tass--2020-07-21--Hostage taker in Ukraine’s Lutsk throws explosives, fires at police drone, reports say

KIEV , July 21 .
/TASS/ .
The terrorist who took a passenger bus hostage in Ukraine ’ s Lutsk , throws imitation explosives from the windows and seeks to take down a police drone that circles around the scene .
The Ukrainian media published a video footage of the terrorist trying to take down the drone by shooting from the bus ’ s windows .
So far , he was unsuccessful .
In another footage , multiple explosions can be heard near the bust .
Deputy Minister of the Interior of Ukraine Anton Geraschenko speculated that these could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shrapnel .
He admitted that the law enforcement was unable to locate the possible remotely controlled explosive device , which the perpetrator claimed earlier .
`` We do not have a confirmation that the second explosive device , which he can control remotely , actually exists .
We have no information about the device ’ s location , it has only been said that the device exists .
We currently seek to trace this perpetrator , hoping to discover where such device may be , '' the official said .
Geraschenko disclosed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water from being delivered to the hostages for the entire day .
He also prohibits the hostages from leaving the bus to relieve themselves .
According to Deputy Minister , there are pregnant women among the hostages .
Earlier , Minister of the Interior Arsen Avakov disclosed that the hostages were in a `` normal '' state .
`` The people are in a normal state , according to [ the terrorist ] and to one hostage that we were able to talk to , '' Avakov said , adding that he hopes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one way or another '' soon .
Avakov disclosed that the law enforcement was able to establish contact with the terrorist and engage in negotiations .
`` We have a contact with the man who took hostages .
We are already talking to him , we negotiate , '' he said , adding that the law enforcement also found and contacted the terrorist ’ s relatives .
`` We talked to the relatives , to the spouse , to his friends .
We try all methods to resolve this peacefully , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man captured a bus with 10 to 20 passengers onboard .
The man who named himself Maksim Plohoy is believed to be armed with grenades and an automatic weapon .
The terrorist reported the capture to the police himself and added that he planted `` a mine that can detonate at a crowded place . ''
A local news agency reported citing its sources that Maksim Plohoy ( Maksim the Bad ) is actually a pseudonym , and the real name of the terrorist is Maksim Krivosh .
According to media reports , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and underwent forced psychiatric treatment .
However , the latter statement was later debunked by Avakov .
Since the beginning of the situation , the terrorist opened fire towards the law enforcement officers twice and threw a grenade that failed to explode .
Residents of the nearby houses were evacuated .

KIEV, July 21. /TASS/. The terrorist who took a passenger bus hostage in Ukraine’s Lutsk, throws imitation explosives from the windows and seeks to take down a police drone that circles around the scene.
The Ukrainian media published a video footage of the terrorist trying to take down the drone by shooting from the bus’s windows. So far, he was unsuccessful. In another footage, multiple explosions can be heard near the bust. Deputy Minister of the Interior of Ukraine Anton Geraschenko speculated that these could be imitation explosives, because they produce no shrapnel.
He admitted that the law enforcement was unable to locate the possible remotely controlled explosive device, which the perpetrator claimed earlier.
"We do not have a confirmation that the second explosive device, which he can control remotely, actually exists. We have no information about the device’s location, it has only been said that the device exists. We currently seek to trace this perpetrator, hoping to discover where such device may be," the official said.
Geraschenko disclosed that the terrorist has been preventing food and water from being delivered to the hostages for the entire day. He also prohibits the hostages from leaving the bus to relieve themselves. According to Deputy Minister, there are pregnant women among the hostages.
Earlier, Minister of the Interior Arsen Avakov disclosed that the hostages were in a "normal" state.
"The people are in a normal state, according to [the terrorist] and to one hostage that we were able to talk to," Avakov said, adding that he hopes that the situation will be resolved "one way or another" soon.
Avakov disclosed that the law enforcement was able to establish contact with the terrorist and engage in negotiations.
"We have a contact with the man who took hostages. We are already talking to him, we negotiate," he said, adding that the law enforcement also found and contacted the terrorist’s relatives.
"We talked to the relatives, to the spouse, to his friends. We try all methods to resolve this peacefully," he said.
Earlier on Tuesday, a man captured a bus with 10 to 20 passengers onboard. The man who named himself Maksim Plohoy is believed to be armed with grenades and an automatic weapon. The terrorist reported the capture to the police himself and added that he planted "a mine that can detonate at a crowded place."
A local news agency reported citing its sources that Maksim Plohoy (Maksim the Bad) is actually a pseudonym, and the real name of the terrorist is Maksim Krivosh. According to media reports, the man served time in prison before and underwent forced psychiatric treatment. However, the latter statement was later debunked by Avakov.
Since the beginning of the situation, the terrorist opened fire towards the law enforcement officers twice and threw a grenade that failed to explode. Residents of the nearby houses were evacuated.


tass--2020-07-21--Chances to save Iran nuclear deal still in place, says Lavrov

MOSCOW , July 21 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow and Teheran are sparing no effort to support the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA ) on the Iranian nuclear program and believe that the chances to save the nuclear deal are still in place , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday at the beginning of talks with his visiting Iranian counterpart , Mohammad Javad Zarif .
`` We are convinced that chances to get the JCPOA back on sustainable track are still in place .
At least , we and our Iranian friends are sparing no effort for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the same positions and the European signatories to the JCPOA continue to show interest in that , '' he noted .
The Russian foreign minister stressed that his talks with the Iranian counterpart was a major part of joint efforts of the deal ’ s participants to keep it in place .
He added he would like to discuss with Zarif `` additional steps , first of all in the legal sphere , that need to be taken on the basis of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 , which is part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia , according to Lavrov , thinks that the United States is pursuing a destructive policy aimed at complete breakdown of both the JCPOA and other agreements in the area of arms control and nonproliferation .
The JCPOA , also known as the Iran nuclear deal , was signed between Iran , the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council ( Russia , the United Kingdom , China , the United States and France ) and Germany in 2015 .
Under the deal , Iran undertook to curb its nuclear activities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA ) in exchange of abandonment of the sanctions imposed previously by the United Nations Security Council , the European Union and the United States over its nuclear program .
On July 20 , 2015 , the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 2231 in support of the JCPOA .
The resolution that was adopted unanimously provides for a five-year weapons embargo against Iran .
The future of the deal was called in question after the United States ’ unilateral pullout on May 8 , 2018 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Teheran .
Iran argued that all other participants , Europeans in the first place , were ignoring some of their own obligations in the economic sphere , thus making the deal in its current shape senseless .
This said , it began to gradually scale down its commitments under the deal .

MOSCOW, July 21. /TASS/. Moscow and Teheran are sparing no effort to support the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear program and believe that the chances to save the nuclear deal are still in place, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday at the beginning of talks with his visiting Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif.
"We are convinced that chances to get the JCPOA back on sustainable track are still in place. At least, we and our Iranian friends are sparing no effort for that. We see that China sticks to the same positions and the European signatories to the JCPOA continue to show interest in that," he noted.
The Russian foreign minister stressed that his talks with the Iranian counterpart was a major part of joint efforts of the deal’s participants to keep it in place. He added he would like to discuss with Zarif "additional steps, first of all in the legal sphere, that need to be taken on the basis of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231, which is part and parcel of the JCPOA." Russia, according to Lavrov, thinks that the United States is pursuing a destructive policy aimed at complete breakdown of both the JCPOA and other agreements in the area of arms control and nonproliferation.
The JCPOA, also known as the Iran nuclear deal, was signed between Iran, the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (Russia, the United Kingdom, China, the United States and France) and Germany in 2015. Under the deal, Iran undertook to curb its nuclear activities and place them under total control of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in exchange of abandonment of the sanctions imposed previously by the United Nations Security Council, the European Union and the United States over its nuclear program.
On July 20, 2015, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 2231 in support of the JCPOA. The resolution that was adopted unanimously provides for a five-year weapons embargo against Iran.
The future of the deal was called in question after the United States’ unilateral pullout on May 8, 2018 and Washington’s unilateral oil export sanctions against Teheran. Iran argued that all other participants, Europeans in the first place, were ignoring some of their own obligations in the economic sphere, thus making the deal in its current shape senseless. This said, it began to gradually scale down its commitments under the deal.


tass--2020-07-21--Azerbaijan opens fire on Armenian positions, says Armenian defense ministry

YEREVAN , July 21 .
/TASS/ .
The Azerbaijani Armed Forces have opened fire from sniper rifles on the positions of the Armenian army in the northeastern area of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border , Armenia ’ s Defense Ministry Spokeswoman Shushan Stepanyan informed on Facebook on Tuesday .
`` The Azerbaijani Armed Forces opened fire from sniper rifles in an attempt to target our servicemen .
The Azerbaijani Armed Forces have been warned of the consequences through the corresponding communication channels .
Currently , the situation on the border is relatively calm , '' she wrote .
Tensions flared up on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when Azerbaijan ’ s Defense Ministry said that Armenian army units had tried to attack Azerbaijan ’ s positions at the Tovuz section of the border with the use of artillery systems .
For its part , Yerevan accused Azerbaijan of breaching the border .
Baku said twelve servicemen of Azerbaijan ’ s army died since the clashes had begun .
Armenia , in turn , reported that four servicemen were killed in the hostilities , while 10 servicemen were wounded .
On July 17 , both sides of the conflict reported that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stable .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , led by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

YEREVAN, July 21. /TASS/. The Azerbaijani Armed Forces have opened fire from sniper rifles on the positions of the Armenian army in the northeastern area of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, Armenia’s Defense Ministry Spokeswoman Shushan Stepanyan informed on Facebook on Tuesday.
"The Azerbaijani Armed Forces opened fire from sniper rifles in an attempt to target our servicemen. The Azerbaijani Armed Forces have been warned of the consequences through the corresponding communication channels. Currently, the situation on the border is relatively calm," she wrote.
Tensions flared up on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border on July 12, when Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry said that Armenian army units had tried to attack Azerbaijan’s positions at the Tovuz section of the border with the use of artillery systems. For its part, Yerevan accused Azerbaijan of breaching the border. Baku said twelve servicemen of Azerbaijan’s army died since the clashes had begun. Armenia, in turn, reported that four servicemen were killed in the hostilities, while 10 servicemen were wounded. On July 17, both sides of the conflict reported that the situation on the border is relatively stable.
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--2020-07-21--St. Petersburg court denies Madonna was fined $1 million

ST. PETERSBURG , July 21 .
/TASS/ .
St Petersburg ’ s Moskovsky District Court did not issue a $ @ @ @ @ @ million rubles ) to Madonna for a speech supporting LGBTQ community at her concert in @ @ @ @ @ press service for the city ’ s courts told TASS Tuesday .
On July 20 @ @ @ @ @ to claim that she had been fined $ 1 million for supporting gay rights in @ @ @ @ @ front of her fans during her St. Petersburg concert back in August 2012 .
`` @ @ @ @ @ dollars by the government for supporting the Gay community .
I never paid , '' @ @ @ @ @ that had a video clip of the speech attached .

ST. PETERSBURG, July 21. /TASS/. St Petersburg’s Moskovsky District Court did not issue a $1 million fine (333 million rubles) to Madonna for a speech supporting LGBTQ community at her concert in St. Petersburg, the joint press service for the city’s courts told TASS Tuesday.
On July 20, Madonna took to Twitter to claim that she had been fined $1 million for supporting gay rights in a speech she delivered in front of her fans during her St. Petersburg concert back in August 2012. "I was fined 1 million dollars by the government for supporting the Gay community. I never paid," she said in the tweet that had a video clip of the speech attached.


tass--2020-07-21--Troops employ heavy mortars to eliminate enemy in southern Russia drills

MOSCOW , July 21 .
/TASS/ .
The artillery units of the Southern Military District ’ s 58th all-arms army stationed in Ingushetia eliminated a notional enemy ’ s positions with heavy mortars and multiple rocket launchers during drills in the mountains of North Ossetia as part of the troops ’ surprise inspection , the District ’ s press office reported on Tuesday .
`` During the active phase of the tactical drills , the artillery units held large-scale live-firings at the Tarskoye training range in North Ossetia .
The large unit ’ s artillery personnel conducted fire from Pion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high-explosion fragmentation shells against underground storage facilities with ammunition , fuel and lubricants , which were located in the mountains and were inaccessible for their destruction by other ground-based artillery , '' the press office said in a statement .
Drones transmitted target coordinates to the artillery personnel in real time , the press office said .
The exercise involved over 700 artillery personnel , about 100 items of rocket and artillery armament , military and special hardware , including Tornado-G multiple launch rocket systems , 240mm Tyulpan self-propelled mortars and 203mm Pion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The snap combat readiness check of the troops of the Southern and Western Military Districts , marine infantry of the Northern and Pacific Fleets , some units of central subordination and the Airborne Force is being held on July 17 - 21 on order of Russia ’ s Supreme Commander-in-Chief President Vladimir Putin .
The surprise combat readiness check involves about 150,000 troops , around 400 aircraft , over 26,000 items of armament , military and special hardware and over 100 warships and support vessels .

MOSCOW, July 21. /TASS/. The artillery units of the Southern Military District’s 58th all-arms army stationed in Ingushetia eliminated a notional enemy’s positions with heavy mortars and multiple rocket launchers during drills in the mountains of North Ossetia as part of the troops’ surprise inspection, the District’s press office reported on Tuesday.
"During the active phase of the tactical drills, the artillery units held large-scale live-firings at the Tarskoye training range in North Ossetia. The large unit’s artillery personnel conducted fire from Pion self-propelled guns and Tyulpan heavy mortars with high-explosion fragmentation shells against underground storage facilities with ammunition, fuel and lubricants, which were located in the mountains and were inaccessible for their destruction by other ground-based artillery," the press office said in a statement.
Drones transmitted target coordinates to the artillery personnel in real time, the press office said.
The exercise involved over 700 artillery personnel, about 100 items of rocket and artillery armament, military and special hardware, including Tornado-G multiple launch rocket systems, 240mm Tyulpan self-propelled mortars and 203mm Pion self-propelled guns, the statement says.
The snap combat readiness check of the troops of the Southern and Western Military Districts, marine infantry of the Northern and Pacific Fleets, some units of central subordination and the Airborne Force is being held on July 17 - 21 on order of Russia’s Supreme Commander-in-Chief President Vladimir Putin.
The surprise combat readiness check involves about 150,000 troops, around 400 aircraft, over 26,000 items of armament, military and special hardware and over 100 warships and support vessels.


tass--2020-07-21--Libyan crisis in focus of Lavrov's conversation with Egyptian top diplomat

MOSCOW , July 21 .
/TASS/ .
The Libyan crisis and the situation in the region were in focus of a conversation between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Egyptian counterpart , Sameh Shoukry , the Russian foreign ministry said on Tuesday .
`` The ministers discussed the situation in the Middle East and North Africa with a focus on the crisis in Libya , '' the ministry said .
`` Both sides confirmed that the situation in that country can be settled only by means of talks involving all Libyan sides as part of the implementation of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security Council Resolution 2510 . ''
`` The two top diplomats stressed the importance of the Cairo declaration of June 6 to promote the key principles of the Berlin process with an aim of organizing an inclusive intra-Libyan dialogue on ways to build the post-conflict order in Libya on the basis of balance of interests of the country ’ s three historic regions , '' the ministry added .
Currently , Libya has two supreme executive authorities , namely the internationally-recognized Tripoli-based Government of National Accord ( GNA ) headed by Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Abdullah al-Thani , seated in the east of the country , along with the elected parliament , which is supported by the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar .
The conflicting parties have been fighting to control of the capital city for more than a year after Haftar launched an offensive in early April 2019 to liberate the city , as he put it .
Following that , the GNA turned to Turkey for support .
Backed by Ankara , the Government of National Accord regained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LNA .

MOSCOW, July 21. /TASS/. The Libyan crisis and the situation in the region were in focus of a conversation between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry, the Russian foreign ministry said on Tuesday.
"The ministers discussed the situation in the Middle East and North Africa with a focus on the crisis in Libya," the ministry said. "Both sides confirmed that the situation in that country can be settled only by means of talks involving all Libyan sides as part of the implementation of the Berlin conference decisions endorsed by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2510."
"The two top diplomats stressed the importance of the Cairo declaration of June 6 to promote the key principles of the Berlin process with an aim of organizing an inclusive intra-Libyan dialogue on ways to build the post-conflict order in Libya on the basis of balance of interests of the country’s three historic regions," the ministry added.
Currently, Libya has two supreme executive authorities, namely the internationally-recognized Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, and the interim government of Abdullah al-Thani, seated in the east of the country, along with the elected parliament, which is supported by the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.
The conflicting parties have been fighting to control of the capital city for more than a year after Haftar launched an offensive in early April 2019 to liberate the city, as he put it. Following that, the GNA turned to Turkey for support. Backed by Ankara, the Government of National Accord regained control over some regions seized by the LNA.


tass--2020-07-21--Raided Scientology-run residence leads to $11-mln construction company scam

ST.PETERSBURG , July 21 .
/TASS/ .
A multiple dwelling suburban residence in St. Petersburg underwent a state search regarding a Scientology-run construction company involved in an embezzlement scam that had siphoned off 800 mln rubles ( $ 11.2 mln ) from members of a housing construction cooperative in the Leningrad Region , a source in law enforcement told TASS .
`` [ The embezzled ] money belonged to the members of a construction cooperative located in the Leningrad Region .
According to the preliminary data , over 400 shareholders were cheated out of 800 mln rubles , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this fraud case had been launched back in 2017 .
Earlier , a source from Russia ’ s security agencies reported that on Tuesday the police were conducting a search in the residence regarding a massive fraud case against a company dubbed the `` Union of Shared-Equity Construction '' controlled by the St. Petersburg Church of Scientology .
Extremist material from the US-based sect was found on the premises of the residence .
Scientology is a religious and philosophical sect founded in the United States in the early 1950s by American science fiction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , numerous Scientology files were included in the federal government ’ s list of extremism-related materials .
Their storage and dissemination throughout the country ’ s territory is prohibited .

ST.PETERSBURG, July 21. /TASS/. A multiple dwelling suburban residence in St. Petersburg underwent a state search regarding a Scientology-run construction company involved in an embezzlement scam that had siphoned off 800 mln rubles ($11.2 mln) from members of a housing construction cooperative in the Leningrad Region, a source in law enforcement told TASS.
"[The embezzled] money belonged to the members of a construction cooperative located in the Leningrad Region. According to the preliminary data, over 400 shareholders were cheated out of 800 mln rubles," the source said.
According to him, this fraud case had been launched back in 2017.
Earlier, a source from Russia’s security agencies reported that on Tuesday the police were conducting a search in the residence regarding a massive fraud case against a company dubbed the "Union of Shared-Equity Construction" controlled by the St. Petersburg Church of Scientology. Extremist material from the US-based sect was found on the premises of the residence.
Scientology is a religious and philosophical sect founded in the United States in the early 1950s by American science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard. In Russia, numerous Scientology files were included in the federal government’s list of extremism-related materials. Their storage and dissemination throughout the country’s territory is prohibited.


tass--2020-07-21--Iraqi PM’s visit to Iran will be turning point in bilateral ties, says Rouhani

TEHRAN , July 21 .
/TASS/ .
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is hoping that the current visit of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi to Tehran will become a milestone in the Iranian-Iraqi relations , he said at a press conference following the talks with Al-Kadhimi .
`` I am certain that this trip will be a turning point in the friendly relations between the two states , '' he said .
The press conference was broadcast by the Iranian president ’ s press service .
Rouhani added , `` the sides talked about [ reaching ] stability in the region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Iraq should play a special role in this process as a strong Arab country . ''
According to the president , the politicians also discussed the status of the bordering Shatt al-Arab River ( also known as Arvand Rud ) and other issues of mutual interest .
`` Both states supported the idea to ramp up the trade turnover to $ 20 billion , '' he added .
In turn , Al-Kadhimi underlined that the country is not going to become a `` foothold to carry out any attacks on Iran .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ interest in advancing balanced relations with Tehran .
`` My current visit confirms the significance of historic ties between Iraq and Iran , '' the prime minister added .
According to him , `` the Iraqi nation is seeking to build relations with Iran based on the principle of non-interference in domestic affairs . ''
`` Our countries are facing economic challenges , our nations expect a lot of us .
It is impossible to achieve [ our ] goals without cooperation , '' he emphasized .
This is the Iraqi prime minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the office .
The politician was supposed to travel to Saudi Arabia officially for the first time as the prime minister on Monday , however , the visit to Riyadh was postponed following hospitalization of Saudi Arabia ’ s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud .
On Sunday , Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif travelled to Iraq for an official visit .
The top Iranian diplomat held talks with senior Iraqi officials , including Al-Kadhimi , Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and leader of the Popular Mobilization Forces Falih Al-Fayyadh .

TEHRAN, July 21. /TASS/. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is hoping that the current visit of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi to Tehran will become a milestone in the Iranian-Iraqi relations, he said at a press conference following the talks with Al-Kadhimi.
"I am certain that this trip will be a turning point in the friendly relations between the two states," he said. The press conference was broadcast by the Iranian president’s press service.
Rouhani added, "the sides talked about [reaching] stability in the region, as well as about the fact that Iraq should play a special role in this process as a strong Arab country." According to the president, the politicians also discussed the status of the bordering Shatt al-Arab River (also known as Arvand Rud) and other issues of mutual interest. "Both states supported the idea to ramp up the trade turnover to $20 billion," he added.
In turn, Al-Kadhimi underlined that the country is not going to become a "foothold to carry out any attacks on Iran." He also noted Baghdad’s interest in advancing balanced relations with Tehran. "My current visit confirms the significance of historic ties between Iraq and Iran," the prime minister added.
According to him, "the Iraqi nation is seeking to build relations with Iran based on the principle of non-interference in domestic affairs." "Our countries are facing economic challenges, our nations expect a lot of us. It is impossible to achieve [our] goals without cooperation," he emphasized.
Iran-Iraq official visits
This is the Iraqi prime minister’s first foreign trip after assuming the office. The politician was supposed to travel to Saudi Arabia officially for the first time as the prime minister on Monday, however, the visit to Riyadh was postponed following hospitalization of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif travelled to Iraq for an official visit. The top Iranian diplomat held talks with senior Iraqi officials, including Al-Kadhimi, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and leader of the Popular Mobilization Forces Falih Al-Fayyadh.


tass--2020-07-21--Russian Northern Fleet deploys over 20 warships and subs in Arctic drills

SREDNY PENINSULA /Murmansk Region/ , July 21 .
/TASS/ .
The Northern Fleet held large-scale force-on-force battalion-level drills on the Sredny Peninsula in the Murmansk Region as part of the troops ’ snap combat readiness check , the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Tuesday .
`` This stage of the surprise inspection involves over 20 ships , submarines and support vessels of the Northern Fleet , six tactical naval groups , about 10 aircraft of various classes , over 250 items of armament , military and special hardware and more than 3,000 personnel of the Northern Fleet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
During the drills , the ships and submarines practiced the assignments of suppressing the notional enemy ’ s fire emplacements on the coast , the statement says .
`` The combat teams of an AK-100 battery of the large anti-submarine warfare ship Severomorsk and an AK-725 battery of the large amphibious assault ship Kondopoga held artillery firings against target positions .
The crew of a Ka-27 helicopter from an air group of the large anti-submarine warfare ship Severomorsk practiced delivering an air strike and landing an airborne assault force into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
The motorized infantry of the Northern Fleet ’ s army corps practiced missions to hold anti-amphibious assault defense of the coast , the press office said .
`` The Northern Fleet personnel organized measures to defend the coast against the assault force ’ s landing with the support of combat ships and aircraft , taking into account the experience of combat operations in present-day armed conflicts , '' the statement says .
During the drills , both forces actively employed drones to conduct reconnaissance and specify the tactical situation .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Southern and Western Military Districts , marine infantry of the Northern and Pacific Fleets , some units of central subordination and the Airborne Force is being held on July 17 - 21 on order of Russia ’ s Supreme Commander-in-Chief President Vladimir Putin .
The surprise combat readiness check involves about 150,000 troops , around 400 aircraft , over 26,000 items of armament , military and special hardware and over 100 warships and support vessels .

SREDNY PENINSULA /Murmansk Region/, July 21. /TASS/. The Northern Fleet held large-scale force-on-force battalion-level drills on the Sredny Peninsula in the Murmansk Region as part of the troops’ snap combat readiness check, the Fleet’s press office reported on Tuesday.
"This stage of the surprise inspection involves over 20 ships, submarines and support vessels of the Northern Fleet, six tactical naval groups, about 10 aircraft of various classes, over 250 items of armament, military and special hardware and more than 3,000 personnel of the Northern Fleet," the press office said in a statement.
During the drills, the ships and submarines practiced the assignments of suppressing the notional enemy’s fire emplacements on the coast, the statement says.
"The combat teams of an AK-100 battery of the large anti-submarine warfare ship Severomorsk and an AK-725 battery of the large amphibious assault ship Kondopoga held artillery firings against target positions. The crew of a Ka-27 helicopter from an air group of the large anti-submarine warfare ship Severomorsk practiced delivering an air strike and landing an airborne assault force into the enemy rear," according to the statement.
The motorized infantry of the Northern Fleet’s army corps practiced missions to hold anti-amphibious assault defense of the coast, the press office said.
"The Northern Fleet personnel organized measures to defend the coast against the assault force’s landing with the support of combat ships and aircraft, taking into account the experience of combat operations in present-day armed conflicts," the statement says.
During the drills, both forces actively employed drones to conduct reconnaissance and specify the tactical situation.
The snap combat readiness check of the troops of the Southern and Western Military Districts, marine infantry of the Northern and Pacific Fleets, some units of central subordination and the Airborne Force is being held on July 17 - 21 on order of Russia’s Supreme Commander-in-Chief President Vladimir Putin.
The surprise combat readiness check involves about 150,000 troops, around 400 aircraft, over 26,000 items of armament, military and special hardware and over 100 warships and support vessels.


tass--2020-07-21--Number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Belarus exceeding 66,300

MINSK , July 21 .
/TASS/ .
As many as 135 more novel coronavirus cases were confirmed in Belarus in the past day , with the overall number of such cases rising to 66,348 .
The daily death toll was four , the country ’ health ministry reported on Tuesday .
`` As many as 66,348 people ( out of the country ’ s population of 9.41 million - TASS ) have tested positive for COVID-19 .
A total of 507 coronavirus patients with a number of chronic diseases have died since the epidemic outbreak , '' it said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ many as 58,592 coronavirus patients have recovered from the disease .
A total of 1,202,214 coronavirus tests have been conducted , including 2,897 in the past day .
Belarus did not impose any coronavirus lockdowns , with mass gathering not being banned .
Currently , a presidential campaign is underway in the republic , with the elections scheduled for August 9 .
President Alexander Lukashenko said on Tuesday Belarus ’ method of combatting the coronavirus infection had yielded positive results , with the morbidity rate going down .
Belarus ’ authorities say the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dynamics , with the number of coronavirus cases having decreased by several times .
Nevertheless , the country ’ s healthcare system is getting prepared for a possible second wave of the infection .

MINSK, July 21. /TASS/. As many as 135 more novel coronavirus cases were confirmed in Belarus in the past day, with the overall number of such cases rising to 66,348. The daily death toll was four, the country’ health ministry reported on Tuesday.
"As many as 66,348 people (out of the country’s population of 9.41 million - TASS) have tested positive for COVID-19. A total of 507 coronavirus patients with a number of chronic diseases have died since the epidemic outbreak," it said.
According to the latest update, as many as 58,592 coronavirus patients have recovered from the disease. A total of 1,202,214 coronavirus tests have been conducted, including 2,897 in the past day.
Belarus did not impose any coronavirus lockdowns, with mass gathering not being banned. Currently, a presidential campaign is underway in the republic, with the elections scheduled for August 9.
President Alexander Lukashenko said on Tuesday Belarus’ method of combatting the coronavirus infection had yielded positive results, with the morbidity rate going down.
Belarus’ authorities say the country has been demonstrating a stable positive dynamics, with the number of coronavirus cases having decreased by several times. Nevertheless, the country’s healthcare system is getting prepared for a possible second wave of the infection.


tass--2020-07-21--Russia’s Arctic development strategy to be signed in August, says minister

MOSCOW , July 21 .
/TASS/ .
The strategy for development of the Russian Arctic zone is expecting approval at the Presidential administration , Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic told a press conference on Tuesday , adding that it is planned that the document will be signed in August .
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the plan to adopt a new strategy for the Arctic development through 2035 that will integrate the activities of National Projects and state programs , investment plans of infrastructure companies , programs for development of the Arctic regions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That is one of our country ’ s major strategic documents .
I should note that there is a framework and a strategy .
The framework [ of the Arctic development ] has already been signed by President .
The strategy is at the Presidential administration expecting approval , and we expect the document to be signed in August , '' he said .
The document has been developed for implementation of the main areas of Russia ’ s state policy in the Arctic through 2035 approved earlier by President ’ s decree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and tasks of development of Russia ’ s Arctic zone , as well as mechanisms , stages and expected results of their implementation .
The ministry developed the provisions of the strategy together with Arctic regions and representatives of the academia .
Currently the work is underway on new mechanisms of development of the Russian Arctic zone .
The main areas of Russia ’ s state policy in the Arctic through 2035 have already been approved .
The state program on the Arctic development that will envision particular steps , including those on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being drafted on the basis of the strategy .
Moreover , subsidies for investors planning to implement new projects in the Arctic have been greenlighted .
They stipulate a number of tax and non-tax preferences .

MOSCOW, July 21. /TASS/. The strategy for development of the Russian Arctic zone is expecting approval at the Presidential administration, Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic told a press conference on Tuesday, adding that it is planned that the document will be signed in August.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the plan to adopt a new strategy for the Arctic development through 2035 that will integrate the activities of National Projects and state programs, investment plans of infrastructure companies, programs for development of the Arctic regions and cities, in April 2019.
"That is one of our country’s major strategic documents. I should note that there is a framework and a strategy. The framework [of the Arctic development] has already been signed by President. The strategy is at the Presidential administration expecting approval, and we expect the document to be signed in August," he said.
The document has been developed for implementation of the main areas of Russia’s state policy in the Arctic through 2035 approved earlier by President’s decree. The strategy defines the main areas and tasks of development of Russia’s Arctic zone, as well as mechanisms, stages and expected results of their implementation. The ministry developed the provisions of the strategy together with Arctic regions and representatives of the academia.
Currently the work is underway on new mechanisms of development of the Russian Arctic zone. The main areas of Russia’s state policy in the Arctic through 2035 have already been approved. The state program on the Arctic development that will envision particular steps, including those on investment attraction and jobs creation, is being drafted on the basis of the strategy. Moreover, subsidies for investors planning to implement new projects in the Arctic have been greenlighted. They stipulate a number of tax and non-tax preferences.


tass--2020-07-21--Mammoth fossils discovered on lake shore on Siberian Yamal peninsula

MOSCOW , July 21 .
/TASS/ .
Mammoth fossils that have been discovered by local residents on the shores of Lake Pechevalavato in Russia ’ s Siberian Yamal peninsula will be studied at the Research Center for Arctic Studies , the Center said on Tuesday .
`` Fragments of a mammoth skeleton with pieces of soft tissue have been discovered by local residents on the shores of Lake Pechevalavato near the village Seyakha on the Yamal peninsula .
The village ’ s head , Stanislab Vanuito , immediately reported the find to scientists .
The Research Center for Arctic Studies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ museum staffers to the area already tomorrow , '' it said .
The expedition will be tasked to study the find and look for other possible mammoth burials in the area .
`` The lake bottom mud may hold the rest of the mammoth skeleton .
It is necessary to record the exact location of the remains for further studies , '' the Center ’ s director , Dmitry Frolov , said .
According to the Center ’ s specialists , mammoth fossils are occasionally found in the area .
`` The most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Lyuba found in the Yamal area in 1988 and 2007 , respectively .
A rich collection of mammoth bones has been recovered from the Gydansky peninsula , '' they said .
Most of the Yamal peninsula is located north of the Arctic Circle , in the permafrost zone , with winter lasting for up to eight months a year .
Mammoths roamed the Earth when the Ice Age set in to go extinct some 4,000 years ago .
They were around twice the size and weight of today 's elephants , reaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 12 tonnes .
Mammoth fossils are occasionally discovered in the Siberian permafrost .

MOSCOW, July 21. /TASS/. Mammoth fossils that have been discovered by local residents on the shores of Lake Pechevalavato in Russia’s Siberian Yamal peninsula will be studied at the Research Center for Arctic Studies, the Center said on Tuesday.
"Fragments of a mammoth skeleton with pieces of soft tissue have been discovered by local residents on the shores of Lake Pechevalavato near the village Seyakha on the Yamal peninsula. The village’s head, Stanislab Vanuito, immediately reported the find to scientists. The Research Center for Arctic Studies will send a party of archaeologists and museum staffers to the area already tomorrow," it said.
The expedition will be tasked to study the find and look for other possible mammoth burials in the area. "The lake bottom mud may hold the rest of the mammoth skeleton. It is necessary to record the exact location of the remains for further studies," the Center’s director, Dmitry Frolov, said.
According to the Center’s specialists, mammoth fossils are occasionally found in the area. "The most widely known finds are baby mammoths Masha and Lyuba found in the Yamal area in 1988 and 2007, respectively. A rich collection of mammoth bones has been recovered from the Gydansky peninsula," they said.
Most of the Yamal peninsula is located north of the Arctic Circle, in the permafrost zone, with winter lasting for up to eight months a year.
Mammoths roamed the Earth when the Ice Age set in to go extinct some 4,000 years ago. They were around twice the size and weight of today's elephants, reaching 5.5 meters in height and weighing up to 12 tonnes. Mammoth fossils are occasionally discovered in the Siberian permafrost.


tass--2020-07-21--UK report on Russia surprising only by lack of Brexit accusations, says senior official

MOSCOW , July 21 .
/TASS/ .
The Intelligence and Security Committee of UK Parliament report on the Russia is @ @ @ @ @ accusations of Russian interference in the Brexit referendum , head of the Federation Council Committee @ @ @ @ @ says , adding that all allegations in the report are unfounded and unconvincing .
`` @ @ @ @ @ that is surprising in the [ committee ] report on ‘ Russian meddling ’ , @ @ @ @ @ accusations over Brexit .
Everything else is there in full and piled up - from @ @ @ @ @ , which Russia also seeks to undermine , '' Kosachev wrote in his Facebook .
@ @ @ @ @ - they are once again empty , unfounded and unconvincing .
Pulling conspiracy theories out @ @ @ @ @ common vice of many Western politicians .
It gets worse when it becomes a state @ @ @ @ @ ’ is not the right word .
It is dangerous , '' the senator added @

MOSCOW, July 21. /TASS/. The Intelligence and Security Committee of UK Parliament report on the Russia is surprising only by lack of accusations of Russian interference in the Brexit referendum, head of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Konstantin Kosachev says, adding that all allegations in the report are unfounded and unconvincing.
"If there is one thing that is surprising in the [committee] report on ‘Russian meddling’, it is the withdrawal of accusations over Brexit. Everything else is there in full and piled up - from Scotland to the world order, which Russia also seeks to undermine," Kosachev wrote in his Facebook.
"As for the allegations - they are once again empty, unfounded and unconvincing. Pulling conspiracy theories out of their backside is a common vice of many Western politicians. It gets worse when it becomes a state policy. Although ‘worse’ is not the right word. It is dangerous," the senator added.


tass--2020-07-21--Lavrov discusses border situation with Azerbaijani and Armenian ambassadors

`` The diplomats discussed issues of security in the South Caucasus , ways to stabilize the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border , prospects for invigoration of efforts towards Nagorno-Karabakh settlement under the OSCE Minsk Group mediation , '' the ministry said .
MOSCOW , July 21 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed the current tensions on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border with the two countries ’ ambassadors , Polad Bulbul ogly of Azerbaijan and Vardan Toganyan of Armenia , during a working breakfast on Tuesday , the Russian foreign ministry reports .
The situation on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border escalated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Armenian army had tried to attack Azerbaijan ’ s positions with use of artillery systems .
Armenia , in turn , said the situation on the border had aggravated after Azerbaijan ’ s attempted attack .
Baku has reported the death of twelve servicemen .
Yerevan said four Armenian soldiers had been killed and ten more were wounded .
On July 17 , both sides reported that the situation on the border was relatively calm .
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

"The diplomats discussed issues of security in the South Caucasus, ways to stabilize the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, prospects for invigoration of efforts towards Nagorno-Karabakh settlement under the OSCE Minsk Group mediation," the ministry said.
MOSCOW, July 21. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed the current tensions on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border with the two countries’ ambassadors, Polad Bulbul ogly of Azerbaijan and Vardan Toganyan of Armenia, during a working breakfast on Tuesday, the Russian foreign ministry reports.
The situation on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border escalated on July 12, when Azerbaijan said that the Armenian army had tried to attack Azerbaijan’s positions with use of artillery systems. Armenia, in turn, said the situation on the border had aggravated after Azerbaijan’s attempted attack. Baku has reported the death of twelve servicemen. Yerevan said four Armenian soldiers had been killed and ten more were wounded.
On July 17, both sides reported that the situation on the border was 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--2020-07-21--Iranian top diplomat notes strategic nature of relations with Russia

TEHRAN , July 21 .
/TASS/ .
The relations between Iran and Russia are of a strategic nature , Iranian @ @ @ @ @ said on Tuesday during his official visit to Moscow .
He noted that the relations @ @ @ @ @ of a strategic nature , adding that in the current situation , there is a @ @ @ @ @ both states .
`` The extension of a 20-year agreement between Iran and Russia is @ @ @ @ @ Iranian diplomatic body , '' Zarif said , quoted by ISNA agency , when asked @ @ @ @ @ the cooperation agreement with Russia .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Iranian Foreign Minister @ @ @ @ @ talks on Tuesday in Moscow .
Russia ’ s Special Presidential Envoy for Afghanistan Zamir @ @ @ @ @ ministers plan to discuss the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA ) on the @ @ @ @ @ situation in Syria .
The top diplomats will also touch upon the situation in the @ @ @ @ @ and other regional issues .

TEHRAN, July 21. /TASS/. The relations between Iran and Russia are of a strategic nature, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Tuesday during his official visit to Moscow.
He noted that the relations between Russia and Iran are of a strategic nature, adding that in the current situation, there is a necessity for regular talks between both states.
"The extension of a 20-year agreement between Iran and Russia is on the agenda of the Iranian diplomatic body," Zarif said, quoted by ISNA agency, when asked whether Iran plans to prolong the cooperation agreement with Russia.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif are holding talks on Tuesday in Moscow. Russia’s Special Presidential Envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov informed earlier that the ministers plan to discuss the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear program and the situation in Syria. The top diplomats will also touch upon the situation in the area of the Persian Gulf and other regional issues.


tass--2020-07-21--It will take at least 18 months to develop anti-coronavirus vaccine, says Russian expert

MOSCOW , July 21 .
/TASS/ .
It will take about 18 months to develop a viable anti-coronavirus vaccine , @ @ @ @ @ specialist in infectious diseases of the Russian Federal Medical Biological Agency and holder of chair @ @ @ @ @ Pirogov Medical University , said on Tuesday .
`` It typically takes at least 18 @ @ @ @ @ viable vaccine tested for efficacy and safety .
That ’ s the reference point .
@ @ @ @ @ , we will see if it is efficient , '' he said .

MOSCOW, July 21. /TASS/. It will take about 18 months to develop a viable anti-coronavirus vaccine, Vladimir Nikoforov, the chief specialist in infectious diseases of the Russian Federal Medical Biological Agency and holder of chair in infectious diseases of the Pirogov Medical University, said on Tuesday.
"It typically takes at least 18 months to develop a really viable vaccine tested for efficacy and safety. That’s the reference point. When we have tested it, we will see if it is efficient," he said.


tass--2020-07-21--UK parliament committee’s report seen as another step to ruining relations with Russia -MP

`` The report of the UK Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament and commentaries to it present a vivid example of Russophobia , ungrounded accusations and blatant anti-Russian propaganda , '' Leonid Slutsky , chairman of the international committee of Russia ’ s State Duma lower parliament house , told journalists .
MOSCOW , July 21 .
/TASS/ .
The newly-issued report of the UK Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament on alleged Russia ’ s interference is yet another example of Russophobia and ungrounded accusations and can be seen as another step towards wrecking bilateral relations , a senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Russia ’ s interference into political processes in the United Kingdom `` are obviously geared to once again publicly label Russia as a threat and a new challenge '' and demand more money to contain Russia for that reason .
According to the Russian lawmaker , the report ’ s authors are seeking to `` place Russia on the axis of evil '' and accuse it of paranoid assessments .
`` It is not us who suffer from paranoia , it is rather the diagnosis of those who invent myths of aggressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obviously , publication of such reports is yet another step towards ruining bilateral relations that are living through a not very good period even without that .
We can not accept either the conclusions or the ungrounded claims of the British side . ''
As follows from the so-called Russia Report of the UK Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament that was released on Tuesday , British lawmakers don ’ t think that any improvement in relations between London and Moscow is possible under the current Russian leadership .
The report in particular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cyber activity '' and employs `` organised crime groups to supplement its cyber skills . ''
The report also claims that Russia tried to influence the 2014 referendum on Scotland ’ s independence .

"The report of the UK Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament and commentaries to it present a vivid example of Russophobia, ungrounded accusations and blatant anti-Russian propaganda," Leonid Slutsky, chairman of the international committee of Russia’s State Duma lower parliament house, told journalists.
MOSCOW, July 21. /TASS/. The newly-issued report of the UK Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament on alleged Russia’s interference is yet another example of Russophobia and ungrounded accusations and can be seen as another step towards wrecking bilateral relations, a senior Russian lawmaker said on Tuesday.
Allegations about Russia’s interference into political processes in the United Kingdom "are obviously geared to once again publicly label Russia as a threat and a new challenge" and demand more money to contain Russia for that reason.
According to the Russian lawmaker, the report’s authors are seeking to "place Russia on the axis of evil" and accuse it of paranoid assessments. "It is not us who suffer from paranoia, it is rather the diagnosis of those who invent myths of aggressive Russia," he said. "Obviously, publication of such reports is yet another step towards ruining bilateral relations that are living through a not very good period even without that. We cannot accept either the conclusions or the ungrounded claims of the British side."
As follows from the so-called Russia Report of the UK Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament that was released on Tuesday, British lawmakers don’t think that any improvement in relations between London and Moscow is possible under the current Russian leadership. The report in particular claims that Russia "carries out malicious cyber activity" and employs "organised crime groups to supplement its cyber skills." The report also claims that Russia tried to influence the 2014 referendum on Scotland’s independence.


tass--2020-07-22--Russia completes state trials of new Kalashnikov submachine-gun

IZHEVSK , July 22 .
/TASS/ .
The Kalashnikov Group has completed the state trials of a new submachine-gun developed under the Vityaz-MO experimental design work , the Group ’ s press office reported on Wednesday .
`` The inter-agency commission has recognized the item as suitable for its serial production and recommended that it should be assigned the name of ‘ the 9mm Kalashnikov PPK-20 submachine-gun ’ in memory of Viktor Mikhailovich Kalashnikov , '' the press office said in a statement .
During the experimental design work , the serial-produced Vityaz-SN submachine-gun was used as the basis to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ development stage , specialists took into account the faults exposed during the gun ’ s serial production and brought the new submachine-gun ’ s design and structure into compliance with the requirements of the technical assignment .
They improved the Kalashnikov submachine-gun ’ s ergonomics and its ammunition , increased its reliability and supplemented it with a noiseless fire device , the press office said .
`` The PPK-20 includes a belt with one-and two-point fastening on the submachine-gun .
A bag made of the material with the digital camouflage color was introduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fastening devices , noiseless fire devices , an adapter , clips and a gun oiler , '' the company said .
A group of designers led by Viktor Kalashnikov developed a family of submachine-guns : Bizon-2 ( the 9x18mm caliber ) , Bizon-2-01 ( 9x19 ) and Bizon-2-03 ( the prototype took part in state trials under the Baksanets R & D work ) .
In 2004 , the designers ’ group used the Bizon-2-01 weapon to develop the Vityaz-SN submachine-gun supplied with a 30-round box magazine .
In 2005 , the submachine-gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Interior Ministry .
The gun is currently operational in special-purpose units of the Interior Ministry , the Federal Security Service and the Federal Guard Service .

IZHEVSK, July 22. /TASS/. The Kalashnikov Group has completed the state trials of a new submachine-gun developed under the Vityaz-MO experimental design work, the Group’s press office reported on Wednesday.
"The inter-agency commission has recognized the item as suitable for its serial production and recommended that it should be assigned the name of ‘the 9mm Kalashnikov PPK-20 submachine-gun’ in memory of Viktor Mikhailovich Kalashnikov," the press office said in a statement.
During the experimental design work, the serial-produced Vityaz-SN submachine-gun was used as the basis to develop the new weapon. At the development stage, specialists took into account the faults exposed during the gun’s serial production and brought the new submachine-gun’s design and structure into compliance with the requirements of the technical assignment. They improved the Kalashnikov submachine-gun’s ergonomics and its ammunition, increased its reliability and supplemented it with a noiseless fire device, the press office said.
"The PPK-20 includes a belt with one-and two-point fastening on the submachine-gun. A bag made of the material with the digital camouflage color was introduced into its accessories to carry magazines, fastening devices, noiseless fire devices, an adapter, clips and a gun oiler," the company said.
A group of designers led by Viktor Kalashnikov developed a family of submachine-guns: Bizon-2 (the 9x18mm caliber), Bizon-2-01 (9x19) and Bizon-2-03 (the prototype took part in state trials under the Baksanets R&D work).
In 2004, the designers’ group used the Bizon-2-01 weapon to develop the Vityaz-SN submachine-gun supplied with a 30-round box magazine. In 2005, the submachine-gun was adopted for service in Russia’s Interior Ministry. The gun is currently operational in special-purpose units of the Interior Ministry, the Federal Security Service and the Federal Guard Service.


tass--2020-07-22--Russia’s FSB thwarts terror attack in Nalchik

Russia will find way to respond to US sanctions against Kadyrov , says diplomat US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo @ @ @ @ @ the United States was imposing sanctions on head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov and @ @ @ @ @ violations of human rights

It would be US ‘golden dream’ to have nuclear weapons in Ukraine — diplomat
Maria Zakharova recalled that Italy and many other countries possess the US nuclear weapons but do not have access to them
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tass--2020-07-22--Russia, Turkey hold consultations on resolving Libyan conflict

MOSCOW , July 22 .
/TASS/ .
Russia and Turkey have held inter-agency consultations on resolving the Libyan conflict in @ @ @ @ @ the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday .
`` The parties thoroughly @ @ @ @ @ facing the Middle East , focusing on the need to put an end to military @ @ @ @ @ as possible and find a long-term solution , '' the statement reads .
The consultations @ @ @ @ @ Sergei Vershinin and Defense Ministry officials , as well as Turkish officials led by Deputy @ @ @ @ @ There currently are two governments in Libya : the internationally recognized Government of National Accord @ @ @ @ @ Fayez al-Sarraj , which is headquartered in the country ’ s capital of Tripoli , @ @ @ @ @ the country ’ s east , which has the support of the Libyan National Army @ @ @ @ @ Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar .
In the spring of 2019 , Haftar launched an offensive @ @ @ @ @ requested Turkey ’ s support .

MOSCOW, July 22. /TASS/. Russia and Turkey have held inter-agency consultations on resolving the Libyan conflict in Ankara on July 21-22, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
"The parties thoroughly discussed various aspects of issues facing the Middle East, focusing on the need to put an end to military activities in Libya as soon as possible and find a long-term solution," the statement reads.
The consultations involved Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin and Defense Ministry officials, as well as Turkish officials led by Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal.
Libya crisis
There currently are two governments in Libya: the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) headed by Fayez al-Sarraj, which is headquartered in the country’s capital of Tripoli, and a cabinet based in the country’s east, which has the support of the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. In the spring of 2019, Haftar launched an offensive on Tripoli and the GNA requested Turkey’s support.


tass--2020-07-22--Russian GDP contraction expected at 4.8% in 2020

MOSCOW , July 22 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Economic Development Ministry projects GDP contraction at the level of 4.8 % in 2020 , Minister Maksim Reshetnikov told reporters on Wednesday , adding that GDP contraction estimations for the second quarter are within the range of May ’ s outlook .
`` In budget forecasting , we generally stick to the estimations provided in May , which envision GDP contraction of 9.5 % in the second quarter .
Currently the latest figures provided by Rosstat say minus 9.6 % , which means that we are in the projected corridor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contraction in comparable prices of 4.8 % this year , '' he said .
1H GDP contraction is expected to total 4.2 % in Russia , the minister noted .
`` The nationwide [ economic recovery ] plan suggests that [ Russian GDP ] will reach the pre-crisis quarterly level by the fourth quarter of 2021 , '' he said .
The ministry plans to adjust its outlook on the country ’ s social and economic development for 2020-2022 in August , Reshetnikov said , adding that the ministry might revise the GDP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might be higher this year than projected in May .
Previously the Economic Development Ministry projected GDP contraction at 5 % for 2020 , with the estimation not considering the effect of implementation of the national economic recovery plan .

MOSCOW, July 22. /TASS/. Russia’s Economic Development Ministry projects GDP contraction at the level of 4.8% in 2020, Minister Maksim Reshetnikov told reporters on Wednesday, adding that GDP contraction estimations for the second quarter are within the range of May’s outlook.
"In budget forecasting, we generally stick to the estimations provided in May, which envision GDP contraction of 9.5% in the second quarter. Currently the latest figures provided by Rosstat say minus 9.6%, which means that we are in the projected corridor and, consequently, expect total GDP contraction in comparable prices of 4.8% this year," he said.
1H GDP contraction is expected to total 4.2% in Russia, the minister noted.
"The nationwide [economic recovery] plan suggests that [Russian GDP] will reach the pre-crisis quarterly level by the fourth quarter of 2021," he said.
The ministry plans to adjust its outlook on the country’s social and economic development for 2020-2022 in August, Reshetnikov said, adding that the ministry might revise the GDP deflation index as GDP in nominal terms might be higher this year than projected in May.
Previously the Economic Development Ministry projected GDP contraction at 5% for 2020, with the estimation not considering the effect of implementation of the national economic recovery plan.


tass--2020-07-22--Russian journalists injured in attack by people dressed in camouflage in Portland

MOSCOW , July 22 .
/TASS/ .
A film crew of Russia ’ s Channel One was injured in an @ @ @ @ @ of Portland , the TV channel ’ s press service told TASS on Wednesday .
@ @ @ @ @ Olkhovskaya happened to be on the way of people dressed in camouflage , who rushed @ @ @ @ @ the situation in the street escalated .
They pushed Olkhovskaya and attacked an operator [ @ @ @ @ @ .
They broke their camera .
The journalists sustained injuries and scratches , '' a @ @ @ @ @ in Portland , Oregon , after the death of African-American George Floyd in late May @ @ @ @ @ , armed federal officers were involved in dispersing rioters .
This decision came under criticism @ @ @ @ @ Governor of Oregon , Democrat Kate Brown demanded US President Donald Trump withdraw federal officers @ @ @ @ @ detaining protesters .

MOSCOW, July 22. /TASS/. A film crew of Russia’s Channel One was injured in an attack in the US city of Portland, the TV channel’s press service told TASS on Wednesday.
"A group of Yulia Olkhovskaya happened to be on the way of people dressed in camouflage, who rushed out of the courtroom when the situation in the street escalated. They pushed Olkhovskaya and attacked an operator [Vyacheslav Arkhipov] with batons. They broke their camera. The journalists sustained injuries and scratches," a spokesman said.
Protests continue in Portland, Oregon, after the death of African-American George Floyd in late May in Minneapolis. Last week, armed federal officers were involved in dispersing rioters. This decision came under criticism of the Democratic Party. Governor of Oregon, Democrat Kate Brown demanded US President Donald Trump withdraw federal officers from the city and stop detaining protesters.


tass--2020-07-22--Too early to talk about end of first wave of COVID-19, says expert

MOSCOW , July 22 .
/TASS/ .
The first wave of the coronavirus outbreak in Russia is not over yet @ @ @ @ @ chief epidemiologist Nikolai Briko said on Wednesday .
`` The epidemic process continues to develop @ @ @ @ @ say that a certain wave in Russia has ended , '' he told reporters at @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, July 22. /TASS/. The first wave of the coronavirus outbreak in Russia is not over yet, Russian Health Ministry's chief epidemiologist Nikolai Briko said on Wednesday.
"The epidemic process continues to develop, and we cannot say that a certain wave in Russia has ended," he told reporters at a news conference.


tass--2020-07-22--Russia to reinforce its borders in response to NATO relocation

`` Of course , we closely analyze all this , including from the standpoint of military planning , '' he said .
`` If any reinforcement would be deemed necessary , then , of course , all necessary measures will be taken , he said .
MOSCOW , July 22 .
/TASS/ .
Russia will take measures to reinforce its Western border in response to relocation of NATO forces if necessary , Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told TASS Wednesday .
He underscored that Russia ’ s potential response to the Alliance ’ s actions will be efficient and less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with our colleagues , they hint that our response must be symmetrical .
[ … ] No , we will do what we want ; it will all comply with the obligations we have taken upon ourselves , '' he noted .
The deputy foreign minister also expressed his regrets over negative development of situation in international security .
`` Those security instruments that existed before and ensured security - not by creating potentials and counter-potentials , but by military restraint , bigger transparency - are being eroded .
And not just eroded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he added .
Earlier , Reuters reported that US President Donald Trump ordered Pentagon to reduce the number of soldiers stationed in Germany .
According to Reuters , 9,500 of US soldiers and officers will be withdrawn from Germany .
Some speculated that these forces could be relocated to Poland .
In response , Polish President Andrzej Duda claimed that , should US forces be withdrawn from any NATO country , Warsaw will ensure that these forces `` are not withdrawn from Europe . ''

"Of course, we closely analyze all this, including from the standpoint of military planning," he said. "If any reinforcement would be deemed necessary, then, of course, all necessary measures will be taken, he said.
MOSCOW, July 22. /TASS/. Russia will take measures to reinforce its Western border in response to relocation of NATO forces if necessary, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told TASS Wednesday.
He underscored that Russia’s potential response to the Alliance’s actions will be efficient and less costly.
"Sometimes, during talks with our colleagues, they hint that our response must be symmetrical. […] No, we will do what we want; it will all comply with the obligations we have taken upon ourselves," he noted.
The deputy foreign minister also expressed his regrets over negative development of situation in international security.
"Those security instruments that existed before and ensured security - not by creating potentials and counter-potentials, but by military restraint, bigger transparency - are being eroded. And not just eroded, they are being deliberately destroyed," he added.
Earlier, Reuters reported that US President Donald Trump ordered Pentagon to reduce the number of soldiers stationed in Germany. According to Reuters, 9,500 of US soldiers and officers will be withdrawn from Germany. Some speculated that these forces could be relocated to Poland. In response, Polish President Andrzej Duda claimed that, should US forces be withdrawn from any NATO country, Warsaw will ensure that these forces "are not withdrawn from Europe."


tass--2020-07-22--Second diesel-electric sub built for Russia’s Pacific Fleet wraps up shipbuilders’ trials

`` The Admiralty Shipyard has completed the shipbuilders ’ sea trials of the Project 636.3 large diesel-electric submarine Volkhov for the Russian Navy , '' the Shipyard said in a statement .
ST. PETERSBURG , July 22 .
/TASS/ .
The second out of six Project 636.3 submarines ordered for Russia ’ s Pacific Fleet completed shipbuilders ’ sea trials , the Admiralty Shipyard reported on Wednesday .
The shipbuilders ’ sea trials of the submarine Volkhov that was floated out in December 2019 were held from June 18 to July 21 .
Over this period , the shipbuilders checked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , communications and life-support systems and other equipment .
The Volkhov successfully accomplished its planned submergences .
All the systems and mechanisms operated in the normal mode and in compliance with the stated operational characteristics , the statement says .
The Admiralty Shipyard will soon begin preparing the submarine for state trials that are scheduled for mid-August .
Following the state trials , the sub will be delivered to the Russian Navy .
Overall , the Admiralty Shipyard ( part of Russia ’ s United Shipbuilding Corporation ) will build six Project 636.3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fleet .
The Admiralty Shipyard earlier built a series of six Project 636.3 submarines for the Black Sea Fleet .
The Russian Navy Command is also considering building Project 636.3 diesel-electric submarines for the Baltic Fleet .
Project 636.3 submarines ( NATO reporting name : Improved Kilo-II ) are 74 meters long and displace more than 3,900 tonnes .
Due to its strong hull , the submarine has an operational depth of 240 meters and can dive to a maximum depth of 300 meters .
Submarines of this Project have an operational range @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are armed with Kalibr-PL cruise missiles that are launched from torpedo tubes from the sub ’ s submerged position .
Project 636 submarines are considered among the world ’ s most noiseless underwater cruisers .
They can develop a speed of up to 20 knots , have their sea endurance of 45 days and a crew of 52 men .

"The Admiralty Shipyard has completed the shipbuilders’ sea trials of the Project 636.3 large diesel-electric submarine Volkhov for the Russian Navy," the Shipyard said in a statement.
ST. PETERSBURG, July 22. /TASS/. The second out of six Project 636.3 submarines ordered for Russia’s Pacific Fleet completed shipbuilders’ sea trials, the Admiralty Shipyard reported on Wednesday.
The shipbuilders’ sea trials of the submarine Volkhov that was floated out in December 2019 were held from June 18 to July 21. Over this period, the shipbuilders checked the sub’s sonar, radar, communications and life-support systems and other equipment. The Volkhov successfully accomplished its planned submergences. All the systems and mechanisms operated in the normal mode and in compliance with the stated operational characteristics, the statement says.
The Admiralty Shipyard will soon begin preparing the submarine for state trials that are scheduled for mid-August. Following the state trials, the sub will be delivered to the Russian Navy.
Overall, the Admiralty Shipyard (part of Russia’s United Shipbuilding Corporation) will build six Project 636.3 diesel-electric submarines for Russia’s Pacific Fleet. The Admiralty Shipyard earlier built a series of six Project 636.3 submarines for the Black Sea Fleet. The Russian Navy Command is also considering building Project 636.3 diesel-electric submarines for the Baltic Fleet.
Project 636.3 submarines (NATO reporting name: Improved Kilo-II) are 74 meters long and displace more than 3,900 tonnes. Due to its strong hull, the submarine has an operational depth of 240 meters and can dive to a maximum depth of 300 meters. Submarines of this Project have an operational range of up to 7,500 miles. They are armed with Kalibr-PL cruise missiles that are launched from torpedo tubes from the sub’s submerged position.
Project 636 submarines are considered among the world’s most noiseless underwater cruisers. They can develop a speed of up to 20 knots, have their sea endurance of 45 days and a crew of 52 men.


tass--2020-07-22--Russia starts flight tests of new helicopter for Special Operations Forces

MOSCOW , July 22 .
/TASS/ .
A Mil Mi-8AMTSh-VN new helicopter for Special Operations Forces has entered flight tests , CEO of Russian Helicopters Group ( part of the state hi-tech corporation Rostec ) Andrei Boginsky said on Wednesday .
`` The construction of helicopters [ Mi-8AMTSh-VN ] is proceeding along with the R & D work .
The national helicopter-building center has already started flights , '' the chief executive said .
Rostec Aviation Cluster Industrial Director Anatoly Serdyukov said that the Mi-8AMTSh-VN helicopter had been technically designed taking into account the combat experience of employing helicopters in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engines of increased power , the new rotor system , the expanded weapons suite , the enhanced protection and other specifics of the upgraded helicopter increase its combat capabilities and allow employing it for special operations in the most adverse conditions .
The first stage of the trials is due to be completed in November .
Eventually , two more helicopters of this type will join the flights , '' he said .
Russia ’ s Defense Ministry signed a contract with Russian Helicopters rotorcraft manufacturer at the Army-2019 international arms show for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helicopters .
The gunships are due to be delivered in 2020-2021 .
The new helicopter has been developed in its special modification , considering the experience of combat operations in Syria .
As its main specific feature , a Mi-8AMTSh-VN helicopter employs two side-mounted 12.7mm forward-firing machine-guns .
The helicopter is outfitted with new flight control and navigation equipment , a gyro-stabilized opto-electronic system , a searchlight with an infrared emitter , dual-band lighting equipment and is adapted for using night vision goggles .
In order to increase its combat survivability , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system and a defensive aids suite that automatically detects missile launches against the helicopter , jams missile homing warheads and releases heat flares .
The crew ’ s cabin and the helicopter ’ s main systems are protected by the new armor made of titanium alloy .
The floor of the cargo compartment and the helicopter ’ s sides are shielded up to the windows with the removable lightweight Kevlar armor to protect the crew .

MOSCOW, July 22. /TASS/. A Mil Mi-8AMTSh-VN new helicopter for Special Operations Forces has entered flight tests, CEO of Russian Helicopters Group (part of the state hi-tech corporation Rostec) Andrei Boginsky said on Wednesday.
"The construction of helicopters [Mi-8AMTSh-VN] is proceeding along with the R&D work. The national helicopter-building center has already started flights," the chief executive said.
Rostec Aviation Cluster Industrial Director Anatoly Serdyukov said that the Mi-8AMTSh-VN helicopter had been technically designed taking into account the combat experience of employing helicopters in present-day armed conflicts.
"The high-altitude engines of increased power, the new rotor system, the expanded weapons suite, the enhanced protection and other specifics of the upgraded helicopter increase its combat capabilities and allow employing it for special operations in the most adverse conditions. The first stage of the trials is due to be completed in November. Eventually, two more helicopters of this type will join the flights," he said.
Russia’s Defense Ministry signed a contract with Russian Helicopters rotorcraft manufacturer at the Army-2019 international arms show for the delivery of ten latest Mi-8AMTSh-VN special-purpose helicopters. The gunships are due to be delivered in 2020-2021.
The new helicopter has been developed in its special modification, considering the experience of combat operations in Syria. As its main specific feature, a Mi-8AMTSh-VN helicopter employs two side-mounted 12.7mm forward-firing machine-guns. The helicopter is outfitted with new flight control and navigation equipment, a gyro-stabilized opto-electronic system, a searchlight with an infrared emitter, dual-band lighting equipment and is adapted for using night vision goggles.
In order to increase its combat survivability, the Mi-8AMTSh-VN is outfitted with a digital autopilot system and a defensive aids suite that automatically detects missile launches against the helicopter, jams missile homing warheads and releases heat flares.
The crew’s cabin and the helicopter’s main systems are protected by the new armor made of titanium alloy. The floor of the cargo compartment and the helicopter’s sides are shielded up to the windows with the removable lightweight Kevlar armor to protect the crew.


tass--2020-07-22--Press review: Russia’s goals for the decade and possible US-led boycott of 2022 Olympics

Despite global economic turbulence , it is possible to implement the goals set out in the Russian president 's decree on the national development goals through 2030 , which was signed on July 21 , lawmakers told Izvestia .
According to the document , life expectancy , which was 73.4 years in 2019 , should reach 78 years in ten years ’ time .
Another goal is to halve poverty compared to the 2017 level .
In addition , Russia will seek to enter the world 's top ten countries in terms of general education quality .
`` The economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the needs of the labor market .
People move between occupations two to three times in their lifetime , and they need to have continued learning opportunities in order to remain competitive , '' Progressive Education Institute Director Anna Marks told the newspaper .
The decree also covers environmental issues .
In particular , there are plans to create a sustainable system to manage solid municipal waste .
`` There is a need to focus on building and renovating waste treatment facilities and pay special attention to handling the emission of industrial pollutants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Timur Usmanov , a member of the Central Board of the All-Russian Society for Nature Conservation .
The document also sets other important goals .
These include plans to make sure that the number of workers employed in small and medium-sized businesses climbs to 25 mln , and that capital investment expands by at least 70 % compared to 2020 .
Similar expectations cover non-commodity and non-energy exports , too .
`` The development goals are realistic , even with the current global economic turbulence .
The coronavirus crisis has complicated the implementation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including the National Projects .
This is why , for instance , the document does not reiterate the goal of entering the top five global economies , which was mentioned in the previous presidential decree for the period through 2024 , '' State Duma member Viktor Zubarev explained .
According to him , what is essential is that the focus is on the human aspect , including the need to improve life expectancy and the quality of life .
`` It will give a boost to all other areas , from healthcare to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A number of US congressmen are calling for boycotting the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games .
A similar move was made against the Soviet Union 40 years ago , when Washington and its allies cited Moscow 's intervention in Afghanistan .
And now , they might point to Beijing 's crackdown against Muslims in the Xinjiang autonomous region , Nezavisimaya Gazeta notes .
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach has spoken out against all boycotts , saying that they negatively affect athletes .
However , George Magnus , a researcher at the University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2022 Olympics are becoming a potential bone of contention .
The United States , Canada and Sweden have tense relations with China and may want to quash the hype over the Games or boycott them .
Senior Fellow at the Washington-based Institute for China-America Studies Sourabh Gupta believes that as far as an Olympic boycott is concerned , the US will have the final say , particularly given its influence over the other members of the Five Eyes intelligence pact - the United Kingdom , Canada , Australia and New Zealand .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US that Americans made a mistake by taking part in the 2008 Olympic Games .
Back then , Washington was guided by the illusions that China ’ s economic growth would create a middle class that would demand more political rights and freedoms .
And China would turn into a country like Japan , just larger .
Those hopes were dashed , '' Vladimir Batyuk , Chief Research Associate at the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Institute for US and Canadian Studies , told the newspaper .
`` This is why , perhaps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China from hosting the 2022 Olympic Games .
The elections are just around the corner and those who will make the final decision will be guided by domestic political factors and not by the need to promote sports , '' the expert pointed out .
European Union countries have agreed on an economic recovery plan .
They will create a 750-bln euro pandemic recovery fund as planned , while grants for the countries hardest hit by the coronavirus have been reduced from 500 bln euro to 390 bln , Izvestia notes .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bodies do n't rely solely on the member states as far as resources are concerned .
Besides , it provides specific proof of solidarity among EU nations , Vincent Della Sala , Director of the Jean Monnet Centre at Italy 's University of Trento , told the paper .
According to the expert , the agreement has something for every country but none of them got everything they had hoped for .
The recovery package shows the EU 's ability to act and the advantages its members have .
The important thing is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas hit hardest by the pandemic crisis since its ultimate impact is yet to be assessed , Finnish member of the European Parliament Eero Heinaluoma told the newspaper .
The lawmaker emphasized the importance of balancing between loans and grants .
In his view , the recovery fund should be used to support economic growth and investment , particularly in the digital and green transition .
In addition , a prerequisite for using these funds is that at least 30 % of the grants and loans are spent on positive climate projects .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to restore the economy , the EU also has an ambitious plan to free it from carbon emissions by 2050 .
Debates on the plan are yet to take place .
Nezavisimaya Gazeta : US targets another weak spot in Nord Stream 2 project American lawmakers have found more weaknesses in Russia ’ s gas pipeline projects .
The US Congress plans to sanction bodies expected to issue certificates to the Nord Stream 2 and the TurkStream pipelines , Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes .
The threat of sanctions is becoming more real because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight it .
`` We need to wait for the law to be adopted and see how it will be implemented , '' said Igor Yushkov , a leading expert from the Russian government ’ s Financial University .
According to him , Germany and other lobbyists are trying to make sure that the final version of the document concerns only construction work .
`` There is no harm in that because sanctions on construction activities already exist .
And the fact that Gazprom has sent its own vessels to the site shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanctions as long as Nord Stream 2 is completed , '' Yuskov noted .
However , if new restrictions seek to prevent the pipelines from entering into service , some things wo n't depend on Gazprom , the expert went on to say .
`` Imagine that Gazprom has completed the construction of Nord Stream 2 and submitted all its documents to German regulators in order to get permission to put the pipeline into service .
The regulator will have to decide whether to be guided by national laws or by US sanctions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ German Chancellor Angela Merkel is critical of , '' Yuskov added .
`` The US legal framework for sanctions makes it possible to impose restrictions on specific companies , but it is not a mandatory thing to do .
This is why , the Americans may decide against taking chances for fear of putting too much pressure on relations with Europe and dealing an excessively strong blow to Europe , '' emphasized Stanislav Mitrakhovich , another leading expert from the Financial University .
A heat wave in Russia ’ s Eastern Siberia has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sending temperatures in Verkhoyansk , the world ’ s Pole of Cold , to 38 degrees Celsius ( 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit ) .
A group of researchers from Russia , the UK , the Netherlands , Germany , France and Switzerland tried to find our why it happened .
`` An abnormally low pressure area was recorded over the North Pole between January and April , '' one of the group ’ s members , Doctor of Physics and Mathematics Olga Zolina told the paper .
`` Winter temperatures in the Arctic and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher than usual .
As a result , the high pressure area declined , which is usually formed there .
A reverse process began in the region in early June , when the pressure started to get higher , '' she explained .
According to Zolina , if there was no human impact , a natural anomaly still could have emerged but it wouldn ’ t have been record-breaking .
Researchers believe that thawing permafrost is particularly dangerous .
According to estimates , up to 1.5 trillion tonnes of carbon dioxide are preserved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canada , which is 40 times the level of annual global emissions .
If these reserves are released , global warming might gain pace .
Professor Sonia Seneviratne believes that humankind has little time left to contain climate change within the Paris Agreement .
In order to do that , the world needs to at least halve carbon emissions by 2030 .
Meanwhile , an increasing number of scenarios provide skepticism on the possibility of reducing emissions , and the phenomenon in Verkhoyansk merely dims the prospects .
TASS is not responsible for @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Izvestia: Russia updates its decade-long national development goals Despite global economic turbulence, it is possible to implement the goals set out in the Russian president's decree on the national development goals through 2030, which was signed on July 21, lawmakers told Izvestia. According to the document, life expectancy, which was 73.4 years in 2019, should reach 78 years in ten years’ time. Another goal is to halve poverty compared to the 2017 level. In addition, Russia will seek to enter the world's top ten countries in terms of general education quality.
Read also Terms of achieving National Projects' goals to be extended until 2030
"The economy is rapidly changing, and so are the needs of the labor market. People move between occupations two to three times in their lifetime, and they need to have continued learning opportunities in order to remain competitive," Progressive Education Institute Director Anna Marks told the newspaper. The decree also covers environmental issues. In particular, there are plans to create a sustainable system to manage solid municipal waste. "There is a need to focus on building and renovating waste treatment facilities and pay special attention to handling the emission of industrial pollutants into bodies of water," said Timur Usmanov, a member of the Central Board of the All-Russian Society for Nature Conservation. The document also sets other important goals. These include plans to make sure that the number of workers employed in small and medium-sized businesses climbs to 25 mln, and that capital investment expands by at least 70% compared to 2020. Similar expectations cover non-commodity and non-energy exports, too. "The development goals are realistic, even with the current global economic turbulence. The coronavirus crisis has complicated the implementation of the government’s plans, including the National Projects. This is why, for instance, the document does not reiterate the goal of entering the top five global economies, which was mentioned in the previous presidential decree for the period through 2024," State Duma member Viktor Zubarev explained. According to him, what is essential is that the focus is on the human aspect, including the need to improve life expectancy and the quality of life. "It will give a boost to all other areas, from healthcare to education," the lawmaker emphasized. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: US legislators eye Olympic boycott against China A number of US congressmen are calling for boycotting the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games. A similar move was made against the Soviet Union 40 years ago, when Washington and its allies cited Moscow's intervention in Afghanistan. And now, they might point to Beijing's crackdown against Muslims in the Xinjiang autonomous region, Nezavisimaya Gazeta notes.
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach has spoken out against all boycotts, saying that they negatively affect athletes. However, George Magnus, a researcher at the University of Oxford China Center, says that the 2022 Olympics are becoming a potential bone of contention. The United States, Canada and Sweden have tense relations with China and may want to quash the hype over the Games or boycott them. Senior Fellow at the Washington-based Institute for China-America Studies Sourabh Gupta believes that as far as an Olympic boycott is concerned, the US will have the final say, particularly given its influence over the other members of the Five Eyes intelligence pact - the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. "It is a common belief in the US that Americans made a mistake by taking part in the 2008 Olympic Games. Back then, Washington was guided by the illusions that China’s economic growth would create a middle class that would demand more political rights and freedoms. And China would turn into a country like Japan, just larger. Those hopes were dashed," Vladimir Batyuk, Chief Research Associate at the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute for US and Canadian Studies, told the newspaper. "This is why, perhaps, the US would like to prevent China from hosting the 2022 Olympic Games. The elections are just around the corner and those who will make the final decision will be guided by domestic political factors and not by the need to promote sports," the expert pointed out. Izvestia: EU members agree on pandemic recovery fund European Union countries have agreed on an economic recovery plan. They will create a 750-bln euro pandemic recovery fund as planned, while grants for the countries hardest hit by the coronavirus have been reduced from 500 bln euro to 390 bln, Izvestia notes. The new fund establishes a principle that EU bodies don't rely solely on the member states as far as resources are concerned. Besides, it provides specific proof of solidarity among EU nations, Vincent Della Sala, Director of the Jean Monnet Centre at Italy's University of Trento, told the paper.
Read also Global economy may drop more than 5% in case of second pandemic wave
According to the expert, the agreement has something for every country but none of them got everything they had hoped for. The recovery package shows the EU's ability to act and the advantages its members have. The important thing is to make sure that it helps the areas hit hardest by the pandemic crisis since its ultimate impact is yet to be assessed, Finnish member of the European Parliament Eero Heinaluoma told the newspaper. The lawmaker emphasized the importance of balancing between loans and grants. In his view, the recovery fund should be used to support economic growth and investment, particularly in the digital and green transition. In addition, a prerequisite for using these funds is that at least 30% of the grants and loans are spent on positive climate projects. The reason is that apart from the need to restore the economy, the EU also has an ambitious plan to free it from carbon emissions by 2050. Debates on the plan are yet to take place. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: US targets another weak spot in Nord Stream 2 project American lawmakers have found more weaknesses in Russia’s gas pipeline projects. The US Congress plans to sanction bodies expected to issue certificates to the Nord Stream 2 and the TurkStream pipelines, Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes. The threat of sanctions is becoming more real because Berlin has no plan of retaliation to fight it. "We need to wait for the law to be adopted and see how it will be implemented," said Igor Yushkov, a leading expert from the Russian government’s Financial University. According to him, Germany and other lobbyists are trying to make sure that the final version of the document concerns only construction work. "There is no harm in that because sanctions on construction activities already exist. And the fact that Gazprom has sent its own vessels to the site shows that the company is ready to handle sanctions as long as Nord Stream 2 is completed," Yuskov noted.
Read also German businesses working on response to US Nord Stream 2 sanctions — association