tass--2020-06-18--First 18 volunteers test COVID-19 vaccine

MOSCOW , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
A group of 18 Russian servicemen have been vaccinated against the novel coronavirus , the Defense Ministry told reporters on Thursday .
`` The first group of 18 participants of the experiment was finally selected , and on June 18 they were vaccinated , '' the ministry said .
Nine volunteers were injected with one component of the vaccine , and nine others with the second component .
The vaccination was carried out under control of experienced specialists from Moscow ’ s Burdenko hospital in full accordance with the plan .
The volunteers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or side effects .
In several days the remaining volunteers , who are currently isolated and are under medical surveillance , will be vaccinated .
In early June , the Defense Ministry reported that two groups of volunteers had been selected for clinical trials .
The first group consists of servicemen and the second group comprises civilians .
Some 50 military personnel , including five women , were selected to test safety and effectiveness of a vaccine from various units throughout Russia .
All of them are contract servicemen , warrant officers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old .
Among the 50 volunteers there are 10 medical workers .
The vaccine was tested on animals at the 48th Central Research Institute of the Russian Defense Ministry where vaccines against Ebola and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ( MERS ) , as well as a universal flu vaccine , had been studied and successfully tested .
Mass vaccination of Russian citizens against the novel coronavirus infection could be carried out this autumn and the process could take up to nine months , Director of the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start of the coronavirus pandemic more than 8.3 mln people have been infected worldwide and some 445,000 people have died .
To date , 561,091 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 313,963 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 7,660 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, June 18. /TASS/. A group of 18 Russian servicemen have been vaccinated against the novel coronavirus, the Defense Ministry told reporters on Thursday.
"The first group of 18 participants of the experiment was finally selected, and on June 18 they were vaccinated," the ministry said.
Nine volunteers were injected with one component of the vaccine, and nine others with the second component.
The vaccination was carried out under control of experienced specialists from Moscow’s Burdenko hospital in full accordance with the plan. The volunteers have not shown any signs of complications or side effects. In several days the remaining volunteers, who are currently isolated and are under medical surveillance, will be vaccinated.
Vaccine trials
In early June, the Defense Ministry reported that two groups of volunteers had been selected for clinical trials. The first group consists of servicemen and the second group comprises civilians. Some 50 military personnel, including five women, were selected to test safety and effectiveness of a vaccine from various units throughout Russia. All of them are contract servicemen, warrant officers, and officers from 25 to 50 years old. Among the 50 volunteers there are 10 medical workers.
The vaccine was tested on animals at the 48th Central Research Institute of the Russian Defense Ministry where vaccines against Ebola and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), as well as a universal flu vaccine, had been studied and successfully tested.
Mass vaccination of Russian citizens against the novel coronavirus infection could be carried out this autumn and the process could take up to nine months, Director of the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology Alexander Gintsburg said.
Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic more than 8.3 mln people have been infected worldwide and some 445,000 people have died. To date, 561,091 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 313,963 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 7,660 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-06-18--Prospects of lifting EU anti-Russian sanctions 'more than vague' — ministry

MOSCOW , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russia does not expect that the European Union sanctions could be lifted any time soon , Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry ’ s European Cooperation Department Nikolai Kobrinets said Thursday , commenting on the report that the EU intends to extend economic restrictions placed on Russia by six months .
`` They [ sanctions ] are extended once in six months .
There ’ s nothing new about it .
The prospects of rolling the sanctions back are more than vague , '' he said .
`` We most likely should not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any time soon . ''
The diplomat noted that the EU `` has not matured '' to change its stance on Russia .
Meanwhile , according to the diplomat , Russia and the European Union can cooperate even amid the sanctions .
`` Cooperation beyond the sanctions is absolutely possible not only on the security track , '' Kobrinets said .
`` Although the European Union officially froze sectoral dialogues in 2014 , expert work continues on the issues of interest to the parties . ''
Moscow is not discussing the lifting of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not Russia that initiated them , the diplomat reiterated .
`` We will live in the conditions in which we live .
Sanctions make our country increasingly self-sufficient .
As the current pandemic has demonstrated , it is not bad to be insured against all risks , '' he noted .
The diplomat also stressed that Russia was interested in seeing the European Union as a strong , stable and independent participant in the global political life .
`` No matter what predictions are made , the EU will survive the current crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial and institutional safety .
They are planning to attract huge funds to get out of the crisis , '' he added .
Earlier , a source in the European Council told TASS that the heads of EU state and government will adopt a political decision at a video conference meeting on June 19 to extend the economic sanctions slapped on Russia by another six months .
As the things stand , the sanctions are in place until July 31 .

MOSCOW, June 18. /TASS/. Russia does not expect that the European Union sanctions could be lifted any time soon, Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s European Cooperation Department Nikolai Kobrinets said Thursday, commenting on the report that the EU intends to extend economic restrictions placed on Russia by six months.
"They [sanctions] are extended once in six months. There’s nothing new about it. The prospects of rolling the sanctions back are more than vague," he said. "We most likely should not expect that the sanctions will be lifted any time soon."
The diplomat noted that the EU "has not matured" to change its stance on Russia.
Meanwhile, according to the diplomat, Russia and the European Union can cooperate even amid the sanctions. "Cooperation beyond the sanctions is absolutely possible not only on the security track," Kobrinets said. "Although the European Union officially froze sectoral dialogues in 2014, expert work continues on the issues of interest to the parties."
Moscow is not discussing the lifting of sanctions with Brussels, since it was not Russia that initiated them, the diplomat reiterated. "We will live in the conditions in which we live. Sanctions make our country increasingly self-sufficient. As the current pandemic has demonstrated, it is not bad to be insured against all risks," he noted.
The diplomat also stressed that Russia was interested in seeing the European Union as a strong, stable and independent participant in the global political life. "No matter what predictions are made, the EU will survive the current crisis. It has a solid margin of financial and institutional safety. They are planning to attract huge funds to get out of the crisis," he added.
Earlier, a source in the European Council told TASS that the heads of EU state and government will adopt a political decision at a video conference meeting on June 19 to extend the economic sanctions slapped on Russia by another six months. As the things stand, the sanctions are in place until July 31.


tass--2020-06-18--Kremlin says no decision yet to impose personal income tax hikes on wealthy Russians

MOSCOW , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
No final decisions have yet been made to change the personal income tax rate , its increase for wealthy Russians is one of the topics under discussion , Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday .
`` Due to the difficult situation , there is a constant exchange of [ opinions ] at the expert level both in the government and in the [ Presidential ] administration regarding possible steps - in terms of the anti-crisis measures and in terms of measures to stimulate economic development , support the most affected sectors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to him , experts exchange views , `` including the one mentioned '' .
`` So far , no final decisions have been made , if they are adopted , we will talk about it , '' he said .
`` So far , no final decisions have been made , if they are adopted , we will talk about it , '' he said , adding that in the current conditions the dialogue is very intense and time sensitive , and `` decisions are made and implemented very , very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TASS earlier it does not discuss introduction of an increased personal income tax rate for people with high incomes .
Earlier , Forbes magazine reported with reference to its sources that amid the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic , the government returned to discussing the possibility of increasing tax revenues for the rich .
According to the magazine , progressive scale of personal income tax , in particular , personal income tax rates of 15 % for those with incomes of over 2-3 mln rubles ( $ 28,709-43,063 ) a year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the options .
Back in January , Mikhail Mishustin , during consultations with lawmakers when his candidacy for the post of prime minister was discussed , opposed the progressive personal income tax scale .
Thus , according to Head of the State Duma Committee on Development of Civil Society Sergey Gavrilov , Mishustin at the time called such reform ineffective and irrelevant , saying that currently in Russia there are about 20 mln people with incomes below the subsistence level , and the country virtually has no middle class .

MOSCOW, June 18. /TASS/. No final decisions have yet been made to change the personal income tax rate, its increase for wealthy Russians is one of the topics under discussion, Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday.
"Due to the difficult situation, there is a constant exchange of [opinions] at the expert level both in the government and in the [Presidential] administration regarding possible steps - in terms of the anti-crisis measures and in terms of measures to stimulate economic development, support the most affected sectors of the economy," he said. According to him, experts exchange views, "including the one mentioned".
"So far, no final decisions have been made, if they are adopted, we will talk about it," he said.
"So far, no final decisions have been made, if they are adopted, we will talk about it," he said, adding that in the current conditions the dialogue is very intense and time sensitive, and "decisions are made and implemented very, very quickly."
The Russian government told TASS earlier it does not discuss introduction of an increased personal income tax rate for people with high incomes.
Earlier, Forbes magazine reported with reference to its sources that amid the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the government returned to discussing the possibility of increasing tax revenues for the rich. According to the magazine, progressive scale of personal income tax, in particular, personal income tax rates of 15% for those with incomes of over 2-3 mln rubles ($28,709-43,063) a year, is allegedly being considered as one of the options.
Back in January, Mikhail Mishustin, during consultations with lawmakers when his candidacy for the post of prime minister was discussed, opposed the progressive personal income tax scale.
Thus, according to Head of the State Duma Committee on Development of Civil Society Sergey Gavrilov, Mishustin at the time called such reform ineffective and irrelevant, saying that currently in Russia there are about 20 mln people with incomes below the subsistence level, and the country virtually has no middle class.


tass--2020-06-18--Russian national sentenced to 9 years in prison for plotting terror attack on Victory Day

`` Kazakov was found guilty and sentenced to nine years in a strict security penal colony , with the first two years to serve his sentence in prison and a fine of 50,000 rubles [ $ 720 ] , '' the court said in a statement .
ROSTOV-ON-DON , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Southern District Military Court has sentenced resident of the city of Nalchik Zalim Kazakov to nine years in prison for plotting a terror attack , the court ’ s press office told reporters on Thursday .
Kazakov was found guilty of committing crimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , paragraph `` a '' of part 2 , article 205 ( `` A Terror Act '' ) , part 1 of article 222.1 ( `` Illegal Acquisition , Transfer of Explosive Substances or Explosives '' ) and part 1 of article 223.1 of Russia ’ s Criminal Code ( `` Illegal Manufacture of Explosives , Illegal Manufacture , Remaking or Repair of Explosives '' ) , the court ’ s press office specified .
The court found that in April 2019 , for the purpose of committing a terror act , Kazakov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia who was staying on the territory of Syria .
The man plotted a terror attack in Nalchik in southern Russia during a Victory Day procession on May 9 , 2019 .
In order to carry through his plans , Kazakov bought chemical substances , components and materials , from which he made two improvised explosive devices .
The terror attack was thwarted by law enforcement agencies who apprehended Kazakov on April 25 , 2019 , the court ’ s press office said .

"Kazakov was found guilty and sentenced to nine years in a strict security penal colony, with the first two years to serve his sentence in prison and a fine of 50,000 rubles [$720]," the court said in a statement.
ROSTOV-ON-DON, June 18. /TASS/. Russia’s Southern District Military Court has sentenced resident of the city of Nalchik Zalim Kazakov to nine years in prison for plotting a terror attack, the court’s press office told reporters on Thursday.
Kazakov was found guilty of committing crimes stipulated by part 1 of article 30, paragraph "a" of part 2, article 205 ("A Terror Act"), part 1 of article 222.1 ("Illegal Acquisition, Transfer of Explosive Substances or Explosives") and part 1 of article 223.1 of Russia’s Criminal Code ("Illegal Manufacture of Explosives, Illegal Manufacture, Remaking or Repair of Explosives"), the court’s press office specified.
The court found that in April 2019, for the purpose of committing a terror act, Kazakov entered into correspondence with a resident of the Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia who was staying on the territory of Syria. The man plotted a terror attack in Nalchik in southern Russia during a Victory Day procession on May 9, 2019.
In order to carry through his plans, Kazakov bought chemical substances, components and materials, from which he made two improvised explosive devices. The terror attack was thwarted by law enforcement agencies who apprehended Kazakov on April 25, 2019, the court’s press office said.


tass--2020-06-18--Kremlin slams as absurd EU accusations of coronavirus disinformation campaigns

`` As for disinformation , we believe that these accusations are absurd , '' Peskov told reporters .
MOSCOW , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has blasted as absurd accusations that Russia along with China and Iran are advancing disinformation campaigns against European Union member states since the coronavirus pandemic began .
The spokesman underlined that the Kremlin `` categorically disagrees with these claims . ''
`` On the contrary , both Russia and China constantly support international cooperation to fight coronavirus , to develop vaccines and to create medicine to counter this infection , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued a statement , alleging , `` Foreign actors and certain third countries , in particular Russia and China , have engaged in targeted influence operations and disinformation campaigns around COVID-19 in the EU , its neighbourhood and globally , seeking to undermine democratic debate and exacerbate social polarisation , and improve their own image in the COVID-19 context . ''
It is not the first time the European Commission has accused Russia and China of disinformation campaigns .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in late April said that such statements issued by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facts .
The minister then noted that Russia got used to `` western colleagues increasingly trying to find unifying motives , inventing Russian or any other threat . ''

"As for disinformation, we believe that these accusations are absurd," Peskov told reporters.
MOSCOW, June 18. /TASS/. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has blasted as absurd accusations that Russia along with China and Iran are advancing disinformation campaigns against European Union member states since the coronavirus pandemic began.
The spokesman underlined that the Kremlin "categorically disagrees with these claims." "On the contrary, both Russia and China constantly support international cooperation to fight coronavirus, to develop vaccines and to create medicine to counter this infection," he noted.
The European Commission recently issued a statement, alleging, "Foreign actors and certain third countries, in particular Russia and China, have engaged in targeted influence operations and disinformation campaigns around COVID-19 in the EU, its neighbourhood and globally, seeking to undermine democratic debate and exacerbate social polarisation, and improve their own image in the COVID-19 context."
It is not the first time the European Commission has accused Russia and China of disinformation campaigns. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in late April said that such statements issued by the EU are not proven by any facts. The minister then noted that Russia got used to "western colleagues increasingly trying to find unifying motives, inventing Russian or any other threat."


tass--2020-06-18--Russian foreign minister arrives in Belgrade, holds meeting with Serbian leader

BELGRADE , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has arrived in Serbia on his first foreign visit since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic .
He was greeted at the airport by his Serbian colleague Ivica Dacic .
Unlike other members of his team , Lavrov left the plane without a mask .
The Serbian minister was not wearing a protective mask or gloves either .
Belgrade has officially lifted restrictive measures introduced to combat the spread of the virus .
However , Serbian reporters and diplomats still follow the safety measures .
The ministers headed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic .
In Serbia , 257 people have died from the coronavirus and 12,522 have been infected .
Earlier , Serbia asked Russia for help to fight the epidemic .
Between April 3 and May 18 , a Russian unit fully disinfected medical facilities in more than 40 cities and towns across Serbia , decontaminating 376 buildings and structures .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 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 .

BELGRADE, June 18. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has arrived in Serbia on his first foreign visit since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. He was greeted at the airport by his Serbian colleague Ivica Dacic.
Unlike other members of his team, Lavrov left the plane without a mask. The Serbian minister was not wearing a protective mask or gloves either. Belgrade has officially lifted restrictive measures introduced to combat the spread of the virus. However, Serbian reporters and diplomats still follow the safety measures.
The ministers headed to the presidential palace for Lavrov to meet with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
In Serbia, 257 people have died from the coronavirus and 12,522 have been infected.
Earlier, Serbia asked Russia for help to fight the epidemic. Between April 3 and May 18, a Russian unit fully disinfected medical facilities in more than 40 cities and towns across Serbia, decontaminating 376 buildings and structures.
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--2020-06-18--Rosatom, Framatome SAS, GE Steam Power to jointly build Belene NPP in Bulgaria

Rosatom , Framatome SAS , and GE Steam Power signed memoranda of understanding ( MOUs ) on the Belene NPP construction project to join forces to participate in the procedure for selecting a strategic investor for the plant ’ s construction .
MOSCOW , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
Rosatom State Corporation will continue to participate in a tender for the construction of Belene Nuclear Power Plant ( NPP ) in Bulgaria in partnership with Framatome SAS ( France ) and GE Steam Power ( USA ) , Rosatom Central Europe reported on Thursday .
Kirill Komarov , first deputy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Business of Rosatom , Frederic Lelievre , senior executive vice president in charge of Sales , Regional Platforms and I & C of Framatome and Michael Keroulle , president of General Electric Steam Power signed the MOUs .
`` In accordance with the agreements , the companies will work together to participate in the tender for the construction of Belene NPP .
As part of the agreement , if Rosatom becomes a strategic investor of the project through a competitive process , General Electric will be considered as the partner of an Arabelle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Framatome SAS as the key partner of Instrumentation and Control ( I & C ) Systems for the Bulgarian NPP , '' Rosatom said .
`` The signed MOUs underline a continuously high level of trust between our companies .
I am sure that international cooperation between nuclear industry leaders will help create the best financial and technical conditions for the implementation of the Belene NPP , '' First Deputy Director General of Corporate Development and International Business of Rosatom Kirill Komarov said .
Earlier , Rosatom , Framatome SAS , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of five applicants for the Belene NPP , along with the China National Nuclear Corporation ( CNNC ) and the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Corporation ( KHNP ) .

Rosatom, Framatome SAS, and GE Steam Power signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) on the Belene NPP construction project to join forces to participate in the procedure for selecting a strategic investor for the plant’s construction.
MOSCOW, June 18. /TASS/. Rosatom State Corporation will continue to participate in a tender for the construction of Belene Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Bulgaria in partnership with Framatome SAS (France) and GE Steam Power (USA), Rosatom Central Europe reported on Thursday.
Kirill Komarov, first deputy director general of Corporate Development and International Business of Rosatom, Frederic Lelievre, senior executive vice president in charge of Sales, Regional Platforms and I&C of Framatome and Michael Keroulle, president of General Electric Steam Power signed the MOUs.
"In accordance with the agreements, the companies will work together to participate in the tender for the construction of Belene NPP. As part of the agreement, if Rosatom becomes a strategic investor of the project through a competitive process, General Electric will be considered as the partner of an Arabelle based turbine-generator set and Turbine Hall Equipment and Framatome SAS as the key partner of Instrumentation and Control (I&C) Systems for the Bulgarian NPP," Rosatom said.
"The signed MOUs underline a continuously high level of trust between our companies. I am sure that international cooperation between nuclear industry leaders will help create the best financial and technical conditions for the implementation of the Belene NPP," First Deputy Director General of Corporate Development and International Business of Rosatom Kirill Komarov said.
Earlier, Rosatom, Framatome SAS, and General Electric were included in the shortlist of five applicants for the Belene NPP, along with the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) and the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Corporation (KHNP).


tass--2020-06-18--Inter-Korean military conflict hardly probable now, says Japanese expert

TOKYO , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
A military conflict between North and South Korea is hardly probable now as the Koreas ’ armed standoff would crush Pyongyang ’ s hopes for improving the relations with the United States , renowned Japanese expert on Korean problems , Editor-in-Chief of the Daily NK Japan news portal Ko Yong Gi told TASS on Thursday .
`` North Korea will not take any military measures against the South at least until the presidential elections in the United States , '' the expert said , commenting on the current escalation of tension between Pyongyang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top priority today is to improve the relations with the United States .
A military conflict with the South would ruin all of North Korea ’ s achievements in this area , including personal contacts between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump , '' he said .
The expert said , however , that North Korea might resort to other measures in this situation .
`` There may be military drills directly at the disengagement line with the South , the launches of short-and medium-range missiles and propaganda rhetoric @ @ @ @ @ @

TOKYO, June 18. /TASS/. A military conflict between North and South Korea is hardly probable now as the Koreas’ armed standoff would crush Pyongyang’s hopes for improving the relations with the United States, renowned Japanese expert on Korean problems, Editor-in-Chief of the Daily NK Japan news portal Ko Yong Gi told TASS on Thursday.
"North Korea will not take any military measures against the South at least until the presidential elections in the United States," the expert said, commenting on the current escalation of tension between Pyongyang and Seoul.
"Pyongyang’s top priority today is to improve the relations with the United States. A military conflict with the South would ruin all of North Korea’s achievements in this area, including personal contacts between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump," he said.
The expert said, however, that North Korea might resort to other measures in this situation. "There may be military drills directly at the disengagement line with the South, the launches of short-and medium-range missiles and propaganda rhetoric tightening," he explained.


tass--2020-06-18--Press review: Germany shifts from US friend to foe and will the UN stop Israeli annexation

Kommersant : Germany morphing into key US opponent in Europe One of the key topics of the two-day online talks held by NATO defense ministers , which kicked off on Wednesday , was US President Donald Trump ’ s decision to pull out 9,500 US troops from Germany .
The White House occupant earlier said he had no idea why the US should spend money on protecting Germany from Russia while Berlin buys Russian gas .
Washington ’ s partners in NATO were puzzled over the move but the Trump administration ’ s position essentially irritated Berlin .
Germany , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ally , is becoming a major US opponent in Europe and this is playing into Russia ’ s hands , Kommersant writes .
Trump clearly signaled that he is punishing Germany .
First , Berlin buys Russian gas instead of importing it from America .
Second , Germany owes multibillion debts to the US and NATO because Berlin has been unable to increase its defense spending to 2 % of the GDP as demanded by the 2014 NATO summit decision .
Last year , Germany allocated 1.38 % of its GDP to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US in terms of contributions to NATO .
However , Trump made it clear that this payment was insufficient .
Berlin expressed regret over the US administration ’ s decision on cutting its contingent .
Another issue for criticism by German politicians and experts was the fact that the German authorities found out about the upcoming troop withdrawal from US mass media reports .
Meanwhile , Germany is running out of common interests with the United States under the Trump administration , Kommersant writes .
This comes after the US halted its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ withdrew from the Iranian nuclear deal and the Open Skies Treaty .
The fiercest clash between the US and Germany was over energy .
The Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany was at the heart of this dispute .
Washington is threatening to impose sanctions against the pipeline , which could also target European companies , including those in Germany .
Now Gazprom continues active preparations for laying down the Danish section of the underwater gas pipeline .
Although the German government has stressed many times that this was a private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it were taken by Germany at the highest level .
Given the remarks by German politicians , they don ’ t even anticipate that bilateral ties will improve under Trump .
However , Moscow is very upbeat over the prospects that America ’ s military presence in Europe will be reduced .
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Russia was convinced that European countries were capable of defending their security independently without persistent US patronage .
The Palestinians expect that the United Nations Security Council won ’ t let Israel annex the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including sanctions against the Jewish state , Palestinian Ambassador to Moscow Abdel Hafiz Nofal told Izvestia .
The UN Security Council ’ s meeting on this issue is scheduled for June 24 , the diplomat said .
The Israeli PM ’ s administration told the newspaper that the UN Security Council would not take any steps against the Israeli plans since Washington would veto any such resolution .
Experts note that the split in the ruling Israeli party could disrupt the operation in the future .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Valley by July 1 .
The Middle East Quartet , which includes Russia , the US , the UN and the EU , has not yet come up with a unified stance and failed to suggest a decision mostly due to Washington ’ s position .
Although back in January , when presenting the political part of the `` deal of the century , '' Trump said the Palestinians would be given four years to think it over .
That said , the Jordanian Valley ’ s annexation will begin this year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will put the final nail in the coffin of two-state solution , and the Palestinian administration seeks to prevent this , even by going through the UN Security Council , the Palestinian envoy to Russia told Izvestia .
`` On June 24 , the Security Council is due to hold a meeting on this issue .
Palestine will raise the issue that the Security Council should harshly criticize the Israeli plan and pass a resolution and sanctions .
Certainly , many countries , including the EU , Russia and China , have condemned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real steps such as sanctions , or other measures have been taken so far , '' the ambassador said .
Netanyahu ’ s administration told the newspaper that they did not understand the term `` annexation '' since it implies seizing a legal territory of another state .
`` The UN Security Council can not criticize this , they can adopt a resolution against this step .
But this is impossible because the US supports Israel on this issue , '' stressed Ariel Bulstein , the Israeli prime minister ’ s adviser .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ruling coalition on this issue would not hinder the project ’ s implementation .
Out of the five permanent members of the UNSC , Israel ’ s plans are backed only by the US .
Russia ’ s permanent mission to the UN headquarters in New York told Izvestia that now Israel ’ s steps were believed to be just plans .
`` We respond to actions , '' the mission stressed , answering a question whether Russia was ready to adopt a resolution condemning Israeli steps .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday to hold talks with the Serbian leadership .
This will be the first foreign visit by the Russian top diplomat after a pause due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Besides , the visit will take place three days ahead of the parliamentary election in Serbia .
This visit seeks an answer as to whether Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic , whom Moscow backed in his election , is ready to be Russia ’ s strategic partner in the region not only in words but also in deeds , Kommersant writes .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the parliamentary election in the republic due on June 21 .
The visit will show that Russia is banking on Vucic and also wants to test the Serbian leader as a partner and show him and also the majority of pro-Russian and pro-Putin Serbs that Russia backs them , '' said Vlado Vurusic , a renowned Balkan expert and commentator for the Croatian newspaper Jutarnji list in an interview with the business daily .
`` Although Vucic ’ s party is highly likely to have a confident victory in the election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into his hands . ''
According to the expert , Lavrov ’ s trip to Belgrade is not just to support Vucic but also to cement Russia ’ s positions in the Balkan region .
`` These positions do not always coincide with Belgrade ’ s approaches . ''
For example , Moscow does not share Vucic ’ s drive to swiftly sign a deal on normalizing ties with Kosovo since it is afraid that this would pave the way for Pristina and Belgrade both to the EU and NATO .
Next week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talks with Kosovo ’ s leaders , due to be attended by President Donald Trump , the expert noted .
`` Moscow has reasons to fear that the Serbian president could accept a deal on Kosovo that does not meet Russian interests . ''
Moscow and Belgrade also disagree on the status of the Russian-Serbian Humanitarian Center in Nis in southeastern Serbia .
Moscow has been long insisting that its Russian staff be given diplomatic status while Belgrade has been avoiding signing this agreement under various pretexts , fearing to spoil relations with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which Russia deems as a key ally in the Balkans , has taken a range of steps towards the North Atlantic Alliance .
NATO staff obtained freedom in moving across Serbia , along with access to all facilities and diplomatic immunity .
Besides , new irritants have emerged in Russian-Serbian relations not due to Moscow ’ s fault , including the recent `` spy scandal . ''
`` Lavrov will definitely demand actual clarification from Vucic on Belgrade ’ s relations with the West , China and Russia , '' Vurusic said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy is really tied to Moscow . ''
Although Vucic put it straight that Serbia is not going to discuss Kosovo ’ s independence in Washington , his allies have rushed to accuse him of these plans , Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes .
According to the Kremlin ’ s press service , during the exchange of views on the Kosovo settlement , Vladimir Putin called for finding a compromise decision , which will be backed by Belgrade and passed by the UN Security Council .
This concerns a new UNSC resolution on Kosovo replacing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the current positions of Moscow , Beijing and Belgrade , which has not been working for a long time .
Obviously , the Kosovo issue will dominate the agenda of Lavrov ’ s visit to Belgrade and Putin ’ s meeting with Vucic in Moscow five days later .
Kommersant : New US sanctions against Syria come into effect The United States has not stopped its crusade to strong-arm Damascus into playing by its rules .
On Wednesday , Washington took the first steps as part of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act .
The sanctions targeted 39 individuals and legal entities in Syria , including President Bashar Assad and his wife Asma .
Now restrictions may be imposed not only on Syrians but also against anyone who cooperates with them , including Russian and Iranian structures working in Syria .
The reason for imposing these punitive restrictions may be some decisions by the Assad government , which anger Washington .
Moscow believes that the Caesar Act is aimed at toppling the legitimate authorities in Damascus , Kommersant writes .
Those who take part in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controlled by Damascus , Russia and Iran could face sanctions .
The restrictions may be imposed for cooperation with foreign nationals who are staff members of private military companies , mercenaries and participants of armed groups , which are operating in the interests or on behalf of the Syrian , Russian or Iranian governments .
China has dismissed the new US sanctions as inhuman while Russia ’ s envoy to the UN Vasily Nebenzya stressed that the Caesar Act ’ s goal was to oust the legitimate Syrian authorities .
The rift between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is deepening every day , the newspaper writes .
In the coming days , they will clash over the humanitarian assistance for Syria .
Russia ’ s refusal to make concessions to the US in the UN Security Council and allow it to expand assistance to Syrians by skirting Damascus could be a new reason for sanctions .
`` The Caesar Act is a test of Russia ’ s capability to help the Syrian regime stay afloat .
The US sanctions are dealing a blow to Russian-Syrian cooperation as well as Moscow ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Syrians by sending them grain and medicines as well as other projects .
The sanctions against Syria ’ s Central Bank jeopardize any transaction with the country , '' Vice President of the Russian International Affairs Council Alexander Aksenenok told the newspaper .
The Caesar Act is also targeting the top Syrian leadership , deepening the emerging split in Assad ’ s family , the Alawite circles and the ruling elite as a whole , he noted .
`` Against this background , it ’ s logical that the Syrian leadership should review @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Constitutional Committee .
The question is whether Damascus is acting rationally in accordance with political logic , '' the expert said .
Vedomosti : New major player could emerge in Russia 's crab business The Russian Federal Anti-Monopoly Service ( FAS ) has received a bid from the Antei Assets Management company , which seeks to purchase a share in several crab fishing companies with quotas totaling 8,100 tonnes .
The company was set up in February 2020 and is owned by Igor Mikhnov and Arkady Pinchevsky , Vedomosti writes .
Mikhnov is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which catches fish and crab .
Its crab assets will become part of the Antei Assets Management , according to the FAS files .
Pinchesvsky , who was not earlier engaged in the crab business , confirmed plans to join the enterprise , saying he had shown interest in it a long time ago .
The Antei Assets Management company seeks to buy 99 % of shares in the Murmansk-based Antei Sever company owned by Mikhnov , which has quotas to catch more than 4,900 tonnes of crab .
The company also wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capital stock of Alestar company , which has quotas for 1,100 tonnes of crab .
Structures close to businessman Arkady Rotenberg showed interest in Antei ’ s crab business , while Pinchesvsky could represent their interests in this enterprise , a source close to the leadership of the Antei group told the paper .
Meanwhile , Rotenberg ’ s representative rejected this idea , saying that the businessman had no ties to the crab business and was not planning to join it .
Last year , the rights for using half of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rubles ( $ 2 bln ) were sold at auctions .
In 2019 , some 91,000 tonnes of crab were caught in Russia .
The crab industry is one of the most profitable sectors in the country .
The average net profit margin in the fisheries industry is 52 % , and it reaches 60-70 % in the crab business , Oleg Kan , founder of Moneron company , told the paper .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews .

Kommersant: Germany morphing into key US opponent in Europe
Read also US sanctions against Nord Stream 2 target German economy, says diplomat
One of the key topics of the two-day online talks held by NATO defense ministers, which kicked off on Wednesday, was US President Donald Trump’s decision to pull out 9,500 US troops from Germany. The White House occupant earlier said he had no idea why the US should spend money on protecting Germany from Russia while Berlin buys Russian gas. Washington’s partners in NATO were puzzled over the move but the Trump administration’s position essentially irritated Berlin. Germany, which used to be a loyal US ally, is becoming a major US opponent in Europe and this is playing into Russia’s hands, Kommersant writes. Trump clearly signaled that he is punishing Germany. First, Berlin buys Russian gas instead of importing it from America. Second, Germany owes multibillion debts to the US and NATO because Berlin has been unable to increase its defense spending to 2% of the GDP as demanded by the 2014 NATO summit decision. Last year, Germany allocated 1.38% of its GDP to the military budget and came in second after the US in terms of contributions to NATO. However, Trump made it clear that this payment was insufficient. Berlin expressed regret over the US administration’s decision on cutting its contingent. Another issue for criticism by German politicians and experts was the fact that the German authorities found out about the upcoming troop withdrawal from US mass media reports. Meanwhile, Germany is running out of common interests with the United States under the Trump administration, Kommersant writes. This comes after the US halted its participation in the Paris climate deal and withdrew from the Iranian nuclear deal and the Open Skies Treaty. The fiercest clash between the US and Germany was over energy. The Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany was at the heart of this dispute. Washington is threatening to impose sanctions against the pipeline, which could also target European companies, including those in Germany. Now Gazprom continues active preparations for laying down the Danish section of the underwater gas pipeline. Although the German government has stressed many times that this was a private business project, the efforts to preserve it were taken by Germany at the highest level. Given the remarks by German politicians, they don’t even anticipate that bilateral ties will improve under Trump. However, Moscow is very upbeat over the prospects that America’s military presence in Europe will be reduced. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Russia was convinced that European countries were capable of defending their security independently without persistent US patronage. Izvestia: Palestinians banking on UN sanctions against Israel
The Palestinians expect that the United Nations Security Council won’t let Israel annex the Jordanian Valley and take tough measures, including sanctions against the Jewish state, Palestinian Ambassador to Moscow Abdel Hafiz Nofal told Izvestia. The UN Security Council’s meeting on this issue is scheduled for June 24, the diplomat said. The Israeli PM’s administration told the newspaper that the UN Security Council would not take any steps against the Israeli plans since Washington would veto any such resolution. Experts note that the split in the ruling Israeli party could disrupt the operation in the future. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to start applying Israeli sovereignty to the Jordanian Valley by July 1. The Middle East Quartet, which includes Russia, the US, the UN and the EU, has not yet come up with a unified stance and failed to suggest a decision mostly due to Washington’s position. Although back in January, when presenting the political part of the "deal of the century," Trump said the Palestinians would be given four years to think it over. That said, the Jordanian Valley’s annexation will begin this year. The annexation of the territories in question will put the final nail in the coffin of two-state solution, and the Palestinian administration seeks to prevent this, even by going through the UN Security Council, the Palestinian envoy to Russia told Izvestia. "On June 24, the Security Council is due to hold a meeting on this issue. Palestine will raise the issue that the Security Council should harshly criticize the Israeli plan and pass a resolution and sanctions. Certainly, many countries, including the EU, Russia and China, have condemned the planned annexation. However, no real steps such as sanctions, or other measures have been taken so far," the ambassador said. Netanyahu’s administration told the newspaper that they did not understand the term "annexation" since it implies seizing a legal territory of another state. "The UN Security Council cannot criticize this, they can adopt a resolution against this step. But this is impossible because the US supports Israel on this issue," stressed Ariel Bulstein, the Israeli prime minister’s adviser. He also noted that the dispute in the ruling coalition on this issue would not hinder the project’s implementation. Out of the five permanent members of the UNSC, Israel’s plans are backed only by the US. Russia’s permanent mission to the UN headquarters in New York told Izvestia that now Israel’s steps were believed to be just plans. "We respond to actions," the mission stressed, answering a question whether Russia was ready to adopt a resolution condemning Israeli steps. Media: Top Russian diplomat heads to Serbia ahead of election
Read also Minister lauds return of Miroslav Gospel page as Serbia’s great success
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will pay a visit to Belgrade on Thursday to hold talks with the Serbian leadership. This will be the first foreign visit by the Russian top diplomat after a pause due to the coronavirus pandemic. Besides, the visit will take place three days ahead of the parliamentary election in Serbia. This visit seeks an answer as to whether Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, whom Moscow backed in his election, is ready to be Russia’s strategic partner in the region not only in words but also in deeds, Kommersant writes. "Lavrov will visit Serbia on the eve of the parliamentary election in the republic due on June 21. The visit will show that Russia is banking on Vucic and also wants to test the Serbian leader as a partner and show him and also the majority of pro-Russian and pro-Putin Serbs that Russia backs them," said Vlado Vurusic, a renowned Balkan expert and commentator for the Croatian newspaper Jutarnji list in an interview with the business daily. "Although Vucic’s party is highly likely to have a confident victory in the election, this evident support of Moscow is playing into his hands." According to the expert, Lavrov’s trip to Belgrade is not just to support Vucic but also to cement Russia’s positions in the Balkan region. "These positions do not always coincide with Belgrade’s approaches." For example, Moscow does not share Vucic’s drive to swiftly sign a deal on normalizing ties with Kosovo since it is afraid that this would pave the way for Pristina and Belgrade both to the EU and NATO. Next week, Vucic is heading to Washington for talks with Kosovo’s leaders, due to be attended by President Donald Trump, the expert noted. "Moscow has reasons to fear that the Serbian president could accept a deal on Kosovo that does not meet Russian interests." Moscow and Belgrade also disagree on the status of the Russian-Serbian Humanitarian Center in Nis in southeastern Serbia. Moscow has been long insisting that its Russian staff be given diplomatic status while Belgrade has been avoiding signing this agreement under various pretexts, fearing to spoil relations with the US. However, Serbia, which Russia deems as a key ally in the Balkans, has taken a range of steps towards the North Atlantic Alliance. NATO staff obtained freedom in moving across Serbia, along with access to all facilities and diplomatic immunity. Besides, new irritants have emerged in Russian-Serbian relations not due to Moscow’s fault, including the recent "spy scandal." "Lavrov will definitely demand actual clarification from Vucic on Belgrade’s relations with the West, China and Russia," Vurusic said. "More precisely, guarantees that his policy is really tied to Moscow." Although Vucic put it straight that Serbia is not going to discuss Kosovo’s independence in Washington, his allies have rushed to accuse him of these plans, Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes. According to the Kremlin’s press service, during the exchange of views on the Kosovo settlement, Vladimir Putin called for finding a compromise decision, which will be backed by Belgrade and passed by the UN Security Council. This concerns a new UNSC resolution on Kosovo replacing Resolution 1244, which is the cornerstone of the current positions of Moscow, Beijing and Belgrade, which has not been working for a long time. Obviously, the Kosovo issue will dominate the agenda of Lavrov’s visit to Belgrade and Putin’s meeting with Vucic in Moscow five days later. Kommersant: New US sanctions against Syria come into effect
Read also US sanctions against Damascus under Caesar Act affect ordinary Syrians, Moscow says
The United States has not stopped its crusade to strong-arm Damascus into playing by its rules. On Wednesday, Washington took the first steps as part of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, also known as the Caesar Act. The sanctions targeted 39 individuals and legal entities in Syria, including President Bashar Assad and his wife Asma. Now restrictions may be imposed not only on Syrians but also against anyone who cooperates with them, including Russian and Iranian structures working in Syria. The reason for imposing these punitive restrictions may be some decisions by the Assad government, which anger Washington. Moscow believes that the Caesar Act is aimed at toppling the legitimate authorities in Damascus, Kommersant writes. Those who take part in restoring the Syrian economy in the areas controlled by Damascus, Russia and Iran could face sanctions. The restrictions may be imposed for cooperation with foreign nationals who are staff members of private military companies, mercenaries and participants of armed groups, which are operating in the interests or on behalf of the Syrian, Russian or Iranian governments. China has dismissed the new US sanctions as inhuman while Russia’s envoy to the UN Vasily Nebenzya stressed that the Caesar Act’s goal was to oust the legitimate Syrian authorities. The rift between Moscow and Washington over the Syrian settlement is deepening every day, the newspaper writes. In the coming days, they will clash over the humanitarian assistance for Syria. Russia’s refusal to make concessions to the US in the UN Security Council and allow it to expand assistance to Syrians by skirting Damascus could be a new reason for sanctions. "The Caesar Act is a test of Russia’s capability to help the Syrian regime stay afloat. The US sanctions are dealing a blow to Russian-Syrian cooperation as well as Moscow’s attempts to ease the suffering of Syrians by sending them grain and medicines as well as other projects. The sanctions against Syria’s Central Bank jeopardize any transaction with the country," Vice President of the Russian International Affairs Council Alexander Aksenenok told the newspaper. The Caesar Act is also targeting the top Syrian leadership, deepening the emerging split in Assad’s family, the Alawite circles and the ruling elite as a whole, he noted. "Against this background, it’s logical that the Syrian leadership should review its stance on the work of the Constitutional Committee. The question is whether Damascus is acting rationally in accordance with political logic," the expert said. Vedomosti: New major player could emerge in Russia's crab business


tass--2020-06-18--Lifting restrictions in Russian regions does not lead to increase in COVID-19 cases — PM

MOSCOW , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
Lifting some of the restrictions introduced to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus does not lead to an increase in cases of COVID-19 , a disease caused by the virus , Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said during a government session on Thursday .
`` We see that the lifting [ of measures related to the pandemic in Russian regions ] does not lead to a rise in new cases [ of infection ] , '' he said .
The PM noted that Russia is documenting a drop in new detected cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two days , the number of daily new COVID-19 cases does not surpass 8,000 , while the increase rate has slowed down in the past 24 hours , reaching 1.4 % .
`` We see that this trend remains on the territory of the Moscow area and practically in all Russian subjects , which gives us cause for a gradual , stage-by-stage exit from the restrictions regime in Russian regions , '' Mishustin added .
He reminded that 53 Russian regions had begun the first stage of lifting the restrictions , and eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The PM noted that this process is gradual .
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 .
To date , 561,091 coronavirus cases have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 7,660 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, June 18. /TASS/. Lifting some of the restrictions introduced to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus does not lead to an increase in cases of COVID-19, a disease caused by the virus, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said during a government session on Thursday.
"We see that the lifting [of measures related to the pandemic in Russian regions] does not lead to a rise in new cases [of infection]," he said.
The PM noted that Russia is documenting a drop in new detected cases. He said that for the past two days, the number of daily new COVID-19 cases does not surpass 8,000, while the increase rate has slowed down in the past 24 hours, reaching 1.4%.
"We see that this trend remains on the territory of the Moscow area and practically in all Russian subjects, which gives us cause for a gradual, stage-by-stage exit from the restrictions regime in Russian regions," Mishustin added.
He reminded that 53 Russian regions had begun the first stage of lifting the restrictions, and eight have moved on to the second stage. The PM noted that this process is gradual.
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.
To date, 561,091 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 313,963 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 7,660 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-06-18--Scientists confirm high risk of new COVID-19 cases among those recovered — newspaper

BEIJING , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
Those infected with the novel coronavirus after recovery may contract it again with @ @ @ @ @ since many of those tested in China in the high-risk group did not have the @ @ @ @ @ ’ s South China Morning Post reported on Thursday referring to results from a study @ @ @ @ @ American and Chinese researchers .
According to the newspaper , the scientists reached this conclusion @ @ @ @ @ on medical personnel who participated in the liquidation of the Wuhan outbreak which was the @ @ @ @ @ infection in the world .
It emerged that only 4 % out of 23,000 medics @ @ @ @ @ immunity , while one in four of them is susceptible to the infection , the @ @ @

BEIJING, June 18. /TASS/. Those infected with the novel coronavirus after recovery may contract it again with a high degree of possibility since many of those tested in China in the high-risk group did not have the appropriate antibodies, Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post reported on Thursday referring to results from a study obtained by a group of American and Chinese researchers.
According to the newspaper, the scientists reached this conclusion after conducting tests for antibodies on medical personnel who participated in the liquidation of the Wuhan outbreak which was the first site of the COVID-19 infection in the world. It emerged that only 4% out of 23,000 medics tested obtained any clearly pronounced immunity, while one in four of them is susceptible to the infection, the newspaper said.


tass--2020-06-18--Nearly 500 doctors die from coronavirus in Russia

MOSCOW , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
Some 500 medical staff have died from COVID-19 in Russia , Head of @ @ @ @ @ of Healthcare Alla Samoilova said on Thursday .
`` Today we consider that the epidemic @ @ @ @ @ More than half a million people in Russia are really ill , and unfortunately more @ @ @ @ @ to date < ... > 489 [ people ] are medical staff .
So , @ @ @ @ @ nearly 500 people , who are our colleagues , '' the healthcare watchdog ’ s @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, June 18. /TASS/. Some 500 medical staff have died from COVID-19 in Russia, Head of the Federal Service for Supervision of Healthcare Alla Samoilova said on Thursday.
"Today we consider that the epidemic has not yet ended. More than half a million people in Russia are really ill, and unfortunately more than 7,500 people have died to date <...> 489 [people] are medical staff. So, unfortunately, we have lost nearly 500 people, who are our colleagues," the healthcare watchdog’s chief told an online conference.


tass--2020-06-18--Roscosmos urges Pentagon to prevent potential space arms race

MOSCOW , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s space corporation , Roscosmos , is advocating the adoption of a resolution to prevent an arms race in space as a response to the defense space strategy developed by the Pentagon , said Sergei Savelyev , Roscosmos Deputy Director General .
`` `` We act consistently on all possible venues including , in particular , the Conference on Disarmament , in order to adopt a resolution to prevent an arms race in space , '' Savelyev was quoted in the statement by Roscosmos on Thursday .
According to the corporate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Russia is going to place weapons directed against the US in space .
Savelyev stressed that the space agency is ready to boost cooperation between Moscow and Washington in various directions in the field of space exploration .
`` The militarization of outer space with the subsequent emergence of the dominant roles of our US partners can disrupt the already fragile structure of relations between the two countries in this area , '' he explained .
On Wednesday , the Pentagon announced the completion of the development of America ’ s space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how the US will answer challenges and threats , react to opportunities in current and future situations in the security sphere .
The US Defense Department noted that China and Russia are allegedly militarizing outer space turning it into an arena for a military standoff .
On February 25 , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the Conference on Disarmament said that `` plans of the US , as well as those of France and NATO as a whole , to place weapons in outer space are taking shape . ''
Roscosmos noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to shaping complete military dominance in space , integrating military potential in space with national , joint , and combined operations , forming a strategic environment , and cooperating with allies , partners , industry , and US government authorities and agencies .

MOSCOW, June 18. /TASS/. Russia’s space corporation, Roscosmos, is advocating the adoption of a resolution to prevent an arms race in space as a response to the defense space strategy developed by the Pentagon, said Sergei Savelyev, Roscosmos Deputy Director General.
""We act consistently on all possible venues including, in particular, the Conference on Disarmament, in order to adopt a resolution to prevent an arms race in space," Savelyev was quoted in the statement by Roscosmos on Thursday.
According to the corporate executive, Moscow warily reacts to claims that Russia is going to place weapons directed against the US in space. Savelyev stressed that the space agency is ready to boost cooperation between Moscow and Washington in various directions in the field of space exploration. "The militarization of outer space with the subsequent emergence of the dominant roles of our US partners can disrupt the already fragile structure of relations between the two countries in this area," he explained.
On Wednesday, the Pentagon announced the completion of the development of America’s space ‘defense’ strategy. It describes how the US will answer challenges and threats, react to opportunities in current and future situations in the security sphere. The US Defense Department noted that China and Russia are allegedly militarizing outer space turning it into an arena for a military standoff.
On February 25, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the Conference on Disarmament said that "plans of the US, as well as those of France and NATO as a whole, to place weapons in outer space are taking shape."
Roscosmos noted that this strategy implies an incremental approach to shaping complete military dominance in space, integrating military potential in space with national, joint, and combined operations, forming a strategic environment, and cooperating with allies, partners, industry, and US government authorities and agencies.


tass--2020-06-18--Kazakhstan’s first President Nazarbayev contracts coronavirus

NUR-SULTAN , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
First President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev , 79 , has contracted COVID-19 , @ @ @ @ @ official website reported on Thursday .
`` The first president of Kazakhstan is currently self-isolating @ @ @ @ @ Leader of the Nation — TASS ] has tested positive for coronavirus .
There is @ @ @ @ @ Nursultan Nazarbayev continues to work remotely , '' the report said .
A state of @ @ @ @ @ the country over the coronavirus outbreak from March 16 to May 11 , but restrictions @ @ @ @ @ ’ s regions .
A total of 15,877 coronavirus cases have been confirmed throughout the @ @ @ @ @ recovered , and 100 people have died .

NUR-SULTAN, June 18. /TASS/. First President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, 79, has contracted COVID-19, he has self-isolated, his official website reported on Thursday.
"The first president of Kazakhstan is currently self-isolating. Unfortunately, Elbasy [Leader of the Nation — TASS] has tested positive for coronavirus. There is no reason for concern. Nursultan Nazarbayev continues to work remotely," the report said.
A state of emergency was in effect in the country over the coronavirus outbreak from March 16 to May 11, but restrictions remain in place in Kazakhstan’s regions. A total of 15,877 coronavirus cases have been confirmed throughout the country, 9,902 patients have recovered, and 100 people have died.


tass--2020-06-18--Russia confirms nearly 7,800 new COVID-19 cases

MOSCOW , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russia confirmed 7,790 new coronavirus cases in the past day , taking the @ @ @ @ @ the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Thursday .
Some 1,040 COVID-19 cases were confirmed in @ @ @ @ @ .
The daily growth in the country did not exceed the minimum of 1.4 % @ @ @ @ @ a row and 0.5 % in Moscow .

MOSCOW, June 18. /TASS/. Russia confirmed 7,790 new coronavirus cases in the past day, taking the total number to 561,091, the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Thursday.
Some 1,040 COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Moscow in the past day. The daily growth in the country did not exceed the minimum of 1.4% for the second day in a row and 0.5% in Moscow.


tass--2020-06-18--Ukraine documents record number of daily COVID-19 cases

KIEV , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
Ukraine has documented a record number of daily COVID-19 cases for two days @ @ @ @ @ and Defense Council of Ukraine informed on Thursday .
Number of COVID-2019 cases across globe @ @ @ @ @ past day Ukraine has recorded 829 cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 @ @ @ @ @ figure was 8.5 % lower , reaching 758 .
In the past 24 hours , @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine .
In total , 34,063 cases of the virus have been recorded in Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ , 966 have died .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World @ @ @ @ @ about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in @ @ @ @ @ , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been @ @ @ @ @ the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared @ @ @ @ @ .

KIEV, June 18. /TASS/. Ukraine has documented a record number of daily COVID-19 cases for two days running, the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine informed on Thursday.
Number of COVID-2019 cases across globe up by nearly 120,000 in past day
Ukraine has recorded 829 cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours. Yesterday, the figure was 8.5% lower, reaching 758. In the past 24 hours, 23 patients have died in Ukraine.
In total, 34,063 cases of the virus have been recorded in Ukraine; 14,943 people have recovered, 966 have died.
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--2020-06-18--Telegram founder criticizes Apple, Google for high taxes on digital products sales

MOSCOW , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
The founder of Telegram messenger Pavel Durov criticized Apple and Google for high @ @ @ @ @ products for mobile phones .
`` Apple and Google impose an insane 30 % sales @ @ @ @ @ sold on every mobile phone in the world .
The result - users pay higher @ @ @ @ @ industries get destroyed or never appear .
Regulators have been ignoring this absurdity for 10 @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter .

MOSCOW, June 18. /TASS/. The founder of Telegram messenger Pavel Durov criticized Apple and Google for high taxes on sales of digital products for mobile phones.
"Apple and Google impose an insane 30% sales tax on all digital goods sold on every mobile phone in the world. The result - users pay higher prices, start-ups and entire industries get destroyed or never appear. Regulators have been ignoring this absurdity for 10 years," Durov wrote on Twitter.


tass--2020-06-18--Watchdog says 309,000 people remain under medical supervision in Russia

49 more coronavirus patients die in Moscow in past day MOSCOW , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
A total of @ @ @ @ @ supervision in Russia due to being suspected of having contracted the coronavirus , the Russian @ @ @ @ @ Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing reported on Thursday .
`` [ A total of @ @ @ @ @ medical supervision in Russia , '' its press service said .
According to the watchdog @ @ @ @ @ tests have been conducted to date , with 311,000 tests made in the past 24 @ @

49 more coronavirus patients die in Moscow in past day
MOSCOW, June 18. /TASS/. A total of 309,000 people remain under medical supervision in Russia due to being suspected of having contracted the coronavirus, the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing reported on Thursday.
"[A total of] 309,000 people remain under medical supervision in Russia," its press service said.
According to the watchdog, about 15.9 million coronavirus tests have been conducted to date, with 311,000 tests made in the past 24 hours.


tass--2020-06-18--The Shepherd Color Company Announces New IR Black for Recycling of Black Plastic

CINCINNATI , June 17 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- It seems that the Shepherd Color 's R & D team is at it again .
'Creating Value , Brightening Lives ' has long been the Core Value of The Shepherd Color Company .
The R & D Team has their pulse on the coatings and plastics industries to understand the needs of their customers : to create quality , innovative products , which bring value to not only their customers , but to the sustainability of the environment .
One such product is a cost-effective IR Black colorant for packaging that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities , so these plastics may be recycled .
Black is a popular color used for plastic packaging , which is mostly carbon black pigment .
The carbon black pigmentation absorbs the light from the emitter used in plastic sorting centers , which prevents the sensor from identifying the polymer used , so the material is then rejected and not recycled .
Shepherd Color has spent the last 40 years developing , optimizing , and manufacturing IR Black pigments .
Based on the new balance of properties needed for the recycling application , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and scale up an IR Black pigment to meet this new need .
This IR Black pigment advancement is Arctic®Black 10P925 .
The pigment is optimized for infrared sorting of plastics and has the following characteristics : Black 10P925 is not only excellent for coloring plastic articles used for producing , packaging and transporting food , but can be used in other coatings as well .
This new pigment is an example of Shepherd Color 's R & D expertise in developing products that provide unique tools to solve the challenges of customers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ABOUT THE SHEPHERD COLOR COMPANY Founded in 1981 , The Shepherd Color Company produces a wide range of high-performance Complex Inorganic Color Pigments ( CICPs ) used in a variety of industries .
These pigments are an extraordinary class of inorganic pigments that offer stable , long-lasting color for many applications .
They have unbeatable weatherability , heat and chemical resistance , are non-warping and easy to disperse .
More Expertise .
Better Performance .
Best Value .
That 's Shepherd Color .
Visit us at www.shepherdcolor.com and www.linkedin.com/company/shepherdcolor .

CINCINNATI, June 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- It seems that the Shepherd Color's R&D team is at it again. 'Creating Value, Brightening Lives' has long been the Core Value of The Shepherd Color Company. The R&D Team has their pulse on the coatings and plastics industries to understand the needs of their customers: to create quality, innovative products, which bring value to not only their customers, but to the sustainability of the environment.
One such product is a cost-effective IR Black colorant for packaging that can reflect IR wavelengths in recycling sorting facilities, so these plastics may be recycled. Black is a popular color used for plastic packaging, which is mostly carbon black pigment. The carbon black pigmentation absorbs the light from the emitter used in plastic sorting centers, which prevents the sensor from identifying the polymer used, so the material is then rejected and not recycled.
Shepherd Color has spent the last 40 years developing, optimizing, and manufacturing IR Black pigments. Based on the new balance of properties needed for the recycling application, they were able to design, prototype and scale up an IR Black pigment to meet this new need. This IR Black pigment advancement is Arctic®Black 10P925. The pigment is optimized for infrared sorting of plastics and has the following characteristics:
Jet masstone color
Non-magnetic
Survives multiple extrusions
Single pigment solution
Widely listed on chemical registries for global supply
Food packaging compliance in key EU market
Black 10P925 is not only excellent for coloring plastic articles used for producing, packaging and transporting food, but can be used in other coatings as well. This new pigment is an example of Shepherd Color's R&D expertise in developing products that provide unique tools to solve the challenges of customers in the coatings and plastics industries.
ABOUT THE SHEPHERD COLOR COMPANY
Founded in 1981, The Shepherd Color Company produces a wide range of high-performance Complex Inorganic Color Pigments (CICPs) used in a variety of industries. These pigments are an extraordinary class of inorganic pigments that offer stable, long-lasting color for many applications. They have unbeatable weatherability, heat and chemical resistance, are non-warping and easy to disperse. More Expertise. Better Performance. Best Value. That's Shepherd Color. Visit us at www.shepherdcolor.com and www.linkedin.com/company/shepherdcolor.
Media Contact:
Mark Ryan, Marketing Manager
513.874.0714
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tass--2020-06-18--Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport receives anonymous bomb threat call

MOSCOW , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
An unidentified individual has reported a bomb threat at Moscow ’ s Sheremetyevo @ @ @ @ @ the emergency services told TASS on Thursday .
`` An unknown man called and said @ @ @ @ @ planted at the airport , '' he said .
According to the source , security @ @ @ @ @ the airport , and the caller ’ s identity is being established .
The airport @ @ @ @ @ mode .

MOSCOW, June 18. /TASS/. An unidentified individual has reported a bomb threat at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport, a source in the emergency services told TASS on Thursday.
"An unknown man called and said that a bomb had been planted at the airport," he said.
According to the source, security has been beefed up at the airport, and the caller’s identity is being established.
The airport is working in its normal mode.


tass--2020-06-18--Over 15,100 hectares engulfed by wildfires across Russia

MOSCOW , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
Wildfires are raging on an area of more than 15,100 hectares across Russia , with the worst situation between in the Far East , the Federal Aerial Forest Protection Service said on Thursday .
`` As of midnight on June 18 , 2020 there were 41 wildfires on the area of 15,185 hectares in Russia ’ s territory where an active firefighting effort was underway , '' the service said .
Fires have engulfed some 2,200 hectares in Chukotka , more than 9,100 hectares in Kamchatka and more than 3,700 hectares in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Republics of Buryatia , Khakassia , and Karelia , from the Pskov region , the Krasnoyarsk and TransBaikal Territories , and a number of other regions .
The firefighting effort involves 940 personnel and 211 pieces of equipment .
Sixty-five aircraft are monitoring the situation and fourteen more planes are battling the fires .
Over the past day , firefighters extinguished 51 wildfires on an area of 517 hectares .
Some 46 regions in Russia are on alert over the challenging situation with wildfires and a state of emergency was introduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kamchatka Peninsula .

MOSCOW, June 18. /TASS/. Wildfires are raging on an area of more than 15,100 hectares across Russia, with the worst situation between in the Far East, the Federal Aerial Forest Protection Service said on Thursday.
"As of midnight on June 18, 2020 there were 41 wildfires on the area of 15,185 hectares in Russia’s territory where an active firefighting effort was underway," the service said.
Fires have engulfed some 2,200 hectares in Chukotka, more than 9,100 hectares in Kamchatka and more than 3,700 hectares in the Magadan Region. Wildfire are also reported from the Republics of Buryatia, Khakassia, and Karelia, from the Pskov region, the Krasnoyarsk and TransBaikal Territories, and a number of other regions.
The firefighting effort involves 940 personnel and 211 pieces of equipment. Sixty-five aircraft are monitoring the situation and fourteen more planes are battling the fires. Over the past day, firefighters extinguished 51 wildfires on an area of 517 hectares.
Some 46 regions in Russia are on alert over the challenging situation with wildfires and a state of emergency was introduced in one district in the Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula.


tass--2020-06-18--Six people die in head-on car collision in Mordovia

MOSCOW , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
Six people died in a traffic accident in Russia ’ s Republic of @ @ @ @ @ the Russian interior ministry ’ s department for Mordovia , told TASS on Thursday .
@ @ @ @ @ the small hours of Thursday in the settlement of Nikolayevka , Saransk municipality when two @ @ @ @ @ .
Both caught fire .
According to preliminary data , six people died , '' @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, June 18. /TASS/. Six people died in a traffic accident in Russia’s Republic of Mordovia, a spokesman for the Russian interior ministry’s department for Mordovia, told TASS on Thursday.
"The accident occurred in the small hours of Thursday in the settlement of Nikolayevka, Saransk municipality when two Lada Granta cars collided head-on. Both caught fire. According to preliminary data, six people died," the spokesman said.


tass--2020-06-18--US-jailed Russian pilot Yaroshenko ready to apply for pardon in case of swap - wife

ROSTOV-ON-DON , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russian pilot Viktor Yaroshenko , who is serving a 20-year prison term in a US prison , is ready to apply for pardon , his wife Viktoria told TASS on Thursday , adding that her husband is in a depressed condition because of health problems .
An attorney of US citizen Paul Whelan , accused of espionage and sentenced to 16 years behind bars , said on Monday he did not rule out that a deal to swap his client for Russian nationals Viktor Bout or Konstantin Yaroshenko incarcerated in American prisons would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into effect .
The lawyer also said Whelan wanted to challenge the sentence .
On Tuesday , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said however that the swap issue was not discussed .
`` Naturally , he [ Yaroshenko ] will be glad if it happens .
He will be glad to be swapped .
He is even ready to apply for pardon , if necessary .
He is now in a desperate condition , with his entire body , from the teeth to the stomach , aching .
He has problems with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand what I and his attorney are telling him now because of terrible headaches .
He is in depressed condition , '' Viktoria Yaroshenko said .
Konstantin Yaroshenko was convicted in the United States in September 2011 and sentenced to 20 years in prison .
The pilot was clandestinely transferred to the United States from Liberia , where he had been arrested in May 2010 .
Agents from the US Drug Enforcement Administration operating under cover allegedly exposed Yaroshenko ’ s criminal intention to transport a large batch of cocaine .
He pleaded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a provocation and the whole case as an utter set-up .
On June 4 , 2020 , Russia ’ s embassy in the United States once again called on the US authorities to release Russian nationals from US prisons because of the coronavirus infection risks .

ROSTOV-ON-DON, June 18. /TASS/. Russian pilot Viktor Yaroshenko, who is serving a 20-year prison term in a US prison, is ready to apply for pardon, his wife Viktoria told TASS on Thursday, adding that her husband is in a depressed condition because of health problems.
An attorney of US citizen Paul Whelan, accused of espionage and sentenced to 16 years behind bars, said on Monday he did not rule out that a deal to swap his client for Russian nationals Viktor Bout or Konstantin Yaroshenko incarcerated in American prisons would be looked into after the sentence came into effect. The lawyer also said Whelan wanted to challenge the sentence. On Tuesday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said however that the swap issue was not discussed.
"Naturally, he [Yaroshenko] will be glad if it happens. He will be glad to be swapped. He is even ready to apply for pardon, if necessary. He is now in a desperate condition, with his entire body, from the teeth to the stomach, aching. He has problems with blood pressure. He cannot even understand what I and his attorney are telling him now because of terrible headaches. He is in depressed condition," Viktoria Yaroshenko said.
Konstantin Yaroshenko was convicted in the United States in September 2011 and sentenced to 20 years in prison. The pilot was clandestinely transferred to the United States from Liberia, where he had been arrested in May 2010. Agents from the US Drug Enforcement Administration operating under cover allegedly exposed Yaroshenko’s criminal intention to transport a large batch of cocaine. He pleaded not guilty, condemning his arrest as a provocation and the whole case as an utter set-up.
On June 4, 2020, Russia’s embassy in the United States once again called on the US authorities to release Russian nationals from US prisons because of the coronavirus infection risks.


tass--2020-06-18--Number of COVID-2019 cases across globe up by nearly 120,000 in past day

GENEVA , June 18 .
/TASS/ .
Nearly 120,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide on June 17 , with the overall number of such cases exceeding 8.06 million , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin on Thursday .
As of 11:00 Moscow time on June 17 , as many as 8,061,550 novel coronavirus cases and 440,290 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases grew by 119,759 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 5,494 .
The WHO statistics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the countries .
South and North America accounts for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 3,899,859 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 58,250 and the number of deaths - by 1,981 and reached 205,555 .
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 2,452,247 and the number of fatalities is 189,582 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 18,063 and the number of deaths - by 803 .
The East Mediterranean region has 817,458 cases and 18,057 fatalities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 20,699 and the number of deaths - by 499 .
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States ( 2,098,106 ) , Brazil ( 888,271 ) , Russia ( 553,301 ) , India ( 354,065 ) , the United Kingdom ( 298,140 ) , Spain ( 244,328 ) , Italy ( 237,500 ) , Peru ( 232,992 ) , Iran ( 192,439 ) , and Germany ( 187,184 ) .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in China ’ s city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million , in late December 2019 .
Since then , cases of the new coronavirus have been reported from nearly all parts of the world .
On March 11 , 2020 , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

GENEVA, June 18. /TASS/. Nearly 120,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide on June 17, with the overall number of such cases exceeding 8.06 million, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin on Thursday.
As of 11:00 Moscow time on June 17, as many as 8,061,550 novel coronavirus cases and 440,290 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by 119,759 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 5,494.
The WHO statistics is based on officially confirmed data from the countries.
South and North America accounts for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 3,899,859. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 58,250 and the number of deaths - by 1,981 and reached 205,555.
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 2,452,247 and the number of fatalities is 189,582. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 18,063 and the number of deaths - by 803.
The East Mediterranean region has 817,458 cases and 18,057 fatalities as of June 17. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 20,699 and the number of deaths - by 499.
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States (2,098,106), Brazil (888,271), Russia (553,301), India (354,065), the United Kingdom (298,140), Spain (244,328), Italy (237,500), Peru (232,992), Iran (192,439), and Germany (187,184).
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December 2019. Since then, cases of the new coronavirus have been reported from nearly all parts of the world. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-06-19--Ex-Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev’s son Sergei dies in US

NEW YORK , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
Sergei Krushchev , a son of former Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev , passed away on Thursday in the United States at the age of 84 , Nina Khrushcheva , a granddaughter of the ex-Soviet leader told TASS .
Asked by a TASS correspondent whether news about Sergei Khrushchev ’ s death was true , Nina Krushcheva replied : `` Yes . ''
`` We deeply regret to say that Sergei Nikitich [ Krushchev ] has passed away , '' she said without giving details about the cause of his death and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Khrushchev was born on July 2 , 1935 and he held several advanced engineering decrees , including a Ph.D. from the Moscow Technical University .
He was accompanying his father during Nikita Krushchev ’ s visit to the United States in 1959 .
In 1991 , Sergei Khrushchev moved to reside in the United States , where he was giving lectures on the history of the Cold War at Brown University in Providence , Rhode Island .
On July 12 , 1999 , Sergei Khrushchev and his spouse , Valentina , became naturalized @ @ @ @ @ @

NEW YORK, June 19. /TASS/. Sergei Krushchev, a son of former Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, passed away on Thursday in the United States at the age of 84, Nina Khrushcheva, a granddaughter of the ex-Soviet leader told TASS.
Asked by a TASS correspondent whether news about Sergei Khrushchev’s death was true, Nina Krushcheva replied: "Yes."
"We deeply regret to say that Sergei Nikitich [Krushchev] has passed away," she said without giving details about the cause of his death and a possible date of his funeral.
Sergei Khrushchev was born on July 2, 1935 and he held several advanced engineering decrees, including a Ph.D. from the Moscow Technical University. He was accompanying his father during Nikita Krushchev’s visit to the United States in 1959.
In 1991, Sergei Khrushchev moved to reside in the United States, where he was giving lectures on the history of the Cold War at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.
On July 12, 1999, Sergei Khrushchev and his spouse, Valentina, became naturalized citizens of the United States.


tass--2020-06-19--Russia set for launch of Gonets telecoms satellites from Plesetsk spaceport in September

MOSCOW , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
This year ’ s first launch of Gonets telecoms satellites atop a Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket has been scheduled for September 20 , a source in the Russian space industry told TASS on Friday .
`` September 20 has been tentatively scheduled for this year ’ s first launch of Gonets satellites , '' the source said adding that the satellites would be launched atop a Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket from the Plesetsk spaceport in northern Russia .
Russia ’ s federal space agency Roscosmos did not provide commentaries to TASS on this issue .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cherenkov said in mid-May that until now Gonets communications satellites were launched from the Plesetsk spaceport in northern Russia atop outdated Rokot rockets created under the program of converting intercontinental ballistic missiles .
The Gonets is Russia ’ s low-orbit satellite communications system designed for the global exchange of various types of information with mobile and stationary facilities , and for organizing re-broadcasting channels for various purposes .
The system allows transmitting Glonass coordinate data from a mobile post to remote monitoring and communications centers , irrespective of a subscriber ’ s location @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia ’ s Gonets Satellite System Company launched work on the conceptual designing of the Gonets next-generation communications system .
The Gonets next-generation satellite system will offer communications , including telephone services , in hard-to-access places , including the Arctic , and provide infrastructure for the Internet of things .
In a perspective , it will allow transmitting data online from any objects , including mobile .
The orbital grouping is expected to comprise 28 satellites in low near-Earth orbit .

MOSCOW, June 19. /TASS/. This year’s first launch of Gonets telecoms satellites atop a Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket has been scheduled for September 20, a source in the Russian space industry told TASS on Friday.
"September 20 has been tentatively scheduled for this year’s first launch of Gonets satellites," the source said adding that the satellites would be launched atop a Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket from the Plesetsk spaceport in northern Russia.
Russia’s federal space agency Roscosmos did not provide commentaries to TASS on this issue.
CEO of Gonets Satellite System Company Pavel Cherenkov said in mid-May that until now Gonets communications satellites were launched from the Plesetsk spaceport in northern Russia atop outdated Rokot rockets created under the program of converting intercontinental ballistic missiles.
The Gonets is Russia’s low-orbit satellite communications system designed for the global exchange of various types of information with mobile and stationary facilities, and for organizing re-broadcasting channels for various purposes. The system allows transmitting Glonass coordinate data from a mobile post to remote monitoring and communications centers, irrespective of a subscriber’s location.
Cherenkov also said last month that Russia’s Gonets Satellite System Company launched work on the conceptual designing of the Gonets next-generation communications system.
The Gonets next-generation satellite system will offer communications, including telephone services, in hard-to-access places, including the Arctic, and provide infrastructure for the Internet of things. In a perspective, it will allow transmitting data online from any objects, including mobile. The orbital grouping is expected to comprise 28 satellites in low near-Earth orbit.


tass--2020-06-19--Number of COVID-19 cases across the globe is up by over 181,000 in the past 24 hours

GENEVA , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
Over 181,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide on June 18 , with the overall number of such cases exceeding 8.24 million , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin on Friday .
As of 11:00 Moscow time on June 18 , as many as 8,242,999 novel coronavirus cases and 445,535 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases grew by 181,232 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 5,245 .
The WHO statistics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the global state authorities .
South and North America accounts for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 4,015,386 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 115,527 and the number of deaths - by 3,436 and reached 208,991 .
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 2,471,792 and the number of fatalities is 190,304 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 19,328 and the number of deaths - by 722 .
The East Mediterranean region has 837,497 cases and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 20,039 and the number of deaths - by 518 .
The largest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States ( 2,126,027 ) , Brazil ( 923,189 ) , Russia ( 561,091 ) , India ( 366,946 ) , the United Kingdom ( 299,255 ) , Spain ( 244,683 ) , Italy ( 237,828 ) , Peru ( 237,156 ) , Chile ( 220,628 ) and Iran ( 195,051 ) .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million , in late December 2019 .
Since then , cases of the new coronavirus have been reported from nearly all parts of the world .
On March 11 , 2020 , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

GENEVA, June 19. /TASS/. Over 181,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide on June 18, with the overall number of such cases exceeding 8.24 million, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin on Friday.
As of 11:00 Moscow time on June 18, as many as 8,242,999 novel coronavirus cases and 445,535 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by 181,232 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 5,245.
The WHO statistics is based on officially confirmed data from the global state authorities.
South and North America accounts for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 4,015,386. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 115,527 and the number of deaths - by 3,436 and reached 208,991.
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 2,471,792 and the number of fatalities is 190,304. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 19,328 and the number of deaths - by 722.
The East Mediterranean region has 837,497 cases and 18,575 fatalities as of June 18. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 20,039 and the number of deaths - by 518.
The largest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States (2,126,027), Brazil (923,189), Russia (561,091), India (366,946), the United Kingdom (299,255), Spain (244,683), Italy (237,828), Peru (237,156), Chile (220,628) and Iran (195,051).
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December 2019. Since then, cases of the new coronavirus have been reported from nearly all parts of the world. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.