tass--2020-06-22--Number of COVID-19 cases in Africa exceeds 300,000

PRETORIA , June 22 .
/TASS/ .
More than 9,600 confirmed coronavirus cases were registered in African countries in the past 24 hours , with the overall number of such cases exceeding 300,000 , the World Health Organization ’ s ( WHO ) Regional Office for Africa said on Monday .
The overall number of COVID-19 cases in Africa currently stands at 303,371 , with 9,650 cases confirmed during the past day .
The number of coronavirus-associated deaths amounts to 7,999 , with 221 fatalities registered during the day .
As many as 145,000 patients have recovered .
South Africa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s coronavirus cases - 97,302 , with 1,930 fatalities .
The biggest number of coronavirus-related deaths is reported from Egypt - 2,106 .
As many as 845 coronavirus-related deaths were reported from Algeria .
In Sub-Saharan Africa , Nigeria is second after South Africa in terms of coronavirus cases ( 20,244 cases and 518 fatalities ) .
Next is Ghana ( 14,154 cases and 85 deaths ) .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 9,000,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 470,900 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 4,847,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

PRETORIA, June 22. /TASS/. More than 9,600 confirmed coronavirus cases were registered in African countries in the past 24 hours, with the overall number of such cases exceeding 300,000, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Office for Africa said on Monday.
The overall number of COVID-19 cases in Africa currently stands at 303,371, with 9,650 cases confirmed during the past day. The number of coronavirus-associated deaths amounts to 7,999, with 221 fatalities registered during the day. As many as 145,000 patients have recovered.
South Africa accounts for the biggest number of Africa’s coronavirus cases - 97,302, with 1,930 fatalities. The biggest number of coronavirus-related deaths is reported from Egypt - 2,106. As many as 845 coronavirus-related deaths were reported from Algeria.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria is second after South Africa in terms of coronavirus cases (20,244 cases and 518 fatalities). Next is Ghana (14,154 cases and 85 deaths).
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 9,000,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 470,900 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 4,847,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-06-22--Kremlin comments on Bolton’s ‘assessments’ of Putin

`` Regarding his [ Bolton ’ s ] assessments of our president , there are various ones , one can agree with some of them , and one can disagree with some of them , that ’ s why you need to look at individual messages here , '' the Kremlin official said .
In his opinion `` one can not give it a general evaluation . ''
He also refused to comment on whether Bolton ’ s perception of Putin is positive or negative .
MOSCOW , June 22 .
/TASS/ .
The evaluations about Russian President Vladimir Putin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Bolton provided in his recent memoir can not be taken as a whole , since it is possible to agree with some but not all of them , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Monday .
Peskov also did not discuss the content of Bolton ’ s book entitled : The Room Where It Happened : A White House Memoir , which touches on America ’ s internal policy .
`` We would like to refrain from making comments on his opinions regarding the internal political situation in the US .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the characterization which Bolton gave his commander-in-chief , whom he had served under as an assistant for a year is none of our business , we will not [ comment ] on that , '' the Kremlin spokesman stated .
`` As far as we could tell from the available materials about the book , Bolton largely brings the information related to his official activities , negotiations , and various top-level meetings , '' the press secretary noted .
He emphasized : `` Of course , part of this information can not really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our country it is `` for internal use only . ''
`` We have such a practice , yet apparently it is different in the US which is again none of our business , '' Putin ’ s press secretary pointed out .

"Regarding his [Bolton’s] assessments of our president, there are various ones, one can agree with some of them, and one can disagree with some of them, that’s why you need to look at individual messages here," the Kremlin official said. In his opinion "one cannot give it a general evaluation." He also refused to comment on whether Bolton’s perception of Putin is positive or negative.
MOSCOW, June 22. /TASS/. The evaluations about Russian President Vladimir Putin that Trump’s ex-National Security Advisor John Bolton provided in his recent memoir cannot be taken as a whole, since it is possible to agree with some but not all of them, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Monday.
Peskov also did not discuss the content of Bolton’s book entitled: The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir, which touches on America’s internal policy. "We would like to refrain from making comments on his opinions regarding the internal political situation in the US. This is none of our business, and the characterization which Bolton gave his commander-in-chief, whom he had served under as an assistant for a year is none of our business, we will not [comment] on that," the Kremlin spokesman stated.
"As far as we could tell from the available materials about the book, Bolton largely brings the information related to his official activities, negotiations, and various top-level meetings," the press secretary noted. He emphasized: "Of course, part of this information cannot really be made public, at least in our country it is "for internal use only." "We have such a practice, yet apparently it is different in the US which is again none of our business," Putin’s press secretary pointed out.


tass--2020-06-23--Situation in Ukraine about to reach dead end, says Russian senior diplomat

MOSCOW , June 23 .
/TASS/ .
Western nations keep on fueling the conflict in Ukraine and the situation is being driven to a dead end , Russian Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said on Tuesday .
`` The Ukrainian conflict is being fueled .
Under the passive eye of Western countries , or even pushed by them , Kiev keeps on dodging the implementation of the Minsk Package of Measures , keeps on shelling Donbass and maintaining a hotbed of tension near our borders , '' he told the OSCE Annual Security Review Conference , which was held online .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia is paring no effort to establish direct dialogue between Kiev , Donetsk and Lugansk but , `` regrettably , the situation is about to reach a dead-end . ''
Grushko called for a more efficient use of the OSCE ’ s possibilities to settle the conflict in Ukraine .
He recalled that some 3,500 civilians had been killed and about 30,000 more had been wounded as a result of Ukraine ’ s force operation in Donbass .
`` We understand that the Special Monitoring Mission ( SMM ) is under severe pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But its absolute dumbness is unexplainable on the background of data released by the United Nations .
A general report on civilian casualties and damages over a period since 2014 is needed , '' he added .

MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. Western nations keep on fueling the conflict in Ukraine and the situation is being driven to a dead end, Russian Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said on Tuesday.
"The Ukrainian conflict is being fueled. Under the passive eye of Western countries, or even pushed by them, Kiev keeps on dodging the implementation of the Minsk Package of Measures, keeps on shelling Donbass and maintaining a hotbed of tension near our borders," he told the OSCE Annual Security Review Conference, which was held online.
According to the Russian senior diplomat, Russia is paring no effort to establish direct dialogue between Kiev, Donetsk and Lugansk but, "regrettably, the situation is about to reach a dead-end."
Grushko called for a more efficient use of the OSCE’s possibilities to settle the conflict in Ukraine. He recalled that some 3,500 civilians had been killed and about 30,000 more had been wounded as a result of Ukraine’s force operation in Donbass. "We understand that the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) is under severe pressure from the host state and its patrons. But its absolute dumbness is unexplainable on the background of data released by the United Nations. A general report on civilian casualties and damages over a period since 2014 is needed," he added.


tass--2020-06-23--"An adventure which became my life." Chief Cardiologist in Siberian Arctic

MOSCOW , June 23 .
/TASS/ .
More than 40 % in Russia suffer from cardio-vascular diseases or die of arterial hypertension .
In the Arctic these diseases develop without symptoms and `` burn '' young and strong people within a few years .
Professor Lyudmila Gapon knows how to see the disorder , how to diagnose the disease and how to protect shift workers and Arctic residents .
The doctor and researcher told TASS how an adventure of a young student turned out to be a rescue operation , which saved lives for thousands .
She told about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Arctic indigenous peoples .
Can a computer do a job of cardiologist ?
Lyudmila is the author of hundreds of research works , she manages dozens of best cardiologists in Tyumen and a research station , equipment in which many clinics may envy .
The story , the professor told us , began as an adventure and developed from passionate love for sciences .
`` I was born in West Ukraine , and in 1973 graduated from a Medical University in Chernovtsy , worked as an ambulance doctor .
During my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a work on pathology physiology .
I received my first degree when I worked at the ambulance .
Back then , I realized that medicine is my fate , and the science which attracted me is the clinical science , '' she said .
In 1978 , she saw an ad in a medical newspaper , where the Tyumen medical university announced a vacancy competition .
`` I won it and went there .
It was my first time in Siberia , I knew nothing about what Siberia was like .
For all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like traveling to nowhere .
I hoped to gain higher medical experience and stay there for a few years .
I thought it would be an adventure , but it became my life , '' she continued .
In Tyumen , cardiology was not the first clinical science , which Lyudmila studied .
Her first scientific research in that city of oil workers was in cirrhosis .
In 1986 , she was offered to drop everything and join a new cardiology center ( presently , it is the Academy of Sciences ’ Cardiology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The department , which I was to manage - of arterial hypertension - was just a table and three chairs , '' the doctor said .
`` We began everything from the zero level . ''
The young doctor developed regional medical services at a territory of more than 2,000 km - from Tyumen to the Arctic Ocean .
She had to travel north of the Polar Circle - to the Yamburg village , where shift workers worked on fields of natural gas .
`` Nowadays , we have a research center there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I haven ’ t traveled to Yamburg .
Expeditions take Gazprom flights to get there .
Back then , we had to fly to Novy Urengoi and then to take a car .
Now , 30 years later , I can remember clearly my first trip - the tundra is something very different from what we have seen .
We normally fix the eye on something , but there you can ’ t find anything to fix it on - an endless sea of moss and the rare crippled birch trees . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gapon organized a team to work on `` Northern '' diseases .
The key direction being : development of arterial hypertension and atherosclerosis .
One group looked into the shift workers ’ labor in the North , another focused on daily rhythm disorders in patients with arterial hypertension in the North , and the third group studied arterial hypertension in the indigenous residents , who had changed their traditional nomadic lives for sedentary lifestyles and European foods .
The disorder develops gradually , it may be seen by high blood pressure from 120-130 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment begins early , the disease could be controlled , and it would not affect the target organs - heart , kidney , brain and vessels .
`` In the Arctic a young person may face complications earlier - in two-three years .
Without treatment and medication the disease will hit the target organs very quickly - first of all the heart ’ s left ventricle and the carotid artery .
On the mainland , like , for example , in Tyumen , the disease could progress for 12-15 years .
By the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relatively modest blood pressure of 145-150 mmHg .
In such cases , we need complex diagnostic measures . ''
Further discoveries came one after another .
By 2020 , Doctor Gapon in more than a hundred research works pointed to reasons of the disease in residents of the Siberian North .
Those are the cold climate , the atmospheric pressure , the stress from living in complicated conditions , bad habits , and even the polar day and night seasons .
`` At night , blood pressure is lower by about 20 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Arctic , it remains unchanged , which is very bad , '' she said .
In 2005 , she received the first patent on new treatment methods .
`` Since the disease goes differently , it should be treated differently .
We have checked various standard medicines and chose the most effective , '' she explained , adding such medicines are used practically for all patients in Tyumen ’ s north , and they are very helpful in guaranteeing longer lives .
In 2005 , Lyudmila Gapon insisted on new equipment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the gas field in Yamburg : blood pressure monitors , ECG and ultrasound equipment .
At that time a clinic was organized there as well .
The modern equipment is used not only to diagnose arterial hypertension , but also to watch the target organs .
Since 2010 , the patients ’ data are kept on an electronic base , on which Gapon has insisted .
`` Within a year , a half of records on paper gets lost , some tests are outdated , new are still due .
My software is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , all tests , and by using it a doctor may see progress in real time , which means in case of worse results a doctor may react immediately without waiting for a person to return from the Arctic , '' she said .
In 2010 , Doctor Gapon insisted on another measure : everyone leaving for the Arctic is to undergo medical tests .
If a person wants to work in the Arctic , medical records from the mainland are not sufficient , and a medical inspection in Yamburg would be binding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show arterial hypertension even if the blood pressure level is within the norm .
Results of studies in the Arctic are always too few , and expeditions cost millions .
Thus , since 2015 , Lyudmila ’ s colleague - Alexander Vetoshkin took over the studies in Yamburg .
He works there permanently .
The studies also included peculiar development of diseases among the indigenous peoples .
`` In fact , the indigenous peoples usually begin suffering from cardio-vascular disorders about 15 years later , than other people .
But our studies show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue the traditional life and take traditional food .
The local population has been `` westernized '' lately - they come to take western values and bad habits - they smoke , drink and eat food , which is not typical for them .
Thus , the diseases develop like in those who come to work here , '' the doctor said .
The cardio-vascular diseases nowadays are accompanied with a new threat of coronavirus .
`` The pandemic is a colossal stress , both for us and for our patients .
Overcoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only financially , but medically - it is a huge number of delayed diseases , as patients would not ask for assistance now , they will do it later on , '' Lyudmila Gapon said .
All patients nowadays must do the following - continue taking the medicine prescribed by your doctor and do not believe the fakes , which spread on the background of the current pandemic .
`` We can hear many speculations , like ‘ drop taking medicine for arterial hypertension.
’ 14 international medical societies have disclaimed this statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not affect the coronavirus infection , and interrupting the therapy will cause bigger problems .
So continue the treatment , '' the scientist said .
The professor will go on with the studies .
The topic is so vast , that research may continue for years to go .
Lyudmila Gapon has been studying how diabetes is related to cardio-vascular diseases .
She has been working on another patent , which , however , she would not reveal until an official opinion from experts .

MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. More than 40% in Russia suffer from cardio-vascular diseases or die of arterial hypertension. In the Arctic these diseases develop without symptoms and "burn" young and strong people within a few years. Professor Lyudmila Gapon knows how to see the disorder, how to diagnose the disease and how to protect shift workers and Arctic residents.
The doctor and researcher told TASS how an adventure of a young student turned out to be a rescue operation, which saved lives for thousands. She told about the connection between a Western and live expectance of the Arctic indigenous peoples. Can a computer do a job of cardiologist?
A newspaper ad which made a life
Lyudmila is the author of hundreds of research works, she manages dozens of best cardiologists in Tyumen and a research station, equipment in which many clinics may envy. The story, the professor told us, began as an adventure and developed from passionate love for sciences.
"I was born in West Ukraine, and in 1973 graduated from a Medical University in Chernovtsy, worked as an ambulance doctor. During my university years, I collected material for a work on pathology physiology. I received my first degree when I worked at the ambulance. Back then, I realized that medicine is my fate, and the science which attracted me is the clinical science," she said.
In 1978, she saw an ad in a medical newspaper, where the Tyumen medical university announced a vacancy competition.
"I won it and went there. It was my first time in Siberia, I knew nothing about what Siberia was like. For all my relatives and friends that trip was like traveling to nowhere. I hoped to gain higher medical experience and stay there for a few years. I thought it would be an adventure, but it became my life," she continued.
In Tyumen, cardiology was not the first clinical science, which Lyudmila studied. Her first scientific research in that city of oil workers was in cirrhosis. In 1986, she was offered to drop everything and join a new cardiology center (presently, it is the Academy of Sciences’ Cardiology Scientific Center in Tyumen).
"The department, which I was to manage - of arterial hypertension - was just a table and three chairs," the doctor said. "We began everything from the zero level."
The young doctor developed regional medical services at a territory of more than 2,000 km - from Tyumen to the Arctic Ocean. She had to travel north of the Polar Circle - to the Yamburg village, where shift workers worked on fields of natural gas.
"Nowadays, we have a research center there, and for a few recent years I haven’t traveled to Yamburg. Expeditions take Gazprom flights to get there. Back then, we had to fly to Novy Urengoi and then to take a car. Now, 30 years later, I can remember clearly my first trip - the tundra is something very different from what we have seen. We normally fix the eye on something, but there you can’t find anything to fix it on - an endless sea of moss and the rare crippled birch trees."
Time machine for diseases
At the Tyumen Cardiology Center, Lyudmila Gapon organized a team to work on "Northern" diseases. The key direction being: development of arterial hypertension and atherosclerosis.
One group looked into the shift workers’ labor in the North, another focused on daily rhythm disorders in patients with arterial hypertension in the North, and the third group studied arterial hypertension in the indigenous residents, who had changed their traditional nomadic lives for sedentary lifestyles and European foods.
The disorder develops gradually, it may be seen by high blood pressure from 120-130 by 80 to 140/90 mmHg. If treatment begins early, the disease could be controlled, and it would not affect the target organs - heart, kidney, brain and vessels.
"In the Arctic a young person may face complications earlier - in two-three years. Without treatment and medication the disease will hit the target organs very quickly - first of all the heart’s left ventricle and the carotid artery. On the mainland, like, for example, in Tyumen, the disease could progress for 12-15 years. By the way, the organs get affected by relatively modest blood pressure of 145-150 mmHg. In such cases, we need complex diagnostic measures."
Patents, patens and again patents
Further discoveries came one after another. By 2020, Doctor Gapon in more than a hundred research works pointed to reasons of the disease in residents of the Siberian North. Those are the cold climate, the atmospheric pressure, the stress from living in complicated conditions, bad habits, and even the polar day and night seasons.
"At night, blood pressure is lower by about 20% - the body is relaxed, but in the Arctic, it remains unchanged, which is very bad," she said.
In 2005, she received the first patent on new treatment methods.
"Since the disease goes differently, it should be treated differently. We have checked various standard medicines and chose the most effective," she explained, adding such medicines are used practically for all patients in Tyumen’s north, and they are very helpful in guaranteeing longer lives.
To keep papers handy
In 2005, Lyudmila Gapon insisted on new equipment to diagnose quickly the shift workers at the gas field in Yamburg: blood pressure monitors, ECG and ultrasound equipment. At that time a clinic was organized there as well. The modern equipment is used not only to diagnose arterial hypertension, but also to watch the target organs.
Since 2010, the patients’ data are kept on an electronic base, on which Gapon has insisted.
"Within a year, a half of records on paper gets lost, some tests are outdated, new are still due. My software is a base, which shows the history, all tests, and by using it a doctor may see progress in real time, which means in case of worse results a doctor may react immediately without waiting for a person to return from the Arctic," she said.
In 2010, Doctor Gapon insisted on another measure: everyone leaving for the Arctic is to undergo medical tests. If a person wants to work in the Arctic, medical records from the mainland are not sufficient, and a medical inspection in Yamburg would be binding. The tests they make there will show arterial hypertension even if the blood pressure level is within the norm.
Smoker, drinker and sick
Results of studies in the Arctic are always too few, and expeditions cost millions.
Thus, since 2015, Lyudmila’s colleague - Alexander Vetoshkin took over the studies in Yamburg. He works there permanently.
The studies also included peculiar development of diseases among the indigenous peoples.
"In fact, the indigenous peoples usually begin suffering from cardio-vascular disorders about 15 years later, than other people. But our studies show that this peculiarity remains only if people continue the traditional life and take traditional food. The local population has been "westernized" lately - they come to take western values and bad habits - they smoke, drink and eat food, which is not typical for them. Thus, the diseases develop like in those who come to work here," the doctor said.
Believe reliable information only
The cardio-vascular diseases nowadays are accompanied with a new threat of coronavirus.
"The pandemic is a colossal stress, both for us and for our patients. Overcoming the pandemic would be very complicated not only financially, but medically - it is a huge number of delayed diseases, as patients would not ask for assistance now, they will do it later on," Lyudmila Gapon said.
All patients nowadays must do the following - continue taking the medicine prescribed by your doctor and do not believe the fakes, which spread on the background of the current pandemic.
"We can hear many speculations, like ‘drop taking medicine for arterial hypertension.’ 14 international medical societies have disclaimed this statement. The medications we use for treatment do not affect the coronavirus infection, and interrupting the therapy will cause bigger problems. So continue the treatment," the scientist said.
The professor will go on with the studies. The topic is so vast, that research may continue for years to go. Lyudmila Gapon has been studying how diabetes is related to cardio-vascular diseases. She has been working on another patent, which, however, she would not reveal until an official opinion from experts.


tass--2020-06-23--Serbia’s coronavirus cases top 13,000

Serbia’s coronavirus cases top 13,000

BELGRADE , June 23 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus infections in Serbia increased by 102 in the past 24 hours to reach 13,092 , while the number of coronavirus-related fatalities climbed to 263 , the national health ministry said Tuesday .
Over the past 24 hours , one person died from the virus-related causes .
In a single day , 6,025 people were tested for the virus .
The national death rate stands at 2.01 % .
Overall , 332,342 people were tested nationwide .
Serbia reported its first coronavirus case on March 23 .
As the epidemiological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the worse , the national anti-coronavirus task force Tuesday decided to bring back mandatory masks in closed spaces and public transport .
Moreover , people are no longer allowed to visit hospitals until further notice .
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 , disinfecting 376 buildings and constructions .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 9,202,500 people have been infected worldwide and more than 474,600 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 4,953,890 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

BELGRADE, June 23. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus infections in Serbia increased by 102 in the past 24 hours to reach 13,092, while the number of coronavirus-related fatalities climbed to 263, the national health ministry said Tuesday.
Over the past 24 hours, one person died from the virus-related causes. In a single day, 6,025 people were tested for the virus. The national death rate stands at 2.01%. Overall, 332,342 people were tested nationwide.
Serbia reported its first coronavirus case on March 23. As the epidemiological situation in Serbia took a turn for the worse, the national anti-coronavirus task force Tuesday decided to bring back mandatory masks in closed spaces and public transport. Moreover, people are no longer allowed to visit hospitals until further notice.
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, disinfecting 376 buildings and constructions.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 9,202,500 people have been infected worldwide and more than 474,600 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 4,953,890 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-06-23--Russia confirms readiness for de-escalation in relations with NATO, says senior diplomat

MOSCOW , June 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russia confirms its readiness for de-escalation in relations with NATO and believes that the coronavirus pandemic is a good occasion to pool efforts in the face of a common threat , Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told the OSCE Annual Security Review Conference , which was held online on Tuesday .
`` A crisis is a risk and an opportunity at the same time .
COVID-19 exposed the fragility and flaws of international cooperation , and it gives us a chance to unite in the face of a common threat .
This opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enter a new spiral of deepening the division lines .
We are prepared for de-escalation and we confirm this by action , '' he said .
Grushko recalled that in the military sphere Russia formulated a number of specific proposals for pulling military exercises back away from the Russia-NATO border line , improving mechanisms of prevention of dangerous military incidents and restoring working contacts along military lines .
`` This year Russia ’ s armed forces plan no major exercises near the borders of NATO ’ s member-states .
The region of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been moved deeper inside the country , '' he added .
`` We hope that our partners will react constructively .
All members of the OSCE community will need strategic far-sightedness and ability to discard the philosophy of domination , sanitary cordons and iron curtains , '' Grushko said .

MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. Russia confirms its readiness for de-escalation in relations with NATO and believes that the coronavirus pandemic is a good occasion to pool efforts in the face of a common threat, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told the OSCE Annual Security Review Conference, which was held online on Tuesday.
"A crisis is a risk and an opportunity at the same time. COVID-19 exposed the fragility and flaws of international cooperation, and it gives us a chance to unite in the face of a common threat. This opportunity should be used so as not to enter a new spiral of deepening the division lines. We are prepared for de-escalation and we confirm this by action," he said.
Grushko recalled that in the military sphere Russia formulated a number of specific proposals for pulling military exercises back away from the Russia-NATO border line, improving mechanisms of prevention of dangerous military incidents and restoring working contacts along military lines.
"This year Russia’s armed forces plan no major exercises near the borders of NATO’s member-states. The region of the strategic command and staff exercise Caucasus-2020 has been moved deeper inside the country," he added.
"We hope that our partners will react constructively. All members of the OSCE community will need strategic far-sightedness and ability to discard the philosophy of domination, sanitary cordons and iron curtains," Grushko said.


tass--2020-06-23--Moscow’s prosecution to probe two incidents of dogs injured aboard Aeroflot flights

MOSCOW , June 23 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian prosecution will probe reports of two dogs who sustained injuries during flights operated by Aeroflot Russian Airlines , spokesperson for Moscow transport prosecution Yekaterina Korotkova told TASS .
`` Moscow inter-regional transport prosecution has launched a probe into reports published via mass media about dogs injured after flying with Aeroflot travelling from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Moscow and from Moscow to Simferopol , '' she noted .
In case violations are identified , prosecution measures will be taken .
Earlier , Instagram user Kristina Ilyicheva reported that her mother was traveling from Simferopol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a dog and later received the cage where the dog was kept `` with blood and dirt stains . ''
The woman shared her thoughts that the dog `` was hit hard in the teeth and gums at the cage ’ s door . ''
Aeroflot , meanwhile , said that no serious violations when transporting the animal were identified .
The second incident took place at the flight from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Moscow on June 17 .
A Dachshund sustained a serious eye injury and lost eyesight , the dog is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trauma points to a powerful blow .
The owner also filed a complaint with Aeroflot .

MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. The Russian prosecution will probe reports of two dogs who sustained injuries during flights operated by Aeroflot Russian Airlines, spokesperson for Moscow transport prosecution Yekaterina Korotkova told TASS.
"Moscow inter-regional transport prosecution has launched a probe into reports published via mass media about dogs injured after flying with Aeroflot travelling from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Moscow and from Moscow to Simferopol," she noted.
In case violations are identified, prosecution measures will be taken.
Earlier, Instagram user Kristina Ilyicheva reported that her mother was traveling from Simferopol to Moscow aboard the airlines’ flight with a dog and later received the cage where the dog was kept "with blood and dirt stains." The woman shared her thoughts that the dog "was hit hard in the teeth and gums at the cage’s door." Aeroflot, meanwhile, said that no serious violations when transporting the animal were identified.
The second incident took place at the flight from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Moscow on June 17. A Dachshund sustained a serious eye injury and lost eyesight, the dog is now receiving treatment. The nature of the trauma points to a powerful blow. The owner also filed a complaint with Aeroflot.


tass--2020-06-23--Deputy Minister: New incentives for Arctic residents will add to existing benefits

MOSCOW , June 23 .
/TASS/ .
The Ministry for Development of the Far East and Arctic has been working on new incentives to stimulate people to come to the Arctic for work and to remain there afterwards .
The existing preferences will remain , Deputy Minister Alexander Krutikov told TASS .
The current system to support people living and working in the Far North was established in the 1960s , he said .
People in the North could earn two or three times more than on similar positions in other regions , and this option was a strong reason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Presently , that system of guarantee and compensation to attract people to work in the North does not work .
We do not mean dropping it whatsoever , and it is important to say this .
It is a very sensitive social story , which has been working for more than half a century .
We are not going to drop it or to review .
This is not what we will do .
But we must offer a modern system , fitting the market economy , which could offer reasons for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official said .
New benefits will be offered first of all to people working in the Arctic zone , and to their families .
Preferences should be in various spheres - from housing to education and personal development , the deputy minister said .
The ministry has been working also on benefits for people , living in the Arctic , who are about to retire .
The objective is to keep highly skilled professionals in the North , he added .
`` Clearly , people in the North retire earlier .
Quite often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ energy , can work on .
But retirement means end of applicable benefits .
I believe , it would be correct to offer reasons for such people to stay in the North , '' the deputy minister said .
However , he continued , quite often people decide to leave for Central Russia because of problems with health , with develop in the complicated Arctic conditions .
This aspect could be changed by improved healthcare and working conditions .
`` Apparently , people of the preretirement and retirement ages should have the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But if they are willing to stay in the North , they should be granted that right , supported by benefits .
I can ’ t see anything bad about it . ''
When to expect the system At the same time , the ministry will focus on the social issues only after incentives for investors in the Arctic are in place .
This may happen before autumn [ 2020 ] , he said .
`` We will begin with incentives for businesses , as first of all we want to have jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order .
We are finalizing this packet of bills .
Until it is done , we can not work similarly effectively in the other part , '' he explained .
This is also why it is too early to speak about whatever details of the benefits for residents .
`` I think , we shall be able to eye detailed decisions closer to October-November this year ( 2020 ) .
By that time we will realize what we want to offer , '' the deputy minister said .
According to him , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Far North is a big burden for businesses .
They have to pay out additional wages , and , for example , pay for an employee ’ s family round trip for holiday every other year .
The legislation does not limit directions or distances of the trips .
`` Look at Chukotka , it is this country ’ s edge .
When somebody opens a small business there , an employee ’ s income can not be less than triple minimum wage .
Plus to that are the insurance payments , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women , and other benefits , which altogether double or triple expenses on personnel . ''
Those expenses can not be compensated by whatever administrative measures , he said .
On the other hand , the state can not undertake fully this financial burden .
A decision to exempt businesses in the North from some payments , like , for example , the insurance payments , could cost the federal budget as many as 200 billion rubles every year ( $ 2.16 billion ) .
The ministry has been working on measures to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North and to ease their financial burden .
For example , before summer ends , in the Arctic zone will begin a special economic regime , where businesses will enjoy certain benefits .
For example , insurance payments for new projects will be at 7.6 % against 30 % .
In addition to that , the ministry wants to make easier for small and medium businesses the access to state orders , which would be also a sufficient support for them .
In compliance with the labor legislation , people working in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employers bonuses between 10 and 100 % of the wages .
The bonus rate depends on working experience and on term of living in the North , on the age and on the region .
Higher bonuses are payable in districts with complicated climate conditions .
The ratio is applicable to wages , pensions and other payments - it may be between 1.2 to 2 .
The retirement age is also lower , and the state Pension Fund compensates retirees for the return ticket to go from the North to resorts or other @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. The Ministry for Development of the Far East and Arctic has been working on new incentives to stimulate people to come to the Arctic for work and to remain there afterwards. The existing preferences will remain, Deputy Minister Alexander Krutikov told TASS.
The current system to support people living and working in the Far North was established in the 1960s, he said. People in the North could earn two or three times more than on similar positions in other regions, and this option was a strong reason to go to the Far North.
"Presently, that system of guarantee and compensation to attract people to work in the North does not work. We do not mean dropping it whatsoever, and it is important to say this. It is a very sensitive social story, which has been working for more than half a century. We are not going to drop it or to review. This is not what we will do. But we must offer a modern system, fitting the market economy, which could offer reasons for people to stay there," the official said.
New benefits will be offered first of all to people working in the Arctic zone, and to their families. Preferences should be in various spheres - from housing to education and personal development, the deputy minister said. The ministry has been working also on benefits for people, living in the Arctic, who are about to retire. The objective is to keep highly skilled professionals in the North, he added.
"Clearly, people in the North retire earlier. Quite often, a person is still full of energy, can work on. But retirement means end of applicable benefits. I believe, it would be correct to offer reasons for such people to stay in the North," the deputy minister said.
However, he continued, quite often people decide to leave for Central Russia because of problems with health, with develop in the complicated Arctic conditions. This aspect could be changed by improved healthcare and working conditions. "Apparently, people of the preretirement and retirement ages should have the right to live in favorable climate conditions. But if they are willing to stay in the North, they should be granted that right, supported by benefits. I can’t see anything bad about it."
When to expect the system
At the same time, the ministry will focus on the social issues only after incentives for investors in the Arctic are in place. This may happen before autumn [2020], he said.
"We will begin with incentives for businesses, as first of all we want to have jobs in the Arctic. This explains the order. We are finalizing this packet of bills. Until it is done, we cannot work similarly effectively in the other part," he explained.
This is also why it is too early to speak about whatever details of the benefits for residents. "I think, we shall be able to eye detailed decisions closer to October-November this year (2020). By that time we will realize what we want to offer," the deputy minister said.
Burden for businesses
According to him, the current system of social guarantees in the Far North is a big burden for businesses. They have to pay out additional wages, and, for example, pay for an employee’s family round trip for holiday every other year. The legislation does not limit directions or distances of the trips.
"Look at Chukotka, it is this country’s edge. When somebody opens a small business there, an employee’s income cannot be less than triple minimum wage. Plus to that are the insurance payments, an additional holiday, a shorter week for women, and other benefits, which altogether double or triple expenses on personnel."
Those expenses cannot be compensated by whatever administrative measures, he said. On the other hand, the state cannot undertake fully this financial burden. A decision to exempt businesses in the North from some payments, like, for example, the insurance payments, could cost the federal budget as many as 200 billion rubles every year ($2.16 billion).
The ministry has been working on measures to support small and medium businesses in the North and to ease their financial burden. For example, before summer ends, in the Arctic zone will begin a special economic regime, where businesses will enjoy certain benefits. For example, insurance payments for new projects will be at 7.6% against 30%. In addition to that, the ministry wants to make easier for small and medium businesses the access to state orders, which would be also a sufficient support for them.
In compliance with the labor legislation, people working in the Far North and similar territories receive from employers bonuses between 10 and 100% of the wages. The bonus rate depends on working experience and on term of living in the North, on the age and on the region. Higher bonuses are payable in districts with complicated climate conditions. The ratio is applicable to wages, pensions and other payments - it may be between 1.2 to 2.
The retirement age is also lower, and the state Pension Fund compensates retirees for the return ticket to go from the North to resorts or other places to spend holidays.


tass--2020-06-23--Putin calls to take into account epidemic’s lessons in developing public health sector

`` In general , Russia ’ s public health system has responded to the epidemic challenge absolutely adequately , '' he said , adding that the situation has exposed a number of unresolved problems .
MOSCOW , June 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russia will continue to allocate more than 500 billion rubles ( 7.28 billion US dollars ) to modernize primary care units and will take into account the experience of the coronavirus pandemic in developing its public health sector , Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address on Tuesday .
`` We know that , despite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with routine medical assistance to people with other diseases , '' he noted .
`` We must learn a lesson from this situation .
The funds that were invested in overhauling hospitals , in medical equipment , in training of medical personnel during the epidemic period are already working and will continue to work for the benefit of our public health in general , '' Putin said , adding that much is yet to be done to improve the quality and accessibility of medical services .
`` We will do without fail .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ programs of modernization of primary care units .
We will take this difficult experience into account and , I would like to stress , we will keep the resources allocated to the implementation of these programs at the former level of more than 500 billion rubles , '' Putin added .

"In general, Russia’s public health system has responded to the epidemic challenge absolutely adequately," he said, adding that the situation has exposed a number of unresolved problems.
MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. Russia will continue to allocate more than 500 billion rubles (7.28 billion US dollars) to modernize primary care units and will take into account the experience of the coronavirus pandemic in developing its public health sector, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address on Tuesday.
"We know that, despite the selfless efforts of medics there were problems with routine medical assistance to people with other diseases," he noted.
"We must learn a lesson from this situation. The funds that were invested in overhauling hospitals, in medical equipment, in training of medical personnel during the epidemic period are already working and will continue to work for the benefit of our public health in general," Putin said, adding that much is yet to be done to improve the quality and accessibility of medical services.
"We will do without fail. And first of all - under the programs of modernization of primary care units. We will take this difficult experience into account and, I would like to stress, we will keep the resources allocated to the implementation of these programs at the former level of more than 500 billion rubles," Putin added.


tass--2020-06-23--Russia ranks fifteen in Global House Price Index, research says

MOSCOW , June 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ranked fifteen in terms of the housing prices growth rate .
The @ @ @ @ @ 7.1 % in annual terms in the first quarter of 2020 , according to The @ @ @ @ @ by Knight Frank consultancy .
Turkey , New Zealand and Lithuania topped the rating for @ @ @ @ @ , with the annual price hike in these countries amounting to 15 % , 14.5 @ @ @ @ @ .
In the first quarter of 2019 , Russia was thirteen with the annual price @ @ @ @ @ Data were gathered as of the end of March 2020 , when the pandemic just @ @ @ @ @ Olga Shirokova from Knight Frank says .
`` The number of concluded deals declined significantly @ @ @ @ @ in view of limitations of operations of the Russian Registration Service and in connection with @ @ @ @ @ movement restrictions .
Hence the pent-up demand has formed and continues forming , '' the @ @ @

MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. Russia ranked fifteen in terms of the housing prices growth rate. The average house price rose by 7.1% in annual terms in the first quarter of 2020, according to The Global House Price Index prepared by Knight Frank consultancy.
Turkey, New Zealand and Lithuania topped the rating for the first quarter of 2020, with the annual price hike in these countries amounting to 15%, 14.5% and 13.8% respectively. In the first quarter of 2019, Russia was thirteen with the annual price increase by 7.2%.
Data were gathered as of the end of March 2020, when the pandemic just gained momentum in Russia, Olga Shirokova from Knight Frank says. "The number of concluded deals declined significantly in April and May both in view of limitations of operations of the Russian Registration Service and in connection with introduction of the lockdown and movement restrictions. Hence the pent-up demand has formed and continues forming," the expert said.


tass--2020-06-23--Russia to finish stage 1 of clinical trials of anti-COVID vaccine within month

MOSCOW , June 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russia plans to finish the first stage of clinical trials of the anti-coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said on Tuesday .
`` Tests of an anti-coronavirus vaccine @ @ @ @ @ in Russia and stage one will be over within a month , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ anti-coronavirus vaccines are undergoing pre-clinical trials in Russia .
The Russian health ministry said earlier @ @ @ @ @ forms of an anti-coronavirus vaccine developed by the Gamalei National Research Center for Epidemiology and @ @ @ @ @ Russia .
The first group on volunteers was inoculated on June 18 .
The results @ @ @ @ @ August .

MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. Russia plans to finish the first stage of clinical trials of the anti-coronavirus vaccine within a month, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said on Tuesday.
"Tests of an anti-coronavirus vaccine on volunteers have been launched in Russia and stage one will be over within a month," he said, adding that several more anti-coronavirus vaccines are undergoing pre-clinical trials in Russia.
The Russian health ministry said earlier that clinical tests of two forms of an anti-coronavirus vaccine developed by the Gamalei National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology had been launched in Russia. The first group on volunteers was inoculated on June 18. The results of testing are expected by August.


tass--2020-06-23--Putin proposes to introduce fixed tax on CFC revenues

MOSCOW , June 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed setting a fixed amount of 5 mln rubles ( $ 72,777 ) per year as tax on revenues from the activities of controlled foreign companies ( CFC ) .
He emphasized that there are many entrepreneurs in Russia who are developing their business not only in Russia but also abroad , and they `` should have the opportunity to conveniently , in a civilized manner pay taxes at home , in Russia . ''
`` Now , Russian tax residents - owners of foreign assets pay tax on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign companies using a rather complicated , cumbersome and , one might say , confusing mechanism .
I propose to radically simplify it : provide the right to pay a fixed tax amount of 5 mln rubles per year without additional reporting , '' Putin said in a televised address on Tuesday .
`` This way , we will give an incentive to the development of a modern , responsible business in the Russian jurisdiction , '' Putin emphasized .
`` I also would like to draw attention of the government - investment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in general , '' the Russian leader added .

MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed setting a fixed amount of 5 mln rubles ($72,777) per year as tax on revenues from the activities of controlled foreign companies (CFC).
He emphasized that there are many entrepreneurs in Russia who are developing their business not only in Russia but also abroad, and they "should have the opportunity to conveniently, in a civilized manner pay taxes at home, in Russia."
"Now, Russian tax residents - owners of foreign assets pay tax on income from the activities of so-called controlled foreign companies using a rather complicated, cumbersome and, one might say, confusing mechanism. I propose to radically simplify it: provide the right to pay a fixed tax amount of 5 mln rubles per year without additional reporting," Putin said in a televised address on Tuesday.
"This way, we will give an incentive to the development of a modern, responsible business in the Russian jurisdiction," Putin emphasized. "I also would like to draw attention of the government - investment activity and new jobs should be supported in general," the Russian leader added.


tass--2020-06-23--Putin instructs to take measures to fully restore labor market by 2021

MOSCOW , June 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed the Russian government and regional authorities , together @ @ @ @ @ , to take all necessary measures to ensure that the labor market fully recovers by @ @ @ @ @ `` Now we need to solve the main task - to help people get back @ @ @ @ @ the government and regional authorities together with the Bank of Russia to take all necessary @ @ @ @ @ labor market by 2021 , '' Putin said in a televised address on Tuesday .

MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed the Russian government and regional authorities, together with the Bank of Russia, to take all necessary measures to ensure that the labor market fully recovers by 2021 after the pandemic.
"Now we need to solve the main task - to help people get back to work. I instruct the government and regional authorities together with the Bank of Russia to take all necessary measures to completely restore the labor market by 2021," Putin said in a televised address on Tuesday.


tass--2020-06-23--Operations of half of Russian companies have been interrupted this year, says research

MOSCOW , June 23 .
/TASS/ .
Almost half of Russian companies have had to interrupt operations in 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ by PwC in Russia .
The research has been prepared by polling over 50 representatives @ @ @ @ @ sectors in February 2020 .
The share of companies facing major interruptions in their operations @ @ @ @ @ % ( to compare , 40 % in 2019 ) , according to the research @ @ @ @ @ substantial industry-specific regulation , such as companies operating in the financial , oil and gas @ @ @ @ @ more actively deal with anti-crisis management issues , analysts noted .
As many as 59 @ @ @ @ @ crisis exercises or introduce recovery plans .
Enterprises that have managed to recover after a @ @ @ @ @ the presence of developed recovery plans ( 25 % ) and formed recovery teams ( @ @ @ @ @ speed of response .

MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. Almost half of Russian companies have had to interrupt operations in 2020, according to an analytical research by PwC in Russia.
The research has been prepared by polling over 50 representatives of Russian companies from various sectors in February 2020.
The share of companies facing major interruptions in their operations rose in 2020 to 47% (to compare, 40% in 2019), according to the research.
Moreover, organizations with substantial industry-specific regulation, such as companies operating in the financial, oil and gas sectors and public authorities, more actively deal with anti-crisis management issues, analysts noted.
As many as 59% of Russian companies hold crisis exercises or introduce recovery plans. Enterprises that have managed to recover after a major incident shortly noted that the presence of developed recovery plans (25%) and formed recovery teams (25%) influences the speed of response.


tass--2020-06-23--Military ecologists begin clean-up of Yamal’s Arctic zone

TASS , June 23 .
The Central Military District ’ s environmental expedition began a clean-up of Yamal ’ s @ @ @ @ @ first day , the military collected about 60 tonnes of scrap metal on Marre-Sale Cape @ @ @ @ @ west , the military district ’ s press service reported .
`` Over the first @ @ @ @ @ ecology platoon have collected about 60 tonnes of environmental waste , mostly metal , and @ @ @ @ @ , '' the press service said .
`` In addition to that , on Marre-Sale @ @ @ @ @ an autonomous camp , which includes accommodation facilities , a canteen and a bakery .
@ @ @ @ @ collect about 676 tonnes of waste on an area of four hectares .
The platoon @ @ @ @ @ 23 vehicles are involved in the clean-up .
The collected scrap metal will be cut @ @ @ @ @ facilities .

TASS, June 23. The Central Military District’s environmental expedition began a clean-up of Yamal’s Arctic zone. Over the first day, the military collected about 60 tonnes of scrap metal on Marre-Sale Cape, the peninsula’s west, the military district’s press service reported.
"Over the first day of work, the ecology platoon have collected about 60 tonnes of environmental waste, mostly metal, and delivered it to temporary storages," the press service said. "In addition to that, on Marre-Sale Cape they have set up an autonomous camp, which includes accommodation facilities, a canteen and a bakery."
The military ecologists will collect about 676 tonnes of waste on an area of four hectares. The platoon’s 32 personnel and 23 vehicles are involved in the clean-up. The collected scrap metal will be cut and delivered to temporary storage facilities.


tass--2020-06-23--Putin urges citizens to stay vigilant before coronavirus vaccine production begins

MOSCOW , June 23 .
/TASS/ .
The epidemic is retreating but the virus is still dangerous and people should remain vigilant before the vaccine production begins , Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his address to the nation on Tuesday .
`` We are generally making the epidemic retreat and are turning the tide .
But the virus is still dangerous and thousands of people are confronted with the disease every day and I request you to remain attentive , careful and vigilant , especially until we begin the mass production of an effective preventive preparation , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian federal research centers are working on creating the coronavirus vaccine and the clinical trials of the first samples have begun , Putin said .
However , despite the desire to develop this medicine as soon as possible , it is important to comply with the `` do no harm '' principle , he stressed .
`` There must be absolute confidence in the vaccine ’ s efficiency , reliability and safety for citizens of all ages and health specifics , '' the Russian president said .
As the head of state said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremely important but it is not a panacea and the threat can be countered only by observing a whole set of sanitary and preventive measures . ''

MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. The epidemic is retreating but the virus is still dangerous and people should remain vigilant before the vaccine production begins, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his address to the nation on Tuesday.
"We are generally making the epidemic retreat and are turning the tide. But the virus is still dangerous and thousands of people are confronted with the disease every day and I request you to remain attentive, careful and vigilant, especially until we begin the mass production of an effective preventive preparation," the Russian leader said.
Currently, 14 Russian federal research centers are working on creating the coronavirus vaccine and the clinical trials of the first samples have begun, Putin said.
However, despite the desire to develop this medicine as soon as possible, it is important to comply with the "do no harm" principle, he stressed.
"There must be absolute confidence in the vaccine’s efficiency, reliability and safety for citizens of all ages and health specifics," the Russian president said.
As the head of state said, "the vaccine by itself is extremely important but it is not a panacea and the threat can be countered only by observing a whole set of sanitary and preventive measures."


tass--2020-06-23--Jailed Russian tests negative for COVID-19 at US prison

Earlier , it was stated that the Russian embassy in the US addressed a note to the State Department demanding to ensure that the Russian woman would not get infected with COVID-19 .
MOSCOW , June 23 .
/TASS/ .
Bogdana Osipova , a Russian citizen , incarcerated in the United States , has tested negative for coronavirus , a letter from the Consular Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry to Alexander Brod , a member of the Presidential Council on Civil Society and Human Rights and chairman of a human rights non-profit , indicates .
`` The embassy demanded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for COVID-19 and order the Danbury prison where she is incarcerated to take appropriate measures to prevent her from contracting the novel coronavirus infection .
According to the orders of the US Department of Justice , all inmates at the Danbury correctional facility were tested for coronavirus , then , infected inmates were isolated in special quarters .
Osipova ’ s test was negative , '' said the letter obtained by TASS .
It is noted that currently the jailed Russian woman ’ s lawyer is `` working actively on appealing the verdict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Colorado Court of Appeals to retry his client due to newly discovered circumstances . ''
The letter emphasizes that the Foreign Ministry together with the embassy will continue to exert `` every diplomatic effort necessary '' to guarantee the observation of Osipova ’ s procedural rights and legal interests in order for her speedy homecoming .
In 2019 , Osipova was found guilty of kidnapping her own children and taking them outside the US , along with extortion .
She was sentenced to approximately six years in prison .

Earlier, it was stated that the Russian embassy in the US addressed a note to the State Department demanding to ensure that the Russian woman would not get infected with COVID-19.
MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. Bogdana Osipova, a Russian citizen, incarcerated in the United States, has tested negative for coronavirus, a letter from the Consular Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry to Alexander Brod, a member of the Presidential Council on Civil Society and Human Rights and chairman of a human rights non-profit, indicates.
"The embassy demanded the US State Department test Bogdana Osipova for COVID-19 and order the Danbury prison where she is incarcerated to take appropriate measures to prevent her from contracting the novel coronavirus infection. According to the orders of the US Department of Justice, all inmates at the Danbury correctional facility were tested for coronavirus, then, infected inmates were isolated in special quarters. Osipova’s test was negative," said the letter obtained by TASS.
It is noted that currently the jailed Russian woman’s lawyer is "working actively on appealing the verdict and intends to present a petition to the Colorado Court of Appeals to retry his client due to newly discovered circumstances." The letter emphasizes that the Foreign Ministry together with the embassy will continue to exert "every diplomatic effort necessary" to guarantee the observation of Osipova’s procedural rights and legal interests in order for her speedy homecoming.
In 2019, Osipova was found guilty of kidnapping her own children and taking them outside the US, along with extortion. She was sentenced to approximately six years in prison.


tass--2020-06-23--Second group of volunteers vaccinated against COVID-19 at top Moscow medical university

MOSCOW , June 23 .
/TASS/ .
A vaccine against the novel coronavirus infection was administered to the second group of volunteers of the Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University as part of clinical trials , the university ’ s press service told reporters on Tuesday .
`` The clinical trials of a vaccine against COVID-19 continue at the Sechenov University of the Russian Ministry of Health .
Today , on June 23 , 2020 , the second group of 20 volunteers received an injection of the sample at the Practical Research Center for Interventional Cardiovasology which is part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement said .
The first stage of clinical trials was launched at the Sechenov University on June 18 , when the first eighteen volunteers were vaccinated .
`` During the first hours , some of them had some minimal post-vaccine reactions — an insignificant body temperature increase , and a headache , which over the course of 24 hours disappeared on their own , '' the press service noted .
`` The reaction to the vaccine against the coronavirus infection was a standard one , typical for other kinds of injections .
Currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in good health .
We are complying with all the requirements for these trials .
The vaccine ’ s effectiveness will be evaluated by the product developer who at the end of the study will conduct laboratory immunological tests and come up with a relevant conclusion , '' the main researcher , Yelena Smolyarchuk , who heads the Sechenov University Center for Expert Evaluation of Medicinal Products was quoted in the statement .
The announcement notes that the volunteers are housed in single and double wards of the Practical Research Center for Interventional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in touch and psychological support is available , if necessary .
`` Additionally , in order to avoid hypodynamia , a cycle of exercise therapy was launched and conducted by the faculty of the Sechenov Department of Sports Medicine and Medical Rehabilitation .
This will make it possible to maintain physical activity and avoid gaining weight .
Due to the sedentary lifestyle , some muscles may atrophy , joint diseases may flare up , and hypertension may increase .
However , motion is precisely what prevents the development of hypertension , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ministry of Health reported on the start of clinical trials of two forms of a coronavirus vaccine developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology .
The study results are expected by August .
After that , the Ministry will evaluate the results and make a decision whether the use of this vaccine is acceptable .

MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. A vaccine against the novel coronavirus infection was administered to the second group of volunteers of the Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University as part of clinical trials, the university’s press service told reporters on Tuesday.
"The clinical trials of a vaccine against COVID-19 continue at the Sechenov University of the Russian Ministry of Health. Today, on June 23, 2020, the second group of 20 volunteers received an injection of the sample at the Practical Research Center for Interventional Cardiovasology which is part of the University Clinical Center," the statement said.
The first stage of clinical trials was launched at the Sechenov University on June 18, when the first eighteen volunteers were vaccinated. "During the first hours, some of them had some minimal post-vaccine reactions — an insignificant body temperature increase, and a headache, which over the course of 24 hours disappeared on their own," the press service noted.
"The reaction to the vaccine against the coronavirus infection was a standard one, typical for other kinds of injections. Currently, all participants of the study are in good health. We are complying with all the requirements for these trials. The vaccine’s effectiveness will be evaluated by the product developer who at the end of the study will conduct laboratory immunological tests and come up with a relevant conclusion," the main researcher, Yelena Smolyarchuk, who heads the Sechenov University Center for Expert Evaluation of Medicinal Products was quoted in the statement.
The announcement notes that the volunteers are housed in single and double wards of the Practical Research Center for Interventional Cardiovasology. The medical researchers are constantly in touch and psychological support is available, if necessary. "Additionally, in order to avoid hypodynamia, a cycle of exercise therapy was launched and conducted by the faculty of the Sechenov Department of Sports Medicine and Medical Rehabilitation. This will make it possible to maintain physical activity and avoid gaining weight. Due to the sedentary lifestyle, some muscles may atrophy, joint diseases may flare up, and hypertension may increase. However, motion is precisely what prevents the development of hypertension," the statement explained.
Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Health reported on the start of clinical trials of two forms of a coronavirus vaccine developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology. The study results are expected by August. After that, the Ministry will evaluate the results and make a decision whether the use of this vaccine is acceptable.


tass--2020-06-23--Strength of Russian economic fundamentals supported ruble stability, says Putin

MOSCOW , June 23 .
/TASS/ .
The ruble stability during the pandemic period was managed to be provided on @ @ @ @ @ of the national economy , Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday .
No price @ @ @ @ @ despite the challenging situation on global finance , energy and commodity markets , the head @ @ @ @ @ fluctuations affected the national economy but authorities managed firstly to prevent the ruble collapse and @ @ @ @ @ the pre-crisis level , Putin said .
`` It was extremely important for protection of @ @ @ @ @ .
Such predictability , stability of the national currency , stability of the ruble was @ @ @ @ @ of fundamentals of the Russian economy and not artificially , by a certain command , @ @ @ @ @ many countries managed to achieve similar macroeconomic results and the labor market condition , Putin @ @ @ @ @ unlike many others , managed to avoid the dramatic unemployment spike , '' the President @ @

MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. The ruble stability during the pandemic period was managed to be provided on account of strength of fundamentals of the national economy, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday.
No price hike occurred in Russia, despite the challenging situation on global finance, energy and commodity markets, the head of state said, Unpredictable fluctuations affected the national economy but authorities managed firstly to prevent the ruble collapse and then it actually returned to the pre-crisis level, Putin said.
"It was extremely important for protection of incomes and savings of citizens. Such predictability, stability of the national currency, stability of the ruble was provided on account of strength of fundamentals of the Russian economy and not artificially, by a certain command," he noted.
Not many countries managed to achieve similar macroeconomic results and the labor market condition, Putin said. "We, unlike many others, managed to avoid the dramatic unemployment spike," the President added.


tass--2020-06-23--Sheer amount of fake news on upcoming vote explodes to record high

MOSCOW , June 23 .
/TASS/ .
The volume of fake news about the upcoming vote on the amendments to @ @ @ @ @ ten-fold over the past 17 days , stated the press service of the Safe Internet @ @ @ @ @ As of today , 2,201 items of fake news were detected , '' the League @ @ @ @ @ that the majority of fake news is spread via Instagram , VKontakte , Tik Tok @ @ @ @ @ .
That said , the transmission of fake news is growing particularly fast via the @ @ @ @ @ example of such fake news is the mass dissemination of an unreliable piece of information @ @ @ @ @ the pens at the voting stations .
The authors of this fake news item advise @ @ @ @ @ pens from home in order to vote .
Otherwise , according to those who penned @ @ @ @ @ the ink will disappear and another vote will be submitted later by another person .

MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. The volume of fake news about the upcoming vote on the amendments to the Russian Constitution has surged ten-fold over the past 17 days, stated the press service of the Safe Internet League on Tuesday.
"As of today, 2,201 items of fake news were detected," the League reported.
The commentators note that the majority of fake news is spread via Instagram, VKontakte, Tik Tok, Twitter, or Telegram. That said, the transmission of fake news is growing particularly fast via the Tik Tok platform.
The example of such fake news is the mass dissemination of an unreliable piece of information about alleged disappearing ink in the pens at the voting stations. The authors of this fake news item advise citizens to bring their own pens from home in order to vote. Otherwise, according to those who penned this piece of misinformation, the ink will disappear and another vote will be submitted later by another person.


tass--2020-06-23--Yandex shares surpass $50 on Moscow Exchange

MOSCOW , June 23 .
/TASS/ .
Yandex shares updated historical maximum on the Moscow Exchange .
The company 's securities grew by 5.9 % and reached 3,444.8 rubles ( $ 50.2 ) per share .
By 18:20 Moscow time , the company ’ s slowed growth to 3.2 % and were trading at 3,359 rubles ( $ 48.92 ) .
The company ’ s shares increased after Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested reducing the insurance contributions rate from 14 % to 7.6 % and the income tax rate from 20 % to 3 % for IT companies .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maneuver ’ in the IT industry as the first step and significantly reduce the burden on the payroll in the first instance .
I would like to note that this is the main item of expenditures for high-technology companies , '' the President said .
`` The rate of insurance contributions for such companies is 14 % at present for the period until 2023 .
I suggest lowering it to 7.6 % and not temporarily , but perpetually .
Furthermore , it will be proper to significantly , by one order , reduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , also perpetually , as a matter of course , from recent 20 % to 3 % , '' Putin added .

MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. Yandex shares updated historical maximum on the Moscow Exchange. The company's securities grew by 5.9% and reached 3,444.8 rubles ($50.2) per share.
By 18:20 Moscow time, the company’s slowed growth to 3.2% and were trading at 3,359 rubles ($48.92).
The company’s shares increased after Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested reducing the insurance contributions rate from 14% to 7.6% and the income tax rate from 20% to 3% for IT companies.
"I suggest implementing the so-called ‘fiscal maneuver’ in the IT industry as the first step and significantly reduce the burden on the payroll in the first instance. I would like to note that this is the main item of expenditures for high-technology companies," the President said.
"The rate of insurance contributions for such companies is 14% at present for the period until 2023. I suggest lowering it to 7.6% and not temporarily, but perpetually. Furthermore, it will be proper to significantly, by one order, reduce the income tax rate for IT companies, also perpetually, as a matter of course, from recent 20% to 3%,"Putin added.


tass--2020-06-23--Putin proposes raising income tax to 15% for annual income over $72,825

MOSCOW , June 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed starting from January 1 , 2021 , to raise personal income tax from 13 % to 15 % for people with annual incomes exceeding 5 mln rubles ( $ 72,825 ) per year .
`` I propose the following : from January 1 of next year , change the tax rate on personal income from 13 % to 15 % for those who earn more than 5 mln rubles a year , '' he said in a televised address on Tuesday .
He emphasized that `` not all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate , but only the part that exceeds 5 mln rubles per year '' , and it will give the budget about 60 bln rubles ( $ 874.7 mln ) , which will be used for the treatment of children with rare diseases .
`` I propose protecting these funds from any other use and targeting them for the treatment of children with severe , rare diseases , to purchase expensive medicine , equipment and rehabilitation tools , high-tech surgeries , '' Putin said .
`` Funds ... of about 60 bln annually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that are already allocated for high-tech assistance and medicine provision , '' he added .

MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed starting from January 1, 2021, to raise personal income tax from 13% to 15% for people with annual incomes exceeding 5 mln rubles ($72,825) per year.
"I propose the following: from January 1 of next year, change the tax rate on personal income from 13% to 15% for those who earn more than 5 mln rubles a year," he said in a televised address on Tuesday.
He emphasized that "not all income will be taxed at an increased rate, but only the part that exceeds 5 mln rubles per year", and it will give the budget about 60 bln rubles ($874.7 mln), which will be used for the treatment of children with rare diseases.
"I propose protecting these funds from any other use and targeting them for the treatment of children with severe, rare diseases, to purchase expensive medicine, equipment and rehabilitation tools, high-tech surgeries," Putin said. "Funds ... of about 60 bln annually will be an addition to the resources that are already allocated for high-tech assistance and medicine provision," he added.


tass--2020-06-23--Shipbuilders to deliver five latest minesweepers to Russian Navy by 2023

ST. PETERSBURG , June 23 .
/TASS/ .
The Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard ( part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation ) plans to deliver five Project 12700 mine countermeasures ships to the Russian Navy in 2020-2022 , the shipyard said in its annual report published on Tuesday .
The shipyard ’ s materials indicate the timeframe of delivering the minesweepers to the Navy : the Yakov Balyayev in 2020 , the Georgy Kurbatov in 2020 , the Pyotr Ilyichev in 2021 , the Anatoly Shlemov in 2022 and the minesweeper with the factory No .
528 in 2022 .
Russia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the new generation of minesweeping forces and are designated to fight sea mines , which the new ships can encounter in the sea and on the seabed without entering the dangerous zone .
The minesweepers can employ various sweeps , as well as remotely controlled and autonomous underwater drones .
The minesweepers of this Project displace about 800 tonnes , are 62 meters long , have a crew of 44 men and an operating range of 1,500 miles .
The Project 12700 minesweepers developed by the Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ northwestern Russia ( both companies are part of Russia ’ s United Shipbuilding Corporation ) .
The Russian Navy has already received three minesweepers of this Project .
The Project 12700 mine countermeasures vessels ( minesweepers ) have the world ’ s biggest hull made of monolithic fiberglass formed by vacuum infusion .
As its advantage , this solution provides for the ship ’ s higher strength compared to the steel hull .
The hull made of the monolithic fiberglass has a longer service life ( up to 30 years ) than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weight is considerably smaller .
This year , the Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard plans to lay down the eighth Project 12700 Alexandrit-class minesweeper .

ST. PETERSBURG, June 23. /TASS/. The Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard (part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation) plans to deliver five Project 12700 mine countermeasures ships to the Russian Navy in 2020-2022, the shipyard said in its annual report published on Tuesday.
The shipyard’s materials indicate the timeframe of delivering the minesweepers to the Navy: the Yakov Balyayev in 2020, the Georgy Kurbatov in 2020, the Pyotr Ilyichev in 2021, the Anatoly Shlemov in 2022 and the minesweeper with the factory No. 528 in 2022.
Russia’s Project 12700 Alexandrit-class coastal-type minesweepers are referred to the new generation of minesweeping forces and are designated to fight sea mines, which the new ships can encounter in the sea and on the seabed without entering the dangerous zone. The minesweepers can employ various sweeps, as well as remotely controlled and autonomous underwater drones. The minesweepers of this Project displace about 800 tonnes, are 62 meters long, have a crew of 44 men and an operating range of 1,500 miles.
The Project 12700 minesweepers developed by the Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau are under construction at the Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard in northwestern Russia (both companies are part of Russia’s United Shipbuilding Corporation). The Russian Navy has already received three minesweepers of this Project.
The Project 12700 mine countermeasures vessels (minesweepers) have the world’s biggest hull made of monolithic fiberglass formed by vacuum infusion. As its advantage, this solution provides for the ship’s higher strength compared to the steel hull. The hull made of the monolithic fiberglass has a longer service life (up to 30 years) than the hull made of low-magnetic steel while its weight is considerably smaller.
This year, the Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard plans to lay down the eighth Project 12700 Alexandrit-class minesweeper.


tass--2020-06-23--Depth of crisis caused by coronavirus still has to be assessed, says Putin

MOSCOW , June 23 .
/TASS/ .
The depth of the global crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic has not been determined yet but new reality forming is already obvious , Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday .
The epidemic has delivered a strong blow to the world ’ s economy and unemployment growth has become the most acute problem in all countries .
Adverse consequences also affected Russia , Putin said .
`` According to estimates , in April , when lockdown measures were introduced and nonworking days were announced , Russia ’ s GDP declined by 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decline in the world ’ s economy essentially started , and all the consequences and the depth of this crisis are still to be assessed , '' Putin said .
`` It is already obvious now '' that `` the new reality is forming in the world , '' he added .
`` Globalization and integration processes undergo a challenging test and leading countries opt for technological , industrial independence , '' the head of state said .
`` This is also a major challenge for Russia and we must address it when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Such work has already been underway , '' Putin added .

MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. The depth of the global crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic has not been determined yet but new reality forming is already obvious, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday.
The epidemic has delivered a strong blow to the world’s economy and unemployment growth has become the most acute problem in all countries. Adverse consequences also affected Russia, Putin said.
"According to estimates, in April, when lockdown measures were introduced and nonworking days were announced, Russia’s GDP declined by 12%. The global recession, the decline in the world’s economy essentially started, and all the consequences and the depth of this crisis are still to be assessed," Putin said. "It is already obvious now" that "the new reality is forming in the world," he added.
"Globalization and integration processes undergo a challenging test and leading countries opt for technological, industrial independence," the head of state said. "This is also a major challenge for Russia and we must address it when preparing and updating our strategic plans. Such work has already been underway," Putin added.


tass--2020-06-23--Putin suggests reducing income tax rate to 3% in IT sector

MOSCOW , June 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested reducing the insurance contributions rate from 14 % @ @ @ @ @ income tax rate from 20 % to 3 % for IT companies .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ fiscal maneuver ’ in the IT industry as the first step and significantly reduce the @ @ @ @ @ the first instance .
I would like to note that this is the main item @ @ @ @ @ , '' the President said .

MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested reducing the insurance contributions rate from 14% to 7.6% and the income tax rate from 20% to 3% for IT companies.
"I suggest implementing the so-called ‘fiscal maneuver’ in the IT industry as the first step and significantly reduce the burden on the payroll in the first instance. I would like to note that this is the main item of expenditures for high-technology companies," the President said.


tass--2020-06-23--Past three months drastically changed Russians’ lifestyle, says Putin

MOSCOW , June 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin in his message to the nation said that the past three months drastically changed the people ’ s mode of life .
`` Just three months have passed .
Usually a period that long , one quarter of a year , flies past quickly and unnoticeably .
But in this case , during these hectic days , weeks and months we developed a very different sense of time .
They incorporated so much : a sharp change in the daily routine , forced restrictions on work and social contacts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of losses and of partying with relatives and friends and thoughts of what will happen tomorrow , what is to be done to protect the dearest ones from misfortune and to support the family and parents , '' Putin said .
He stressed that regardless of everything `` it was a time of hope , of gratitude to friends and strangers , who extended a helping hand to those in need , and of pride for those who displayed their best qualities . ''
Russian society did not find itself lost in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to respond to this challenge , the Russian president elaborated .
`` It is very important that there was no frustration in our country , in our society .
On the contrary , like it was in our history more than once , clear understanding of the situation , the real threat , only consolidated people who saw that the threat could be confronted only jointly and that human life is what matters most , '' he said , adding that the authorities in their actions relied on these values .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the challenge of colossal difficulty , '' he stressed .
Putin thanked Russians for their responsible attitude to their health , for mutual support and dignity they demonstrated during the most dangerous stage of the epidemic , with its lockdowns and restrictions .
He specially thanked volunteers who attended to the elderly and all those who needed special care .
According to Vladimir Putin , strict restrictions allowed the country to hold back the peak of coronavirus epidemic by 1.5-2 months , which saved tens of thousands of lives .
`` The fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ borders .
Protection measures were boosted immediately , and they played their part , allowed us to repel the first blow , holding the epidemic , its peak , back by 1.5-2 months .
Therefore , back in February and early March [ they allowed us ] to win precious time , which means doing everything possible to save tens of thousands of lives , tens of thousands exactly , '' the Russian leader addressed the nation .

MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin in his message to the nation said that the past three months drastically changed the people’s mode of life.
"Just three months have passed. Usually a period that long, one quarter of a year, flies past quickly and unnoticeably. But in this case, during these hectic days, weeks and months we developed a very different sense of time. They incorporated so much: a sharp change in the daily routine, forced restrictions on work and social contacts, alarm and fears, the grief of losses and of partying with relatives and friends and thoughts of what will happen tomorrow, what is to be done to protect the dearest ones from misfortune and to support the family and parents," Putin said.
He stressed that regardless of everything "it was a time of hope, of gratitude to friends and strangers, who extended a helping hand to those in need, and of pride for those who displayed their best qualities."
Russian society did not find itself lost in the face of the coronavirus threat and was able to respond to this challenge, the Russian president elaborated. "It is very important that there was no frustration in our country, in our society. On the contrary, like it was in our history more than once, clear understanding of the situation, the real threat, only consolidated people who saw that the threat could be confronted only jointly and that human life is what matters most," he said, adding that the authorities in their actions relied on these values. "That is why they could respond to the challenge of colossal difficulty," he stressed.
Putin thanked Russians for their responsible attitude to their health, for mutual support and dignity they demonstrated during the most dangerous stage of the epidemic, with its lockdowns and restrictions.
He specially thanked volunteers who attended to the elderly and all those who needed special care.
According to Vladimir Putin, strict restrictions allowed the country to hold back the peak of coronavirus epidemic by 1.5-2 months, which saved tens of thousands of lives.
"The fight against the epidemic began back on our borders. Protection measures were boosted immediately, and they played their part, allowed us to repel the first blow, holding the epidemic, its peak, back by 1.5-2 months. Therefore, back in February and early March [they allowed us] to win precious time, which means doing everything possible to save tens of thousands of lives, tens of thousands exactly," the Russian leader addressed the nation.


tass--2020-06-23--Syria’s Assad to remain in power for as long as people want him to — Foreign Minister

MOSCOW , June 23 .
/TASS/ .
The US seeks to influence the internal political situation in Syria by its sanctions ahead of the upcoming elections , Syrian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Walid Muallem said Tuesday .
`` The Syrian people do not accept this meddling in their internal affairs , so we say to Washington : President Bashar Assad will remain in power for as long as the Syrian people would want him to , '' the top diplomat said , according to the Al Mayadeen TV channel .
According to Muallem , Washington seeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` corresponds to the American and the Israeli views . ''
`` But our people would accept only the Constitution that corresponds to their national aspirations , '' he said .
`` Neither [ US Special Representative on Syria James ] Jeffrey , nor anyone else will define the future of Syria , this choice belongs to the Syrians themselves . ''
On July 19 , elections to the People ’ s Council ( parliament ) of Syria will take place .
The vote was postponed twice due to the coronavirus pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in accordance with the Constitution , approved during the February 26 , 2012 referendum .
New presidential election is planned for 2021 .
In 2014 , Assad won the election , securing , according to official data , the support of 88.7 % of voters .

MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. The US seeks to influence the internal political situation in Syria by its sanctions ahead of the upcoming elections, Syrian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Walid Muallem said Tuesday.
"The Syrian people do not accept this meddling in their internal affairs, so we say to Washington: President Bashar Assad will remain in power for as long as the Syrian people would want him to," the top diplomat said, according to the Al Mayadeen TV channel.
According to Muallem, Washington seeks to impose upon Syrians a Constitution that "corresponds to the American and the Israeli views."
"But our people would accept only the Constitution that corresponds to their national aspirations," he said. "Neither [US Special Representative on Syria James] Jeffrey, nor anyone else will define the future of Syria, this choice belongs to the Syrians themselves."
On July 19, elections to the People’s Council (parliament) of Syria will take place. The vote was postponed twice due to the coronavirus pandemic. Elections to the unicameral parliament take place in accordance with the Constitution, approved during the February 26, 2012 referendum.
New presidential election is planned for 2021. In 2014, Assad won the election, securing, according to official data, the support of 88.7% of voters.


tass--2020-06-23--Rosatom in talks on datacenters supplies to Vietnam, Egypt and India

MOSCOW , June 23 .
/TASS/ .
Vietnam , Egypt and India have taken interest in the technology of mobile , compact and containerized datacenters developed by specialists of the Russian state-run nuclear corporation Rosatom , chief engineer of a Rosatom affiliate Sergei Akulov said on Tuesday .
`` We have several customers .
We are negotiating with them - it is India , it is Vietnam .
Egypt has also taken interest just recently , expressing the interest in receiving datacenters in two builds .
The first is containerized datacenters and the other one is mobile datacenters , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negotiating deliveries of mobile datacenters to India , Digitalization Director of the group Ekaterina Solntseva said earlier .
Rosatom started offering the technology of mobile , compact and containerized datacenters 2-3 years ago , because it significantly reduces costs of building such datacenters .
`` The effect of capital construction and design costs with the expert examination is a fairly large cost component when developing a datacenter - these are capital costs of making walls , foundations , roofing , and so on .
Therefore , having the understanding of all that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can start developing the datacenter on the potential base of the customer within 2-3 months , '' Akulov said .
The company is currently working on receipt of an international patent making possible to build mobile and containerized datacenters overseas , he said .
The patent is expected to be obtained in this year .

MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. Vietnam, Egypt and India have taken interest in the technology of mobile, compact and containerized datacenters developed by specialists of the Russian state-run nuclear corporation Rosatom, chief engineer of a Rosatom affiliate Sergei Akulov said on Tuesday.
"We have several customers. We are negotiating with them - it is India, it is Vietnam. Egypt has also taken interest just recently, expressing the interest in receiving datacenters in two builds. The first is containerized datacenters and the other one is mobile datacenters," Akulov said.
The Rosatom Group is negotiating deliveries of mobile datacenters to India, Digitalization Director of the group Ekaterina Solntseva said earlier.
Rosatom started offering the technology of mobile, compact and containerized datacenters 2-3 years ago, because it significantly reduces costs of building such datacenters.
"The effect of capital construction and design costs with the expert examination is a fairly large cost component when developing a datacenter - these are capital costs of making walls, foundations, roofing, and so on. Therefore, having the understanding of all that, we started offering modular structures. We can start developing the datacenter on the potential base of the customer within 2-3 months," Akulov said.
The company is currently working on receipt of an international patent making possible to build mobile and containerized datacenters overseas, he said. The patent is expected to be obtained in this year.


tass--2020-06-23--Trump vowed to exit NATO because members supported Nord Stream 2, says Bolton

MOSCOW , June 23 .
/TASS/ .
US President Donald Trump was going to threaten leaders of NATO member-states at the 2018 summit that the United States would leave the alliance if they continued supporting the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project , ex-White House National Security Advisor John Bolton says in his latest book entitled : The Room Where It Happened : A White House Memoir .
`` He [ President Trump - TASS ] called me in the car first to ask , `` Are you ready to play in the big leagues· today ?
This is what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he proceeded to dictate the· following : '' We have great respect for NATO , but·we ’ re being· treated unfairly .
By January 1 , all nations must commit to two percent , and we will forgive arrears , or we will walk out , and not defend· those who have not .
So long as we are not getting· along with Russia , we will not go into· a NATO where NATO· countries are paying· billions to Russia .
We ’ re out· if they make the pipeline deal , '' @ @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump was going to threaten leaders of NATO member-states at the 2018 summit that the United States would leave the alliance if they continued supporting the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project, ex-White House National Security Advisor John Bolton says in his latest book entitled: The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir.
"He [President Trump - TASS] called me in the car first to ask, "Are you ready to play in the big leagues· today? This is what I want to say," and he proceeded to dictate the· following:"We have great respect for NATO, but·we’re being· treated unfairly. By January 1, all nations must commit to two percent, and we will forgive arrears,or we will walk out, and not defend· those who have not. So long as we are not getting· along with Russia, we will not go into· a NATO where NATO· countries are paying· billions to Russia. We’re out· if they make the pipeline deal," Bolton says in the book.