tass--2020-07-17--Russia’s coronavirus infection curve going down, but it’s not time to relax, says Kremlin

`` As for a second wave [ of the epidemic ] , we can only use the existing facts : the fact is that the curve is going down in Russia , and every day the number of infections is decreasing .
Albeit slowly , but still decreasing , '' he said in an interview with Avtoradio .
MOSCOW , July 17 .
/TASS/ .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has expressed hope that coronavirus cases will continue to decline in Russia but also called on citizens to not let down their guard and take care of themselves .
Peskov underlined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held the Victory Parade and so on more than two weeks ago , or one incubation period .
`` The life is going strong again , and the incubation period passed , but there is no increase [ in cases ] , '' the spokesman noted .
`` Let ’ s hope that this curve will continue to go down still , let ’ s not relax , think about our health , the health of our close ones , and then everything will be fine , '' Peskov stressed .
In late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 13,964,200 people have been infected worldwide and more than 593,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the illness across the globe .
To date , 759,203 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 539,373 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 12,123 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

"As for a second wave [of the epidemic], we can only use the existing facts: the fact is that the curve is going down in Russia, and every day the number of infections is decreasing. Albeit slowly, but still decreasing," he said in an interview with Avtoradio.
MOSCOW, July 17. /TASS/. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has expressed hope that coronavirus cases will continue to decline in Russia but also called on citizens to not let down their guard and take care of themselves.
Peskov underlined that the country eased many restrictions, held the Victory Parade and so on more than two weeks ago, or one incubation period. "The life is going strong again, and the incubation period passed, but there is no increase [in cases]," the spokesman noted.
"Let’s hope that this curve will continue to go down still, let’s not relax, think about our health, the health of our close ones, and then everything will be fine," Peskov stressed.
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 13,964,200 people have been infected worldwide and more than 593,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 8,295,200 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, 759,203 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 539,373 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 12,123 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-07-17--Serbia’s coronavirus cases top 20,000

Serbia’s coronavirus cases top 20,000

BELGRADE , July 17 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus infections in Serbia increased by 392 in the past 24 hours to reach 20,109 , while the number of coronavirus-related fatalities climbed to 452 , the national health ministry said Friday .
According to the agency , 10 more people died in the past 24 hours , the death rate stands at 2.25 % , while 184 coronavirus patients are put on ventilators .
In a single day , 9,910 people were tested for the virus .
On Thursday , the ministry reported 383 new infections .
Overall , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , meanwhile , 534,488 people were tested for the virus across the country .
Currently , 20 cities and municipalities across Serbia imposed a state of emergency .
According to medical workers , the second wave in the country is distinguished by severe symptoms and a large number of younger people among those who contracted the virus .
The average age of the infected people is between 30 and 50 , 70 % of the cases report pneumonia .
The national healthcare system is currently overloaded , hospitals are full .
Doctors also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Serbia on July 7 worsened the epidemiological situation .
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 13,964,200 people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 8,295,200 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

BELGRADE, July 17. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus infections in Serbia increased by 392 in the past 24 hours to reach 20,109, while the number of coronavirus-related fatalities climbed to 452, the national health ministry said Friday.
According to the agency, 10 more people died in the past 24 hours, the death rate stands at 2.25%, while 184 coronavirus patients are put on ventilators. In a single day, 9,910 people were tested for the virus. On Thursday, the ministry reported 383 new infections. Overall, the country hospitalized 4,716 patients with coronavirus, meanwhile, 534,488 people were tested for the virus across the country.
Currently, 20 cities and municipalities across Serbia imposed a state of emergency. According to medical workers, the second wave in the country is distinguished by severe symptoms and a large number of younger people among those who contracted the virus. The average age of the infected people is between 30 and 50, 70% of the cases report pneumonia. The national healthcare system is currently overloaded, hospitals are full. Doctors also note that mass rallies that broke out in Serbia on July 7 worsened the epidemiological situation.
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 13,964,200 people have been infected worldwide and more than 593,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 8,295,200 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-07-17--Criminal cases initiated against heads of penal colony where terror group was established

MOSCOW , July 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Investigative Committee initiated criminal proceedings against former authorities of the penitentiary colony in the Kalmykia Region , where the so-called jamaat involving about 100 convicts was in effect for two years , the Committee press service told TASS '' Two criminal proceedings were initiated against [ penalty head ] Pavel Batayev , suspected of [ facilitation of organization of terror group ] and [ former colony head ] Artur Tsamayev , suspected of [ facilitation of organization of terror group ] and [ taking bribes on high or significant scale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In mid-2013 , Dagestan resident Shakhban Gasanov , imprisoned for arms trade , established a terror group inside the penal colony .
Following his release in 2015 , he declared himself an amir ( leader ) ; he was later eliminated on March 31 , 2015 , during attempted murder of a law enforcement officer .
According to the investigation , between mid-2019 and December 2019 , over 100 prisoners joined the terror group .
According to the investigation , colony head Batayev and his deputy Tsamayev assisted the group leadership in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phones , tablets , forbidden extremist literature , audio and video materials , and paraphernalia of outlawed terror groups .
Group members were warned of planned searches in advance .
`` Batayev has been apprehended .
Tsamayev is already in custody over another criminal episode .
They will be indicted shortly , '' the Committee said .
`` The investigation checks them for involvement in other crimes ; the investigation seeks to identify other accomplices .
`` .

MOSCOW, July 17. /TASS/. Russia’s Investigative Committee initiated criminal proceedings against former authorities of the penitentiary colony in the Kalmykia Region, where the so-called jamaat involving about 100 convicts was in effect for two years, the Committee press service told TASS
"Two criminal proceedings were initiated against [penalty head] Pavel Batayev, suspected of [facilitation of organization of terror group] and [former colony head] Artur Tsamayev, suspected of [facilitation of organization of terror group] and [taking bribes on high or significant scale]," the Investigative Committee said.
In mid-2013, Dagestan resident Shakhban Gasanov, imprisoned for arms trade, established a terror group inside the penal colony. Following his release in 2015, he declared himself an amir (leader); he was later eliminated on March 31, 2015, during attempted murder of a law enforcement officer. According to the investigation, between mid-2019 and December 2019, over 100 prisoners joined the terror group.
According to the investigation, colony head Batayev and his deputy Tsamayev assisted the group leadership in exchange for monetary reward: provided mobile phones, tablets, forbidden extremist literature, audio and video materials, and paraphernalia of outlawed terror groups. Group members were warned of planned searches in advance.
"Batayev has been apprehended. Tsamayev is already in custody over another criminal episode. They will be indicted shortly," the Committee said. "The investigation checks them for involvement in other crimes; the investigation seeks to identify other accomplices.".


tass--2020-07-17--Regions of Russia and Japan continue dialogue despite pandemic

TOKYO , July 17 .
/TASS/ .
The dialogue between the regions of Russia and Japan continues , despite the difficult situation with the coronavirus , Pyotr Pavlenko , trade representative of Russia in Japan , said in an interview with TASS .
`` At the moment , the events of the Year of Interregional and Sister City Exchanges have been postponed indefinitely for objective reasons .
But the dialogue with Russian regions continues in the current difficult conditions , '' he said .
According to the official , the trade mission , together with the regions of the Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ B2B matches .
In particular , on May 21 , an online conference was held with business circles of Russia ’ s Altai Territory and on May 28 , a full-fledged online presentation of Moscow enterprises for the Japanese business community was held , he said .
It was organized by the Moscow Export Center and the Russian Trade Mission in Japan with the assistance of the Japan Association for Trade with Russia and the newly independent states ( ROTOBO ) , as well as the Japan External Trade Organization ( JETRO ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business event was held with the Yaroslavl region , and on July 3 - with the Rostov region , the official said .
`` Thus , the trade mission continues to maintain close contacts with the regions that are already working or are establishing ties with Japan , '' Pavlenko said .
At the same time , he stressed the importance of live events and communication between the representatives of the two countries .
`` That is why we still hope that the events within the framework of the Year of Interregional Exchanges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with some changes in the schedule , and the online events will become a worthy preparatory stage and addition to the program , '' he added .

TOKYO, July 17. /TASS/. The dialogue between the regions of Russia and Japan continues, despite the difficult situation with the coronavirus, Pyotr Pavlenko, trade representative of Russia in Japan, said in an interview with TASS.
"At the moment, the events of the Year of Interregional and Sister City Exchanges have been postponed indefinitely for objective reasons. But the dialogue with Russian regions continues in the current difficult conditions," he said.
According to the official, the trade mission, together with the regions of the Russian Federation, successfully holds online conferences and B2B matches. In particular, on May 21, an online conference was held with business circles of Russia’s Altai Territory and on May 28, a full-fledged online presentation of Moscow enterprises for the Japanese business community was held, he said. It was organized by the Moscow Export Center and the Russian Trade Mission in Japan with the assistance of the Japan Association for Trade with Russia and the newly independent states (ROTOBO), as well as the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). On June 4, an online business event was held with the Yaroslavl region, and on July 3 - with the Rostov region, the official said.
"Thus, the trade mission continues to maintain close contacts with the regions that are already working or are establishing ties with Japan," Pavlenko said.
At the same time, he stressed the importance of live events and communication between the representatives of the two countries.
"That is why we still hope that the events within the framework of the Year of Interregional Exchanges will take place as planned, albeit with some changes in the schedule, and the online events will become a worthy preparatory stage and addition to the program," he added.


tass--2020-07-17--COVID-19 infection detected in ninth Russian expert arriving in Vietnam

HANOI , July 17 .
/TASS/ .
Vietnamese healthcare workers have confirmed the coronavirus infection of the ninth member of a group of Russian specialists who arrived in Vietnam via a charter flight on July 11 , Vietnam ’ s national coordinating committee on prevention and control for COVID-19 acute respiratory disease reported on Friday .
`` For a 64-year-old Russian expert who arrived from Russia on July 11 aboard the flight IO4405 , the repeat test for the coronavirus infection gave a positive result , '' the committee ’ s statement said .
The first test conducted immediately upon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , on the evening of June 15 , his body temperature went up and it has been decided to admit him to a hospital in the southern Vietnam province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau .
Earlier this week the coronavirus infection was detected in eight other passengers of the charter flight .
All infected are men aged 30 to 55 .
They work for the Arktikmorneftegazrazvedka enterprise which is a contractor of oil rigs of the joint venture Vietsovpetro ( a Russian-Vietnamese joint venture with the participation of the Zarubezhneft oil and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there were 69 people aboard the charter flight for oil industry experts , organized by their enterprise .
After arriving at the airport of the Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam they were transported to remain under observation in the province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau where the headquarters of Vietsovpetro are located .
Including the infected Russians , the total number of coronavirus patients in Vietnam as of July 17 has risen to 382 .
As many as 356 people have already recovered .
Vietnam itself has reported no new coronavirus cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days .
Over 12,300 people remain under observation .
Against the background of a positive dynamics , Vietnamese authorities have lifted all restrictions related to the regime of social isolation in the country .
Soon the government intends to restore gradually regular international flights halted due to the pandemic in March of this year .

HANOI, July 17. /TASS/. Vietnamese healthcare workers have confirmed the coronavirus infection of the ninth member of a group of Russian specialists who arrived in Vietnam via a charter flight on July 11, Vietnam’s national coordinating committee on prevention and control for COVID-19 acute respiratory disease reported on Friday.
"For a 64-year-old Russian expert who arrived from Russia on July 11 aboard the flight IO4405, the repeat test for the coronavirus infection gave a positive result," the committee’s statement said. The first test conducted immediately upon his arrival in Vietnam had been negative. However, on the evening of June 15, his body temperature went up and it has been decided to admit him to a hospital in the southern Vietnam province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau.
Earlier this week the coronavirus infection was detected in eight other passengers of the charter flight. All infected are men aged 30 to 55. They work for the Arktikmorneftegazrazvedka enterprise which is a contractor of oil rigs of the joint venture Vietsovpetro (a Russian-Vietnamese joint venture with the participation of the Zarubezhneft oil and gas holding).
In all, there were 69 people aboard the charter flight for oil industry experts, organized by their enterprise. After arriving at the airport of the Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam they were transported to remain under observation in the province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau where the headquarters of Vietsovpetro are located.
Epidemic in Vietnam
Including the infected Russians, the total number of coronavirus patients in Vietnam as of July 17 has risen to 382. As many as 356 people have already recovered.
Vietnam itself has reported no new coronavirus cases inside the country for the past 92 days. Over 12,300 people remain under observation.
Against the background of a positive dynamics, Vietnamese authorities have lifted all restrictions related to the regime of social isolation in the country. Soon the government intends to restore gradually regular international flights halted due to the pandemic in March of this year.


tass--2020-07-17--Russian Black Sea Fleet ships deploy to designated areas in snap combat readiness check

SEVASTOPOL , July 17 .
/TASS/ .
Black Sea Fleet ships deployed to designated areas at naval ranges in the Black Sea as part of a snap combat readiness check , the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Friday .
`` This morning , the Black Sea Fleet units went on alert and a part of the Fleet ’ s naval forces deployed to dispersal and designated areas in the Black Sea .
During the exercise , the ships ’ crews made their urgent preparation for a battle and practiced withdrawing the main forces from a notional enemy ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The ships that were accomplishing assigned tasks at sea when the snap combat readiness check was announced , also received a command to deploy to the designated areas , according to the statement .
The surprise combat readiness check involves over 3,000 personnel and more than 300 items of military hardware , including warships and combat aircraft , and also the troops and equipment of the Black Sea Fleet ’ s army corps .
The surprise combat readiness check for the troops of the Southern and Western Military Districts , marine infantry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some units of the Central Command and also for the Airborne Force started on Friday on order of Russia ’ s Supreme Commander-in-Chief President Vladimir Putin .
Overall , the snap combat readiness check involves about 150,000 troops , over 26,000 items of military hardware , 414 aircraft and 106 warships and vessels .

SEVASTOPOL, July 17. /TASS/. Black Sea Fleet ships deployed to designated areas at naval ranges in the Black Sea as part of a snap combat readiness check, the Fleet’s press office reported on Friday.
"This morning, the Black Sea Fleet units went on alert and a part of the Fleet’s naval forces deployed to dispersal and designated areas in the Black Sea. During the exercise, the ships’ crews made their urgent preparation for a battle and practiced withdrawing the main forces from a notional enemy’s strike," the statement says.
The ships that were accomplishing assigned tasks at sea when the snap combat readiness check was announced, also received a command to deploy to the designated areas, according to the statement.
The surprise combat readiness check involves over 3,000 personnel and more than 300 items of military hardware, including warships and combat aircraft, and also the troops and equipment of the Black Sea Fleet’s army corps.
The surprise combat readiness check for the troops of the Southern and Western Military Districts, marine infantry of the Northern and Pacific Fleets and some units of the Central Command and also for the Airborne Force started on Friday on order of Russia’s Supreme Commander-in-Chief President Vladimir Putin.
Overall, the snap combat readiness check involves about 150,000 troops, over 26,000 items of military hardware, 414 aircraft and 106 warships and vessels.


tass--2020-07-17--RDIF delivers to Kazakhstan first 9,500 packs of Avifavir

Within the framework of the memorandum the RDIF has already delivered to Kazakhstan first batches of the anticoronaviral drug Avifavir .
MOSCOW , July 17 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) and the Kazakh National Welfare Fund Samruk Kazyna have signed a memorandum of cooperation in order to counteract the coronavirus infection , the RDIF statement said .
`` The international cooperation is a key condition for a successful fight against the coronavirus pandemic .
The RDIF actively interacts with the Samruk Kazyna foundation in order to deliver to Kazakhstan the cutting-edge Russian solutions for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received 9,500 packs of Avifavir - the world ’ s first registered favipiravir-based drug against the coronavirus with clinically proven effectiveness , '' as the statement quotes head of the RDIF Kirill Dmitriev .
The RDIF and the Samruk Kazyna foundation have also agreed on cooperation in clinical trials , purchases , and the production of a vaccine against the coronavirus .
According to the memorandum , the sides will consider the opportunities to obtain in Kazakhstan the necessary certification for the first Russian vaccine against the coronavirus produced by the Gamaleya National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian Healthcare Ministry for the subsequent deliveries or localization of the vaccine production in Kazakhstan .

Within the framework of the memorandum the RDIF has already delivered to Kazakhstan first batches of the anticoronaviral drug Avifavir.
MOSCOW, July 17. /TASS/. The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and the Kazakh National Welfare Fund Samruk Kazyna have signed a memorandum of cooperation in order to counteract the coronavirus infection, the RDIF statement said.
"The international cooperation is a key condition for a successful fight against the coronavirus pandemic. The RDIF actively interacts with the Samruk Kazyna foundation in order to deliver to Kazakhstan the cutting-edge Russian solutions for fighting the COVID-19. Kazakhstan has already received 9,500 packs of Avifavir - the world’s first registered favipiravir-based drug against the coronavirus with clinically proven effectiveness," as the statement quotes head of the RDIF Kirill Dmitriev.
The RDIF and the Samruk Kazyna foundation have also agreed on cooperation in clinical trials, purchases, and the production of a vaccine against the coronavirus. According to the memorandum, the sides will consider the opportunities to obtain in Kazakhstan the necessary certification for the first Russian vaccine against the coronavirus produced by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry for the subsequent deliveries or localization of the vaccine production in Kazakhstan.


tass--2020-07-17--Made in Russia products have good prospects in Japan, says trade representative

TOKYO , July 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian trade mission in Japan is actively working on creation of a positive image of Russian made products in that country , Pyotr Pavlenko , Russia ’ s trade representative in Japan , told TASS .
According to Pavlenko , his mission is providing comprehensive support to Russian companies seeking promotion of their products in Japan .
He noted that Japanese importers still know little about Russia and are wary of new Russian products supplied to their market .
`` We always try not only to advise each individual company , but to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made in Russia '' slogan .
We clearly explain to our Japanese partners that Russia has wonderful natural food , folk art , high-quality cosmetics , competitive medicines , products of the fashion industry , IT technologies , '' the official said .
Pavlenko stressed that food products from Russia , including agricultural products , have good prospects in the Japanese market .
`` We believe that Russian food products - grains , cereals , honey , berries , certain types of vegetables , confectionery , sausages , tea , various phyto products @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market , '' he said .
According to him , in 2019 , supplies of Russian honey to the Japanese market increased by 48 % , supplies of vegetables and cereals grew by 23 % and 44 % respectively and export of nuts and fruits soared 320 % '' Unfortunately , we are seeing a drop in exports of many products in the first quarter of 2020 , but this is a temporary phenomenon , and as soon as the business chains recover , the supply of Russian food products to the Japanese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trade representative said .
Pavlenko also pointed at good prospects for cooperation in the aluminum industry .
In particular , it concerns supplies of Russian primary aluminum with a low carbon footprint to the Japanese market .
`` There are prospects for the creation of new capacities in Russia , for example , the production of car wheels for Japanese car manufacturers , '' he noted .
According to the trade representative , Japanese companies ’ demand for concentrates and alloys of non-ferrous metals from Russian producers is also steadily growing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the metals themselves , but also in a wide range of technical products based on precious metal alloys with high added value : catalytic systems , glass-melting devices , thermometric and laboratory products , pharmaceuticals based on platinum and other non-ferrous metals , '' he noted .
The Russian trade representative also named active interaction between the two countries in the field of innovation and digital technologies .
`` Let me tell you about the latest success in this area .
In April 2020 , the Russian manufacturer of educational robotics ROBBO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Japan , '' he said .
According to the official , the company was one of the first in the Japanese market to offer online training in programming , 3D modeling and robotics .
`` ROBBO Japan was registered in December 2019 at the invitation of the Japanese government , following the company 's successful participation in CEATEC-2019 , organized with the direct assistance of our trade office , '' he added .

TOKYO, July 17. /TASS/. Russian trade mission in Japan is actively working on creation of a positive image of Russian made products in that country, Pyotr Pavlenko, Russia’s trade representative in Japan, told TASS.
According to Pavlenko, his mission is providing comprehensive support to Russian companies seeking promotion of their products in Japan. He noted that Japanese importers still know little about Russia and are wary of new Russian products supplied to their market.
"We always try not only to advise each individual company, but to hold events presenting different goods under "made in Russia" slogan. We clearly explain to our Japanese partners that Russia has wonderful natural food, folk art, high-quality cosmetics, competitive medicines, products of the fashion industry, IT technologies," the official said.
Pavlenko stressed that food products from Russia, including agricultural products, have good prospects in the Japanese market.
"We believe that Russian food products - grains, cereals, honey, berries, certain types of vegetables, confectionery, sausages, tea, various phyto products - have significant prospects in the Japanese market," he said.
According to him, in 2019, supplies of Russian honey to the Japanese market increased by 48%, supplies of vegetables and cereals grew by 23% and 44% respectively and export of nuts and fruits soared 320%
"Unfortunately, we are seeing a drop in exports of many products in the first quarter of 2020, but this is a temporary phenomenon, and as soon as the business chains recover, the supply of Russian food products to the Japanese market will continue to grow," the trade representative said.
Trade prospects
Pavlenko also pointed at good prospects for cooperation in the aluminum industry. In particular, it concerns supplies of Russian primary aluminum with a low carbon footprint to the Japanese market.
"There are prospects for the creation of new capacities in Russia, for example, the production of car wheels for Japanese car manufacturers," he noted.
According to the trade representative, Japanese companies’ demand for concentrates and alloys of non-ferrous metals from Russian producers is also steadily growing.
"The Japanese are interested not only in the metals themselves, but also in a wide range of technical products based on precious metal alloys with high added value: catalytic systems, glass-melting devices, thermometric and laboratory products, pharmaceuticals based on platinum and other non-ferrous metals," he noted.
The Russian trade representative also named active interaction between the two countries in the field of innovation and digital technologies.
"Let me tell you about the latest success in this area. In April 2020, the Russian manufacturer of educational robotics ROBBO opened the first two robotics clubs in Japan," he said.
According to the official, the company was one of the first in the Japanese market to offer online training in programming, 3D modeling and robotics.
"ROBBO Japan was registered in December 2019 at the invitation of the Japanese government, following the company's successful participation in CEATEC-2019, organized with the direct assistance of our trade office," he added.


tass--2020-07-17--Russian PM promises to continue to help Kazakhstan combat coronavirus epidemic

MINSK , July 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russia will continue helping Kazakhstan combat the coronavirus infection , Russian Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ at a meeting with his Kazakh counterpart , Askar Mamin .
`` We appreciate friendship @ @ @ @ @ Our joint efforts to combat the coronavirus infection have proved the special , I would @ @ @ @ @ our relations , '' he said .

MINSK, July 17. /TASS/. Russia will continue helping Kazakhstan combat the coronavirus infection, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said on Friday at a meeting with his Kazakh counterpart, Askar Mamin.
"We appreciate friendship and partnership with Kazakhstan. Our joint efforts to combat the coronavirus infection have proved the special, I would say, brotherly character of our relations," he said.


tass--2020-07-17--Russia ready to share its experience of combating COVID epidemic with EAEU partners

MINSK , July 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is ready to share its experience of combating the coronavirus infection with its partners within the Eurasian Economic Union ( EAEU ) and plans to establish mechanisms of such cooperation , Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said on Friday at a meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council , the first one after a long break because of the coronavirus pandemic .
In practical terms , Russia is ready to share its experience of combating the pandemic .
We are helping our partners and plan to establish cooperation mechanisms between the EAEU five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about professional enhancement courses for medical and sanitary workers .
Apart from that , we will continue to donate coronavirus testing systems , reagents and non-contact thermometers , '' he said .
The Russian prime minister thanked the Belarusian partner for organizing this offline meeting of the Council .
`` It obviously means that the coronavirus infection all of our countries have faced is going down but anti-coronavirus efforts are continued , which , of course , require consolidated efforts , '' Mishistin noted .
According to the Russian prime minister , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the coronavirus infection and other communicable diseases among the EAEU countries .
`` In this difficult time , the EAEU has demonstrated its ability to swiftly react to new challenges , '' Mishustin stressed .
The Eurasian Economic Union , an interstate integration economic association of Russia , Armenia , Belarus , Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan , has been functioning since January 1 , 2015 .
Belarus is holding presidency in the EAEU in 2020 .

MINSK, July 17. /TASS/. Russia is ready to share its experience of combating the coronavirus infection with its partners within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and plans to establish mechanisms of such cooperation, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said on Friday at a meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council, the first one after a long break because of the coronavirus pandemic.
In practical terms, Russia is ready to share its experience of combating the pandemic. We are helping our partners and plan to establish cooperation mechanisms between the EAEU five member nations. Thus, it is about professional enhancement courses for medical and sanitary workers. Apart from that, we will continue to donate coronavirus testing systems, reagents and non-contact thermometers," he said.
The Russian prime minister thanked the Belarusian partner for organizing this offline meeting of the Council. "It obviously means that the coronavirus infection all of our countries have faced is going down but anti-coronavirus efforts are continued, which, of course, require consolidated efforts," Mishistin noted.
According to the Russian prime minister, a comprehensive plan is needed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus infection and other communicable diseases among the EAEU countries. "In this difficult time, the EAEU has demonstrated its ability to swiftly react to new challenges," Mishustin stressed.
The Eurasian Economic Union, an interstate integration economic association of Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, has been functioning since January 1, 2015. Belarus is holding presidency in the EAEU in 2020.


tass--2020-07-17--Global coronavirus record: 1.6 million people contract virus in a week

The virus is changing its geographical centers , as Americas and Asia remain local epicenter , the situation is deteriorating in Southern Africa as well as Eastern and Southern Europe .
Authorities of some European states are already declaring the beginning of a second wave , bringing back some restrictions and even lockdowns to fend off the spread .
MOSCOW , July 17 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus infections rose by 1.6 million globally in the past seven days .
This is the highest weekly increase since the pandemic emerged , one month ago this number stood at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not exceed 600,000 .
The global cases have been increasing at 13 % every day for the last week .
At the same time , the current death rate dropped to its minimal figure of 4.3 % .
Overall , almost 600,000 people died from coronavirus-related causes around the world .
On the positive side , recoveries are soaring as around one million people recovered from the virus in a single week .
Overall , 7.7 million people were treated and overcame COVID-19 or approximately 56 % of all cases .
The United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four weeks now , as infection rates went up again after sharply declining back in May .
The number of infections went up by 14.63 % compared to 13.5 % the previous week .
In the last few days , the country has been registering around 70,000 new daily infections , twice as many as in April .
California is struggling the most with around 365,000 known cases followed by Texas ( 313,000 ) , where there are more detected infections than in the United Kingdom or Spain .
More outbreaks are reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other states .
Local authorities are forced to reinstate restrictions that were recently eased and mandate masks in public spaces .
Brazil ’ s weekly increase dropped from the maximum of 22 % in mid-June to 14.5 % .
Nevertheless , the country is registering 35,000-40,000 new cases daily , bringing the total over the two million mark .
Brazil is ranked second in total case in the world after the US .
India follows in third place , where rates of infections are picking up pace .
Overall , the country has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported in the past 24 hours .
The weekly increase stands at 27 % , last week had similar figures .
South Africa is also recording high infection rates ( 36 % growth , 324,000 infections ) , as well as Colombia ( 29 % , 173,000 ) and Argentina ( 26.6 % , 114,000 ) .
South Africa is the main epicenter in Africa where 12,500 new cases are identified daily on average , the country rose from 13th place in the world to 6th in total case in seven days .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ late June when borders reopened .
The situation deteriorated further after the European Union officially resumed air travel .
Eastern Europe is hit the most , as the subregion ’ s infection rates top those identified in spring .
In particular , this is true for Serbia ( 20,000 cases ) , Romania ( 35,000 ) and Bulgaria ( 8,000 ) where leaderships have no choice but to reimpose tough restrictions to get on top of the situation .
Somewhat worrying figures are reported from such popular touristic destinations as Spain ( 257,500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and France ( 174,000 ) .
However , in the last seven days the infection rates did not accelerate - Italy recorded a 0.6 % increase , Spain had a 0.9 % increase , while France identified 2.2 % more infections .
Out of all European states it is only the UK that remains in the top ten most affected countries , but the infection rates are dropping across the country .
France and Germany can soon leave the top twenty in total infections as well .
Ranked fourth in the world ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improving numbers .
This week , cases only went up by record-low 6.4 % , one of the lowest infection rates in the top ten .
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 world .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the latest statistics , over 13,964,200 people have been infected worldwide and more than 593,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 8,295,200 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

The virus is changing its geographical centers, as Americas and Asia remain local epicenter, the situation is deteriorating in Southern Africa as well as Eastern and Southern Europe. Authorities of some European states are already declaring the beginning of a second wave, bringing back some restrictions and even lockdowns to fend off the spread.
MOSCOW, July 17. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus infections rose by 1.6 million globally in the past seven days. This is the highest weekly increase since the pandemic emerged, one month ago this number stood at one million, while May figures did not exceed 600,000. The global cases have been increasing at 13% every day for the last week.
At the same time, the current death rate dropped to its minimal figure of 4.3%. Overall, almost 600,000 people died from coronavirus-related causes around the world.
On the positive side, recoveries are soaring as around one million people recovered from the virus in a single week. Overall, 7.7 million people were treated and overcame COVID-19 or approximately 56% of all cases.
Local peaks
The United States has been reporting grim figures for four weeks now, as infection rates went up again after sharply declining back in May. The number of infections went up by 14.63% compared to 13.5% the previous week. In the last few days, the country has been registering around 70,000 new daily infections, twice as many as in April.
California is struggling the most with around 365,000 known cases followed by Texas (313,000), where there are more detected infections than in the United Kingdom or Spain. More outbreaks are reported from Arizona, Florida and a few other states. Local authorities are forced to reinstate restrictions that were recently eased and mandate masks in public spaces.
Brazil’s weekly increase dropped from the maximum of 22% in mid-June to 14.5%. Nevertheless, the country is registering 35,000-40,000 new cases daily, bringing the total over the two million mark. Brazil is ranked second in total case in the world after the US.
India follows in third place, where rates of infections are picking up pace. Overall, the country has one million known cases, including 34,900 reported in the past 24 hours. The weekly increase stands at 27%, last week had similar figures.
South Africa is also recording high infection rates (36% growth, 324,000 infections), as well as Colombia (29%, 173,000) and Argentina (26.6%, 114,000). South Africa is the main epicenter in Africa where 12,500 new cases are identified daily on average, the country rose from 13th place in the world to 6th in total case in seven days.
European outbreaks
Local coronavirus outbreaks in Europe emerged in late June when borders reopened. The situation deteriorated further after the European Union officially resumed air travel. Eastern Europe is hit the most, as the subregion’s infection rates top those identified in spring. In particular, this is true for Serbia (20,000 cases), Romania (35,000) and Bulgaria (8,000) where leaderships have no choice but to reimpose tough restrictions to get on top of the situation.
Somewhat worrying figures are reported from such popular touristic destinations as Spain (257,500 infections), Italy (244,000) and France (174,000). However, in the last seven days the infection rates did not accelerate - Italy recorded a 0.6% increase, Spain had a 0.9% increase, while France identified 2.2% more infections.
Out of all European states it is only the UK that remains in the top ten most affected countries, but the infection rates are dropping across the country. France and Germany can soon leave the top twenty in total infections as well.
Ranked fourth in the world (759,200 cases), Russia is reporting improving numbers. This week, cases only went up by record-low 6.4%, one of the lowest infection rates in the top ten.
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 world.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 13,964,200 people have been infected worldwide and more than 593,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 8,295,200 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-07-17--EAEU proves its viability amid pandemic, Armenian PM says

MINSK , July 17 .
/TASS/ .
The Eurasian Economic Union ( EAEU ) has stood the test of the coronavirus pandemic , Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Minsk on Friday .
`` My dear friends , this is our first face-to-face meeting after a long break caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
In this regard , I am pleased to note that our union has stood this test .
It has proved its viability in a crisis situation , showing what an important role it plays in the lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , addressing the meeting ’ s participants .
According to the Armenian prime minister , the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council did not stop its activities , not even for a second , holding online meetings to exchange information on developments in the member states and making decisions crucial for the organization ’ s future .
`` If it hadn ’ t been for strong friendship between our countries and peoples , cooperation within the union would not have been this effective .
It is particularly important for me to highlight the high level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen these days on the part of all our partners in the union , '' Pashinyan noted .
He especially thanked Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk `` for quickly responding to all the issues concerning the need to ensure continuous transport services between Armenia and Russia , which was strategically important for the Armenian economy .
`` .

MINSK, July 17. /TASS/. The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has stood the test of the coronavirus pandemic, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Minsk on Friday.
"My dear friends, this is our first face-to-face meeting after a long break caused by the coronavirus pandemic. In this regard, I am pleased to note that our union has stood this test. It has proved its viability in a crisis situation, showing what an important role it plays in the lives of our countries," he said, addressing the meeting’s participants.
According to the Armenian prime minister, the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council did not stop its activities, not even for a second, holding online meetings to exchange information on developments in the member states and making decisions crucial for the organization’s future.
"If it hadn’t been for strong friendship between our countries and peoples, cooperation within the union would not have been this effective. It is particularly important for me to highlight the high level of cooperation and mutual assistance that we have seen these days on the part of all our partners in the union," Pashinyan noted.
He especially thanked Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk "for quickly responding to all the issues concerning the need to ensure continuous transport services between Armenia and Russia, which was strategically important for the Armenian economy.".


tass--2020-07-17--Anti-coronavirus vaccine tests yielding good results

YEKATERINBURG , July 17 .
/TASS/ .
The first tests of an anti-coronavirus vaccine developed by the Gamalei National Research @ @ @ @ @ have demonstrated good results , Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said on Friday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ ] positively , '' said the minister during is working trip to Yekaterinburg .
`` @ @ @ @ @ be registered in August . ''

YEKATERINBURG, July 17. /TASS/. The first tests of an anti-coronavirus vaccine developed by the Gamalei National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology have demonstrated good results, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said on Friday.
"I assess [the results] positively," said the minister during is working trip to Yekaterinburg. "I think the vaccine will be registered in August."


tass--2020-07-17--Russia, Japan need systemic economic project, says trade envoy

TOKYO , July 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s trade representative in Japan Pyotr Pavlenko believes that Moscow and @ @ @ @ @ project that would trigger the development of bilateral economic relations for the next 10-15 years @ @ @ @ @ project is required to provide a fresh impetus to bilateral relations for the next 10-15 @ @ @ @ @ in an interview with TASS , adding that `` a large gas chemical project , @ @ @ @ @ a large-scale investment project on construction of several dozens of waste recycling plants or cleaning @ @ @ @ @ on Russia ’ s territory with production localization '' could become such a milestone project @ @ @ @ @ time to think about construction of a large-scale theme park in the Primorye Territory to @ @ @ @ @ , '' Pavlenko added .

TOKYO, July 17. /TASS/. Russia’s trade representative in Japan Pyotr Pavlenko believes that Moscow and Tokyo need a joint landmark project that would trigger the development of bilateral economic relations for the next 10-15 years.
"A landmark systemic project is required to provide a fresh impetus to bilateral relations for the next 10-15 years," he said in an interview with TASS, adding that "a large gas chemical project, hydrogen technologies, or probably a large-scale investment project on construction of several dozens of waste recycling plants or cleaning systems under the Japanese technology on Russia’s territory with production localization" could become such a milestone project.
"It is high time to think about construction of a large-scale theme park in the Primorye Territory to attract Japanese and Korean tourists," Pavlenko added.


tass--2020-07-17--Russian fighters shadow Norwegian spy plane over Barents Sea

MOSCOW , July 17 .
/TASS/ .
The Northern Fleet ’ s fighter jets shadowed a Norwegian Air Force P-3C @ @ @ @ @ Barents Sea , Russia ’ s National Defense Control Center reported on Friday .
The @ @ @ @ @ a Norwegian Air Force P-3C Orion reconnaissance plane on July 17 , 2020 , the @ @ @ @ @ fighter aircraft of the Northern Fleet ’ s Air Force and Air Defense Army carried @ @ @ @ @ it said .
No violations of Russia ’ s state border were allowed , the @ @ @ @ @ .
On July 14 , the Russian airspace control systems detected a Norwegian Air Force @ @ @ @ @ the Barents Sea flying towards Russia ’ s state border .
The Northern Fleet ’ @ @ @ @ @ scrambled to identify and intercept the target .

MOSCOW, July 17. /TASS/. The Northern Fleet’s fighter jets shadowed a Norwegian Air Force P-3C Orion reconnaissance plane over the Barents Sea, Russia’s National Defense Control Center reported on Friday.
The Russian airspace control capabilities detected a Norwegian Air Force P-3C Orion reconnaissance plane on July 17, 2020, the Center said.
"The fighter aircraft of the Northern Fleet’s Air Force and Air Defense Army carried out its shadowing," it said.
No violations of Russia’s state border were allowed, the National Defense Control Center stressed.
On July 14, the Russian airspace control systems detected a Norwegian Air Force P-3C Orion reconnaissance plane over the Barents Sea flying towards Russia’s state border. The Northern Fleet’s fighter aircraft were also scrambled to identify and intercept the target.


tass--2020-07-17--Conflict with Azerbaijan can only be solved peacefully, says Armenia’s PM

`` There is no military solution and there is no alternative to peaceful negotiations , which reflects the interests of all peoples of our region , '' Pashinyan said .
MINSK , July 17 .
/TASS/ .
Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan sees no alternative to peaceful resolution of the conflict on the Azerbaijani border , he said during the Eurasian Inter-governmental Council ’ s extended meeting in Minsk Friday .
According to the Prime Minister , Azerbaijan took military action against the northeast part of Armenian border , ignoring numerous calls for suspension of military conflicts amid the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joint statement of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council and the March 23 UN Secretary General statement .
`` The Armenian Armed Forces could not leave these provocative Azerbaijani actions without response , '' the Prime Minister said .
`` Unfortunately , provocations continue up to this day , keeping the situation tense and unpredictable , '' Pashinyan added .
He claimed that Baku ’ s policies lead to nowhere and will not change Yerevan ’ s position on settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict .
The situation at the border escalated on July 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack its positions with artillery , while Armenia claimed that Azerbaijani troops attempted to cross the border .
Baku reported 12 servicemen killed since Sunday .
Yerevan reported four servicemen killed and 10 injured .
On July 17 , both nations said that the situation at the border is relatively calm .
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group , led by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

"There is no military solution and there is no alternative to peaceful negotiations, which reflects the interests of all peoples of our region," Pashinyan said.
MINSK, July 17. /TASS/. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan sees no alternative to peaceful resolution of the conflict on the Azerbaijani border, he said during the Eurasian Inter-governmental Council’s extended meeting in Minsk Friday.
According to the Prime Minister, Azerbaijan took military action against the northeast part of Armenian border, ignoring numerous calls for suspension of military conflicts amid the pandemic, reflected in the April 14 joint statement of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council and the March 23 UN Secretary General statement.
"The Armenian Armed Forces could not leave these provocative Azerbaijani actions without response," the Prime Minister said. "Unfortunately, provocations continue up to this day, keeping the situation tense and unpredictable," Pashinyan added.
He claimed that Baku’s policies lead to nowhere and will not change Yerevan’s position on settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
The situation
The situation at the border escalated on July 12. Azerbaijan claimed that Armenia attempted to attack its positions with artillery, while Armenia claimed that Azerbaijani troops attempted to cross the border. Baku reported 12 servicemen killed since Sunday. Yerevan reported four servicemen killed and 10 injured. On July 17, both nations said that the situation at the border is relatively calm.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-07-17--DPR head blames MH17 crash on Ukraine

DPR head blames MH17 crash on Ukraine

`` An investigation has been going on for six years , but unfortunately , it is politically biased , '' the Donetsk News Agency quoted Pushilin as saying .
`` The investigation is just trying to prove the theory that was put forward in the first two hours [ after the crash ] , '' he added .
DONETSK , July 17 .
/TASS/ .
The head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People ’ s Republic ( DPR ) , Denis Pushilin , offered condolences to the families of those killed in the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 disaster during a memorial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday , which marks the sixth anniversary of the tragedy .
`` We certainly can see that Kiev is doing its best to get rid of the responsibility and shift the blame to Donbass militias and Russia .
However , history will set things straight and we are confident that sooner or later everyone will know who is responsible for this horrible crash , a heinous war crime committed by the Kiev authorities , '' the DPR head pointed out .
The memorial event , held near a stone erected in memory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents who carried the victims ’ photos .
The flags of ten countries whose citizens lost their lives in the crash were installed by the stone .
Participants in the event laid flowers to the memorial and lighted candles .
Many brought toys in memory of 80 kids killed in the air disaster .
Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 , a Boeing-777 passenger plane travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur , was shot down over Ukraine ’ s eastern region of Donetsk on July 17 , 2014 .
The crash killed all the 283 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationals of ten states among the dead .
The crash is investigated by the Joint Investigation Team ( JIT ) that consists of representatives of the Netherlands , Australia , Belgium , Malaysia and Ukraine .
In June 2019 , the JIT announced that it had identified four suspects involved in the crash ( three Russian nationals and one Ukrainian ) .
A trial against them began in the Netherlands on March 9 , 2020 .
Russian authorities have repeatedly questioned the Joint Investigation Team ’ s conclusions and emphasized its reluctance to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

"An investigation has been going on for six years, but unfortunately, it is politically biased," the Donetsk News Agency quoted Pushilin as saying. "The investigation is just trying to prove the theory that was put forward in the first two hours [after the crash]," he added.
DONETSK, July 17. /TASS/. The head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), Denis Pushilin, offered condolences to the families of those killed in the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 disaster during a memorial event took place at the crash site on Friday, which marks the sixth anniversary of the tragedy.
"We certainly can see that Kiev is doing its best to get rid of the responsibility and shift the blame to Donbass militias and Russia. However, history will set things straight and we are confident that sooner or later everyone will know who is responsible for this horrible crash, a heinous war crime committed by the Kiev authorities," the DPR head pointed out.
The memorial event, held near a stone erected in memory of the crash victims, involved DPR residents who carried the victims’ photos. The flags of ten countries whose citizens lost their lives in the crash were installed by the stone. Participants in the event laid flowers to the memorial and lighted candles. Many brought toys in memory of 80 kids killed in the air disaster.
MH17 crash
Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, a Boeing-777 passenger plane travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down over Ukraine’s eastern region of Donetsk on July 17, 2014. The crash killed all the 283 passengers and 15 crewmembers. There were nationals of ten states among the dead.
The crash is investigated by the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) that consists of representatives of the Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, Malaysia and Ukraine.
In June 2019, the JIT announced that it had identified four suspects involved in the crash (three Russian nationals and one Ukrainian). A trial against them began in the Netherlands on March 9, 2020.
Russian authorities have repeatedly questioned the Joint Investigation Team’s conclusions and emphasized its reluctance to take Russia’s arguments into account.


tass--2020-07-17--Russia sees 25-fold surge in IT crimes

Russia sees 25-fold surge in IT crimes

MOSCOW , July 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov has demanded that the prevention and early detection of cyber crimes in Russia must be enhanced , the press service for the prosecutor general ’ s office said .
`` In the past five years , the number of these crimes rose by 25 times ( 294,000 in 2019 ) , especially considering their low clearance rate ( 25 % ) .
In the first half of 2020 , this negative trend only exacerbated .
A growth of 92 % ( 225,000 ) was registered , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crimes in the security of the IT sphere .
According to Krasnov , new technologies are used for a wide range of crimes - from stealing money from bank cards to endangering the national critical infrastructure .
Every day new means of encrypting data are emerging that increase anonymity of the committed actions as much as possible , while cryptocurrencies are widely used in drug trafficking and trade , corruption and funding organized crime , extremism and terrorism .
The prosecutor general drew attention of the meeting ’ s participants to `` the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often use infrastructure of foreign states to attempt to hack into information systems of Russia ’ s state bodies , corporations and major banks . ''
He `` pointed to the need to efficiently address challenges in cyber space , use the same technologies to solve crimes , prevent and predict and timely eliminate legal loopholes . ''
Krasnov underlined that it requires reaction from the broader law enforcement system and demanded that `` measures be taken to improve the system of prevention and early detection of crimes committed when using information technologies @ @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, July 17. /TASS/. Russian Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov has demanded that the prevention and early detection of cyber crimes in Russia must be enhanced, the press service for the prosecutor general’s office said.
"In the past five years, the number of these crimes rose by 25 times (294,000 in 2019), especially considering their low clearance rate (25%). In the first half of 2020, this negative trend only exacerbated. A growth of 92% (225,000) was registered," he told a special meeting for prevention of crimes in the security of the IT sphere. According to Krasnov, new technologies are used for a wide range of crimes - from stealing money from bank cards to endangering the national critical infrastructure.
Every day new means of encrypting data are emerging that increase anonymity of the committed actions as much as possible, while cryptocurrencies are widely used in drug trafficking and trade, corruption and funding organized crime, extremism and terrorism.
The prosecutor general drew attention of the meeting’s participants to "the yearly rise in computer attacks whose masterminds often use infrastructure of foreign states to attempt to hack into information systems of Russia’s state bodies, corporations and major banks."
He "pointed to the need to efficiently address challenges in cyber space, use the same technologies to solve crimes, prevent and predict and timely eliminate legal loopholes." Krasnov underlined that it requires reaction from the broader law enforcement system and demanded that "measures be taken to improve the system of prevention and early detection of crimes committed when using information technologies and computer data.".


tass--2020-07-17--Russia’s lending rates almost reach pre-crisis level in June, says regulator

MOSCOW , July 17 .
/TASS/ .
June ’ s rates of lending in Russia - both in corporate and @ @ @ @ @ the pre-crisis level , the Central Bank reported on Friday .
`` In June , @ @ @ @ @ reached the pre-crisis level .
The corporate credit portfolio gained 0.5 % following almost zero @ @ @ @ @ , systemic credit organizations still demonstrate slower growth than other credit organizations from the top @ @ @ @ @ , '' the regulator said .
Retail lending also demonstrated a notable revival in June @ @ @ @ @ May ’ s slight rise ( +0.2 % ) and a decline in April ( @ @ @ @ @ , mortgage lending grew substantially in the reporting period , mostly due to the program @ @ @ @ @ rate of 6.5 % , the Bank of Russia said .
Unsecured consumer loans also @ @ @ @ @ notable ( +0.7 % ) .

MOSCOW, July 17. /TASS/. June’s rates of lending in Russia - both in corporate and retail segments - almost reached the pre-crisis level, the Central Bank reported on Friday.
"In June, the rates of lending almost reached the pre-crisis level. The corporate credit portfolio gained 0.5% following almost zero growth in May. Meanwhile, systemic credit organizations still demonstrate slower growth than other credit organizations from the top hundred (+1.5%)," the regulator said.
Retail lending also demonstrated a notable revival in June (+1%) following May’s slight rise (+0.2%) and a decline in April (-0.7%).
Meanwhile, mortgage lending grew substantially in the reporting period, mostly due to the program of subsidized lending at the rate of 6.5%, the Bank of Russia said.
Unsecured consumer loans also demonstrated growth, though less notable (+0.7%).


tass--2020-07-17--Ankara opposes US sanctions on TurkStream, says diplomatic source

ANKARA , July 17 .
/TASS/ .
Turkey closely cooperates with Russia in the energy sector and therefore the republic @ @ @ @ @ the United States , a diplomatic source in Ankara told a TASS correspondent .
The @ @ @ @ @ intentions to put Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream on the list of projects subject to @ @ @ @ @ 's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act ( CAATSA ) .
`` Turkey has in all cases @ @ @ @ @ sanctions .
We have very close relations with Russia in the energy sector .
Turk @ @ @ @ @ was created and implemented in accordance with the needs and requirements of the countries of @ @ @ @ @ we do not consider it is correct that [ the United States ] interferes in @ @ @ @ @ affairs of the countries involved , `` the source said .

ANKARA, July 17. /TASS/. Turkey closely cooperates with Russia in the energy sector and therefore the republic opposes the unilateral sanctions of the United States, a diplomatic source in Ankara told a TASS correspondent. The diplomat was commenting on US intentions to put Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream on the list of projects subject to restrictions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
"Turkey has in all cases stated that it opposes unilateral sanctions. We have very close relations with Russia in the energy sector. Turk Stream is a project that was created and implemented in accordance with the needs and requirements of the countries of the region. Therefore, we do not consider it is correct that [the United States] interferes in such a way in the affairs of the countries involved, "the source said.


tass--2020-07-18--Russian, Azerbaijani defense ministers discuss situation in South Caucasus

MOSCOW , July 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has discussed the current situation in South Caucasus @ @ @ @ @ his Azerbaijani colleague Zakir Hasanov , the Russian Defense Ministry informed reporters on Saturday .
@ @ @ @ @ opinions , they have discussed the matters related to the general situation in South Caucasus @ @ @ @ @ .
Shoigu and Hasanov also discussed current bilateral matters , namely the preparations for the @ @ @ @ @ set to begin in August 2020 .
`` Besides , Army General Sergei Shoigu has @ @ @ @ @ combat readiness check that has been launched under the order of the Commander-in-Chief of the @ @ @ @ @ the ministry stated .
The phone call was held on the initiative of Azerbaijan .

MOSCOW, July 18. /TASS/. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has discussed the current situation in South Caucasus during a phone call with his Azerbaijani colleague Zakir Hasanov, the Russian Defense Ministry informed reporters on Saturday.
"During an exchange of opinions, they have discussed the matters related to the general situation in South Caucasus," the ministry noted.
Shoigu and Hasanov also discussed current bilateral matters, namely the preparations for the VI International Army Games 2020 set to begin in August 2020. "Besides, Army General Sergei Shoigu has informed his colleague about the combat readiness check that has been launched under the order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces," the ministry stated.
The phone call was held on the initiative of Azerbaijan.


tass--2020-07-18--Russia may get COVID-19 vaccine earlier due to favorable infrastructure - head of RDIF

NEW YORK , July 18 .
/TASS/ .
The development of a Russian coronavirus vaccine is going well , and it may conclude earlier than in other countries due to the existing infrastructure and the efforts of Russian researchers , head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) Kirill Dmitriev said in an interview with CNN on Friday .
When asked why Russia had reached such progress in this area , he stressed : `` We have lots of infrastructure for vaccine development , and once again , we will be the first ones because of our scientists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done to date . ''
CNN asked Dmitriev to comment on the accusations made by the UK National Cyber Security Centre claiming that Russian hackers had attempted to steal information on COVID-19 vaccine development from the UK , Canada and the USA .
`` First of all , we are very surprised by the timing of this , because basically , this happened the next day after we announced the approval of our vaccine in August , '' Dmitriev said in English .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow has nothing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier that Russia has no need to steal a British vaccine , as AstraZeneca has already handed over the technology to Russia ’ s R-Farm .

NEW YORK, July 18. /TASS/. The development of a Russian coronavirus vaccine is going well, and it may conclude earlier than in other countries due to the existing infrastructure and the efforts of Russian researchers, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) Kirill Dmitriev said in an interview with CNN on Friday.
When asked why Russia had reached such progress in this area, he stressed: "We have lots of infrastructure for vaccine development, and once again, we will be the first ones because of our scientists and because of the research we have done to date."
CNN asked Dmitriev to comment on the accusations made by the UK National Cyber Security Centre claiming that Russian hackers had attempted to steal information on COVID-19 vaccine development from the UK, Canada and the USA. "First of all, we are very surprised by the timing of this, because basically, this happened the next day after we announced the approval of our vaccine in August," Dmitriev said in English.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow has nothing to do with the hacks. Dmitriev said earlier that Russia has no need to steal a British vaccine, as AstraZeneca has already handed over the technology to Russia’s R-Farm.


tass--2020-07-18--Cause of Nantes Cathedral fire could be arson - prosecutor

PARIS , July 18 .
/TASS/ .
The prosecution of the French city of Nantes has launched an investigation over alleged arson at the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul of Nantes , 20 Minutes daily informed .
According to the Nantes prosecutor Pierre Sennes , the main cause of the fire may be arson .
He noted that three different sources of fire point to this version : one at the level of the big organ , and two to the right and to the left of the nave .
According to 20 minutes , an investigation has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire has been reported at the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul of Nantes in western France , BFM TV channel informed on Saturday .
Over 100 firefighters are currently putting out the fire .
The fire began at about 07:30 am local time ( 08:30 am Moscow time ) .
The footage from the scene shows thick black smoke coming out of the window between the cathedral ’ s towers .
AFP news agency informs that the fire has been contained .
The construction of the Cathedral of St. Peter and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and took 457 years to finish , finally reaching completion in 1891 .
This is one of the biggest Gothic cathedrals in France .

PARIS, July 18. /TASS/. The prosecution of the French city of Nantes has launched an investigation over alleged arson at the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul of Nantes, 20 Minutes daily informed.
According to the Nantes prosecutor Pierre Sennes, the main cause of the fire may be arson. He noted that three different sources of fire point to this version: one at the level of the big organ, and two to the right and to the left of the nave.
According to 20 minutes, an investigation has been launched over suspected arson.
A fire has been reported at the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul of Nantes in western France, BFM TV channel informed on Saturday. Over 100 firefighters are currently putting out the fire. The fire began at about 07:30 am local time (08:30 am Moscow time). The footage from the scene shows thick black smoke coming out of the window between the cathedral’s towers.
AFP news agency informs that the fire has been contained.
The construction of the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul of Nantes began in 1434 and took 457 years to finish, finally reaching completion in 1891. This is one of the biggest Gothic cathedrals in France.


tass--2020-07-18--Figure skater Yekaterina Alexandrovskaya found dead in Moscow

MOSCOW , July 18 .
/TASS/ .
Figure skater and junior world champion Yekaterina Alexandrovskaya has been found dead in @ @ @ @ @ the law enforcement informed TASS on Saturday , adding that she has committed suicide .
@ @ @ @ @ body had been found near her house in Moscow .
`` The preliminary cause of @ @ @ @ @ the source noted , adding that the figure skater had attempted to end her life @ @ @ @ @ Alexandrovskaya was born on January 1 , 2000 in Moscow .
She represented Russia until @ @ @ @ @ invited to skate under the Australian flag .
In 2017 , she became a junior @ @ @ @ @ with Australian skater Harley Windsor .
Alexandrovskaya and Windsor also won the 2017 Junior Grand @ @ @ @ @ the Australian championship twice , in 2017 and 2019 .

MOSCOW, July 18. /TASS/. Figure skater and junior world champion Yekaterina Alexandrovskaya has been found dead in Moscow, a source in the law enforcement informed TASS on Saturday, adding that she has committed suicide.
The source informed that her body had been found near her house in Moscow. "The preliminary cause of death is suicide," the source noted, adding that the figure skater had attempted to end her life before after an injury.
Alexandrovskaya was born on January 1, 2000 in Moscow. She represented Russia until 2016, when she was invited to skate under the Australian flag. In 2017, she became a junior world figure skating champion paired with Australian skater Harley Windsor. Alexandrovskaya and Windsor also won the 2017 Junior Grand Prix. They also won the Australian championship twice, in 2017 and 2019.


tass--2020-07-18--Russia documents 7,490 recoveries from COVID-19 in past 24 hours

MOSCOW , July 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russia has documented 7,490 recoveries from COVID-19 , a disease caused by the novel coronavirus , in the past 24 hours , with the total amount of recoveries hitting 546,863 , the anti-coronavirus crisis center informed reporters on Saturday .
According to the crisis center , the total share of those recovered in Russia has reached 71 % of the total number of people diagnosed with COVID-19 .
In the past 24 hours , 543 patients have recovered from the disease in Moscow , 490 - in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District , 343 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Krasnoyarsk Region , 299 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region .
Russia has documented 124 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours , compared to 186 deaths the day before , the crisis center informed , adding that the coronavirus death toll since the start of the pandemic in the country has reached 12,247 .
According to the crisis center , the COVID-19 lethality rate reaches 1.6 % in Russia .
In the past 24 hours , 27 patients have died from COVID-19 in St. Petersburg , 14 in Moscow , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nizhny Novgorod Region , the Irkutsk Region , the Rostov Region and the Moscow Region .

MOSCOW, July 18. /TASS/. Russia has documented 7,490 recoveries from COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in the past 24 hours, with the total amount of recoveries hitting 546,863, the anti-coronavirus crisis center informed reporters on Saturday.
According to the crisis center, the total share of those recovered in Russia has reached 71% of the total number of people diagnosed with COVID-19.
In the past 24 hours, 543 patients have recovered from the disease in Moscow, 490 - in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District, 343 - in the Sverdlovsk Region, 302 in the Krasnoyarsk Region, 299 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region.
Russia has documented 124 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, compared to 186 deaths the day before, the crisis center informed, adding that the coronavirus death toll since the start of the pandemic in the country has reached 12,247.
According to the crisis center, the COVID-19 lethality rate reaches 1.6% in Russia.
In the past 24 hours, 27 patients have died from COVID-19 in St. Petersburg, 14 in Moscow, and 5 each have died in the Nizhny Novgorod Region, the Irkutsk Region, the Rostov Region and the Moscow Region.


tass--2020-07-18--Russia documents 6,234 cases of COVID-19 in past 24 hours

MOSCOW , July 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russia has documented 6,234 cases of COVID-19 , a disease caused by the @ @ @ @ @ past 24 hours , with the total number of people infected reaching 765,437 , the @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday .
The daily increase rate has dropped to 0.8 % .
Previously , @ @ @ @ @ % for 11 days running .
The lowest daily growth rate has been documented in @ @ @ @ @ 0 % ) , Moscow ( 0.2 % ) , the Moscow Region ( 0.3 @ @ @ @ @ 0.3 % ) , North Ossetia ( 0.4 % ) , the Nenets Autonomous District @ @ @ @ @ the Bryansk Region ( 0.4 % ) .
Moscow has reported 578 cases of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ , the Sverdlovsk Region - 259 , the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District - 247 , St. @ @ @ @ @ Nizhny Novgorod Region - 205 .
Currently , there are 206,327 active COVID-19 cases ( @ @ @ @ @ ) in Russia .

MOSCOW, July 18. /TASS/. Russia has documented 6,234 cases of COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in the past 24 hours, with the total number of people infected reaching 765,437, the anti-coronavirus crisis center informed reporters on Saturday.
The daily increase rate has dropped to 0.8%. Previously, it had not surpassed 0.9% for 11 days running.
The lowest daily growth rate has been documented in the Chukotka Autonomous District (0%), Moscow (0.2%), the Moscow Region (0.3%), Kabardino-Balkaria (0.3%), North Ossetia (0.4%), the Nenets Autonomous District (0.4%) and the Bryansk Region (0.4%).
Moscow has reported 578 cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, the Sverdlovsk Region - 259, the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District - 247, St. Petersburg - 238, the Nizhny Novgorod Region - 205.
Currently, there are 206,327 active COVID-19 cases (people who are currently sick) in Russia.


tass--2020-07-18--Crew Dragon undocking from ISS scheduled for August 1 - NASA

WASHINGTON , July 18 .
/TASS/ .
The undocking of SpaceX 's Crew Dragon from the International Space Station ( ISS ) is scheduled for August 1 , splashdown of the ship 's crew should take place on August 2 , according to NASA AdministratorJames Bridenstine .
`` NEWS : We 're targeting an Aug. 1 departure of SpaceX 's Dragon Endeavour spacecraft from the Space Station to bring [ Bob ] Behnken and Doug [ Hurley ] home after their historic … mission .
Splashdown is targeted for Aug. 2 .
Weather will drive the actual date .
Stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Crew Dragon spacecraft with Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken on board successfully docked to the ISS on May 31 .
Falcon 9 launch vehicle with the Crew Dragon was successfully launched on May 30 from the spaceport at Cape Canaveral , Florida .
Crew Dragon is a configuration of the cargo spacecraft Dragon , which had already delivered cargo to the ISS .
This launch marks the first manned flight in nine years from the United States using a US spacecraft .
NASA stopped crewed flights in 2011 after the Space Shuttle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that all astronauts were delivered to the ISS and back by Russia ’ s Soyuz spacecraft .
It was originally thought that US commercial ships would begin manned flights in 2017 .

WASHINGTON, July 18. /TASS/. The undocking of SpaceX's Crew Dragon from the International Space Station (ISS) is scheduled for August 1, splashdown of the ship's crew should take place on August 2, according to NASA AdministratorJames Bridenstine.
"NEWS: We're targeting an Aug. 1 departure of SpaceX's Dragon Endeavour spacecraft from the Space Station to bring [Bob] Behnken and Doug [Hurley] home after their historic … mission. Splashdown is targeted for Aug. 2. Weather will drive the actual date. Stay tuned," Bridenstine wrote on Twitter.
Crew Dragon spacecraft with Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken on board successfully docked to the ISS on May 31. Falcon 9 launch vehicle with the Crew Dragon was successfully launched on May 30 from the spaceport at Cape Canaveral, Florida. Crew Dragon is a configuration of the cargo spacecraft Dragon, which had already delivered cargo to the ISS.
This launch marks the first manned flight in nine years from the United States using a US spacecraft. NASA stopped crewed flights in 2011 after the Space Shuttle program came to an end. After that all astronauts were delivered to the ISS and back by Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft. It was originally thought that US commercial ships would begin manned flights in 2017.


tass--2020-07-18--Number of coronavirus cases worldwide reaches over 14 mln people

MOSCOW , July 18 .
/TASS/ .
The number of detected coronavirus cases in the world exceeded 14 mln on @ @ @ @ @ Hopkins University , which calculates the figure based on information from international organizations , federal @ @ @ @ @ to the report , 14,037,021 people were infected with coronavirus , 600,665 died .
The @ @ @ @ @ number of detected cases ( 3,638,002 ) , followed by Brazil ( 2,046,328 ) , @ @ @ @ @ .
Russia ranks fourth in the number of cases .
According to the operational headquarters @ @ @ @ @ , 759,203 cases were registered in Russia , while 539,373 people recovered , and 12,123 @ @

MOSCOW, July 18. /TASS/. The number of detected coronavirus cases in the world exceeded 14 mln on Saturday, according to Johns Hopkins University, which calculates the figure based on information from international organizations, federal and local authorities.
According to the report, 14,037,021 people were infected with coronavirus, 600,665 died. The United States has the largest number of detected cases (3,638,002), followed by Brazil (2,046,328), and India (1,003,832).
Russia ranks fourth in the number of cases. According to the operational headquarters for the fight against coronavirus, 759,203 cases were registered in Russia, while 539,373 people recovered, and 12,123 died.


tass--2020-07-19--US researchers traced mobile phone signals at defense sites in Russia - newspaper

NEW YORK , July 19 .
/TASS/ .
A team of US academic researchers from the Mississippi State University tracked signals of mobile phones in Russia last year under the US Army-funded project , including in the area of the Russian Navy ’ s test range in Nyonoksa , Wall Street Journal reported in its electronic version on Saturday .
The group of US scholars together with graduate research assistants and undergraduate interns monitored movements of holders of mobile phones , who were present in Nyonoksa on the next day after the incident at the Russian Navy ’ s test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newspaper , GPS data indicated that phones later moved to Moscow , St. Petersburg and closed defense facilities in Severodvinsk and Archangelsk .
The newspaper reporters the US researchers implemented an experimental project aimed at demonstrating opportunities of using cellular communication data from the open sources for defense or intelligence needs .
The newspaper refers to documents received from Mississippi State upon the request as to the source of its data .
Edric Thompson , a spokesman for the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command , which funded the project , said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had `` good potential use for being able for our soldiers to share information with each other , '' Wall Street Journal says .
Researchers used the Locate X service developed by Babel Street , the company specializing in software for intelligence purposes , the newspaper reports .
The incident occurred at the military test site near Severodvinsk on August 8 , 2019 .
Russia ’ s Rosatom corporation later said that a fire and explosion that followed during a missile test on a sea platform killed five of its employees and injured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hospital .

NEW YORK, July 19. /TASS/. A team of US academic researchers from the Mississippi State University tracked signals of mobile phones in Russia last year under the US Army-funded project, including in the area of the Russian Navy’s test range in Nyonoksa, Wall Street Journal reported in its electronic version on Saturday.
The group of US scholars together with graduate research assistants and undergraduate interns monitored movements of holders of mobile phones, who were present in Nyonoksa on the next day after the incident at the Russian Navy’s test range last August. According to the newspaper, GPS data indicated that phones later moved to Moscow, St. Petersburg and closed defense facilities in Severodvinsk and Archangelsk.
The newspaper reporters the US researchers implemented an experimental project aimed at demonstrating opportunities of using cellular communication data from the open sources for defense or intelligence needs. The newspaper refers to documents received from Mississippi State upon the request as to the source of its data.
Edric Thompson, a spokesman for the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, which funded the project, said it was selected for military funding because it had "good potential use for being able for our soldiers to share information with each other," Wall Street Journal says.
Researchers used the Locate X service developed by Babel Street, the company specializing in software for intelligence purposes, the newspaper reports.
The incident occurred at the military test site near Severodvinsk on August 8, 2019. Russia’s Rosatom corporation later said that a fire and explosion that followed during a missile test on a sea platform killed five of its employees and injured three others, who were taken to the hospital.


tass--2020-07-19--EU leaders again fail to reach agreement on budget

BRUSSELS , July 19 .
/TASS/ .
Heads of states and governments of the European Union did not reach an @ @ @ @ @ seven-year budget plan for 2021-2027 and the economic recovery fund after the second day of @ @ @ @ @ a EU Council ’ s spokesman told reporters .
`` The European Council ’ s @ @ @ @ @ President of the European Council Charles Michel will reconvene meeting tomorrow at noon , '' @ @ @ @ @ can present a new conciliatory solution to summit participants on Sunday , a source in @ @ @ @ @ EU member-states told TASS .
`` The head of the European Council decided to take @ @ @ @ @ have not been brought closer yet .
He will probably present a new conciliatory proposal @ @ @ @ @ noted .
The summit was to be formally closed on Saturday but diplomats had assumed @ @ @ @ @ third day .

BRUSSELS, July 19. /TASS/. Heads of states and governments of the European Union did not reach an agreement on preparation of the seven-year budget plan for 2021-2027 and the economic recovery fund after the second day of the summit in Brussels, a EU Council’s spokesman told reporters.
"The European Council’s plenary has now ended. President of the European Council Charles Michel will reconvene meeting tomorrow at noon," the spokesperson said.
Michel can present a new conciliatory solution to summit participants on Sunday, a source in the delegation of one of EU member-states told TASS. "The head of the European Council decided to take a pause again because positions have not been brought closer yet. He will probably present a new conciliatory proposal tomorrow," the source noted.
The summit was to be formally closed on Saturday but diplomats had assumed it might drag on the third day.


tass--2020-07-19--US Navy’s chief petty officer charged with transmitting email to Russian national

WASHINGTON , July 19 .
/TASS/ .
Charles Briggs , the Chief Petty Officer of the US Navy , is charged with transmitting an email containing classified information to an unidentified Russian national , according to the charge sheet furnished to TASS by the US Navy .
The charge sheet refers to an incident occurred in January 2019 at or near Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska , when Briggs was on active duty .
Briggs `` on or about 9 January 2019 , knowingly access a government computer with an unauthorized purpose and obtained classified information , to wit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the document says .
[ He ] `` intentionally transmitted such information to a Russian national , a person not entitled to receive it , '' the document says .
The name of the Russian national is not disclosed in documents .
On July 16 , the Virginian Pilot daily reported that Chief Petty Officer Charles Briggs was suspected of allegedly passing secret information to a Russian national who is not identified .
The Virginian Pilot said that it is not specified in the military court documents what kind of information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian or where he met that individual .

WASHINGTON, July 19. /TASS/. Charles Briggs, a Chief Petty Officer of the US Navy, is charged with transmitting an email containing classified information to an unidentified Russian national, according to the charge sheet furnished to TASS by the US Navy.
The charge sheet refers to an incident occurred in January 2019 at or near Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, when Briggs was on active duty. Briggs "on or about 9 January 2019, knowingly access a government computer with an unauthorized purpose and obtained classified information, to wit: an email containing secret classified information," the document says.
[He] "intentionally transmitted such information to a Russian national, a person not entitled to receive it," the document says. The name of the Russian national is not disclosed in documents.
On July 16, the Virginian Pilot daily reported that Chief Petty Officer Charles Briggs was suspected of allegedly passing secret information to a Russian national who is not identified. The Virginian Pilot said that it is not specified in the military court documents what kind of information he is suspected of passing on to the Russian or where he met that individual.


tass--2020-07-19--Fire in Nantes Cathedral extinguished - TV

PARIS , July 18 .
/TASS/ .
Nantes firefighters managed to extinguish the fire that had occurred in the Cathedral @ @ @ @ @ Paul of Nantes in France , BFM TV channel reported , citing the firefighting service @ @ @ @ @ Causes of fire are investigated , municipal authorities said .
The fire outbreak occurred at @ @ @ @ @ 08:30 Moscow time ) .
Firemen arriving at the site managed to contain the fire @ @ @ @ @ construction of the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul of Nantes began in 1434 @ @ @ @ @ finish , finally reaching completion in 1891 .
This is one of the biggest Gothic @ @ @ @

PARIS, July 18. /TASS/. Nantes firefighters managed to extinguish the fire that had occurred in the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul of Nantes in France, BFM TV channel reported, citing the firefighting service of the Loire-Atlantique Department.
Causes of fire are investigated, municipal authorities said.
The fire outbreak occurred at about 07:30 local time (08:30 Moscow time). Firemen arriving at the site managed to contain the fire in three hours.
The construction of the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul of Nantes began in 1434 and took 457 years to finish, finally reaching completion in 1891. This is one of the biggest Gothic cathedrals in France.


tass--2020-07-19--Moscow's death toll from confirmed coronavirus cases rises by 14 to 4,299

MOSCOW , July 19 .
/TASS/ .
The death toll from confirmed coronavirus has risen by 14 in Moscow over @ @ @ @ @ the city ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Saturday .
`` Fourteen patients have @ @ @ @ @ Their diagnoses of pneumonia were confirmed and they tested positive for the coronavirus infection , @ @ @ @ @ To date , a total of 4,299 deaths from confirmed COVID-19 , the disease caused @ @ @ @ @ is registered in the Russian capital .
As of July 18 , Moscow has registered @ @ @ @ @ while more than 170,000 patients have recovered from the disease .
According to the latest @ @ @ @ @ million people have been infected worldwide and about 600,000 deaths have been reported .
To @ @ @ @ @ have been confirmed in Russia , with 546,863 patients having recovered from the disease .
@ @ @ @ @ indicates 12,247 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline @ @ @ @ @ on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, July 19. /TASS/. The death toll from confirmed coronavirus has risen by 14 in Moscow over the past 24 hours, the city’s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Saturday.
"Fourteen patients have passed away in Moscow. Their diagnoses of pneumonia were confirmed and they tested positive for the coronavirus infection," the center informed.
To date, a total of 4,299 deaths from confirmed COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, is registered in the Russian capital.
As of July 18, Moscow has registered nearly 233,000 coronavirus cases, while more than 170,000 patients have recovered from the disease.
According to the latest statistics, more than 14 million people have been infected worldwide and about 600,000 deaths have been reported.
To date, 765,437 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 546,863 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 12,247 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-07-19--Aeroflot repatriation flight with Russians onboard leave Paris for Moscow

PARIS , July 19 .
/TASS/ .
Another flight operated by the Russian largest carrier Aeroflot has taken off from @ @ @ @ @ with 157 Russian nationals onboard , Russia ’ s embassy to France said in a @ @ @ @ @ Aeroflot ’ s repatriation flight SU2459 took off from Charles de Gaulle Airport at 19.12 @ @ @ @ @ , with citizens of the Russian Federation onboard , '' the statement says .
`` @ @ @ @ @ passengers aboard .
Among them are 157 Russian nationals , eight French , two Dutch @ @ @ @ @ '' The diplomats explained that `` most Russians are heading for the homeland , in @ @ @ @ @ third countries , thanks to well-organized cooperation of Russia ’ s embassy to France with @ @ @ @ @ Development , Communications and Mass Media and counterparts from diplomatic missions all over the world @ @

PARIS, July 19. /TASS/. Another flight operated by the Russian largest carrier Aeroflot has taken off from Paris heading to Moscow, with 157 Russian nationals onboard, Russia’s embassy to France said in a statement on Saturday.
"Aeroflot’s repatriation flight SU2459 took off from Charles de Gaulle Airport at 19.12 local time on July 18, with citizens of the Russian Federation onboard," the statement says. "The Paris-Moscow flight has 168 passengers aboard. Among them are 157 Russian nationals, eight French, two Dutch citizens and one Greek."
The diplomats explained that "most Russians are heading for the homeland, in transit via Paris, from third countries, thanks to well-organized cooperation of Russia’s embassy to France with the Russian Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media and counterparts from diplomatic missions all over the world."
Aeroflot operated a previous flight from Paris on July 11.