tass--2020-07-10--Pandemic will prompt Russian companies to slash 2020 dividend payments — Citi

MOSCOW , July 10 .
/TASS/ .
Coronavirus pandemic consequences press Russian companies to revise cost priorities .
This can adversely affect amounts of dividend distributions scheduled to 2020 and thereby lead to impairment of the market value of their stocks , Managing Director and Head of Corporate and Investment Banking of Citibank in CEEMEA Irakli Mtibelishvili told TASS on Friday .
`` In 2021 , companies will not be able anymore to pay dividends in scales of prior years due to the drop in net cash flows , '' Mtibelishvili said .
This will naturally affect the stock price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including major stakeholders .
`` Russian companies were traditionally bought in the first instance because they offered high or very high dividend yields .
Nothing has changed in this sense and if a company is unable to keep the yield expected by investors , a downward price adjustment will occur , '' he said .
Nevertheless , major investors understand challenges the market faces and want to support companies with feasible plans , the banker said .
Companies are more concerned of current liquidity and safety of employees , rather than market volatility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to forecast the most pessimistic scenario in priority manner and break it down into time segments , '' the top manager said .
The year of 2020 will be like the previous one in terms of the activity on the debt market , Mtibelishvili noted .
Citi expects at least one IPO of a Russian company and at least two SPOs on the equity market by the year-end .

MOSCOW, July 10. /TASS/. Coronavirus pandemic consequences press Russian companies to revise cost priorities. This can adversely affect amounts of dividend distributions scheduled to 2020 and thereby lead to impairment of the market value of their stocks, Managing Director and Head of Corporate and Investment Banking of Citibank in CEEMEA Irakli Mtibelishvili told TASS on Friday.
"In 2021, companies will not be able anymore to pay dividends in scales of prior years due to the drop in net cash flows," Mtibelishvili said.
This will naturally affect the stock price and may cause discontent of investors, including major stakeholders. "Russian companies were traditionally bought in the first instance because they offered high or very high dividend yields. Nothing has changed in this sense and if a company is unable to keep the yield expected by investors, a downward price adjustment will occur," he said.
Nevertheless, major investors understand challenges the market faces and want to support companies with feasible plans, the banker said. Companies are more concerned of current liquidity and safety of employees, rather than market volatility of their securities. "Issuers attempt to forecast the most pessimistic scenario in priority manner and break it down into time segments," the top manager said.
The year of 2020 will be like the previous one in terms of the activity on the debt market, Mtibelishvili noted. Citi expects at least one IPO of a Russian company and at least two SPOs on the equity market by the year-end.


tass--2020-07-10--Serbian PM says Friday was worst day since outbreak

BELGRADE , July 10 .
/TASS/ .
Serbia registered the highest number of single-day deaths from coronavirus - 18 - on Friday .
Coronavirus cases rose by 386 in the past 24 hours , bringing the tally to 17,728 .
The death toll climbed to 370 , Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said in a joint address with Health Minister Zlatibor Loncar .
`` It was the worst day since the onset of the coronavirus outbreak , as 18 people died from coronavirus in the past 24 hours , 130 are on ventilators and we have confirmed 386 new cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She put the blame on `` people ’ s irresponsible behavior '' and urged the population not to take part in protests .
In the meantime , Loncar said that there were no more hospitals beds for new patients in Belgrade , so the sick people are transported to hospitals in other cities .
On Tuesday , the ministry reported 352 new one-day cases .
About 3,5000 COVID-19 patients are currently being treated in hospitals .
Around 480,000 people have been tested since the coronavirus outbreak .
The mortality rate surpassed 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency in 20 cities and municipalities .
According to health officials , the second wave is notorious for a more severe clinical picture and high numbers of young people among those infected .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 12,404,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 557,700 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 7,235,600 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

BELGRADE, July 10. /TASS/. Serbia registered the highest number of single-day deaths from coronavirus - 18 - on Friday. Coronavirus cases rose by 386 in the past 24 hours, bringing the tally to 17,728. The death toll climbed to 370, Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said in a joint address with Health Minister Zlatibor Loncar.
"It was the worst day since the onset of the coronavirus outbreak, as 18 people died from coronavirus in the past 24 hours, 130 are on ventilators and we have confirmed 386 new cases after 8,646 tests," Brnabic said.
She put the blame on "people’s irresponsible behavior" and urged the population not to take part in protests.
In the meantime, Loncar said that there were no more hospitals beds for new patients in Belgrade, so the sick people are transported to hospitals in other cities.
On Tuesday, the ministry reported 352 new one-day cases. About 3,5000 COVID-19 patients are currently being treated in hospitals. Around 480,000 people have been tested since the coronavirus outbreak. The mortality rate surpassed 2%.
Serbia declared the state of emergency in 20 cities and municipalities. According to health officials, the second wave is notorious for a more severe clinical picture and high numbers of young people among those infected.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 12,404,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 557,700 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 7,235,600 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-07-10--Russia didn’t receive notes about Dutch ECHR lawsuit over MH17 crash

MOSCOW , July 10 .
/TASS/ .
Russia has not received any official notices about the Netherlands ’ intention to file a lawsuit with the European Court of Human Rights ( ECHR ) over the 2014 crash of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in Ukraine , spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry Maria Zakharova told TASS Friday .
`` No official notices have been received , '' she said .
The Dutch diplomatic agency earlier informed that Amsterdam had decided to sue Russia in the ECHR over the downing of the Boeing 777 .
Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 , a Boeing-777 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lumpur , was shot down on July 17 , 2014 , over Ukraine ’ s eastern region of Donetsk .
The crash killed all the 283 passengers , citizens of 10 countries , and 15 crewmembers .
In spite of the active armed conflict on the ground , Kiev did not close its airspace over the Donbass region to international passenger flights .
The Joint Investigation Team ( JIT ) looking into the crash is made up of representatives from the Netherlands , Australia , Belgium , Malaysia and Ukraine .
On May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report , claiming that the missile system that was used to down Flight MH17 could have been transferred from Russia and be a part of the Russian 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile brigade near Kursk .
Moscow rejects the JIT accusations .
Particularly , the Russian Defense Ministry said that no Russian army missile system had ever crossed the Ukrainian border .
Moreover , the defense ministry ’ s representatives reported that they had identified the missile that was launched to down the Boeing and established that it was transferred over to the Ukrainian troops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Russia since .
In June , the JIT said it had identified four persons suspected of being involved the MH17 crash .
They are three Russian nationals Igor Girkin , also known under the nickname of Strelkov , Sergei Dubinsky , Oleg Pulatov and a Ukrainian national , Leonid Kharchenko .
They are accused of allegedly transporting the missile system that downed the plane to Ukraine from Russia .
The trial began in the Netherlands on March 9 .
Russian officials have repeatedly expressed doubts and distrust of the results of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of arguments the accusations are based on and unwillingness to use Russian conclusions in the course of the investigation .

MOSCOW, July 10. /TASS/. Russia has not received any official notices about the Netherlands’ intention to file a lawsuit with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) over the 2014 crash of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in Ukraine, spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry Maria Zakharova told TASS Friday.
"No official notices have been received," she said.
The Dutch diplomatic agency earlier informed that Amsterdam had decided to sue Russia in the ECHR over the downing of the Boeing 777.
Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, a Boeing-777 passenger plane travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down on July 17, 2014, over Ukraine’s eastern region of Donetsk. The crash killed all the 283 passengers, citizens of 10 countries, and 15 crewmembers. In spite of the active armed conflict on the ground, Kiev did not close its airspace over the Donbass region to international passenger flights. The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) looking into the crash is made up of representatives from the Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, Malaysia and Ukraine.
On May 24, the experts published a provisional report, claiming that the missile system that was used to down Flight MH17 could have been transferred from Russia and be a part of the Russian 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile brigade near Kursk. Moscow rejects the JIT accusations. Particularly, the Russian Defense Ministry said that no Russian army missile system had ever crossed the Ukrainian border. Moreover, the defense ministry’s representatives reported that they had identified the missile that was launched to down the Boeing and established that it was transferred over to the Ukrainian troops back in 1986 and had never returned to Russia since.
In June, the JIT said it had identified four persons suspected of being involved the MH17 crash. They are three Russian nationals Igor Girkin, also known under the nickname of Strelkov, Sergei Dubinsky, Oleg Pulatov and a Ukrainian national, Leonid Kharchenko. They are accused of allegedly transporting the missile system that downed the plane to Ukraine from Russia. The trial began in the Netherlands on March 9.
Russian officials have repeatedly expressed doubts and distrust of the results of its work, pointed to the groundless nature of arguments the accusations are based on and unwillingness to use Russian conclusions in the course of the investigation.


tass--2020-07-10--Yerevan alarmed over growing Turkey’s military political assistance to Azerbaijan

YEREVAN , July 10 .
/TASS/ .
Armenia sees Turkey ’ s military political assistance to Azerbaijan as a threat @ @ @ @ @ follows from the updated Armenia ’ s national security strategy that was adopted on Friday @ @ @ @ @ military political assistance to Azerbaijan augments Baku ’ s attempts to resolve the conflict ( @ @ @ @ @ by military means .
Especially alarming is Turkey ’ s readiness to interfere [ into @ @ @ @ @ ] , '' the document reads .
According to the document , Turkey ’ s @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Turkey will not be seen as a threat to Armenia ’ s national @ @ @ @ @ unfriendly policy towards our country and our people , '' the document stresses .
The @ @ @ @ @ s national security strategy was adopted in 2007 .
Many political changes have taken place @ @ @ @ @ the region and in the world ever since , Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan @ @ @

YEREVAN, July 10. /TASS/. Armenia sees Turkey’s military political assistance to Azerbaijan as a threat to its security, as follows from the updated Armenia’s national security strategy that was adopted on Friday.
"Turkey’s military political assistance to Azerbaijan augments Baku’s attempts to resolve the conflict (in Nagorno-Karabakh - TASS) by military means. Especially alarming is Turkey’s readiness to interfere [into the conflict siding with Baku]," the document reads.
According to the document, Turkey’s actions are considered as unpredictable. "Turkey will not be seen as a threat to Armenia’s national security is it revises its unfriendly policy towards our country and our people," the document stresses.
The previous edition of Armenia’s national security strategy was adopted in 2007. Many political changes have taken place both in Armenia, in the region and in the world ever since, Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan said earlier.


tass--2020-07-10--Russia may postpone Immortal Regiment march to later date over pandemic

MOSCOW , July 10 .
/TASS/ .
The Immortal Regiment march may be rescheduled from July 26 for a later date over the coronavirus pandemic but no final decision has been made yet , the press office of the Russian Immortal Regiment movement told TASS on Friday .
`` Such a possibility is , indeed , being discussed due to the ambiguous epidemic situation in regions .
We expect our leadership to make a decision .
This is a pressing issue but right now we can not say with 100 % certainty that the procession will or will not take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As the organizers specified , the information on the procession will be posted on the website of the Immortal Regiment of Russia as soon as a corresponding decision is made .
Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier said at a meeting with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu that the Immortal Regiment march was planned to be held on Russia ’ s Navy Day , July 26 , unless the epidemiological situation required postponing it to a later date .
The Immortal Regiment march is an annual public event held in Russia and other countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the Soviet Union ’ s 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War against Nazi Germany .
During the Immortal Regiment march , which takes place on May 9 or on the nearest days , its participants pass in a formation carrying placards with the photographs of their relatives who fought during the war .
Also , people who join the march are offered to post the photos of their relatives and their brief biographies on the official website of the People ’ s Chronicle project .
The Immortal Regiment movement was first launched in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2007 and was initially called Victors ’ Parade .
It acquired its current name in 2012 in Tomsk , and in 2013 it included 120 cities .
The movement officially became nationwide in 2015 .
By now , the Immortal Regiment march has spread beyond Russia .
This year , it was decided to organize the march in the online format on May 9 because of the ongoing coronavirus lockdowns .
About three million people applied for participation in the nationwide online Immortal Regiment march .
To date , 713,936 coronavirus cases have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 11,017 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, July 10. /TASS/. The Immortal Regiment march may be rescheduled from July 26 for a later date over the coronavirus pandemic but no final decision has been made yet, the press office of the Russian Immortal Regiment movement told TASS on Friday.
"Such a possibility is, indeed, being discussed due to the ambiguous epidemic situation in regions. We expect our leadership to make a decision. This is a pressing issue but right now we cannot say with 100% certainty that the procession will or will not take place," the press office said.
As the organizers specified, the information on the procession will be posted on the website of the Immortal Regiment of Russia as soon as a corresponding decision is made.
Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier said at a meeting with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu that the Immortal Regiment march was planned to be held on Russia’s Navy Day, July 26, unless the epidemiological situation required postponing it to a later date.
History of Immortal Regiment march
The Immortal Regiment march is an annual public event held in Russia and other countries to commemorate those who fought or died during the Soviet Union’s 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War against Nazi Germany.
During the Immortal Regiment march, which takes place on May 9 or on the nearest days, its participants pass in a formation carrying placards with the photographs of their relatives who fought during the war. Also, people who join the march are offered to post the photos of their relatives and their brief biographies on the official website of the People’s Chronicle project.
The Immortal Regiment movement was first launched in the city of Tyumen in West Siberia in 2007 and was initially called Victors’ Parade. It acquired its current name in 2012 in Tomsk, and in 2013 it included 120 cities. The movement officially became nationwide in 2015.
By now, the Immortal Regiment march has spread beyond Russia.
This year, it was decided to organize the march in the online format on May 9 because of the ongoing coronavirus lockdowns. About three million people applied for participation in the nationwide online Immortal Regiment march.
To date, 713,936 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 489,068 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 11,017 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-07-10--Russian Foreign Ministry refutes reports on bomb threats

MOSCOW , July 10 .
/TASS/ .
A scheduled inspection activities are underway at the Russian Foreign Ministry , so @ @ @ @ @ any reports on bomb threats .
`` We do not confirm the reports on a @ @ @ @ @ routine inspection activities , '' the ministry told TASS on Friday .
Earlier in the @ @ @ @ @ the emergency services said that anonymous callers had reported about an alleged bomb planted in @ @ @ @ @ in Moscow .

MOSCOW, July 10. /TASS/. A scheduled inspection activities are underway at the Russian Foreign Ministry, so the ministry does not confirm any reports on bomb threats.
"We do not confirm the reports on a bomb threat. Those are routine inspection activities," the ministry told TASS on Friday.
Earlier in the day, a source from the emergency services said that anonymous callers had reported about an alleged bomb planted in the Russian Foreign Ministry building in Moscow.


tass--2020-07-10--Nicosia will never spoil relations with Moscow, Beijing, president of Cyprus pledges

NICOSIA , July 10 .
/TASS/ .
Cyprus has wonderful relationships with Russia and China and nobody will be able to harm them , the Cypriot Department of Press and Information told TASS on Friday , citing Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades ’ s Thursday 's comment for reporters .
The Cypriot leader commented on US plans to offer an educational and training program for Cypriot service members , which Cyprus ’ Progressive Party of Working People ( AKEL ) opposes believing that the United States is dragging Nicosia in dangerous geopolitical games that could harm relations with Russia .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US decision , but at the same time to assure those concerned that those wonderful relationships we have with both Russia and China will never be damaged , '' the president said .
Anastasiades added that being a small country , Cyprus `` seeks the best relations with all the permanent members of the [ United Nations ] Security Council . ''
On July 8 , the US embassy in Nicosia announced that Washington would offer an educational and training course starting in 2021 for the Cypriot National Guard in conformity with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Education and Training ( IMET ) program .
The Cypriot authorities welcomed the idea in any possible way , but have not yet made any direct statements whether the Republic of Cyprus would accept the proposal .
In the meantime , the Progressive Party of Working People ( AKEL ) said that Washington ’ s plans were `` yet another step toward implementing the infamous Menendez-Rubio law . ''
AKEL referred to the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act , which had been authored by US Senators Robert Menendez and Marco Rubio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US arms embargo on Cyprus .
The act was signed into law in December 2019 after the US House Foreign Affairs Committee had added amendments required for lifting the embargo .
They say that Nicosia should cooperate with Washington in efforts against money laundering and should deny Russian military ships access to Cypriot ports .

NICOSIA, July 10. /TASS/. Cyprus has wonderful relationships with Russia and China and nobody will be able to harm them, the Cypriot Department of Press and Information told TASS on Friday, citing Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades’s Thursday's comment for reporters.
The Cypriot leader commented on US plans to offer an educational and training program for Cypriot service members, which Cyprus’ Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL) opposes believing that the United States is dragging Nicosia in dangerous geopolitical games that could harm relations with Russia.
"I would like to express satisfaction about the US decision, but at the same time to assure those concerned that those wonderful relationships we have with both Russia and China will never be damaged," the president said.
Anastasiades added that being a small country, Cyprus "seeks the best relations with all the permanent members of the [United Nations] Security Council."
On July 8, the US embassy in Nicosia announced that Washington would offer an educational and training course starting in 2021 for the Cypriot National Guard in conformity with American standards under the US International Military Education and Training (IMET) program. The Cypriot authorities welcomed the idea in any possible way, but have not yet made any direct statements whether the Republic of Cyprus would accept the proposal.
In the meantime, the Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL) said that Washington’s plans were "yet another step toward implementing the infamous Menendez-Rubio law." AKEL referred to the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act, which had been authored by US Senators Robert Menendez and Marco Rubio and which provides for the lifting of the US arms embargo on Cyprus. The act was signed into law in December 2019 after the US House Foreign Affairs Committee had added amendments required for lifting the embargo. They say that Nicosia should cooperate with Washington in efforts against money laundering and should deny Russian military ships access to Cypriot ports.


tass--2020-07-10--Azerbaijan reports almost 23,000 coronavirus cases

BAKU , July 10./TASS/ .
Azerbaijan reported 526 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours , which is 22 cases less than the day before , the anti-coronavirus crisis center at the Cabinet of Ministers reported on Friday .
Overall , 22,990 people have been infected or 0.2 % of the ten-million population .
`` Eight people with confirmed coronavirus died in the past 24 hours , '' the report said .
Overall , 292 people have died from coronavirus in Azerbaijan , or 1.3 % of the infected .
As many as 14,093 people have recovered , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours - the highest number of the daily recoveries since the pandemic hit the country .
The crisis center emphasized that the number of daily infections is almost the same as the figure of daily recoveries now .
A total of 491 patients were discharged from hospitals on Thursday .
As many as 8,605 people are currently in hospitals .
The country has carried out 552,311 coronavirus tests , including 7,576 tests in the past day .
Azerbaijan reported the first coronavirus case on February 28 .
On March 14 , the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them on March 24 .
On April 27 , the authorities announced gradual easing of the lockdown restrictions , but the coronavirus cases have been on the rise since then .
Since June 5 , more than 300 cases had been registered daily , on June 19 the indicator surpassed 400 and on June 23 - 500 .
The country was hit by a new spike of 590 cases on June 24 .
According to the crisis center , Baku accounts for 55.1 % of all the cases .
Due to an uptick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown measures in Baku and 15 other major cities until July 20 .
On March 11 , 2020 , the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 12,404,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 557,700 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 7,235,600 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

BAKU, July 10./TASS/. Azerbaijan reported 526 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, which is 22 cases less than the day before, the anti-coronavirus crisis center at the Cabinet of Ministers reported on Friday.
Overall, 22,990 people have been infected or 0.2% of the ten-million population. "Eight people with confirmed coronavirus died in the past 24 hours," the report said. Overall, 292 people have died from coronavirus in Azerbaijan, or 1.3% of the infected.
As many as 14,093 people have recovered, with 502 people recovering in the past 24 hours - the highest number of the daily recoveries since the pandemic hit the country. The crisis center emphasized that the number of daily infections is almost the same as the figure of daily recoveries now. A total of 491 patients were discharged from hospitals on Thursday. As many as 8,605 people are currently in hospitals. The country has carried out 552,311 coronavirus tests, including 7,576 tests in the past day.
Azerbaijan reported the first coronavirus case on February 28. On March 14, the country imposed measures of social isolation, tightening them on March 24. On April 27, the authorities announced gradual easing of the lockdown restrictions, but the coronavirus cases have been on the rise since then. Since June 5, more than 300 cases had been registered daily, on June 19 the indicator surpassed 400 and on June 23 - 500.
The country was hit by a new spike of 590 cases on June 24. According to the crisis center, Baku accounts for 55.1% of all the cases. Due to an uptick in cases, the authorities reinstated strict lockdown measures in Baku and 15 other major cities until July 20.
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 12,404,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 557,700 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 7,235,600 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-07-10--Turkish Council of State reverses decree of Hagia Sophia’s museum status

Thus , the authorities of the republic received a legal opportunity to change the status of the Hagia Sophia from museum to a mosque .
ANKARA , July 10 .
/TASS/ .
The Turkish Council of State has revoked the Turkish government ’ s decree on assigning the Hagia Sophia cathedral museum status , the CNN Turk TV channel reported on Friday .
Currently there is no information on the date of the beginning of Muslim worship at the Hagia Sophia .
Earlier , the CNN Turk TV channel reported that the Turkish Council of State had held a meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a possible change in the status of the Hagia Sophia cathedral .
According to the TV channel , the discussion lasted only 17 minutes .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had instructed that the issue of the cathedral ’ s status change be addressed at a meeting of the main council of the Justice and Development Party which he chairs .
The Hagia Sophia cathedral in Istanbul is an example of Byzantine architecture built in 532-537 AD on the orders of emperor Justinian I .
After the fall of the Byzantine Empire the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1453 .
In 1935 , according to a decree signed by the founder of the modern Turkish state Mustafa Kemal Ataturk , the cathedral became a museum and the plaster was cleared off the frescoes and the mosaics .
In 1985 , the building was included on the UNESCO World Heritage list .

Thus, the authorities of the republic received a legal opportunity to change the status of the Hagia Sophia from museum to a mosque.
ANKARA, July 10. /TASS/. The Turkish Council of State has revoked the Turkish government’s decree on assigning the Hagia Sophia cathedral museum status, the CNN Turk TV channel reported on Friday.
Currently there is no information on the date of the beginning of Muslim worship at the Hagia Sophia.
Earlier, the CNN Turk TV channel reported that the Turkish Council of State had held a meeting on July 2 in order to discuss a possible change in the status of the Hagia Sophia cathedral. According to the TV channel, the discussion lasted only 17 minutes.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had instructed that the issue of the cathedral’s status change be addressed at a meeting of the main council of the Justice and Development Party which he chairs.
The Hagia Sophia cathedral in Istanbul is an example of Byzantine architecture built in 532-537 AD on the orders of emperor Justinian I. After the fall of the Byzantine Empire the cathedral was converted into a mosque in 1453.
In 1935, according to a decree signed by the founder of the modern Turkish state Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the cathedral became a museum and the plaster was cleared off the frescoes and the mosaics. In 1985, the building was included on the UNESCO World Heritage list.


tass--2020-07-10--Crewed flight to Mars may take place in late 2030s, says Roscosmos official

MOSCOW , July 10 .
/TASS/ .
The late 2030s are the most probable time for a crewed spacecraft ’ s flight to Mars , Executive Director of Russia ’ s State Space Corporation Roscosmos for Manned Space Programs Sergei Krikalyov said on Friday .
The mission to the Red Planet will most likely be international , he said .
`` If this [ a crewed flight ] takes place in the 2030s , then this will be the second half of the 2030s .
Most probably , this will take place in the late 2030s , '' the Roscosmos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TV channel .
A manned flight to that planet is a long-term prospect and an expedition to the Moon will serve as a preparation for it , Krikalyov said .
`` Today a spacecraft is being developed for a flight beyond the low near-Earth orbit : an advanced crewed spaceship , which is being created to make it possible to travel beyond the near-Earth orbit to the Moon or Mars when the time comes , '' he specified .
The first flight of Russia ’ s latest Oryol manned spacecraft without a crew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vostochny spaceport .
Roscosmos Chief Dmitry Rogozin said in a presentation in May 2019 that the Russian space agency planned to land humans on the Moon in 2030 .

An expedition to the Moon will serve as a preparation for the mission to the Mars, according to the space corporation senior official
MOSCOW, July 10. /TASS/. The late 2030s are the most probable time for a crewed spacecraft’s flight to Mars, Executive Director of Russia’s State Space Corporation Roscosmos for Manned Space Programs Sergei Krikalyov said on Friday.
"If this [a crewed flight] takes place in the 2030s, then this will be the second half of the 2030s. Most probably, this will take place in the late 2030s," the Roscosmos official said in an interview with Mir-24 TV channel. The mission to the Red Planet will most likely be international, he said.
Read also Roscosmos says Mars most preferable planet for future colonization


tass--2020-07-10--Herd immunity level for COVID-19 in Moscow high enough to ease curbs — mayor

MOSCOW , July 10 .
/TASS/ .
The herd immunity threshold for COVID-19 in Moscow is at the level that allows relaxing the restrictions imposed in the city amid the pandemic , moreover a second wave is not expected in the city in the near future , Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said in a televised interview with the Russian channel Rossiya-24 on Friday .
`` On the basis of experience and conversations with a variety of experts , doctors and specialists of Rospotrebnadzor [ the Russian consumer watchdog ] , I can see that we managed to pass the peak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the foreseeable future .
We believe that the population in Moscow has developed herd immunity , which lets us ease the restrictions with confidence , '' he said .
Sobyanin pointed out that he takes calmly any coronavirus forecasts .
The Moscow mayor said that people have `` got used to the threat '' and constantly expect bad news .
Nevertheless , Sobyanin recalled , the Russian capital hosted the Victory Day Parade and voting on amendments to the Russian constitution in recent weeks .
`` Prior to the parade , there had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But nothing bad happened , '' the mayor said adding that there were rumors that the authorities were understating morbidity rates .
`` Nothing like that .
Those were all lies .
It can be stated today that we have been witnessing the disease rate going down over these days and weeks , '' Sobyanin concluded .
Earlier , Sobyanin signed a decree on the next stage of easing coronavirus restrictions .
On July 13 , wearing face coverings will not be mandatory outdoors , except public transport , stores and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and recreational parks and cultural centers will reopen on that day .
On August 1 , theaters , cinemas and concert halls with under 3,000 seats could reopen , but their seating capacity will be cut by half .

MOSCOW, July 10. /TASS/. The herd immunity threshold for COVID-19 in Moscow is at the level that allows relaxing the restrictions imposed in the city amid the pandemic, moreover a second wave is not expected in the city in the near future, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said in a televised interview with the Russian channel Rossiya-24 on Friday.
"On the basis of experience and conversations with a variety of experts, doctors and specialists of Rospotrebnadzor [the Russian consumer watchdog], I can see that we managed to pass the peak and no second wave is expected in the foreseeable future. We believe that the population in Moscow has developed herd immunity, which lets us ease the restrictions with confidence," he said.
Sobyanin pointed out that he takes calmly any coronavirus forecasts. The Moscow mayor said that people have "got used to the threat" and constantly expect bad news.
Nevertheless, Sobyanin recalled, the Russian capital hosted the Victory Day Parade and voting on amendments to the Russian constitution in recent weeks.
"Prior to the parade, there had been lots of prognoses, including negative. But nothing bad happened," the mayor said adding that there were rumors that the authorities were understating morbidity rates.
"Nothing like that. Those were all lies. It can be stated today that we have been witnessing the disease rate going down over these days and weeks," Sobyanin concluded.
Earlier, Sobyanin signed a decree on the next stage of easing coronavirus restrictions. On July 13, wearing face coverings will not be mandatory outdoors, except public transport, stores and other public spaces. Educational institutions, amusement and recreational parks and cultural centers will reopen on that day.
On August 1, theaters, cinemas and concert halls with under 3,000 seats could reopen, but their seating capacity will be cut by half.


tass--2020-07-10--Bomb threat targets Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow — source

Russia restricts access to website that issued bomb threats against schools during vote MOSCOW , July 10 .
/TASS/ .
@ @ @ @ @ bomb threat to the main building of the Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow , a @ @ @ @ @ TASS on Friday .
`` Specialists are looking into a report on ‘ a bomb @ @ @ @ @ Smolenskaya-Sennaya Square , the building of the Foreign Ministry , '' the interlocutor said .
@ @ @ @ @ has swept across Russian cities and towns since November 2019 .
Unidentified persons would send @ @ @ @ @ courts , schools , shopping malls , stores and universities .
None of the threats @ @ @ @ @ s FSB ( Federal Security Service ) said that five foreign resources , which were @ @ @ @ @ bomb threats , had been blocked .

MOSCOW, July 10. /TASS/. Anonymous persons called in a bomb threat to the main building of the Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow, a source with emergency services told TASS on Friday.
"Specialists are looking into a report on ‘a bomb’ planted at 32/34, Smolenskaya-Sennaya Square, the building of the Foreign Ministry," the interlocutor said.
A wave of bomb threats has swept across Russian cities and towns since November 2019. Unidentified persons would send emails about bombs planted at courts, schools, shopping malls, stores and universities. None of the threats was confirmed. Russia’s FSB (Federal Security Service) said that five foreign resources, which were sending out thousands of hoax bomb threats, had been blocked.


tass--2020-07-10--This week in photos: 300 drones above Seoul, fighter jets over Crimea, and FC Zenit's win

Press review : Will the second wave hit Russia and what led to space agency aide ’ s arrest Top @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday , July 9

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


tass--2020-07-10--US records record-high 63,000 new coronavirus cases, Johns Hopkins University reports

TASS , July 10 .
The number of newly confirmed coronavirus infections rose in the United States by record-breaking 63,000 @ @ @ @ @ Hopkins University published Friday .
According to the research university , the country identified additional @ @ @ @ @ , the US reported 58,600 new cases and 820 deaths .
In the last few @ @ @ @ @ US states , namely Florida , Arizona , Texas and California , are witnessing spikes @ @ @ @ @ these developments , local authorities decided to slow down the process of rolling back or @ @ @ @ @ US is the world leader in both confirmed infections ( more than 3.11 million ) @ @ @ @ @ ( 133,200 ) .
According to the latest statistics , over 12,404,000 people have been @ @ @ @ @ 557,700 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 7,235,600 individuals @ @ @ @ @ across the globe .

TASS, July 10. The number of newly confirmed coronavirus infections rose in the United States by record-breaking 63,000, shows data by Johns Hopkins University published Friday.
According to the research university, the country identified additional 990 coronavirus-related fatalities. Yesterday, the US reported 58,600 new cases and 820 deaths.
In the last few weeks, a number of US states, namely Florida, Arizona, Texas and California, are witnessing spikes in new cases. Amid these developments, local authorities decided to slow down the process of rolling back or lifting coronavirus restrictions.
The US is the world leader in both confirmed infections (more than 3.11 million) and deaths caused by coronavirus (133,200).
According to the latest statistics, over 12,404,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 557,700 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 7,235,600 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-07-10--Number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Belarus exceeding 64,600

MINSK , July 10 .
/TASS/ .
As many as 193 more novel coronavirus cases were confirmed in Belarus in the past day , with the overall number of such cases rising to 64,604 .
The daily death toll was five , the country ’ health ministry reported on Monday .
`` As many as 64,604 people ( out of the country ’ s population of 9.41 million - TASS ) have tested positive for COVID-19 .
A total of 454 coronavirus patients with a number of chronic diseases have died since the epidemic outbreak , '' it said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ many as 54,254 coronavirus patients have recovered from the disease .
A total of 1,111,614 coronavirus tests have been conducted .
Belarus did not impose any coronavirus lockdowns , with mass gathering being not banned .
Currently , a presidential campaign is underway in the republic , with the elections scheduled for August 9 .
Patients with positive coronavirus tests but having no symptoms of the disease will not be included into the official statistics .
Belarusian Health Minister Vladimir Karanik said on July 9 the number of coronavirus and pneumonias cases had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nevertheless , the country ’ s healthcare system is retting prepared for a possible second wave of the infection .

MINSK, July 10. /TASS/. As many as 193 more novel coronavirus cases were confirmed in Belarus in the past day, with the overall number of such cases rising to 64,604. The daily death toll was five, the country’ health ministry reported on Monday.
"As many as 64,604 people (out of the country’s population of 9.41 million - TASS) have tested positive for COVID-19. A total of 454 coronavirus patients with a number of chronic diseases have died since the epidemic outbreak," it said.
According to the latest update, as many as 54,254 coronavirus patients have recovered from the disease. A total of 1,111,614 coronavirus tests have been conducted.
Belarus did not impose any coronavirus lockdowns, with mass gathering being not banned. Currently, a presidential campaign is underway in the republic, with the elections scheduled for August 9.
Patients with positive coronavirus tests but having no symptoms of the disease will not be included into the official statistics.
Belarusian Health Minister Vladimir Karanik said on July 9 the number of coronavirus and pneumonias cases had decreased several fold over the past month. Nevertheless, the country’s healthcare system is retting prepared for a possible second wave of the infection.


tass--2020-07-10--Possible use of NATO aircraft to traffic Afghan drugs needs to be investigated — Lavrov

MOSCOW , July 10 .
/TASS/ .
Russia insists that reports about possible use of NATO aircraft to traffic drugs in Afghanistan be probed into , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday .
`` We keep on receiving reports , including via mass media , that contraband of opiates has been organized from Afghanistan to other countries , including to Europe , with the use of military aircraft of the NATO coalition , '' he said during the Primakov Readings international online forum .
`` We can not verify these reports 100 % but such reports are coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military aircraft were used over Afghanistan , they could have been only NATO ’ s aircraft and such flights could have been performed only by the military or special services .
Naturally , such information needs to be probed into , first of all in the United States , '' Lavrov stressed .
According to the Russian top diplomat , investigation is also needed inside the country of NATO presence .
`` Looking at absolutely reliable facts , we can say that over the 20 years of the US ’ and the coalition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Afghanistan , drug trafficking from that country has increased many-fold .
Neither the United States nor other members of the coalition have taken any serious efforts to stop drug production in Afghanistan , '' he added .

MOSCOW, July 10. /TASS/. Russia insists that reports about possible use of NATO aircraft to traffic drugs in Afghanistan be probed into, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday.
"We keep on receiving reports, including via mass media, that contraband of opiates has been organized from Afghanistan to other countries, including to Europe, with the use of military aircraft of the NATO coalition," he said during the Primakov Readings international online forum.
"We cannot verify these reports 100% but such reports are coming too regularly to be ignored. If military aircraft were used over Afghanistan, they could have been only NATO’s aircraft and such flights could have been performed only by the military or special services. Naturally, such information needs to be probed into, first of all in the United States," Lavrov stressed.
According to the Russian top diplomat, investigation is also needed inside the country of NATO presence. "Looking at absolutely reliable facts, we can say that over the 20 years of the US’ and the coalition’s other participants' presence in Afghanistan, drug trafficking from that country has increased many-fold. Neither the United States nor other members of the coalition have taken any serious efforts to stop drug production in Afghanistan," he added.


tass--2020-07-10--US biological laboratories in third countries raise suspicions — ex-PM Medvedev

Speaking during a meeting on international cooperation on countering the COVID-19 infection and other epidemics , Medvedev noted that Russia advocates international cooperation during laboratory research .
MOSCOW , July 10 .
/TASS/ .
Operation of US laboratories in third countries raises suspicions , while this should not be the case , Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev noted Friday .
`` Unfortunately , not everyone adheres to the same position .
This is not the case for a number of our colleagues , and I mean the position the United States takes when it works in laboratories deployed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are even members of the Eurasian Economic Union , '' the deputy chairman underscored .
`` In any case , such an activity may even be beneficial , but it must raise no suspicions , '' Medvedev said .
`` Unfortunately , such suspicions arise in the modern world . ''
Earlier , Moscow repeatedly voiced its concerns over US biological laboratories in Georgia and Ukraine .
Russian Permanent Representative to the OSCE Alexander Lukashevich noted the lack of transparency in these enterprises , including those , which Ukrainian and Georgian authorities have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recalled leaks in the media , suggesting that these laboratories , under the guise of fight with infectious diseases , conduct classified experiments with highly dangerous pathogens , including plague and hemorrhagic fevers causative agents .

Speaking during a meeting on international cooperation on countering the COVID-19 infection and other epidemics, Medvedev noted that Russia advocates international cooperation during laboratory research.
MOSCOW, July 10. /TASS/. Operation of US laboratories in third countries raises suspicions, while this should not be the case, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev noted Friday.
"Unfortunately, not everyone adheres to the same position. This is not the case for a number of our colleagues, and I mean the position the United States takes when it works in laboratories deployed in certain countries that border us or are even members of the Eurasian Economic Union," the deputy chairman underscored.
"In any case, such an activity may even be beneficial, but it must raise no suspicions," Medvedev said. "Unfortunately, such suspicions arise in the modern world."
Earlier, Moscow repeatedly voiced its concerns over US biological laboratories in Georgia and Ukraine. Russian Permanent Representative to the OSCE Alexander Lukashevich noted the lack of transparency in these enterprises, including those, which Ukrainian and Georgian authorities have only limited control over. The diplomat recalled leaks in the media, suggesting that these laboratories, under the guise of fight with infectious diseases, conduct classified experiments with highly dangerous pathogens, including plague and hemorrhagic fevers causative agents.


tass--2020-07-10--Number of coronavirus cases in Norway rises to 8,965

HELSINKI , July 10 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases in Norway increased by 11 over the past day and reached 8,965 , the Norwegian Institute of Public Health announced on Friday .
A day earlier , 8,954 cases were reported .
Over the past week , the increase in the number of cases in the country every day was less than 30 , the pandemic continues to decline .
In Norway , 252 people died from the effects of coronavirus , eight were hospitalized .
The first coronavirus case in Norway was detected in late February .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduced a ban on the entry of foreigners who do not have a residence permit , and checkpoints were introduced at the borders within the Schengen area .
Since June 15 , Norway , with a number of restrictions , has opened borders for travel to the countries of Northern Europe .
On April 6 , the Norwegian government announced that it had managed to control the pandemic .
In April , kindergartens , schools , and some enterprises began to gradually resume their usual activities .
In late December 2019 , Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 12,404,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 557,700 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 7,235,600 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the globe .
To date , 713,936 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 489,068 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 11,017 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

HELSINKI, July 10. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Norway increased by 11 over the past day and reached 8,965, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health announced on Friday.
A day earlier, 8,954 cases were reported. Over the past week, the increase in the number of cases in the country every day was less than 30, the pandemic continues to decline. In Norway, 252 people died from the effects of coronavirus, eight were hospitalized.
The first coronavirus case in Norway was detected in late February. Due to the pandemic, the government introduced a ban on the entry of foreigners who do not have a residence permit, and checkpoints were introduced at the borders within the Schengen area. Since June 15, Norway, with a number of restrictions, has opened borders for travel to the countries of Northern Europe.
On April 6, the Norwegian government announced that it had managed to control the pandemic. In April, kindergartens, schools, and some enterprises began to gradually resume their usual activities.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 12,404,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 557,700 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 7,235,600 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, 713,936 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 489,068 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 11,017 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-07-10--Kazakhstan receives 55 tonnes of medicine from Russia to fight coronavirus

`` Two civil aviation planes have arrived in Almaty airport , delivering 55 tonnes of most needed medicine from Moscow to treat coronavirus and pneumonia , including antiviral drugs , febrifuges , blood thinners and antibiotics , '' the statement reads .
NUR-SULTAN , July 10 .
/TASS/ .
Two Kazakh civil aviation planes with 55 tonnes of medicine to counter the coronavirus infection aboard have arrived from Russia , the national health ministry ’ s press service said Friday .
`` The prompt delivery of medicine by special planes of the Civil Aviation Committee is one of the measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up the market with vital medicine .
These flights will be carried out regularly to saturate the national market and keep pharmacy chains constantly stocked , '' the press service explained .
The ministry underscored that a plane will deliver a similar shipment from India next week .
On July 5 , Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Eraly Tugjanov informed that pharmacies across the country the country are lacking medicine .
According to him , the lack of stocks was provoked by a few reasons , including the heightened demand among the population .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tokayev said via Twitter that citizens are well within their right to complain about unfounded hike in pharmacy prices on vital medicine .
He also instructed the government and law enforcement agencies to address the situation .
The country introduced a state of emergency amid the coronavirus outbreak between March 16 and May 11 , however , some lockdown measures remain in place in certain Kazakh regions .
As the coronavirus epidemic worsened further , the authorities decided to introduce additional restrictions on July 5 for 14 days with a possibility to extend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July 13 was declared national morning day for coronavirus victims .
Currently , Kazakhstan has confirmed 54,747 coronavirus cases , 31,815 recoveries and 264 coronavirus-related 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 .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to the latest statistics , over 12,404,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 557,700 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 7,235,600 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

"Two civil aviation planes have arrived in Almaty airport, delivering 55 tonnes of most needed medicine from Moscow to treat coronavirus and pneumonia, including antiviral drugs, febrifuges, blood thinners and antibiotics," the statement reads.
NUR-SULTAN, July 10. /TASS/. Two Kazakh civil aviation planes with 55 tonnes of medicine to counter the coronavirus infection aboard have arrived from Russia, the national health ministry’s press service said Friday.
"The prompt delivery of medicine by special planes of the Civil Aviation Committee is one of the measures implemented by the government to urgently fill up the market with vital medicine. These flights will be carried out regularly to saturate the national market and keep pharmacy chains constantly stocked," the press service explained. The ministry underscored that a plane will deliver a similar shipment from India next week.
Kazakhstan developments
On July 5, Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Eraly Tugjanov informed that pharmacies across the country the country are lacking medicine. According to him, the lack of stocks was provoked by a few reasons, including the heightened demand among the population. The same day, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said via Twitter that citizens are well within their right to complain about unfounded hike in pharmacy prices on vital medicine. He also instructed the government and law enforcement agencies to address the situation.
The country introduced a state of emergency amid the coronavirus outbreak between March 16 and May 11, however, some lockdown measures remain in place in certain Kazakh regions. As the coronavirus epidemic worsened further, the authorities decided to introduce additional restrictions on July 5 for 14 days with a possibility to extend or tighten them in the future. July 13 was declared national morning day for coronavirus victims.
Currently, Kazakhstan has confirmed 54,747 coronavirus cases, 31,815 recoveries and 264 coronavirus-related fatalities.
Coronavirus pandemic
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 12,404,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 557,700 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 7,235,600 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-07-10--Russia is concerned about bubonic plague infections in China, Mongolia — ex-PM Medvedev

MOSCOW , July 10 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is concerned about the incidence of bubonic plague in humans in China @ @ @ @ @ of the Security Council of Russia Dmitry Medvedev said on Friday during a meeting on @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 and other epidemic diseases .
`` Not long ago , as it is known @ @ @ @ @ people contracting bubonic plague in Mongolia , in northern China .
This is our border @ @ @ @ @ course , causes certain concerns , '' he noted .
`` We must think how @ @ @ @ @ of threats , '' added Medvedev .
The authorities of the Bayannur city district of @ @ @ @ @ in northern China announced on Sunday the regime of heightened epidemiological risk due to the @ @ @ @ @ outbreaks .
This decision was made after a local hospital admitted a patient with symptoms @ @ @ @ @ patients .
Two confirmed cases of plague and one suspected infection in Mongolia had also @ @ @

MOSCOW, July 10. /TASS/. Russia is concerned about the incidence of bubonic plague in humans in China and Mongolia, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia Dmitry Medvedev said on Friday during a meeting on intensifying international interaction on fighting COVID-19 and other epidemic diseases.
"Not long ago, as it is known, there were instances of people contracting bubonic plague in Mongolia, in northern China. This is our border, and it, of course, causes certain concerns," he noted. "We must think how to react to this sort of threats," added Medvedev.
The authorities of the Bayannur city district of the Inner Mongolia autonomous district in northern China announced on Sunday the regime of heightened epidemiological risk due to the potential threat of local plague outbreaks. This decision was made after a local hospital admitted a patient with symptoms normally observed in bubonic plague patients. Two confirmed cases of plague and one suspected infection in Mongolia had also been reported.


tass--2020-07-10--‘Factually wrong’: Kremlin castigates comparison of Putin’s presidency to Stalin era

MOSCOW , July 10 .
/TASS/ .
The Kremlin has denounced comparisons between the period of Vladimir Putin ’ s @ @ @ @ @ period of Joseph Stalin ’ s leadership over the Soviet Union , branding them as @ @ @ @ @ Dmitry Peskov told journalists Friday .
`` We consider [ such comparisons ] inappropriate , @ @ @ @ @ said , commenting on attempts to label Putin ’ s presidency as `` neo-Stalinism .
@

MOSCOW, July 10. /TASS/. The Kremlin has denounced comparisons between the period of Vladimir Putin’s presidency in Russia and the period of Joseph Stalin’s leadership over the Soviet Union, branding them as inappropriate, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists Friday.
"We consider [such comparisons] inappropriate, factually wrong," he said, commenting on attempts to label Putin’s presidency as "neo-Stalinism."


tass--2020-07-10--Court hands former South Korean president 20-year prison sentence — media

MOSCOW , July 10 .
/TASS/ .
The Supreme Court of South Korea reviewed the earlier sentence for former President Park Geun-hye , issued over charges of influence peddling and embezzlement , and sentenced her to 20 years in prison Friday , according to Yonhap news agency .
Specifically , the court sentenced the 68-year old politician to 15 years in prison for taking bribes .
Tacking on the other charges against her , among them influence peddling , she received an additional five-year jail term and a fine of about $ 15 million .
Earlier , the prosecutors asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 years in prison , along with a fine of about $ 19 million .
In August 2019 , the Supreme Court ordered to review Park ’ s case , which initially resulted in a 25-year sentence .
This ruling was motivated by the need to separately review the charges of bribery and influence peddling .
Following her 2017 impeachment , Park was sentenced to 25 years in prison and slapped with a $ 19-million fine for influence peddling and corruption .
She was accused of conspiring with a confidant , Choi Soon-sil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from major corporations , including Samsung .
In addition , in 2018 , she was also accused of taking kickbacks from the National Intelligence Service authorities .
Up till now , Park ’ s charges had carried a total penalty of 32 years in prison .
Thus , this ruling shortens her sentence .
The politician was not present during today ’ s hearing , since she has boycotted court hearings since 2017 .

MOSCOW, July 10. /TASS/. The Supreme Court of South Korea reviewed the earlier sentence for former President Park Geun-hye, issued over charges of influence peddling and embezzlement, and sentenced her to 20 years in prison Friday, according to Yonhap news agency.
Specifically, the court sentenced the 68-year old politician to 15 years in prison for taking bribes. Tacking on the other charges against her, among them influence peddling, she received an additional five-year jail term and a fine of about $15 million.
Earlier, the prosecutors asked the court to sentence Park Geun-hye to 30 years in prison, along with a fine of about $19 million.
In August 2019, the Supreme Court ordered to review Park’s case, which initially resulted in a 25-year sentence. This ruling was motivated by the need to separately review the charges of bribery and influence peddling.
Following her 2017 impeachment, Park was sentenced to 25 years in prison and slapped with a $19-million fine for influence peddling and corruption. She was accused of conspiring with a confidant, Choi Soon-sil, in a bid to extort bribes from major corporations, including Samsung. In addition, in 2018, she was also accused of taking kickbacks from the National Intelligence Service authorities.
Up till now, Park’s charges had carried a total penalty of 32 years in prison. Thus, this ruling shortens her sentence. The politician was not present during today’s hearing, since she has boycotted court hearings since 2017.


tass--2020-07-10--Lavrov cautions US-China confrontation benefits neither Russia, nor anyone else

MOSCOW , July 10 .
/TASS/ .
Heightened tensions between the United States and China do not meet Russia ’ s interests in any way , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Friday during an online conference focusing on Russia and the post-coronavirus world .
`` I believe that it [ the standoff ] in no way meets our interests , or the interests of the European Union , or those of any other states , '' he emphasized .
For instance , Lavrov pointed out that China ’ s trade turnover with the European Union fully corresponds to US-China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for strategic autonomy that are with increasing frequency voiced in the European Union and the fact that these aspirations are outlined not only in the military-political and security sphere , but also in the sphere of trade and economics , I think that they should be taken a closer look at , '' he noted .
The European Union , the minister continued , also `` wants to bring back its production operations and lock in as many trade and distribution chains as possible . ''
`` In this regard , they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It [ the EU ] is unlikely to back the US in every way when it wants to bleed the Chinese economy dry by siphoning all the processes that pave the way for active development to its own territory , '' Lavrov added .
That is why tensions and clashes of interests will arise , the top Russian diplomat cautioned .
`` You know , unlike 2014 when the EU imposed anti-Russian sanctions under enormous pressure from the US , the European Union today is already showing signs of healthy pragmatism , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In particular , they publicly announced that they would revisit the five ill-famed principles by Federica Mogherini , which were shaped a few years ago to advance relations with Russia , '' the diplomat elaborated .
Moreover , Lavrov pointed to a statement made by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell , who said that sanctions are not a tool , which should be used in ties with China , when asked whether the EU might impose some restrictions on Beijing over the developments in Hong Kong .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that sanctions are a means that can be used in relations with Russia .
However , our European friends will ponder over that , '' Lavrov added .

MOSCOW, July 10. /TASS/. Heightened tensions between the United States and China do not meet Russia’s interests in any way, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Friday during an online conference focusing on Russia and the post-coronavirus world.
"I believe that it [the standoff] in no way meets our interests, or the interests of the European Union, or those of any other states," he emphasized.
For instance, Lavrov pointed out that China’s trade turnover with the European Union fully corresponds to US-China trade turnover. "Considering the aspirations for strategic autonomy that are with increasing frequency voiced in the European Union and the fact that these aspirations are outlined not only in the military-political and security sphere, but also in the sphere of trade and economics, I think that they should be taken a closer look at," he noted.
The European Union, the minister continued, also "wants to bring back its production operations and lock in as many trade and distribution chains as possible." "In this regard, they are entering into direct competition with the Americans. It [the EU] is unlikely to back the US in every way when it wants to bleed the Chinese economy dry by siphoning all the processes that pave the way for active development to its own territory," Lavrov added.
That is why tensions and clashes of interests will arise, the top Russian diplomat cautioned. "You know, unlike 2014 when the EU imposed anti-Russian sanctions under enormous pressure from the US, the European Union today is already showing signs of healthy pragmatism," the minister pointed out. "In particular, they publicly announced that they would revisit the five ill-famed principles by Federica Mogherini, which were shaped a few years ago to advance relations with Russia," the diplomat elaborated.
Moreover, Lavrov pointed to a statement made by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, who said that sanctions are not a tool, which should be used in ties with China, when asked whether the EU might impose some restrictions on Beijing over the developments in Hong Kong. "We inquired whether Borrell still thinks that sanctions are a means that can be used in relations with Russia. However, our European friends will ponder over that," Lavrov added.
Overcoming lack of foresight


tass--2020-07-10--Meilan airport's new terminal to be ready by the end of 2020

HAIKOU , July 10 .
/TASS/ .
The bulk of the work on the second phase of expanding Meilan International Airport in Haikou has been completed , and by the end of 2020 the new facilities including the second terminal will be commissioned , reported www.hinews.cn .
The airport 's expansion is an important part of the project for Hainan 's free trade port , since most of the passenger and freight traffic falls on air transport .
As part of the second phase of this project , new runways with a total length of 3.6 km were built , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with an area of 296,000 square meters .
At least 17.8 billion yuan ( about $ 2.5 billion ) were invested in the construction of new infrastructure .
All this new infrastructure , the news outlet writes , will increase the total annual passenger flow to 45 million people , and the volume of freight traffic — up to 600,000 tonnes .
It is also planned to increase international passenger traffic from 8 million to 10 million people annually .
The second terminal was designed jointly by both Chinese and foreign companies .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ culture into the project .
With the help of various decorative elements depicting waves , beaches and beautiful landscapes , the atmosphere of a tropical island is recreated in the airport 's central hall .
The opening of China 's largest duty free store , located in the airport building , will become a part of the second phase of Meilan 's expansion project .
In early June , the authorities raised the quota for one person for purchases in duty-free shops on Hainan from 30,000 to 100,000 yuan ( from $ 4,200 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as expanding the list of duty free goods .

HAIKOU, July 10. /TASS/. The bulk of the work on the second phase of expanding Meilan International Airport in Haikou has been completed, and by the end of 2020 the new facilities including the second terminal will be commissioned, reported www.hinews.cn.
The airport's expansion is an important part of the project for Hainan's free trade port, since most of the passenger and freight traffic falls on air transport. As part of the second phase of this project, new runways with a total length of 3.6 km were built, as well as a second airport terminal with an area of 296,000 square meters. At least 17.8 billion yuan (about $ 2.5 billion) were invested in the construction of new infrastructure.
All this new infrastructure, the news outlet writes, will increase the total annual passenger flow to 45 million people, and the volume of freight traffic — up to 600,000 tonnes. It is also planned to increase international passenger traffic from 8 million to 10 million people annually.
The second terminal was designed jointly by both Chinese and foreign companies. Architects integrated many elements of Hainan's culture into the project. With the help of various decorative elements depicting waves, beaches and beautiful landscapes, the atmosphere of a tropical island is recreated in the airport's central hall.
The opening of China's largest duty free store, located in the airport building, will become a part of the second phase of Meilan's expansion project. In early June, the authorities raised the quota for one person for purchases in duty-free shops on Hainan from 30,000 to 100,000 yuan (from $ 4,200 to $ 14,200), as well as expanding the list of duty free goods.


tass--2020-07-11--Around 400,000 tourists visited Crimea in first 10 days of tourist season

SIMFEROPOL , July 11 .
/TASS/ .
About 400,000 people visited the resorts of Crimea in the first 10 days @ @ @ @ @ of tourists from Russian regions were lifted , the authorities expect that about 1.5 mln @ @ @ @ @ in July , Minister of Resorts and Tourism of the Republic of Crimea Vadim Volchenko @ @ @ @ @ Over the first 10 days , Crimea has already received 400,000 tourists , according to @ @ @ @ @ , about 1.5 mln tourists will visit Crimea , '' Volchenko said .
He added @ @ @ @ @ to last year .
The holiday season in Crimea was delayed due to the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ of the peninsula began to receive tourists from other regions of the country from July @ @ @ @ @ , they have worked only for residents of the region for two weeks .
At @ @ @ @ @ , Head of Crimea Sergey Aksyonov said that Simferopol Airport now receives 17,000 passengers daily @ @ @ @ @ the passenger flow is rising after restrictions for tourists were lifted .

SIMFEROPOL, July 11. /TASS/. About 400,000 people visited the resorts of Crimea in the first 10 days after restrictions on the arrival of tourists from Russian regions were lifted, the authorities expect that about 1.5 mln tourists will visit the peninsula in July, Minister of Resorts and Tourism of the Republic of Crimea Vadim Volchenko said on Saturday.
"Over the first 10 days, Crimea has already received 400,000 tourists, according to our forecasts - in July, about 1.5 mln tourists will visit Crimea," Volchenko said.
He added that these figures are comparable to last year.
The holiday season in Crimea was delayed due to the pandemic. The hotels and sanatoriums of the peninsula began to receive tourists from other regions of the country from July 1. Prior to this, they have worked only for residents of the region for two weeks. At a press conference in TASS, Head of Crimea Sergey Aksyonov said that Simferopol Airport now receives 17,000 passengers daily and 8,000 people depart, the passenger flow is rising after restrictions for tourists were lifted.


tass--2020-07-11--Russia’s Communications Ministry publishes export flights schedule until July 19

MOSCOW , July 11 .
/TASS/ .
The Ministry of Communications of Russia updated the schedule of repatriation flights for the period until July 19 , the ministry said in its Telegram channel .
In particular , flights to Moscow from London and Paris will take place on July 11 , as well as flights Baku - Zhukovsky and Chisinau - Krasnodar .
Flights Bishkek - Moscow , Baku - Moscow , Ho Chi Minh City - Irkutsk , New York - St. Petersburg and New York - Rostov-on-Don are scheduled for the next day , July 12 .
Flights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as a flight from Tashkent to St. Petersburg will be operated on July 13 .
On Tuesday , July 14 , a flight from Goa to Moscow is expected , and flights from Guangzhou to Moscow , Osh - Moscow , and Yerevan - St. Petersburg - are expected the next day , July 15 .
Flights to Moscow from Phuket , Bangkok , and Tashkent are scheduled for July 16 , as well as Bishkek - Novosibirsk flight .
On July 17 , Alicante - Moscow , Dushanbe - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planned .
Flights on the route from Prague - Moscow , Osh - Novosibirsk , Seoul - Vladivostok , Belgrade - Moscow , Paris - Moscow are scheduled for July 18 , as well as a flight from Frankfurt am Main to Moscow .
On July 19 , export flights will take place to Moscow from Dubai , to Yekaterinburg from Yerevan and to Vladivostok from Tashkent .
Due to the pandemic , Russia closed international air traffic on March 27 , only special repatriation flights to return passengers home can be carried @ @

MOSCOW, July 11. /TASS/. The Ministry of Communications of Russia updated the schedule of repatriation flights for the period until July 19, the ministry said in its Telegram channel.
In particular, flights to Moscow from London and Paris will take place on July 11, as well as flights Baku - Zhukovsky and Chisinau - Krasnodar. Flights Bishkek - Moscow, Baku - Moscow, Ho Chi Minh City - Irkutsk, New York - St. Petersburg and New York - Rostov-on-Don are scheduled for the next day, July 12.
Flights from Denpasar to St. Petersburg and Rostov-on-Don, as well as a flight from Tashkent to St. Petersburg will be operated on July 13. On Tuesday, July 14, a flight from Goa to Moscow is expected, and flights from Guangzhou to Moscow, Osh - Moscow, and Yerevan - St. Petersburg - are expected the next day, July 15.
Flights to Moscow from Phuket, Bangkok, and Tashkent are scheduled for July 16, as well as Bishkek - Novosibirsk flight. On July 17, Alicante - Moscow, Dushanbe - Zhukovsky, Yerevan - Sochi flights are planned. Flights on the route from Prague - Moscow, Osh - Novosibirsk, Seoul - Vladivostok, Belgrade - Moscow, Paris - Moscow are scheduled for July 18, as well as a flight from Frankfurt am Main to Moscow. On July 19, export flights will take place to Moscow from Dubai, to Yekaterinburg from Yerevan and to Vladivostok from Tashkent.
Due to the pandemic, Russia closed international air traffic on March 27, only special repatriation flights to return passengers home can be carried out.


tass--2020-07-11--Situation in Russia’s labor market stabilizes - recruiters

MOSCOW , July 11 .
/TASS/ .
The situation on the labor market in Russia is beginning to gradually stabilize , the number of vacancies is growing , especially in education and science .
At the same time , due to the epidemiological situation , employers are in no hurry to return staff to offices , therefore , even after the pandemic , a number of companies plan to transfer employees to a combined form of employment , experts from recruiting companies told TASS .
Commercial Director at Work.ru service Vladimir Koritsky told TASS that a number of companies will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ works at the office for two or three days a week and works remotely other days .
`` According to our surveys , 30 % of respondents are ready to alternate work from the office with a remote mode of operation , and 20 % are satisfied with the ‘ remote ’ and agree to continue working in this format , '' he said .
Managing partner of Zoom Executive Search Olga Shcherbakova believes that many companies have already resumed their previous working hours , but up to 50 % of companies that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees the opportunity to work from home two or three days a week .
Speaking about the current situation on the labor market , experts said that the numbers of vacancies and CVs are now growing .
According to Work.ru service , the number of new employers increased 1.5-fold in June compared with May .
In late June , Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said that the number of officially registered unemployed since April 1 has grown 3.5-fold .
However , a sharp increase in unemployment was avoided .
He considers the fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , despite the already adopted set of decisions to support those who have lost their jobs or are at risk of being fired .
Minister of Labor and Social Protection Anton Kotyakov said that in May , the unemployment rate in Russia was 6.1 % .
According to him , the country 's labor market has passed the peak of the pandemic and is expected to stabilize in the Q4 of 2020 .

MOSCOW, July 11. /TASS/. The situation on the labor market in Russia is beginning to gradually stabilize, the number of vacancies is growing, especially in education and science. At the same time, due to the epidemiological situation, employers are in no hurry to return staff to offices, therefore, even after the pandemic, a number of companies plan to transfer employees to a combined form of employment, experts from recruiting companies told TASS.
Commercial Director at Work.ru service Vladimir Koritsky told TASS that a number of companies will use a combined approach when a person works at the office for two or three days a week and works remotely other days. "According to our surveys, 30% of respondents are ready to alternate work from the office with a remote mode of operation, and 20% are satisfied with the ‘remote’ and agree to continue working in this format," he said.
Managing partner of Zoom Executive Search Olga Shcherbakova believes that many companies have already resumed their previous working hours, but up to 50% of companies that do not have nonstop production give their employees the opportunity to work from home two or three days a week.
Speaking about the current situation on the labor market, experts said that the numbers of vacancies and CVs are now growing. According to Work.ru service, the number of new employers increased 1.5-fold in June compared with May.
In late June, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said that the number of officially registered unemployed since April 1 has grown 3.5-fold. However, a sharp increase in unemployment was avoided. He considers the fight against unemployment a priority for the government, despite the already adopted set of decisions to support those who have lost their jobs or are at risk of being fired.
Minister of Labor and Social Protection Anton Kotyakov said that in May, the unemployment rate in Russia was 6.1%. According to him, the country's labor market has passed the peak of the pandemic and is expected to stabilize in the Q4 of 2020.


tass--2020-07-11--Over 277,000 people remain under medical supervision in Russian due to coronavirus

MOSCOW , July 11 .
/TASS/ .
About 277,000 people remain under medical supervision in Russia due to suspected coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing said on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ under medical supervision in Russia , '' the report said .
According to the agency @ @ @ @ @ tests for coronavirus have been performed , 320,000 tests were done per day .

MOSCOW, July 11. /TASS/. About 277,000 people remain under medical supervision in Russia due to suspected coronavirus infection, press service of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing said on Saturday.
"277,896 people remain under medical supervision in Russia," the report said.
According to the agency, more than 22.7 mln tests for coronavirus have been performed, 320,000 tests were done per day.


tass--2020-07-11--Five people injured in gas explosion in Nizhny Novgorod

MOSCOW , July 11 .
/TASS/ .
Five people were injured in a gas explosion followed by a fire in @ @ @ @ @ Novgorod , press service of the city ’ s government administration told reporters on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ people have been injured in a gas explosion , three of them were slightly injured @ @ @ @ @ the spot , hospitalization was not required .
Two more people , a man and @ @ @ @ @ to a hospital .
Their condition does not cause any concerns , '' the press @ @ @ @ @ the Ministry of Emergency Situation reported three injured .
According to the Ministry , the @ @ @ @ @ happened in an apartment on the sixth floor of a nine-story panel apartment building .
@ @ @ @ @ the sixth and seventh floors were damaged .

MOSCOW, July 11. /TASS/. Five people were injured in a gas explosion followed by a fire in a residential building in Nizhny Novgorod, press service of the city’s government administration told reporters on Saturday.
"Currently, five people have been injured in a gas explosion, three of them were slightly injured, doctors examined them on the spot, hospitalization was not required. Two more people, a man and a woman, were taken to a hospital. Their condition does not cause any concerns," the press service said.
Earlier, the Ministry of Emergency Situation reported three injured. According to the Ministry, the explosion of an air-gas mixture happened in an apartment on the sixth floor of a nine-story panel apartment building. Inter-apartment partitions, floors between the sixth and seventh floors were damaged.


tass--2020-07-11--Russia reports 6,611 new coronavirus cases

MOSCOW , July 11 .
/TASS/ .
The number of people infected with coronavirus increased in Russia by 6,611 over the day , the total number of infected reached 720,547 the operational headquarters to combat the spread of new coronavirus infection reported on Saturday .
According to the data , daily growth did not exceed 0.9 % in five days .
The lowest growth rates per day were recorded in the Nenets Autonomous District ( 0 % ) , Chukotka Autonomous District ( 0 % ) , Moscow ( 0.3 % ) , Moscow region ( 0.3 % ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chechnya ( 0.4 % ) , Kaliningrad region ( 0.5 % ) .
In particular , new 678 cases were detected in Moscow , 296 - in St. Petersburg , 280 - in the Sverdlovsk Region , 268 - in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug , 228 - in the Altai Territory .
Currently , 211,896 patients with coronavirus are continuing treatment in Russia .
The number of recovered patients diagnosed with coronavirus increased in Russia by 8,378 over the day , a total of 497,446 people recovered .
According to the report , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 69 % of the total number of coronavirus cases in Russia .
In particular , 1,002 patients were discharged over the day in Moscow , 497 - in the Arkhangelsk region , 353 - in the Nizhny Novgorod region , 345 - in the Voronezh region and 32 - in the Moscow region .
The number of deaths due to coronavirus in Russia increased by 188 per day against 174 the day before , a total of 11,205 people died from the virus .
According to the report , the share of deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Russia .
During the day , 42 deaths were recorded in St. Petersburg , 29 in Moscow , 13 in the Krasnoyarsk Territory , 10 in the Arkhangelsk Region , 7 in the Novgorod Region , and 6 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region .

MOSCOW, July 11. /TASS/. The number of people infected with coronavirus increased in Russia by 6,611 over the day, the total number of infected reached 720,547 the operational headquarters to combat the spread of new coronavirus infection reported on Saturday.
According to the data, daily growth did not exceed 0.9% in five days.
The lowest growth rates per day were recorded in the Nenets Autonomous District (0%), Chukotka Autonomous District (0%), Moscow (0.3%), Moscow region (0.3%), North Ossetia (0.4%), Chechnya (0.4%), Kaliningrad region (0.5%). In particular, new 678 cases were detected in Moscow, 296 - in St. Petersburg, 280 - in the Sverdlovsk Region, 268 - in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, 228 - in the Altai Territory.
Currently, 211,896 patients with coronavirus are continuing treatment in Russia.
The number of recovered patients diagnosed with coronavirus increased in Russia by 8,378 over the day, a total of 497,446 people recovered. According to the report, the total number of recovered patients exceeded 69% of the total number of coronavirus cases in Russia. In particular, 1,002 patients were discharged over the day in Moscow, 497 - in the Arkhangelsk region, 353 - in the Nizhny Novgorod region, 345 - in the Voronezh region and 32 - in the Moscow region.
The number of deaths due to coronavirus in Russia increased by 188 per day against 174 the day before, a total of 11,205 people died from the virus. According to the report, the share of deaths reaches 1.56% of all coronavirus cases in Russia. During the day, 42 deaths were recorded in St. Petersburg, 29 in Moscow, 13 in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, 10 in the Arkhangelsk Region, 7 in the Novgorod Region, and 6 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region.


tass--2020-07-11--Another 1,002 patients with coronavirus recovered in Moscow

MOSCOW , July 11 .
/TASS/ .
The total number of patients with coronavirus who recovered has grown by 1,002 @ @ @ @ @ Moscow and amounted to 164,095 , Deputy Mayor of Moscow for social development Anastasia Rakova @ @ @ @ @ people who have recovered continues to increase in Moscow .
Over the past day , @ @ @ @ @ undergoing treatment .
The total number of people who recovered from the infection increased to @ @ @ @ @ .
Rakova recalled that after treatment , doctors conduct special studies to confirm the absence @ @ @ @ @ being discharged from hospitals , all patients who need to remain under supervision receive appropriate @ @ @ @ @ Moscow can become plasma donors .
A plasma donor can be a person aged 18 @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus and does not have chronic diseases .
Also , donors should have negative HIV @ @ @ @ @ C tests .
People who have recovered can also become social volunteers and help those @ @ @ @ @ the infection at home .

MOSCOW, July 11. /TASS/. The total number of patients with coronavirus who recovered has grown by 1,002 over the past day in Moscow and amounted to 164,095, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for social development Anastasia Rakova.
"The number of people who have recovered continues to increase in Moscow. Over the past day, another 1,002 patients recovered after undergoing treatment. The total number of people who recovered from the infection increased to 164,095," she said.
Rakova recalled that after treatment, doctors conduct special studies to confirm the absence of the disease. Upon being discharged from hospitals, all patients who need to remain under supervision receive appropriate recommendations.
Recovered residents of Moscow can become plasma donors. A plasma donor can be a person aged 18 to 55 years who had coronavirus and does not have chronic diseases. Also, donors should have negative HIV, hepatitis B, and C tests. People who have recovered can also become social volunteers and help those who are being treated for the infection at home.


tass--2020-07-11--US decision to quit WHO counterproductive — Russian deputy foreign minister

MOSCOW , July 11 .
/TASS/ .
The US decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization is counterproductive and reflects the government ’ s focus on unilateral actions that ignore views of other members of the international community , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in an interview with Duma TV .
`` We view this decision as counterproductive , '' he said .
`` It reflects the same focus on unilateral actions that ignore priorities and approaches of many other members of the international community .
The WHO is a reputed organization with vast expertise in most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when made amid the pandemic that requires consolidation of effort , will do nothing but further polarize the public opinion and weaken multilateral institutions . ''
Ryabkov also mentioned the issue of foreign media ’ s fake reports regarding the novel coronavirus outbreak in Russia , saying that the authors of such publications will criticize Russia no matter what it does .
`` Those are hopeless people who specialize not on spreading information , but on media warfare , '' he said , adding that Russia would continue exposing the truth behind this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said on May 29 that Washington was terminating its relations with the World Health Organization `` because they have failed to make the requested and greatly needed reforms . ''
The US leader claimed the WHO was being controlled by China and accused China and the WHO of not taking due measures to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus infection .
The United States notified the United Nations about its withdrawal from the World Health Organization ( WHO ) from July 6 , 2021 , Stephane Dujarric , Spokesperson for the UN @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, July 11. /TASS/. The US decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization is counterproductive and reflects the government’s focus on unilateral actions that ignore views of other members of the international community, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in an interview with Duma TV.
"We view this decision as counterproductive," he said. "It reflects the same focus on unilateral actions that ignore priorities and approaches of many other members of the international community. The WHO is a reputed organization with vast expertise in most important domains. Such decisions, especially when made amid the pandemic that requires consolidation of effort, will do nothing but further polarize the public opinion and weaken multilateral institutions."
Ryabkov also mentioned the issue of foreign media’s fake reports regarding the novel coronavirus outbreak in Russia, saying that the authors of such publications will criticize Russia no matter what it does.
"Those are hopeless people who specialize not on spreading information, but on media warfare," he said, adding that Russia would continue exposing the truth behind this fake news.
US President Donald Trump said on May 29 that Washington was terminating its relations with the World Health Organization "because they have failed to make the requested and greatly needed reforms." The US leader claimed the WHO was being controlled by China and accused China and the WHO of not taking due measures to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus infection.
The United States notified the United Nations about its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) from July 6, 2021, Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, said.


tass--2020-07-11--Three injured in gas blast in Central Russia — emergencies ministry

MOSCOW , July 11 .
/TASS/ .
Three people were injured in a gas blast that rocked an apartment in @ @ @ @ @ the Central Russian city of Nizhny Novgorod , the Russian emergencies ministry said on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ gas-air mixture took place in an apartment on the sixth floor of a nine-storey < @ @ @ @ @ fire ensued .
Three people were injured , five rescued and 124 evacuated , '' @ @ @ @ @ blast damaged walls and panels separating the sixth and seventh floor .
It also smashed @ @ @ @ @ and on the staircase .
A fire that broke out after the explosion spread to @ @ @ @ @ meters .

MOSCOW, July 11. /TASS/. Three people were injured in a gas blast that rocked an apartment in a nine-storey residential building in the Central Russian city of Nizhny Novgorod, the Russian emergencies ministry said on Saturday.
"A blast of gas-air mixture took place in an apartment on the sixth floor of a nine-storey <…> building. A fire ensued. Three people were injured, five rescued and 124 evacuated," the ministry said.
The blast damaged walls and panels separating the sixth and seventh floor. It also smashed out windows in two apartments and on the staircase.
A fire that broke out after the explosion spread to the area of 10 square meters.


tass--2020-07-11--Washington to impose additional tariffs on French goods worth $1.3 bln

WASHINGTON , July 11 .
/TASS/ .
The US authorities are set to impose additional tariffs of 25 % on French goods worth about $ 1.3 billion , according to a statement by the Office of the US Trade Representative .
The measures , to enter force on January 6 , 2021 , were taken in response to France ’ s plans to introduce taxes for companies that provide digital services , including US ones .
`` This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative ’ s determination to take action in the form of additional duties of 25 % on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
`` The U.S. Trade Representative has further determined to suspend application of the additional duties for a period of up to 180 days . ''
This period would `` allow additional time for bilateral and multilateral discussions that could lead to a satisfactory resolution of this matter , '' the Office of the US Trade Representative said .
The list of goods subject to additional fees mentions , among other things , various cosmetic products and bags .
`` The U.S. Trade representative will continue to monitor the effects of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolution of this matter , '' the document says .
Washington also reserves the right to start levying the tariffs before the 180-day period expires , if it deems necessary .

WASHINGTON, July 11. /TASS/. The US authorities are set to impose additional tariffs of 25% on French goods worth about $1.3 billion, according to a statement by the Office of the US Trade Representative.
The measures, to enter force on January 6, 2021, were taken in response to France’s plans to introduce taxes for companies that provide digital services, including US ones.
"This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative’s determination to take action in the form of additional duties of 25% on products of France," the document says. "The U.S. Trade Representative has further determined to suspend application of the additional duties for a period of up to 180 days."
This period would "allow additional time for bilateral and multilateral discussions that could lead to a satisfactory resolution of this matter," the Office of the US Trade Representative said.
The list of goods subject to additional fees mentions, among other things, various cosmetic products and bags.
"The U.S. Trade representative will continue to monitor the effects of the trade action and the progress made toward resolution of this matter," the document says.
Washington also reserves the right to start levying the tariffs before the 180-day period expires, if it deems necessary.


tass--2020-07-11--All-time high daily count of coronavirus cases registered in US — university

NEW YORK , July 11 .
/TASS/ .
The record-high daily number of about 63,200 newly confirmed novel coronavirus cases @ @ @ @ @ States , according to the Johns Hopkins University , which calculates own statistics on the @ @ @ @ @ and local authorities .
According to the university , a total of 63,200 novel coronaviurus @ @ @ @ @ United States on July 9 .
The New York Times , in turn , reported @ @ @ @ @ been on the increase in 39 US states in the past two weeks .
According @ @ @ @ @ over 12,200,000 people contracted novel coronavirus worldwide , more than 555,000 of them died .
@ @ @ @ @ leader in both confirmed infections ( more than 3.17 million ) and deaths caused by @ @ @ @ @

NEW YORK, July 11. /TASS/. The record-high daily number of about 63,200 newly confirmed novel coronavirus cases was registered in the United States, according to the Johns Hopkins University, which calculates own statistics on the basis of data from federal and local authorities.
According to the university, a total of 63,200 novel coronaviurus cases were registered in the United States on July 9.
The New York Times, in turn, reported that the daily figures have been on the increase in 39 US states in the past two weeks.
According to the latest statistics, over 12,200,000 people contracted novel coronavirus worldwide, more than 555,000 of them died. The US is the world leader in both confirmed infections (more than 3.17 million) and deaths caused by coronavirus (133,969).