tass--2020-07-09--Russian Northern Fleet’s ships strike enemy force in Barents Sea drills

MURMANSK , July 9 .
/TASS/ .
The Northern Fleet ’ s all-arms strike force led by the heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser Pyotr Veliky and supported by Tu-22M3 strategic bombers of Russia ’ s Aerospace Force delivered a missile strike against a notional enemy ’ s ships during drills in the Barents Sea , the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Thursday .
`` The naval strike group consisting of the heavy missile cruiser Pyotr Veliky and the missile cruiser Marshal Ustinov conducted practice launches of anti-ship missiles .
They conducted the fire with Granit and Vulkan anti-ship cruise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simulated a notional enemy ’ s naval force and was located at a maximum distance of the firings , '' the press office said in a statement .
The Tu-22M3 long-range supersonic missile-carrying bombers also delivered a strike from the designated area over the Barents Sea with air-to-surface cruise missiles against the same group of targets located at a distance of over 400 kilometers , the statement says .
The ships and the aircraft conducted the missile firings as part of the Northern Fleet ’ s naval exercise that kicked off in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ command of Fleet Commander Hero of Russia Vice-Admiral Alexander Moiseyev , the press office said .
The all-arms groupings have already practiced a set of exercises to provide for the combat sustainability of the seaborne strategic nuclear forces , search for and eliminate a notional enemy ’ s submarines , employ the tactical methods and techniques of striking enemy naval groups , defend the sea coast and protect sea lanes and ensure the security of maritime economic activity , the press office specified .
During the naval exercise , the Northern Fleet ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Barents Sea where they are deployed on an area of over 250,000 square kilometers .
More than 30 surface ships , submarines and support vessels , over 20 aircraft and about 40 items of military hardware of coastal defense missile and artillery troops and air defense forces of the Northern Fleet are involved in various stages of the drills .

MURMANSK, July 9. /TASS/. The Northern Fleet’s all-arms strike force led by the heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser Pyotr Veliky and supported by Tu-22M3 strategic bombers of Russia’s Aerospace Force delivered a missile strike against a notional enemy’s ships during drills in the Barents Sea, the Fleet’s press office reported on Thursday.
"The naval strike group consisting of the heavy missile cruiser Pyotr Veliky and the missile cruiser Marshal Ustinov conducted practice launches of anti-ship missiles. They conducted the fire with Granit and Vulkan anti-ship cruise missiles against a composite target position that simulated a notional enemy’s naval force and was located at a maximum distance of the firings," the press office said in a statement.
The Tu-22M3 long-range supersonic missile-carrying bombers also delivered a strike from the designated area over the Barents Sea with air-to-surface cruise missiles against the same group of targets located at a distance of over 400 kilometers, the statement says.
The ships and the aircraft conducted the missile firings as part of the Northern Fleet’s naval exercise that kicked off in the Barents Sea and is running under the command of Fleet Commander Hero of Russia Vice-Admiral Alexander Moiseyev, the press office said.
The all-arms groupings have already practiced a set of exercises to provide for the combat sustainability of the seaborne strategic nuclear forces, search for and eliminate a notional enemy’s submarines, employ the tactical methods and techniques of striking enemy naval groups, defend the sea coast and protect sea lanes and ensure the security of maritime economic activity, the press office specified.
During the naval exercise, the Northern Fleet’s forces are accomplishing assigned missions in the Barents Sea where they are deployed on an area of over 250,000 square kilometers. More than 30 surface ships, submarines and support vessels, over 20 aircraft and about 40 items of military hardware of coastal defense missile and artillery troops and air defense forces of the Northern Fleet are involved in various stages of the drills.


tass--2020-07-09--Recordings of Poroshenko’s voice admitting involvement in sabotage in Crimea published

KIEV , July 9 .
/TASS/ .
Ukraine ’ s Verhovna Rada member Andrey Derkach published audio recordings of - as he claims - former Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko admitting preparation of sabotages and terror attacks in Crimea by Ukrainian intelligence services in 2016 .
On one audio recording , played at a press conference , a man , identified by Derkach as US ex-Vice President Joe Biden , harshly criticizes Ukraine ’ s attempts to conduct a sabotage in Crimea and demands that this never happens again .
In response , a man with Poroshenko ’ s voice claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and promises to conduct an investigation .
He says that the preparations happened during his visit to the Far East and that important steps were taken to make such situation impossible in the future .
Then , he claims that he did not fire the Ukrainian military intelligence head right away so that it doesn ’ t appear like Ukraine ’ s acknowledgement of its responsibility .
On August 7 , 2017 , Russian intelligence services discovered a group of Ukrainian saboteurs , who sought to re-enter the Ukrainian territory by force .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) officer and one Ministry of Defense serviceman were killed during the incident .
On the same day , two officers of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry ’ s Main Intelligence Directorate were apprehended in Crimea .
Criminal proceeding over charges of preparation of sabotage by an organized group was initiated against them .
In February 2018 , the spies were sentenced to eight and six years in prison .
Earlier , Derkach already published several audio recordings of - as he claims - Biden and Poroshenko .
In early July , head of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington Post that the authorities intend to introduce criminal penalties for publication of secretly taped conversations of the officials .

KIEV, July 9. /TASS/. Ukraine’s Verhovna Rada member Andrey Derkach published audio recordings of - as he claims - former Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko admitting preparation of sabotages and terror attacks in Crimea by Ukrainian intelligence services in 2016.
On one audio recording, played at a press conference, a man, identified by Derkach as US ex-Vice President Joe Biden, harshly criticizes Ukraine’s attempts to conduct a sabotage in Crimea and demands that this never happens again.
In response, a man with Poroshenko’s voice claims that he was unaware of the operation and promises to conduct an investigation. He says that the preparations happened during his visit to the Far East and that important steps were taken to make such situation impossible in the future.
Then, he claims that he did not fire the Ukrainian military intelligence head right away so that it doesn’t appear like Ukraine’s acknowledgement of its responsibility.
On August 7, 2017, Russian intelligence services discovered a group of Ukrainian saboteurs, who sought to re-enter the Ukrainian territory by force. One Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) officer and one Ministry of Defense serviceman were killed during the incident.
On the same day, two officers of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate were apprehended in Crimea. Criminal proceeding over charges of preparation of sabotage by an organized group was initiated against them. In February 2018, the spies were sentenced to eight and six years in prison.
Earlier, Derkach already published several audio recordings of - as he claims - Biden and Poroshenko. In early July, head of the Ukrainian Administration Andrey Yermak told The Washington Post that the authorities intend to introduce criminal penalties for publication of secretly taped conversations of the officials.


tass--2020-07-09--Russian national killed in Austria, two suspects had refugee status — police

VIENNA , July 9 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian national killed in Austria had a refugee status since 2007 but then was denied it .
Two Russian nationals suspected in the crime also had refugee status , Johann Baumschlager , spokesman for the Lower Austria police directorate said on Thursday .
Austrian law enforcement officials presented the early results of the investigation into this murder .
`` The 43-year-old murder victim had been residing in Austria since 2007 as a recognized asylum seeker , he had a right of asylum .
He was stripped of this status by the migration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision at the federal administrative court .
The murder victim had been residing in Austria under different name and since the beginning of 2020 he was posting on the internet videos where he criticized the leader of his homeland .
Due to that , he was receiving threats from this leader ’ s followers .
They were very intensive and were taken seriously by the regional agency for the protection of the constitution and counterterrorism , '' the spokesman said at a press conference .
According to him , `` A 47-year-old murder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2004 and a 37-year-old murder suspect who has resided in Vienna since 2003 were officially seeking asylum in Austria . ''
`` They had a right of asylum .
According to the migration agency , they lost this right .
The federal administrative court is reviewing their appeals of this decision , '' the spokesman noted .
The murder could have been either a contract killing or the result of a personal disagreement .
The motive is still unclear , the spokesman for the Lower Austria police directorate said .
According to him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` While the circumstances of the crime are becoming more distinct , the regional agency for the protection of the constitution and counterterrorism is still not clear on the motive , since the 47-year-old suspect is keeping silent , '' the spokesman said at a press conference .
`` We can not exclude [ the fact ] that on the one hand , this may have been a contract killing , yet on the other , there might have been a personal squabble , '' the policeman stressed .
Earlier TASS was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Gerasdorf ( Lower Austria ) near Vienna a 43-year-old asylum seeker , a citizen of Russia had been shot and killed .
The suspected murderer , a 47-year-old Russian citizen , was subsequently detained .
Later , one more man was apprehended on suspicion of being involved in the murder .
Both were placed in a detention facility and have n't testified so far .
The Korneuburg Prosecutor ’ s Office informed TASS that the murdered Russian national was a native of Chechnya who , under the identity protection program , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Both detainees in this case are also natives of Chechnya .
The Prosecutor ’ s Office added that they are probing into political motives of the murder since the victim had a blog where he posted political statements .
He refused personal protection but his apartment was under police surveillance .
The criminal investigation was joined by the Lower Austria regional agency for the protection of the constitution and counterterrorism ( counterintelligence ) .
The Russian Embassy in Vienna told TASS it had n't received any requests in connection with the incident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and plan to look into the case .

VIENNA, July 9. /TASS/. The Russian national killed in Austria had a refugee status since 2007 but then was denied it. Two Russian nationals suspected in the crime also had refugee status, Johann Baumschlager, spokesman for the Lower Austria police directorate said on Thursday. Austrian law enforcement officials presented the early results of the investigation into this murder.
"The 43-year-old murder victim had been residing in Austria since 2007 as a recognized asylum seeker, he had a right of asylum. He was stripped of this status by the migration agency. However, he appealed this decision at the federal administrative court. The murder victim had been residing in Austria under different name and since the beginning of 2020 he was posting on the internet videos where he criticized the leader of his homeland. Due to that, he was receiving threats from this leader’s followers. They were very intensive and were taken seriously by the regional agency for the protection of the constitution and counterterrorism," the spokesman said at a press conference.
According to him, "A 47-year-old murder suspect who has resided in Linz since 2004 and a 37-year-old murder suspect who has resided in Vienna since 2003 were officially seeking asylum in Austria." "They had a right of asylum. According to the migration agency, they lost this right. The federal administrative court is reviewing their appeals of this decision," the spokesman noted.
Contract killing or squabble
The murder could have been either a contract killing or the result of a personal disagreement. The motive is still unclear, the spokesman for the Lower Austria police directorate said.
According to him, the investigation into the murder continues. "While the circumstances of the crime are becoming more distinct, the regional agency for the protection of the constitution and counterterrorism is still not clear on the motive, since the 47-year-old suspect is keeping silent," the spokesman said at a press conference.
"We cannot exclude [the fact] that on the one hand, this may have been a contract killing, yet on the other, there might have been a personal squabble," the policeman stressed.
Earlier TASS was informed by police that on July 4 in Gerasdorf (Lower Austria) near Vienna a 43-year-old asylum seeker, a citizen of Russia had been shot and killed. The suspected murderer, a 47-year-old Russian citizen, was subsequently detained. Later, one more man was apprehended on suspicion of being involved in the murder. Both were placed in a detention facility and haven't testified so far.
The Korneuburg Prosecutor’s Office informed TASS that the murdered Russian national was a native of Chechnya who, under the identity protection program, was given an Austrian name, Martin Beck. Both detainees in this case are also natives of Chechnya. The Prosecutor’s Office added that they are probing into political motives of the murder since the victim had a blog where he posted political statements. He refused personal protection but his apartment was under police surveillance.
The criminal investigation was joined by the Lower Austria regional agency for the protection of the constitution and counterterrorism (counterintelligence). The Russian Embassy in Vienna told TASS it hadn't received any requests in connection with the incident. Diplomats there are verifying the report and plan to look into the case.


tass--2020-07-09--Russian watchdog places journalist Babchenko on blacklist of terrorists, extremists

MOSCOW , July 9 .
/TASS/ .
Journalist Arkady Babchenko has been placed on Russia ’ s blacklist of organizations @ @ @ @ @ extremist and terrorist activities , the Federal Financial Monitoring Service said on Thursday .
Babchenko @ @ @ @ @ writer , used to be a war correspondent for the Moskovsky Komsomolets and Novaya Gazeta @ @ @ @ @ in 2017 .
In 2018 , Ukraine ’ s police reported that he had been @ @ @ @ @ s capital of Kiev .
However , it turned out later that Babchenko had faked @ @ @ @ @ real assassination attempt .
Babchenko later blamed Russian intelligence agencies for planning to kill him @

MOSCOW, July 9. /TASS/. Journalist Arkady Babchenko has been placed on Russia’s blacklist of organizations and individuals reportedly involved in extremist and terrorist activities, the Federal Financial Monitoring Service said on Thursday.
Babchenko, a Russian reporter and writer, used to be a war correspondent for the Moskovsky Komsomolets and Novaya Gazeta newspapers but moved to Ukraine in 2017. In 2018, Ukraine’s police reported that he had been killed in the country’s capital of Kiev. However, it turned out later that Babchenko had faked his murder to prevent a real assassination attempt. Babchenko later blamed Russian intelligence agencies for planning to kill him.
Babchenko left Ukraine in November 2019.


tass--2020-07-09--Russia’s air service with CIS countries may restart in August, expert says

YEKATERINBURG , July 9 .
/TASS/ .
The air traffic between Russia and CIS countries may be resumed in August @ @ @ @ @ Travel Industry Union Andrei Ignatyev said on Thursday at a press conference in the TASS @ @ @ @ @ .
Russia ’ s travel industry to recover by next spring , says head of @ @ @ @ @ will probably start sometime in August .
Most probably , these will be CIS countries @ @ @ @ @ Tourism industry ’ s losses due to the pandemic amounted to about 1.5 trillion rubles @ @ @ @ @ and it will take at least 18 months for the industry to recover , Ignatyev @ @

YEKATERINBURG, July 9. /TASS/. The air traffic between Russia and CIS countries may be resumed in August, President of the Russian Travel Industry Union Andrei Ignatyev said on Thursday at a press conference in the TASS’ Ural Regional Information Center.
Russia’s travel industry to recover by next spring, says head of tourism agency
"International flights will probably start sometime in August. Most probably, these will be CIS countries," he said.
Russia completely closed the international air service since March 27.
Tourism industry’s losses due to the pandemic amounted to about 1.5 trillion rubles ($21.2 bln) and it will take at least 18 months for the industry to recover, Ignatyev added.


tass--2020-07-09--Hainan's hospitals discharge last 'silent spreaders' transmitting COVID-19

HAIKOU , July 9 .
/TASS/ .
The last three asymptomatic spreaders of the novel coronavirus were discharged from Hainan 's medical facilities , thus , there was not a single infected person left on the island , the regional committee on hygiene and health announced .
According to the authorities , all three discharged , who arrived on the island from Africa and Europe , have recently been under the constant medical supervision .
According to statistics , Hainan had not seen coronavirus cases with symptoms for two weeks now .
According to the statement , there was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ province who had close contact with the infected .
Thus , Hainan was on the list of Chinese regions with the best epidemiological situation , which includes the Tibet Autonomous Region , Qinghai Province and Ningxia-Hui Autonomous Region .
Local experts note that it is extremely important for the island to stop any outbreaks of disease , since it has the best beach resorts in China .
“ It is necessary to create new tourism products , to increase the competitiveness and attractiveness of holidays on Hainan , ” the governor of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We should use the advantages of Hainan 's free trade port , and the tourism should be provided with high-quality growth.
” According to the official , the island ’ s administration intends to turn it into an international tourism cluster , with a number of companies engaged in organizing high-class recreation .
According to statistics , 94 % of people with coronavirus disease recovered in Mainland China .
The number of people infected since December 2019 exceeded 83,500 .
No coronavirus deaths since April 15 have been recorded in the country @

HAIKOU, July 9. /TASS/. The last three asymptomatic spreaders of the novel coronavirus were discharged from Hainan's medical facilities, thus, there was not a single infected person left on the island, the regional committee on hygiene and health announced.
According to the authorities, all three discharged, who arrived on the island from Africa and Europe, have recently been under the constant medical supervision. According to statistics, Hainan had not seen coronavirus cases with symptoms for two weeks now.
According to the statement, there was not a single person in quarantine in the province who had close contact with the infected. Thus, Hainan was on the list of Chinese regions with the best epidemiological situation, which includes the Tibet Autonomous Region, Qinghai Province and Ningxia-Hui Autonomous Region.
Local experts note that it is extremely important for the island to stop any outbreaks of disease, since it has the best beach resorts in China.
“It is necessary to create new tourism products, to increase the competitiveness and attractiveness of holidays on Hainan,” the governor of the province, Shen Xiaoming, emphasized. “We should use the advantages of Hainan's free trade port, and the tourism should be provided with high-quality growth.” According to the official, the island’s administration intends to turn it into an international tourism cluster, with a number of companies engaged in organizing high-class recreation.
According to statistics, 94% of people with coronavirus disease recovered in Mainland China. The number of people infected since December 2019 exceeded 83,500. No coronavirus deaths since April 15 have been recorded in the country.


tass--2020-07-09--‘Not logical’: Kremlin lambasts rumors tying Chechen murder victim in Austria to Kadyrov

MOSCOW , July 9 .
/TASS/ .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists Thursday that it was utterly illogical to tie the murder of a Chechen national in Austria to Ramzan Kadyrov , head of the Chechen Republic .
`` This has nothing to do with sound logic .
A murdered Austrian citizen and Ramzan Kadyrov ?
So if he criticized Ramzan Kadyrov and if he is a Chechen , then you have to point to Kadyrov right away ?
You must agree that this is not logical , '' Peskov said , commenting on media rumors , trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who previously criticized Kadyrov , with the head of Chechnya himself .
`` It is just impossible to speak about this from that perspective , '' Peskov added .
Noting that Kadyrov himself spoke about it earlier , the spokesman speculated that `` he must have been asked as well and < ... > he must have troubles understanding what is going on too . ''
The Kremlin learned about the incident from the media , Peskov said .
`` We do not have more detailed information , '' he continued .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ territory , and the murdered citizen himself lived in Austria for a long time , he was a migrant .
I am unaware of his legal status , whether he was an Austrian citizen or a refugee , we don ’ t know that . ''
Earlier , sources in the Austrian police told TASS that a 43-year-old asylum seeker , a Russian citizen , was shot in Austria ’ s Gerasdorf .
One suspect , a 47-year-old Russian national , was apprehended over the incident .
The Korneuburg Prosecutor ’ s Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a Chechen national , named Martin Beck in Austria in accordance with the identity protection program .
Both apprehended suspects are also Chechen nationals .
The Prosecutor ’ s Office checks politics as the motive behind the murder , because the victim had a blog where he expressed his political positions .
Kadyrov himself accused intelligence services working against Russia of the murder .

MOSCOW, July 9. /TASS/. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists Thursday that it was utterly illogical to tie the murder of a Chechen national in Austria to Ramzan Kadyrov, head of the Chechen Republic.
"This has nothing to do with sound logic. A murdered Austrian citizen and Ramzan Kadyrov? So if he criticized Ramzan Kadyrov and if he is a Chechen, then you have to point to Kadyrov right away? You must agree that this is not logical," Peskov said, commenting on media rumors, trying to connect the murder of the blogger, who previously criticized Kadyrov, with the head of Chechnya himself.
"It is just impossible to speak about this from that perspective," Peskov added.
Noting that Kadyrov himself spoke about it earlier, the spokesman speculated that "he must have been asked as well and <...> he must have troubles understanding what is going on too."
The Kremlin learned about the incident from the media, Peskov said. "We do not have more detailed information," he continued. "After all, this happened on Austrian territory, and the murdered citizen himself lived in Austria for a long time, he was a migrant. I am unaware of his legal status, whether he was an Austrian citizen or a refugee, we don’t know that."
Earlier, sources in the Austrian police told TASS that a 43-year-old asylum seeker, a Russian citizen, was shot in Austria’s Gerasdorf. One suspect, a 47-year-old Russian national, was apprehended over the incident.
The Korneuburg Prosecutor’s Office told TASS that the murdered Russian citizen was a Chechen national, named Martin Beck in Austria in accordance with the identity protection program. Both apprehended suspects are also Chechen nationals. The Prosecutor’s Office checks politics as the motive behind the murder, because the victim had a blog where he expressed his political positions. Kadyrov himself accused intelligence services working against Russia of the murder.


tass--2020-07-09--Anti-aircraft gunners in Eastern Siberia to get latest S-300PM-2 air defense systems

MOSCOW , July 9 .
/TASS/ .
The Central Military District ’ s air defense missile regiment stationed in the @ @ @ @ @ will get upgraded S-300PM-2 ‘ Favorit ’ surface-to-air missile systems by the end of the @ @ @ @ @ Commander of the 14th Air Force and Air Defense Army Colonel Gennady Shlag said on @ @ @ @ @ end of the year , the Angara air defense missile regiment is due to complete @ @ @ @ @ Favorit ’ systems for service , '' the colonel said .
It was earlier reported @ @ @ @ @ long-range air defense missile systems would arrive for the Central Military District ’ s units @ @ @ @ @ Samara Regions in 2020 .
The S-300PM-2 surface-to-air missile system is designated to defend the @ @ @ @ @ and its armed forces against massive strikes by existing and future aircraft , strategic cruise @ @ @ @ @ ballistic missiles and other air attack weapons across the entire range and speeds of their @ @ @ @ @ intensive active and passive jamming .

MOSCOW, July 9. /TASS/. The Central Military District’s air defense missile regiment stationed in the Irkutsk Region in Eastern Siberia will get upgraded S-300PM-2 ‘Favorit’ surface-to-air missile systems by the end of the year, Anti-Aircraft Missile Troops Commander of the 14th Air Force and Air Defense Army Colonel Gennady Shlag said on Thursday.
"Until the end of the year, the Angara air defense missile regiment is due to complete accepting the upgraded S-300PM-2 ‘Favorit’ systems for service," the colonel said.
It was earlier reported that S-400 ‘Triumf’ long-range air defense missile systems would arrive for the Central Military District’s units stationed in the Sverdlovsk and Samara Regions in 2020.
The S-300PM-2 surface-to-air missile system is designated to defend the state’s vital facilities and its armed forces against massive strikes by existing and future aircraft, strategic cruise missiles, tactical and theater ballistic missiles and other air attack weapons across the entire range and speeds of their combat employment, including under intensive active and passive jamming.


tass--2020-07-09--Two Hizb ut-Tahrir terror suspects arrested in Crimea until September

SIMFEROPOL , July 9 .
/TASS/ .
The Kievsky District Court of Simferopol has arrested two remaining suspected members of the Hizb ut-Tahrir terrorist organization ( outlawed in Russia ) until September , the court ’ s website informed on Thursday .
One of the suspects was placed under home arrest until September 2 on Tuesday due to a disability .
On Wednesday , three more suspects were placed in custody until September 2 , 2020 , while one was remanded until September 1 .
They were charged under Article 205.5 Part 2 of the Russian Criminal Code ( Participation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ territory of the Russian Federation ) .
The remaining suspects have been placed in custody until September 1-2 , 2020 , the court informed on Thursday , due to the possibility of their escape , as they are facing up to 20 years or a life sentence behind bars .
Russia ’ s Federal Security Service ( FSB ) in Crimea said in a statement on Tuesday that it had detained three ringleaders and four active members of Hizb ut-Tahrir .
`` FSB officers , together with the Interior Ministry and the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cell of the Hizb ut-Tahrir al-Islami international terrorist organization .
Three ringleaders and four active members have been detained , '' the statement reads .
According to the FSB , the detained were involved in activities violating the Russian Constitution , based on the idea to create the so-called global Caliphate , destroy secular public institutions and overthrow the current government by force .
`` They secretly spread terrorist ideas among Crimeans and recruited Crimean Muslims , '' the FSB added .
A large amount of banned Hizb ut-Tahrir propaganda materials , communication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during searches of their homes .
Criminal cases have been opened against the detained .

SIMFEROPOL, July 9. /TASS/. The Kievsky District Court of Simferopol has arrested two remaining suspected members of the Hizb ut-Tahrir terrorist organization (outlawed in Russia) until September, the court’s website informed on Thursday.
One of the suspects was placed under home arrest until September 2 on Tuesday due to a disability. On Wednesday, three more suspects were placed in custody until September 2, 2020, while one was remanded until September 1. They were charged under Article 205.5 Part 2 of the Russian Criminal Code (Participation in an organization deemed terrorist on the territory of the Russian Federation).
The remaining suspects have been placed in custody until September 1-2, 2020, the court informed on Thursday, due to the possibility of their escape, as they are facing up to 20 years or a life sentence behind bars.
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) in Crimea said in a statement on Tuesday that it had detained three ringleaders and four active members of Hizb ut-Tahrir.
"FSB officers, together with the Interior Ministry and the National Guard in Crimea, have exposed a cell of the Hizb ut-Tahrir al-Islami international terrorist organization. Three ringleaders and four active members have been detained," the statement reads.
According to the FSB, the detained were involved in activities violating the Russian Constitution, based on the idea to create the so-called global Caliphate, destroy secular public institutions and overthrow the current government by force. "They secretly spread terrorist ideas among Crimeans and recruited Crimean Muslims," the FSB added.
A large amount of banned Hizb ut-Tahrir propaganda materials, communication equipment and digital storage devices were seized during searches of their homes. Criminal cases have been opened against the detained.


tass--2020-07-09--Press review: Will the second wave hit Russia and what led to space agency aide’s arrest

Izvestia : Russia likely to prevent second coronavirus outbreak Russia has all chances of thwarting a second wave of the coronavirus and avoiding tough quarantine measures , Representative of the World Health Organization ( WHO ) in Russia Melita Vujnovic told Izvestia .
She stressed that the cancellation of restrictions in Russia did not trigger a surge in diseases and the authorities manage to control the spread of the pandemic .
Meanwhile , other countries have introduced new lockdowns .
Ayelet Shenar , who heads Israel ’ s MDA blood service , noted that the country ’ s second wave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone had worn face masks and Russia should take this experience into account .
Since July 8 , restrictions have been resumed in Israel .
Similar measures were imposed in Serbia , where the president ’ s decision to declare a new curfew triggered mass street protests .
A second coronavirus wave also hit Kazakhstan , where the number of cases has nearly doubled since early July .
According to Vujnovic , after the restrictions were lifted in mid-June , Russia has seen a stable decrease in new cases across the country in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there are some regions , which face more serious problems - either in terms of an increase in new cases or providing medical assistance or public compliance with measures .
In order to avoid a second wave , Russia should learn from the experience of those countries , which are now dealing with the second outbreak .
`` The safer the behavior of each person as far as preventing the dissemination of the virus goes ( maintaining distance , hand hygiene , respiratory etiquette , going to the doctor when the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are that we will be able to prevent or control a second wave , '' an expert told the newspaper .
Shenar , director of Israel ’ s blood service , noted that the key reason for resuming the quarantine is that economic activity was rebooted too quickly .
The restrictions should have been eased more slowly , but businesses were reopened in Israel within three weeks , the medical specialist said .
Nezavisimaya Gazeta : US could lose access to oil in Syria and Iraq Lawmakers in Washington seek to prohibit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control over oil fields in Syria and Iraq .
This is stipulated in the draft version of the 2021 defense budget .
However , the legislators are proposing to continue funding local forces in order to prevent the revival of the Islamic State ( terror group , outlawed in Russia ) , Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes .
The document envisages expenditures to the tune of $ 700 mln on supporting foreign security services , non-governmental armed units and individuals battling IS in Iraq and Syria .
These funds are aimed at backing Iraqi security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic Forces of Syria coalition , which mainly consists of the Kurds .
Commenting on the US Congress ’ desire to ban any funding for a direct military presence in the oil-rich regions of Iraq and Syria , Anton Mardasov , a researcher at the Washington-based Middle East Institute ( MEI ) , told the paper : `` Everything is clear with Iraq : the Pentagon and the CIA are concentrating all military facilities in Iraqi Kurdistan .
And a priori , due to the large number of local and semi-western private security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security problems there . ''
As for Syria , the key flaw of Washington ’ s position is the failure to outline policy on the US presence in the country ’ s northeast ( Trans-Euphrates zone ) .
The news that the United States is seeking to distance itself from protecting the oil fields serves as proof of its waning influence .
However , now the US military is creating new strongholds in eastern Syria and the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act , which recently came into effect , strengthened the Kurds ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Damascus , the expert said .
`` I believe the US simply wants to support local groups in their oil trade via different routes and avoid direct accusations of illegally trading oil , '' Mardasov noted .
Should the US contingent withdraw , this Syrian region could operate autonomously and rely on the Europeans and the Persian Gulf states , he said .
Izvestia : Roscosmos advisor ’ s arrest could be linked to arms supplies to Algeria The high treason case against Ivan Safronov , an advisor to the head of Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former journalist , could be linked to a contract on the supplies of Iskander ballistic missile systems to Algeria in 2017 .
According to attorneys , the Federal Security Service believes that back then , Czech intelligence assigned Safronov with his mission .
The lawyers confirmed that the investigation is related to arms supplies to Africa and the Middle East , Izvestia writes .
Czech and NATO representatives declined to comment , but it is well-known that the Algerian contract and the situation around it were tough for the North African state , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As a result , Algeria had to undertake commitments to spend up to $ 30 bln on US and European armaments in 2019-2024 .
The supplies of Russia ’ s advanced Iskander-E ballistic missiles to Algeria was one of the most secret deals in the region .
The country was the first recipient of the system outside the Commonwealth of Independent States .
Only Armenia had acquired the new system before it , the newspaper writes .
Although the news on signing a contract on the Iskander broke back in 2013 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to lawyer Evgeny Smirnov , the attorneys do not understand the particular charges against Safronov .
The documents , which explain the suspicions against the ex-journalist , will be presented on Monday when the official charges will be pressed .
The penalty under Article 275 of the Criminal Code implies at least 12 years behind bars , but usually the sentence in Russia is milder , lawyer Svetlana Gurevich noted .
Some alleviating circumstances could play a role here such as his cooperation with investigators , repentance , providing more details @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease and having small children .
Vice-President of the Russian office of the International Human Rights Committee ( IHRC ) Ivan Melnikov believes that since the case sparked a public outcry , the trial should be open to the fullest extent .
The investigators will need solid evidence to prove that the defendant had deliberately passed on data to foreign intelligence and understood the possible consequences .
Vedomosti : Norilsk oil spill likely to trigger legal battle with environmental watchdog Nornickel , the world ’ s largest palladium and nickel producer , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was caused after a diesel fuel spill near Norilsk , the company said in a letter to Russia ’ s environmental watchdog .
The federal agency estimated that the damage from the 21,000-tonne oil spill near the northernmost Russian city on May 29 reached nearly 148 bln rubles ( $ 2 bln ) , an unprecedented figure for Russia .
The damage to the water system was assessed at 147 bln rubles and to the soil at 738 mln rubles ( $ 10 mln ) .
Meanwhile , Nornickel CEO Vladimir Potanin has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fuel oil from the rivers , at 10 bln rubles ( $ 140.5 mln ) .
The fines for environmental violations in Russia are very low , much lower than the actual damage to the environment , analyst at AKRA Maxim Khudalov told Vedomosti .
According to the law on environmental protection , in case the accused party and the watchdog fail to agree on the amount of damage that the company is ready to pay , the Federal Environmental , Industrial and Nuclear Supervision Service of Russia has the right to file @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The government may demand Nornickel compensate for the environmental damage both financially and through work on restoring the environment , '' said Alexander Filatov , an attorney at Forward Legal .
Khudalov noted that the environmental watchdog ’ s estimates of the damage seem to be exaggerated .
Even Greenpeace put the damage at 107 bln rubles ( $ 1.5 bln ) .
`` Our assessment is 22-25 bln rubles , '' he told the newspaper .
Meanwhile , Alexei Knizhnikov , Head of the Program for the Business Environmental Responsibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s assessment was adequate concerning the damage .
`` The degradation of the terrain is awful from the viewpoint of water system and flora - this is an environmental disaster zone . ''
Global gold prices have topped $ 1,800 per an ounce and since the beginning of the year the yellow metal ’ s prices have surged more than 20 % .
The risks of a second wave of COVID-19 , tensions between the United States and China as well as massive monetary injections by developed economies have bolstered the surge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Promsvyazbank ’ s Chief Analyst Roman Antonov , the policy of low interest rates and unlimited provision of liquidity by central banks have contributed to investors ’ interest in gold .
The key buyers of the yellow metal are gold ETFs , or exchange-traded funds .
Expert at Sberbank Maria Krasnikova noted that 95 % of all ETFs are located in the United States and Europe .
The highest demand in these assets was seen in those countries hit hard by the coronavirus - the United States and the United Kingdom - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the countries that successfully lifted their quarantine measures , said Carsten Menke , an analyst at Julius Baer .
Head of Alfa Bank 's research department Boris Krasnozhenov noted that there was also a high demand in gold among individuals .
Meanwhile , the prices for other metals have shown less impressive dynamics , the newspaper noted .
Market participants expect a further surge in gold prices in the near future .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews

Izvestia: Russia likely to prevent second coronavirus outbreak Russia has all chances of thwarting a second wave of the coronavirus and avoiding tough quarantine measures, Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Russia Melita Vujnovic told Izvestia. She stressed that the cancellation of restrictions in Russia did not trigger a surge in diseases and the authorities manage to control the spread of the pandemic. Meanwhile, other countries have introduced new lockdowns. Ayelet Shenar, who heads Israel’s MDA blood service, noted that the country’s second wave of COVID-19 could have been prevented if everyone had worn face masks and Russia should take this experience into account. Since July 8, restrictions have been resumed in Israel. Similar measures were imposed in Serbia, where the president’s decision to declare a new curfew triggered mass street protests. A second coronavirus wave also hit Kazakhstan, where the number of cases has nearly doubled since early July.
Read also Number of coronavirus cases worldwide tops 12 million — Johns Hopkins University
According to Vujnovic, after the restrictions were lifted in mid-June, Russia has seen a stable decrease in new cases across the country in general. However, the expert admitted that there are some regions, which face more serious problems - either in terms of an increase in new cases or providing medical assistance or public compliance with measures. In order to avoid a second wave, Russia should learn from the experience of those countries, which are now dealing with the second outbreak. "The safer the behavior of each person as far as preventing the dissemination of the virus goes (maintaining distance, hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, going to the doctor when the first symptoms appear), the higher chances are that we will be able to prevent or control a second wave," an expert told the newspaper. Shenar, director of Israel’s blood service, noted that the key reason for resuming the quarantine is that economic activity was rebooted too quickly. The restrictions should have been eased more slowly, but businesses were reopened in Israel within three weeks, the medical specialist said. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: US could lose access to oil in Syria and Iraq Lawmakers in Washington seek to prohibit the Pentagon from spending federal funds on keeping control over oil fields in Syria and Iraq. This is stipulated in the draft version of the 2021 defense budget. However, the legislators are proposing to continue funding local forces in order to prevent the revival of the Islamic State (terror group, outlawed in Russia), Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes. The document envisages expenditures to the tune of $700 mln on supporting foreign security services, non-governmental armed units and individuals battling IS in Iraq and Syria. These funds are aimed at backing Iraqi security forces, Kurdish Peshmerga units and the Democratic Forces of Syria coalition, which mainly consists of the Kurds.
Read also US military equipment near Syrian oil fields leads to escalation — Russian ministry
Commenting on the US Congress’ desire to ban any funding for a direct military presence in the oil-rich regions of Iraq and Syria, Anton Mardasov, a researcher at the Washington-based Middle East Institute (MEI), told the paper: "Everything is clear with Iraq: the Pentagon and the CIA are concentrating all military facilities in Iraqi Kurdistan. And a priori, due to the large number of local and semi-western private security companies and agencies, there are no security problems there." As for Syria, the key flaw of Washington’s position is the failure to outline policy on the US presence in the country’s northeast (Trans-Euphrates zone). The news that the United States is seeking to distance itself from protecting the oil fields serves as proof of its waning influence. However, now the US military is creating new strongholds in eastern Syria and the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, which recently came into effect, strengthened the Kurds’ positions, who continue selling oil to Damascus, the expert said. "I believe the US simply wants to support local groups in their oil trade via different routes and avoid direct accusations of illegally trading oil," Mardasov noted. Should the US contingent withdraw, this Syrian region could operate autonomously and rely on the Europeans and the Persian Gulf states, he said. Izvestia: Roscosmos advisor’s arrest could be linked to arms supplies to Algeria The high treason case against Ivan Safronov, an advisor to the head of Russia’s Roscosmos space agency and a former journalist, could be linked to a contract on the supplies of Iskander ballistic missile systems to Algeria in 2017. According to attorneys, the Federal Security Service believes that back then, Czech intelligence assigned Safronov with his mission. The lawyers confirmed that the investigation is related to arms supplies to Africa and the Middle East, Izvestia writes. Czech and NATO representatives declined to comment, but it is well-known that the Algerian contract and the situation around it were tough for the North African state, which was even targeted for sanctions. As a result, Algeria had to undertake commitments to spend up to $30 bln on US and European armaments in 2019-2024.
Read also Committee to Protect Journalists urges to release former journalist Safronov
The supplies of Russia’s advanced Iskander-E ballistic missiles to Algeria was one of the most secret deals in the region. The country was the first recipient of the system outside the Commonwealth of Independent States. Only Armenia had acquired the new system before it, the newspaper writes. Although the news on signing a contract on the Iskander broke back in 2013, the details of its implementation were not covered. According to lawyer Evgeny Smirnov, the attorneys do not understand the particular charges against Safronov. The documents, which explain the suspicions against the ex-journalist, will be presented on Monday when the official charges will be pressed. The penalty under Article 275 of the Criminal Code implies at least 12 years behind bars, but usually the sentence in Russia is milder, lawyer Svetlana Gurevich noted. Some alleviating circumstances could play a role here such as his cooperation with investigators, repentance, providing more details, including on accomplices or a serious disease and having small children. Vice-President of the Russian office of the International Human Rights Committee (IHRC) Ivan Melnikov believes that since the case sparked a public outcry, the trial should be open to the fullest extent. The investigators will need solid evidence to prove that the defendant had deliberately passed on data to foreign intelligence and understood the possible consequences. Vedomosti: Norilsk oil spill likely to trigger legal battle with environmental watchdog Nornickel, the world’s largest palladium and nickel producer, is challenging the amount of environmental damage that was caused after a diesel fuel spill near Norilsk, the company said in a letter to Russia’s environmental watchdog. The federal agency estimated that the damage from the 21,000-tonne oil spill near the northernmost Russian city on May 29 reached nearly 148 bln rubles ($2 bln), an unprecedented figure for Russia. The damage to the water system was assessed at 147 bln rubles and to the soil at 738 mln rubles ($10 mln).
Read also Significant damage to aquatic biological resources caused by Norilsk spill, scientists say


tass--2020-07-09--WHO calms bubonic plague fears, says it cannot spread in Russia

MOSCOW , July 9 .
/TASS/ .
The spread of the bubonic plague which has been registered in China and Mongolia is highly unlikely in Russia , Melita Vujnovic , World Health Organization representative in Russia told TASS , answering the question about the risk of the infection emerging on Russian territory .
She noted that the bubonic plague detected in China is characteristic of that region yet responds to treatment .
`` Plague is a rare disease , [ occurring ] mostly in certain geographic areas where it is still endemic .
In China over the last decade some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The bubonic plague is the most common form of this disease and is transmitted from animals to humans usually through flea bites or the direct contact with the bones or internal organs of the infected animal , '' she explained .
According to her , this illness is not readily transmitted from human to human .
`` Against the plague pathogen < ... > there is an effective treatment with antibiotics and a vaccine .
Therefore , it is highly improbable that the disease would be widespread in Russia even after the detection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representative stressed .
Earlier it had been reported that the authorities of the Bayannur city district of the Inner Mongolia autonomous district in northern China announced on Sunday the regime of heightened epidemiological risk due to the potential threat of local plague outbreaks .
This decision was made after a local hospital admitted a patient with symptoms normally observed in bubonic plague patients .
Due to the objective risks , the authorities recommend the population to observe personal hygiene and to avoid localities populated by rodents .
China ’ s Inner Mongolia autonomous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier two confirmed cases of plague and one suspected infection had been reported .

MOSCOW, July 9. /TASS/. The spread of the bubonic plague which has been registered in China and Mongolia is highly unlikely in Russia, Melita Vujnovic, World Health Organization representative in Russia told TASS, answering the question about the risk of the infection emerging on Russian territory.
She noted that the bubonic plague detected in China is characteristic of that region yet responds to treatment. "Plague is a rare disease, [occurring] mostly in certain geographic areas where it is still endemic. In China over the last decade some sporadic plague cases have been recorded. The bubonic plague is the most common form of this disease and is transmitted from animals to humans usually through flea bites or the direct contact with the bones or internal organs of the infected animal," she explained.
According to her, this illness is not readily transmitted from human to human. "Against the plague pathogen <...> there is an effective treatment with antibiotics and a vaccine. Therefore, it is highly improbable that the disease would be widespread in Russia even after the detection of single cases," the WHO representative stressed.
Earlier it had been reported that the authorities of the Bayannur city district of the Inner Mongolia autonomous district in northern China announced on Sunday the regime of heightened epidemiological risk due to the potential threat of local plague outbreaks. This decision was made after a local hospital admitted a patient with symptoms normally observed in bubonic plague patients. Due to the objective risks, the authorities recommend the population to observe personal hygiene and to avoid localities populated by rodents.
China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous district borders the state of Mongolia where earlier two confirmed cases of plague and one suspected infection had been reported.


tass--2020-07-09--Coronavirus pandemic growing around the world, WHO envoy says

`` At a global level the pandemic is growing and nearly every day the WHO receives data on a record high number of cases of the disease , '' Vujnovic said .
`` In general , over the past six months the WHO registered more than 10 mln COVID-19 cases and over 1 mln cases were registered during each of the past two weeks . ''
MOSCOW , July 9 .
/TASS/ .
The World Health Organization registers record high levels of coronavirus infections worldwide nearly every day and this shows that the pandemic is increasing at a global level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Melita Vujnovic told TASS on Thursday .
A sharp rise in COVID-19 cases was seen in North and South America and a large number of cases was also confirmed in Southeast Asia and Africa , the WHO envoy pointed out .
`` Brazil , the United States of America and India remain among three most affected countries in the past days , '' the official said .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 12,000,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 552,300 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 7,000,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

"At a global level the pandemic is growing and nearly every day the WHO receives data on a record high number of cases of the disease," Vujnovic said. "In general, over the past six months the WHO registered more than 10 mln COVID-19 cases and over 1 mln cases were registered during each of the past two weeks."
MOSCOW, July 9. /TASS/. The World Health Organization registers record high levels of coronavirus infections worldwide nearly every day and this shows that the pandemic is increasing at a global level, WHO’s Representative in Russia Melita Vujnovic told TASS on Thursday.
A sharp rise in COVID-19 cases was seen in North and South America and a large number of cases was also confirmed in Southeast Asia and Africa, the WHO envoy pointed out. "Brazil, the United States of America and India remain among three most affected countries in the past days," the official 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, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 12,000,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 552,300 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 7,000,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-07-09--Ex-PM Medvedev says he has ‘good friendly relations’ with Putin

MOSCOW , July 9 .
/TASS/ .
Former Russia Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev disclosed that he retained good friendly relations with President Vladimir Putin after his appointment as a Deputy Chairman of the Security Council .
`` We still have good friendly relations , '' Medvedev told Komsomolskaya Pravda .
`` The president in the country ’ s number one person .
Due to my new responsibilities , I act as [ Putin ] ’ s deputy , responsible for the Security Council operation , for security issues .
This is why we regularly communicate in various formats , discuss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its narrow sense , as well as economic and social issues , '' Medvedev said .
He disclosed that he , as the Chairman of the United Russia political party , also talks to Putin `` on party issues . ''
`` Especially , when we prepared proposals on support of the economy , social sphere , labor and occupational issues , '' Medvedev said .
`` So , everything is okay .
Everything ’ s fine . ''
On January 15 , Medvedev announced his resignation following Putin ’ s address to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medvedev was appointed as the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council , succeeded by Mikhail Mishustin , former tax service head , as a Prime Minister .
Medvedev served as deputy and first deputy chairman of the presidential administration between 1999 and 2003 ; he later chaired the administration between 2003 and 2005 ; between 2005 and 2008 , he served as the First Deputy Prime Minister ; and in 2008 became the third President of Russia .
In 2012 , he became a prime minister and occupied it for the longest period @ @ @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, July 9. /TASS/. Former Russia Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev disclosed that he retained good friendly relations with President Vladimir Putin after his appointment as a Deputy Chairman of the Security Council.
"We still have good friendly relations," Medvedev told Komsomolskaya Pravda. "The president in the country’s number one person. Due to my new responsibilities, I act as [Putin]’s deputy, responsible for the Security Council operation, for security issues. This is why we regularly communicate in various formats, discuss all kinds of security issues, in its narrow sense, as well as economic and social issues," Medvedev said.
He disclosed that he, as the Chairman of the United Russia political party, also talks to Putin "on party issues."
"Especially, when we prepared proposals on support of the economy, social sphere, labor and occupational issues," Medvedev said. "So, everything is okay. Everything’s fine."
On January 15, Medvedev announced his resignation following Putin’s address to the parliament. The next day, Medvedev was appointed as the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council, succeeded by Mikhail Mishustin, former tax service head, as a Prime Minister.
Medvedev served as deputy and first deputy chairman of the presidential administration between 1999 and 2003; he later chaired the administration between 2003 and 2005; between 2005 and 2008, he served as the First Deputy Prime Minister; and in 2008 became the third President of Russia. In 2012, he became a prime minister and occupied it for the longest period in the history of modern Russia.


tass--2020-07-09--Ukraine’s exit from Minsk accords would be extraordinary event for all — Kremlin official

Moscow does not know what the Ukrainian president means by plans B and C , Deputy Chief of Staff the Presidential Executive Office Dmitry Kozak said MOSCOW , July 9 .
/TASS/ .
If Ukraine decides to pull out of the Minsk agreements , this will be an extraordinary event for all , however , Russia is ready for any turn of events from a political standpoint , Deputy Chief of Staff the Russian Presidential Executive Office Dmitry Kozak said in an interview with TASS .
`` Firstly , I would like to touch upon the goals for the upcoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is clear that because all these goals are the object of negotiation within the Minsk and Normandy formats , every participant of the negotiation process must understand the end result , '' he explained .
`` What are Ukraine ’ s final goals ?
What are the conditions and mechanisms to implement those goals , according to our Ukrainian colleagues ?
I assure you that so far , despite the talks that have lasted for over five years , no one has complete clarity on these issues . ''
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means by plans B and C either , '' Kozak continued .
`` There is no point in trying to guess the secret plans of Ukrainian colleagues .
Ukraine ’ s exit from the Minsk agreements would be an extraordinary event for everyone .
However , this will be a political event , and not a natural or man-made disaster , where we need a detailed plan of action drafted beforehand to eliminate the consequences .
From a political standpoint , we will be braced for any development . ''
Cautious hope for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the conflict in Donbass is rapidly fading , Dmitry Kozak told TASS .
`` Until very recently , up to early March , we had cautious hope for an open and constructive dialogue on issues related to resolving the conflict .
However , the hope is rapidly fading , '' he pointed out .
According to Kozak , Moscow can understand that Kiev authorities have difficulties in making decisions given the domestic political situation .
`` We can see that their political opponents strongly oppose all efforts to take constructive steps to implement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from their predecessors who participated in the development of the agreements , '' Kozak noted .
The March 11 meeting of the Contact Group on resolving the situation in eastern Ukraine became an important watershed , he went on to say .
The meeting , which involved the self-proclaimed Donbass republics , Russia and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe ( OSCE ) , reached an agreement on ways to move the negotiation process forward .
`` The next day , the meeting ’ s participants had to face strong pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made Ukrainian envoys drastically change their position , '' the Russian official stressed .
`` This is why , as for prospects for resolving the issue through political means , I can only say that today , everything depends on Ukraine , the primary beneficiary of efforts to resolve the issue , '' Kozak emphasized .
At the same time , he said that it was a matter of survival for the residents of Donbass and the entire Ukraine .
`` If [ Ukrainian ] President Zelensky ’ s team maintains a sustained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the conflict may be resolved in quite a short time .
However , if they stick to the position they have been demonstrating in recent months , holding talks only to protract the negotiation process , then it will lead to a years-long frozen conflict , '' Kozak concluded .
Efforts to resolve the Donbass conflict are based on the Minsk agreements , which particularly require Ukraine to carry out a constitutional reform , enshrining the self-governing status of Donbass in the basic law .
The special status law that Ukraine ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a while ago has in fact been suspended in the wake of amendments running counter to the Minsk accords .
The law , initially supposed to remain in effect for only a year , has been repeatedly extended .
Inconclusive talks between Ukraine and the self-proclaimed Donbass republics only widen the gap between Kiev and the residents of the republics , Dmitry Kozak opined .
`` Time waits for no man .
The conflict has been going on for six years .
Inconclusive and useless lengthy talks only widen the gap between Donbass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
`` It is clear that it will be harder and harder to bridge this gap in the future . ''
`` Lately , namely at the latest Berlin meeting , we have been calling on our colleagues to take on an open stance : if you don ’ t find it necessary to adhere to certain obligations , or you are unable to do that , just state it directly .
Don ’ t mislead the entire world talking about your unwavering support of the Minsk agreements or , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full and permanent ceasefire ' , '' Kozak said .
Mass protests broke out in eastern Ukraine , mostly populated by Russian-speaking citizens , following a coup d ’ etat in Ukraine in February 2014 and President Viktor Yanukovich ’ s ouster .
In mid-April of the same year , Kiev ’ s authorities launched a military operation in Donbass in response .
Heavy shelling of residential areas , including the use of aviation , caused large-scale humanitarian disaster in the region .
According to the UN , more than 13,000 people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 30,000 have been injured .
Simultaneously , Kiev introduced a full blockade of the region , severing all economic ties .
The Ukrainian authorities stopped paying social benefits to the citizens of the territories not under their control .

Moscow does not know what the Ukrainian president means by plans B and C, Deputy Chief of Staff the Presidential Executive Office Dmitry Kozak said
MOSCOW, July 9. /TASS/. If Ukraine decides to pull out of the Minsk agreements, this will be an extraordinary event for all, however, Russia is ready for any turn of events from a political standpoint, Deputy Chief of Staff the Russian Presidential Executive Office Dmitry Kozak said in an interview with TASS.
Read also Kiev eyes retake of Donbass until end of 2020 but drafts plan B
"Firstly, I would like to touch upon the goals for the upcoming year set by the Ukrainian political leadership. It is clear that because all these goals are the object of negotiation within the Minsk and Normandy formats, every participant of the negotiation process must understand the end result," he explained. "What are Ukraine’s final goals? What are the conditions and mechanisms to implement those goals, according to our Ukrainian colleagues? I assure you that so far, despite the talks that have lasted for over five years, no one has complete clarity on these issues." "We do not know what the Ukrainian president means by plans B and C either," Kozak continued. "There is no point in trying to guess the secret plans of Ukrainian colleagues. Ukraine’s exit from the Minsk agreements would be an extraordinary event for everyone. However, this will be a political event, and not a natural or man-made disaster, where we need a detailed plan of action drafted beforehand to eliminate the consequences. From a political standpoint, we will be braced for any development." Hope for constructive dialogue
Read also No Plan B for implementation of Minsk accords — Lavrov
Cautious hope for a constructive dialogue with Kiev on resolving the conflict in Donbass is rapidly fading, Dmitry Kozak told TASS. "Until very recently, up to early March, we had cautious hope for an open and constructive dialogue on issues related to resolving the conflict. However, the hope is rapidly fading," he pointed out. According to Kozak, Moscow can understand that Kiev authorities have difficulties in making decisions given the domestic political situation. "We can see that their political opponents strongly oppose all efforts to take constructive steps to implement the Minsk agreements. Opposition particularly comes from their predecessors who participated in the development of the agreements," Kozak noted. The March 11 meeting of the Contact Group on resolving the situation in eastern Ukraine became an important watershed, he went on to say. The meeting, which involved the self-proclaimed Donbass republics, Russia and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), reached an agreement on ways to move the negotiation process forward. "The next day, the meeting’s participants had to face strong pressure. Protests bordering on mass civil unrest made Ukrainian envoys drastically change their position," the Russian official stressed. "This is why, as for prospects for resolving the issue through political means, I can only say that today, everything depends on Ukraine, the primary beneficiary of efforts to resolve the issue," Kozak emphasized. At the same time, he said that it was a matter of survival for the residents of Donbass and the entire Ukraine. "If [Ukrainian] President Zelensky’s team maintains a sustained, direct and honest dialogue with Donbass, the conflict may be resolved in quite a short time. However, if they stick to the position they have been demonstrating in recent months, holding talks only to protract the negotiation process, then it will lead to a years-long frozen conflict," Kozak concluded. Efforts to resolve the Donbass conflict are based on the Minsk agreements, which particularly require Ukraine to carry out a constitutional reform, enshrining the self-governing status of Donbass in the basic law. The special status law that Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada (parliament) passed a while ago has in fact been suspended in the wake of amendments running counter to the Minsk accords. The law, initially supposed to remain in effect for only a year, has been repeatedly extended. Gap between Ukraine and Donbass
Inconclusive talks between Ukraine and the self-proclaimed Donbass republics only widen the gap between Kiev and the residents of the republics, Dmitry Kozak opined. "Time waits for no man. The conflict has been going on for six years. Inconclusive and useless lengthy talks only widen the gap between Donbass residents and the Ukrainian government," he said. "It is clear that it will be harder and harder to bridge this gap in the future."


tass--2020-07-09--Russia’s COVID-19 cases surpass 707,000

Russia’s COVID-19 cases surpass 707,000

MOSCOW , July 9 .
/TASS/ .
Russia recorded 6,509 new coronavirus cases in the past day , taking the @ @ @ @ @ the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Thursday .
According to the data , the daily @ @ @ @ @ days did not exceed 0.9 % .
In the past two weeks , the number @ @ @ @ @ not surpass 7,000 .
Some 292 new cases were recorded in St. Petersburg , 276 @ @ @ @ @ 265 in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region , 243 in the Irkutsk Region and 224 in @ @ @ @ @ The lowest daily growth rate was recorded in Moscow , the Moscow Region , Chechnya @ @ @ @ @ Kaliningrad Region , the Bryansk Region and Dagestan .
To date , some 215,142 people @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus in Russia .

MOSCOW, July 9. /TASS/. Russia recorded 6,509 new coronavirus cases in the past day, taking the case tally to 707,301, the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Thursday.
According to the data, the daily growth in the past three days did not exceed 0.9%. In the past two weeks, the number of new daily cases did not surpass 7,000.
Some 292 new cases were recorded in St. Petersburg, 276 in the Sverdlovsk Region, 265 in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region, 243 in the Irkutsk Region and 224 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region.
The lowest daily growth rate was recorded in Moscow, the Moscow Region, Chechnya, North Ossetia, the Kaliningrad Region, the Bryansk Region and Dagestan.
To date, some 215,142 people are undergoing treatment for the coronavirus in Russia.


tass--2020-07-09--Global economy may drop more than 5% in case of second pandemic wave

MOSCOW , July 9 .
/TASS/ .
The global economy may decline by more than 5 % if the second @ @ @ @ @ occurred , Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview @ @ @ @ @ Pravda publishing house .
The IMF revised its outlook downward for global GDP earlier , @ @ @ @ @ by 4.9 % this year and grow by 5.4 % next year .

MOSCOW, July 9. /TASS/. The global economy may decline by more than 5% if the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic occurred, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview with reporters of the Komsomolskaya Pravda publishing house.
The IMF revised its outlook downward for global GDP earlier, which is expected to sink by 4.9% this year and grow by 5.4% next year.


tass--2020-07-09--Eighty-six cubic meters of water contaminated with fuel collected at Norilsk spill site

`` Eighty-six cubic meters of fuel and water mix were gathered over the day , 33,487 cubic meters in total @ @ @ @ @ .
NORILSK , July 9 .
/TASS/ .
Rescuers gathered 86 cubic meters of fuel @ @ @ @ @ fuel oil spill site near Norilsk , the spill response center told reporters on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ of contaminated soil were placed into storage , as reported earlier .
Over 143 km @ @ @ @ @ meters of terrain were treated with sorbent , the center noted .
On May 29 @ @ @ @ @ of fuel spilled after a storage tank collapsed at a power plant operated by CHPP-3 @ @ @ @ @ giant Norilsk Nickel , in the city of Norilsk .
The fuel leaked into ground @ @ @ @ @ square meters and also into local rivers , contaminating the terrain and causing damage to @ @ @

"Eighty-six cubic meters of fuel and water mix were gathered over the day, 33,487 cubic meters in total," the center said.
NORILSK, July 9. /TASS/. Rescuers gathered 86 cubic meters of fuel and water mix on the fuel oil spill site near Norilsk, the spill response center told reporters on Thursday.
More than 188,500 tonnes of contaminated soil were placed into storage, as reported earlier.
Over 143 km of shoreline and 277,700 square meters of terrain were treated with sorbent, the center noted.
On May 29, more than 21,000 tonnes of fuel spilled after a storage tank collapsed at a power plant operated by CHPP-3, a subsidiary of metals giant Norilsk Nickel, in the city of Norilsk. The fuel leaked into ground flooding an area of 180,000 square meters and also into local rivers, contaminating the terrain and causing damage to the environment.


tass--2020-07-09--Over 22 mln coronavirus tests conducted in Russia

MOSCOW , July 9 .
/TASS/ .
Over 22 mln coronavirus tests have so far been conducted in Russia , @ @ @ @ @ on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing said in a statement on Thursday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ tests have been conducted in Russia , '' the statement reads .
As many as @ @ @ @ @ in the past 24 hours .
According to the watchdog , 276,200 people remain under @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, July 9. /TASS/. Over 22 mln coronavirus tests have so far been conducted in Russia, the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing said in a statement on Thursday.
"More than 22 million coronavirus tests have been conducted in Russia," the statement reads. As many as 288,000 tests were carried out in the past 24 hours.
According to the watchdog, 276,200 people remain under medical observation over the coronavirus.


tass--2020-07-09--AV-Comparatives Releases Results of 2020 Android Security Test

INNSBRUCK , Austria , July 8 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Independent security testing lab AV-Comparatives has published the report of its 2020 investigation into antivirus apps for the Android mobile platform .
The Innsbruck-based institute tested 9 popular security apps with regard to malware protection , battery drain and anti-theft functionality .
Third-party products made by Avast , AVG , Avira , Bitdefender , G DATA , Kaspersky , Securion and Trend Micro were all scrutinised , along with Google 's built-in security measures in the Android platform .
Please read the full report here : https : //www.av-comparatives.org/tests/mobile-security-review-2020/ .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ OS , Android 10 , was used for the test .
Users who are planning on buying a new smartphone , or updating their existing phones to the newest OS version , can see how well the tested products perform on the latest incarnation of Android .
In the malware protection test , over 3,000 recent malicious applications for the Android operating system were used .
The results clearly showed the advantage of using a third-party antivirus product to protect smartphones against Android malware .
To ensure that the tested products do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rates of false alarms , a false-positives test was also run , using 500 popular legitimate apps .
Anti-theft functionality was also considered .
This allows a user whose smartphone has been lost or stolen to , e.g.
, locate it , lock it , and wipe private data .
Anti-theft features in the tested products were tested for reliable operation .
A past criticism of security programs is that they cause significant drain on the device 's battery .
AV-Comparatives addressed this issue by running a battery-drain test .
The effect each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phone usage ( making calls , surfing the Internet , watching videos and sending emails ) was measured .
As well as the results of the tests , the report includes general security advice and information for users of Android devices .
The new security measures incorporated into Android 10 are considered , along with the effect these have on third-party security apps .
Security tips for Android users are also provided .
Like all AV-Comparatives ' public reports , the report of the 2020 Android Mobile Security Test can be downloaded free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , www.av-comparatives.org .
`` Even as Google 's built-in malware protection improved , it still offers the weakest protection of all tested products .
We highly recommend using a third-party app . ''
- Peter Stelzhammer , co-founder , AV-Comparatives AV-Comparatives offers AVC UnDroid , a well-done malware analysis tool , which is available free to all users .
It is a static analysis system for detecting suspected Android malware and adware and providing statistics about it .
Users can upload APK files and see the results in various analysis mechanisms .

INNSBRUCK, Austria, July 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Independent security testing lab AV-Comparatives has published the report of its 2020 investigation into antivirus apps for the Android mobile platform. The Innsbruck-based institute tested 9 popular security apps with regard to malware protection, battery drain and anti-theft functionality. Third-party products made by Avast, AVG, Avira, Bitdefender, G DATA, Kaspersky, Securion and Trend Micro were all scrutinised, along with Google's built-in security measures in the Android platform.
Please read the full report here: https://www.av-comparatives.org/tests/mobile-security-review-2020/.
The latest version of Google's mobile OS, Android 10, was used for the test. Users who are planning on buying a new smartphone, or updating their existing phones to the newest OS version, can see how well the tested products perform on the latest incarnation of Android.
In the malware protection test, over 3,000 recent malicious applications for the Android operating system were used. The results clearly showed the advantage of using a third-party antivirus product to protect smartphones against Android malware.
To ensure that the tested products do not achieve protection at the expense of high rates of false alarms, a false-positives test was also run, using 500 popular legitimate apps.
Anti-theft functionality was also considered. This allows a user whose smartphone has been lost or stolen to, e.g., locate it, lock it, and wipe private data. Anti-theft features in the tested products were tested for reliable operation.
A past criticism of security programs is that they cause significant drain on the device's battery. AV-Comparatives addressed this issue by running a battery-drain test. The effect each product has on battery life during everyday phone usage (making calls, surfing the Internet, watching videos and sending emails) was measured.
As well as the results of the tests, the report includes general security advice and information for users of Android devices. The new security measures incorporated into Android 10 are considered, along with the effect these have on third-party security apps. Security tips for Android users are also provided.
Like all AV-Comparatives' public reports, the report of the 2020 Android Mobile Security Test can be downloaded free of charge from the institute's website, www.av-comparatives.org.
"Even as Google's built-in malware protection improved, it still offers the weakest protection of all tested products. We highly recommend using a third-party app."
- Peter Stelzhammer, co-founder, AV-Comparatives
AV-Comparatives offers AVC UnDroid, a well-done malware analysis tool, which is available free to all users. It is a static analysis system for detecting suspected Android malware and adware and providing statistics about it. Users can upload APK files and see the results in various analysis mechanisms.
Check it out: https://www.av-comparatives.org/specials/undroid/
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1200602/AV_Comparatives_Products_Mobile_2020.jpg
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1200603/AV_Comparatives_Results_Mobile_2020.jpg
Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1200605/AV_Comparatives_Logo.jpg
Contact:
Peter Stelzhammer
media@av-comparatives.org
CONTACT: +43-720115542


tass--2020-07-09--Committee to Protect Journalists urges to release former journalist Safronov

NEW YORK , July 9 .
/TASS/ .
The US-based rights organization , the Committee to Protect Journalists ( CPJ @ @ @ @ @ Ivan Safronov , a former journalist with Russia ’ s Kommersant and Vedomosti papers , @ @ @ @ @ Roscosmos head .
`` Ivan Safronov should be immediately released , and the bogus spying @ @ @ @ @ thrown out , '' Gulnoza Said , CPJ ’ s Europe and Central Asia program @ @ @ @ @ saying in a statement on the organization ’ s website .
`` Other journalists who @ @ @ @ @ by protesting should be allowed to do so without fear of reprisal , '' she @ @

NEW YORK, July 9. /TASS/. The US-based rights organization, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) demanded the release of Ivan Safronov, a former journalist with Russia’s Kommersant and Vedomosti papers, and an adviser to the Roscosmos head.
"Ivan Safronov should be immediately released, and the bogus spying charges against him should be thrown out," Gulnoza Said, CPJ’s Europe and Central Asia program coordinator, was quoted as saying in a statement on the organization’s website.
"Other journalists who show their support for Safronov by protesting should be allowed to do so without fear of reprisal," she said.


tass--2020-07-09--Russia to make necessary steps over US withdrawal from Open Skies Treaty — ambassador

WASHINGTON , July 9 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s defense ministry and other relevant governmental agencies will take all the necessary measures over the United States ’ withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty , Russia ’ s Ambassador to US Anatoly Antonov said on Wednesday .
In his words , after the US withdrawal , `` there would be no possibility for us to see what is going on on the territory of the United States . ''
`` It ’ s a very serious step made by the United States , and I ’ m sure that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will take appropriate steps in the end to protect the national interests of our motherland , '' he said at a video conference , organized by the Washington-based Center for the National Interest .
`` I ’ m very much concerned by this action and I consider it very counter-productive , '' the Russian diplomat added .
Antonov said that by quitting the treaty , the United States demonstrated the lack of political will to search for mutually acceptable solutions .
US President Donald Trump declared on May 21 Washington was going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which provides for inspection flights over member countries ’ territories to monitor military activities .
He motivated this step by Russia ’ s alleged violation of the treaty .
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said in a written statement that the decision to withdraw from the treaty would come into effect in six months after May 22 .
Moscow denies these accusations saying it is committed to the treaty and puts forward counterclaims .
The Treaty on Open Skies was signed in March 1992 in Helsinki by 23 member nations of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Europe ( OSCE ) .
The main purposes of the open skies regime are to develop transparency , render assistance in monitoring compliance with the existing or future arms control agreements , broaden possibilities for preventing crises and managing crisis situations .
The treaty establishes a program of unarmed aerial surveillance flights over the entire territory of its participants .
Now , the treaty has more than 30 signatory states .
Russia ratified the Treaty on Open Skies on May 26 , 2001 .
On July 6 , the delegates of the member-states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a video conference to discuss the impact of the United States ’ withdrawal and the treaty ’ s future after that .
Russia was represented at this event by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov .
The senior diplomat said the sides failed to bring closer their positions at the meeting .

WASHINGTON, July 9. /TASS/. Russia’s defense ministry and other relevant governmental agencies will take all the necessary measures over the United States’ withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty, Russia’s Ambassador to US Anatoly Antonov said on Wednesday.
In his words, after the US withdrawal, "there would be no possibility for us to see what is going on on the territory of the United States."
"It’s a very serious step made by the United States, and I’m sure that the ministry of defense and other agencies concerned will take appropriate steps in the end to protect the national interests of our motherland," he said at a video conference, organized by the Washington-based Center for the National Interest.
"I’m very much concerned by this action and I consider it very counter-productive," the Russian diplomat added.
Antonov said that by quitting the treaty, the United States demonstrated the lack of political will to search for mutually acceptable solutions.
US President Donald Trump declared on May 21 Washington was going to withdraw from the Treaty on Open Skies, which provides for inspection flights over member countries’ territories to monitor military activities. He motivated this step by Russia’s alleged violation of the treaty. US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said in a written statement that the decision to withdraw from the treaty would come into effect in six months after May 22. Moscow denies these accusations saying it is committed to the treaty and puts forward counterclaims.
The Treaty on Open Skies was signed in March 1992 in Helsinki by 23 member nations of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The main purposes of the open skies regime are to develop transparency, render assistance in monitoring compliance with the existing or future arms control agreements, broaden possibilities for preventing crises and managing crisis situations. The treaty establishes a program of unarmed aerial surveillance flights over the entire territory of its participants. Now, the treaty has more than 30 signatory states. Russia ratified the Treaty on Open Skies on May 26, 2001.
On July 6, the delegates of the member-states of the Treaty on Open Skies held a video conference to discuss the impact of the United States’ withdrawal and the treaty’s future after that. Russia was represented at this event by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. The senior diplomat said the sides failed to bring closer their positions at the meeting.


tass--2020-07-09--Number of coronavirus cases worldwide tops 12 million — Johns Hopkins University

MOSCOW , July 9 .
/TASS/ .
The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection worldwide crossed the @ @ @ @ @ according to the US-based Johns Hopkins University .
The organization , which calculates its own @ @ @ @ @ data obtained from international organizations , federal and local authorities , said 12,007,327 people have @ @ @ @ @ and 548,799 of them died .
The United States is the hardest-hit country , with @ @ @ @ @ by Brazil ( 1,713,160 ) and India ( 742,417 ) .
Russia is ranked fourth @ @ @ @ @ anti-coronavirus crisis center , it has 700,792 cases of the infection , and 10,667 of @ @ @

MOSCOW, July 9. /TASS/. The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection worldwide crossed the 12-million benchmark on Thursday, according to the US-based Johns Hopkins University.
The organization, which calculates its own statistics on the basis of data obtained from international organizations, federal and local authorities, said 12,007,327 people have contracted the disease worldwide, and 548,799 of them died.
The United States is the hardest-hit country, with some 3,051,427 cases, followed by Brazil (1,713,160) and India (742,417).
Russia is ranked fourth. According to the federal anti-coronavirus crisis center, it has 700,792 cases of the infection, and 10,667 of them fatal.


tass--2020-07-09--US, Russia not enemies, should talk to each other — Russian ambassador

WASHINGTON , July 9 .
/TASS/ .
The United States and Russia are not enemies and can not afford not talking to each other , Russia ’ s Ambassador to US Anatoly Antonov said on Wednesday .
`` It is very difficult to talk about Russia-U.S. relations .
Too many contradictions have accumulated , '' he said during a video conference , organized by the Washington-based Center for the National Interest .
`` There is an ongoing debate on who is more at fault for their deplorable current state .
There are contrasting views on who should take the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I have to admit that for now this process resembles walking in a circle without any clear perspective of finding common ground , '' the ambassador went on .
`` On many occasions , I had to persuade the American public that Russia and the U.S. are not enemies .
And that we can not afford the luxury of not talking to each other , despite all the existing disagreements .
Due to objective reasons , the well-being of the whole planet depends on the quality of Russia-U.S. relations , '' he @ @

WASHINGTON, July 9. /TASS/. The United States and Russia are not enemies and cannot afford not talking to each other, Russia’s Ambassador to US Anatoly Antonov said on Wednesday.
"It is very difficult to talk about Russia-U.S. relations. Too many contradictions have accumulated," he said during a video conference, organized by the Washington-based Center for the National Interest. "There is an ongoing debate on who is more at fault for their deplorable current state. There are contrasting views on who should take the first step towards the other side."
"I have to admit that for now this process resembles walking in a circle without any clear perspective of finding common ground," the ambassador went on.
"On many occasions, I had to persuade the American public that Russia and the U.S. are not enemies. And that we cannot afford the luxury of not talking to each other, despite all the existing disagreements. Due to objective reasons, the well-being of the whole planet depends on the quality of Russia-U.S. relations," he said.


tass--2020-07-09--Khabarovsk governor in custody, faces murder charges

MOSCOW , July 9 .
/TASS/ .
Russian investigators are drawing up criminal charges and have arrested Sergei Furgal , governor of Russia ’ s Khabarovsk Region , the Investigative Committee said on its website on Thursday .
The official was detained on suspicion of organizing contract killings and attempted murder .
A video , released by the Russian Investigative Committee , shows Furgal being led away in handcuffs after arriving at his office .
`` Considering the evidence gathered , detectives from the Investigative Committee together with FSB officers detained Khabarovsk Region Governor Sergei Furgal , who , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind one attempted murder and several murders of entrepreneurs , '' the Investigative Committee said in a statement .
Charges against the official are going to be filed soon .
Investigators are set to request the court to choose custody as a measure of pretrial restraint for the official .
According to the Committee , the arrest was made in connection with the investigation into a multi-episode criminal case against an organized criminal gang , suspected of murders and attacks on businessmen in the Khabarovsk and Amur Regions in 2004-2005 .
Apart from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrested and charged as part of the case .
A source close to the investigation said the official `` was detained at his workplace . ''
`` Law enforcement officers are taking measures to transport him to Moscow , '' he added .
A law enforcement source said Furgal ’ s case `` contains at least two episodes of murder and one attempted murder '' - the murder of businessmen Yevgeny Zorya and Oleg Bulatov in 2004 and 2005 , and the attempted murder of entrepreneur Alexander Smolsky , a founder of several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administrative center of Khabarovsk .
Sergei Furgal was born on February 12 , 1970 , in the village of Poyarkovo in Russia ’ s Far Eastern Amur Region .
He graduated from the Blagoveshchensk State Medical University in 1992 and from the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration in 2010 .
Between 2005 and 2007 , he was a lawmaker in the Khabarovsk Region ’ s legislature , elected as a member of the LDPR party .
In 2007-2018 , Furgal was a member of State Duma , the lower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On September 9 , he ran in gubernatorial elections to defeat Khabarovsk Region ’ s governor Vyacheslav Shport ( of the United Russia party ) by a narrow margin of 35.81 % against 35.62 % .
In the runoff , Furgal received 69.57 % of the vote , while Shport got 27.97 % .
On September 28 , 2018 , Furgal was sworn in as the governor of the Khabarovsk Region .
The LDPR party ’ s regional office in the Khabarovsk Region said there were no plans to eject Furgal from the @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, July 9. /TASS/. Russian investigators are drawing up criminal charges and have arrested Sergei Furgal, governor of Russia’s Khabarovsk Region, the Investigative Committee said on its website on Thursday.
The official was detained on suspicion of organizing contract killings and attempted murder. A video, released by the Russian Investigative Committee, shows Furgal being led away in handcuffs after arriving at his office.
"Considering the evidence gathered, detectives from the Investigative Committee together with FSB officers detained Khabarovsk Region Governor Sergei Furgal, who, according to the investigation, is the mastermind behind one attempted murder and several murders of entrepreneurs," the Investigative Committee said in a statement.
Charges against the official are going to be filed soon.
Investigators are set to request the court to choose custody as a measure of pretrial restraint for the official.
According to the Committee, the arrest was made in connection with the investigation into a multi-episode criminal case against an organized criminal gang, suspected of murders and attacks on businessmen in the Khabarovsk and Amur Regions in 2004-2005. Apart from Furgal, four other suspects have been arrested and charged as part of the case.
A source close to the investigation said the official "was detained at his workplace." "Law enforcement officers are taking measures to transport him to Moscow," he added.
A law enforcement source said Furgal’s case "contains at least two episodes of murder and one attempted murder" - the murder of businessmen Yevgeny Zorya and Oleg Bulatov in 2004 and 2005, and the attempted murder of entrepreneur Alexander Smolsky, a founder of several commercial organizations in the region’s administrative center of Khabarovsk.
The governor’s biography
Sergei Furgal was born on February 12, 1970, in the village of Poyarkovo in Russia’s Far Eastern Amur Region. He graduated from the Blagoveshchensk State Medical University in 1992 and from the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration in 2010. Between 2005 and 2007, he was a lawmaker in the Khabarovsk Region’s legislature, elected as a member of the LDPR party.
In 2007-2018, Furgal was a member of State Duma, the lower chamber of Russia’s parliament. On September 9, he ran in gubernatorial elections to defeat Khabarovsk Region’s governor Vyacheslav Shport (of the United Russia party) by a narrow margin of 35.81% against 35.62%. In the runoff, Furgal received 69.57% of the vote, while Shport got 27.97%.
On September 28, 2018, Furgal was sworn in as the governor of the Khabarovsk Region.
The LDPR party’s regional office in the Khabarovsk Region said there were no plans to eject Furgal from the party so far.


tass--2020-07-10--US-Russia work group on space security to meet in late July - US Department of State

WASHINGTON , July 10 .
/TASS/ .
A meeting of the US-Russia Space Security Work Group will take place in late July , the US State Department Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation ( ISN ) announced on its Twitter page .
`` Big day for strategic security diplomacy with Russia : in meeting with Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov , [ US Assistant Secretary Chris ] Ford finalized planning for a Space Security Exchange at end of July , '' the US bureau stated .
Moscow and Washington agreed on an initiative to form an expert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talks on the strategic stability in January .
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told TASS in April that Moscow and Washington started work on the agenda for the work of the expert group on outer space , with the issue of preventing the arms race in outer space as one of its priorities .
Russia has numerously pointed to the US plans for deploying weapons in outer space .
Specifically , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated at the disarmament conference on February 25 that `` the plans of the US , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a whole for bringing weapons into outer space are acquiring increasingly real contours . ''
Russia ’ s top diplomat also noted that it was not late yet to prevent military confrontation in outer space by way of formulating the general rules of conduct .

WASHINGTON, July 10. /TASS/. A meeting of the US-Russia Space Security Work Group will take place in late July, the US State Department Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN) announced on its Twitter page.
"Big day for strategic security diplomacy with Russia: in meeting with Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov, [US Assistant Secretary Chris] Ford finalized planning for a Space Security Exchange at end of July," the US bureau stated.
Moscow and Washington agreed on an initiative to form an expert group on security in outer space following talks on the strategic stability in January. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told TASS in April that Moscow and Washington started work on the agenda for the work of the expert group on outer space, with the issue of preventing the arms race in outer space as one of its priorities.
Russia has numerously pointed to the US plans for deploying weapons in outer space. Specifically, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated at the disarmament conference on February 25 that "the plans of the US, France and the North Atlantic alliance as a whole for bringing weapons into outer space are acquiring increasingly real contours." Russia’s top diplomat also noted that it was not late yet to prevent military confrontation in outer space by way of formulating the general rules of conduct.