations between the two countries ’ delegates with the goal of implementing the agreements . ''
In his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to TASS that Putin and Rouhani had held a phone conversation .
`` Yes , this conversation took place , '' Peskov said , noting that the Kremlin would provide more details later .
On July 1 , the presidents of Russia , Iran and Turkey held an online summit devoted to the Syrian settlement and discussed the prospects of arranging a meeting in Tehran as soon as the epidemiological situation allowed .
In their final statement , the presidents recalled the need to fully comply with all principles of sovereignty , independence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The politicians also voiced their discontent over illegal seizure and handover of oil revenues , which must belong to the Syrian state .
The meeting also discussed the humanitarian situation in the Middle East country and the prospects of its post-war restoration .

TEHRAN, July 16. /TASS/. Tehran, Moscow and Ankara should continue cooperation in the Astana format in order to achieve peace in Syria, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in a phone conversation on Thursday.
"Rouhani mentioned the recent online summit between Iran, Russia and Turkey, aimed at establishing peace in Syria, highlighting the need to continue trilateral cooperation in the Astana format for the sake of achieving this goal," the Iranian president’s press service said.
The Iranian leader also emphasized special importance of preserving and fulfilling the nuclear deal both as an international deal between the signatories and [the means] of countering US unilateral steps on maintaining armed embargo against Iran. Rouhani also stressed the need for bilateral cooperation and sharing experience in the anti-coronavirus fight.
According to the press service, Rouhani expressed satisfaction over developing balanced bilateral cooperation with Moscow at all levels in the economic, political, scientific and cultural fields as well as the negotiations between the two countries’ delegates with the goal of implementing the agreements."
In his turn, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed to TASS that Putin and Rouhani had held a phone conversation. "Yes, this conversation took place," Peskov said, noting that the Kremlin would provide more details later.
On July 1, the presidents of Russia, Iran and Turkey held an online summit devoted to the Syrian settlement and discussed the prospects of arranging a meeting in Tehran as soon as the epidemiological situation allowed. In their final statement, the presidents recalled the need to fully comply with all principles of sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria. The politicians also voiced their discontent over illegal seizure and handover of oil revenues, which must belong to the Syrian state. The meeting also discussed the humanitarian situation in the Middle East country and the prospects of its post-war restoration.


tass--2020-07-16--Unfair competition: Kremlin blasts US threat against EU companies over Russian pipelines

MOSCOW , July 16 .
/TASS/ .
Washington ’ s threat to impose sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 and the second line of the TurkStream gas pipeline projects within the framework of the Countering America 's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act ( CAATSA ) is an undue pressure on the European business and unfair competition , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday .
`` That continues negative developments , continues the undue line on imposing various restrictions , undue pressure on the European business , which Russian companies also belong to , '' he said , adding that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempt `` to force Europeans to buy more expensive gas under less favorable terms . ''
On June 4 , US Senators Ted Cruz , Jeanne Shaheen and John Barrasso introduced a bill expanding sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project to the Senate , according to the statement posted on Barrasso ’ website .
The document clarifies that US sanctions related to Nord Stream 2 apply to vessels engaged in all pipe laying activities , as well as to those who facilitate providing those vessels , as well as to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or tethering services for those vessels , and ultimately to any company that provides certification for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to begin operations , the statement said .
The Nord Stream 2 project contemplates construction of two gas pipeline strings with the total capacity of 55 bln cubic meters per year from Russia to Germany across the Baltic Sea .
The gas pipeline is 93 % complete to date .
The construction was suspended at the end of 2019 when the Swiss pipe-laying company Allseas stopped work due to US sanctions @

MOSCOW, July 16. /TASS/. Washington’s threat to impose sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 and the second line of the TurkStream gas pipeline projects within the framework of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) is an undue pressure on the European business and unfair competition, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday.
"That continues negative developments, continues the undue line on imposing various restrictions, undue pressure on the European business, which Russian companies also belong to," he said, adding that it "continues unfair competition" in an attempt "to force Europeans to buy more expensive gas under less favorable terms."
On June 4, US Senators Ted Cruz, Jeanne Shaheen and John Barrasso introduced a bill expanding sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project to the Senate, according to the statement posted on Barrasso’ website. The document clarifies that US sanctions related to Nord Stream 2 apply to vessels engaged in all pipe laying activities, as well as to those who facilitate providing those vessels, as well as to those who provide insurance, port facilities, or tethering services for those vessels, and ultimately to any company that provides certification for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to begin operations, the statement said.
The Nord Stream 2 project contemplates construction of two gas pipeline strings with the total capacity of 55 bln cubic meters per year from Russia to Germany across the Baltic Sea. The gas pipeline is 93% complete to date. The construction was suspended at the end of 2019 when the Swiss pipe-laying company Allseas stopped work due to US sanctions.


tass--2020-07-16--Putin changes plans, will visit Crimea on July 20

MOSCOW , July 16 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has postponed his visit to Crimea , which was @ @ @ @ @ will instead call the first meeting on the budget process , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov @ @ @ @ @ take part in keel-laying ceremony for warships in Crimea July 16 '' The president ’ @ @ @ @ @ His visit to Crimea to attend the keel-laying ceremony of warships , which we announced @ @ @ @ @ on Monday , '' he said .
According to Peskov , on July 16 , @ @ @ @ @ in Novo-Ogaryovo , he will launch the budget process today . ''
`` The president @ @ @ @ @ in a series of meetings on the budget process , '' the presidential spokesman added @

MOSCOW, July 16. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has postponed his visit to Crimea, which was set for Thursday, and will instead call the first meeting on the budget process, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
Putin to take part in keel-laying ceremony for warships in Crimea July 16
"The president’s plans have changed. His visit to Crimea to attend the keel-laying ceremony of warships, which we announced earlier, will take place on Monday," he said.
According to Peskov, on July 16, "the president will work in Novo-Ogaryovo, he will launch the budget process today." "The president decided to call the first in a series of meetings on the budget process," the presidential spokesman added.


tass--2020-07-16--Moscow mayor says renewed lockdown over coronavirus highly unlikely

`` I believe we still have more chances to avoid this [ a new lockdown in the city ] .
It ’ s clear that there are risks and we need to look at them straightforwardly .
But I hope we will still manage to avoid any severe outbreaks , '' Sobyanin said .
MOSCOW , July 16 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow ’ s municipal authorities hope to avoid another ‘ severe outbreak ' of the coronavirus infection in the Russian capital , and a new lockdown is very unlikely , Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin told the Komsomolskaya Pravda radio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted that in countries that have an extensive land mass the virus spreads gradually , through waves , striking one region after another .
In his words , the onset of the coronavirus in the Moscow Region was two or three weeks behind Moscow , while St. Petersburg and the Far East were one month and 1.5 months behind the capital , respectively .
`` In New York , this peak in cases occurred in April-May and in other states later , and some of them were shut down and placed under a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case , without passing through the epidemiological situation , they caught the virus and start getting severely ill. And this is not the second or the third wave .
The regions simply have not overcome this situation , '' the mayor said .
Moscow introduced a state of high alert over the novel coronavirus pandemic starting from March 5 and imposed a lockdown starting on March 29 .
All stores , except for those selling essentials and goods for pets , were shut down .
Theaters , restaurants , cafes , gyms , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In addition , all entertainment events were prohibited .
People were strongly advised to go into self-isolation .
Restrictions began to be gradually rolled back in mid-May as the situation improved .
On June 9 , the lockdown measures and travel passes were lifted but precautionary measures remained in place such as wearing face masks and gloves in public places and observing social distancing .
The next stage of lifting restrictions is scheduled for August 1 .
To date , 231,801 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Moscow , with more than 168,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The death toll in the city reached 4,258 .

"I believe we still have more chances to avoid this [a new lockdown in the city]. It’s clear that there are risks and we need to look at them straightforwardly. But I hope we will still manage to avoid any severe outbreaks," Sobyanin said.
MOSCOW, July 16. /TASS/. Moscow’s municipal authorities hope to avoid another ‘severe outbreak' of the coronavirus infection in the Russian capital, and a new lockdown is very unlikely, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin told the Komsomolskaya Pravda radio station on Thursday.
The Moscow mayor noted that in countries that have an extensive land mass the virus spreads gradually, through waves, striking one region after another. In his words, the onset of the coronavirus in the Moscow Region was two or three weeks behind Moscow, while St. Petersburg and the Far East were one month and 1.5 months behind the capital, respectively.
"In New York, this peak in cases occurred in April-May and in other states later, and some of them were shut down and placed under a strict quarantine. But then in any case, without passing through the epidemiological situation, they caught the virus and start getting severely ill. And this is not the second or the third wave. The regions simply have not overcome this situation," the mayor said.
Moscow introduced a state of high alert over the novel coronavirus pandemic starting from March 5 and imposed a lockdown starting on March 29. All stores, except for those selling essentials and goods for pets, were shut down. Theaters, restaurants, cafes, gyms, beauty salons and parks were closed. In addition, all entertainment events were prohibited. People were strongly advised to go into self-isolation. Restrictions began to be gradually rolled back in mid-May as the situation improved. On June 9, the lockdown measures and travel passes were lifted but precautionary measures remained in place such as wearing face masks and gloves in public places and observing social distancing. The next stage of lifting restrictions is scheduled for August 1.
To date, 231,801 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Moscow, with more than 168,000 patients having recovered from the disease. The death toll in the city reached 4,258.