tass--2020-05-27--Hong Kong National security bill won't break HK's judicial independence — ex-police chief

Chinese officials announced that a draft resolution on Hong Kong ’ s national security law will be included in the agenda of the third session of National People 's Congress of the People 's Republic of China .
This resolution enables the NPC Standing Committee to craft the bill ’ s details and pass it .
Afterwards , it will be included to the Annex III of the Basic Law of Hong Kong and become law .
In other words , Beijing has decided to bypass the Legislative Council of Hong Kong and craft a new national security law for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolution , this new legislation is intended to prevent , stop and punish acts in Hong Kong that threaten national security ( secession , subversion , terrorism and foreign interference ) .
And it also suggests that Chinese Central Government will set up its own `` security organs '' in Hong Kong .
Deputy Director of the National Narcotics Control Commission of the Ministry of Public Security of China and former Commissioner of the Hong Kong Police Force Andy Tsang revealed some details to TASS on the legislation and why China has waited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that bill .
- Good evening , Mr. Tsang .
Can you give us any details on the legislation ?
First of all , I want to make some points .
Your first question is about why the Central Government is introducing this bill now .
The purpose of doing this is to address clear and serious threats to the internal security of Hong Kong and national security of the country because of the current legal loopholes that exist .
If such a loophole didn ’ t exist , there would be no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this .
The threats that I am talking about , can be seen in what happened in Hong Kong in past several months .
I am sure you have been following it and I do not need to provide any further explanation .
So , unless we do this , we will not be able to stop these threats .
- The PRC restored sovereignty over Hong Kong more than 20 years ago .
Why has the Chinese government initiated this Hong Kong national security legislation only this year ?
National security has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When we designed the `` One country , two systems '' , we made a requirement in the Basic Law of Hong Kong for Hong Kong to enact a law to uphold national security under a certain respective law .
Now , for political reasons and other reasons the city is unable to enact the law .
I mean the country has been extremely patient .
I can say the nation has been waiting for 20 years , more than 20 years .
And yet only now has the country made its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has become so serious that something must be done .
Otherwise , the country ’ s national security would be jeopardized or the internal security of Hong Kong itself would be endangered .
It 's only because of the need for the country to fulfill its responsibility .
You can put it another way .
As a result of the failure of the city itself to enact the law to uphold national security , the central government now needs to take these steps .
- You had served as police commissioner from 2011 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests took place in Hong Kong .
It was the movement which is now known as the Umbrella Movement or the Occupy Central Movement .
So you personally have experience in dealing with mass demonstrations .
What is the difference between the protests in 2014 and in 2019 ?
I am glad you did not use the term of civil disobedience because what I saw in 2014 and what I see now has nothing to do with civil disobedience .
This is civil disturbance .
We are talking about attacks , about damage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , riots and even acts resembling terrorism during this period .
I do not think anyone can call this civil disobedience , which by nature is peaceful .
What we are seeing is none of this .
Now , everything has changed .
Its conversed .
When we were dealing with the unlawful Occupy Central Movement back in 2014 when I was a commissioner , we were seeing major intersections being blocked and , for a long period of time , attacks on police officers .
Attacks on police primarily involved the use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ various sorts of sharpened objects or shields with spikes , or bricks .
Now what we are seeing now is an escalation .
Instead of attacking just police officers or police cordon lines , the rioters - sometimes people call them protesters , but I would rather call them rioters - these rioters assault people who hold different views from their own or sometimes even attack innocent bystanders .
So why were they trying to harm those innocent bystanders who happened to be on their way .
These people were beaten , sometimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was due to where they came from , including our mainland visitors .
That ’ s the target .
And the escalation of the level of violence really is horrifying .
So from improvised weapons they move on to petrol bombs , and then on to firearms and , even lately , explosives .
These threats are real and serious and must be addressed .
So I am getting more worried .
And I am really relieved that ’ s the Central Government is now taking this step to introduce the law directly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Because we have legal loopholes which otherwise can not be blocked .
- Do you see any difference between the protests in 2014 and the demonstrations last year from the perspective of foreign involvement ?
There two observations on this .
One of them is getting more obvious .
In 2014 , we were seeing support by foreign and external powers , support from behind .
Now , this time around , we are observing direct interference both from foreign and external powers .
And this is worrying .
The other worrying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , we have seen radicalism escalating to extremism , and escalating to violent extremism .
I think everyone must be worrying about that .
And so the other worrying fact is that we are seeing these participants .
I mean the people who participate in these criminal acts , including students , sometimes even young students , teenagers and they were being sort of , I would call them deceived to believe certain things , into doing these things which are terrible .
Things have gone from bad to worse .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
- You just said you felt relief when you heard about this legislation , but some people did not feel this .
First of all , their worries are connected with this law .
According to it , the Chinese Central Government will set up organizations in HK in order to fulfill the responsibility of maintaining national security .
And there is still not so much information on the details of this legislation .
Can you give them to us and everything that is connected to these organizations which will be set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security ?
I will do with this from two perspectives .
First of all , the focus is on the bill itself , and its eventual explanation .
The bill is directly against certain acts , including acts of separatism , acts of overturning the government , terrorist acts and interference by foreign and external powers .
It 's very specific .
And all of this has nothing to do with ordinary members of the public .
And it would be fair to say that freedom and the rights of ordinary members of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any way .
So , they have nothing to fear .
Who needs to fear ?
Those people who are committing all these acts - acts of separatism , acts of overturning the government , acts of terrorism , and acts of interference by external powers or foreign governments .
So it 's very specific .
And you have just said that many people were relieved to hear that .
Of course , if it effectively tackles these threats , the greater number of the ordinary members of the public would be better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fear of this violence as they walk down the streets of Hong Kong .
Now shop owners are worrying about their stores being damaged , not to mention , ordinary members of the public fear being beaten up .
So , once we are able to stop this , we can put their lives back on track to normalcy .
And so we will benefit from this .
The second question you asked is about the agencies that will enact this new legislation .
Of course , with any new legislation we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And I believe what will happen is no different in any country .
I mean national security is a function that is fulfilled by almost any government in every corner of the world .
And so you would expect the agency responsible for upholding national security to be operating .
Whether or not the power of this national security agency will include the power of arrest or the power of detention , I believe that would be clearly spelled out and prescribed by law .
And given the development of the rule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confident that would be a fair game for everyone .
- I understand your point , but the most frequent question about these agencies is the following .
In what legal framework will the staff of these agencies work ?
Will they work in the legal framework of the PRC or Hong Kong ?
I think it would be made very clear to the people of Hong Kong , the people of China and perhaps to the people of the world .
What I understand about these new offences under this new law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will still be brought before the court of Hong Kong .
Thus , what we are talking about is that they will be tried under the Hong Kong judicial system .
That ’ s the way I understand it .
And of course you obviously want to wait to see the actual legislation .
But , in my understanding , this is the way it is going , because when the central government announced it , there is one point which it emphasized , and that is judicial independence .
Therefore , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Hong Kong .
So I can only read that these new offences would be tried in the court of Hong Kong and not in the Mainland ’ s court .
- So , according to your information , this legislation will not let the Hong Kong government extradite people to the mainland ?
Nothing to do with that .
Nothing to do with that .
- There are lots of publications about this legislation in Hong Kong and in the international media .
And it is said that it has special importance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Legislative Council election is scheduled for September 2020 .
People think that the elections and this legislation itself can lead to a new round of protests .
Do you think this is possible ?
Also there are fears that people detained during such protests for any violations or crimes would be prosecuted according to the new law .
How would you comment on such fears , will investigations and trials be held according to the current laws or will they also include the new legislation ?
All right .
In the legal system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law introduced will not have a retrospective effect .
This means they will only take effect on the day it is enacted .
I don ’ t have a timetable when the actual law will be enacted .
Take for instance if the new law is enacted , say , in July , anything that happened between now and July can not be dealt with by the new law .
It has to be dealt with by the existing law .
This is the Hong Kong legal system .
But let 's go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there more protests ?
Just yesterday , we had radicals coming out in Hong Kong , causing damage and attacking innocent people , including a lawyer who simply tried to argue with them .
He was badly beaten up and seriously injured .
So because we are dealing with - remember I said it - obvious oppression and a serious threat to the internal security of the city and the country ’ s national security , we can only expect that these threats will continue until the new law comes into effect .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s reality .
- Another question which frequently pops up across Hong Kong ’ s media and social media is about the crimes and penalties , which will be dealt with based on this legislation .
For example , the protesters which were detained last year are prosecuted for unauthorized assembly , unlawful assembly , and disorderly conduct .
And in some of the gravest cases , they are prosecuted for rioting .
Thus , according to existing laws the harshest is imprisonment for nearly 10 years .
Would you know if this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
If everyone is equal before the law then it doesn ’ t matter if someone is a media worker or bathroom janitor .
If he or she commits a crime , he or she should be brought before the law .
I mean it is as simple as that .
And we have a judicial authority which is hailed in very high regards by the international community .
If they think they should not be brought before the court , they have a fortunate chance to argue their case before the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So it doesn ’ t matter if you are the part of the media .
If you commit a crime , you have to appear before the court and be dealt with by the law .
Now , as for the penalties for these new offences , I don ’ t have any details myself .
But it would be useful to make references to what other countries are doing .
I mean penalties that other countries mete out in similar cases .
I mean take your own country , Russia for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the USA , the UK , or some Western and European countries .
The way I see it is like this : the new offences will be heard in the court of Hong Kong .
And they will have advocacy .
That ’ s all I can say .
- The last question about these agencies concerns the staff .
Will it be filled in Hong Kong or will personnel be sent from the mainland ?
The bill that we are introducing requires two things .
One dedicated unit to be set up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city .
And then the other unit will be set up by the Central Government at the national level .
So it 's both on the local and on the national level .
As a matter of fact , this has always been the case with other jurisdictions .
Take your own country , you have national agencies taking care of this , but local enforcement agencies would always be involved .
The same goes for Hong Kong , where we have a special branch , which is in charge of those things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of rumors about this legislation .
And one of them is connected with press and Internet freedoms in Hong Kong .
Does this law have any provisions about media and Internet control in HKSAR ?
I have no specific information , but there are two points that I wish to make .
First of all , the world of the Internet is not a world of its own .
The Internet world is still part of the physical world .
So , whatever applies to the physical world will still apply to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part one .
So getting back to the second part of the question , which is freedom of speech and freedom of the press .
The same standard is applied .
What you can do in the physical world , you can do in the Internet world .
What you can not do in the physical world , you can not do in the Internet world .
So , there is no change of standard .

Chinese officials announced that a draft resolution on Hong Kong’s national security law will be included in the agenda of the third session of National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China. This resolution enables the NPC Standing Committee to craft the bill’s details and pass it. Afterwards, it will be included to the Annex III of the Basic Law of Hong Kong and become law. In other words, Beijing has decided to bypass the Legislative Council of Hong Kong and craft a new national security law for the city itself. According to the resolution, this new legislation is intended to prevent, stop and punish acts in Hong Kong that threaten national security (secession, subversion, terrorism and foreign interference). And it also suggests that Chinese Central Government will set up its own "security organs" in Hong Kong. Deputy Director of the National Narcotics Control Commission of the Ministry of Public Security of China and former Commissioner of the Hong Kong Police Force Andy Tsang revealed some details to TASS on the legislation and why China has waited for more than 20 years to initiate that bill.
- Good evening, Mr. Tsang. Can you give us any details on the legislation?
First of all, I want to make some points. Your first question is about why the Central Government is introducing this bill now. The purpose of doing this is to address clear and serious threats to the internal security of Hong Kong and national security of the country because of the current legal loopholes that exist. If such a loophole didn’t exist, there would be no need for the Central Government to do this.
The threats that I am talking about, can be seen in what happened in Hong Kong in past several months. I am sure you have been following it and I do not need to provide any further explanation. So, unless we do this, we will not be able to stop these threats.
- The PRC restored sovereignty over Hong Kong more than 20 years ago. Why has the Chinese government initiated this Hong Kong national security legislation only this year?
National security has always been the country’s responsibility. When we designed the "One country, two systems", we made a requirement in the Basic Law of Hong Kong for Hong Kong to enact a law to uphold national security under a certain respective law.
Now, for political reasons and other reasons the city is unable to enact the law. I mean the country has been extremely patient. I can say the nation has been waiting for 20 years, more than 20 years. And yet only now has the country made its move. This is because the threat has become so serious that something must be done. Otherwise, the country’s national security would be jeopardized or the internal security of Hong Kong itself would be endangered. It's only because of the need for the country to fulfill its responsibility.
You can put it another way. As a result of the failure of the city itself to enact the law to uphold national security, the central government now needs to take these steps.
- You had served as police commissioner from 2011 to 2015. In 2014, mass protests took place in Hong Kong. It was the movement which is now known as the Umbrella Movement or the Occupy Central Movement. So you personally have experience in dealing with mass demonstrations. What is the difference between the protests in 2014 and in 2019?
I am glad you did not use the term of civil disobedience because what I saw in 2014 and what I see now has nothing to do with civil disobedience. This is civil disturbance. We are talking about attacks, about damage, about arson, about unlawful assemblies, riots and even acts resembling terrorism during this period.
I do not think anyone can call this civil disobedience, which by nature is peaceful. What we are seeing is none of this. Now, everything has changed. Its conversed. When we were dealing with the unlawful Occupy Central Movement back in 2014 when I was a commissioner, we were seeing major intersections being blocked and, for a long period of time, attacks on police officers. Attacks on police primarily involved the use of improvised weapons like sharpened umbrellas, various sorts of sharpened objects or shields with spikes, or bricks.
Now what we are seeing now is an escalation. Instead of attacking just police officers or police cordon lines, the rioters - sometimes people call them protesters, but I would rather call them rioters - these rioters assault people who hold different views from their own or sometimes even attack innocent bystanders. So why were they trying to harm those innocent bystanders who happened to be on their way. These people were beaten, sometimes very severely. Other times, it was due to where they came from, including our mainland visitors. That’s the target.
And the escalation of the level of violence really is horrifying. So from improvised weapons they move on to petrol bombs, and then on to firearms and, even lately, explosives. These threats are real and serious and must be addressed. So I am getting more worried. And I am really relieved that’s the Central Government is now taking this step to introduce the law directly to Hong Kong to address the threat. Because we have legal loopholes which otherwise cannot be blocked.
- Do you see any difference between the protests in 2014 and the demonstrations last year from the perspective of foreign involvement?
There two observations on this. One of them is getting more obvious. In 2014, we were seeing support by foreign and external powers, support from behind. Now, this time around, we are observing direct interference both from foreign and external powers. And this is worrying.
The other worrying thing is internal. From 2014 till now, we have seen radicalism escalating to extremism, and escalating to violent extremism. I think everyone must be worrying about that. And so the other worrying fact is that we are seeing these participants. I mean the people who participate in these criminal acts, including students, sometimes even young students, teenagers and they were being sort of, I would call them deceived to believe certain things, into doing these things which are terrible. Things have gone from bad to worse. And something must be done to stop this.
- You just said you felt relief when you heard about this legislation, but some people did not feel this. First of all, their worries are connected with this law. According to it, the Chinese Central Government will set up organizations in HK in order to fulfill the responsibility of maintaining national security. And there is still not so much information on the details of this legislation. Can you give them to us and everything that is connected to these organizations which will be set up in Hong Kong to maintain national security?
I will do with this from two perspectives. First of all, the focus is on the bill itself, and its eventual explanation. The bill is directly against certain acts, including acts of separatism, acts of overturning the government, terrorist acts and interference by foreign and external powers. It's very specific. And all of this has nothing to do with ordinary members of the public. And it would be fair to say that freedom and the rights of ordinary members of the public will not be affected in any way. So, they have nothing to fear.
Who needs to fear? Those people who are committing all these acts - acts of separatism, acts of overturning the government, acts of terrorism, and acts of interference by external powers or foreign governments. So it's very specific.
And you have just said that many people were relieved to hear that. Of course, if it effectively tackles these threats, the greater number of the ordinary members of the public would be better protected. They would be alleviated from the fear of this violence as they walk down the streets of Hong Kong. Now shop owners are worrying about their stores being damaged, not to mention, ordinary members of the public fear being beaten up. So, once we are able to stop this, we can put their lives back on track to normalcy. And so we will benefit from this.
The second question you asked is about the agencies that will enact this new legislation. Of course, with any new legislation we have to think about giving it effectiveness. And I believe what will happen is no different in any country. I mean national security is a function that is fulfilled by almost any government in every corner of the world. And so you would expect the agency responsible for upholding national security to be operating. Whether or not the power of this national security agency will include the power of arrest or the power of detention, I believe that would be clearly spelled out and prescribed by law. And given the development of the rule of law in China, I am confident that would be a fair game for everyone.
- I understand your point, but the most frequent question about these agencies is the following. In what legal framework will the staff of these agencies work? Will they work in the legal framework of the PRC or Hong Kong?
I think it would be made very clear to the people of Hong Kong, the people of China and perhaps to the people of the world. What I understand about these new offences under this new law is if anyone is arrested the individual will still be brought before the court of Hong Kong. Thus, what we are talking about is that they will be tried under the Hong Kong judicial system. That’s the way I understand it.
And of course you obviously want to wait to see the actual legislation. But, in my understanding, this is the way it is going, because when the central government announced it, there is one point which it emphasized, and that is judicial independence. Therefore, the final determination of court cases still rests with Hong Kong. So I can only read that these new offences would be tried in the court of Hong Kong and not in the Mainland’s court.
- So, according to your information, this legislation will not let the Hong Kong government extradite people to the mainland?
Nothing to do with that. Nothing to do with that.
- There are lots of publications about this legislation in Hong Kong and in the international media. And it is said that it has special importance before the elections. The Hong Kong Legislative Council election is scheduled for September 2020. People think that the elections and this legislation itself can lead to a new round of protests. Do you think this is possible? Also there are fears that people detained during such protests for any violations or crimes would be prosecuted according to the new law. How would you comment on such fears, will investigations and trials be held according to the current laws or will they also include the new legislation?
All right. In the legal system we have in Hong Kong any new law introduced will not have a retrospective effect. This means they will only take effect on the day it is enacted. I don’t have a timetable when the actual law will be enacted. Take for instance if the new law is enacted, say, in July, anything that happened between now and July cannot be dealt with by the new law. It has to be dealt with by the existing law. This is the Hong Kong legal system.
But let's go back to your question. Would be there more protests? Just yesterday, we had radicals coming out in Hong Kong, causing damage and attacking innocent people, including a lawyer who simply tried to argue with them. He was badly beaten up and seriously injured.
So because we are dealing with - remember I said it - obvious oppression and a serious threat to the internal security of the city and the country’s national security, we can only expect that these threats will continue until the new law comes into effect. It's sad, but that’s reality.
- Another question which frequently pops up across Hong Kong’s media and social media is about the crimes and penalties, which will be dealt with based on this legislation. For example, the protesters which were detained last year are prosecuted for unauthorized assembly, unlawful assembly, and disorderly conduct. And in some of the gravest cases, they are prosecuted for rioting. Thus, according to existing laws the harshest is imprisonment for nearly 10 years. Would you know if this legislation contains longer imprisonment terms for violations?
If everyone is equal before the law then it doesn’t matter if someone is a media worker or bathroom janitor. If he or she commits a crime, he or she should be brought before the law. I mean it is as simple as that. And we have a judicial authority which is hailed in very high regards by the international community. If they think they should not be brought before the court, they have a fortunate chance to argue their case before the court.
Everyone is equal before the law. So it doesn’t matter if you are the part of the media. If you commit a crime, you have to appear before the court and be dealt with by the law.
Now, as for the penalties for these new offences, I don’t have any details myself. But it would be useful to make references to what other countries are doing. I mean penalties that other countries mete out in similar cases. I mean take your own country, Russia for instance, or you may refer to the USA, the UK, or some Western and European countries. The way I see it is like this: the new offences will be heard in the court of Hong Kong. And they will have advocacy. That’s all I can say.
- The last question about these agencies concerns the staff. Will it be filled in Hong Kong or will personnel be sent from the mainland?
The bill that we are introducing requires two things. One dedicated unit to be set up by Hong Kong itself, by the city. And then the other unit will be set up by the Central Government at the national level. So it's both on the local and on the national level.
As a matter of fact, this has always been the case with other jurisdictions. Take your own country, you have national agencies taking care of this, but local enforcement agencies would always be involved. The same goes for Hong Kong, where we have a special branch, which is in charge of those things even now.
- There are a lot of rumors about this legislation. And one of them is connected with press and Internet freedoms in Hong Kong. Does this law have any provisions about media and Internet control in HKSAR?
I have no specific information, but there are two points that I wish to make. First of all, the world of the Internet is not a world of its own. The Internet world is still part of the physical world. So, whatever applies to the physical world will still apply to the Internet world. That’s part one.
So getting back to the second part of the question, which is freedom of speech and freedom of the press. The same standard is applied. What you can do in the physical world, you can do in the Internet world. What you cannot do in the physical world, you cannot do in the Internet world. So, there is no change of standard.
Interviewed by Roman Balandin


tass--2020-05-27--Moscow’s share of new daily coronavirus cases drops to about 25%

MOSCOW , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow ’ s share of new daily coronavirus cases has dropped to about @ @ @ @ @ time since the outbreak began in Russia , according to a TASS analysis based on @ @ @ @ @ crisis center .
As many as 8,338 cases were confirmed in Russia in the past @ @ @ @ @ for 2,140 of them .
That said , the city ’ s share of new @ @ @ @ @ % compared to 31.74 % on Tuesday .

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/. Moscow’s share of new daily coronavirus cases has dropped to about 25% for the first time since the outbreak began in Russia, according to a TASS analysis based on data from the national anti-coronavirus crisis center.
As many as 8,338 cases were confirmed in Russia in the past day, and Moscow accounts for 2,140 of them. That said, the city’s share of new cases has fallen to 25.67% compared to 31.74% on Tuesday.


tass--2020-05-27--Russia's daily coronavirus recoveries exceed new cases

A total of 11,079 people have recovered and 8,338 people have been diagnosed with the coronavirus .
MOSCOW , May @ @ @ @ @ daily number of recovered coronavirus patients in Russia on Wednesday again surpassed the number of @ @ @ @ @ crisis center reported .
The total number of COVID-19 cases in Russia has reached 370,680 @ @ @ @ @ 38.4 % of all those infected ) have recovered .
The daily growth rate in @ @ @ @ @ to a new low of 2.3 % from 2.5 % on Tuesday .
The number @ @ @ @ @ % .
In the Moscow Region 793 new COVID-19 cases were recorded and 288 people @ @ @ @ @ - 387 and 714 , in the Sverdlovsk Region - 235 and 201 , in @ @ @ @ @ 231 and 253 .
In Dagestan , where 161 new cases were confirmed , 352 @ @ @

A total of 11,079 people have recovered and 8,338 people have been diagnosed with the coronavirus.
MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/. The daily number of recovered coronavirus patients in Russia on Wednesday again surpassed the number of new cases, the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported.
The total number of COVID-19 cases in Russia has reached 370,680. Some 142,208 people (38.4% of all those infected) have recovered.
The daily growth rate in the number of cases fell to a new low of 2.3% from 2.5% on Tuesday. The number of recoveries rose by 8.4%.
In the Moscow Region 793 new COVID-19 cases were recorded and 288 people recovered, in St. Petersburg - 387 and 714, in the Sverdlovsk Region - 235 and 201, in the Nizhny Novgorod Region - 231 and 253. In Dagestan, where 161 new cases were confirmed, 352 patients recovered.


tass--2020-05-27--Majority of Russian businessmen negatively estimate state of economy, says survey

MOSCOW , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
Two-thirds of interviewed entrepreneurs negatively estimate the state of the Russian economy , according to a survey included in the annual report by Russia ’ s Presidential Commissioner for the protection of entrepreneurs ’ rights Boris Titov to President Vladimir Putin .
The survey was conducted in February-March 2020 by the service of special communications and information of Russia ’ s Federal Guard Service .
Owners of enterprises ( 56.7 % ) , heads of enterprises ( 25 % ) , deputy heads of enterprises ( 10.4 % ) and managers ( 7.9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in all 7,733 people .
`` Two-thirds of respondents ( 68.3 % ) negatively estimate the state of the Russian economy , '' the research said .
Particularly , 52.2 % of respondents described it as ‘ problematic ’ , while 16.1 % - as ‘ disastrously recessionary ’ .
As many as 15.1 % of respondents considered the Russian economy stable , whereas 3.5 % referred to its state as ‘ good ’ .
The remaining 13.1 % of participants were undecided .
Respondents suggest that it is first of all necessary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , limit the tariff growth for services of infrastructure and commodities monopolies and cut tariffs , as well as reduce the administrative pressure on the business , for bringing Russia ’ s economic growth rates above the global average , according to the results of the survey .

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/. Two-thirds of interviewed entrepreneurs negatively estimate the state of the Russian economy, according to a survey included in the annual report by Russia’s Presidential Commissioner for the protection of entrepreneurs’ rights Boris Titov to President Vladimir Putin.
The survey was conducted in February-March 2020 by the service of special communications and information of Russia’s Federal Guard Service. Owners of enterprises (56.7%), heads of enterprises (25%), deputy heads of enterprises (10.4%) and managers (7.9%) participated in it, all in all 7,733 people.
"Two-thirds of respondents (68.3%) negatively estimate the state of the Russian economy," the research said. Particularly, 52.2% of respondents described it as ‘problematic’, while 16.1% - as ‘disastrously recessionary’.
As many as 15.1% of respondents considered the Russian economy stable, whereas 3.5% referred to its state as ‘good’. The remaining 13.1% of participants were undecided.
Respondents suggest that it is first of all necessary to reduce the tax burden on enterprises, limit the tariff growth for services of infrastructure and commodities monopolies and cut tariffs, as well as reduce the administrative pressure on the business, for bringing Russia’s economic growth rates above the global average, according to the results of the survey.


tass--2020-05-27--US can arrange nuclear test within months if necessary, Pentagon says

WASHINGTON , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
The United States will be ready to hold a nuclear test within a @ @ @ @ @ by the country ’ s president , the Defense News portal said citing Drew Walter @ @ @ @ @ duties of deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear matters .
The official said that @ @ @ @ @ a nuclear test `` would happen relatively rapidly , '' possibly `` within months '' @ @ @ @ @ for technical or geopolitical reasons .
On May 22 , Washington Post reported the United @ @ @ @ @ to conduct their first nuclear test explosion since 1992 .
According to the paper , @ @ @ @ @ a meeting of senior officials representing the top national security agencies on May 15 .
@ @ @ @ @ resumption of nuclear tests was achieved during those talks .
One of the officials was @ @ @ @ @ paper that the discussions were still ongoing .

WASHINGTON, May 27. /TASS/. The United States will be ready to hold a nuclear test within a few months if ordered so by the country’s president, the Defense News portal said citing Drew Walter, who is performing the duties of deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear matters.
The official said that, in his opinion, a nuclear test "would happen relatively rapidly," possibly "within months" if ordered by the president for technical or geopolitical reasons.
On May 22, Washington Post reported the United States authorities were discussing whether to conduct their first nuclear test explosion since 1992. According to the paper, the matter came up at a meeting of senior officials representing the top national security agencies on May 15. However, no agreement on resumption of nuclear tests was achieved during those talks. One of the officials was quoted as saying by the paper that the discussions were still ongoing.


tass--2020-05-27--Pan-American Health Organization names Americas epicenter of COVID-19 pandemic

BUENOS AIRES , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
South , Central and North America have become the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic , Director of the Pan American Health Organization ( PAHO ) Carissa Etienne told reporters .
Noting that more than 2.4 million confirmed cases and over 143,000 deaths have made the region the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic , Etienne said the real number of infected persons could be even higher .
`` We are particularly concerned that the number of new cases reported last week in Brazil was the highest for a seven-day period , since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Both Peru and Chile are also reporting a high incidence . ''
she said .
For most countries in the region , `` now is not the time to relax restrictions or scale back preventive strategies , '' she added .
According to the US-based Johns Hopkins University , the US remains the hardest-hit country with over 1.6 million confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus , followed by Brazil with some 374,000 cases .
Other American nations that have reported a high number of cases are Peru ( 123,900 cases . )
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( almost 80,000 ) and Mexico ( 71,000 ) .

BUENOS AIRES, May 27. /TASS/. South, Central and North America have become the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Carissa Etienne told reporters.
Noting that more than 2.4 million confirmed cases and over 143,000 deaths have made the region the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, Etienne said the real number of infected persons could be even higher.
"We are particularly concerned that the number of new cases reported last week in Brazil was the highest for a seven-day period, since the outbreak began," she said. "Both Peru and Chile are also reporting a high incidence." she said.
For most countries in the region, "now is not the time to relax restrictions or scale back preventive strategies," she added.
According to the US-based Johns Hopkins University, the US remains the hardest-hit country with over 1.6 million confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, followed by Brazil with some 374,000 cases. Other American nations that have reported a high number of cases are Peru (123,900 cases.), Canada (88,000), Chile (almost 80,000) and Mexico (71,000).


tass--2020-05-27--Russian fighter jets intercept US spy plane above Mediterranean — US Navy

WASHINGTON , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
Two Russian Su-35 fighter jets intercepted a US Navy P-8A Maritime Patrol and @ @ @ @ @ Sea , the US 6th Fleet ’ s press service said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ in two months , Russian pilots flew in an unsafe and unprofessional manner while intercepting @ @ @ @ @ Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft in the U.S. 6th Fleet , May 26 , 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ According to the press service , `` the intercept was determined to be unsafe and @ @ @ @ @ Russian pilots taking close station on each wing of the P-8A simultaneously , `` restricting @ @ @ @ @ to safely maneuver . ''
The incident lasted about an hour , the US 6th @ @ @ @ @ said .
The Pentagon already reported on April 15 that a Russian Su-35 plane had @ @ @ @ @ plane over the Mediterranean .
On that occasion , the US Navy also called this @ @ @ @ @ .

WASHINGTON, May 27. /TASS/. Two Russian Su-35 fighter jets intercepted a US Navy P-8A Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft above the Mediterranean Sea, the US 6th Fleet’s press service said in a statement.
"For the third time in two months, Russian pilots flew in an unsafe and unprofessional manner while intercepting a U.S. Navy P-8A Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft in the U.S. 6th Fleet, May 26, 2020," the statement says.
According to the press service, "the intercept was determined to be unsafe and unprofessional" due to the Russian pilots taking close station on each wing of the P-8A simultaneously, "restricting the P-8A’s ability to safely maneuver."
The incident lasted about an hour, the US 6th Fleet’s press service said.
The Pentagon already reported on April 15 that a Russian Su-35 plane had intercepted a US P-8A Poseidon plane over the Mediterranean. On that occasion, the US Navy also called this intercept "unsafe.".


tass--2020-05-27--Moscow court arrests two suspects in Cuban citizen’s murder case

MOSCOW , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow ’ s Dorogomilovsky District Court ruled to place in custody two people suspected of murdering a female citizen of Cuba in the Russian capital , court spokesperson Anastasia Tatarulya told TASS .
On Monday , the court ruled to place Alexander Alexandrov ( born in 1981 ) in custody until July 24 , on charges of murder , illegal and violent deprivation of freedom and extortion .
On Tuesday , the Dorogomilovsky Court supported investigators ’ request to put another suspect , Anastasia Grivkova ( born in 1999 ) , in pretrial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is facing charges of extortion and illegal deprivation of freedom with the use of violence and of concealing crimes .
According to a source close to the investigation , both suspects `` strongly deny their guilt and refuse to testify . ''
The body of a 22-year-old woman from Cuba , bearing strangulation marks , was found in Moscow near a garbage container in western Moscow .
According to a spokesperson for the Main Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee ’ s Moscow department , Yulia Ivanova , one of the victim ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receiving messages with demands of ransom from the victim ’ s mobile phone number '' before the body was found .

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/. Moscow’s Dorogomilovsky District Court ruled to place in custody two people suspected of murdering a female citizen of Cuba in the Russian capital, court spokesperson Anastasia Tatarulya told TASS.
On Monday, the court ruled to place Alexander Alexandrov (born in 1981) in custody until July 24, on charges of murder, illegal and violent deprivation of freedom and extortion.
On Tuesday, the Dorogomilovsky Court supported investigators’ request to put another suspect, Anastasia Grivkova (born in 1999), in pretrial custody for the same period. Grivkova is facing charges of extortion and illegal deprivation of freedom with the use of violence and of concealing crimes.
According to a source close to the investigation, both suspects "strongly deny their guilt and refuse to testify."
The body of a 22-year-old woman from Cuba, bearing strangulation marks, was found in Moscow near a garbage container in western Moscow.
According to a spokesperson for the Main Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee’s Moscow department, Yulia Ivanova, one of the victim’s acquaintances informed the police about "receiving messages with demands of ransom from the victim’s mobile phone number" before the body was found.


tass--2020-05-27--US-Kurdish patrol ambushed in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor, eight injured — SANA

MOSCOW , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
A joint patrol of US servicemen and Kurdish units of the Syrian Democratic @ @ @ @ @ ambushed by terrorist groups near the village of Ruweishad in Syria ’ s Deir ez-Zor @ @ @ @ @ agency said .
According to the agency , three US servicemen and five Kurds were @ @ @ @ @ at them , using firearms and grenade launchers .
IS units that lost control over @ @ @ @ @ and the neighboring Iraq after the defeat in 2017 , have become increasingly more active @ @ @ @ @ the Arabic international newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat , during the month of Ramadan ( between April @ @ @ @ @ , terrorists carried out at least 11 operations against government forces , in which 37 @ @ @ @ @ killed .
Within the same period , they repeatedly attacked Kurdish units from the Syrian @ @ @ @ @ attacks in local settlements , killed and kidnapped residents .
According to the paper , @ @ @ @ @ destroyed 47 terrorists , including four field commanders , in military response .

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/. A joint patrol of US servicemen and Kurdish units of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) was ambushed by terrorist groups near the village of Ruweishad in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor governorate, the SANA news agency said.
According to the agency, three US servicemen and five Kurds were injured when terrorists opened fire at them, using firearms and grenade launchers.
IS units that lost control over vast areas in eastern Syria and the neighboring Iraq after the defeat in 2017, have become increasingly more active of late. According to the Arabic international newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, during the month of Ramadan (between April 24 and May 24), terrorists carried out at least 11 operations against government forces, in which 37 Syrian military and militias were killed. Within the same period, they repeatedly attacked Kurdish units from the Syrian Democratic Forces, staged terrorist attacks in local settlements, killed and kidnapped residents.
According to the paper, Syrian troops and Kurdish militias destroyed 47 terrorists, including four field commanders, in military response.


tass--2020-05-27--Russian experts see possibility of coronavirus reinfection among recovered patients

ST. PETERSBURG , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
Novel coronavirus reinfection is possible even in patients with immunity to the virus , St. Petersburg doctors who treated COVID-19 patients said on Tuesday .
`` The data that we have today indicate this possibility .
Today we have information about how long it takes to acquire immunity and how long it lasts , which is about 100-120 days .
Theoretically , there is a possibility of becoming reinfected .
Even if a person had the disease , even if the titre of antibodies is high , it will not protect him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inter-agency working group for countering the coronavirus spread in St. Petersburg , Yevgeny Shlyakhto , told journalists .
Yakov Nakatis , the chief doctor of the Sokolov Clinical Hospital №122 , which treats coronavirus patients , said immunity to novel coronavirus might be similar to that of influenza , when vaccination is not always a guarantee against contracting the disease .
`` The degree of immunity does not depend on how severe a patient 's symptoms are , '' he said , adding that only pure luck can prevent a person from falling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voiced by Sergei Petrov , chief doctor of the St. Elizabeth City Hospital in Saint Petersburg , which renders emergency aid .
`` Cases of reinfection are , naturally , possible , '' he said , adding that the novel coronavirus , just like any other virus , can mutate easily to a point when acquired immunity no longer works against it .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 5,601,800 people have been infected worldwide and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In addition , so far , over 2,381,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , a total of 362,342 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 131,129 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 3,807 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

ST. PETERSBURG, May 27. /TASS/. Novel coronavirus reinfection is possible even in patients with immunity to the virus, St. Petersburg doctors who treated COVID-19 patients said on Tuesday.
"The data that we have today indicate this possibility. Today we have information about how long it takes to acquire immunity and how long it lasts, which is about 100-120 days. Theoretically, there is a possibility of becoming reinfected. Even if a person had the disease, even if the titre of antibodies is high, it will not protect him forever," the head of an inter-agency working group for countering the coronavirus spread in St. Petersburg, Yevgeny Shlyakhto, told journalists.
Yakov Nakatis, the chief doctor of the Sokolov Clinical Hospital №122, which treats coronavirus patients, said immunity to novel coronavirus might be similar to that of influenza, when vaccination is not always a guarantee against contracting the disease.
"The degree of immunity does not depend on how severe a patient's symptoms are," he said, adding that only pure luck can prevent a person from falling ill again.
A similar opinion was voiced by Sergei Petrov, chief doctor of the St. Elizabeth City Hospital in Saint Petersburg, which renders emergency aid.
"Cases of reinfection are, naturally, possible," he said, adding that the novel coronavirus, just like any other virus, can mutate easily to a point when acquired immunity no longer works against it.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 5,601,800 people have been infected worldwide and more than 348,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 2,381,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, a total of 362,342 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 131,129 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 3,807 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-05-27--Georgian health official says Russians were invited to visit Lugar Center many times

TBILISI , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
Georgian authorities invited high-ranking Russian officials to visit the Richard Lugar Center for Public Health Research in Tbilisi on many occasions , Director General of Georgia ’ s National Center for Disease Control and Public Health Amiran Gamkrelidze said in an interview with national TV .
`` We have invited Russians many times , I repeat , many , many times .
I personally spoke to their former health minister [ Veronika Skvortsova ] , and her deputy , former chief sanitary doctor [ Gennady Onishchenko ] , who sometimes accuses us of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Gamkrelidze said .
The official invited Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to visit the center , too .
`` I ’ ll show her everything there , '' he said .
`` I invited Zakharova during a live broadcast earlier < … > What are they waiting for ?
Written invitations have already been sent to them several times . ''
The official added that the activities of the Richard Lugar Center for Public Health Research were transparent , with reports being submitted to the UN .
On Tuesday , Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commentary that Russia was awaiting a response from Georgia to its request to visit the Richard Lugar Center for Public Health Research in Tbilisi by Russian specialists .
Moscow is concerned about the absence of information on the activity of the laboratory , the ministry said .
Russia has repeatedly expressed its concern over the work of the Georgia-based Richard Lugar Center for Public Health Research .
Opened near Tbilisi ’ s international airport in 2011 under a US governmental program , the center specializes in the study of biological threats .
Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Giorgadze told reporters in late 2018 that he had evidence confirming that the lab was carrying out dangerous experiments and called on US President Donald Trump to investigate its activities .
Giorgadze claimed that US military and private contractors could be engaged in secret experiments on humans there .
Georgia dismissed these allegations as absurd while Moscow said it would request the lab-related documents from the United States .

TBILISI, May 27. /TASS/. Georgian authorities invited high-ranking Russian officials to visit the Richard Lugar Center for Public Health Research in Tbilisi on many occasions, Director General of Georgia’s National Center for Disease Control and Public Health Amiran Gamkrelidze said in an interview with national TV.
"We have invited Russians many times, I repeat, many, many times. I personally spoke to their former health minister [Veronika Skvortsova], and her deputy, former chief sanitary doctor [Gennady Onishchenko], who sometimes accuses us of something and whom I know well," Gamkrelidze said.
The official invited Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to visit the center, too.
"I’ll show her everything there," he said. "I invited Zakharova during a live broadcast earlier <…> What are they waiting for? Written invitations have already been sent to them several times."
The official added that the activities of the Richard Lugar Center for Public Health Research were transparent, with reports being submitted to the UN.
On Tuesday, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a commentary that Russia was awaiting a response from Georgia to its request to visit the Richard Lugar Center for Public Health Research in Tbilisi by Russian specialists. Moscow is concerned about the absence of information on the activity of the laboratory, the ministry said.
Russia has repeatedly expressed its concern over the work of the Georgia-based Richard Lugar Center for Public Health Research. Opened near Tbilisi’s international airport in 2011 under a US governmental program, the center specializes in the study of biological threats. Georgia’s former State Security Minister Igor Giorgadze told reporters in late 2018 that he had evidence confirming that the lab was carrying out dangerous experiments and called on US President Donald Trump to investigate its activities. Giorgadze claimed that US military and private contractors could be engaged in secret experiments on humans there. Georgia dismissed these allegations as absurd while Moscow said it would request the lab-related documents from the United States.


tass--2020-05-26--Scientists simplify method for studying tree rings growth

MOSCOW , May 26 .
/TASS/ .
Researchers from Siberian Federal University together with their counterparts from the United States have developed a way to recreate the growth process of tree rings on a digital platform that will make this method of assessing the impact of climate on plants more accessible to scientists , the press service of the university told TASS .
`` A team of researchers from the University of Arizona ( US ) , the University of Maryland ( US ) and Siberian Federal University interpreted the Vaganov-Shishkin mathematical model of growth of annual tree rings that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` transmitting '' it to the Matlab platform , designed to solve a wide range of complex environmental tasks .
The authors of the study are convinced that the model 's new implementation in this language with the possibility of using the free Octave service will simplify its use in solving environmental problems associated with assessing the impact of global climate change on the growth of woody plants growing in the most diverse conditions of the northern and southern hemispheres of the Earth .
It is important that the new code is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ graduate students , '' the university 's press service told TASS .
The Vaganov-Shashkin mathematical model of the simulated growth of tree rings ( named after the Krasnoyarsk scientists Evgeny Vaganov and Alexander Shashkin ) allows to simulate the complex process of growth of tree rings depending on soil moisture , air temperature and daylight hours .
It was originally written in the classic FORTRAN programming language .
The use of the Matlab digital platform , which the authors compare with the transition from bicycle to motorcycle , will allow more researchers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the growth process of tree rings because the selected language code does not require special programming skills , and the model is intuitive in its nature , explain the developers .
`` At present , Siberian Federal University scientists are in talks with their US colleagues on the joint work on introducing the developed code into the VS-GENN , an intelligent system for modeling annual growth of woody plants .
This system is being developed at Siberian Federal University , '' the Siberian Federal University told TASS .
The study 's results @ @ @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, May 26. /TASS/. Researchers from Siberian Federal University together with their counterparts from the United States have developed a way to recreate the growth process of tree rings on a digital platform that will make this method of assessing the impact of climate on plants more accessible to scientists, the press service of the university told TASS.
"A team of researchers from the University of Arizona (US), the University of Maryland (US) and Siberian Federal University interpreted the Vaganov-Shishkin mathematical model of growth of annual tree rings that is popular in the world scientific community, "transmitting" it to the Matlab platform, designed to solve a wide range of complex environmental tasks. The authors of the study are convinced that the model's new implementation in this language with the possibility of using the free Octave service will simplify its use in solving environmental problems associated with assessing the impact of global climate change on the growth of woody plants growing in the most diverse conditions of the northern and southern hemispheres of the Earth. It is important that the new code is now available for bachelor, master and graduate students," the university's press service told TASS.
The Vaganov-Shashkin mathematical model of the simulated growth of tree rings (named after the Krasnoyarsk scientists Evgeny Vaganov and Alexander Shashkin) allows to simulate the complex process of growth of tree rings depending on soil moisture, air temperature and daylight hours. It was originally written in the classic FORTRAN programming language. The use of the Matlab digital platform, which the authors compare with the transition from bicycle to motorcycle, will allow more researchers to independently conduct a systematic analysis of changes in the growth process of tree rings because the selected language code does not require special programming skills, and the model is intuitive in its nature, explain the developers.
"At present, Siberian Federal University scientists are in talks with their US colleagues on the joint work on introducing the developed code into the VS-GENN, an intelligent system for modeling annual growth of woody plants. This system is being developed at Siberian Federal University," the Siberian Federal University told TASS.
The study's results are published in the journal Dendrochronologia.


tass--2020-05-28--Trump promises to veto FISA bill if it is passed by House of Representatives

WASHINGTON , May 28 .
/TASS/ .
U.S. President Donald Trump said he will veto the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act ( FISA ) , if the House of Representatives passes the document .
`` If the FISA Bill is passed tonight on the House floor , I will quickly VETO it .
Our Country has just suffered through the greatest political crime in its history .
The massive abuse of FISA was a big part of it ! ''
Trump wrote on Twitter .
Earlier , the President called on Republicans in Congress not to vote for the document .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeatedly accused U.S. intelligence officers of having spied on his campaign headquarters .
The early circumstances of such surveillance became the subject of at least three separate proceedings by the US Department of Justice , which also performs the functions of the Attorney General .
Representatives of the administration called to find out if there were any violations during the investigation by Special Counsel of the US Department of Justice Robert Muller .
On April 18 , 2019 , the US Department of Justice released the final report of Muller He claimed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the US presidential election campaign in 2016 .
At the same time , Muller admitted that the investigation had not revealed a conspiracy of the election winner Donald Trump with Russia .
Trump himself repeatedly called the ongoing investigation `` witch hunt '' and denied all allegations of collusion with Moscow .
Russia has also many times rejected allegations of attempts to influence the course of US elections .

WASHINGTON, May 28. /TASS/. U.S. President Donald Trump said he will veto the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), if the House of Representatives passes the document.
"If the FISA Bill is passed tonight on the House floor, I will quickly VETO it. Our Country has just suffered through the greatest political crime in its history. The massive abuse of FISA was a big part of it!" Trump wrote on Twitter.
Earlier, the President called on Republicans in Congress not to vote for the document.
Trump and representatives of his administration have repeatedly accused U.S. intelligence officers of having spied on his campaign headquarters. The early circumstances of such surveillance became the subject of at least three separate proceedings by the US Department of Justice, which also performs the functions of the Attorney General. Representatives of the administration called to find out if there were any violations during the investigation by Special Counsel of the US Department of Justice Robert Muller.
On April 18, 2019, the US Department of Justice released the final report of Muller He claimed that Russia had tried to influence the course of the US presidential election campaign in 2016. At the same time, Muller admitted that the investigation had not revealed a conspiracy of the election winner Donald Trump with Russia. Trump himself repeatedly called the ongoing investigation "witch hunt" and denied all allegations of collusion with Moscow. Russia has also many times rejected allegations of attempts to influence the course of US elections.


tass--2020-05-28--71 coronavirus patients die in Moscow over past 24 hours bringing death toll to 2,254

MOSCOW , May 28 .
/TASS/ .
Another 71 patients infected with a new coronavirus infection died in Moscow over the past day , the total number of deaths reached 2,254 , an official with Moscow ’ s coronavirus response headquarters told reporters on Thursday .
`` 71 patients who were diagnosed with pneumonia and tested positive for coronavirus infection died in Moscow , '' the official said .
At present , there are 101,802 infected patients in the capital .
However , the situation in the city has been improving lately .
In particular , the number of discharged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day in a row exceeds the number of new infections per day almost three times .
On May 27 , it was reported that 5,839 people were discharged over the last day , and the number of newly detected cases of infection was 2,140 .
In total , 67,458 infected people recovered during the pandemic .
A total of 2,254 patients with confirmed coronavirus infection died in the capital .
To date , a total of 370,680 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 142,208 patients having recovered from the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3,968 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, May 28. /TASS/. Another 71 patients infected with a new coronavirus infection died in Moscow over the past day, the total number of deaths reached 2,254, an official with Moscow’s coronavirus response headquarters told reporters on Thursday.
"71 patients who were diagnosed with pneumonia and tested positive for coronavirus infection died in Moscow," the official said.
At present, there are 101,802 infected patients in the capital. However, the situation in the city has been improving lately. In particular, the number of discharged patients in Moscow for almost the second day in a row exceeds the number of new infections per day almost three times. On May 27, it was reported that 5,839 people were discharged over the last day, and the number of newly detected cases of infection was 2,140. In total, 67,458 infected people recovered during the pandemic. A total of 2,254 patients with confirmed coronavirus infection died in the capital.
To date, a total of 370,680 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 142,208 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 3,968 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-05-28--New orbital station to become Russia’s entire orbital group’s HQ - Rogozin

MOSCOW , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
The new orbital station that Russia will begin designing shortly , will become @ @ @ @ @ Russian orbital group , Russian space agency Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin said Wednesday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ for useful load , i.e .
the station itself will provide observation and other important @ @ @ @ @ entire orbital group .
It will become a some kind of a headquarters for the @ @ @ @ @ '' Rogozin said .

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/. The new orbital station that Russia will begin designing shortly, will become the headquarters for the entire Russian orbital group, Russian space agency Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin said Wednesday.
"This will be a platform for useful load, i.e. the station itself will provide observation and other important functions for maintenance of the entire orbital group. It will become a some kind of a headquarters for the entire Russian orbital group," Rogozin said.


tass--2020-05-28--Russia to assemble constructions for deep space flights at the upcoming orbital station

MOSCOW , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
Russia plans to assemble constructions it plans to send into deep space at @ @ @ @ @ Russia plans to begin designing shortly , Russian space agency Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin said @ @ @ @ @ to assemble space constructions for flights to Mars , to the Moon , to the @ @ @ @ @ , because lifting the entire construction from Earth is too difficult , too heavy - @ @ @ @ @ powerful missile , '' Rogozin said .
According to the Roscosmos head , orbital station @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/. Russia plans to assemble constructions it plans to send into deep space at the orbital station, which Russia plans to begin designing shortly, Russian space agency Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin said Wednesday.
"We plan to assemble space constructions for flights to Mars, to the Moon, to the asteroids, at the orbit, because lifting the entire construction from Earth is too difficult, too heavy - it would require a very powerful missile," Rogozin said.
According to the Roscosmos head, orbital station crew will do orbital assembly.


tass--2020-05-28--More than 400,000 people receive unemployment benefits since March - Labor Minister

MOSCOW , May 28 .
/TASS/ .
More than 400,000 people who lost their jobs after March 1 receive maximum @ @ @ @ @ Anton Kotyakov said on Wednesday .
`` The authorities grant maximum unemployment benefits to the @ @ @ @ @ after March 1 .
Today , more than 400,000 people receive them , '' he @ @ @ @ @ the situation on the labor market chaired by President Vladimir Putin .
The minister did @ @ @ @ @ the unemployment pay .
Kotyakov noted that the accessibility of other measures of social support @ @ @ @ @ unemployed people .
In particular , now , the authorities do not take into account @ @ @ @ @ lost their jobs when assessing the need of their families .

MOSCOW, May 28. /TASS/. More than 400,000 people who lost their jobs after March 1 receive maximum unemployment benefits, Labor Minister Anton Kotyakov said on Wednesday.
"The authorities grant maximum unemployment benefits to the citizens who lost their jobs after March 1. Today, more than 400,000 people receive them," he said at a meeting on the situation on the labor market chaired by President Vladimir Putin. The minister did not specify the amount of the unemployment pay.
Kotyakov noted that the accessibility of other measures of social support has also increased for the unemployed people. In particular, now, the authorities do not take into account previous earnings of citizens who lost their jobs when assessing the need of their families.


tass--2020-05-28--Rogozin: Elon Musk’s idea to bomb Mars is cover-up for deployment of nukes in space

MOSCOW , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
SpaceX founder Elon Musk ’ s idea to bomb Mars with nuclear charges @ @ @ @ @ This is merely a cover to put nuclear weapons into space , Russian space agency @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
`` Recently , Elon Musk stated he wants to bomb Mars with nuclear @ @ @ @ @ more feasible for human life .
It is absolutely obvious that the idea to bomb @ @ @ @ @ absolutely abhorrent from a humanitarian standpoint .
Who gave him right to destroy a planet @ @ @ @ @ an interview on YouTube .
`` We understand that one thing stands behind all this @ @ @ @ @ cover for deployment of nuclear weapons in space .
We see such attempts , we @ @ @ @ @ will oppose them as much as we can , '' Roscosmos head said , adding @ @ @ @ @ respond to this with .

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/. SpaceX founder Elon Musk’s idea to bomb Mars with nuclear charges is abhorrent and inhumane. This is merely a cover to put nuclear weapons into space, Russian space agency Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin said Wednesday.
"Recently, Elon Musk stated he wants to bomb Mars with nuclear charges to make its atmosphere more feasible for human life. It is absolutely obvious that the idea to bomb Mars with nuclear charges is absolutely abhorrent from a humanitarian standpoint. Who gave him right to destroy a planet?" Rogozin asked in an interview on YouTube.
"We understand that one thing stands behind all this demagogy: this is a cover for deployment of nuclear weapons in space. We see such attempts, we consider them unacceptable and we will oppose them as much as we can," Roscosmos head said, adding that Russia has what to respond to this with.


tass--2020-05-28--Flight tests of Angara missile might begin this fall - Roscosmos head Rogozin

MOSCOW , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
Russian space agency Roscosmos may begin flight tests of the Angara heavy carrier @ @ @ @ @ head Dmitry Rogozin said Wednesday in an interview on YouTube .
`` This year , @ @ @ @ @ Angara to the proving grounds for launch .
This year , we reinstate testing of @ @ @ @ @ .
We should finish those tests in 2022 .
In 2023 , we will begin @ @ @ @ @ missile ] , '' Rogozin said .

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/. Russian space agency Roscosmos may begin flight tests of the Angara heavy carrier missile this fall, agency head Dmitry Rogozin said Wednesday in an interview on YouTube.
"This year, we hand over our heavy Angara to the proving grounds for launch. This year, we reinstate testing of this redesigned and polished missile. We should finish those tests in 2022. In 2023, we will begin mass production [of the missile]," Rogozin said.


tass--2020-05-28--Putin supports proposals to extend unemployment benefits until October 1, 2020

NOVO-OGAREVO , May 27 .
/ TASS / .
Russian President Vladimir Putin supported a three-month extension of unemployment benefits to those who lost their jobs after March 1 and were unable to find a job within three months , said he on Wednesday at a meeting on the state of the labor market in Russia .
`` I agree with the following proposal : to extend the payment of unemployment benefits to citizens who after March 1 have lost their right to receive them , due to the expiration of the established three month period , '' the President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be valid until October 1 , 2020 .
He said that a citizen whose term for the payment of unemployment benefits has expired , would just have to apply at the unemployment office .
`` Payments for that person will continue for another three months , but no later than October 1 .
This is how it will be for now , and then let 's proceed from the situation that will develop on the labor market , '' Putin said .
He recalled that the country has an order in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ established for a certain period of up to a year .
After the expiration of this period , payments end even if the person has not found a job .
President Putin drew attention to the fact that the largest increase in the number of the unemployed starting from March 1 to April 20 , 2020 has been observed in the Tyumen , Kaliningrad , and Vologda regions , Chuvashia and Buryatia .
At the same time , the largest share of registered unemployed from the economically active population was recorded in Tuva @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I ask the government to carefully study and take into work not only what sounded as proposals today , but also the real data of the Ministry of Labor .
We must pay attention to these regions and the leaders of these regions , of course , should actively work , but I also ask the federal departments pay special attention to this , '' the President instructed .
Putin called employment growth a systemic condition for stabilizing the labor market .
According to him , this should happen due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the normal rhythm of work in the service sector , catering , hotel business , etc .
`` However , it is obvious that we can ’ t just wait for the moment when all this will improve on its own , when the engine of the economy starts working at full capacity , '' said he .

NOVO-OGAREVO, May 27. / TASS /. Russian President Vladimir Putin supported a three-month extension of unemployment benefits to those who lost their jobs after March 1 and were unable to find a job within three months, said he on Wednesday at a meeting on the state of the labor market in Russia.
"I agree with the following proposal: to extend the payment of unemployment benefits to citizens who after March 1 have lost their right to receive them, due to the expiration of the established three month period," the President said. He specified that these measures would be valid until October 1, 2020.
He said that a citizen whose term for the payment of unemployment benefits has expired, would just have to apply at the unemployment office. "Payments for that person will continue for another three months, but no later than October 1. This is how it will be for now, and then let's proceed from the situation that will develop on the labor market," Putin said.
He recalled that the country has an order in which benefits for various categories of citizens are established for a certain period of up to a year. After the expiration of this period, payments end even if the person has not found a job.
President Putin drew attention to the fact that the largest increase in the number of the unemployed starting from March 1 to April 20, 2020 has been observed in the Tyumen, Kaliningrad, and Vologda regions, Chuvashia and Buryatia. At the same time, the largest share of registered unemployed from the economically active population was recorded in Tuva, Kabardino-Balkaria, the Altai and Buryatia. "I ask the government to carefully study and take into work not only what sounded as proposals today, but also the real data of the Ministry of Labor. We must pay attention to these regions and the leaders of these regions, of course, should actively work, but I also ask the federal departments pay special attention to this," the President instructed.
Putin called employment growth a systemic condition for stabilizing the labor market. According to him, this should happen due to a restart of enterprises, a return to the normal rhythm of work in the service sector, catering, hotel business, etc. "However, it is obvious that we can’t just wait for the moment when all this will improve on its own, when the engine of the economy starts working at full capacity," said he.


tass--2020-05-28--WHO reports daily increase in coronavirus cases worldwide by over 84,000

MOSCOW , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
More than 84,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide in the past day , with the overall number of such cases nearing 5.5 million and the coronavirus-related fatalities increasing by over 5,500 to surpass 349,000 , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin on Wednesday .
As of 11.00 Moscow time on May 27 , as many as 5,488,825 novel coronavirus cases and 349,095 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases grew by 84,314 in the past 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 5,581 .
The WHO statistics is based on officially confirmed data from the countries .
The day before , the organization reported 99,780 new cases and 1,486 deaths all over the world .
South and North America account for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 2,495,924 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 41,472 and the number of deaths - by 2,071 and reached 145,810 .
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 2,061,828 and the number of fatalities is 176,226 .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cases grew by 20,124 and the number of deaths was by 3,013 .
The East Mediterranean region has 449,590 cases and 11,452 fatalities as of May 27 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 10,690 and the number of deaths - by 159 .
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was registered in the United States ( 1,634,010 ) , followed by Brazil ( 374,898 ) , Russia ( 370,680 ) , the United Kingdom ( 265,231 ) , Spain ( 236,631 ) , Italy ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Turkey ( 158,762 ) , India ( 151,767 ) and France ( 142,704 ) .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/. More than 84,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide in the past day, with the overall number of such cases nearing 5.5 million and the coronavirus-related fatalities increasing by over 5,500 to surpass 349,000, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin on Wednesday.
As of 11.00 Moscow time on May 27, as many as 5,488,825 novel coronavirus cases and 349,095 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by 84,314 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 5,581. The WHO statistics is based on officially confirmed data from the countries. The day before, the organization reported 99,780 new cases and 1,486 deaths all over the world.
South and North America account for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 2,495,924. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 41,472 and the number of deaths - by 2,071 and reached 145,810. The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 2,061,828 and the number of fatalities is 176,226. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 20,124 and the number of deaths was by 3,013.
The East Mediterranean region has 449,590 cases and 11,452 fatalities as of May 27. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 10,690 and the number of deaths - by 159.
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was registered in the United States (1,634,010), followed by Brazil (374,898), Russia (370,680), the United Kingdom (265,231), Spain (236,631), Italy (230,555), Germany (179,364), Turkey (158,762), India (151,767) and France (142,704).
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-05-27--Foreign nations ramp up recon activity at Russian maritime borders — Border Control head

MOSCOW , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
Foreign nations have ramped up its reconnaissance activity at Russia ’ s maritime borders , says Russian Federal Security Service ’ s Border Control Service head Vladimir Kulishov told TASS in an interview that will be published in full on May 28 , the Day of the Border Control Officer .
`` Waters of the Pacific and Arctic Oceans , Baltic and Black Seas more and more often become territories of reconnaissance activity , naval drills involving foreign ships and aviation of several foreign nations at a time , '' the official said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of foreign states retains their intention to include the waters of the exclusive economic zone and regions of the continental shelf of the Russian Federation in the area of their priority interests . ''
Besides , foreign scientific organization ramp up their aspiration to access the resource potential of the seas that are under Russian jurisdiction , especially in the Arctic region .
`` Under the pretext of protection of right of small indigenous people and maritime environment , various international organizations seek to limit navigation in the Northeast Passage , to review @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to counter Russia ’ s sustainable development of mineral resources , '' Kulishov noted .
He added that `` considering geographically wide development of the state fuel and energy projects in the Baltic Sea ( `` Nord Stream 2 '' ) , Black Sea ( `` Turkish Stream '' ) , Sea of Okhotsk ( `` Sakhalin-2 '' ) and northern seas ( `` Yamal LNG '' ) , border control measures in adjacent waters are being tightened .
`` .

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/. Foreign nations have ramped up its reconnaissance activity at Russia’s maritime borders, says Russian Federal Security Service’s Border Control Service head Vladimir Kulishov told TASS in an interview that will be published in full on May 28, the Day of the Border Control Officer.
"Waters of the Pacific and Arctic Oceans, Baltic and Black Seas more and more often become territories of reconnaissance activity, naval drills involving foreign ships and aviation of several foreign nations at a time," the official said.
He underscored that "a number of foreign states retains their intention to include the waters of the exclusive economic zone and regions of the continental shelf of the Russian Federation in the area of their priority interests."
Besides, foreign scientific organization ramp up their aspiration to access the resource potential of the seas that are under Russian jurisdiction, especially in the Arctic region.
"Under the pretext of protection of right of small indigenous people and maritime environment, various international organizations seek to limit navigation in the Northeast Passage, to review legal and territorial status of the Arctic, to counter Russia’s sustainable development of mineral resources," Kulishov noted.
He added that "considering geographically wide development of the state fuel and energy projects in the Baltic Sea ("Nord Stream 2"), Black Sea ("Turkish Stream"), Sea of Okhotsk ("Sakhalin-2") and northern seas ("Yamal LNG"), border control measures in adjacent waters are being tightened.".


tass--2020-05-27--111-year-old woman recovers from coronavirus in Chile

BUENOS AIRES , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
A 111-year-old Chilean woman has made a full recovery from the novel coronavirus , the 24 Horas television channel said on Wednesday .
According to the channel , on April 12 the woman tested positive for the coronavirus .
The doctors who were treating the patient said that she had barely shown any symptoms of the disease .
`` She just once or twice ran a higher temperature [ than normal ] , but did not develop any cough , '' Maria Paz Sordo , the head of the nursing home , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffered breathing problems .
Chile announced its first confirmed coronavirus case on March 3 .
To date , the country has more than 77,900 cases and 806 deaths .
On March 18 , Chile closed borders for foreigners .
President Sebastian Pinera declared a national emergency .
Mass gatherings were banned and some other restrictions were imposed .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 5,701,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 352,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 2,445,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

BUENOS AIRES, May 27. /TASS/. A 111-year-old Chilean woman has made a full recovery from the novel coronavirus, the 24 Horas television channel said on Wednesday.
According to the channel, on April 12 the woman tested positive for the coronavirus. The doctors who were treating the patient said that she had barely shown any symptoms of the disease.
"She just once or twice ran a higher temperature [than normal], but did not develop any cough," Maria Paz Sordo, the head of the nursing home, said adding that earlier the woman had suffered breathing problems.
Chile announced its first confirmed coronavirus case on March 3. To date, the country has more than 77,900 cases and 806 deaths. On March 18, Chile closed borders for foreigners. President Sebastian Pinera declared a national emergency. Mass gatherings were banned and some other restrictions were imposed.
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 5,701,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 352,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 2,445,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-05-27--Moscow to begin 2nd stage of restrictions withdrawal on June 1, says mayor

MOSCOW , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow authorities will begin the second stage of withdrawal of restrictions imposed over @ @ @ @ @ , Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said in his blog Wednesday .
`` Since June 1 @ @ @ @ @ begin the second stage of withdrawal of restrictions , reopening many retail and services industry @ @ @ @ @ to walk in parks , albeit with restrictions , '' the Mayor wrote .
Moscow @ @ @ @ @ have walks outdoors since June 1 , only three times a week at most , @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/. Moscow authorities will begin the second stage of withdrawal of restrictions imposed over the coronavirus on June 1, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said in his blog Wednesday.
"Since June 1, 2020, we will begin the second stage of withdrawal of restrictions, reopening many retail and services industry businesses, and allowing residents to walk in parks, albeit with restrictions," the Mayor wrote.
Moscow residents will be allowed to have walks outdoors since June 1, only three times a week at most, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin announced Wednesday.


Brent futures up 2.8%

MOSCOW , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
Brent oil futures with delivery in July 2020 rose by 2.8 % to @ @ @ @ @ the London-based ICE on Wednesday , 2.5 % lower against the closing level of the @ @ @ @ @ decline in oil prices slowed down after Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Arabia ’ @ @ @ @ @ Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud agreed to continue close cooperation within the OPEC+ agreement framework @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/. Brent oil futures with delivery in July 2020 rose by 2.8% to $35.28 a barrel on the London-based ICE on Wednesday, 2.5% lower against the closing level of the prior trading session.
WTI futures prices dropped 2.4% to $33.52 a barrel.
The decline in oil prices slowed down after Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud agreed to continue close cooperation within the OPEC+ agreement framework in their phone conversation on Wednesday.


tass--2020-05-27--Russian, Swedish foreign ministers focus on effects of US pullout from Open Skies Treaty

MOSCOW , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Swedish counterpart Ann Linde focused in a phone conversation on Wednesday on the variety of disarmament issues , including the Open Skies Treaty , the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement .
`` [ They ] focused their attention on disarmament issues , including implications of Washington ’ s announcement of the US withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty , preparations for the NPT Review Conference ( of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons - TASS ) and the situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the ministry pointed out .
The two foreign ministers exchanged views on the pressing international issues , including Sweden ’ s Chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) in 2021 .
`` [ They ] emphasized the need to focus on the uniting European agenda , '' the foreign ministry said .
Lavrov and Linde discussed the efforts aimed at containing the coronavirus spread .
`` [ They ] stated that international cooperation should be strengthened under the coordinating role of the World Health Organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its socioeconomic consequences , '' the Russian Foreign Ministry noted .
Among other issues , the ministers discussed the Ukraine crisis and pointed out that there is no alternative to the Minsk accords .
The Russian foreign minister stressed that the agreements should be implemented fully and consistently , including direct and sustainable dialogue between the parties to the conflict , namely Kiev , Donetsk and Lugansk .
Apart from that , the two top diplomats touched on the Middle East and Venezuela , the ministry added .
The two ministers focused on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further practical cooperation , primarily in the commercial , economic , investment , cultural and humanitarian fields .
`` The possibility of organizing a committee on trade and economic cooperation in early June of this year is being worked out , '' the ministry said .

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Swedish counterpart Ann Linde focused in a phone conversation on Wednesday on the variety of disarmament issues, including the Open Skies Treaty, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"[They] focused their attention on disarmament issues, including implications of Washington’s announcement of the US withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty, preparations for the NPT Review Conference (of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons - TASS) and the situation at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva," the ministry pointed out.
The two foreign ministers exchanged views on the pressing international issues, including Sweden’s Chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2021.
"[They] emphasized the need to focus on the uniting European agenda," the foreign ministry said.
Lavrov and Linde discussed the efforts aimed at containing the coronavirus spread.
"[They] stated that international cooperation should be strengthened under the coordinating role of the World Health Organization in the wake of the pandemic and its socioeconomic consequences," the Russian Foreign Ministry noted.
Among other issues, the ministers discussed the Ukraine crisis and pointed out that there is no alternative to the Minsk accords. The Russian foreign minister stressed that the agreements should be implemented fully and consistently, including direct and sustainable dialogue between the parties to the conflict, namely Kiev, Donetsk and Lugansk.
Apart from that, the two top diplomats touched on the Middle East and Venezuela, the ministry added.
Bilateral relations
The two ministers focused on the Russian-Swedish relations with an emphasis on further practical cooperation, primarily in the commercial, economic, investment, cultural and humanitarian fields.
"The possibility of organizing a committee on trade and economic cooperation in early June of this year is being worked out," the ministry said.


tass--2020-05-27--Some Russian regions may face increase in coronavirus cases, says expert

`` The regions are 2-6 weeks behind Moscow .
Moscow is seeing a stable plateau , which will be having evident positive dynamics .
However , the regions have not yet kept up with this statistics , '' he said aired by the VestiFM radio station .
`` In some regions , this number of infected people will be on the rise further on , and they will be passing peaks as well . ''
MOSCOW , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
Russia might face an increase in coronavirus cases , but only in some regions that have not passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a stable plateau , Yevgeny Timakov , a pediatrician specializing in infectious diseases and vaccinology , said on Wednesday .
Timakov claims that the epidemic process should stabilize across Russia by mid-summer , while single coronavirus cases would be detected until the end of the summer .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 5,701,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 352,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 2,445,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , a total of 370,680 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 142,208 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

"The regions are 2-6 weeks behind Moscow. Moscow is seeing a stable plateau, which will be having evident positive dynamics. However, the regions have not yet kept up with this statistics," he said aired by the VestiFM radio station. "In some regions, this number of infected people will be on the rise further on, and they will be passing peaks as well."
MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/. Russia might face an increase in coronavirus cases, but only in some regions that have not passed the peak, as Moscow is seeing a stable plateau, Yevgeny Timakov, a pediatrician specializing in infectious diseases and vaccinology, said on Wednesday.
Timakov claims that the epidemic process should stabilize across Russia by mid-summer, while single coronavirus cases would be detected until the end of the summer.
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 5,701,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 352,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 2,445,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, a total of 370,680 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 142,208 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 3,968 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-05-27--Moscow to reopen stadium, sports facilities for athletes’ training since June 1

MOSCOW , May 27 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow authorities will reopen stadiums for training of football teams of Moscow and @ @ @ @ @ Moscow Mayor announced Wednesday .
Moscow to reopen all retail , allow visiting parks on @ @ @ @ @ reminded that the Russian Football Union plans to resume the Russian Premier League championship on @ @ @ @ @ federations also announced plans to resume national and international championships .
`` To allow our @ @ @ @ @ , we will reopen stadiums and other sports facilities for training of Moscow and Russian @ @ @ @ @ sports clubs , '' the Mayor said .

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/. Moscow authorities will reopen stadiums for training of football teams of Moscow and Russia on June 1, Moscow Mayor announced Wednesday.
Moscow to reopen all retail, allow visiting parks on schedule from June 1
He reminded that the Russian Football Union plans to resume the Russian Premier League championship on June 21. Other sports federations also announced plans to resume national and international championships.
"To allow our athletes begin training for competitions, we will reopen stadiums and other sports facilities for training of Moscow and Russian teams and players of professional sports clubs," the Mayor said.