tass--2020-06-25--Russian space firm signs deal to send two tourists to orbital outpost in 2023

MOSCOW , June 25 .
/TASS/ .
Two tourists will travel to the International Space Station ( ISS ) in @ @ @ @ @ between Russia ’ s Energia Space Rocket Corporation and the US-based Space Adventures Inc. , @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .
`` A contract has been signed between the Energia Space Rocket Corporation and @ @ @ @ @ ) on a short-term expedition of two space flight participants aboard a Soyuz MS spacecraft @ @ @ @ @ the International Space Station in 2023 , '' the statement says .

MOSCOW, June 25. /TASS/. Two tourists will travel to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2023 under a contract signed between Russia’s Energia Space Rocket Corporation and the US-based Space Adventures Inc., the Russian company announced on Thursday.
"A contract has been signed between the Energia Space Rocket Corporation and Space Adventures Inc. (USA) on a short-term expedition of two space flight participants aboard a Soyuz MS spacecraft to the Russian segment of the International Space Station in 2023," the statement reads.
Under the contract, one of the space tourists who will travel to the ISS in 2023 will make a spacewalk together with a professional cosmonaut, the Energia announced on Thursday. "It is planned that during the expedition one of the space flight participants will make a spacewalk from the ISS’s Russian segment together with a professional cosmonaut," it said.
In 2001-2009, eight short-term flights were made to the orbital outpost’s Russian segment under contracts with Space Adventures Inc. The space tourists who visited the orbital outpost during this period included US nationals Dennis Tito (2001), Greg Olsen (2006), Anousheh Ansari (2006), Richard Garriott (2008) and Charles Simonyi (2007 and 2009), Britain’s Mark Shuttleworth (2002) and Canada’s Guy Laliberte (2009).


tass--2020-06-25--Russia to extend preferential trade regime with Moldova, says Dodon

CHISINAU , June 25 .
/TASS/ .
Russian authorities have agreed to extend duty-free treatment for Moldovan exporters , as @ @ @ @ @ privileges for transport companies , the republic ’ s President Igor Dodon said following a @ @ @ @ @ Staff of the Russian President ’ s Executive Office , Special Presidential Representative for the @ @ @ @ @ Relations with Moldova Dmitry Kozak in Moscow on Thursday .
`` Russia agreed to extend @ @ @ @ @ Moldovan goods , which means that starting July 1 of this year Moldovan fruits , @ @ @ @ @ wine products will be supplied to the Russian market free of customs duties , which @ @ @ @ @ save at least 20-25 mln euro per year , '' Dodon wrote on his Facebook @ @ @ @ @ consider the possibility of providing assistance in the form of diesel fuel to agriculture producers @ @ @ @ @ year , he added .

CHISINAU, June 25. /TASS/. Russian authorities have agreed to extend duty-free treatment for Moldovan exporters, as well as to provide additional privileges for transport companies, the republic’s President Igor Dodon said following a meeting with Deputy Chief of Staff of the Russian President’s Executive Office, Special Presidential Representative for the Development of Trade and Economic Relations with Moldova Dmitry Kozak in Moscow on Thursday.
"Russia agreed to extend preferences on duty-free supplies of Moldovan goods, which means that starting July 1 of this year Moldovan fruits, vegetables, preserved food and wine products will be supplied to the Russian market free of customs duties, which will enable Moldovan producers to save at least 20-25 mln euro per year," Dodon wrote on his Facebook page.
Russia will also consider the possibility of providing assistance in the form of diesel fuel to agriculture producers affected by the drought this year, he added.


tass--2020-06-25--Russia doubts secrecy of talks with US following publication of sensitive data — diplomat

MOSCOW , June 25 .
/TASS/ .
Russia can not be certain that confidential talks with the US will not become public following publications of information from closed meetings , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told the Primakov Readings ' online session `` The USA in the Crises Swirl : Strategic Consequences . ''
`` There is a trap now : we can not be certain that some discussions , the delicate , confidential or trusting ones , will not suddenly become public due to some reason , '' he said .
`` We ’ ve seen WikiLeaks publications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probe , we ’ ve seen publication of transcripts of video surveillance footage , and now the Bolton memoirs . ''
`` No we walk the minefield , not knowing which discussion will be disseminated next time by which source .
In the meantime , we are talking about things , which , in normal circumstances — not the current chaos — would take decades to declassify .
All of this puts diplomacy before completely new challenges , '' Ryabkov said .
According to the deputy foreign minister , Bolton ’ s memoirs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not the foreign one .
`` I am baffled by what is going on in the American political establishment from the standpoint of living on display .
I understand that this book , just like many other things happening in the US , is about the US internal policy , not the foreign one .
Everything written there regarding foreign policy is just a toolset and continuation of war by other means .
This is how it should be treated , '' he explained .
In September last year , John Bolton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House National Security Advisor .
His book , named The Room Where It Happened : A White House Memoir , which contains quite negative assessment of President Donald Trump ’ s actions , was published Tuesday .

MOSCOW, June 25. /TASS/. Russia cannot be certain that confidential talks with the US will not become public following publications of information from closed meetings, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told the Primakov Readings' online session "The USA in the Crises Swirl: Strategic Consequences."
"There is a trap now: we cannot be certain that some discussions, the delicate, confidential or trusting ones, will not suddenly become public due to some reason," he said. "We’ve seen WikiLeaks publications, we’ve seen the Mueller probe, we’ve seen publication of transcripts of video surveillance footage, and now the Bolton memoirs."
"No we walk the minefield, not knowing which discussion will be disseminated next time by which source. In the meantime, we are talking about things, which, in normal circumstances — not the current chaos — would take decades to declassify. All of this puts diplomacy before completely new challenges," Ryabkov said.
According to the deputy foreign minister, Bolton’s memoirs are dedicated to the US internal policy, not the foreign one. "I am baffled by what is going on in the American political establishment from the standpoint of living on display. I understand that this book, just like many other things happening in the US, is about the US internal policy, not the foreign one. Everything written there regarding foreign policy is just a toolset and continuation of war by other means. This is how it should be treated," he explained.
In September last year, John Bolton was dismissed from the office of the White House National Security Advisor. His book, named The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir, which contains quite negative assessment of President Donald Trump’s actions, was published Tuesday.


tass--2020-06-25--Number of coronavirus cases in Norway rises to 8,793

The first coronavirus case in Norway was detected in late February .
Due to the pandemic , the government imposed a ban on the entry of foreigners who do not have a residence permit .
Starting on June 15 , Norway and Denmark will resume tourist trips between the two countries .
Over the past week , growth in the number of cases every day was less than 30 .
According to authorities , the epidemic continues to decline .
In Norway , 249 people died from the effects of coronavirus .
HELSINKI , June 25 .
/TASS/ .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 16 per day , reaching 8,793 , the Norwegian Institute of Public Health said on Thursday .
On April 6 , the Norwegian government announced that it had managed to control the epidemic .
In April , a gradual resumption of work of a number of institutions - kindergartens , schools , as well as a number of types of business - began .
In addition , the ban on travel to the country was lifted .
It is planned that almost everything that was closed due to the pandemic will start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants , gyms , swimming pools , but compliance with the rules of conduct for a pandemic there will remain in effect .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the latest statistics , over 9,542,400 people have been infected worldwide and more than 485,200 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 5,186,600 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , 613,994 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 375,164 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 8,605 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

The first coronavirus case in Norway was detected in late February. Due to the pandemic, the government imposed a ban on the entry of foreigners who do not have a residence permit. Starting on June 15, Norway and Denmark will resume tourist trips between the two countries.
Over the past week, growth in the number of cases every day was less than 30. According to authorities, the epidemic continues to decline. In Norway, 249 people died from the effects of coronavirus.
HELSINKI, June 25. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Norway increased by 16 per day, reaching 8,793, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health said on Thursday.
On April 6, the Norwegian government announced that it had managed to control the epidemic. In April, a gradual resumption of work of a number of institutions - kindergartens, schools, as well as a number of types of business - began. In addition, the ban on travel to the country was lifted. It is planned that almost everything that was closed due to the pandemic will start working again by June 15, including restaurants, gyms, swimming pools, but compliance with the rules of conduct for a pandemic there will remain in effect.
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 9,542,400 people have been infected worldwide and more than 485,200 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 5,186,600 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, 613,994 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 375,164 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 8,605 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-06-25--No progress in Russian-US relations in any field, senior diplomat says

MOSCOW , June 25 .
/TASS/ .
Relations between Moscow and Washington did not see progress in any fields of cooperation in the past years with a rare exception and US politicians don ’ t view Russia as a partner , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told an online session of the Primakov Readings forum .
`` Unfortunately , we can not basically name any field in bilateral relations and in the approach of Moscow and Washington to international issues , with a rare exception , where a clear and sizable progress was reached in the past years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said this was a unique situation during a long period of Russian-US and Soviet-US relations .
According to Ryabkov , at the moment US officials view Russia as an object of politics and do not consider the possibility of partnership with Moscow even on a very down-to-earth and minimum agenda .
Unfortunately , there is no doubt that Russia is considered as a negative factor in the US domestic context , he noted .
`` Over the years of Trump ’ s presidency we have seen various turns of the Russian issue and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the viewpoint of presenting and whipping up the issue in general and its projection to many processes in the US . ''
Ahead of the November 3 election the Russian issue will be circulating in the US domestic political struggle , Ryabkov said .
`` We can not actually say which administration , the Republican or Democratic , that will assume power in Washington next year after the inauguration of the 46th president of the United States , will be better for us , '' the senior diplomat added .
He emphasized that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US elites at all levels : US politicians regard Russia as an obstacle to Washington ’ s dominance in the world and continuing to resolve geopolitical problems on conditions acceptable for them .

MOSCOW, June 25. /TASS/. Relations between Moscow and Washington did not see progress in any fields of cooperation in the past years with a rare exception and US politicians don’t view Russia as a partner, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told an online session of the Primakov Readings forum.
"Unfortunately, we cannot basically name any field in bilateral relations and in the approach of Moscow and Washington to international issues, with a rare exception, where a clear and sizable progress was reached in the past years," Ryabkov said.
The senior diplomat said this was a unique situation during a long period of Russian-US and Soviet-US relations. According to Ryabkov, at the moment US officials view Russia as an object of politics and do not consider the possibility of partnership with Moscow even on a very down-to-earth and minimum agenda.
Unfortunately, there is no doubt that Russia is considered as a negative factor in the US domestic context, he noted. "Over the years of Trump’s presidency we have seen various turns of the Russian issue and many of them were absolutely unprecedented from the viewpoint of presenting and whipping up the issue in general and its projection to many processes in the US." Ahead of the November 3 election the Russian issue will be circulating in the US domestic political struggle, Ryabkov said.
"We cannot actually say which administration, the Republican or Democratic, that will assume power in Washington next year after the inauguration of the 46th president of the United States, will be better for us," the senior diplomat added.
He emphasized that the anti-Russian consensus was deeply rooted in the US elites at all levels: US politicians regard Russia as an obstacle to Washington’s dominance in the world and continuing to resolve geopolitical problems on conditions acceptable for them.


tass--2020-06-25--Russia will not try to save New START treaty at any cost, senior diplomat says

MOSCOW , June 25 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is not going to try to preserve the Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms ( New START treaty ) at any cost , because Moscow needs it as much as Washington does , Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said during an online session of the Primakov Readings forum entitled The US in the Whirlpool of Crises : Strategic Consequences .
`` Naturally , we are ready .
The Russian president has said so more than once , when asked if Russia was prepared to see the termination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans know that we will not try to save the treaty at any cost , let alone the cost we are expected to pay .
We believe it is mutually beneficial and necessary to both countries . ''
The new START was signed by the United States and Russia in 2010 for a period of ten years , till February 5 , 2021 .
It can be replaced by another agreement or prolonged for another five years , till 2026 by mutual consent .
Moscow is urging Washington not to procrastinate on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in its opinion is the gold standard in the field of disarmament .

MOSCOW, June 25. /TASS/. Russia is not going to try to preserve the Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (New START treaty) at any cost, because Moscow needs it as much as Washington does, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said during an online session of the Primakov Readings forum entitled The US in the Whirlpool of Crises: Strategic Consequences.
"Naturally, we are ready. The Russian president has said so more than once, when asked if Russia was prepared to see the termination of the New START treaty. The Americans know that we will not try to save the treaty at any cost, let alone the cost we are expected to pay. We believe it is mutually beneficial and necessary to both countries."
The new START was signed by the United States and Russia in 2010 for a period of ten years, till February 5, 2021. It can be replaced by another agreement or prolonged for another five years, till 2026 by mutual consent. Moscow is urging Washington not to procrastinate on the issue of prolonging the treaty, which, in its opinion is the gold standard in the field of disarmament.


tass--2020-06-25--Constitutional amendments to confirm Russia’s social guarantees — Kremlin

According to the spokesman , this is a major difference from the situation in 2008 , when there were proposals on changing the key law in order to enable the incumbent president to run for the third term .
`` The situation is different .
Now the focus is made primarily on those amendments , which strengthen the country ’ s sovereignty and social nature of our state , '' Peskov said , noting that the proposed amendments introduce `` those focal points which come to the forefront with time and which are the most important for the citizens , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and formulation of these amendments . ''
Peskov also highlighted that there were some nuances .
`` As far as 2008 is concerned , he [ Putin ] spoke about an eventual opportunity that existed then to initiate the issue on changing the Constitution .
The level of support for the president that existed then and the level of citizens ’ trust in him then and now is a good indicator that the presidential initiative would have received mass support back then , '' the Kremlin spokesman explained .
He also noted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia is a socially-oriented state .
`` But this cornerstone principle gets more 'props ' , which are very important as strengthening it even further , '' he said .
A number of other amendments concerning children and animals also allow to highlight key points in the Constitution .
Speaking on the amendment which enables Putin to be re-elected Peskov recalled that this was the initiative of Russian MP and the first woman in space , Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova .
`` It was supported .
It [ the amendment ] was also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of amendments , naturally , the president should be given the opportunity if there is such an intention to be elected in the future , '' he said .
According to the Kremlin spokesman , the difference in the initiatives on amending the key law in 2008 and 2020 was that now `` more substantive amendments '' have been proposed .
`` Here , the precursor of everything this year was precisely a package of substantial constitutional amendments that , at the same time , do not change the core of the basic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the MP ’ s initiative on the possibility for the president to run in election again , '' Peskov said .
Meanwhile , in 2008 there was only the proposal on the possibility to run for the third term and Putin strongly rejected it , he explained .

According to the spokesman, this is a major difference from the situation in 2008, when there were proposals on changing the key law in order to enable the incumbent president to run for the third term. "The situation is different. Now the focus is made primarily on those amendments, which strengthen the country’s sovereignty and social nature of our state," Peskov said, noting that the proposed amendments introduce "those focal points which come to the forefront with time and which are the most important for the citizens, as was seen during the public discussion and formulation of these amendments."
Peskov also highlighted that there were some nuances. "As far as 2008 is concerned, he [Putin] spoke about an eventual opportunity that existed then to initiate the issue on changing the Constitution. The level of support for the president that existed then and the level of citizens’ trust in him then and now is a good indicator that the presidential initiative would have received mass support back then," the Kremlin spokesman explained.
He also noted that the current Constitution had a provision that Russia is a socially-oriented state. "But this cornerstone principle gets more 'props', which are very important as strengthening it even further," he said. A number of other amendments concerning children and animals also allow to highlight key points in the Constitution.
Speaking on the amendment which enables Putin to be re-elected Peskov recalled that this was the initiative of Russian MP and the first woman in space, Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova. "It was supported. It [the amendment] was also well-reasoned as after introducing the entire package of amendments, naturally, the president should be given the opportunity if there is such an intention to be elected in the future," he said.
Substantial amendments
According to the Kremlin spokesman, the difference in the initiatives on amending the key law in 2008 and 2020 was that now "more substantive amendments" have been proposed.
"Here, the precursor of everything this year was precisely a package of substantial constitutional amendments that, at the same time, do not change the core of the basic law, and only then there was the MP’s initiative on the possibility for the president to run in election again," Peskov said. Meanwhile, in 2008 there was only the proposal on the possibility to run for the third term and Putin strongly rejected it, he explained.


tass--2020-06-25--Putin and Macron to discuss Ukraine, Syria, Libya

MOSCOW , June 25 .
/TASS/ .
Presidents of Russia and France , Vladimir Putin and Emmanuel Macron , will @ @ @ @ @ Paris , as well as various crisis situations at the video conference scheduled for Friday @ @ @ @ @ of President Putin and the President of France is scheduled for Friday , they will @ @ @ @ @ spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists .
`` We expect the very beginning of the conference @ @ @ @ @ mass media , we will publish the footage , '' the spokesman said .

MOSCOW, June 25. /TASS/. Presidents of Russia and France, Vladimir Putin and Emmanuel Macron, will discuss relations of Moscow and Paris, as well as various crisis situations at the video conference scheduled for Friday.
"The video conference of President Putin and the President of France is scheduled for Friday, they will talk privately," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists. "We expect the very beginning of the conference to be open to the mass media, we will publish the footage," the spokesman said.


tass--2020-06-25--No need to rescue Russian trawler in Norwegian shores — consulate

KHELSINKI , June 25 .
/TASS/ .
There is no need to perform a rescue operation for the Kokshaysk fishing trawler grounded near Norwegian shores , the Russian Consulate General in Kirkenes told TASS on Thursday .
The trawler with 35 persons on board ran aground near Arnoya Island in Norway , the Nordlys newspaper reported earlier on Thursday .
`` We contacted the main rescue center of Northern Norway and they told us that there is a strong fall of the tide and the ship is simply grounded .
Backwater is expected by 15.00 pm local time ( 16.00 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away .
A ship of the Norwegian Coast Guard will approach our vessel and help it , '' the Consulate General said .
`` There is no need in the rescue operation , it added .
Apart from that , the Murmanryba tug brought Russian trawler Nord Tral that had earlier lost way in Norwegian waters to Norway ’ s Kirkenes for repair , the Murmansk Marine Rescue Coordination Center told TASS on Thursday .
`` At 08.40 am , according to the ship master ’ s report , the Murmanryba tug completed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was handed over to the Norwegian tug of Kirkenes port , '' the Center said .

KHELSINKI, June 25. /TASS/. There is no need to perform a rescue operation for the Kokshaysk fishing trawler grounded near Norwegian shores, the Russian Consulate General in Kirkenes told TASS on Thursday.
The trawler with 35 persons on board ran aground near Arnoya Island in Norway, the Nordlys newspaper reported earlier on Thursday.
"We contacted the main rescue center of Northern Norway and they told us that there is a strong fall of the tide and the ship is simply grounded. Backwater is expected by 15.00 pm local time (16.00 Moscow time) and she will sail away. A ship of the Norwegian Coast Guard will approach our vessel and help it," the Consulate General said. "There is no need in the rescue operation, it added.
Apart from that, the Murmanryba tug brought Russian trawler Nord Tral that had earlier lost way in Norwegian waters to Norway’s Kirkenes for repair, the Murmansk Marine Rescue Coordination Center told TASS on Thursday.
"At 08.40 am, according to the ship master’s report, the Murmanryba tug completed tugging. The malfunctioning Nord Tral vessel was handed over to the Norwegian tug of Kirkenes port," the Center said.


tass--2020-06-25--Oil firms to set up funds to finance spill response efforts, says Russian PM

MOSCOW , June 25 .
/TASS/ .
Companies involved in production and storage of petroleum products will be obliged to @ @ @ @ @ funds for financing spill response measures , Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said at a @ @ @ @ @ on a respective bill .
`` The bill stipulates that companies involved in production , @ @ @ @ @ and petroleum products will be obliged to approve oil and petroleum products spill response plans @ @ @ @ @ as well as set up special reserves funds for financing remediation of such spills , @ @ @ @ @ noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin requested speeding up the work at the document at @ @ @ @ @ Norilsk petroleum products spill aftermath .
`` Our main task is to prevent repetition of @ @ @ @ @ , '' Mishustin emphasized .
`` For doing that , we are forming a legal @ @ @ @ @ all allow to quickly and fully liquidate the aftermath of such emergencies , '' he @ @

MOSCOW, June 25. /TASS/. Companies involved in production and storage of petroleum products will be obliged to hold exercises and set up funds for financing spill response measures, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said at a government meeting on Thursday focusing on a respective bill.
"The bill stipulates that companies involved in production, transportation and storage of oil and petroleum products will be obliged to approve oil and petroleum products spill response plans and hold respective exercises, as well as set up special reserves funds for financing remediation of such spills," he said.
PM noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin requested speeding up the work at the document at meetings on liquidation of the Norilsk petroleum products spill aftermath. "Our main task is to prevent repetition of the recent events in Norilsk," Mishustin emphasized. "For doing that, we are forming a legal basis that will first of all allow to quickly and fully liquidate the aftermath of such emergencies," he said.


tass--2020-06-25--Kremlin dismisses Lukashenko's claims Russia complicit in Belarusian election meddling

`` There can be only an unequivocal answer Russia has never intervened , does not intervene and will not ever intervene in any country ’ s electoral processes , let alone electoral processes in our ally Belarus , '' Peskov said .
He remarked that on the eve of the ceremonies on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War Putin and Lukashenko `` naturally had no chance of having any detailed discussions . ''
`` There was an opportunity only for brief remarks and exchanges of opinion on the sidelines , '' Peskov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders had been able to discuss this issue on June 24 , when Lukashenko was in Moscow on a visit .
Lukashenko said on Thursday that he hoped to discuss with Putin in the near future what he described as external intervention in the election .
The Belarusian news agency BelTA pointed out that in the process of making certain personnel appointments Lukashenko remarked that the authorities ’ opponents were demanding honest and fair elections while behaving dishonestly themselves .
He added that their `` string pullers '' were in both Poland and @ @

"There can be only an unequivocal answer Russia has never intervened, does not intervene and will not ever intervene in any country’s electoral processes, let alone electoral processes in our ally Belarus," Peskov said.
He remarked that on the eve of the ceremonies on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War Putin and Lukashenko "naturally had no chance of having any detailed discussions."
"There was an opportunity only for brief remarks and exchanges of opinion on the sidelines," Peskov said, when asked if the two leaders had been able to discuss this issue on June 24, when Lukashenko was in Moscow on a visit.
Lukashenko said on Thursday that he hoped to discuss with Putin in the near future what he described as external intervention in the election.
The Belarusian news agency BelTA pointed out that in the process of making certain personnel appointments Lukashenko remarked that the authorities’ opponents were demanding honest and fair elections while behaving dishonestly themselves. He added that their "string pullers" were in both Poland and Russia.


tass--2020-06-25--Doctors, nurses act as observers during Constitutional vote at Moscow hospitals

MOSCOW , June 25 .
/TASS/ .
The observation of the vote on the amendments to the Russian Constitution throughout Moscow ’ s medical facilities , even at COVID-19 clinics , is being organized with the participation of medical personnel from these hospitals , Deputy Chairman of the Moscow Civic Chamber Alexei Venediktov told the reporters on Thursday .
Earlier , Deputy Chairman of the Moscow City Election Commission Dmitry Reut told TASS that around 180 polling stations in the capital were organized at temporary locations , with the majority of them at medical facilities .
These polling stations are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus infection are being treated .
`` The issues of how the voting at hospitals should be dealt with and how to go about monitoring the vote were discussed .
Obviously , there a lot of places infected with coronavirus .
The observers were ready to go there , and in Moscow there are 139 such sites at medical and non-COVID-19 [ facilities ] , at hospitals and maternity clinics .
Overall , there are 3,621 polls in Moscow .
< ... > the monitors could have been supplied with everything necessary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but at [ the monitoring ] headquarters we decided not to send the outside observers to the polls at medical facilities and maternity wards .
If they have polling stations there , we suggested that the doctors and nurses should serve as the observers there , '' the official said .
He specified that observers were not dispatched to the polling stations located in medical institutions so as to prevent the spread of the infection .
`` There is another category of polling stations — pre-trial detention centers .
There our colleagues from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We are keeping in touch with them , and previous experience demonstrates that our colleagues from the commission are doing a great job and report to us on all the situations that unfold there .
Everything is very well-organized there due to the specifics of the location , '' added Vadim Kovalev , first deputy head of the Public Center for Control and Monitoring of the All-Russian Vote , and the superintendent of the observers ’ corps .

MOSCOW, June 25. /TASS/. The observation of the vote on the amendments to the Russian Constitution throughout Moscow’s medical facilities, even at COVID-19 clinics, is being organized with the participation of medical personnel from these hospitals, Deputy Chairman of the Moscow Civic Chamber Alexei Venediktov told the reporters on Thursday.
Earlier, Deputy Chairman of the Moscow City Election Commission Dmitry Reut told TASS that around 180 polling stations in the capital were organized at temporary locations, with the majority of them at medical facilities. These polling stations are also located in hospitals where patients with the coronavirus infection are being treated.
"The issues of how the voting at hospitals should be dealt with and how to go about monitoring the vote were discussed. Obviously, there a lot of places infected with coronavirus. The observers were ready to go there, and in Moscow there are 139 such sites at medical and non-COVID-19 [facilities], at hospitals and maternity clinics. Overall, there are 3,621 polls in Moscow. <...> the monitors could have been supplied with everything necessary, the observers themselves were ready, but at [the monitoring] headquarters we decided not to send the outside observers to the polls at medical facilities and maternity wards. If they have polling stations there, we suggested that the doctors and nurses should serve as the observers there," the official said.
He specified that observers were not dispatched to the polling stations located in medical institutions so as to prevent the spread of the infection.
"There is another category of polling stations — pre-trial detention centers. There our colleagues from the Public Monitoring Commission are assisting us. We are keeping in touch with them, and previous experience demonstrates that our colleagues from the commission are doing a great job and report to us on all the situations that unfold there. Everything is very well-organized there due to the specifics of the location," added Vadim Kovalev, first deputy head of the Public Center for Control and Monitoring of the All-Russian Vote, and the superintendent of the observers’ corps.
About the vote


tass--2020-06-25--China will ‘reduce to zero’ coronavirus outbreak by late July, expert says

BEIJING , June 25 .
/TASS/ .
Authorities in Beijing are expected to curb the outbreak caused by the coronavirus infection by the middle or the end of July , President of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Honorary President of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Zhang Boli said on Thursday .
`` Thanks to the timely and decisive measures by the Beijing government to control and prevent the spread of the disease [ recorded in the city ] , the cluster outbreak of the coronavirus is generally under control .
It is estimated that by the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new infections will be reduced to a one-figure number , and by the middle or the end of July - it will be reduced to zero , '' Jian Kang Bao newspaper quoted him as saying .
The physician noted that `` thanks to the early detection of infections and the timely isolation of those infected , more than 90 % of patients have mild symptoms of the disease . ''
At the same time , grave patients are in stable condition .
Last week , a COVID-19 outbreak was recorded at Beijing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the southern district of Fengtai .
The majority of those infected were local vendors and their relatives and friends .
Since June 11 , some 269 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the city , mostly in Fengtai .
As of Thursday , 22 patients didn ’ t have any symptoms of the disease .
Chinese epidemiologists claim that the tests of samples from the market showed that the virus had come from Europe , but was older than the most recent virus .

BEIJING, June 25. /TASS/. Authorities in Beijing are expected to curb the outbreak caused by the coronavirus infection by the middle or the end of July, President of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Honorary President of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Zhang Boli said on Thursday.
"Thanks to the timely and decisive measures by the Beijing government to control and prevent the spread of the disease [recorded in the city], the cluster outbreak of the coronavirus is generally under control. It is estimated that by the end of June, the daily increase in new infections will be reduced to a one-figure number, and by the middle or the end of July - it will be reduced to zero," Jian Kang Bao newspaper quoted him as saying.
The physician noted that "thanks to the early detection of infections and the timely isolation of those infected, more than 90% of patients have mild symptoms of the disease." At the same time, grave patients are in stable condition.
Last week, a COVID-19 outbreak was recorded at Beijing’s largest wholesale Xinfadi market in the southern district of Fengtai. The majority of those infected were local vendors and their relatives and friends. Since June 11, some 269 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the city, mostly in Fengtai. As of Thursday, 22 patients didn’t have any symptoms of the disease. Chinese epidemiologists claim that the tests of samples from the market showed that the virus had come from Europe, but was older than the most recent virus.


tass--2020-06-25--Press review: Trump’s Kosovo plan and a SWIFT embargo for Russia, China in the cards

Kommersant : Russia , Serbia deliberate US plan on Kosovo ahead of talks in Washington The Trump administration plans to put forward its deal on Kosovo to Belgrade and Pristina at a meeting in Washington D.C. later this week .
Its cornerstone is the so-called `` Shenzhen formula , '' which stipulates the creation of an economic union between Serbia and Kosovo .
This move takes its cue from a similar special zone in China , Kommersant writes .
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will fly to Washington D.C. after a meeting in the Kremlin with Vladimir Putin , who shared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the upcoming talks in the US , the Serbian leader said .
The talks in the US capital on Kosovo scheduled for June 27 were praised as a breakthrough .
They are aimed not just at reviving the Serbia-Kosovo dialogue but also at laying the basis for normalizing relations between Belgrade and Pristina .
The presidents and prime ministers of Serbia and Kosovo - Aleksandar Vucic with Ana Brnabic and Hashim Thaci with Avdullah Hoti have been invited to the meeting in the White House .
`` The US obviously expects to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to declare the start of normalizing ties between Belgrade and Pristina under its mediation .
The key and most challenging settlement issues - the political ones - will apparently be left for the EU , '' a European diplomatic source told the newspaper .
The Europeans will be able to clarify the intentions of Serbia and Kosovo ahead of the summit by Thursday .
On that day , the Serbian president and Kosovo ’ s prime minister are scheduled to hold talks with the EU leadership in Brussels .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Serbian head of state ’ s contacts with the Russian leadership had much greater importance for Vucic .
The talks with Putin in the Kremlin were held on June 23 and a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov took place in Belgrade on June 18 .
The two official visits focused on Kosovo and the upcoming negotiations in the US .
So , the Serbian leader is coming to the US after receiving evaluations , advice and warnings from Moscow .
Whether Vucic is ready to follow them will become clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US , the newspaper says .
An Iran-sanction-style financial blockade , like being switched off from the international payment network SWIFT - does not seem too far-fetched for major economic powers that find themselves clashing with Washington .
Chinese officials have announced that Beijing should start really getting ready for this .
Meanwhile , the Russian Finance Ministry is in upbeat mood , recalling that over the past six years of sanctions , Moscow has been building up its financial system .
Obviously , Moscow does not believe in this gloomy outcome despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ switch Russia off from SWIFT , Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes .
Many experts are also skeptical about this scenario , the newspaper says .
`` SWIFT is itself absolutely against these sanctions since the payment system could lose a huge number of clients because a contract on connecting to SWIFT is signed with each bank separately , not the country , '' Deputy Chairperson at Alpari center Natalya Milchakova explained .
`` In this case , the US could face severing ties with the EU or the US should impose its sanctions on SWIFT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Iran conducts transactions through banks in other countries , but they don ’ t have such a big banking sector as do Russia or China , the expert noted .
Russia is ranked second in the world after the US in terms of users of the SWIFT system , chief analyst at Alor Broker company Alexei Antonov said .
Russia ’ s key export item is hydrocarbons and this means both vulnerability and strength for the Russian economy .
The Russian market is too important for Western countries to introduce such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board member at the Opora Rossii lobby group .
Over the past six years of being under sanctions , Russia has undertaken a range of measures .
In particular , the Central Bank established a national payment system known as Mir , stepped up international cooperation and actively developed the international market .
However , experts declined to evaluate whether the measures were enough and Russia ’ s financial system was ready in case the US carried out its threats .
Pyongyang is halting preparations for military action against South Korea and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un personally announced his surprise decision to abandon a military scenario against the South on Wednesday after a meeting with the country ’ s military leadership .
Shortly after , North Korean media publications on South Korea changed their tone .
Pyongyang ’ s reconciliation gestures are aimed at preserving the window of opportunities for dialogue with Seoul , which could be closed after South Korean President Moon Jae-in steps down and a new leader assumes power , who could talk with Pyongyang from the position of force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader reinforced his reputation as an unpredictable politician by making another U-turn in relations with the South , the paper says .
The latest Cold War between the two Koreas lasted for two weeks and ended as suddenly as it began .
The conflict kicked off on June 6 when South Korea ’ s NGOs , created by North Korean defectors , sent anti-government leaflets to the North .
Although the media attack ran counter to Seoul ’ s line towards normalizing ties with Pyongyang , the South Korean authorities failed to thwart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noteworthy that the speedy curtailing of ties between Seoul and Pyongyang came without Kim ’ s direct participation , according to the paper .
The North Korean president met with his South Korean counterpart three times over the past two years .
The latest steps by the North Korean leader show that he still seeks to maintain the window of opportunities for cooperation with the South given that Moon Jae-in has been demonstrating much greater patience towards his northern neighbor than his predecessors .
In May 2022 , South Korea is due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a candidate from the conservative opposition could win .
Thus , Seoul could return to the previous line towards containing Pyongyang .
Given this , the North Korean leader apparently seeks to take advantage of the chance to foster ties with the South , which still exists now , but might disappear in two years , according to the newspaper .
Nezavisimaya Gazeta : Turkmenistan accuses US of fake news on coronavirus Turkmenistan ’ s Foreign Ministry has dismissed a statement by the US Embassy in Ashgabat on the coronavirus in the Central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US diplomatic mission earlier issued an advisory to US citizens in the country to observe safety measures and protect themselves from the coronavirus infection .
The Turkmen authorities responded by shutting down the Ashgabat American Center and American Corners in Mary , Turkmenabat and Dashoguz .
Turkmenistan ’ s top authorities keep denying the presence of COVID-19 in the country , citing the effectiveness of its measures to prevent the infection , Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes .
Meanwhile , it is becoming harder to hide the spread of the coronavirus in Turkmenistan .
Doctors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Europe/Radio Liberty about the coronavirus outbreak and that the situation was getting out of control .
However , the authorities have not yet taken any steps .
Andrei Kazantsev , a research fellow at the MGIMO Center for International Studies , told the paper that Turkmenistan remained the world ’ s only country refusing to recognize the coronavirus outbreak on its soil .
This is largely related to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow , who describes himself as a prominent specialist in medicine .
`` He is indeed a Doctor of Medicine and used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believed that during his rule a very good medical system was created .
So , recognizing any crisis in the healthcare sector would automatically deal a blow to Turkmenistan and Berdimuhamedow ’ s reputation .
The country ’ s leadership obviously thinks so . ''
In fact , the opposite thing is happening - now the world has developed a negative attitude towards those countries and leaders who are not serious about the epidemic , the expert said .
Meanwhile , Ashgabat is not afraid of spoiling relations by blaming the US for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is not much to lose .
`` Under Donald Trump the US is steering clear due to its domestic social turmoil and the economy .
Besides , their interest in Central Asia is declining , '' Kazantsev noted .
The only blow could be dealt to the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline , in which the US still has a political interest , seeing it as a project that bypasses Russia .
However , the construction issue is unlikely to be solved soon due to other reasons , which are not related to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans unlikely to travel to Europe by late August The European Union is drafting a plan on opening its borders starting July 1 .
An entry ban could remain in place for visitors from the United States , Brazil , Russia and India , where the biggest number of COVID-19 cases has been recorded , Vedomosti writes .
According to the plan drawn up by the European Commission , the EU will open borders to travelers from nearly 50 countries , which have gotten the coronavirus infection spread under control .
The list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new countries could be added there if the situation improves .
The remaining entry ban for US citizens is a blow to American prestige in the world and a repudiation of Trump ’ s handling of the virus in the United States .
Meanwhile , European countries could disagree with Brussels ’ recommendations , Director of Europe Insight Andrei Kulikov told the newspaper .
`` Of course , countries such as Italy , Spain , Portugal and Greece are very interested in permitting international travel again , and as soon as possible .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will come to a conflict .
Governments and relevant agencies strive to coordinate work so that the recommendations take into account the interests of the widest possible group of countries . ''
However , it is important that each country still has the right to impose anti-coronavirus restrictions such as a 14-day quarantine or medical control at airports , the expert noted .
Here , the measures will differ regardless of the European Commission ’ s recommendations .
As for Russia , the EU could cancel the entry ban by the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries have already announced that they are waiting for tourists from Russia .
But the optimistic scenario is possible only in one case : if the figures of new infections are on the decline here [ in Russia ] and there [ in the EU ] . ''
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews

Kommersant: Russia, Serbia deliberate US plan on Kosovo ahead of talks in Washington The Trump administration plans to put forward its deal on Kosovo to Belgrade and Pristina at a meeting in Washington D.C. later this week. Its cornerstone is the so-called "Shenzhen formula," which stipulates the creation of an economic union between Serbia and Kosovo. This move takes its cue from a similar special zone in China, Kommersant writes. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will fly to Washington D.C. after a meeting in the Kremlin with Vladimir Putin, who shared his advice and analysis on Kosovo ahead of the upcoming talks in the US, the Serbian leader said.
Read also Lavrov cautions against giving artificial boost to Kosovo settlement
The talks in the US capital on Kosovo scheduled for June 27 were praised as a breakthrough. They are aimed not just at reviving the Serbia-Kosovo dialogue but also at laying the basis for normalizing relations between Belgrade and Pristina. The presidents and prime ministers of Serbia and Kosovo - Aleksandar Vucic with Ana Brnabic and Hashim Thaci with Avdullah Hoti have been invited to the meeting in the White House. "The US obviously expects to author the formula for resuming Serbian-Kosovo dialogue in order to declare the start of normalizing ties between Belgrade and Pristina under its mediation. The key and most challenging settlement issues - the political ones - will apparently be left for the EU," a European diplomatic source told the newspaper. The Europeans will be able to clarify the intentions of Serbia and Kosovo ahead of the summit by Thursday. On that day, the Serbian president and Kosovo’s prime minister are scheduled to hold talks with the EU leadership in Brussels. However, ahead of his visit to Washington D.C. the Serbian head of state’s contacts with the Russian leadership had much greater importance for Vucic. The talks with Putin in the Kremlin were held on June 23 and a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov took place in Belgrade on June 18. The two official visits focused on Kosovo and the upcoming negotiations in the US. So, the Serbian leader is coming to the US after receiving evaluations, advice and warnings from Moscow. Whether Vucic is ready to follow them will become clear as soon as he returns from the US, the newspaper says. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: China, Russia bracing for SWIFT Iran-scenario embargo An Iran-sanction-style financial blockade, like being switched off from the international payment network SWIFT - does not seem too far-fetched for major economic powers that find themselves clashing with Washington. Chinese officials have announced that Beijing should start really getting ready for this. Meanwhile, the Russian Finance Ministry is in upbeat mood, recalling that over the past six years of sanctions, Moscow has been building up its financial system. Obviously, Moscow does not believe in this gloomy outcome despite new threats by US Republican Congressmen to switch Russia off from SWIFT, Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes. Many experts are also skeptical about this scenario, the newspaper says. "SWIFT is itself absolutely against these sanctions since the payment system could lose a huge number of clients because a contract on connecting to SWIFT is signed with each bank separately, not the country," Deputy Chairperson at Alpari center Natalya Milchakova explained. "In this case, the US could face severing ties with the EU or the US should impose its sanctions on SWIFT and threaten by switching off American banks." Iran conducts transactions through banks in other countries, but they don’t have such a big banking sector as do Russia or China, the expert noted. Russia is ranked second in the world after the US in terms of users of the SWIFT system, chief analyst at Alor Broker company Alexei Antonov said. Russia’s key export item is hydrocarbons and this means both vulnerability and strength for the Russian economy. The Russian market is too important for Western countries to introduce such measures, noted Irina Kapitanova, a board member at the Opora Rossii lobby group. Over the past six years of being under sanctions, Russia has undertaken a range of measures. In particular, the Central Bank established a national payment system known as Mir, stepped up international cooperation and actively developed the international market. However, experts declined to evaluate whether the measures were enough and Russia’s financial system was ready in case the US carried out its threats. Kommersant: North Korea drops war plans against South, seeks dialogue Pyongyang is halting preparations for military action against South Korea and is scaling back its propaganda campaign against Seoul. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un personally announced his surprise decision to abandon a military scenario against the South on Wednesday after a meeting with the country’s military leadership. Shortly after, North Korean media publications on South Korea changed their tone. Pyongyang’s reconciliation gestures are aimed at preserving the window of opportunities for dialogue with Seoul, which could be closed after South Korean President Moon Jae-in steps down and a new leader assumes power, who could talk with Pyongyang from the position of force, Kommersant writes.
Read also North Korean leader halts military action plans against South Korea
The North Korean leader reinforced his reputation as an unpredictable politician by making another U-turn in relations with the South, the paper says. The latest Cold War between the two Koreas lasted for two weeks and ended as suddenly as it began. The conflict kicked off on June 6 when South Korea’s NGOs, created by North Korean defectors, sent anti-government leaflets to the North. Although the media attack ran counter to Seoul’s line towards normalizing ties with Pyongyang, the South Korean authorities failed to thwart it. Meanwhile, it’s noteworthy that the speedy curtailing of ties between Seoul and Pyongyang came without Kim’s direct participation, according to the paper. The North Korean president met with his South Korean counterpart three times over the past two years. The latest steps by the North Korean leader show that he still seeks to maintain the window of opportunities for cooperation with the South given that Moon Jae-in has been demonstrating much greater patience towards his northern neighbor than his predecessors. In May 2022, South Korea is due to hold a new presidential election, where a candidate from the conservative opposition could win. Thus, Seoul could return to the previous line towards containing Pyongyang. Given this, the North Korean leader apparently seeks to take advantage of the chance to foster ties with the South, which still exists now, but might disappear in two years, according to the newspaper. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Turkmenistan accuses US of fake news on coronavirus Turkmenistan’s Foreign Ministry has dismissed a statement by the US Embassy in Ashgabat on the coronavirus in the Central Asian country as fake news. The US diplomatic mission earlier issued an advisory to US citizens in the country to observe safety measures and protect themselves from the coronavirus infection. The Turkmen authorities responded by shutting down the Ashgabat American Center and American Corners in Mary, Turkmenabat and Dashoguz. Turkmenistan’s top authorities keep denying the presence of COVID-19 in the country, citing the effectiveness of its measures to prevent the infection, Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes. Meanwhile, it is becoming harder to hide the spread of the coronavirus in Turkmenistan. Doctors on condition of anonymity told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty about the coronavirus outbreak and that the situation was getting out of control. However, the authorities have not yet taken any steps. Andrei Kazantsev, a research fellow at the MGIMO Center for International Studies, told the paper that Turkmenistan remained the world’s only country refusing to recognize the coronavirus outbreak on its soil. This is largely related to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, who describes himself as a prominent specialist in medicine. "He is indeed a Doctor of Medicine and used to be a good dentist. It is believed that during his rule a very good medical system was created. So, recognizing any crisis in the healthcare sector would automatically deal a blow to Turkmenistan and Berdimuhamedow’s reputation. The country’s leadership obviously thinks so." In fact, the opposite thing is happening - now the world has developed a negative attitude towards those countries and leaders who are not serious about the epidemic, the expert said. Meanwhile, Ashgabat is not afraid of spoiling relations by blaming the US for spreading fake news because it understands that there is not much to lose. "Under Donald Trump the US is steering clear due to its domestic social turmoil and the economy. Besides, their interest in Central Asia is declining," Kazantsev noted. The only blow could be dealt to the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline, in which the US still has a political interest, seeing it as a project that bypasses Russia. However, the construction issue is unlikely to be solved soon due to other reasons, which are not related to the COVID-19 crisis. Vedomosti: Russians, Americans unlikely to travel to Europe by late August The European Union is drafting a plan on opening its borders starting July 1. An entry ban could remain in place for visitors from the United States, Brazil, Russia and India, where the biggest number of COVID-19 cases has been recorded, Vedomosti writes. According to the plan drawn up by the European Commission, the EU will open borders to travelers from nearly 50 countries, which have gotten the coronavirus infection spread under control. The list will be reviewed every two weeks and new countries could be added there if the situation improves.
Read also Kremlin slams as absurd EU accusations of coronavirus disinformation campaigns


tass--2020-06-25--Russian investment fund plans to invest in production of two more Favipiravir-based drugs

MOSCOW , June 25 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) is considering the possibility of @ @ @ @ @ drugs , Chief Executive Officer Kirill Dmitriev said on Thursday .
`` Two more companies @ @ @ @ @ Favipiravir-based drugs in Russia — our portfolio company R-Pharm and Promomed company , which will @ @ @ @ @ We support those companies and plan to invest in production of those drugs , '' @ @ @ @ @ of Favipiravir are currently underway across the world , particularly India ’ s Glenmark has @ @ @ @ @ Turkey is undergoing registration now , the CEO added .
Avifavir is the first Favipiravir-based @ @ @ @ @ for treatment of COVID-19 .
It has shown high efficacy in clinical trials , disrupting @ @ @ @ @ .
Its deliveries to Russian hospitals started on June 11 , test batches have also @ @ @ @ @ and deliveries to Brazil , Mexico and Chile are planned .

MOSCOW, June 25. /TASS/. The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) is considering the possibility of investing in several more Favipiravir-based drugs, Chief Executive Officer Kirill Dmitriev said on Thursday.
"Two more companies are finalizing clinical trials of Favipiravir-based drugs in Russia — our portfolio company R-Pharm and Promomed company, which will virtually produce Favipiravir-based drugs. We support those companies and plan to invest in production of those drugs," he said.
Clinical trials of Favipiravir are currently underway across the world, particularly India’s Glenmark has received registration already, whereas Turkey is undergoing registration now, the CEO added.
Avifavir is the first Favipiravir-based drug in the world approved for treatment of COVID-19. It has shown high efficacy in clinical trials, disrupting the reproduction mechanisms of coronavirus. Its deliveries to Russian hospitals started on June 11, test batches have also been supplied to Belarus, and deliveries to Brazil, Mexico and Chile are planned.


tass--2020-06-25--Uzbekistan’s coronavirus cases near 7,000

According to the ministry , recoveries also went up by 125 to reach 4,685 , or 68 % of all known infections .
Moreover , 37,173 Uzbek citizens are self-isolating at home , while 22,890 more are placed under quarantine in specialized facilities .
TASHKENT , June 25 .
/TASS/ .
Doctors in Uzbekistan identified 235 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours , a decrease of 20 infections compared to yesterday ’ s numbers .
As of morning of June 25 , the country reported 6,990 COVID-19 cases in total , the national Health Ministry ’ s press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 hours , infections also rose among capital residents that did not travel anywhere as well as people residing in the Tashkent and Samarkand regions .
According to latest reports available , 2,286 patients are hospitalized across the country , 14 of them are said to be in serious condition , while 5 more are in critical condition .
The number of coronavirus-related fatalities remained unchanged at 19 .
Uzbekistan reported its first coronavirus case on March 15 .
National authorities imposed a nationwide lockdown the same day .
On May 30 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ although some restrictions were eased .
The lockdown was further extended until August 1 on June 14 .
Uzbekistan resumed air travel with countries where epidemiological situation is improving , while cities in the green and yellow lockdown zones reopened restaurants and cafes as well as resumed public transport operation .
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 — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been reported in every corner of the globe .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 9,542,400 people have been infected worldwide and more than 485,200 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 5,186,600 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

According to the ministry, recoveries also went up by 125 to reach 4,685, or 68% of all known infections. Moreover, 37,173 Uzbek citizens are self-isolating at home, while 22,890 more are placed under quarantine in specialized facilities.
TASHKENT, June 25. /TASS/. Doctors in Uzbekistan identified 235 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, a decrease of 20 infections compared to yesterday’s numbers. As of morning of June 25, the country reported 6,990 COVID-19 cases in total, the national Health Ministry’s press service said Thursday.
Over the past 24 hours, infections also rose among capital residents that did not travel anywhere as well as people residing in the Tashkent and Samarkand regions.
According to latest reports available, 2,286 patients are hospitalized across the country, 14 of them are said to be in serious condition, while 5 more are in critical condition. The number of coronavirus-related fatalities remained unchanged at 19.
Uzbekistan reported its first coronavirus case on March 15. National authorities imposed a nationwide lockdown the same day. On May 30, it was extended until June 15, although some restrictions were eased. The lockdown was further extended until August 1 on June 14. Uzbekistan resumed air travel with countries where epidemiological situation is improving, while cities in the green and yellow lockdown zones reopened restaurants and cafes as well as resumed public transport operation.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 9,542,400 people have been infected worldwide and more than 485,200 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 5,186,600 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-06-25--Number of coronavirus tests in Russia surpassed 18 mln, says federal watchdog

`` As of June 24 , 2020 , 18,115,830 laboratory tests were carried out for the novel coronavirus on material taken from people including those arriving from countries with adverse COVID-19 situations , '' the statement said .
MOSCOW , June 25 .
/TASS/ .
Russian experts have conducted over 18.1 mln COVID-19 tests already , the press service of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing ( Rospotrebnadzor ) reported on Thursday .
On June 22 , the consumer rights watchdog reported that the number of tests conducted countrywide had exceeded 17 mln .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , over 307,000 patients , who are presumed to have the coronavirus infection , remain under medical supervision .
Coronavirus tests can be taken at 761 laboratories nationwide , of which 125 are private centers , the press office of the sanitary watchdog Rospotrebnadzor reported on Thursday .
`` As of today , testing is available at 761 laboratories , of which 109 are Rospotrebnadzor labs , 527 are operational at state healthcare organizations and 125 are private labs , '' the press office said in a statement .
Information on testing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regional anti-coronavirus crisis centers , the press office 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 485,200 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 5,186,600 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , 613,994 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 375,164 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 8,605 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

"As of June 24, 2020, 18,115,830 laboratory tests were carried out for the novel coronavirus on material taken from people including those arriving from countries with adverse COVID-19 situations," the statement said.
MOSCOW, June 25. /TASS/. Russian experts have conducted over 18.1 mln COVID-19 tests already, the press service of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor) reported on Thursday.
On June 22, the consumer rights watchdog reported that the number of tests conducted countrywide had exceeded 17 mln.
According to the agency, to date, over 307,000 patients, who are presumed to have the coronavirus infection, remain under medical supervision.
Coronavirus tests can be taken at 761 laboratories nationwide, of which 125 are private centers, the press office of the sanitary watchdog Rospotrebnadzor reported on Thursday.
"As of today, testing is available at 761 laboratories, of which 109 are Rospotrebnadzor labs, 527 are operational at state healthcare organizations and 125 are private labs," the press office said in a statement.
Information on testing in Russian regions can be obtained by contacting regional anti-coronavirus crisis centers, the press office 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 9,542,400 people have been infected worldwide and more than 485,200 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 5,186,600 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, 613,994 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 375,164 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 8,605 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-06-25--More than 96,000 electoral commissions start working in Russia, no vote failures reported

MOSCOW , June 25 .
/TASS/ .
Deputy Chairperson of the Russian Central Election Commission Nikolai Bulayev has revealed that @ @ @ @ @ commissions have started conducting the nationwide constitutional amendment vote across the country , no failures @ @ @ @ @ detected .
`` More than 96,000 commissions began working .
The absolute majority of them @ @ @ @ @ and first voters arrived .
< … > We have repeatedly said and continue saying @ @ @ @ @ fully ready to work , '' Bulayev said at a meeting of the working group @ @ @ @ @ .
He added that the Central Election Commission currently is not registering any failures in @ @ @ @ @ All ballots are in place , all personal protective equipment is in place .
In @ @ @ @ @ today are protected and offer this protective equipment to all voters , '' the official @ @ @

MOSCOW, June 25. /TASS/. Deputy Chairperson of the Russian Central Election Commission Nikolai Bulayev has revealed that more than 96,000 local election commissions have started conducting the nationwide constitutional amendment vote across the country, no failures in their operation have been detected.
"More than 96,000 commissions began working. The absolute majority of them opened at 8 am, and first voters arrived. <…> We have repeatedly said and continue saying that the electoral system is fully ready to work," Bulayev said at a meeting of the working group to draft constitutional amendments Thursday.
He added that the Central Election Commission currently is not registering any failures in the voting processes. "All ballots are in place, all personal protective equipment is in place. In this regard, the commissions today are protected and offer this protective equipment to all voters," the official pointed out.


tass--2020-06-25--All of Moscow’s polling stations open their doors

`` All polling stations are open - over 3,600 ... Everyone is guaranteed the opportunity to vote at a polling station or at home , '' the official said .
MOSCOW , June 25 .
/TASS/ .
Over 3,600 polling stations were opened in Moscow on the day of the vote on the amendments to the Russian Constitution , Deputy Chairman of the Moscow City Election Commission Dmitry Reut told TASS on Thursday .
The nationwide vote to amend the Russian Constitution started on Thursday , June 25 in all regions of Russia .
The primary day to vote according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Putin is July 1 , but Russians can also cast their ballots during the week of June 25 to June 30 .
According to the directive of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation , the polls will be open from June 25 to July 1 from 8 am to 8 pm local time in all Russian regions , the vote count will take place after 8 pm local time on July 1 for all seven days of voting .
Initially , the vote on the amendments to the Constitution was set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic .
On June 1 , at a meeting with the Central Election Commission leadership and the members of the working group on the amendments , Putin supported the proposal to hold the vote on July 1 , later signing the corresponding decree .
In addition to voting before the primary date ( June 25-30 ) , this also involves voting outside of polling stations ( including outdoor areas ) , contactless voting at home , remote electronic voting for some regions and voting at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Voter application .
Additionally , the residents of Moscow and the Nizhny Novgorod region on June 5-21 applied to cast their electronic votes remotely .
The Central Election Commission accepted over 1 mln applications from Muscovites and over 140,000 from Nizhny Novgorod residents .
The remote electronic vote will be held June 25-30 .

"All polling stations are open - over 3,600... Everyone is guaranteed the opportunity to vote at a polling station or at home," the official said.
MOSCOW, June 25. /TASS/. Over 3,600 polling stations were opened in Moscow on the day of the vote on the amendments to the Russian Constitution, Deputy Chairman of the Moscow City Election Commission Dmitry Reut told TASS on Thursday.
The nationwide vote to amend the Russian Constitution started on Thursday, June 25 in all regions of Russia. The primary day to vote according to the decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin is July 1, but Russians can also cast their ballots during the week of June 25 to June 30. According to the directive of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, the polls will be open from June 25 to July 1 from 8 am to 8 pm local time in all Russian regions, the vote count will take place after 8 pm local time on July 1 for all seven days of voting.
Initially, the vote on the amendments to the Constitution was set to take place on April 22, but it was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. On June 1, at a meeting with the Central Election Commission leadership and the members of the working group on the amendments, Putin supported the proposal to hold the vote on July 1, later signing the corresponding decree.
In addition to voting before the primary date (June 25-30), this also involves voting outside of polling stations (including outdoor areas), contactless voting at home, remote electronic voting for some regions and voting at a place of stay using the Mobile Voter application. Additionally, the residents of Moscow and the Nizhny Novgorod region on June 5-21 applied to cast their electronic votes remotely. The Central Election Commission accepted over 1 mln applications from Muscovites and over 140,000 from Nizhny Novgorod residents. The remote electronic vote will be held June 25-30.


tass--2020-06-25--Russian constitutional amendments to bolster separation of powers — ex-PM Medvedev

MOSCOW , June 25 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s constitutional amendments will expand the role of parliament in creating the government , thus bolstering the separation of powers principle , Deputy Security Council Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said on Thursday .
`` If these amendments are passed , the parliament , in particular , the State Duma ( lower house ) , will have a much more significant role in forming the government , '' Medvedev said , noting that `` this concerns both the government and the presidential bloc . ''
`` In my view , this gives an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ principle , which is a general principle of the operation of democratic states while our country remains a presidential republic , which I believe is absolutely necessary just for its existence , '' the former prime minister emphasized .
Medvedev recalled that when serving as the Russian president , he `` suggested not only increasing the terms of power of the president and the parliament , but also that the government should report [ to the State Duma ] , what is an important guarantee and another confirmation of the principle of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amendments , which have been introduced now , expand the application of this principle in the political sphere . ''
The deputy security council chairman stated that so far `` the government was appointed at the suggestion of the president — the chairman of government was appointed and then the government was formed — without any involvement of the State Duma . ''

MOSCOW, June 25. /TASS/. Russia’s constitutional amendments will expand the role of parliament in creating the government, thus bolstering the separation of powers principle, Deputy Security Council Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said on Thursday.
"If these amendments are passed, the parliament, in particular, the State Duma (lower house), will have a much more significant role in forming the government," Medvedev said, noting that "this concerns both the government and the presidential bloc."
"In my view, this gives an additional boost to the separation of powers principle, which is a general principle of the operation of democratic states while our country remains a presidential republic, which I believe is absolutely necessary just for its existence," the former prime minister emphasized.
Medvedev recalled that when serving as the Russian president, he "suggested not only increasing the terms of power of the president and the parliament, but also that the government should report [to the State Duma], what is an important guarantee and another confirmation of the principle of the separation of powers." "Those amendments, which have been introduced now, expand the application of this principle in the political sphere."
The deputy security council chairman stated that so far "the government was appointed at the suggestion of the president — the chairman of government was appointed and then the government was formed — without any involvement of the State Duma."


tass--2020-06-25--Russia reports over 7,100 new COVID-19 cases

MOSCOW , June 25 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s COVID-19 cases rose by 7,113 in the past day to @ @ @ @ @ center told reporters on Thursday .
WHO reports single-day increase in coronavirus cases by over @ @ @ @ @ center , the growth in new cases slowed to a record low of 1.17 % @ @ @ @ @ in a row , the number of daily infections has not surpassed 8,000 and keeps @ @ @ @ @ .
Some 885 new cases were recorded in Moscow , taking the total case tally @ @ @ @ @ .
Another 319 cases were reported in the Khanty Mansi Autonomous Region , 221 in @ @ @ @ @ the Nizhny Novgorod Region and 209 in the Irkutsk Region .
The lowest growth rates @ @ @ @ @ Autonomous Region , Sevastopol , Nenets Autonomous Region , Moscow and the Chechen Republic .
@ @ @ @ @ patients are currently ill in Russia .

MOSCOW, June 25. /TASS/. Russia’s COVID-19 cases rose by 7,113 in the past day to 613,994, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Thursday.
WHO reports single-day increase in coronavirus cases by over 135,000
According to the crisis center, the growth in new cases slowed to a record low of 1.17%.
For the ninth day in a row, the number of daily infections has not surpassed 8,000 and keeps declining for nearly a week.
Some 885 new cases were recorded in Moscow, taking the total case tally in the capital to 217,791. Another 319 cases were reported in the Khanty Mansi Autonomous Region, 221 in St. Petersburg, 217 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region and 209 in the Irkutsk Region.
The lowest growth rates were registered in the Chukotka Autonomous Region, Sevastopol, Nenets Autonomous Region, Moscow and the Chechen Republic.
A total of 230,225 COVID-19 patients are currently ill in Russia.


tass--2020-06-25--Ukraine sets new daily coronavirus infection record

KIEV , June 25 .
/TASS/ .
Ukraine is setting a new record-high of coronavirus cases identified over a 24-hour period for the second day running , as 994 people contracted the virus over the past 24 hours , while 940 new infections were reported yesterday , the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council noted in a statement Thursday .
WHO reports single-day increase in coronavirus cases by over 135,000 '' In the past 24 hours , the number [ of people ] who contracted coronavirus increased by 994 .
Therefore , 40,008 people got ill overall , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours , the recovery rate dropped in the country , as 394 recoveries were reported compared to yesterday ’ s 453 .
Meanwhile , coronavirus fatalities remained the same , with 16 cases on both days .
Overall , Ukraine has identified 40,008 coronavirus infections , 17,409 patients recovered , while 1,067 people died .
Most cases are reported from Kiev ( 4,528 ) , the Chernovtsy Region ( 4,478 ) , the Lvov Region ( 4,423 ) and the Rovno Region ( 3,164 ) .
In the past 24 hours , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , national Health Minister Maxim Stepanov revealed that Ukrainian hospitals are preparing for a second wave of coronavirus .
Currently , medical facilities are admitting increasingly more people with severe symptoms , he noted .
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 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

KIEV, June 25. /TASS/. Ukraine is setting a new record-high of coronavirus cases identified over a 24-hour period for the second day running, as 994 people contracted the virus over the past 24 hours, while 940 new infections were reported yesterday, the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council noted in a statement Thursday.
WHO reports single-day increase in coronavirus cases by over 135,000
"In the past 24 hours, the number [of people] who contracted coronavirus increased by 994. Therefore, 40,008 people got ill overall," the statement reads.
Over the past 24 hours, the recovery rate dropped in the country, as 394 recoveries were reported compared to yesterday’s 453. Meanwhile, coronavirus fatalities remained the same, with 16 cases on both days.
Overall, Ukraine has identified 40,008 coronavirus infections, 17,409 patients recovered, while 1,067 people died. Most cases are reported from Kiev (4,528), the Chernovtsy Region (4,478), the Lvov Region (4,423) and the Rovno Region (3,164).
In the past 24 hours, the country conducted 23,905 coronavirus tests.
Earlier, national Health Minister Maxim Stepanov revealed that Ukrainian hospitals are preparing for a second wave of coronavirus. Currently, medical facilities are admitting increasingly more people with severe symptoms, he noted.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-06-25--Ecotrade Group Highlights Its Digital Catalytic Converter Pricebook Tool

DOVER , Del.
, June 25 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Ecotrade Group recently acknowledged the growing popularity of its free pricebook app .
Compatible with all devices , the Eco Cat App serves as an advanced search engine for pricing scrap catalytic converters in a wide variety of automotive makes and models .
With 20,000 different catalytic converters inventoried and priced so far , the Eco Cat App is an ever-growing database that is rapidly becoming the gold-standard search engine for the industry .
Ecotrade Group has been a respected leader in eco-responsible and ethical catalytic converter recycling in Asia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recycling tech and an enormous network of industry partners .
`` The automotive recycling industry was sorely in need of a pricing-guide upgrade , '' said Ecotrade Group Managing Partner , Maxime Le Breton .
`` There has long been an imbalance between buyers and sellers in this industry , especially considering the vast catalog of catalytic converters available .
And with daily marketing fluctuations , correctly identifying and pricing a converter on-the-spot can be a frustrating experience without help .
Having a regularly updated app that correctly identifies and prices a particular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tool for the trade . ''
The Eco Cat App is an online pricebook that comes with convenient pictures , allowing buyers and sellers to look up the value of spent catalytic converters by either car or converter manufacturer .
The Eco Cat App facilitates quick and easy scrap converter appraisals , providing sellers the knowledge needed to ensure they are getting a fair deal from converter buyers .
And the app is updated three times a day to reflect precious-metal market shifts as they occur .
The buying , selling and recycling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ globe-spanning industry that involves a great deal of automotive expertise , marketing savvy and technological knowledge .
The precious metals used in catalytic converter construction are rare and costly , representing not only a unique revenue stream but also a need for state-of-the-art recycling technologies .
Far from being a simple process however , the load of precious metals available in each converter depends on individual country emissions standards regulations , types of fuel , and a variety of other variables .
Catalytic converters were created to reduce the amount of harmful emissions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ metals used in converters are a finite , nonrenewable resource that must first be professionally assayed before they are properly recycled .
The recycling of converters represents a technological feat that is intrinsically beneficial , leading to a much more prosperous and sustainable future for the planet .
With the precious metal recycling market poised to surge to over US $ 30 billion by 2026 from the current US $ 21 billion , Ecotrade Group continues to broaden its scope of practice , recently investing in artificial intelligence research and deep learning to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recycling world .
Established in 2006 , Ecotrade Group is an industry leader in tech-based and environmentally conscious catalytic converter recycling .
Ecotrade Group has earned a solid reputation for integrity , professionalism , and transparency , with sampling methods that are fully approved by industry-leading authorities .
The company offers a full range of services , including processing , sampling , and assaying of catalytic converters and diesel particulate filters .
With offices in more than 10 countries , Ecotrade Group has become a global leader in precious metal recycling technology for @ @ @

DOVER, Del., June 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Ecotrade Group recently acknowledged the growing popularity of its free pricebook app. Compatible with all devices, the Eco Cat App serves as an advanced search engine for pricing scrap catalytic converters in a wide variety of automotive makes and models.
With 20,000 different catalytic converters inventoried and priced so far, the Eco Cat App is an ever-growing database that is rapidly becoming the gold-standard search engine for the industry. Ecotrade Group has been a respected leader in eco-responsible and ethical catalytic converter recycling in Asia for over 15 years, leveraging state-of-the-art recycling tech and an enormous network of industry partners.
"The automotive recycling industry was sorely in need of a pricing-guide upgrade," said Ecotrade Group Managing Partner, Maxime Le Breton.
"There has long been an imbalance between buyers and sellers in this industry, especially considering the vast catalog of catalytic converters available. And with daily marketing fluctuations, correctly identifying and pricing a converter on-the-spot can be a frustrating experience without help. Having a regularly updated app that correctly identifies and prices a particular converter in minutes has become an invaluable tool for the trade."
The Eco Cat App: Environmental Responsibility
The Eco Cat App is an online pricebook that comes with convenient pictures, allowing buyers and sellers to look up the value of spent catalytic converters by either car or converter manufacturer. The Eco Cat App facilitates quick and easy scrap converter appraisals, providing sellers the knowledge needed to ensure they are getting a fair deal from converter buyers. And the app is updated three times a day to reflect precious-metal market shifts as they occur.
The buying, selling and recycling of catalytic converters is an enormous, globe-spanning industry that involves a great deal of automotive expertise, marketing savvy and technological knowledge. The precious metals used in catalytic converter construction are rare and costly, representing not only a unique revenue stream but also a need for state-of-the-art recycling technologies. Far from being a simple process however, the load of precious metals available in each converter depends on individual country emissions standards regulations, types of fuel, and a variety of other variables.
Catalytic converters were created to reduce the amount of harmful emissions from gasoline and diesel engines. The metals used in converters are a finite, nonrenewable resource that must first be professionally assayed before they are properly recycled. The recycling of converters represents a technological feat that is intrinsically beneficial, leading to a much more prosperous and sustainable future for the planet. With the precious metal recycling market poised to surge to over US$30 billion by 2026 from the current US$21 billion, Ecotrade Group continues to broaden its scope of practice, recently investing in artificial intelligence research and deep learning to bring other tech disciplines into the automotive recycling world.
About Ecotrade Group
Established in 2006, Ecotrade Group is an industry leader in tech-based and environmentally conscious catalytic converter recycling. Ecotrade Group has earned a solid reputation for integrity, professionalism, and transparency, with sampling methods that are fully approved by industry-leading authorities. The company offers a full range of services, including processing, sampling, and assaying of catalytic converters and diesel particulate filters. With offices in more than 10 countries, Ecotrade Group has become a global leader in precious metal recycling technology for catalytic converters.
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1195216/Mock_up_app.jpg
CONTACT: Maxime LE BRETON, Managing Partner, +33681585322 / +66827732580, maxime.lebreton@ecotradegroup.com


tass--2020-06-25--Some 40,000 new coronavirus cases registered in Brazil in past day

RIO DE JANEIRO , June 25 .
/TASS/ .
The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection in Brazil grew by 42,725 in the past day , reaching 1,188,631 , according to official statistics published by the country ’ s health ministry late on Wednesday .
This is the second-highest daily count after June 19 , when 54,771 new cases were registered .
Almost 40,000 new cases were registered on Tuesday .
More than half of those infected - 649,908 - have already recovered .
In the past day , 1,185 deaths were confirmed , bringing the overall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The state of Sao Paulo remains the epicenter of the outbreak in the country , including its eponymous capital , home to more than 21 million people .
The region has 238,822 infection cases and 13,352 fatalities .
Shortly after the authorities announced the gradual removal of coronavirus-related restrictions there , the number of new cases started to grow , and the regional administration had to once again toughen anti-coronavirus measures for local residents and businesses .
Massive outbreaks were also reported in the neighboring Rio de Janeiro ( 103,493 cases and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Seara ( 99,578 cases and 5,815 deaths , as well as about 60,000 suspected cases ) .
Statistics on cases and fatalities also remains high in the north of the country .
The northern states of Para ( 91,708 cases and 4,726 deaths ) and Amazonas ( 66,764 cases and 2,710 deaths ) are the hardest-hit areas of the region .
In the northeastern state of Pernambuco the growth slowed after a tough quarantine was imposed , but last week the cases were again on the rise after the measures were relaxed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A large number of cases was reported in Maranhao ( 73,314 ) , where coronavirus claimed 1,836 lives .
Specialists say the epidemiological situation is worsening in central Brazil and near its western borders .
The situation gradually stabilizes in the regions ’ administrative centers while the growth intensifies in rural areas .
Brazil , where the first coronavirus case was confirmed on February 26 , is ranked second after the United States for the biggest number of COVID-19 cases and fatalities .
The Health Ministry earlier predicted that the situation would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection spread would begin to slow , and the cases would decline in September .

RIO DE JANEIRO, June 25. /TASS/. The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection in Brazil grew by 42,725 in the past day, reaching 1,188,631, according to official statistics published by the country’s health ministry late on Wednesday.
This is the second-highest daily count after June 19, when 54,771 new cases were registered. Almost 40,000 new cases were registered on Tuesday.
More than half of those infected - 649,908 - have already recovered. In the past day, 1,185 deaths were confirmed, bringing the overall death toll in the country to 53,830.
Regional figures
The state of Sao Paulo remains the epicenter of the outbreak in the country, including its eponymous capital, home to more than 21 million people. The region has 238,822 infection cases and 13,352 fatalities. Shortly after the authorities announced the gradual removal of coronavirus-related restrictions there, the number of new cases started to grow, and the regional administration had to once again toughen anti-coronavirus measures for local residents and businesses.
Massive outbreaks were also reported in the neighboring Rio de Janeiro (103,493 cases and 9,295 deaths) and the northeastern region of Seara (99,578 cases and 5,815 deaths, as well as about 60,000 suspected cases).
Statistics on cases and fatalities also remains high in the north of the country. The northern states of Para (91,708 cases and 4,726 deaths) and Amazonas (66,764 cases and 2,710 deaths) are the hardest-hit areas of the region.
In the northeastern state of Pernambuco the growth slowed after a tough quarantine was imposed, but last week the cases were again on the rise after the measures were relaxed, reaching 54,022 (4,425 deaths). A large number of cases was reported in Maranhao (73,314), where coronavirus claimed 1,836 lives.
Specialists say the epidemiological situation is worsening in central Brazil and near its western borders. The situation gradually stabilizes in the regions’ administrative centers while the growth intensifies in rural areas.
Brazil, where the first coronavirus case was confirmed on February 26, is ranked second after the United States for the biggest number of COVID-19 cases and fatalities. The Health Ministry earlier predicted that the situation would stabilize by July and in August the infection spread would begin to slow, and the cases would decline in September.