tass--2020-06-08--Number of coronavirus-related deaths in Moscow exceeds 3,000

MOSCOW , June 8 .
/TASS/ .
59 more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day , the @ @ @ @ @ center said on Monday .
`` 59 coronavirus-positive patients diagnosed with pneumonia have died in @ @ @ @ @ , adding that the overall number of coronavirus-related deaths has reached 3,029 .
To date @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 230,688 patients having recovered from the @ @ @ @ @ Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ is Russia ’ s number one in terms of the coronavirus cases , has 197,018 @ @ @ @ @ confirmed during the past day .
As many as 104,347 patients have recovered .
A @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus antibodies continues in the city .

MOSCOW, June 8. /TASS/. 59 more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day, the city’s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Monday.
"59 coronavirus-positive patients diagnosed with pneumonia have died in Moscow," it said, adding that the overall number of coronavirus-related deaths has reached 3,029.
To date, a total of 476,658 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 230,688 patients having recovered from the disease. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.
Moscow, which is Russia’s number one in terms of the coronavirus cases, has 197,018 infection cases, including 2,001 confirmed during the past day. As many as 104,347 patients have recovered. A campaign of voluntary testing for coronavirus antibodies continues in the city.


tass--2020-06-08--Russia’ public health system should be ready for possible growth of COVID cases - WHO

MOSCOW , June 8 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s public health system should be prepared for a possible surge in coronavirus cases , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) Representative in Russia Melita Vujnovic tolf TASS on Monday commenting on the plans to lift most of the coronavirus lockdowns in Moscow from June 9 .
`` It is important to observe the efficient measures and when the lockdowns are lifted it is important to continue to identify and isolate [ infection ] cases , to identify and trace contacts and suspicious cases and isolate them too , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep the public health system on alert , ready to react to the double problem , i.e .
to ensure availability of basic medical services and offer prompt reaction to possible morbidity growth . ''
She noted that from the very beginning of the coronavirus epidemic outbreak Moscow ’ s authorities `` have been taking a set of medical and non-medical measures that have made it possible to slow down the epidemic , to flatten the epidemic curve and protect the healthcare system from overload . ''
`` The WHO would like to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a result of the measures taken by the public health system to stop the virus transmission .
This is not a mere ‘ natural ’ course of the epidemic , '' she added .
The WHO official stressed the necessity to continue to observe key hygienic rules and continue to wear face masks .
`` The new norms are becoming our reality , '' she noted .
`` Although it is important to remember that masks can not guarantee 100 % protection when you are in public places ( in transport or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep a physical distance , masks will ensure protection , '' she said .
A high alert regime over the coronavirus epidemic was imposed in Moscow on March 29 .
Many businesses , culture facilities and urban spaces were closed and people were strongly advised to go into self-isolation .
When the epidemic situation began to improve , the city ’ s authorities started to ease the coronavirus lockdowns .
Industrial enterprises and construction sites , state services centers resumed work from mid-May .
Non-food stores and some service companies opened from June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be lifted as of June 9 .
Hairdressing salons , veterinary clinics and personnel recruitment agencies are to reopen .
The same applies to the offices of non-governmental organizations and cemeteries .
Restrictions will be lifted from car sharing services .
Film and sound recording studios and research centers will resume normal operation .
Theaters , concert halls and circuses will be able to conduct rehearsals .
In a week ’ s time - starting from June 16 - dentist clinics , companies in the real estate segment , leasing , law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market research will get back to normal activity .
It will be possible to hold sports competitions on the condition the seat occupancy rate will be no greater than 10 % .
Summer cafes , libraries , museums , exhibition halls and zoos will be able to reopen provided they observe restrictions on the number of visitors at any one time In the third phase , starting on June 23 , gyms , fitness clubs and swimming pools will be allowed to open alongside restaurants , cafes , canteens , bars , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sunrooms , steam baths and saunas .
To date , a total of 476,658 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 230,688 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 5,971 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, June 8. /TASS/. Russia’s public health system should be prepared for a possible surge in coronavirus cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Russia Melita Vujnovic tolf TASS on Monday commenting on the plans to lift most of the coronavirus lockdowns in Moscow from June 9.
"It is important to observe the efficient measures and when the lockdowns are lifted it is important to continue to identify and isolate [infection] cases, to identify and trace contacts and suspicious cases and isolate them too, to protect medical personnel from the infection and keep the public health system on alert, ready to react to the double problem, i.e. to ensure availability of basic medical services and offer prompt reaction to possible morbidity growth."
She noted that from the very beginning of the coronavirus epidemic outbreak Moscow’s authorities "have been taking a set of medical and non-medical measures that have made it possible to slow down the epidemic, to flatten the epidemic curve and protect the healthcare system from overload."
"The WHO would like to recall that the decrease in COVID-19 cases is a result of the measures taken by the public health system to stop the virus transmission. This is not a mere ‘natural’ course of the epidemic," she added.
The WHO official stressed the necessity to continue to observe key hygienic rules and continue to wear face masks. "The new norms are becoming our reality," she noted.
"Although it is important to remember that masks cannot guarantee 100% protection when you are in public places (in transport or in shops) where you cannot keep a physical distance, masks will ensure protection," she said.
A high alert regime over the coronavirus epidemic was imposed in Moscow on March 29. Many businesses, culture facilities and urban spaces were closed and people were strongly advised to go into self-isolation. When the epidemic situation began to improve, the city’s authorities started to ease the coronavirus lockdowns. Industrial enterprises and construction sites, state services centers resumed work from mid-May. Non-food stores and some service companies opened from June 1.
Digital passes and lockdown requirements would be lifted as of June 9. Hairdressing salons, veterinary clinics and personnel recruitment agencies are to reopen. The same applies to the offices of non-governmental organizations and cemeteries. Restrictions will be lifted from car sharing services. Film and sound recording studios and research centers will resume normal operation. Theaters, concert halls and circuses will be able to conduct rehearsals.
In a week’s time - starting from June 16 - dentist clinics, companies in the real estate segment, leasing, law, accounting, consulting, advertising and market research will get back to normal activity. It will be possible to hold sports competitions on the condition the seat occupancy rate will be no greater than 10%.
Summer cafes, libraries, museums, exhibition halls and zoos will be able to reopen provided they observe restrictions on the number of visitors at any one time
In the third phase, starting on June 23, gyms, fitness clubs and swimming pools will be allowed to open alongside restaurants, cafes, canteens, bars, and other public catering outlets, spa salons, sunrooms, steam baths and saunas.
To date, a total of 476,658 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 230,688 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 5,971 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-06-08--Syria government army repel militants' attack in Idlib de-escalation zone

TASS , June 8 .
Syrian government forces repelled militants ’ attack on a settlement in the southern part of the Idlib de-escalation zone , Alexander Shcherbitsky , chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria , said on Monday .
`` On June 8 , militants of the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group ( outlawed in Russia ) tried to capture the settlement of Tanjar in the southern part of the Idlib de-escalation zone , '' he said .
According to Shcherbitsky , the militants breached the defense to a depth of 600 meters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ artillery and aviation fire .
Government troops recaptured their positions at the defensive line , '' he said , adding that more than 30 militants were either killed or wounded and three pickup trucks with heavy machineguns were destroyed .
He also said that one settlement in the Idlib governorate and one settlement in the Aleppo governorate came under shelling by Jabhat al-Nusra militants during the day .
No shelling attacks by Turkey-controlled armed groups were reported in Syria ’ s Idlib de-escalation zone during the past day , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ assigned tasks after the completion of the military campaign in Syria .
The center ’ s officers regularly travel around the country 's liberated areas to assess the humanitarian situation .
The main efforts of the Russian military are now focused on assistance to the refugees returning to their homes and evacuation of civilians from de-escalation zones .

TASS, June 8. Syrian government forces repelled militants’ attack on a settlement in the southern part of the Idlib de-escalation zone, Alexander Shcherbitsky, chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria, said on Monday.
"On June 8, militants of the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group (outlawed in Russia) tried to capture the settlement of Tanjar in the southern part of the Idlib de-escalation zone," he said.
According to Shcherbitsky, the militants breached the defense to a depth of 600 meters. "The attack was repelled by retaliatory artillery and aviation fire. Government troops recaptured their positions at the defensive line," he said, adding that more than 30 militants were either killed or wounded and three pickup trucks with heavy machineguns were destroyed.
He also said that one settlement in the Idlib governorate and one settlement in the Aleppo governorate came under shelling by Jabhat al-Nusra militants during the day. No shelling attacks by Turkey-controlled armed groups were reported in Syria’s Idlib de-escalation zone during the past day," he said.
The Russian reconciliation center continues to fulfill assigned tasks after the completion of the military campaign in Syria. The center’s officers regularly travel around the country's liberated areas to assess the humanitarian situation. The main efforts of the Russian military are now focused on assistance to the refugees returning to their homes and evacuation of civilians from de-escalation zones.


tass--2020-06-08--US Department of Justice declines to comment on Russian DJ’s arrest at US request

WASHINGTON , June 8./TASS/ .
The US Department of Justice has declined to comment on the arrest of Russian national @ @ @ @ @ the request of the US .
`` [ The Department of Justice ] Decline comment @ @ @ @ @ , Senior Communications Advisor for International Law Enforcement/Spokesperson , told TASS in reply to a @ @ @ @ @ of accusations against the Russian national and confirm a request for his extradition to the @ @ @ @ @ in Berlin under the order issued by a court of one of Maryland ’ s @ @ @ @ @ , 2019 .
The Russian is accused of money laundering and fraud on the Internet @ @ @ @ @ ’ s case and arrest emerged after the musician ’ s Facebook page published a @ @ @ @ @ had been in German custody for seven days .
The post specifies that the arrest @ @ @ @ @ US request , claiming that it is possible that his identity was stolen for illegal @ @ @ @ @ in 1983 and creates electronic music under the stage name Guttersnipe .

WASHINGTON, June 8./TASS/. The US Department of Justice has declined to comment on the arrest of Russian national Denis Kaznacheev in Berlin at the request of the US.
"[The Department of Justice] Decline comment," Nicole Navas Oxman, Senior Communications Advisor for International Law Enforcement/Spokesperson, told TASS in reply to a request to explain the essence of accusations against the Russian national and confirm a request for his extradition to the US.
Kaznacheev was arrested in Berlin under the order issued by a court of one of Maryland’s 24 districts on December 9, 2019. The Russian is accused of money laundering and fraud on the Internet.
The news about Kaznacheev’s case and arrest emerged after the musician’s Facebook page published a post, saying that he had been in German custody for seven days. The post specifies that the arrest was carried out at the US request, claiming that it is possible that his identity was stolen for illegal purposes.
Kaznacheev was born in 1983 and creates electronic music under the stage name Guttersnipe.


tass--2020-06-08--Advanced Research Foundation finalizing work on underwater drone

MOSCOW , June 8 .
/TASS/ .
Specialists of the Russian Advanced Research Foundation in cooperation with Lazurit Design Bureau @ @ @ @ @ for the Sarma underwater drone with endurance of up to three months , Deputy CEO @ @ @ @ @ told TASS in an interview .
`` This refers to the development of an underwater @ @ @ @ @ about three months and which is not a nuclear-powered one — the Sarma project , @ @ @ @ @ The next phase is the development of detail design documentation — it will be complete @ @ @ @ @ .
The drone passing underwater in northern seas will be the pilot experiment for the @ @ @ @ @ endurance , Denisov added .

MOSCOW, June 8. /TASS/. Specialists of the Russian Advanced Research Foundation in cooperation with Lazurit Design Bureau are finalizing design package development for the Sarma underwater drone with endurance of up to three months, Deputy CEO of the Foundation Igor Denisov told TASS in an interview.
"This refers to the development of an underwater drone with the endurance of about three months and which is not a nuclear-powered one — the Sarma project," Denisov said. "The next phase is the development of detail design documentation — it will be complete soon," he noted.
The drone passing underwater in northern seas will be the pilot experiment for the unmanned underwater vehicle with high endurance, Denisov added.


tass--2020-06-08--Oil spill to be eliminated within up to 5 days - regional authorities

MOSCOW , June 8 .
/TASS/ .
The water content in oil products spilled at the field in the Nenets Autonomous District was 90 % and it will take up to five days to completely eliminate the consequences , press service of the regional government said on Monday .
Approximately 10 tonnes of oil products were spilled at the Dyusushevskoe field in the Nenets Autonomous District on the contaminated area of 30 square meters , the regional department of the Russian Ministry of Emergencies said earlier .
The incident occurred at the Dyusushevskoe Field owned by OOO Polar Light Company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The loss of containment took place at Well No .
6 , 23 km away from the central gathering facility .
`` About 10 tonnes of oil-containing fluid were spilled with the water cut of 90 % , that is , oil concentration is about 1 tonne , '' the press service said .
Such quantity is not assigned to municipal , regional or federal category .
`` The contamination area was about 50 square meters , '' the press service reported .
The well is closed in and the company undertakes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remedial work , with use of sorbents , the press service added .

MOSCOW, June 8. /TASS/. The water content in oil products spilled at the field in the Nenets Autonomous District was 90% and it will take up to five days to completely eliminate the consequences, press service of the regional government said on Monday.
Approximately 10 tonnes of oil products were spilled at the Dyusushevskoe field in the Nenets Autonomous District on the contaminated area of 30 square meters, the regional department of the Russian Ministry of Emergencies said earlier. The incident occurred at the Dyusushevskoe Field owned by OOO Polar Light Company, the source in emergency services reported. The loss of containment took place at Well No. 6, 23 km away from the central gathering facility.
"About 10 tonnes of oil-containing fluid were spilled with the water cut of 90%, that is, oil concentration is about 1 tonne," the press service said. Such quantity is not assigned to municipal, regional or federal category. "The contamination area was about 50 square meters," the press service reported.
The well is closed in and the company undertakes measures to clean the territory and perform remedial work, with use of sorbents, the press service added.


tass--2020-06-08--Avtotor to suspend BMW cars production in mid-June - CEO

MOSCOW , June 8 .
/TASS/ .
The Kaliningrad-based Avtotor plant will suspend production of BMW cars due to shortage @ @ @ @ @ the end of month , CEO of Avtotor Ruslan Sadykov told TASS on Monday .
@ @ @ @ @ formed in the logistical chain of auto parts supply , considering the suspension of BMW @ @ @ @ @ US in spring 2020 .
BMW production at the Avtotor plant in Kaliningrad will be @ @ @ @ @ is planned to restart the conveyor work and achieve the normal operating conditions in early @ @ @ @ @ manager said .
Unscheduled and scheduled equipment maintenance will be implemented by the plant to @ @ @ @ @ staff during the suspension period , Sadykov added .

MOSCOW, June 8. /TASS/. The Kaliningrad-based Avtotor plant will suspend production of BMW cars due to shortage of components from mid-June until the end of month, CEO of Avtotor Ruslan Sadykov told TASS on Monday.
"A time gap has formed in the logistical chain of auto parts supply, considering the suspension of BMW plants in Europe and the US in spring 2020. BMW production at the Avtotor plant in Kaliningrad will be suspended from mid-June. It is planned to restart the conveyor work and achieve the normal operating conditions in early July," the top manager said.
Unscheduled and scheduled equipment maintenance will be implemented by the plant to support partial employment of the staff during the suspension period, Sadykov added.


tass--2020-06-08--New sanctions slapped on Syria target its allies, Persian Gulf states — diplomat

MOSCOW , June 8./TASS/ .
A new package of sanctions slapped on Syria under the so-called Caesar Act is also targeting the country 's allies and countries of the Persian Gulf , Syrian Ambassador to Russia Riyad Haddad told TASS on Monday .
`` These sanctions are not only targeting Syria , they are directly or indirectly jeopardizing all its allies and are also aimed against Persian Gulf countries , so that none of these countries dares to invest in Syria , '' the ambassador said .
`` And each party that will say it wants to invest , must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the diplomat stressed .
On June 3 , the Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned the sanction package that comes into effect on June 17 .
Its statement said that the document `` is based on false evidence , trumped up by hostile to the Syrian people parties . ''
Presently , unilateral Western European sanctions prevent supplies of medical aid to Syria to fight the coronavirus pandemic , the diplomat stressed .
He emphasized that despite international requests to lift unilateral sanctions from Syria to help it fight the pandemic , the US and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Syrian people , enacting the US Caesar Act bill in addition to the economic blockade and terror . ''
`` The US law imposes new sanctions against any individual or party that cooperate with the Syrian government or offer financing to it in any sector .
Thus , the US undermines three economic sectors , threatening with sanctions , namely foreign trade , local and joint investment supporting the Syrian government , and the financing sector — loans , money transfers , '' Riyad Haddad pointed out .
This law secures `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excludes the areas under the control of Kurdish self-administration , to which it does not apply , '' the diplomat stressed .
Focusing on the situation with the novel coronavirus , the ambassador said that the number of infections is not exceeding 400 as of now .
All necessary measures are taken , the self-isolation mode imposed by the Syrian Ministry of Healthcare remains in place , he added .
The diplomat also stressed that Syria had received aid from Russia for the battle against COVID-19 .
The Caesar Act is named after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who fled the country in 2013 and allegedly handed over to Western human rights agencies images showing violence against inmates in Syrian prisons .
This document was approved by President Donald Trump on December 20 , 2019 and envisages sanctions against the main sectors of the Syrian economy , the Syrian Central Bank , top-ranking officials , including the president , as well as any private or state organization , both Syrian and foreign , that cooperates with the government in Damascus .
The sanctions come into effect on June 17 .

MOSCOW, June 8./TASS/. A new package of sanctions slapped on Syria under the so-called Caesar Act is also targeting the country's allies and countries of the Persian Gulf, Syrian Ambassador to Russia Riyad Haddad told TASS on Monday.
"These sanctions are not only targeting Syria, they are directly or indirectly jeopardizing all its allies and are also aimed against Persian Gulf countries, so that none of these countries dares to invest in Syria," the ambassador said. "And each party that will say it wants to invest, must get permission from the US," the diplomat stressed.
On June 3, the Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned the sanction package that comes into effect on June 17. Its statement said that the document "is based on false evidence, trumped up by hostile to the Syrian people parties."
Presently, unilateral Western European sanctions prevent supplies of medical aid to Syria to fight the coronavirus pandemic, the diplomat stressed. He emphasized that despite international requests to lift unilateral sanctions from Syria to help it fight the pandemic, the US and Western nations "once again acted against the Syrian people, enacting the US Caesar Act bill in addition to the economic blockade and terror."
"The US law imposes new sanctions against any individual or party that cooperate with the Syrian government or offer financing to it in any sector. Thus, the US undermines three economic sectors, threatening with sanctions, namely foreign trade, local and joint investment supporting the Syrian government, and the financing sector — loans, money transfers," Riyad Haddad pointed out.
This law secures "a tendency towards separatism, since it excludes the areas under the control of Kurdish self-administration, to which it does not apply," the diplomat stressed.
Focusing on the situation with the novel coronavirus, the ambassador said that the number of infections is not exceeding 400 as of now. All necessary measures are taken, the self-isolation mode imposed by the Syrian Ministry of Healthcare remains in place, he added. The diplomat also stressed that Syria had received aid from Russia for the battle against COVID-19.
The Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act
The Caesar Act is named after a Syrian individual known as Caesar, who fled the country in 2013 and allegedly handed over to Western human rights agencies images showing violence against inmates in Syrian prisons. This document was approved by President Donald Trump on December 20, 2019 and envisages sanctions against the main sectors of the Syrian economy, the Syrian Central Bank, top-ranking officials, including the president, as well as any private or state organization, both Syrian and foreign, that cooperates with the government in Damascus. The sanctions come into effect on June 17.


tass--2020-06-08--US arms control envoy says will have talks on nuclear arms with Russian senior diplomat

`` Today agreed with the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov on time and place for nuclear arms negotiations in June , '' he wrote on his Twitter account .
`` China also invited .
Will China show and negotiate in good faith ? ''
WASHINGTON , June 8 .
/TASS/ .
US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea said on Monday he has agreed with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov to have talks on nuclear weapons later in the month .
China has been invited .
Today agreed with the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov on time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June .
China also invited .
Will China show and negotiate in good faith ?
Bloomberg said earlier on Monday citing an unnamed Department of State official that Ryabkov and Billingslea would have talks in Vienna on June 22 .
According to the agency , Washington does not rule out that the extension of the New START Treaty would be among the topics .
The official reportedly said that Washington was not ready to discuss possible terms for the treaty extension .
In an interview with the Bolshaya Igra ( Big Game ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One , Ryabkov said that the Trump administration was obsessed with China and was seeking to raise this topic whenever international topics were discussed .
According to the Russian senior diplomat , the United States ’ rhetoric about involving China into the New START Treaty stems more from its policy towards China rather than from considerations of security .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on May 19 that Russian and the United States were planning to organize a videoconference on matters of strategic stability .
He said he had agreed with US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contacts between US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov .
Ryabkov told TASS on May 11 that Russia offered the United States to extend the New START Treaty for a term of five years to use this time to elaborate a new mechanism .
The Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms ( the New START Treaty ) entered into force on February 5 , 2011 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entry into effect each party should have no more than a total of 700 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles ( ICBM ) , submarine-launched ballistic missiles ( SLBM ) and strategic bombers , as well as no more than 1,550 warheads on deployed ICBMs , deployed SLBMs and strategic bombers , and a total of 800 deployed and non-deployed ICBM launchers , SLBM launchers and strategic bombers .
The New START Treaty will remain in force for 10 years , until 2021 , unless it is replaced before that date by a subsequent agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offensive arms .
It can also be extended for no longer than 5 years ( that is , until 2026 ) by the parties ’ mutual consent .
Moscow has repeatedly called on Washington not to delay prolongation of the treaty it describes as the gold standards in the area of disarmament .

"Today agreed with the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov on time and place for nuclear arms negotiations in June," he wrote on his Twitter account. "China also invited. Will China show and negotiate in good faith?"
WASHINGTON, June 8. /TASS/. US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea said on Monday he has agreed with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov to have talks on nuclear weapons later in the month. China has been invited.
Today agreed with the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov on time and place for nuclear arms negotiations in June. China also invited. Will China show and negotiate in good faith?
Bloomberg said earlier on Monday citing an unnamed Department of State official that Ryabkov and Billingslea would have talks in Vienna on June 22. According to the agency, Washington does not rule out that the extension of the New START Treaty would be among the topics.
The official reportedly said that Washington was not ready to discuss possible terms for the treaty extension.
In an interview with the Bolshaya Igra (Big Game) program on Russia’s TV Channel One, Ryabkov said that the Trump administration was obsessed with China and was seeking to raise this topic whenever international topics were discussed. According to the Russian senior diplomat, the United States’ rhetoric about involving China into the New START Treaty stems more from its policy towards China rather than from considerations of security.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on May 19 that Russian and the United States were planning to organize a videoconference on matters of strategic stability. He said he had agreed with US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo to establish contacts between US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.
Ryabkov told TASS on May 11 that Russia offered the United States to extend the New START Treaty for a term of five years to use this time to elaborate a new mechanism.
New START
The Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (the New START Treaty) entered into force on February 5, 2011. The document stipulates that seven years after its entry into effect each party should have no more than a total of 700 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) and strategic bombers, as well as no more than 1,550 warheads on deployed ICBMs, deployed SLBMs and strategic bombers, and a total of 800 deployed and non-deployed ICBM launchers, SLBM launchers and strategic bombers.
The New START Treaty will remain in force for 10 years, until 2021, unless it is replaced before that date by a subsequent agreement on the reduction and limitation of strategic offensive arms. It can also be extended for no longer than 5 years (that is, until 2026) by the parties’ mutual consent.
Moscow has repeatedly called on Washington not to delay prolongation of the treaty it describes as the gold standards in the area of disarmament.


tass--2020-06-08--Experts: unequal competition hinders Arctic small businesses bidding for state contracts

MOSCOW , June 8 .
/TASS/ .
On May 12 , Deputy Minister for Development of the Far East and Arctic Alexander Krutikov said small and medium-sized businesses ( SMB ) in the Arctic zone find it hard to compete with entrepreneurs from Russia ’ s other regions due to limited demand in the local market , and high production costs of local products and services .
This is why the ministry has been working on measures to involve small and medium businesses in state procurement .
Local officials and business representatives told TASS why competition for public contracts with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the North ’ s businesses .
The Business Russia NGO ’ s representative Viktor Zubarev says that state orders sphere north of the Polar Circle has certain specific features : requirements are high , while quality is above all .
Thus , the range of potential contractors can not be compared with the competition `` on the mainland . ''
`` The biggest problem is the unequal competition due to expensive costs in the North , '' Tatiana Ulanova , a representative of another NGO for small and medium businesses , Opora @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government says it would be good if Arctic businesses could enter the public procurement , where competitive bidding is not applicable .
`` We have been informing the business community about state and municipal orders , which either do not require competition or lack competitive supply , '' the governmental press service said .
`` By taking such orders , the businesses could access the market of state projects . ''
Experts told TASS that the platforms to bid for state orders in the Arctic regions had changed over the recent years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the participation fee is sometimes too high for SMBs given the relatively cheap contract cost .
If the federal authorities could cancel the obligatory fees , businesses in the North would be more interested in state orders , the Arctic zone ’ s officials say .
`` We suggest cancelling the fee , which electronic platforms charge small and medium-sized businesses , '' Head of Chukotka 's Department of Finance , Economy and Property Relations Alesya Kalinova said .
`` Presently , the fee makes 1 % of the contract ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Viktor Zubarev , in bidding for state orders , small and medium-sized businesses expect lower competition with non-Arctic regions , along with complex support from the federal center .
`` As for state incentives , clearly the state must lead the Arctic ’ s new development stage , while local businesses should enjoy bigger support for their development , since their costs and risks in the North are much higher than elsewhere , '' he said .
`` A few regions have been working on special business regimes , but anyway the main @ @ @ @ @ @ @ center .
Here , most important would be to agree on incentives , on which the federal support for Arctic small and medium businesses in bidding for state contracts will depend . ''
Now that the country does not have a federal instrument to support the Northern businesses , the regions offer their own incentives .
The Krasnoyarsk Region invites small and medium businesses to a special online platform , opened under the Yenisei Siberia investment project for the Krasnoyarsk Region , Khakassiya and Tuva .
The Krasnoyarsk Region 's Ministry of Economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from big investors in the region .
`` The Platform ’ s key elements are : the registrar of reliable supplies and contractors , which incorporates small and medium companies in the Krasnoyarsk Region , Khakassiya and Tuva , as well as an aggregator for participants in the Yenisei Siberia project , which consolidates into one resource the bids and orders , posted on other platforms , '' the ministry said .
The Yamalo-Nenets Region has cut the prepayment to 50 % under deals in construction , reconstruction and repairing ( earlier , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The regional authorities recommended that all clients reschedule to earlier dates the state purchases from small and medium businesses , due in the second half of 2020 .
In addition to that , maximum purchases and contracts due in 2021 are to be inked in the third quarter of 2020 .
With these measures , the regional authorities say , local businesses will distribute effectively their efforts and resources at the early planning stage .
Chukotka also offers certain incentives .
`` First of all , as regards the purchases whose initial ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 1 million rubles ( $ 14,600 ) the minimal guaranteed fee is 0.5 % , '' Chukotka ’ s head of the finance authority Alesya Kalinova told TASS .
`` Secondly , in compliance with changes to Article 112 of Federal Law 44 , which came into force on April 1 , 2020 , businesses are exempt from binding guarantee obligations , '' she added .

MOSCOW, June 8. /TASS/. On May 12, Deputy Minister for Development of the Far East and Arctic Alexander Krutikov said small and medium-sized businesses (SMB) in the Arctic zone find it hard to compete with entrepreneurs from Russia’s other regions due to limited demand in the local market, and high production costs of local products and services. This is why the ministry has been working on measures to involve small and medium businesses in state procurement. Local officials and business representatives told TASS why competition for public contracts with neighbors from other territories is often unlucrative for the North’s businesses.
Unequal competition
The Business Russia NGO’s representative Viktor Zubarev says that state orders sphere north of the Polar Circle has certain specific features: requirements are high, while quality is above all. Thus, the range of potential contractors cannot be compared with the competition "on the mainland."
"The biggest problem is the unequal competition due to expensive costs in the North," Tatiana Ulanova, a representative of another NGO for small and medium businesses, Opora Russia, told TASS.
The Yamalo-Nenets government says it would be good if Arctic businesses could enter the public procurement, where competitive bidding is not applicable. "We have been informing the business community about state and municipal orders, which either do not require competition or lack competitive supply," the governmental press service said. "By taking such orders, the businesses could access the market of state projects."
High "entrance fee"
Experts told TASS that the platforms to bid for state orders in the Arctic regions had changed over the recent years, becoming clearer for the bidders. However, the participation fee is sometimes too high for SMBs given the relatively cheap contract cost. If the federal authorities could cancel the obligatory fees, businesses in the North would be more interested in state orders, the Arctic zone’s officials say.
"We suggest cancelling the fee, which electronic platforms charge small and medium-sized businesses," Head of Chukotka's Department of Finance, Economy and Property Relations Alesya Kalinova said. "Presently, the fee makes 1% of the contract’s initial minimal cost."
Federal and regional incentives
According to Viktor Zubarev, in bidding for state orders, small and medium-sized businesses expect lower competition with non-Arctic regions, along with complex support from the federal center.
"As for state incentives, clearly the state must lead the Arctic’s new development stage, while local businesses should enjoy bigger support for their development, since their costs and risks in the North are much higher than elsewhere," he said. "A few regions have been working on special business regimes, but anyway the main framework should be set by the federal center. Here, most important would be to agree on incentives, on which the federal support for Arctic small and medium businesses in bidding for state contracts will depend."
Now that the country does not have a federal instrument to support the Northern businesses, the regions offer their own incentives. The Krasnoyarsk Region invites small and medium businesses to a special online platform, opened under the Yenisei Siberia investment project for the Krasnoyarsk Region, Khakassiya and Tuva.
The Krasnoyarsk Region's Ministry of Economy told TASS that the platform localizes orders from big investors in the region. "The Platform’s key elements are: the registrar of reliable supplies and contractors, which incorporates small and medium companies in the Krasnoyarsk Region, Khakassiya and Tuva, as well as an aggregator for participants in the Yenisei Siberia project, which consolidates into one resource the bids and orders, posted on other platforms," the ministry said.
The Yamalo-Nenets Region has cut the prepayment to 50% under deals in construction, reconstruction and repairing (earlier, the prepayment was 30%). The regional authorities recommended that all clients reschedule to earlier dates the state purchases from small and medium businesses, due in the second half of 2020. In addition to that, maximum purchases and contracts due in 2021 are to be inked in the third quarter of 2020. With these measures, the regional authorities say, local businesses will distribute effectively their efforts and resources at the early planning stage.
Chukotka also offers certain incentives. "First of all, as regards the purchases whose initial (maximum) cost of a contract is more than 1 million rubles ($14,600) the minimal guaranteed fee is 0.5%," Chukotka’s head of the finance authority Alesya Kalinova told TASS. "Secondly, in compliance with changes to Article 112 of Federal Law 44, which came into force on April 1, 2020, businesses are exempt from binding guarantee obligations," she added.


tass--2020-06-08--WHO to convene online consultations on coronavirus contact tracing on June 9

`` Starting tomorrow , WHO is convening an online consultation on COVID-19 contact tracing , to share technical and operational experience , including innovations in digital technology , '' he told a briefing .
GENEVA , June 8 .
/TASS/ .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) plans to organize an online conference on coronavirus contact tracing on June 9 , WHO ’ s Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday .
According to the WHO chief , contact tracing is a key element of response to the pandemic .
However , he admitted that digital contact tracing tools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , lead to incorrect medical advice based on self-reported symptoms , and can exclude those who do not have access to modern digital technologies . ''
`` More evidence is needed about the effectiveness of these tools for contact tracing .
We encourage countries to gather this evidence as they roll out these tools , and to contribute that evidence to the global knowledge base , '' he stressed .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 7,100,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 406,300 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 3,466,500 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

"Starting tomorrow, WHO is convening an online consultation on COVID-19 contact tracing, to share technical and operational experience, including innovations in digital technology," he told a briefing.
GENEVA, June 8. /TASS/. The World Health Organization (WHO) plans to organize an online conference on coronavirus contact tracing on June 9, WHO’s Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday.
According to the WHO chief, contact tracing is a key element of response to the pandemic. However, he admitted that digital contact tracing tools "can also pose challenges to privacy, lead to incorrect medical advice based on self-reported symptoms, and can exclude those who do not have access to modern digital technologies."
"More evidence is needed about the effectiveness of these tools for contact tracing. We encourage countries to gather this evidence as they roll out these tools, and to contribute that evidence to the global knowledge base," he stressed.
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 7,100,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 406,300 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 3,466,500 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-06-08--Russian Navy to hold Arctic drills as French frigate enters Barents Sea

MOSCOW , June 8 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Navy ’ s large anti-submarine warfare ship Vice-Admiral Kulakov has deployed to the Barents Sea to search for a notional enemy ’ s submarine in drills , the Northern Fleet ’ s press office reported on Monday .
The Russian Navy ’ s large anti-submarine warfare ship will hold the drills in the Arctic in the wake of the French guided missile frigate Aquitaine 's entering the Barents Sea on June 5 .
Russia ’ s National Defense Control Center earlier announced that the Northern Fleet ’ s forces were tracking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Barents Sea .
During the drills , the Russian Navy `` sailors will be searching for and tracking a notional enemy ’ s submarine and maintaining contact , '' the Northern Fleet ’ s press office said in a statement .
The large anti-submarine warfare ship Vice-Admiral Kulakov will hold torpedo firings against the surface enemy with a practice ammunition load , the press office said .
`` The drills will involve the teams of the ship ’ s combat information center , a group of sonar operators and the personnel of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the statement runs .
The large anti-submarine warfare ship will take part in Russia ’ s Main Naval Parade in St. Petersburg on July 26 .
The ship ’ s crew will begin its inter-fleet transit after two coronavirus tests , the first of which it has successfully passed .
The Project 1155 large anti-submarine warfare ship Vice-Admiral Kulakov is operational within the brigade of anti-subsurface warfare ships of the Northern Fleet ’ s Kola Flotilla of All Arms Forces based in Severomorsk .
The warship is armed with anti-submarine missile systems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other types of artillery and missile armament .
The warship also carries two Ka-27 anti-submarine warfare helicopters .
The Russian Navy has been actively employing the Northern Fleet ’ s large anti-submarine warfare ships in recent years to perform long-distance deployments to the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea and to carry out missions for the exploration of the Arctic .

MOSCOW, June 8. /TASS/. The Russian Navy’s large anti-submarine warfare ship Vice-Admiral Kulakov has deployed to the Barents Sea to search for a notional enemy’s submarine in drills, the Northern Fleet’s press office reported on Monday.
The Russian Navy’s large anti-submarine warfare ship will hold the drills in the Arctic in the wake of the French guided missile frigate Aquitaine's entering the Barents Sea on June 5. Russia’s National Defense Control Center earlier announced that the Northern Fleet’s forces were tracking the movements of the French frigate in the Barents Sea.
During the drills, the Russian Navy "sailors will be searching for and tracking a notional enemy’s submarine and maintaining contact," the Northern Fleet’s press office said in a statement.
The large anti-submarine warfare ship Vice-Admiral Kulakov will hold torpedo firings against the surface enemy with a practice ammunition load, the press office said.
"The drills will involve the teams of the ship’s combat information center, a group of sonar operators and the personnel of the navigation and torpedo combat compartments," the statement runs.
The large anti-submarine warfare ship will take part in Russia’s Main Naval Parade in St. Petersburg on July 26. The ship’s crew will begin its inter-fleet transit after two coronavirus tests, the first of which it has successfully passed.
The Project 1155 large anti-submarine warfare ship Vice-Admiral Kulakov is operational within the brigade of anti-subsurface warfare ships of the Northern Fleet’s Kola Flotilla of All Arms Forces based in Severomorsk.
The warship is armed with anti-submarine missile systems, rocket launchers, torpedo tubes and other types of artillery and missile armament. The warship also carries two Ka-27 anti-submarine warfare helicopters.
The Russian Navy has been actively employing the Northern Fleet’s large anti-submarine warfare ships in recent years to perform long-distance deployments to the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea and to carry out missions for the exploration of the Arctic.


tass--2020-06-08--World-class chefs in your kitchen and Instagram shows: Four quarantine stories from abroad

Russia is gradually lifting its coronavirus restrictions .
Similar steps were taken in many other countries amid the novel coronavirus pandemic .
Now , these countries are restoring their economic and political lives .
The portal : `` The Future of Russia .
National Projects '' , operated by TASS already wrote about the digitalization and online services that help people cope with the situation , have a normal life , conduct teleworking , as well as how new technologies are adapting to the new reality .
This time , we will find out how the coronavirus pandemic changed everyday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantine stories from cities around the world , and the role of technologies and self-awareness .
DISCLAIMER : The material was written before the George Floyd protests in the United States and does not take into account their impact .
During the quarantine , we started using the DoorDash application very frequently .
It is one of the most popular services for food delivery from restaurants .
A lot of people use Postmates and Uber Eats .
All of those applications were popular before the quarantine , but now they are booming .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ - almost all big restaurants and cafes , even small ones which are not part of any chain , offer both delivery and takeout .
Sometimes we want to drive to a restaurant or a cafe , order everything there and unwind .
Since there are still big lines at major grocery stores in LA ( Trader Joe ’ s , Ralphs ) , many people , including my husband ’ s family , use Instacart or Amazon Fresh for food delivery .
My husband and I do not like ordering groceries online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made an order , filled the basket , and right at the end when approving the order it turned out there was no delivery time available .
And even if the time was available , part of what we had chosen was already sold out .
We use Amazon for ordering necessities , just like we did before the quarantine .
We have an Amazon Prime subscription , it allows us to get delivery within three days , but amid the pandemic , Amazon is swamped with orders , and everything works slower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I work at digital marketing , and my husband is an ad producer for Apple .
We work online all the time , so there were no difficulties there .
During self-isolation , we started watching streaming services like Netflix , HBO Go , Apple TV more actively , started watching more news on TV ( CNN ) .
We found time for reading as well ; I discovered a cool application called Graspp : you highlight the word you don ’ t know with your finger , focus the camera on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either a Russian translation or the word ’ s meaning in English at the same time .
In order to see family somehow and not violate the quarantine , we have to use unconventional methods , for instance , we communicate with my husband ’ s parents through the door and their house ’ s window .
We celebrate holidays by ordering in or cooking dinner and Zooming .
We expect the quarantine measures to stay in force until August , however , parks and beaches are open already .
Walks were never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued a decree according to which it is forbidden to leave the house without masks , even for ordinary walks .
I live in Turin , it ’ s quite a big city , although the coronavirus pandemic has transformed the lives of small cities as well .
For instance , there is an application in Milan which can track supermarket lines through user reviews .
And the Wetaxi application , which is used for sharing a ride with random fellow passengers , created a package delivery service , and it works really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course , but still cheaper than riding with your package alone .
Now , Italy is seeing a boom in electronic payments and wallets .
We have a local Satispay service , and all small businesses , even market vendors , are already on it .
The commission for them is way less than using a card , but for the client it ’ s just an electronic wallet , which is replenished once a week up to a certain budget .
The government urges people not use cash , and this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a commission at a bar or bakery and not to touch coins .
As for food delivery from restaurants , in Italy there are two types : aggregator applications with delivery personnel ( Glovo , Deliveroo , Just Eat , Eatwith - the last two exclusively Italian ) and a restaurant ’ s own delivery ( usually the menu is posted on social networks , and orders are taken via phone and WhatsApp ) .
Amid the pandemic , many had to become more active on social networks and update their websites .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italians did not want to eat the delicious food that they are used to , even if it is unavailable in the store around the corner .
Thus , residents began to call the stores where they used to go shopping for groceries , so that the latter would organize the delivery of their products around the city ( and even flowers , plants , books and everything else that was allowed ) .
This is a slow process , because the owners did everything on their own and monitored the quality of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for example , before Easter it was necessary to order everything in advance , at least 7-10 days .
Food delivery in Italy was not that common before .
Italians ordered little , and in stock .
During the quarantine , everyone went into overdrive so that the delivery of supermarkets overflowed .
People filled their baskets with products , and then waited for midnight to get hold of delivery time .
We went to the supermarket once every couple of weeks and we tried to buy meat , wine , gastronomy from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Turin , the union of local manufacturers quickly drew a map and a list of those who have delivery service .
They wrote about it in the newspaper and asked everyone to support the locals .
Of course , it is a difficult time for the expensive Michelin-starred restaurants .
Some of them closed for the quarantine and began to publish simple recipes with secrets from the chef on social networks , while others started new projects .
For instance , our friends arranged the delivery of a menu , which one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half that on the restaurant ’ s menu , and usually they deliver everything themselves to monitor the quality of the products .
Every evening , the chef broadcasts live from his kitchen , where , in addition to the recipe and the ready-made video , he goes into detail about how to make it .
The toughest part with the products has already been accomplished , but still the cooking process happens to be very exciting , especially the part when it ’ s served .
You realize what you pay for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proud that you could do it by yourself .
I also admire how well the menu is thought out .
The time is measured in a way so that the client does not get tired of cooking , so that everything is consistent and doesn ’ t spoil the taste .
At the same time , no one used any sophisticated technology .
Large groups of people order such menus with their friends in order to cook and have dinner together via video chat .
What is more , in Turin , two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a project .
They cook a social lunch every two days ( a vegetarian rice dish and a drink ) , which they sell only through Instagram .
Lunch costs 6 euro with delivery , friends deliver , and the products are taken from sponsors .
Thus , they earn money and every second day they serve 100-200 dishes for the poor .
The pandemic hit Italy hard .
Many companies shut down and sent workers home on temporary unemployment benefits due to the suspension of their contracts or on vacation at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few days a week .
Italian bosses are very anxious .
They want everyone back at the office , they did n't let some of my acquaintances switch to teleworking until the last minute , and now , with the measures being gradually lifted , they want everyone back as soon as possible .
I work in an international company which has staff all over the world , so teleworking is a common thing for us .
It even got better in terms of searching for new employees .
Now , all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is afraid of the request to work remotely a couple of days a week .
But there are also disadvantages , the amount of work has even increased due to some confusion and problems with online communication .
At first , there were some problems with home-based Internet .
The network “ glitched ” a couple of times or there was a bad signal , but now everything is very stable .
That being said , I encounter Internet problems with colleagues from the United States , but not from Italy .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Playstation slowed down and there were problems with video calls on WhatsApp , they actually did not work .
But in general , Italian networks have withstood the test .
Because of the lockdown , we had to find virtual entertainment at home .
Like everyone else , we watched a lot of Netflix , Amazon Prime , and the recently launched Disney+ streaming service .
We checked on our friends over the phone , arranged girls ’ nights with an aperitif in Houseparty ( an application for conducting group video broadcasts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go offline as well .
We arranged live balcony parties with neighbors , celebrated birthdays and danced to the music on our neighbor ’ s sound system , which the entire neighborhood could hear .
In general , in Italy technologies that have taken root during the quarantine are not aimed at switching from personal to online communication and replacing existing services , but at expanding opportunities and new formats for food , services , and friends .
As it happened , coronavirus caught up with me right during my decision to temporarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It all turned out fine .
I managed to self-isolate in one of the most remote places in the world and do it all just before the country closed its borders .
I arrived a day prior to that .
All arrivals had to stay in quarantine for 2 weeks .
I was staying in an Airbnb that I had booked ahead of time .
No one was checking for self-isolation violations .
However , I heard that the police sometimes came to do spot checks .
You could go outside for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordering groceries online was not quite successful .
The system was overloaded because everyone was using it , so my groceries were never delivered .
I could pick them up though , which I did .
Anyway , there are a lot of Chinese food delivery services in New Zealand as there is a big Chinese community in the country , and the Chinese are used to such technologies .
At the same time , the Internet quality in the country depends on your location .
In big cities there are no problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but I noticed that in the early days of the quarantine , there were connection problems .
Later , I moved to the countryside ( in order to calmly go out for a walk without any crowds ) , to a house where there was no Internet at all .
I had to use a mobile access point .
I am a serial entrepreneur , so working in different parts of the world is common for me .
The move partly has to do with my decision to work elsewhere on my latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Mochi ) - which helps children learn programming skills .
The project team is also working from different parts of the world , so nothing has changed in our schedule .
During the quarantine , the use of video calls ( FaceTime ) and audio calls , which enables us to communicate with family and friends , has certainly increased .
But as for any entertainment services , I tried to limit their use , since it is very easy to plunge into the `` black hole '' of content , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But I tried to read more books and learn to play sports at home .
The latter did not pan out very well .
New Zealand ’ s quarantine was different because compared to other countries ( the state of emergency was lifted on May 13 , and there were recommendations on social distancing — TASS ) it didn ’ t last very long .
Therefore , now , for example , restaurants receive guests , but provide social distancing between them ; in cafes everyone prefers takeout .
It seems as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When the pandemic began , I lost all of my sources of income .
I work as a script-supervisor , which means that I have a wide range of tasks and I am a member of a film crew who oversees the continuity of a motion picture and its script .
None of the work I usually do could be done remotely .
Thanks to the CARES Act ( about $ 600 per week plus additional payments depending on the state — TASS ) , I ’ ve been able to stay afloat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the lookout for potential job opportunities , I am also taking this time to learn and do so many activities that I ’ ve been putting off for years .
For instance , I went live on Instagram every Tuesday which was a way for me to reach out to friends and family back home in the Dominican Republic and encourage them to share their small triumphs and any activities that are keeping them happy and sane , to share recipes and discuss movies or sing a song .
It was also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of my shell , try something new and hold myself accountable by being consistent and showing up , even if my guests bailed on me at the last minute , and even if I felt unmotivated and uninspired .
I noticed that every new show is getting better and better , and I feel more confident .
I have definitely learned new skills during quarantine .
Cooking has been a major one ; I am so used to either eating out or having my meals on set while working that I never felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the kitchen .
That is why I hardly ever used delivery services during the lockdown .
I picked up food at the restaurant when I needed .
I have definitely taken advantage of online platforms such as MasterClass , LinkedIn Learning , Coursera and Udemy , which have an extensive list of free online courses .
Currently , I ’ m doing a software engineering basics course .
I have also practiced makeup much more than I used to when I was still working , and I have also started a meditation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movies and TV shows on streaming platforms ( Netflix , Prime , Hulu ) but not much more than I used to , which was not very often .
I ’ ve been using YouTube more frequently than before , and have even considered making my own YouTube channel to talk about films and TV , cooking recipes and books .
I read a lot during self-isolation , mostly electronic books on Kindle and in the SimplyE and Libby online libraries where you can get a free version of books and audio books @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis caused by the novel coronavirus .
Many businesses in New York either closed down temporarily or shut down for good , but there are also businesses that try to survive despite the odds .
Around my neighborhood , for instance , I can think of several restaurants that decided to stay open with deliveries and takeouts only , also most small shops and quite a few bars and liquor stores that never really closed .
Just two weeks ago , two of my favorite restaurants and the local hardware store around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me hope that soon we ’ ll be able to get back to normal again .

Russia is gradually lifting its coronavirus restrictions. Similar steps were taken in many other countries amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. Now, these countries are restoring their economic and political lives. The portal: "The Future of Russia. National Projects", operated by TASS already wrote about the digitalization and online services that help people cope with the situation, have a normal life, conduct teleworking, as well as how new technologies are adapting to the new reality. This time, we will find out how the coronavirus pandemic changed everyday lives in other countries. Here are quarantine stories from cities around the world, and the role of technologies and self-awareness.
DISCLAIMER: The material was written before the George Floyd protests in the United States and does not take into account their impact.
Los Angeles, US
Maria Kovel-Burton, digital market specialist
During the quarantine, we started using the DoorDash application very frequently. It is one of the most popular services for food delivery from restaurants. A lot of people use Postmates and Uber Eats. All of those applications were popular before the quarantine, but now they are booming. We sometimes go to restaurants for takeout - almost all big restaurants and cafes, even small ones which are not part of any chain, offer both delivery and takeout. Sometimes we want to drive to a restaurant or a cafe, order everything there and unwind.
Since there are still big lines at major grocery stores in LA (Trader Joe’s, Ralphs), many people, including my husband’s family, use Instacart or Amazon Fresh for food delivery. My husband and I do not like ordering groceries online. There were several times when we made an order, filled the basket, and right at the end when approving the order it turned out there was no delivery time available. And even if the time was available, part of what we had chosen was already sold out. We use Amazon for ordering necessities, just like we did before the quarantine. We have an Amazon Prime subscription, it allows us to get delivery within three days, but amid the pandemic, Amazon is swamped with orders, and everything works slower.
We had no problem with teleworking. I work at digital marketing, and my husband is an ad producer for Apple. We work online all the time, so there were no difficulties there.
During self-isolation, we started watching streaming services like Netflix, HBO Go, Apple TV more actively, started watching more news on TV (CNN). We found time for reading as well; I discovered a cool application called Graspp: you highlight the word you don’t know with your finger, focus the camera on it, and the app gives you either a Russian translation or the word’s meaning in English at the same time.
In order to see family somehow and not violate the quarantine, we have to use unconventional methods, for instance, we communicate with my husband’s parents through the door and their house’s window. We celebrate holidays by ordering in or cooking dinner and Zooming.
We expect the quarantine measures to stay in force until August, however, parks and beaches are open already. Walks were never prohibited, but recently Mayor Eric Garcetti issued a decree according to which it is forbidden to leave the house without masks, even for ordinary walks.
Turin, Italy
Liza Lopayeva, data processing and analysis specialist
I live in Turin, it’s quite a big city, although the coronavirus pandemic has transformed the lives of small cities as well. For instance, there is an application in Milan which can track supermarket lines through user reviews. And the Wetaxi application, which is used for sharing a ride with random fellow passengers, created a package delivery service, and it works really fast. It is expensive, of course, but still cheaper than riding with your package alone.
Now, Italy is seeing a boom in electronic payments and wallets. We have a local Satispay service, and all small businesses, even market vendors, are already on it. The commission for them is way less than using a card, but for the client it’s just an electronic wallet, which is replenished once a week up to a certain budget. The government urges people not use cash, and this is the most convenient way not to pay a commission at a bar or bakery and not to touch coins.
As for food delivery from restaurants, in Italy there are two types: aggregator applications with delivery personnel (Glovo, Deliveroo, Just Eat, Eatwith - the last two exclusively Italian) and a restaurant’s own delivery (usually the menu is posted on social networks, and orders are taken via phone and WhatsApp). Amid the pandemic, many had to become more active on social networks and update their websites. But Italy would not be Italy if Italians did not want to eat the delicious food that they are used to, even if it is unavailable in the store around the corner. Thus, residents began to call the stores where they used to go shopping for groceries, so that the latter would organize the delivery of their products around the city (and even flowers, plants, books and everything else that was allowed). This is a slow process, because the owners did everything on their own and monitored the quality of the products. Because of this, for example, before Easter it was necessary to order everything in advance, at least 7-10 days.
Food delivery in Italy was not that common before. Italians ordered little, and in stock. During the quarantine, everyone went into overdrive so that the delivery of supermarkets overflowed. People filled their baskets with products, and then waited for midnight to get hold of delivery time. We went to the supermarket once every couple of weeks and we tried to buy meat, wine, gastronomy from local stores to support their business. In Turin, the union of local manufacturers quickly drew a map and a list of those who have delivery service. They wrote about it in the newspaper and asked everyone to support the locals.
Of course, it is a difficult time for the expensive Michelin-starred restaurants. Some of them closed for the quarantine and began to publish simple recipes with secrets from the chef on social networks, while others started new projects. For instance, our friends arranged the delivery of a menu, which one must prepare themselves. The prices are half that on the restaurant’s menu, and usually they deliver everything themselves to monitor the quality of the products. Every evening, the chef broadcasts live from his kitchen, where, in addition to the recipe and the ready-made video, he goes into detail about how to make it. The toughest part with the products has already been accomplished, but still the cooking process happens to be very exciting, especially the part when it’s served. You realize what you pay for in a restaurant, and you are proud that you could do it by yourself. I also admire how well the menu is thought out. The time is measured in a way so that the client does not get tired of cooking, so that everything is consistent and doesn’t spoil the taste. At the same time, no one used any sophisticated technology. Large groups of people order such menus with their friends in order to cook and have dinner together via video chat.
What is more, in Turin, two Michelin chefs and their friends came up with a project. They cook a social lunch every two days (a vegetarian rice dish and a drink), which they sell only through Instagram. Lunch costs 6 euro with delivery, friends deliver, and the products are taken from sponsors. Thus, they earn money and every second day they serve 100-200 dishes for the poor.
The pandemic hit Italy hard. Many companies shut down and sent workers home on temporary unemployment benefits due to the suspension of their contracts or on vacation at their own expense for at least a few days a week. Italian bosses are very anxious. They want everyone back at the office, they didn't let some of my acquaintances switch to teleworking until the last minute, and now, with the measures being gradually lifted, they want everyone back as soon as possible. I work in an international company which has staff all over the world, so teleworking is a common thing for us. It even got better in terms of searching for new employees. Now, all the interviews are on Skype and no one is afraid of the request to work remotely a couple of days a week. But there are also disadvantages, the amount of work has even increased due to some confusion and problems with online communication.
At first, there were some problems with home-based Internet. The network “glitched” a couple of times or there was a bad signal, but now everything is very stable. That being said, I encounter Internet problems with colleagues from the United States, but not from Italy. At some point, the video games on the Playstation slowed down and there were problems with video calls on WhatsApp, they actually did not work. But in general, Italian networks have withstood the test.
Because of the lockdown, we had to find virtual entertainment at home. Like everyone else, we watched a lot of Netflix, Amazon Prime, and the recently launched Disney+ streaming service. We checked on our friends over the phone, arranged girls’ nights with an aperitif in Houseparty (an application for conducting group video broadcasts — TASS). We tried to go offline as well. We arranged live balcony parties with neighbors, celebrated birthdays and danced to the music on our neighbor’s sound system, which the entire neighborhood could hear.
In general, in Italy technologies that have taken root during the quarantine are not aimed at switching from personal to online communication and replacing existing services, but at expanding opportunities and new formats for food, services, and friends.
Auckland, NZ
Mark Pavlyukovskyy, serial entrepreneur in EdTech
As it happened, coronavirus caught up with me right during my decision to temporarily move from San Francisco to New Zealand. It all turned out fine. I managed to self-isolate in one of the most remote places in the world and do it all just before the country closed its borders. I arrived a day prior to that. All arrivals had to stay in quarantine for 2 weeks. I was staying in an Airbnb that I had booked ahead of time. No one was checking for self-isolation violations. However, I heard that the police sometimes came to do spot checks. You could go outside for groceries and walks. My experience with ordering groceries online was not quite successful. The system was overloaded because everyone was using it, so my groceries were never delivered. I could pick them up though, which I did. Anyway, there are a lot of Chinese food delivery services in New Zealand as there is a big Chinese community in the country, and the Chinese are used to such technologies.
At the same time, the Internet quality in the country depends on your location. In big cities there are no problems and there is high-speed Internet everywhere, but I noticed that in the early days of the quarantine, there were connection problems. Later, I moved to the countryside (in order to calmly go out for a walk without any crowds), to a house where there was no Internet at all. I had to use a mobile access point.
I am a serial entrepreneur, so working in different parts of the world is common for me. The move partly has to do with my decision to work elsewhere on my latest project - the Mochi Robot (Learn with Mochi) - which helps children learn programming skills. The project team is also working from different parts of the world, so nothing has changed in our schedule.
During the quarantine, the use of video calls (FaceTime) and audio calls, which enables us to communicate with family and friends, has certainly increased. But as for any entertainment services, I tried to limit their use, since it is very easy to plunge into the "black hole" of content, and getting out of it would be difficult. But I tried to read more books and learn to play sports at home. The latter did not pan out very well.
New Zealand’s quarantine was different because compared to other countries (the state of emergency was lifted on May 13, and there were recommendations on social distancing — TASS) it didn’t last very long. Therefore, now, for example, restaurants receive guests, but provide social distancing between them; in cafes everyone prefers takeout. It seems as if nothing has changed that much.
New York, US
Daniela Paiewonsky, script supervisor
When the pandemic began, I lost all of my sources of income. I work as a script-supervisor, which means that I have a wide range of tasks and I am a member of a film crew who oversees the continuity of a motion picture and its script. None of the work I usually do could be done remotely. Thanks to the CARES Act (about $600 per week plus additional payments depending on the state — TASS), I’ve been able to stay afloat. Even though I’m always on the lookout for potential job opportunities, I am also taking this time to learn and do so many activities that I’ve been putting off for years.
For instance, I went live on Instagram every Tuesday which was a way for me to reach out to friends and family back home in the Dominican Republic and encourage them to share their small triumphs and any activities that are keeping them happy and sane, to share recipes and discuss movies or sing a song. It was also an excuse for me to come out of my shell, try something new and hold myself accountable by being consistent and showing up, even if my guests bailed on me at the last minute, and even if I felt unmotivated and uninspired. I noticed that every new show is getting better and better, and I feel more confident.
I have definitely learned new skills during quarantine. Cooking has been a major one; I am so used to either eating out or having my meals on set while working that I never felt like sparing a second more than needed in the kitchen. That is why I hardly ever used delivery services during the lockdown. I picked up food at the restaurant when I needed. I have definitely taken advantage of online platforms such as MasterClass, LinkedIn Learning, Coursera and Udemy, which have an extensive list of free online courses. Currently, I’m doing a software engineering basics course. I have also practiced makeup much more than I used to when I was still working, and I have also started a meditation practice.
During lockdown, I watched movies and TV shows on streaming platforms (Netflix, Prime, Hulu) but not much more than I used to, which was not very often. I’ve been using YouTube more frequently than before, and have even considered making my own YouTube channel to talk about films and TV, cooking recipes and books. I read a lot during self-isolation, mostly electronic books on Kindle and in the SimplyE and Libby online libraries where you can get a free version of books and audio books.
New York is struggling with the crisis caused by the novel coronavirus. Many businesses in New York either closed down temporarily or shut down for good, but there are also businesses that try to survive despite the odds. Around my neighborhood, for instance, I can think of several restaurants that decided to stay open with deliveries and takeouts only, also most small shops and quite a few bars and liquor stores that never really closed. Just two weeks ago, two of my favorite restaurants and the local hardware store around the corner reopened as well. This gives me hope that soon we’ll be able to get back to normal again.


tass--2020-06-08--FSB detains three crime ring members, seizes 35 kilograms of cocaine in Moscow

MOSCOW , June 8 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Federal Security Service ( FSB ) has detained three crime ring members and seized 35 kilograms of cocaine .
All three were charged with drug trafficking , sources in the law enforcement told TASS .
As a result of operational activities three persons involved in the trafficking of 34.7 kilograms of cocaine in the Moscow Region were detained and charged under Part 5 of Article 228.1 of the Criminal Code ( illegal production , sale or transfer of large amounts of narcotic drugs ) .
The maximum punishment under this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Moscow resident Vage Arshakyan served as a drug mule .
The batch of cocaine was found in his car alongside a GSM signal jamming equipment and two mobile phones .
He hoped to receive 100,000 rubles ( about $ 1,500 ) from Moscow resident Mikhail Degtyaryov , in whose car the operatives found six mobile phones , for the transportation of cocaine .
The gadgets were examined .
The instant messaging software contained correspondence with different recipients indicating the man ’ s complicity in drug trafficking , as follows from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against a third member of the group , Moscow resident Ruslan Rashidullin .
The seized cocaine ’ s value is estimated at 500,000 euros .
According to the investigators Degtyaryov was to receive from Rashidullin a remuneration of 50,000 euros and to pass 450,000 euros to third persons .
At the moment of detention Rashidullin ’ s car was searched and 450,000 euros and 162,000 rubles ( about $ 2,400 ) confiscated as material evidence , the law enforcers said .
A court in Moscow put the accused in custody for two months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the two arrested accomplices have told TASS their clients pled not guilty .
The court was asked for a milder restrictive measure .
The request was turned down .
The defense has declared the intention to protest the arrest .

MOSCOW, June 8. /TASS/. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has detained three crime ring members and seized 35 kilograms of cocaine. All three were charged with drug trafficking, sources in the law enforcement told TASS.
As a result of operational activities three persons involved in the trafficking of 34.7 kilograms of cocaine in the Moscow Region were detained and charged under Part 5 of Article 228.1 of the Criminal Code (illegal production, sale or transfer of large amounts of narcotic drugs). The maximum punishment under this article is life imprisonment, the source said.
Moscow resident Vage Arshakyan served as a drug mule. The batch of cocaine was found in his car alongside a GSM signal jamming equipment and two mobile phones. He hoped to receive 100,000 rubles (about $1,500) from Moscow resident Mikhail Degtyaryov, in whose car the operatives found six mobile phones, for the transportation of cocaine. The gadgets were examined. The instant messaging software contained correspondence with different recipients indicating the man’s complicity in drug trafficking, as follows from the materials of the case. Degtyarov testified against a third member of the group, Moscow resident Ruslan Rashidullin.
The seized cocaine’s value is estimated at 500,000 euros. According to the investigators Degtyaryov was to receive from Rashidullin a remuneration of 50,000 euros and to pass 450,000 euros to third persons.
At the moment of detention Rashidullin’s car was searched and 450,000 euros and 162,000 rubles (about $2,400) confiscated as material evidence, the law enforcers said.
A court in Moscow put the accused in custody for two months till August 7. The defense lawyers of the two arrested accomplices have told TASS their clients pled not guilty. The court was asked for a milder restrictive measure. The request was turned down. The defense has declared the intention to protest the arrest.


tass--2020-06-08--About 10 tonnes of oil products spilled on 30 square meter area in northern Russia

MOSCOW , June 8 .
/TASS/ .
Approximately 10 tonnes of oil products were spilled at the Dyusushevskoe field in @ @ @ @ @ an area of 30 square meters , the regional department of the Russian Ministry of @ @ @ @ @ .
`` About ten tonnes of petroleum-containing fluid were spilled at the Dyusushevskoe field , @ @ @ @ @ .
As per updated data , the contamination area is 30 square meters , '' @ @ @ @ @ told TASS .
The oil products spill was found in daytime on the territory of @ @ @ @ @ TASS reported earlier , citing a source in emergency services .
The incident occurred at @ @ @ @ @ OOO Polar Light Company .
The loss of containment took place at Well No .
@ @ @ @ @ from the central gathering facility .
The emergency has been contained by now .
Emergency @ @ @ @ @ fly to the site .
Causes of the incident are being investigated .

MOSCOW, June 8. /TASS/. Approximately 10 tonnes of oil products were spilled at the Dyusushevskoe field in the Nenets Autonomous District covering an area of 30 square meters, the regional department of the Russian Ministry of Emergencies told TASS on Monday.
"About ten tonnes of petroleum-containing fluid were spilled at the Dyusushevskoe field, according to the information received. As per updated data, the contamination area is 30 square meters," a department’s spokesperson told TASS.
The oil products spill was found in daytime on the territory of the Nenets Autonomous District, TASS reported earlier, citing a source in emergency services. The incident occurred at the Dyusushevskoe field owned by OOO Polar Light Company. The loss of containment took place at Well No. 6, 23 km away from the central gathering facility. The emergency has been contained by now. Emergency services staff is preparing to fly to the site. Causes of the incident are being investigated.


tass--2020-06-08--Global coronavirus situation worsening, says WHO chief

GENEVA , June 8 .
/TASS/ .
Although the coronavirus situation in Europe is improving , it is worsening globally , Director-General of the World Health Organization ( WHO ) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday .
`` Almost 7 million cases of COVID-19 have now been reported to WHO , and almost 400,000 deaths , '' he told a briefing .
`` Although the situation in Europe is improving , globally it is worsening . ''
The WHO chief recalled that more than 100,000 new cases had been reported daily in the past nine days .
On Sunday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
`` Almost 75 % of yesterday ’ s cases come from 10 countries , mostly in the Americas and South Asia , '' he noted .
`` Most countries in the African region are still experiencing an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases , with some reporting cases in new geographic areas . ''
`` We also see increasing numbers of cases in parts of Eastern Europe and central Asia , '' he added .
`` At the same time , we ’ re encouraged that several countries around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said that `` complacency '' is the biggest threat in these countries .
`` We continue to urge active surveillance to ensure the virus does not rebound , especially as mass gatherings of all kinds are starting to resume in some countries , '' he stressed .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 7,100,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 406,300 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 3,466,500 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

GENEVA, June 8. /TASS/. Although the coronavirus situation in Europe is improving, it is worsening globally, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday.
"Almost 7 million cases of COVID-19 have now been reported to WHO, and almost 400,000 deaths," he told a briefing. "Although the situation in Europe is improving, globally it is worsening."
The WHO chief recalled that more than 100,000 new cases had been reported daily in the past nine days. On Sunday, this number exceeded 136,000 in a single day. "Almost 75% of yesterday’s cases come from 10 countries, mostly in the Americas and South Asia," he noted. "Most countries in the African region are still experiencing an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, with some reporting cases in new geographic areas."
"We also see increasing numbers of cases in parts of Eastern Europe and central Asia," he added. "At the same time, we’re encouraged that several countries around the world are seeing positive signs."
He said that "complacency" is the biggest threat in these countries. "We continue to urge active surveillance to ensure the virus does not rebound, especially as mass gatherings of all kinds are starting to resume in some countries," he stressed.
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 7,100,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 406,300 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 3,466,500 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-06-08--Murmansk may handle 500,000 tonnes of fish delivered by Northern Sea Route

MURMANSK , June 8 .
/TASS/ .
The Murmansk Region may receive fish from the Far East , delivered by the Northern Sea Route .
The existing capacities are sufficient for handling 450-500 thousand tonnes of fish products a year , the region ’ s Governor Andrei Chibis said in a post on VKontakte .
`` With Rosrybolovstvo ( fisheries authority ) and other governors we have discussed how fish and sea products could be delivered along the Northern Sea Route from the Far East to other regions , with handling at the Murmansk port .
< … > The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - most importantly - realistic .
We are interested in fish deliveries from the Far East to our ports to keep them busy . ''
According to the governor , the region may handle 450-500 thousand tonnes of fish products a year .
Besides , the Norebo Company plans to build in the Kola Bay a sea terminal to serve vessels and to deliver fish to the domestic and international markets , where additional handling capacity is estimated at up to 1 million tonnes a year .
Thus , the governor continued , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be busy , they will offer new jobs , and besides `` fish on sale will be more affordable . ''
Earlier , President Vladimir Putin asked the government to eye fish deliveries from the Far East along the Northern Sea Route .

MURMANSK, June 8. /TASS/. The Murmansk Region may receive fish from the Far East, delivered by the Northern Sea Route. The existing capacities are sufficient for handling 450-500 thousand tonnes of fish products a year, the region’s Governor Andrei Chibis said in a post on VKontakte.
"With Rosrybolovstvo (fisheries authority) and other governors we have discussed how fish and sea products could be delivered along the Northern Sea Route from the Far East to other regions, with handling at the Murmansk port. <…> The project is interesting and promising, and - most importantly - realistic. We are interested in fish deliveries from the Far East to our ports to keep them busy."
According to the governor, the region may handle 450-500 thousand tonnes of fish products a year. Besides, the Norebo Company plans to build in the Kola Bay a sea terminal to serve vessels and to deliver fish to the domestic and international markets, where additional handling capacity is estimated at up to 1 million tonnes a year.
Thus, the governor continued, the region’s fish processing facilities will be busy, they will offer new jobs, and besides "fish on sale will be more affordable."
Earlier, President Vladimir Putin asked the government to eye fish deliveries from the Far East along the Northern Sea Route.


tass--2020-06-08--Russian, Cuban top diplomats discuss anti-coronavirus efforts, situation in Colombia

MOSCOW , June 8 .
/TASS/ .
Anti-coronavirus efforts and Colombian settlement were among the topics discussed over the phone @ @ @ @ @ Ministers , Sergey Lavrov and Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla , the Russian foreign ministry said on @ @ @ @ @ top diplomats exchanged views on current aspects of bilateral cooperation , including in what concerns @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
The ministers discusses a number of issues of the Latin American agenda , @ @ @ @ @ Colombian settlement in the light of Cuba ’ s role as one of the guarantors @ @ @ @ @ '' the ministry said .
The sides reiterated that they share the positions in support @ @ @ @ @ principles of the United Nations Charter and condemning the use of unilateral sanctions that run @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, June 8. /TASS/. Anti-coronavirus efforts and Colombian settlement were among the topics discussed over the phone by Russian and Cuban Foreign Ministers, Sergey Lavrov and Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, the Russian foreign ministry said on Monday.
"The two top diplomats exchanged views on current aspects of bilateral cooperation, including in what concerns cooperation in combating the coronavirus pandemic. The ministers discusses a number of issues of the Latin American agenda, including the current situation around Colombian settlement in the light of Cuba’s role as one of the guarantors of the negotiating process," the ministry said.
The sides reiterated that they share the positions in support of the fundamental goals and principles of the United Nations Charter and condemning the use of unilateral sanctions that run counter to international law.


tass--2020-06-08--Russian Arctic national park expects no tourists in coming season

ARKHANGELSK , June 8 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s northernmost national park , the Russian Arctic , does not @ @ @ @ @ to the coronavirus pandemic , the national park ’ s Director Alexander Kirilov said during @ @ @ @ @ Arctic tourism .
`` Tourism companies have simply cancelled routes and rescheduled them for 2021 @ @ @ @ @ `` Thus , most probably , no tourists will come to the national park this @ @ @ @ @ Arctic national park is the northernmost and the largest nature reserve in the country .
@ @ @ @ @ Land Archipelago and Novaya Zemlya ’ s northern part .

ARKHANGELSK, June 8. /TASS/. Russia’s northernmost national park, the Russian Arctic, does not expect tourists in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the national park’s Director Alexander Kirilov said during an online conference devoted to Arctic tourism.
"Tourism companies have simply cancelled routes and rescheduled them for 2021," he said. "Thus, most probably, no tourists will come to the national park this year."
The Russian Arctic national park is the northernmost and the largest nature reserve in the country. It incorporates the Franz Josef Land Archipelago and Novaya Zemlya’s northern part.


tass--2020-06-08--Putin praises Egypt’s diplomatic efforts towards Libyan settlement — Kremlin

`` The Russian side positively assessed the diplomatic efforts made by Egypt , '' the Kremlin press service said .
The presidents `` confirmed a mutual bid towards continuing coordination with an aim to ensure the soonest end of warfare and the launch of intra-Libyan talks under the UN auspices , '' the Kremlin said .
The phone call was initiated by Egypt , Libya was in the focus of attention .
Abdel Fattah al-Sisi briefed President Putin on the subject matter of the talks in Cairo on June 6 with President of the Libyan House of Representatives Aguila Saleh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( LNA ) Khalifa Haftar , on the basis of which moves were proposed on the political settlement of the Libyan crisis .
Also , the presidents `` looked into key issues of the development of Russian-Egyptian strategic partnership , including cooperation in the sectors of industry and nuclear power engineering , as well as cooperation in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic , '' the Kremlin press service reported .
Under the joint political initiative on the Libyan crisis resolution that was announced after the Cairo talks between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Army ( LNA ) Khalifa Haftar , and Libya 's parliament speaker , Aguila Saleh , a total ceasefire is to come into effect from 06:00 a.m. on June 8 , and the joint military committee is to continue UN-brokered talks in Geneva .
Moreover , the plan stipulates a gradual merger of power institutions to resume normal life in the country .
The Tripoli-based authorities however turned down the initiative on the same day .
Thus , head of Libya ’ s High Council of State Khaled al-Mishri said that any peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on the Skhirat political agreement .

"The Russian side positively assessed the diplomatic efforts made by Egypt," the Kremlin press service said. The presidents "confirmed a mutual bid towards continuing coordination with an aim to ensure the soonest end of warfare and the launch of intra-Libyan talks under the UN auspices," the Kremlin said.
The phone call was initiated by Egypt, Libya was in the focus of attention. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi briefed President Putin on the subject matter of the talks in Cairo on June 6 with President of the Libyan House of Representatives Aguila Saleh and Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Khalifa Haftar, on the basis of which moves were proposed on the political settlement of the Libyan crisis.
Also, the presidents "looked into key issues of the development of Russian-Egyptian strategic partnership, including cooperation in the sectors of industry and nuclear power engineering, as well as cooperation in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic," the Kremlin press service reported.
Under the joint political initiative on the Libyan crisis resolution that was announced after the Cairo talks between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Khalifa Haftar, and Libya's parliament speaker, Aguila Saleh, a total ceasefire is to come into effect from 06:00 a.m. on June 8, and the joint military committee is to continue UN-brokered talks in Geneva. Moreover, the plan stipulates a gradual merger of power institutions to resume normal life in the country.
The Tripoli-based authorities however turned down the initiative on the same day. Thus, head of Libya’s High Council of State Khaled al-Mishri said that any peace initiative would be rejected unless it was based on the Skhirat political agreement.


tass--2020-06-08--S-400, Pantsir air defense systems repel enemy missile strikes in Baltic Fleet drills

KALININGRAD , June 8 .
/TASS/ .
The Baltic Fleet kicked off drills for repelling a notional enemy ’ s @ @ @ @ @ military facilities located in Russia ’ s westernmost Kaliningrad Region , the Fleet ’ s @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The drills for repelling air attacks with the employment of air defense systems @ @ @ @ @ anti-aircraft missile systems and Pantsir-S1 surface-to-air missile/gun launchers of the Fleet ’ s air defense @ @ @ @ @ aviation aircraft , '' the press office said in a statement .
During the scheduled @ @ @ @ @ practicing detecting , intercepting and eliminating notional air targets that are simulating airspace intruders , @ @ @ @ @ frontiers and units based in the Kaliningrad Region , the statement says .

KALININGRAD, June 8. /TASS/. The Baltic Fleet kicked off drills for repelling a notional enemy’s air and missile strikes against military facilities located in Russia’s westernmost Kaliningrad Region, the Fleet’s press office reported on Monday.
"The drills for repelling air attacks with the employment of air defense systems involve the teams of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems and Pantsir-S1 surface-to-air missile/gun launchers of the Fleet’s air defense large unit and also naval aviation aircraft," the press office said in a statement.
During the scheduled measures, the personnel are practicing detecting, intercepting and eliminating notional air targets that are simulating airspace intruders, as well as shielding air frontiers and units based in the Kaliningrad Region, the statement says.