tass--2020-07-07--Volunteers feel well two weeks after COVID-19 vaccine trials, Defense Ministry says

MOSCOW , July 7 .
/TASS/ .
Volunteers , who tested a vaccine against the coronavirus two weeks ago at Burdenko military hospital , are feeling well and have not experienced any side effects , the Russian Defense Ministry told reporters on Tuesday .
`` Two weeks since the vaccination the second group of participants of coronavirus vaccine trials , conducted by the Russian Defense Ministry jointly with the Gamalei National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology , are in stable good health , and there haven ’ t been any complications or side effects , '' the ministry said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks in the medical facility .
`` Today we took their blood samples to examine how their immunity is working , '' said Svetlana Volchikhina , a co-researcher , who heads the hospital ’ s therapy department .
On the 21st day since the first trials the volunteers will be injected with the second component of the vaccine .
A booster vaccination is expected to further increase human body ’ s protective functions and extend protection after an extra dose .
All volunteers are under constant medical supervision and undergo medical examinations every @ @

MOSCOW, July 7. /TASS/. Volunteers, who tested a vaccine against the coronavirus two weeks ago at Burdenko military hospital, are feeling well and have not experienced any side effects, the Russian Defense Ministry told reporters on Tuesday.
"Two weeks since the vaccination the second group of participants of coronavirus vaccine trials, conducted by the Russian Defense Ministry jointly with the Gamalei National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, are in stable good health, and there haven’t been any complications or side effects," the ministry said.
The volunteers will spend two more weeks in the medical facility. "Today we took their blood samples to examine how their immunity is working," said Svetlana Volchikhina, a co-researcher, who heads the hospital’s therapy department.
On the 21st day since the first trials the volunteers will be injected with the second component of the vaccine. A booster vaccination is expected to further increase human body’s protective functions and extend protection after an extra dose.
All volunteers are under constant medical supervision and undergo medical examinations every day.


tass--2020-07-06--24 more coronavirus patients die in Moscow in past day

MOSCOW , July 6 .
/TASS/ .
Twenty-four more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day , bringing @ @ @ @ @ 3,999 , the city ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Monday .
`` Twenty-four @ @ @ @ @ have died in Moscow , '' it said , adding the overall number of coronavirus-related @ @ @ @ @ 3,999 .
The center once again warned the city dwellers that they should stay at @ @ @ @ @ if they have symptoms of an acute respiratory disease .
To date , 687,862 coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ Russia , with 454,329 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest @ @ @ @ @ .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, July 6. /TASS/. Twenty-four more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day, bringing the death toll up to 3,999, the city’s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Monday.
"Twenty-four coronavirus-positive patients diagnosed with pneumonia have died in Moscow," it said, adding the overall number of coronavirus-related deaths in Moscow has reached 3,999.
The center once again warned the city dwellers that they should stay at home and call a doctor if they have symptoms of an acute respiratory disease.
To date, 687,862 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 454,329 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 10,296 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-07-06--Number of COVID-2019 cases across globe up by over 202,000 in past day - WHO

GENEVA , July 6 .
/TASS/ .
More than 202,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide on July 6 , with the overall number of such cases exceeding 11.3 million , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin on Monday .
As of 11:00 Moscow time on July 6 , as many as 11,327,790 novel coronavirus cases and 532,340 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases grew by 202,545 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 4,134 .
The WHO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the countries .
South and North America accounts for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 5,820,840 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 122,886 and the number of deaths - by 2,486 and reached 265,024 .
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 2,791,160 and the number of fatalities is 200,238 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 16,939 and the number of deaths - by 357 .
The East Mediterranean region has 1,170,720 cases and 27,566 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 17,563 and the number of deaths - by 492 .
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States ( 2,833,552 ) , Brazil ( 1,577,004 ) , India ( 697,413 ) , Russia ( 687,862 ) , Peru ( 299,080 ) , Chile ( 295,532 ) , the United Kingdom ( 285,420 ) , Mexico ( 252,165 ) , Spain ( 250,545 ) , and Italy ( 241,611 ) .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million , in late December 2019 .
Since then , cases of the new coronavirus have been reported from nearly all parts of the world .
On March 11 , 2020 , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

GENEVA, July 6. /TASS/. More than 202,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide on July 6, with the overall number of such cases exceeding 11.3 million, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin on Monday.
As of 11:00 Moscow time on July 6, as many as 11,327,790 novel coronavirus cases and 532,340 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by 202,545 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 4,134.
The WHO statistics is based on officially confirmed data from the countries.
South and North America accounts for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 5,820,840. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 122,886 and the number of deaths - by 2,486 and reached 265,024.
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 2,791,160 and the number of fatalities is 200,238. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 16,939 and the number of deaths - by 357.
The East Mediterranean region has 1,170,720 cases and 27,566 fatalities as of July 6. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 17,563 and the number of deaths - by 492.
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States (2,833,552), Brazil (1,577,004), India (697,413), Russia (687,862), Peru (299,080), Chile (295,532), the United Kingdom (285,420), Mexico (252,165), Spain (250,545), and Italy (241,611).
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December 2019. Since then, cases of the new coronavirus have been reported from nearly all parts of the world. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-07-06--UK’s sanctions against Russian interior ministry officials senseless - Russian lawmaker

MOSCOW , July 6 .
/TASS/ .
The United Kingdom ’ s sanctions against senior officials of the Russian Prosecutor General ’ s Office and the Interior Ministry have no sense because these people can not run any businesses or have any assets outside Russia under national laws , a senior Russian lawmaker said on Monday .
`` Personal sanctions imposed against Russian Prosecutor General ’ s Office and Interior Ministry officials in the United Kingdom under the so-called Magnitsky Amendment cans be seen as an absolutely pointless measure and another Russophobic nonsense , '' Leonid Slutsky , said chairman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State Duma lower parliament house .
`` Under Russian laws , they are banned to have foreign financial assets or run business in the United Kingdom , like elsewhere outside Russia .
At least , as long as they are in office . ''
`` London has made yet another step towards degrading Russian-British relations , '' he noted .
`` I am convinced that any restrictions imposed in bypassing of the United Nations are anachronistic , especially amid the ongoing pandemic .
Not a single state has dropped its course only because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is brandishing the ‘ sanction baton.
’ '' '' It has never worked with Russia and will never work .
Naturally , as is practiced in diplomacy , Moscow reserves the right to response measures .
I have no doubts that a well-balanced and timely will be taken , '' he stressed .
Earlier in the day , the United Kingdom said it was imposing personal sanctions against 25 Russian nationals London holds responsible for human rights violation practices in Russia .
Among these 25 persons are chief of Russia ’ s Investigative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Viktor Grin , former Deputy Interior Minister Alexei Anichin , judges , investigators , and interior ministry officials .
These persons are barred from entering the United Kingdom , as well as from doing business both in that country and with British go-betweens .
Apart from that , their assets in the United Kingdom , if any , will be frozen .
The sanctions are imposed under the so-called Magnitsky Amendment to the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act that was passed by the British parliament in May 2018 and was to come into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exit from the European Union .

MOSCOW, July 6. /TASS/. The United Kingdom’s sanctions against senior officials of the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office and the Interior Ministry have no sense because these people cannot run any businesses or have any assets outside Russia under national laws, a senior Russian lawmaker said on Monday.
"Personal sanctions imposed against Russian Prosecutor General’s Office and Interior Ministry officials in the United Kingdom under the so-called Magnitsky Amendment cans be seen as an absolutely pointless measure and another Russophobic nonsense," Leonid Slutsky, said chairman of the international committee of the Russian State Duma lower parliament house. "Under Russian laws, they are banned to have foreign financial assets or run business in the United Kingdom, like elsewhere outside Russia. At least, as long as they are in office."
"London has made yet another step towards degrading Russian-British relations," he noted. "I am convinced that any restrictions imposed in bypassing of the United Nations are anachronistic, especially amid the ongoing pandemic. Not a single state has dropped its course only because the United States or the United Kingdom is brandishing the ‘sanction baton.’"
"It has never worked with Russia and will never work. Naturally, as is practiced in diplomacy, Moscow reserves the right to response measures. I have no doubts that a well-balanced and timely will be taken," he stressed.
Earlier in the day, the United Kingdom said it was imposing personal sanctions against 25 Russian nationals London holds responsible for human rights violation practices in Russia. Among these 25 persons are chief of Russia’s Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin, Deputy Prosecutor General Viktor Grin, former Deputy Interior Minister Alexei Anichin, judges, investigators, and interior ministry officials. These persons are barred from entering the United Kingdom, as well as from doing business both in that country and with British go-betweens. Apart from that, their assets in the United Kingdom, if any, will be frozen.
The sanctions are imposed under the so-called Magnitsky Amendment to the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act that was passed by the British parliament in May 2018 and was to come into effect after the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union.


tass--2020-07-06--No signs of other countries’ planning to quit Open Skies Treaty after US — senior diplomat

MOSCOW , July 6 .
/TASS/ .
There no immediate signs that other signatories to the Open Skies Treaty are going to follow the United States ’ lead and quit the treaty , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told TASS on Monday after a videoconference on the treaty .
`` So far , there are no signs [ that other parties to the treaty are planning to withdraw from it ] and , naturally , this is a positive thing , '' he said .
`` But neither do we see that US allies — and there were quite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoke today — are ready to help resolve the problems we are pointing to . ''
US President Donald Trump declared on May 21 that Washington was going to withdraw from the Treaty on Open Skies , which provides for inspection flights over member countries ’ territories to monitor military activities .
He motivated this step by Russia ’ s alleged violation of the treaty .
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said in a written statement that the decision to withdraw from the treaty will come into effect in six months after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying it is committed to the treaty and puts forward counterclaims .
The Treaty on Open Skies was signed in March 1992 in Helsinki by 23 member nations of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe ( OSCE ) .
The main purposes of the open skies regime are to develop transparency , render assistance in monitoring compliance with the existing or future arms control agreements , broaden possibilities for preventing crises and managing crisis situations .
The treaty establishes a program of unarmed aerial surveillance flights over the entire territory of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has more than 30 signatory states .
Russia ratified the Treaty on Open Skies on May 26 , 2001 .

MOSCOW, July 6. /TASS/. There no immediate signs that other signatories to the Open Skies Treaty are going to follow the United States’ lead and quit the treaty, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told TASS on Monday after a videoconference on the treaty.
"So far, there are no signs [that other parties to the treaty are planning to withdraw from it] and, naturally, this is a positive thing," he said. "But neither do we see that US allies — and there were quite a lot of them among those who spoke today — are ready to help resolve the problems we are pointing to."
US President Donald Trump declared on May 21 that Washington was going to withdraw from the Treaty on Open Skies, which provides for inspection flights over member countries’ territories to monitor military activities. He motivated this step by Russia’s alleged violation of the treaty. US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said in a written statement that the decision to withdraw from the treaty will come into effect in six months after May 22. Moscow denies the accusations saying it is committed to the treaty and puts forward counterclaims.
The Treaty on Open Skies was signed in March 1992 in Helsinki by 23 member nations of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The main purposes of the open skies regime are to develop transparency, render assistance in monitoring compliance with the existing or future arms control agreements and broaden possibilities for preventing crises and managing crisis situations. The treaty establishes a program of unarmed aerial surveillance flights over the entire territory of its participants. Now, the treaty has more than 30 signatory states. Russia ratified the Treaty on Open Skies on May 26, 2001.


tass--2020-07-06--Signatories to Open Skies Treaty take US withdrawal as inevitable — Russian diplomat

MOSCOW , July 6 .
/TASS/ .
Many member nations of the Treaty on Open Skies believe that the United States ’ withdrawal from the treaty in November is already inevitable , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told TASS on Monday after a videoconference on the treaty .
`` Notably , many participants in the videoconference spoke about the United States ’ withdrawal in November as something foregone .
It looks like many have come to terms with this fact , '' he said .
US President Donald Trump declared on May 21 that Washington was going to withdraw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which provides for inspection flights over member countries ’ territories to monitor military activities .
He motivated this step by Russia ’ s alleged violation of the treaty .
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said in a written statement that the decision to withdraw from the treaty will come into effect in six months after May 22 .
Moscow denies the accusations saying it is committed to the treaty and puts forward counterclaims .
The Treaty on Open Skies was signed in March 1992 in Helsinki by 23 member nations of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( OSCE ) .
The main purposes of the open skies regime are to develop transparency , render assistance in monitoring compliance with the existing or future arms control agreements , broaden possibilities for preventing crises and managing crisis situations .
The treaty establishes a program of unarmed aerial surveillance flights over the entire territory of its participants .
Now , the treaty has more than 30 signatory states .
Russia ratified the Treaty on Open Skies on May 26 , 2001 .

MOSCOW, July 6. /TASS/. Many member nations of the Treaty on Open Skies believe that the United States’ withdrawal from the treaty in November is already inevitable, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told TASS on Monday after a videoconference on the treaty.
"Notably, many participants in the videoconference spoke about the United States’ withdrawal in November as something foregone. It looks like many have come to terms with this fact," he said.
US President Donald Trump declared on May 21 that Washington was going to withdraw from the Treaty on Open Skies, which provides for inspection flights over member countries’ territories to monitor military activities. He motivated this step by Russia’s alleged violation of the treaty. US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said in a written statement that the decision to withdraw from the treaty will come into effect in six months after May 22. Moscow denies the accusations saying it is committed to the treaty and puts forward counterclaims.
The Treaty on Open Skies was signed in March 1992 in Helsinki by 23 member nations of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The main purposes of the open skies regime are to develop transparency, render assistance in monitoring compliance with the existing or future arms control agreements and broaden possibilities for preventing crises and managing crisis situations. The treaty establishes a program of unarmed aerial surveillance flights over the entire territory of its participants. Now, the treaty has more than 30 signatory states. Russia ratified the Treaty on Open Skies on May 26, 2001.


tass--2020-07-06--Russian Embassy in UK says Moscow may respond to Magnitsky Amendment

LONDON , July 6 .
/TASS/ .
Imposition of the UK sanctions against 25 Russian nationals whom London considers involved in human rights violations is an unfriendly and outrageous step , the Russian Embassy in the UK spokesman said , warning that Moscow reserves its right for retaliation .
`` Inclusion of the senior authorities of the Prosecutor General ’ s Office and the Investigative Committee , as well as judges , in the list sparks the most outrage .
In Russia , the investigation , the Prosecutor ’ s Office and the court work independently from the executive power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the diplomat said .
`` Russia reserves its right for retaliatory steps over the unfriendly decision of the UK , '' he underscored .
According to the spokesman , London ’ s decision falls in line with its idea of the UK as the `` world leader '' in sanctions pressure on sovereign states .
`` All answers to existing questions regarding the circumstances of Sergei Magnitsky ’ s death have already been provided .
This British decision was quite obviously aimed solely at public effect , '' the diplomat noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within the UK itself , the expert community more and more tends to consider sanctions to be ineffective from the standpoint of proclaimed goals as well as detrimental to bilateral relations with target nations .
This is also true for today ’ s announcement of sanctions , which would not benefit the Russian-British relations , '' he noted .

LONDON, July 6. /TASS/. Imposition of the UK sanctions against 25 Russian nationals whom London considers involved in human rights violations is an unfriendly and outrageous step, the Russian Embassy in the UK spokesman said, warning that Moscow reserves its right for retaliation.
"Inclusion of the senior authorities of the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Investigative Committee, as well as judges, in the list sparks the most outrage. In Russia, the investigation, the Prosecutor’s Office and the court work independently from the executive power and are led solely by the law," the diplomat said.
"Russia reserves its right for retaliatory steps over the unfriendly decision of the UK," he underscored.
According to the spokesman, London’s decision falls in line with its idea of the UK as the "world leader" in sanctions pressure on sovereign states. "All answers to existing questions regarding the circumstances of Sergei Magnitsky’s death have already been provided. This British decision was quite obviously aimed solely at public effect," the diplomat noted.
"It is remarkable that even within the UK itself, the expert community more and more tends to consider sanctions to be ineffective from the standpoint of proclaimed goals as well as detrimental to bilateral relations with target nations. This is also true for today’s announcement of sanctions, which would not benefit the Russian-British relations," he noted.
Magnitsky Amendment


tass--2020-07-06--Russia identifies Ukrainian websites that spread fakes on NPP accident near St. Petersburg

MOSCOW , July 6 .
/TASS/ .
Russian prosecutors identified the Ukrainian websites that spread fake news on an accident at the nuclear power plant near St. Petersburg , Deputy Head of the Department for Supervision over Compliance with Legislation on Federal Security , Inter-Ethnic Relations and Combating Extremism and Terrorism of the Prosecutor General ’ s Office Alexei Zhafyarov said on Monday .
`` On the eve of the vote [ on amendments to Russia ’ s Constitution ] , we identified the Ukrainian Internet resources that actively spread false information on an accident at the nuclear power plant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goal of creating panic sentiments , '' he said in the upper house of Russia ’ s parliament .
The identified website demonstrated photos and video materials from other places , Zhafyarov said .
`` This was clearly fabricated information , '' he stressed .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on July 3 that the Russian radiation monitoring system had registered no emergencies .
He thus commented on reports of increased radiation levels over Northern Europe .
He redirected the question of whether heightened radiation level was registered at all to specialists .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization announced that on June 22-23 its international monitoring system detected exceedance of cesium-134 , cesium-137 and ruthenium-103 isotopes over the northeastern part of Europe .
The International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA ) underscored that the observed concentration of radioactive particles in the air was very low and posed no danger for human health and the environment .
On June 25 , the IAEA announced that the elevated radiation level might be connected to works at a nuclear reactor but the source ’ s geographic location was @ @ @

MOSCOW, July 6. /TASS/. Russian prosecutors identified the Ukrainian websites that spread fake news on an accident at the nuclear power plant near St. Petersburg, Deputy Head of the Department for Supervision over Compliance with Legislation on Federal Security, Inter-Ethnic Relations and Combating Extremism and Terrorism of the Prosecutor General’s Office Alexei Zhafyarov said on Monday.
"On the eve of the vote [on amendments to Russia’s Constitution], we identified the Ukrainian Internet resources that actively spread false information on an accident at the nuclear power plant near St. Petersburg, which pursued the goal of creating panic sentiments," he said in the upper house of Russia’s parliament.
The identified website demonstrated photos and video materials from other places, Zhafyarov said. "This was clearly fabricated information," he stressed.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on July 3 that the Russian radiation monitoring system had registered no emergencies. He thus commented on reports of increased radiation levels over Northern Europe. He redirected the question of whether heightened radiation level was registered at all to specialists.
On June 26, the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization announced that on June 22-23 its international monitoring system detected exceedance of cesium-134, cesium-137 and ruthenium-103 isotopes over the northeastern part of Europe. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) underscored that the observed concentration of radioactive particles in the air was very low and posed no danger for human health and the environment.
On June 25, the IAEA announced that the elevated radiation level might be connected to works at a nuclear reactor but the source’s geographic location was still undetermined.


tass--2020-07-06--Environmental damages from oil spill in Norilsk estimated at $2.1 bln

MOSCOW , July 6 .
/TASS/ .
Damages to the environment from the fuel spill at the CHPP-3 power plant @ @ @ @ @ about 148 bln rubles ( $ 2.1 bln ) , press service of the Russian @ @ @ @ @ on Monday .
`` Rosprirodnadzor calculated environmental damages inflicted by the accident in Norilsk , @ @ @ @ @ Specifically , damages inflicted to water objects in consequence of contamination to the amount of @ @ @ @ @ ) and soils to the amount of 738,616,500 rubles ( $ 10.3 mln ) , @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, July 6. /TASS/. Damages to the environment from the fuel spill at the CHPP-3 power plant in Norilsk are estimated at about 148 bln rubles ($2.1 bln), press service of the Russian environmental regulator Rosprirodnadzor told TASS on Monday.
"Rosprirodnadzor calculated environmental damages inflicted by the accident in Norilsk," the regulator noted/ "Specifically, damages inflicted to water objects in consequence of contamination to the amount of 147,046,011,000 ($2.053 bln) and soils to the amount of 738,616,500 rubles ($10.3 mln)," the press service said.


tass--2020-07-06--Deputy PM: Russia interested in foreign investment in Northern Sea Route

MOSCOW , July 6 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s task is to make the Northern Sea Route a competitive year-round transport corridor , and the country is interested in foreign investment in infrastructure along the Arctic coastline , Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev said at an online meeting with French businesses on Friday .
`` We set ourselves a task to make the Northern Sea Route a competitive transport corridor , which will work year-round , and thus Russia will continue building up its icebreaker fleet , '' the deputy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him as saying .
`` We are interested in foreign investments in ports , bunkering operations , and other infrastructure along the Arctic coastline . ''
According to the deputy prime minister , Russia and France have been cooperating in the Arctic more actively than in the Far East .
He also reminded the French entrepreneurs about the bills on state support for investors in the Russian Arctic zone that are to be reviewed soon .
`` The entire Russian Arctic will be a special economic zine , where long-term tax incentives will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the shelf and to new projects in LNG , gas chemistry , mining , logistics , tourism and other sectors , '' he said .
`` A free customs zone will feature simplified export and import procedures . ''
The Northern Sea Route is the main marine shipping route in Arctic Russia .
It passes along Russian northern shores over Arctic seas .
The route integrates European and Far Eastern ports of Russia and navigable river outlets into a single transport system .
Its length is 5,600 km from the Kara Strait @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, July 6. /TASS/. Russia’s task is to make the Northern Sea Route a competitive year-round transport corridor, and the country is interested in foreign investment in infrastructure along the Arctic coastline, Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev said at an online meeting with French businesses on Friday.
"We set ourselves a task to make the Northern Sea Route a competitive transport corridor, which will work year-round, and thus Russia will continue building up its icebreaker fleet," the deputy prime minister’s press service quoted him as saying. "We are interested in foreign investments in ports, bunkering operations, and other infrastructure along the Arctic coastline."
According to the deputy prime minister, Russia and France have been cooperating in the Arctic more actively than in the Far East. He also reminded the French entrepreneurs about the bills on state support for investors in the Russian Arctic zone that are to be reviewed soon.
"The entire Russian Arctic will be a special economic zine, where long-term tax incentives will be offered to projects for the development of the shelf and to new projects in LNG, gas chemistry, mining, logistics, tourism and other sectors," he said. "A free customs zone will feature simplified export and import procedures."
The Northern Sea Route is the main marine shipping route in Arctic Russia. It passes along Russian northern shores over Arctic seas. The route integrates European and Far Eastern ports of Russia and navigable river outlets into a single transport system. Its length is 5,600 km from the Kara Strait to Providence Bay.


tass--2020-07-06--Russian diplomat unveils encounters and letdowns while working at UN in New York

MOSCOW , July 6 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova was pleasantly surprised by the outward openness of people around her when she came to work at the UN headquarters in New York .
However , later on , she was disappointed by the fact that their amiability was a mere veneer of sociability .
`` If we talk about revelations , that ’ s outward friendliness , the knack of meeting and greeting people in a positive light , reasoning , not starting off with something negative but rather furnishing an opportunity to immediately feel the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same time , I found no deep sincerity there , and that surprised me a lot , '' she said on Monday in an interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman .
Russian people do not open up immediately when meeting others , she went on to say .
`` It is very important for us to break down the barrier and take a closer look .
We tend to be wary and distrustful .
It ’ s quite different there , after that positive approach , those initial smiles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you expect a triumph of feelings and emotions but that doesn ’ t happen , '' she explained .
The diplomat noted that she was impressed by the architecture of the building , which houses the global organization ’ s headquarters , with all the cultural diversity prevailing within is walls .
She recalled that it had been created in the late 1940s-early 1950s by a group of architects from different countries .
`` At the UN , I felt as if it was some sort of space interchange station between planets , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fully preserve their identity , express their interests , while finding a common language , '' she elaborated .

MOSCOW, July 6. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova was pleasantly surprised by the outward openness of people around her when she came to work at the UN headquarters in New York. However, later on, she was disappointed by the fact that their amiability was a mere veneer of sociability.
"If we talk about revelations, that’s outward friendliness, the knack of meeting and greeting people in a positive light, reasoning, not starting off with something negative but rather furnishing an opportunity to immediately feel the atmosphere of a positive program. At the same time, I found no deep sincerity there, and that surprised me a lot," she said on Monday in an interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman.
Russian people do not open up immediately when meeting others, she went on to say. "It is very important for us to break down the barrier and take a closer look. We tend to be wary and distrustful. It’s quite different there, after that positive approach, those initial smiles and kind words for some reason, you expect a triumph of feelings and emotions but that doesn’t happen," she explained.
The diplomat noted that she was impressed by the architecture of the building, which houses the global organization’s headquarters, with all the cultural diversity prevailing within is walls. She recalled that it had been created in the late 1940s-early 1950s by a group of architects from different countries.
"At the UN, I felt as if it was some sort of space interchange station between planets, because there are completely different people who fully preserve their identity, express their interests, while finding a common language," she elaborated.


tass--2020-07-06--UK announces personal sanctions against 25 Russians over Magnitsky case

LONDON , July 6 .
/TASS/ .
On Monday , UK announced introduction of personal sanctions against 25 Russian citizens which London considers involved in violation of human rights , according to UK government information website .
The list of sanctioned people includes Russian Investigative Committee head Alexander Bastrykin , Deputy Prosecutor General Viktor Grin , Deputy Minister of the Interior Alexey Anichin .
The people in the list have been barred from entering the UK , and their assets in the country , if they have any , will be frozen .
They will be barred from conducting business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizens ’ mediation .
The sanctions enter force from the moment of publication of the document .
The sanctions were introduced within the framework of the so-called `` Magnitsky amendment '' to the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill , adopted by the House of Commons in May 2018 , and which was supposed to enter force immediately after the UK ’ s withdrawal from the European Union .
`` The [ sanctions against ] individuals and organizations are the first wave of designations under the new regime , with further sanctions expected in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office said in its statement .
Speaking in thou UK Parliament ’ s House of Commons , Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Dominic Raab speculated that the sanctions may be extended to foreign citizens which , according to London , are involved in corruption .
Besides Russians , the list includes 20 citizens of Saudi Arabia whom London considers involved in 2018 assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul , as well as two Myanmar military commanders , whom London considers involved in `` systematic crimes '' against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korean agencies - the Ministry of Social Security and the Ministry of State Security .
London considers the latter two to be involved in torture , use of slave labor and assassinations .
The document includes a total of 49 people and organizations .
On Monday , Raab will meet with Sergey Magnitsky ’ s widow Natalia and his son Nikita , as well as William Browder , the founder of the Hermitage Capital investment fund , sentenced in absentia in Russia .
Following US example Earlier , Rab pointed out that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act .
The Magnitsky Act was adopted by the US Congress and signed by President Obama in December 2012 .
The document implies imposition of sanctions against a number of Russian officials .
Those include law enforcement officials involved , according to Washington , in Sergey Magnitsky ’ s death .
William Browder is considered the main initiator of the bill .
Later , similar Magnitsky Acts were adopted in Canada , Latvia , Lithuania and Estonia , and more bills being mulled in several more countries .
Russia viewed the Magnitsky Act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Russian Foreign Ministry called the document unfriendly and provocative .

LONDON, July 6. /TASS/. On Monday, UK announced introduction of personal sanctions against 25 Russian citizens which London considers involved in violation of human rights, according to UK government information website.
The list of sanctioned people includes Russian Investigative Committee head Alexander Bastrykin, Deputy Prosecutor General Viktor Grin, Deputy Minister of the Interior Alexey Anichin. The people in the list have been barred from entering the UK, and their assets in the country, if they have any, will be frozen. They will be barred from conducting business both inside the UK and via UK citizens’ mediation.
The sanctions enter force from the moment of publication of the document. The sanctions were introduced within the framework of the so-called "Magnitsky amendment" to the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill, adopted by the House of Commons in May 2018, and which was supposed to enter force immediately after the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union.
"The [sanctions against] individuals and organizations are the first wave of designations under the new regime, with further sanctions expected in the coming months," the Foreign Office said in its statement.
Speaking in thou UK Parliament’s House of Commons, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Dominic Raab speculated that the sanctions may be extended to foreign citizens which, according to London, are involved in corruption.
Besides Russians, the list includes 20 citizens of Saudi Arabia whom London considers involved in 2018 assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, as well as two Myanmar military commanders, whom London considers involved in "systematic crimes" against the Rohingya people, and two North Korean agencies - the Ministry of Social Security and the Ministry of State Security. London considers the latter two to be involved in torture, use of slave labor and assassinations. The document includes a total of 49 people and organizations.
On Monday, Raab will meet with Sergey Magnitsky’s widow Natalia and his son Nikita, as well as William Browder, the founder of the Hermitage Capital investment fund, sentenced in absentia in Russia.
Following US example
Earlier, Rab pointed out that the Magnitsky amendment complies with the US Magnitsky Act.
The Magnitsky Act was adopted by the US Congress and signed by President Obama in December 2012. The document implies imposition of sanctions against a number of Russian officials. Those include law enforcement officials involved, according to Washington, in Sergey Magnitsky’s death. William Browder is considered the main initiator of the bill. Later, similar Magnitsky Acts were adopted in Canada, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, and more bills being mulled in several more countries.
Russia viewed the Magnitsky Act as foreign meddling in its internal affairs. Russian Foreign Ministry called the document unfriendly and provocative.


tass--2020-07-06--Light plane crashes in Nizhny Novgorod Region

MOSCOW , July 6 .
/TASS/ .
A light plane crashed in the town of Dzerzhinsk in the Nizhny Novgorod @ @ @ @ @ of the Emergencies Ministry 's regional directorate informed TASS .
`` Information was received about @ @ @ @ @ plane in Dzerzhinsk .
The details are being confirmed , '' the press service noted @ @ @ @ @ , the report of an An-2 plane crash near Igumnovskoye Highway in Dzerzhinsk came at @ @ @ @ @ Upon arrival of the first units no visible destruction was observed .
The site of @ @ @ @ @ localized , '' the press service said .

MOSCOW, July 6. /TASS/. A light plane crashed in the town of Dzerzhinsk in the Nizhny Novgorod Region, the press service of the Emergencies Ministry's regional directorate informed TASS.
"Information was received about the crash of a light plane in Dzerzhinsk. The details are being confirmed," the press service noted.
According to the agency, the report of an An-2 plane crash near Igumnovskoye Highway in Dzerzhinsk came at 16:38 Moscow time. "Upon arrival of the first units no visible destruction was observed. The site of the plane crash is being localized," the press service said.


tass--2020-07-06--Serbia reports 16,420 coronavirus cases

Serbia reports 16,420 coronavirus cases

BELGRADE , July 6 .
/TASS/ .
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Serbia grew by 289 over the past day and reached 16,420 , with 317 fatalities , the country ’ s health ministry said on Monday .
According to the health ministry , six coronavirus-related deaths were reported during the day .
As many as 7,872 people were tested for the novel coronavirus during the day .
As many as 2,737 coronavirus-positive patients are currently undergoing treatment at hospitals , including 93 connected to lung ventilators .
A total of 447,317 people have been tested for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The mortality rate is 1.93 % The most serious situation is in the capital city of Belgrade , which accounts for 82.5 % of Serbia ’ s coronavirus cases.. Belgrade ’ s Mayor Zoran Radojicic on Friday imposed an emergency regime over a coronavirus outbreak as a preventive measure to protect the people .
Thus , the mayor banned gatherings of more than 100 people indoors and more than 500 people outdoors .
Night clubs and cafes without summer terraces have been closed .
People are obliged to wear face masks .
Violators @ @ @ @

BELGRADE, July 6. /TASS/. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Serbia grew by 289 over the past day and reached 16,420, with 317 fatalities, the country’s health ministry said on Monday.
According to the health ministry, six coronavirus-related deaths were reported during the day. As many as 7,872 people were tested for the novel coronavirus during the day.
As many as 2,737 coronavirus-positive patients are currently undergoing treatment at hospitals, including 93 connected to lung ventilators. A total of 447,317 people have been tested for the coronavirus infection since the epidemic outbreak. The mortality rate is 1.93%
The most serious situation is in the capital city of Belgrade, which accounts for 82.5% of Serbia’s coronavirus cases.. Belgrade’s Mayor Zoran Radojicic on Friday imposed an emergency regime over a coronavirus outbreak as a preventive measure to protect the people. Thus, the mayor banned gatherings of more than 100 people indoors and more than 500 people outdoors. Night clubs and cafes without summer terraces have been closed. People are obliged to wear face masks. Violators will face fines.


tass--2020-07-06--Iran copes with the coronavirus pandemic despite US sanctions

MOSCOW , July 6 .
/TASS/ .
Iran manages to cope with the coronavirus infection spread despite hardships inflicted by the US sanctions , Iranian Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali said on Russian TV Monday .
According to the envoy , Tehran hoped that steps will be made to withdraw sanctions and to suspend armed conflicts amid the pandemic , but this did not happen .
Therefore , the Islamic Republic face huge difficulties in countering the infection spread , he said .
`` We were short on drugs , and it was not easy to buy them , due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans claim that they create no obstruction to provision of drugs .
We could have received drugs as humanitarian aid , but they did not allow that too .
We have a right to use the International Monetary Fund to fight the epidemic , and the Fund was ready to allocate the required sum , but we saw the US putting a barrier on this path as well , '' the envoy disclosed .
Jalali noted that the US authorities `` spend astronomic sum of money to fight the coronavirus themselves , although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` We , however , with all our restricted resources , fight the epidemic much more successfully , and , between the American plotting and scheming , Iran ’ s successes appear especially impressive , '' the diplomat is certain .
Iranian authorities repeatedly said that Washington ’ s restrictions against Tehran prevent the country from countering the coronavirus spread .
According to Iran , US sanctions prevent import of humanitarian goods , including food and drugs .
In the past 24 hours , 2,613 new cases were registered in Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 243,051 ; 160 people died in the past 24 hours , with total fatality count now exceeding 11,700 people .
According to the Republic ’ s Health Ministry , 204,083 people have recovered ; a total of 1,820,003 tests were made in Iran .

MOSCOW, July 6. /TASS/. Iran manages to cope with the coronavirus infection spread despite hardships inflicted by the US sanctions, Iranian Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali said on Russian TV Monday.
According to the envoy, Tehran hoped that steps will be made to withdraw sanctions and to suspend armed conflicts amid the pandemic, but this did not happen. Therefore, the Islamic Republic face huge difficulties in countering the infection spread, he said.
"We were short on drugs, and it was not easy to buy them, due to financial restrictions. Meanwhile, the Americans claim that they create no obstruction to provision of drugs. We could have received drugs as humanitarian aid, but they did not allow that too. We have a right to use the International Monetary Fund to fight the epidemic, and the Fund was ready to allocate the required sum, but we saw the US putting a barrier on this path as well," the envoy disclosed.
Jalali noted that the US authorities "spend astronomic sum of money to fight the coronavirus themselves, although they still have nothing to brag about."
"We, however, with all our restricted resources, fight the epidemic much more successfully, and, between the American plotting and scheming, Iran’s successes appear especially impressive," the diplomat is certain.
Iranian authorities repeatedly said that Washington’s restrictions against Tehran prevent the country from countering the coronavirus spread. According to Iran, US sanctions prevent import of humanitarian goods, including food and drugs.
In the past 24 hours, 2,613 new cases were registered in Iran, bringing the total case count to 243,051; 160 people died in the past 24 hours, with total fatality count now exceeding 11,700 people. According to the Republic’s Health Ministry, 204,083 people have recovered; a total of 1,820,003 tests were made in Iran.


tass--2020-07-06--Kremlin expects Turkey to uphold Hagia Sophia’s significance as world heritage site

`` We by all means hope that Hagia Sophia ’ s status as a world heritage site will be taken into consideration , '' he said .
MOSCOW , July 6 .
/TASS/ .
The Kremlin hopes that Turkey will keep Hagia Sophia ’ s status as a UNESCO world heritage site in mind when deciding on the fate of the historic landmark , Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday .
`` Of course , this is a world masterpiece beloved by tourists coming to Turkey from all over the world and especially by tourists from Russia who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tourist value but also it ’ s sacred spiritual value , '' he added .
`` We do hope that all this will be taken into account by our Turkish colleagues and partners , '' he repeated .
Peskov stressed that the Kremlin can not comment on Turkey ’ s decision itself .
`` This is the Turkish republic ’ s internal affair , '' he stressed .
The Kremlin spokesman recalled that Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin had already made statements on this matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ historic landmark , Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill called for preserving the neutral status of the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul , which is a symbol for millions of Christians .
He was alarmed by calls from some Turkish politicians to review Hagia Sophia ’ s museum status , which is one of the greatest monuments to Christian culture .
Earlier on Monday , Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin told reporters , Russia expects that Turkey will take into account the global significance of Hagia Sophia , when deciding on the fate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNN Turk reported that Turkey ’ s State Council discussed the matter on July 2 , upon the instructions from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan .
The debate lasted 17 minutes , and the decision is expected to be published within the next 15 days .
The Hagia Sophia is a Byzantine architectural monument .
The cathedral was constructed between 532 and 537 AD by a decree from then Byzantine Emperor Justinian I .
After the fall of Byzantine Empire in 1453 , the cathedral was converted into a mosque .
In 1935 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government signed by the founder of the modern Turkish state Mustafa Kemal Ataturk , the building was transformed into a museum .
White plaster covering Christian mosaics and murals was removed .
In 1985 , the building was included on the UNESCO World Heritage ’ s list of monuments .

"We by all means hope that Hagia Sophia’s status as a world heritage site will be taken into consideration," he said.
MOSCOW, July 6. /TASS/. The Kremlin hopes that Turkey will keep Hagia Sophia’s status as a UNESCO world heritage site in mind when deciding on the fate of the historic landmark, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday.
"Of course, this is a world masterpiece beloved by tourists coming to Turkey from all over the world and especially by tourists from Russia who not only recognize Hagia Sophia’s tourist value but also it’s sacred spiritual value," he added.
"We do hope that all this will be taken into account by our Turkish colleagues and partners," he repeated.
Peskov stressed that the Kremlin cannot comment on Turkey’s decision itself. "This is the Turkish republic’s internal affair," he stressed.
The Kremlin spokesman recalled that Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin had already made statements on this matter.
Amid the latest news about the historic landmark, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill called for preserving the neutral status of the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, which is a symbol for millions of Christians. He was alarmed by calls from some Turkish politicians to review Hagia Sophia’s museum status, which is one of the greatest monuments to Christian culture.
Earlier on Monday, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin told reporters, Russia expects that Turkey will take into account the global significance of Hagia Sophia, when deciding on the fate of this historical monument.
Previously, CNN Turk reported that Turkey’s State Council discussed the matter on July 2, upon the instructions from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The debate lasted 17 minutes, and the decision is expected to be published within the next 15 days.
The Hagia Sophia is a Byzantine architectural monument. The cathedral was constructed between 532 and 537 AD by a decree from then Byzantine Emperor Justinian I.
After the fall of Byzantine Empire in 1453, the cathedral was converted into a mosque. In 1935, under the decree of the Turkish government signed by the founder of the modern Turkish state Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the building was transformed into a museum. White plaster covering Christian mosaics and murals was removed. In 1985, the building was included on the UNESCO World Heritage’s list of monuments.


tass--2020-07-06--China, India agree to expedite disengagement of troops near border

BEIJING , July 6 .
/TASS/ .
State Councilor and China ’ s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of India Ajit Doval in a phone call on Monday agreed to expedite the process of disengagement of troops near the border .
As the Chinese Foreign Ministry ’ s statement runs , these measures will be implemented in order to normalize the situation as soon as possible and prevent future armed conflicts .
`` The sides welcomed the contacts established between the defense agencies and the external affairs ministries , agreed to support such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agreements that were reached by the two sides during the talks between the border troops commanders , as well as to complete as soon as possible the process of frontline troop withdrawal , '' the document reads .
The Foreign Ministry noted that the sides also reached an agreement to implement measures in order to `` prevent the reoccurrence of incidents which may influence the situation and peace in the border region . ''
`` The relationship of China and India underwent various trials and their progress towards modern development was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently demonstrated , correctly , and at the same time , incorrectly by the recent incident in the western sector of China-India border in the Galwan River valley , China will continue to assert its territorial sovereignty as well as peace and tranquility in the border region , '' mentioned China 's top diplomat during the conversation .
At the same time he noted that China hopes that the joint effort will help resolve the current difficulties and normalize the bilateral relations .
The sides expressed readiness to respect the agreements achieved previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specific attention to the issue of state border and prevent `` disagreements from becoming conflicts . ''
The sides also confirmed their adherence to the earlier agreements on the state border and expressed readiness to implement measures to normalize the situation in the border region .
The situation in Ladakh escalated after several clashes occurred there with the participation of some 250 Chinese and Indian troops in the beginning of May .
Overnight between June 15 and 16 , on the union territory of Ladakh near the Galwan River , new skirmishes occurred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sources in India ’ s armed forces , firearms were not deployed , however the sides used nail-studded clubs .
At least 20 Indian soldiers were killed while 76 were wounded .
At the same time the Indian authorities claim that about 45 Chinese soldiers were killed or wounded .
As the Indian NDTV channel reported on Monday , India and China conducted a mutual troop withdrawal from the disputed border territories , but it apparently concerned only the Galwan River valley on the union territory of Ladakh .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also taking down the temporary structures built in the border area and withdrawing from the Line of Actual Control which divides India and China .
The sources do not indicate the distance of troop withdrawal .

BEIJING, July 6. /TASS/. State Councilor and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of India Ajit Doval in a phone call on Monday agreed to expedite the process of disengagement of troops near the border. As the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s statement runs, these measures will be implemented in order to normalize the situation as soon as possible and prevent future armed conflicts.
"The sides welcomed the contacts established between the defense agencies and the external affairs ministries, agreed to support such consultations in the future, and implement the agreements that were reached by the two sides during the talks between the border troops commanders, as well as to complete as soon as possible the process of frontline troop withdrawal," the document reads.
The Foreign Ministry noted that the sides also reached an agreement to implement measures in order to "prevent the reoccurrence of incidents which may influence the situation and peace in the border region."
"The relationship of China and India underwent various trials and their progress towards modern development was not always swift. As it had been recently demonstrated, correctly, and at the same time, incorrectly by the recent incident in the western sector of China-India border in the Galwan River valley, China will continue to assert its territorial sovereignty as well as peace and tranquility in the border region," mentioned China's top diplomat during the conversation. At the same time he noted that China hopes that the joint effort will help resolve the current difficulties and normalize the bilateral relations.
The sides expressed readiness to respect the agreements achieved previously by the heads of state, pay specific attention to the issue of state border and prevent "disagreements from becoming conflicts." The sides also confirmed their adherence to the earlier agreements on the state border and expressed readiness to implement measures to normalize the situation in the border region.
Situation at the border
The situation in Ladakh escalated after several clashes occurred there with the participation of some 250 Chinese and Indian troops in the beginning of May.
Overnight between June 15 and 16, on the union territory of Ladakh near the Galwan River, new skirmishes occurred between Indian and Chinese servicemen. According to sources in India’s armed forces, firearms were not deployed, however the sides used nail-studded clubs. At least 20 Indian soldiers were killed while 76 were wounded. At the same time the Indian authorities claim that about 45 Chinese soldiers were killed or wounded.
As the Indian NDTV channel reported on Monday, India and China conducted a mutual troop withdrawal from the disputed border territories, but it apparently concerned only the Galwan River valley on the union territory of Ladakh. According to the TV channel report, the sides are also taking down the temporary structures built in the border area and withdrawing from the Line of Actual Control which divides India and China. The sources do not indicate the distance of troop withdrawal.


tass--2020-07-06--Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman says working amid pandemic was real challenge

MOSCOW , July 6 .
/TASS/ .
It was a real challenge for Russian diplomats to work amid the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Monday in an interview with TASS First Deputy Director General @ @ @ @ @ period was a global challenge for diplomats , first of all in terms of commitment @ @ @ @ @ , i.e .
whether we are ready to be responsible for each word we utter @ @ @ @ @ actions jibe , '' she said .
`` We repeated the phrase ‘ Russia never @ @ @ @ @ citizens ’ so many times and at some point life place all of us in @ @ @ @ @ to stand by these words and show if we were really ready to implement the @ @ @ @ @ , if we were really responsible about what we say .
It was a real @ @ @

MOSCOW, July 6. /TASS/. It was a real challenge for Russian diplomats to work amid the coronavirus pandemic, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Monday in an interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman.
"This period was a global challenge for diplomats, first of all in terms of commitment to moral and ethical principles, i.e. whether we are ready to be responsible for each word we utter, whether our words and actions jibe," she said. "We repeated the phrase ‘Russia never turns its back on its citizens’ so many times and at some point life place all of us in a situation when we had to stand by these words and show if we were really ready to implement the concepts we have been offering, if we were really responsible about what we say. It was a real challenge."


tass--2020-07-06--Russian diplomat calls for refraining from drawing hasty conclusions from Natanz incident

MOSCOW , July 6 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow calls for refraining from drawing hasty conclusions from the recent incident at @ @ @ @ @ facility , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin told reporters on Monday .
`` Incidents @ @ @ @ @ .
I think the last thing to do is to make speculations .
The issue @ @ @ @ @ he pointed out .
`` These things are very serious , including those that concern @ @ @ @ @ Russian diplomat added .
Iranian Atomic Energy Organization Spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said on Thursday that @ @ @ @ @ under-construction building at the Natanz nuclear facility , no casualties were reported .
Kamalvandi stated @ @ @ @ @ building was a centrifuge assembly workshop .
The New York Times wrote earlier that `` @ @ @ @ @ with knowledge of the episode said Israel was responsible for the attack on the Natanz @ @ @ @ @ using a powerful bomb . ''

MOSCOW, July 6. /TASS/. Moscow calls for refraining from drawing hasty conclusions from the recent incident at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin told reporters on Monday.
"Incidents like that require serious consideration. I think the last thing to do is to make speculations. The issue is very serious," he pointed out. "These things are very serious, including those that concern Iran," the senior Russian diplomat added.
Iranian Atomic Energy Organization Spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said on Thursday that an incident had damaged an under-construction building at the Natanz nuclear facility, no casualties were reported. Kamalvandi stated on Sunday that the damaged building was a centrifuge assembly workshop.
The New York Times wrote earlier that "a Middle Eastern intelligence official with knowledge of the episode said Israel was responsible for the attack on the Natanz nuclear complex on Thursday, using a powerful bomb."


tass--2020-07-08--Czech Interior Minister declines to comment on Safronov’s case - media

PRAGUE , July 8 .
/ TASS / .
First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs of the Czech Republic Jan Hamacek declined to comment on reports that Ivan Safronov , adviser to the head of Roscosmos , a former correspondent for the Kommersant and Vedomosti newspapers , passed information to the republic ’ s special services , the network publication Denik N. stated on Wednesday .
`` No comment , '' it quotes Hamacek as saying .
Safronov 's lawyer , Ivan Pavlov , earlier told TASS that in the case file of his client , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country that received secret information through Czech special services .
Safronov was detained on July 7 as he left his apartment in the morning .
The FSB public relations service informed that Safronov is suspected of communicating confidential state secrets to a representative of one of NATO ’ s intelligence services and was arrested by the Russian Federal Security Service ( FSB ) agents .
Prosecution launched criminal proceedings on the count of state treason against Safronov , who is now facing 20 years behind bars .
The FSB added that the investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Safronov had been arrested but underlined that the arrest is not linked to his current duties as Roscosmos advisor .
Lawyer Yevgeny Smirnov later told reporters , the FSB suspects Safronov of transmitting information to the Czech special services about arms deliveries from Russia to the Middle East and Africa .
Safronov pleaded not guilty in court .
According to a TASS source , he refused to cooperate during questioning .
Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozin said on Tuesday that the former journalist , who earlier worked for the Kommersant and Vedomosti business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roscosmos activities a month and a half ago '' and `` did not have classified information clearance . ''
`` I did not doubt his high professionalism and personal decency , '' Rogozin added .
Russia ’ s Kommersant Daily , where Safronov worked between 2010 and 2019 , issued a statement in support of Safronov , calling him `` a true Russian patriot , who was covering defense and space issues because he truly cared about them . ''
Russia ’ s Vedomosti and Novaya Gazeta newspapers , RBK media group and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support for Safronov .
Some of the journalist ’ s former colleagues gathered outside the FSB quarters in downtown Moscow on Tuesday afternoon to show solidarity .
Several journalists , including from Kommersant , were detained in the course of one-person protests .

PRAGUE, July 8. / TASS /. First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs of the Czech Republic Jan Hamacek declined to comment on reports that Ivan Safronov, adviser to the head of Roscosmos, a former correspondent for the Kommersant and Vedomosti newspapers, passed information to the republic’s special services, the network publication Denik N. stated on Wednesday.
"No comment," it quotes Hamacek as saying.
Safronov's lawyer, Ivan Pavlov, earlier told TASS that in the case file of his client, the United States is referred to as the country that received secret information through Czech special services.
Safronov was detained on July 7 as he left his apartment in the morning. The FSB public relations service informed that Safronov is suspected of communicating confidential state secrets to a representative of one of NATO’s intelligence services and was arrested by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) agents. Prosecution launched criminal proceedings on the count of state treason against Safronov, who is now facing 20 years behind bars. The FSB added that the investigation continues. Earlier, Roscosmos informed that Safronov had been arrested but underlined that the arrest is not linked to his current duties as Roscosmos advisor.
Lawyer Yevgeny Smirnov later told reporters, the FSB suspects Safronov of transmitting information to the Czech special services about arms deliveries from Russia to the Middle East and Africa.
Safronov pleaded not guilty in court. According to a TASS source, he refused to cooperate during questioning.
Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozin said on Tuesday that the former journalist, who earlier worked for the Kommersant and Vedomosti business dailies, was "invited to cover Roscosmos activities a month and a half ago" and "did not have classified information clearance." "I did not doubt his high professionalism and personal decency," Rogozin added.
Russia’s Kommersant Daily, where Safronov worked between 2010 and 2019, issued a statement in support of Safronov, calling him "a true Russian patriot, who was covering defense and space issues because he truly cared about them." Russia’s Vedomosti and Novaya Gazeta newspapers, RBK media group and the Dozhd TV channel also declared their support for Safronov.
Some of the journalist’s former colleagues gathered outside the FSB quarters in downtown Moscow on Tuesday afternoon to show solidarity. Several journalists, including from Kommersant, were detained in the course of one-person protests.


tass--2020-07-08--Tough self-isolation mode unlikely to be happen during COVID-19 second wave - expert

MOSCOW , July 8 .
/ TASS / .
The emergence of the second wave of 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 closed for rigid self-isolation .
At the first stage , it was important for medical institutions to be prepared in the first place .
Now the staff is trained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ main criterion for getting out of isolation is the availability of free beds for patient hospitalization .
This not the same as it was at the beginning , `` 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 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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--2020-07-08--Russia proposes UN Security Council to adopt its draft resolution on assistance to Syria

UN , July 8 .
/ TASS / .
Russia considers it necessary to gradually curtail the cross-border assistance mechanism for Syria and suggests adopting a resolution providing for the extension of supplies through only one checkpoint on the border with Turkey , said Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN , Vasily Nebenzya , in a statement published on Tuesday , following the vote to extend the cross-border humanitarian assistance to Syria .
Russia and China vetoed the draft resolution by Germany and Belgium , which proposed leaving two checkpoints open for the UN .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mechanism in order to replace it with humanitarian supplies that will be implemented in accordance with the principles outlined in UN General Assembly resolution 46/182 , '' the statement said .
`` However , we are aware of the need to meet the humanitarian needs of all Syrians , '' Nebenzya added .
`` We will present our draft resolution , which implies a six-month extension of the mechanism , while limiting the number of existing checkpoints to one at the Bab al-Hawa checkpoint on the Turkish border .
According to the statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the situation in Syria has changed significantly , in particular , `` the territory beyond the control of the Syrian government has been significantly reduced . ''
`` We urge partners in the [ Security ] Council and other UN member states not to politicize the humanitarian dossier , instead to support our draft resolution , which will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Idlib , '' Nebenzya added .
Due to the UN remote mode of operation , voting took place in written form to the head of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organization told TASS .
`` Russia and China voted against the document .
13 members of the council voted in favor .
The draft resolution was not adopted because of a vote against it by the permanent members of the Security Council , '' the source said .
The resolution sponsors Germany and Belgium did not consider Russia 's position on the issue , while it has repeatedly advocated a gradual reduction in the number of checkpoints through which aid to Syria `` bypasses '' Damascus .
The proposed draft resolution called for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a year , instead of the previously planned six months .
The document also provided for the possibility of increasing the number of checkpoints open to the UN , if such a need would be spelled out in the report of the UN Secretary General .
As previously reported by the Russian Foreign Ministry , on Tuesday , Russian and German foreign ministers Sergey Lavrov and Heiko Maas discussed over the phone the prospects of a cross-border mechanism for delivering humanitarian aid to Syria .
Lavrov drew the attention of his counterpart to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be coordinated with Damascus .
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 .

UN, July 8. / TASS /. Russia considers it necessary to gradually curtail the cross-border assistance mechanism for Syria and suggests adopting a resolution providing for the extension of supplies through only one checkpoint on the border with Turkey, said Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, in a statement published on Tuesday, following the vote to extend the cross-border humanitarian assistance to Syria.
Russia and China vetoed the draft resolution by Germany and Belgium, which proposed leaving two checkpoints open for the UN.
"The time has come to phase out this mechanism in order to replace it with humanitarian supplies that will be implemented in accordance with the principles outlined in UN General Assembly resolution 46/182," the statement said. "However, we are aware of the need to meet the humanitarian needs of all Syrians," Nebenzya added. "We will present our draft resolution, which implies a six-month extension of the mechanism, while limiting the number of existing checkpoints to one at the Bab al-Hawa checkpoint on the Turkish border.
According to the statement, over the past six years, the situation in Syria has changed significantly, in particular, "the territory beyond the control of the Syrian government has been significantly reduced." "We urge partners in the [Security] Council and other UN member states not to politicize the humanitarian dossier, instead to support our draft resolution, which will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Idlib," Nebenzya added.
Due to the UN remote mode of operation, voting took place in written form to the head of the Security Council, a source in the organization told TASS.
"Russia and China voted against the document. 13 members of the council voted in favor. The draft resolution was not adopted because of a vote against it by the permanent members of the Security Council," the source said.
The resolution sponsors Germany and Belgium did not consider Russia's position on the issue, while it has repeatedly advocated a gradual reduction in the number of checkpoints through which aid to Syria "bypasses" Damascus. The proposed draft resolution called for an extension of the cross-border mechanism for a year, instead of the previously planned six months. The document also provided for the possibility of increasing the number of checkpoints open to the UN, if such a need would be spelled out in the report of the UN Secretary General.
As previously reported by the Russian Foreign Ministry, on Tuesday, Russian and German foreign ministers Sergey Lavrov and Heiko Maas discussed over the phone the prospects of a cross-border mechanism for delivering humanitarian aid to Syria. Lavrov drew the attention of his counterpart to the fact that all humanitarian operations should be coordinated with Damascus.
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.


tass--2020-07-08--Progress MS-13 space freighter to undock from ISS on Wednesday

MOSCOW , July 8 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Progress MS-13 space freighter will undock from the Pirs module @ @ @ @ @ ( ISS ) on Wednesday to be deorbited early on Thursday , a spokesperson for @ @ @ @ @ Roscosmos said .
`` The undocking of the Progress MS-13 space freighter from the Pirs @ @ @ @ @ segment is scheduled for 21:22 Moscow time on July 8 , '' Roscosmos said .
@ @ @ @ @ deorbit burn at 00:31 Moscow time on Thursday , with subsequent re-entry at 01:05 Moscow @ @ @ @ @ blasted off atop the Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket from launch site No .
31 of the @ @ @ @ @ December 6 , 2019 .
The space freighter carried 650 kg of propellant , 420 @ @ @ @ @ kg of dry cargo and 50 kg of oxygen in tanks for the International Space @ @ @ @ @ traveled to the orbital outpost under a three-day scheme .

MOSCOW, July 8. /TASS/. Russia’s Progress MS-13 space freighter will undock from the Pirs module of the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday to be deorbited early on Thursday, a spokesperson for Russia’s space corporation Roscosmos said.
"The undocking of the Progress MS-13 space freighter from the Pirs module of the Russian ISS segment is scheduled for 21:22 Moscow time on July 8," Roscosmos said.
The spacecraft will perform the deorbit burn at 00:31 Moscow time on Thursday, with subsequent re-entry at 01:05 Moscow time.
The cargo craft blasted off atop the Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket from launch site No. 31 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome 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.


tass--2020-07-08--Russian troops to get S-500 air defense systems in coming years

MOSCOW , July 8 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian military will get the new-generation S-500 air defense systems in coming years , the commander of Missile Defense Troops of the Russian Aerospace Forces , Maj. Gen. Sergei Babakov , said in an interview with the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper on Wednesday .
`` The Missile Defense Troops started receiving prospective S-350 Vityaz anti-aircraft systems .
The delivery of S-500 Prometei systems is also planned , '' Babakov said , when asked what types of prospective weaponry the troops expected to receive in coming years .
He went on to say that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ S-500 systems can detect and destroy hypersound weapons of all modifications , including in the near space .
`` This gives us grounds to say that this system has no rivals , '' Babakov said .
S-500 Prometei ( 55R6M , Triumfator-M class ) was designed by Almaz-Antey as a new generation of air and missile defense weapons .
S-500 operates a separated method of ballistic and aerodynamic target destruction .
Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko said in an article published in the corporate magazine Radio-Electronic Technologies of the KRET Group in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trials of the world ’ s unrivaled surface-to-air missiles for the latest S-500 air defense system last year .
The deputy defense minister also said in an interview with Krasnaya Zvezda in December 2019 that the preliminary tests of the S-500 anti-aircraft missile system would begin in 2020 and the commencement of its serial deliveries to the troops was scheduled for 2025 .
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu earlier said that the deliveries of the S-500 to the troops would begin in 2020 .
Russia has been training specialists to learn to operate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Aerospace Force in Tver since 2017 .
Russia is developing the S-500 with a view of its operation in the next 25 years .
As the Western media reported , the new Russian missile system struck the target at a range of 481.2 km or 80 km more compared to any existing missile system .

MOSCOW, July 8. /TASS/. The Russian military will get the new-generation S-500 air defense systems in coming years, the commander of Missile Defense Troops of the Russian Aerospace Forces, Maj. Gen. Sergei Babakov, said in an interview with the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper on Wednesday.
"The Missile Defense Troops started receiving prospective S-350 Vityaz anti-aircraft systems. The delivery of S-500 Prometei systems is also planned," Babakov said, when asked what types of prospective weaponry the troops expected to receive in coming years.
He went on to say that apart from aerodynamic and ballistic targets, S-500 systems can detect and destroy hypersound weapons of all modifications, including in the near space.
"This gives us grounds to say that this system has no rivals," Babakov said.
S-500 Prometei (55R6M, Triumfator-M class) was designed by Almaz-Antey as a new generation of air and missile defense weapons. S-500 operates a separated method of ballistic and aerodynamic target destruction.
Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko said in an article published in the corporate magazine Radio-Electronic Technologies of the KRET Group in February that military specialists had held the trials of the world’s unrivaled surface-to-air missiles for the latest S-500 air defense system last year. The deputy defense minister also said in an interview with Krasnaya Zvezda in December 2019 that the preliminary tests of the S-500 anti-aircraft missile system would begin in 2020 and the commencement of its serial deliveries to the troops was scheduled for 2025.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu earlier said that the deliveries of the S-500 to the troops would begin in 2020. Russia has been training specialists to learn to operate the new system at the Military Academy of the Aerospace Force in Tver since 2017.
Russia is developing the S-500 with a view of its operation in the next 25 years. As the Western media reported, the new Russian missile system struck the target at a range of 481.2 km or 80 km more compared to any existing missile system.


tass--2020-07-08--Two Russian nationals detained in Kiev on suspicion of plotting crimes

KIEV , July 8 .
/TASS/ .
Two Russian nationals have been detained in Kiev on suspicion of plotting crimes @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine ’ s National Police said on Tuesday .
`` Officers of the strategic investigation @ @ @ @ @ s National Police ] received information that Russian nationals who had arrived in the capital @ @ @ @ @ of grave crimes .
Today , on July 7 , two men were detained in @ @ @ @ @ in a special police operation , '' it said .
The police claims that the @ @ @ @ @ armed groups , worked for Russian special services and participated in armed conflicts in various @ @ @ @ @ the press service , the men would be expelled from the country .

KIEV, July 8. /TASS/. Two Russian nationals have been detained in Kiev on suspicion of plotting crimes, the press service of Ukraine’s National Police said on Tuesday.
"Officers of the strategic investigation department [of Ukraine’s National Police] received information that Russian nationals who had arrived in the capital city were plotting a series of grave crimes. Today, on July 7, two men were detained in Kiev’s Shevchenkovsky district in a special police operation," it said.
The police claims that the men "were members of armed groups, worked for Russian special services and participated in armed conflicts in various countries."
According to the press service, the men would be expelled from the country.


tass--2020-07-08--28 more coronavirus patients die in Moscow in past day

MOSCOW , July 8 .
/TASS/ .
Twenty-eight more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day , with @ @ @ @ @ exceeding 4,000 , the city ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Tuesday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ pneumonia have died in Moscow , '' it said , adding the overall number of @ @ @ @ @ reached 4,027 .
As of July 7 , more than 226,200 coronavirus cases have been @ @ @ @ @ than 159,700 patients have recovered .
To date , 694,230 coronavirus cases have been confirmed @ @ @ @ @ patients having recovered from the disease .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an @ @ @ @ @ public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, July 8. /TASS/. Twenty-eight more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day, with the overall number of fatalities exceeding 4,000, the city’s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Tuesday.
"Twenty-eight coronavirus-positive patients diagnosed with pneumonia have died in Moscow," it said, adding the overall number of coronavirus-related deaths in Moscow has reached 4,027.
As of July 7, more than 226,200 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Moscow. More than 159,700 patients have recovered.
To date, 694,230 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 463,880 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--2020-07-08--Turkey tested Russia’s S-400 air defense systems on US-made planes last year - source

ANKARA , July 8 .
/TASS/ .
Turkey tested Russian-made S-400 air defense systems on US-made F-16 fighter jets in November 2019 , a source close to the Turkish defense industry told TASS on Tuesday .
Earlier in the day , several media reported with reference to the Fighter Jets World portal that the Russian-made missile systems had been tested on US aircraft .
The portal published a video footage by Turkey ’ s TRT channel , featuring Russia ’ s S-400 systems and US-made F-16 and F-4 aircraft , which was released via its official Youtube account on November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such trials have indeed taken place last November , '' the source told TASS when asked to comment on those media reports .
On November 25 , 2019 , CNN Turk reported that various aircraft , including F-16 fighter jets , were scrambled near Ankara to test S-400 .
The Turkish military tested communication between the air defense systems and the aircraft during those exercises .
Russia said in September 2017 that it had signed a $ 2.5 bln contract for supplies of its S-400 missile systems with Turkey .
The first batch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by air transport in July 2019 .
The United States and NATO have been seeking to break down the deal .
The White House said in mid-July that `` Turkey ’ s decision to purchase Russian S-400 air defense systems renders its continued involvement with the F-35 impossible . ''
Russia ’ s S-400 ‘ Triumf ’ ( NATO reporting name : SA-21 Growler ) is the latest long-and medium-range surface-to-air missile system that went into service in 2007 .
It is designed to destroy aircraft , cruise and ballistic missiles , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The S-400 can engage targets at a distance of up to 400 km and at an altitude of up to 30 km under intensive enemy fire and jamming .

ANKARA, July 8. /TASS/. Turkey tested Russian-made S-400 air defense systems on US-made F-16 fighter jets in November 2019, a source close to the Turkish defense industry told TASS on Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, several media reported with reference to the Fighter Jets World portal that the Russian-made missile systems had been tested on US aircraft. The portal published a video footage by Turkey’s TRT channel, featuring Russia’s S-400 systems and US-made F-16 and F-4 aircraft, which was released via its official Youtube account on November 29, 2019.
"Yes, such trials have indeed taken place last November," the source told TASS when asked to comment on those media reports.
On November 25, 2019, CNN Turk reported that various aircraft, including F-16 fighter jets, were scrambled near Ankara to test S-400. The Turkish military tested communication between the air defense systems and the aircraft during those exercises.
Russia said in September 2017 that it had signed a $2.5 bln contract for supplies of its S-400 missile systems with Turkey. The first batch under the contract was delivered to Ankara by air transport in July 2019.
The United States and NATO have been seeking to break down the deal. The White House said in mid-July that "Turkey’s decision to purchase Russian S-400 air defense systems renders its continued involvement with the F-35 impossible."
Russia’s S-400 ‘Triumf’ (NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler) is the latest long-and medium-range surface-to-air missile system that went into service in 2007. It is designed to destroy aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, and can also be used against ground installations. The S-400 can engage targets at a distance of up to 400 km and at an altitude of up to 30 km under intensive enemy fire and jamming.


tass--2020-07-08--US notifies UN of withdrawing from WHO from July 6, 2021

UNITED NATIONS , July 8 .
/TASS/ .
The United States has notified the United Nations about its withdrawal from the World Health Organization ( WHO ) from July 6 , 2021 , Stephane Dujarric , Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General , said on Tuesday .
`` On 6 July 2020 , the United States of America notified the Secretary-General , in his capacity as depositary of the 1946 Constitution of the World Health Organization , of its withdrawal from the World Health Organization , effective on 6 July 2021 , '' he said , adding that the Secretary-General is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for such withdrawal are met . ''
`` The United States is a party to the World Health Organization Constitution since 21 June 1948 .
The United States ’ participation in the World Health Organization was accepted by the World Health Assembly with certain conditions set out by the US for its eventual withdrawal from the World Health Organization .
The said conditions include giving a one-year notice and fully meeting the payment of assessed financial obligations , '' he said .
US President Donald Trump said on May 29 Washington was terminating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` because they have failed to make the requested and greatly needed reforms . ''
The US leader claimed the WHO was being controlled by China and accused China and the Who of not taking due measures to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus infection .

UNITED NATIONS, July 8. /TASS/. The United States has notified the United Nations about its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) from July 6, 2021, Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, said on Tuesday.
"On 6 July 2020, the United States of America notified the Secretary-General, in his capacity as depositary of the 1946 Constitution of the World Health Organization, of its withdrawal from the World Health Organization, effective on 6 July 2021," he said, adding that the Secretary-General is to verify "whether all the conditions for such withdrawal are met."
"The United States is a party to the World Health Organization Constitution since 21 June 1948. The United States’ participation in the World Health Organization was accepted by the World Health Assembly with certain conditions set out by the US for its eventual withdrawal from the World Health Organization. The said conditions include giving a one-year notice and fully meeting the payment of assessed financial obligations," he said.
US President Donald Trump said on May 29 Washington was terminating its relations with the World Health Organization "because they have failed to make the requested and greatly needed reforms." The US leader claimed the WHO was being controlled by China and accused China and the Who of not taking due measures to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus infection.