tass--2020-06-10--West orchestrated Hong Kong protests, backed them with money, arms — Chinese envoy

MOSCOW , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
Western countries are responsible for unrest in Hong Kong , they send money and weapons there to back the protests , Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui told an online briefing Wednesday .
He stressed that the West as led by the United States is `` playing a malicious role '' in Jong Kong developments .
`` I can honestly tell you that all these demonstrations and protests , this chaos , were organized by the west .
They are sending funds and even weapons [ there ] .
They prepped [ protesting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the envoy noted .
According to him , the desire to split China and hamper the country ’ s economic development is the driver for the escalation of violence in Hong Kong .
Zhang Hanhui added that democracy and human rights in Hong Kong were guaranteed only after the city officially reverted to China ’ s sovereignty in 1997 .
On May 28 , the Chinese legislature adopted the resolution to draft a national security law for Hong Kong .
The White House interpreted the move as violation of the city ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow .
On May 29 , US President Donald Trump announced that this decision had prompted the US side to start rolling back all preferences the special administrative region used to enjoy in trade and economic relations with the US .
Beijing attributes the importance and urgency of the law to escalating threats to national security in Hong Kong as well as incapability of local authorities to adopt the bill themselves that spanned 23 years since the city returned to China .
Hong Kong authorities have repeatedly underscored that the new law is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will not violate the ‘ one country , two systems ’ principle and legitimate rights and freedoms of locals including the right to free speech and peaceful assembly .

MOSCOW, June 10. /TASS/. Western countries are responsible for unrest in Hong Kong, they send money and weapons there to back the protests, Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui told an online briefing Wednesday.
He stressed that the West as led by the United States is "playing a malicious role" in Hong Kong developments. "I can honestly tell you that all these demonstrations and protests, this chaos, were organized by the west. They are sending funds and even weapons [there]. They prepped [protesting] students, radicals and separatists," the envoy noted.
According to him, the desire to split China and hamper the country’s economic development is the driver for the escalation of violence in Hong Kong. Zhang Hanhui added that democracy and human rights in Hong Kong were guaranteed only after the city officially reverted to China’s sovereignty in 1997.
On May 28, the Chinese legislature adopted the resolution to draft a national security law for Hong Kong. The White House interpreted the move as violation of the city’s autonomous status and promised sanctions would follow. On May 29, US President Donald Trump announced that this decision had prompted the US side to start rolling back all preferences the special administrative region used to enjoy in trade and economic relations with the US.
Beijing attributes the importance and urgency of the law to escalating threats to national security in Hong Kong as well as incapability of local authorities to adopt the bill themselves that spanned 23 years since the city returned to China. Hong Kong authorities have repeatedly underscored that the new law is only aimed against a handful of criminals and will not violate the ‘one country, two systems’ principle and legitimate rights and freedoms of locals including the right to free speech and peaceful assembly.


tass--2020-06-10--Zelensky not invited to Victory parade since Ukraine is not CIS member de facto — Kremlin

MOSCOW , June 10./TASS/ .
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky was not invited to attend the Victory parade in Moscow on June 24 , since Ukraine is not a CIS member country de facto , and since it has not signaled its wish to share the joy of Victory Day celebrations , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Wednesday .
`` As far as I know , [ the invitation to Zelensky ] was not sent , '' Peskov said when asked whether Moscow had sent an official invitation to the Ukrainian leader .
In comments on this decision , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official invitations to the heads of the Commonwealth of Independent States ’ nations is prioritized . ''
`` A number of partners have said they want to come , to our joy .
As we know , de facto and in many cases de jure Ukraine is not a member of the CIS , it shows no interest in continuing activity in its agencies this way or another , and has never signaled its wish to share the joy of Victory Day celebrations , '' Peskov added .
At his video conference with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , President Vladimir Putin announced that the anticipated Victory parade would be held on Moscow ’ s Red Square on June 24 .
The head of state explained he had chosen this date because June 24 was the day when back in 1945 the legendary historic parade of victors took place on Red Square , involving soldiers , who fought for Moscow , defended Leningrad and Stalingrad , liberated Europe and stormed Berlin .

MOSCOW, June 10./TASS/. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky was not invited to attend the Victory parade in Moscow on June 24, since Ukraine is not a CIS member country de facto, and since it has not signaled its wish to share the joy of Victory Day celebrations, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Wednesday.
"As far as I know, [the invitation to Zelensky] was not sent," Peskov said when asked whether Moscow had sent an official invitation to the Ukrainian leader. In comments on this decision, he stressed that "the renewal of official invitations to the heads of the Commonwealth of Independent States’ nations is prioritized."
"A number of partners have said they want to come, to our joy. As we know, de facto and in many cases de jure Ukraine is not a member of the CIS, it shows no interest in continuing activity in its agencies this way or another, and has never signaled its wish to share the joy of Victory Day celebrations," Peskov added.
At his video conference with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on May 26, President Vladimir Putin announced that the anticipated Victory parade would be held on Moscow’s Red Square on June 24.
The head of state explained he had chosen this date because June 24 was the day when back in 1945 the legendary historic parade of victors took place on Red Square, involving soldiers, who fought for Moscow, defended Leningrad and Stalingrad, liberated Europe and stormed Berlin.


tass--2020-06-10--Shipbuilders to deliver latest cruise missile corvette to Russian Navy by year-end

MOSCOW , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
The Project 21631 small missile ship Graivoron armed with Kalibr cruise missiles will @ @ @ @ @ Sea Fleet by the end of 2020 .
The latest missile corvette entered dockside trials @ @ @ @ @ Spokesman Captain 1st Rank Igor Dygalo said .
`` During the dockside trials , specialists @ @ @ @ @ operation of the ship ’ s basic systems and its main propulsion unit .
Along @ @ @ @ @ operations , work will be carried out to equip and finish the ship ’ s @ @ @ @ @ The shipbuilders are planning to deliver the Graivoron to the Black Sea Fleet until the @ @ @ @ @ with the timeframe stipulated in the state contract , '' the spokesman said .

MOSCOW, June 10. /TASS/. The Project 21631 small missile ship Graivoron armed with Kalibr cruise missiles will be delivered to the Black Sea Fleet by the end of 2020. The latest missile corvette entered dockside trials on Wednesday, Russian Navy Spokesman Captain 1st Rank Igor Dygalo said.
"During the dockside trials, specialists will activate and check the operation of the ship’s basic systems and its main propulsion unit. Along with the start-up and set-up operations, work will be carried out to equip and finish the ship’s living and service premises. The shipbuilders are planning to deliver the Graivoron to the Black Sea Fleet until the end of 2020 in compliance with the timeframe stipulated in the state contract," the spokesman said.


tass--2020-06-10--Russia’s design bureau Rubin completes research into submarine simulator Surrogat

MOSCOW , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
The Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering Rubin has completed research into a robotized system called Surrogat , which is capable of simulating nuclear and non-nuclear submarines , Rubin ’ s CEO Igor Vilnit told TASS in an interview .
`` Research into Surrogat was our own initiative .
It has been completed and the results forwarded to the Defense Ministry ’ s organizations concerned .
Consultations are underway , '' Vilnit said .
Modular design allows for reconfiguring the vessel to perform different functions .
It can simulate non-nuclear and nuclear submarines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The vessel may be used for naval exercises in situations where operational submarines can not be distracted from their main duties .
Also , the use of crewless simulators will help reduce costs and risks .
The Surrogat is powered by a lithium-ion battery .
The crewless minisub is capable of simulating the maneuvers of an enemy submarine for 15-16 hours at various speeds , including maximum ones .
It has a displacement of 40 tonnes , endurance of 600 miles at a speed of five knots , maximum speed of 24 knots @ @ @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, June 10. /TASS/. The Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering Rubin has completed research into a robotized system called Surrogat, which is capable of simulating nuclear and non-nuclear submarines, Rubin’s CEO Igor Vilnit told TASS in an interview.
"Research into Surrogat was our own initiative. It has been completed and the results forwarded to the Defense Ministry’s organizations concerned. Consultations are underway," Vilnit said.
Modular design allows for reconfiguring the vessel to perform different functions. It can simulate non-nuclear and nuclear submarines and carry out mapping and reconnaissance.
The vessel may be used for naval exercises in situations where operational submarines cannot be distracted from their main duties. Also, the use of crewless simulators will help reduce costs and risks.
The Surrogat is powered by a lithium-ion battery. The crewless minisub is capable of simulating the maneuvers of an enemy submarine for 15-16 hours at various speeds, including maximum ones. It has a displacement of 40 tonnes, endurance of 600 miles at a speed of five knots, maximum speed of 24 knots and submergence depth of 600 meters.


tass--2020-06-10--Russia warns other states against meddling in Belarusian presidential election

MOSCOW , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is not interfering in the Belarusian presidential election and calls on other countries not to meddle in the polls , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday .
`` Certainly , we are observing with great attention how the election campaign is held and we wish our Belarusian partners to successfully hold this election , '' Peskov said , stressing that the Kremlin saw nothing `` that would discredit these polls . ''
`` This is the domestic affair of Belarus and we suggest that there should be no meddling in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In comment on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko ’ s claims that the opposition in the republic was `` sponsored by Russian oligarchs , '' Peskov noted that the Kremlin was unaware whether there were some Russian oligarchs or businessmen who use money for influencing policy .
`` It is also unclear what they would do in Belarus , '' he said .
Belarus is scheduled to hold the presidential election on August 9 .
On May 21 , the procedure of collecting voters ’ signatures for nominating candidates began , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The presidential hopefuls will be registered on July 5-14 .

MOSCOW, June 10. /TASS/. Russia is not interfering in the Belarusian presidential election and calls on other countries not to meddle in the polls, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday.
"Certainly, we are observing with great attention how the election campaign is held and we wish our Belarusian partners to successfully hold this election," Peskov said, stressing that the Kremlin saw nothing "that would discredit these polls."
"This is the domestic affair of Belarus and we suggest that there should be no meddling in this domestic affair," Peskov said.
In comment on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s claims that the opposition in the republic was "sponsored by Russian oligarchs," Peskov noted that the Kremlin was unaware whether there were some Russian oligarchs or businessmen who use money for influencing policy. "It is also unclear what they would do in Belarus," he said.
Belarus is scheduled to hold the presidential election on August 9. On May 21, the procedure of collecting voters’ signatures for nominating candidates began, which is due to be over on June 19. The presidential hopefuls will be registered on July 5-14.


tass--2020-06-10--Press review: Russia to foil anti-Iran sanctions and Kim cuts communication with Seoul

Moscow is trying to stop the United States from wrecking the Iranian nuclear deal .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov wrote a letter to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calling to prevent Washington ’ s scheme to reinstate tough sanctions against Iran .
According to the top Russian diplomat , the US has no right to do this since it withdrew from the deal on settling the Iranian nuclear problem in 2018 .
The US disagrees with this and submitted a resolution to the UN Security Council on extending the arms embargo against Iran .
In case Russia vetoes it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier international sanctions against Tehran .
The UN Security Council faces a serious clash on the Iranian issue , Kommersant writes .
It is clear now that Russia will veto the US resolution .
In his letter to Guterres , Lavrov notes that there are no objective reasons for considering the issue of the arms embargo against Iran at the Security Council .
Lavrov stresses that arms supplies have no relation to the Iranian nuclear program .
Obviously , the US does not hope that Russia will back the resolution and has drawn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a special dispute resolution mechanism stipulated by UN Security Council ’ s Resolution 2231 , which was mentioned by Lavrov .
It could result in restoring all tough international sanctions against Iran , including restrictions on arms supplies , cooperation in economic and other fields and freezing foreign assets .
Only a party to the Iranian nuclear deal could advance this mechanism , the paper says .
Although the US pulled out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action two years ago , the United States insists that the country still has the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Washington ’ s logic is clear : although it withdrew from the political deal — the JCPOA — it remains a party to the UN process , which allows it to use all mechanisms of Resolution 2231 .
In his letter , Lavrov strongly condemns this plan .
The top diplomat says this is absolutely unacceptable , stressing that `` You can ’ t eat your cake and have it too . ''
According to Lavrov , the JCPOA can not be considered separately from UN Security Council ’ s Resolution 2231 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stance of Washington ’ s European allies in the JCPOA — the United Kingdom , Germany and France , the paper says .
The Europeans fear that if the arms embargo is extended or international sanctions are restored , Tehran will expel international inspectors and start making a nuclear bomb .
Izvestia : North Korea ’ s communications cut with South Korea to draw US attention North Korea has cut off all communication lines with South Korea , declaring that the sides have nothing to discuss .
Formally , this came as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ southern neighbor using giant balloons .
However , experts interviewed by Izvestia believe that Pyongyang has toughened its ties with South Korea in order to put leverage on Seoul and Washington to ease sanctions .
Pyongyang ’ s about face from friendship to hostility with Seoul certainly did not occur just because of the balloons , the paper says .
Since the failed second summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump a year and a half ago , the North Korean leadership started blaming both the US and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , South Korea was unable to lobby for a partial removal of sanctions against North Korea related to inter-Korean projects .
`` North Korea sought to use the South as a mediator to make the US sit down at the negotiating table .
Now , when the diplomatic process between the US and North Korea has been deadlocked for awhile and has no prospects for resumption in the near future due to domestic US policy , Pyongyang could decide that there is no more sense to maintain good inter-Korean relations , '' expert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Policy Tong Zhao told the paper .
Stephen Nagi , an expert from the Tokyo-based International Christian University and a member of the Canadian Asia Pacific Foundation , also said that Pyongyang ’ s steps are mainly focused on the US .
`` The ruptured ties could be a trick so that in exchange for their restoration , Seoul could try to ease sanctions against Pyongyang by some creative way and commit itself to lobbying the Trump administration to return to the negotiating table , '' the expert said .
Another reason could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been relegated to the back burner amid increased tensions between China and the US , the upcoming US election and the COVID-19 pandemic .
Venezuela ’ s opposition has raised alarm bells over the news that President Nicolas Maduro and Commander of the Libyan National Army Khalifa Haftar were allegedly holding secret talks in Caracas .
Although it was forced to later refute its own statements , the issue of relations between the Venezuelan leadership and East Libya is now being widely discussed in the United States , Europe and the United Nations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shipping fuel to the Bolivarian republic .
Maduro , Haftar and Syrian President Bashar Assad are now forming some sort of a front with practical and demonstrative goals , Anton Mardasov , a researcher of the Washington-based Middle East Institute ( MEI ) , told Nezavisimaya Gazeta .
`` Assad and Haftar are cooperating based on an anti-Turkish alliance , and Damascus seeks not only to send its loyal units to Libya and ‘ utilize ’ captured radicals there , but also to secure support of the United Arab Emirates , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Maduro emulates foreign policy based on `` the struggle against the hegemon . ''
However , Haftar ’ s contacts with Maduro are not aimed against Turkey . ''
According to the expert , Caracas has good relations with Ankara and it is difficult to even brand them as even anti-American .
Moreover , lately the United States has started showing some loyalty to Libya ’ s Government of National Accord .
`` Most importantly , this ‘ front ’ is united by Iranian and Russian factors , '' Mardasov noted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ base for cooperation with Libya and Libyan facilities for transit to Venezuela .
Iran is using Venezuela for activity near the US and increasing illegal trade , and it is using Libya as a means to have its finger on the pulse of a local conflict and take part in Syrian-Libyan contacts . ''
Kommersant : Russia ’ s ban on imports in state orders to target only electronics industry The initiatives on increasing protectionism in state orders , which have become more popular amid the coronavirus economic recession , are now limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electronics industry .
A project on limiting foreign companies ’ access to the electronics market was drawn up by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and is part and parcel of the government ’ s plan to restore the economy .
The document stipulates that the priority of Russian electronics in state orders will be confirmed only by 2023 .
Perhaps , the government expects that by that time it will be possible to estimate the effect of the adopted measures and what ’ s more , restrictions on investments in import could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the government note that no other items will be banned for imports in the near future , Kommersant writes .
The ministry ’ s project finalizes the industrial lobby ’ s latest attempt to support domestic production through expanded state orders .
The work of the government ’ s industrial bloc in this direction included the packages of amendments to the laws on state purchases and state companies on introducing a compulsory share of purchases from Russian suppliers depending on the sector .
De-facto , the Mishustin cabinet plans to limit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sector — the electronics industry , which Kommersant ’ s sources attribute to its accumulated potential .
The draft amendments to the government ’ s decree on encouraging the production of radio electronics expand the list of Russian manufacturers , who enjoy preferences in state orders .
The document has been sent for approval by the Finance Ministry , the Ministry of Economic Development , the Federal Antimonopoly Service and the Federal Treasury .
The restrictions and bans on the purchases of foreign electronics goods will be introduced in accordance with the list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trade .
Right now , it includes seven items , including computer , electronic and optical equipment , household appliances and lighting devices .
The Ministry notes that Russian producers are ready to meet the demands for state orders at 100 % capacity .
Nezavisimaya Gazeta : New OPEC+ deal losing steam right from the start Oil prices on Tuesday slightly declined during trading , despite having grown over the previous days as a result of the decision to extend the OPEC+ deal for another month .
Western analysts say that the oil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Fundamentally , the demand for raw materials remains low , and there is a glut of oil reserves , besides , the price for Brent oil hit a record low over the past three months .
The news about the prospect of Libyan supplies returning to the market also had a negative effect .
Obviously , US shale oil producers will also influence the price .
According to some analysts , production in the US hampers the restoration of a balance on the market .
Analysts are divided over the oil market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year .
Today , there are no grounds to say that the demand for oil has been restored , Russian experts point out .
`` The demand for oil dropped 20-25 % in the second quarter of this year , '' said Director of FBK ’ s Strategic Analysis Department Igor Nikolaev .
According to him , data on air and auto shipments do not signal any restoration .
There is still a glut of aviation fuel and petrol , said partner at Rusenergy Mikhail Krutikhin .
Another factor is the developed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We see a coordinated approach of countries at decarbonizing the economy .
This will also significantly contain the demand for oil , gas and coal , '' he noted .
This year , the situation could be affected by the anticipated second wave of the coronavirus and the resumption of quarantine measures .
By the end of this year , the demand for oil will be 9-10 % lower than last year , Nikolaev said .
The decline in hydrocarbon consumption could create even bigger problems for Russia in the future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ material quoted in these press reviews .

Kommersant: Russia seeks to prevent revival of tough anti-Iranian sanctions
Read also US unlikely to succeed in extending Iran arms embargo, says Russian ambassador
Moscow is trying to stop the United States from wrecking the Iranian nuclear deal. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov wrote a letter to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calling to prevent Washington’s scheme to reinstate tough sanctions against Iran. According to the top Russian diplomat, the US has no right to do this since it withdrew from the deal on settling the Iranian nuclear problem in 2018. The US disagrees with this and submitted a resolution to the UN Security Council on extending the arms embargo against Iran. In case Russia vetoes it, Washington will insist on restoring all earlier international sanctions against Tehran. The UN Security Council faces a serious clash on the Iranian issue, Kommersant writes. It is clear now that Russia will veto the US resolution. In his letter to Guterres, Lavrov notes that there are no objective reasons for considering the issue of the arms embargo against Iran at the Security Council. Lavrov stresses that arms supplies have no relation to the Iranian nuclear program. Obviously, the US does not hope that Russia will back the resolution and has drawn up Plan B. Washington expects to use a special dispute resolution mechanism stipulated by UN Security Council’s Resolution 2231, which was mentioned by Lavrov. It could result in restoring all tough international sanctions against Iran, including restrictions on arms supplies, cooperation in economic and other fields and freezing foreign assets. Only a party to the Iranian nuclear deal could advance this mechanism, the paper says. Although the US pulled out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action two years ago, the United States insists that the country still has the status of a party to the deal. Washington’s logic is clear: although it withdrew from the political deal — the JCPOA — it remains a party to the UN process, which allows it to use all mechanisms of Resolution 2231. In his letter, Lavrov strongly condemns this plan. The top diplomat says this is absolutely unacceptable, stressing that "You can’t eat your cake and have it too." According to Lavrov, the JCPOA cannot be considered separately from UN Security Council’s Resolution 2231. A lot will depend on the stance of Washington’s European allies in the JCPOA — the United Kingdom, Germany and France, the paper says. The Europeans fear that if the arms embargo is extended or international sanctions are restored, Tehran will expel international inspectors and start making a nuclear bomb. Izvestia: North Korea’s communications cut with South Korea to draw US attention
Read also North Korea to cut all lines of communication with South Korea starting midday June 9
North Korea has cut off all communication lines with South Korea, declaring that the sides have nothing to discuss. Formally, this came as a response to anti-government leaflets sent by its southern neighbor using giant balloons. However, experts interviewed by Izvestia believe that Pyongyang has toughened its ties with South Korea in order to put leverage on Seoul and Washington to ease sanctions. Pyongyang’s about face from friendship to hostility with Seoul certainly did not occur just because of the balloons, the paper says. Since the failed second summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump a year and a half ago, the North Korean leadership started blaming both the US and Seoul for all failures. In particular, South Korea was unable to lobby for a partial removal of sanctions against North Korea related to inter-Korean projects. "North Korea sought to use the South as a mediator to make the US sit down at the negotiating table. Now, when the diplomatic process between the US and North Korea has been deadlocked for awhile and has no prospects for resumption in the near future due to domestic US policy, Pyongyang could decide that there is no more sense to maintain good inter-Korean relations," expert at the Beijing-based Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy Tong Zhao told the paper. Stephen Nagi, an expert from the Tokyo-based International Christian University and a member of the Canadian Asia Pacific Foundation, also said that Pyongyang’s steps are mainly focused on the US. "The ruptured ties could be a trick so that in exchange for their restoration, Seoul could try to ease sanctions against Pyongyang by some creative way and commit itself to lobbying the Trump administration to return to the negotiating table," the expert said. Another reason could be that the North Korean issue has been relegated to the back burner amid increased tensions between China and the US, the upcoming US election and the COVID-19 pandemic. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Maduro’s opponents alarmed by alliance with Libya’s Haftar
Venezuela’s opposition has raised alarm bells over the news that President Nicolas Maduro and Commander of the Libyan National Army Khalifa Haftar were allegedly holding secret talks in Caracas. Although it was forced to later refute its own statements, the issue of relations between the Venezuelan leadership and East Libya is now being widely discussed in the United States, Europe and the United Nations. The Libyan commander is suspected of shipping fuel to the Bolivarian republic. Maduro, Haftar and Syrian President Bashar Assad are now forming some sort of a front with practical and demonstrative goals, Anton Mardasov, a researcher of the Washington-based Middle East Institute (MEI), told Nezavisimaya Gazeta. "Assad and Haftar are cooperating based on an anti-Turkish alliance, and Damascus seeks not only to send its loyal units to Libya and ‘utilize’ captured radicals there, but also to secure support of the United Arab Emirates," the analyst said. "Cooperation between Assad and Maduro emulates foreign policy based on "the struggle against the hegemon." However, Haftar’s contacts with Maduro are not aimed against Turkey." According to the expert, Caracas has good relations with Ankara and it is difficult to even brand them as even anti-American. Moreover, lately the United States has started showing some loyalty to Libya’s Government of National Accord. "Most importantly, this ‘front’ is united by Iranian and Russian factors," Mardasov noted. "Russian aviation is using the Hmeymim base for cooperation with Libya and Libyan facilities for transit to Venezuela. Iran is using Venezuela for activity near the US and increasing illegal trade, and it is using Libya as a means to have its finger on the pulse of a local conflict and take part in Syrian-Libyan contacts." Kommersant: Russia’s ban on imports in state orders to target only electronics industry
Read also New support measures for people and economy to get into gear as soon as possible — PM
The initiatives on increasing protectionism in state orders, which have become more popular amid the coronavirus economic recession, are now limited only to supporting import replacement in the electronics industry. A project on limiting foreign companies’ access to the electronics market was drawn up by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and is part and parcel of the government’s plan to restore the economy. The document stipulates that the priority of Russian electronics in state orders will be confirmed only by 2023. Perhaps, the government expects that by that time it will be possible to estimate the effect of the adopted measures and what’s more, restrictions on investments in import could decelerate the pace of investments. Sources in the government note that no other items will be banned for imports in the near future, Kommersant writes. The ministry’s project finalizes the industrial lobby’s latest attempt to support domestic production through expanded state orders. The work of the government’s industrial bloc in this direction included the packages of amendments to the laws on state purchases and state companies on introducing a compulsory share of purchases from Russian suppliers depending on the sector. De-facto, the Mishustin cabinet plans to limit the use of this tool to just one sector — the electronics industry, which Kommersant’s sources attribute to its accumulated potential. The draft amendments to the government’s decree on encouraging the production of radio electronics expand the list of Russian manufacturers, who enjoy preferences in state orders. The document has been sent for approval by the Finance Ministry, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Federal Antimonopoly Service and the Federal Treasury. The restrictions and bans on the purchases of foreign electronics goods will be introduced in accordance with the list compiled by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Right now, it includes seven items, including computer, electronic and optical equipment, household appliances and lighting devices. The Ministry notes that Russian producers are ready to meet the demands for state orders at 100% capacity. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: New OPEC+ deal losing steam right from the start
Read also Russian energy ministry admits OPEC+ quotas extension if market situation allows


tass--2020-06-10--EU envoys extend Russia sanctions over Crimea for another year — source

Russia does not raise matter of having sanctions eased — Kremlin spokesman BRUSSELS , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
Permanent @ @ @ @ @ have agreed on extending for another year the restrictions against Crimea and Sevastopol in accordance @ @ @ @ @ of the Black Sea peninsula ’ s reunification with Russia , a source in the @ @ @ @ @ `` The ambassadors have agreed on extending sanctions for a year until June 23 , @ @ @ @ @ said .

Russia does not raise matter of having sanctions eased — Kremlin spokesman
BRUSSELS, June 10. /TASS/. Permanent representatives of 27 EU member-states have agreed on extending for another year the restrictions against Crimea and Sevastopol in accordance with the policy of non-recognition of the Black Sea peninsula’s reunification with Russia, a source in the EU Council told TASS.
"The ambassadors have agreed on extending sanctions for a year until June 23, 2021," the source said.


tass--2020-06-10--Russia to issue nearly 110 mln ballot papers for constitutional vote

MOSCOW , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
Some 108.5 mln ballot papers will be issued for holding the July 1 nationwide vote on the constitutional amendments in all regions , Chairperson of the Russian Central Election Commission Ella Pamfilova said on Wednesday .
`` In accordance with the plan of events on preparing and holding the vote by June 20 , 2020 ballot papers for the nationwide vote in Russia should be issued .
In total , 108.5 mln voting papers should be printed in all 85 Russian regions , '' Pamfilova told the commission ’ s meeting , noting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ballot papers .
Some 96,500 polling stations will be operational across the country to conduct the vote , according to the Central Election Commission chair .
`` A total of 96,500 polling stations will be in place for the nationwide vote in the Russian Federation , including almost 94,000 polling stations organized according to the standard procedure , '' Pamfilova addressed the commission ’ s meeting on Wednesday .
According to Pamfilova , additionally , `` about 2,500 polling stations will be set up in places of voters ’ temporary stay and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is what we traditionally do during all election campaigns .
Today , there are 1,131 polling stations in hospitals , sanatoriums and other places of temporary residence , 20 polling stations in hard-to-reach or remote areas , 908 polling stations on ships , 127 polling stations in detention facilities and 8 polling stations at polar stations , '' she noted .
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on holding the nationwide vote on amendments to the Constitution on July 1 .
In January 2020 , in his message to the Federal Assembly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the key law that would better meet the modern realities and consolidate the achieved results .
After a special group discussed the proposed amendments the State Duma ( lower house ) adopted the presidential bill in the final reading on March 11 .
Later in the day the bill was approved by the Federation Council and supported by the legislative assemblies of all of Russia ’ s regions .
The Federation Council considered the results on March 14 and sent its resolution to the president .
Originally , Putin signed a decree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amendments on April 22 .
However , amid the novel coronavirus pandemic Putin addressed the nation on television on March 25 to say that the voting had to be postponed .
The amendments will take effect only if they are approved in a plebiscite .

MOSCOW, June 10. /TASS/. Some 108.5 mln ballot papers will be issued for holding the July 1 nationwide vote on the constitutional amendments in all regions, Chairperson of the Russian Central Election Commission Ella Pamfilova said on Wednesday.
"In accordance with the plan of events on preparing and holding the vote by June 20, 2020 ballot papers for the nationwide vote in Russia should be issued. In total, 108.5 mln voting papers should be printed in all 85 Russian regions," Pamfilova told the commission’s meeting, noting that 52 Russian regions had fully issued the ballot papers.
Polling stations
Some 96,500 polling stations will be operational across the country to conduct the vote, according to the Central Election Commission chair. "A total of 96,500 polling stations will be in place for the nationwide vote in the Russian Federation, including almost 94,000 polling stations organized according to the standard procedure," Pamfilova addressed the commission’s meeting on Wednesday.
According to Pamfilova, additionally, "about 2,500 polling stations will be set up in places of voters’ temporary stay and other similar places." "This is what we traditionally do during all election campaigns. Today, there are 1,131 polling stations in hospitals, sanatoriums and other places of temporary residence, 20 polling stations in hard-to-reach or remote areas, 908 polling stations on ships, 127 polling stations in detention facilities and 8 polling stations at polar stations," she noted.
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on holding the nationwide vote on amendments to the Constitution on July 1.
In January 2020, in his message to the Federal Assembly Putin suggested introducing a number of amendments to the key law that would better meet the modern realities and consolidate the achieved results. After a special group discussed the proposed amendments the State Duma (lower house) adopted the presidential bill in the final reading on March 11. Later in the day the bill was approved by the Federation Council and supported by the legislative assemblies of all of Russia’s regions. The Federation Council considered the results on March 14 and sent its resolution to the president.
Originally, Putin signed a decree to hold the nationwide vote on the amendments on April 22. However, amid the novel coronavirus pandemic Putin addressed the nation on television on March 25 to say that the voting had to be postponed. The amendments will take effect only if they are approved in a plebiscite.


tass--2020-06-10--Ukraine, Georgia got no real help from the West, but dependency, says official

`` Amid promises of prosperous life , sovereignty and democracy , the CIS states receive no real aid from the West , aside from dependency , as it happens now in Georgia and Ukraine , '' Patrushev told Argumenty I Fakty newspaper Wednesday .
MOSCOW , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
Instead of promised prosperity , Ukraine and Georgia only got dependence from the West , Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev believes .
Speaking about the West ’ s elevated interest in post-Soviet countries , he noted that the republics that suffered `` color revolutions '' got `` instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political system , growth of corruption and organized crime , deep economic and social crisis , and plummeting of the standard of living . ''
`` In many cases , these countries sank into civil wars , '' the Security Council secretary said .
According to Patrushev , the West uses a vast set of tools to influence the sovereign nations : from information and propaganda , as well as political and diplomatic pressure to regime changes by `` inciting allegedly spontaneous civic unrest . ''
The destructive processes in states with undesirable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the government , complaints about demonstration break-up , a death of a protester or purported election rigging .
In most cases , regime toppling happened `` in strategic interests of the Western military-political or economic unions , as well as trans-national corporations , in association with intelligence agencies , '' Patrushev said .
`` Some of the local political elites also profited from repartition of the spheres of influence and property , acting as a cover tool for the real organizers of the coups and its outside sources , '' the secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ processes the bets were placed on people , who entered maturity after the fall of the Soviet Union and who had no first-hand knowledge about it .
`` The calculations indicate that the natural replacement of the lower management ( 27-30 years ) is almost done already , replacement of middle management ( 30-40 years ) will happen before 2026 , and replacement of top management ( 40-50 years ) will be done before 2036 .
However , examples of Georgia and Ukraine indicate that this process of formation of hostile behavior of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Patrushev believes .

"Amid promises of prosperous life, sovereignty and democracy, the CIS states receive no real aid from the West, aside from dependency, as it happens now in Georgia and Ukraine," Patrushev told Argumenty I Fakty newspaper Wednesday.
MOSCOW, June 10. /TASS/. Instead of promised prosperity, Ukraine and Georgia only got dependence from the West, Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev believes.
Speaking about the West’s elevated interest in post-Soviet countries, he noted that the republics that suffered "color revolutions" got "instead of promised democratization and prosperity a destabilized political system, growth of corruption and organized crime, deep economic and social crisis, and plummeting of the standard of living."
"In many cases, these countries sank into civil wars," the Security Council secretary said.
According to Patrushev, the West uses a vast set of tools to influence the sovereign nations: from information and propaganda, as well as political and diplomatic pressure to regime changes by "inciting allegedly spontaneous civic unrest."
The destructive processes in states with undesirable leadership may be sparked by contrived allegations against the government, complaints about demonstration break-up, a death of a protester or purported election rigging.
In most cases, regime toppling happened "in strategic interests of the Western military-political or economic unions, as well as trans-national corporations, in association with intelligence agencies," Patrushev said. "Some of the local political elites also profited from repartition of the spheres of influence and property, acting as a cover tool for the real organizers of the coups and its outside sources," the secretary underscored.
He noted that in these processes the bets were placed on people who entered maturity after the fall of the Soviet Union and had no first-hand knowledge about it. "The calculations indicate that the natural replacement of the lower management (27-30 years) is almost done already, replacement of middle management (30-40 years) will happen before 2026, and replacement of top management (40-50 years) will be done before 2036. However, examples of Georgia and Ukraine indicate that this process of formation of hostile behavior of elites around Russia can be artificially accelerated," Patrushev believes.


tass--2020-06-10--Four Tu-95MS strategic bombers perform patrol flight over Russia’s northeastern borders

MOSCOW , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
Four Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic missile-carrying bombers of the Russian Aerospace Force ’ s @ @ @ @ @ flight over the neutral waters of the Chukchi , Bering and Okhotsk Seas and the @ @ @ @ @ Ocean , the Defense Ministry reported on Wednesday .
`` The flight lasted about 11 @ @ @ @ @ the route , the Russian aircraft were escorted by US Air Force F-22 fighters , @ @ @ @ @ The Russian strategic missile-carrying bombers took off from the airfields in the Chukotka Autonomous Area @ @ @ @ @ the ministry specified .
Russian military planes perform all flights in strict compliance with the @ @ @ @ @ the airspace of other states , the ministry stressed .
In May this year , @ @ @ @ @ performed flights along the Russian borders five times , the ministry said .

MOSCOW, June 10. /TASS/. Four Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic missile-carrying bombers of the Russian Aerospace Force’s long-range aviation performed a patrol flight over the neutral waters of the Chukchi, Bering and Okhotsk Seas and the northern part of the Pacific Ocean, the Defense Ministry reported on Wednesday.
"The flight lasted about 11 hours… At some sections of the route, the Russian aircraft were escorted by US Air Force F-22 fighters," the ministry said.
The Russian strategic missile-carrying bombers took off from the airfields in the Chukotka Autonomous Area and the Amur Region, the ministry specified.
Russian military planes perform all flights in strict compliance with the international rules and without violating the airspace of other states, the ministry stressed.
In May this year, US Air Force strategic bombers performed flights along the Russian borders five times, the ministry said.


tass--2020-06-10--Moscow reports the lowest daily COVID-19 increase in two months

MOSCOW , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
In the past 24 hours , 1,195 new COVID-19 cases were registered in @ @ @ @ @ lowest daily increase in two months , coronavirus prevention operational headquarters told journalists Wednesday .
@ @ @ @ @ of new coronavirus cases in past two weeks The daily case growth rate receded to @ @ @ @ @ earlier , Moscow reported 1,572 new cases .
A total of 199,785 people contracted the @ @ @ @ @ beginning of the pandemic ; 83,167 are currently sick .
In the past 24 hours @ @ @ @ @ from hospitals , bringing the total recovery count to 113,533 ; 56 people died in @ @ @ @ @ bringing the total death count to 3,085 .

MOSCOW, June 10. /TASS/. In the past 24 hours, 1,195 new COVID-19 cases were registered in Moscow, which is the lowest daily increase in two months, coronavirus prevention operational headquarters told journalists Wednesday.
Russia reports record low number of new coronavirus cases in past two weeks
The daily case growth rate receded to 0.6%. One day earlier, Moscow reported 1,572 new cases.
A total of 199,785 people contracted the disease in Moscow since the beginning of the pandemic; 83,167 are currently sick.
In the past 24 hours, 3,796 people were released from hospitals, bringing the total recovery count to 113,533; 56 people died in the past 24 hours, bringing the total death count to 3,085.


tass--2020-06-10--Russia reports record low number of new coronavirus cases in past two weeks

MOSCOW , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
Russia confirmed 8,404 new coronavirus cases in the past day , a record @ @ @ @ @ two weeks , the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Wednesday .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ growth rate in COVID-19 cases dropped to 1.7 % and a day earlier it stood @ @ @ @ @ ’ s coronavirus case tally has reached 493,657 .
Some 2,924 new COVID-19 patients ( @ @ @ @ @ shown any symptoms of the disease .
Currently , some 234,516 people are ill. New @ @ @ @ @ the Moscow Region , 304 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region , 284 in the Sverdlovsk @ @ @ @ @ Voronezh Region and 197 in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District .

MOSCOW, June 10. /TASS/. Russia confirmed 8,404 new coronavirus cases in the past day, a record low number in the past two weeks, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Wednesday.
According to the crisis center, the daily growth rate in COVID-19 cases dropped to 1.7% and a day earlier it stood at 1.8%. Russia’s coronavirus case tally has reached 493,657.
Some 2,924 new COVID-19 patients (34.8%) have not shown any symptoms of the disease. Currently, some 234,516 people are ill.
New 735 cases were confirmed in the Moscow Region, 304 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region, 284 in the Sverdlovsk Region, 242 in the Voronezh Region and 197 in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District.


tass--2020-06-10--Spanish minister says Russian space specialists ‘some of the best in the world’

MADRID , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
Pedro Duque , Minister of Science and Innovations of Spain and the first Spanish astronaut , called Russian space industry specialists some of the best in the world .
Russia ’ s future space observatory to be able to search for other civilizations — Roscosmos '' I witnessed [ … ] these successes [ of the Russian space industry ] , and hold Russian science and space industry in high regard , '' he said in an interview for TASS .
`` I have many colleagues among Russian cosmonauts , cosmonaut instructors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zvezda and Energiya engineers , as well as some others , and , in my opinion , Russian professionals [ … ] are some of the best in the world . ''
The minister also told about cooperation between the European Space Agency ( ESA ) and Russian state corporation Roscosmos .
`` Spanish scientists and companies participate in cooperation between ESA and Roscosmos , '' Duque said .
`` At this point , this cooperation is particularly intensive in manned flights an the ExoMars joint scientific mission . ''
Pedro Duque , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 .
He is the first Spanish astronaut .
He took his first flight in the Discovery Space Shuttle in October 1998 , while his second flight happened via Russian Soyuz rocket in October 2003 .
He has been awarded with Russia ’ s Order of Friendship .

MADRID, June 10. /TASS/. Pedro Duque, Minister of Science and Innovations of Spain and the first Spanish astronaut, called Russian space industry specialists some of the best in the world.
Russia’s future space observatory to be able to search for other civilizations — Roscosmos
"I witnessed […] these successes [of the Russian space industry], and hold Russian science and space industry in high regard," he said in an interview for TASS. "I have many colleagues among Russian cosmonauts, cosmonaut instructors, […] I am acquainted with Zvezda and Energiya engineers, as well as some others, and, in my opinion, Russian professionals […] are some of the best in the world."
The minister also told about cooperation between the European Space Agency (ESA) and Russian state corporation Roscosmos.
"Spanish scientists and companies participate in cooperation between ESA and Roscosmos," Duque said. "At this point, this cooperation is particularly intensive in manned flights an the ExoMars joint scientific mission."
Pedro Duque, 57, became a Spanish minister in 2018. He is the first Spanish astronaut. He took his first flight in the Discovery Space Shuttle in October 1998, while his second flight happened via Russian Soyuz rocket in October 2003. He has been awarded with Russia’s Order of Friendship.


tass--2020-06-10--Watchdog says 318,000 people remain under medical supervision in Russia

Face masks to remain obligatory in all Russian regions — official MOSCOW , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
A total @ @ @ @ @ medical supervision in Russia due to being suspected of having contracted the novel coronavirus , @ @ @ @ @ Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing reported on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ of ] 318,000 people remain under medical supervision in Russia , '' the press service @ @ @ @ @ watchdog , more than 13.5 million coronavirus tests have been conducted throughout the country , @ @ @ @ @ the past 24 hours .

Face masks to remain obligatory in all Russian regions — official
MOSCOW, June 10. /TASS/. A total of 318,000 people remain under medical supervision in Russia due to being suspected of having contracted the novel coronavirus, the press service of the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing reported on Wednesday.
"[A total of] 318,000 people remain under medical supervision in Russia," the press service said.
According to the watchdog, more than 13.5 million coronavirus tests have been conducted throughout the country, with 290,000 tests conducted in the past 24 hours.


tass--2020-06-10--Featured tea industry contributes to rural revitalization in Chaozhou of China

CHAOZHOU , China , June 10 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently , the first International Tea Day witnessed an online promotion event in Chaozhou city of Guangdong province , China .
Chaozhou boasts a Fenghuang Mountain hidden in mist , where villages of Fenghuang Town locate .
As tens of thousands of tea farmers are busy shuttling through local tea gardens , people here , though live deep in the mountain and were once so poor that townsfolk from their neighborhood always tried to avoid contact with them , are quite well off now .
All the mystery however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( meaning single cluster ) planted here all over the mountain .
According to the Information Office of the People 's Government of Chaozhou Municipality , Chaozhou integrates tea cultivation with cultural tourism to improve the standardized cultivation and the modern management level of tea gardens .
With a large number of tourists comes increased comprehensive benefits of the Fenghuang Dancong Tea .
The tea is planted in single cluster , picked and processed separately .
With enduring fragrance , a sweet and mellow taste , and a nice aftertaste , it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chaozhou , a well-known historical and cultural city , has been seeing an influx of Chinese and foreign tourists , with its time-honored history , unique and prosperous culture , exquisite craftsmanship and beautiful scenery .
In this city , tourists can try Kung Fu tea with lingering fragrance and flavor , admire handicrafts such as the Chaozhou embroidery and ceramics , visit Guangji Bridge and other places of historical interest , and feel the unique charm of Chaozhou culture .
In recent years , the Fenghuang Dancong Tea industry has developed rapidly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agricultural industries .
Fenghuang Town , with its tea plantation area exceeding 70,000 mu ( about 4666.7 hectares ) and an annual output value of about 1 billion yuan , is the core production area of the tea .
Apart from the traditional cultivation , tea farmers have also responded to the call of the government for industrial modernization , seeking new ideas and changes .
Huang Yuanzhi , a `` post-1980s '' tea farmer , is from a family where nine consecutive generations have been engaged in tea cultivation .
Different from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the previous generations , Huang hopes to adopt scientific planting and management methods , improve the quality of the Dancong Tea and build a century-old brand , on the basis of inheriting the ancient tea trees and production skills left by his parents .
At present , the construction of the Provincial Modern Agricultural Industrial Park for Fenghuang Dancong Tea is stepping up .
The tea trading market is also being planned , with a tea cultural space and other functions such as intangible cultural heritage inheritance , skills training for Kung Fu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people here rich , and Fenghuang Town has embarked on the road of prospering agriculture with science and technology and enriching farmers with industries .
`` The tea industry in Fenghuang Town , apart from pursuing quality development , consolidating and improving the primary industry , shall also make for integrated development by connecting with the secondary and tertiary industries , '' said Huang Zhigang , Secretary of the Party Committee of Fenghuang Town , confidently introducing that by creating a unique town featured with tea and tourism , the secondary and tertiary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gardens are turned into parks , and farmers become investors .
In this way , ecology is well protected , farmers ' income increased , and rural characteristic industries revitalized .

CHAOZHOU, China, June 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, the first International Tea Day witnessed an online promotion event in Chaozhou city of Guangdong province, China.
Chaozhou boasts a Fenghuang Mountain hidden in mist, where villages of Fenghuang Town locate. As tens of thousands of tea farmers are busy shuttling through local tea gardens, people here, though live deep in the mountain and were once so poor that townsfolk from their neighborhood always tried to avoid contact with them, are quite well off now. All the mystery however, lies in the oolong tea named Dancong (meaning single cluster) planted here all over the mountain.
According to the Information Office of the People's Government of Chaozhou Municipality, Chaozhou integrates tea cultivation with cultural tourism to improve the standardized cultivation and the modern management level of tea gardens. With a large number of tourists comes increased comprehensive benefits of the Fenghuang Dancong Tea. The tea is planted in single cluster, picked and processed separately. With enduring fragrance, a sweet and mellow taste, and a nice aftertaste, it has been highly praised by tea drinkers.
Chaozhou, a well-known historical and cultural city, has been seeing an influx of Chinese and foreign tourists, with its time-honored history, unique and prosperous culture, exquisite craftsmanship and beautiful scenery. In this city, tourists can try Kung Fu tea with lingering fragrance and flavor, admire handicrafts such as the Chaozhou embroidery and ceramics, visit Guangji Bridge and other places of historical interest, and feel the unique charm of Chaozhou culture.
In recent years, the Fenghuang Dancong Tea industry has developed rapidly and become one of Chaozhou's dominant agricultural industries. Fenghuang Town, with its tea plantation area exceeding 70,000 mu (about 4666.7 hectares) and an annual output value of about 1 billion yuan, is the core production area of the tea.
Apart from the traditional cultivation, tea farmers have also responded to the call of the government for industrial modernization, seeking new ideas and changes. Huang Yuanzhi, a "post-1980s" tea farmer, is from a family where nine consecutive generations have been engaged in tea cultivation. Different from the traditional cultivation and wholesale mode of the previous generations, Huang hopes to adopt scientific planting and management methods, improve the quality of the Dancong Tea and build a century-old brand, on the basis of inheriting the ancient tea trees and production skills left by his parents.
At present, the construction of the Provincial Modern Agricultural Industrial Park for Fenghuang Dancong Tea is stepping up. The tea trading market is also being planned, with a tea cultural space and other functions such as intangible cultural heritage inheritance, skills training for Kung Fu tea. The tea has made the people here rich, and Fenghuang Town has embarked on the road of prospering agriculture with science and technology and enriching farmers with industries.
"The tea industry in Fenghuang Town, apart from pursuing quality development, consolidating and improving the primary industry, shall also make for integrated development by connecting with the secondary and tertiary industries," said Huang Zhigang, Secretary of the Party Committee of Fenghuang Town, confidently introducing that by creating a unique town featured with tea and tourism, the secondary and tertiary industries will also be improved. Tea gardens are turned into parks, and farmers become investors. In this way, ecology is well protected, farmers' income increased, and rural characteristic industries revitalized.
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CONTACT: Ms. Cui, Tel: +86-20-83107576


tass--2020-06-10--Russian military participate in trials of coronavirus-related medicine

MOSCOW , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
Volunteers selected among Russian servicemen are taking part in trials of a new medicine to prevent and treat health conditions , acquired as a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic , the Russian Defense Ministry told reporters on Wednesday .
`` Servicemen who had volunteered are taking part in clinical trials of a medicine , developed specifically to prevent and treat health conditions , acquired as a result of exposure to negative biological factors and in conditions of the unfavorable epidemiological situation against the backdrop of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus infection , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 7,210,900 people have been infected worldwide and more than 408,900 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 3,550,900 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , 485,253 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 242,397 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 6,142 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, June 10. /TASS/. Volunteers selected among Russian servicemen are taking part in trials of a new medicine to prevent and treat health conditions, acquired as a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Russian Defense Ministry told reporters on Wednesday.
"Servicemen who had volunteered are taking part in clinical trials of a medicine, developed specifically to prevent and treat health conditions, acquired as a result of exposure to negative biological factors and in conditions of the unfavorable epidemiological situation against the backdrop of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus infection," the ministry said.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 7,210,900 people have been infected worldwide and more than 408,900 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 3,550,900 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, 485,253 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 242,397 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 6,142 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-06-10--Moscow State University ranked 74th in QS World University Rankings 2021

LONDON , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
The Lomonosov Moscow State University rose by 10 positions , to the 74th place overall , in Quacquarelli Symonds ( QS ) World University Rankings 2021 , published on Wednesday .
This is the highest position ever held by the MSU in the 17-year history of the rankings , which lists the world ’ s 1,000 best higher education facilities .
In total , 28 Russian higher education facilities made it into the list .
17 of them rose higher in the standings compared to the last year ’ s edition .
Apart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it into the top-250 : the Saint Petersburg State University ( 225th place ) , the Novosibirsk State University ( 228th ) and the Tomsk State University ( 250th ) .
The rest of the top ten of Russia ’ s best universities lists the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology ( 281 ) , the Bauman Moscow State Technical University ( 282 ) , the Higher School of Economics ( 298 ) , the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI ( 314 ) , the Peoples ' Friendship University of Russia ( 326 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 331 ) .
Besides , this year ’ s rankings include the Moscow State Institute of International Relations ( 348 ) , the ITMO University ( 360 ) , the Kazan Federal University ( 370 ) , the Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University and the Tomsk Polytechnic University ( both ranked 401st ) , the National University of Science and Technology MISiS ( 428 ) and the Far Eastern Federal University ( 493 ) .
Other higher education facilities on the list are the Saratov State University ( group of universities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University ( 571-580 ) , the Samara National Research University and the Southern Federal University ( both ranked 591-600 ) , the Nizhny Novgorod State University ( 601-650 ) , the St. Petersburg Electrotechnical University ( 701-750 ) , the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics ( 751-800 ) .
The Southern Urals State University , the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration , the Perm State University and the Novosibirsk State Technical University were placed in group 801-1,000 .
The US-based Massachusetts Institute of Technology is ranked as the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consecutive year , followed by Stanford University ( 2 ) and Harvard University ( 3 ) .
The top-10 also includes the California Institute of Technology in the US ( 4 ) , the UK-based Oxford University ( 5 ) , Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich ( 6 ) , University of Cambridge in the UK ( 7 ) , Imperial College London in the UK ( 8 ) and University of Chicago in the US ( 9 ) , UCL in the UK ( 10 ) .

LONDON, June 10. /TASS/. The Lomonosov Moscow State University rose by 10 positions, to the 74th place overall, in Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2021, published on Wednesday.
This is the highest position ever held by the MSU in the 17-year history of the rankings, which lists the world’s 1,000 best higher education facilities.
In total, 28 Russian higher education facilities made it into the list. 17 of them rose higher in the standings compared to the last year’s edition.
Apart from MSU, three Russian universities made it into the top-250: the Saint Petersburg State University (225th place), the Novosibirsk State University (228th) and the Tomsk State University (250th).
The rest of the top ten of Russia’s best universities lists the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (281), the Bauman Moscow State Technical University (282), the Higher School of Economics (298), the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (314), the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (326) and the Ural Federal University (331).
Besides, this year’s rankings include the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (348), the ITMO University (360), the Kazan Federal University (370), the Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University and the Tomsk Polytechnic University (both ranked 401st), the National University of Science and Technology MISiS (428) and the Far Eastern Federal University (493).
Other higher education facilities on the list are the Saratov State University (group of universities ranked 571-580), the Altai State University (571-580), the Samara National Research University and the Southern Federal University (both ranked 591-600), the Nizhny Novgorod State University (601-650), the St. Petersburg Electrotechnical University (701-750), the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics (751-800).
The Southern Urals State University, the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, the Perm State University and the Novosibirsk State Technical University were placed in group 801-1,000.
The US-based Massachusetts Institute of Technology is ranked as the best unviersity in the world for the ninth consecutive year, followed by Stanford University (2) and Harvard University (3).
The top-10 also includes the California Institute of Technology in the US (4), the UK-based Oxford University (5), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (6), University of Cambridge in the UK (7), Imperial College London in the UK (8) and University of Chicago in the US (9), UCL in the UK (10).


tass--2020-06-10--Systemic racism exists everywhere in US, not just in law enforcement — Biden

WASHINGTON , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
Systemic racism exists everywhere in the United States , not just in law enforcement bodies , former US vice president and presidential nominee Joseph Biden said in an interview with CBS .
When asked whether he believed that there was systemic racism in the US law enforcement , Biden replied `` absolutely . ''
`` It ’ s not just in law enforcement , it ’ s across the board - it ’ s in housing , in education .
It ’ s in everything we do .
It ’ s real .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s serious , '' Biden said in an excerpt of the interview , released by CBS on Twitter .
`` Not all law enforcement officers are racist .
My lord , there are some really good , good cops out there .
But the way in which it works right now is , we 've seen too many examples of it , '' he added .
The issue of systemic racism in US law enforcement was brought into the spotlight following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis , Minnesota .
A police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him during his arrest .
Floyd later died in a local Minneapolis hospital .
All officers involved in the fatal incident were fired and are now facing criminal charges .
The patrolman in question , Derek Chauvin , is being charged with second-degree murder .
Shortly after , protests against racial discrimination and police misconduct and brutality flared up in the US and many other countries , including the United Kingdom , Germany , Canada and France .

WASHINGTON, June 10. /TASS/. Systemic racism exists everywhere in the United States, not just in law enforcement bodies, former US vice president and presidential nominee Joseph Biden said in an interview with CBS.
When asked whether he believed that there was systemic racism in the US law enforcement, Biden replied "absolutely."
"It’s not just in law enforcement, it’s across the board - it’s in housing, in education. It’s in everything we do. It’s real. It’s genuine. It’s serious," Biden said in an excerpt of the interview, released by CBS on Twitter.
"Not all law enforcement officers are racist. My lord, there are some really good, good cops out there. But the way in which it works right now is, we've seen too many examples of it," he added.
The issue of systemic racism in US law enforcement was brought into the spotlight following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A police officer kneeled on his neck and choked him during his arrest. Floyd later died in a local Minneapolis hospital. All officers involved in the fatal incident were fired and are now facing criminal charges. The patrolman in question, Derek Chauvin, is being charged with second-degree murder.
Shortly after, protests against racial discrimination and police misconduct and brutality flared up in the US and many other countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada and France.


tass--2020-06-10--US absolutely ready to quit New START, but keeps considering all options — paper

WASHINGTON , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
The United States is absolutely ready to quit the bilateral New START treaty with Russia on further reduction of strategic offensive arms , but is still keeping all the options on table , The Washington Post reported citing own sources in the US administration .
The New START treaty will expire in February in Washington and Moscow fail to agree on extending it .
`` We are absolutely willing to walk away .
But I would temper that by saying that in fact all options are on the table , '' the paper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as saying .
The US side keeps insisting on Beijing ’ s participation in the deal , despite its refusal .
China ’ s arsenal of strategic offensive arms is several times less than that of Russia and the United States .
`` What I don ’ t agree with , and what I think is a very dangerous Cold War mind-set , is to argue that the Chinese have to be allowed to reach strategic nuclear parity with the United States and Russia before we can undertake meaningful arms control , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump ’ s new special envoy for arms control , as saying in an interview in May .
`` That would mean that we are in fact in the midst of a three-way arms race . ''
According to The Washington Post , it is yet unclear how the US administration plans to persuade China to engage in the talks .
According to Billingslea , he counts on Moscow in that regard , because Russia has long endorsed multilateral arms control treaties and closer ties with China .
The paper said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had tested a small-yield nuclear weapon , can become a start of a campaign to push Beijing to negotiate .
`` Eventually they [ China ] are going to decide that they don ’ t like having all of this aired in public , the details of what they are doing on the secretive buildup , '' a senior Trump administration official told the paper on the condition of anonymity .
In his words , the administration would `` mobilize world opinion against them if they don ’ t negotiate with us '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ options to incentivize participation . ''
Billingslea , in turn , reiterated that the New START expires next February .
`` There is the ability to extend it .
But again , it ’ s the wrong framework for the future , '' he said in an interview in May .
`` The right framework for the future is a trilateral approach that has at its heart effective verification . ''
On Tuesday , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said it was hardly possible that more participants join arms control agreements any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developments of this kind .
He added that Russia saw no readiness for trilateral arms control talks on China ’ s part , and does not expect this stance to change in the near future .
On April 8 , 2010 , then Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and US President Barack Obama signed the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms ( New START ) following negotiations in Prague , another document on limiting nuclear arsenals , the prospects for which were discussed back in 1997 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to 1,550 nuclear warheads , up to 700 units of intercontinental ballistic missiles , ballistic missiles , submarines and heavy bombers .
The document entered into force on February 5 , 2011 , and on February 5 , 2018 , the parties announced the fulfillment of their obligations .
Currently , the sides are looking into the treaty ’ s fate .
New START will remain in force until 2021 , unless replaced with another agreement sooner .
It can also be extended , but only for 5 years ( until 2026 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeatedly urged Washington to stop dragging its feet on the deal ’ s extension , calling it a `` golden standard '' in arms reduction .

WASHINGTON, June 10. /TASS/. The United States is absolutely ready to quit the bilateral New START treaty with Russia on further reduction of strategic offensive arms, but is still keeping all the options on table, The Washington Post reported citing own sources in the US administration.
The New START treaty will expire in February in Washington and Moscow fail to agree on extending it.
"We are absolutely willing to walk away. But I would temper that by saying that in fact all options are on the table," the paper quoted a senior US presidential administration official as saying.
Chinese issue
The US side keeps insisting on Beijing’s participation in the deal, despite its refusal. China’s arsenal of strategic offensive arms is several times less than that of Russia and the United States.
"What I don’t agree with, and what I think is a very dangerous Cold War mind-set, is to argue that the Chinese have to be allowed to reach strategic nuclear parity with the United States and Russia before we can undertake meaningful arms control," the paper quoted Marshall Billingslea, US President Donald Trump’s new special envoy for arms control, as saying in an interview in May. "That would mean that we are in fact in the midst of a three-way arms race."
According to The Washington Post, it is yet unclear how the US administration plans to persuade China to engage in the talks. According to Billingslea, he counts on Moscow in that regard, because Russia has long endorsed multilateral arms control treaties and closer ties with China.
The paper said that US authorities’ claims that China had tested a small-yield nuclear weapon, can become a start of a campaign to push Beijing to negotiate.
"Eventually they [China] are going to decide that they don’t like having all of this aired in public, the details of what they are doing on the secretive buildup," a senior Trump administration official told the paper on the condition of anonymity. In his words, the administration would "mobilize world opinion against them if they don’t negotiate with us" and is considering "plenty of other options to incentivize participation."
Billingslea, in turn, reiterated that the New START expires next February.
"There is the ability to extend it. But again, it’s the wrong framework for the future," he said in an interview in May. "The right framework for the future is a trilateral approach that has at its heart effective verification."
On Tuesday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said it was hardly possible that more participants join arms control agreements any time soon, but Russia would welcome developments of this kind. He added that Russia saw no readiness for trilateral arms control talks on China’s part, and does not expect this stance to change in the near future.
New Start Treaty
On April 8, 2010, then Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and US President Barack Obama signed the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (New START) following negotiations in Prague, another document on limiting nuclear arsenals, the prospects for which were discussed back in 1997. The document called for the reduction of up to 1,550 nuclear warheads, up to 700 units of intercontinental ballistic missiles, ballistic missiles, submarines and heavy bombers. The document entered into force on February 5, 2011, and on February 5, 2018, the parties announced the fulfillment of their obligations.
Currently, the sides are looking into the treaty’s fate. New START will remain in force until 2021, unless replaced with another agreement sooner. It can also be extended, but only for 5 years (until 2026). Of late, Moscow has repeatedly urged Washington to stop dragging its feet on the deal’s extension, calling it a "golden standard" in arms reduction.


tass--2020-06-10--Face masks to remain obligatory in all Russian regions — official

MOSCOW , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
Wearing face masks outside at all times will remain obligatory in all Russian regions , regardless of the gradual removal of coronavirus-related restrictions , Head of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing Anna Popova said in an interview with the Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper .
`` In all administrative regions of the Russian Federation , regardless of the process to lift the restrictions , wearing face masks remains an obligatory requirement , '' she said .
She reiterated that `` so far , there is no targeted means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as a vaccine , '' and called upon citizens to follow the authorities ’ recommendations .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 7,210,900 people have been infected worldwide and more than 408,900 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 3,550,900 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , 485,253 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 242,397 patients having recovered from the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6,142 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, June 10. /TASS/. Wearing face masks outside at all times will remain obligatory in all Russian regions, regardless of the gradual removal of coronavirus-related restrictions, Head of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing Anna Popova said in an interview with the Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper.
"In all administrative regions of the Russian Federation, regardless of the process to lift the restrictions, wearing face masks remains an obligatory requirement," she said.
She reiterated that "so far, there is no targeted means of protection [against the disease], such as a vaccine," and called upon citizens to follow the authorities’ recommendations.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 7,210,900 people have been infected worldwide and more than 408,900 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 3,550,900 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, 485,253 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 242,397 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 6,142 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-06-10--Kremlin spokesman refutes allegations of COVID-19 mortality figures manipulation in Russia

NEW YORK , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday denied US journalists ’ allegations that the Russian authorities were somehow manipulating the figures of COVID-19 mortality in Russia .
`` No , I don ’ t agree with this assessment .
Have you ever thought about the possibility of Russia 's health care system being more effective ? ''
he said , adding that the Russian public health system had been `` giving an opportunity for more people to stay alive . ''
Speaking about the overall number of coronavirus cases recorded in Russia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the maximum possible amount of tests for coronavirus .
And the more you test , the more you detect . ''
When asked how the pandemic impacted Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s popularity ratings , Peskov replied that `` President Putin has stated numerous times that he does n't care about his personal ratings , that in politics if you are real statesman , you should not think about your ratings - because if you think about your ratings , you wo n't be able to take responsible decisions . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we are concerned about the impact of this pandemic on the country 's economy , '' Peskov added .
According to a CNN article , Peskov `` expressed hope that the 2020 US presidential election could present an opening for improved US-Russia relations , and that coronavirus would prompt global discussion about handling future health crises . ''
`` We all will have to sit down and to think about lessons of this pandemic for every single country ... [ and ] for the whole world , '' he was quoted as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 7,210,900 people have been infected worldwide and more than 408,900 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 3,550,900 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , 485,253 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 242,397 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 6,142 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

NEW YORK, June 10. /TASS/. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday denied US journalists’ allegations that the Russian authorities were somehow manipulating the figures of COVID-19 mortality in Russia.
"No, I don’t agree with this assessment. Have you ever thought about the possibility of Russia's health care system being more effective?" he said, adding that the Russian public health system had been "giving an opportunity for more people to stay alive."
Speaking about the overall number of coronavirus cases recorded in Russia, Peskov said: "Our country uses the maximum possible amount of tests for coronavirus. And the more you test, the more you detect."
When asked how the pandemic impacted Russian President Vladimir Putin’s popularity ratings, Peskov replied that "President Putin has stated numerous times that he doesn't care about his personal ratings, that in politics if you are real statesman, you should not think about your ratings - because if you think about your ratings, you won't be able to take responsible decisions."
"We are concerned about this pandemic, and we are concerned about the impact of this pandemic on the country's economy," Peskov added.
According to a CNN article, Peskov "expressed hope that the 2020 US presidential election could present an opening for improved US-Russia relations, and that coronavirus would prompt global discussion about handling future health crises."
"We all will have to sit down and to think about lessons of this pandemic for every single country ... [and] for the whole world," he was quoted as saying.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 7,210,900 people have been infected worldwide and more than 408,900 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 3,550,900 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, 485,253 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 242,397 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 6,142 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-06-10--George Floyd laid to rest in Houston suburb

NEW YORK , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
The funeral of George Floyd , a US African American whose in-custody death in Minneapolis ( Minnesota ) triggered large-scale protests against police brutality in the country , was laid to rest on Tuesday in a suburb of Houston .
The funeral ceremony with restricted attendance was aired by US TV stations , including CNN .
Only family members , friends and a limited number of other guests were allowed to attend .
The funeral was preceded by a ceremony during which faith and community leaders and politicians delivered their speeches .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 2:00 Moscow time on Wednesday ) , the coffin was interred at the Houston Memorial Gardens cemetery in Pearland , a suburb of Houston .
The farewell ceremony in The Fountain of Praise church in Houston began at approximately 11:00 local time and lasted about four hours .
Unlike the public ceremony on Monday , which was attended by thousands of people from all over the country , Tuesday ’ s event was closed for the general public with only about 500 people attending .
Widespread unrest has engulfed many US states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A police officer kneeled on his neck and choked him during his arrest .
Floyd later died in a local Minneapolis hospital .
All officers involved in the fatal incident were fired and are now facing criminal charges .
The patrolman in question , Derek Chauvin , is being charged with second-degree murder .
Shortly after , protests against racial discrimination and police misconduct and brutality flared up in many other countries , including the United Kingdom , Germany , Canada and France .

NEW YORK, June 10. /TASS/. The funeral of George Floyd, a US African American whose in-custody death in Minneapolis (Minnesota) triggered large-scale protests against police brutality in the country, was laid to rest on Tuesday in a suburb of Houston.
The funeral ceremony with restricted attendance was aired by US TV stations, including CNN. Only family members, friends and a limited number of other guests were allowed to attend.
The funeral was preceded by a ceremony during which faith and community leaders and politicians delivered their speeches. At approximately 18:00 local time on Tuesday (2:00 Moscow time on Wednesday), the coffin was interred at the Houston Memorial Gardens cemetery in Pearland, a suburb of Houston.
The farewell ceremony in The Fountain of Praise church in Houston began at approximately 11:00 local time and lasted about four hours. Unlike the public ceremony on Monday, which was attended by thousands of people from all over the country, Tuesday’s event was closed for the general public with only about 500 people attending.
Widespread unrest has engulfed many US states over the killing of George Floyd. A police officer kneeled on his neck and choked him during his arrest. Floyd later died in a local Minneapolis hospital. All officers involved in the fatal incident were fired and are now facing criminal charges. The patrolman in question, Derek Chauvin, is being charged with second-degree murder.
Shortly after, protests against racial discrimination and police misconduct and brutality flared up in many other countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada and France.


tass--2020-06-10--Two groups of volunteers selected for coronavirus vaccine trials in Russia

MOSCOW , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
Two groups of volunteers , comprising Russian servicemen and civilians , have been selected for clinical trials of Russia ’ s vaccine against the novel coronavirus , the Russian Defense Ministry told reporters on Wednesday .
`` In order to participate in clinical trials of the COVID-19 vaccine , two groups of volunteers have been selected .
The first group comprises servicemen who gave their voluntary consent to take part in the trials ( officers , warrant officers , contract servicemen ) .
The second group comprises civilian volunteers , '' the ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take part in the trials only after full medical examination .
According to the Russian Defense Ministry , a group of 50 servicemen - among them ten medical workers - was placed in a 14-day quarantine on June 4 and 9 .
`` The quarantine precedes vaccination and is aimed at ruling out the possibility of the infection being transmitted to participants of the experiment and the medical personnel , '' the ministry said .
Starting from June 10 , a group of civilian volunteers who gave their consent to participate in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will stay in the Burdenko Main Military Clinical Hospital in Moscow , where their health will be monitored by doctors on a daily basis .
On June 2 , the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that 50 military personnel , including five women , were selected to test safety and effectiveness of a vaccine from various units throughout Russia .
All of them are contract servicemen , warrant officers , and officers from 25 to 50 years old .
Among the 50 volunteers there are 10 medical workers , including three doctors .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to President Vladimir Putin that the Central Research Institute of the Radiation , Chemical , and Biological Defense Troops and the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology were developing a coronavirus vaccine .
According to Shoigu , pre-clinical trials were to be completed by June 1 and clinical trials were supposed to be over by the end of July .
The clinical trials of the vaccine will be conducted at the 48th Central Research Institute of the Russian Defense Ministry where vaccines against Ebola and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ( MERS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flu vaccine , had been studied and successfully tested .

MOSCOW, June 10. /TASS/. Two groups of volunteers, comprising Russian servicemen and civilians, have been selected for clinical trials of Russia’s vaccine against the novel coronavirus, the Russian Defense Ministry told reporters on Wednesday.
"In order to participate in clinical trials of the COVID-19 vaccine, two groups of volunteers have been selected. The first group comprises servicemen who gave their voluntary consent to take part in the trials (officers, warrant officers, contract servicemen). The second group comprises civilian volunteers," the ministry said.
All volunteers will be allowed to take part in the trials only after full medical examination.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, a group of 50 servicemen - among them ten medical workers - was placed in a 14-day quarantine on June 4 and 9.
"The quarantine precedes vaccination and is aimed at ruling out the possibility of the infection being transmitted to participants of the experiment and the medical personnel," the ministry said.
Starting from June 10, a group of civilian volunteers who gave their consent to participate in the clinical trials of the vaccine, will stay in the Burdenko Main Military Clinical Hospital in Moscow, where their health will be monitored by doctors on a daily basis.
Vaccine trials
On June 2, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that 50 military personnel, including five women, were selected to test safety and effectiveness of a vaccine from various units throughout Russia. All of them are contract servicemen, warrant officers, and officers from 25 to 50 years old. Among the 50 volunteers there are 10 medical workers, including three doctors.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu earlier reported to President Vladimir Putin that the Central Research Institute of the Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Defense Troops and the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology were developing a coronavirus vaccine. According to Shoigu, pre-clinical trials were to be completed by June 1 and clinical trials were supposed to be over by the end of July.
The clinical trials of the vaccine will be conducted at the 48th Central Research Institute of the Russian Defense Ministry where vaccines against Ebola and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), as well as a universal flu vaccine, had been studied and successfully tested.


tass--2020-06-10--No reason for embargo on Iran, Lavrov says in letter to UN secretary general

MOSCOW , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
There are no objective reasons to raise the issue of extending the weapons ’ embargo on Iran , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres , Russia ’ s Kommersant daily said on Tuesday .
According to Russia ’ s top diplomat , the measures stipulated by UN Security Council Resolution 2231 were temporary .
`` The application of relevant provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 was never envisaged after October 18 , 2020 , and there are no legal or other reasons to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the letter as saying .
`` Objective grounds for raising the Iranian weapons embargo issue at the UN Security Council do not exist .
Weapons supplies have no relation to Iran ’ s nuclear program . ''
Lavrov also drew the UN secretary general ’ s attention to Washington ’ s attempts `` to pursue its goals regardless of logic , other states ’ opinion and potential danger to implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 , '' which raise serious concerns in Moscow .
`` Statements that the United States is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ JCPOA , but intends to make use of the rights that allegedly stem from UN Security Council Resolution 2231 , sound ridiculous and irresponsible , '' he said , adding that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA ) on Iran ’ s nuclear program can not be treated separately from this resolution .
`` The US should understand that there are no legal or any other basis for them to conduct the policy of using UN Security Council powers for its own selfish interests , '' Lavrov added .
The US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement on May 13 that `` the United States will work tirelessly with a coalition of concerned nations to ensure the embargo is extended . ''
Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya said that the US could not demand an extension of the arms embargo because it had withdrawn from the Iran nuclear deal .
He pointed out that there was no reason to extend the embargo .

MOSCOW, June 10. /TASS/. There are no objective reasons to raise the issue of extending the weapons’ embargo on Iran, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Russia’s Kommersant daily said on Tuesday.
According to Russia’s top diplomat, the measures stipulated by UN Security Council Resolution 2231 were temporary.
"The application of relevant provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 was never envisaged after October 18, 2020, and there are no legal or other reasons to review this concept," Kommersant quoted the letter as saying. "Objective grounds for raising the Iranian weapons embargo issue at the UN Security Council do not exist. Weapons supplies have no relation to Iran’s nuclear program."
Lavrov also drew the UN secretary general’s attention to Washington’s attempts "to pursue its goals regardless of logic, other states’ opinion and potential danger to implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231," which raise serious concerns in Moscow.
"Statements that the United States is not planning to return to its commitments under JCPOA, but intends to make use of the rights that allegedly stem from UN Security Council Resolution 2231, sound ridiculous and irresponsible," he said, adding that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran’s nuclear program cannot be treated separately from this resolution.
"The US should understand that there are no legal or any other basis for them to conduct the policy of using UN Security Council powers for its own selfish interests," Lavrov added.
The US mission to the United Nations said in a statement on May 13 that "the United States will work tirelessly with a coalition of concerned nations to ensure the embargo is extended." Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya said that the US could not demand an extension of the arms embargo because it had withdrawn from the Iran nuclear deal. He pointed out that there was no reason to extend the embargo.