themoscowtimes--2020-11-17--Russia Develops Coronavirus Contact-Tracing App

The app , with the working title “ Stopcoronavirus .
My Contacts , ” scans the user ’ s surroundings in a 10-meter radius and measures how close and for how long they interact with other users .
Users who become infected will voluntarily notify the app , which then sends alerts to all others who were in close proximity to them .
Russia has developed a smartphone app that alerts users of possible exposure to the coronavirus , the country ’ s Ministry of Digital Development , Communications and Mass Media has said .
A video released by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stored anonymously on each device and will be automatically deleted after 14 days , the maximum incubation period for Covid-19 .
“ The information is anonymous and the infected person ’ s identity is not revealed , ” explains the ministry ’ s video , which has since been taken down from YouTube .
The ministry said it has partnered with Moscow City Hall as well as Apple and Google to develop the contact-tracing app .
The tech giants this spring collaborated to develop Exposure Notifications , a contact-tracing system based on Bluetooth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health authorities in dozens of countries .
The Meduza news website reported , citing unnamed sources , that the Russian app is based on Exposure Notifications .
Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadayev confirmed the app ’ s development , telling Meduza that its installation will not be required .
“ It ’ s a voluntary matter , but the more users install it , the wider the coverage , ” Shadayev said .
Neither Shadayev nor Meduza indicated how soon the contact-tracing app is expected to hit the App Store and Google Play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fifth-highest number of confirmed Covid-19 cases at 1.97 million , with record-breaking new deaths and infections in recent weeks .
Brazil , another top-5 country , also uses Exposure Notifications , as do 22 U.S. states .

The app, with the working title “Stopcoronavirus. My Contacts,” scans the user’s surroundings in a 10-meter radius and measures how close and for how long they interact with other users. Users who become infected will voluntarily notify the app, which then sends alerts to all others who were in close proximity to them.
Russia has developed a smartphone app that alerts users of possible exposure to the coronavirus, the country’s Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media has said.
A video released by the ministry stresses that all contacts will be stored anonymously on each device and will be automatically deleted after 14 days, the maximum incubation period for Covid-19.
“The information is anonymous and the infected person’s identity is not revealed,” explains the ministry’s video, which has since been taken down from YouTube.
The ministry said it has partnered with Moscow City Hall as well as Apple and Google to develop the contact-tracing app. The tech giants this spring collaborated to develop Exposure Notifications, a contact-tracing system based on Bluetooth technology that has been adopted by public health authorities in dozens of countries.
The Meduza news website reported, citing unnamed sources, that the Russian app is based on Exposure Notifications.
Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadayev confirmed the app’s development, telling Meduza that its installation will not be required. “It’s a voluntary matter, but the more users install it, the wider the coverage,” Shadayev said.
Neither Shadayev nor Meduza indicated how soon the contact-tracing app is expected to hit the App Store and Google Play.
Russia has the world’s fifth-highest number of confirmed Covid-19 cases at 1.97 million, with record-breaking new deaths and infections in recent weeks. Brazil, another top-5 country, also uses Exposure Notifications, as do 22 U.S. states.


themoscowtimes--2020-11-17--Russia Breaks 16-Year Air Pollution Record – Analysis

Experts found three times as many “ high ” and “ extremely high ” air pollution instances in the first nine months of 2020 than in all of 2019 , the outlet cited the Finexpertiza consulting firm as saying .
Russia has measured its highest levels of air pollution in 16 years , according to expert analysis cited by the RBC news website Tuesday .
Russia ’ s Hydrometeorology Center , whose data Finexpertiza based its study on , has recorded 171 “ high ” or “ extreme ” instances of pollution so far , the highest total since data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 125 instances alone , one fewer than in all of 2010 and double the yearly number in 2019 .
The study identified the carcinogen benzopyrene and poisonous gas hydrogen sulfide as the main pollutants .
“ High ” pollution refers to the concentration of one or more pollutants at 10 or more times the maximum permissible levels .
“ Extreme ” pollution refers to concentrations of pollutants between 20 and 50 times the allowable levels , which are accompanied by persistent smells , acid rain and other visual or sensory signs .
Finexpertiza @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's widespread coronavirus lockdowns did not significantly reduce air pollution overall .
“ It was often suggested at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic that closing businesses and reducing traffic would have a positive impact on the environment , ” Finexpertiza president Yelena Trubnikova said .
“ But the situation may not be so simple : Key industrial facilities continued operations while environmental compliance issues may have taken a backseat during the pandemic , ” she added .
Roman Pukalov , the head of Russia ’ s Green Patrol NGO , told RBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the result of an increase in government-mandated measurements and not necessarily higher levels of pollutant emissions .
Finexpertiza said the record could also be linked to a series of major accidents that caused toxic emissions at production facilities this year , according to RBC .
RBC reported that Russia ’ s Hydrometeorology Center measures air pollution with stationary and mobile observation stations that are placed near facilities that are likely to harm the environment .
Owners of these companies are required to install monitoring systems .

Experts found three times as many “high” and “extremely high” air pollution instances in the first nine months of 2020 than in all of 2019, the outlet cited the Finexpertiza consulting firm as saying.
Russia has measured its highest levels of air pollution in 16 years, according to expert analysis cited by the RBC news website Tuesday.
Russia’s Hydrometeorology Center, whose data Finexpertiza based its study on, has recorded 171 “high” or “extreme” instances of pollution so far, the highest total since data became available in 2005. July-September saw 125 instances alone, one fewer than in all of 2010 and double the yearly number in 2019.
The study identified the carcinogen benzopyrene and poisonous gas hydrogen sulfide as the main pollutants.
“High” pollution refers to the concentration of one or more pollutants at 10 or more times the maximum permissible levels. “Extreme” pollution refers to concentrations of pollutants between 20 and 50 times the allowable levels, which are accompanied by persistent smells, acid rain and other visual or sensory signs.
Finexpertiza president Yelena Trubnikova said that this spring's widespread coronavirus lockdowns did not significantly reduce air pollution overall.
“It was often suggested at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic that closing businesses and reducing traffic would have a positive impact on the environment,” Finexpertiza president Yelena Trubnikova said.
“But the situation may not be so simple: Key industrial facilities continued operations while environmental compliance issues may have taken a backseat during the pandemic,” she added.
Roman Pukalov, the head of Russia’s Green Patrol NGO, told RBC that 2020's record-setting air pollution is the result of an increase in government-mandated measurements and not necessarily higher levels of pollutant emissions.
Finexpertiza said the record could also be linked to a series of major accidents that caused toxic emissions at production facilities this year, according to RBC.
RBC reported that Russia’s Hydrometeorology Center measures air pollution with stationary and mobile observation stations that are placed near facilities that are likely to harm the environment. Owners of these companies are required to install monitoring systems.


themoscowtimes--2020-11-17--Russia Sees Record Daily Virus Deaths as Regions Struggle

While Europe has reintroduced new restrictions in response to a second wave of coronavirus infections sweeping across the world , Russia has refused to enforce a new nationwide lockdown .
Russia reported Tuesday a record high 442 new coronavirus-related deaths as the country 's regions struggled to cope with overflowing morgues and medicine shortages .
Health authorities on Tuesday recorded 22,410 new infections making Russia 's virus caseload the fifth-highest in the world with some 1.95 million registered infections .
Russia has reported a much lower virus fatality rate compared to other badly hit countries and critics have accused the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health crisis .
Demographic data for March-September shows an excess of more than 117,000 deaths year-on-year , suggesting that the actual number of fatalities could be much higher .
In a number of regions , doctors and patients have reported extreme pressure on emergency services , medicine deficits and overflowing morgues .
On Monday , Buryatia in eastern Siberia became the first Russian region since the second wave began to shutter bars , restaurants , shopping malls and other non-essential businesses for two weeks .
Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said Monday that 84 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allocated for coronavirus patients had been filled .
In the Ivanovo region northeast of Moscow , the regional health minister Artur Fokin said that local morgues were overflowing with corpses .
`` We are looking for additional refrigerating chambers since the morgues can no longer cope with the storage of bodies until they are handed over to relatives , '' Fokin told reporters on Monday .
Russian independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta said that in some regions pharmacies were running out of medicines , while ambulance brigades were so overwhelmed they were unable to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mishustin on Monday criticized regional heads for not reintroducing restrictions .
`` In most regions with a tense situation , the reason is the delay in decisions to introduce restrictive measures , '' he said .

While Europe has reintroduced new restrictions in response to a second wave of coronavirus infections sweeping across the world, Russia has refused to enforce a new nationwide lockdown.
Russia reported Tuesday a record high 442 new coronavirus-related deaths as the country's regions struggled to cope with overflowing morgues and medicine shortages.
Health authorities on Tuesday recorded 22,410 new infections making Russia's virus caseload the fifth-highest in the world with some 1.95 million registered infections.
The total virus fatalities stood at 33,391.
Russia has reported a much lower virus fatality rate compared to other badly hit countries and critics have accused the government of downplaying the severity of the health crisis.
Demographic data for March-September shows an excess of more than 117,000 deaths year-on-year, suggesting that the actual number of fatalities could be much higher.
In a number of regions, doctors and patients have reported extreme pressure on emergency services, medicine deficits and overflowing morgues.
On Monday, Buryatia in eastern Siberia became the first Russian region since the second wave began to shutter bars, restaurants, shopping malls and other non-essential businesses for two weeks.
Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said Monday that 84% of the country's hospital beds allocated for coronavirus patients had been filled.
In the Ivanovo region northeast of Moscow, the regional health minister Artur Fokin said that local morgues were overflowing with corpses.
"We are looking for additional refrigerating chambers since the morgues can no longer cope with the storage of bodies until they are handed over to relatives," Fokin told reporters on Monday.
Russian independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta said that in some regions pharmacies were running out of medicines, while ambulance brigades were so overwhelmed they were unable to reach all patients.
Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on Monday criticized regional heads for not reintroducing restrictions.
"In most regions with a tense situation, the reason is the delay in decisions to introduce restrictive measures," he said.


themoscowtimes--2020-11-17--Now Comes a Karabakh War Over Cultural Heritage

Azerbaijan ’ s military success confirmed by a Russian-brokered ceasefire has rapidly changed the map of the South Caucasus .
Attention has now turned to the rich cultural heritage , in particular the Armenian churches falling under Azerbaijani control .
Beyond preserving these precious monuments for future generations and as places of worship , this is a test of goodwill .
Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed to a cessation of hostilities but are still a long way from peace .
On an issue where human lives are not at stake , can the parties agree to a more inclusive narrative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to erase the identity of the other ?
The early signs are not positive .
This is not a simple story .
As Azerbaijani armed forces recaptured territories this autumn that had been under Armenian occupation since 1993 , the scale of cultural devastation became apparent .
Armenians had not just destroyed almost all the houses , but also , in many cases , wrecked graveyards .
Pictures of a mosque in Alkhanli village of Fizuli region , which had been turned into a cowshed , caused outrage .
The Azerbaijani culture ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the famous Azykh cave , a prehistoric site in the Martuni region which was extensively researched in the Soviet period , and at alterations to the Shahbulaq fortress in Aghdam region .
As Azerbaijani forces moved deeper into Karabakh , the issue then arose of the hundreds of Armenian churches , tombstones and monuments there .
Azerbaijan now controls most of Hadrut region and its monuments such as the Gtichavank church , which dates back to the 13th century .
As Armenians prepare to cede Azerbaijani territories under the Nov. 10 deal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
These include the Tsitsernavank basilica church in Lachin region and the archaeological site of the old city of Tigranakert in Aghdam region .
The Amaras monastery in Martuni region , which contains a 5th century mausoleum and is said to date back to the era of St. Gregory the Illuminator , the founder of the Armenian church , is situated on the new front line and it is not clear whether Armenians or Azerbaijanis currently control it .
Most attention has focused on the 12th century Dadivank monastery in Kelbajar region , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Nov. 25 .
News footage showed Russian peacekeepers at the site .
Azerbaijan ’ s culture ministry has said it regards churches such as Dadivank to be “ Albanian , ” not Armenian .
Anar Karimov , first deputy culture minister of Azerbaijan , posted a controversial tweet in which he referred to the monastery as having been “ built by wife of Albanian prince Vakhtang.
” The “ Albanian ” reference is to a bitter political-historical quarrel that has raged in parallel to the military Karabakh conflict .
The idea that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually “ Caucasian Albanian ” stems from a 1960s Soviet Azerbaijani thesis advanced by Ziya Buniatov , an influential scholar who was later regarded as Azerbaijan ’ s national historian .
The Albanians were a small Christian people in the Caucasus region who had mostly died out by the 10th century — although the Udins , a small ethnic group in northern Azerbaijan , are their likely successors .
A handful of old fragments of Albanian script have survived and been deciphered .
However , Buniatov and others argued that a Christian ecclesiastical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” had lasted until the 19th century and that this was proof of a separate Albanian identity lasting hundreds of years longer than previously thought .
This ambiguity allowed Azerbaijani politicians to assert that Karabakh ’ s churches were not actually Armenian ( and its people were therefore not either ) — while ignoring the fact that they were built in an Armenian style and covered in Armenian-language inscriptions .
What will happen to Karabakh ’ s Christian monuments now ?
Judging on past experience , their future may be one of preservation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been the fate of almost all Armenian monuments in Azerbaijan ’ s exclave of Nakhchivan .
The most egregious case was the razing of the famous medieval Armenian cemetery at Djulfa , with thousands of khachkar cross-stones , in Nakhchivan in 2005-06 .
As Nakhchivan is relatively unvisited , this story has not received the attention it would if the region were more accessible .
Unilateral and tendentious restoration has been visited on several monuments on both sides of the conflict .
For example , Armenians have restored and re-opened a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city which had a strong Muslim identity in the 18th and 19th centuries .
The mosque is mostly used for worship by resident or visiting Iranians .
A smaller less conspicuous mosque in Yerevan situated at Vardanants Street near the city center was pulled down as the Karabakh conflict began .
The Karabakh Armenian authorities also controversially restored the two mosques in the town of Shusha .
The Yerevan and Shusha restorations used the mirror image of the “ Albanian theory.
” Armenian restorers called the mosques “ Iranian ” or “ Persian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identity to them — even though it is clear that the Turkic-speaking Shiite builders of these mosques were the ancestors of modern-day Azerbaijanis .
Similarly , the Azerbaijani authorities have restored the Armenian church in the center of Baku .
However they have not put a cross on the dome , and the only public service in the church in the last 30 years occurred when Catholicos Karekin visited Baku in 2010 .
A smaller 18th century church of the Virgin Mary near Baku ’ s Maiden Tower was pulled down in 1992 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christian cemetery in the north part of Baku , known as Montino ( the main Armenian cemetery in the city ) , were also hastily razed to make way for a new road .
The Azerbaijani authorities have also restored churches in the towns of Nij and Gabala in controversial fashion .
The Nij church — which has good reason to be called “ Albanian ” as it is located in a region populated by the Udin ethnic group — was restored with the support of a Norwegian NGO , Norwegian Humanitarian Enterprise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ church were erased at the end of December 2004 , with the result that foreign ambassadors declined to attend the re-opening of the church .
Based on that experience , Steinar Gil , Norwegian ambassador to Azerbaijan at that time , commented , “ I am worried because Azerbaijan has a sad reputation related to Armenian religious monuments , ” and referred to “ the almost total Albanization of Armenian churches and monasteries , irrespective of their time of construction.
” As members of UNESCO , Armenia and Azerbaijan are both obliged to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1954 Hague Convention which is designed to protect monuments at risk due to armed conflict .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also invoked UNESCO in comments on Nov. 12 .
But UNESCO mainly operates in a country at the discretion of a national government .
So pressure to preserve monuments may come down to mobilization by international heritage experts .
Well-known monuments may remain untouched after the intervention of no less an authority than Russian President Vladimir Putin , who personally asked President Ilham Aliyev for — and reportedly received — reassurances on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of churches such as Dadivank .
Simon Maghakyan , an Armenian scholar who researched the Djulfa cemetery destruction , says he is more worried about the fate of lesser-known Armenian monuments .
He said , “ My fear is that the monuments at the highest risk for immediate erasure are being overlooked , including smaller medieval churches and especially the numerous statuesque khachkars that are nearly impossible to ‘ Albanize , ’ given their rich Armenian inscriptions .
One of the most prominent khachkars at grave risk is the 14th century Angels and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hadrut region , which Azerbaijan captured last month.
” Those Armenian and Azerbaijani experts who work to an international standard rather than a nationalist agenda can play a positive role — but only if given the space to do so .
Azerbaijani scholar Cavid Aga argues , “ By preserving Armenian heritage , we can learn Caucasian Albanian heritage too.
” This article was first published by Eurasianet .

Azerbaijan’s military success confirmed by a Russian-brokered ceasefire has rapidly changed the map of the South Caucasus. Attention has now turned to the rich cultural heritage, in particular the Armenian churches falling under Azerbaijani control. Beyond preserving these precious monuments for future generations and as places of worship, this is a test of goodwill. Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed to a cessation of hostilities but are still a long way from peace. On an issue where human lives are not at stake, can the parties agree to a more inclusive narrative of regional history that does not seek to erase the identity of the other? The early signs are not positive. This is not a simple story. As Azerbaijani armed forces recaptured territories this autumn that had been under Armenian occupation since 1993, the scale of cultural devastation became apparent. Armenians had not just destroyed almost all the houses, but also, in many cases, wrecked graveyards. Pictures of a mosque in Alkhanli village of Fizuli region, which had been turned into a cowshed, caused outrage. The Azerbaijani culture ministry also expressed indignation at Armenian excavations at the famous Azykh cave, a prehistoric site in the Martuni region which was extensively researched in the Soviet period, and at alterations to the Shahbulaq fortress in Aghdam region. As Azerbaijani forces moved deeper into Karabakh, the issue then arose of the hundreds of Armenian churches, tombstones and monuments there. Azerbaijan now controls most of Hadrut region and its monuments such as the Gtichavank church, which dates back to the 13th century.
As Armenians prepare to cede Azerbaijani territories under the Nov. 10 deal, they are handing over many significant monuments. These include the Tsitsernavank basilica church in Lachin region and the archaeological site of the old city of Tigranakert in Aghdam region. The Amaras monastery in Martuni region, which contains a 5th century mausoleum and is said to date back to the era of St. Gregory the Illuminator, the founder of the Armenian church, is situated on the new front line and it is not clear whether Armenians or Azerbaijanis currently control it. Most attention has focused on the 12th century Dadivank monastery in Kelbajar region, now due to be returned to Azerbaijan on Nov. 25. News footage showed Russian peacekeepers at the site. Azerbaijan’s culture ministry has said it regards churches such as Dadivank to be “Albanian,” not Armenian. Anar Karimov, first deputy culture minister of Azerbaijan, posted a controversial tweet in which he referred to the monastery as having been “built by wife of Albanian prince Vakhtang.”
#Khudavang monastery is one of the best testimonies of ancient Caucasian Albania civilization.Built in 9-13th century by wife of Albanian prince Vakhtang in Kalbajar region of #Azerbaijan,this complex is composed of Church of Arzu Khatun,Church of Hasan, basilica and 2 chapels pic.twitter.com/ZrmVLztPQS — Anar Karimov 🇦🇿 (@Anar_Karim) November 11, 2020
The “Albanian” reference is to a bitter political-historical quarrel that has raged in parallel to the military Karabakh conflict. The idea that churches in Karabakh are not Armenian but actually “Caucasian Albanian” stems from a 1960s Soviet Azerbaijani thesis advanced by Ziya Buniatov, an influential scholar who was later regarded as Azerbaijan’s national historian. The Albanians were a small Christian people in the Caucasus region who had mostly died out by the 10th century — although the Udins, a small ethnic group in northern Azerbaijan, are their likely successors. A handful of old fragments of Albanian script have survived and been deciphered. However, Buniatov and others argued that a Christian ecclesiastical eparchy named the “Church of Albania” had lasted until the 19th century and that this was proof of a separate Albanian identity lasting hundreds of years longer than previously thought. This ambiguity allowed Azerbaijani politicians to assert that Karabakh’s churches were not actually Armenian (and its people were therefore not either) — while ignoring the fact that they were built in an Armenian style and covered in Armenian-language inscriptions. What will happen to Karabakh’s Christian monuments now? Judging on past experience, their future may be one of preservation, unilateral restoration or destruction. Destruction has been the fate of almost all Armenian monuments in Azerbaijan’s exclave of Nakhchivan. The most egregious case was the razing of the famous medieval Armenian cemetery at Djulfa, with thousands of khachkar cross-stones, in Nakhchivan in 2005-06. As Nakhchivan is relatively unvisited, this story has not received the attention it would if the region were more accessible.
Unilateral and tendentious restoration has been visited on several monuments on both sides of the conflict. For example, Armenians have restored and re-opened a “Blue Mosque” in Yerevan, a city which had a strong Muslim identity in the 18th and 19th centuries. The mosque is mostly used for worship by resident or visiting Iranians. A smaller less conspicuous mosque in Yerevan situated at Vardanants Street near the city center was pulled down as the Karabakh conflict began. The Karabakh Armenian authorities also controversially restored the two mosques in the town of Shusha. The Yerevan and Shusha restorations used the mirror image of the “Albanian theory.” Armenian restorers called the mosques “Iranian” or “Persian,” seeking to deny any Azerbaijani identity to them — even though it is clear that the Turkic-speaking Shiite builders of these mosques were the ancestors of modern-day Azerbaijanis. Similarly, the Azerbaijani authorities have restored the Armenian church in the center of Baku. However they have not put a cross on the dome, and the only public service in the church in the last 30 years occurred when Catholicos Karekin visited Baku in 2010. A smaller 18th century church of the Virgin Mary near Baku’s Maiden Tower was pulled down in 1992. In 2008 many graves in the Christian cemetery in the north part of Baku, known as Montino (the main Armenian cemetery in the city), were also hastily razed to make way for a new road. The Azerbaijani authorities have also restored churches in the towns of Nij and Gabala in controversial fashion. The Nij church — which has good reason to be called “Albanian” as it is located in a region populated by the Udin ethnic group — was restored with the support of a Norwegian NGO, Norwegian Humanitarian Enterprise. However, Armenian-language inscriptions on the church were erased at the end of December 2004, with the result that foreign ambassadors declined to attend the re-opening of the church.


themoscowtimes--2020-11-17--Mutating Coronavirus Discovered in Siberia

“ We ’ re seeing certain changes in the proteins , and these changes detected in Siberia allow us to assume that this region is forming its own version [ of coronavirus ] with certain mutations , ” Rospotrebnadzor head Anna Popova said at a scientific symposium , according to Interfax .
A mutated version of the coronavirus strain that causes Covid-19 has been discovered in Siberia , the head of Russia ’ s consumer safety watchdog said Tuesday .
Popova spoke as the coronavirus outbreak continued its shift from the epicenter of Moscow to Russia 's regions , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and deaths during the country 's record-setting second wave .
Several of these regions have reported overflowing morgues and severe hospital bed and staff shortages in recent weeks .
The state-run TASS news agency quoted Popova as saying that none of the mutations discovered in Russia so far have been shown to make the virus more contagious or dangerous .
Popova noted that foreign and domestic coronavirus genome analysis has shown “ massively imported strains of the virus from Western Europe ” but none from China .
“ There are no strains circulating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from China earlier this year , ” Popova added .
Viruses such as the one that emerged in China late last year mutate constantly and new variants are not necessarily worse than the previous ones .
So far , no study has shown newer variants of SARS-Cov-2 , the strain that causes Covid-19 , to be more contagious or dangerous than their predecessors .

“We’re seeing certain changes in the proteins, and these changes detected in Siberia allow us to assume that this region is forming its own version [of coronavirus] with certain mutations,” Rospotrebnadzor head Anna Popova said at a scientific symposium, according to Interfax.
A mutated version of the coronavirus strain that causes Covid-19 has been discovered in Siberia, the head of Russia’s consumer safety watchdog said Tuesday.
Popova spoke as the coronavirus outbreak continued its shift from the epicenter of Moscow to Russia's regions, which are seeing around three-quarters of new infections and deaths during the country's record-setting second wave. Several of these regions have reported overflowing morgues and severe hospital bed and staff shortages in recent weeks.
The state-run TASS news agency quoted Popova as saying that none of the mutations discovered in Russia so far have been shown to make the virus more contagious or dangerous.
Popova noted that foreign and domestic coronavirus genome analysis has shown “massively imported strains of the virus from Western Europe” but none from China.
“There are no strains circulating in Russia that would have been brought from China earlier this year,” Popova added.
Viruses such as the one that emerged in China late last year mutate constantly and new variants are not necessarily worse than the previous ones.
So far, no study has shown newer variants of SARS-Cov-2, the strain that causes Covid-19, to be more contagious or dangerous than their predecessors.
AFP contributed reporting.


themoscowtimes--2020-11-17--As Russia Eases Its Border Restrictions, Who Is Able to Enter?

On Aug. 1 , Russia resumed direct flights to Tanzania , Turkey , and the U.K. Nearly four months later , regular international flights connect Russia with more than 15 countries , including recently re-instated air links with Ethiopia and Seychelles .
Russia has gradually moved to re-open its borders after grounding nearly all international flights this spring due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Countries whose citizens are currently allowed to enter Russia — and vice versa .
Though Russia ’ s daily coronavirus case numbers continue to rise , the government has given no indication that it plans to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the spring .
President Vladimir Putin also assured the public that the government has no plans for reverting to strict nationwide lockdown during the second wave .
Despite this , most foreigners are still not able to enter Russia , while foreign travel options for Russians also remain scarce .
Here ’ s a closer look at Russia ’ s entry and exit rules : Nationals and residency holders of countries with which Russia has resumed direct air traffic are allowed to enter Russia , given they have a valid visa or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia directly from the respective country of their citizenship or residency .
Currently , this rule includes the following countries : Belarus , Cuba , Egypt , Ethiopia , Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , the Maldives , Serbia , Seychelles , South Korea , Switzerland , Tanzania , Turkey , the UAE , Britain and Japan .
The following categories of foreign citizens can also travel to Russia , according to the Foreign Ministry : • None Immediate family members , spouses and legal guardians of Russian nationals , provided that they have documents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a critically ill or deceased person , provided that they have documents confirming their relations , • None Foreigners working in professions that fall under the “ highly qualified specialists ” category , • None Diplomats , members of intergovernmental commissions , committees or special delegations , as well as their family members , • None Holders of private visas issued by the Foreign Ministry .
What documents do I need ?
• None Foreign travelers must present English or Russian-language proof that they have tested negative for the coronavirus less than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • None Russian nationals are required to complete an entry form on the gosuslugi.ru portal and then upload their PCR test results within 72 hours of arrival in Russia .
Travelers are required to self-isolate until a negative test result is received .
• None All incoming passengers must present a completed health declaration form , which is most commonly provided by flight attendants onboard an aircraft .
Which countries can Russians travel to ?
Most countries that have agreed to resume direct air travel with Russia have done so on a reciprocal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed to travel there , given they comply with existing quarantine and visa regulations .
The rule does not apply to Japan and Switzerland , which permit entry only to certain types of visa holders and residents .
Similarly , Russian tourists are not yet able to enter Cyprus nor Greece despite the reopening of some direct flights to these destinations .
Those who don ’ t mind layovers or are simply eager to embark on a multi-country trip after months in Russia have a much more comprehensive selection .
Countries that currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bahrain , Croatia , the Dominican Republic , Morocco and Mexico .
Quarantine and test requirements vary by destination .
Some governments even require tourists to spend a certain amount of time in a designated low-risk country before arrival , while others allow them to enter only as part of a pre-arranged tour .

On Aug. 1, Russia resumed direct flights to Tanzania, Turkey, and the U.K. Nearly four months later, regular international flights connect Russia with more than 15 countries, including recently re-instated air links with Ethiopia and Seychelles.
Russia has gradually moved to re-open its borders after grounding nearly all international flights this spring due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Countries whose citizens are currently allowed to enter Russia — and vice versa.
Though Russia’s daily coronavirus case numbers continue to rise, the government has given no indication that it plans to close its borders again like it did in the spring. President Vladimir Putin also assured the public that the government has no plans for reverting to strict nationwide lockdown during the second wave.
Despite this, most foreigners are still not able to enter Russia, while foreign travel options for Russians also remain scarce.
Here’s a closer look at Russia’s entry and exit rules:
Who can visit Russia?
Nationals and residency holders of countries with which Russia has resumed direct air traffic are allowed to enter Russia, given they have a valid visa or other required travel documents and arrive in Russia directly from the respective country of their citizenship or residency.
Currently, this rule includes the following countries: Belarus, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Maldives, Serbia, Seychelles, South Korea, Switzerland, Tanzania, Turkey, the UAE, Britain and Japan.
The following categories of foreign citizens can also travel to Russia, according to the Foreign Ministry:
Russian permanent residency holders,
Immediate family members, spouses and legal guardians of Russian nationals, provided that they have documents confirming their relations,
Relatives of a critically ill or deceased person, provided that they have documents confirming their relations,
Foreigners seeking medical treatment,
Foreigners working in professions that fall under the “highly qualified specialists” category,
Diplomats, members of intergovernmental commissions, committees or special delegations, as well as their family members,
Holders of private visas issued by the Foreign Ministry.
What documents do I need?
Foreign travelers must present English or Russian-language proof that they have tested negative for the coronavirus less than 72 hours before arriving in Russia.
Russian nationals are required to complete an entry form on the gosuslugi.ru portal and then upload their PCR test results within 72 hours of arrival in Russia. Travelers are required to self-isolate until a negative test result is received.
All incoming passengers must present a completed health declaration form, which is most commonly provided by flight attendants onboard an aircraft.
Which countries can Russians travel to?
Most countries that have agreed to resume direct air travel with Russia have done so on a reciprocal basis, meaning most Russians are also allowed to travel there, given they comply with existing quarantine and visa regulations. The rule does not apply to Japan and Switzerland, which permit entry only to certain types of visa holders and residents.
Despite the reopening of some direct flights to Cyprus, Greece and Iran, Russian tourists are not yet permitted to enter these countries.
Those who don’t mind layovers or are simply eager to embark on a multi-country trip after months in Russia have a much more comprehensive selection.
Countries that currently allow Russians to enter include Albania, Bahrain, Croatia, the Dominican Republic, Morocco and Mexico. Quarantine and test requirements vary by destination. Some governments even require tourists to spend a certain amount of time in a designated low-risk country before arrival, while others allow them to enter only as part of a pre-arranged tour.


themoscowtimes--2020-11-17--Russia to Freeze-Dry Coronavirus Vaccine to Avoid Distribution Challenges – Reuters

The Sputnik V vaccine 's liquid form must be stored at minus 18 degrees Celsius or below to maintain its stated 92 % efficacy .
Vaccine storage and transport issues have become a concern after U.S. pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and Germany ’ s BioNTech announced that their vaccine , shown to be 90 % effective , can only survive at minus 70 C. Russia will transition to primarily freeze-dried doses of its coronavirus vaccine by spring as a workaround to the logistical challenges of transporting liquid doses at controlled temperatures , Reuters reported Monday .
According to Reuters , Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turning liquid Sputnik V into a dry , white mass that can be stored at normal fridge temperatures ” of 2 C to 8 C , which is then diluted and injected .
Kirill Dmitriev , head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) that markets Sputnik V , said that trials showed the “ same ” immune response to freeze-dried vaccines as to liquid forms .
He added that “ a large proportion of doses , if not a majority , ” will be freeze-dried starting from February .
Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sputnik V by the end of 2020 , then ramp up production to 6 million doses per month in spring , officials estimate .
Russia has already begun vaccinating a select group of medics and teachers in far-flung regions in parallel with post-registration clinical trials in Moscow .
It has also exported Sputnik V to Belarus , Venezuela , India and the United Arab Emirates .
A late-September test of the supply chain to every Russian region showed that special temperature-controlled containers for liquid Sputnik V doses could maintain a consistent temperature of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days , Retuers reported .
“ You can ’ t change the temperature by even half a degree , not even for a minute or a second , ” Oleg Baykov , the head of the Moscow logistics and courier firm Biocard which tracked the movements , told Reuters .
“ We ’ re like the Spetsnaz [ rapid deployment forces ] of the world of medical distribution , ” he was quoted as saying .

The Sputnik V vaccine's liquid form must be stored at minus 18 degrees Celsius or below to maintain its stated 92% efficacy. Vaccine storage and transport issues have become a concern after U.S. pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech announced that their vaccine, shown to be 90% effective, can only survive at minus 70 C.
Russia will transition to primarily freeze-dried doses of its coronavirus vaccine by spring as a workaround to the logistical challenges of transporting liquid doses at controlled temperatures, Reuters reported Monday.
According to Reuters, Russia has been testing a process of “turning liquid Sputnik V into a dry, white mass that can be stored at normal fridge temperatures” of 2 C to 8 C, which is then diluted and injected.
Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) that markets Sputnik V, said that trials showed the “same” immune response to freeze-dried vaccines as to liquid forms.
He added that “a large proportion of doses, if not a majority,” will be freeze-dried starting from February.
Russia plans to produce 2 million doses of Sputnik V by the end of 2020, then ramp up production to 6 million doses per month in spring, officials estimate.
Russia has already begun vaccinating a select group of medics and teachers in far-flung regions in parallel with post-registration clinical trials in Moscow. It has also exported Sputnik V to Belarus, Venezuela, India and the United Arab Emirates.
A late-September test of the supply chain to every Russian region showed that special temperature-controlled containers for liquid Sputnik V doses could maintain a consistent temperature of minus 18.5 C for up to four days, Retuers reported.
“You can’t change the temperature by even half a degree, not even for a minute or a second,” Oleg Baykov, the head of the Moscow logistics and courier firm Biocard which tracked the movements, told Reuters.
“We’re like the Spetsnaz [rapid deployment forces] of the world of medical distribution,” he was quoted as saying.


themoscowtimes--2020-11-13--Belarus Briefing | Nov. 17

Belarus Briefing | Nov. 17

Belarus has seen weekly mass protests against the disputed presidential re-election of Alexander Lukashenko for nearly three months .
Here 's more of the latest news from Russia 's ex-Soviet neighbor : Nov. 17 : What you need to know today • The Belarusian Association of Journalists has won the Media Freedom Award , a prize awarded by the governments of Britain and Canada • None At least 1,000 people were detained across Belarus on November 15 , according to local human rights watchdog Viasna , amid mass demonstrations against longstanding leader Alexander Lukashenko • Police brutality against demonstrators in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impermissible , but the very instances of provocations must not be ruled out , Russian presidential spokesman , Dmitry Peskov told the media on Tuesday .
• None , 31 , died on Thursday after being beaten to death by unknown security agents .
Witnesses say Bondarenko was detained in Minsk after scuffling with people in plain clothes who came to a playground to remove red-and-white ribbons .
• Thousands of people carrying candles and flowers gathered in Minsk on Thursday to mourn the death of Bondarenko .
• The EU has added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanctions blacklist of Belarus officials , bringing the total to 59 .
• Hundreds of people were detained in Minsk as protests continued for the 14th Sunday in a row .
• Opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , who fled to Lithuania under pressure from officials after the nationwide ballot , has seemed out the help of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden , to heap pressure on Lukashenko .
`` Joe Biden has spoken out more than once and taken a firm position of support for the Belarusian people , '' she said .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published on Thursday condemned `` massive '' rights abuses and torture in Belarus and called for a re-run of the country 's August presidential polls in which President Alexander Lukashenko claimed victory .
• Belarus on Tuesday launched its controversial Russia-built nuclear power station despite safety concerns from neighboring Baltic states three decades after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster .
• None The OSCE says there is “ overwhelming evidence ” that Belarus 's August presidential election results were falsified and that “ systematic '' human rights violations have been committed by the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 1,000 demonstrators , including many pensioners , took part in a march in Minsk on Nov. 2 to demand the resignation of Lukashenko , a day after hundreds of people were detained by police during a similar protest .
• Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko held a meeting with his new security chiefs on Friday following a reshuffle as he seeks to tighten his grip on power after months of unprecedented protests .
• None with all neighbors except Russia for most travelers , citing the coronavirus , while critics say it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • None Lukashenko dismissed controversial Belarusian interior minister Yury Karayeu , who oversaw a brutal crackdown on protesters in the days after the Aug. 9 presidential election , on Thursday .
State media reported that Karayeu was replaced by Ivan Kubrakou , who previously headed the Minsk city police department .
• None Prominent American political strategist and former Bernie Sanders campaign adviser Vitali Shkliarov on Wednesday returned to the United States from Belarus where he was detained in late July on charges of mobilizing protesters .
Shkliarov was among several prominent figures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lukashenko 's opponents .
• Belarus opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has called Monday ’ s general strike aimed at putting pressure on President Alexander Lukashenko a “ collective success ” and vowed to continue calling for his resignation .
• None Lukashenko has called on universities to expel students who joined the anti-government rallies across Belarus .
With reporting from AFP , TASS and RFE .

Belarus has seen weekly mass protests against the disputed presidential re-election of Alexander Lukashenko for nearly three months.
Here's more of the latest news from Russia's ex-Soviet neighbor:
Nov. 17: What you need to know today
The Belarusian Association of Journalists has won the Media Freedom Award, a prize awarded by the governments of Britain and Canada
At least 1,000 people were detained across Belarus on November 15, according to local human rights watchdog Viasna, amid mass demonstrations against longstanding leader Alexander Lukashenko
Police brutality against demonstrators in Belarus, unprovoked by protesters, is impermissible, but the very instances of provocations must not be ruled out, Russian presidential spokesman, Dmitry Peskov told the media on Tuesday.
Nov. 13
Roman Bondarenko , 31, died on Thursday after being beaten to death by unknown security agents . Witnesses say Bondarenko was detained in Minsk after scuffling with people in plain clothes who came to a playground to remove red-and-white ribbons.
. Witnesses say Bondarenko was detained in Minsk after scuffling with people in plain clothes who came to a playground to remove red-and-white ribbons. Thousands of people carrying candles and flowers gathered in Minsk on Thursday to mourn the death of Bondarenko.
The EU has added Lukashenko and his son Viktor to its sanctions blacklist of Belarus officials, bringing the total to 59.
Nov. 9
Hundreds of people were detained in Minsk as protests continued for the 14th Sunday in a row.
Opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who fled to Lithuania under pressure from officials after the nationwide ballot, has seemed out the help of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden, to heap pressure on Lukashenko. "Joe Biden has spoken out more than once and taken a firm position of support for the Belarusian people," she said.
Nov. 6
A report from the OSCE election-monitoring organization published on Thursday condemned "massive" rights abuses and torture in Belarus and called for a re-run of the country's August presidential polls in which President Alexander Lukashenko claimed victory.
Nov. 4
Belarus on Tuesday launched its controversial Russia-built nuclear power station despite safety concerns from neighboring Baltic states three decades after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
The OSCE says there is “overwhelming evidence” that Belarus's August presidential election results were falsified and that “systematic" human rights violations have been committed by the country's security forces.
More than 1,000 demonstrators, including many pensioners, took part in a march in Minsk on Nov. 2 to demand the resignation of Lukashenko, a day after hundreds of people were detained by police during a similar protest.
Oct. 30
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko held a meeting with his new security chiefs on Friday following a reshuffle as he seeks to tighten his grip on power after months of unprecedented protests.
Belarus has partly closed its land borders with all neighbors except Russia for most travelers, citing the coronavirus, while critics say it was a political move against the opposition.
Oct. 29
Lukashenko dismissed controversial Belarusian interior minister Yury Karayeu, who oversaw a brutal crackdown on protesters in the days after the Aug. 9 presidential election, on Thursday. State media reported that Karayeu was replaced by Ivan Kubrakou, who previously headed the Minsk city police department.
Prominent American political strategist and former Bernie Sanders campaign adviser Vitali Shkliarov on Wednesday returned to the United States from Belarus where he was detained in late July on charges of mobilizing protesters. Shkliarov was among several prominent figures seized in Belarus amid a crackdown on Lukashenko's opponents.
Belarus opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has called Monday’s general strike aimed at putting pressure on President Alexander Lukashenko a “collective success” and vowed to continue calling for his resignation.
Lukashenko has called on universities to expel students who joined the anti-government rallies across Belarus.
With reporting from AFP, TASS and RFE.


themoscowtimes--2020-11-17--France Urges Russia to Resolve Karabakh Ceasefire 'Ambiguities'

France on Tuesday urged Russia to clear up `` ambiguities '' over the ceasefire it brokered between Armenia and Azerbaijan @ @ @ @ @ , notably regarding the role of Turkey and foreign fighters .
`` We must remove @ @ @ @ @ the delimitation of the ceasefire , the presence of Turkey , the return of fighters @ @ @ @ @ negotiations on the status of Nagorno-Karabakh , '' French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told @ @ @ @ @ Putin brokered the ceasefire between Azerbaijan and Armenia , which allowed Azerbaijan to consolidate gains @ @ @ @ @ .
But the talks did not involve France or any other Western country .
Le @ @ @ @ @ would be discussed by a meeting of diplomats in Moscow from the Minsk Group on @ @ @ @ @ by France , Russia and the United States and leads efforts to find a solution @ @ @ @

France on Tuesday urged Russia to clear up "ambiguities" over the ceasefire it brokered between Armenia and Azerbaijan to end fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh, notably regarding the role of Turkey and foreign fighters.
"We must remove the ambiguities over refugees, the delimitation of the ceasefire, the presence of Turkey, the return of fighters and on the start of negotiations on the status of Nagorno-Karabakh," French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told parliament.
Russian President Vladimir Putin brokered the ceasefire between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which allowed Azerbaijan to consolidate gains after several weeks of fighting.
But the talks did not involve France or any other Western country.
Le Drian added that these issues would be discussed by a meeting of diplomats in Moscow from the Minsk Group on Karabakh, which is co-chaired by France, Russia and the United States and leads efforts to find a solution to the conflict.


themoscowtimes--2020-11-17--Kremlin Slams Brutality, Provocations in Belarus After Protester’s Death

Peskov spoke after thousands of Belarusians took to the streets Sunday to protest the death of arts teacher and former soldier Roman Bondarenko in police custody last week .
Bondarenko , 31 , never recovered from a coma after men believed to be plainclothes officers , a claim denied by the authorities , beat him and took him to a police station Wednesday .
The Belarus security services ’ unprovoked violence against anti-government protesters is unacceptable , Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday while also criticizing protesters for “ provocations ” against officers .
“ It goes without saying that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the protesters , is undesirable and impermissible , ” Peskov was quoted as saying to reporters by the state-run TASS news agency .
“ But it is impossible to turn a blind eye to the instances of provocations against the law enforcement officers , which do take place , too , ” Peskov added .
Witnesses said Bondarenko was beaten and arrested following a dispute over red-and-white ribbons that represent the Belarusian opposition on display in a Minsk courtyard that has become a regular meeting spot for the protest movement .
Bondarenko suffered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , triggering outrage among anti-government activists who hold the security forces responsible .
The European Union warned that it could impose further sanctions on Belarusian targets following Bondarenko ’ s death , which Minsk vowed to reciprocate .
Brussels blamed Belarusian authorities for violence against the population and of creating an environment condoning “ lawless , violent acts.
” Tuesday marks the 101st day of near-daily rallies against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko , whose re-election is disputed by protesters and the exiled opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya who claims to have won the Aug. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of protesters , who have reported torture and abuse in custody .

Peskov spoke after thousands of Belarusians took to the streets Sunday to protest the death of arts teacher and former soldier Roman Bondarenko in police custody last week. Bondarenko, 31, never recovered from a coma after men believed to be plainclothes officers, a claim denied by the authorities, beat him and took him to a police station Wednesday.
The Belarus security services’ unprovoked violence against anti-government protesters is unacceptable, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday while also criticizing protesters for “provocations” against officers.
“It goes without saying that brutality, unprovoked by some actions of the protesters, is undesirable and impermissible,” Peskov was quoted as saying to reporters by the state-run TASS news agency.
“But it is impossible to turn a blind eye to the instances of provocations against the law enforcement officers, which do take place, too,” Peskov added.
Witnesses said Bondarenko was beaten and arrested following a dispute over red-and-white ribbons that represent the Belarusian opposition on display in a Minsk courtyard that has become a regular meeting spot for the protest movement.
Bondarenko suffered brain damage and was pronounced dead Thursday, triggering outrage among anti-government activists who hold the security forces responsible.
The European Union warned that it could impose further sanctions on Belarusian targets following Bondarenko’s death, which Minsk vowed to reciprocate. Brussels blamed Belarusian authorities for violence against the population and of creating an environment condoning “lawless, violent acts.”
Tuesday marks the 101st day of near-daily rallies against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, whose re-election is disputed by protesters and the exiled opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya who claims to have won the Aug. 9 vote. Police have detained thousands of protesters, who have reported torture and abuse in custody.
AFP contributed reporting.