tass--2020-05-21--US Caribbean activity looks like attempt to impose sea blockade of Venezuela - diplomat

MOSCOW , May 21 .
/TASS/ .
The US Navy and Air Force activity in the Caribbean Sea looks like attempts to impose a sea blockade of Venezuela , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday .
According to the Pentagon ’ s information , the US Navy has set up a strike force in the Caribbean Sea and also redeployed three destroyers accompanied by a littoral combat ship and anti-submarine aircraft to that area , the Russian diplomat recalled .
`` There has not been such a projection of forces in the region for a long time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US Southern Command on the training of personnel indicates its preparation for landing on large floating craft rather than for the interception of small fast-speed boats , which , as was stated , are used as part of the operation ’ s goals declared by Washington , '' Zakharova pointed out .
`` The ships ’ inclusion in the maneuvers coincided with the reports that Iran was sending oil tankers to deliver fuel to Venezuela .
In this context , the US efforts look like attempts to impose a sea blockade of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diplomat noted .
The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman addressed the following question to the US side : `` Are you ready to confirm that the naval and aviation forces amassed in the Caribbean basin have no other goals except those stated as part of the so-called operation to prevent the illicit activity ? ''
Such activity is taking place along with the increasing sanctions pressure on Caracas amid the pandemic , Zakharova said .
`` The US administration ’ s moves not only to preserve but even to tighten the sanctions against Venezuela @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempts to pass them off as some targeted restrictions against particular representatives of the country ’ s leadership , and this concerns the legitimate leadership of Venezuela , including President Nicolas Maduro , do not stand up to scrutiny .
They are simply cutting off the country from resources and impeding it to acquire diagnostic means and medicines , individual protection items , medical equipment and expendable materials , '' the diplomat pointed out .
Venezuela ’ s Defense Ministry earlier announced that the country ’ s armed forces would provide escort for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Iran .
Caracas said in mid-May that the US was chasing tankers transporting fuel to Venezuela from Iran , which , as the country ’ s Foreign Ministry stated , was a violation of international law and the rights of the republic ’ s citizens .
The Reuters news agency earlier reported citing a high-placed official in the US administration that the United States was considering measures against Iran for the delivery of fuel to Venezuela .

MOSCOW, May 21. /TASS/. The US Navy and Air Force activity in the Caribbean Sea looks like attempts to impose a sea blockade of Venezuela, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday.
According to the Pentagon’s information, the US Navy has set up a strike force in the Caribbean Sea and also redeployed three destroyers accompanied by a littoral combat ship and anti-submarine aircraft to that area, the Russian diplomat recalled.
"There has not been such a projection of forces in the region for a long time. Notably, a report published by the US Southern Command on the training of personnel indicates its preparation for landing on large floating craft rather than for the interception of small fast-speed boats, which, as was stated, are used as part of the operation’s goals declared by Washington," Zakharova pointed out.
"The ships’ inclusion in the maneuvers coincided with the reports that Iran was sending oil tankers to deliver fuel to Venezuela. In this context, the US efforts look like attempts to impose a sea blockade of the Bolivarian Republic," the Russian diplomat noted.
The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman addressed the following question to the US side: "Are you ready to confirm that the naval and aviation forces amassed in the Caribbean basin have no other goals except those stated as part of the so-called operation to prevent the illicit activity?"
Such activity is taking place along with the increasing sanctions pressure on Caracas amid the pandemic, Zakharova said.
"The US administration’s moves not only to preserve but even to tighten the sanctions against Venezuela are acquiring increasingly flagrant nature. The attempts to pass them off as some targeted restrictions against particular representatives of the country’s leadership, and this concerns the legitimate leadership of Venezuela, including President Nicolas Maduro, do not stand up to scrutiny. They are simply cutting off the country from resources and impeding it to acquire diagnostic means and medicines, individual protection items, medical equipment and expendable materials," the diplomat pointed out.
Venezuela’s Defense Ministry earlier announced that the country’s armed forces would provide escort for tankers transporting fuel to the Bolivarian Republic from Iran. Caracas said in mid-May that the US was chasing tankers transporting fuel to Venezuela from Iran, which, as the country’s Foreign Ministry stated, was a violation of international law and the rights of the republic’s citizens.
The Reuters news agency earlier reported citing a high-placed official in the US administration that the United States was considering measures against Iran for the delivery of fuel to Venezuela.


tass--2020-05-21--Presidential aid sees signs of recovery in Russian economy

MOSCOW , May 21 .
/TASS/ .
Retail sales in Russia are recovering , which is a sign of growing @ @ @ @ @ economy compared to April , Presidential aide Maxim Oreshkin said at the Startup Village online @ @ @ @ @ April , when the de facto we had the peak in terms of people 's @ @ @ @ @ by the state , our retail sales nosedived by 60 % compared to February of @ @ @ @ @ here are the latest data , we have already reached the mark of 90 % @ @ @ @ @ economy has already compensated three-quarters of our retail sales losses , '' Oreshkin said .
@ @ @ @ @ indicator in terms of economic activities .
`` This trend is positive , and , @ @ @ @ @ is important to maintain this trend in order to make the way out of the @ @ @ @ @ problematic as possible , '' he said .

MOSCOW, May 21. /TASS/. Retail sales in Russia are recovering, which is a sign of growing activity in the country's economy compared to April, Presidential aide Maxim Oreshkin said at the Startup Village online conference.
"In early April, when the de facto we had the peak in terms of people's behavior and the restrictions imposed by the state, our retail sales nosedived by 60% compared to February of this year. Now, here are the latest data, we have already reached the mark of 90%. That means that our economy has already compensated three-quarters of our retail sales losses," Oreshkin said.
He called it a good indicator in terms of economic activities.
"This trend is positive, and, in our opinion, it is important to maintain this trend in order to make the way out of the situation be quick and least problematic as possible," he said.


tass--2020-05-21--US withdrawal from Open Skies Treaty to harm its European allies, says Russian diplomat

MOSOW , May 21./TASS/ .
The US withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty will damage the interests of its allies in Europe , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told TASS on Thursday .
`` This move will not only worsen the situation of strategic stability and military security in Europe , but apparently it will also harm the interests of the US allies that are parties to this European agreement , '' the diplomat added .
Attempts by the US to pass off the withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty as a reaction to Russia ’ s violations have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Foreign Ministry ’ s Department for Non-Proliferation and Arms Control Vladimir Yermakov told TASS on Thursday .
`` This is absolutely unfounded , we have repeatedly commented on that , '' the diplomat said .
`` It is not for the first time that the US is trying to present matters so as if Russia is violating something , to see this as a pretext for its withdrawal from the agreements on arms control .
We are ready for equal cooperation with the US .
All issues were being settled quite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as it was also evidenced by NATO allies of the US , '' Yermakov added .

MOSOW, May 21./TASS/. The US withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty will damage the interests of its allies in Europe, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told TASS on Thursday.
"This move will not only worsen the situation of strategic stability and military security in Europe, but apparently it will also harm the interests of the US allies that are parties to this European agreement," the diplomat added.
Attempts by the US to pass off the withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty as a reaction to Russia’s violations have absolutely no basis behind them, Director of the Foreign Ministry’s Department for Non-Proliferation and Arms Control Vladimir Yermakov told TASS on Thursday.
"This is absolutely unfounded, we have repeatedly commented on that," the diplomat said. "It is not for the first time that the US is trying to present matters so as if Russia is violating something, to see this as a pretext for its withdrawal from the agreements on arms control. We are ready for equal cooperation with the US. All issues were being settled quite adequately within the framework of the treaty, as it was also evidenced by NATO allies of the US," Yermakov added.


tass--2020-05-21--Russian envoy calls on Canada, US to stop spreading fakes in OSCE

VIENNA , May 21 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s permanent representative to the OSCE Alexander Lukashevich has urged representatives of Canada and the United States to refrain from using unfounded data on the situation in Donbass at meetings of the OSCE Permanent Council .
Lukashevich on Thursday recalled that Canadian and US envoys at the online meeting of the council last week tried to accuse Donetsk militia of aggressive actions against OSCE observers .
`` They voiced a speculation that on May 8 SMM ( Special Monitoring Mission - TASS ) officers who were launching a drone over Gorlovka @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face down , had their hands tied behind their backs and were held at gunpoint .
All these fallacies were personally rebutted by SMM head Yasar Halit Cevik at a briefing on May 15 .
He explained that his employees feel generally comfortably in Donbass - locals are not aggressive towards them , while the behavior of militia in Gorlovka on May 8 could not be described as threatening , '' the envoy noted .
According to the Russian diplomat , in reality , the situation came down to a certain misunderstanding between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patrol being delayed by approximately three hours .
`` Having heard these facts , our North American colleagues started accusing everyone else but themselves of advancing , I quote , `` disinformation campaigns , '' Lukashevich stressed .
`` We are calling on them to refrain from using rumors and other unfounded data which quickly turn into propaganda fakes .
We should concentrate on constructive work to facilitate settlement of the domestic Ukrainian conflict , '' he concluded .
-0-aba .

VIENNA, May 21. /TASS/. Russia’s permanent representative to the OSCE Alexander Lukashevich has urged representatives of Canada and the United States to refrain from using unfounded data on the situation in Donbass at meetings of the OSCE Permanent Council.
Lukashevich on Thursday recalled that Canadian and US envoys at the online meeting of the council last week tried to accuse Donetsk militia of aggressive actions against OSCE observers.
"They voiced a speculation that on May 8 SMM (Special Monitoring Mission - TASS) officers who were launching a drone over Gorlovka were allegedly grabbed, plunged into dirt face down, had their hands tied behind their backs and were held at gunpoint. All these fallacies were personally rebutted by SMM head Yasar Halit Cevik at a briefing on May 15. He explained that his employees feel generally comfortably in Donbass - locals are not aggressive towards them, while the behavior of militia in Gorlovka on May 8 could not be described as threatening," the envoy noted.
According to the Russian diplomat, in reality, the situation came down to a certain misunderstanding between militiamen and observers which resulted in the patrol being delayed by approximately three hours. "Having heard these facts, our North American colleagues started accusing everyone else but themselves of advancing, I quote, "disinformation campaigns," Lukashevich stressed.
"We are calling on them to refrain from using rumors and other unfounded data which quickly turn into propaganda fakes. We should concentrate on constructive work to facilitate settlement of the domestic Ukrainian conflict," he concluded. -0-aba.


tass--2020-05-21--Russia to receive $5.6 million worth of US ventilators

MOSCOW , May 21 .
/TASS/ .
The total cost of 200 American ventilators along with their delivery to Russia @ @ @ @ @ , the US embassy in Russia told reporters Thursday .
`` Today , the United @ @ @ @ @ high-quality ventilators to the people of Russia .
This represents the first part of a @ @ @ @ @ of 200 much-needed , U.S.-manufactured ventilators to Russia , and is made possible through the @ @ @ @ @ and private industry innovation , '' the diplomatic mission noted .

MOSCOW, May 21. /TASS/. The total cost of 200 American ventilators along with their delivery to Russia amounts to $5.6 million, the US embassy in Russia told reporters Thursday.
"Today, the United States donated and delivered 50 high-quality ventilators to the people of Russia. This represents the first part of a humanitarian donation of a total of 200 much-needed, U.S.-manufactured ventilators to Russia, and is made possible through the generosity of the American people and private industry innovation," the diplomatic mission noted.


tass--2020-05-21--Japan’s claims to South Kurils run counter to improving ties with Russia, Zakharova says

MOSCOW , May 21 .
/TASS/ .
Japan ’ s decision to include claims to the South Kuril Islands in its Diplomatic Blue Paper runs counter to the task , set at the summit level , of improving bilateral relations with Russia , Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a news briefing on Thursday .
She said Russia had taken note of the fact the phrase concerning ‘ Japanese sovereignty ’ over the Southern Kurils and references to the territorial affiliation of the islands in the context of the Russian-Japanese dialogue on a peace treaty had returned to Japan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We proceed from the fact that such a step runs counter to the task , set at the summit level , of creating a favorable climate in bilateral relations , '' Zakharova said .
She recalled that Russia was entitled to sovereignty over all Kuril Islands on the basis of the results of World War II , in accordance with international legal documents , such as the UN Charter , and was indisputable .
`` As it has been repeatedly stated , at the current stage the priority guideline is to focus efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entire set of bilateral relations [ between Russia and Japan ] , including the development of practical cooperation , the promotion of trust in the field of security and , of course , greater coordination and tighter interaction in the international scene , '' Zakharova said .
Earlier , the Japanese daily Sankei said that the country ’ s Foreign Ministry in its annual report Diplomatic Blue Paper reiterated its stance Tokyo had the right to lay claim to `` northern territories '' - Japan ’ s term for the southern islands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kyodo says the mention of the sovereignty over islands was restored after it was omitted from a similar report in 2019 for the sake of improving relation at Japanese-Russian negotiations .
Moscow and Tokyo have conducted intermittent consultations on concluding a peace treaty on the basis of the results of World War II since the middle of last century .
The sovereignty over the Southern Kuril Islands is the stumbling block .
In 1945 , the whole archipelago was taken over by the Soviet Union .
Japan disputes the territorial affiliation of Iturup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of uninhabited islands referred to as Habomai in Japan .
The Russian Foreign Ministry has said more than once that Russia ’ s sovereignty over the islands relies on an international legal groundwork and is unquestionable .

MOSCOW, May 21. /TASS/. Japan’s decision to include claims to the South Kuril Islands in its Diplomatic Blue Paper runs counter to the task, set at the summit level, of improving bilateral relations with Russia, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a news briefing on Thursday.
She said Russia had taken note of the fact the phrase concerning ‘Japanese sovereignty’ over the Southern Kurils and references to the territorial affiliation of the islands in the context of the Russian-Japanese dialogue on a peace treaty had returned to Japan’s 2020 Blue Paper.
"We proceed from the fact that such a step runs counter to the task, set at the summit level, of creating a favorable climate in bilateral relations," Zakharova said.
She recalled that Russia was entitled to sovereignty over all Kuril Islands on the basis of the results of World War II, in accordance with international legal documents, such as the UN Charter, and was indisputable.
"As it has been repeatedly stated, at the current stage the priority guideline is to focus efforts on and achieve tangible progress of the entire set of bilateral relations [between Russia and Japan], including the development of practical cooperation, the promotion of trust in the field of security and, of course, greater coordination and tighter interaction in the international scene," Zakharova said.
Earlier, the Japanese daily Sankei said that the country’s Foreign Ministry in its annual report Diplomatic Blue Paper reiterated its stance Tokyo had the right to lay claim to "northern territories" - Japan’s term for the southern islands of the Kuril Archipelago. The news agency Kyodo says the mention of the sovereignty over islands was restored after it was omitted from a similar report in 2019 for the sake of improving relation at Japanese-Russian negotiations.
Moscow and Tokyo have conducted intermittent consultations on concluding a peace treaty on the basis of the results of World War II since the middle of last century. The sovereignty over the Southern Kuril Islands is the stumbling block. In 1945, the whole archipelago was taken over by the Soviet Union. Japan disputes the territorial affiliation of Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and a group of uninhabited islands referred to as Habomai in Japan. The Russian Foreign Ministry has said more than once that Russia’s sovereignty over the islands relies on an international legal groundwork and is unquestionable.


tass--2020-05-21--Moscow court denies change of jurisdiction in the Argentine cocaine case

Due to the coronavirus pandemic , the court would postpone substantial hearings five times , without dismissing the jury , according to official data MOSCOW , May 21 .
/TASS/ .
The Solntsevsky Court of Moscow declined the change of jurisdiction plea , filed by the attorneys of the defendants of the case concerning shipment of cocaine from Argentina to Russia and the EU .
According to Alexander Kostanyants , the attorney of one of the defendants , the defense insists that the case must be reviewed in the Dorogomilovsky Court of Moscow .
`` The jurisdiction of the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on the location of the landing of the plane at Vnukovo Airport , despite the fact that the security services packed all [ suitcases ] in cars , transported them to a Ministry of the Interior base , summoned the guys there allegedly to pick up the coffee [ the defendants insist that someone replaced a shipment of coffee in their suitcases with cocaine — TASS ] and then apprehended them there .
This is why we insist that the Solntsevsky Court is not the court that is required in this situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the attorney said .
`` The case must be reviewed in the Dorogomilovsky Сourt , because the apprehension took place at Vasilisy Kozhinoi Street [ Moscow ’ s Western Administrative District — TASS ] ; however , the Solntsevsky Court declined our appeals today and refused to change jurisdiction . ''
The preliminary hearings on the case took place at the Solntsevsky Court on January 20 , after which the jury was picked to review the case .
However , due to the coronavirus pandemic , the court never began reviewing the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times , without dismissing the jury .
`` Neither the jury , nor our defendants were present during today ’ s hearings , and there was no video link-up with the defendants , '' Kostanyants complained , adding that the next hearing was scheduled for June 16 .
The criminal proceeding was initiated on November 15 , 2017 .
In late February 2018 , the Russian Foreign Ministry disclosed a joint operation by Russian and Argentinian law enforcement agencies ( `` the 12 queens '' ) on thwarting a shipment of a large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry , a shipment of 362kg of cocaine , discovered in one of the Russian embassy 's buildings in Buenos Aires , belonged to Ali Abyanov , a member of the embassy ’ s technical staff , who by that moment had already finished his mission .
During the investigation , three suspects , including Abyanov , were nabbed in Russia and two more in Argentina .
The suspected mastermind , Andrei Kovalchuk , was apprehended in Germany .
The apprehension of the two Russian suspects took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Interior base located in the west of Moscow , where the two came to pick up their cargo .
During the operation , the cocaine was replaced with flour .
Abyanov was apprehended later that day near his own house ; he partially admitted his guilt , but later denied his testimonies .
The defendants were charged with a crime attempt and an organized drug smuggling operation .
Meanwhile in 2018 , Argentine law enforcement officers burned the cocaine , discovered in the Russian embassy in Buenos Aires .
The drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presence of the minister of security of Argentina and the Russian ambassador .
In late April 2019 , the Russian Interior Ministry wrapped up the investigation and rolled out the final indictment against all defendants .
The defendants deny their guilt .

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the court would postpone substantial hearings five times, without dismissing the jury, according to official data
Read also Testimony in Russian-Argentine cocaine case confirms defendants engaged in drug smuggling
MOSCOW, May 21. /TASS/. The Solntsevsky Court of Moscow declined the change of jurisdiction plea, filed by the attorneys of the defendants of the case concerning shipment of cocaine from Argentina to Russia and the EU. According to Alexander Kostanyants, the attorney of one of the defendants, the defense insists that the case must be reviewed in the Dorogomilovsky Court of Moscow.
Read also Russian Interior Ministry wraps up investigation into Argentine cocaine smuggling case
"The jurisdiction of the case regarding our defendants has been chosen, based on the location of the landing of the plane at Vnukovo Airport, despite the fact that the security services packed all [suitcases] in cars, transported them to a Ministry of the Interior base, summoned the guys there allegedly to pick up the coffee [the defendants insist that someone replaced a shipment of coffee in their suitcases with cocaine — TASS] and then apprehended them there. This is why we insist that the Solntsevsky Court is not the court that is required in this situation, according to the law," the attorney said.
Read also Russian suspect in Argentine cocaine scandal never worked for Foreign Ministry — diplomat
"The case must be reviewed in the Dorogomilovsky Сourt, because the apprehension took place at Vasilisy Kozhinoi Street [Moscow’s Western Administrative District — TASS]; however, the Solntsevsky Court declined our appeals today and refused to change jurisdiction." The preliminary hearings on the case took place at the Solntsevsky Court on January 20, after which the jury was picked to review the case. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the court never began reviewing the case in substance and postponed substantial hearings five times, without dismissing the jury. "Neither the jury, nor our defendants were present during today’s hearings, and there was no video link-up with the defendants," Kostanyants complained, adding that the next hearing was scheduled for June 16. The 12 Queens operation
Read also Lawyer files appeal against cocaine case defendant’s arrest in absentia


tass--2020-05-21--Barneo. Not to be mistaken for Borneo. What it is like to be a chef on drifting ice

MOSCOW , May 21 .
/TASS/ .
Ivan Simonov , a cook from Petrozavodsk , every year spends a few months at a camp , which Russian polar explorers make afresh every year on an ice floe drifting near the North Pole .
Ivan ’ s task is not easy - he cooks for a few hundred people , not to forget possible force majeure circumstances , since out there additional food supplies are out of question .
Barneo and Borneo - they differ in one letter only , but they point to either a hot island in South Asia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the North Pole .
Our character prefers the freezing .
In 2011 , he joined for the first time a camp , which the Russian Geographical Society has been organizing annually for recent 20 years .
While tourists from across the globe come to Barneo to drive dog sledges , motor sledges or dive under the ice , Ivan defrosts for them solyanka soup ( thick , spicy and sour ) , makes dumplings and even organizes parties in the freezing cold - with no shops to be found within thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for travelers Self-isolation has become a tough challenge for most people in the world .
For Ivan , it is nothing extraordinary .
He has got used to spending about two months a year at the Barneo camp , and two months every summer - sailing a yacht in the Arctic and another two months - in the Antarctica .
While sailing or drifting , he and the other three members from time to time welcome small groups of tourists .
At Barneo , the team stays in the information vacuum for 21 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call relatives using satellite communication .
`` After sailing , I come and for about two weeks remain at home , wouldn ’ t go out anywhere .
To get used to people , as we sail near the areas , where there are no people at all , '' Ivan told us .
`` Thus , active communication becomes something weird to me , and it takes a month or two to get used to it . ''
Ivan was 20 when he joined Barneo for the first time .
His father @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked there as a guide and suggested the son competed for a position of the expedition ’ s chef .
Ivan agreed .
Back then he realized that changing places is the key component of a modern lifestyle , and the ability to drop everything and leave in an instant is a necessary skill .
This was exactly how ‘ incidentally ’ back in 2013 he joined a friend to go to Sochi , where they worked at a restaurant right before the Olympic Games in that city .
Prior to that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave a hint to Ivan about taking a cooking course .
The father back then managed a summer tent camp for children in Karelia and invited his sons to be the cook ’ s assistants : to peel huge pots , to do whatever dirty work .
`` I couldn ’ t care less - anyway , I enjoyed the leisure in the open after hours .
Later on , I worked as a cook for a couple times , when the chef had to be away , '' Ivan said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was a class with a focus on chemistry and biology , thus in future I could ’ ve got trained to become a chemist , biologist or a doctor , but this was not what interested me .
And at the end of that academic year , I decided to take a course in cooking . ''
For two years , Ivan got only As , but on the third year he was almost expelled , as at that time he began working .
But there , in the city , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to gain new impressions .
`` I think , I ’ ve inherited it from the parents , '' Ivan said .
`` My father was a tourist , mother - a tourist , and I have been hiking since early childhood . ''
Ivan left for the first journey at the age of 18 , he was still a student .
In the Czech Republic he took a traineeship course , and continued going there to 2008 .
At that time , he said , it occurred he was able to survive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw the that borders were open .
In 2001 , he joined the Barneo expedition for the first time .
Despite father ’ s experience in polar expeditions , the son did not expect much from life on a drifting ice .
This is why probably he could not expect many stressful situations , hard work , or meeting different people .
`` The emotional excitement remained for six months after the trip .
I was telling anyone about how it was there , '' he said .
`` Nowadays , I just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what will be there , and I , unlike many other people , am prepared to what might happen there . ''
About a month ahead of the due date he begins buying food products and making preparations .
He cuts , packs , freezes products to have them taken to the base by a helicopter .
He may take anything there , with the exception for fresh fruit and vegetables .
For one month , for 250-300 people he takes about one tonne of food and some extra stock in case weather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At times , in bad weather the expedition could not prepare the runway , and once all the 50 people had to wait for extra 12 days .
`` On the 10th day it was clear we were running of products .
It was a tough season… we were lucky that an Il-76 dropped products .
Back then , it was clear to me - in future I must take maximum products , which could be sufficient for at least an extra week .
Plus a box with emergency supplies : in case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this has happened .
In such a situation you take everything from the kitchen and put out the stove ; everything gets frozen in just minutes .
Thus , the stock should include bread , sausages , and anything eatable without heating , '' Ivan said .
The nearest shop is 2,500km away .
Work at the kitchen never stops .
Chef Simonov and his team can cook dishes for vegetarians , or even sushi .
But the standard menu is : for breakfast - eggs , porridge , sandwiches , sausages and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , some soup and a main course , and in the evening - a main course , salads and tinned food .
`` Nowadays , we can offer different foods , '' the chef said .
`` Clearly , we can ’ t offer anything exotic , but we anyway try to introduce new dishes . ''
The polar base has a bar - it is the kitchen ’ s responsibility to resupply alcohol to serve tourists .
Alcohol and beer - for guests only .
The personnel are liable for a €500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Pole for tourists is expensive - one bottle may cost up to €100 .
`` When asked why so expensive , I say - the nearest shop is in 2,500km by plane - your choice , '' Ivan said .
Ivan has seen different tourists .
On his first year , Prince Harry stopped at the base .
`` Prince Harry was on a charity expedition .
It was my first year at Barneo , and I did not understand much what it was all about .
Right , he did come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here and then left for the route .
Next day , he left by plane , '' Ivan said .
VIP guests do not have any VIP menu : for anyone Ivan will cook what products allow .
Naturally , he tries to meet a tourist ’ s preferences .
Working at the base , where you can meet people from anywhere , has ruined the myth that foreigners would not eat typical Russian dishes - buckwheat , cutlets or soups .
`` They do eat anything !
They may not know what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ask for more .
Borshch and rassolnik are beyond their words , '' he said .
Anyway , now Ivan wants to add to the menu cream soups , which are more familiar for foreigners , and to buy warming ovens .
An equally important concern for Ivan is to cook diverse dishes for the team - the personnel remain at the base for at least 21 days , while tourists come there for two or three days only .
`` For our guys I always keep yummies : waffle cakes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want everything to be tasty , '' he continued .
`` We ’ ve always preferred Russian cuisine - anything we usually eat at home . ''
Whenever Ivan has some free time , he goes to the heli camp to drive a snow bike .
Or simply reads a book or solves word search puzzles , which he normally brings to the base .
Ivan says , at Barneo he is always `` on toes , '' and by end of every season he tells himself - this is my last trip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tough .
I come home thinking - that ’ s it , I ’ m not doing it again .
But time goes by and I think - the preparations are about to start .
And I wait for a call from Moscow - Ivan , come , it ’ s time for preparations .
I can ’ t explain it .
It is a place of power .
It is the Earth ’ s center , nothing is above it .
Snow everywhere , ice , the atmosphere is exciting… I always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I can ’ t explain why .
`` .

MOSCOW, May 21. /TASS/. Ivan Simonov, a cook from Petrozavodsk, every year spends a few months at a camp, which Russian polar explorers make afresh every year on an ice floe drifting near the North Pole. Ivan’s task is not easy - he cooks for a few hundred people, not to forget possible force majeure circumstances, since out there additional food supplies are out of question.
Barneo and Borneo - they differ in one letter only, but they point to either a hot island in South Asia or the freezing Arctic, right next to the North Pole.
Our character prefers the freezing. In 2011, he joined for the first time a camp, which the Russian Geographical Society has been organizing annually for recent 20 years.
While tourists from across the globe come to Barneo to drive dog sledges, motor sledges or dive under the ice, Ivan defrosts for them solyanka soup (thick, spicy and sour), makes dumplings and even organizes parties in the freezing cold - with no shops to be found within thousands of kilometers around.
How to enjoy cooking for travelers
Self-isolation has become a tough challenge for most people in the world. For Ivan, it is nothing extraordinary. He has got used to spending about two months a year at the Barneo camp, and two months every summer - sailing a yacht in the Arctic and another two months - in the Antarctica.
While sailing or drifting, he and the other three members from time to time welcome small groups of tourists. At Barneo, the team stays in the information vacuum for 21 days, and only rarely they may call relatives using satellite communication.
"After sailing, I come and for about two weeks remain at home, wouldn’t go out anywhere. To get used to people, as we sail near the areas, where there are no people at all," Ivan told us. "Thus, active communication becomes something weird to me, and it takes a month or two to get used to it."
Ivan was 20 when he joined Barneo for the first time. His father - a polar explorer Viktor Simonov - worked there as a guide and suggested the son competed for a position of the expedition’s chef. Ivan agreed. Back then he realized that changing places is the key component of a modern lifestyle, and the ability to drop everything and leave in an instant is a necessary skill.
This was exactly how ‘incidentally’ back in 2013 he joined a friend to go to Sochi, where they worked at a restaurant right before the Olympic Games in that city. Prior to that, it was his father again, who gave a hint to Ivan about taking a cooking course.
The father back then managed a summer tent camp for children in Karelia and invited his sons to be the cook’s assistants: to peel huge pots, to do whatever dirty work.
"I couldn’t care less - anyway, I enjoyed the leisure in the open after hours. Later on, I worked as a cook for a couple times, when the chef had to be away," Ivan said. "After summer, I returned to school. It was a class with a focus on chemistry and biology, thus in future I could’ve got trained to become a chemist, biologist or a doctor, but this was not what interested me. And at the end of that academic year, I decided to take a course in cooking."
For two years, Ivan got only As, but on the third year he was almost expelled, as at that time he began working. But there, in the city, he felt he wanted to travel, to gain new impressions.
"I think, I’ve inherited it from the parents," Ivan said. "My father was a tourist, mother - a tourist, and I have been hiking since early childhood."
Work at Barneo
Ivan left for the first journey at the age of 18, he was still a student. In the Czech Republic he took a traineeship course, and continued going there to 2008.
At that time, he said, it occurred he was able to survive without having caring parents nearby, he saw the that borders were open. In 2001, he joined the Barneo expedition for the first time.
Despite father’s experience in polar expeditions, the son did not expect much from life on a drifting ice. This is why probably he could not expect many stressful situations, hard work, or meeting different people.
"The emotional excitement remained for six months after the trip. I was telling anyone about how it was there," he said. "Nowadays, I just go there to work, I know what will be there, and I, unlike many other people, am prepared to what might happen there."
About a month ahead of the due date he begins buying food products and making preparations. He cuts, packs, freezes products to have them taken to the base by a helicopter. He may take anything there, with the exception for fresh fruit and vegetables. For one month, for 250-300 people he takes about one tonne of food and some extra stock in case weather conditions delay flights to the mainland.
At times, in bad weather the expedition could not prepare the runway, and once all the 50 people had to wait for extra 12 days.
"On the 10th day it was clear we were running of products. It was a tough season… we were lucky that an Il-76 dropped products. Back then, it was clear to me - in future I must take maximum products, which could be sufficient for at least an extra week. Plus a box with emergency supplies: in case we have to relocate the camp - this has happened. In such a situation you take everything from the kitchen and put out the stove; everything gets frozen in just minutes. Thus, the stock should include bread, sausages, and anything eatable without heating," Ivan said.
What’s on the menu?
The nearest shop is 2,500km away. Work at the kitchen never stops. Chef Simonov and his team can cook dishes for vegetarians, or even sushi. But the standard menu is: for breakfast - eggs, porridge, sandwiches, sausages and tinned food. For lunch - starters, some soup and a main course, and in the evening - a main course, salads and tinned food.
"Nowadays, we can offer different foods," the chef said. "Clearly, we can’t offer anything exotic, but we anyway try to introduce new dishes."
The polar base has a bar - it is the kitchen’s responsibility to resupply alcohol to serve tourists. Alcohol and beer - for guests only. The personnel are liable for a €500 penalty for drinking.
Drinking on the North Pole for tourists is expensive - one bottle may cost up to €100.
"When asked why so expensive, I say - the nearest shop is in 2,500km by plane - your choice," Ivan said.
Ivan has seen different tourists. On his first year, Prince Harry stopped at the base.
"Prince Harry was on a charity expedition. It was my first year at Barneo, and I did not understand much what it was all about. Right, he did come to see the kitchen. They came here and then left for the route. Next day, he left by plane," Ivan said.
VIP guests do not have any VIP menu: for anyone Ivan will cook what products allow. Naturally, he tries to meet a tourist’s preferences.
Working at the base, where you can meet people from anywhere, has ruined the myth that foreigners would not eat typical Russian dishes - buckwheat, cutlets or soups. "They do eat anything! They may not know what it is. When they try, they ask for more. Borshch and rassolnik are beyond their words," he said.
Anyway, now Ivan wants to add to the menu cream soups, which are more familiar for foreigners, and to buy warming ovens.
An equally important concern for Ivan is to cook diverse dishes for the team - the personnel remain at the base for at least 21 days, while tourists come there for two or three days only.
"For our guys I always keep yummies: waffle cakes, dumplings, we make pancakes. We want everything to be tasty," he continued. "We’ve always preferred Russian cuisine - anything we usually eat at home."
Enjoyable challenges
Whenever Ivan has some free time, he goes to the heli camp to drive a snow bike. Or simply reads a book or solves word search puzzles, which he normally brings to the base.
Ivan says, at Barneo he is always "on toes," and by end of every season he tells himself - this is my last trip.
"Any season is truly very tough. I come home thinking - that’s it, I’m not doing it again. But time goes by and I think - the preparations are about to start. And I wait for a call from Moscow - Ivan, come, it’s time for preparations. I can’t explain it. It is a place of power. It is the Earth’s center, nothing is above it. Snow everywhere, ice, the atmosphere is exciting… I always dream of going there again, and I can’t explain why.".


tass--2020-05-21--North Korea workers to be repatriated as Pyongyang opens borders, says Russian diplomat

MOSCOW , May 21./TASS/ .
A small group of workers from North Korea stranded in Russia due to the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ as the two countries reopen their borders closed amid the spread of the novel coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ Maria Zakharova told a briefing on Thursday .
`` Those insignificant in number workers who @ @ @ @ @ 22 , 2019 , are not engaged in labor activities , '' the diplomat said @ @ @ @ @ was stopped early in February by the decision of the North Korean side amid the @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Let me reiterate , it was fully stopped between the Russian Federation and @ @ @ @ @ Republic of Korea , and that is why repatriation of the workers was suspended , @ @ @ @ @ Their repatriation will be resumed as a matter of priority as soon as Pyongyang decides @ @ @ @ @ '' the diplomat stressed .

MOSCOW, May 21./TASS/. A small group of workers from North Korea stranded in Russia due to the pandemic will return home as soon as the two countries reopen their borders closed amid the spread of the novel coronavirus, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a briefing on Thursday.
"Those insignificant in number workers who failed to leave after December 22, 2019, are not engaged in labor activities," the diplomat said, adding that transport communication was stopped early in February by the decision of the North Korean side amid the spread of the novel coronavirus.
"Let me reiterate, it was fully stopped between the Russian Federation and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and that is why repatriation of the workers was suspended," Zakharova said. "Their repatriation will be resumed as a matter of priority as soon as Pyongyang decides to open the borders," the diplomat stressed.


tass--2020-05-21--Minister vows buffet, all-inclusive packages to stay once Turkey reopens to tourists

ANKARA , May 21./TASS/ .
It is impossible to cancel the ‘ all-inclusive ’ and ‘ breakfast buffet ’ packages for the new summer tourist season marred by the coronavirus pandemic , Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy told TASS on Thursday .
`` It is impossible to cancel '' the all-inclusive and buffet deals , he said in the interview .
`` However , necessary changes in terms of hygiene will be made when furnishing the buffet plates .
The chosen dishes will be given out by the cook , '' Ersoy said .
The Turkish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the healthy tourism ’ program established in the country .
`` We have created a system of certification with very detailed criteria that will be applied at airports , on transport , in hotels and in restaurants .
Personnel will undergo intensive training on a regular basis , and this will be controlled and inspected by international companies .
The system is transparent — having scanned the QR-code , the guests will be able to look at the history of checks and inspections at the sites where they stay , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus case on March 10 .
The number of confirmed cases in the country has exceeded 152,000 , as many as 113,987 patients have recovered and 4,222 have died .

ANKARA, May 21./TASS/. It is impossible to cancel the ‘all-inclusive’ and ‘breakfast buffet’ packages for the new summer tourist season marred by the coronavirus pandemic, Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy told TASS on Thursday.
"It is impossible to cancel" the all-inclusive and buffet deals, he said in the interview. "However, necessary changes in terms of hygiene will be made when furnishing the buffet plates. The chosen dishes will be given out by the cook," Ersoy said.
The Turkish minister also spoke about the ‘certification of the healthy tourism’ program established in the country. "We have created a system of certification with very detailed criteria that will be applied at airports, on transport, in hotels and in restaurants. Personnel will undergo intensive training on a regular basis, and this will be controlled and inspected by international companies. The system is transparent — having scanned the QR-code, the guests will be able to look at the history of checks and inspections at the sites where they stay," the minister elaborated.
Turkey reported its first coronavirus case on March 10. The number of confirmed cases in the country has exceeded 152,000, as many as 113,987 patients have recovered and 4,222 have died.


tass--2020-05-21--Russian Railways developed quantum communications roadmap

MOSCOW , May 21 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Railways has developed the quantum communications development roadmap and submitted the draft paper to the government for approval , the railway operator said on Thursday .
The roadmap comprises development of nine priority technologies and fifteen products by 2024 along with over 35 key performance indicators , such as production volumes and sales , length of quantum networks , technologies readiness level , provision of human resources and other parameters .
`` Development of the quantum communication technology will make it possible to create comprehensive protected infrastructure of the digital economy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly important in view of current threats in the information security sphere , '' Deputy CEO of Russian Railways Sergei Kobzev said in a comment .
First tests made on the Russian Railways ’ infrastructure demonstrated the possibility of building highly protected federal and regional networks based on advance Russian technologies of quantum communication .
An opportunity is explored in cooperation with partners to develop a pilot quantum mainline connecting Moscow and St. Petersburg , with the total length over 800 km .
Implementation of this project will enable rolling out critical services @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, May 21. /TASS/. Russian Railways has developed the quantum communications development roadmap and submitted the draft paper to the government for approval, the railway operator said on Thursday.
The roadmap comprises development of nine priority technologies and fifteen products by 2024 along with over 35 key performance indicators, such as production volumes and sales, length of quantum networks, technologies readiness level, provision of human resources and other parameters.
"Development of the quantum communication technology will make it possible to create comprehensive protected infrastructure of the digital economy and the public administration system, which is particularly important in view of current threats in the information security sphere," Deputy CEO of Russian Railways Sergei Kobzev said in a comment.
First tests made on the Russian Railways’ infrastructure demonstrated the possibility of building highly protected federal and regional networks based on advance Russian technologies of quantum communication. An opportunity is explored in cooperation with partners to develop a pilot quantum mainline connecting Moscow and St. Petersburg, with the total length over 800 km. Implementation of this project will enable rolling out critical services of the new generation.


tass--2020-05-21--Moscow City Court upholds seizure of Baring Vostok partner Delpal’s property

MOSCOW , May 21 .
/TASS/ .
The Moscow City Court has upheld the seizure of property of Philippe Delpal , partner of Baring Vostok private equity firm , a spokesperson with the court told TASS .
`` The Moscow City Court has dismissed the appeal against the decision of the Basmanny District Court of Moscow on extending the term of applying the measure of procedural compulsion in the form of seizure of Delpal ’ s property , '' the judge announced the decision .
According to the investigation , the seized money can be used to compensate for damage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The authorities also seized Delpal ’ s apartment .
On February 7 , Sherzod Yusupov , a minority shareholder in Vostochny Bank filed a complaint with Russia ’ s Federal Security Service ( FSB ) .
In addition , Artyom Avetisyan , another Vostochny shareholder , along with the deputy chairman of the bank ’ s board Konstantin Rogov testified against Michael Calvey .
Russia ’ s Investigative Committee launched a criminal case into the embezzlement of 2.5 bln rubles ( $ 37.5 mln ) from the Vostochny Bank on February 13 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the case .
On February 15 , law enforcement agencies arrested Calvey and five others : Vagan Abgaryan , Philippe Delpal , Ivan Zyuzin , Maxim Vladimirov and Alexei Kordichev .
They are all facing charges under part 4 article 159 of Russia ’ s Criminal Code ( fraud committed on a large scale by an organized group ) .
According to the initial version of the investigation , Calvey and his accomplices put together a scheme , where the `` First Collection Bureau '' , under their control , waived its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Luxembourg-based company called the International Financial Technology Group ( IFTG ) , to the Vostochny bank to pay it back for a 2.5 billion-ruble ( $ 35.2 million ) debt .
Before the deal , IFTG ’ s shares were valued at 3 bln rubles ( $ 42.2 million ) .
However , the investigation is examining another estimate of 600,000 rubles , or about $ 8,450 ( according to a Cyprus-based company ’ s valuation ) .
That said , the Central Bank claimed that the price of these shares was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The defense later challenged that appraisal of shares referring to lack of results of the financial expertise .
Calvey denies all the charges and says that his prosecution is an illegal attempt of the Vostochny bank ’ s minority shareholders to resolve a corporate dispute .

MOSCOW, May 21. /TASS/. The Moscow City Court has upheld the seizure of property of Philippe Delpal, partner of Baring Vostok private equity firm, a spokesperson with the court told TASS.
"The Moscow City Court has dismissed the appeal against the decision of the Basmanny District Court of Moscow on extending the term of applying the measure of procedural compulsion in the form of seizure of Delpal’s property," the judge announced the decision.
According to the investigation, the seized money can be used to compensate for damage in case a guilty verdict is delivered. The authorities also seized Delpal’s apartment.
Baring Vostok’s case
On February 7, Sherzod Yusupov, a minority shareholder in Vostochny Bank filed a complaint with Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB). In addition, Artyom Avetisyan, another Vostochny shareholder, along with the deputy chairman of the bank’s board Konstantin Rogov testified against Michael Calvey.
Russia’s Investigative Committee launched a criminal case into the embezzlement of 2.5 bln rubles ($37.5 mln) from the Vostochny Bank on February 13. Michael Calvey is the key defendant in the case.
On February 15, law enforcement agencies arrested Calvey and five others: Vagan Abgaryan, Philippe Delpal, Ivan Zyuzin, Maxim Vladimirov and Alexei Kordichev. They are all facing charges under part 4 article 159 of Russia’s Criminal Code (fraud committed on a large scale by an organized group).
According to the initial version of the investigation, Calvey and his accomplices put together a scheme, where the "First Collection Bureau", under their control, waived its right to a 59.9% stake in a Luxembourg-based company called the International Financial Technology Group (IFTG), to the Vostochny bank to pay it back for a 2.5 billion-ruble ($35.2 million) debt. Before the deal, IFTG’s shares were valued at 3 bln rubles ($42.2 million). However, the investigation is examining another estimate of 600,000 rubles, or about $8,450 (according to a Cyprus-based company’s valuation). That said, the Central Bank claimed that the price of these shares was close to zero, the investigator noted. The defense later challenged that appraisal of shares referring to lack of results of the financial expertise. Calvey denies all the charges and says that his prosecution is an illegal attempt of the Vostochny bank’s minority shareholders to resolve a corporate dispute.


tass--2020-05-21--Russian Navy cutting-edge minesweeper holds artillery firings in Baltic Sea

`` The crew of the minesweeper Vladimir Yemelyanov destroyed a floating mine notionally detected by the ship ’ s sonars .
As the next stage of the drills at sea , a parachute target dropped by a Su-27 fighter of the Baltic Fleet ’ s naval aviation was destroyed by anti-aircraft artillery , '' the press office said in a statement .
MOSCOW , May 21 .
/TASS/ .
The latest mine countermeasures ship Vladimir Yemelyanov held artillery firings against a naval and an air target in the Baltic Sea , the Baltic Fleet ’ s press office reported on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shipborne pedestal machine-gun mount and an AK-306 surface-to-air artillery system to destroy the naval and the air target , the statement says .
The Project 12700 minesweeper Vladimir Yemelyanov entered service with Russia ’ s Baltic Fleet on December 28 .
Shipbuilders will build a series of several dozen Project 12700 mine countermeasures ships for the Russian Navy .
The warships of this class are designated to fight sea mines , including smart naval munitions , which a minesweeper like the Vladimir Yemelyanov can encounter in the water and on the seabed without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can employ various sweeps , as well as remotely controlled and autonomous underwater drones .
The Project 12700 mine countermeasures vessels ( minesweepers ) have the world ’ s biggest hull made of monolithic fiberglass formed by vacuum infusion .
As its advantage , this solution provides for the ship ’ s higher strength compared to the steel hull .
The hull made of the monolithic fiberglass has a longer service life ( up to 30 years ) than the hull made of low-magnetic steel while its weight is considerably smaller .

"The crew of the minesweeper Vladimir Yemelyanov destroyed a floating mine notionally detected by the ship’s sonars. As the next stage of the drills at sea, a parachute target dropped by a Su-27 fighter of the Baltic Fleet’s naval aviation was destroyed by anti-aircraft artillery," the press office said in a statement.
MOSCOW, May 21. /TASS/. The latest mine countermeasures ship Vladimir Yemelyanov held artillery firings against a naval and an air target in the Baltic Sea, the Baltic Fleet’s press office reported on Thursday.
The minesweeper employed a 14.5mm shipborne pedestal machine-gun mount and an AK-306 surface-to-air artillery system to destroy the naval and the air target, the statement says.
The Project 12700 minesweeper Vladimir Yemelyanov entered service with Russia’s Baltic Fleet on December 28.
Shipbuilders will build a series of several dozen Project 12700 mine countermeasures ships for the Russian Navy. The warships of this class are designated to fight sea mines, including smart naval munitions, which a minesweeper like the Vladimir Yemelyanov can encounter in the water and on the seabed without entering the dangerous zone. The minesweepers can employ various sweeps, as well as remotely controlled and autonomous underwater drones.
The Project 12700 mine countermeasures vessels (minesweepers) have the world’s biggest hull made of monolithic fiberglass formed by vacuum infusion. As its advantage, this solution provides for the ship’s higher strength compared to the steel hull. The hull made of the monolithic fiberglass has a longer service life (up to 30 years) than the hull made of low-magnetic steel while its weight is considerably smaller.


tass--2020-05-21--Serbia reopens skies, says no tests or quarantines for those arriving as of May 22

BELGRADE , May 21./TASS/ .
Serbian nationals and foreign citizens will be allowed into Serbia without coronavirus tests , nor will they be put into a two-week quarantine upon arrival starting from May 22 , Minister of Construction , Transport and Infrastructure Zorana Mihajlovic said on Thursday following a ceremony to reopen flights suspended two months ago amid the coronavirus pandemic .
`` Today there will be a government session where the decision will be taken at the suggestion of the anti-coronavirus crisis center , that starting tomorrow , the citizens of Serbia and other nations crossing into the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isolated .
We rely only on personal responsibility , '' the minister told the RTS broadcaster .
She said that on Thursday , the national carrier Air Serbia reopened commercial passenger flights , being among the first European carriers to do so .
`` We are among the first European carriers that have launched commercial flights .
If it were our choice , we would have started flights a month ago , but this also depends on other carriers and airports , '' the top official noted .
Focusing on the economic losses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said that the sector racked up to 80 billion euro over two months .
`` We hope that this figure will not be more than 200 million euro by the end of the year .
We will undertake efforts to make sure Air Serbia will keep on operating , maybe this will be the placement of shares , or possibly the purchase of new aircraft , '' Zorana Mihajlovic specified .
Earlier , the press service of Belgrade ’ s airport told TASS that on May 21 , the national carrier would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air traffic will be restarted officially .
On Thursday , it plans 12 international flights to Zurich , Frankfurt and Abu Dhabi .
Later , flights will be reopened to other Balkan capitals — Podgorica , Banja Luka and Skopje .
The Belgrade-New York route will be reopened on June 6 .
However , the first passengers will undergo strict security measures during their travel .
Face masks and gloves are compulsory , as well as the disinfection of footwear .
Passengers will have to arrive at the airport three hours before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people seeing them off will not be allowed into the airport building .
To date , Serbia has recorded over 10,000 coronavirus cases overall with over 235 fatalities .
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 .

BELGRADE, May 21./TASS/. Serbian nationals and foreign citizens will be allowed into Serbia without coronavirus tests, nor will they be put into a two-week quarantine upon arrival starting from May 22, Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Zorana Mihajlovic said on Thursday following a ceremony to reopen flights suspended two months ago amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"Today there will be a government session where the decision will be taken at the suggestion of the anti-coronavirus crisis center, that starting tomorrow, the citizens of Serbia and other nations crossing into the country will not have to be tested or isolated. We rely only on personal responsibility," the minister told the RTS broadcaster.
She said that on Thursday, the national carrier Air Serbia reopened commercial passenger flights, being among the first European carriers to do so. "We are among the first European carriers that have launched commercial flights. If it were our choice, we would have started flights a month ago, but this also depends on other carriers and airports," the top official noted.
Focusing on the economic losses of Serbia’s airline industry, she said that the sector racked up to 80 billion euro over two months. "We hope that this figure will not be more than 200 million euro by the end of the year. We will undertake efforts to make sure Air Serbia will keep on operating, maybe this will be the placement of shares, or possibly the purchase of new aircraft," Zorana Mihajlovic specified.
Earlier, the press service of Belgrade’s airport told TASS that on May 21, the national carrier would reopen passenger flights, which means that air traffic will be restarted officially. On Thursday, it plans 12 international flights to Zurich, Frankfurt and Abu Dhabi. Later, flights will be reopened to other Balkan capitals — Podgorica, Banja Luka and Skopje. The Belgrade-New York route will be reopened on June 6.
However, the first passengers will undergo strict security measures during their travel. Face masks and gloves are compulsory, as well as the disinfection of footwear. Passengers will have to arrive at the airport three hours before the flight to avoid lines. Relatives and people seeing them off will not be allowed into the airport building.
To date, Serbia has recorded over 10,000 coronavirus cases overall with over 235 fatalities.
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.


tass--2020-05-21--Is this the new normal? Even statues getting masked up across the globe

Press review : US to elbow rivals out of arms market and global inquiry into COVID-19 opens Top stories in @ @ @ @ @ , May 20

West was covering up crimes of Kiev regime that led to Ukraine’s tragedy, Lavrov says
"During this entire period, the population of DPR and LPR was subjected to abuse, perennial shelling on the part of the Kiev regime that openly adopted a course towards Russophobia and genocide," the Russian top diplomat noted
Read more


tass--2020-05-21--Russian kids also went to Argentina, Costa Rica through US educational programs — diplomat

MOSCOW , May 21 .
/TASS/ .
Russian schoolchildren also travelled to Argentina and Costa Rica apart from the US through American educational programs , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a briefing Thursday .
`` We reiterate that these projects were not agreed with the Russian Foreign Ministry .
Moreover , it was revealed just recently that the Russian children travelled not only to the US under American educational programs .
It emerged through appeals of their parents to the Foreign Ministry .
They travelled to other countries , it is particularly known that at least two schoolchildren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Costa Rica , '' she stressed .
The diplomat underlined that Russian school students should not be allowed to leave Russia through unchecked and dubious educational programs whose organizers bear no responsibility for the children they welcome .
`` In view of the latest developments and to avoid a repeat of similar situations in the future , we are again calling on Russian schools , supervisory bodies and parents to be vigilant and responsible .
We can not allow children to leave through various dubious programs and educational initiatives whose organizers refuse to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Zakharova emphasized .

MOSCOW, May 21. /TASS/. Russian schoolchildren also travelled to Argentina and Costa Rica apart from the US through American educational programs, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a briefing Thursday.
"We reiterate that these projects were not agreed with the Russian Foreign Ministry. Moreover, it was revealed just recently that the Russian children travelled not only to the US under American educational programs. It emerged through appeals of their parents to the Foreign Ministry. They travelled to other countries, it is particularly known that at least two schoolchildren are in Argentina and one is in Costa Rica," she stressed.
The diplomat underlined that Russian school students should not be allowed to leave Russia through unchecked and dubious educational programs whose organizers bear no responsibility for the children they welcome.
"In view of the latest developments and to avoid a repeat of similar situations in the future, we are again calling on Russian schools, supervisory bodies and parents to be vigilant and responsible. We cannot allow children to leave through various dubious programs and educational initiatives whose organizers refuse to accept any responsibility for those they enroll," Zakharova emphasized.


tass--2020-05-21--IS militants step up raids in north-eastern Syria amid pandemic — Russian diplomat

MOSCOW , May 21 .
/TASS/ .
Militants of the Islamic State ( IS ) terrorist grouping ( outlawed in Russia ) took advantage of the pandemic to step up their operations in north-eastern Syria , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday .
`` We are registering a deterioration of the situation in the areas in north-eastern Syria outside the government ’ s control .
Militants of ISIL [ the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant , the former name of the IS ] decided to take advantage of the coronavirus pandemic .
They intensified their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On May 10-15 alone , the terrorists launched over 20 attacks against Kurdish formations , in which over 20 people were killed and about 40 wounded , Zakharova said .
`` Also , we paid attention to the alarming report that seven ISIL militants had escaped from the prison at the al-Hol camp for internally displaced people .
All these facts confirm once again that the United States and its allies , which are occupying the area across the Euphrates , do not care about civilians , security and other really important issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, May 21. /TASS/. Militants of the Islamic State (IS) terrorist grouping (outlawed in Russia) took advantage of the pandemic to step up their operations in north-eastern Syria, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday.
"We are registering a deterioration of the situation in the areas in north-eastern Syria outside the government’s control. Militants of ISIL [the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, the former name of the IS] decided to take advantage of the coronavirus pandemic. They intensified their incursions," the diplomat said.
On May 10-15 alone, the terrorists launched over 20 attacks against Kurdish formations, in which over 20 people were killed and about 40 wounded, Zakharova said.
"Also, we paid attention to the alarming report that seven ISIL militants had escaped from the prison at the al-Hol camp for internally displaced people. All these facts confirm once again that the United States and its allies, which are occupying the area across the Euphrates, do not care about civilians, security and other really important issues," the Russian diplomat said.


tass--2020-05-21--Russian UAV manufacturer rolls out state-of-the-art VTOL drone

IZHEVSK , May 21 .
/TASS/ .
ZALA Aero , an affiliate of the Kalashnikov Concern and a Russian drone producer , has created a vertical takeoff and landing ( VTOL ) drone , the group enterprise announced on its website Thursday .
New law does not hamper development of UAV market in Russia — Kremlin '' The unmanned aerial vehicle ( UAV ) ZALA 421-16EV has been developed using a tilt-rotor plane type — the hybrid of a fixed-wing and rotary-wing UAV .
The unique advantage of this specific model is the option of a fully automatic vertical takeoff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HD video stream , enabling the station operator on the ground to view the video stream in detail .
This innovation has already undergone successful factory and field tests .
Capable of operating for two hours at a cruising speed of up to 110 km/h , the drone can be used in monitoring and in aerial surveys of hard-to-reach points and sites .
The key advantage of the tilt-rotor model is that it does not need launching from a catapult and a prepared pad for takeoff and landing .
ZALA Aero is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , payloads and mobile systems .
Over 2,000 drones produced by the company are currently in operation in Russia .

IZHEVSK, May 21. /TASS/. ZALA Aero, an affiliate of the Kalashnikov Concern and a Russian drone producer, has created a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drone, the group enterprise announced on its website Thursday.
New law does not hamper development of UAV market in Russia — Kremlin
"The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) ZALA 421-16EV has been developed using a tilt-rotor plane type — the hybrid of a fixed-wing and rotary-wing UAV. The unique advantage of this specific model is the option of a fully automatic vertical takeoff and landing."
The UAV relays HD video stream, enabling the station operator on the ground to view the video stream in detail. This innovation has already undergone successful factory and field tests.
Capable of operating for two hours at a cruising speed of up to 110 km/h, the drone can be used in monitoring and in aerial surveys of hard-to-reach points and sites. The key advantage of the tilt-rotor model is that it does not need launching from a catapult and a prepared pad for takeoff and landing.
ZALA Aero is a leading Russian producer of unmanned aerial vehicles, payloads and mobile systems. Over 2,000 drones produced by the company are currently in operation in Russia.


tass--2020-05-21--Second shipment of US ventilators will arrive in Russia next week, says diplomat

MOSCOW , May 21 .
/TASS/ .
The second shipment of US-manufactured ventilators will be delivered to Russia next week , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters Thursday .
`` Today , a special American flight with ventilators onboard arrives in Moscow , '' she said .
`` The Pirogov [ National Medical and Surgical ] Center will receive the 50 ventilators we are getting today as well as the expected shipment arriving next week .
Its specialists will make a decision on how to further allocate the American equipment across Russian medical facilities considering the sanitary and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are most needed . ''
According to her , highest level talks between Russia and the US discussed countering coronavirus on a number of occasions particularly through joining efforts of the two countries .
`` As a result , first Russia sent a jet to New York with a shipment of Russia-manufactured equipment and materials in a difficult epidemiological period , '' Zakharova recalled .
`` Now , when the US ramped up ventilator producing capabilities , Washington had a chance to support Russia ’ s efforts to fight the pandemic , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implemented now . ''
`` Both cases are examples of sincere humanitarian gestures and voluntary assistance , '' the spokeswoman noted .
`` The Russian and US sides fully covered the deliveries .
Additional information on this issue can be found on the Russian Direct Investment Fund website .

MOSCOW, May 21. /TASS/. The second shipment of US-manufactured ventilators will be delivered to Russia next week, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters Thursday.
"Today, a special American flight with ventilators onboard arrives in Moscow," she said. "The Pirogov [National Medical and Surgical] Center will receive the 50 ventilators we are getting today as well as the expected shipment arriving next week. Its specialists will make a decision on how to further allocate the American equipment across Russian medical facilities considering the sanitary and epidemiological situation and depending on where they are most needed."
According to her, highest level talks between Russia and the US discussed countering coronavirus on a number of occasions particularly through joining efforts of the two countries. "As a result, first Russia sent a jet to New York with a shipment of Russia-manufactured equipment and materials in a difficult epidemiological period," Zakharova recalled. "Now, when the US ramped up ventilator producing capabilities, Washington had a chance to support Russia’s efforts to fight the pandemic, which was proposed, agreed and is being implemented now."
"Both cases are examples of sincere humanitarian gestures and voluntary assistance," the spokeswoman noted. "The Russian and US sides fully covered the deliveries. Additional information on this issue can be found on the Russian Direct Investment Fund website.


tass--2020-05-21--Number of coronavirus cases in Sweden exceeds 32,100

STOCKHOLM , May 21 .
/TASS/ .
The number of COVID-19 cases in Sweden rose by 649 to 32,172 over @ @ @ @ @ 321 infected people per 100,000 people ) .
The number of coronavirus-related deaths rose by @ @ @ @ @ Ministry of Health reported on Thursday .
Currently , 1,899 people stay in intensive care @ @ @ @ @ of infected ( 10,909 ) and dead ( 1,884 ) were registered in the metropolitan @ @ @ @ @ that the epidemiological situation is generally stable .
The coronavirus reproduction rate is slightly below @ @ @ @ @ rate indicates the average number of people one sick person can infect .
In compliance @ @ @ @ @ decision , Sweden closed its borders for foreigners who do not live in the European @ @ @ @ @ requested not to hold meetings of more than 50 people .
The authorities also recommended @ @ @ @ @ switch to distance learning .
Kindergartens , primary and secondary schools are still working .
@ @ @ @ @ imposed .
Shops and food service companies are still open .

STOCKHOLM, May 21. /TASS/. The number of COVID-19 cases in Sweden rose by 649 to 32,172 over the past 24 hours (321 infected people per 100,000 people). The number of coronavirus-related deaths rose by 40 reaching 3,871, the Ministry of Health reported on Thursday.
Currently, 1,899 people stay in intensive care units. The largest numbers of infected (10,909) and dead (1,884) were registered in the metropolitan area.
The authorities say that the epidemiological situation is generally stable. The coronavirus reproduction rate is slightly below 1. The coronavirus reproduction rate indicates the average number of people one sick person can infect.
In compliance with the EU’s decision, Sweden closed its borders for foreigners who do not live in the European Union. The residents were requested not to hold meetings of more than 50 people. The authorities also recommended high schools and universities to switch to distance learning. Kindergartens, primary and secondary schools are still working. No lockdown has not been imposed. Shops and food service companies are still open.


tass--2020-05-21--American jet transporting US ventilators arrives in Russia

MOSCOW , May 21 .
/TASS/ .
US C-17 military transport aircraft with first shipment of 50 American ventilators has @ @ @ @ @ Vnukovo-3 airport , TASS reports .
Overall , the US is aiming to donate 200 @ @ @ @ @ Sergey Lavrov earlier pointed out that the US is delivering the equipment free of charge @ @ @ @ @ did with ventilators for Americans .
Moreover , Russia in April sent a shipment of @ @ @ @ @ to fight the coronavirus spread .
The landing ceremony was attended by US Ambassador to @ @ @ @ @ deputy director general of the Pirogov National Medical and Surgical Center Dmitry Nikitenko , as @ @ @ @ @ ventilators , spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry Maria Zakharova told a briefing .
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ ventilators would be sent to Russia if need be .
According to the US leader @ @ @ @ @ during a phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on May 7 .

MOSCOW, May 21. /TASS/. US C-17 military transport aircraft with first shipment of 50 American ventilators has landed in Moscow’s Vnukovo-3 airport, TASS reports.
Overall, the US is aiming to donate 200 ventilators. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov earlier pointed out that the US is delivering the equipment free of charge, just like Russia previously did with ventilators for Americans. Moreover, Russia in April sent a shipment of medical materials to help Washington to fight the coronavirus spread.
The landing ceremony was attended by US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan and first deputy director general of the Pirogov National Medical and Surgical Center Dmitry Nikitenko, as the center will receive these ventilators, spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry Maria Zakharova told a briefing.
Earlier, Trump told journalists that ventilators would be sent to Russia if need be. According to the US leader, he made the suggestion during a phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on May 7.


tass--2020-05-21--Russian cutting-edge frigate deploys to Baltic Sea for final state trials

KALININGRAD , May 21 .
/TASS/ .
The Project 22350 frigate Admiral Kasatonov has deployed to the sea from Baltiysk in the Kaliningrad Region for the final stage of state trials , the Baltic Fleet ’ s press office reported on Thursday .
Russian frigate Admiral Kasatonov to be handed over to Russian Navy in December '' At the Baltic Sea ranges , the ship ’ s crew will check jointly with industry representatives the operability of the frigate ’ s armament at sea .
The frigate will accomplish a number of anti-submarine warfare tasks at sea in interaction with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corvettes Stoiky and Steregushchiy , '' the press office said in a statement .
The corvettes will practice combat operations by a tactical naval group against a notional enemy ’ s submarine , employing anti-submarine warfare weapons and torpedo defense , the statement says .
The frigate Fleet Admiral Kasatonov is the second ( the first serial-produced ) Project 22350 warship built at the Severnaya Shipyard ( part of Russia ’ s United Shipbuilding Corporation ) .
The cutting-edge frigate was laid down on November 26 , 2009 and floated out on December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead frigate Admiral Gorshkov entered service with the Russian Navy in July 2018 .
Project 22350 frigates are based on stealth technology and are designated to conduct combat operations in the distant oceanic area against enemy surface ships and submarines and repel air attack weapons both on their own and as part of a naval group .
Project 22350 frigates are armed with a 130mm A-192 artillery gun , a Redut surface-to-air missile system and launchers of 16 Oniks or Kalibr-NK anti-ship missiles .
They also carry a Paket-NK system as their anti-submarine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helicopter .
Project 22350 frigates are expected to become the Russian Navy ’ s most advanced warships in their class .
These frigates displace 4,500 tonnes and can develop a speed of 29 knots .

KALININGRAD, May 21. /TASS/. The Project 22350 frigate Admiral Kasatonov has deployed to the sea from Baltiysk in the Kaliningrad Region for the final stage of state trials, the Baltic Fleet’s press office reported on Thursday.
Russian frigate Admiral Kasatonov to be handed over to Russian Navy in December
"At the Baltic Sea ranges, the ship’s crew will check jointly with industry representatives the operability of the frigate’s armament at sea. The frigate will accomplish a number of anti-submarine warfare tasks at sea in interaction with the Baltic Fleet’s Project 20380 corvettes Stoiky and Steregushchiy," the press office said in a statement.
The corvettes will practice combat operations by a tactical naval group against a notional enemy’s submarine, employing anti-submarine warfare weapons and torpedo defense, the statement says.
The frigate Fleet Admiral Kasatonov is the second (the first serial-produced) Project 22350 warship built at the Severnaya Shipyard (part of Russia’s United Shipbuilding Corporation). The cutting-edge frigate was laid down on November 26, 2009 and floated out on December 12, 2014. The Project 22350 lead frigate Admiral Gorshkov entered service with the Russian Navy in July 2018.
Project 22350 frigates are based on stealth technology and are designated to conduct combat operations in the distant oceanic area against enemy surface ships and submarines and repel air attack weapons both on their own and as part of a naval group.
Project 22350 frigates are armed with a 130mm A-192 artillery gun, a Redut surface-to-air missile system and launchers of 16 Oniks or Kalibr-NK anti-ship missiles. They also carry a Paket-NK system as their anti-submarine warfare weapon and a Ka-27 anti-submarine warfare helicopter.
Project 22350 frigates are expected to become the Russian Navy’s most advanced warships in their class. These frigates displace 4,500 tonnes and can develop a speed of 29 knots.


tass--2020-05-21--US grants ventilators to Moscow’s Pirogov Center

WASHINGTON , May 21 .
/TASS/ .
The United States is giving ventilators to Moscow ’ s Pirogov National Medical and Surgical Center free of charge , the medical equipment is expected to arrive on Thursday , a spokesperson for the US State Department told TASS .
Senior diplomat says US supplies of lung ventilators to Russia is in the works '' The ventilators are being manufactured by Vyaire Medical in California and donated to the Pirogov National Medical and Surgical Center in Moscow , '' she noted .
Additionally , the spokesperson stressed , `` The first 50 ventilators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 21 . ''
The US diplomatic agency representative then recalled , `` the United States is donating and delivering 200 ventilators to the Russian people . ''
`` The remaining 150 ventilators will be produced by the manufacturer and are expected to be ready for shipment later this month , '' she concluded .
On Wednesday , a US C-17 military transport aircraft with first shipment of 50 American ventilators took off from Charleston Air Force Base ( South Carolina ) and set course for Moscow .
A senior staffer of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remaining 150 ventilators could be sent to Russia on May 26 .
Voice of America , meanwhile , noted that the machines and their delivery amounted to $ 4.7 million .
In addition , the Pentagon told TASS that the US is using military jets to deliver the equipment to Russia in light of scarcity of commercial flights .

WASHINGTON, May 21. /TASS/. The United States is giving ventilators to Moscow’s Pirogov National Medical and Surgical Center free of charge, the medical equipment is expected to arrive on Thursday, a spokesperson for the US State Department told TASS.
Senior diplomat says US supplies of lung ventilators to Russia is in the works
"The ventilators are being manufactured by Vyaire Medical in California and donated to the Pirogov National Medical and Surgical Center in Moscow," she noted. Additionally, the spokesperson stressed, "The first 50 ventilators are in transit and will arrive on May 21."
The US diplomatic agency representative then recalled, "the United States is donating and delivering 200 ventilators to the Russian people." "The remaining 150 ventilators will be produced by the manufacturer and are expected to be ready for shipment later this month," she concluded.
On Wednesday, a US C-17 military transport aircraft with first shipment of 50 American ventilators took off from Charleston Air Force Base (South Carolina) and set course for Moscow. A senior staffer of the US administration earlier told TASS that the remaining 150 ventilators could be sent to Russia on May 26. Voice of America, meanwhile, noted that the machines and their delivery amounted to $4.7 million.
In addition, the Pentagon told TASS that the US is using military jets to deliver the equipment to Russia in light of scarcity of commercial flights.
Aid delivery


tass--2020-05-21--Iranian envoy says Moscow-Tehran friendship staves off external meddling

MOSCOW , May 21 .
The establishment of diplomatic relations between Soviet Russia and Iran 100 years ago put an end to British colonial projects in the region , whereas modern partnership between the two nations impedes the influence of outer factors on their relations , Iranian Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali said Thursday .
`` The cancellation of treaties and colonial concessions by the government that had just emerged from the Russian revolution attracted a lot of attention .
Such an action reverberated in the Iranian society , creatng a positive outlook , and in particular , it made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the region unsuccessful , '' the Iranian diplomat pointed out , remembering the events of one hundred years ago .
`` Iran and Russia , having overcome the ups and downs of their relations in the past , always seek to use any opportunity to establish peace , stability and friendship and stave off third factors in their relations , '' he noted .
`` Having a reach history , the countries display strong and developed relations .
The cooperation has exceeded the boundaries of bilateral relations and has reached regional and international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ views Russia as a neighboring powerful and friendly country and is interested in further extension of relations in all fields . ''
The ambassador recalled that Russia established diplomatic relations with Iran back in the 16th century , which interrupted briefly due to the 1917 revolution in Russia .
`` Iran and Russia , being two civilization states , have overcome more than five centuries of diplomatic relations , relations , whose history outlasts that of many states and powers , '' he pointed out .
`` In the twentieth century , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is a joint experience , accumulated by the two peoples last century . ''
`` The 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Iran and Soviet Russia is a reminder that the Iranian government was one of the first to recognize the newly formed Soviet government as well as a reminder of friendship between the two countries and the two peoples .
This also reminds one about the accent on principles that the relations of the two countries are based on : such principles as non-intervention in each other ’ s internal affairs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the region , and preservation of stability and security in the region , '' Jalali said .
Following the 1917 revolution , the Russian Soviet Federal Socialist Republic faced the issue of acknowledgement on the world arena .
Iran was one of the first nations to establish diplomatic relations with Russia .
Meanwhile , Russia abandoned all treaties on division of spheres of influence in Iran with the UK , reached before the revolution .

MOSCOW, May 21. The establishment of diplomatic relations between Soviet Russia and Iran 100 years ago put an end to British colonial projects in the region, whereas modern partnership between the two nations impedes the influence of outer factors on their relations, Iranian Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali said Thursday.
"The cancellation of treaties and colonial concessions by the government that had just emerged from the Russian revolution attracted a lot of attention. Such an action reverberated in the Iranian society, creatng a positive outlook, and in particular, it made the British colonial projects in Iran and the region unsuccessful," the Iranian diplomat pointed out, remembering the events of one hundred years ago.
"Iran and Russia, having overcome the ups and downs of their relations in the past, always seek to use any opportunity to establish peace, stability and friendship and stave off third factors in their relations," he noted. "Having a reach history, the countries display strong and developed relations. The cooperation has exceeded the boundaries of bilateral relations and has reached regional and international levels. The Islamic Republic of Iran views Russia as a neighboring powerful and friendly country and is interested in further extension of relations in all fields."
The ambassador recalled that Russia established diplomatic relations with Iran back in the 16th century, which interrupted briefly due to the 1917 revolution in Russia.
"Iran and Russia, being two civilization states, have overcome more than five centuries of diplomatic relations, relations, whose history outlasts that of many states and powers," he pointed out. "In the twentieth century, the two countries staged anticolonial revolutions, and this is a joint experience, accumulated by the two peoples last century."
"The 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Iran and Soviet Russia is a reminder that the Iranian government was one of the first to recognize the newly formed Soviet government as well as a reminder of friendship between the two countries and the two peoples. This also reminds one about the accent on principles that the relations of the two countries are based on: such principles as non-intervention in each other’s internal affairs, countering the Western powers’ actions in the region, and preservation of stability and security in the region," Jalali said.
Following the 1917 revolution, the Russian Soviet Federal Socialist Republic faced the issue of acknowledgement on the world arena. Iran was one of the first nations to establish diplomatic relations with Russia. Meanwhile, Russia abandoned all treaties on division of spheres of influence in Iran with the UK, reached before the revolution.


tass--2020-05-21--Russia’s coronavirus situation begins to stabilize, says watchdog official

MOSCOW , May 21 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s coronavirus trends of the past eight days give reason to believe that the country has reached a virus plateau and the situation is stabilizing , the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing ’ s Central Research Institute of Epidemiology Deputy Director Alexander Gorelov told TASS .
`` The past eight days saw neither a spike nor a sharp decline in cases .
We can say that we have reached the so-called virus plateau and the situation is stabilizing , '' he pointed out .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are past the peak pressure point on medical facilities , '' Gorelov added .
He emphasized that according to the watchdog ’ s guidelines , a region needed about eight days to reach a certain landmark .
Then the region ’ s governor and chief sanitary doctor can make a decision on entering the next phase of easing restrictions .
May 12 , when a non-working period came to an end in Russia , was a milestone date .
However , if the situation changes in the next eight days , tougher restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, May 21. /TASS/. Russia’s coronavirus trends of the past eight days give reason to believe that the country has reached a virus plateau and the situation is stabilizing, the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing’s Central Research Institute of Epidemiology Deputy Director Alexander Gorelov told TASS.
"The past eight days saw neither a spike nor a sharp decline in cases. We can say that we have reached the so-called virus plateau and the situation is stabilizing," he pointed out. "Stability means there is hope that we are past the peak pressure point on medical facilities," Gorelov added.
He emphasized that according to the watchdog’s guidelines, a region needed about eight days to reach a certain landmark. Then the region’s governor and chief sanitary doctor can make a decision on entering the next phase of easing restrictions. May 12, when a non-working period came to an end in Russia, was a milestone date. However, if the situation changes in the next eight days, tougher restrictions will have to be restored.


tass--2020-05-21--Mass vaccination against COVID-19 may begin in mid-2021, Australian researcher says

SYDNEY , May 21 .
/TASS/ .
At least three coronavirus vaccines developed today have high chance of success , and should their effectiveness be clinically proven , mass vaccination may begin in a year , or even sooner , says Peter Doherty , an Australian medical researcher and a winner of the 1996 Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine , told TASS .
`` There are at least 3 vaccines , all using different technologies , that have already gone into Phase 1 human safety trial .
I believe that at least one candidate is in Phase 2 trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ placebo controls ) out there in the community where they are likely to encounter the infection .
If all goes well , there ’ s some talk of mass vaccination beginning by , or before , mid 2021 .
Many other vaccines are also at some stage of pre-clinical ( in animals ) testing , '' Doherty said , answering a question on perspectives and terms of creation of the COVID-19 vaccine .
The virologist noted that the world will be able to return to its usual way of life only after an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers of new infections should also decrease after enough people have been infected and recovered ( likely 60 % or so ) to give herd immunity .
If a safe vaccine can not be found we would , as with HIV , need to rely on specific antiviral drugs or monoclonal antibodies ( mAbs ) , '' Doherty said , referring to antibodies , produced by immune cells , related to a single cell clone , i.e .
born from a single ancestor plasma cell .
`` There are currently no such drugs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been tested for safety and efficacy in humans , but both types of therapeutics are currently in development . ''
`` The virus [ becomes ] much more dangerous , and the consequences of infection [ become ] less predictable , as people pass the age of 60 , '' the Nobel Prize laureate continued .
`` The most likely explanation for this is that our immune systems become increasingly dysfunctional as we age , with this varying between individuals .
There ’ s the possibility of long-term consequences re heart , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s too early to tell how that will play out , '' he noted .
Doherty noted that the virus , which adapted to live in bats , causing `` persistent , inapparent infections , '' `` has entered a completely new host '' in humans and began to adapt to the changed circumstances .

SYDNEY, May 21. /TASS/. At least three coronavirus vaccines developed today have high chance of success, and should their effectiveness be clinically proven, mass vaccination may begin in a year, or even sooner, says Peter Doherty, an Australian medical researcher and a winner of the 1996 Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine, told TASS.
"There are at least 3 vaccines, all using different technologies, that have already gone into Phase 1 human safety trial. I believe that at least one candidate is in Phase 2 trial, with 300 vaccinated people (+300 placebo controls) out there in the community where they are likely to encounter the infection. If all goes well, there’s some talk of mass vaccination beginning by, or before, mid 2021. Many other vaccines are also at some stage of pre-clinical (in animals) testing," Doherty said, answering a question on perspectives and terms of creation of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The virologist noted that the world will be able to return to its usual way of life only after an effective vaccine is developed.
"The numbers of new infections should also decrease after enough people have been infected and recovered (likely 60% or so) to give herd immunity. If a safe vaccine cannot be found we would, as with HIV, need to rely on specific antiviral drugs or monoclonal antibodies (mAbs)," Doherty said, referring to antibodies, produced by immune cells, related to a single cell clone, i.e. born from a single ancestor plasma cell. "There are currently no such drugs available, and none of the mAbs have been tested for safety and efficacy in humans, but both types of therapeutics are currently in development."
"The virus [becomes] much more dangerous, and the consequences of infection [become] less predictable, as people pass the age of 60," the Nobel Prize laureate continued.
"The most likely explanation for this is that our immune systems become increasingly dysfunctional as we age, with this varying between individuals. There’s the possibility of long-term consequences re heart, lung and kidney damage, but it’s too early to tell how that will play out," he noted.
Doherty noted that the virus, which adapted to live in bats, causing "persistent, inapparent infections," "has entered a completely new host" in humans and began to adapt to the changed circumstances.


tass--2020-05-22--State debt increase not critical in current situation, Bank of Russia says

MOSCOW, May 22. /TASS/. An increase of the state debt in the current situation is not critical, Central Bank chief Elvira Nabiullina said on Friday.
"We have the potential for the state debt increase, and therefore we can do so. The state debt increase rate is not quicker than in other countries, although it traditionally appears that is higher than usual for us. According to our estimates, the increase in borrowings required to support budget expenses in this challenging period will not entail a major increase in the state debt amount at large. The state debt level in our country will remain among the lowest even after the increase in borrowings," Nabiullina said.
The interest of investors is supported by confidence that Russia will keep the stable macroeconomic policy, she added.