tass--2020-07-31--CATL to supply batteries to accelerate road transport electrification in Europe

NINGDE , China , July 31 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited ( CATL ) < 300750.SZ > and Trailer Dynamics GmbH ( Trailer Dynamics ) have signed a battery supply agreement for a new way to electrify long-haul trucks .
According to the agreement , CATL will develop , manufacture , and supply batteries for the Newton eTrailer , which will launch in 2023 to promote sustainable road transport development in Europe .
CATL is providing a stable supply of batteries to Trailer Dynamics to satisfy Europe 's greenhouse gas emission requirements by reducing diesel consumption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trailer Dynamics 's first electric semi-trailer model , is designed to respond to the driving behavior of its coupled tractor using integrated electric drive trains and provides support for it through an integrated electric transmission system , managing the electrical energy resources intelligently along the entire route .
Both sides creatively apply the batteries to semi-trailers , while improving efficiency and also lowering operating expenses .
`` CATL always provides customers with the most suitable and valuable solution to promote e-mobility , '' said Li Xiaoning , Executive President of Overseas Commercial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promotes the electrification of road transport with smart and advanced solutions .
Together with Trailer Dynamics , the frontrunner of truck electrification , we are accelerating the development and population of European e-mobility .
CATL believes cooperation is a milestone in the area of zero-emission logistics for long-haul trucks , '' Li added .
To meet the requirements of high efficiency under the complex working conditions for long-haul trucks , CATL is developing a 300 kWh lithium iron phosphate ( LFP ) battery with cell to pack ( CTP ) technology and cooling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LFP chemistry system features an extraordinary long cycle life and a high thermal runaway temperature of up to 800°C .
Together with liquid cooling technology , it enables products ' outstanding performance in safety and reliability , as well as a wide working temperature range .
Besides , applying the advanced CTP technology , the Newton eTrailer has a higher product efficiency and can achieve 155Wh/kg system energy density .
Under Europe 's tough emission rules , the Newton eTrailer with CATL battery systems will become a very competitive product thanks to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and a better experience for end-users .
`` Benefit from the leading technological quality and strength of CATL , the cooperation will appreciate the position of Trailer Dynamics as a frontrunner in the area of electrified long-haul trailers , '' said Michael Nimtsch , the co-founder of Trailer Dynamics .
`` A high-quality , high-performing durable battery is a central USP ( Unique Selling Point ) that makes the crucial difference to all other competing concepts in the long-haul industry , '' Abdullah Jaber , CEO of Trailer Dynamics , said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ components , on our side was a very easy choice we had to make . ''
Further discussion of cooperation on future models is being expanded between CATL and Trailer Dynamics .
Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. , Limited ( CATL ) is a global leader in the development and manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries , with businesses covering R & D , manufacturing and sales in battery systems for new energy vehicles and energy storage systems .
In 2019 , the company 's EV battery sales volume reached 40.25 GWh worldwide , and making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battery consumption volume ( source SNE Research ) .
Headquartered in Ningde , China , CATL has more than 26,000 employees around the world as of 2019 and subsidiaries in Beijing , Liyang ( Jiangsu Province ) , Xining ( Qinghai Province ) and Yibin ( Sichuan Province ) , as well as in Munich ( Germany ) , Paris ( France ) , Yokohama ( Japan ) , Detroit ( USA ) and Vancouver ( Canada ) .
In addition , the company owns and operates battery manufacturing facilities in Fujian , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in its European plant located in Erfurt , Germany , its first overseas plant that is currently under construction .
In June 2018 , the company went public on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange with stock code 300750 .
For more information , please visit http : //www.catlbattery.com .
Trailer Dynamics has developed the Newton e-Trailer , an electric drive train that replaces one of the trailer 's conventional non-powered axles with an electric axle .
In combination with the diesel vehicle , the entire tractor-trailer system is converted into an electric plug-in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Trailer Dynamics and the intelligent control strategy for the electric auxiliary drive , significant CO2 emission reductions will be achieved and diesel savings in average of 40 % are possible .
For more information , please visit http : //www.trailerdynamics.de

NINGDE, China, July 31, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) <300750.SZ> and Trailer Dynamics GmbH (Trailer Dynamics) have signed a battery supply agreement for a new way to electrify long-haul trucks. According to the agreement, CATL will develop, manufacture, and supply batteries for the Newton eTrailer, which will launch in 2023 to promote sustainable road transport development in Europe.
CATL is providing a stable supply of batteries to Trailer Dynamics to satisfy Europe's greenhouse gas emission requirements by reducing diesel consumption and carbon emissions. The Newton eTrailer, Trailer Dynamics's first electric semi-trailer model, is designed to respond to the driving behavior of its coupled tractor using integrated electric drive trains and provides support for it through an integrated electric transmission system, managing the electrical energy resources intelligently along the entire route. Both sides creatively apply the batteries to semi-trailers, while improving efficiency and also lowering operating expenses.
"CATL always provides customers with the most suitable and valuable solution to promote e-mobility," said Li Xiaoning, Executive President of Overseas Commercial Application of CATL. "Trailer Dynamics promotes the electrification of road transport with smart and advanced solutions. Together with Trailer Dynamics, the frontrunner of truck electrification, we are accelerating the development and population of European e-mobility. CATL believes cooperation is a milestone in the area of zero-emission logistics for long-haul trucks," Li added.
To meet the requirements of high efficiency under the complex working conditions for long-haul trucks, CATL is developing a 300 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery with cell to pack (CTP) technology and cooling liquid for the Newton eTrailer. The LFP chemistry system features an extraordinary long cycle life and a high thermal runaway temperature of up to 800°C. Together with liquid cooling technology, it enables products' outstanding performance in safety and reliability, as well as a wide working temperature range. Besides, applying the advanced CTP technology, the Newton eTrailer has a higher product efficiency and can achieve 155Wh/kg system energy density. Under Europe's tough emission rules, the Newton eTrailer with CATL battery systems will become a very competitive product thanks to a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) and a better experience for end-users.
"Benefit from the leading technological quality and strength of CATL, the cooperation will appreciate the position of Trailer Dynamics as a frontrunner in the area of electrified long-haul trailers," said Michael Nimtsch, the co-founder of Trailer Dynamics.
"A high-quality, high-performing durable battery is a central USP (Unique Selling Point) that makes the crucial difference to all other competing concepts in the long-haul industry," Abdullah Jaber, CEO of Trailer Dynamics, said. "CATL, with its very high-quality components, on our side was a very easy choice we had to make."
Further discussion of cooperation on future models is being expanded between CATL and Trailer Dynamics.
About CATL
Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) is a global leader in the development and manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries, with businesses covering R&D, manufacturing and sales in battery systems for new energy vehicles and energy storage systems. In 2019, the company's EV battery sales volume reached 40.25 GWh worldwide, and making it the world leader in annual EV battery consumption volume (source SNE Research).
Headquartered in Ningde, China, CATL has more than 26,000 employees around the world as of 2019 and subsidiaries in Beijing, Liyang (Jiangsu Province), Xining (Qinghai Province) and Yibin (Sichuan Province), as well as in Munich (Germany), Paris (France), Yokohama (Japan), Detroit (USA) and Vancouver (Canada). In addition, the company owns and operates battery manufacturing facilities in Fujian, Jiangsu, Qinghai and Sichuan provinces, and in its European plant located in Erfurt, Germany, its first overseas plant that is currently under construction. In June 2018, the company went public on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange with stock code 300750.
For more information, please visit http://www.catlbattery.com.
About Trailer Dynamics
Trailer Dynamics has developed the Newton e-Trailer, an electric drive train that replaces one of the trailer's conventional non-powered axles with an electric axle. In combination with the diesel vehicle, the entire tractor-trailer system is converted into an electric plug-in hybrid. Together with adaptive aerodynamics developed by Trailer Dynamics and the intelligent control strategy for the electric auxiliary drive, significant CO2 emission reductions will be achieved and diesel savings in average of 40% are possible.
For more information, please visit http://www.trailerdynamics.de
CONTACT: Zeyu Yuan, +86-18033995988


tass--2020-07-31--Press review: Arrest spat impacts Minsk-Moscow ties and will Russia grill its tech giants

Izvestia : Detention of Russians in Belarus might force Moscow to keep border closed Russia may postpone opening its borders with Belarus over the recent detention of its citizens in Minsk , the State Duma told Izvestia .
The restrictions could have been lifted in August , but now this issue might remain open .
So far , there is not even a clear understanding of what the 33 Russians are being accused of , the Federation Council noted , adding that if the case goes to court , Moscow will consider the possibility of requesting the extradition of Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Izvestia believe that it may not come to this .
There is a chance that both countries will agree on the return of these Russian citizens through diplomatic channels .
Moscow wants to find out what happened just as much as Belarus does , First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs Vladimir Dzhabarov told Izvestia .
`` So far , the accusations are vague .
The Russians arrived in a group , they had camouflage uniforms , and they did not drink .
So are these sufficient grounds for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the senator said .
Extradition would be possible after the trial , in the event that a criminal case against the 33 detainees is initiated in the Russian Federation and a corresponding request is received from Russian law enforcement agencies , said Paul Kalinichenko , an expert at the Kutafin Moscow State Law University when speaking to Izvestia .
However , Russia has no claims against these citizens , so it is better to resolve this issue through diplomatic channels , the lawyer noted In order to minimize losses and not deepen the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should take a break and invite representatives of the Russian special services to Minsk , political scientist Vladimir Evseev told Izvestia .
`` The Belarusian side has to present the information it has , without distorting the facts , so that both countries make an objective decision , '' the expert said .
According to the expert , the aggravation in relations with Russia may play into the hands of Lukashenko 's political opponents .
`` Lukashenko 's actions in the detention of the Russian citizens may provoke a response .
This can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social conditions , ” Evseev pointed out .
Some detainees are not only Russian passport holders but simultaneously have Ukrainian citizenship as well , which Moscow does not recognize , saying only their extradition to Russia is possible .
The biggest mistake that would lead to a serious deterioration in relations between Moscow and Minsk will be the extradition of the detainees to Ukraine , the political scientist stressed .
Kommersant : Trump drops idea of dragging China into in arms control talks The biggest negotiations between various government delegations from Russia and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come to an end in Vienna .
The two parties discussed the issues of strategic stability and tried to hammer out `` rules of conduct '' in the new era .
The last day of the talks was marked by a small sensation .
The United States , it seems , no longer insists on China 's involvement in arms control , Kommersant wrote .
This could pave the way for the extension of the New START deal ( Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty ) , the newspaper wrote .
This is a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials have repeatedly insisted that further negotiations on limiting nuclear weapons should be conducted only with the participation of China .
This was a key condition for their consent to Russia 's proposal to extend New START , which expires in 2021 , for another five years .
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told Kommersant that joining the arms control negotiations should be China ’ s `` sovereign , and independent decision . ''
Whether the sudden change in Washington ’ s mood affected the talks in Vienna , remains to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Moscow generally praised the meeting ’ s results .
Andrey Baklitsky , an analyst at the MGIMO Institute for International Studies , stressed that President Trump 's statements `` must be treated with caution , not all of them are being actually implemented . ''
`` But in general , the task of reaching some kind of compromise will shift from impossible to simply very difficult , '' Baklitsky added .
Izvestia : Russia vows to support IT sector after US tech giants get grilled on Capitol Hill The State Duma has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the way US lawmakers just did with Silicon Valley .
On Wednesday , Congress grilled the corporate leadership of the world 's largest tech companies - Apple , Facebook , Google and Amazon for almost six hours .
The State Duma Committee on Information Policy told Izvestia that on the contrary , Russia plans to support the IT industry , even going as far as giving it a tax benefit .
At the same time , according to experts , the problem of competition in the high-tech industry is also a pressing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 80-85 % of the domestic IT market belongs to 10 giants .
`` We hold that IT enterprises in this difficult period need first of all support , and not pressure or tough cross-examinations .
It seems that now is not the time when businesses should be subjected to any kind of suppressive measures .
On the contrary , we need to help them as much as possible to keep them afloat , '' Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy , Information Technology and Communications Alexander Khinshtein told Izvestia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , the State Duma adopted legislation on the tax maneuver .
According to the document , from 2021 the income tax for IT companies will be slashed from 20 % to 3 % .
However , this does not let the tech giants off the hook on antimonopoly legislation , Khinshtein stressed .
Meanwhile , the volume of the domestic IT market comes to 1.5 trillion rubles ( $ 20.4 bln ) , and 80-85 % belongs to 10 giants , with the remainder shared by 89,000 companies , said Evgeny Lifshits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a member of the expert council of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy , when speaking with the newspaper .
This imbalance does not give small innovative companies a chance .
He sees the solution in the development of technoparks , which could fulfill a large volume of orders for the state .
Nezavisimaya Gazeta : US dollar faces new decline ahead of elections Even with the injection of trillions of dollars into the US economy , a quick recovery of the world 's leading economy is failing .
At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s GDP plunged by almost 33 % in annual terms and by 9.5 % in quarter-on-quarter terms , the US Department of Commerce said .
Experts told Nezavisimaya Gazeta that oil prices might rise , but the Russian economy might not benefit from it , as the ruble always tends to weaken against the dollar .
The pandemic had a serious impact on the inflation rate in the US .
Consumer prices in June rose by 0.6 % , which was the largest increase since August 2012 .
Inflation in the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be attributed to the extremely soft policy of the Federal Reserve System , aimed at stimulating the economy , BCS investment director Konstantin Cherepanov told the newspaper .
The greenback is falling against all key world currencies , including the euro , experts noted .
At the same time , economists doubt that Russia can benefit from this situation .
`` The increase in oil prices due to a weaker dollar does not lead to higher incomes for Russian exporters and the budget .
In this case , the rise in the price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by its depreciation in rubles , and ruble-based revenues from the export of energy resources are not growing , '' Chief analyst at TeleTrade Mark Goykhman said .
In addition , the Russian currency is significantly weaker than the greenback .
Therefore , even if the dollar weakens , the ruble will not start to rise against it , Head of the analytical department at AMarkets Artem Deev told Nezavisimaya Gazeta .
`` Some weakening of the exchange rate may lead to an increase in oil prices , but the Russian ruble , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy , will always tend to decline against the dollar and the euro , '' Chief analyst at Alor Broker Alexei Antonov told the newspaper .
Despite the opening of international flights on August 1 , the attempt to fly out of Russia at the closest dates will be expensive and associated with risks , Kommersant wrote .
Ticket prices for next available flights are significantly higher than in the second half of the month , and the schedule continues to be adjusted .
For example , Aeroflot customers massively reported cancellations of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the list of three Russian cities with open international air traffic , according to Kommersant , is not yet planned to be expanded .
Russia will open international flights with Turkey , the United Kingdom , and Tanzania on August 1 , but those Russians who are in a hurry to travel abroad in early August will have to overpay significantly .
First it will be possible to fly to Istanbul , Ankara , London , and Zanzibar ( Tanzania ) , and flights will be available only from Moscow , St. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , direct flights will open to the most popular Turkish resorts Antalya , Bodrum , and Dalaman .
Given that after arriving in the UK , tourists will have to spend two weeks in quarantine , and Tanzania is still an exotic destination , the main share of foreign flights will be to Turkey .
But there are already problems with them , Kommersant wrote .
Ticket aggregator Tutu.ru reported that some airlines began to change the previously announced schedule and cancel flights in early August .
According to Kommersant , there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aeroflot 's flights from Moscow to Istanbul and back .
Aeroflot might want to maximize aircraft occupancy in order to increase profitability of flights , experts told the newspaper .
Flying abroad immediately is also expensive .
Ticket prices in the first half of August are significantly higher than in the second , according to Tutu.ru .
Thus , the price tag for a flight from Moscow to Istanbul in the first week of August starts from 26,000 rubles ( $ 354.75 ) for some earlier dates , and for later dates - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews .

Izvestia: Detention of Russians in Belarus might force Moscow to keep border closed
Read also Russian citizens apprehended in Belarus were en route to third country, says envoy
Russia may postpone opening its borders with Belarus over the recent detention of its citizens in Minsk, the State Duma told Izvestia. The restrictions could have been lifted in August, but now this issue might remain open. So far, there is not even a clear understanding of what the 33 Russians are being accused of, the Federation Council noted, adding that if the case goes to court, Moscow will consider the possibility of requesting the extradition of Russian citizens. However, experts interviewed by Izvestia believe that it may not come to this. There is a chance that both countries will agree on the return of these Russian citizens through diplomatic channels. Moscow wants to find out what happened just as much as Belarus does, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs Vladimir Dzhabarov told Izvestia. "So far, the accusations are vague. The Russians arrived in a group, they had camouflage uniforms, and they did not drink. So are these sufficient grounds for charges of organizing mass riots?" the senator said. Extradition would be possible after the trial, in the event that a criminal case against the 33 detainees is initiated in the Russian Federation and a corresponding request is received from Russian law enforcement agencies, said Paul Kalinichenko, an expert at the Kutafin Moscow State Law University when speaking to Izvestia. However, Russia has no claims against these citizens, so it is better to resolve this issue through diplomatic channels, the lawyer noted In order to minimize losses and not deepen the crisis with Moscow, the Belarusian leadership should take a break and invite representatives of the Russian special services to Minsk, political scientist Vladimir Evseev told Izvestia. "The Belarusian side has to present the information it has, without distorting the facts, so that both countries make an objective decision," the expert said. According to the expert, the aggravation in relations with Russia may play into the hands of Lukashenko's political opponents. "Lukashenko's actions in the detention of the Russian citizens may provoke a response. This can lead to a decline in the domestic social conditions,” Evseev pointed out. Some detainees are not only Russian passport holders but simultaneously have Ukrainian citizenship as well, which Moscow does not recognize, saying only their extradition to Russia is possible. The biggest mistake that would lead to a serious deterioration in relations between Moscow and Minsk will be the extradition of the detainees to Ukraine, the political scientist stressed. Kommersant: Trump drops idea of dragging China into in arms control talks
The biggest negotiations between various government delegations from Russia and the United States in several years have come to an end in Vienna. The two parties discussed the issues of strategic stability and tried to hammer out "rules of conduct" in the new era. The last day of the talks was marked by a small sensation. The United States, it seems, no longer insists on China's involvement in arms control, Kommersant wrote. This could pave the way for the extension of the New START deal (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty), the newspaper wrote. This is a new approach by Washington. Previously, American officials have repeatedly insisted that further negotiations on limiting nuclear weapons should be conducted only with the participation of China. This was a key condition for their consent to Russia's proposal to extend New START, which expires in 2021, for another five years. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told Kommersant that joining the arms control negotiations should be China’s "sovereign, and independent decision." Whether the sudden change in Washington’s mood affected the talks in Vienna, remains to be seen, Kommerant wrote. On Thursday, Moscow generally praised the meeting’s results. Andrey Baklitsky, an analyst at the MGIMO Institute for International Studies, stressed that President Trump's statements "must be treated with caution, not all of them are being actually implemented." "But in general, the task of reaching some kind of compromise will shift from impossible to simply very difficult," Baklitsky added. Izvestia: Russia vows to support IT sector after US tech giants get grilled on Capitol Hill
The State Duma has no plans to summon Russian IT giants, the way US lawmakers just did with Silicon Valley. On Wednesday, Congress grilled the corporate leadership of the world's largest tech companies - Apple, Facebook, Google and Amazon for almost six hours. The State Duma Committee on Information Policy told Izvestia that on the contrary, Russia plans to support the IT industry, even going as far as giving it a tax benefit. At the same time, according to experts, the problem of competition in the high-tech industry is also a pressing one for Russia. At present, 80-85% of the domestic IT market belongs to 10 giants. "We hold that IT enterprises in this difficult period need first of all support, and not pressure or tough cross-examinations. It seems that now is not the time when businesses should be subjected to any kind of suppressive measures. On the contrary, we need to help them as much as possible to keep them afloat," Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, Information Technology and Communications Alexander Khinshtein told Izvestia. To support the IT industry, last week, the State Duma adopted legislation on the tax maneuver. According to the document, from 2021 the income tax for IT companies will be slashed from 20% to 3%. However, this does not let the tech giants off the hook on antimonopoly legislation, Khinshtein stressed. Meanwhile, the volume of the domestic IT market comes to 1.5 trillion rubles ($20.4 bln), and 80-85% belongs to 10 giants, with the remainder shared by 89,000 companies, said Evgeny Lifshits, head of the Cybersecurity Agency, and a member of the expert council of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, when speaking with the newspaper. This imbalance does not give small innovative companies a chance. He sees the solution in the development of technoparks, which could fulfill a large volume of orders for the state. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: US dollar faces new decline ahead of elections
Read also Dollar surpasses 71 rubles on the Moscow Exchange first time since May 28
Even with the injection of trillions of dollars into the US economy, a quick recovery of the world's leading economy is failing. At the end of the Q2, America’s GDP plunged by almost 33% in annual terms and by 9.5% in quarter-on-quarter terms, the US Department of Commerce said. Experts told Nezavisimaya Gazeta that oil prices might rise, but the Russian economy might not benefit from it, as the ruble always tends to weaken against the dollar. The pandemic had a serious impact on the inflation rate in the US. Consumer prices in June rose by 0.6%, which was the largest increase since August 2012. Inflation in the United States, including rising food prices, can be attributed to the extremely soft policy of the Federal Reserve System, aimed at stimulating the economy, BCS investment director Konstantin Cherepanov told the newspaper. The greenback is falling against all key world currencies, including the euro, experts noted. At the same time, economists doubt that Russia can benefit from this situation. "The increase in oil prices due to a weaker dollar does not lead to higher incomes for Russian exporters and the budget. In this case, the rise in the price of a barrel in dollars is compensated by its depreciation in rubles, and ruble-based revenues from the export of energy resources are not growing," Chief analyst at TeleTrade Mark Goykhman said. In addition, the Russian currency is significantly weaker than the greenback. Therefore, even if the dollar weakens, the ruble will not start to rise against it, Head of the analytical department at AMarkets Artem Deev told Nezavisimaya Gazeta. "Some weakening of the exchange rate may lead to an increase in oil prices, but the Russian ruble, due to the weakness of the Russian economy, will always tend to decline against the dollar and the euro," Chief analyst at Alor Broker Alexei Antonov told the newspaper. Kommersant: Russian tourists test international air travel


tass--2020-07-31--Russia’s Army-2020 international arms show to feature 730 weapon systems

`` For the purpose of organizing and preparing the dynamic and static show at the Army-2020 military and technical forum @ @ @ @ @ hardware and armament will be involved , '' he noted .
ST. PETERSBURG , July @ @ @ @ @ Army-2020 international military and technical forum will feature 730 items of armament and military hardware @ @ @ @ @ Commander for Logistics Lieutenant-General Andrei Bulyga told reporters on Friday .
Work is underway to @ @ @ @ @ six cantonments to provide accommodation for the participating personnel , which will number more than @ @ @ @ @ of foreign states , the general said .
The Army-2020 international forum will run at @ @ @ @ @ Center of the Russian Armed Forces in Kubinka outside Moscow on August 23-29 .
Starting @ @ @ @ @ traditional sites of hosting the forum will be supplemented by the Ashuluk practice range in @ @ @ @ @ a unique anti-drone system will be demonstrated .
The business program will include over 170 @ @

"For the purpose of organizing and preparing the dynamic and static show at the Army-2020 military and technical forum, 730 items of military hardware and armament will be involved," he noted.
ST. PETERSBURG, July 31. /TASS/. The Army-2020 international military and technical forum will feature 730 items of armament and military hardware, Western Military District Deputy Commander for Logistics Lieutenant-General Andrei Bulyga told reporters on Friday.
Work is underway to prepare the housing stock in six cantonments to provide accommodation for the participating personnel, which will number more than 2,000 people, including citizens of foreign states, the general said.
The Army-2020 international forum will run at the Patriot Congress and Exhibition Center of the Russian Armed Forces in Kubinka outside Moscow on August 23-29.
Starting with this year, the traditional sites of hosting the forum will be supplemented by the Ashuluk practice range in the southern Astrakhan Region where a unique anti-drone system will be demonstrated. The business program will include over 170 events.


tass--2020-07-31--Moscow reports July’s COVID-19 cases being 50% lower than June’s figures

MOSCOW , July 31 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center reported 19,761 new coronavirus cases in Moscow in July .
This is over 50 % less than June ’ s numbers , according to TASS estimates .
Mayor calls for starting flu vaccination in Moscow earlier because of COVID-19 In June , the crisis center said that 40,807 people had been infected .
That ’ s a 51.6-percent drop .
Moscow reported 28,771 recoveries , which is fewer than in June when the crisis center said that 70,218 people had recovered within a month .
The proportion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 67.9 % to 74.2 % .
In July , the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported 664 coronavirus-related fatalities in the city compared to 1,319 deaths in June .
As of July 31 , the reference level of the coronavirus fatality rate ( the final one can be determined only after the end of the epidemic ) stood at 1.85 % compared to 1.71 % in June .
The number of the active cases , that is , patients who are continuing treatment , decreased by almost 14.4 % to 57,731 .
This corresponds to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, July 31. /TASS/. Russia’s anti-coronavirus crisis center reported 19,761 new coronavirus cases in Moscow in July. This is over 50% less than June’s numbers, according to TASS estimates.
Mayor calls for starting flu vaccination in Moscow earlier because of COVID-19
In June, the crisis center said that 40,807 people had been infected. That’s a 51.6-percent drop.
Moscow reported 28,771 recoveries, which is fewer than in June when the crisis center said that 70,218 people had recovered within a month. The proportion of recovered patients in Moscow grew from 67.9% to 74.2%.
In July, the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported 664 coronavirus-related fatalities in the city compared to 1,319 deaths in June.
As of July 31, the reference level of the coronavirus fatality rate (the final one can be determined only after the end of the epidemic) stood at 1.85% compared to 1.71% in June.
The number of the active cases, that is, patients who are continuing treatment, decreased by almost 14.4% to 57,731. This corresponds to the figures from the beginning of May.


tass--2020-07-31--Russian paratroopers to get high-speed buggies based on latest armored vehicles

MOSCOW , July 31 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is developing a new high-speed buggy for paratroopers based on the latest family of Strela armored vehicles , Airborne Force Commander Colonel-General Andrei Serdyukov said in an interview with the Defense Ministry ’ s Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper on Friday .
`` Work is underway to create a Strela light buggy .
The model ’ s mobility characteristics are unique .
Its maximum possible speed is 155 km/h .
By now , a whole family of such vehicles has been developed .
They can be used for various missions , including for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commander said .
The need for creating the buggy was demonstrated at the Center-2019 strategic command and staff drills in September 2019 .
There are plans to equip Airborne Force units `` of a new light type '' with Strela vehicles , he stressed .
The press office of Russia ’ s Military Industrial Company told TASS on July 13 that the Company ’ s specialists had developed a family of VPK-Strela new light armored vehicles that could be transported by Mil Mi-8 helicopters on an external sling .
The baseline vehicle weighs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2nd-degree ballistic protection ( it shields against bullets with a heat-strengthened core of 5.45x39mm cartridges of the AK-74 assault rifle , bullets with the heat-strengthened core of 7.62x39mm rounds of the AKM submachine-gun and bullets with the non-heat strengthened core of 7.62x54mm ammunition fired from the Dragunov sniper rifle ) .
The vehicle ’ s anti-blast protection shields the crew inside it upon hitting mines or explosives with a yield of up to 2 kilograms in TNT equivalent .
The Strela can develop a speed of up to 155 km/h on the road @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s design is based on advanced assemblies , units and accessories planned for their use in mass production in the domestic auto industry .
The vehicle ’ s components are 100 % produced on the territory of Russia .

MOSCOW, July 31. /TASS/. Russia is developing a new high-speed buggy for paratroopers based on the latest family of Strela armored vehicles, Airborne Force Commander Colonel-General Andrei Serdyukov said in an interview with the Defense Ministry’s Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper on Friday.
"Work is underway to create a Strela light buggy. The model’s mobility characteristics are unique. Its maximum possible speed is 155 km/h. By now, a whole family of such vehicles has been developed. They can be used for various missions, including for the purpose of mounting armament," the commander said.
The need for creating the buggy was demonstrated at the Center-2019 strategic command and staff drills in September 2019. There are plans to equip Airborne Force units "of a new light type" with Strela vehicles, he stressed.
The press office of Russia’s Military Industrial Company told TASS on July 13 that the Company’s specialists had developed a family of VPK-Strela new light armored vehicles that could be transported by Mil Mi-8 helicopters on an external sling.
The baseline vehicle weighs 4.7 tonnes and its armor provides the 2nd-degree ballistic protection (it shields against bullets with a heat-strengthened core of 5.45x39mm cartridges of the AK-74 assault rifle, bullets with the heat-strengthened core of 7.62x39mm rounds of the AKM submachine-gun and bullets with the non-heat strengthened core of 7.62x54mm ammunition fired from the Dragunov sniper rifle).
The vehicle’s anti-blast protection shields the crew inside it upon hitting mines or explosives with a yield of up to 2 kilograms in TNT equivalent.
The Strela can develop a speed of up to 155 km/h on the road and carry eight personnel. The vehicle’s design is based on advanced assemblies, units and accessories planned for their use in mass production in the domestic auto industry. The vehicle’s components are 100% produced on the territory of Russia.


tass--2020-07-31--Putin assigns work on amendments not included in the Constitution

MOSCOW , July 31 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s President Vladimir Putin has instructed the Russian Government to submit the proposals to change the legislation considering the amendments that had been proposed but not included in the Constitution by December 15 .
As the Kremlin official website reported on Friday , he assigned this task after meeting with the members of the working group on proposals for amendments to the Russian Constitution which took place on July 3 .
`` The government of the Russian Federation is to analyze together with the working group on proposals for amendments to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Constitution of the Russian Federation which were not taken into account during the preparation of the amendments and , if necessary , submit the proposals to introduce the appropriate changes to the legislation of the Russian Federation , '' the list of instructions said .
It is noted that this should be done before December 15 .
The nationwide vote to amend the Russian Constitution was conducted during the week of June 25 to July 1 , with the last day being the primary one .
Voting over the course of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curb the spread of the coronavirus .
According to the Central Election Commission , after counting 100 % of the ballots , 77.92 % of voters support the constitutional amendments , while 21.27 % voted against them .
The total turnout was 67.97 % .

MOSCOW, July 31. /TASS/. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has instructed the Russian Government to submit the proposals to change the legislation considering the amendments that had been proposed but not included in the Constitution by December 15. As the Kremlin official website reported on Friday, he assigned this task after meeting with the members of the working group on proposals for amendments to the Russian Constitution which took place on July 3.
"The government of the Russian Federation is to analyze together with the working group on proposals for amendments to the Russian Constitution the proposals on amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation which were not taken into account during the preparation of the amendments and, if necessary, submit the proposals to introduce the appropriate changes to the legislation of the Russian Federation," the list of instructions said. It is noted that this should be done before December 15.
The nationwide vote to amend the Russian Constitution was conducted during the week of June 25 to July 1, with the last day being the primary one. Voting over the course of several days was organized in order to curb the spread of the coronavirus. According to the Central Election Commission, after counting 100% of the ballots, 77.92% of voters support the constitutional amendments, while 21.27% voted against them. The total turnout was 67.97%.


tass--2020-07-31--In Russia 5,482 cases of COVID-19 detected over 24 hours

According to the data , the daily growth hasn ’ t surpassed 0.7 % for 10 days .
MOSCOW , July 31 .
/TASS/ .
The number of the coronavirus infections in Russia has increased by 5,482 in the past 24 hours with the total number of infections reaching 839,981 , the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Friday .
The lowest growth rates over the past 24 hours were registered in the Chukotka Autonomous Area ( 0 % ) , the Republic of Karachayevo-Cherkessia ( 0.2 % ) , the Moscow Region ( 0.2 % ) , Moscow ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 0.3 % ) , the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic ( 0.3 % ) , the Republic of North Ossetia ( 0.3 % ) , the Lipetsk Region ( 0.3 % ) , the Transbaikal Region ( 0.3 % ) , Sevastopol ( 0.3 % ) .
695 new cases were detected in Moscow , 210 - in the Sverdlovsk Region , 171 cases - in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area , 159 - in St. Petersburg , and 150 cases were detected in the Moscow Region .
Currently there are 187,608 cases of infection in @ @

According to the data, the daily growth hasn’t surpassed 0.7% for 10 days.
MOSCOW, July 31. /TASS/. The number of the coronavirus infections in Russia has increased by 5,482 in the past 24 hours with the total number of infections reaching 839,981, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Friday.
The lowest growth rates over the past 24 hours were registered in the Chukotka Autonomous Area (0%), the Republic of Karachayevo-Cherkessia (0.2%), the Moscow Region (0.2%), Moscow (0.3%), the Kaluga Region (0.3%), the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (0.3%), the Republic of North Ossetia (0.3%), the Lipetsk Region (0.3%), the Transbaikal Region (0.3%), Sevastopol (0.3%).
695 new cases were detected in Moscow, 210 - in the Sverdlovsk Region, 171 cases - in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area, 159 - in St. Petersburg, and 150 cases were detected in the Moscow Region.
Currently there are 187,608 cases of infection in Russia.


tass--2020-07-31--Culture nurtures life in "kite capital of the world"

WEIFANG , China , July 31 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Data from Weifang municipal bureau of culture and tourism showed that , as of April this year , Weifang had 331 representative intangible cultural heritage projects above the municipal level with a total of 289 representative inheritors , and those above the provincial level and their inheritors are among the top three in Shandong Province .
Weifang , also known as `` kite capital of the world '' , was called Wei County in ancient times .
Located in the middle of Shandong Peninsula , Weifang enjoys a long history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colorful intangible cultural heritages .
Culture is the root and soul of a city .
In recent years , Weifang has attached great importance to cultural development .
In 2018 , Weifang opened the Shihuyuan intangible cultural heritage space , gathering an array of representative key intangible cultural heritage projects such as Weifang kites , Yangjiabu wood engraving Chinese New Year paintings and Zhucheng Guqin .
Last year , Weifang 's Wei River Cultural and Ecological Protection Experimental Zone was officially upgraded to Qilu Cultural ( Weifang ) Ecological Protection Zone , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protection zone in Shandong .
The reserve covers the whole territory of Weifang and is a specific area highlighting the protection of intangible cultural heritage and the overall protection of Wei River culture .
With solid progress made in infrastructure construction in the protected areas , traditional culture has gradually integrated into the life and production of local people , enriching the city 's social development .
Link : http : //asianetnews.net/view-attachment ?
attach-id=368194 Caption : Photo taken on July 8 showed that children were learning about kite-making in the Shihuyuan community in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
attach-id=368200 Caption : Li Jinbo , a city-level representative inheritor of the national intangible cultural heritage project of Gaomi paper-cutting is creating paper-cutting works featuring a hundred of different dragons .

WEIFANG, China, July 31, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Data from Weifang municipal bureau of culture and tourism showed that, as of April this year, Weifang had 331 representative intangible cultural heritage projects above the municipal level with a total of 289 representative inheritors, and those above the provincial level and their inheritors are among the top three in Shandong Province.
Weifang, also known as "kite capital of the world", was called Wei County in ancient times. Located in the middle of Shandong Peninsula, Weifang enjoys a long history, profound cultural background and rich and colorful intangible cultural heritages.
Culture is the root and soul of a city. In recent years, Weifang has attached great importance to cultural development. In 2018, Weifang opened the Shihuyuan intangible cultural heritage space, gathering an array of representative key intangible cultural heritage projects such as Weifang kites, Yangjiabu wood engraving Chinese New Year paintings and Zhucheng Guqin.
Last year, Weifang's Wei River Cultural and Ecological Protection Experimental Zone was officially upgraded to Qilu Cultural (Weifang) Ecological Protection Zone, which is the only national cultural and ecological protection zone in Shandong. The reserve covers the whole territory of Weifang and is a specific area highlighting the protection of intangible cultural heritage and the overall protection of Wei River culture.
With solid progress made in infrastructure construction in the protected areas, traditional culture has gradually integrated into the life and production of local people, enriching the city's social development.
Image Attachments Links:
Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=368194
Caption: Photo taken on July 8 showed that children were learning about kite-making in the Shihuyuan community in Weifang.
Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=368200
Caption: Li Jinbo, a city-level representative inheritor of the national intangible cultural heritage project of Gaomi paper-cutting is creating paper-cutting works featuring a hundred of different dragons.
CONTACT: Ms. Zhang, Tel: +86-10-63074558


tass--2020-07-31--Russia’s industrial production to remain at 2019 level in 2020, says minister

MOSCOW , July 31 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s industrial production may decline by 4-5 % by the end of 2020 if the June dynamics persists , or even remain roughly at the level of 2019 unless a second coronavirus wave occurs , Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said in an interview with TASS .
`` As far as full-year results are concerned , if the June and , hopefully , July dynamics persists in the second half of the year I expect a slight decline of 4-5 % ( in industrial production - TASS ) , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a second wave of the pandemic occurs , '' he said .
According to the projections provided by the Economic Development Ministry , industrial production will decrease by 5.4 % in 2020 .
Russia ’ s national statistics service said earlier that industrial production dropped by 9.4 % in June 2020 in annual terms following a 9.6 % decrease in May and a 6.6 % decline in April .
The drop in 1H amounted to 4.5 % compared with the same period last year .
Russia ’ s manufacturing continued recovery in June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most notable dynamics improvement reported by consumer goods production , according to the Economic Development Ministry .

MOSCOW, July 31. /TASS/. Russia’s industrial production may decline by 4-5% by the end of 2020 if the June dynamics persists, or even remain roughly at the level of 2019 unless a second coronavirus wave occurs, Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said in an interview with TASS.
"As far as full-year results are concerned, if the June and, hopefully, July dynamics persists in the second half of the year I expect a slight decline of 4-5% (in industrial production - TASS), or roughly the result of last year unless a second wave of the pandemic occurs," he said.
According to the projections provided by the Economic Development Ministry, industrial production will decrease by 5.4% in 2020. Russia’s national statistics service said earlier that industrial production dropped by 9.4% in June 2020 in annual terms following a 9.6% decrease in May and a 6.6% decline in April. The drop in 1H amounted to 4.5% compared with the same period last year.
Russia’s manufacturing continued recovery in June amid lifting of lockdown restrictions, with the most notable dynamics improvement reported by consumer goods production, according to the Economic Development Ministry.


tass--2020-07-31--Ringleader, five radicals from extremist cell detained in Russia’s Volgograd Region

MOSCOW , July 31 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Federal Security Service ( FSB ) has detained the organizer @ @ @ @ @ cell of the Tablighi Jaamat international extremist organization , the FSB Public Relations Center informed @ @ @ @ @ The Federal Security Service , together with the Russian Interior Ministry and the Federal National @ @ @ @ @ the activities of a cell of the Tablighi Jaamat international extremist organization ( outlawed in @ @ @ @ @ Region , '' the FSB said .
A criminal case has been opened against the @ @ @ @ @ members under Section 282.2 of the Russian Criminal Code ( `` Organizing the activities of @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the FSB , a significant amount of literature added to the federal @ @ @ @ @ the Russian Ministry of Justice was seized in the extremists ’ apartments .
Other documentary @ @ @ @ @ the Tablighi Jaamat organization were found as well .

MOSCOW, July 31. /TASS/. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has detained the organizer and five members of a cell of the Tablighi Jaamat international extremist organization, the FSB Public Relations Center informed TASS on Friday.
"The Federal Security Service, together with the Russian Interior Ministry and the Federal National Guard Troops Service, foiled the activities of a cell of the Tablighi Jaamat international extremist organization (outlawed in Russia) in the Volgograd Region," the FSB said.
A criminal case has been opened against the organizer and five of its members under Section 282.2 of the Russian Criminal Code ("Organizing the activities of an extremist organization").
According to the FSB, a significant amount of literature added to the federal list of extremist materials by the Russian Ministry of Justice was seized in the extremists’ apartments. Other documentary materials confirming their involvement in the Tablighi Jaamat organization were found as well.


tass--2020-07-31--Number of COVID-19 tests conducted in Russia surpasses 28 mln

MOSCOW , July , 31 .
/TASS/ .
Russian specialists have conducted over 28 mln tests in total for the @ @ @ @ @ the press service of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human @ @ @ @ @ `` In the Russian Federation over 28.1 mln tests for the coronavirus were conducted , @ @ @ @ @ 303,000 tests were conducted over the past 24 hours .
On July 27 , the @ @ @ @ @ number of tests conducted in the country had surpassed 27 mln .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ 257,813 people remain under medical observation due to the suspected coronavirus infection .

MOSCOW, July, 31. /TASS/. Russian specialists have conducted over 28 mln tests in total for the presence of the coronavirus, the press service of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing reported on Friday.
"In the Russian Federation over 28.1 mln tests for the coronavirus were conducted," the statement said. 303,000 tests were conducted over the past 24 hours.
On July 27, the sanitary watchdog reported that the number of tests conducted in the country had surpassed 27 mln.
According to the agency, to date, 257,813 people remain under medical observation due to the suspected coronavirus infection.


tass--2020-07-31--Hainan Airlines launches flight from Guangzhou to Boao

HAIKOU , July 31 .
/TASS/ .
China 's Hainan Airlines has launched a direct flight from Guangzhou ( southern Guangdong province ) to Boao ( Hainan province ) .
According to the Hainan Daily , this will reduce the load on two key airports of the island in Haikou and Sanya .
The first flight from Guangzhou to Boao arrived on 28 July and lasted 1.5 hours .
Along with Guangdong province , Hainan Airlines also launched a direct flight from Beijing to Boao on July 28 .
As previously reported by the press service of the air carrier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this flight until August 31 , there will be a promotion : each of the passengers who bought tickets online has the right to receive a coupon — a cash equivalent in the amount of 2,880 yuan ( about $ 410 ) .
It can be used when purchasing stuff at the Boao duty free store .
The airport , where flights from Guangzhou and Beijing will arrive , is located in the small village of Zhongyuan , 15 km from Boao , accessible by bus or taxi .
Boao Forum for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ East , is a big platform for signing important agreements and international coordination between business and political elites .
The forum has been held since 2001 , usually in spring , following China 's main annual political event — the two sessions , where the Chinese authorities shape up the country 's national strategy .
The government pays special attention to the forum as it facilitates China 's international contracts , settles diplomatic agenda , promotes China 's image and the concept of `` Community of Common Destiny '' globally .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forum `` has become an important bridge connecting China with the outside world '' .

HAIKOU, July 31. /TASS/. China's Hainan Airlines has launched a direct flight from Guangzhou (southern Guangdong province) to Boao (Hainan province). According to the Hainan Daily, this will reduce the load on two key airports of the island in Haikou and Sanya. The first flight from Guangzhou to Boao arrived on 28 July and lasted 1.5 hours.
Along with Guangdong province, Hainan Airlines also launched a direct flight from Beijing to Boao on July 28. As previously reported by the press service of the air carrier, on the occasion of the launch of this flight until August 31, there will be a promotion: each of the passengers who bought tickets online has the right to receive a coupon — a cash equivalent in the amount of 2,880 yuan (about $ 410). It can be used when purchasing stuff at the Boao duty free store.
The airport, where flights from Guangzhou and Beijing will arrive, is located in the small village of Zhongyuan, 15 km from Boao, accessible by bus or taxi.
Boao Forum for Asia, dubbed the Davos of the East, is a big platform for signing important agreements and international coordination between business and political elites. The forum has been held since 2001, usually in spring, following China's main annual political event — the two sessions, where the Chinese authorities shape up the country's national strategy.
The government pays special attention to the forum as it facilitates China's international contracts, settles diplomatic agenda, promotes China's image and the concept of "Community of Common Destiny" globally. According to the Chinese top diplomat, this regular forum "has become an important bridge connecting China with the outside world".


tass--2020-07-31--Kazakhstan’s coronavirus cases exceed 89,000

NUR-SULTAN , July 31 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases in Kazakhstan rose by 1,414 to 89,078 in @ @ @ @ @ the government ’ s interagency commission on coronavirus response said in a statement on Friday @ @ @ @ @ 1,414 coronavirus patients were identified in the past day , 627 of them don ’ @ @ @ @ @ A total of 89,078 cases have been confirmed in the country so far , '' @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Health Ministry announces the number of new coronavirus deaths once a week .
@ @ @ @ @ were recorded on July 20-26 , bringing the total to 793 .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ 100 Russian doctors have been dispatched to Kazakhstan to help combat the pandemic .
In @ @ @ @ @ medicine and personal protective equipment to the country .

NUR-SULTAN, July 31. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Kazakhstan rose by 1,414 to 89,078 in the past 24 hours, the government’s interagency commission on coronavirus response said in a statement on Friday.
"As many as 1,414 coronavirus patients were identified in the past day, 627 of them don’t have any symptoms. A total of 89,078 cases have been confirmed in the country so far," the statement reads.
Kazakhstan’s Health Ministry announces the number of new coronavirus deaths once a week. As many as 208 fatalities were recorded on July 20-26, bringing the total to 793.
According to the Russian Health Ministry, about 100 Russian doctors have been dispatched to Kazakhstan to help combat the pandemic. In addition, Russia has provided medicine and personal protective equipment to the country.


tass--2020-07-31--Eight killed in minibus crash in Crimea

Eight killed in minibus crash in Crimea

TASS , July 31 .
Eight people , including two children , have been killed in a minibus crash in @ @ @ @ @ told TASS on Friday .
`` Another seven have suffered injuries , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ a truck at 06:40 am on the Tavrida highway near the town of Belogorsk .

TASS, July 31. Eight people, including two children, have been killed in a minibus crash in Crimea, an emergency source told TASS on Friday.
"Another seven have suffered injuries," he said.
The minibus collided with a truck at 06:40 am on the Tavrida highway near the town of Belogorsk.


tass--2020-07-31--Cypriot defense minister, Russian ambassador discuss bilateral cooperation

NICOSIA , July 31 .
/TASS/ .
Cypriot Defense Minister Charalambos Petrides and Russian Ambassador to Cyprus Stanislav Osadchy have @ @ @ @ @ Eastern Mediterranean region and bilateral cooperation , the Cypriot Defense Ministry said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ the opportunity to discuss developments in the Eastern Mediterranean with Mr. Osadchy and inform him @ @ @ @ @ activities in Cyprus ’ exclusive economic zone , '' the statement reads .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ envoy also exchanged views on Cyprus ’ role in the region , as well as @ @ @ @ @ the Defense Ministry added .
According to the ministry , the Russian ambassador congratulated Petrides @ @ @ @ @ him success in this role .
Charalambos Petrides took office as Cypriot defense minister in @ @ @

NICOSIA, July 31. /TASS/. Cypriot Defense Minister Charalambos Petrides and Russian Ambassador to Cyprus Stanislav Osadchy have discussed the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean region and bilateral cooperation, the Cypriot Defense Ministry said in a statement.
"Mr. Petrides had the opportunity to discuss developments in the Eastern Mediterranean with Mr. Osadchy and inform him of Turkey’s aggressive activities in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone," the statement reads. "The defense minister and the Russian envoy also exchanged views on Cyprus’ role in the region, as well as on security cooperation," the Defense Ministry added.
According to the ministry, the Russian ambassador congratulated Petrides on taking office and wished him success in this role.
Charalambos Petrides took office as Cypriot defense minister in late June.


tass--2020-07-31--Russian, US experts agree to maintain contact on strategic stability - Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW , July 31 .
/TASS/ .
Participants in the Russia-US expert consultations on strategic stability , which took place @ @ @ @ @ , agreed to maintain contact , the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ experts held consultations on space security , doctrines and potentials , as well as on @ @ @ @ @ The parties agreed to maintain contact on all those issues , '' the statement reads @ @ @ @ @ the event ’ s results , the parties agreed to continue the work , holding @ @ @ @ @ group on space security , '' the ministry added .
The other two working groups @ @ @ @ @ ’ approaches to arms control with regard to aspects affecting strategic stability , focusing on @ @ @ @ @ Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty .

MOSCOW, July 31. /TASS/. Participants in the Russia-US expert consultations on strategic stability, which took place in Vienna on July 27-30, agreed to maintain contact, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
According to the ministry, experts held consultations on space security, doctrines and potentials, as well as on transparency and verification. "The parties agreed to maintain contact on all those issues," the statement reads.
"In light of the event’s results, the parties agreed to continue the work, holding regular meetings of the working group on space security," the ministry added.
The other two working groups particularly discussed the two countries’ approaches to arms control with regard to aspects affecting strategic stability, focusing on the looming expiration of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.


tass--2020-08-01--First regular international flight lands in Russia after coronavirus restrictions lifted

MOSCOW , August 1 .
/TASS/ .
The first international regular flight since international air travel was suspended in Russia @ @ @ @ @ pandemic landed in Moscow early on Saturday .
According to Moscow Vnukovo Airport ’ s @ @ @ @ @ plane landed there at 01:03 on Saturday .
Russia ’ s Federal Air Transport Agency @ @ @ @ @ was expected to carry about 50 passengers .
Russia has been gradually lifting restrictions on @ @ @ @ @ the end of March amid the coronavirus pandemic .
From August 1 , it will @ @ @ @ @ Russia to Zanzibar ( Tanzania ) , London ( the UK ) , Ankara and @ @ @ @ @ from August 10 - to Antalya , Bodrum and Dalaman ( resort cities in Turkey @ @ @ @ @ foreign flights are possible only from the airports of Moscow , St. Petersburg and Rostov-on-Don @

MOSCOW, August 1. /TASS/. The first international regular flight since international air travel was suspended in Russia due to the novel coronavirus pandemic landed in Moscow early on Saturday.
According to Moscow Vnukovo Airport’s website, a Turkish Airlines plane landed there at 01:03 on Saturday.
Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency earlier said the Istanbul-Moscow flight was expected to carry about 50 passengers.
Russia has been gradually lifting restrictions on international flights, imposed at the end of March amid the coronavirus pandemic. From August 1, it will be possible to fly from Russia to Zanzibar (Tanzania), London (the UK), Ankara and Istanbul (Turkey), from August 10 - to Antalya, Bodrum and Dalaman (resort cities in Turkey). So far, foreign flights are possible only from the airports of Moscow, St. Petersburg and Rostov-on-Don.


tass--2020-08-01--Moscow notes unscrupulous US attempts to accuse Russia of dangerous missile defense plans

MOSCOW , August 1 .
/TASS/ .
Washington is making unscrupulous attempts to accuse Russia of aggressive and dangerous intentions in the missile defense domain , the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday .
The Ministry said it had taken note of an article posted on the US Department of Defense ’ s website , which says that missile defense is allegedly becoming an element of great power competition .
`` Citing an unnamed Pentagon official , the article claims that Russia and China are developing several increasingly sophisticated missile defence systems in the context of rivalry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the text , the US military sees this as a threat , '' the ministry said .
`` We take this post as part of a targeted disinformation campaign seeking to discredit Russia .
Clearly , there are unscrupulous attempts to ascribe to us some aggressive and dangerous plans , this time in missile defence .
Unmistakably , this is about the United States trying to justify its own large-scale and expensive programmes for creating and modernising weapons and plans to build up its military presence around the world .
, '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pentagon was using the great power rivalry rthetoric in an attempt to substantiate US measures aimed at gaining military superiority to the detriment of other states ’ security .
The Russian Foreign Ministry also said the US military has been deploying its strategic missile defense infrastructure not only on its territory , but also around the world , which makes it a global system in nature .
`` Washington is also thinking about developing the space segment of its missile defence system , in fact , planning to deploy attack weapons in outer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ context of missile defence at the doctrine level , the Pentagon has left open the possibility of delivering preventive ‘ disarming ’ strikes against other countries in order to destroy missiles before they are launched .
Moreover , the United States claims these are defensive actions , '' the Russian Foreign Ministry went on .
It added that the actively expanding US missile defense architecture `` is changing the strategic balance of forces in the sphere of offensive weapons , creates major additional global instability risks and contributes to forming dangerous conditions for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race . ''
According to Moscow , Russia has repeatedly expressed its concerns about the unilateral and unrestricted US effort to create a global missile defense system .
`` After the United States scrapped the ABM Treaty , Russia has more than once come up with initiatives designed to remove any `` annoyances '' and to establish cooperation in the anti-missile sphere .
Washington and its allies have refused to move in this direction and are reluctant to take Russia ’ s interests into account .
So , the desire to shift onto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the United States is at least unseemly , '' the ministry said .
`` Once again , we urge Washington to take a responsible position and to take a critical look at its missile defence plans , which , if implemented , will not be beneficial for the security of either the United States or its allies , '' Russian diplomats said .
`` It would also be helpful to abandon these tactics of shifting responsibility to others , which is undignified behaviour for a great power , in order to divert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international community from their own actions of seeking to ratchet up tensions and break the international stability system . ''
`` We are ready to discuss missile defence issues with the United States as part of a bilateral strategic dialogue , '' the ministry said .

MOSCOW, August 1. /TASS/. Washington is making unscrupulous attempts to accuse Russia of aggressive and dangerous intentions in the missile defense domain, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday.
The Ministry said it had taken note of an article posted on the US Department of Defense’s website, which says that missile defense is allegedly becoming an element of great power competition.
"Citing an unnamed Pentagon official, the article claims that Russia and China are developing several increasingly sophisticated missile defence systems in the context of rivalry with the United States. As follows from the text, the US military sees this as a threat," the ministry said.
"We take this post as part of a targeted disinformation campaign seeking to discredit Russia. Clearly, there are unscrupulous attempts to ascribe to us some aggressive and dangerous plans, this time in missile defence. Unmistakably, this is about the United States trying to justify its own large-scale and expensive programmes for creating and modernising weapons and plans to build up its military presence around the world. ," the ministry said.
It added that Pentagon was using the great power rivalry rthetoric in an attempt to substantiate US measures aimed at gaining military superiority to the detriment of other states’ security.
The Russian Foreign Ministry also said the US military has been deploying its strategic missile defense infrastructure not only on its territory, but also around the world, which makes it a global system in nature.
"Washington is also thinking about developing the space segment of its missile defence system, in fact, planning to deploy attack weapons in outer space. In addition, in the context of missile defence at the doctrine level, the Pentagon has left open the possibility of delivering preventive ‘disarming’ strikes against other countries in order to destroy missiles before they are launched. Moreover, the United States claims these are defensive actions," the Russian Foreign Ministry went on.
It added that the actively expanding US missile defense architecture "is changing the strategic balance of forces in the sphere of offensive weapons, creates major additional global instability risks and contributes to forming dangerous conditions for stepping up a nuclear and space arms race."
According to Moscow, Russia has repeatedly expressed its concerns about the unilateral and unrestricted US effort to create a global missile defense system.
"After the United States scrapped the ABM Treaty, Russia has more than once come up with initiatives designed to remove any "annoyances" and to establish cooperation in the anti-missile sphere. Washington and its allies have refused to move in this direction and are reluctant to take Russia’s interests into account. So, the desire to shift onto us the responsibility for the situation created by the United States is at least unseemly," the ministry said.
"Once again, we urge Washington to take a responsible position and to take a critical look at its missile defence plans, which, if implemented, will not be beneficial for the security of either the United States or its allies," Russian diplomats said. "It would also be helpful to abandon these tactics of shifting responsibility to others, which is undignified behaviour for a great power, in order to divert the attention of Americans and the entire international community from their own actions of seeking to ratchet up tensions and break the international stability system."
"We are ready to discuss missile defence issues with the United States as part of a bilateral strategic dialogue," the ministry said.


tass--2020-08-01--US wants to sign nuclear non-proliferation agreement with Russia — Trump

WASHINGTON , August 1 .
/TASS/ .
The United States is working on signing a new nuclear non-proliferation agreement with @ @ @ @ @ Trump said .
`` We are working with Russia right now on a non-proliferation agreement @ @ @ @ @ we get something like that , it would be great , '' the US leader @ @ @ @ @ a COVID-19 Response and Storm Preparedness roundtable in Florida .

WASHINGTON, August 1. /TASS/. The United States is working on signing a new nuclear non-proliferation agreement with Russia, US President Donald Trump said.
"We are working with Russia right now on a non-proliferation agreement, nuclear non-proliferation. If we get something like that, it would be great," the US leader said on Friday, during a COVID-19 Response and Storm Preparedness roundtable in Florida.
Trump provided no further details about the agreement.
Russia and the United States held consultations on arms control and disarmament in July. Those meetings focused primarily on the fate of the bilateral New START treaty.
The Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (the New START Treaty) entered into force on February 5, 2011. The deal stipulates that seven years after it goes into effect, each party should have no more than a total of 700 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and strategic bombers, as well as no more than 1,550 warheads on deployed ICBMs, deployed SLBMs and strategic bombers, and a total of 800 deployed and non-deployed missile launchers.
The document will remain in force for 10 years, until February 5, 2021, unless it is replaced before that date by a subsequent agreement on the reduction and limitation of strategic offensive arms. It can also be extended for no longer than 5 years (that is, until 2026) by the parties’ mutual consent.
Moscow has repeatedly called on Washington not to delay prolongation of the treaty it describes as a golden standard in the area of disarmament.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with The Financial Times in June that if this treaty ceased to exist there would be no other tools in the world containing the arms race.


tass--2020-08-01--Thirteen more coronavirus patients die in Moscow in past day - crisis center

MOSCOW , July 31 .
/TASS/ .
Thirteen more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day , with @ @ @ @ @ exceeding 4,470 the city ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Friday .
`` Thirteen @ @ @ @ @ have died in Moscow , '' it said , adding the overall number of coronavirus-related @ @ @ @ @ 4,473 .
The coronavirus situation in Moscow , which was the most serious in Russia @ @ @ @ @ By today , Moscow has reported more than 241,359 confirmed coronavirus cases , including 695 @ @ @ @ @ .
As many as 179,168 patients have recovered .
A campaign of voluntary testing for @ @ @ @ @ the capital city .
To date , 839,981 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia @ @ @ @ @ recovered from the disease .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline @ @ @ @ @ on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, July 31. /TASS/. Thirteen more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day, with the overall number of fatalities exceeding 4,470 the city’s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Friday.
"Thirteen coronavirus-positive patients diagnosed with pneumonia have died in Moscow," it said, adding the overall number of coronavirus-related deaths in Moscow has reached 4,473.
The coronavirus situation in Moscow, which was the most serious in Russia, has visibly stabilized. By today, Moscow has reported more than 241,359 confirmed coronavirus cases, including 695 reported in the past day. As many as 179,168 patients have recovered. A campaign of voluntary testing for coronavirus antibodies is underway in the capital city.
To date, 839,981 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 638,410 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--2020-08-01--US court of appeal cancels Boston Marathon bomber’s death penalty

NEW YORK , August 1 .
/TASS/ .
The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has cancelled the death penalty for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev , who was sentenced to death for organizing the deadly 2013 Boston Marathon blast , according to judicial documents uploaded to the court database .
`` Dzhohkar Tsarnaev 's death sentences on Counts 4 , 5 , 9 , 10 , and 14 are vacated , '' the document says .
`` The matter is remanded to the district court with directions to hold a new penalty-phase trial . ''
Twin blasts with an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on April 15 , 2013 , when the traditional Boston Marathon was taking place .
Three people were killed and more than 260 were injured .
Several days later , police identified the suspected organizers as Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev .
Tamerlan was killed in the police operation to detain him , while his brother was injured and arrested .
In April 2015 , a jury found him guilty on all 30 charges and sentenced him to death .
In December 2018 , the verdict was appealed .
According to the Tsarnaev ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transfer the hearings to another city , as requested by the defense team , deprived Tsarnaev of the right to fair trial , as the jury could not be fully impartial .

NEW YORK, August 1. /TASS/. The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has cancelled the death penalty for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who was sentenced to death for organizing the deadly 2013 Boston Marathon blast, according to judicial documents uploaded to the court database.
"Dzhohkar Tsarnaev's death sentences on Counts 4, 5, 9, 10, and 14 are vacated," the document says. "The matter is remanded to the district court with directions to hold a new penalty-phase trial."
US President Donald Trump described the court decision as 'ridiculous.'
"I see in Boston, where you have the animal that killed so many people during the Boston Marathon. They just sent this conviction for the death penalty back to the lower courts so they’ll argue about that for a long time. It’s ridiculous," Trump said.
Twin blasts with an interval of 12 seconds rocked downtown Boston on April 15, 2013, when the traditional Boston Marathon was taking place. Three people were killed and more than 260 were injured. Several days later, police identified the suspected organizers as Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Tamerlan was killed in the police operation to detain him, while his brother was injured and arrested. In April 2015, a jury found him guilty on all 30 charges and sentenced him to death.
In December 2018, the verdict was appealed. According to the Tsarnaev’s lawyers, the decision not to transfer the hearings to another city, as requested by the defense team, deprived Tsarnaev of the right to fair trial. In their opinion, the jury could not be fully impartial, because the blast took place in their home city.


tass--2020-08-01--Russian ambassador, Belarusian interior minister discuss detention of Russian nationals

MOSCOW , July 31 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Ambassador to Belarus Dmitry Mezentsev said on Friday he had discussed the situation around the detained Russian nationals with the Belarusian interior minister .
`` I had a conversation with Belarusian Interior Minister General Karayev , '' he said in an interview with the 60 Minutes program on the Rossiya-1 television channel .
According to Mezentsev , Ukraine ’ s demands concerning extradition of the Russian nations were not discussed during the meeting .
`` As for contacts with the Ukrainian side , naturally , we did not discuss that because our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizens released the soonest possible , to remove unfair and ungrounded claims that they had pursued unlawful , illegal purposes here , '' he said .
The Russian diplomat said that the Russians had been placed in a better penitentiary near Minsk that is why a meeting with Russian diplomats had been delayed .
He promised that Russian diplomats would try to take into account all their requests at the upcoming meeting .
`` It is very important today to receive confirmation of the liabilities undertaken by the Belarusian side , i.e .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ our nationals , '' he said .
Russian citizens detained in Belarus earlier this week did not plan to fly to Istanbul , despite having valid air tickets , investigative group head Alexander Agafonov told the ONT TV channel on Friday .
`` It is evident that , while carrying out organized preparations for committing a crime , the miscreants were preparing an alibi .
This was the case with the detention of the 33 Russian citizens , who had tickets for a flight to Istanbul on July 25 .
However , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not plan to fly there , '' he said .
Agafonov added that the Russian nationals had been interrogated by investigators in the presence of defense attorneys .
`` All those detained have been interrogated in the presence of defense attorneys .
Their evidence about the reasons for their stay in Belarus is incoherent and contradictory .
Eleven of them planned to fly to Venezuela , fifteen wanted to visit Turkey , two - Cuba , one - Syria .
One did not even know where he was flying .
Three refused to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` It looks strange that one flight can be bound to so many different destinations . ''
Belarus said earlier 33 Russian nationals said to be employees of a private foreign military company had been detained overnight to July 29 .
According to the latest reports , these men are suspected of masterminding mass riots .
The Belarusian foreign ministry demanded Russian Ambassador to Belarus Dmitry Mezentsev explain the reasons why these people were staying in Belarus .
The ministry also invited Ukrainian charge d ’ affaires Pyotr Vrublevsky `` bearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of them in combat operations in Ukraine ’ s Donetsk and Lugansk regions . ''
The sides agreed to enhance control on the common border .
Russian president ’ s press secretary Dmitry Peskov said earlier Moscow did not have complete information about the incident .
Neither did it know about any unlawful things that could have served as a reason for their detention .
He said that statements that these developments were linked with the upcoming presidential elections in Belarus were mere speculations .

MOSCOW, July 31. /TASS/. Russian Ambassador to Belarus Dmitry Mezentsev said on Friday he had discussed the situation around the detained Russian nationals with the Belarusian interior minister.
"I had a conversation with Belarusian Interior Minister General Karayev," he said in an interview with the 60 Minutes program on the Rossiya-1 television channel.
According to Mezentsev, Ukraine’s demands concerning extradition of the Russian nations were not discussed during the meeting. "As for contacts with the Ukrainian side, naturally, we did not discuss that because our key task is to have the Russian citizens released the soonest possible, to remove unfair and ungrounded claims that they had pursued unlawful, illegal purposes here," he said.
The Russian diplomat said that the Russians had been placed in a better penitentiary near Minsk that is why a meeting with Russian diplomats had been delayed. He promised that Russian diplomats would try to take into account all their requests at the upcoming meeting. "It is very important today to receive confirmation of the liabilities undertaken by the Belarusian side, i.e. attentive, careful and correct attitude to our nationals," he said.
Belarusian accusations
Russian citizens detained in Belarus earlier this week did not plan to fly to Istanbul, despite having valid air tickets, investigative group head Alexander Agafonov told the ONT TV channel on Friday.
"It is evident that, while carrying out organized preparations for committing a crime, the miscreants were preparing an alibi. This was the case with the detention of the 33 Russian citizens, who had tickets for a flight to Istanbul on July 25. However, as investigators had found out, they did not plan to fly there," he said.
Agafonov added that the Russian nationals had been interrogated by investigators in the presence of defense attorneys.
"All those detained have been interrogated in the presence of defense attorneys. Their evidence about the reasons for their stay in Belarus is incoherent and contradictory. Eleven of them planned to fly to Venezuela, fifteen wanted to visit Turkey, two - Cuba, one - Syria. One did not even know where he was flying. Three refused to testify," the Investigative Committee spokesman said. "It looks strange that one flight can be bound to so many different destinations."
Belarus said earlier 33 Russian nationals said to be employees of a private foreign military company had been detained overnight to July 29. According to the latest reports, these men are suspected of masterminding mass riots. The Belarusian foreign ministry demanded Russian Ambassador to Belarus Dmitry Mezentsev explain the reasons why these people were staying in Belarus. The ministry also invited Ukrainian charge d’affaires Pyotr Vrublevsky "bearing in mind verified information about participation of some of them in combat operations in Ukraine’s Donetsk and Lugansk regions." The sides agreed to enhance control on the common border.
Russian president’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov said earlier Moscow did not have complete information about the incident. Neither did it know about any unlawful things that could have served as a reason for their detention. He said that statements that these developments were linked with the upcoming presidential elections in Belarus were mere speculations.


tass--2020-08-01--All volunteers developed coronavirus immunity after Russian vaccine trials — RDIF

MOSCOW , July 31 .
/TASS/ .
The vaccine against the novel coronavirus , developed by Russian scientists , has created immunity in 100 % of volunteers who took part in its trials , the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) Kirill Dmitriev said in a CNN interview on Friday .
According to the Russian official , 100 % of volunteers developed immunity on the 21st day after receiving the first dose .
Their immunity doubled after the second injection .
`` I can tell you , from first and second phase we have hundred percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It doubles after the second shot .
Hundred percent of animals were also protected [ against the novel coronavirus ] , '' Dmitriev said .
When asked when Russia would publish its findings , the RDIF head replied that all information would be released in August .
`` We selected the safest approach , it has been extensively tested not only now , but also in Ebola vaccine we got approved , in MERS vaccine that was approved , '' he went on .
`` We chose the safest possible delivery mechanism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Golikova said earlier it was planned to launch mass production of a vaccine developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian health ministry in September 2020 .
Apart from that , in her words , the first batch of another vaccine , developed by the Russian sanitary watchdog ’ s Vektor Research Center , would be manufactured in October 2020 .

MOSCOW, July 31. /TASS/. The vaccine against the novel coronavirus, developed by Russian scientists, has created immunity in 100% of volunteers who took part in its trials, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) Kirill Dmitriev said in a CNN interview on Friday.
According to the Russian official, 100% of volunteers developed immunity on the 21st day after receiving the first dose. Their immunity doubled after the second injection.
"I can tell you, from first and second phase we have hundred percent of people developing immunity after day 21. It doubles after the second shot. Hundred percent of animals were also protected [against the novel coronavirus]," Dmitriev said.
When asked when Russia would publish its findings, the RDIF head replied that all information would be released in August.
"We selected the safest approach, it has been extensively tested not only now, but also in Ebola vaccine we got approved, in MERS vaccine that was approved," he went on. "We chose the safest possible delivery mechanism."
According to Dmitriev, more than 20 nations have demonstrated interest in buying Russia-developed anti-coronavirus vaccine.
"More than 20 countries approached us on our vaccine," he said, adding that five nations were planning to take part in the production of the Russian anti-coronavirus vaccine.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said earlier it was planned to launch mass production of a vaccine developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian health ministry in September 2020. Apart from that, in her words, the first batch of another vaccine, developed by the Russian sanitary watchdog’s Vektor Research Center, would be manufactured in October 2020.


tass--2020-07-31--Number of COVID-2019 cases across globe up by over 292,000 in past day, reports WHO

As of 11:00 Moscow time on July 31 , as many as 17,106,007 novel coronavirus cases and 668,910 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases grew by a record of 292,527 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 6,812 .
GENEVA , July 31 .
/TASS/ .
More than 292,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide on July 31 , with the overall number of such cases exceeding 17.1 million , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin on Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 24 hours , says WHO The WHO statistics is based on officially confirmed data from the countries .
South and North America accounts for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 8,152,173 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 171,946 and the number of deaths - by 4,567 and reached 351,121 .
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 3,333,300 and the number of fatalities is 212,520 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 25,241 and the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asia has 2,009,963 cases and 44,031 fatalities .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 60,113 and the number of deaths - by 914 .
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States ( 4,388,566 ) , Brazil ( 2,552,265 ) , India ( 1,638,870 ) , Russia ( 839,981 ) , South Africa ( 4582,169 ) , Mexico ( 408,449 ) , Peru ( 400,683 ) , Chile ( 353,536 ) , the United Kingdom ( 302,305 ) , and Iran ( 301,530 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

As of 11:00 Moscow time on July 31, as many as 17,106,007 novel coronavirus cases and 668,910 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by a record of 292,527 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 6,812.
GENEVA, July 31. /TASS/. More than 292,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide on July 31, with the overall number of such cases exceeding 17.1 million, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin on Friday.
The WHO statistics is based on officially confirmed data from the countries.
South and North America accounts for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 8,152,173. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 171,946 and the number of deaths - by 4,567 and reached 351,121.
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 3,333,300 and the number of fatalities is 212,520. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 25,241 and the number of deaths - by 438.
Southeast Asia has 2,009,963 cases and 44,031 fatalities. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 60,113 and the number of deaths - by 914.
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States (4,388,566), Brazil (2,552,265), India (1,638,870), Russia (839,981), South Africa (4582,169), Mexico (408,449), Peru (400,683), Chile (353,536), the United Kingdom (302,305), and Iran (301,530).
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--2020-07-31--ICRC warns about increasing nuclear threat to the world

GENEVA , July 31 .
/TASS/ .
The danger of nuclear weapon use has reached a level unseen since the Cold War times , the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies ( IFRC ) said in a joint statement issued in Geneva Friday .
`` The 75th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki comes even as the risk of use of nuclear weapons has risen to levels not seen since the end of the Cold War , '' the statement reads .
The humanitarian organizations emphasized the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and their allies '' and `` explicit threats to use nuclear weapons . ''
At the same time , `` agreements to eliminate existing arsenals are being abandoned as new nuclear weapons are being developed , putting the world on the dangerous path of a new nuclear arms race , '' the statement reads .
ICRC President Peter Maurer pointed out , `` The horror of a nuclear detonation may feel like distant history .
But today the risk of nuclear weapons being used again is high .
Treaties to reduce nuclear arsenals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , new types of nuclear weapons are being produced , and serious threats are being made .
That ’ s an arms race , and it ’ s frightening . ''
Meanwhile , IFRC President Francesco Rocca noted , `` The international community would not be able to help all those in need after a nuclear blast .
Widespread radiation sickness , a decline in food production , and the tremendous scale of destruction and contamination would make any meaningful humanitarian response insufficient .
No nation is prepared to deal with a nuclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Maurer and Rocca called on all states around the world to join the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons ( TPNW ) , reminding everyone that it will become mandatory for all sides that ratify it after their number reaches 50 .
Currently , it has been ratified by 40 countries .
The treaty was adopted in 2017 and bans states from developing , testing , producing , stockpiling , deploying on their territories , handing over or using nuclear weapons or threatening to use them .

GENEVA, July 31. /TASS/. The danger of nuclear weapon use has reached a level unseen since the Cold War times, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said in a joint statement issued in Geneva Friday.
"The 75th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki comes even as the risk of use of nuclear weapons has risen to levels not seen since the end of the Cold War," the statement reads. The humanitarian organizations emphasized the increasing "military incidents involving nuclear states and their allies" and "explicit threats to use nuclear weapons." At the same time, "agreements to eliminate existing arsenals are being abandoned as new nuclear weapons are being developed, putting the world on the dangerous path of a new nuclear arms race," the statement reads.
ICRC President Peter Maurer pointed out, "The horror of a nuclear detonation may feel like distant history. But today the risk of nuclear weapons being used again is high. Treaties to reduce nuclear arsenals and risks of proliferation are being abandoned, new types of nuclear weapons are being produced, and serious threats are being made. That’s an arms race, and it’s frightening." Meanwhile, IFRC President Francesco Rocca noted, "The international community would not be able to help all those in need after a nuclear blast. Widespread radiation sickness, a decline in food production, and the tremendous scale of destruction and contamination would make any meaningful humanitarian response insufficient. No nation is prepared to deal with a nuclear confrontation."
In light of this, Maurer and Rocca called on all states around the world to join the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), reminding everyone that it will become mandatory for all sides that ratify it after their number reaches 50. Currently, it has been ratified by 40 countries. The treaty was adopted in 2017 and bans states from developing, testing, producing, stockpiling, deploying on their territories, handing over or using nuclear weapons or threatening to use them.