tass--2020-07-28--SARS-CoV-2 ancestor emerged approximately 40-70 years ago, scientists say

`` It is clear from our analysis that viruses closely related to SARS-CoV-2 have been circulating in horseshoe bats for many decades .
The unsampled diversity descended from the [ … ] common ancestor forms a clade of bat sarbecoviruses with generalist properties - with respect to their ability to infect a range of mammalian cells - that facilitated its jump to humans and may do so again , '' the researchers write .
MOSCOW , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
Molecular biologists from China , the US and Europe compared the genomes of several closest relatives of the SARS-CoV-2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the common evolutionary tree of bat viruses a rather long time ago , about 40 to 70 years .
The findings of the team were published in the Nature Microbiology journal .
The scientists seek to understand , when and where the novel coronavirus , which cause the global COVID-19 pandemic , initially appeared , as well as when it started transmitting to humans .
There is no consensus among the epidemiologists in this regard so far .
In particular , the biologists can not say precisely , when and where this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bats and pangolins - acted as intermediate carriers , and what role did gene recombination play in its emergence .
A group of molecular biologists led by prof. David Robertson of Edinburgh University ( the UK ) , revealed the evolutionary history of the SARS-CoV-2 ancestors by studying the genomes of six dozens of its closest coronavirus relatives .
To do that , the scientists have developed special algorithms that allowed them to remove all traces of recombination from the viral genomes .
This is highly important , because exchange of RNA fragments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family ties between them and determining the time of their emergence and the speed of their evolution .
After processing the genomes of all studied viruses this way , the scientists created an evolutionary tree for SARS-CoV-2 closest relatives and tried to understand , when this virus separated from its presumed ancestor , the RaTG13 , which infects horseshoe bats that live in southern and southeastern China .
These calculations confirmed that the SARS-CoV-2 and the RaTG13 are indeed related to each other , but also revealed that their ancestors separated an unexpectedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1969 , depending on the genome analysis method and the viral RNA fragments set .
The COVID-19 pathogen and the SARS atypical pneumonia pathogen separated later , between 1952 and 1970 .
All this indicates that viruses , similar to SARS-CoV-2 , circulate among bats of Southern China for more than half a decade .
Considering the special structure of their envelopes that allows them to connect to receptors on the surface of lung cells of a several different species , it explains why not one , but two similar viruses infiltrated the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respiratory infections .
The scientists hope that they would be able to study new coronavirus specimen , harvested from bats living in the Yunnan and Hubei provinces .
Analysis and comparison of their genomes with the SARS-CoV-2 would make it possible to specify the time of emergence of the COVID-19 pathogen ’ s ancestors , and to evaluate , how probable appearance of new such pathogens is .

"It is clear from our analysis that viruses closely related to SARS-CoV-2 have been circulating in horseshoe bats for many decades. The unsampled diversity descended from the […] common ancestor forms a clade of bat sarbecoviruses with generalist properties - with respect to their ability to infect a range of mammalian cells - that facilitated its jump to humans and may do so again," the researchers write.
MOSCOW, July 28. /TASS/. Molecular biologists from China, the US and Europe compared the genomes of several closest relatives of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and discovered that its ancestors separated from the common evolutionary tree of bat viruses a rather long time ago, about 40 to 70 years. The findings of the team were published in the Nature Microbiology journal.
The scientists seek to understand, when and where the novel coronavirus, which cause the global COVID-19 pandemic, initially appeared, as well as when it started transmitting to humans. There is no consensus among the epidemiologists in this regard so far.
In particular, the biologists cannot say precisely, when and where this virus appeared, what animals - besides bats and pangolins - acted as intermediate carriers, and what role did gene recombination play in its emergence.
A group of molecular biologists led by prof. David Robertson of Edinburgh University (the UK), revealed the evolutionary history of the SARS-CoV-2 ancestors by studying the genomes of six dozens of its closest coronavirus relatives.
Coronavirus evolution history
To do that, the scientists have developed special algorithms that allowed them to remove all traces of recombination from the viral genomes. This is highly important, because exchange of RNA fragments between viruses prevent the scientists from revealing family ties between them and determining the time of their emergence and the speed of their evolution.
After processing the genomes of all studied viruses this way, the scientists created an evolutionary tree for SARS-CoV-2 closest relatives and tried to understand, when this virus separated from its presumed ancestor, the RaTG13, which infects horseshoe bats that live in southern and southeastern China.
These calculations confirmed that the SARS-CoV-2 and the RaTG13 are indeed related to each other, but also revealed that their ancestors separated an unexpectedly long time ago, between 1948 and 1969, depending on the genome analysis method and the viral RNA fragments set. The COVID-19 pathogen and the SARS atypical pneumonia pathogen separated later, between 1952 and 1970.
All this indicates that viruses, similar to SARS-CoV-2, circulate among bats of Southern China for more than half a decade. Considering the special structure of their envelopes that allows them to connect to receptors on the surface of lung cells of a several different species, it explains why not one, but two similar viruses infiltrated the human population and caused serious outbreaks of respiratory infections.
The scientists hope that they would be able to study new coronavirus specimen, harvested from bats living in the Yunnan and Hubei provinces. Analysis and comparison of their genomes with the SARS-CoV-2 would make it possible to specify the time of emergence of the COVID-19 pathogen’s ancestors, and to evaluate, how probable appearance of new such pathogens is.


tass--2020-07-28--Russia begins trials of another coronavirus vaccine - watchdog

MOSCOW , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
Clinical trials of the coronavirus vaccine developed by Russia ’ s Vektor State @ @ @ @ @ Biotechnology were officially launched by injections for five volunteers .
The first of the five @ @ @ @ @ , the press service for the Russian consumer watchdog told TASS Tuesday .
`` In @ @ @ @ @ , the clinical trial began with five volunteers .
The first volunteer was vaccinated on @ @ @ @ @ one will receive vaccine on July 30 , or after a 72-hour interval , '' @ @ @ @ @ three other volunteers will be vaccinated after the same interval .
`` The health of @ @ @ @ @ monitored in a facility .
The first vaccinated person is feeling well , '' the @ @ @ @ @ the consumer watchdog reported that the Vektor center on July 24 secured the Russian health @ @ @ @ @ go ahead with the coronavirus vaccine trials involving volunteers .

MOSCOW, July 28. /TASS/. Clinical trials of the coronavirus vaccine developed by Russia’s Vektor State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology were officially launched by injections for five volunteers. The first of the five people has already been vaccinated, the press service for the Russian consumer watchdog told TASS Tuesday.
"In accordance with a designated protocol, the clinical trial began with five volunteers. The first volunteer was vaccinated on July 27, the second one will receive vaccine on July 30, or after a 72-hour interval," the statement reads.
The three other volunteers will be vaccinated after the same interval. "The health of the trial participants will be monitored in a facility. The first vaccinated person is feeling well," the agency added.
Earlier, the consumer watchdog reported that the Vektor center on July 24 secured the Russian health ministry’s permit to go ahead with the coronavirus vaccine trials involving volunteers.


tass--2020-07-28--Azerbaijani top diplomat, Russian ambassador discuss bilateral ties, Karabakh settlement

BAKU , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
Issues of Azerbaijani-Russian relations and settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict , Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Dzheikhun Bairamov and Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mikhail Bocharnikov , the Azerbaijani foreign ministry said on Tuesday .
`` The sides expressed satisfaction over the development of ties between Azerbaijan and Russia in terms of strategic partnership , in conditions of good-neighborly relations , friendship and mutual understanding .
They noted the importance of comprehensive Azerbaijani-Russian relations from the point of view of the interests of the two countries and new possibilities for stability and progress in the region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diplomats noted the good level of cooperation in the spheres of industry , tourism , transport , communications , and education .
`` Dzheikhun Bairamov stressed the importance of further talks on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and noted that these talks should be real and substantive , '' the ministry said .
`` The minister added that Azerbaijan demands result-oriented talks . ''
The Russian ambassador noted that Russian keeps a close eye on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict .
He stressed that Russia ’ s position as a co-chair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

BAKU, July 28. /TASS/. Issues of Azerbaijani-Russian relations and settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Dzheikhun Bairamov and Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mikhail Bocharnikov, the Azerbaijani foreign ministry said on Tuesday.
"The sides expressed satisfaction over the development of ties between Azerbaijan and Russia in terms of strategic partnership, in conditions of good-neighborly relations, friendship and mutual understanding. They noted the importance of comprehensive Azerbaijani-Russian relations from the point of view of the interests of the two countries and new possibilities for stability and progress in the region," it said.
The two diplomats noted the good level of cooperation in the spheres of industry, tourism, transport, communications, and education.
"Dzheikhun Bairamov stressed the importance of further talks on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and noted that these talks should be real and substantive," the ministry said. "The minister added that Azerbaijan demands result-oriented talks."
The Russian ambassador noted that Russian keeps a close eye on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He stressed that Russia’s position as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group is well-known.


tass--2020-07-28--Russia set to have UNSC review weapons sanctions against CAR, says UN envoy

UNITED NATIONS , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
The Central African Republic ( CAR ) has all the grounds to @ @ @ @ @ and Russia supports these demands , Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , the United Nations Security Council voted unanimously to extend sanctions against the Central @ @ @ @ @ year .
However an exemption was made for supplies of certain types of weapons carried @ @ @ @ @ committee to CAR security forces and state law enforcement agencies .
`` The simplified procedure @ @ @ @ @ to the CAR provides by the resolution is another small step to support people of @ @ @ @ @ '' Nebenzya said .
He recalled that the authorities of that country `` call on @ @ @ @ @ arms embargo . ''
`` Obviously , they have all the grounds for that , @ @ @ @ @ That is why we are determined to continue to review the Security Council ’ s @ @ @ @

UNITED NATIONS, July 28. /TASS/. The Central African Republic (CAR) has all the grounds to have the arms embargo lifted and Russia supports these demands, Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya said on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, the United Nations Security Council voted unanimously to extend sanctions against the Central African Republic for one more year. However an exemption was made for supplies of certain types of weapons carried out upon notification of the committee to CAR security forces and state law enforcement agencies.
"The simplified procedure of supplies of grenade launchers to the CAR provides by the resolution is another small step to support people of the Central African Republic," Nebenzya said.
He recalled that the authorities of that country "call on the Council to lift the arms embargo." "Obviously, they have all the grounds for that," he stressed. "That is why we are determined to continue to review the Security Council’s restrictions.".


tass--2020-07-28--Russian tourists stranded in Mexico managed to fly home

MEXICO CITY , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
Russian travelers , who were stuck aboard a yacht that broke down @ @ @ @ @ , headed home , head of the Russian embassy ’ s consular department in Mexico @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Thanks to the efforts of the embassy , the passengers and crewmembers of @ @ @ @ @ July 27 , '' he said .
Seven people were travelling aboard the yacht , @ @ @ @ @ They were forced to arrive in Mexico on July 7 travelling from Jamaica without the @ @ @ @ @ entry .
The whole time they were docked in the port of Isla Mujeres off @ @ @ @ @ coast .
The Russian embassy employees managed to persuade Mexican authorities to allow Russians to @ @ @ @ @ try and fix it .
They also appealed to the national migration service , asking @ @ @ @ @ to enter Mexico to return home later .

MEXICO CITY, July 28. /TASS/. Russian travelers, who were stuck aboard a yacht that broke down in Mexico in early July, headed home, head of the Russian embassy’s consular department in Mexico Andrei Troyanovsky told TASS Tuesday.
"Thanks to the efforts of the embassy, the passengers and crewmembers of the vessel left Mexico on July 27," he said.
Seven people were travelling aboard the yacht, including three young children. They were forced to arrive in Mexico on July 7 travelling from Jamaica without the required documents and were refused entry. The whole time they were docked in the port of Isla Mujeres off the Yucatan Peninsula’s coast.
The Russian embassy employees managed to persuade Mexican authorities to allow Russians to stay aboard the yacht to try and fix it. They also appealed to the national migration service, asking it to clear the tourists to enter Mexico to return home later.


tass--2020-07-28--Russian top brass says Su-27 jets didn’t violate any foreign airspace in Baltic flight

MOSCOW , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
Four Russian Su-27 fighter jets performed a scheduled flight from Karelia in the @ @ @ @ @ the westernmost Kaliningrad Region without violating the airspace of other states , Russia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ .
`` On July 28 , four Su-27 fighters of the Russian Navy ’ s @ @ @ @ @ flight from an aerodrome in the Republic of Karelia to a redeployment aerodrome in the @ @ @ @ @ ministry said in a statement .
The flight proceeded in strict compliance with the international @ @ @ @ @ , without violating the borders of other states , which was confirmed by data recording @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The flight proceeded along the earlier-agreed route and the crews of the Russian @ @ @ @ @ with air traffic control posts , '' it added .
Finland ’ s Defense Ministry @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday that two Russian Su-27 fighters allegedly violated the country ’ s airspace in the @ @ @ @ @ Gulf of Finland .

MOSCOW, July 28. /TASS/. Four Russian Su-27 fighter jets performed a scheduled flight from Karelia in the country’s northwest to the westernmost Kaliningrad Region without violating the airspace of other states, Russia’s Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.
"On July 28, four Su-27 fighters of the Russian Navy’s naval aviation performed a scheduled flight from an aerodrome in the Republic of Karelia to a redeployment aerodrome in the Kaliningrad Region," the ministry said in a statement.
The flight proceeded in strict compliance with the international rules of using the airspace, without violating the borders of other states, which was confirmed by data recording equipment, the ministry stressed.
"The flight proceeded along the earlier-agreed route and the crews of the Russian planes were in constant contact with air traffic control posts," it added.
Finland’s Defense Ministry issued a statement earlier on Tuesday that two Russian Su-27 fighters allegedly violated the country’s airspace in the area of Helsinki over the Gulf of Finland.


tass--2020-07-28--Africa’s coronavirus cases nearing 860,000, WHO says

PRETORIA , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Africa has reached 859,950 after 32,432 new cases were reported in the past 48 hours , while deaths from virus-related causes across the continent have hit 18,173 , adding 667 new fatalities in the same period of time , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) Africa branch said Tuesday , publishing statistics updated since July 26 .
The agency added that 506,000 patients recovered on the continent .
South Africa accounts for the biggest number of infections ( 452,529 ) and biggest number of deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has recorded 4,652 virus-related deaths and 92,482 infections .
Algeria reported 1,163 fatalities .
In Sub-Saharan Africa , Nigeria is ranked second after South Africa with 41,180 coronavirus infections and 860 fatalities , followed by Ghana ( 33,624 and 168 ) .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 16,661,800 people have been infected worldwide and more than 656,900 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 10,255,900 individuals have recovered from the illness across the world .

PRETORIA, July 28. /TASS/. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Africa has reached 859,950 after 32,432 new cases were reported in the past 48 hours, while deaths from virus-related causes across the continent have hit 18,173, adding 667 new fatalities in the same period of time, the World Health Organization (WHO) Africa branch said Tuesday, publishing statistics updated since July 26.
The agency added that 506,000 patients recovered on the continent.
South Africa accounts for the biggest number of infections (452,529) and biggest number of deaths (7,067). Egypt, meanwhile, has recorded 4,652 virus-related deaths and 92,482 infections. Algeria reported 1,163 fatalities.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria is ranked second after South Africa with 41,180 coronavirus infections and 860 fatalities, followed by Ghana (33,624 and 168).
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 16,661,800 people have been infected worldwide and more than 656,900 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 10,255,900 individuals have recovered from the illness across the world.


tass--2020-07-28--Moscow customs discover over 10 kg of drugs in international parcels in six months

MOSCOW , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
Employees of the Moscow Customs Office discovered over 10 kilograms of drugs in @ @ @ @ @ six months of 2020 , the agency ’ s press service told TASS Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ this year , Moscow customs officers seized over 10 kilograms of narcotic and psychotropic substances @ @ @ @ @ highly potent substances , '' the press service said .
The majority of customs crimes @ @ @ @ @ of narcotic and psychotropic substances and highly potent substances , as well as smuggling of @ @ @ @ @ cultural values over the Eurasian Economic Union border in international parcels .
In the first @ @ @ @ @ the customs law enforcement units registered 137 crime reports and initiated 17 criminal proceedings .

MOSCOW, July 28. /TASS/. Employees of the Moscow Customs Office discovered over 10 kilograms of drugs in international parcels in the first six months of 2020, the agency’s press service told TASS Tuesday.
"Since the beginning of this year, Moscow customs officers seized over 10 kilograms of narcotic and psychotropic substances and over 20 kilograms of highly potent substances," the press service said.
The majority of customs crimes are connected to unlawful transportation of narcotic and psychotropic substances and highly potent substances, as well as smuggling of tobacco products, ammo and cultural values over the Eurasian Economic Union border in international parcels.
In the first six months of 2020, the customs law enforcement units registered 137 crime reports and initiated 17 criminal proceedings.


tass--2020-07-28--Bulgaria looks forward to welcoming Russian tourists

SOFIA , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
Bulgaria is looking forward to welcoming Russian tourists and hopes that air links between the two countries will be restored as soon as possible , Bulgarian Minister of Tourism Marijana Nikolova said in a conversation with Russian Ambassador to Sofia Anatoly Makarov .
`` I hope that Russia will soon be excluded from the EU ’ s list of prohibited countries and accordingly , you will exclude Bulgaria from the list of countries that Russian tourists are not allowed to visit , '' she said , as cited by the Tourism Ministry ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out that Russia was important for Bulgaria ’ s tourism industry .
According to the Tourism Ministry , Bulgaria ’ s aviation authorities have informed Russia ’ s Federal Air Transport Agency that they are ready to resume flights to Russia after receiving the relevant permission , while consular services were ready to promptly issue visas to Russians .
An agreement has been reached that a Russia-Bulgaria tourism forum will take place in late 2020 .
Nikolova is expected to hold a conversation with head of Russia ’ s Federal Agency for Tourism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bulgarian Tourism Ministry added .
`` Tourism exchanges play an important role in strengthening relations between Russia and Bulgaria .
During the conversation we reiterated our mutual desire to promote cooperation in this field , '' Russian Ambassador to Bulgaria Anatoly Makarov emphasized .
According to him , `` efforts to overcome restrictions on the movement of people and ease visa restrictions are our priorities in terms of tourism development . ''
`` We are determined to closely cooperate to boost tourist flows , '' the envoy added .

SOFIA, July 28. /TASS/. Bulgaria is looking forward to welcoming Russian tourists and hopes that air links between the two countries will be restored as soon as possible, Bulgarian Minister of Tourism Marijana Nikolova said in a conversation with Russian Ambassador to Sofia Anatoly Makarov.
"I hope that Russia will soon be excluded from the EU’s list of prohibited countries and accordingly, you will exclude Bulgaria from the list of countries that Russian tourists are not allowed to visit," she said, as cited by the Tourism Ministry’s press service.
The minister pointed out that Russia was important for Bulgaria’s tourism industry.
According to the Tourism Ministry, Bulgaria’s aviation authorities have informed Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency that they are ready to resume flights to Russia after receiving the relevant permission, while consular services were ready to promptly issue visas to Russians.
An agreement has been reached that a Russia-Bulgaria tourism forum will take place in late 2020. Nikolova is expected to hold a conversation with head of Russia’s Federal Agency for Tourism Zarina Doguzova in the coming days, the Bulgarian Tourism Ministry added.
"Tourism exchanges play an important role in strengthening relations between Russia and Bulgaria. During the conversation we reiterated our mutual desire to promote cooperation in this field," Russian Ambassador to Bulgaria Anatoly Makarov emphasized. According to him, "efforts to overcome restrictions on the movement of people and ease visa restrictions are our priorities in terms of tourism development." "We are determined to closely cooperate to boost tourist flows," the envoy added.


tass--2020-07-28--Upgraded T-90M main battle tanks hold live-fire exercise near Moscow

MOSCOW , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
The armored units of the Taman Motor Rifle Division of the Guards Tank Army held a live-fire exercise in the Moscow Region , employing the latest T-90M ‘ Proryv ’ main battle tanks , the press office of the Western Military District reported on Tuesday .
`` During the live firings , the tank crews practiced measures in the daytime and at night at various distances to strike targets that simulated a notional enemy ’ s armor and aircraft , '' the press office said in a statement .
As the Western Military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exercise involved over 200 personnel and about 30 tanks that had recently arrived for the armored units .
At the armor training ground , the drivers-mechanics negotiated obstacles , loaded the hardware onto railway platforms and accomplished procedures within the required time limits for tanks ’ maintenance , the Western Military District said .
The T-90M ‘ Proryv ’ ( Breakthrough ) is a heavily upgraded version of the T-90 tank with improved combat and operational characteristics .
The T-90M ‘ Proryv ’ has received a principally new turret that differs from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Proryv is outfitted with a new multi-channel sighting system that allows employing weapons at any time of day or night and , as its major advantage , it can exchange data with other vehicles in real time .
The T-90M ’ s armor features special anti-slip coating similar to that used on the latest T-14 Armata tank .

MOSCOW, July 28. /TASS/. The armored units of the Taman Motor Rifle Division of the Guards Tank Army held a live-fire exercise in the Moscow Region, employing the latest T-90M ‘Proryv’ main battle tanks, the press office of the Western Military District reported on Tuesday.
"During the live firings, the tank crews practiced measures in the daytime and at night at various distances to strike targets that simulated a notional enemy’s armor and aircraft," the press office said in a statement.
As the Western Military District specified for TASS, the live-fire exercise involved over 200 personnel and about 30 tanks that had recently arrived for the armored units.
At the armor training ground, the drivers-mechanics negotiated obstacles, loaded the hardware onto railway platforms and accomplished procedures within the required time limits for tanks’ maintenance, the Western Military District said.
The T-90M ‘Proryv’ (Breakthrough) is a heavily upgraded version of the T-90 tank with improved combat and operational characteristics.
The T-90M ‘Proryv’ has received a principally new turret that differs from the serial-produced module and a more powerful engine. The Proryv is outfitted with a new multi-channel sighting system that allows employing weapons at any time of day or night and, as its major advantage, it can exchange data with other vehicles in real time.
The T-90M’s armor features special anti-slip coating similar to that used on the latest T-14 Armata tank.


tass--2020-07-28--Arctic international summer school begins online lectures

YAKUTSK , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
The annual Arctic international summer school at the North-Eastern Federal University started on Monday .
The school is organized online , the university told TASS .
`` The school ’ s 15 participants are students and young scientists in various directions , who focus on the Arctic , '' the university ’ s international relations department said .
`` Organizers have received applications from France , Norway , Germany , Canada , the US , the UK and China . ''
`` We have begun classes in the Russian language for foreigners .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time difference since we have participants both from North America and from Europe .
Thus , our experts will go online when it is late in the evening in Yakutia , '' the department ’ s representative said .
The online Arctic school will continue to August 7 .
Lectures - in English , or simultaneously translated from Russian into English - will be on the ZOOM platform .
The school ’ s organizers are the Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University and the Northern Forum , an international organization of northern regions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yakutsk was attended by participants from Korea , France , Germany , the US and Japan .

YAKUTSK, July 28. /TASS/. The annual Arctic international summer school at the North-Eastern Federal University started on Monday. The school is organized online, the university told TASS.
"The school’s 15 participants are students and young scientists in various directions, who focus on the Arctic," the university’s international relations department said. "Organizers have received applications from France, Norway, Germany, Canada, the US, the UK and China."
"We have begun classes in the Russian language for foreigners. Of course, we have to mind the time difference since we have participants both from North America and from Europe. Thus, our experts will go online when it is late in the evening in Yakutia," the department’s representative said.
The online Arctic school will continue to August 7. Lectures - in English, or simultaneously translated from Russian into English - will be on the ZOOM platform.
The school’s organizers are the Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University and the Northern Forum, an international organization of northern regions. In 2019, the Arctic school in Yakutsk was attended by participants from Korea, France, Germany, the US and Japan.


tass--2020-07-28--Putin is feeling well, says Kremlin after news of Belarusian president’s coronavirus

MOSCOW , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s health is good , his working timetable @ @ @ @ @ , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS , when asked if Putin is feeling well @ @ @ @ @ Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko overcame coronavirus .
`` Don ’ t worry .
The president @ @ @ @ @ working timetable is going ahead , '' he said .
The two leaders had a @ @ @ @ @ at Moscow ’ s Victory Parade and at the unveiling of the Memorial to the @ @ @ @ @ s Rzhev on June 30 .
Earlier on Tuesday , Lukashenko revealed that he had @ @ @ @ @ feet '' and was asymptomatic .
The Kremlin did not know that Belarusian President Alexander @ @ @ @ @ Peskov said .
`` We did not know about this , '' he commented .

MOSCOW, July 28. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s health is good, his working timetable is going ahead as planned, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS, when asked if Putin is feeling well after the news emerged that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko overcame coronavirus.
"Don’t worry. The president is doing well. The working timetable is going ahead," he said.
The two leaders had a personal meeting on June 24 at Moscow’s Victory Parade and at the unveiling of the Memorial to the Soviet Soldier in Russia’s Rzhev on June 30.
Earlier on Tuesday, Lukashenko revealed that he had overcome coronavirus "on his feet" and was asymptomatic.
The Kremlin did not know that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko had coronavirus, Dmitry Peskov said. "We did not know about this," he commented.


tass--2020-07-28--Belarusian president reveals he overcame coronavirus ‘on his feet’

MINSK , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has confirmed that he overcame coronavirus ‘ on his feet ’ and was asymptomatic , he said Tuesday when visiting a military base of the Interior Ministry ’ s internal troops in Minsk .
`` As I said , 97 % of the population are asymptomatic after contracting the virus .
Thank God , I managed to be among the ranks of those asymptomatic , '' BelTA news agency quoted him as saying .
`` I finally managed to get into this golden fund of Belarus , by overcoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the leadership and military personnel of the national security system `` are meeting a person who managed to overcome coronavirus on his feet . ''
`` That ’ s what doctors said yesterday .
[ I was ] asymptomatic , '' the leader noted .
Belarus has identified more than 67,000 coronavirus cases .
National authorities refused to impose lockdown measures to counter the spread of the virus , opting to hold mass events and greenlighting the presidential election campaign .
The vote is scheduled to take place on August 9 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared a few words of advice with the population on how to defeat the virus .
For instance , he underlined that eating fatty food like butter can help as well as strolls outside and doing exercise .
Moreover , the leader recommended Belarusians to hop in a tractor to plough fields , go to saunas or down 100 ml of vodka but only after work .
In early July , Lukashenko claimed that Belarus had defeated the coronavirus infection by showing `` political robustness and conventional wisdom . ''

MINSK, July 28. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has confirmed that he overcame coronavirus ‘on his feet’ and was asymptomatic, he said Tuesday when visiting a military base of the Interior Ministry’s internal troops in Minsk.
"As I said, 97% of the population are asymptomatic after contracting the virus. Thank God, I managed to be among the ranks of those asymptomatic," BelTA news agency quoted him as saying. "I finally managed to get into this golden fund of Belarus, by overcoming this virus."
According to Lukashenko, the leadership and military personnel of the national security system "are meeting a person who managed to overcome coronavirus on his feet." "That’s what doctors said yesterday. [I was] asymptomatic," the leader noted.
Belarus has identified more than 67,000 coronavirus cases. National authorities refused to impose lockdown measures to counter the spread of the virus, opting to hold mass events and greenlighting the presidential election campaign. The vote is scheduled to take place on August 9.
Lukashenko recommended Belarusians to keep calm and shared a few words of advice with the population on how to defeat the virus. For instance, he underlined that eating fatty food like butter can help as well as strolls outside and doing exercise. Moreover, the leader recommended Belarusians to hop in a tractor to plough fields, go to saunas or down 100 ml of vodka but only after work. In early July, Lukashenko claimed that Belarus had defeated the coronavirus infection by showing "political robustness and conventional wisdom."


tass--2020-07-28--Most US COVID-19 tests ‘complete waste,’ Bill Gates says

NEW YORK , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
Most COVID-19 tests performed in the US are useless because of the time it takes to produce results , Microsoft founder Bill Gates told CNBC Tuesday .
Tests that take more than 48 hours to produce results are `` insane , '' he said .
`` That test is a complete waste [ of money and time ] .
And to all these numbers about how much we test , the majority is just complete waste , '' he said .
According to CNBC , due to high load , US laboratories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a week or even more .
`` Right now , this thing where you wait more than three days , sometimes seven days to get a test , nobody should pay $ 1 for that .
That ’ s insane , '' Gates noted .
He explained that , with such long testing time , people fail to take necessary safety measures on time and continue to spread the infection .
Bill Gates and his wife Melinda head a charity foundation that operates approximately $ 50 billion .
The foundation prioritizes fighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as problems of healthcare and education in the US .
Currently , the foundation allocated $ 300 million for development of the coronavirus vaccine and for support of the poor , who are most vulnerable amid the pandemic .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 16,661,800 people have been infected worldwide and more than 656,900 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 10,255,900 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , 823,515 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 612,217 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 13,504 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public updated on the coronavirus situation .

NEW YORK, July 28. /TASS/. Most COVID-19 tests performed in the US are useless because of the time it takes to produce results, Microsoft founder Bill Gates told CNBC Tuesday.
Tests that take more than 48 hours to produce results are "insane," he said.
"That test is a complete waste [of money and time]. And to all these numbers about how much we test, the majority is just complete waste," he said.
According to CNBC, due to high load, US laboratories provide COVID-19 test results in several days, a week or even more.
"Right now, this thing where you wait more than three days, sometimes seven days to get a test, nobody should pay $1 for that. That’s insane," Gates noted.
He explained that, with such long testing time, people fail to take necessary safety measures on time and continue to spread the infection.
Bill Gates and his wife Melinda head a charity foundation that operates approximately $50 billion. The foundation prioritizes fighting dangerous diseases in developing countries, as well as problems of healthcare and education in the US. Currently, the foundation allocated $300 million for development of the coronavirus vaccine and for support of the poor, who are most vulnerable amid the pandemic.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 16,661,800 people have been infected worldwide and more than 656,900 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 10,255,900 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, 823,515 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 612,217 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 13,504 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-07-28--Finland claims two Russian fighters intruded into its airspace

HELSINKI , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
Finland ’ s Defense Ministry issued a statement on Tuesday that two Russian @ @ @ @ @ the country ’ s airspace .
Russia , Finland have no territorial claims to each @ @ @ @ @ Two Su-27 fighters belonging to the Russian state are suspected of violating Finland ’ s @ @ @ @ @ This violation occurred in the area of Helsinki over the Gulf of Finland at about @ @ @ @ @ with the Moscow time ) , '' the Defense Ministry claimed .
Finland ’ s @ @ @ @ @ the situation , the ministry said .

HELSINKI, July 28. /TASS/. Finland’s Defense Ministry issued a statement on Tuesday that two Russian Su-27 fighter jets allegedly violated the country’s airspace.
Russia, Finland have no territorial claims to each other - Russian diplomat
"Two Su-27 fighters belonging to the Russian state are suspected of violating Finland’s airspace on July 28. This violation occurred in the area of Helsinki over the Gulf of Finland at about 14:00 local time (coincides with the Moscow time)," the Defense Ministry claimed.
Finland’s Border Guard Service is clarifying the situation, the ministry said.


tass--2020-07-28--Russian biologists find new hints of natural origin of COVID-19

MOSCOW , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
Researchers of the Institute for Information Transmission Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences have discovered an unusual way of accumulation of point mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus genome indicating that recently it was evolutionarily adapted to reside in bats , the Institute ’ s press service reported on Tuesday citing the article in the PeerJ journal .
`` We discovered that the share of mutations of guanine to uracil in the SARS-CoV-2 genome increased almost ten-fold after the virus was transmitted to humans .
This characteristic is much less pronounced in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and is practically non-existent in the cold HKU1 virus , '' researchers wrote .
The scientists for a rather long time have been trying to understand where and how the novel coronavirus emerged causing the global COVID-19 pandemic as well as when it started to be transmitted from human to human .
There is no consensus among the epidemiologists on this subject .
There are many discussions when and where the first infection of a human with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus occurred , whether it shows signs of recombination , whether humans received the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transitionary host as well as why the SARS-CoV-2 turned out to be so strong .
Biologists of the Institute for Information Transmission Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences Alexander and Yuri Panchin attempted to receive answers to some of these questions , comparing the accumulation of point mutations in the genome of the COVID-19 pathogen with other related coronaviruses - the atypical pneumonia SARS virus and the common cold HKU1 virus .
The scientists studied how the relative mutation frequencies changed in those viruses after infecting humans .
In all , Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SARS-CoV-2 genomes , about two hundred genomes of the atypical pneumonia pathogen , forty sequences for the HKU1 virus as well as several genomes of its closest relatives among the coronaviruses of animal origin .
It turned out that in the genomes of all human viruses approximately one or two thousand point variations are present having appeared presumably after those viruses adapted to infect humans .
A study of these small mutations allowed the researchers to uncover a unique characteristic of the novel coronavirus not typical of its closest relatives .
They found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large number of mutations which lead to the replacement of guanine ( G ) , one of the four `` letters '' of the DNA and the RNA chains , with the molecules of uracil ( U ) .
In all , over two hundred ( 15 % ) of the discovered mutations belong to this category .
This is almost ten times the share of such mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 ancestor before the infection of humans .
This was absolutely not typical of other coronaviruses in which the share of replacement of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in humans was similar .
This unique characteristic of the SARS-CoV-2 virus manifested itself both in the full set of genomes and in the analyses of the genome sets obtained in some countries , such as the US and China .
As the article ’ s authors suggest , this feature of the COVID-19 pathogen reflects the fact that until recently it was infecting bats whose cells are unusually well-defended from the accumulation of various aggressive molecules capable of introducing mutations in the new copies of the viral RNA .
When the SARS-CoV-2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it lost this defense , which , as the authors think , led to a damage of a large number of the guanine `` letters '' of the RNA and the quick accumulation of mutations in the coronavirus genome .
The researchers conclude that on the one hand , this is an argument for the natural origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus , while on the other hand it makes one think why something similar did not occur with the atypical pneumonia pathogen which also originated in bats .

MOSCOW, July 28. /TASS/. Researchers of the Institute for Information Transmission Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences have discovered an unusual way of accumulation of point mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus genome indicating that recently it was evolutionarily adapted to reside in bats, the Institute’s press service reported on Tuesday citing the article in the PeerJ journal.
"We discovered that the share of mutations of guanine to uracil in the SARS-CoV-2 genome increased almost ten-fold after the virus was transmitted to humans. This characteristic is much less pronounced in the genome of the atypical pneumonia SARS-CoV pathogen and is practically non-existent in the cold HKU1 virus," researchers wrote.
The scientists for a rather long time have been trying to understand where and how the novel coronavirus emerged causing the global COVID-19 pandemic as well as when it started to be transmitted from human to human. There is no consensus among the epidemiologists on this subject.
There are many discussions when and where the first infection of a human with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus occurred, whether it shows signs of recombination, whether humans received the virus directly from bats or through a transitionary host as well as why the SARS-CoV-2 turned out to be so strong.
Biologists of the Institute for Information Transmission Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences Alexander and Yuri Panchin attempted to receive answers to some of these questions, comparing the accumulation of point mutations in the genome of the COVID-19 pathogen with other related coronaviruses - the atypical pneumonia SARS virus and the common cold HKU1 virus. The scientists studied how the relative mutation frequencies changed in those viruses after infecting humans.
A natural virus
In all, Russian scientists analyzed and compared over a thousand SARS-CoV-2 genomes, about two hundred genomes of the atypical pneumonia pathogen, forty sequences for the HKU1 virus as well as several genomes of its closest relatives among the coronaviruses of animal origin.
It turned out that in the genomes of all human viruses approximately one or two thousand point variations are present having appeared presumably after those viruses adapted to infect humans. A study of these small mutations allowed the researchers to uncover a unique characteristic of the novel coronavirus not typical of its closest relatives.
They found that the SARS-CoV-2 genome contains an unusually large number of mutations which lead to the replacement of guanine (G), one of the four "letters" of the DNA and the RNA chains, with the molecules of uracil (U). In all, over two hundred (15%) of the discovered mutations belong to this category. This is almost ten times the share of such mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 ancestor before the infection of humans.
This was absolutely not typical of other coronaviruses in which the share of replacement of guanine with uracil before and after infections in humans was similar. This unique characteristic of the SARS-CoV-2 virus manifested itself both in the full set of genomes and in the analyses of the genome sets obtained in some countries, such as the US and China.
As the article’s authors suggest, this feature of the COVID-19 pathogen reflects the fact that until recently it was infecting bats whose cells are unusually well-defended from the accumulation of various aggressive molecules capable of introducing mutations in the new copies of the viral RNA.
When the SARS-CoV-2 virus moved on to infect humans, it lost this defense, which, as the authors think, led to a damage of a large number of the guanine "letters" of the RNA and the quick accumulation of mutations in the coronavirus genome. The researchers conclude that on the one hand, this is an argument for the natural origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, while on the other hand it makes one think why something similar did not occur with the atypical pneumonia pathogen which also originated in bats.


tass--2020-07-28--Ex-Ukrainian president did a lot for implementation of Minsk Accords, Russian envoy says

MOSCOW , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
Former Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma did a lot to make sure that Kiev implements its obligations under the Minsk Agreements , Russian Presidential Envoy to the Contact Group on resolving the situation in Donbass Boris Gryzlov said , commenting on Kuchma ’ s decision to step down as head of the Ukrainian delegation to the Minsk talks .
`` Fairly speaking , Leonid Kuchma did a lot to make sure that Ukraine implements its obligations under the Minsk Agreements , '' Gryzlov pointed out .
`` The process is clearly far from over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provisions are concerned .
However , the approval of additional measures to monitor the ceasefire in Donbass , which was the last of the Contact Group ’ s moves that involved Kuchma , is an important step in the right direction , '' he added .
The Russian envoy emphasized that `` it was him who signed the Minsk Agreements on behalf of Ukraine . ''
`` He took an active part in creating and promoting the infrastructure of negotiations between Kiev and Donbass , '' Gryzlov said .
`` Leonid Kuchma and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he noted .
`` But unlike some other Ukrainian politicians , Leonid Kuchma understood the danger of Kiev ’ s military gambles and did not support the idea of undermining the talks , '' the Russian envoy explained .
According to him , `` Kuchma ’ s political experience and personal authority helped contain the Kiev warmongers and sometimes prevent tensions from escalating . ''
Gryzlov stressed that `` if Kiev abides by the ceasefire , it will create conditions for further steps to resolve the crisis in Ukraine . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision to leave the Contact Group following his meeting with the incumbent president .
Zelensky named Kuchma as his envoy to the Contact Group on June 3 , 2019 .
Kuchma earlier served as presidential envoy to the Contact Group in 2014-2018 .
However , he stepped down in the fall of 2018 , citing his old age ( Kuchma turned 80 in August 2018 ) .
He was Ukrainian president in 1994-2005 .

MOSCOW, July 28. /TASS/. Former Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma did a lot to make sure that Kiev implements its obligations under the Minsk Agreements, Russian Presidential Envoy to the Contact Group on resolving the situation in Donbass Boris Gryzlov said, commenting on Kuchma’s decision to step down as head of the Ukrainian delegation to the Minsk talks.
"Fairly speaking, Leonid Kuchma did a lot to make sure that Ukraine implements its obligations under the Minsk Agreements," Gryzlov pointed out. "The process is clearly far from over, particularly as far as the political provisions are concerned. However, the approval of additional measures to monitor the ceasefire in Donbass, which was the last of the Contact Group’s moves that involved Kuchma, is an important step in the right direction," he added.
The Russian envoy emphasized that "it was him who signed the Minsk Agreements on behalf of Ukraine." "He took an active part in creating and promoting the infrastructure of negotiations between Kiev and Donbass," Gryzlov said.
"Leonid Kuchma and Donbass representatives clearly had different views," he noted. "But unlike some other Ukrainian politicians, Leonid Kuchma understood the danger of Kiev’s military gambles and did not support the idea of undermining the talks," the Russian envoy explained. According to him, "Kuchma’s political experience and personal authority helped contain the Kiev warmongers and sometimes prevent tensions from escalating."
Gryzlov stressed that "if Kiev abides by the ceasefire, it will create conditions for further steps to resolve the crisis in Ukraine."
The Ukrainian presidential office announced Kuchma’s decision to leave the Contact Group following his meeting with the incumbent president. Zelensky named Kuchma as his envoy to the Contact Group on June 3, 2019.
Kuchma earlier served as presidential envoy to the Contact Group in 2014-2018. However, he stepped down in the fall of 2018, citing his old age (Kuchma turned 80 in August 2018). He was Ukrainian president in 1994-2005.


tass--2020-07-28--Baltic Fleet warships heading for home base after Russia’s Main Naval Parade

KALININGRAD , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
The Baltic Fleet ’ s warships that participated in Russia ’ s Main Naval Parade in St. Petersburg and Kronshtadt on July 26 set off for their home naval base in Baltiysk in the Kaliningrad Region , '' the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Tuesday .
`` After participating in the celebrations devoted to Russia ’ s Navy Day on the Neva River and in the Kronshtadt roadstead , the first group of the Fleet ’ s ships sailed to the sea to make an inter-base transit to their permanent base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kaliningrad Region , '' the press office said in a statement .
During their inter-base transit , the crews of the large amphibious assault ships Korolyov and Minsk , the corvettes Stoiky and Boiky will practice the maneuvers of passing through narrow sections , hold ship damage control drills on the move , communications and jamming exercises and conduct air and anti-submarine warfare defense , the statement says .
Later , missile corvettes and boats , sea minesweepers and other ships and support vessels will set off for the Baltic Fleet ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press office said .
As the press office of the Western Military District specified for TASS , the missile corvette Serpukhov and the Russian Emperor Peter the Great ’ s battleship Poltava recreated at the historical shipyard left the Neva roadstead after their participation in the Main Naval Parade .
The frigate Admiral Kasatonov and the missile corvette Mytishchi are leaving overnight to Wednesday and the submarine St. Petersburg on Thursday .
The warships of the Baltiysk and Leningrad naval bases participated in Russia ’ s Main Naval Parade and the military and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Navy Day on July 26 in St. Petersburg and Kronshtadt .
Overall , the celebrations involved over 40 surface ships , support vessels and boats of the Baltic Fleet .
The larger part of them arrived from Baltiysk .

KALININGRAD, July 28. /TASS/. The Baltic Fleet’s warships that participated in Russia’s Main Naval Parade in St. Petersburg and Kronshtadt on July 26 set off for their home naval base in Baltiysk in the Kaliningrad Region," the Fleet’s press office reported on Tuesday.
"After participating in the celebrations devoted to Russia’s Navy Day on the Neva River and in the Kronshtadt roadstead, the first group of the Fleet’s ships sailed to the sea to make an inter-base transit to their permanent base, the port of Baltiysk in the Kaliningrad Region," the press office said in a statement.
During their inter-base transit, the crews of the large amphibious assault ships Korolyov and Minsk, the corvettes Stoiky and Boiky will practice the maneuvers of passing through narrow sections, hold ship damage control drills on the move, communications and jamming exercises and conduct air and anti-submarine warfare defense, the statement says.
Later, missile corvettes and boats, sea minesweepers and other ships and support vessels will set off for the Baltic Fleet’s main naval base of Baltiysk, the press office said.
As the press office of the Western Military District specified for TASS, the missile corvette Serpukhov and the Russian Emperor Peter the Great’s battleship Poltava recreated at the historical shipyard left the Neva roadstead after their participation in the Main Naval Parade. The frigate Admiral Kasatonov and the missile corvette Mytishchi are leaving overnight to Wednesday and the submarine St. Petersburg on Thursday.
The warships of the Baltiysk and Leningrad naval bases participated in Russia’s Main Naval Parade and the military and sports event that took place on Russia’s Navy Day on July 26 in St. Petersburg and Kronshtadt. Overall, the celebrations involved over 40 surface ships, support vessels and boats of the Baltic Fleet. The larger part of them arrived from Baltiysk.


tass--2020-07-28--Turkish Airlines to resume flights to St. Petersburg on August 2

MOSCOW , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
Turkish Airlines will resume flights to St. Petersburg from Istanbul on August 2 @ @ @ @ @ 10 , the press service of the Pulkovo Airport reported on Tuesday .
`` Turkish @ @ @ @ @ foreign carrier to resume flights between St. Petersburg and Turkish cities .
Flights from St. @ @ @ @ @ place from August 2 , 2020 .
The air service with Antalya will restart from @ @ @ @ @ 2020 , '' the press service says .
Flights will be made five times per @ @ @ @ @ , the airport said .
Airbus A321 and A330 and Boeing 737 passenger jets are @ @ @ @ @ the air service .

MOSCOW, July 28. /TASS/. Turkish Airlines will resume flights to St. Petersburg from Istanbul on August 2 and from Antalya on August 10, the press service of the Pulkovo Airport reported on Tuesday.
"Turkish Airlines will be the first foreign carrier to resume flights between St. Petersburg and Turkish cities. Flights from St. Petersburg to Istanbul will take place from August 2, 2020. The air service with Antalya will restart from Pulkovo since August 10, 2020," the press service says.
Flights will be made five times per week to Istanbul and Antalya, the airport said. Airbus A321 and A330 and Boeing 737 passenger jets are planned to be used in the air service.


tass--2020-07-28--Alrosa to hold digital online auction of special-size rough diamonds on Aug 4-20

MOSCOW , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
Alrosa will hold a digital auction to sell special-size rough diamonds ( above 10.8 carats ) on August 4-20 , 2020 , within which it will offer about 2,300 carats of rough diamonds to its clients , Russia ’ s diamond producer said in a statement on Tuesday .
`` Online auctions allow its clients to access full digital copies of rough diamonds in their online accounts for a detailed analysis and evaluation .
The digital twin technology allows making well-informed purchase decisions remotely based on the comprehensive data on the offered product @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At the same time , our clients still have an option to visit company ’ s offices to study rough diamonds in person , always subject to strict compliance with all the required COVID-preventive measures , '' the statement said .
Earlier reports said that Alrosa raised $ 6.8 mln at auctions of special-size rough diamonds in Belgium and Israel in July .
Alrosa is one of the world ’ s top three biggest diamond producers with operations in Russia ’ s Republic of Sakha ( Yakutia ) and Arkhangelsk Region , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accounts for 25 % of global diamond production , while Angola ’ s enterprise Catoca , in which Alrosa holds 41 % , accounts for another 6 % of the world ’ s diamond production .
The shareholders are the Russian Federation - 33.02 % , the Republic of Sakha ( Yakutia ) - 25 % , districts of Yakutia - 8 % , while almost 34 % of shares are in free float .

MOSCOW, July 28. /TASS/. Alrosa will hold a digital auction to sell special-size rough diamonds (above 10.8 carats) on August 4-20, 2020, within which it will offer about 2,300 carats of rough diamonds to its clients, Russia’s diamond producer said in a statement on Tuesday.
"Online auctions allow its clients to access full digital copies of rough diamonds in their online accounts for a detailed analysis and evaluation. The digital twin technology allows making well-informed purchase decisions remotely based on the comprehensive data on the offered product line, without physically viewing the diamonds. At the same time, our clients still have an option to visit company’s offices to study rough diamonds in person, always subject to strict compliance with all the required COVID-preventive measures," the statement said.
Earlier reports said that Alrosa raised $6.8 mln at auctions of special-size rough diamonds in Belgium and Israel in July.
Alrosa is one of the world’s top three biggest diamond producers with operations in Russia’s Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) and Arkhangelsk Region, as well as in Angola. It accounts for 25% of global diamond production, while Angola’s enterprise Catoca, in which Alrosa holds 41%, accounts for another 6% of the world’s diamond production. The shareholders are the Russian Federation - 33.02%, the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) - 25%, districts of Yakutia - 8%, while almost 34% of shares are in free float.


tass--2020-07-28--Number of buildings 'rigged with explosives' in Moscow reaches 50, source says

MOSCOW , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
The number of buildings and offices in Moscow under anonymous bomb threats on Tuesday has grown to 50 , a source in the emergency services told TASS .
`` Currently there are anonymous messages about explosives in about 50 buildings in Moscow .
They are being checked by the specialists , '' the source said , adding that a number of buildings have already been inspected and the threats were not confirmed .
Earlier on Tuesday , there were anonymous messages about bomb threats in over 20 hospitals and other administrative buildings in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Savelovsky , and Gorod shopping centers .
There were also reports about bomb threats in the Domodedovo Airport and the Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper office .
The inspection established that all these were false alarms .
A wave of bomb threats began pouring into numerous Russian cities in November 2019 .
Anonymous individuals have been sending e-mails containing warnings about possible explosions in courts , schools , shopping centers , stores and universities .
Since March 3 , those threats also have been targeting airplanes .
Not a single one of them has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Service ( FSB ) reported blocking five foreign resources which were a source of thousands of false bomb threats .

MOSCOW, July 28. /TASS/. The number of buildings and offices in Moscow under anonymous bomb threats on Tuesday has grown to 50, a source in the emergency services told TASS.
"Currently there are anonymous messages about explosives in about 50 buildings in Moscow. They are being checked by the specialists," the source said, adding that a number of buildings have already been inspected and the threats were not confirmed.
Earlier on Tuesday, there were anonymous messages about bomb threats in over 20 hospitals and other administrative buildings in Moscow, the Vnukovo Outlet Village, Savelovsky, and Gorod shopping centers. There were also reports about bomb threats in the Domodedovo Airport and the Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper office. The inspection established that all these were false alarms.
A wave of bomb threats began pouring into numerous Russian cities in November 2019. Anonymous individuals have been sending e-mails containing warnings about possible explosions in courts, schools, shopping centers, stores and universities. Since March 3, those threats also have been targeting airplanes. Not a single one of them has been confirmed. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) reported blocking five foreign resources which were a source of thousands of false bomb threats.


tass--2020-07-28--Regular, premium gasoline prices showing growth in late July

MOSCOW , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
The average price of the 92-octane gasoline in Russia rose by 0.1 % @ @ @ @ @ 0.6 ) per liter at retail sites .
The 95-octane gasoline prices showed an uptick @ @ @ @ @ rubles ( $ 0.65 ) per liter , the Central Dispatching Department of the Fuel @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
Prices rose by 0.51 % to 51.73 rubles ( $ 0.71 ) per @ @ @ @ @ diesel fuel and stayed flat at 48.06 rubles ( $ 0.66 ) per liter for @ @ @ @ @ during the reporting week from July 19 to 26 .
In annual terms , the @ @ @ @ @ for the 92-octane gasoline , 2.21 % for the 95-octane gasoline , 3.78 % for @ @ @ @ @ 6.03 % for the winter diesel fuel , according to the report .

MOSCOW, July 28. /TASS/. The average price of the 92-octane gasoline in Russia rose by 0.1% to 43.5 rubles ($0.6) per liter at retail sites. The 95-octane gasoline prices showed an uptick by 0.11% to 46.81 rubles ($0.65) per liter, the Central Dispatching Department of the Fuel and Energy Sector reports on Tuesday.
Prices rose by 0.51% to 51.73 rubles ($0.71) per liter for the winter grade diesel fuel and stayed flat at 48.06 rubles ($0.66) per liter for the summer grade diesel fuel during the reporting week from July 19 to 26.
In annual terms, the price uptick totaled 1.8% for the 92-octane gasoline, 2.21% for the 95-octane gasoline, 3.78% for the summer diesel fuel and 6.03% for the winter diesel fuel, according to the report.


tass--2020-07-28--Roscosmos chief advisor Safronov rejects plea deal in high treason case

MOSCOW , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
An investigator offered former advisor to Roscosmos CEO and journalist Ivan Safronov , who is charged with high treason , to sign a plea bargain , but the defendant rejected the proposal , his lawyer Ivan Pavlov told TASS on Tuesday .
`` The investigator offered him a deal under which he would plead guilty and get no more than two-thirds of the maximum sentence or 10 years .
This was said back on July 13 .
Safronov rejected this offer , '' Pavlov said .
According to the lawyer , under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sources .
`` This is what interests the investigator .
Meanwhile , the investigators strongly deny any links between the charges and Ivan ’ s journalistic activity and here it turns out that they are interested in his information sources .
Here the investigators contradict themselves , '' Pavlov noted .
Safronov earlier worked for Kommersant and Vedomosti newspapers and was appointed advisor to the Roscosmos chief in May 2020 .
On July 7 , he was detained by the Russian Federal Security Service ( FSB ) on suspicion of high treason .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Lefortovo Court placed him in custody until September 6 .
The Federal Security Service says that Safronov was recruited in 2012 and in 2017 he provided the Czech intelligence agencies with information about Russian military and technical cooperation with African countries and Russian military activity in the Middle East .
The information was later passed on to the US , according to the case materials .

MOSCOW, July 28. /TASS/. An investigator offered former advisor to Roscosmos CEO and journalist Ivan Safronov, who is charged with high treason, to sign a plea bargain, but the defendant rejected the proposal, his lawyer Ivan Pavlov told TASS on Tuesday.
"The investigator offered him a deal under which he would plead guilty and get no more than two-thirds of the maximum sentence or 10 years. This was said back on July 13. Safronov rejected this offer," Pavlov said.
According to the lawyer, under the plea deal Safronov had to disclose his sources. "This is what interests the investigator. Meanwhile, the investigators strongly deny any links between the charges and Ivan’s journalistic activity and here it turns out that they are interested in his information sources. Here the investigators contradict themselves," Pavlov noted.
Safronov earlier worked for Kommersant and Vedomosti newspapers and was appointed advisor to the Roscosmos chief in May 2020. On July 7, he was detained by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) on suspicion of high treason. Safronov pleaded not guilty. Moscow’s Lefortovo Court placed him in custody until September 6.
The Federal Security Service says that Safronov was recruited in 2012 and in 2017 he provided the Czech intelligence agencies with information about Russian military and technical cooperation with African countries and Russian military activity in the Middle East. The information was later passed on to the US, according to the case materials.


tass--2020-07-28--Russian Northern Fleet ships hold anti-sabotage drills in Barents Sea

`` Today , during the anchorage in an unsafe roadstead near Kildin Island in the Barents Sea , the ships ’ crews practiced anti-submarine and anti-saboteur defense measures and grenade throwing , '' the press office said in a statement .
MURMANSK , July 28 .
/TASS/ .
A naval group of Russia ’ s Northern Fleet practiced anti-sabotage measures in a roadstead off Kildin Island in the Barents Sea , the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Tuesday .
`` The naval group comprises the large anti-submarine warfare ship Severomorsk , the large amphibious assault ships Kondopoga and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gumanenko , the rescue tug Pamir , the icebreaker Ilya Muromets , the tanker Sergei Osipov and the crane ship KIL-143 , '' the statement runs .
After pulling up their anchors , the naval group ’ s ships started practicing maneuvering in various options of the deployment order and held communications drills .
During the day , the sailors will also practice joint assignments with deck-based aircraft and measures for defending the group against a notional enemy ’ s air attacks , the press office specified .
The drills are running under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vice-Admiral Oleg Golubev , with the command post deployed aboard the large anti-submarine warfare ship Severomorsk .
After practicing a whole set of the drills ’ assignments at sea , the ships and vessels will return to their naval bases to prepare for the next ninth Arctic deployment along the Northern Sea Route , the statement says .

"Today, during the anchorage in an unsafe roadstead near Kildin Island in the Barents Sea, the ships’ crews practiced anti-submarine and anti-saboteur defense measures and grenade throwing," the press office said in a statement.
MURMANSK, July 28. /TASS/. A naval group of Russia’s Northern Fleet practiced anti-sabotage measures in a roadstead off Kildin Island in the Barents Sea, the Fleet’s press office reported on Tuesday.
"The naval group comprises the large anti-submarine warfare ship Severomorsk, the large amphibious assault ships Kondopoga and Alexander Otrakovsky, the sea minesweeper Vladimir Gumanenko, the rescue tug Pamir, the icebreaker Ilya Muromets, the tanker Sergei Osipov and the crane ship KIL-143," the statement runs.
After pulling up their anchors, the naval group’s ships started practicing maneuvering in various options of the deployment order and held communications drills. During the day, the sailors will also practice joint assignments with deck-based aircraft and measures for defending the group against a notional enemy’s air attacks, the press office specified.
The drills are running under the direction of Northern Fleet Deputy Commander Vice-Admiral Oleg Golubev, with the command post deployed aboard the large anti-submarine warfare ship Severomorsk.
After practicing a whole set of the drills’ assignments at sea, the ships and vessels will return to their naval bases to prepare for the next ninth Arctic deployment along the Northern Sea Route, the statement says.


tass--2020-07-28--SMCI and Scality Collaborate to Simplify Deployment of Enterprise Software Defined Storage

SAN JOSE , California , July 28 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Super Micro Computer , Inc. ( SMCI ) , a global leader in enterprise computing , storage , networking solutions , and green computing technology , announced today a new solution leveraging the Scality® RING offering , enabling enterprises to scale and protect their most valuable assets -- their data , in on-premises or hybrid cloud deployments .
Scality RING is a software defined native file and object storage solution for large scale on-premises storage and management of unstructured data .
RING enables both performance-optimized and capacity-optimized storage with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protection methods including geo-distribution capabilities .
The Supermicro and Scality solution delivers a petabyte-scale storage framework offering cost-effective scaling , performance , and resiliency paired with Supermicro 's optimized hardware configurations that provides users an appliance-like deployment and service levels to meet enterprise requirements .
`` As part of our ongoing commitment to work with leading software organizations , Supermicro is teaming with Scality to bring a simple , scalable , and powerful storage solution to the most demanding environments today , '' said Vik Malyala , senior vice president , Supermicro .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is to deploy the Scality RING software on Supermicro servers and storage systems .
Our reference architectures allow us to design and implement solutions based on customer requirements from our flexible Building Block Solutions ® approach . ''
This flexibility makes it possible to construct capacity-optimized RINGs or performance-optimized RINGs .
In all cases , the RING software abstracts the underlying physical servers and hard disk drives .
RING can exploit the lower-latency access characteristics of NVMe to maintain its internal metadata .
RING is designed to scale out over time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the increasing storage densities expected as a normal part of the RING platform lifecycle '' We are thrilled to create a joint solution with Supermicro that benefits our customers , '' said Wally MacDermid , vice president of strategic alliances at Scality .
`` Innovative organizations looking to transform their infrastructures for today 's digital economy want solutions that are easy to deploy and maintain while protecting their most important asset , their data .
Supermicro 's highly-configurable systems with the latest storage interface technologies combined with Scality 's industry leading RING , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efficiency to solve data storage and orchestration challenges at petabyte-scale . ''
For detailed information about the Supermicro Solution for Scality RING , please visit : https : //www.supermicro.com/en/solutions/scality-ring Supermicro ( Nasdaq : SMCI ) , the leading innovator in high-performance , high-efficiency server technology , is a premier provider of advanced Server Building Block Solutions® for Data Center , Cloud Computing , Enterprise IT , Hadoop/Big Data , HPC and Embedded Systems worldwide .
Supermicro is committed to protecting the environment through its `` We Keep IT Green® '' initiative and provides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solutions available on the market .
Supermicro , Server Building Block Solutions , BigTwin , SuperBlade , and We Keep IT Green are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Super Micro Computer , Inc. All other brands , names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners .

SAN JOSE, California, July 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Super Micro Computer, Inc. (SMCI), a global leader in enterprise computing, storage, networking solutions, and green computing technology, announced today a new solution leveraging the Scality® RING offering, enabling enterprises to scale and protect their most valuable assets -- their data, in on-premises or hybrid cloud deployments.
Scality RING is a software defined native file and object storage solution for large scale on-premises storage and management of unstructured data. RING enables both performance-optimized and capacity-optimized storage with automated data durability levels using multiple data protection methods including geo-distribution capabilities. The Supermicro and Scality solution delivers a petabyte-scale storage framework offering cost-effective scaling, performance, and resiliency paired with Supermicro's optimized hardware configurations that provides users an appliance-like deployment and service levels to meet enterprise requirements.
"As part of our ongoing commitment to work with leading software organizations, Supermicro is teaming with Scality to bring a simple, scalable, and powerful storage solution to the most demanding environments today," said Vik Malyala, senior vice president, Supermicro. "Customers will quickly see how easy it is to deploy the Scality RING software on Supermicro servers and storage systems. Our reference architectures allow us to design and implement solutions based on customer requirements from our flexible Building Block Solutions ® approach."
This flexibility makes it possible to construct capacity-optimized RINGs or performance-optimized RINGs. In all cases, the RING software abstracts the underlying physical servers and hard disk drives. RING can exploit the lower-latency access characteristics of NVMe to maintain its internal metadata. RING is designed to scale out over time, across server generations, as well as the increasing storage densities expected as a normal part of the RING platform lifecycle
"We are thrilled to create a joint solution with Supermicro that benefits our customers," said Wally MacDermid, vice president of strategic alliances at Scality. "Innovative organizations looking to transform their infrastructures for today's digital economy want solutions that are easy to deploy and maintain while protecting their most important asset, their data. Supermicro's highly-configurable systems with the latest storage interface technologies combined with Scality's industry leading RING, gives customers business agility, resiliency and efficiency to solve data storage and orchestration challenges at petabyte-scale."
For detailed information about the Supermicro Solution for Scality RING, please visit: https://www.supermicro.com/en/solutions/scality-ring
About Super Micro Computer, Inc.
Supermicro (Nasdaq: SMCI), the leading innovator in high-performance, high-efficiency server technology, is a premier provider of advanced Server Building Block Solutions® for Data Center, Cloud Computing, Enterprise IT, Hadoop/Big Data, HPC and Embedded Systems worldwide. Supermicro is committed to protecting the environment through its "We Keep IT Green®" initiative and provides customers with the most energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly solutions available on the market.
Supermicro, Server Building Block Solutions, BigTwin, SuperBlade, and We Keep IT Green are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Super Micro Computer, Inc.
All other brands, names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
SMCI-F
CONTACT: Greg Kaufman, Super Micro Computer, Inc., PR@supermicro.com


tass--2020-07-29--Russian Black Sea Fleet sub arrives for first dock repairs after Mediterranean mission

MOSCOW , July 29 .
/TASS/ .
The Black Sea Fleet ’ s Project 636.3 diesel-electric submarine Krasnodar arrived in the Baltic region for its first planned dock repairs after the completion its mission in the Russian Navy ’ s Mediterranean taskforce , a source close to Crimean military circles told TASS on Wednesday .
`` The submarine is currently staying in Baltiysk where preparatory measures are underway before the start of repairs at the Kronshtadt Marine Plant , '' the source said .
TASS has no official confirmation of this information yet .
According to the data of specialized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ submarine accompanied by a tugboat transited the English Channel on July 20 .
It was tracked by UK Navy ships .
As the source specified , the same-type submarine Stary Oskol that was on combat patrol together with the Krasnodar in the Russian Navy ’ s Mediterranean Squadron , has already undergone repairs at the Kronshtadt Marine Plant .
The sub took part in Russia ’ s Main Naval Parade on July 26 and returned to the Shipyard .
A source in military and diplomatic circles earlier told TASS that the Stary Oskol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off Syria ’ s coast within the Russian Navy ’ s Mediterranean taskforce in July .
Currently , the same-type submarine Rostov-on-Don is operating in the Russian Navy ’ s Mediterranean Squadron .
As the Black Sea Fleet ’ s press office reported , it will subsequently sail to Russia ’ s northwest for planned repairs .
The Admiralty Shipyard ( part of Russia ’ s United Shipbuilding Corporation ) has built a series of six Project 636.3 diesel-electric submarines for the Black Sea Fleet .
The three of them , the Veliky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , numerously delivered strikes with Kalibr-PL cruise missiles against terrorist targets in Syria .
The submarines Stary Oskol and Krasnodar joined the Russian Navy ’ s permanent Mediterranean taskforce in April 2019 to replace the same-type subs Veliky Novgorod and Kolpino , which had stayed in the Mediterranean Sea after their transit from the Baltic Sea and then sailed to the Black Sea .
Their crews were rotated every three months .
In late December 2019 , the Stary Oskol arrived at the Kronshtadt Marine Plant for repairs .
Project 636.3 submarines are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subs .
These submarines are considered among the world ’ s most noiseless vessels .
They develop a speed of up to 20 knots , can dive to a depth of about 300 meters and their sea endurance is 45 days .
The sub has a crew of 52 men and displaces about 4,000 tonnes .
Project 636 submarines are considered to be the most noiseless among Russian conventional subs .
They have been dubbed the ‘ Black Hole ’ for their unique quietness .
They are also furnished with modern radar and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Soviet Navy ’ s 5th Mediterranean Squadron served as a prototype for the Russian Navy ’ s permanent Mediterranean task force operating at present .
The 5th operational Soviet Squadron dealt with the tasks of naval presence in the Mediterranean theater of operations during the Cold War period .
Its main rival was the US Navy ’ s 6th Fleet .
The Soviet Squadron was disbanded on December 31 , 1992 , a year after the disintegration of the Soviet Union .
As it emerged in 2013 , Russia was creating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its modern history .
Russia ’ s new permanent task force is dealing with planned and urgent combat missions arising in the Mediterranean theater of operations , including warding off threats for Russia ’ s national and military security .

MOSCOW, July 29. /TASS/. The Black Sea Fleet’s Project 636.3 diesel-electric submarine Krasnodar arrived in the Baltic region for its first planned dock repairs after the completion its mission in the Russian Navy’s Mediterranean taskforce, a source close to Crimean military circles told TASS on Wednesday.
"The submarine is currently staying in Baltiysk where preparatory measures are underway before the start of repairs at the Kronshtadt Marine Plant," the source said.
TASS has no official confirmation of this information yet.
According to the data of specialized foreign websites, a Project 636.3 Russian submarine accompanied by a tugboat transited the English Channel on July 20. It was tracked by UK Navy ships.
As the source specified, the same-type submarine Stary Oskol that was on combat patrol together with the Krasnodar in the Russian Navy’s Mediterranean Squadron, has already undergone repairs at the Kronshtadt Marine Plant. The sub took part in Russia’s Main Naval Parade on July 26 and returned to the Shipyard.
A source in military and diplomatic circles earlier told TASS that the Stary Oskol was expected to return to its operation off Syria’s coast within the Russian Navy’s Mediterranean taskforce in July.
Currently, the same-type submarine Rostov-on-Don is operating in the Russian Navy’s Mediterranean Squadron. As the Black Sea Fleet’s press office reported, it will subsequently sail to Russia’s northwest for planned repairs.
Project 636.3 conventional subs
The Admiralty Shipyard (part of Russia’s United Shipbuilding Corporation) has built a series of six Project 636.3 diesel-electric submarines for the Black Sea Fleet. The three of them, the Veliky Novgorod, the Kolpino and the Rostov-on-Don, numerously delivered strikes with Kalibr-PL cruise missiles against terrorist targets in Syria.
The submarines Stary Oskol and Krasnodar joined the Russian Navy’s permanent Mediterranean taskforce in April 2019 to replace the same-type subs Veliky Novgorod and Kolpino, which had stayed in the Mediterranean Sea after their transit from the Baltic Sea and then sailed to the Black Sea. Their crews were rotated every three months. In late December 2019, the Stary Oskol arrived at the Kronshtadt Marine Plant for repairs.
Project 636.3 submarines are referred to the third generation of diesel-electric subs. These submarines are considered among the world’s most noiseless vessels. They develop a speed of up to 20 knots, can dive to a depth of about 300 meters and their sea endurance is 45 days. The sub has a crew of 52 men and displaces about 4,000 tonnes.
Project 636 submarines are considered to be the most noiseless among Russian conventional subs. They have been dubbed the ‘Black Hole’ for their unique quietness. They are also furnished with modern radar and communications systems, sonars and 533mm torpedoes.
Russian Navy’s Mediterranean taskforce
The Soviet Navy’s 5th Mediterranean Squadron served as a prototype for the Russian Navy’s permanent Mediterranean task force operating at present. The 5th operational Soviet Squadron dealt with the tasks of naval presence in the Mediterranean theater of operations during the Cold War period.
Its main rival was the US Navy’s 6th Fleet. The Soviet Squadron was disbanded on December 31, 1992, a year after the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
As it emerged in 2013, Russia was creating a new operational Mediterranean task force in its modern history. Russia’s new permanent task force is dealing with planned and urgent combat missions arising in the Mediterranean theater of operations, including warding off threats for Russia’s national and military security.


tass--2020-07-29--In Russia 3,000 patients are on ventilators at ICUs, health minister says

MOSCOW , July 29 .
/TASS/ .
About 3,000 patients in Russia are on lung ventilators at intensive care units @ @ @ @ @ Murashko stated on Wednesday .
`` There are 3,000 patients today in intensive care units @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said during a meeting on sanitary and epidemiological situation in Russia with @ @ @ @ @ Putin .
According to the latest statistics , over 16,908,600 people have been infected worldwide @ @ @ @ @ have been reported .
To date , 828,990 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia @ @ @ @ @ recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 13,673 fatalities nationwide .
@ @ @ @ @ set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, July 29. /TASS/. About 3,000 patients in Russia are on lung ventilators at intensive care units, Russian Healthcare Minister Mikhail Murashko stated on Wednesday.
"There are 3,000 patients today in intensive care units, on artificial lung ventilators," he said during a meeting on sanitary and epidemiological situation in Russia with the participation of President Vladimir Putin.
According to the latest statistics, over 16,908,600 people have been infected worldwide and more than 663,000 deaths have been reported. To date, 828,990 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 620,333 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 13,673 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-07-29--Wait for obtaining construction permit in Russia cut by 90% in five years

MOSCOW , July 29 .
/TASS/ .
The time of obtaining construction permits by Russian enterprises went down ten-fold in the past five years and currently stands at 150-200 days on average , General Director of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives ( ASI ) Svetlana Chupsheva said at a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on Wednesday .
`` We have launched a national investment climate rating , which has been measured in regions for five years already , and we see positive dynamics .
It used to take at least 1,500 days to obtain construction permits , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electricity grid , whereas today ( as five years passed ) the longest period across the country is 150-200 days , '' she said .
ASI General Director believes that it means cooperation of businesses with regional authorities , municipalities on investment projects launch , on support measures and required infrastructure to be received `` is comparable from region to region and approaches the best international and Russian practices . ''
ASI jointly with business integrations prepares each year a national rating of the state of investment climate in Russian regions , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creation of favorable conditions for doing business and reveals best practices , whereas its results encourage competition for investment at the regional level .
In 2019 , Moscow was rated first , followed by Tatarstan and the Tula Region .

MOSCOW, July 29. /TASS/. The time of obtaining construction permits by Russian enterprises went down ten-fold in the past five years and currently stands at 150-200 days on average, General Director of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI) Svetlana Chupsheva said at a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on Wednesday.
"We have launched a national investment climate rating, which has been measured in regions for five years already, and we see positive dynamics. It used to take at least 1,500 days to obtain construction permits, and 1,500 days as well to connect into electricity grid, whereas today (as five years passed) the longest period across the country is 150-200 days," she said.
ASI General Director believes that it means cooperation of businesses with regional authorities, municipalities on investment projects launch, on support measures and required infrastructure to be received "is comparable from region to region and approaches the best international and Russian practices."
ASI jointly with business integrations prepares each year a national rating of the state of investment climate in Russian regions, which assesses the efforts of regional authorities on creation of favorable conditions for doing business and reveals best practices, whereas its results encourage competition for investment at the regional level. In 2019, Moscow was rated first, followed by Tatarstan and the Tula Region.


tass--2020-07-29--Russian Northern Fleet anti-aircraft gunners defend Arctic coast in drills

MURMANSK , July 29 .
/TASS/ .
The combat teams of a Northern Fleet battery of Pantsyr-S1 surface-to-air missile/gun systems defended the Arctic coast against a notional enemy ’ s assault force during drills , the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Wednesday .
`` The personnel of the Northern Fleet ’ s tactical group stationed at the Severny Klever base on Kotelny Island ( the New Siberian Islands archipelago ) in the Laptev Sea practiced combat training assignments for defending the Arctic coast against the landing of a notional enemy ’ s assault force , '' the press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the drills , the combat teams of a battery of Pantsyr-S1 anti-aircraft missile/gun systems `` successfully accomplished firings against the targets that simulated the notional enemy ’ s hardware , '' the statement reads .
The anti-aircraft gunners used mock-ups of armored personnel carriers located at a distance of up to three kilometers as targets .
During the firings , the combat teams also practiced procedures within the required time limits for loading Pantsyr missile/gun armament and deploying the systems from a march , the press office specified .
The anti-aircraft gunners held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a strong gusty wind of up to 20 meters per second and air temperatures of about zero degrees Celsius , the press office specified .
In addition to Pantsyr-S1 Arctic anti-aircraft missile/gun systems , the Northern Fleet ’ s tactical group on Kotelny Island also operates Bastion coastal defense anti-ship missile launchers , which allows reliably protecting the Russian Arctic and Northern Sea Route sectors within the tactical group ’ s responsibility area .
The Pantsyr-S1 ( NATO reporting name : SA-22 Greyhound ) is a ground-based close-in surface-to-air missile/gun system designated to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-range air defense systems , from all existing and future air attack weapons .
The Pantsyr-S1 can also shield a facility against ground-based and naval threats .
The Arctic versions of the Pantsyr-S1 system successfully cope with their combat duty tasks within the Northern Fleet ’ s tactical groups on the islands of the Arctic Ocean .
The Pantsyr mounted on the truck chassis for greater mobility is armed with two 30mm guns , each of which is capable of firing up to 40 rounds per second , as well as with 12 @ @ @

MURMANSK, July 29. /TASS/. The combat teams of a Northern Fleet battery of Pantsyr-S1 surface-to-air missile/gun systems defended the Arctic coast against a notional enemy’s assault force during drills, the Fleet’s press office reported on Wednesday.
"The personnel of the Northern Fleet’s tactical group stationed at the Severny Klever base on Kotelny Island (the New Siberian Islands archipelago) in the Laptev Sea practiced combat training assignments for defending the Arctic coast against the landing of a notional enemy’s assault force," the press office said in a statement.
During the drills, the combat teams of a battery of Pantsyr-S1 anti-aircraft missile/gun systems "successfully accomplished firings against the targets that simulated the notional enemy’s hardware," the statement reads.
The anti-aircraft gunners used mock-ups of armored personnel carriers located at a distance of up to three kilometers as targets. During the firings, the combat teams also practiced procedures within the required time limits for loading Pantsyr missile/gun armament and deploying the systems from a march, the press office specified.
The anti-aircraft gunners held the firings in severe weather conditions of a strong gusty wind of up to 20 meters per second and air temperatures of about zero degrees Celsius, the press office specified.
In addition to Pantsyr-S1 Arctic anti-aircraft missile/gun systems, the Northern Fleet’s tactical group on Kotelny Island also operates Bastion coastal defense anti-ship missile launchers, which allows reliably protecting the Russian Arctic and Northern Sea Route sectors within the tactical group’s responsibility area.
The Pantsyr-S1 (NATO reporting name: SA-22 Greyhound) is a ground-based close-in surface-to-air missile/gun system designated to shield military and civilian facilities, including long-range air defense systems, from all existing and future air attack weapons.
The Pantsyr-S1 can also shield a facility against ground-based and naval threats. The Arctic versions of the Pantsyr-S1 system successfully cope with their combat duty tasks within the Northern Fleet’s tactical groups on the islands of the Arctic Ocean.
The Pantsyr mounted on the truck chassis for greater mobility is armed with two 30mm guns, each of which is capable of firing up to 40 rounds per second, as well as with 12 anti-aircraft missiles.


tass--2020-07-29--COVID-19 situation may "swing in any direction," Putin says

MOSCOW , July 29 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s President Vladimir Putin stated that the number of the coronavirus infections has decreased in Russia but warned that the situation may `` swing in any direction . ''
`` In June and in July the number of the coronavirus infections in Russia has been decreasing gradually , according to the operational details , the number of new detected cases right now is practically twice as low than during the peak periods in May , '' the head of state said at a meeting on sanitary and epidemiological situation in Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` The situation remains complicated and , as they say , may swing in any direction . ''
`` So there are no reasons to be self-complacent , to relax , to forget about doctors ’ recommendations , '' the president said to officials and all Russians .
It is essential to try to prevent the reimposition of coronavirus-related restrictions in Russia , Putin said .
`` It is necessary to do the best we can to avoid the reimposition of restrictions , especially large-scale , with the help of preventive , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kindergartens , higher educational establishments , enterprises and organizations can work safely in the usual way people are accustomed to , '' he said .

MOSCOW, July 29. /TASS/. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin stated that the number of the coronavirus infections has decreased in Russia but warned that the situation may "swing in any direction."
"In June and in July the number of the coronavirus infections in Russia has been decreasing gradually, according to the operational details, the number of new detected cases right now is practically twice as low than during the peak periods in May," the head of state said at a meeting on sanitary and epidemiological situation in Russia.
At the same time Putin noted: "The situation remains complicated and, as they say, may swing in any direction." "So there are no reasons to be self-complacent, to relax, to forget about doctors’ recommendations," the president said to officials and all Russians.
It is essential to try to prevent the reimposition of coronavirus-related restrictions in Russia, Putin said.
"It is necessary to do the best we can to avoid the reimposition of restrictions, especially large-scale, with the help of preventive, proactive measures, so that schools, kindergartens, higher educational establishments, enterprises and organizations can work safely in the usual way people are accustomed to," he said.