tass--2020-06-16--Coronavirus spread coefficient doesn’t exceed 1 in regions with largest numbers of cases

According to the recommendations , those Russian regions where this figure equals or is below 1 can begin the first stage of lifting the restrictions if they have enough hospital beds MOSCOW , June 16 .
/TASS/ .
The coronavirus spread coefficient stood at 1 or was below 1 on Tuesday in ten Russia ’ s regions with the largest number of confirmed cases , according to TASS calculations based on data provided by the anti-coronavirus crisis center .
In Moscow and the Moscow Region , that figure stood at 0.97 and in St. Petersburg at 0.83 .
The lowest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Nizhny Novgorod Region , and the highest one — in the Kaluga region ( 1 ) .
In the Sverdlovsk and Rostov regions , that figure was 0.83 and 0.81 respectively , in the Krasnoyarsk Region it stood at 0.94 , in Dagestan it was 0.95 and in the Tula Region — 0.92 .
In Russia in general , that coefficient dropped from 1 to 0.98 .
The coronavirus spread coefficient is calculated using the formula provided by the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures .
The coefficient shows how many people on average get the coronavirus infection from one infected person prior to their isolation , the watchdog explained .
According to the recommendations , those Russian regions where this figure equals or is below 1 can begin the first stage of lifting the restrictions if they have enough hospital beds reserved for coronavirus patients and conduct enough tests for the virus .
If the coefficient is lower than 0.8 , Russian regions can go over to the second stage of lifting the restrictions , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can begin the third stage .

According to the recommendations, those Russian regions where this figure equals or is below 1 can begin the first stage of lifting the restrictions if they have enough hospital beds
MOSCOW, June 16. /TASS/. The coronavirus spread coefficient stood at 1 or was below 1 on Tuesday in ten Russia’s regions with the largest number of confirmed cases, according to TASS calculations based on data provided by the anti-coronavirus crisis center. In Moscow and the Moscow Region, that figure stood at 0.97 and in St. Petersburg at 0.83. The lowest coefficient (0.76) was registered in the Nizhny Novgorod Region, and the highest one — in the Kaluga region (1).
In the Sverdlovsk and Rostov regions, that figure was 0.83 and 0.81 respectively, in the Krasnoyarsk Region it stood at 0.94, in Dagestan it was 0.95 and in the Tula Region — 0.92. In Russia in general, that coefficient dropped from 1 to 0.98. The coronavirus spread coefficient is calculated using the formula provided by the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being in its recommendations for regions on easing lockdown measures. The coefficient shows how many people on average get the coronavirus infection from one infected person prior to their isolation, the watchdog explained.


tass--2020-06-16--Russia sends two Be-200ES aircraft to Turkey

MOSCOW , June 16 .
/TASS/ .
Russia has dispatched two Be-200ES amphibious planes to Turkey and they will immediately embark on fire-prevention missions , the United Aircraft Corporation reported .
Over the next four months , the aircraft with Russian crews will monitor the environs of Antalya , Izmir , and Bodrum .
`` Two Russian Be-200ES amphibious planes arrived in Turkey and on June 16 [ they ] began work on preventing the spread of forest fires in the Republic of Turkey .
The conclusion of the service agreement and the dispatch of the aircraft were organized by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rostec State Corporation ) with the assistance of Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade , Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations , and the active support of Rostec representatives in Ankara , '' says the UAC statement .
The corporation noted that earlier the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry had approached Russia with a request for aid in fighting forest fires in the upcoming hot season .
`` The Russian Be-200 is a high-performance amphibious aircraft with unique features .
The plane proved its effectiveness during firefighting and rescue operations in Europe and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and is of great interest to foreign clients .
By teaming up with [ our ] Turkish partners this shows that we have great potential to foster cooperation , including the delivery of aircraft to renovate Turkye ’ s firefighting fleet , '' UAC General Director Yury Slyusar was quoted in a statement .
Previously , the aircraft was displayed at the MAKS-2019 aviation and space salon , in addition , it took part in Turkish Teknofest .

MOSCOW, June 16. /TASS/. Russia has dispatched two Be-200ES amphibious planes to Turkey and they will immediately embark on fire-prevention missions, the United Aircraft Corporation reported. Over the next four months, the aircraft with Russian crews will monitor the environs of Antalya, Izmir, and Bodrum.
"Two Russian Be-200ES amphibious planes arrived in Turkey and on June 16 [they] began work on preventing the spread of forest fires in the Republic of Turkey. The conclusion of the service agreement and the dispatch of the aircraft were organized by the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC within Rostec State Corporation) with the assistance of Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, and the active support of Rostec representatives in Ankara," says the UAC statement.
The corporation noted that earlier the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry had approached Russia with a request for aid in fighting forest fires in the upcoming hot season.
"The Russian Be-200 is a high-performance amphibious aircraft with unique features. The plane proved its effectiveness during firefighting and rescue operations in Europe and Southeast Asia. The Be-200ES is export-oriented and is of great interest to foreign clients. By teaming up with [our] Turkish partners this shows that we have great potential to foster cooperation, including the delivery of aircraft to renovate Turkye’s firefighting fleet," UAC General Director Yury Slyusar was quoted in a statement.
Previously, the aircraft was displayed at the MAKS-2019 aviation and space salon, in addition, it took part in Turkish Teknofest.


tass--2020-06-16--Armenia reports 425 new coronavirus cases in past day

Eight coronavirus patients died at Armenian hospitals in the past twenty-four hours , bringing the total fatalities to 293 , according to the republic ’ s Health Ministry YEREVAN , June 16 .
/TASS/ .
Coronavirus cases in Armenia grew by 425 in the past twenty-four hours compared to 397 the day before , the republic ’ s Health Ministry reported on Tuesday .
`` In the past twenty-four hours , 425 new coronavirus cases were identified and 295 patients recovered from the illness .
To date , 6,571 patients have recovered from the disease while the total number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ministry said in a statement .
Eight coronavirus patients died at Armenian hospitals in the past twenty-four hours , bringing fatalities to 293 since the pandemic outbreak in the republic , the ministry said .
The situation with the coronavirus spread in Armenia remains tense .
In the past week , the republic registered from 200 to 600 new coronavirus cases daily .
Armenia saw the first coronavirus case on March 1 .
On March 16 , the Armenian authorities introduced a state of emergency and a strict lockdown .
These restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On May 18 , the Armenian government lifted all economic restrictions and public transport , the subway , restaurants and shopping centers resumed their operation .
After the restrictions were lifted , the number of coronavirus cases soared .
On May 25 , the Armenian authorities introduced the mandatory regime of wearing face masks .
In early June , Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the scope of violations of epidemiological safety standards was disastrous and the country was on the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe .
Amid these statements , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country ’ s law enforcement agencies , saying that they had failed to keep the situation under control .
Armenia ’ s Health Ministry has said that the hospitals are overcrowded and hundreds of people are on the waiting lists for hospitalization .
In early June , Pashinyan announced that he and his family members had contracted the coronavirus .
A week later , it was reported that all of them had recovered .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 8,128,490 people have been infected worldwide and more than 439,420 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 4,242,200 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

Eight coronavirus patients died at Armenian hospitals in the past twenty-four hours, bringing the total fatalities to 293, according to the republic’s Health Ministry
YEREVAN, June 16. /TASS/. Coronavirus cases in Armenia grew by 425 in the past twenty-four hours compared to 397 the day before, the republic’s Health Ministry reported on Tuesday. "In the past twenty-four hours, 425 new coronavirus cases were identified and 295 patients recovered from the illness. To date, 6,571 patients have recovered from the disease while the total number of the infected stands at 17,489," the ministry said in a statement.
Read also Armenia confirms 566 new coronavirus cases in past day
Eight coronavirus patients died at Armenian hospitals in the past twenty-four hours, bringing fatalities to 293 since the pandemic outbreak in the republic, the ministry said. The situation with the coronavirus spread in Armenia remains tense. In the past week, the republic registered from 200 to 600 new coronavirus cases daily.
Read also Armenian government set to extend state of emergency over pandemic
Armenia saw the first coronavirus case on March 1. On March 16, the Armenian authorities introduced a state of emergency and a strict lockdown. These restrictions were subsequently extended to July 13. On May 18, the Armenian government lifted all economic restrictions and public transport, the subway, restaurants and shopping centers resumed their operation. After the restrictions were lifted, the number of coronavirus cases soared. On May 25, the Armenian authorities introduced the mandatory regime of wearing face masks.
Read also Coronavirus situation in Armenia deteriorating — PM


tass--2020-06-16--Beijing may face multiple COVID-19 outbreaks on the horizon, says expert

BEIJING , June 16 .
/TASS/ .
The authorities of the Chinese capital may encounter new problems soon because of the existing risk of a series of new COVID-19 outbreaks .
This opinion was voiced by Shanghai-based virologist Zhang Wenhong , as quoted by the Global Times newspaper on Tuesday .
The expert noted that after the recent COVID-19 outbreak at the Xinfadi market in Beijing there is a mixture of encouraging , yet bad news .
The bad news is that the market has a huge volume of contacts , which means that additional outbreaks are possible in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expert thinks that even with those risks the Chinese government may normalize the epidemiological situation in the capital in the long run and maintain a minimum infection level throughout the country that is close to zero .
He stressed that the excessively strict measures , like freezing economic activity and halting public life are unnecessary .
According to Zhang Wenhong , the Chinese government has already created a rather effective mechanism to eradicate the centers of infection and is capable of suppressing the virus at the early stage .
The expert stressed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as ordinary citizens should continue to follow the official instructions and stay on guard ( that is , to wear protective masks , use disinfectants , etc - TASS ) .
A COVID-19 outbreak at Beijing ’ s largest wholesale Xinfadi market in the southern district of Fengtai was reported last week .
The majority of those infected were local vendors and their relatives and friends .
The authorities of the capital were forced to temporarily shut down several important commercial facilities , including those in the western part of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heightened risk zone .
Previously , Beijing ’ s authorities enforced increased control measures in over 7,000 residential housing complexes .
According to the latest statistics , currently there are 107 patients with the disease caused by COVID-19 hospitalized in Beijing .
During the entire course of the pandemic , the city recorded 700 cases of the infection , with 584 patients having recovered and nine fatalities .

BEIJING, June 16. /TASS/. The authorities of the Chinese capital may encounter new problems soon because of the existing risk of a series of new COVID-19 outbreaks. This opinion was voiced by Shanghai-based virologist Zhang Wenhong, as quoted by the Global Times newspaper on Tuesday.
The expert noted that after the recent COVID-19 outbreak at the Xinfadi market in Beijing there is a mixture of encouraging, yet bad news. The bad news is that the market has a huge volume of contacts, which means that additional outbreaks are possible in the future.
At the same time the expert thinks that even with those risks the Chinese government may normalize the epidemiological situation in the capital in the long run and maintain a minimum infection level throughout the country that is close to zero. He stressed that the excessively strict measures, like freezing economic activity and halting public life are unnecessary.
According to Zhang Wenhong, the Chinese government has already created a rather effective mechanism to eradicate the centers of infection and is capable of suppressing the virus at the early stage. The expert stressed that China’s business and public sectors as well as ordinary citizens should continue to follow the official instructions and stay on guard (that is, to wear protective masks, use disinfectants, etc - TASS).
A COVID-19 outbreak at Beijing’s largest wholesale Xinfadi market in the southern district of Fengtai was reported last week. The majority of those infected were local vendors and their relatives and friends. The authorities of the capital were forced to temporarily shut down several important commercial facilities, including those in the western part of the city since they were located in the heightened risk zone. Previously, Beijing’s authorities enforced increased control measures in over 7,000 residential housing complexes.
According to the latest statistics, currently there are 107 patients with the disease caused by COVID-19 hospitalized in Beijing. During the entire course of the pandemic, the city recorded 700 cases of the infection, with 584 patients having recovered and nine fatalities.


tass--2020-06-16--COVID-19 cases registered in Russia up by 8,248 in past 24 hours

MOSCOW , June 16 .
/TASS/ .
A total of 8,248 new COVID-19 cases have been identified across Russia over @ @ @ @ @ which takes the overall number of those who are known to have contracted the virus @ @ @ @ @ center told the media on Tuesday .
The daily growth rate was 1.5 % against @ @ @ @ @ .
Moscow accounts for 1,416 newly-exposed cases , the Moscow Region , for 694 , @ @ @ @ @ 319 , St. Petersburg , for 234 , and the Sverdlovsk Region , for 231 @ @ @ @ @ the newly identified COVID-19 patients 2,580 are asymptomatic .
Currently 243,868 people across Russia are @ @

MOSCOW, June 16. /TASS/. A total of 8,248 new COVID-19 cases have been identified across Russia over the past 24 hours, which takes the overall number of those who are known to have contracted the virus to 545,458, the anti-coronavirus center told the media on Tuesday. The daily growth rate was 1.5% against 1.6% one day before.
Moscow accounts for 1,416 newly-exposed cases, the Moscow Region, for 694, the Irkutsk Region, for 319, St. Petersburg, for 234, and the Sverdlovsk Region, for 231.
In the group of the newly identified COVID-19 patients 2,580 are asymptomatic. Currently 243,868 people across Russia are ill.


tass--2020-06-16--PlantSnap brings plant recognition to Snapchat

TELLURIDE , Colorado , June 16 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- PlantSnap , the world 's most technologically advanced , comprehensive and accurate plant identification and social media app , was announced today as a new partner for Snapchat 's Scan platform , which delivers helpful , delightful , and relevant experiences through Snapchat 's camera .
Now Snapchat users can identify over 600,000 plants right from the Snapchat Camera .
PlantSnap 's machine learning algorithm will then analyze and recognize the plant and instantly display the name of the plant on the screen .
This will begin rolling out today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to understand that we are a part of nature , not apart from it , and that it 's our responsibility to protect our world for future generations .
So , we created a tool that encourages people to stop and explore the beauty and wonder of the world they live in , '' said Eric Ralls , Founder/CEO of PlantSnap .
`` By bringing people back to nature through the use of technology , PlantSnap helps both young and old feel like they are an integral part of this amazing planet .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand that we are stewards of the Earth , not owners . ''
PlantSnap not only reconnects people to nature but also creates a database of plants that provides useful information to hobbyists and professionals alike .
PlantSnap is translated into 37 languages and currently used in over 200 countries every day .
With over 620,000 plants now in our database and 35 million+ installs so far , PlantSnap has become THE go-to app for gardeners , hikers , landscape designers , teachers , students , foragers , and anyone who enjoys nature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reigniting interest in the beauty and wonder of nature and the amazing plant life that surrounds us every day , while empowering scientists and nature enthusiasts with the technology to catalog and share their discoveries , '' said Ralls .
`` What is most compelling about this integration of PlantSnap into Snapchat is that it gives us the opportunity to engage with Snapchat 's 229 million daily active users , many of whom are part of Gen Z , in hopes of capturing their interest in plants while instilling into them an eternal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environment . ''
The scanned plant photo and naming result will be shown inside the Snapchat user interface , along with a link to `` Learn more '' about the plant through the PlantSnap app .
Instantly identify plants of all kinds : flowers , trees , succulents , mushrooms , cacti and more !
PlantSnap is the revolutionary plant identification app from Earth.com built to help you instantly identify plants in a snap .
It provides the user with a unique platform to explore the natural world in everyday life .
Averaging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per day , PlantSnap is a simple way for all Earth citizens to play a role in protecting and saving the environment simply by snapping photos of plants everywhere you go .

TELLURIDE, Colorado, June 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- PlantSnap, the world's most technologically advanced, comprehensive and accurate plant identification and social media app, was announced today as a new partner for Snapchat's Scan platform, which delivers helpful, delightful, and relevant experiences through Snapchat's camera. Now Snapchat users can identify over 600,000 plants right from the Snapchat Camera.
PlantSnap's machine learning algorithm will then analyze and recognize the plant and instantly display the name of the plant on the screen. This will begin rolling out today.
Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8736351-plantsnap-plant-identification-app-announces-snapchat-scan-partnership/
"It's important for us to understand that we are a part of nature, not apart from it, and that it's our responsibility to protect our world for future generations. So, we created a tool that encourages people to stop and explore the beauty and wonder of the world they live in," said Eric Ralls, Founder/CEO of PlantSnap. "By bringing people back to nature through the use of technology, PlantSnap helps both young and old feel like they are an integral part of this amazing planet. Together, we can help the world understand that we are stewards of the Earth, not owners."
PlantSnap not only reconnects people to nature but also creates a database of plants that provides useful information to hobbyists and professionals alike. PlantSnap is translated into 37 languages and currently used in over 200 countries every day. With over 620,000 plants now in our database and 35 million+ installs so far, PlantSnap has become THE go-to app for gardeners, hikers, landscape designers, teachers, students, foragers, and anyone who enjoys nature.
"At PlantSnap, we're reigniting interest in the beauty and wonder of nature and the amazing plant life that surrounds us every day, while empowering scientists and nature enthusiasts with the technology to catalog and share their discoveries," said Ralls. "What is most compelling about this integration of PlantSnap into Snapchat is that it gives us the opportunity to engage with Snapchat's 229 million daily active users, many of whom are part of Gen Z, in hopes of capturing their interest in plants while instilling into them an eternal love and respect for nature and the environment."
The scanned plant photo and naming result will be shown inside the Snapchat user interface, along with a link to "Learn more" about the plant through the PlantSnap app.
About PlantSnap
Instantly identify plants of all kinds: flowers, trees, succulents, mushrooms, cacti and more! PlantSnap is the revolutionary plant identification app from Earth.com built to help you instantly identify plants in a snap. It provides the user with a unique platform to explore the natural world in everyday life. Averaging over 500,000 snaps taken in 200+ countries per day, PlantSnap is a simple way for all Earth citizens to play a role in protecting and saving the environment simply by snapping photos of plants everywhere you go.
CONTACT: business@plantsnap.net


tass--2020-06-16--Smoke visible, explosion heard in North Korean border town of Kaesong — media

TASS , June 16 .
Smoke is visible in the North Korean border town of Kaesong , an explosion was @ @ @ @ @ Yonhap News Agency reported on Tuesday citing some sources .
The South Korean military is @ @ @ @ @ explosion had occurred in the area of the inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong .

TASS, June 16. Smoke is visible in the North Korean border town of Kaesong, an explosion was heard there as well, Yonhap News Agency reported on Tuesday citing some sources.
The South Korean military is verifying reports saying that an explosion had occurred in the area of the inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong.


tass--2020-06-16--Infortrend Adds DNS Load Balancing Feature to its Scale-Out NAS

TAIPEI , June 16 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Infortrend® Technology , Inc. ( TWSE : 2495 ) , the industry-leading enterprise storage provider , adds DNS Load Balancing feature to its scale-out NAS EonStor CS .
With support of DNS Load Balancing , I/O workloads can be evenly and automatically distributed for all deployed CS nodes .
It increases data access performance and facilitates to smooth and uninterrupted workflows for performance-demanding applications like high performance computing ( HPC ) , as well as 4K video editing , broadcasting , or real-time streaming in the M & E industry .
EonStor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be expanded by demand up to 144 nodes in a cluster with a total of over 100 GBps throughput and 100PB capacity .
DNS Load Balancing follows either of the four policies for optimized system resource utilization : storage node network connection number , CPU and throughput usage , or round-robin algorithm .
DNS load balancing ensures that there is no overworked storage node or overloaded channel which helps to avoid bottlenecks and degraded performance .
DNS Load Balancing maximizes speed for client connections by the automatic allocation of client traffic to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : users just need to enter a hostname .
Without DNS Load Balancing , load distribution could only be done manually by typing the IP-address of the storage node to get access to .
If a single CS node goes down , DNS Load Balancing function redirects traffic to the remaining normally functioning nodes .
And when a new CS storage node is added to the cluster , I/O workload is automatically shared between each node .
Infortrend ( TWSE : 2495 ) has been developing and manufacturing storage solutions since 1993 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , testing , and manufacturing , Infortrend storage delivers performance and scalability with the latest standards , user friendly data services , personal after-sales support , and unrivaled value .
For more information , please visit www.infortrend.com Infortrend® and EonStor® are trademarks or registered trademarks of Infortrend Technology , Inc. ; other trademarks are the property of their respective owners .

TAIPEI, June 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Infortrend® Technology, Inc. (TWSE: 2495), the industry-leading enterprise storage provider, adds DNS Load Balancing feature to its scale-out NAS EonStor CS. With support of DNS Load Balancing, I/O workloads can be evenly and automatically distributed for all deployed CS nodes. It increases data access performance and facilitates to smooth and uninterrupted workflows for performance-demanding applications like high performance computing (HPC), as well as 4K video editing, broadcasting, or real-time streaming in the M&E industry.
EonStor CS is a scale-out NAS, which can be expanded by demand up to 144 nodes in a cluster with a total of over 100 GBps throughput and 100PB capacity. DNS Load Balancing follows either of the four policies for optimized system resource utilization: storage node network connection number, CPU and throughput usage, or round-robin algorithm. DNS load balancing ensures that there is no overworked storage node or overloaded channel which helps to avoid bottlenecks and degraded performance.
DNS Load Balancing maximizes speed for client connections by the automatic allocation of client traffic to different network channels across the entire cluster: users just need to enter a hostname. Without DNS Load Balancing, load distribution could only be done manually by typing the IP-address of the storage node to get access to. If a single CS node goes down, DNS Load Balancing function redirects traffic to the remaining normally functioning nodes. And when a new CS storage node is added to the cluster, I/O workload is automatically shared between each node.
Learn more about EonStor CS scale-out NAS
About Infortrend
Infortrend (TWSE: 2495) has been developing and manufacturing storage solutions since 1993. With a strong emphasis on in-house design, testing, and manufacturing, Infortrend storage delivers performance and scalability with the latest standards, user friendly data services, personal after-sales support, and unrivaled value. For more information, please visit www.infortrend.com
Infortrend® and EonStor® are trademarks or registered trademarks of Infortrend Technology, Inc.; other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
CONTACT: Winnie Tsai, +886-2-2226-0126 #8557, winnie.tsai@infortrend.com


tass--2020-06-16--Four military servicemen injured in explosion at testing ground in Siberia

NOVOSIBIRSK , June 16 .
/TASS/ .
Four military servicemen have been injured in an artillery shell explosion in the @ @ @ @ @ gross violation of safety rules , the press service of the Central Military District informed @ @ @ @ @ According to preliminary data , four military servicemen sustained limb injuries on June 15 , @ @ @ @ @ shell detonated at the testing ground because of the gross violation of safety rules , @ @ @ @ @ .
Those injured were taken to a medical facility , their injuries are not life-threatening @ @ @ @ @ s commission , together with the law enforcement agencies , has launched an investigation .

NOVOSIBIRSK, June 16. /TASS/. Four military servicemen have been injured in an artillery shell explosion in the Novosibirsk Region due to the gross violation of safety rules, the press service of the Central Military District informed TASS on Tuesday.
"According to preliminary data, four military servicemen sustained limb injuries on June 15, 2020, as an artillery shell detonated at the testing ground because of the gross violation of safety rules," the press service said.
Those injured were taken to a medical facility, their injuries are not life-threatening.
The military district’s commission, together with the law enforcement agencies, has launched an investigation.


tass--2020-06-16--OPEC+ monitoring committee may discuss August output quota, though key is compliance

MOSCOW , June 16 .
/TASS/ .
The OPEC+ ministerial monitoring committee , which will gather on June 18 , may discuss the issue of extension of the May quota for another month , though the main agenda only includes the issue of current compliance rates of the agreement on crude production cuts , two sources in OPEC delegations told TASS .
One of the sources , who participates in the work of the monitoring committee , when asked whether the ministers will consider the issue of extension of the current reduction level to August , said : `` Everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official agenda of the meeting does not contain that issue .
Another source noted that the monitoring committee is not authorized to take decisions and its main authority is to `` monitor the deal ’ s compliance . ''
According to the plan , the meeting of the OPEC+ ministerial committee , which will be held in the videoconference format , will start at 3:00 pm Moscow time .
First head of the committee , Saudi Arabia ’ s energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman will speak , after him - co-head , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as Algerian Energy Minister Mohamed Arkab , who chairs the OPEC conference this year .
Then ministers will listen to the OPEC report on the situation on the oil market and on the agreement ’ s compliance rates reported by member-states , as well as the report by the technical committee of experts , which will gather on the previous day , on June 17 .
OPEC+ nations including Russia have been implementing the agreement on reduction of crude oil output by almost 9.7 mln barrels per day since May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that volume from the market only in May-June , though at the ministerial meeting on June 6 it was decided to extend those terms for another month , until the end of July .
Later Reuters agency reported that ministers might seriously consider extension by the end of the summer .
However , the ministerial monitoring committee is not authorized to take the decision .
The committee may only provide a recommendation , which is to be discussed later by all 23 countries participating in the Vienna agreement .
The monitoring committee consists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saudi Arabia , the United Arab Emirates , Kuwait , Iraq , Venezuela , Algeria and Kazakhstan .

MOSCOW, June 16. /TASS/. The OPEC+ ministerial monitoring committee, which will gather on June 18, may discuss the issue of extension of the May quota for another month, though the main agenda only includes the issue of current compliance rates of the agreement on crude production cuts, two sources in OPEC delegations told TASS.
One of the sources, who participates in the work of the monitoring committee, when asked whether the ministers will consider the issue of extension of the current reduction level to August, said: "Everything is possible." Meanwhile, the official agenda of the meeting does not contain that issue. Another source noted that the monitoring committee is not authorized to take decisions and its main authority is to "monitor the deal’s compliance."
According to the plan, the meeting of the OPEC+ ministerial committee, which will be held in the videoconference format, will start at 3:00 pm Moscow time. First head of the committee, Saudi Arabia’s energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman will speak, after him - co-head, Russia’s Energy Minister Alexander Novak, as well as Algerian Energy Minister Mohamed Arkab, who chairs the OPEC conference this year. Then ministers will listen to the OPEC report on the situation on the oil market and on the agreement’s compliance rates reported by member-states, as well as the report by the technical committee of experts, which will gather on the previous day, on June 17.
OPEC+ nations including Russia have been implementing the agreement on reduction of crude oil output by almost 9.7 mln barrels per day since May. Initially it was planned to withdraw that volume from the market only in May-June, though at the ministerial meeting on June 6 it was decided to extend those terms for another month, until the end of July. Later Reuters agency reported that ministers might seriously consider extension by the end of the summer. However, the ministerial monitoring committee is not authorized to take the decision. The committee may only provide a recommendation, which is to be discussed later by all 23 countries participating in the Vienna agreement. The monitoring committee consists of eight countries, including Russia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iraq, Venezuela, Algeria and Kazakhstan.


tass--2020-06-16--China's First 8MW Offshore Wind Turbine Enters Full Load Operation

SHANGHAI , June 16 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Shanghai Electric , the world 's leading manufacturer and supplier of power generation and industrial equipment , today announced that it has commissioned China 's first 8MW offshore wind turbine , which is now entering operation .
The launch of the turbine , which features `` black start '' technology , demonstrates that the company can now undertake bulk orders in the market for 8MW offshore wind turbines .
The company also unveiled its plan to further explore solutions that renewable energy-based integrated energy systems—combining wind , solar power and energy storage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internet of things .
The 8MW-167 offshore turbine is the wind turbine in operation with the highest capacity in China .
Compared to the 7MW-154 wind turbine , the D8 turbine produces 20 % more electricity and reduces the Levelised Cost of Electricity ( LCOE ) by around 11 % .
The 8MW turbine is the outcome of an agreement inked in March 2018 with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy ( SGRE ) , which gives the company a license to produce and sell SGRE 's 8.0-167DD offshore machines in the Chinese market .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ position to capitalize on the growing Chinese offshore turbine market , where up to 26GW may be grid-connected by the end of 2025 .
The company envisions creating an integrated clean energy solution that stretches the limit of releasing the potential of solar and wind power .
The 8MW offshore wind turbine features 81.4-metre blades , producing a rotor diameter of 167 meters and a swept area of 21,900 square meters .
It was tested onshore at the Shantou Haojiang offshore industrial park .
The demonstration project for an integrated clean energy solution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 2.42MW rooftop photovoltaics .
It also incorporates energy storage , charging pile equipment with a 2MWh capacity , a set of intelligent building environment control system , 5G+ industrial internet of things , microgrid control center and energy management system , among all other elements .
The solution has been modified to address conditions across the Asia-Pacific region such as typhoons , and tropical storms which could seriously damage the grid infrastructure and even lead to blackouts of the area .
The restoration of the microgrid from a black start condition is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` black start '' , the smart energy project provides a strong guarantee for the stable operation of the industrial park .
The Shanghai Electric Project team used lithium batteries as a supporting power source , so the Power Conversion System can regulate the voltage and frequency to the reference value .
When the 8MW turbine goes into an idle state which synchronizes and connects to the microgrid bus voltage , and the wind reaches the cut in speed , the wind turbine officially starts power generation , then the team can increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , until the microgrid is operating at full load mode .
Thanks to the excellent grid-friendliness of the 8MW turbine and the powerful MGCC , the whole process is connected to the grid with zero impact .

SHANGHAI, June 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Shanghai Electric, the world's leading manufacturer and supplier of power generation and industrial equipment, today announced that it has commissioned China's first 8MW offshore wind turbine, which is now entering operation. The launch of the turbine, which features "black start" technology, demonstrates that the company can now undertake bulk orders in the market for 8MW offshore wind turbines. The company also unveiled its plan to further explore solutions that renewable energy-based integrated energy systems—combining wind, solar power and energy storage systems, coupled with a 5G+ industrial internet of things.
The 8MW-167 offshore turbine is the wind turbine in operation with the highest capacity in China. Compared to the 7MW-154 wind turbine, the D8 turbine produces 20% more electricity and reduces the Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCOE) by around 11%. The 8MW turbine is the outcome of an agreement inked in March 2018 with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE), which gives the company a license to produce and sell SGRE's 8.0-167DD offshore machines in the Chinese market.
Shanghai Electric is now in a prime position to capitalize on the growing Chinese offshore turbine market, where up to 26GW may be grid-connected by the end of 2025. The company envisions creating an integrated clean energy solution that stretches the limit of releasing the potential of solar and wind power.
The 8MW offshore wind turbine features 81.4-metre blades, producing a rotor diameter of 167 meters and a swept area of 21,900 square meters. It was tested onshore at the Shantou Haojiang offshore industrial park. The demonstration project for an integrated clean energy solution also features a 4MW offshore wind turbine and 2.42MW rooftop photovoltaics. It also incorporates energy storage, charging pile equipment with a 2MWh capacity, a set of intelligent building environment control system, 5G+ industrial internet of things, microgrid control center and energy management system, among all other elements.
The solution has been modified to address conditions across the Asia-Pacific region such as typhoons, and tropical storms which could seriously damage the grid infrastructure and even lead to blackouts of the area. The restoration of the microgrid from a black start condition is therefore important to microgrid operators. With "black start", the smart energy project provides a strong guarantee for the stable operation of the industrial park.
The Shanghai Electric Project team used lithium batteries as a supporting power source, so the Power Conversion System can regulate the voltage and frequency to the reference value. When the 8MW turbine goes into an idle state which synchronizes and connects to the microgrid bus voltage, and the wind reaches the cut in speed, the wind turbine officially starts power generation, then the team can increase the load while retaining the system frequency, until the microgrid is operating at full load mode. Thanks to the excellent grid-friendliness of the 8MW turbine and the powerful MGCC, the whole process is connected to the grid with zero impact.
CONTACT: Jin Shen, +86-138-1790-9115, shenjin@shanghai-electric.com


tass--2020-06-16--JA Solar Signs Cooperation Agreement with Mexican Distributor Exel Solar

BEIJING , June 16 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- JA Solar ( `` the Company '' ) , a manufacturer of high-performance photovoltaic ( PV ) products , recently signed a partnership agreement with Exel Solar , a leading distributor of PV products in Mexico .
As part of the agreement , the two parties are set to strengthen cooperation in providing more high-quality solar modules to the consumers in Mexico , driving forward the development of the solar energy market in the country .
JA Solar has formed a strong relationship with Exel Solar when the Company entered the Mexican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government started to ramp up the development of renewable energy , the solar energy sector in Mexico is experiencing substantial growth .
Riding on this momentum , JA Solar , as the partner of Exel Solar - one of the top solar distributors in Mexico , is looking forward to bringing new possibilities to the local solar sector and transform the landscape of local PV market .
Highly efficient and cost-effective , JA Solar PV products has been well-received among the customers in Mexico and achieved great success in both utility-scale solar sector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Exel Solar has more than 12 years of experience in the Mexican solar market and has specialized in distributing the leading solar brands to system integrators who in turn provide solutions to their residential , commercial and industrial customers in Mexico .
`` We are very happy to continue being JA Solar leading distributor in Mexico , '' said Horacio Duhart , CEO of Exel Solar , `` JA Solar has been an outstanding partner that not only provides top quality solar modules but also their excellent sales and operations support has helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Mexico . ''
`` We are thrilled that our PV products have received high recognition from the Mexican market , '' said Jin Baofang , Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of JA Solar , `` The partnership agreement marks another new milestone in developing and delivering PV products with high performance and cutting-edge technologies for our customers in Mexico .
JA Solar is excited to be working with Exel Solar to introduce more high-quality solar modules and supply world-class solar projects in the country through this partnership . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ strengthen our cooperation with distributors around the world to provide better quality services to our global customers and contribute to the development of the PV industry , '' Jin Baofang added .
Exel Solar , the leading solar distributor in Mexico , has its corporate offices in Mérida , Yucatan and provides nationwide coverage with warehouses located in Mexico City , Monterrey , Guadalajara , Chihuahua , Tijuana and Merida .
Exel Solar is a subsidiary of Exel del Norte , a 32 year old distributor in the Information and Technology industry .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a manufacturer of high-performance photovoltaic products .
With 12 manufacturing bases and more than 20 branches around the world , the company 's business covers silicon wafers , cells , modules and photovoltaic power stations .
JA Solar products are available in over 120 countries and regions and are used extensively in ground-mounted power plants , commercial & industrial rooftop PV systems and residential rooftop PV systems .
The company has been listed on Fortune China 500 and Global Top 500 New Energy Enterprises for several consecutive years .

BEIJING, June 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- JA Solar ("the Company"), a manufacturer of high-performance photovoltaic (PV) products, recently signed a partnership agreement with Exel Solar, a leading distributor of PV products in Mexico. As part of the agreement, the two parties are set to strengthen cooperation in providing more high-quality solar modules to the consumers in Mexico, driving forward the development of the solar energy market in the country.
JA Solar has formed a strong relationship with Exel Solar when the Company entered the Mexican market in 2016. As the Mexican government started to ramp up the development of renewable energy, the solar energy sector in Mexico is experiencing substantial growth. Riding on this momentum, JA Solar, as the partner of Exel Solar - one of the top solar distributors in Mexico, is looking forward to bringing new possibilities to the local solar sector and transform the landscape of local PV market.
Highly efficient and cost-effective, JA Solar PV products has been well-received among the customers in Mexico and achieved great success in both utility-scale solar sector and distribution generation segment in 2019.
Exel Solar has more than 12 years of experience in the Mexican solar market and has specialized in distributing the leading solar brands to system integrators who in turn provide solutions to their residential, commercial and industrial customers in Mexico. "We are very happy to continue being JA Solar leading distributor in Mexico," said Horacio Duhart, CEO of Exel Solar, "JA Solar has been an outstanding partner that not only provides top quality solar modules but also their excellent sales and operations support has helped Exel Solar to become the leading distributor in Mexico."
"We are thrilled that our PV products have received high recognition from the Mexican market," said Jin Baofang, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of JA Solar, "The partnership agreement marks another new milestone in developing and delivering PV products with high performance and cutting-edge technologies for our customers in Mexico. JA Solar is excited to be working with Exel Solar to introduce more high-quality solar modules and supply world-class solar projects in the country through this partnership."
"Looking forward, we will further strengthen our cooperation with distributors around the world to provide better quality services to our global customers and contribute to the development of the PV industry," Jin Baofang added.
About Exel Solar
Exel Solar, the leading solar distributor in Mexico, has its corporate offices in Mérida, Yucatan and provides nationwide coverage with warehouses located in Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Chihuahua, Tijuana and Merida. Exel Solar is a subsidiary of Exel del Norte, a 32 year old distributor in the Information and Technology industry.
About JA Solar
Founded in 2005, JA Solar is a manufacturer of high-performance photovoltaic products. With 12 manufacturing bases and more than 20 branches around the world, the company's business covers silicon wafers, cells, modules and photovoltaic power stations. JA Solar products are available in over 120 countries and regions and are used extensively in ground-mounted power plants, commercial & industrial rooftop PV systems and residential rooftop PV systems. The company has been listed on Fortune China 500 and Global Top 500 New Energy Enterprises for several consecutive years.
CONTACT: Xiaorui Sun, +86-10-6361-1888-1698, bj.sunxr@jasolar.com


tass--2020-06-16--WHO concerned over new COVID-19 outbreak in Beijing

`` Beijing is a large city and a very dynamic and connected city , so there is always a concern , '' he said .
`` And I think you can see that level of concern in the response of the Chinese authorities , so we are tracking that very closely . ''
THE HAGUE , June 16 .
/TASS/ .
The new coronavirus outbreak in China ’ s capital Beijing arouses serious concerns , the head of the WHO ’ s Health Emergencies Program , Michael Ryan , told reporters .
`` A cluster like this is a concern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controlled—and that is exactly what the Chinese authorities are doing , '' Ryan noted .
The World Health Organization has offered assistance and support to the Chinese authorities carrying out the probe , and may reinforce its own team in Beijing in the coming days , he said .
A coronavirus infection outbreak was reported from Beijing ’ s Xinfadi wholesale market in the south of the city .
Most of those infected are the market ’ s tenants and their close contacts .
The city administration had to close some other major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the capital city , since they were in a high-risk zone .
Measures of control were tightened in certain Beijing ’ s neighborhoods due to that .
City authorities said the risk of the spread of the novel coronavirus in the city was high and imposed wartime measures in the city ’ s dwelling quarters .
The administration ordered to test some 10,000 Xinfadi workers and also those who visited the market after May 30 as well as residents of nearby houses .
Some 200,000 people will be tested for the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases were recorded in the city , and 584 of them recovered and nine died .

"Beijing is a large city and a very dynamic and connected city, so there is always a concern," he said. "And I think you can see that level of concern in the response of the Chinese authorities, so we are tracking that very closely."
THE HAGUE, June 16. /TASS/. The new coronavirus outbreak in China’s capital Beijing arouses serious concerns, the head of the WHO’s Health Emergencies Program, Michael Ryan, told reporters.
"A cluster like this is a concern and it needs to be investigated and controlled—and that is exactly what the Chinese authorities are doing," Ryan noted.
The World Health Organization has offered assistance and support to the Chinese authorities carrying out the probe, and may reinforce its own team in Beijing in the coming days, he said.
A coronavirus infection outbreak was reported from Beijing’s Xinfadi wholesale market in the south of the city. Most of those infected are the market’s tenants and their close contacts. The city administration had to close some other major commercial facilities, including in the west of the capital city, since they were in a high-risk zone. Measures of control were tightened in certain Beijing’s neighborhoods due to that.
City authorities said the risk of the spread of the novel coronavirus in the city was high and imposed wartime measures in the city’s dwelling quarters.
The administration ordered to test some 10,000 Xinfadi workers and also those who visited the market after May 30 as well as residents of nearby houses. Some 200,000 people will be tested for the coronavirus.
During the pandemic, 673 COVID-19 cases were recorded in the city, and 584 of them recovered and nine died.


tass--2020-06-16--Serbia expects Putin will visit consecration ceremony at church in Belgrade

BELGRADE , June 16 .
/TASS/ .
Serbia ’ s authorities expect that Russian President Vladimir Putin will take part in the consecration ceremony at the Church of Saint Sava in Belgrade , the Serbian president ’ s press service said after a phone conversation of the two leaders .
`` President [ Vladimir ] Putin confirmed that he would again visit Serbia to attend a state ceremony of consecration of the Church of Saint Sava and stressed that Russia would maintain Serbia ’ s interests and also protect the interests of Serbia ’ s Orthodox church .
President [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honored to receive Putin , especially on this festive occasion as Russia has made an invaluable contribution to finishing the construction of a major Orthodox church in Serbia , making it one of the symbols of close relations between the two countries and nations , '' the statement said .
Vucic also welcomed the upcoming visit to Serbia by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov due on June 18 .
The presidential press service said Putin had expressed confidence that the party led by Vucic would win the June 21 election and wished him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mass media reported on many occasions that Putin was due to visit Serbia in October 2020 .
It is expected that the visit would coincide with celebrating the anniversary of liberating Belgrade from Nazis on October 20 .
The consecration ceremony at the Church of Saint Sava , the construction of which took nearly 100 years , is also planned on this date .
Vucic invited Putin to visit Belgrade at their meeting in Sochi in December 2019 .
During his visit to Serbia in January 2019 Putin said Russia would allocate €5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ works .
Belgrade ’ s St. Sava Cathedral is the largest Eastern Orthodox place of worship .
The building covers an area of 7,570 square meters and its 35-meter-diameter dome rises to 65 meters in height .
The church was dedicated to Saint Sava ( 1169-1236 ) , the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church and a Serbian national hero .
The cathedral is believed to have been built on the site where the Ottoman authorities burned the remains of Saint Sava in 1594 .
The church was designed in 1894 but for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to planning and coordination work and began only in 1935 .
The outbreak of the Second World War interrupted the process , which restarted in May 1986 .
The domes were erected in 1989 , while regular services began in the church in 2004 , although the construction had not been yet complete .
Russia makes contributions to the decoration of the dome and altar .
Russian artists helped to ornate the grandiose dome with mosaic .
The central mosaic icon of the dome ‘ The Ascension of Christ ’ was created by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nikolay Mukhin , a member of the Russian Academy of Arts , who had led the team of artists decorating the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow .

BELGRADE, June 16. /TASS/. Serbia’s authorities expect that Russian President Vladimir Putin will take part in the consecration ceremony at the Church of Saint Sava in Belgrade, the Serbian president’s press service said after a phone conversation of the two leaders.
"President [Vladimir] Putin confirmed that he would again visit Serbia to attend a state ceremony of consecration of the Church of Saint Sava and stressed that Russia would maintain Serbia’s interests and also protect the interests of Serbia’s Orthodox church. President [Aleksandar] Vucic said he would be honored to receive Putin, especially on this festive occasion as Russia has made an invaluable contribution to finishing the construction of a major Orthodox church in Serbia, making it one of the symbols of close relations between the two countries and nations," the statement said.
Vucic also welcomed the upcoming visit to Serbia by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov due on June 18. The presidential press service said Putin had expressed confidence that the party led by Vucic would win the June 21 election and wished him personal and political success.
Earlier Serbian mass media reported on many occasions that Putin was due to visit Serbia in October 2020. It is expected that the visit would coincide with celebrating the anniversary of liberating Belgrade from Nazis on October 20. The consecration ceremony at the Church of Saint Sava, the construction of which took nearly 100 years, is also planned on this date. Vucic invited Putin to visit Belgrade at their meeting in Sochi in December 2019.
During his visit to Serbia in January 2019 Putin said Russia would allocate €5 mln for the church’s construction works.
Belgrade’s St. Sava Cathedral is the largest Eastern Orthodox place of worship. The building covers an area of 7,570 square meters and its 35-meter-diameter dome rises to 65 meters in height. The church was dedicated to Saint Sava (1169-1236), the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church and a Serbian national hero. The cathedral is believed to have been built on the site where the Ottoman authorities burned the remains of Saint Sava in 1594.
The church was designed in 1894 but for many years the construction was stalled due to planning and coordination work and began only in 1935. The outbreak of the Second World War interrupted the process, which restarted in May 1986. The domes were erected in 1989, while regular services began in the church in 2004, although the construction had not been yet complete.
Russia makes contributions to the decoration of the dome and altar. Russian artists helped to ornate the grandiose dome with mosaic. The central mosaic icon of the dome ‘The Ascension of Christ’ was created by 70 Russian and Serbian artists headed by Nikolay Mukhin, a member of the Russian Academy of Arts, who had led the team of artists decorating the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow.


tass--2020-06-16--BBC series on Salisbury incident leaves many questions unanswered - Russian embassy

LONDON , June 16 .
/TASS/ .
BBC One ’ s series on the 2018 incident in the British city of Salisbury with former Russian military intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia leaves unanswered numerous questions about the circumstances of what happened , a spokesperson for the Russian Embassy in the United Kingdom told TASS .
The three-part series , The Salisbury Poisonings , which premiered on Sunday , was announced back in October 2019 .
`` Naturally , we expected a journalistic investigation that would finally uncover all the circumstances of poisoning Russian nationals Sergei and Yulia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] Dawn Sturgess , but we saw an absolutely different picture .
The authors of the series offer the spectators to share the emotions of the characters but unfortunately , leave unanswered numerous questions , which we still have as well as the public , which is not satisfied with the official British version of the incident , '' the diplomat said .
According to the diplomat , it is still unclear where the Skripals went in the morning of March 4 with their phones being switched off ; why the records of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s house were not released ; how it turned out that the Skripals lost consciousness simultaneously several hours after the poisoning and received first assistance from a chief nursing officer in the British Army ; where the Skripals are at the moment and how is their health ; are they independent in their contacts and actions ?
`` Without the answers to these and many other questions any deliberations in the context of the official version on someone ’ s responsibility are senseless , '' the spokesperson said .
`` Certainly , British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fiction genres on Salisbury .
However , this does not help to establish the truth and the politicized version of the British authorities , which is not substantiated by evidence , is well-known .
The new series brought no `` added value '' here , '' the diplomat said .
`` We once again confirm our determination to search for the truth in these tragic incidents and that we are open for respective cooperation on an equal basis in the framework of the current international and legal mechanisms that were created to this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ British authorities will sooner or later present full official information about the incident as well as the fate of our nationals Sergei and Yulia Skripals , which is still unknown .
Unfortunately , we have to admit that London ’ s line on the Salisbury incident has brought Russian-British ties to a deadlock and dealt a serious blow to cooperation between our countries , '' the spokesperson said .
On March 4 , 2018 , former GRU ( Russia ’ s Main Intelligence Directorate ) officer Sergei Skripal , who had been convicted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and later swapped for Russian intelligence officers , and his daughter Yulia suffered the effects of the so-called Novichok nerve agent in the British city of Salisbury .
Claiming that the substance used in the attack had been a nerve agent allegedly developed in Russia , London rushed to accuse Moscow of being involved in the incident .
The Russian side dismissed all of the United Kingdom ’ s accusations , saying that a program aimed at developing such a substance had existed neither in the Soviet Union nor in Russia .
Britain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Down failed to pinpoint the origin of the substance that allegedly poisoned the Skripals .
On June 30 , 2018 , British citizen Dawn Sturgess , 44 , and her partner Charlie Rowley , 45 , were taken to a hospital in the city of Amesbury in critical condition .
On the evening of July 8 , the police reported that Sturgess had died , and the investigators launched a murder case .
Rowley regained consciousness on July 10 .
The London police anti-terrorism department earlier stated that Sturgess and Rowley had come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nerve agent that had poisoned Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia .
In September 2018 , then-Prime Minister of the UK Theresa May informed the country ’ s parliament about the conclusions that investigators looking into the Salisbury incident had come to , saying that two Russians , believed to be GRU agents , were suspected of conspiracy to murder the Skripals .
The Metropolitan Police published the suspects ’ photos , saying their names were Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov .
In an interview with Russia ’ s RT TV channel Petrov @ @ @ @ @ @

LONDON, June 16. /TASS/. BBC One’s series on the 2018 incident in the British city of Salisbury with former Russian military intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia leaves unanswered numerous questions about the circumstances of what happened, a spokesperson for the Russian Embassy in the United Kingdom told TASS.
The three-part series, The Salisbury Poisonings, which premiered on Sunday, was announced back in October 2019. "Naturally, we expected a journalistic investigation that would finally uncover all the circumstances of poisoning Russian nationals Sergei and Yulia Skripal and the death of [Briton] Dawn Sturgess, but we saw an absolutely different picture. The authors of the series offer the spectators to share the emotions of the characters but unfortunately, leave unanswered numerous questions, which we still have as well as the public, which is not satisfied with the official British version of the incident," the diplomat said.
According to the diplomat, it is still unclear where the Skripals went in the morning of March 4 with their phones being switched off; why the records of the surveillance camera in Sergei Skripal’s house were not released; how it turned out that the Skripals lost consciousness simultaneously several hours after the poisoning and received first assistance from a chief nursing officer in the British Army; where the Skripals are at the moment and how is their health; are they independent in their contacts and actions? "Without the answers to these and many other questions any deliberations in the context of the official version on someone’s responsibility are senseless," the spokesperson said.
"Certainly, British journalists have the right to work in fiction genres on Salisbury. However, this does not help to establish the truth and the politicized version of the British authorities, which is not substantiated by evidence, is well-known. The new series brought no "added value" here," the diplomat said.
"We once again confirm our determination to search for the truth in these tragic incidents and that we are open for respective cooperation on an equal basis in the framework of the current international and legal mechanisms that were created to this aim. We still believe that the British authorities will sooner or later present full official information about the incident as well as the fate of our nationals Sergei and Yulia Skripals, which is still unknown. Unfortunately, we have to admit that London’s line on the Salisbury incident has brought Russian-British ties to a deadlock and dealt a serious blow to cooperation between our countries," the spokesperson said.
On March 4, 2018, former GRU (Russia’s Main Intelligence Directorate) officer Sergei Skripal, who had been convicted in Russia of spying for Great Britain and later swapped for Russian intelligence officers, and his daughter Yulia suffered the effects of the so-called Novichok nerve agent in the British city of Salisbury. Claiming that the substance used in the attack had been a nerve agent allegedly developed in Russia, London rushed to accuse Moscow of being involved in the incident. The Russian side dismissed all of the United Kingdom’s accusations, saying that a program aimed at developing such a substance had existed neither in the Soviet Union nor in Russia. Britain’s military chemical laboratory at Porton Down failed to pinpoint the origin of the substance that allegedly poisoned the Skripals.
On June 30, 2018, British citizen Dawn Sturgess, 44, and her partner Charlie Rowley, 45, were taken to a hospital in the city of Amesbury in critical condition. On the evening of July 8, the police reported that Sturgess had died, and the investigators launched a murder case. Rowley regained consciousness on July 10. The London police anti-terrorism department earlier stated that Sturgess and Rowley had come into contact with Novichok - the same nerve agent that had poisoned Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.
In September 2018, then-Prime Minister of the UK Theresa May informed the country’s parliament about the conclusions that investigators looking into the Salisbury incident had come to, saying that two Russians, believed to be GRU agents, were suspected of conspiracy to murder the Skripals. The Metropolitan Police published the suspects’ photos, saying their names were Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov. In an interview with Russia’s RT TV channel Petrov and Boshirov refuted these allegations.


tass--2020-06-16--Head of post-Soviet security bloc blasts West's aggressive information policy

MOSCOW , June 16 .
/TASS/ .
Western countries pursue aggressive information policy against the member-states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization ( CSTO ) , the post-Soviet security bloc ’ s Secretary-General Stanislav Zas told a meeting of the organization ’ s Council of Parliamentary Assembly .
Political and military tensions have been on the rise in the eastern European direction , Zas noted .
`` The line towards the region ’ s militarization and developing military infrastructure continues .
The information aggression by certain Western states intensifies , '' the CSTO chief said .
One of destabilizing factors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alliance carried out near the borders of Belarus and Russia , Defender Europe-2020 , he noted .
The United States planned to use more than 28,000 troops , 287 tanks , 449 armored personnel carriers and 95 helicopters in these drills .
Another 17 countries planned to create their contingents and five multinational units were expected to be sent by the joint NATO forces in Europe .
However , the plans were reviewed over the coronavirus pandemic .
Earlier , the Russian General Staff noted that NATO member-states practiced striking targets on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drills near the Russian borders .
Moreover , during the preparations for the drills the attempts were recorded to bypass the provisions of the Vienna Document by splitting major maneuvers into smaller ones and also involving neutral states into the maneuvers .

MOSCOW, June 16. /TASS/. Western countries pursue aggressive information policy against the member-states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the post-Soviet security bloc’s Secretary-General Stanislav Zas told a meeting of the organization’s Council of Parliamentary Assembly.
Political and military tensions have been on the rise in the eastern European direction, Zas noted. "The line towards the region’s militarization and developing military infrastructure continues. The information aggression by certain Western states intensifies," the CSTO chief said.
One of destabilizing factors is massive military drills of the North-Atlantic Alliance carried out near the borders of Belarus and Russia, Defender Europe-2020, he noted.
The United States planned to use more than 28,000 troops, 287 tanks, 449 armored personnel carriers and 95 helicopters in these drills. Another 17 countries planned to create their contingents and five multinational units were expected to be sent by the joint NATO forces in Europe. However, the plans were reviewed over the coronavirus pandemic.
Earlier, the Russian General Staff noted that NATO member-states practiced striking targets on the territory of Russia during the Defender-Europe 20 drills near the Russian borders. Moreover, during the preparations for the drills the attempts were recorded to bypass the provisions of the Vienna Document by splitting major maneuvers into smaller ones and also involving neutral states into the maneuvers.


tass--2020-06-15--Media: Hainan's hotels with a higher level of comfort to get bonuses

HAIKOU , June 15 .
/TASS/ .
Haikou 's hotel qualification commission will evaluate the `` star system '' of hotels , after which the local administration will financially encourage new tourist complexes with an increased level of comfort , www.hinews.cn reported .
New five-star Haikou hotels will receive a reward from the Haikou government of 1 million yuan ( about $ 140,000 ) , four-star hotels - 500,000 yuan ( about $ 70,000 ) , and three-star hotels can count on a bonus of 150,000 yuan ( about $ 21,000 ) The hotel sector assessment commission will begin its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up on September 30 , 2020 .
Experts will consider applications for getting `` stars '' from 12 hotels , as well as conduct an audit of the rating of 18 Haikou hotels with a high level of comfort .
During the check , such indicators as the necessary set of consumer products in the hotel , the emergency management system , technical support of the software , special management methods and other parameters required by the ranking will be taken into account .
By 2025 , the Chinese government intends to create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consumption '' on Hainan .
In order to do so , the `` Eastern Hawaii '' with their unique natural landscapes , thick rainforests and great climate will establish a developed network of hotels , which blend perfectly with white sandy beaches stretching along the coastline .
The combination of an exotic subtropical nature and a modern eco-friendly infrastructure will boost tourist inflow to the island from the most distant parts of the world .
Last year , over 83 million Chinese and foreign tourists visited the island , the province 's tourism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 105 billion yuan ( about $ 14.89 billion ) .

HAIKOU, June 15. /TASS/. Haikou's hotel qualification commission will evaluate the "star system" of hotels, after which the local administration will financially encourage new tourist complexes with an increased level of comfort, www.hinews.cn reported.
New five-star Haikou hotels will receive a reward from the Haikou government of 1 million yuan (about $ 140,000), four-star hotels - 500,000 yuan (about $ 70,000), and three-star hotels can count on a bonus of 150,000 yuan (about $ 21,000 ) The hotel sector assessment commission will begin its work on July 1 and wrap it up on September 30, 2020. Experts will consider applications for getting "stars" from 12 hotels, as well as conduct an audit of the rating of 18 Haikou hotels with a high level of comfort.
During the check, such indicators as the necessary set of consumer products in the hotel, the emergency management system, technical support of the software, special management methods and other parameters required by the ranking will be taken into account.
By 2025, the Chinese government intends to create an "international center for tourism and consumption" on Hainan. In order to do so, the "Eastern Hawaii" with their unique natural landscapes, thick rainforests and great climate will establish a developed network of hotels, which blend perfectly with white sandy beaches stretching along the coastline. The combination of an exotic subtropical nature and a modern eco-friendly infrastructure will boost tourist inflow to the island from the most distant parts of the world.
Last year, over 83 million Chinese and foreign tourists visited the island, the province's tourism industry revenue grew by 11% to 105 billion yuan (about $ 14.89 billion).


tass--2020-06-17--Some 18,000 attend rally of medical workers in Paris — radio

MOSCOW , June 16 .
/TASS/ .
At least 18,000 people gathered for a rally in support of medical personnel @ @ @ @ @ Info radio station reported citing police sources .
The participants demanded to increase wages of @ @ @ @ @ the policy of closing medical facilities and reducing the number of beds in French hospitals @ @ @ @ @ the streets in Toulouse ( about 7,500 participants ) , Lyon ( some 6,000 ) @ @ @ @ @ .
Similar events with about 3,500-4,000 participants were held in Bordeaux , Strasbourg , Grenoble @ @ @ @ @ Minister Christophe Castaner said in a Twitter post that `` looters and citizens hostile to @ @ @ @ @ into the peaceful rally , creating chaos .
`` I express my gratitude to the @ @ @ @ @ order and rendered support to the injured police officers and gendarmes , '' Castaner said @ @ @ @ @ said at least 19 law enforcement officers were injured in clashes in the French capital @ @ @ @ @ time ( 19:30 Moscow time ) , 32 participants were detained .

MOSCOW, June 16. /TASS/. At least 18,000 people gathered for a rally in support of medical personnel in Paris, the France Info radio station reported citing police sources.
The participants demanded to increase wages of medical personnel and to stop the policy of closing medical facilities and reducing the number of beds in French hospitals.
People also took to the streets in Toulouse (about 7,500 participants), Lyon (some 6,000) and Nantes (5,500). Similar events with about 3,500-4,000 participants were held in Bordeaux, Strasbourg, Grenoble and Marseilles.
French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said in a Twitter post that "looters and citizens hostile to law enforcement officers" intervened into the peaceful rally, creating chaos. "I express my gratitude to the mobilized forces, who restored order and rendered support to the injured police officers and gendarmes," Castaner said.
Earlier, Paris police said at least 19 law enforcement officers were injured in clashes in the French capital. As of 18:30 local time (19:30 Moscow time), 32 participants were detained.


tass--2020-06-17--EU foreign policy chief hopes for Lavrov’s participation in Syria donor conference

BRUSSELS , June 17 .
/TASS/ .
EU High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell , who held a video conference with Russian @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , has expressed hope that Russia ’ s top diplomat would attend the international @ @ @ @ @ 30 .
`` High Representative Borrell conveyed his hope that Foreign Minister Lavrov will participate @ @ @ @ @ on Supporting the future of Syria and the region on 30 June , which aims @ @ @ @ @ around full and concrete support for a UN-brokered political solution in line with UNSC Resolution @ @ @ @ @ sustained financial support in addressing the Syria crisis , '' the European Union External Action @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the document , Borrel and Lavrov also discussed other international issues , @ @ @ @ @ , the Iranian nuclear deal and the situation in Libya .

BRUSSELS, June 17. /TASS/. EU High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell, who held a video conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday, has expressed hope that Russia’s top diplomat would attend the international Syria donor conference on June 30.
"High Representative Borrell conveyed his hope that Foreign Minister Lavrov will participate in the fourth Brussels Conference on Supporting the future of Syria and the region on 30 June, which aims at rallying the international community around full and concrete support for a UN-brokered political solution in line with UNSC Resolution 2254, as well as sustained financial support in addressing the Syria crisis," the European Union External Action service said in a statement.
According to the document, Borrel and Lavrov also discussed other international issues, such as the Ukrainian conflict, the Iranian nuclear deal and the situation in Libya.


tass--2020-06-17--North Korea to deploy troops near Kaesong, Mount Kumgang — agency

MOSCOW , June 17 .
/TASS/ .
The North Corean authorites will deploy military units in the Mount Kumgang resort area and near the city of Kaesong to protect against possible actions by South Korea , North Korea ’ s KCNA news agency said citing a spokesperson for the General Staff of the Korean People ’ s Army .
Moreover , Pyongyang is set to resume all types of military exercises near the South Korean border , the spokesperson said .
South Korea has requested Pyongyang on Monday to receive its special envoys , but this request was turned down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Upset by the toughest retaliatory offensive against enemy taken by us , the south side sent a message to the effect that ‘ President ’ Moon Jae In hopes for sending special envoys to the Chairman of our State Affairs Commission , '' KCNA reported .
`` Kim Yo Jong , first vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers ' Party of Korea , made known the stand that we flatly reject the tactless and sinister proposal . ''
According to KCNA , Seoul planned to send Chief of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Director of the Intelligence Service So Hun as its special envoys .

MOSCOW, June 17. /TASS/. The North Korean authorites will deploy military units in the Mount Kumgang resort area and near the city of Kaesong to protect against possible actions by South Korea, North Korea’s KCNA news agency said citing a spokesperson for the General Staff of the Korean People’s Army.
Moreover, Pyongyang is set to resume all types of military exercises near the South Korean border, the spokesperson was quoted as saying in a statement.
"Units of the regiment level and necessary firepower sub-units with defence mission will be deployed in the Mt Kumgang tourist area and the Kaesong Industrial Zone where the sovereignty of our Republic is exercised," the statement says.
The spokesman also said that civil police posts that had been withdrawn from the Demilitarized Zone under the north-south agreement in the military field would be set up again. Moreover, Pyongyang was set to resume all types of military exercises near the border with the South.
"The artillery units deployed on the whole front line including the southwest naval front will reinforce those on combat duty, upgrade the level of the front guard duty to top class combat duty system throughout the front line and will resume all kinds of regular military exercises in the areas close to the boundary," the statement says.
The KPA General Staff will work out further military action plans and submit them to the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea for ratification at an earliest date, the agency said.
On Tuesday, North Korea blew up its joint liaison office with Seoul in Kaesong. It was opened in September 2018 to help the two Koreas communicate. Initially, representatives from South Korea and North Korea agreed to meet in Kaesong twice a day, but after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, they switched over to telephone communications.
Earlier, Pyongyang excoriated Seoul for sending propaganda leaflets across the border and pledged to retaliate, going even as far as sending troops to the regions along the demilitarized zone. Kim Jong-un’s sister Kim Yo-jong, first vice director of the United Front Department of the Workers’ Party of Korea, openly warned that the office would be shortly demolished.
Special envoys
South Korea has requested Pyongyang on Monday to receive its special envoys, but this request was turned down, KCNA reported on Wednesday.
"Upset by the toughest retaliatory offensive against enemy taken by us, the south side sent a message to the effect that ‘President’ Moon Jae In hopes for sending special envoys to the Chairman of our State Affairs Commission," KCNA reported. "Kim Yo Jong, first vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, made known the stand that we flatly reject the tactless and sinister proposal."
According to KCNA, Seoul planned to send Chief of the State Security Office Jong Ui Yong and Director of the Intelligence Service So Hun as its special envoys.


tass--2020-06-17--Clinical trials of novel coronavirus vaccine begin in Russia

MOSCOW , June 17 .
/TASS/ .
Clinical trials of a vaccine against the novel coronavirus begin in Russia on Wednesday , the Russian Defense Ministry said .
`` The Russian Defense Ministry and the Gamalei National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology are beginning clinical trials of the Russian vaccine against the novel coronavirus infection , '' the ministry said .
`` The first group of volunteers will be vaccinated soon , once the two-week isolation period is over .
The main goal is to check the safety and acceptability of the vaccine ’ s components , '' it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said on Tuesday that permission for the clinical trials had been obtained , and they were scheduled to begin on June 17 .
On June 2 , the Russian Defense Ministry reported that two groups of volunteers - military and civilians have been selected to test safety and effectiveness of the vaccine .
The first group lists 50 servicemen , including five women , from various units throughout Russia .
All of them are contract servicemen , warrant officers , and officers from 25 to 50 years old .
Among the 50 volunteers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three doctors .
The vaccine has already been tested on small and large animals .
Director of Russia ’ s Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology Alexander Gintsburg earlier said that mass vaccination against the novel coronavirus may begin in Russia this fall , but the process might take up to nine months .

MOSCOW, June 17. /TASS/. Clinical trials of a vaccine against the novel coronavirus begin in Russia on Wednesday, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
"The Russian Defense Ministry and the Gamalei National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology are beginning clinical trials of the Russian vaccine against the novel coronavirus infection," the ministry said.
"The first group of volunteers will be vaccinated soon, once the two-week isolation period is over. The main goal is to check the safety and acceptability of the vaccine’s components," it said.
The trials will take about 1.5 months, the Gamalei center’s director Alexander Gintsburg said.
"They are expected to take about 1.5 months. In fact, the volunteers will remain in hospital for 28 days," he said during a TV show on Russia’s Channel One.
The vaccine will be injected two times, with a 21-day interval, the official added.
Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said on Tuesday that permission for the clinical trials had been obtained, and they were scheduled to begin on June 17.
On June 2, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that two groups of volunteers - military and civilians have been selected to test safety and effectiveness of the vaccine. The first group lists 50 servicemen, including five women, from various units throughout Russia. All of them are contract servicemen, warrant officers, and officers from 25 to 50 years old. Among the 50 volunteers there are 10 medical workers, including three doctors.
The vaccine has already been tested on small and large animals.
Director of Russia’s Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology Alexander Gintsburg earlier said that mass vaccination against the novel coronavirus may begin in Russia this fall, but the process might take up to nine months.


tass--2020-06-17--Number of COVID-19 deaths in US exceeds the country’s WWI casualties

WASHINGTON , June 17 .
/TASS/ .
The number of people who died of COVID-19 in the United States has @ @ @ @ @ official casualties in World War I , the Johns Hopkins University said citing own calculations @ @ @ @ @ and local authorities .
The United States has more than 2.1 million of novel coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ .
During World War I , the country lost 116,516 people , according to official @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak @ @ @ @ @ in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , @ @ @ @ @ 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to @ @ @ @ @ 8,130,600 people have been infected worldwide and more than 439,400 deaths have been reported .

WASHINGTON, June 17. /TASS/. The number of people who died of COVID-19 in the United States has exceeded the country’s official casualties in World War I, the Johns Hopkins University said citing own calculations based on data from federal and local authorities.
The United States has more than 2.1 million of novel coronavirus cases, with 116,526 deaths. During World War I, the country lost 116,516 people, according to official data.
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 8,130,600 people have been infected worldwide and more than 439,400 deaths have been reported.


tass--2020-06-17--Number of COVID-2019 cases across globe up by over 118,000 in past day — WHO

GENEVA , June 16 .
/TASS/ .
More than 118,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide on June 16 , with the overall number of such cases exceeding 7.94 million , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin on Tuesday .
As of 11:00 Moscow time on June 16 , as many as 7,941,791 novel coronavirus cases and 434,7956 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases grew by 118,502 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 3,255 The WHO statistics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the countries .
South and North America accounts for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 3,841,609 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 60,071 and the number of deaths - by 1,726 and reached 203,574 .
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 2,434,184 and the number of fatalities is 188,779 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 17,264 and the number of deaths - by 429 .
The East Mediterranean region has 796,759 cases and 17,558 fatalities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 18,559 and the number of deaths - by 481 .
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States ( 2,079,592 ) , Brazil ( 867,624 ) , Russia ( 545,458 ) , India ( 343,091 ) , the United Kingdom ( 296,861 ) , Spain ( 244,109 ) , Italy ( 237,290 ) , Peru ( 229,736 ) , Iran ( 189,876 ) , and Germany ( 186,839 ) .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in China ’ s city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million , in late December 2019 .
Since then , cases of the new coronavirus have been reported from nearly all parts of the world .
On March 11 , 2020 , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

GENEVA, June 16. /TASS/. More than 118,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide on June 16, with the overall number of such cases exceeding 7.94 million, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin on Tuesday.
As of 11:00 Moscow time on June 16, as many as 7,941,791 novel coronavirus cases and 434,7956 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by 118,502 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 3,255
The WHO statistics is based on officially confirmed data from the countries.
South and North America accounts for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 3,841,609. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 60,071 and the number of deaths - by 1,726 and reached 203,574.
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 2,434,184 and the number of fatalities is 188,779. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 17,264 and the number of deaths - by 429.
The East Mediterranean region has 796,759 cases and 17,558 fatalities as of June 16. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 18,559 and the number of deaths - by 481.
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States (2,079,592), Brazil (867,624), Russia (545,458), India (343,091), the United Kingdom (296,861), Spain (244,109), Italy (237,290), Peru (229,736), Iran (189,876), and Germany (186,839).
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December 2019. Since then, cases of the new coronavirus have been reported from nearly all parts of the world. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-06-16--48 more coronavirus patients die in Moscow in past day — crisis center

MOSCOW , June 16 .
/TASS/ .
Forty-eight more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day , bringing @ @ @ @ @ 3,434 , the city ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Tuesday .
`` Forty-eight @ @ @ @ @ have died in Moscow , '' it said , adding that the overall number of @ @ @ @ @ .
The center once again warned the city dwellers that they should stay at home @ @ @ @ @ they have symptoms of an acute respiratory disease .
To date , 545,458 coronavirus cases @ @ @ @ @ , with 294,306 patients having recovered from the disease .
Earlier , the Russian government @ @ @ @ @ to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, June 16. /TASS/. Forty-eight more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day, bringing the death toll up to 3,434, the city’s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Tuesday.
"Forty-eight coronavirus-positive patients diagnosed with pneumonia have died in Moscow," it said, adding that the overall number of coronavirus-related deaths has reached 3,434.
The center once again warned the city dwellers that they should stay at home and call a doctor if they have symptoms of an acute respiratory disease.
To date, 545,458 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 294,306 patients having recovered from the disease. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-06-16--No date for Macron’s visit to Russia yet agreed - Russian ambassador to France

MOSCOW , June 16 .
/TASS/ .
Preparations for French President Emmanuel Macron ’ s visit to Russia are in @ @ @ @ @ however has not yet been agreed , Russian Ambassador to France Alexei Meshkov said in @ @ @ @ @ Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman .
According to the Russian diplomat , the date largely @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Anyway , we are working on the substantive aspects of the visit both @ @ @ @ @ between the two countries ’ foreign ministries .
A number of interesting agreements are already @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` Naturally , we all want this visit to be paid as soon @ @ @ @ @ exact date will be announced by the Kremlin together and the Elysee Palace . ''
@ @ @ @ @ French leader would not attend the Victory Parade in Moscow on June 24 only because @ @ @ @ @ `` There are no political motives behind that , '' he added .
Russian Deputy @ @ @ @ @ earlier Macron would pay a visit to Russia in the near future .

MOSCOW, June 16. /TASS/. Preparations for French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Russia are in full swing, the date however has not yet been agreed, Russian Ambassador to France Alexei Meshkov said in an interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman.
According to the Russian diplomat, the date largely depends on the coronavirus situation. "Anyway, we are working on the substantive aspects of the visit both with the presidential administration and between the two countries’ foreign ministries. A number of interesting agreements are already taking shape," he said. "Naturally, we all want this visit to be paid as soon as possible. But the exact date will be announced by the Kremlin together and the Elysee Palace."
He also stressed that the French leader would not attend the Victory Parade in Moscow on June 24 only because of the coronavirus risks. "There are no political motives behind that," he added.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said earlier Macron would pay a visit to Russia in the near future.


tass--2020-06-16--Russia, EU stress need for early ceasefire in Libya — Lavrov

MOSCOW , June 16 .
/TASS/ .
Russia and the European Union favor soonest cessation of hostilities in Libya and a constructive dialogue involving all Libyan political forces , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters on Tuesday after a phone conversation with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell .
`` We emphasized the importance of an early ceasefire in Libya and spoke in favor of seeing a constructive dialogue with the participation of all Libyan political forces launched as soon as possible , '' Russia ’ s top diplomat said .
`` A lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this regard , namely the Berlin conference and the ideas voiced by the chair of the Tobruk-based Libyan parliament , Mr. [ Aguila ] Saleh [ Issa ] , '' Lavrov added .
Currently , Libya has two parallel bodies of executive power : the internationally recognized Government of National Accord ( GNA ) headed by Fayez al-Sarraj , and Abdullah Abdurrahman al-Thani ’ s interim government , operating in the country ’ s east together with parliament and supported by the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) , led by Commander Khalifa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the warring parties have been fighting for Libya ’ s capital Tripoli .
On January 19 , an international high-level conference on Libya took place in Berlin , with at least ten heads of state and government attending the event including Russian President Vladimir Putin .
The conference ’ s final communique includes a call to ceasefire , as well as the call for foreign countries to refrain from intervening in Libya ’ s affairs , while it also proposes creation of a single government and launch of reforms to restore statehood that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago .
The conflict sides also agreed to establish a special ceasefire monitoring commission .
On June 6 , an initiative aimed to overcome the Libyan crisis was published in Cairo .
It supposes a full ceasefire between both sides starting June 8 and the continuation of talks in Geneva under the auspices of the UN with the aim to unite the state institutes of power .
This initiative was rejected by the government in Tripoli .

MOSCOW, June 16. /TASS/. Russia and the European Union favor soonest cessation of hostilities in Libya and a constructive dialogue involving all Libyan political forces, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters on Tuesday after a phone conversation with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.
"We emphasized the importance of an early ceasefire in Libya and spoke in favor of seeing a constructive dialogue with the participation of all Libyan political forces launched as soon as possible," Russia’s top diplomat said.
"A lot of initiatives have been voiced recently in this regard, namely the Berlin conference and the ideas voiced by the chair of the Tobruk-based Libyan parliament, Mr. [Aguila] Saleh [Issa]," Lavrov added.
Currently, Libya has two parallel bodies of executive power: the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) headed by Fayez al-Sarraj, and Abdullah Abdurrahman al-Thani’s interim government, operating in the country’s east together with parliament and supported by the Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Commander Khalifa Haftar. For over a year, the warring parties have been fighting for Libya’s capital Tripoli.
On January 19, an international high-level conference on Libya took place in Berlin, with at least ten heads of state and government attending the event including Russian President Vladimir Putin. The conference’s final communique includes a call to ceasefire, as well as the call for foreign countries to refrain from intervening in Libya’s affairs, while it also proposes creation of a single government and launch of reforms to restore statehood that was demolished by NATO almost ten years ago. The conflict sides also agreed to establish a special ceasefire monitoring commission.
On June 6, an initiative aimed to overcome the Libyan crisis was published in Cairo. It supposes a full ceasefire between both sides starting June 8 and the continuation of talks in Geneva under the auspices of the UN with the aim to unite the state institutes of power. This initiative was rejected by the government in Tripoli.