tass--2020-07-08--US election and trade wars increase risks for Russia's economy, experts say

The possible tightening of anti-Russian sanctions is very likely if a candidate from the Democratic Party wins the election , according to the expert MOSCOW , July 8 .
/TASS/ .
The consequences of the US election scheduled for November 3 , 2020 , and the trade war between the United States and China may adversely affect the Russian economy , according to experts interviewed by TASS .
`` On the one hand , the Russian economy might face negative influence from economic turbulence , and on the other hand , a slowdown in the global economy and a corresponding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the US-China trade war , '' Director of HSE Centre for Business Tendencies Studies Georgy Ostapkovich believes .
Associate Professor at the Department of Stock Markets and Financial Engineering at RANEPA Sergey Khestanov believes it is likely that the United States will try to tighten trade restrictions against China during the presidential election race , which will reduce global demand for raw materials .
`` The United States is approaching the presidential election in conditions of a significant economic downturn and a strong polarization of society .
All acute political issues are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Against this background , attempts to tighten trade restrictions against China are very likely .
For Russia , this is a negative factor , since it would lead to a decrease in trade between the US and China , reducing , as a result , global demand for raw materials , '' he said .
According to the expert , an additional risk factor is associated with the possible tightening of anti-Russian sanctions , which is very likely if a candidate from the Democratic Party wins the election .
`` However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early 2021 , when the president-elect takes office and forms a new administration , '' Khestanov said .
Geopolitical risks to the Russian economy are rearing their heads again , Head of Analytical Department at Zenith Bank Vladimir Evstifeev said .
`` A Democratic victory in the US presidential election would spell increased sanctions risks .
Joe Biden is already speaking in favor of a tougher foreign policy towards Russia , '' the expert insisted .
US election is not the most significant factor affecting the exchange rate of the Russian currency , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the oil market and the budget process is much stronger .
The basic scenario includes a smooth depreciation of the ruble by 5-7 % by the end of 2020 .
However , any significant events related to the dynamics of the oil market and/or changes in budget policy will necessitate a reviewed forecast , '' he believes .
According to Evstifeev , the main risk is possible sanctions by the United States imposed on the ruble public debt .
`` In the context of stimulating budget policy , the Ministry of Finance announces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanctions on OFZs may violate the plans of Russian financial authorities .
In turn , this will negatively affect the dynamics of the ruble , which could lose 10-15 % after such sanctions .
The weakening of the ruble traditionally spurs inflation and will continue to negatively affect such components of GDP as final consumption and investment , '' he said .
Experts agree that it is beneficial for Russia that large economies - the United States , China , and the European Union - develop .
`` The weakening of the Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States will lead to a decrease in demand for Russian exports , '' Evstifeev said .
`` If the economy develops , there will be an increase in demand for fuel .
It is beneficial for Russia that the economies in the United States , China , and the European Union develop , '' Ostapkovich agreed .
According to Asset Manager at Otkritie Dmitry Kosmodemyansky , Russia 's neutrality in relations between the United States and China can help the Russian economy .
`` There are many examples of such benefits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , against the background of a tough economic restructuring due to global quarantine , we may not notice this effect to the tune of a few decimal percent of GDP growth , '' the expert believes .

The possible tightening of anti-Russian sanctions is very likely if a candidate from the Democratic Party wins the election, according to the expert
MOSCOW, July 8. /TASS/. The consequences of the US election scheduled for November 3, 2020, and the trade war between the United States and China may adversely affect the Russian economy, according to experts interviewed by TASS. "On the one hand, the Russian economy might face negative influence from economic turbulence, and on the other hand, a slowdown in the global economy and a corresponding decrease in demand for raw materials due to the US-China trade war," Director of HSE Centre for Business Tendencies Studies Georgy Ostapkovich believes. Geopolitical risks rise Associate Professor at the Department of Stock Markets and Financial Engineering at RANEPA Sergey Khestanov believes it is likely that the United States will try to tighten trade restrictions against China during the presidential election race, which will reduce global demand for raw materials.
"The United States is approaching the presidential election in conditions of a significant economic downturn and a strong polarization of society. All acute political issues are becoming the subject of the pre-election debate. Against this background, attempts to tighten trade restrictions against China are very likely. For Russia, this is a negative factor, since it would lead to a decrease in trade between the US and China, reducing, as a result, global demand for raw materials," he said. According to the expert, an additional risk factor is associated with the possible tightening of anti-Russian sanctions, which is very likely if a candidate from the Democratic Party wins the election. "However, any effects should not be expected until early 2021, when the president-elect takes office and forms a new administration," Khestanov said. Geopolitical risks to the Russian economy are rearing their heads again, Head of Analytical Department at Zenith Bank Vladimir Evstifeev said. "A Democratic victory in the US presidential election would spell increased sanctions risks. Joe Biden is already speaking in favor of a tougher foreign policy towards Russia," the expert insisted. Public debt sanctions would weaken the ruble US election is not the most significant factor affecting the exchange rate of the Russian currency, Khestanov said. "The influence of the oil market and the budget process is much stronger. The basic scenario includes a smooth depreciation of the ruble by 5-7% by the end of 2020. However, any significant events related to the dynamics of the oil market and/or changes in budget policy will necessitate a reviewed forecast," he believes.
Read also Implementation of Russia’s nationwide economic recovery plan starts in July


tass--2020-07-08--Over 275,000 people remain under supervision over coronavirus in Russia

28 more coronavirus patients die in Moscow in past day MOSCOW , July 8 .
/TASS/ .
Nearly 275,700 people @ @ @ @ @ Russia over a suspected coronavirus infection , the sanitary watchdog said on Wednesday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ medical supervision in Russia , '' the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection @ @ @ @ @ More than 21.7 mln tests for COVID-19 have been carried out , including 253,000 tests @ @ @ @ @ according to the sanitary watchdog .

28 more coronavirus patients die in Moscow in past day
MOSCOW, July 8. /TASS/. Nearly 275,700 people remain under medical supervision in Russia over a suspected coronavirus infection, the sanitary watchdog said on Wednesday.
"Some 275,764 people remain under medical supervision in Russia," the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing reported.
More than 21.7 mln tests for COVID-19 have been carried out, including 253,000 tests in the past day, according to the sanitary watchdog.


tass--2020-07-08--Bulgaria reports record high growth in daily COVID-19 cases

SOFIA , July 8 .
/TASS/ .
Bulgaria ’ s sanitary authorities registered 188 new COVID-19 cases in the past @ @ @ @ @ than a day earlier , making it the highest figure in the republic since the @ @ @ @ @ the Health Ministry ’ s United Information Portal said .
According to official data , @ @ @ @ @ cases reached 6,102 , including among 465 medical workers .
In the past 24 hours @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus and the total death toll hit 254 .
Some 483 patients with the @ @ @ @ @ hospitals , including 32 in intensive care .
A total of 3,037 people have recovered @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases on March 8 .
The authorities declared a state of emergency on March @ @ @ @ @ Now there is a state of emergency epidemiological situation in Bulgaria , which was extended @ @ @ @ @ .
Social distancing and wearing face masks is compulsory in indoor public places .

SOFIA, July 8. /TASS/. Bulgaria’s sanitary authorities registered 188 new COVID-19 cases in the past day, some 14 more than a day earlier, making it the highest figure in the republic since the start of the pandemic, the Health Ministry’s United Information Portal said.
According to official data, the total number of COVID-19 cases reached 6,102, including among 465 medical workers. In the past 24 hours, four patients died from the coronavirus and the total death toll hit 254. Some 483 patients with the coronavirus are receiving treatment in hospitals, including 32 in intensive care. A total of 3,037 people have recovered.
Bulgaria reported its first coronavirus cases on March 8. The authorities declared a state of emergency on March 13 until May 14. Now there is a state of emergency epidemiological situation in Bulgaria, which was extended until the end of July. Social distancing and wearing face masks is compulsory in indoor public places.


tass--2020-07-08--Russian sailors in Busan return on board ship after negative tests for coronavirus

VLADIVOSTOK , July 8 .
/ TASS / .
Crew members of the Russian Ice Stream refrigerator ( Ice Stream ) in the South Korean port of Busan , who had previously been found to have the coronavirus , began to be discharged from the hospital after negative tests , Ekaterina Morozova , general director of the Refransflot ship owning company , told TASS on Wednesday .
On June 21 , an outbreak of coronavirus infection was recorded among the crew of a ship arriving in Busan .
The diagnosis was confirmed in 16 people , and they were hospitalized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people were hospitalized .
In addition , an ill sailor was re-registered with Ice Stream from a neighboring vessel that had already left the port .
`` Of the 19 people , 9 are already on board , they are being discharged slowly , they should do a second test today .
They are tested every day , as soon as the test shows a negative result , they are discharged , '' the agency ’ s source said .
After hospitalization , 18 of the 21 crew members , the three remaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreigners , which served as an observation point .
According to the source , these people have also returned aboard Ice Stream .
Russian Federal Fisheries Agency announced its readiness to apply harsh measures to the ship owner of Ice Stream , potentially the withdrawal of the certificate of safety management in connection with the outbreak of infection .
The head of the department Petr Savchuk instructed the Northeast Territorial Administration to sort out the situation by involving Russia 's Consumer Watchdog Rospotrebnadzor .
Since the beginning of the pandemic , around 11.6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus around the world , more than 537,000 have died .
According to the federal operational headquarters for the fight against coronavirus , in Russia 694,230 cases of infection were registered , 463,880 people recovered , 10,494 died .

VLADIVOSTOK, July 8. / TASS /. Crew members of the Russian Ice Stream refrigerator (Ice Stream) in the South Korean port of Busan, who had previously been found to have the coronavirus, began to be discharged from the hospital after negative tests, Ekaterina Morozova, general director of the Refransflot ship owning company, told TASS on Wednesday.
On June 21, an outbreak of coronavirus infection was recorded among the crew of a ship arriving in Busan. The diagnosis was confirmed in 16 people ,and they were hospitalized. After repeated tests, two more people were hospitalized. In addition, an ill sailor was re-registered with Ice Stream from a neighboring vessel that had already left the port.
"Of the 19 people, 9 are already on board, they are being discharged slowly, they should do a second test today. They are tested every day, as soon as the test shows a negative result, they are discharged," the agency’s source said.
After hospitalization, 18 of the 21 crew members, the three remaining people were placed in a hotel for foreigners, which served as an observation point. According to the source, these people have also returned aboard Ice Stream.
Russian Federal Fisheries Agency announced its readiness to apply harsh measures to the ship owner of Ice Stream, potentially the withdrawal of the certificate of safety management in connection with the outbreak of infection. The head of the department Petr Savchuk instructed the Northeast Territorial Administration to sort out the situation by involving Russia's Consumer Watchdog Rospotrebnadzor.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, around 11.6 million people have been infected with the coronavirus around the world, more than 537,000 have died. According to the federal operational headquarters for the fight against coronavirus, in Russia 694,230 cases of infection were registered, 463,880 people recovered, 10,494 died.


tass--2020-07-08--5.1 magnitude earthquake strikes off coast of Alaska

TASS , July 8 .
An earthquake 5.1 in magnitude 5.1 occurred on Tuesday evening off the coast of Alaska @ @ @ @ @ reported on Tuesday .
According to the organization , the source lies at a depth @ @ @ @ @ epicenter was located 609 km southwest of the American city of Anchorage , Alaska , @ @ @ @ @ There is no information on injuries as a result of the earthquake , and no @ @ @ @ @ .

TASS, July 8. An earthquake 5.1 in magnitude 5.1 occurred on Tuesday evening off the coast of Alaska, the US Geological Survey reported on Tuesday.
According to the organization, the source lies at a depth of 4.6 km. The epicenter was located 609 km southwest of the American city of Anchorage, Alaska, approximate population 290,000 people.
There is no information on injuries as a result of the earthquake, and no tsunami threat has been announced.


tass--2020-07-08--New microloans customers in Russia down by 15% in June - research

MOSCOW , July 8 .
/ TASS / .
The number of loans issued by Russian micro finance organizations to new borrowers is declining for the second month in a row , compared to April in May , they were issued by 6.5 % less , the decrease in June compared to May was 15 % , according to a study by IDF Eurasia ( operates under the brand of online service Lending to Moneyman ) received by TASS on Wednesday .
However , the number of loans issued to repeat customers has been growing for the second month in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 % more of these loans issued than in April , and in June - 5 % more than in May .
`` We see that microcredit market participants continue to focus on repeat customers .
At the same time , an increase in the number of loans issued to them is accompanied by a decrease in those for new customers , which '' balances `` the issue in quantitative terms .
A decrease in the average loan amount quarter to quarter is an expected trend , in the current situation , people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more rationally on the whole , `` said Irina Khoroshko , IDF Eurasia General Director .
The volume of microloans in Q2 2020 amounted to about 27 bln rubles , having remained almost unchanged relative to the indicators of the first quarter .
The volume of all loans issued for June relative to May also remains at the same level .
The average amount of a microloan in the second quarter decreased to 13,000 rubles from 14,000 rubles in the first quarter .
In numerical terms , the number of loans issued to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; 478,000 in May and 517,000 in June .
The number of loans issued to new customers in April amounted to 234,000 ; in May - 219,000 , in June - 188,000 .
This study was prepared by the data provided by the IDF Eurasia group , credit bureau information and data from open sources .

MOSCOW, July 8. / TASS /. The number of loans issued by Russian micro finance organizations to new borrowers is declining for the second month in a row, compared to April in May, they were issued by 6.5% less, the decrease in June compared to May was 15%, according to a study by IDF Eurasia (operates under the brand of online service Lending to Moneyman) received by TASS on Wednesday.
However, the number of loans issued to repeat customers has been growing for the second month in a row, in May there were 10% more of these loans issued than in April, and in June - 5% more than in May.
"We see that microcredit market participants continue to focus on repeat customers. At the same time, an increase in the number of loans issued to them is accompanied by a decrease in those for new customers, which" balances "the issue in quantitative terms. A decrease in the average loan amount quarter to quarter is an expected trend, in the current situation, people reduce their needs and plan their expenses more rationally on the whole, " said Irina Khoroshko, IDF Eurasia General Director.
The volume of microloans in Q2 2020 amounted to about 27 bln rubles, having remained almost unchanged relative to the indicators of the first quarter. The volume of all loans issued for June relative to May also remains at the same level. The average amount of a microloan in the second quarter decreased to 13,000 rubles from 14,000 rubles in the first quarter.
In numerical terms, the number of loans issued to repeat customers amounted to 434,000 in April; 478,000 in May and 517,000 in June. The number of loans issued to new customers in April amounted to 234,000; in May - 219,000 , in June - 188,000.
This study was prepared by the data provided by the IDF Eurasia group, credit bureau information and data from open sources.


tass--2020-07-08--Strict lockdowns unlikely during potential second wave of COVID-19, says expert

MOSCOW , July 8 .
/ TASS / .
The emergence of a second wave of the coronavirus infection in Russia is inevitable , but a strict self-isolation quarantine is unlikely to be introduced by the government , Deputy Director of Research at the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology at the Federal Service on Surveillance for Consumer rights protection Alexander Gorelov told TASS on Wednesday .
`` We are unlikely to be locked down under a rigid self-isolation regime .
During the first stage , it was essential since medical institutions had to prepare in the first place .
Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been deployed given that the main criteria for getting out of isolation is the availability of free beds for patient hospitalization .
This not the same as it was at the onset , ” Gorelov said .
According to him , with an infection transmitted by airborne droplets , it is pointless to introduce a strict regime of restrictions , since `` there is no gateway that would not let it pass . ''
The key to victory over the coronavirus is `` natural epidemic control when medical organizations are ready .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ appearance of the second wave of the virus is inevitable .
`` I think the second wave will absolutely happen , because the stabilization of the process occurs when 30 % of the population has an immune response , and will switch to being a seasonal coronavirus when the immune layer exceeds 60-70 % .
At the moment , data from a sample study in Moscow shows that there are no more than 20 % , maximum 25 % of people like that .
Therefore , according to the laws of epidemiology and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he explained .
According to Gorelov , this will happen along with the rise of seasonal respiratory diseases during the cold season .
Moreover , the second wave can be stronger than the first only if the virus mutates strongly during the summer and acquires new properties .
`` But the rules suggest that the virus attenuates during circulation among the human population , because it has no task to kill .
It lives inside the body , so its goal is to spread , and it ’ s just looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there , '' he added .
To date , 694,230 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 463,880 patients having recovered from the disease , according to the anti-coronavirus crisis center .
As of July 7 , more than 226,200 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Moscow .
More than 159,700 patients have recovered .

MOSCOW, July 8. / TASS /. The emergence of a second wave of the coronavirus infection in Russia is inevitable, but a strict self-isolation quarantine is unlikely to be introduced by the government, Deputy Director of Research at the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology at the Federal Service on Surveillance for Consumer rights protection Alexander Gorelov told TASS on Wednesday.
"We are unlikely to be locked down under a rigid self-isolation regime. During the first stage, it was essential since medical institutions had to prepare in the first place. Now personnel has been trained, and beds have been deployed given that the main criteria for getting out of isolation is the availability of free beds for patient hospitalization. This not the same as it was at the onset,” Gorelov said.
According to him, with an infection transmitted by airborne droplets, it is pointless to introduce a strict regime of restrictions, since "there is no gateway that would not let it pass." The key to victory over the coronavirus is "natural epidemic control when medical organizations are ready." The expert also noted that the appearance of the second wave of the virus is inevitable.
"I think the second wave will absolutely happen, because the stabilization of the process occurs when 30% of the population has an immune response, and will switch to being a seasonal coronavirus when the immune layer exceeds 60-70%. At the moment, data from a sample study in Moscow shows that there are no more than 20%, maximum 25% of people like that. Therefore, according to the laws of epidemiology and virology, the second wave is inevitable," he explained.
According to Gorelov, this will happen along with the rise of seasonal respiratory diseases during the cold season. Moreover, the second wave can be stronger than the first only if the virus mutates strongly during the summer and acquires new properties. "But the rules suggest that the virus attenuates during circulation among the human population, because it has no task to kill. It lives inside the body, so its goal is to spread, and it’s just looking for susceptible groups in order to spread there," he added.
To date, 694,230 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 463,880 patients having recovered from the disease, according to the anti-coronavirus crisis center. As of July 7, more than 226,200 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Moscow. More than 159,700 patients have recovered.


tass--2020-07-09--Major European museums losing 600,000 euros weekly due to pandemic — expert

MOSCOW , July 8 .
/TASS/ .
Major European museums are enduring losses of up to 600,000 euros every week due to restrictions imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus , Chairperson of the Network of European Museum Organizations ( NEMO ) David Vuillaume said Wednesday at the international roundtable discussion entitled ‘ Museums in the age of crisis ’ organized by TASS online .
`` A museum in a touristic region loses up to 80 % of their income in two month , '' Villaume noted , adding that major museums lose 600,000 euros per week .
He emphasized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out on revenues even more than their regional counterparts .
Earlier , Director General of Moscow ’ s State Tretyakov Gallery Zelfira Tregulova informed that the museum missed out on around 2.7 million euros during its three-month forced closure .
Meanwhile , the press service for the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts underlined that the museum was losing around 2 million rubles ( $ 28,000 ) every day .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 11,965,900 people have been infected worldwide and more than 547,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 6,913,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , 700,792 coronavirus cases have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 10,667 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, July 8. /TASS/. Major European museums are enduring losses of up to 600,000 euros every week due to restrictions imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus, Chairperson of the Network of European Museum Organizations (NEMO) David Vuillaume said Wednesday at the international roundtable discussion entitled ‘Museums in the age of crisis’ organized by TASS online.
"A museum in a touristic region loses up to 80% of their income in two month," Villaume noted, adding that major museums lose 600,000 euros per week.
He emphasized that museums located in capitals naturally lose out on revenues even more than their regional counterparts.
Earlier, Director General of Moscow’s State Tretyakov Gallery Zelfira Tregulova informed that the museum missed out on around 2.7 million euros during its three-month forced closure. Meanwhile, the press service for the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts underlined that the museum was losing around 2 million rubles ($28,000) every day.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 11,965,900 people have been infected worldwide and more than 547,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 6,913,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, 700,792 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 472,511 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 10,667 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-07-09--Almost 169,000 new coronavirus cases reported globally in past 24 hours — WHO

TASS , July 8 .
The number of coronavirus infections confirmed by the World Health Organization ( WHO ) in @ @ @ @ @ the world rose by almost 169,000 to top 11.6 million , the WHO data shows @ @ @ @ @ went up by more than 4,000 , bringing the total over the 539,000 mark .
@ @ @ @ @ on July 8 , there were 11,669,259 cases and 539,906 fatalities recorded globally .
The @ @ @ @ @ account official numbers provided by national authorities .
The United States reports the highest number @ @ @ @ @ other country ( 2,923,432 ) , followed by Brazil ( 1,623,284 ) , India ( @ @ @ @ @ 700,792 ) , Peru ( 305,703 ) , Chile ( 301,019 ) , the United @ @ @ @ @ Mexico ( 261,750 ) , Spain ( 252,130 ) , Iran ( 245,688 ) .

TASS, July 8. The number of coronavirus infections confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the past 24 hours around the world rose by almost 169,000 to top 11.6 million, the WHO data shows, adding that coronavirus-related fatalities went up by more than 4,000, bringing the total over the 539,000 mark.
As of 11:00 Moscow time on July 8, there were 11,669,259 cases and 539,906 fatalities recorded globally. The WHO statistics only take into account official numbers provided by national authorities.
The United States reports the highest number of coronavirus cases than any other country (2,923,432), followed by Brazil (1,623,284), India (742,417), Russia (700,792), Peru (305,703), Chile (301,019), the United Kingdom (286,353), Mexico (261,750), Spain (252,130), Iran (245,688).


tass--2020-07-09--Russia’s Progress MS-13 cargo spacecraft buried in Pacific — Roscosmos

MOSCOW , July 9 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Progress MS-13 cargo spacecraft , which undocked from the International Space Station ( ISS ) on Wednesday , splashed down in the non-navigational area of the Pacific Ocean , known as the ‘ spacecraft cemetery , ’ Russia ’ s state-run space corporation Roscosmos said in a statement on Thursday .
`` In accordance with the Mission Control Center ’ s calculations < … > the Progress MS-13 space freighter re-entered the Earth ’ s atmosphere at 01:05 Moscow time .
The fall of the spacecraft ’ s indestructible debris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pacific Ocean , some 1,800 kilometers southeast of Wellington , New Zealand , '' the statement says .
The spacecraft undocked from the International Space Station at 21:22 Moscow time on Wednesday .
The cargo craft blasted off atop the Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket from launch site No .
31 of the Baikonur launch center in Kazakhstan on December 6 , 2019 .
The space freighter carried 650 kg of propellant , 420 kg of water , 1,360 kg of dry cargo and 50 kg of oxygen in tanks for the International Space Station @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orbital outpost under a three-day scheme .
The next launch of a Progress-MS spacecraft is scheduled to take place from Baikonur on July 23 .
It will deliver fuel , water , oxygen and other cargo to the orbital outpost .

MOSCOW, July 9. /TASS/. Russia’s Progress MS-13 cargo spacecraft, which undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday, splashed down in the non-navigational area of the Pacific Ocean, known as the ‘spacecraft cemetery,’ Russia’s state-run space corporation Roscosmos said in a statement on Thursday.
"In accordance with the Mission Control Center’s calculations <…> the Progress MS-13 space freighter re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere at 01:05 Moscow time. The fall of the spacecraft’s indestructible debris occurred at the non-navigational area of the Pacific Ocean, some 1,800 kilometers southeast of Wellington, New Zealand," the statement says.
The spacecraft undocked from the International Space Station at 21:22 Moscow time on Wednesday.
The cargo craft blasted off atop the Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket from launch site No. 31 of the Baikonur launch center in Kazakhstan on December 6, 2019. The space freighter carried 650 kg of propellant, 420 kg of water, 1,360 kg of dry cargo and 50 kg of oxygen in tanks for the International Space Station. The space freighter traveled to the orbital outpost under a three-day scheme.
The next launch of a Progress-MS spacecraft is scheduled to take place from Baikonur on July 23. It will deliver fuel, water, oxygen and other cargo to the orbital outpost.


tass--2020-07-09--Moscow reports 32 more coronavirus deaths

MOSCOW , July 8 .
/TASS/ .
The total number of patients who died from coronavirus in Moscow rose by 32 in the past 24 hours to reach 4,059 , Moscow ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center said Wednesday .
`` In Moscow , 32 patients died with confirmed pneumonia diagnosis and positive coronavirus tests , '' the crisis center noted .
The crisis center underlined that people should seek professional medical help when first flu-like symptoms appear and not engage in self-treatment .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 11,965,900 people have been infected worldwide and more than 547,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 6,913,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed in Russia , with 472,511 patients having recovered from the disease .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, July 8. /TASS/. The total number of patients who died from coronavirus in Moscow rose by 32 in the past 24 hours to reach 4,059, Moscow’s anti-coronavirus crisis center said Wednesday.
"In Moscow, 32 patients died with confirmed pneumonia diagnosis and positive coronavirus tests," the crisis center noted.
The crisis center underlined that people should seek professional medical help when first flu-like symptoms appear and not engage in self-treatment.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 11,965,900 people have been infected worldwide and more than 547,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 6,913,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, 700,792 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 472,511 patients having recovered from the disease. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-07-09--Russian reconciliation center warns of chemical provocation being staged in Syria

MOSCOW , July 8 .
/TASS/ .
Militants have made at least 15 explosive devices containing unknown substance for a @ @ @ @ @ , Alexander Shcherbitsky , chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
`` According to the intelligence , militants have manufactured minimum 15 improvised bombs @ @ @ @ @ in a special laboratory located in the town of Sarmada , '' Shcherbitsky said .
@ @ @ @ @ local population , he added , the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham terrorist group ( banned in @ @ @ @ @ a provocation in the settlement of Sfuhon , Fatira and Flaifel , Idlib province , @ @ @ @ @ the government forces for the use of chemical weapons .
`` .

MOSCOW, July 8. /TASS/. Terrorists have cobbled together at least 15 improvised explosive devices packed unknown substances in order to stage false flag attacks in Syrian inhabited localities, Alexander Shcherbitsky, chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria, said on Wednesday.
"According to the intelligence data, militants have manufactured at least 15 improvised explosive devices replete with unknown toxic substances in a special laboratory located in the town of Sarmada," Shcherbitsky revealed.
According to tip-offs from the local population, he added, the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham terrorist group (banned in Russia) "is plotting a provocation in the settlement of Sfuhon, Fatira and Flaifel, in the Idlib province, with the aim of blaming the government forces for the use of chemical weapons."


tass--2020-07-09--Russia’s ambassador to US slams media reports of Russia and Taliban as ‘downright lie’

WASHINGTON , July 9 .
/TASS/ .
US media reports alleging that Russia offered bounty to militants in Afghanistan for killing US soldiers were `` downright lie , '' Russia ’ s Ambassador to US Anatoly Antonov said on Wednesday during a video conference , organized by the Washington-based Center for the National Interest .
`` I would like to totally reject all accusations against Russia .
We are not interested in victory of terrorism in Afghanistan , '' he said , dismissing the New York Times article on the issue as `` downright lie . ''
`` We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and we , of course , discussed all issues regarding this provocation news published by some mass media in the United States , '' the Russian diplomat added .
Antonov wished success to US negotiators in Afghanistan .
On June 26 , The New York Times published an article , alleging that an unidentified division of the Russian military intelligence coerced Taliban militants to attack the servicemen of the international coalition in Afghanistan .
The newspaper claimed that such conclusions of the US intelligence services were presented to US President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House National Security Council discussed this issue in late March .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called these allegations a lie and a `` total hoax . ''
On June 27 , Russian Foreign Ministry labeled the initial publication on this issue as intentionally false .
According to the Ministry , `` this uncomplicated fake news clearly illustrates low intellectual capabilities of the US intelligence propagandists , who have to come up with such nonsense instead of inventing something more credible . ''
On June 28 , Trump tweeted that the US intelligence labelled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to offer bounty to the Afghan militants for assassination of US servicemen as false .
Trump speculated that The New York Times , who published the initial report , could have published `` another fabricated Russia Hoax , '' in a bid to `` make Republicans look bad . ''
The Russian Supreme Court designated the Taliban movement as a terrorist group in 2003 .
The organization is outlawed on the territory of Russia .

WASHINGTON, July 9. /TASS/. US media reports alleging that Russia offered bounty to militants in Afghanistan for killing US soldiers were "downright lie," Russia’s Ambassador to US Anatoly Antonov said on Wednesday during a video conference, organized by the Washington-based Center for the National Interest.
"I would like to totally reject all accusations against Russia. We are not interested in victory of terrorism in Afghanistan," he said, dismissing the New York Times article on the issue as "downright lie."
"We are in close contact with our American colleagues, and we, of course, discussed all issues regarding this provocation news published by some mass media in the United States," the Russian diplomat added.
Antonov wished success to US negotiators in Afghanistan.
On June 26, The New York Times published an article, alleging that an unidentified division of the Russian military intelligence coerced Taliban militants to attack the servicemen of the international coalition in Afghanistan. The newspaper claimed that such conclusions of the US intelligence services were presented to US President Donald Trump several months ago, while the White House National Security Council discussed this issue in late March.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called these allegations a lie and a "total hoax." On June 27, Russian Foreign Ministry labeled the initial publication on this issue as intentionally false.
According to the Ministry, "this uncomplicated fake news clearly illustrates low intellectual capabilities of the US intelligence propagandists, who have to come up with such nonsense instead of inventing something more credible."
On June 28, Trump tweeted that the US intelligence labelled the reports of the alleged Russian attempts to offer bounty to the Afghan militants for assassination of US servicemen as false. Trump speculated that The New York Times, who published the initial report, could have published "another fabricated Russia Hoax," in a bid to "make Republicans look bad."
The Russian Supreme Court designated the Taliban movement as a terrorist group in 2003. The organization is outlawed on the territory of Russia.


tass--2020-07-09--Russia will not pressure China into joining disarmament process — ambassador to US

WASHINGTON , July 9 .
/TASS/ .
Russia has no plans to pressure China into joining the nuclear disarmament process @ @ @ @ @ and France ’ s participation in them as its priority , Russia ’ s US @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
`` Russia , as you know , gives priority to involving the UK @ @ @ @ @ .
Why ?
Because they are nuclear weapons ’ states and members of NATO , @ @ @ @ @ we are very much concerned by what NATO is doing very close to Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ said during a video conference , organized by the Washington-based Center for the National Interest @ @ @ @ @ press on China to join our bilateral [ Russian-US ] talks [ on further reduction @ @ @ @ @ '' Antonov added .

WASHINGTON, July 9. /TASS/. Russia has no plans to pressure China into joining the nuclear disarmament process, because it views UK and France’s participation in them as its priority, Russia’s US Ambassador Anatoly Antonov said on Wednesday.
"Russia, as you know, gives priority to involving the UK and France into the dialogue. Why? Because they are nuclear weapons’ states and members of NATO, and, of course, we are very much concerned by what NATO is doing very close to Russia’s territory," he said during a video conference, organized by the Washington-based Center for the National Interest.
"Russia will not press on China to join our bilateral [Russian-US] talks [on further reduction of nuclear weapons]," Antonov added.


tass--2020-07-09--Russia backs African candidate as UN special envoy for Libya — ambassador to UN

UNITED NATIONS , July 9 .
/TASS/ .
Russia does not see any objective reasons why the appointment of the UN envoy for Libya is dragged on and believes that the position should be given to an African representative , Russia ’ s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia said at the UN Security Council on Wednesday .
`` Regrettably , the situation is getting more complicated due to the resignation of Mr. [ Ghassan ] Salame , '' he said .
`` The office of the Secretary General ’ s representative for Libya has been vacant for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nebenzia , that fact is likely to `` undermine the efforts aimed at seeking peace for Libya . ''
`` We believe that the authority and influence of the African Union make the choice of an African representative for the position of the mission ’ s head logical and practical , '' Nebenzia stressed .
`` We know that Africa nominated a strong candidate for this position .
Therefore , we call on the Secretary General to take resolute steps to appoint the new special envoy for Libya and can not see any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or her appointment . ''
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said earlier that Algeria ’ s foreign minister and Ghana ’ s former foreign minister had been nominated but the US refused to support them .
Lavrov added that currently US citizen Stephanie Williams is the acting special envoy for Libya .
He hoped that the United States would stop `` holding down '' the UN Secretariat , hindering the appointment of a special envoy counting on their fellow countrywoman to deal with some `` unclear '' issues .

UNITED NATIONS, July 9. /TASS/. Russia does not see any objective reasons why the appointment of the UN envoy for Libya is dragged on and believes that the position should be given to an African representative, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia said at the UN Security Council on Wednesday.
"Regrettably, the situation is getting more complicated due to the resignation of Mr. [Ghassan] Salame," he said. "The office of the Secretary General’s representative for Libya has been vacant for already four months." According to Nebenzia, that fact is likely to "undermine the efforts aimed at seeking peace for Libya."
"We believe that the authority and influence of the African Union make the choice of an African representative for the position of the mission’s head logical and practical," Nebenzia stressed. "We know that Africa nominated a strong candidate for this position. Therefore, we call on the Secretary General to take resolute steps to appoint the new special envoy for Libya and cannot see any objective reasons for the delay with his or her appointment."
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said earlier that Algeria’s foreign minister and Ghana’s former foreign minister had been nominated but the US refused to support them. Lavrov added that currently US citizen Stephanie Williams is the acting special envoy for Libya. He hoped that the United States would stop "holding down" the UN Secretariat, hindering the appointment of a special envoy counting on their fellow countrywoman to deal with some "unclear" issues.


tass--2020-07-09--UNSC P5 summit to help improve international situation — diplomat

WASHINGTON , July 9 .
/TASS/ .
The summit of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council ( @ @ @ @ @ , US and France ) , proposed by Moscow , will play an important role @ @ @ @ @ , Russia ’ s US Ambassador Anatoly Antonov said on Wednesday .
`` We believe @ @ @ @ @ play essential role in finding ways to improve the international situation and prevent it from @ @ @ @ @ unpredictable consequences , '' the Russian diplomat said at a video conference , organized by @ @ @ @ @ National Interest .
Speaking at the World Holocaust Forum on January 23 , Russian President @ @ @ @ @ summit of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council in 2020 .
Russia @ @ @ @ @ international affairs , arms control and other security issues as well as overcoming the consequences @ @ @ @ @ .

WASHINGTON, July 9. /TASS/. The summit of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (UK, China, Russia, US and France), proposed by Moscow, will play an important role in improving the global situation, Russia’s US Ambassador Anatoly Antonov said on Wednesday.
"We believe that such a summit would play essential role in finding ways to improve the international situation and prevent it from following a dangerous scenario with unpredictable consequences," the Russian diplomat said at a video conference, organized by the Washington-based Center for the National Interest.
Speaking at the World Holocaust Forum on January 23, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested organizing a summit of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council in 2020. Russia suggests discussing collective principles in international affairs, arms control and other security issues as well as overcoming the consequences of the novel coronavirus pandemic.


tass--2020-07-09--UN Security Council rejects Russian-backed resolution on Syrian aid deliveries

UN , July 9 .
/TASS/ .
The UN Security Council turned down the Russian-backed draft resolution on the delivery @ @ @ @ @ via one crossing on the border with Turkey , a source in the organization told @ @ @ @ @ countries voted against the resolution , four - in favor , four abstained .

UNITED NATIONS, July 9. /TASS/. The UN Security Council turned down the Russian-backed draft resolution on the delivery of humanitarian aid to Syria via one crossing on the border with Turkey, a source in the organization told TASS on Wednesday.
Seven countries voted against the resolution (the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Belgium, Germany, the Dominican Republic and Estonia), four - in favor (Russia, China, Vietnam and South Africa), four abstained (Indonesia, Niger, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Tunisia).
The vote was carried out in written format due to restrictions at the UN headquarters, imposed due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The Russian proposal stipulated extending the mechanism of humanitarian deliveries to Syria’s affected regions by another six months, but limiting the number of border crossings for those deliveres to one facility - the Bab al-Hawa checkpoint on the Turkish-Syrian border.
On June 7, Russia and China vetoed a draft resolution by Germany and Belgium, which suggested leaving two border crossings open for aid deliveries to Syria.
The current arrangement on aid deliveries to Syria expires on July 11. Therefore, the Security Council has 48 hours to forge a compromise.
Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN Vasily Nebenzya said on Tuesday that Russia considered it necessary to gradually curtail the cross-border assistance mechanism for Syria. In his words, the situation in Syria changed drastically over the past six years, and the territory controlled by the Syrian government has significantly increased. Therefore, humanitarian assistance to those regions can be carried out in coordination with the Syrian government.
The UN Security Council made the decision to start cross-border humanitarian operations in Syria in July 2014. In January of 2020, it extended the relevant resolution for six months, but the number of checkpoints was reduced from four to two on the border with Turkey. In July, the sponsors of the resolution, Germany and Belgium, proposed extending the work of two points for a year with the possibility of opening another checkpoint. Russia and China opposed this initiative.


tass--2020-07-09--Criminal case launched against Khabarovsk region governor, he is detained — investigators

MOSCOW , July 9 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Investigative Committee launched a criminal case and detained Sergei Furgal , @ @ @ @ @ s Far Eastern Khabarovsk Territory , the Investigative Committee said on its website on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ on suspicion of organizing murder and attempted murder .
`` Considering the evidence gathered , @ @ @ @ @ jointly with FSB officers detained Khabarovsk Region governor Sergei Furgal , who , according to @ @ @ @ @ organizer of an attempted murder and murders of several entrepreneurs , '' the Investigative Committee @ @ @ @ @ Charges against Furgal are to be filed soon .
Investigators are set to request the @ @ @ @ @ a measure of pretrial restraint for the official .
A law enforcement source told TASS @ @ @ @ @ at least two episodes of organizing murders and one episode of organizing an attempted murder @ @ @ @ @ at least two episodes of murder and one attempted murder , '' the source said @

MOSCOW, July 9. /TASS/. Russian investigators are drawing up criminal charges and have arrested Sergei Furgal, governor of Russia’s Khabarovsk Region, the Investigative Committee said on its website on Thursday.
The official was detained on suspicion of organizing contract killings and attempted murder. A video, released by the Russian Investigative Committee, shows Furgal being led away in handcuffs after arriving at his office.
"Considering the evidence gathered, detectives from the Investigative Committee together with FSB officers detained Khabarovsk Region Governor Sergei Furgal, who, according to the investigation, is the mastermind behind one attempted murder and several murders of entrepreneurs," the Investigative Committee said in a statement.
Charges against the official are going to be filed soon.
Investigators are set to request the court to choose custody as a measure of pretrial restraint for the official.
According to the Committee, the arrest was made in connection with the investigation into a multi-episode criminal case against an organized criminal gang, suspected of murders and attacks on businessmen in the Khabarovsk and Amur Regions in 2004-2005. Apart from Furgal, four other suspects have been arrested and charged as part of the case.
A source close to the investigation said the official "was detained at his workplace." "Law enforcement officers are taking measures to transport him to Moscow," he added.
A law enforcement source said Furgal’s case "contains at least two episodes of murder and one attempted murder" - the murder of businessmen Yevgeny Zorya and Oleg Bulatov in 2004 and 2005, and the attempted murder of entrepreneur Alexander Smolsky, a founder of several commercial organizations in the region’s administrative center of Khabarovsk.
The governor’s biography
Sergei Furgal was born on February 12, 1970, in the village of Poyarkovo in Russia’s Far Eastern Amur Region. He graduated from the Blagoveshchensk State Medical University in 1992 and from the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration in 2010. Between 2005 and 2007, he was a lawmaker in the Khabarovsk Region’s legislature, elected as a member of the LDPR party.
In 2007-2018, Furgal was a member of State Duma, the lower chamber of Russia’s parliament. On September 9, he ran in gubernatorial elections to defeat Khabarovsk Region’s governor Vyacheslav Shport (of the United Russia party) by a narrow margin of 35.81% against 35.62%. In the runoff, Furgal received 69.57% of the vote, while Shport got 27.97%.
On September 28, 2018, Furgal was sworn in as the governor of the Khabarovsk Region.
The LDPR party’s regional office in the Khabarovsk Region said there were no plans to eject Furgal from the party so far.


tass--2020-07-08--Russia developing 17 potential COVID-19 vaccines

MOSCOW , July 8 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is currently developing 17 potential vaccines against COVID-19 , a disease caused by the novel coronavirus , Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said on Wednesday .
`` There are 17 vaccines that have shown to be promising , and in-depth work on their development is currently underway , '' the minister said in an interview with Rossiya-1 channel .
Murashko noted that every Russian citizen would decide for themselves whether they want to get vaccinated against the novel coronavirus .
`` On the whole , vaccination in our country can only be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We see that the interest in a vaccine is rather high .
People have understood the importance of vaccination , and I would like to note that in this period , the number of vaccination supporters has risen , '' he said .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 11,965,900 people have been infected worldwide and more than 547,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 6,913,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , 700,792 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 472,511 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 10,667 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, July 8. /TASS/. Russia is currently developing 17 potential vaccines against COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said on Wednesday.
"There are 17 vaccines that have shown to be promising, and in-depth work on their development is currently underway," the minister said in an interview with Rossiya-1 channel.
Murashko noted that every Russian citizen would decide for themselves whether they want to get vaccinated against the novel coronavirus. "On the whole, vaccination in our country can only be carried out with the citizens’ consent. We see that the interest in a vaccine is rather high. People have understood the importance of vaccination, and I would like to note that in this period, the number of vaccination supporters has risen," he said.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 11,965,900 people have been infected worldwide and more than 547,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 6,913,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, 700,792 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 472,511 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 10,667 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-07-08--UN chief announces possible creation of demilitarized zone in Libya

`` De-escalation efforts , including the creation of a possible demilitarized zone , are being undertaken by UNSMIL to reach a negotiated solution and spare lives , '' he said .
UNITED NATIONS , July 8 .
/TASS/ .
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya ( UNSMIL ) takes steps aimed at establishing a demilitarized zone in that country , UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said at a UN Security Council session via a video call on Wednesday .
Libya currently has two parallel bodies of supreme executive power , namely the internationally recognized Tripoli-based Government of National Accord @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fayez al-Serraj , 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 led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar .
On April 4 , 2019 Haftar launched an offensive on Tripoli .
The government in the capital asked Turkey for protection .
Backed by Ankara , the Government of National Accord regained control over some regions seized by the LNA .
In particular , in May , the government forces seized the strategic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Later , Turkey was reported to be holding talks with the Tripoli-based cabinet about the possibility of using Libyan military bases -al-Watiya and the Misurata naval base ( 200 kilometers east of Tripoli ) .

"De-escalation efforts, including the creation of a possible demilitarized zone, are being undertaken by UNSMIL to reach a negotiated solution and spare lives," he said.
UNITED NATIONS, July 8. /TASS/. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) takes steps aimed at establishing a demilitarized zone in that country, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said at a UN Security Council session via a video call on Wednesday.
Libya currently has two parallel bodies of supreme executive power, namely the internationally recognized Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj, 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 led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.
On April 4, 2019 Haftar launched an offensive on Tripoli. The government in the capital asked Turkey for protection. Backed by Ankara, the Government of National Accord regained control over some regions seized by the LNA. In particular, in May, the government forces seized the strategic al-Watiya airbase abandoned by Haftar forces. Later, Turkey was reported to be holding talks with the Tripoli-based cabinet about the possibility of using Libyan military bases -al-Watiya and the Misurata naval base (200 kilometers east of Tripoli).


tass--2020-07-08--Russia documents steady decrease in new COVID-19 cases in nearly all regions

MOSCOW , July 8 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is documenting a steady decrease in new COVID-19 cases in practically all @ @ @ @ @ of the epidemiological process , Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko informed on Wednesday during a @ @ @ @ @ to Russia Geza Andreas von Geyr .
`` The territory of the Russian Federation is @ @ @ @ @ that its regions are at different stages of the epidemiological process .
However , we @ @ @ @ @ in the infection rate practically everywhere ; the situation is stabilizing .
Hospitals are returning @ @ @ @ @ We have learned to deal with the problems , and our technologies have proven to @ @ @ @ @ we did not face a healthcare deficit , '' he said , quoted by the @ @ @ @ @ press service .
During the meeting , the sides have also discussed the high level @ @ @ @ @ sphere of healthcare , talking about the current state of medical organizations in Russia and @ @ @ @ @ development and introduction of coronavirus prevention means .

MOSCOW, July 8. /TASS/. Russia is documenting a steady decrease in new COVID-19 cases in practically all regions despite the varying stages of the epidemiological process, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko informed on Wednesday during a working meeting with German Ambassador to Russia Geza Andreas von Geyr.
"The territory of the Russian Federation is big, and we see that its regions are at different stages of the epidemiological process. However, we have documented a steady decrease in the infection rate practically everywhere; the situation is stabilizing. Hospitals are returning to normal working procedure. We have learned to deal with the problems, and our technologies have proven to be effective. Thankfully, we did not face a healthcare deficit," he said, quoted by the Russian Health Ministry’s press service.
During the meeting, the sides have also discussed the high level of Russian-German cooperation in the sphere of healthcare, talking about the current state of medical organizations in Russia and in Germany and on the development and introduction of coronavirus prevention means.


tass--2020-07-08--Two testimonies prove secrecy of data handed over by advisor to Roscosmos chief - attorney

`` The case has two testimonies of specialists who confirm the secret nature of the information Safronov handed over .
One testimony dates back to September 2019 , while the second one is from May 2020 , '' Pavlov noted .
MOSCOW , July 8 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Federal Security Service ( FSB ) has attached to the treason case of Ivan Safronov , advisor to the head of Russia ’ s space agency ( Roscosmos ) , two expert testimonies , proving the confidential nature of data Safronov handed over to a foreign intelligence service , attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the defense team had not been given a chance to familiarize themselves with the expert statements , they were only mentioned in the decree , formally launching the criminal proceedings .
Ivan Safronov , an advisor to the Roscosmos chief , was detained by the Russian Federal Security Service ( FSB ) on July 7 on suspicion of treason .
The FSB says that Safronov was recruited in 2012 and in 2017 he provided the Czech intelligence agencies with information about Russian arms supplies to the Middle East and Africa .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US counterparts , according to the case materials .
Ivan Safronov was born in 1990 .
He worked for the Kommersant business daily in 2010-2019 .
In 2019-2020 , he became a special correspondent on military , defense and space topics with the Vedomosti business daily .
In May 2020 , he was appointed as an information policy advisor to the CEO of Russia ’ s Roscosmos State Space Corporation .
The FSB investigator denied that the case was in any way linked to Safronov ’ s journalistic activities , however , his @ @ @ @ @

"The case has two testimonies of specialists who confirm the secret nature of the information Safronov handed over. One testimony dates back to September 2019, while the second one is from May 2020," Pavlov noted.
MOSCOW, July 8. /TASS/. The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has attached to the treason case of Ivan Safronov, advisor to the head of Russia’s space agency (Roscosmos), two expert testimonies, proving the confidential nature of data Safronov handed over to a foreign intelligence service, attorney Ivan Pavlov told TASS.
He clarified that the defense team had not been given a chance to familiarize themselves with the expert statements, they were only mentioned in the decree, formally launching the criminal proceedings.
Ivan Safronov, an advisor to the Roscosmos chief, was detained by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) on July 7 on suspicion of treason. The FSB says that Safronov was recruited in 2012 and in 2017 he provided the Czech intelligence agencies with information about Russian arms supplies to the Middle East and Africa. The information was later passed on to the US counterparts, according to the case materials.
Ivan Safronov was born in 1990. He worked for the Kommersant business daily in 2010-2019. In 2019-2020, he became a special correspondent on military, defense and space topics with the Vedomosti business daily. In May 2020, he was appointed as an information policy advisor to the CEO of Russia’s Roscosmos State Space Corporation. The FSB investigator denied that the case was in any way linked to Safronov’s journalistic activities, however, his defense is claiming otherwise.


tass--2020-07-08--Russia offered technical assistance in situation around Renaissance Dam

MOSCOW , July 8 .
/TASS/ .
Russia has offered its technical assistance to the countries involved in the dispute over Ethiopia ’ s construction of the Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile River , Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday .
He was speaking after talks with the foreign ministers of the troika of the African Union ( Democratic Republic of the Congo , Egypt , South Africa ) that were held in a video format .
`` We offered the participants of the conflict our assistance , in particular technical assistance .
There are things that can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Lavrov said .
`` The United States also offered its services to them .
Several meetings took place in the United States , and we welcomed the progress that has been made .
It is now encouraging that the parties have some time ago to speed up contacts between the relevant ministers , '' he said .
Lavrov recalled that , as part the discussion of the dam construction in the UN Security Council , Russia had urged sooner agreement on mutually acceptable approaches based on existing norms of the international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into account the interests of all parties involved .
Since 2011 , Ethiopia has been implementing a project on construction of the Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile .
The dam is supposed to become the largest in Africa , consisting of 15 radial-axis hydraulic units .
The capacity of the hydroelectric power station will be 5,250 MW .
Addis Ababa intends to put it into operation in 2022-2023 .
The project cost is $ 4.6 billion .
Implementation of this huge project would enable Ethiopia to provide the country with electricity and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Egypt and Sudan suspect that the project might cause the level of water in the river to go down , affect fair water distribution and even cause drought .
On July 3 , the SUNA Sudanese news agency reported that Egypt , Ethiopia , and Sudan had resumed negotiations on this issue at the level of ministers of irrigation and water .

MOSCOW, July 8. /TASS/. Russia has offered its technical assistance to the countries involved in the dispute over Ethiopia’s construction of the Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile River, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday. He was speaking after talks with the foreign ministers of the troika of the African Union (Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, South Africa) that were held in a video format.
"We offered the participants of the conflict our assistance, in particular technical assistance. There are things that can be useful. They know about it," Lavrov said.
"The United States also offered its services to them. Several meetings took place in the United States, and we welcomed the progress that has been made. It is now encouraging that the parties have some time ago to speed up contacts between the relevant ministers," he said.
Lavrov recalled that, as part the discussion of the dam construction in the UN Security Council, Russia had urged sooner agreement on mutually acceptable approaches based on existing norms of the international law envisaged for such cases and taking into account the interests of all parties involved.
Since 2011, Ethiopia has been implementing a project on construction of the Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile. The dam is supposed to become the largest in Africa, consisting of 15 radial-axis hydraulic units. The capacity of the hydroelectric power station will be 5,250 MW. Addis Ababa intends to put it into operation in 2022-2023. The project cost is $4.6 billion. Implementation of this huge project would enable Ethiopia to provide the country with electricity and also to export to neighboring states. Egypt and Sudan suspect that the project might cause the level of water in the river to go down, affect fair water distribution and even cause drought.
On July 3, the SUNA Sudanese news agency reported that Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan had resumed negotiations on this issue at the level of ministers of irrigation and water.


tass--2020-07-08--Kazakhstan’s president says situation with coronavirus very serious

`` The coronavirus situation remains serious .
But in proportion , it is neither better nor worse if compared with other states .
Nevertheless , we are certainly not going to be content with this fact , as big work lies ahead which we , entire society , should do together , '' he said in a televised address on Wednesday .
NUR-SULTAN , July 8 .
/TASS/ .
Kazakhstan ’ s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has said that the situation with the coronavirus spread within the country is still serious and it is still early to relax restrictions .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strict and tough measures at the onset of the pandemic to curb the spread of the virus in the country .
`` That helped us save multiple lives .
Regrettably , due to mass non-observance of quarantine measures , systemic mistakes of the former leadership of the Health Ministry and incompetence of Akims ( municipal heads - TASS ) , we are in fact facing the second coronavirus wave coupled with a huge uptick in pneumonia cases , '' the president stated .
Tokayev recalled that the state commission ordered to declare a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a right decision .
The first signs of stabilization have emerged by now .
However , it is still premature to relax .
The coming weeks will become crucial in our fight against the pandemic , '' the president said .
The state of emergency was in force in Kazakhstan from March 16 until May 11 .
Nevertheless , lockdown restrictions are still in effect in some regions .
In the wake of the worsening epidemic situation , on July 5 Kazakhstan imposed additional restrictions for the next 14 days , with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Up to now , 51,059 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the country , with 16,928 recoveries and 264 fatalities .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus @ @ @ @

"The coronavirus situation remains serious. But in proportion, it is neither better nor worse if compared with other states. Nevertheless, we are certainly not going to be content with this fact, as big work lies ahead which we, entire society, should do together," he said in a televised address on Wednesday.
NUR-SULTAN, July 8. /TASS/. Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has said that the situation with the coronavirus spread within the country is still serious and it is still early to relax restrictions.
According to the president, the authorities approved strict and tough measures at the onset of the pandemic to curb the spread of the virus in the country.
"That helped us save multiple lives. Regrettably, due to mass non-observance of quarantine measures, systemic mistakes of the former leadership of the Health Ministry and incompetence of Akims (municipal heads - TASS), we are in fact facing the second coronavirus wave coupled with a huge uptick in pneumonia cases," the president stated.
Tokayev recalled that the state commission ordered to declare a two-week nationwide quarantine.
"It is a right decision. The first signs of stabilization have emerged by now. However, it is still premature to relax. The coming weeks will become crucial in our fight against the pandemic," the president said.
The state of emergency was in force in Kazakhstan from March 16 until May 11. Nevertheless, lockdown restrictions are still in effect in some regions. In the wake of the worsening epidemic situation, on July 5 Kazakhstan imposed additional restrictions for the next 14 days, with the possibility to extend or tighten them. Up to now, 51,059 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the country, with 16,928 recoveries and 264 fatalities.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-07-08--Russia, Germany discuss potential production of Russian COVID-19 vaccine in Germany

`` During the meeting , they have discussed the prospects of further cooperation , namely the use of Germany ’ s production capacity to produce a Russian coronavirus vaccine , '' the message says .
MOSCOW , July 8 .
/TASS/ .
Russia and Germany are mulling over the possibility of producing a Russian vaccine against COVID-19 in Germany , the Russian Health Ministry informed on the outcomes of the meeting between Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko and German Ambassador to Russia Geza Andreas von Geyr .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 11,965,900 people have been infected worldwide and more than 547,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 6,913,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 472,511 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 10,667 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

"During the meeting, they have discussed the prospects of further cooperation, namely the use of Germany’s production capacity to produce a Russian coronavirus vaccine," the message says.
MOSCOW, July 8. /TASS/. Russia and Germany are mulling over the possibility of producing a Russian vaccine against COVID-19 in Germany, the Russian Health Ministry informed on the outcomes of the meeting between Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko and German Ambassador to Russia Geza Andreas von Geyr.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 11,965,900 people have been infected worldwide and more than 547,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 6,913,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, 700,792 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 472,511 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 10,667 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-07-08--Roscosmos advisor Safronov’s case may undermine Russian-Czech relations, says Czech MP

PRAGUE , July 8 .
/TASS/ .
The case of Ivan Safronov , advisor to the head of Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ who was arrested in Russia for alleged handover of sensitive information to the Czech special @ @ @ @ @ relations , Czech MP Pavel Blazek said on Wednesday .
Blazek is chairman of the @ @ @ @ @ house of Czech parliament ) commission that oversees the activity of the Office for Foreign @ @ @ @ @ Czech intelligence ) .
On Tuesday , Safronov ’ s attorney Yevgeny Smirnov said that @ @ @ @ @ accused of working for this intelligence service .
`` I expect that the Russian-Czech relations @ @ @ @ @ said , declining to provide any further commentary .
Earlier on Wednesday , when asked @ @ @ @ @ relations due to recent events , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned another incident : the @ @ @ @ @ Soviet marshal Ivan Konev in Prague .

PRAGUE, July 8. /TASS/. The case of Ivan Safronov, advisor to the head of Russia’s Roscosmos space agency, who was arrested in Russia for alleged handover of sensitive information to the Czech special services, may undermine Russian-Czech relations, Czech MP Pavel Blazek said on Wednesday.
Blazek is chairman of the Chamber of Deputies (lower house of Czech parliament) commission that oversees the activity of the Office for Foreign Relations and Information (the Czech intelligence). On Tuesday, Safronov’s attorney Yevgeny Smirnov said that the Roscosmos advisor had been accused of working for this intelligence service.
"I expect that the Russian-Czech relations will deteriorate," Blazek said, declining to provide any further commentary.
Earlier on Wednesday, when asked about the state of Russian-Czech relations due to recent events, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned another incident: the demolition of the monument to Soviet marshal Ivan Konev in Prague.


tass--2020-07-08--Nearly 22,000 COVID-19 cases registered in Azerbaijan

`` Over the past 24 hours , nine patients with positive coronavirus tests have died , '' the statement said .
On Tuesday , there were seven deaths .
Azerbaijan ’ s death toll stands at 274 , or 1.2 % of all the cases .
BAKU , July 8 .
/TASS/ .
One-day coronavirus cases have risen by 542 in Azerbaijan on Wednesday , up by 5 % compared with Tuesday , bringing the total to 21,916 , or 0.2 % of the country ’ s population of ten million , the country ’ s governmental crisis center said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 13,100 patients have recovered from the disease .
In the past 24 hours , 465 patients recovered from COVID-19 , the disease caused by the novel coronavirus .
On Tuesday , 453 patients were discharged from hospitals .
A total of 8,542 patients are being treated in hospitals .
The country has carried out 537,230 coronavirus tests , with 7,355 of them in the past 24 hours .
Azerbaijan reported the first coronavirus case on February 28 .
On March 14 , the country imposed measures of social isolation , tightening them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the authorities announced gradual easing of the lockdown restrictions , but the coronavirus cases have been on the rise since then .
Since June 5 , more than 300 cases had been registered daily , on June 19 the indicator surpassed 400 and on June 23 - 500 .
The country was hit by a new spike of 590 cases on June 24 .
According to the crisis center , Baku accounts for 55.1 % of all the cases .
Due to an uptick in cases , the authorities reinstated strict lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cities until July 20 .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

"Over the past 24 hours, nine patients with positive coronavirus tests have died," the statement said. On Tuesday, there were seven deaths. Azerbaijan’s death toll stands at 274, or 1.2% of all the cases.
BAKU, July 8. /TASS/. One-day coronavirus cases have risen by 542 in Azerbaijan on Wednesday, up by 5% compared with Tuesday, bringing the total to 21,916, or 0.2% of the country’s population of ten million, the country’s governmental crisis center said in a statement.
Along with this, 13,100 patients have recovered from the disease. In the past 24 hours, 465 patients recovered from COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. On Tuesday, 453 patients were discharged from hospitals. A total of 8,542 patients are being treated in hospitals.
The country has carried out 537,230 coronavirus tests, with 7,355 of them in the past 24 hours.
Azerbaijan reported the first coronavirus case on February 28. On March 14, the country imposed measures of social isolation, tightening them on March 24. On April 27, the authorities announced gradual easing of the lockdown restrictions, but the coronavirus cases have been on the rise since then. Since June 5, more than 300 cases had been registered daily, on June 19 the indicator surpassed 400 and on June 23 - 500.
The country was hit by a new spike of 590 cases on June 24. According to the crisis center, Baku accounts for 55.1% of all the cases. Due to an uptick in cases, the authorities reinstated strict lockdown measures in Baku and 15 other major cities until July 20.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-07-08--Czech Republic interested in normal relations with Russia, says PM

PRAGUE , July 8 .
/TASS/ .
The Czech Republic is interested in having normal relations with Russia , Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis told CTK news agency on Wednesday .
`` We are interested in normal relations with Russia , '' he stressed .
He expressed hope that the issues arising in the relations between both states would be regulated on the outcomes of mutual talks .
He added that the Czech Republic approaches the organization of such talks `` very responsibly . ''
Babis expressed hope that the Russian-Czech talks stipulated under the 1993 Friendship and Cooperation Treaty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Czech leaders .
`` The fact that the Czech-Russian relations are not ideal is not surprising neither to us nor to Russians .
This is why we have agreed to begin Czech-Russian consultations , '' the PM noted .
During the talks , the parties will assess the state of Russian-Czech relations and regulate the existing disputes .
The Czech government is interested in developing cooperation between both states , Babis added .
The Czech PM ’ s words came as a follow-up to the earlier statement made by Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that so far , no high-or top-level talks are planned between Russia and the Czech Republic .
When asked about the state of Russian-Czech relations due to recent events , namely the arrest of Ivan Safronov , advisor to the head of Russia ’ s Roscosmos space agency , for alleged handover of sensitive information to the Czech special services , Peskov mentioned another incident : the demolition of the monument to Soviet marshal Ivan Konev in Prague .
`` Recently , our relations with the Czech Republic have been marred by certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the municipal and central government [ of the Czech Republic ] , '' Peskov noted .
`` This has had a negative effect on the general state of our bilateral relations , however , Russia calls for good relations with all countries , including the Czech Republic , '' the Kremlin spokesman said .

PRAGUE, July 8. /TASS/. The Czech Republic is interested in having normal relations with Russia, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis told CTK news agency on Wednesday.
"We are interested in normal relations with Russia," he stressed. He expressed hope that the issues arising in the relations between both states would be regulated on the outcomes of mutual talks. He added that the Czech Republic approaches the organization of such talks "very responsibly."
Babis expressed hope that the Russian-Czech talks stipulated under the 1993 Friendship and Cooperation Treaty would lead to the meeting between Russian and Czech leaders. "The fact that the Czech-Russian relations are not ideal is not surprising neither to us nor to Russians. This is why we have agreed to begin Czech-Russian consultations," the PM noted.
During the talks, the parties will assess the state of Russian-Czech relations and regulate the existing disputes. The Czech government is interested in developing cooperation between both states, Babis added.
The Czech PM’s words came as a follow-up to the earlier statement made by Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Peskov told reporters on Wednesday that so far, no high-or top-level talks are planned between Russia and the Czech Republic.
When asked about the state of Russian-Czech relations due to recent events, namely the arrest of Ivan Safronov, advisor to the head of Russia’s Roscosmos space agency, for alleged handover of sensitive information to the Czech special services, Peskov mentioned another incident: the demolition of the monument to Soviet marshal Ivan Konev in Prague.
"Recently, our relations with the Czech Republic have been marred by certain events and certain unfriendly steps taken by the municipal and central government [of the Czech Republic]," Peskov noted. "This has had a negative effect on the general state of our bilateral relations, however, Russia calls for good relations with all countries, including the Czech Republic," the Kremlin spokesman said.


tass--2020-07-08--Over 3 mln people diagnosed with COVID-19 in USA, says Johns Hopkins University

MOSCOW , July 8 .
/TASS/ .
The US has documented 3,009,611 cases of COVID-19 , a disease caused by the novel coronavirus , as of Wednesday , the Johns Hopkins University informed citing data from federal and state officials .
According to the research organization , since the start of the pandemic , 131,594 COVID-19 patients have died in the USA and 936,476 people have recovered .
The highest number of people infected has been documented in the state of New York ( 398,237 ) , followed by California ( 284,139 ) , Florida ( 223,783 ) and Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 11,965,900 people have been infected worldwide and more than 547,000 deaths have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , over 6,913,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

MOSCOW, July 8. /TASS/. The US has documented 3,009,611 cases of COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus, as of Wednesday, the Johns Hopkins University informed citing data from federal and state officials.
According to the research organization, since the start of the pandemic, 131,594 COVID-19 patients have died in the USA and 936,476 people have recovered.
The highest number of people infected has been documented in the state of New York (398,237), followed by California (284,139), Florida (223,783) and Texas (216,026).
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 11,965,900 people have been infected worldwide and more than 547,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 6,913,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-07-08--Bolsonaro says took hydroxychloroquine, feeling well and will live long

`` To those who oppose hydroxychloroquine , I regret to say that I feel very well taking it and will live very long still by the grace of God , Bolsonaro , 65 , wrote on his Twitter page .
TASS , July 8 .
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro who tested positive for coronavirus has said Wednesday that he is feeling `` very well '' after taking hydroxychloroquine .
The Brazilian leader did not communicate any extra details about his health .
At the same time , he reiterated that there is no use in panicking amid the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting the virus can lead to side effects which will turn out worse than the virus itself , '' he stressed .
On July 7 , Bolsonaro announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus , noting that he was feeling well .
The president decided to start his treatment by taking hydroxychloroquine .
According to him , his temperature jumped to 38 degrees but after he started taking the drug it dropped to 36.7 .
Earlier , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) decided to end hydroxychloroquine trials as a potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underlined that research shows a lack of positive effects on coronavirus patients .
Brazil reported its first coronavirus case on February 26 and is now ranked second in the world in coronavirus infections and cases only after the United States .
According to the latest data , the number of confirmed coronavirus cases reached 1,668,589 in the country , while 66,741 people died from the virus-related causes .
President Bolsonaro repeatedly slammed lockdown measures enacted by regional authorities to fight the pandemic , claiming that they will have catastrophic ramifications for the national @ @

"To those who oppose hydroxychloroquine, I regret to say that I feel very well taking it and will live very long still by the grace of God, Bolsonaro, 65, wrote on his Twitter page .
TASS, July 8. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro who tested positive for coronavirus has said Wednesday that he is feeling "very well" after taking hydroxychloroquine.
The Brazilian leader did not communicate any extra details about his health. At the same time, he reiterated that there is no use in panicking amid the coronavirus pandemic. "I have always said that fighting the virus can lead to side effects which will turn out worse than the virus itself," he stressed.
On July 7, Bolsonaro announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus, noting that he was feeling well. The president decided to start his treatment by taking hydroxychloroquine. According to him, his temperature jumped to 38 degrees but after he started taking the drug it dropped to 36.7.
Earlier, the World Health Organization (WHO) decided to end hydroxychloroquine trials as a potential drug to treat coronavirus. The organization underlined that research shows a lack of positive effects on coronavirus patients.
Brazil reported its first coronavirus case on February 26 and is now ranked second in the world in coronavirus infections and cases only after the United States. According to the latest data, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases reached 1,668,589 in the country, while 66,741 people died from the virus-related causes. President Bolsonaro repeatedly slammed lockdown measures enacted by regional authorities to fight the pandemic, claiming that they will have catastrophic ramifications for the national economy.


tass--2020-07-08--Four suspected Hizb ut-Tahrir members placed in custody until September in Crimea

SIMFEROPOL , July 8 .
/TASS/ .
The Kievsky district court of Simferopol has placed four out of seven suspected members of the Hizb ut-Tahrir terrorist organization ( outlawed in Russia ) in custody until September , the court ’ s website informed on Wednesday .
Three suspects have been placed in custody until September 2 , 2020 , while one has been arrested until September 1 .
They have been charged under Article 205.5 Part 2 of the Russian Criminal Code ( Participation in an organization deemed terrorist on the territory of the Russian Federation ) .
The website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FSB Sevastopol and Crimea department , the suspects organized and participated in the activity of a hidden cell of the organization through holding illegal gatherings and carrying out anti-Russian and anti-constitutional activity .
Russia ’ s Federal Security Service ( FSB ) in Crimea said in a statement on Tuesday that it had detained three ringleaders and four active members of Hizb ut-Tahrir .
`` FSB officers , together with the Interior Ministry and the National Guard in Crimea , have exposed a cell of the Hizb ut-Tahrir al-Islami international terrorist organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been detained , '' the statement reads .
According to the FSB , the detained were involved in activities violating the Russian Constitution , based on the idea to create the so-called global Caliphate , destroy secular public institutions and overthrow the current government by force .
`` They secretly spread terrorist ideas among Crimeans and recruited Crimean Muslims , '' the FSB added .
A large amount of banned Hizb ut-Tahrir propaganda materials , communication equipment and digital storage devices were seized during searches of their homes .
Criminal cases have @ @ @ @ @ @

SIMFEROPOL, July 8. /TASS/. The Kievsky district court of Simferopol has placed four out of seven suspected members of the Hizb ut-Tahrir terrorist organization (outlawed in Russia) in custody until September, the court’s website informed on Wednesday.
Three suspects have been placed in custody until September 2, 2020, while one has been arrested until September 1. They have been charged under Article 205.5 Part 2 of the Russian Criminal Code (Participation in an organization deemed terrorist on the territory of the Russian Federation).
The website informs that according to the investigators of the FSB Sevastopol and Crimea department, the suspects organized and participated in the activity of a hidden cell of the organization through holding illegal gatherings and carrying out anti-Russian and anti-constitutional activity.
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) in Crimea said in a statement on Tuesday that it had detained three ringleaders and four active members of Hizb ut-Tahrir.
"FSB officers, together with the Interior Ministry and the National Guard in Crimea, have exposed a cell of the Hizb ut-Tahrir al-Islami international terrorist organization. Three ringleaders and four active members have been detained," the statement reads.
According to the FSB, the detained were involved in activities violating the Russian Constitution, based on the idea to create the so-called global Caliphate, destroy secular public institutions and overthrow the current government by force. "They secretly spread terrorist ideas among Crimeans and recruited Crimean Muslims," the FSB added.
A large amount of banned Hizb ut-Tahrir propaganda materials, communication equipment and digital storage devices were seized during searches of their homes. Criminal cases have been opened against the detained.