tass--2020-06-12--Second wave of COVID-19 in Russia may be caused by imported cases - health minister

MOSCOW , June 12 .
/TASS/ .
A second wave of the novel coronavirus pandemic in Russia is possible if new cases of the virus are imported in the country from abroad , Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said on Thursday in an interview with the Rossiya-1 TV channel .
`` Statistical data shows that repeat import [ of the virus ] is possible , '' he said .
Besides , there are climate factors that could affect the epidemiological situation , the minister added .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 7,477,900 people have been infected worldwide and more than 419,300 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 3,792,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 261,150 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 6,532 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, June 12. /TASS/. A second wave of the novel coronavirus pandemic in Russia is possible if new cases of the virus are imported in the country from abroad, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said on Thursday in an interview with the Rossiya-1 TV channel.
"Statistical data shows that repeat import [of the virus] is possible," he said. Besides, there are climate factors that could affect the epidemiological situation, the minister added.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 7,477,900 people have been infected worldwide and more than 419,300 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 3,792,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, 502,436 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 261,150 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 6,532 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-06-12--49 more coronavirus patients die in Moscow in past day

MOSCOW , June 12 .
/TASS/ .
Forty-nine more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day , the @ @ @ @ @ center said on Thursday .
`` Forty-nine coronavirus-positive patients diagnosed with pneumonia have died in @ @ @ @ @ , adding that the overall number of coronavirus-related deaths has reached 3,187 .
The center @ @ @ @ @ in self-treatment and recommended to call a doctor in case of symptoms of acute respiratory @ @ @ @ @ 502,436 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 261,150 patients having recovered from @ @ @ @ @ s latest data indicates 6,532 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up @ @ @ @ @ the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, June 12. /TASS/. Forty-nine more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day, the city’s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Thursday.
"Forty-nine coronavirus-positive patients diagnosed with pneumonia have died in Moscow," it said, adding that the overall number of coronavirus-related deaths has reached 3,187.
The center once again warned against indulging in self-treatment and recommended to call a doctor in case of symptoms of acute respiratory diseases.
To date, 502,436 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 261,150 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 6,532 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-06-11--Light plane crashes in Russia’s Ryazan Region

MOSCOW , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
/TASS/ .
A light plane has crashed near the settlement of Avdotyinka in @ @ @ @ @ , the pilot has been killed , the regional emergency ministry directorate ’ s press @ @ @ @ @ .
`` A plane has crashed near the settlement of Avdotyinka , reportedly a Bekas @ @ @ @ @ no spillage of fuel , the pilot has been killed , '' the source informed @ @ @ @ @ that emergency services are currently on site .
There has been no fire on the @ @ @ @ @ the plane ] crashed rather far from residential buildings , '' the source stated .
@ @ @ @ @ lightweight multipurpose plane that seats two people .
It was developed by the Ukrainian company @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, June 11. /TASS/. /TASS/. A light plane has crashed near the settlement of Avdotyinka in Russia’s Ryazan Region, the pilot has been killed, the regional emergency ministry directorate’s press service informed TASS on Thursday.
"A plane has crashed near the settlement of Avdotyinka, reportedly a Bekas plane, there has been no spillage of fuel, the pilot has been killed," the source informed.
The press service noted that emergency services are currently on site. There has been no fire on the ground. "It [the plane] crashed rather far from residential buildings," the source stated.
The Bekas X-32 is a lightweight multipurpose plane that seats two people. It was developed by the Ukrainian company Lilienthal, produced since 1993.


tass--2020-06-11--Lawyers of Russia’s Yaroshenko to join class-action lawsuit against US prison head

ROSTOV-ON-DON , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
The defense of Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko , who is currently imprisoned in the US ’ s FCI Danbury , plans to join the class-action lawsuit against the FCI administration in a bid to ensure the pilot ’ s release , Yaroshenko ’ s lawyer Alexey Tarasov told TASS Thursday .
`` We hope that , after we obtain the materials about Yaroshenko ’ s health , the full set , we will be able to make a strong argument to include Konstantin to the list of vulnerable Danbury prisoners who must be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the lawyer said .
According to Tarasov , the correctional institution currently prepares the set of documents on Yaroshenko ’ s health which would make it possible to join the lawsuit , filed to the Federal Connecticut Court by a number of US human rights organizations against the Danbury warden .
The lawyer explained that the judge , who reviewed the lawsuit , was not satisfied with the superficial analysis the prison conducted regarding prisoners with health conditions .
`` If a patient ’ s medical history included certain codes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that prisoner was included into a list of prisoners with ailments , incompatible with the coronavirus .
However , these codes that are in the prison database , are very far from the real medical conditions of the inmates , '' Tarasov said .
According to the lawyer , it has become known that the prison administration could have destroyed a part of the inmates ’ medical documents .
`` Yesterday , a motion was filed to rule the prison ’ s medical aid inadequate , and this happened because the prison destroyed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical assistance , '' the lawyer said .
In a bid to receive medical aid , the inmated filed special forms every time .
During the review of the class-action lawsuit , it was revealed that the prison administration destroyed these forms after seven days .
In 2011 , Yarkoshenko was sentenced to 20 years in prison .
He denies his guilt entirely and considers his arrest a provocation , and his case - a fabrication .
He was expatriated to the US from Liberia , where he was arrested on May 28 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Drug Enforcement Agency operating undercover ostensibly obtained evidence Yaroshenko had criminal intent to transport a large batch of cocaine .
On June 4 , Russian Embassy to the US once again called on Washington to freed Russian nationals in US prisons over the coronavirus infection threat .
According to Russian Ambassador Anatoly Antonov , people with serious conditions , who are especially susceptible to the coronavirus infection , cause the highest concerns .
Among that are Konstantin Yaroshenko , Viktor Bout , Roman Seleznyov , Bogdana Osipova and Oleg Nikitin .

ROSTOV-ON-DON, June 11. /TASS/. The defense of Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko, who is currently imprisoned in the US’s FCI Danbury, plans to join the class-action lawsuit against the FCI administration in a bid to ensure the pilot’s release, Yaroshenko’s lawyer Alexey Tarasov told TASS Thursday.
"We hope that, after we obtain the materials about Yaroshenko’s health, the full set, we will be able to make a strong argument to include Konstantin to the list of vulnerable Danbury prisoners who must be released by order of the federal judge," the lawyer said.
According to Tarasov, the correctional institution currently prepares the set of documents on Yaroshenko’s health which would make it possible to join the lawsuit, filed to the Federal Connecticut Court by a number of US human rights organizations against the Danbury warden.
The lawyer explained that the judge, who reviewed the lawsuit, was not satisfied with the superficial analysis the prison conducted regarding prisoners with health conditions.
"If a patient’s medical history included certain codes, which corresponded to health conditions, then that prisoner was included into a list of prisoners with ailments, incompatible with the coronavirus. However, these codes that are in the prison database, are very far from the real medical conditions of the inmates," Tarasov said.
According to the lawyer, it has become known that the prison administration could have destroyed a part of the inmates’ medical documents.
"Yesterday, a motion was filed to rule the prison’s medical aid inadequate, and this happened because the prison destroyed the data regarding who and when sought medical assistance," the lawyer said.
In a bid to receive medical aid, the inmated filed special forms every time. During the review of the class-action lawsuit, it was revealed that the prison administration destroyed these forms after seven days.
The Yaroshenko case
In 2011, Yarkoshenko was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He denies his guilt entirely and considers his arrest a provocation, and his case - a fabrication. He was expatriated to the US from Liberia, where he was arrested on May 28, 2010. Agents of the US Drug Enforcement Agency operating undercover ostensibly obtained evidence Yaroshenko had criminal intent to transport a large batch of cocaine.
On June 4, Russian Embassy to the US once again called on Washington to freed Russian nationals in US prisons over the coronavirus infection threat. According to Russian Ambassador Anatoly Antonov, people with serious conditions, who are especially susceptible to the coronavirus infection, cause the highest concerns. Among that are Konstantin Yaroshenko, Viktor Bout, Roman Seleznyov, Bogdana Osipova and Oleg Nikitin.


tass--2020-06-11--Moscow’s coronavirus-related indicators on decline since May 7

MOSCOW , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
Specialists note that all indicators related to the coronavirus pandemic have been going down in Moscow since May 7 , Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said on TV Thursday .
`` Starting from about May 7 , we have stable constant decrease of all indicators , related to the pandemic .
This includes number of new cases , COVID pneumonias , suspicions respiratory cases with positive coronavirus diagnosis , number of hospitalizations and number of deaths .
All these indicators have been displaying positive dynamic for over a month now , '' Sobyanin said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ only based on the coronavirus dynamic .
On March 5 , Moscow introduced a heightened readiness regime , with subsequent additional restrictions , over the coronavirus pandemic , but began withdrawing them since mid-May due to improvement of the situation .
Gradually , many industrial enterprises and construction sites were reopened , as well as multiple state service centers , retail and services industry businesses Since June 9 , Moscow cancelled the self-isolation regime , outdoors schedule and passes for public transport .
Beauty parlors and veterinary clinics are open again , restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , movie studios and research institutes work as usual .
Since June 16 , restrictions on general dentistry , libraries , museums , the Zoo will be removed , attending sports events will be allowed again .
Besides , summer cafes will reopen , followed by stationary catering businesses .
Since June 23 , Moscow will reopen fitness clubs and will remove restrictions from kindergartens and social protection offices .
Masks and gloves in public places will remain obligatory .

MOSCOW, June 11. /TASS/. Specialists note that all indicators related to the coronavirus pandemic have been going down in Moscow since May 7, Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said on TV Thursday.
"Starting from about May 7, we have stable constant decrease of all indicators, related to the pandemic. This includes number of new cases, COVID pneumonias, suspicions respiratory cases with positive coronavirus diagnosis, number of hospitalizations and number of deaths. All these indicators have been displaying positive dynamic for over a month now," Sobyanin said.
He added that Moscow authorities make decisions only based on the coronavirus dynamic.
On March 5, Moscow introduced a heightened readiness regime, with subsequent additional restrictions, over the coronavirus pandemic, but began withdrawing them since mid-May due to improvement of the situation. Gradually, many industrial enterprises and construction sites were reopened, as well as multiple state service centers, retail and services industry businesses
Since June 9, Moscow cancelled the self-isolation regime, outdoors schedule and passes for public transport. Beauty parlors and veterinary clinics are open again, restrictions on carsharing, visiting cemeteries are removed, movie studios and research institutes work as usual.
Since June 16, restrictions on general dentistry, libraries, museums, the Zoo will be removed, attending sports events will be allowed again. Besides, summer cafes will reopen, followed by stationary catering businesses. Since June 23, Moscow will reopen fitness clubs and will remove restrictions from kindergartens and social protection offices. Masks and gloves in public places will remain obligatory.


tass--2020-06-11--Putin orders cabinet to allocate 42 bln rubles on salaries in education, healthcare

MOSCOW , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed the government to allocate 41.7 bln rubles ( @ @ @ @ @ maintain the level of salaries in educational and medical organizations , Kremlin ’ s press @ @ @ @ @ The relevant item is contained in the list of instructions published after the meeting on @ @ @ @ @ system in the context of the spread of coronavirus .
`` [ Hereby I instruct @ @ @ @ @ ensure allocation of 41.7 billion rubles from the federal budget to provide support to federal @ @ @ @ @ organizations in 2020 , in particular for the maintenance of the level of remuneration of @ @ @ @ @ level reached in 2019 , '' according to the document .
The first report on @ @ @ @ @ should be submitted to the head of state by June 15 , then it should @ @ @ @ @ basis .

MOSCOW, June 11. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed the government to allocate 41.7 bln rubles ($597 bln) to maintain the level of salaries in educational and medical organizations, Kremlin’s press service reported on Thursday.
The relevant item is contained in the list of instructions published after the meeting on the situation in the education system in the context of the spread of coronavirus.
"[Hereby I instruct ] the Russian government to ensure allocation of 41.7 billion rubles from the federal budget to provide support to federal educational, scientific and healthcare organizations in 2020, in particular for the maintenance of the level of remuneration of workers not lower than the level reached in 2019," according to the document.
The first report on the execution of this order should be submitted to the head of state by June 15, then it should be done on a quarterly basis.


tass--2020-06-11--US military presence cuts in Europe could help ease tension, says diplomat

MOSCOW , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
The downsizing of the US military contingent on German territory would help ease the military and political tension in the region , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a news briefing on Thursday , commenting on Washington ’ s plans to cut the American personnel in Germany .
`` On our part , we would welcome any of Washington ’ s moves for really cutting its military presence in Europe .
Such steps would undoubtedly contribute to reducing the confrontational potential and the military-political tension in the Euro-Atlantic region , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Moscow , let me remind you , has always said that maintaining the considerable numerical strength of the US troops in Germany after its unification in 1990 is a vestige of the cold war period , '' she stressed .
The Russian side is convinced that European countries can ensure their security independently in present-day realities `` without the persistent American patronage , '' the diplomat said .
`` All the more so as it [ the patronage ] , as is known , is far from being selfless , which Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instructions to its European allies , including , incidentally , Berlin , to increase their contribution to the NATO budget and does this unceremoniously , to put it mildly , '' Zakharova said .
Practical steps do not always follow Washington ’ s declarations on its intentions to withdraw its troops from foreign countries , the Russian diplomat pointed out .
`` I can cite Syria as an example .
Despite numerous statements by the US president on his decision to finally withdraw from that country , the Pentagon continues keeping its combat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international norms and contrary to the common sense and the leader ’ s expressed will and does not consider it necessary to give any explanations , '' she said .
The initiative on cutting the US troops in Germany causes a cautious attitude also because it was followed by invitations to the US soldiers still deployed in Germany to relocate to Poland , Zakharova noted .
`` I would like to stress that the reconfiguration of the US military presence in Europe towards the Russian borders will not only exacerbate the already high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the continent but will also further complicate the prospects of building a constructive dialogue between Russia and NATO in the military and political sphere , '' the Russian diplomat said .
`` In any case , if Washington is really going to gradually free German land from US Army units , it should also take away with it the American non-strategic nuclear weapons deployed on the territory of Germany , especially considering that the Americans continue actively practicing the methods of handling them in the course of joint nuclear missions with the participation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clearly violates the basic provisions of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty , to which we have drawn attention on many occasions , '' Zakharova stressed .
The news agency Reuters reported last week , citing a US official that President Donald Trump had ordered the Pentagon to cut the American military personnel in Germany .
That official said that about 9,500 US soldiers and officers would be pulled out from Germany by September .
Currently , about 34,500 US troops are stationed in Germany .
On its part , the German government announced that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington ’ s final decision before giving any detailed comments .

MOSCOW, June 11. /TASS/. The downsizing of the US military contingent on German territory would help ease the military and political tension in the region, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a news briefing on Thursday, commenting on Washington’s plans to cut the American personnel in Germany.
"On our part, we would welcome any of Washington’s moves for really cutting its military presence in Europe. Such steps would undoubtedly contribute to reducing the confrontational potential and the military-political tension in the Euro-Atlantic region," the Russian diplomat said.
"Incidentally, Moscow, let me remind you, has always said that maintaining the considerable numerical strength of the US troops in Germany after its unification in 1990 is a vestige of the cold war period," she stressed.
The Russian side is convinced that European countries can ensure their security independently in present-day realities "without the persistent American patronage," the diplomat said.
"All the more so as it [the patronage], as is known, is far from being selfless, which Washington regularly and quite insistently recalls, giving instructions to its European allies, including, incidentally, Berlin, to increase their contribution to the NATO budget and does this unceremoniously, to put it mildly," Zakharova said.
Practical steps do not always follow Washington’s declarations on its intentions to withdraw its troops from foreign countries, the Russian diplomat pointed out.
"I can cite Syria as an example. Despite numerous statements by the US president on his decision to finally withdraw from that country, the Pentagon continues keeping its combat units and bases in the violation of international norms and contrary to the common sense and the leader’s expressed will and does not consider it necessary to give any explanations," she said.
The initiative on cutting the US troops in Germany causes a cautious attitude also because it was followed by invitations to the US soldiers still deployed in Germany to relocate to Poland, Zakharova noted.
"I would like to stress that the reconfiguration of the US military presence in Europe towards the Russian borders will not only exacerbate the already high tension in the sphere of security on the continent but will also further complicate the prospects of building a constructive dialogue between Russia and NATO in the military and political sphere," the Russian diplomat said.
"In any case, if Washington is really going to gradually free German land from US Army units, it should also take away with it the American non-strategic nuclear weapons deployed on the territory of Germany, especially considering that the Americans continue actively practicing the methods of handling them in the course of joint nuclear missions with the participation of NATO non-nuclear states, and this clearly violates the basic provisions of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, to which we have drawn attention on many occasions," Zakharova stressed.
US troops’ withdrawal from Germany
The news agency Reuters reported last week, citing a US official that President Donald Trump had ordered the Pentagon to cut the American military personnel in Germany. That official said that about 9,500 US soldiers and officers would be pulled out from Germany by September. Currently, about 34,500 US troops are stationed in Germany.
On its part, the German government announced that it was waiting for official information and Washington’s final decision before giving any detailed comments.


tass--2020-06-11--Russian, US diplomats discuss Syrian regulation during phone call

MOSCOW , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin and US Special Representative for Syria Engagement @ @ @ @ @ regulation during a phone call on Thursday , the Russian Foreign Ministry informed .
`` @ @ @ @ @ `` on the ground , '' including stabilization in Idlib , in the Euphrates area @ @ @ @ @ the country , '' the ministry informed .
`` They have discussed the promotion of @ @ @ @ @ Syrian crisis in accordance with Resolution 2254 of the UN Security Council , which supports @ @ @ @ @ integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic , '' the ministry said .

MOSCOW, June 11. /TASS/. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin and US Special Representative for Syria Engagement James Jeffrey have discussed Syrian regulation during a phone call on Thursday, the Russian Foreign Ministry informed.
"They have discussed the situation "on the ground," including stabilization in Idlib, in the Euphrates area and in the south of the country," the ministry informed.
"They have discussed the promotion of the political regulation of the Syrian crisis in accordance with Resolution 2254 of the UN Security Council, which supports sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic," the ministry said.


tass--2020-06-11--91-year-old woman recovers from COVID-19 in Armenia

YEREVAN , June 11./TASS/ .
A ninety-one-year-old woman hospitalized with coronavirus , has recovered and was discharged from a clinic @ @ @ @ @ in Armenia ’ s Ararat region , on Thursday , region ’ s governor Garik @ @ @ @ @ `` Ninety-one-year-old Roza Martirosyan , diagnosed with coronavirus , has just been discharged from a @ @ @ @ @ is a mother of five children , having 32 grandchildren and great grandchildren .
She @ @ @ @ @ had contracted the virus from , but says that there were a lot of infected @ @ @ @ @ '' the governor wrote .
The coronavirus situation remains tense in Armenia .
Up to @ @ @ @ @ daily over the past week , while the total number of infections has amounted to @ @ @ @

YEREVAN, June 11./TASS/. A ninety-one-year-old woman hospitalized with coronavirus, has recovered and was discharged from a clinic in Artashat, a city in Armenia’s Ararat region, on Thursday, region’s governor Garik Sarkisyan blogged on Facebook.
"Ninety-one-year-old Roza Martirosyan, diagnosed with coronavirus, has just been discharged from a clinic in Artashat. She is a mother of five children, having 32 grandchildren and great grandchildren. She did not know who she had contracted the virus from, but says that there were a lot of infected persons among her neighbors," the governor wrote.
The coronavirus situation remains tense in Armenia. Up to 400 new cases were reported daily over the past week, while the total number of infections has amounted to more than 14,600.


tass--2020-06-11--Brent oil price falls below $38 per barrel at ICE in London

MOSCOW , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
The cost of an August futures for Brent crude oil on the ICE @ @ @ @ @ decline and fell to $ 37.94 per barrel , which is 9.1 % down since @ @ @ @ @ trading session .
This is according to the data as of 7:29 pm Moscow time @ @ @ @ @ 10.3 % and is trading at $ 35.68 per barrel .
As of 7:45 pm @ @ @ @ @ crude oil slightly recovered the loss and fell to $ 38.34 per barrel ( -8.1 @ @ @ @ @ crude oil dropped to $ 36.24 per barrel ( -8.9 % ) .
The Russian @ @ @ @ @ against the US dollar and the euro in the course of foreign currency trading on @ @ @ @ @ dollar-to-ruble rate rose to 69.83 rubles .
( +1.9 % ) , the euro went @ @ @ @ @ ( +1.9 % ) .

MOSCOW, June 11. /TASS/. The cost of an August futures for Brent crude oil on the ICE Exchange in London accelerated the decline and fell to $37.94 per barrel, which is 9.1% down since the closure of the previous trading session. This is according to the data as of 7:29 pm Moscow time.
WTI crude oil lost 10.3% and is trading at $35.68 per barrel.
As of 7:45 pm. Moscow time, Brent crude oil slightly recovered the loss and fell to $38.34 per barrel (-8.1%), and WTI crude oil dropped to $ 36.24 per barrel (-8.9%).
The Russian ruble also continues to decline against the US dollar and the euro in the course of foreign currency trading on the Moscow Exchange. The dollar-to-ruble rate rose to 69.83 rubles. (+1.9%), the euro went up to 79.42 rubles. (+1.9%).


tass--2020-06-11--Putin, King of Jordan talk coronavirus, Syria, Libya

MOSCOW , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin and King of Jordan Abdullah II have had a @ @ @ @ @ consolidation of efforts to fight coronavirus as well as the situation in Syria , Libya @ @ @ @ @ the Middle East , the Kremlin press service noted .
`` Both sides have stressed @ @ @ @ @ efforts to tackle the consequences of the pandemic , expressing readiness for taking part in @ @ @ @ @ the Kremlin press service informed on the outcomes of the phone call between Vladimir Putin @ @ @ @ @ , the leaders `` exchanged opinions on current issues on the regional agenda , particularly @ @ @ @ @ Libya and the Middle Eastern settlement , '' the statement issued following the phone call @ @ @ @ @ agreed to continue contacts on different levels , '' the press service added .

MOSCOW, June 11. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin and King of Jordan Abdullah II have had a phone call Thursday to discuss consolidation of efforts to fight coronavirus as well as the situation in Syria, Libya and other current issues of the Middle East, the Kremlin press service noted.
"Both sides have stressed the importance of consolidated international efforts to tackle the consequences of the pandemic, expressing readiness for taking part in this joint work," the Kremlin press service informed on the outcomes of the phone call between Vladimir Putin and Abdullah II.
Moreover, the leaders "exchanged opinions on current issues on the regional agenda, particularly the situation in Syria, Libya and the Middle Eastern settlement," the statement issued following the phone call noted.
"It was agreed to continue contacts on different levels," the press service added.


tass--2020-06-11--Russian envoy reasons with Italy's justice minister on ex-business head's home extradition

ROME , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Ambassador to Italy Sergey Razov conveyed his arguments in favor of extradition of the United Engine Corporation ’ s Director of Business Development Alexander Korshunov to Russia to Italian Minister of Justice Alfonso Bonafede , the Russian Embassy in Italy told journalists Thursday .
According to the embassy , the meeting took place on the Russian initiative .
`` The sides discussed the case of Russian national Alexander Korshunov , currently in custody in Italy , whose extradition is sought by both Russia and the US .
The Italian side was presented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Russia ’ s extradition request .
The minister of justice pledged that the issue would be given a thorough review , considering all circumstances and a high-profile nature of the case , '' the embassy said in its statement .
Earlier , Italian Court of Cassation confirmed the Appellation Court ’ s ruling on extradition of Korshunov , arrested in Italy on American request , to the US .
Washington accuses him of conspiracy and attempt to steal US commercial secrets from a US plane maker .
Concurrently , Russia also demands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of fraud and theft .
Korshunov , who currently stays under house arrest in Italy , agreed to be extradited to Russia .
`` According to the Italian legislation , the minister of justice has to make the final decision within 45 days from the court ’ s ruling , '' the embassy recalled .

ROME, June 11. /TASS/. Russian Ambassador to Italy Sergey Razov conveyed his arguments in favor of extradition of the United Engine Corporation’s Director of Business Development Alexander Korshunov to Russia to Italian Minister of Justice Alfonso Bonafede, the Russian Embassy in Italy told journalists Thursday.
According to the embassy, the meeting took place on the Russian initiative. "The sides discussed the case of Russian national Alexander Korshunov, currently in custody in Italy, whose extradition is sought by both Russia and the US. The Italian side was presented with comprehensive arguments in favor of satisfaction of Russia’s extradition request. The minister of justice pledged that the issue would be given a thorough review, considering all circumstances and a high-profile nature of the case," the embassy said in its statement.
Earlier, Italian Court of Cassation confirmed the Appellation Court’s ruling on extradition of Korshunov, arrested in Italy on American request, to the US. Washington accuses him of conspiracy and attempt to steal US commercial secrets from a US plane maker. Concurrently, Russia also demands Korshunov’s extradition, accusing him of fraud and theft. Korshunov, who currently stays under house arrest in Italy, agreed to be extradited to Russia.
"According to the Italian legislation, the minister of justice has to make the final decision within 45 days from the court’s ruling," the embassy recalled.


tass--2020-06-11--Mass vaccination against coronavirus may begin at the end of the year, says Moscow mayor

MOSCOW , June 11./TASS/ .
Specialists expect that mass vaccination of Moscow residents against the novel coronavirus may begin as early as December , Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin told Rossiya-24 television on Thursday .
`` Tremendous work is underway to develop a Russian vaccine .
Several institutions are working on it simultaneously , several directions .
Several versions of the vaccine are being worked out .
At least three vaccines are already at the stage of clinical trials , '' the mayor stressed .
`` I believe that in the next few months we will be hearing more and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine .
Colleagues say that the first vaccine may appear in August , September or October .
Specialists say that mass vaccination will be possible closer to New Year , by winter , '' Sobyanin added .
He also expressed confidence that a medicine for coronavirus will appear shortly .
All medicines that arrive , immediately go to the network of Moscow clinics .
Digital passes and self-isolation rules were lifted in the Russian capital on June 9 .
Hairdressing salons , veterinary clinics and personnel recruitment agencies have reopened .
The same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and cemeteries .
The car sharing service is operating in its routine mode .
Film and sound recording studios as well as research centers have resumed normal operation .
Starting from June 16 - dentist clinics , companies in the real estate segment , leasing , law , accounting , consulting , advertising and market research will get back to normalcy .
Summer cafes , libraries , museums , exhibition halls and zoos will be able to reopen provided they observe restrictions on the number of visitors at any one time .
From @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be allowed to open alongside restaurants , cafes , canteens , bars , and other public catering outlets , spa salons , sunrooms , steam baths and saunas .
However , wearing masks and gloves remains compulsory in public spaces .

MOSCOW, June 11./TASS/. Specialists expect that mass vaccination of Moscow residents against the novel coronavirus may begin as early as December, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin told Rossiya-24 television on Thursday.
"Tremendous work is underway to develop a Russian vaccine. Several institutions are working on it simultaneously, several directions. Several versions of the vaccine are being worked out. At least three vaccines are already at the stage of clinical trials," the mayor stressed.
"I believe that in the next few months we will be hearing more and more positive news about the creation of a vaccine. Colleagues say that the first vaccine may appear in August, September or October. Specialists say that mass vaccination will be possible closer to New Year, by winter," Sobyanin added.
He also expressed confidence that a medicine for coronavirus will appear shortly. All medicines that arrive, immediately go to the network of Moscow clinics.
Digital passes and self-isolation rules were lifted in the Russian capital on June 9. Hairdressing salons, veterinary clinics and personnel recruitment agencies have reopened. The same applies to the offices of non-governmental organizations and cemeteries. The car sharing service is operating in its routine mode. Film and sound recording studios as well as research centers have resumed normal operation. Starting from June 16 - dentist clinics, companies in the real estate segment, leasing, law, accounting, consulting, advertising and market research will get back to normalcy. Summer cafes, libraries, museums, exhibition halls and zoos will be able to reopen provided they observe restrictions on the number of visitors at any one time.
From June 23, gyms and swimming pools will be allowed to open alongside restaurants, cafes, canteens, bars, and other public catering outlets, spa salons, sunrooms, steam baths and saunas. However, wearing masks and gloves remains compulsory in public spaces.


tass--2020-06-11--Latest nuclear-powered sub to enter service with Russian Navy on June 12

MOSCOW , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
The improved Project 955A ( Borei-A ) strategic nuclear-powered missile-carrying submarine Knyaz Vladimir will enter service with the Russian Navy on June 12 , Russia ’ s Defense Ministry reported on Thursday .
`` On Russia Day , June 12 , the Sevmash Shipyard in Severodvinsk will hold a ceremony of accepting the latest Project Borei-A ( 955A ) strategic missile-carrying underwater cruiser Knyaz Vladimir for service in the Navy and raising the St. Andrew ’ s naval flag on its board , '' the ministry said .
A source in the domestic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the improved Project 955A ( Borei-A ) lead nuclear-powered submarine Knyaz Vladimir would enter service with the Northern Fleet ’ s 31st submarine division on June 12 .
The nuclear-powered submarine completed its state trials in late 2019 but the sub ’ s delivery to the Navy was delayed over faults revealed .
After the faults were removed , the underwater cruiser held final trials in the White Sea on May 12-21 and then returned to Severodvinsk .
The sub ’ s acceptance/delivery certificate was signed on May 28 .
The Knyaz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missile-carrying underwater cruiser , which represents the fourth generation of nuclear-powered subs built for the Russian Navy .
It was floated out in November 2017 .
According to the data of Russia ’ s Defense Ministry , the sub Knyaz Vladimir is less noisy and features improved maneuvering , depth and armament control systems .
All Borei-class submarines can carry 16 Bulava ballistic missiles .
They are also furnished with 533mm torpedo tubes .

MOSCOW, June 11. /TASS/. The improved Project 955A (Borei-A) strategic nuclear-powered missile-carrying submarine Knyaz Vladimir will enter service with the Russian Navy on June 12, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on Thursday.
"On Russia Day, June 12, the Sevmash Shipyard in Severodvinsk will hold a ceremony of accepting the latest Project Borei-A (955A) strategic missile-carrying underwater cruiser Knyaz Vladimir for service in the Navy and raising the St. Andrew’s naval flag on its board," the ministry said.
A source in the domestic defense industry told TASS on June 8 that the improved Project 955A (Borei-A) lead nuclear-powered submarine Knyaz Vladimir would enter service with the Northern Fleet’s 31st submarine division on June 12.
The nuclear-powered submarine completed its state trials in late 2019 but the sub’s delivery to the Navy was delayed over faults revealed. After the faults were removed, the underwater cruiser held final trials in the White Sea on May 12-21 and then returned to Severodvinsk. The sub’s acceptance/delivery certificate was signed on May 28.
The Knyaz Vladimir is the improved Project 955A strategic missile-carrying underwater cruiser, which represents the fourth generation of nuclear-powered subs built for the Russian Navy. It was floated out in November 2017. According to the data of Russia’s Defense Ministry, the sub Knyaz Vladimir is less noisy and features improved maneuvering, depth and armament control systems.
All Borei-class submarines can carry 16 Bulava ballistic missiles. They are also furnished with 533mm torpedo tubes.


tass--2020-06-11--Russia urges Georgia to make use of cooperation experience during pandemic

MOSCOW , June 11./TASS/ .
Moscow is grateful to Tbilisi for assistance in the repatriation of Russian nationals amid the pandemic , and urges the Georgian side to use a positive experience of cooperation for the development of bilateral relations , Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a briefing on Thursday .
`` I seize the occasion to thank the Georgian Foreign Ministry , the section of Georgian interests in Moscow , as well as the Swiss Embassy in Tbilisi that efficiently ensured coordination of numerous humanitarian problems emerging during the evacuation of Russian nationals , '' she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ managed to establish humanitarian cooperation despite a difficult political situation between Russia and Georgia , '' Zakharova stressed .
`` We are confident that this is the example of how we must act when misfortune comes to all , it would be great if we didn ’ t wait for a next one , but used this experience in full on a daily basis .
We expect that this experience will be in demand after the coronavirus pandemic ends , '' the diplomat emphasized .
The Russian diplomat also thanked the Georgian side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nigeria on a repatriation flight , as well as for assistance in the repatriation of Russian nationals from Georgia .
`` I also want to mention that we , for our part , were also helping Georgian nationals , '' she said , citing the situation when Russia assisted in the return of Georgian nationals from Brazil .
`` These are remarkable examples , and I think that we must use them as a basis , and then , possibly , we will be able to solve many problems , '' the diplomat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia was scaling down international flights from February 1 , while on March 27 all flights abroad were stopped with the exception of repatriation , cargo and post flights .
Georgia severed diplomatic relations with Russia on September 2 , 2008 after Russia had recognized Abkhazia ’ s and South Ossetia ’ s independence .
This done , Georgia ’ s foreign ministry said it would preserve consular relations with Russia and in March 2009 opened a section of Russian interests with Russian diplomatic and technical personnel at the Swiss embassy in Tbilisi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s interests and employing Georgian personnel , was opened at Switzerland ’ s embassy in Moscow .
Apart from that , regular contacts have been maintained between Georgian prime minister ’ s special envoy for relations with Russia Zurab Abashidze and Russia ’ s former Deputy Foreign Minister and now senator Grigory Karasian .

MOSCOW, June 11./TASS/. Moscow is grateful to Tbilisi for assistance in the repatriation of Russian nationals amid the pandemic, and urges the Georgian side to use a positive experience of cooperation for the development of bilateral relations, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a briefing on Thursday.
"I seize the occasion to thank the Georgian Foreign Ministry, the section of Georgian interests in Moscow, as well as the Swiss Embassy in Tbilisi that efficiently ensured coordination of numerous humanitarian problems emerging during the evacuation of Russian nationals," she said.
"It is important that we have managed to establish humanitarian cooperation despite a difficult political situation between Russia and Georgia," Zakharova stressed. "We are confident that this is the example of how we must act when misfortune comes to all, it would be great if we didn’t wait for a next one, but used this experience in full on a daily basis. We expect that this experience will be in demand after the coronavirus pandemic ends," the diplomat emphasized.
The Russian diplomat also thanked the Georgian side for the return of Russian seamen from Nigeria on a repatriation flight, as well as for assistance in the repatriation of Russian nationals from Georgia.
"I also want to mention that we, for our part, were also helping Georgian nationals," she said, citing the situation when Russia assisted in the return of Georgian nationals from Brazil.
"These are remarkable examples, and I think that we must use them as a basis, and then, possibly, we will be able to solve many problems," the diplomat stressed.
Due to the pandemic, Russia was scaling down international flights from February 1, while on March 27 all flights abroad were stopped with the exception of repatriation, cargo and post flights.
Georgia severed diplomatic relations with Russia on September 2, 2008 after Russia had recognized Abkhazia’s and South Ossetia’s independence. This done, Georgia’s foreign ministry said it would preserve consular relations with Russia and in March 2009 opened a section of Russian interests with Russian diplomatic and technical personnel at the Swiss embassy in Tbilisi. A similar section, representing Georgia’s interests and employing Georgian personnel, was opened at Switzerland’s embassy in Moscow.
Apart from that, regular contacts have been maintained between Georgian prime minister’s special envoy for relations with Russia Zurab Abashidze and Russia’s former Deputy Foreign Minister and now senator Grigory Karasian.


tass--2020-06-11--Lavrov to make first foreign visit since start of pandemic to Serbia on June 18

MOSCOW , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will make the first foreign visit since the @ @ @ @ @ on June 18 to Serbia , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during Thursday @ @ @ @ @ On June 18 , a working visit of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to the @ @ @ @ @ place , '' she said .
`` This will be the first foreign visit of @ @ @ @ @ break caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic . ''
The spokeswoman informed that Lavrov plans @ @ @ @ @ Aleksandar Vucic and with Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic .
`` They plan to discuss @ @ @ @ @ and economic cooperation in detail , exchanging opinions on the situation in the Balkans and @ @ @ @ @ '' Zakharova added .

MOSCOW, June 11. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will make the first foreign visit since the start of the coronavirus pandemic on June 18 to Serbia, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during Thursday’s briefing.
"On June 18, a working visit of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to the Republic of Serbia will take place," she said. "This will be the first foreign visit of the minister since the forced break caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic."
The spokeswoman informed that Lavrov plans to meet with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and with Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic.
"They plan to discuss the issues of Russian-Serbian political and economic cooperation in detail, exchanging opinions on the situation in the Balkans and on current international issues," Zakharova added.


tass--2020-06-11--Russia, Vietnam planning to expand economic cooperation, Kremlin says

MOSCOW , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has had a phone call with his Vietnamese counterpart @ @ @ @ @ prospects of expanding economic and political cooperation , the Kremlin press service said Thursday .
@ @ @ @ @ development of bilateral ties were thoroughly discussed .
The interest was stressed in expanding the @ @ @ @ @ particularly via maximizing the potential of the free trade agreement between the EAEU ( Eurasian @ @ @ @ @ and Vietnam , '' the press service noted .
The Kremlin clarified that the leaders @ @ @ @ @ cooperation .

MOSCOW, June 11. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has had a phone call with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Phu Trong to discuss prospects of expanding economic and political cooperation, the Kremlin press service said Thursday.
"Specific directions of the development of bilateral ties were thoroughly discussed. The interest was stressed in expanding the trade and economic cooperation, particularly via maximizing the potential of the free trade agreement between the EAEU (Eurasian Economic Union - TASS) and Vietnam," the press service noted.
The Kremlin clarified that the leaders outlined the importance of energy cooperation.


tass--2020-06-11--Russia-US INF dialogue should be revived soon — diplomat

MOSCOW , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
The discussion of extending the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty ( INF Treaty ) should be revived , Spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova told a briefing Thursday .
`` The issue of extending the effect of the INF Treaty as the only still operational bilateral instrument of nuclear arms control is becoming more and more pressing , '' she said .
`` Considering the importance of the INF Treaty , we are coming from the premise that the bilateral dialogue on this issue should be revived soon . ''
Zakharova underlined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arms control , `` guided primarily by ideas of responsibility for the world ’ s fate and maintenance of stability and security . ''
`` In the current situation , we consider the dialogue with the US on different issues of extending the INF Treaty crucial in trying to stop further scrapping of agreements effective in this sphere , '' the diplomat added .
The spokeswoman then emphasized that the format and the level of this dialogue in particular depend on the US side ’ s willingness to talk constructively .
Earlier , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TASS that on June 22 he and US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea will hold talks in Vienna .
According to Bloomberg , Washington does not rule out the possibility that the negotiations will include an INF Treaty extension .

"The issue of extending the effect of the INF Treaty as the only still operational bilateral instrument of nuclear arms control is becoming more and more pressing," she said. "Considering the importance of the INF Treaty, we are coming from the premise that the bilateral dialogue on this issue should be revived soon."
Zakharova underlined that Moscow is attaching great importance to arms control, "guided primarily by ideas of responsibility for the world’s fate and maintenance of stability and security." "In the current situation, we consider the dialogue with the US on different issues of extending the INF Treaty crucial in trying to stop further scrapping of agreements effective in this sphere," the diplomat added.
The spokeswoman then emphasized that the format and the level of this dialogue in particular depend on the US side’s willingness to talk constructively.
Earlier, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told TASS that on June 22 he and US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea will hold talks in Vienna. According to Bloomberg, Washington does not rule out the possibility that the negotiations will include an INF Treaty extension.


tass--2020-06-11--Twenty-nine African states have sought Russia’s help in fight against pandemic

MOSCOW , June 11./TASS/ .
About 30 African states have asked Russia to help in their fight against the coronavirus pandemic , with Guinea , the Democratic Republic of the Congo , Djibouti and South Africa having received aid as of now , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a briefing on Thursday .
`` Amid the coronavirus pandemic , Russia has received appeals from 29 African states overall , as well as from the African Union , to help in their fight against the spread of COVID-19 , '' the diplomat said .
The DRC has received more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ labs and over 8,000 individual protection means .
Djibouti has received multi-purpose medial modules , tents and components for building two mobile health units , South Africa and Guinea have received testing systems .
According to Zakharova , modalities of supplies of medical equipment and materials to Guinea are being looked into .
The spokeswoman also said that the Comoros and Madagascar received food supplies during the pandemic .
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Africa has reached 206,617 after increasing by 5,460 in the past 24 hours , while 5,642 patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continent , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) Africa branch said Thursday .
South Africa accounts for the biggest number of infections ( 55,421 ) and 1,210 deaths .

MOSCOW, June 11./TASS/. About 30 African states have asked Russia to help in their fight against the coronavirus pandemic, with Guinea, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti and South Africa having received aid as of now, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a briefing on Thursday.
"Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Russia has received appeals from 29 African states overall, as well as from the African Union, to help in their fight against the spread of COVID-19," the diplomat said.
The DRC has received more than 28,000 units of expendable materials for labs and over 8,000 individual protection means. Djibouti has received multi-purpose medial modules, tents and components for building two mobile health units, South Africa and Guinea have received testing systems.
According to Zakharova, modalities of supplies of medical equipment and materials to Guinea are being looked into. The spokeswoman also said that the Comoros and Madagascar received food supplies during the pandemic.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Africa has reached 206,617 after increasing by 5,460 in the past 24 hours, while 5,642 patients died from the virus-related causes across the continent, the World Health Organization (WHO) Africa branch said Thursday.
South Africa accounts for the biggest number of infections (55,421) and 1,210 deaths.


tass--2020-06-11--This week in photos: George Floyd’s funeral, Columbus statue toppled, and Arctic oil spill

New list of goods banned for export in Russia will come into effect on June 13 Earlier the list was @ @ @ @ @ the Eurasian Economic Commission

Lukashenko says Putin promises he would regard attack on Belarus as attack on Russia
The Belarusian leader pointed out that NATO was quickly building up forces on the border with Belarus in Poland and in the Baltic countries
Read more


tass--2020-06-11--Russia hopes to complete talks on biological labs with Armenia soon, says ambassador

YEREVAN , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow hopes to complete negotiations on biological labs with Yerevan as soon as @ @ @ @ @ on the issue , which guarantees non-presence of foreign military personnel in these laboratories , @ @ @ @ @ Kopyrkin said at an online briefing on Thursday .
`` Work to agree on the @ @ @ @ @ the stage of inter-agency coordination .
However , all that has been suspended because of @ @ @ @ @ Russia , of course , we look forward to the soonest completion of negotiations and @ @ @ @ @ with our Armenian partners .
We are confident that the signing of this memorandum will @ @ @ @ @ the sanitary and epidemiological wellbeing of Russia , Armenia and the entire post-Soviet space , @ @ @ @ @ Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said earlier that the Russian-Armenian memorandum on biological labs would result @ @ @ @ @ biological safety between the two countries .

YEREVAN, June 11. /TASS/. Moscow hopes to complete negotiations on biological labs with Yerevan as soon as possible and finalize a memorandum on the issue, which guarantees non-presence of foreign military personnel in these laboratories, Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin said at an online briefing on Thursday.
"Work to agree on the biological lab issue is at the stage of inter-agency coordination. However, all that has been suspended because of the pandemic. As for Russia, of course, we look forward to the soonest completion of negotiations and the coordination of that memorandum with our Armenian partners. We are confident that the signing of this memorandum will have a favorable impact on the sanitary and epidemiological wellbeing of Russia, Armenia and the entire post-Soviet space," he noted.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said earlier that the Russian-Armenian memorandum on biological labs would result in stronger cooperation in ensuring biological safety between the two countries.


tass--2020-06-11--Twelve foreign leaders confirm Russian Victory parade attendance

MOSCOW , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
Russia acknowledged that all previously issued invitations to the Victory parade in Moscow are still on the table and 12 leaders had confirmed they would attend the event , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told President Vladimir Putin ’ s meeting with permanent members of the national Security Council Thursday .
`` We confirmed that all invitations are still active for all those invited to the parade [ initially ] planned for May 9 .
We already received confirmations from 12 heads of state , most of whom are [ heads ] of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — TASS ] , '' the minister noted .
On May 26 , Russian President Vladimir Putin announced at a meeting with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu that the Victory parade will take place on June 24 and ordered to launch preparations to hold it .
He explained that he had chosen the date since June 24 was the day when back in 1945 the legendary historic parade of victors took place on Red Square , involving soldiers , who fought for Moscow , defended Leningrad and Stalingrad , liberated Europe and stormed Berlin @

MOSCOW, June 11. /TASS/. Russia acknowledged that all previously issued invitations to the Victory parade in Moscow are still on the table and 12 leaders had confirmed they would attend the event, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told President Vladimir Putin’s meeting with permanent members of the national Security Council Thursday.
"We confirmed that all invitations are still active for all those invited to the parade [initially] planned for May 9. We already received confirmations from 12 heads of state, most of whom are [heads] of the CIS [Commonwealth of Independent States — TASS]," the minister noted.
On May 26, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced at a meeting with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu that the Victory parade will take place on June 24 and ordered to launch preparations to hold it. He explained that he had chosen the date since June 24 was the day when back in 1945 the legendary historic parade of victors took place on Red Square, involving soldiers, who fought for Moscow, defended Leningrad and Stalingrad, liberated Europe and stormed Berlin.


tass--2020-06-11--Moscow court sentences pensioner over charges of membership in extremist group

MOSCOW , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow ’ s Tverskoi Court convicted Vyacheslav Gorbaty , a pensioner , charged @ @ @ @ @ organization , to a two-year suspended sentence , the court ’ s press service told @ @ @ @ @ court has found Gorbaty guilty of [ participation in an extremist organization ] and sentenced @ @ @ @ @ sentence and three years ’ probation , '' the court said .
The court determined @ @ @ @ @ of an organization that de facto continued the activity of the People ’ s Will @ @ @ @ @ the court earlier deemed extremist .
Earlier , Gorbaty was charged with funding an extremist @ @ @ @ @ was later withdrawn due to limitation period .

MOSCOW, June 11. /TASS/. Moscow’s Tverskoi Court convicted Vyacheslav Gorbaty, a pensioner, charged with participation in an extremist organization, to a two-year suspended sentence, the court’s press service told TASS Thursday.
"The court has found Gorbaty guilty of [participation in an extremist organization] and sentenced him to a two-year suspended sentence and three years’ probation," the court said.
The court determined that Gorbaty was a member of an organization that de facto continued the activity of the People’s Will Army public movement, which the court earlier deemed extremist. Earlier, Gorbaty was charged with funding an extremist organization, but this charge was later withdrawn due to limitation period.


tass--2020-06-11--Putin highlights need to ensure full safety of foreign guests during Victory Parade

NOVO-OGARYOVO , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
The safety of foreign guests during the June 24 Victory Parade must be @ @ @ @ @ , Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with the permanent members of Russia @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .
He noted that the pandemic had made substantial adjustments to preparations for that @ @ @ @ @ with foreign colleagues .
`` We certainly need to ensure the full safety of our @ @ @ @ @ .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, June 11. /TASS/. The safety of foreign guests during the June 24 Victory Parade must be fully ensured amid the pandemic, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with the permanent members of Russia’s Security Council on Thursday.
He noted that the pandemic had made substantial adjustments to preparations for that event, including the work with foreign colleagues.
"We certainly need to ensure the full safety of our guests," Putin said.


tass--2020-06-11--China seeks swift restoration of air links with Russia

BEIJING , June 11./TASS/ .
Beijing is interested in restarting regular flights between China and Russia as soon as possible , and is ready to advance this process through teamwork with the Russian side , a statement by the press service of the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Thursday .
`` China expects that the global epidemic situation will normalize shortly , so that in strict compliance with the requirements of epidemic control we could join forces with Russia to gradually restart regular contacts between the nationals of our countries , '' said the statement made available to TASS .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ license and meet the demands [ of the Chinese side ] to counteract the coronavirus , can already now choose one of the airports in the People ’ s Republic of China , '' it said .
The ministry specified that for the time being , carriers will be operating only one flight a week along one route from a list of the Chinese cities officially opened for international flights .
`` We maintain close contacts with the Russian Foreign Ministry on the issues of ensuring necessary conditions and mutual support , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press service , Russian representatives planning to visit China for a business trip or under a program of scientific and urgent humanitarian exchanges may submit visa applications to the Chinese embassy or consulates .
`` The Chinese side will be gradually restoring interpersonal contacts with other countries , '' the statement emphasized .
Last week , China ’ s Civil Aviation Administration reported that starting June 8 , foreign carriers would be able to choose one of the Chinese airports for future regular flights .
Under the document , this refers to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the carriers operating flights under the March 12 rule - one carrier from each country had the right to apply for one flight a week to China to one destination .
The Russian carriers that have received the opportunity to submit an application must guarantee strict measures of epidemic control .
In case the number of passengers infected with coronavirus on board their planes arriving in China exceeds five , they will be stripped of the right to operate flights for a week .
If ten passengers get infected , they will have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the approved list of the cities published on the website of the Civil Aviation Administration , flights can be carried out to 37 major destinations , including Beijing , Wuhan , Harbin , Shanghai and some other cities .
According to the latest statistics , over 7,477,900 people have been infected with coronavirus worldwide and more than 419,300 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 3,792,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

BEIJING, June 11./TASS/. Beijing is interested in restarting regular flights between China and Russia as soon as possible, and is ready to advance this process through teamwork with the Russian side, a statement by the press service of the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
"China expects that the global epidemic situation will normalize shortly, so that in strict compliance with the requirements of epidemic control we could join forces with Russia to gradually restart regular contacts between the nationals of our countries," said the statement made available to TASS.
"Certain Russian companies that have a license and meet the demands [of the Chinese side] to counteract the coronavirus, can already now choose one of the airports in the People’s Republic of China," it said.
The ministry specified that for the time being, carriers will be operating only one flight a week along one route from a list of the Chinese cities officially opened for international flights.
"We maintain close contacts with the Russian Foreign Ministry on the issues of ensuring necessary conditions and mutual support," the statement said. According to the press service, Russian representatives planning to visit China for a business trip or under a program of scientific and urgent humanitarian exchanges may submit visa applications to the Chinese embassy or consulates. "The Chinese side will be gradually restoring interpersonal contacts with other countries," the statement emphasized.
Last week, China’s Civil Aviation Administration reported that starting June 8, foreign carriers would be able to choose one of the Chinese airports for future regular flights. Under the document, this refers to the companies that were not listed earlier among the carriers operating flights under the March 12 rule - one carrier from each country had the right to apply for one flight a week to China to one destination.
The Russian carriers that have received the opportunity to submit an application must guarantee strict measures of epidemic control. In case the number of passengers infected with coronavirus on board their planes arriving in China exceeds five, they will be stripped of the right to operate flights for a week. If ten passengers get infected, they will have to pause for four weeks. According to the approved list of the cities published on the website of the Civil Aviation Administration, flights can be carried out to 37 major destinations, including Beijing, Wuhan, Harbin, Shanghai and some other cities.
According to the latest statistics, over 7,477,900 people have been infected with coronavirus worldwide and more than 419,300 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 3,792,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-06-11--S7 remains Russia’s largest carrier for 2nd month in a row

In total , in May , Russian airlines transported 946,000 passengers , which is 91.3 % lower than a year earlier .
In April , they carried 771,000 passengers , which is a 91.8 % reduction in annual terms .
MOSCOW , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
S7 Airlines carried 281,000 passengers in May and became the largest air carrier in the Russian Federation for the second month in a row , the Federal Air Transport Agency reported on Thursday .
`` According to current data , in May , Russian carriers served 946,000 passengers , which is down 91.3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
Passenger traffic decreased by 92.5 % and amounted to 1.984 billion passenger kilometers , '' according to the regulator .
`` In just five months of 2020 , 24.97 million passengers were transported ( - 44.6 % ) . ''
Here is a breakdown of passenger traffic per airline in May : S7 — 281,000 passengers ( down 75.7 % yoy ) , Aeroflot — 206,000 passengers ( down 93.1 % ) , UTair — 67,000 ( down 90.3 % ) , Rossiya airlines — 74,300 ( -92.6 % ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % ) .
The coronavirus pandemic had an extremely serious impact on airlines .
Russian carriers have not operated flights abroad since late March , while domestic traffic has decreased to the lowest level .
Earlier , President Vladimir Putin noted that `` perhaps the most serious decline among all modes of transport has occurred in aviation . ''
In May , the Russian government allocated 23.4 bln ( $ 336 mln ) to national airlines to compensate for losses they suffered due to the situation with the spread of coronavirus .

In total, in May, Russian airlines transported 946,000 passengers, which is 91.3% lower than a year earlier. In April, they carried 771,000 passengers, which is a 91.8% reduction in annual terms.
MOSCOW, June 11. /TASS/. S7 Airlines carried 281,000 passengers in May and became the largest air carrier in the Russian Federation for the second month in a row, the Federal Air Transport Agency reported on Thursday.
"According to current data, in May, Russian carriers served 946,000 passengers, which is down 91.3% compared to the same period last year. Passenger traffic decreased by 92.5% and amounted to 1.984 billion passenger kilometers," according to the regulator. "In just five months of 2020, 24.97 million passengers were transported (- 44.6%)."
Here is a breakdown of passenger traffic per airline in May: S7 — 281,000 passengers (down 75.7% yoy), Aeroflot — 206,000 passengers (down 93.1%), UTair — 67,000 (down 90.3%), Rossiya airlines — 74,300 (-92.6%) and Ural Airlines — 41,000 (down 95%).
The coronavirus pandemic had an extremely serious impact on airlines. Russian carriers have not operated flights abroad since late March, while domestic traffic has decreased to the lowest level. Earlier, President Vladimir Putin noted that "perhaps the most serious decline among all modes of transport has occurred in aviation."
In May, the Russian government allocated 23.4 bln ($336 mln) to national airlines to compensate for losses they suffered due to the situation with the spread of coronavirus.


tass--2020-06-11--Moscow seeks to mend Russian-Ukrainian dialogue

KIEV , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Embassy in Ukraine raises alarm bells as the deadlock in Russian-Ukrainian relations has not been broken and this is not Moscow ’ s fault , the diplomatic mission said in a statement published on its website on occasion of Russia Day marked on June 12 .
`` We note with concern that the deadlock in Russian-Ukrainian relations has not been broken into which they had been driven not due to our fault .
The glimpse of hope for a change of mood in Kiev after the presidential and parliamentary elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
New Ukrainian authorities did not give up anti-Russian rhetoric and far-fetched accusations against Moscow , '' the Embassy noted .
The Embassy stresses that Kiev still puts forward unfounded claims that Russia stirs up conflict in Donbass while the Ukrainian authorities are sabotaging the peace process themselves .
`` The things went that far that the Minsk Agreements were put into question , which had been approved by the UN Security Council and have unconditional international legitimacy .
In our turn , we believe that the Minsk Package of Measures remains `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in eastern Ukraine .
There is no alternative to it , '' the Embassy said , stressing that Russia would take steps to ensure that Ukraine fully and unconditionally implements the deal .
Moscow calls for `` normalizing Russian-Ukrainian dialogue , including for discussing the window of opportunities for restoring the lost ties between the two countries . ''
The Embassy pledged that Russia would do its utmost to counter violent de-Russification and raise this issue at the platforms of the UN and other international organizations , stressing that any steps running counter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain language groups were unacceptable .
Besides , Russia will focus on offsetting the attempts of reviewing the outcome of World War II and falsifying history and misinterpreting the events of the past , glorifying Nazis and their allies and reviving any manifestations of Nazism ideology .
`` Modern Russia is a country with centuries-long history , vast territory and rich natural resources .
Its strength lies in the unity and solidarity of people who are proud of heroic achievements of their ancestors , their best representatives and are devoted to the motherland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russians are not afraid of difficulties on their way , they know what needs to be done to overcome the obstacles that they face , and have confidence in tomorrow , '' the diplomatic mission said .

KIEV, June 11. /TASS/. Russia’s Embassy in Ukraine raises alarm bells as the deadlock in Russian-Ukrainian relations has not been broken and this is not Moscow’s fault, the diplomatic mission said in a statement published on its website on occasion of Russia Day marked on June 12.
"We note with concern that the deadlock in Russian-Ukrainian relations has not been broken into which they had been driven not due to our fault. The glimpse of hope for a change of mood in Kiev after the presidential and parliamentary elections in Ukraine turned out to be illusory. New Ukrainian authorities did not give up anti-Russian rhetoric and far-fetched accusations against Moscow," the Embassy noted.
The Embassy stresses that Kiev still puts forward unfounded claims that Russia stirs up conflict in Donbass while the Ukrainian authorities are sabotaging the peace process themselves. "The things went that far that the Minsk Agreements were put into question, which had been approved by the UN Security Council and have unconditional international legitimacy. In our turn, we believe that the Minsk Package of Measures remains "alpha and omega" of crisis settlement in eastern Ukraine. There is no alternative to it," the Embassy said, stressing that Russia would take steps to ensure that Ukraine fully and unconditionally implements the deal.
Moscow calls for "normalizing Russian-Ukrainian dialogue, including for discussing the window of opportunities for restoring the lost ties between the two countries."
The Embassy pledged that Russia would do its utmost to counter violent de-Russification and raise this issue at the platforms of the UN and other international organizations, stressing that any steps running counter to multilateral conventions confirming the rights of certain language groups were unacceptable.
Besides, Russia will focus on offsetting the attempts of reviewing the outcome of World War II and falsifying history and misinterpreting the events of the past, glorifying Nazis and their allies and reviving any manifestations of Nazism ideology.
"Modern Russia is a country with centuries-long history, vast territory and rich natural resources. Its strength lies in the unity and solidarity of people who are proud of heroic achievements of their ancestors, their best representatives and are devoted to the motherland and believe in its great future. Russians are not afraid of difficulties on their way, they know what needs to be done to overcome the obstacles that they face, and have confidence in tomorrow," the diplomatic mission said.


tass--2020-06-11--Spy suspect’s brother hopes US will advocate for Whelan’s release after conviction

NEW YORK , June 11./TASS/ .
Relatives of US national Paul Whelan , accused in Russia of espionage , expect that after the judgement is passed in his case , Washington will begin consultations with Moscow to advocate for his release , Whelan ’ s brother David said in a statement circulated on Thursday .
`` Paul Whelan 's trial will end on Monday , June 15 , as far as we know .
The prosecution has asked that he be sentenced to 18 years in a labor camp .
By 1pm , Paul should know his fate , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said frequently , they only discuss the release of prisoners in cases where the person has been convicted .
We hope that the U.S. government and the Russian Federation will begin discussing Paul 's release immediately , now that there will no longer be any procedural impediments , '' it stressed .
US citizen Paul Whelan , who also holds British , Canadian and Irish citizenship , was detained by the Russian Federal Security Service ( FSB ) on December 28 , 2018 in Moscow while on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation was launched against him on espionage charges carrying a punishment of up to 20 years behind bars .
Whelan denies all charges .
His defense insists that the case is fabricated , while Whelan ’ s activity in Russia was of a strictly humanitarian nature .
The court will pronounce Whelan ’ s sentence on June 15 .

NEW YORK, June 11./TASS/. Relatives of US national Paul Whelan, accused in Russia of espionage, expect that after the judgement is passed in his case, Washington will begin consultations with Moscow to advocate for his release, Whelan’s brother David said in a statement circulated on Thursday.
"Paul Whelan's trial will end on Monday, June 15, as far as we know. The prosecution has asked that he be sentenced to 18 years in a labor camp. By 1pm, Paul should know his fate," the message said.
"As the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said frequently, they only discuss the release of prisoners in cases where the person has been convicted. We hope that the U.S. government and the Russian Federation will begin discussing Paul's release immediately, now that there will no longer be any procedural impediments," it stressed.
US citizen Paul Whelan, who also holds British, Canadian and Irish citizenship, was detained by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) on December 28, 2018 in Moscow while on an alleged spy mission. A criminal investigation was launched against him on espionage charges carrying a punishment of up to 20 years behind bars.
Whelan denies all charges. His defense insists that the case is fabricated, while Whelan’s activity in Russia was of a strictly humanitarian nature. The court will pronounce Whelan’s sentence on June 15.


tass--2020-06-11--Russian Supreme Court tests blockchain technology for online vote for first time

`` The latest plenary session could without exaggeration be considered symbolic for the entire judiciary system , '' the press service said .
MOSCOW , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Supreme Court applied the blockchain technology for the first time during the remote plenary session , the Court press service told TASS .
The session , just like two previous ones , took place in the online conference format .
However , the participants used the Kaspersky Lab ’ s Polys online voting system , deployed on cloud storage provided by Russian IT company Softline , to register @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This voting system is based on the blockchain technology and uses the transparent data encryption feature , '' the press service said .
Its first use received positive assessment from the Supreme Court leadership and lawyers taking part in the plenary session .
As a result , the system was recommended for use during the plenary session of the Council of Judges of the Russian Federation in July this year , which aims to involve the maximum number of Russian judges via the remote format .
During its latest session , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including the ones regarding application of clauses of the Civil Code of Russia regarding termination of obligations and amendment of a number of the plenum ’ s rulings on criminal cases , including application of arrests and criminal prosecution of businesspersons .

"The latest plenary session could without exaggeration be considered symbolic for the entire judiciary system," the press service said.
MOSCOW, June 11. /TASS/. The Russian Supreme Court applied the blockchain technology for the first time during the remote plenary session, the Court press service told TASS.
The session, just like two previous ones, took place in the online conference format. However, the participants used the Kaspersky Lab’s Polys online voting system, deployed on cloud storage provided by Russian IT company Softline, to register their decisions on the reviewed cases.
"This voting system is based on the blockchain technology and uses the transparent data encryption feature," the press service said.
Its first use received positive assessment from the Supreme Court leadership and lawyers taking part in the plenary session. As a result, the system was recommended for use during the plenary session of the Council of Judges of the Russian Federation in July this year, which aims to involve the maximum number of Russian judges via the remote format.
During its latest session, the Supreme Court plenum recognized five rulings, including the ones regarding application of clauses of the Civil Code of Russia regarding termination of obligations and amendment of a number of the plenum’s rulings on criminal cases, including application of arrests and criminal prosecution of businesspersons.


tass--2020-06-11--Power plant director in Norilsk arrested until July 31 over oil spill

`` [ He ] was arrested for one month and 21 days , until July 31 inclusive , '' a court spokesperson said .
KRASNOYARSK , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
The court in Norilsk arrested Pavel Smirnov , the director of CHPP-3 power plant where the fuel oil spill had taken place , until July 31 , press service of the Krasnoyarsk District Court told TASS on Thursday .
The Russian Investigative Committee earlier laid charges against CHPP-3 shop superintendent Vyacheslav Starostin .
He was taken into custody .
Smirnov , plant chief engineer Alexei Stepanov and deputy chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the fuel oil spill case on suspicion of committing the crime stipulated in Article 246 of the Russian Criminal Code [ violation of environmental protection rules during operation of industrial facilities by persons responsible for compliance with these rules , if this entailed severe consequences — TASS ] .
The court has not yet elected the restraint measure for Stepanov and Kuznetsov .
The loss of containment of the diesel fuel tank occurred on the territory of the combined heat and power plant CHPP-3 [ owned by the Norilsk-Taimyr Energy Company , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] in Norilsk on May 29 .
About 21,000 tonnes of fuel were spilled in total on the area of 180,000 square meters of soil , penetrating water objects and causing pollution and damage to the environment .

"[He] was arrested for one month and 21 days, until July 31 inclusive," a court spokesperson said.
KRASNOYARSK, June 11. /TASS/. The court in Norilsk arrested Pavel Smirnov, the director of CHPP-3 power plant where the fuel oil spill had taken place, until July 31, press service of the Krasnoyarsk District Court told TASS on Thursday.
The Russian Investigative Committee earlier laid charges against CHPP-3 shop superintendent Vyacheslav Starostin. He was taken into custody.
Smirnov, plant chief engineer Alexei Stepanov and deputy chief engineer Yuri Kuznetsov were detained on Wednesday in the fuel oil spill case on suspicion of committing the crime stipulated in Article 246 of the Russian Criminal Code [violation of environmental protection rules during operation of industrial facilities by persons responsible for compliance with these rules, if this entailed severe consequences — TASS]. The court has not yet elected the restraint measure for Stepanov and Kuznetsov.
The loss of containment of the diesel fuel tank occurred on the territory of the combined heat and power plant CHPP-3 [owned by the Norilsk-Taimyr Energy Company, a member of the Norilsk Nickel Group] in Norilsk on May 29. About 21,000 tonnes of fuel were spilled in total on the area of 180,000 square meters of soil, penetrating water objects and causing pollution and damage to the environment.


tass--2020-06-11--Africa’s coronavirus deaths top 5,600, WHO reports

PRETORIA , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Africa has reached 206,617 after increasing by 5,460 in the past 24 hours , while 5,642 patients died from the virus-related causes across the continent , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) Africa branch said Thursday .
South Africa accounts for the biggest number of infections ( 55,421 ) and 1,210 deaths .
Egypt , meanwhile , has the biggest coronavirus death toll ( 1,310 ) .
Algeria reported 732 fatalities .
In Sub-Saharan Africa , Nigeria is ranked second after South Africa with 13,873 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Ghana ( 10,201 and 48 ) .
WHO is pessimistic about the prospects of the pandemic development in Africa .
`` Until such time as we have access to an effective vaccine , I 'm afraid we 'll probably have to live with a steady increase in the region , with some hotspots having to be managed in a number of countries , as is happening now in South Africa , Algeria , Cameroon for example , which require very strong public health measures , social distancing measures to take place , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moeti said .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 7,477,900 people have been infected worldwide and more than 419,300 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so far , over 3,792,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

PRETORIA, June 11. /TASS/. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Africa has reached 206,617 after increasing by 5,460 in the past 24 hours, while 5,642 patients died from the virus-related causes across the continent, the World Health Organization (WHO) Africa branch said Thursday.
South Africa accounts for the biggest number of infections (55,421) and 1,210 deaths. Egypt, meanwhile, has the biggest coronavirus death toll (1,310). Algeria reported 732 fatalities.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria is ranked second after South Africa with 13,873 coronavirus infections and 254 fatalities, followed by Ghana (10,201 and 48).
WHO is pessimistic about the prospects of the pandemic development in Africa. "Until such time as we have access to an effective vaccine, I'm afraid we'll probably have to live with a steady increase in the region, with some hotspots having to be managed in a number of countries, as is happening now in South Africa, Algeria, Cameroon for example, which require very strong public health measures, social distancing measures to take place," regional director for WHO Africa Matshidiso Moeti said.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 7,477,900 people have been infected worldwide and more than 419,300 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 3,792,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-06-11--Belgium interested in cultivating contacts with Russia on military history

MOSCOW , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
Belgium is interested in development of contacts with Russia on issues of military history , Russian envoy to Brussels Alexander Tokovinin said Thursday .
`` The War Heritage Institute expresses its interest in development of contacts on military issues with its Russian colleagues .
Agreements on working contacts have been achieved with representatives of the Russian Historical Society , but , unfortunately , those contacts were postponed due to the coronavirus-related restrictions .
But we hope that this dialogue will continue , '' the envoy said .
According to the diplomat , Belgium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history of World War II .
When Belgium celebrated the 75th anniversary of liberation from Nazism , `` there was much talk about the decisive role the Soviet Union played in achieving this Victory , about how , without fighting on the Eastern Front , there would have been no liberation of Belgian cities . ''
`` [ Belgium ] also remembered the Resistance movement , which is a very interesting page of the War .
There were about 15 resistance movements in Belgium , with the Communist Party of Belgium and its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As the moment of liberation came closer , the activity of the partisans increased , '' the envoy recalled .
`` The Soviet servicemen , who escaped the Nazi camps in Belgium , after being brought there to work in the mines , played an important role in this activity . ''
Tokovinin recalled that the `` For Homeland ! ''
brigade , staffed entirely by Soviet servicemen , acted in Belgium .
The diplomat noted Belgium ’ s considerate attitude towards the memory of the Soviet people who participated in liberating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] take care of burial sites , and they collect new information .
Representatives of the Belgian authorities take part in memorial ceremonies , '' he added .
According to the envoy , Belgian public organizations are actively engaged in this field .
He furnished an installation of a memorial sign at the grave of Soviet serviceman Vladimir Talda , who died fighting against the Nazis , by the Belgian organization `` Belgians Remember Them '' as an example of such treatment .
`` This memorial sign was given the status of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .
Besides , the diplomat noted , a lot of outstanding stories in Belgium are connected to participation of the so-called white immigration from Russia in the resistance movement .

MOSCOW, June 11. /TASS/. Belgium is interested in development of contacts with Russia on issues of military history, Russian envoy to Brussels Alexander Tokovinin said Thursday.
"The War Heritage Institute expresses its interest in development of contacts on military issues with its Russian colleagues. Agreements on working contacts have been achieved with representatives of the Russian Historical Society, but, unfortunately, those contacts were postponed due to the coronavirus-related restrictions. But we hope that this dialogue will continue," the envoy said.
According to the diplomat, Belgium adheres to a balanced perception of the history of World War II. When Belgium celebrated the 75th anniversary of liberation from Nazism, "there was much talk about the decisive role the Soviet Union played in achieving this Victory, about how, without fighting on the Eastern Front, there would have been no liberation of Belgian cities."
"[Belgium] also remembered the Resistance movement, which is a very interesting page of the War. There were about 15 resistance movements in Belgium, with the Communist Party of Belgium and its Independence Front playing an important organizational role. As the moment of liberation came closer, the activity of the partisans increased," the envoy recalled.
"The Soviet servicemen, who escaped the Nazi camps in Belgium, after being brought there to work in the mines, played an important role in this activity."
Tokovinin recalled that the "For Homeland!" brigade, staffed entirely by Soviet servicemen, acted in Belgium.
Considerate attitude
The diplomat noted Belgium’s considerate attitude towards the memory of the Soviet people who participated in liberating this country.
"[The Belgians] take care of burial sites, and they collect new information. Representatives of the Belgian authorities take part in memorial ceremonies," he added.
According to the envoy, Belgian public organizations are actively engaged in this field. He furnished an installation of a memorial sign at the grave of Soviet serviceman Vladimir Talda, who died fighting against the Nazis, by the Belgian organization "Belgians Remember Them" as an example of such treatment.
"This memorial sign was given the status of a national monument of Belgium," he added.
Besides, the diplomat noted, a lot of outstanding stories in Belgium are connected to participation of the so-called white immigration from Russia in the resistance movement.


tass--2020-06-11--Some 17.4% of Moscow citizens have coronavirus antibodies

MOSCOW , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow citizens have started developing immunity to the novel coronavirus infection and some @ @ @ @ @ have anti-bodies to the infection , Deputy Moscow Mayor Anastasiya Rakova said on Thursday .
@ @ @ @ @ month , we have been conducting research on the population ’ s immunity among the @ @ @ @ @ stage was held on May 4-21 .
Some 12 % of citizens then had anti-bodies @ @ @ @ @ tests has been completed and today the immunity is being formed and in other words @ @ @ @ @ citizens have anti-bodies G , '' Rakova said .

MOSCOW, June 11. /TASS/. Moscow citizens have started developing immunity to the novel coronavirus infection and some 17.4% of those tested have anti-bodies to the infection, Deputy Moscow Mayor Anastasiya Rakova said on Thursday.
"For more than a month, we have been conducting research on the population’s immunity among the Moscow citizens. The first stage was held on May 4-21. Some 12% of citizens then had anti-bodies. The second stage of tests has been completed and today the immunity is being formed and in other words, 17.4% of Moscow citizens have anti-bodies G," Rakova said.


tass--2020-06-11--Brent prices down 5.6% on ICE

Brent prices down 5.6% on ICE

MOSCOW , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
Brent oil futures with delivery in August 2020 fell by 5.6 % to @ @ @ @ @ the London-based ICE on Thursday , according to trading data .
WTI futures lost 6.5 @ @ @ @ @ per barrel .
Brent futures later lost 5.9 % to $ 33.27 a barrel , @ @ @ @ @ % to $ 37.06 per barrel .

MOSCOW, June 11. /TASS/. Brent oil futures with delivery in August 2020 fell by 5.6% to $39.4 a barrel on the London-based ICE on Thursday, according to trading data.
WTI futures lost 6.5% down to $37.18 per barrel.
Brent futures later lost 5.9% to $33.27 a barrel, while WTI futures declined 6.8% to $37.06 per barrel.


tass--2020-06-11--US Congress acting like Derek Chauvin: Duma vice speaker slams Republican sanctions scheme

MOSCOW , June 11./TASS/ .
Vice-Speaker of the Russian State Duma ( lower house ) Irina Yarovaya has excoriated House Republicans over their latest scheme they are cooking up to impose `` the toughest sanctions ever proposed by Congress against the Chinese Communist Party , Russia and the Putin regime , and Iran , '' by labelling Moscow a `` State Sponsor of Terrorism . ''
`` These aggressive and baseless propositions from the United States Congress in international politics look very much like the criminal conduct of police officer Derek Chauvin [ accused of killing African-American George Floyd — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have decided to emulate him in derogatory behavior , they should seriously consider the consequences , and where such lunacy leads to , '' the press service of the vice-speaker quoted her as saying .
Russia has always fought against terrorism and in this respect , it `` will be irreconcilable on this matter , acting in defense of peace and security , '' she stressed .
`` The US has not only always turned a blind eye to suggestions from our country to create a broad anti-terrorist coalition , but it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she elaborated .
On Wednesday , Republicans in the US House of Representatives suggested imposing `` the toughest sanctions ever proposed by Congress '' against Russia , Iran and China .
The proposal is laid out in a 120-page long report entitled ‘ Strengthening America & Countering Global Threats ’ published by the Republican Study Committee which includes around 150 Republican members of Congress .
The initiatives set out in the document are recommendations and are not a bill submitted to Congress .
The package of anti-Russian sanctions may include restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia ’ s sovereign debt , sanctions on Russian ‘ proxies ’ in other countries , and it also designates Russia as a `` State Sponsor of Terrorism . ''

MOSCOW, June 11./TASS/. Vice-Speaker of the Russian State Duma (lower house) Irina Yarovaya has excoriated House Republicans over their latest scheme they are cooking up to impose "the toughest sanctions ever proposed by Congress against the Chinese Communist Party, Russia and the Putin regime, and Iran," by labelling Moscow a "State Sponsor of Terrorism."
"These aggressive and baseless propositions from the United States Congress in international politics look very much like the criminal conduct of police officer Derek Chauvin [accused of killing African-American George Floyd — TASS]. If members of Congress have decided to emulate him in derogatory behavior, they should seriously consider the consequences, and where such lunacy leads to," the press service of the vice-speaker quoted her as saying.
Russia has always fought against terrorism and in this respect, it "will be irreconcilable on this matter, acting in defense of peace and security," she stressed. "The US has not only always turned a blind eye to suggestions from our country to create a broad anti-terrorist coalition, but it has also acted in violation of international rules," she elaborated.
On Wednesday, Republicans in the US House of Representatives suggested imposing "the toughest sanctions ever proposed by Congress" against Russia, Iran and China. The proposal is laid out in a 120-page long report entitled ‘Strengthening America & Countering Global Threats’ published by the Republican Study Committee which includes around 150 Republican members of Congress. The initiatives set out in the document are recommendations and are not a bill submitted to Congress. The package of anti-Russian sanctions may include restrictions against Russian oil-and-gas projects, sanctions on Russia’s sovereign debt, sanctions on Russian ‘proxies’ in other countries, and it also designates Russia as a "State Sponsor of Terrorism."