tass--2020-06-10--S7 mulls selling Sea Launch to state corporation Rosatom — sources

MOSCOW , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s S7 company mulls selling the Sea Launch space complex to a subsidiary of Russia ’ s state corporation Rosatom , negotiations on the issue are under way , two sources in Russia ’ s business circles have told TASS .
`` S7 is set to sell the Odyssey floating platform and the commander ship as part of its program to sell non-core assets .
The most likely buyer is a subsidiary of Rosatom .
Negotiations are under way , '' one of the sources said .
The second source confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the condition of the platform and the commander ship following the US side ’ s removal of equipment , and in connection with the need to create coastal infrastructure from scratch , costs of implementing the project are estimated as high . ''
`` Considering financial losses sustained as a result of the pandemic , a private company simply has no money to do that , '' he added .
Rosatom did not comment on the information provided by the sources .
A request for comment has been sent to S7 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launches ( 32 of them successful ) before suspending its launch activities in 2014 , was acquired by Russia ’ s S7 Group in 2016 .
Earlier , S7 Space announced that it will relocate the Launch platform and the command ship to Slavyanka shipyard in 2020 for repairs and reconstruction .
The sea part of the complex consists of the Odyssey maritime launch pad and the command and assembly ship , which conducts rocket assembly and pre-launch control .
This spring , the command ship and the floating platform were taken to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 17 , the Sea Launch Commander ship arrived to Slavyanka and berthed at the Slavyanka Shipyard .
The Odyssey spacecraft launch platform arrived to the port on March 30 .

MOSCOW, June 10. /TASS/. Russia’s S7 company mulls selling the Sea Launch space complex to a subsidiary of Russia’s state corporation Rosatom, negotiations on the issue are under way, two sources in Russia’s business circles have told TASS.
"S7 is set to sell the Odyssey floating platform and the commander ship as part of its program to sell non-core assets. The most likely buyer is a subsidiary of Rosatom. Negotiations are under way," one of the sources said.
The second source confirmed the information, adding that "given the condition of the platform and the commander ship following the US side’s removal of equipment, and in connection with the need to create coastal infrastructure from scratch, costs of implementing the project are estimated as high."
"Considering financial losses sustained as a result of the pandemic, a private company simply has no money to do that," he added.
Rosatom did not comment on the information provided by the sources. A request for comment has been sent to S7.
The Sea Launch, which conducted 36 space launches (32 of them successful) before suspending its launch activities in 2014, was acquired by Russia’s S7 Group in 2016. Earlier, S7 Space announced that it will relocate the Launch platform and the command ship to Slavyanka shipyard in 2020 for repairs and reconstruction.
The sea part of the complex consists of the Odyssey maritime launch pad and the command and assembly ship, which conducts rocket assembly and pre-launch control. This spring, the command ship and the floating platform were taken to Russia’s Far East. On March 17, the Sea Launch Commander ship arrived to Slavyanka and berthed at the Slavyanka Shipyard. The Odyssey spacecraft launch platform arrived to the port on March 30.


tass--2020-06-10--Buenos Aires requests Russian aid in tackling novel coronavirus — ambassador

BUENOS AIRES , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
The authorities of the Argentinean capital , Buenos Aires , have sought assistance from Russia and other countries in tackling the novel coronavirus epidemic , Russia ’ s Ambassador to Argentina Dmitry Feoktistov said on Tuesday .
`` There were no such requests at the governmental level , but Buenos Aires Mayor Horacio Larreta filed a request to me regarding supplies of personal protective equipment for tackling the coronavirus .
But I think this was a circular letter to all embassies , '' he told reporters .
`` We reported to Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far as I know , this request is now being considered , '' he added .
According to the ambassador , the Buenos Aires authorities have asked to provide personal protective equipment , coronavirus testing kits and lung ventilators .
Speaking about cooperation with the Argentinean authorities on other matters , Feoktistov said `` the dialogue continues , although in the online format . ''
`` There are topics on which intense dialogue continues .
This is primarily Venezuela , disarmament and a number of other issues , '' the ambassador added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fernandez , Foreign Minister Felipe Sola , Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and President of the Argentine Chamber of Deputies ( parliament ’ s lower chamber ) Sergio Massa , who had earlier been invited to visit Russia , would arrive to the country on an official visit .
The first novel coronavirus case in Argentina was confirmed on March 3 .
By now , the country has over 23,000 cases of the infection , with 698 death .
The nationwide quarantine was declared in the country from March 20 .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obligatory social isolation in the majority of the country ’ s regions .
However , he said that quarantine measures still remain stringent in the capital , Buenos Aires .

BUENOS AIRES, June 10. /TASS/. The authorities of the Argentinean capital, Buenos Aires, have sought assistance from Russia and other countries in tackling the novel coronavirus epidemic, Russia’s Ambassador to Argentina Dmitry Feoktistov said on Tuesday.
"There were no such requests at the governmental level, but Buenos Aires Mayor Horacio Larreta filed a request to me regarding supplies of personal protective equipment for tackling the coronavirus. But I think this was a circular letter to all embassies," he told reporters.
"We reported to Moscow about this letter, and, as far as I know, this request is now being considered," he added.
According to the ambassador, the Buenos Aires authorities have asked to provide personal protective equipment, coronavirus testing kits and lung ventilators.
Speaking about cooperation with the Argentinean authorities on other matters, Feoktistov said "the dialogue continues, although in the online format."
"There are topics on which intense dialogue continues. This is primarily Venezuela, disarmament and a number of other issues," the ambassador added.
He expressed hope that Argentine President Alberto Fernandez, Foreign Minister Felipe Sola, Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and President of the Argentine Chamber of Deputies (parliament’s lower chamber) Sergio Massa, who had earlier been invited to visit Russia, would arrive to the country on an official visit.
The first novel coronavirus case in Argentina was confirmed on March 3. By now, the country has over 23,000 cases of the infection, with 698 death. The nationwide quarantine was declared in the country from March 20. On June 4, the president lifted the obligatory social isolation in the majority of the country’s regions. However, he said that quarantine measures still remain stringent in the capital, Buenos Aires.


tass--2020-06-10--Austrian retired colonel sentenced to 3 years on charges of spying for Russia

SALZBURG , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
A jury found 71-year-old retired Austrian colonel Martin M. guilty of divulging state secrets and deliberately divulging military secrets to the detriment of Austria and for the benefit of Russia , a TASS correspondent reported from the courtroom on Thursday night .
The man was sentenced to three years in prison .
A court spokesperson told TASS that the defendant has alredy spent about 18 months in pretrial custody , and this term would be counted as jail time .
`` If the verdict enters force , a decision may be made to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he had already served half of the sentence , '' he said .
`` The verdict has not yet entered force : the defense team has not filed an appeal , Salzburg prosecutors have made no statements so far . ''
The defense attorney , Michael Hofer , confirmed the information : `` The court sentenced my defendant to three years .
Given his 18-months custody in pretrial detention , he might be released on parole . ''
The 71-year-old retiree was facing up to 10 years in prison .
Salzburg prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deliberately divulging military secrets to the detriment of Austria and for the benefit of Russia .
According to the indictment , the suspect worked for Russia ’ s GRU ( Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation ) for 25 years , since 1993 , providing information about Austria ’ s armed forces , weapons systems , objectives of ground forces and the Air Force .
According to investigators , the man received almost 300,000 euro as payment .
The suspect denied all charges .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ divulge state secrets and gathered information from open-access sources , such as web portals and newspapers .

SALZBURG, June 10. /TASS/. A jury found 71-year-old retired Austrian colonel Martin M. guilty of divulging state secrets and deliberately divulging military secrets to the detriment of Austria and for the benefit of Russia, a TASS correspondent reported from the courtroom on Thursday night.
The man was sentenced to three years in prison.
A court spokesperson told TASS that the defendant has alredy spent about 18 months in pretrial custody, and this term would be counted as jail time.
"If the verdict enters force, a decision may be made to release the defendant on parole, given that he had already served half of the sentence," he said. "The verdict has not yet entered force: the defense team has not filed an appeal, Salzburg prosecutors have made no statements so far."
The defense attorney, Michael Hofer, confirmed the information: "The court sentenced my defendant to three years. Given his 18-months custody in pretrial detention, he might be released on parole."
The 71-year-old retiree was facing up to 10 years in prison. Salzburg prosecutors accused him of divulging state secrets and deliberately divulging military secrets to the detriment of Austria and for the benefit of Russia. According to the indictment, the suspect worked for Russia’s GRU (Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation) for 25 years, since 1993, providing information about Austria’s armed forces, weapons systems, objectives of ground forces and the Air Force. According to investigators, the man received almost 300,000 euro as payment.
The suspect denied all charges. His attorney said the 71-year-old man did not divulge state secrets and gathered information from open-access sources, such as web portals and newspapers.


tass--2020-06-10--IMF approves $5-billion loan for Ukraine

WASHINGTON , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund ( IMF ) , which @ @ @ @ @ issuing a 5-billion loan for Ukraine for 18 months , the IMF said in a @ @ @ @ @ Board of the International Monetary Fund ( IMF ) approved today an 18-month Stand-by Arrangement @ @ @ @ @ statement says .
`` The approval of the SBA enables the immediate disbursement of the @ @ @ @ @ ( about US $ 2.1 billion ) , '' it says .

WASHINGTON, June 10. /TASS/. The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which convened on Tuesday, approved issuing a 5-billion loan for Ukraine for 18 months, the IMF said in a statement.
"The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved today an 18-month Stand-by Arrangement for Ukraine," the statement says.
"The approval of the SBA enables the immediate disbursement of the equivalent of SDR 1.5 billion (about US$2.1 billion)," it says.


tass--2020-06-10--US attempts to revive Iranian sanctions can put UN Security Council in crisis — diplomat

WASHINGTON , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
Washington ’ s threats to raise the question of restoring all previously lifted sanctions against Iran may lead to a serious crisis within the UN Security Council , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Tuesday .
The statement was made in response to US officials ’ words , who said that Washington would seek to restore all previously cancelled sanctions against Iran if the UN Security Council fails to preserve the embargo on weapons supplies to Tehran , which expires this fall .
`` I think it ’ s outrageous that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pick and choose what serves its interests in complete rejection of the views of the others and even in complete rejection of the common sense , trying to defeat JCPOA , '' Ryabkov said during a videoconference of the New York Council on Foreign Relations .
`` If this will happen the way as you suggest and , as many think-tankers , many op-ed writers , just people knowledgeable of this believe , would happen , then we will inevitably end in a severe crisis situation at the Security Council , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be a huge blow to the sovereignty of the Security Council , and the US will bear responsibility for this . ''
He said Washington withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA ) on Iran ’ s nuclear program , which envisages the mechanism of triggering the ‘ snapback ’ sanctions , `` subsequently approved by the UN Security Council resolution . ''
US Special Representative for Iran and Senior Adviser to the Secretary of State Brian Hook said at the Washington-based Heritage Foundation on Tuesday that the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restoring all sanctions against Tehran if the arms embargo is not extended .
In 2015 , Iran and six major powers ( five member states of the United Nations Security Council - Russia , the United States , France , the United Kingdom and China - and Germany ) agreed on the final Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action , which particularly stipulated the removal of sanctions imposed on Tehran over its nuclear program .
On May 8 , 2018 , US President Donald Trump announced Washington ’ s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Iran would be restored and new ones would be introduced in case Tehran attempted to pursue its nuclear ambitions .
In contrast , the United Kingdom , Germany and France called on other participants in the deal to continue fulfilling it .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Moscow would seek to maintain the agreement .
However , Tehran believes that other signatories , primarily EU countries , failed to fulfill their economic obligations under the deal , making it irrelevant .
In this regard , Iran began to reduce its @ @ @ @ @

WASHINGTON, June 10. /TASS/. Washington’s threats to raise the question of restoring all previously lifted sanctions against Iran may lead to a serious crisis within the UN Security Council, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Tuesday.
The statement was made in response to US officials’ words, who said that Washington would seek to restore all previously cancelled sanctions against Iran if the UN Security Council fails to preserve the embargo on weapons supplies to Tehran, which expires this fall.
"I think it’s outrageous that the US administration now tries to freely pick and choose what serves its interests in complete rejection of the views of the others and even in complete rejection of the common sense, trying to defeat JCPOA," Ryabkov said during a videoconference of the New York Council on Foreign Relations.
"If this will happen the way as you suggest and, as many think-tankers, many op-ed writers, just people knowledgeable of this believe, would happen, then we will inevitably end in a severe crisis situation at the Security Council," the Russian diplomat continued. "And it would be a huge blow to the sovereignty of the Security Council, and the US will bear responsibility for this."
He said Washington withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran’s nuclear program, which envisages the mechanism of triggering the ‘snapback’ sanctions, "subsequently approved by the UN Security Council resolution."
US Special Representative for Iran and Senior Adviser to the Secretary of State Brian Hook said at the Washington-based Heritage Foundation on Tuesday that the US was ready to raise the issue of restoring all sanctions against Tehran if the arms embargo is not extended.
Iran nuclear deal issue
In 2015, Iran and six major powers (five member states of the United Nations Security Council - Russia, the United States, France, the United Kingdom and China - and Germany) agreed on the final Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which particularly stipulated the removal of sanctions imposed on Tehran over its nuclear program.
On May 8, 2018, US President Donald Trump announced Washington’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal. He said that old sanctions on Iran would be restored and new ones would be introduced in case Tehran attempted to pursue its nuclear ambitions. In contrast, the United Kingdom, Germany and France called on other participants in the deal to continue fulfilling it. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Moscow would seek to maintain the agreement.
However, Tehran believes that other signatories, primarily EU countries, failed to fulfill their economic obligations under the deal, making it irrelevant. In this regard, Iran began to reduce its commitments under the agreement.


tass--2020-06-11--Police officer charged in George Floyd’s death released on bail

NEW YORK , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
One of the four Minneapolis police officers charged in the death of African American George Floyd in police custody , has been released from jail on bail , Star Tribune reported .
The police officer , named Thomas Lane , is charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter in connection with the George Floyd incident .
His bail was set at $ 750,000 .
Lane ’ s attorney Earl Grey told CNN that his client had shown compassion by performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Floyd .
Grey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his fourth day as a full-time police officer .
Widespread unrest has engulfed many US states over the death of George Floyd , who died after a police officer kneeled on his neck and choked him to death during his arrest .
On May 26 , all officers involved in the deadly arrest were fired .
On May 29 , the policeman in question , Derek Chauvin , was arrested on third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charges .
However , on June 3 , Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison upped the charge against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other officers involved in the fatal incident were arrested as well and are facing charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder .

NEW YORK, June 11. /TASS/. One of the four Minneapolis police officers charged in the death of African American George Floyd in police custody, has been released from jail on bail, Star Tribune reported.
The police officer, named Thomas Lane, is charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter in connection with the George Floyd incident. His bail was set at $750,000.
Lane’s attorney Earl Grey told CNN that his client had shown compassion by performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Floyd. Grey added that Lane had been on just his fourth day as a full-time police officer.
Widespread unrest has engulfed many US states over the death of George Floyd, who died after a police officer kneeled on his neck and choked him to death during his arrest. On May 26, all officers involved in the deadly arrest were fired. On May 29, the policeman in question, Derek Chauvin, was arrested on third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charges. However, on June 3, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison upped the charge against Chauvin to second-degree murder. The three other officers involved in the fatal incident were arrested as well and are facing charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder.


tass--2020-06-11--White House attributes spike in coronavirus cases to increased testing

WASHINGTON , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
A spike in coronavirus cases in a number of US states is due to increased testing , White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said at a briefing .
The Washington Post said earlier that `` hospitalizations in at least nine states have been on the rise since Memorial Day . ''
A reporter at the briefing pointed out that public health experts attributed the spikes in cases to Memorial Day gatherings and other aspects of the reopening process .
McEnany said in response that there was `` no linkage to the Memorial Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreaks and rises across the nation . ''
She added , citing White House coronavirus response coordinator Deborah Birx , that the April average was `` about 30,000 cases a day , May was about 25,000 cases a day , currently we ’ re around 20,000 cases a day . ''
`` The more testing you do the more cases you identify , '' the White House press secretary emphasized .
According to Johns Hopkins University , the United States ’ coronavirus cases are nearing two mln , over 112,000 patients have died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easing coronavirus restrictions .

WASHINGTON, June 11. /TASS/. A spike in coronavirus cases in a number of US states is due to increased testing, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said at a briefing.
The Washington Post said earlier that "hospitalizations in at least nine states have been on the rise since Memorial Day."
A reporter at the briefing pointed out that public health experts attributed the spikes in cases to Memorial Day gatherings and other aspects of the reopening process. McEnany said in response that there was "no linkage to the Memorial Day as being some point of spurring wild outbreaks and rises across the nation."
She added, citing White House coronavirus response coordinator Deborah Birx, that the April average was "about 30,000 cases a day, May was about 25,000 cases a day, currently we’re around 20,000 cases a day." "The more testing you do the more cases you identify," the White House press secretary emphasized.
According to Johns Hopkins University, the United States’ coronavirus cases are nearing two mln, over 112,000 patients have died. However, state authorities are gradually easing coronavirus restrictions.


tass--2020-06-11--Moscow’s coronavirus death toll rises by 53 to 3,138

MOSCOW , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
Another 53 coronavirus patients have died in Moscow , bringing the city ’ s death toll to 3,138 , the anti-coronavirus crisis center said in a statement on Thursday .
`` Another 53 patients who were diagnosed with pneumonia and tested positive for the coronavirus have died in Moscow , '' the statement reads .
Moscow has so far recorded 199,785 coronavirus cases and 113,533 recoveries .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 7,336,200 people have been infected worldwide and more than 414,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 3,617,900 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , 493,657 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 6,358 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, June 11. /TASS/. Another 53 coronavirus patients have died in Moscow, bringing the city’s death toll to 3,138, the anti-coronavirus crisis center said in a statement on Thursday.
"Another 53 patients who were diagnosed with pneumonia and tested positive for the coronavirus have died in Moscow," the statement reads.
The city’s death toll has reached 3,138.
Moscow has so far recorded 199,785 coronavirus cases and 113,533 recoveries.
Coronavirus pandemic
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 7,336,200 people have been infected worldwide and more than 414,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 3,617,900 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, 493,657 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 252,783 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 6,358 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-06-11--WHO reports single-day increase in coronavirus cases by over 105,000

GENEVA , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
More than 105,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide in the past day , bringing the tally to 7.14 million , with the coronavirus-related fatalities increasing by over 3,600 to surpass 408,000 , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin on Wednesday .
As of 11.00 Moscow time on June 10 , as many as 7,145,539 novel coronavirus cases and 408,025 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases grew by 105,621 in the past 24 hours and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The WHO statistics is based on officially confirmed data from the countries .
The day before , the organization reported 108,918 new cases and 3,539 deaths all over the world .
South and North America account for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 3,415,174 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 48,923 and the number of deaths - by 1,913 to top 185,863 .
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 2,321,147 and the number of fatalities is 185,537 .
In the past 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , by 17,786 and the number of deaths went up by 866 .
The East Mediterranean region has 677,338 cases and 15,246 fatalities .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 18,724 and the number of deaths - by 333 .
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was registered in the United States ( 1,951,096 ) , followed by Brazil ( 707,412 ) , Russia ( 493,657 ) , the United Kingdom ( 289,144 ) , India ( 276,583 ) , Spain ( 241,966 ) , Italy ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Germany ( 184,861 ) , and Iran ( 175,927 ) .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

GENEVA, June 11. /TASS/. More than 105,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide in the past day, bringing the tally to 7.14 million, with the coronavirus-related fatalities increasing by over 3,600 to surpass 408,000, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin on Wednesday.
As of 11.00 Moscow time on June 10, as many as 7,145,539 novel coronavirus cases and 408,025 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by 105,621 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 3,629. The WHO statistics is based on officially confirmed data from the countries. The day before, the organization reported 108,918 new cases and 3,539 deaths all over the world.
South and North America account for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 3,415,174. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 48,923 and the number of deaths - by 1,913 to top 185,863. The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 2,321,147 and the number of fatalities is 185,537. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew, by 17,786 and the number of deaths went up by 866.
The East Mediterranean region has 677,338 cases and 15,246 fatalities. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 18,724 and the number of deaths - by 333.
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was registered in the United States (1,951,096), followed by Brazil (707,412), Russia (493,657), the United Kingdom (289,144), India (276,583), Spain (241,966), Italy (235,561), Peru (199,696), Germany (184,861), and Iran (175,927).
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-06-11--Russian-Turkish mission patrol new route - reconciliation center

MOSCOW , June 11 .
/TASS/ .
A new route has been charted on the map of patrols conducted by Russian and Turkish service members in Syria , Alexander Shcherbitsky , chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria , said on Wednesday .
`` For the first time , a joint Russian-Turkish patrol reached the village of Jennakra in Idlib province , with the itinerary of 40 kilometers , '' he said .
`` Two BTR-82A armored personnel carriers and a Tigr armored vehicle took part in the joint patrol from the Russian side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on June 10 , 2020 , the 16th joint Russian-Turkish mission patrolled the area along the M4 highway in the Idlib de-escalation zone .
The highway lies between the cities of Aleppo and Latakia .
The joint Russian-Turkish convoy was backed by unmanned aerial vehicles of the Russian Aerospace Forces .
The Russian reconciliation center continues to fulfill assigned tasks after the completion of the military campaign in Syria .
The center ’ s officers regularly travel around the country 's liberated areas to assess the humanitarian situation .
The main efforts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistance to the refugees returning to their homes and evacuation of civilians from de-escalation zones .

MOSCOW, June 11. /TASS/. A new route has been charted on the map of patrols conducted by Russian and Turkish service members in Syria, Alexander Shcherbitsky, chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria, said on Wednesday.
"For the first time, a joint Russian-Turkish patrol reached the village of Jennakra in Idlib province, with the itinerary of 40 kilometers," he said. "Two BTR-82A armored personnel carriers and a Tigr armored vehicle took part in the joint patrol from the Russian side."
The Russian representative added that on June 10, 2020, the 16th joint Russian-Turkish mission patrolled the area along the M4 highway in the Idlib de-escalation zone. The highway lies between the cities of Aleppo and Latakia. The joint Russian-Turkish convoy was backed by unmanned aerial vehicles of the Russian Aerospace Forces.
The Russian reconciliation center continues to fulfill assigned tasks after the completion of the military campaign in Syria. The center’s officers regularly travel around the country's liberated areas to assess the humanitarian situation. The main efforts of the Russian military are now focused on assistance to the refugees returning to their homes and evacuation of civilians from de-escalation zones.


tass--2020-06-10--Dollar down 0.4% after FED kept base interest rate at prior level

MOSCOW , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
The dollar lost 0.4 % against the ruble to 68.29 rubles during the @ @ @ @ @ Moscow Exchange after the base interest rate was kept by the US Federal Reserve System @ @ @ @ @ % .
The euro at the same time added 0.3 % and reached 77.91 rubles @

MOSCOW, June 10. /TASS/. The dollar lost 0.4% against the ruble to 68.29 rubles during the currency trading session on the Moscow Exchange after the base interest rate was kept by the US Federal Reserve System at the level of 0-0.25%.
The euro at the same time added 0.3% and reached 77.91 rubles.


tass--2020-06-10--Former US ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman diagnosed with COVID-19

NEW YORK , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
Former US Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman has been diagnosed with COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ the novel coronavirus , he said on Twitter on Wednesday .
`` After a second @ @ @ @ @ back positive for Covid-19 .
Have been experiencing classic symptoms..like so many others , my @ @ @ @ @ family safe .
Though isolated temporarily , we ’ ve never been more energized in @ @ @ @ @ .
The work goes on ! ''
he wrote .

NEW YORK, June 10. /TASS/. Former US Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman has been diagnosed with COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus, he said on Twitter on Wednesday.
"After a second try, test results came back positive for Covid-19. Have been experiencing classic symptoms..like so many others, my goal is to keep my family safe. Though isolated temporarily, we’ve never been more energized in this important race for Governor. The work goes on!" he wrote.


tass--2020-06-10--Nord Stream, TurkStream emissions more than thrice lower than from US LNG — Gazprom

MOSCOW , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
Greenhouse gas emissions during Russian gas supplies over the Nord Stream and the @ @ @ @ @ than three times lower , compared to LNG supplies from the United States , to @ @ @ @ @ holding Gazprom said on Wednesday .
`` Greenhouse gas emissions in the Gazprom Group declined @ @ @ @ @ tonnes of CO2 equivalent or by 1.5 % against 2018 , '' the company said @ @ @ @ @ first Russian company that computed the volume of emissions with the use of the global @ @ @ @ @ 100-year period .
As a result , actual carbon footprint of the company ’ s @ @ @ @ @ lower by 25.2 mln tonnes of CO2 equivalent more .
Methane emissions throughout the Gazprom @ @ @ @ @ close to zero , the company said .
In 2019 , they totaled 0.02 % @ @ @ @ @ during production , 0.29 % of the transported gas volume during transportation , and 0.03 @ @ @ @ @ volume for underground storage .

MOSCOW, June 10. /TASS/. Greenhouse gas emissions during Russian gas supplies over the Nord Stream and the TurkStream gas pipelines are more than three times lower, compared to LNG supplies from the United States, to Europe, the Russian gas holding Gazprom said on Wednesday.
"Greenhouse gas emissions in the Gazprom Group declined in 2019 by 3.52 mln tonnes of CO2 equivalent or by 1.5% against 2018," the company said.
Gazprom has become the first Russian company that computed the volume of emissions with the use of the global temperature change potential for the 100-year period. As a result, actual carbon footprint of the company’s operations was found to be lower by 25.2 mln tonnes of CO2 equivalent more.
Methane emissions throughout the Gazprom’s operating chain are close to zero, the company said. In 2019, they totaled 0.02% of the produced gas volume during production, 0.29% of the transported gas volume during transportation, and 0.03% of the stored gas volume for underground storage.


tass--2020-06-10--Moscow reports fourfold decrease in COVID-19 cases in past six weeks

`` Implementation of the anti-epidemic measures has made it possible not only to reach the plateau , but also to achieve a fourfold decrease in novel coronavirus infections in Moscow over the past 1.5 months .
However , the disease is asymptomatic in 40 % of cases , and those patients pose a risk to others , '' the statement says .
MOSCOW , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow managed to contain the surge in coronavirus cases by four times in the past 1.5 months thanks to lockdown restrictions , Moscow ’ s branch of Russia ’ s consumer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , although some restrictions have been lifted , Moscow is still on high alert .
Therefore , the residents are ordered to abide by anti-epidemic rules and to wear masks and gloves , in particular on public transport , including in taxis , rental cars , but first and foremost , on the subway .
The department pointed out that crowds , growing passenger traffic and the impossibility to keep social distances are likely to turn the Moscow metro system into a high-risk zone of coronavirus spread .
Non-abidance by preventive requirements could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was possible to lift restrictions thanks to the responsible attitude of citizens , legal entities and individuals , in response to anti-epidemic steps aimed to mitigate the spread of novel coronavirus among the population of Moscow , the watchdog concluded .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 7,336,200 people have been infected worldwide and more than 414,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 3,617,900 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , 493,657 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 252,783 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 6,358 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

"Implementation of the anti-epidemic measures has made it possible not only to reach the plateau, but also to achieve a fourfold decrease in novel coronavirus infections in Moscow over the past 1.5 months. However, the disease is asymptomatic in 40% of cases, and those patients pose a risk to others," the statement says.
MOSCOW, June 10. /TASS/. Moscow managed to contain the surge in coronavirus cases by four times in the past 1.5 months thanks to lockdown restrictions, Moscow’s branch of Russia’s consumer safety watchdog said on Wednesday.
Nevertheless, although some restrictions have been lifted, Moscow is still on high alert. Therefore, the residents are ordered to abide by anti-epidemic rules and to wear masks and gloves, in particular on public transport, including in taxis, rental cars, but first and foremost, on the subway.
The department pointed out that crowds, growing passenger traffic and the impossibility to keep social distances are likely to turn the Moscow metro system into a high-risk zone of coronavirus spread.
Non-abidance by preventive requirements could spark a rapid spike in new cases. It was possible to lift restrictions thanks to the responsible attitude of citizens, legal entities and individuals, in response to anti-epidemic steps aimed to mitigate the spread of novel coronavirus among the population of Moscow, the watchdog concluded.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 7,336,200 people have been infected worldwide and more than 414,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 3,617,900 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, 493,657 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 252,783 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 6,358 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-06-10--US Federal Reserve System keeps base interest rate at 0-0.25%

WASHINGTON , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
The US Federal Reserve System acting as the national central bank has kept @ @ @ @ @ the level of 0-0.25 % as expected by the market , the Federal Open Market @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday after the meeting .
`` The Committee expects to maintain this target range until @ @ @ @ @ economy has weathered recent events and is on track to achieve its maximum employment and @ @ @ @ @ the Committee said .
`` The Committee will continue to monitor the implications of incoming @ @ @ @ @ , including information related to public health , as well as global developments and muted @ @ @ @ @ use its tools and act as appropriate to support the economy , '' FOMC added @

WASHINGTON, June 10. /TASS/. The US Federal Reserve System acting as the national central bank has kept the base interest rate at the level of 0-0.25% as expected by the market, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) said Wednesday after the meeting.
"The Committee expects to maintain this target range until it is confident that the economy has weathered recent events and is on track to achieve its maximum employment and price stability goals," the Committee said.
"The Committee will continue to monitor the implications of incoming information for the economic outlook, including information related to public health, as well as global developments and muted inflation pressures, and will use its tools and act as appropriate to support the economy," FOMC added.


tass--2020-06-10--Top Russian, Belarussian diplomats talk preparation for upcoming contacts

MOSCOW , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Belarusian counterpart Vladimir Makei have had @ @ @ @ @ to discuss preparations of upcoming Russian-Belarusian contacts , the Russian foreign ministry said in a @ @ @ @ @ discussed current issues of cooperation as part of implementation of the program of agreed actions @ @ @ @ @ , including preparation of the upcoming Russian-Belarusian contacts , '' the diplomatic agency said .
@ @ @ @ @ Rudenko said that Lavrov will travel to Minsk for a working visit on June 19 @ @ @ @ @ that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is invited to visit the Victory parade in Moscow on @ @ @

MOSCOW, June 10. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Belarusian counterpart Vladimir Makei have had a phone call on Wednesday to discuss preparations of upcoming Russian-Belarusian contacts, the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.
"The sides discussed current issues of cooperation as part of implementation of the program of agreed actions in foreign policy for 2020-2021, including preparation of the upcoming Russian-Belarusian contacts," the diplomatic agency said.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said that Lavrov will travel to Minsk for a working visit on June 19. Moreover, he said that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is invited to visit the Victory parade in Moscow on June 24.


tass--2020-06-10--Rumors about "thousands" COVID-19 cases in autumn 2019 groundless, says Russian scientist

MOSCOW , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
The first patient contracted the SARS-CoV-2 virus in September or October 2019 and there is no reason whatsoever to claim that COVID-19 cases at that time already numbered thousands , the director of the Ye .
I. Martsynovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology and Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases , associate member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Alexander Lukashev , said at a Russian-Belarussian conference entitled Coronavirus Infection : Fundamental , Clinical and Epidemiological Aspects .
Socio-Economic Challenges to the Health Service .
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying , speaking at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Harvard Medical School to the effect that the outbreak of the coronavirus-related pneumonia might have started in Wuhan as early as the end of summer 2019 .
The authors of a survey conducted by the Harvard Medical School and Boston University say they scrutinized the number of motor vehicles at car parks near Wuhan ’ s five largest hospitals over the past two years to conclude that the number of vehicles there soared at the end of August and the beginning of September , which in their opinion might be interpreted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Patient Zero ( the first person to have contracted SARS-CoV-2 ) according to different sources was identified sometime between September 2019 and November 2019 .
With this in mind we can say with great certainty that there was nothing like thousands of patients around the world or even thousands of patients in China in the autumn of 2019 , '' Lukashev said , adding that such conclusions were based on mathematical statistic methods of research into the virus genome .
He stressed that when SARS-CoV-2 began to spread , all countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` in each country the virus remained unnoticed for 30-50 days . ''
Transmissions among counties were multiple , Lukashev said .
In his opinion there were dozens , if not thousands of such cases .
The decision to close the borders in January and February was the correct and very timely measure he believes .
`` But keeping the borders closed now makes no sense at all , because the virus is already spreading in all countries , so its transmission across the border will have no major epidemiological effect , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 7,336,200 people have been infected worldwide and more than 414,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 3,617,900 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , 493,657 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 252,783 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 6,358 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation .

MOSCOW, June 10. /TASS/. The first patient contracted the SARS-CoV-2 virus in September or October 2019 and there is no reason whatsoever to claim that COVID-19 cases at that time already numbered thousands, the director of the Ye. I. Martsynovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology and Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases, associate member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Alexander Lukashev, said at a Russian-Belarussian conference entitled Coronavirus Infection: Fundamental, Clinical and Epidemiological Aspects. Socio-Economic Challenges to the Health Service.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying, speaking at a news briefing on Tuesday, criticized claims by the Harvard Medical School to the effect that the outbreak of the coronavirus-related pneumonia might have started in Wuhan as early as the end of summer 2019. The authors of a survey conducted by the Harvard Medical School and Boston University say they scrutinized the number of motor vehicles at car parks near Wuhan’s five largest hospitals over the past two years to conclude that the number of vehicles there soared at the end of August and the beginning of September, which in their opinion might be interpreted as indirect evidence of higher disease statistics.
"Patient Zero (the first person to have contracted SARS-CoV-2) according to different sources was identified sometime between September 2019 and November 2019. With this in mind we can say with great certainty that there was nothing like thousands of patients around the world or even thousands of patients in China in the autumn of 2019," Lukashev said, adding that such conclusions were based on mathematical statistic methods of research into the virus genome.
He stressed that when SARS-CoV-2 began to spread, all countries were still utterly unaware of this and "in each country the virus remained unnoticed for 30-50 days." Transmissions among counties were multiple, Lukashev said. In his opinion there were dozens, if not thousands of such cases. The decision to close the borders in January and February was the correct and very timely measure he believes.
"But keeping the borders closed now makes no sense at all, because the virus is already spreading in all countries, so its transmission across the border will have no major epidemiological effect," he said.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 7,336,200 people have been infected worldwide and more than 414,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 3,617,900 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, 493,657 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 252,783 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 6,358 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-06-10--New epidemiological models needed to forecast coronavirus pandemic, says expert

MOSCOW , June 10./TASS/ .
Forecasting the spread of the novel coronavirus necessitates new epidemiological models .
In particular , information about a necessary immune layer of 60-70 % of the population may prove outdated , Alexander Lukashev , Director of First Moscow State Medical University ’ s Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology , Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases , said on Wednesday .
`` The key issue of epidemiology - we don ’ t know what immune layer we need .
The classical , cited in epidemiology textbooks , is 60 % to 70 % , '' Lukashev told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , the textbooks don ’ t factor it in that our society has a complex structure , and the frequency of contacts among the people is different , so we need absolutely new epidemiological models to plan our restrictive measures and to understand how the outbreak develops , '' Lukashev said .
He also noted the role of the so-called super-spreaders of coronavirus .
That is why , a ban on mass events is among the most efficient measures to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus .
`` If we exclude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pace of the spread of the virus , '' the scientist said .

MOSCOW, June 10./TASS/. Forecasting the spread of the novel coronavirus necessitates new epidemiological models. In particular, information about a necessary immune layer of 60-70% of the population may prove outdated, Alexander Lukashev, Director of First Moscow State Medical University’s Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases, said on Wednesday.
"The key issue of epidemiology - we don’t know what immune layer we need. The classical, cited in epidemiology textbooks, is 60% to 70%," Lukashev told a Russian-Belarusian conference on coronavirus.
"However, the textbooks don’t factor it in that our society has a complex structure, and the frequency of contacts among the people is different, so we need absolutely new epidemiological models to plan our restrictive measures and to understand how the outbreak develops," Lukashev said.
He also noted the role of the so-called super-spreaders of coronavirus. That is why, a ban on mass events is among the most efficient measures to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus. "If we exclude the super-spreaders, we are drastically changing the pace of the spread of the virus," the scientist said.


tass--2020-06-10--WHO backs more research into asymptomatic coronavirus cases

GENEVA , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) says additional research is vital to @ @ @ @ @ carriers really are , WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a briefing on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ , we have said that asymptomatic people can transmit COVID-19 , but that we need @ @ @ @ @ extent of asymptomatic transmission .
That research is ongoing , '' he said .
The @ @ @ @ @ finding , isolating and testing people with symptoms , and tracing and quarantining their contacts @ @ @ @ @ way to stop COVID-19 transmission . ''
`` This is a new virus and we @ @ @ @ @ time , '' Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus pointed out .

GENEVA, June 10. /TASS/. The World Health Organization (WHO) says additional research is vital to identify how infectious asymptomatic coronavirus carriers really are, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a briefing on Wednesday.
"Since early February, we have said that asymptomatic people can transmit COVID-19, but that we need more research to establish the extent of asymptomatic transmission. That research is ongoing," he said.
The WHO chief underlined, "finding, isolating and testing people with symptoms, and tracing and quarantining their contacts, is the most critical way to stop COVID-19 transmission." "This is a new virus and we are all learning all the time," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus pointed out.


tass--2020-06-10--Russian, Slovak foreign ministers discuss cooperation, coronavirus

MOSCOW , June 10./TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Slovak counterpart Ivan Korcok discussed prospects for the development of bilateral relations and the battle against the novel coronavirus in a phone call on Wednesday , the Russian Foreign Ministry said .
The foreign ministers confirmed a common bid to continue constructive cooperation on all issues of mutual interest .
They `` discussed the current state and prospects for Russian-Slovak relations with an emphasis on advancing successful projects in the trade-economic and humanitarian sectors , '' the ministry said .
They also focused `` on the issue of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus infection and the importance of coordinated international action in the battle against similar global threats , '' the ministry added .
Lavrov and Korcok also paid attention to the importance of thorough preparations for the 21st session of the intergovernmental commission for economic , scientific and technical cooperation , scheduled for autumn .
The Russian diplomat also thanked the leadership and citizens of Slovakia `` for an attitude of care towards the memory of the Soviet soldiers killed in fights against the Nazis during the liberation of Czechoslovakia . ''
Besides , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lavrov gave a detailed assessment of the situation with the implementation of the Minsk accords for the settlement in eastern Ukraine .
`` [ Lavrov ] emphasized inadmissibility of Kiev ’ s policy to sabotage direct negotiations with Donetsk and Lugansk and to undermine consistent action from the parties in the conflict in violation of resolution 2202 of the UN Security Council , '' the Foreign Ministry said .

MOSCOW, June 10./TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Slovak counterpart Ivan Korcok discussed prospects for the development of bilateral relations and the battle against the novel coronavirus in a phone call on Wednesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
The foreign ministers confirmed a common bid to continue constructive cooperation on all issues of mutual interest. They "discussed the current state and prospects for Russian-Slovak relations with an emphasis on advancing successful projects in the trade-economic and humanitarian sectors," the ministry said.
They also focused "on the issue of fighting against the spread of the novel coronavirus infection and the importance of coordinated international action in the battle against similar global threats," the ministry added.
Lavrov and Korcok also paid attention to the importance of thorough preparations for the 21st session of the intergovernmental commission for economic, scientific and technical cooperation, scheduled for autumn. The Russian diplomat also thanked the leadership and citizens of Slovakia "for an attitude of care towards the memory of the Soviet soldiers killed in fights against the Nazis during the liberation of Czechoslovakia."
Besides, at the request of Ivan Korcok, Lavrov gave a detailed assessment of the situation with the implementation of the Minsk accords for the settlement in eastern Ukraine. "[Lavrov] emphasized inadmissibility of Kiev’s policy to sabotage direct negotiations with Donetsk and Lugansk and to undermine consistent action from the parties in the conflict in violation of resolution 2202 of the UN Security Council," the Foreign Ministry said.


tass--2020-06-10--Russia needs to be proactive in developing digitalization, Putin says

NOVO-OGARYOVO , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
Russia should `` pick up on the trends '' in digitalization that arose during the coronavirus pandemic , President Putin said at a meeting on communications and IT industry .
The head of state called for being proactive , while ensuring cyber security .
`` It ’ s necessary , as they say , to catch these trends of switching to digital [ technologies ] , to take an example from the leading digitalization companies , '' Putin said .
The President urged creating conditions for `` accelerated development and implementation of domestic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serve as the basis for creating high-quality , sought-after products and services . ''
`` We need to be as proactive as possible , cut off all sorts of archaic obstacles , naturally consider all aspects of ensuring cyber security , protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens , '' Putin stressed .
He recalled that `` many key decisions for the development of the IT and communications industries have already been provided , including within the framework of the Digital Economy national project .
`` A number of specific instructions were also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in January .
All of them should be implemented , '' the head of state said .
The President noted that the IT industry in many respects determines the dynamics , style , capabilities of modern human life , the level of business and social activity , the prospects of the labor market , the development of cities and territories . ''
`` In this area , we have already employed more than a million specialists , about 60,000 organizations are operating , and they are achieving significant , significant results , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stressed that `` in a number of parameters , including the development of mobile communications , Internet access , Russia is confidently among the world leaders , domestic companies offer reliable software solutions that are competitive both on domestic and global markets . ''
According to Putin , `` the role and importance of the IT and communication industries was especially pronounced in the context of forced restrictions associated with the epidemic , when many enterprises , as well as educational and other institutions , switched to a remote work , when it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s decisions to support Russian families and whole sectors of the economy . ''
`` We were able to do this together , in particular with the help of modern information technologies , the infrastructure that has been created over the years by the joint efforts of the state , business , and innovative teams , '' the President said .
He thanked the Russian telecommunications companies , industry specialists , who , under the conditions of increased workload , continued to provide high quality services .
The head of state noted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenge for the communications and IT sectors .
`` Those companies that met the growing demand , provided free services , ultimately won , < ... > managed to significantly increase their customer base , '' he explained .
`` In addition , the forced restrictions motivated many enterprises and organizations to take a fresh look at familiar business processes , to actively introduce digital solutions to increase the efficiency of their work , '' Putin said .
According to him , `` life itself has shown how important it is to quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ digitalization , and not only in business , but also in public services , in education , in medicine , in people 's everyday lives .
`` .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, June 10. /TASS/. Russia should "pick up on the trends" in digitalization that arose during the coronavirus pandemic, President Putin said at a meeting on communications and IT industry. The head of state called for being proactive, while ensuring cyber security.
"It’s necessary, as they say, to catch these trends of switching to digital [technologies], to take an example from the leading digitalization companies," Putin said.
The President urged creating conditions for "accelerated development and implementation of domestic IT and communication technologies, which will serve as the basis for creating high-quality, sought-after products and services."
"We need to be as proactive as possible, cut off all sorts of archaic obstacles, naturally consider all aspects of ensuring cyber security, protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens," Putin stressed.
He recalled that "many key decisions for the development of the IT and communications industries have already been provided, including within the framework of the Digital Economy national project.
"A number of specific instructions were also given in the address to the parliament in January. All of them should be implemented," the head of state said.
IT industry defines modern life style
The President noted that the IT industry in many respects determines the dynamics, style, capabilities of modern human life, the level of business and social activity, the prospects of the labor market, the development of cities and territories."
"In this area, we have already employed more than a million specialists, about 60,000 organizations are operating, and they are achieving significant, significant results," he said.
The head of state stressed that "in a number of parameters, including the development of mobile communications, Internet access, Russia is confidently among the world leaders, domestic companies offer reliable software solutions that are competitive both on domestic and global markets."
According to Putin, "the role and importance of the IT and communication industries was especially pronounced in the context of forced restrictions associated with the epidemic, when many enterprises, as well as educational and other institutions, switched to a remote work, when it was necessary to implement the state’s decisions to support Russian families and whole sectors of the economy."
"We were able to do this together, in particular with the help of modern information technologies, the infrastructure that has been created over the years by the joint efforts of the state, business, and innovative teams," the President said. He thanked the Russian telecommunications companies, industry specialists, who, under the conditions of increased workload, continued to provide high quality services.
Advantages behind restrictions
The head of state noted that the current situation was not only a challenge for the communications and IT sectors.
"Those companies that met the growing demand, provided free services, ultimately won, <...> managed to significantly increase their customer base," he explained.
"In addition, the forced restrictions motivated many enterprises and organizations to take a fresh look at familiar business processes, to actively introduce digital solutions to increase the efficiency of their work," Putin said.
According to him, "life itself has shown how important it is to quickly and boldly use the wide possibilities of digitalization, and not only in business, but also in public services, in education, in medicine, in people's everyday lives.".


tass--2020-06-10--Assembly of prototype Il-114-300 aircraft started in Moscow Region

MOSCOW , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
The United Aircraft Corporation ( UAC , an affiliate of Rostec ) initiated @ @ @ @ @ of the prototype Il-114-300 aircraft , press service of Rostec told TASS on Wednesday .
@ @ @ @ @ in the branch of RSK MiG - on the territory of P.A .
Voronin Lukhovitsky @ @ @ @ @ place at an automated bench developed and manufactured specifically for the project .
The next @ @ @ @ @ of wing consoles and empennage mounting .
The work is scheduled to begin in the @ @ @ @ @ '' the company said .
System components will be installed in the body after empennage @ @ @ @ @ installed .
`` The final phase will be the aircraft handover to the flight testing @ @ @ @ @ factory and certification tests , '' Rostec said .
Il-114 is an aircraft intended for @ @ @ @ @ seating capacity is up to 68 passengers and the flight range is up to 1,500 @ @

MOSCOW, June 10. /TASS/. The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC, an affiliate of Rostec) initiated joining of first body compartments of the prototype Il-114-300 aircraft, press service of Rostec told TASS on Wednesday.
"The work is performed in the branch of RSK MiG - on the territory of P.A. Voronin Lukhovitsky Aviation Plant. Joining takes place at an automated bench developed and manufactured specifically for the project. The next assembly stage will be joining of wing consoles and empennage mounting. The work is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2020," the company said.
System components will be installed in the body after empennage mounting and engines will be installed. "The final phase will be the aircraft handover to the flight testing facility for the cycle of factory and certification tests," Rostec said.
Il-114 is an aircraft intended for local air routes. Its seating capacity is up to 68 passengers and the flight range is up to 1,500 km.


tass--2020-06-10--Armenia’s coronavirus epidemic stabilizing, PM says

YEREVAN , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
The new infection statistic in Armenia has stabilized in the last few days @ @ @ @ @ took well-timed measures , Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told an online briefing Wednesday .
@ @ @ @ @ in the past few days shows certain stability .
Of course , we so far @ @ @ @ @ situation in the country has fully stabilized , but there is such a trend .
@ @ @ @ @ that as a result of the measures taken by the government , commandant ’ s @ @ @ @ @ the number of infected is becoming bearable for the healthcare system .
In other words @ @ @ @ @ treat all patients , '' he noted .

YEREVAN, June 10. /TASS/. The new infection statistic in Armenia has stabilized in the last few days which demonstrates that the government took well-timed measures, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told an online briefing Wednesday.
"The number of infections in the past few days shows certain stability. Of course, we so far cannot say that the situation in the country has fully stabilized, but there is such a trend. I would like to underline that as a result of the measures taken by the government, commandant’s office and the health ministry the number of infected is becoming bearable for the healthcare system. In other words, the system currently can treat all patients," he noted.


tass--2020-06-10--Speculations SARS-CoV-2 might have artificial origin are senseless, says scientist

MOSCOW , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
Discussing the suspicions the virus SARS-CoV-2 that causes the COVID-19 disease is artificial would be senseless , because a number of processes that might support either point of view are impossible to trace , the director of the Ye .
I. Martsynovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology and Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases , Alexander Lukashev , said at a Russian-Belarussian conference entitled Coronavirus Infection : Fundamental , Clinical and Epidemiological Aspects .
Socio-Economic Challenges to the Health Service .
He recalled the active media discussion SARS-CoV-2 might have artificial origin .
For those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronaviruses there can be no such question , Lukashev said , because the penetration of another coronavirus into the human population is merely a rerun of a regular process that occurred many times in the past .
`` I believe that discussing this issue makes no sense at all , because most of the scenarios are unprovable in principle , '' Lukashev said .
He explained that certain types of work that are possible in principle can not be identified and traced .
For instance , this is true of breeding a natural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of modification of an unknown natural virus , or of making an artificial chimera of previously unknown natural viruses .
`` Such experiments might have been quite logical .
Scientists studying the mechanisms of how viruses emerge would ’ ve logically made such tests .
The results of such experiments are unidentifiable at the molecular level .
When we are told that the virus was certainly created or certainly not created , I believe the correct answer is neither can not be proven .
Secondly , when some begin to speculate if such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invented , the answer should be the current techniques do not allow for this .
As far as adaptation is concerned , it is real in principle , '' Lukashev said .

MOSCOW, June 10. /TASS/. Discussing the suspicions the virus SARS-CoV-2 that causes the COVID-19 disease is artificial would be senseless, because a number of processes that might support either point of view are impossible to trace, the director of the Ye. I. Martsynovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology and Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases, Alexander Lukashev, said at a Russian-Belarussian conference entitled Coronavirus Infection: Fundamental, Clinical and Epidemiological Aspects. Socio-Economic Challenges to the Health Service.
He recalled the active media discussion SARS-CoV-2 might have artificial origin. For those whose job is to conduct research into coronaviruses there can be no such question, Lukashev said, because the penetration of another coronavirus into the human population is merely a rerun of a regular process that occurred many times in the past.
"I believe that discussing this issue makes no sense at all, because most of the scenarios are unprovable in principle," Lukashev said.
He explained that certain types of work that are possible in principle cannot be identified and traced. For instance, this is true of breeding a natural virus in a laboratory, or adaptation of modification of an unknown natural virus, or of making an artificial chimera of previously unknown natural viruses.
"Such experiments might have been quite logical. Scientists studying the mechanisms of how viruses emerge would’ve logically made such tests. The results of such experiments are unidentifiable at the molecular level. When we are told that the virus was certainly created or certainly not created, I believe the correct answer is neither cannot be proven. Secondly, when some begin to speculate if such a virus can or cannot be invented, the answer should be the current techniques do not allow for this. As far as adaptation is concerned, it is real in principle," Lukashev said.


tass--2020-06-10--Minister: Russia will restore permafrost monitoring system

MOSCOW , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
Specialists of the Ministry for Development of the Far East and Arctic plan to restore the system to monitor the permafrost ’ s conditions in the Russian Arctic and to forecast its degradation .
The system ’ s draft is due by the yearend , Minister Alexander Kozlov told reporters .
Construction of new buildings and conditions of existing buildings depend on the permafrost .
The recent spill of fuel in Norilsk may be explained by thawing of the permafrost and consequent subsidence of a pad under the fuel tank .
`` In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monitor soil changes collapsed .
< … > That system has not been recovered .
We want to use modern technologies to build a new system to monitor changes in the permafrost soils , '' the minister said , adding the project ’ s draft is due by end of 2020 .
Back in the USSR , special commissions used the monitoring data to give recommendations in construction and in use of infrastructures .
This work stopped in the 1990s , the minister continued , adding it would be cheaper and more reasonable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accidents .
Cryo-geology specialists and the ministry ’ s experts have begun studies of the permafrost .
First of all , they will collect information about soils in the Arctic .
Secondly , they will specify locations for necessary installation of monitoring equipment .
And finally , they will offer methods to use data about the permafrost ’ s conditions - how to respond to changing conditions and how to manage the processes .
`` Why do we need it ?
Experts say , every year our losses from the thawing permafrost are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 732 million - 2.2 billion ) .
This is a rough estimation , and our task is to make precise calculations , '' the minister said .
`` In addition to this , the cryo-geology specialists will offer algorithms for different objects : houses , roads , pipelines , etc .
`` .

MOSCOW, June 10. /TASS/. Specialists of the Ministry for Development of the Far East and Arctic plan to restore the system to monitor the permafrost’s conditions in the Russian Arctic and to forecast its degradation. The system’s draft is due by the yearend, Minister Alexander Kozlov told reporters.
Construction of new buildings and conditions of existing buildings depend on the permafrost. The recent spill of fuel in Norilsk may be explained by thawing of the permafrost and consequent subsidence of a pad under the fuel tank.
"In the 1990s, the Soviet system to monitor soil changes collapsed. <…> That system has not been recovered. We want to use modern technologies to build a new system to monitor changes in the permafrost soils," the minister said, adding the project’s draft is due by end of 2020.
Back in the USSR, special commissions used the monitoring data to give recommendations in construction and in use of infrastructures. This work stopped in the 1990s, the minister continued, adding it would be cheaper and more reasonable to restore the system than to face accidents.
Cryo-geology specialists and the ministry’s experts have begun studies of the permafrost. First of all, they will collect information about soils in the Arctic. Secondly, they will specify locations for necessary installation of monitoring equipment. And finally, they will offer methods to use data about the permafrost’s conditions - how to respond to changing conditions and how to manage the processes.
"Why do we need it? Experts say, every year our losses from the thawing permafrost are between 50 and 150 billion rubles ($732 million - 2.2 billion). This is a rough estimation, and our task is to make precise calculations," the minister said. "In addition to this, the cryo-geology specialists will offer algorithms for different objects: houses, roads, pipelines, etc.".


tass--2020-06-10--Russia is in 7th place as to COVID-19 pandemic intensity — expert

MOSCOW , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
The world ’ s leaders in terms of the coronavirus infection rates are South American countries , while Russia is in seventh place , Russian State Duma deputy , member of the Russian Academy of Sciences , Gennady Onishchenko said at the Russian-Belarusian conference entitled Coronavirus Infection : Fundamental , Clinical and Epidemiological Aspects on Wednesday .
`` South American countries are steadily rising to the top of the list .
This is true of part of the South American continent and Southern Hemisphere .
In terms of intensity Peru is currently number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is ahead of the US .
As for Russia , the intensity of the epidemic is in seventh place , '' Onishchenko said .
As for the overall number of COVID-19 cases , the United States is first and Russia , third .
In contrast to other airborne infections transmitted from sick to healthy people the contagiousness of COVID-19 is low .
`` It is not distinguished by any special pathogenic effects , which may even be weaker than those of certain types of flu .
This explains why 40 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asymptomatic , '' Onishchenko said .
He recalled that over the past 15-20 years 700-900 million people had flu every year , but the problem never drew so much attention .
In his opinion the world has encountered what can be described as a `` hybrid informational and epidemiological problem . ''
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 7,336,200 people have been infected worldwide and more than 414,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the illness across the globe .
To date , 493,657 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 252,783 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 6,358 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, June 10. /TASS/. The world’s leaders in terms of the coronavirus infection rates are South American countries, while Russia is in seventh place, Russian State Duma deputy, member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Gennady Onishchenko said at the Russian-Belarusian conference entitled Coronavirus Infection: Fundamental, Clinical and Epidemiological Aspects on Wednesday.
"South American countries are steadily rising to the top of the list. This is true of part of the South American continent and Southern Hemisphere. In terms of intensity Peru is currently number one: 618 cases per 100,000 residents. It is ahead of the US. As for Russia, the intensity of the epidemic is in seventh place," Onishchenko said.
As for the overall number of COVID-19 cases, the United States is first and Russia, third.
In contrast to other airborne infections transmitted from sick to healthy people the contagiousness of COVID-19 is low.
"It is not distinguished by any special pathogenic effects, which may even be weaker than those of certain types of flu. This explains why 40%-60% of the identified cases are asymptomatic," Onishchenko said. He recalled that over the past 15-20 years 700-900 million people had flu every year, but the problem never drew so much attention.
In his opinion the world has encountered what can be described as a "hybrid informational and epidemiological problem."
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 7,336,200 people have been infected worldwide and more than 414,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 3,617,900 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, 493,657 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 252,783 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 6,358 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-06-10--Tomsk scientists make prototype of automatic weather station for Arctic

TOMSK , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
Scientists of the Academy of Sciences ’ Institute for Monitoring of Climate and Ecology Systems ( IMCES ) made a prototype of a universal , fully automatic meteorology station to monitor climate conditions in the Arctic .
In 2020 , trials will be in the Tomsk Region , and by 2022 the weather station will appear on the market , IMCES ’ Deputy Director Vladimir Korolkov told TASS on Wednesday .
In 2018 , the institute ’ s scientists jointly with experts from a local equipment design company Sibanalitpribor began working on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work in the Arctic , using acoustic , optical and radiation methods , to measure speed and direction of the wind , the air ’ s temperature and humidity , the atmospheric pressure , the precipitation ’ s rates , the solar radiation and height of the snow cover .
Unlike existing models , the new weather station should work independently for one year , it will use the solar energy and must be safe from the Arctic fauna .
`` We have finalized the experimental sample , '' the institute ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( weather authority ) facilities in the Tomsk Region have begun . ''
The station has all the announced functions and uses hydrogen fuel and solar batteries , he said .
`` We now continue trials here , and later on will have trials [ in the Arctic ] .
The climate here is continental , not much different from the Arctic ’ s - similar temperatures , though for shorter periods .
Our northern regions are in the Arctic zone already . ''
By 2022 , the equipment will appear in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be certified by local and international regulators ( including for installation at airports ) .
Earlier , the institute ’ s deputy director said Russian meteorology stations still employ personnel , who take by hand all the measures and every three hours send results to the processing center .
Importing weather systems is too expensive .
Besides , foreign models measure only a limited number of parameters and they do not have any protection from animals .

TOMSK, June 10. /TASS/. Scientists of the Academy of Sciences’ Institute for Monitoring of Climate and Ecology Systems (IMCES) made a prototype of a universal, fully automatic meteorology station to monitor climate conditions in the Arctic. In 2020, trials will be in the Tomsk Region, and by 2022 the weather station will appear on the market, IMCES’ Deputy Director Vladimir Korolkov told TASS on Wednesday.
In 2018, the institute’s scientists jointly with experts from a local equipment design company Sibanalitpribor began working on the first Russian meteorology station, which could work in the Arctic, using acoustic, optical and radiation methods, to measure speed and direction of the wind, the air’s temperature and humidity, the atmospheric pressure, the precipitation’s rates, the solar radiation and height of the snow cover. Unlike existing models, the new weather station should work independently for one year, it will use the solar energy and must be safe from the Arctic fauna.
"We have finalized the experimental sample," the institute’s representative said. "Trials at Roshydromet (weather authority) facilities in the Tomsk Region have begun."
The station has all the announced functions and uses hydrogen fuel and solar batteries, he said. "We now continue trials here, and later on will have trials [in the Arctic]. The climate here is continental, not much different from the Arctic’s - similar temperatures, though for shorter periods. Our northern regions are in the Arctic zone already."
By 2022, the equipment will appear in the market. Prior to that, it should be certified by local and international regulators (including for installation at airports).
Earlier, the institute’s deputy director said Russian meteorology stations still employ personnel, who take by hand all the measures and every three hours send results to the processing center. Importing weather systems is too expensive. Besides, foreign models measure only a limited number of parameters and they do not have any protection from animals.


tass--2020-06-10--Vityaz-D explored Mariana Trench according to preinstalled program — developer

`` First , the operator keys in a task to perform a specific mission .
After submersion the vehicle begins independent operation .
The data it gathers is transmitted to the operator ’ s control board via a hydroacoustic channel , '' Vilnit said .
MOSCOW , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
The deep submergence vehicle Vityaz-D , which explored the bottom of the Mariana Trench a month ago , performed its mission automatically according to a program the operator had installed in advance , the CEO of the Central Design Bureau of Marine Engineering Rubin , Igor Vilnit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The deep submersion drone Vityaz was the first-ever crewless vehicle to have reached the deepest point of the world ocean .
It happened on May 8 at 22:34 Moscow time .
The superdeep submersion vehicle Vityaz-D is capable of exploring the world ocean ’ s bed at extreme depths .
The system consists of the crewless vehicle proper , a bottom grab station and a control and command center .
Shipborne equipment maintains data exchange between the mother vessel and the bottom grab station via a hydroacoustic channel in the online mode @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Vityaz-D vehicle ’ s artificial intelligence resource enables it to steer clear of obstacles and find a way out of confined spaces .

"First, the operator keys in a task to perform a specific mission. After submersion the vehicle begins independent operation. The data it gathers is transmitted to the operator’s control board via a hydroacoustic channel," Vilnit said.
MOSCOW, June 10. /TASS/. The deep submergence vehicle Vityaz-D, which explored the bottom of the Mariana Trench a month ago, performed its mission automatically according to a program the operator had installed in advance, the CEO of the Central Design Bureau of Marine Engineering Rubin, Igor Vilnit, told TASS in an interview on Wednesday.
The deep submersion drone Vityaz was the first-ever crewless vehicle to have reached the deepest point of the world ocean. It happened on May 8 at 22:34 Moscow time.
The superdeep submersion vehicle Vityaz-D is capable of exploring the world ocean’s bed at extreme depths. The system consists of the crewless vehicle proper, a bottom grab station and a control and command center.
Shipborne equipment maintains data exchange between the mother vessel and the bottom grab station via a hydroacoustic channel in the online mode. All components are of Russian manufacture.
The Vityaz-D vehicle’s artificial intelligence resource enables it to steer clear of obstacles and find a way out of confined spaces.


tass--2020-06-10--Russia, Iran diplomats discuss teamwork on Syria within the framework of Astana format

MOSCOW , June 10./TASS/ .
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin and Iranian Foreign Minister ’ s Senior Assistant for Special Political Affairs Ali-Asghar Khaji discussed the situation in Syria and in Yemen in a telephone conversation on Wednesday .
`` Specific attention was paid to the development of cooperation within the framework of the Astana format ( Russia , Turkey and Iran ) for Syria , including the situation on the ground , humanitarian assistance as well as measures to advance political process led by the Syrians themselves with the assistance of the United Nations , '' the Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the diplomats had also discussed the situation in Yemen .
In particular , they supported efforts of UN Special Envoy for Yemen , Martin Griffiths , towards establishing contacts between the warring parties over the issues of suspending warfare and taking emergency humanitarian , social and economic action in the country .
The phone call was initiated by Iran .
The armed standoff between government forces and Houthi rebels from the Ansar Allah movement has been going on in Yemen since August 2014 .
The conflict has entailed the most severe humanitarian crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million Yemenis , or about 80 % of the country ’ s population , being in need of humanitarian assistance and the number of internally displaced people exceeding three million , according to the United Nations data .

MOSCOW, June 10./TASS/. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin and Iranian Foreign Minister’s Senior Assistant for Special Political Affairs Ali-Asghar Khaji discussed the situation in Syria and in Yemen in a telephone conversation on Wednesday.
"Specific attention was paid to the development of cooperation within the framework of the Astana format (Russia, Turkey and Iran) for Syria, including the situation on the ground, humanitarian assistance as well as measures to advance political process led by the Syrians themselves with the assistance of the United Nations," the Russian Foreign Ministry reported.
It said that the diplomats had also discussed the situation in Yemen. In particular, they supported efforts of UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, towards establishing contacts between the warring parties over the issues of suspending warfare and taking emergency humanitarian, social and economic action in the country.
The phone call was initiated by Iran.
The armed standoff between government forces and Houthi rebels from the Ansar Allah movement has been going on in Yemen since August 2014. The conflict has entailed the most severe humanitarian crisis of today, with more than 24 million Yemenis, or about 80% of the country’s population, being in need of humanitarian assistance and the number of internally displaced people exceeding three million, according to the United Nations data.


tass--2020-06-10--Pilots of Su-35S fighters kick off drills with live-fire exercise in Russia’s northwest

MOSCOW , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
The crews of Su-35S multi-purpose fighters of the Leningrad Air Force and Air Defense Army kicked off drills in the Republic of Karelia in Russia ’ s northwest that will envisage launching air-to-air missiles , the press office of the Western Military District reported on Wednesday .
`` During the first stage of the drills , the crews that went on alert dodged a precision weapon strike , searched for and eliminated a notional enemy ’ s air attack weapons and air defense capabilities .
Further on , the pilots will launch air-to-air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air targets that are simulating aircraft and missiles , '' the press office said in a statement .
The pilots will also practice paired flights and formation flying in the daytime and at night at minimum and maximum altitudes , the statement says .
The drills also involve the combat teams of S-400 ‘ Triumf ’ anti-aircraft missile systems that are simulating the hypothetical enemy .
The anti-aircraft gunners will intercept the targets and make electronic missile launches .
Over 500 servicemen of the combat planes ’ crews , the teams of anti-aircraft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are taking part in the drills .
The Su-35S is a heavily upgraded generation 4++ supermaneuverable multipurpose fighter jet developed on the basis of fifth-generation technologies .
The Su-35S is distinguished by its new avionics suite based on the information control system , the new radar , plasma ignition engines of the increased capacity and thrust vectoring .
These engines meet the requirements for the powerplant of fifth-generation fighters as they allow developing supersonic speed without using an afterburner .
The Su-35S supersonic fighter jet performed its debut flight on February 19 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ derivative of the Su-27 plane .
The Su-35S weighs 19 tonnes , has a service ceiling of 20,000 meters , can develop a maximum speed of 2,500 km/h and has a crew of one pilot .
The fighter jet ’ s armament includes a 30mm aircraft gun , up to 8 tonnes of the weapon payload ( missiles and bombs of various types ) on 12 underwing hardpoints .
The Su-35S has been in service with the Russian Army since 2015 .

MOSCOW, June 10. /TASS/. The crews of Su-35S multi-purpose fighters of the Leningrad Air Force and Air Defense Army kicked off drills in the Republic of Karelia in Russia’s northwest that will envisage launching air-to-air missiles, the press office of the Western Military District reported on Wednesday.
"During the first stage of the drills, the crews that went on alert dodged a precision weapon strike, searched for and eliminated a notional enemy’s air attack weapons and air defense capabilities. Further on, the pilots will launch air-to-air missiles at the Ladoga training range against air targets that are simulating aircraft and missiles," the press office said in a statement.
The pilots will also practice paired flights and formation flying in the daytime and at night at minimum and maximum altitudes, the statement says.
The drills also involve the combat teams of S-400 ‘Triumf’ anti-aircraft missile systems that are simulating the hypothetical enemy. The anti-aircraft gunners will intercept the targets and make electronic missile launches.
Over 500 servicemen of the combat planes’ crews, the teams of anti-aircraft missile systems, radio-technical and ground personnel are taking part in the drills.
The Su-35S is a heavily upgraded generation 4++ supermaneuverable multipurpose fighter jet developed on the basis of fifth-generation technologies. The Su-35S is distinguished by its new avionics suite based on the information control system, the new radar, plasma ignition engines of the increased capacity and thrust vectoring. These engines meet the requirements for the powerplant of fifth-generation fighters as they allow developing supersonic speed without using an afterburner.
The Su-35S supersonic fighter jet performed its debut flight on February 19, 2008. The fighter jet is a derivative of the Su-27 plane. The Su-35S weighs 19 tonnes, has a service ceiling of 20,000 meters, can develop a maximum speed of 2,500 km/h and has a crew of one pilot. The fighter jet’s armament includes a 30mm aircraft gun, up to 8 tonnes of the weapon payload (missiles and bombs of various types) on 12 underwing hardpoints. The Su-35S has been in service with the Russian Army since 2015.


tass--2020-06-10--Putin stresses importance of ceasefire in Libya during phone call with Erdogan — Kremlin

MOSCOW , June 10 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has stressed the importance of the soonest ceasefire in Libya during a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan , the Kremlin ’ s press service informed on Wednesday .
`` During the substantive discussion of the situation in Libya , [ the leaders ] expressed a mutual concern over the mass armed clashes ongoing in the country that have caused numerous victims and significant damage .
Vladimir Putin has stressed the importance of the soonest ceasefire and the renewal of inter-Libyan dialogue based on the decisions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approved by Resolution 2510 of the UN Security Council , as well as other initiatives aimed at the political-diplomatic conflict regulation , '' the message informs .
The presidents of Russia and Turkey , Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan , emphasized the importance of bolstering efforts towards compliance with bilateral agreements on a ceasefire in Syria ’ s Idlib , the Kremlin press service reports after a telephone conversation of the two presidents on Wednesday .
Putin and Erdogan `` touched upon the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic .
An emphasis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts towards the implementation of the Russian-Turkish agreements on the Idlib de-escalation zone , including the Additional Protocol to the Sochi Memorandum of September 17 , 2018 , '' the press service said .
`` Control over compliance with the ceasefire and neutralization of the terrorist groups operating in Idlib is among the priority joint tasks , '' it stressed .
Russian and Turkish Presidents Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan also discussed current challenges in fighting coronavirus and underlined the importance of gradual restoration of bilateral ties after restrictions imposed due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press service noted .
`` The heads of state exchanged congratulations on the occasion of the centenary of the Russian-Turkish relations ( June 3 , 1920 ) .
Mutual commitment to further develop beneficial partnership was reiterated .
Current aspects of the fight against the coronavirus infection were touched upon .
The importance of gradual full revival of bilateral trade , economic , cultural and humanitarian ties was underlined as restrictions are lifted , '' the statement runs .

MOSCOW, June 10. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has stressed the importance of the soonest ceasefire in Libya during a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Kremlin’s press service informed on Wednesday.
"During the substantive discussion of the situation in Libya, [the leaders] expressed a mutual concern over the mass armed clashes ongoing in the country that have caused numerous victims and significant damage. Vladimir Putin has stressed the importance of the soonest ceasefire and the renewal of inter-Libyan dialogue based on the decisions of the Berlin International Conference of January 19 approved by Resolution 2510 of the UN Security Council, as well as other initiatives aimed at the political-diplomatic conflict regulation," the message informs.
The presidents of Russia and Turkey, Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, emphasized the importance of bolstering efforts towards compliance with bilateral agreements on a ceasefire in Syria’s Idlib, the Kremlin press service reports after a telephone conversation of the two presidents on Wednesday.
Putin and Erdogan "touched upon the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic. An emphasis was put on a need to boost efforts towards the implementation of the Russian-Turkish agreements on the Idlib de-escalation zone, including the Additional Protocol to the Sochi Memorandum of September 17, 2018," the press service said.
"Control over compliance with the ceasefire and neutralization of the terrorist groups operating in Idlib is among the priority joint tasks," it stressed.
Revival of ties with Turkey
Russian and Turkish Presidents Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan also discussed current challenges in fighting coronavirus and underlined the importance of gradual restoration of bilateral ties after restrictions imposed due to the pandemic are lifted, the Kremlin press service noted.
"The heads of state exchanged congratulations on the occasion of the centenary of the Russian-Turkish relations (June 3, 1920). Mutual commitment to further develop beneficial partnership was reiterated. Current aspects of the fight against the coronavirus infection were touched upon. The importance of gradual full revival of bilateral trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties was underlined as restrictions are lifted," the statement runs.