tass--2020-10-16--Russia opens air service with Serbia, Cuba

MOSCOW , October 16 .
/TASS/ .
Russian air carriers are given the opportunity to fly to Serbia and Cuba from October 15 , the Federal Air Transport Service said in its comment .
`` In accordance with decisions of the Russian government , airlines and aviation authorities of foreign countries were duly informed about the restart of flights with Serbia and Cuba from October 15 and with Japan from November 1 , '' the regulator ’ s press service said .
The response center earlier informed that the air service with Japan will resume from November 1 , without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Serbia and Cuba .
Azur Air airline informed earlier in the day that it plans to start flights to Cuba from November 4 .
Concerning Serbia , Aeroflot opened sales of tickets for flights from Moscow to Belgrade , with the first one scheduled for October 29 .
Russia halted scheduled air service with other countries in spring 2020 because of the pandemic .
Flights partly restarted from summer 2020 to Belarus , Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , South Korea , Egypt , the UAE , Turkey , the UK , Switzerland , Tanzania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain routes .

MOSCOW, October 16. /TASS/. Russian air carriers are given the opportunity to fly to Serbia and Cuba from October 15, the Federal Air Transport Service said in its comment.
"In accordance with decisions of the Russian government, airlines and aviation authorities of foreign countries were duly informed about the restart of flights with Serbia and Cuba from October 15 and with Japan from November 1," the regulator’s press service said.
The response center earlier informed that the air service with Japan will resume from November 1, without indicating specific dates of flights restart with Serbia and Cuba.
Azur Air airline informed earlier in the day that it plans to start flights to Cuba from November 4. Concerning Serbia, Aeroflot opened sales of tickets for flights from Moscow to Belgrade, with the first one scheduled for October 29.
Russia halted scheduled air service with other countries in spring 2020 because of the pandemic. Flights partly restarted from summer 2020 to Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, South Korea, Egypt, the UAE, Turkey, the UK, Switzerland, Tanzania and Maldives, with restrictions applying to certain routes.


tass--2020-10-16--This week in photos: Batman's bikes, Trump’s facemask toss, and a coronavirus-sniffing dog

Robert Pattinson 's stunt double on a motorcycle during the filming of `` Batman '' in the UK .
Due to the coronavirus , the premiere was postponed again , this time to March 2022 Liverpool , October 13 © Photo by MEGA/GC Images US President Donald Trump throws masks into the crowd .
The current head of state held a campaign rally for the first time since his wife Melania and him were diagnosed with COVID-19 , Florida , October 12 © AP Photo/Evan Vucci A boatful of marigold flowers in the famous floating gardens of Xochimilco , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is preparing to celebrate the brightest holiday - the Day of the Dead ( Dia de Muertos ) , and marigolds are one of its key symbols © AP Photo/Marco Ugarte Closed Mass in the Brazilian temple in honor of the celebration of the Day of Our Lady .
This year , due to the pandemic , only a thousand worshipers were allowed , although the temple of Our Lady of Aparecida is usually able accommodate up to 45,000 people , Aparecida , October 12 © Bruna Prado/Getty Images A dog is taught @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exercises are taking place all over the world , in Russia , 15 dogs of the Aeroflot canine service are participating in a programme to find those infected with coronavirus at airports , Paris , October 15 © Siegfried Modola/Getty Images The Stone Flower fountain at Moscow 's VDNKh is being prepared for winter .
This year 's fountain season in Moscow lasted longer than usual due to warm weather , and ended on October 10 , Moscow , October 15 © Alexander Shcherbak/TASS Archive Soyuz MS-17 manned spacecraft observed from the International @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first in the world to make only two orbits around the Earth before docking with the ISS and set a speed record .
The total flight time amounted to 3 hours and 3 minutes , Baikonur , October 14 © Ivan Vagner/RoscosmosTASS A police officer monitors the observance of the mask regime in the Novosibirsk metro .
As October 16 , 14,695 coronavirus cases have been registered in the region since the beginning of the pandemic , Novosibirsk , October 15 © Kirill Kukhmar/TASS Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov , who resigned this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This week , a new speaker of parliament , Kanat Isaev ( far right ) and head of government , Sadyr Japarov ( far left ) , were elected .
The former leadership of Kyrgyzstan has resigned due to protests that gripped the country following the October 4 parliamentary elections Bishkek , October 16 © Abylai Saralayev/TASS A policeman shouts during protests in the Thai capital .
The rallies demanding the resignation of the government have been taking placethere since July Bangkok , October 14 © REUTERS/Jorge Silva A woman in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Torlonia Marble .
Collecting Masterpieces '' exhibition in Italy .
One of the largest private collections of classical sculpture is presented to the public this week in Rome , with more than 90 statues , bas-reliefs and sarcophagi on display Rome , October 12 © REUTERS/Yara Nardi

Robert Pattinson's stunt double on a motorcycle during the filming of "Batman" in the UK. Due to the coronavirus, the premiere was postponed again, this time to March 2022 Liverpool, October 13 © Photo by MEGA/GC Images
A leap into the Baltic Sea. Strong winds and unusually high waves make one of Germany's most popular resorts a destination for surfers © AP Photo/Michael Probst
US President Donald Trump throws masks into the crowd. The current head of state held a campaign rally for the first time since his wife Melania and him were diagnosed with COVID-19, Florida, October 12 © AP Photo/Evan Vucci
Cyclists and sheep in Yarkon (Hayarkon) Park, Tel Aviv © AP Photo/Oded Balilty
A boatful of marigold flowers in the famous floating gardens of Xochimilco, the outskirts of Mexico City. The country is preparing to celebrate the brightest holiday - the Day of the Dead (Dia de Muertos), and marigolds are one of its key symbols © AP Photo/Marco Ugarte
Closed Mass in the Brazilian temple in honor of the celebration of the Day of Our Lady. This year, due to the pandemic, only a thousand worshipers were allowed, although the temple of Our Lady of Aparecida is usually able accommodate up to 45,000 people, Aparecida, October 12 © Bruna Prado/Getty Images
A dog is taught to detect COVID-19 by smell. Such exercises are taking place all over the world, in Russia, 15 dogs of the Aeroflot canine service are participating in a programme to find those infected with coronavirus at airports, Paris, October 15 © Siegfried Modola/Getty Images
The Stone Flower fountain at Moscow's VDNKh is being prepared for winter. This year's fountain season in Moscow lasted longer than usual due to warm weather, and ended on October 10, Moscow, October 15 © Alexander Shcherbak/TASS Archive
Soyuz MS-17 manned spacecraft observed from the International Space Station. The spacecraft became the first in the world to make only two orbits around the Earth before docking with the ISS and set a speed record. The total flight time amounted to 3 hours and 3 minutes, Baikonur, October 14 © Ivan Vagner/RoscosmosTASS
A police officer monitors the observance of the mask regime in the Novosibirsk metro. As October 16, 14,695 coronavirus cases have been registered in the region since the beginning of the pandemic, Novosibirsk, October 15 © Kirill Kukhmar/TASS
Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov, who resigned this week, captured ahead of a parliamentary meeting. This week, a new speaker of parliament, Kanat Isaev (far right) and head of government, Sadyr Japarov (far left), were elected. The former leadership of Kyrgyzstan has resigned due to protests that gripped the country following the October 4 parliamentary elections Bishkek, October 16 © Abylai Saralayev/TASS
A policeman shouts during protests in the Thai capital. The rallies demanding the resignation of the government have been taking placethere since July Bangkok, October 14 © REUTERS/Jorge Silva
Celebrating the Day of the Republic of North Ossetia and the City Day in Vladikavkaz Vladikavkaz, October 11 © Elena Afonina/TASS


tass--2020-10-16--Turkey strikes three targets with S-400 missile system in drills

MOSCOW , October 16 .
/TASS/ .
Turkey tested the Russian-made S-400 air defense systems for the first time during @ @ @ @ @ Sinop in the country ’ s north , a source in military and diplomatic circles @ @ @ @ @ `` Three missiles of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system were launched .
All of them @ @ @ @ @ , '' the source said .

MOSCOW, October 16. /TASS/. Turkey tested the Russian-made S-400 air defense systems for the first time during drills near the town of Sinop in the country’s north, a source in military and diplomatic circles told TASS on Friday.
"Three missiles of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system were launched. All of them successfully hit the designated targets," the source said.


tass--2020-10-16--Reasoning behind EU sanctions over Navalny borders on absurd — Russian Mission to EU

BRUSSELS , October 16 .
/TASS/ .
Reasoning behind the EU ’ s decisions on introducing anti-Russian sanctions over the incident with Russian blogger Alexey Navalny borders on the absurd , while the decisions themselves infringe on the UN functions , the statement of the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the European Union made public on Friday said .
`` Over the past day , the European Union has produced a series of sanctions decisions against Russian individuals and entities .
In addition to the previously announced steps related to the attempted poisoning of Alexey Navalny , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yevgeny Prigozhin - TASS ] over the alleged involvement in destabilising the situation in Libya , including violating the UN arms embargo on Libya , '' the document reads .
The Russian mission urged the EU `` to return to the international legal framework , stop dividing countries into worthy and unworthy of the status of geopolitical partner and choose stable , progressive cooperation instead of escalating confrontation for political purposes . ''
The mission emphasized that `` these steps will not remain unanswered '' by the Russian side .
`` The European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not stand up to scrutiny and is bordering on the absurd .
Of course there is no mention of any real evidence .
We consider the EU ’ s attempts to use the authority of the UN to cover up its unseemly political goals as absolutely unacceptable , '' the statement noted .
As it was reported on Thursday , the European Union blacklisted a number of Russian nationals over the incident with opposition blogger Alexey Navalny .
Among those added to the list are Director of Russia ’ s Federal Security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Kiriyenko , Chief of the Presidential Domestic Policy Directorate in the Presidential Executive Office Andrei Yarin , Deputy Defense Ministers Pavel Popov and Alexei Krivoruchko as well as Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Siberian Federal District Sergei Menyailo .
Brussels sees all of them as accomplices in the alleged attempt on Navalny ’ s life with the use of chemical weapons .
The EU restrictions stipulate an entry ban and freezing financial assets in European banks .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the anti-Russian sanctions of the European Union over the incident with Navalny .
Navalny was rushed to a local hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk on August 20 after collapsing on a Moscow-bound flight from Tomsk .
He fell into a coma and was put on a ventilator in an intensive care unit .
On August 22 , he was airlifted to Berlin and admitted to the Charite hospital .
On September 2 , Berlin claimed that having examined Navalny ’ s test samples , German government toxicologists had come to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affected by a toxic agent belonging to the Novichok family .
On October 6 , the OPCW confirmed that biomarkers of the cholinesterase inhibitor found in Navalny ’ s blood and urine samples have similar structural characteristics to the toxic chemicals added to the Chemical Weapons Convention ’ s Annex on Chemicals in November 2019 .
At the same time , the detected substance itself is not listed in this Annex .
Russia earlier reiterated that Germany and the OPCW hadn ’ t submitted to Moscow any official proof but continued to redirect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia was ready for comprehensive cooperation with Germany .
He pointed out that no poisonous substances had been detected in Navalny ’ s system prior to his transfer to Berlin .

BRUSSELS, October 16. /TASS/. Reasoning behind the EU’s decisions on introducing anti-Russian sanctions over the incident with Russian blogger Alexey Navalny borders on the absurd, while the decisions themselves infringe on the UN functions, the statement of the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the European Union made public on Friday said.
"Over the past day, the European Union has produced a series of sanctions decisions against Russian individuals and entities. In addition to the previously announced steps related to the attempted poisoning of Alexey Navalny, the EU announced sanctions [against Russian entrepreneur Yevgeny Prigozhin - TASS] over the alleged involvement in destabilising the situation in Libya, including violating the UN arms embargo on Libya," the document reads.
The Russian mission urged the EU "to return to the international legal framework, stop dividing countries into worthy and unworthy of the status of geopolitical partner and choose stable, progressive cooperation instead of escalating confrontation for political purposes."
"The European Union’s reasoning behind these decisions does not stand up to scrutiny and is bordering on the absurd. Of course there is no mention of any real evidence. We consider the EU’s attempts to use the authority of the UN to cover up its unseemly political goals as absolutely unacceptable," the statement noted.
As it was reported on Thursday, the European Union blacklisted a number of Russian nationals over the incident with opposition blogger Alexey Navalny. Among those added to the list are Director of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) Alexander Bortnikov, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Kiriyenko, Chief of the Presidential Domestic Policy Directorate in the Presidential Executive Office Andrei Yarin, Deputy Defense Ministers Pavel Popov and Alexei Krivoruchko as well as Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Siberian Federal District Sergei Menyailo. Brussels sees all of them as accomplices in the alleged attempt on Navalny’s life with the use of chemical weapons.
The EU restrictions stipulate an entry ban and freezing financial assets in European banks.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated earlier that Russia would respond proportionately to the anti-Russian sanctions of the European Union over the incident with Navalny.
Navalny case
Navalny was rushed to a local hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk on August 20 after collapsing on a Moscow-bound flight from Tomsk. He fell into a coma and was put on a ventilator in an intensive care unit. On August 22, he was airlifted to Berlin and admitted to the Charite hospital.
On September 2, Berlin claimed that having examined Navalny’s test samples, German government toxicologists had come to the conclusion that the blogger had been affected by a toxic agent belonging to the Novichok family. On October 6, the OPCW confirmed that biomarkers of the cholinesterase inhibitor found in Navalny’s blood and urine samples have similar structural characteristics to the toxic chemicals added to the Chemical Weapons Convention’s Annex on Chemicals in November 2019. At the same time, the detected substance itself is not listed in this Annex.
Russia earlier reiterated that Germany and the OPCW hadn’t submitted to Moscow any official proof but continued to redirect its inquires to each other instead. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia was ready for comprehensive cooperation with Germany. He pointed out that no poisonous substances had been detected in Navalny’s system prior to his transfer to Berlin.


tass--2020-10-16--Yerevan says Karabakh army ready to deliver strikes at enemy deployed at border with Iran

YEREVAN , October 16 .
/TASS/ .
The defense army of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh republic reserves the right to deliver strikes at Azerbaijani troops pulled to the border with Iran , Levon Aivazyan , chief of the Armenian defense ministry ’ s defense policy management and international cooperation directorate , said on Friday at a meeting with Iranian embassy ’ s defense attache Bahman Sadeghi .
`` Despite the numerous calls from the Armenian side , the Azerbaijani armed forces continue to be pulled to and conduct operations along the border with Iran .
On behalf of the Arstakh ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defense army , Levon Aivazyan states that in case the situation in the above mentioned area remained the same the defense army reserved the right to deliver strikes at the Azerbaijani armed forces in this area , '' the Armenian defense ministry said after the meeting .
According to the ministry , it was said to the Iranian side that the Azerbaijani army must relocate combat operations to a safe distance from the border with Iran .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group , led by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

YEREVAN, October 16. /TASS/. The defense army of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh republic reserves the right to deliver strikes at Azerbaijani troops pulled to the border with Iran, Levon Aivazyan, chief of the Armenian defense ministry’s defense policy management and international cooperation directorate, said on Friday at a meeting with Iranian embassy’s defense attache Bahman Sadeghi.
"Despite the numerous calls from the Armenian side, the Azerbaijani armed forces continue to be pulled to and conduct operations along the border with Iran. On behalf of the Arstakh (the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh republic - TASS) defense army, Levon Aivazyan states that in case the situation in the above mentioned area remained the same the defense army reserved the right to deliver strikes at the Azerbaijani armed forces in this area," the Armenian defense ministry said after the meeting.
According to the ministry, it was said to the Iranian side that the Azerbaijani army must relocate combat operations to a safe distance from the border with Iran.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-10-16--FAO expects stable foods price level

FAO expects stable foods price level

ROME , October 16 .
/TASS/ .
Sufficient production of foods and smooth functioning of food chains provide a fairly stable price level in different countries of the globe for primary kinds of foods even in the pandemic environment , Deputy Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization ( FAO ) and Regional Representative of FAO for Europe and Central Asia Vladimir Rakhmanin told TASS on Friday in an interview .
`` Despite all the restrictions , we expect the supply on the foods market , at least for its main kinds , will be sufficient and the price level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the developed situation on the global agro-food market shows that trouble-free functioning of foods sales chain is an important condition for support of stable foods prices in countries of our region , '' the official says .
The decline of the FAO aggregate index of food prices was observed from early 2020 due to the pandemic impact , Rakhmanin says .
However , the index started growing again from August 2020 and has recently returned to the February 2020 level .
An element of uncertainty and dependence on the whole range of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as during the last year , the official noted .
`` There is a need to overcome numerous challenges , such as the expected decline of economic growth and trade barriers .
Furthermore , the African Swine Fever spread and the grasshopper plague in certain regions of the globe remains an uncertainty factor , '' he added .
The record-breaking global grain production amounting to 2.7 bln tonnes or 55.7 mln tonnes above the like figure of 2019 is amount encouraging factor .
An unprecedented rice harvest is also expected .
Global wheat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a record-setting level also , amounting to about 765 mln tonnes , '' Rakhmanin added .

ROME, October 16. /TASS/. Sufficient production of foods and smooth functioning of food chains provide a fairly stable price level in different countries of the globe for primary kinds of foods even in the pandemic environment, Deputy Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Regional Representative of FAO for Europe and Central Asia Vladimir Rakhmanin told TASS on Friday in an interview.
"Despite all the restrictions, we expect the supply on the foods market, at least for its main kinds, will be sufficient and the price level will be relatively stable. The analysis of the developed situation on the global agro-food market shows that trouble-free functioning of foods sales chain is an important condition for support of stable foods prices in countries of our region," the official says.
The decline of the FAO aggregate index of food prices was observed from early 2020 due to the pandemic impact, Rakhmanin says. However, the index started growing again from August 2020 and has recently returned to the February 2020 level. An element of uncertainty and dependence on the whole range of factors prevail on foods markets, just as during the last year, the official noted. "There is a need to overcome numerous challenges, such as the expected decline of economic growth and trade barriers. Furthermore, the African Swine Fever spread and the grasshopper plague in certain regions of the globe remains an uncertainty factor," he added.
The record-breaking global grain production amounting to 2.7 bln tonnes or 55.7 mln tonnes above the like figure of 2019 is amount encouraging factor. An unprecedented rice harvest is also expected. Global wheat production is also expected to grow to a record-setting level also, amounting to about 765 mln tonnes," Rakhmanin added.


tass--2020-10-16--‘Nonsense about 'Russian agents' not worth reading’: Kremlin slams Western media claims

MOSCOW , October 16 .
/TASS/ .
Nonsense about alleged Russian intelligence agents published by Western media outlets is not @ @ @ @ @ Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday .
Peskov was asked to comment on a publication @ @ @ @ @ that Andrey Derkach , a member of Ukraine ’ s Verkhovna Rada ( parliament ) @ @ @ @ @ .
Earlier , the parliamentarian released records of phone conversations , as Derkach claims , @ @ @ @ @ Poroshenko and former US Vice President Joe Biden , which prove the US interference in @ @ @ @ @ .
Peskov said that he was unaware of the publication about Derkach .
The Russian @ @ @ @ @ `` why is only he [ Derkach ] called an agent ? ''
`` Will @ @ @ @ @ agencies please ?
Or better yet , its just not worth reading such nonsense in @ @ @ @ @ Kremlin spokesman advised .

MOSCOW, October 16. /TASS/. Nonsense about alleged Russian intelligence agents published by Western media outlets is not worth reading, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday.
Peskov was asked to comment on a publication in the US media claiming that Andrey Derkach, a member of Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada (parliament), was a Russian agent. Earlier, the parliamentarian released records of phone conversations, as Derkach claims, between former Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko and former US Vice President Joe Biden, which prove the US interference in Ukraine’s internal affairs.
Peskov said that he was unaware of the publication about Derkach. The Russian presidential spokesman wondered ironically, "why is only he [Derkach] called an agent?"
"Will you ask the Russian intelligence agencies please? Or better yet, its just not worth reading such nonsense in the papers," the Kremlin spokesman advised.


tass--2020-10-17--US deliberately distorts Russia’s reasons for refusing proposals on New START

MOSCOW , October 17 .
/TASS/ .
The United States is deliberately trying to distort the reasons for Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ proposals on extending the New START Treaty ( Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty ) , Russian @ @ @ @ @ Anatoly Antonov said in an interview with Channel One on Saturday .
`` It is @ @ @ @ @ trying to turn everything upside down , trying to make it seem as if Russia @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
The ambassador also pointed out that the dialogue with Russia in @ @ @ @ @ is unacceptable .
`` You can not out forward an ultimatum for Russia .
We @ @ @ @ @ but within a normal dialogue , '' Antonov said .
On October 16 , Russian @ @ @ @ @ extend the term of the New START Treaty at least for a year without any @ @ @ @ @ the US National Security Assistant Robert O'Brien said that the proposal is doomed to failure @

MOSCOW, October 17. /TASS/. The United States is deliberately trying to distort the reasons for Russia’s refusal of Washington's proposals on extending the New START Treaty (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty), Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said in an interview with Channel One on Saturday.
"It is sad that the US is trying to turn everything upside down, trying to make it seem as if Russia wants to destroy everything," he said.
The ambassador also pointed out that the dialogue with Russia in the form of an ultimatum is unacceptable. "You cannot out forward an ultimatum for Russia. We will reach an agreement, but within a normal dialogue," Antonov said.
On October 16, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed to extend the term of the New START Treaty at least for a year without any conditions. In turn, the US National Security Assistant Robert O'Brien said that the proposal is doomed to failure.


tass--2020-10-17--Positions of Russia and US on Nagorno-Karabakh generally coincide - Russian Ambassador

MOSCOW , October 17 .
/TASS/ .
The positions of Moscow and Washington coincide on the fundamental issues of the settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh , Russian Ambassador in Washington Anatoly Antonov said in an interview with Channel One on Saturday .
`` It was a pleasant surprise when a joint statement was issued by the three presidents [ co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia , France , the United States ] .
We have so few events where the American and Russian positions coincided , we called on the parties to restrain , to stop fire and to transfer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ambassador said .
`` There are some nuances , but in general we support the process that should bring the parties to a peaceful track , '' the diplomat stressed .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported @ @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, October 17. /TASS/. The positions of Moscow and Washington coincide on the fundamental issues of the settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh, Russian Ambassador in Washington Anatoly Antonov said in an interview with Channel One on Saturday.
"It was a pleasant surprise when a joint statement was issued by the three presidents [co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, the United States]. We have so few events where the American and Russian positions coincided, we called on the parties to restrain, to stop fire and to transfer everything into a diplomatic channel," the ambassador said.
"There are some nuances, but in general we support the process that should bring the parties to a peaceful track," the diplomat stressed.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.


tass--2020-10-17--Lavrov's visit to Serbia in late October being worked out - Russian Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW , October 17 .
/TASS/ .
The working visit of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to Serbia is currently @ @ @ @ @ Russian Foreign Ministry told TASS on Saturday .
`` Visits to the region are being @ @ @ @ @ ministry ’ s representative said , commenting on publications about Lavrov 's possible visit to @ @ @ @ @ on October 27-29 .
According to sources , the Russian Foreign Minister may also visit @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, October 17. /TASS/. The working visit of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to Serbia is currently being worked out, the Russian Foreign Ministry told TASS on Saturday.
"Visits to the region are being worked out," the ministry’s representative said, commenting on publications about Lavrov's possible visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia on October 27-29.
According to sources, the Russian Foreign Minister may also visit Croatia on October 27.


tass--2020-10-17--Nord Stream 2 will be completed, timing is unknown - German Foreign Minister

BERLIN , October 17 .
/TASS/ .
The Nord Stream 2 project will be completed , the only question that arises is when exactly this will happen , German Federal Minister for Foreign Affair Heiko Maas said in an interview with Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland .
`` I proceed from the assumption that Nord Stream 2 will be completed .
The question is when [ this will happen ] , '' he said .
Referring to criticism of the project from Washington , Maas said : `` We make decisions about our energy policy and energy supply here - in Europe .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ submitted to the US Senate a bill to expand sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline .
Germany sharply criticized plans to expand sanctions against the project .
Earlier , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters that the US Foreign Office will include Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream in projects falling under the CAATSA ( Countering America 's Adversaries Through Sanctions ) .
The Nord Stream 2 project includes construction of two gas pipeline strings with the total capacity of 55 bln cubic meters per year from Russia to Germany across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is 93 % complete to date .
The halt in December 2019 was related to the sanctions imposed upon the Switzerland-based Allseas , pipe-laying company .

BERLIN, October 17. /TASS/. The Nord Stream 2 project will be completed, the only question that arises is when exactly this will happen, German Federal Minister for Foreign Affair Heiko Maas said in an interview with Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland.
"I proceed from the assumption that Nord Stream 2 will be completed. The question is when [this will happen]," he said. Referring to criticism of the project from Washington, Maas said: "We make decisions about our energy policy and energy supply here - in Europe."
On June 4, US Senators submitted to the US Senate a bill to expand sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. Germany sharply criticized plans to expand sanctions against the project. Earlier, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters that the US Foreign Office will include Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream in projects falling under the CAATSA (Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions).
The Nord Stream 2 project includes construction of two gas pipeline strings with the total capacity of 55 bln cubic meters per year from Russia to Germany across the Baltic Sea. The gas pipeline is 93% complete to date. The halt in December 2019 was related to the sanctions imposed upon the Switzerland-based Allseas, pipe-laying company.


tass--2020-10-17--RDIF and Dr. Reddy's receives approval for Sputnik V clinical trials in India

MOSCOW , October 17 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) and pharmaceutical company Dr. Reddy @ @ @ @ @ Reddy 's ) have been approved by the Controller General of India ( DCGI ) @ @ @ @ @ III clinical trials of Sputnik V vaccine in India , press service of the fund @ @ @ @ @ was specified that the country will carry out randomized controlled multicenter trials , which will @ @ @ @ @ .
Currently , Sputnik V vaccine is undergoing post-registration clinical trials on 40,000 volunteers in @ @ @ @ @ and partners are conducting Phase III Sputnik V clinical trials in Belarus , Venezuela , @ @ @ @ @ .
India is also currently conducting the final trials of an experimental coronavirus vaccine , @ @ @ @ @ University of Oxford and Austrian company AstraZeneca .
On August 11 , Russia was the @ @ @ @ @ register a coronavirus vaccine called Sputnik V. The drug was developed by the Gamaleya National @ @ @ @ @ and passed clinical trials in June - July .

MOSCOW, October 17. /TASS/. The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and pharmaceutical company Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd (Dr. Reddy's) have been approved by the Controller General of India (DCGI) to conduct Phase II and III clinical trials of Sputnik V vaccine in India, press service of the fund reported on Saturday.
It was specified that the country will carry out randomized controlled multicenter trials, which will include safety and immunogenicity tests.
Currently, Sputnik V vaccine is undergoing post-registration clinical trials on 40,000 volunteers in Russia. Also, RDIF and partners are conducting Phase III Sputnik V clinical trials in Belarus, Venezuela, and the United Arab Emirates.
India is also currently conducting the final trials of an experimental coronavirus vaccine, Covishield, developed by the University of Oxford and Austrian company AstraZeneca.
On August 11, Russia was the first in the world to register a coronavirus vaccine called Sputnik V. The drug was developed by the Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology and passed clinical trials in June - July.


tass--2020-10-17--World missed its chance to use pandemic to improve international relations - diplomat

BRUSSELS , October 17 .
/TASS/ .
Humanity has missed a unique opportunity to use the global and common system of the coronavirus pandemic to overcome the growing problems in international relations , Russia 's Permanent Representative to the EU Vladimir Chizhov told reporters on Saturday .
`` It is difficult to imagine a more apolitical and global threat that humanity had to face in 2020 that a pandemic .
It would seem this is a chance to overcome differences , finally cope with the corrosion that is eroding the international security system , and turn the common fight against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the global political climate .
After all , as the current situation clearly shows , security is not only about planes , tanks , bombs , and missiles , '' he said .
`` But , alas , this did not happen , primarily due to the national egoism of individual states .
And we all observe how , instead of uniting , some partners begin to first intercept parties of masks from each other , and then run an unhealthy PR campaign on whose vaccine is better and who has more rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of making more money on it .
Let 's face it , such behavior is simply unworthy of modern humanity , '' the diplomat said .

BRUSSELS, October 17. /TASS/. Humanity has missed a unique opportunity to use the global and common system of the coronavirus pandemic to overcome the growing problems in international relations, Russia's Permanent Representative to the EU Vladimir Chizhov told reporters on Saturday.
"It is difficult to imagine a more apolitical and global threat that humanity had to face in 2020 that a pandemic. It would seem this is a chance to overcome differences, finally cope with the corrosion that is eroding the international security system, and turn the common fight against the virus into a springboard for rectifying the global political climate. After all, as the current situation clearly shows, security is not only about planes, tanks, bombs, and missiles," he said.
"But, alas, this did not happen, primarily due to the national egoism of individual states. And we all observe how, instead of uniting, some partners begin to first intercept parties of masks from each other, and then run an unhealthy PR campaign on whose vaccine is better and who has more rights to it, with the main goal of making more money on it. Let's face it, such behavior is simply unworthy of modern humanity," the diplomat said.


tass--2020-10-17--Russia-EU relations hit lowest point after sanctions over Navalny incident - diplomat

BRUSSELS , October 17 .
/TASS/ .
Relations between Russia and the European Union have reached their lowest level in recent years after sanctions in connection with the incident with opposition blogger Alexey Navalny , Russia 's Permanent Representative to the EU Vladimir Chizhov told reporters on Saturday .
`` This decision [ of the Council of the EU ] confirmed our worst fears that relations between Russia and the EU will be brought to their lowest level in recent years , '' he said , noting that currently there is `` little left '' of Russia ’ s trust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for these sanctions , both from a political and legal point of view , is very feeble , and from a moral point of view , it is simply unacceptable , '' the diplomat noted .
Chizhov added , `` Of course , we evaluate these restrictions in the same way as all the previous ones : as unilateral illegal measures .
There is only one authority in the world authorized to impose sanctions - the UN Security Council . ''
Russia will respond to the European Union with mirrored personal measures on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the incident with Navalny , Chizhov said .
`` Undoubtedly , mirror response measures will be taken .
Since the sanctions are personal , the response will obviously be personal , '' he said .
Chizhov did not rule out that the Russian response `` will touch on Germany and France , '' which initiated the introduction of restrictions .
Answering the question whether Russia can reconsider relations with the EU as a whole , Chizhov reiterated that these relations `` are already at the lowest point . ''
`` To be honest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more difficult for me and my colleagues to work in the near future , but we are ready for this and in any case we will strive to improve the Russian-EU relations .
On an equal and mutually respectful basis , of course , in no way sacrificing fundamental Russian interests , '' he said .
`` However , any relationship , besides the political one , has a material dimension , primarily a trade and economic one .
In past years , we even measured the strength of this ‘ safety net @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our trade with the EU with the volume of trade between Russia and the United States .
About 10 years ago , this ratio was 1 to 11 .
Today we see that unfriendly political actions are accompanied by deliberate attempts to destroy the material basis , by switching part of the EU 's economic ties from Russia to the United States among other means .
It is doubtful that this maneuver would be painless for the Old World , '' Chizhov concluded .

BRUSSELS, October 17. /TASS/. Relations between Russia and the European Union have reached their lowest level in recent years after sanctions in connection with the incident with opposition blogger Alexey Navalny, Russia's Permanent Representative to the EU Vladimir Chizhov told reporters on Saturday.
"This decision [of the Council of the EU] confirmed our worst fears that relations between Russia and the EU will be brought to their lowest level in recent years," he said, noting that currently there is "little left" of Russia’s trust in the EU.
"The justification for these sanctions, both from a political and legal point of view, is very feeble, and from a moral point of view, it is simply unacceptable," the diplomat noted. Chizhov added, "Of course, we evaluate these restrictions in the same way as all the previous ones: as unilateral illegal measures. There is only one authority in the world authorized to impose sanctions - the UN Security Council."
Russia will respond to the European Union with mirrored personal measures on the sanctions imposed under the pretext of the incident with Navalny, Chizhov said. "Undoubtedly, mirror response measures will be taken. Since the sanctions are personal, the response will obviously be personal," he said. Chizhov did not rule out that the Russian response "will touch on Germany and France," which initiated the introduction of restrictions.
Answering the question whether Russia can reconsider relations with the EU as a whole, Chizhov reiterated that these relations "are already at the lowest point." "To be honest, I expect that it will become more difficult for me and my colleagues to work in the near future, but we are ready for this and in any case we will strive to improve the Russian-EU relations. On an equal and mutually respectful basis, of course, in no way sacrificing fundamental Russian interests," he said.
"However, any relationship, besides the political one, has a material dimension, primarily a trade and economic one. In past years, we even measured the strength of this ‘safety net’. That is, we compared our trade with the EU with the volume of trade between Russia and the United States. About 10 years ago, this ratio was 1 to 11. Today we see that unfriendly political actions are accompanied by deliberate attempts to destroy the material basis, by switching part of the EU's economic ties from Russia to the United States among other means. It is doubtful that this maneuver would be painless for the Old World," Chizhov concluded.


tass--2020-10-17--Azerbaijan reports 60 civilian casualties since escalation in Karabakh started

BAKU , October 17 .
/TASS/ .
The Prosecutor General 's Office of Azerbaijan reported on Saturday that the number @ @ @ @ @ Azerbaijani side increased to 60 since the beginning of the escalation of the situation around @ @ @ @ @ injured .
`` As a result of the shelling of settlements by the Armenian side @ @ @ @ @ present , 60 civilians were killed , 270 were wounded , '' the ministry said @ @ @ @ @ to the report , damage was caused to 327 civil objects , 1 704 private @ @ @ @ @ .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles @ @ @ @ @ of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , @ @ @ @ @ past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
@ @ @ @ @ have reported casualties , among them civilians .

BAKU, October 17. /TASS/. The Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan reported on Saturday that the number of civilian deaths from the Azerbaijani side increased to 60 since the beginning of the escalation of the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh, 270 people were injured.
"As a result of the shelling of settlements by the Armenian side from September 27 to the present, 60 civilians were killed, 270 were wounded," the ministry said in a statement. According to the report, damage was caused to 327 civil objects, 1 704 private houses and 90 residential buildings.
A day earlier, 47 casualties and 222 wounded civilians were reported.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.


tass--2020-10-17--Baku announces destruction of Armenian Su-25, Yerevan refutes

BAKU , October 17 .
/TASS/ .
The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry announced on Saturday that the country 's air defense forces destroyed the Su-25 aircraft of the Armenian armed forces .
`` On October 17 , at 11:11 local time ( 10:11 Moscow time ) , Azerbaijani air defense units destroyed Su-25 aircraft belonging to the Armenian Armed Forces , which tried to strike at the positions of the Azerbaijani army units in the direction of the Jabrayil region , '' the defense ministry said in a statement .
The Armenian Defense Ministry denied Baku 's statement , calling it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Azerbaijani Defense Ministry that on October 17 they allegedly shot down Su-25 aircraft belonging to the Armenian side is yet another misinformation , '' Armenian Defense Ministry press secretary Shushan Stepanyan said .
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said earlier on Saturday that the country 's army took control of the city of Fizuli and seven villages in the Fizuli region of Karabakh .
He called the missile strikes on the city of Ganja a war crime and said that the Armenian leadership should be held accountable for shelling civilians .
Renewed clashes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group , led by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

BAKU, October 17. /TASS/. The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry announced on Saturday that the country's air defense forces destroyed the Su-25 aircraft of the Armenian armed forces.
"On October 17, at 11:11 local time (10:11 Moscow time), Azerbaijani air defense units destroyed Su-25 aircraft belonging to the Armenian Armed Forces, which tried to strike at the positions of the Azerbaijani army units in the direction of the Jabrayil region," the defense ministry said in a statement.
The Armenian Defense Ministry denied Baku's statement, calling it misinformation. "The statement of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry that on October 17 they allegedly shot down Su-25 aircraft belonging to the Armenian side is yet another misinformation," Armenian Defense Ministry press secretary Shushan Stepanyan said.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said earlier on Saturday that the country's army took control of the city of Fizuli and seven villages in the Fizuli region of Karabakh. He called the missile strikes on the city of Ganja a war crime and said that the Armenian leadership should be held accountable for shelling civilians.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-10-17--Over 297,000 people remain under surveillance in Russia due to coronavirus - watchdog

MOSCOW , October 17 .
/TASS/ .
Over 297,200 people remain under medical supervision in Russia due to suspicions of @ @ @ @ @ , press service of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human @ @ @ @ @ `` 297,219 people remain under medical supervision in the Russian Federation , '' the report @ @ @ @ @ department , more than 53.3 mln tests for coronavirus have been carried out , 523,000 @ @ @ @ @ day .

MOSCOW, October 17. /TASS/. Over 297,200 people remain under medical supervision in Russia due to suspicions of contracting a new coronavirus infection, press service of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing said on Saturday.
"297,219 people remain under medical supervision in the Russian Federation," the report said.
According to the department, more than 53.3 mln tests for coronavirus have been carried out, 523,000 tests were done over the day.


tass--2020-10-17--Number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Russia up 14,922 over day

MOSCOW , October 17 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases in Russia increased by 14,922 over the past day against 15,150 a day before , the federal operational headquarters for the fight against the new infection told reporters on Saturday .
In relative terms , the growth for the second day in a row is 1.1 % .
In total , 1,384,235 people were infected in Russia .
Most cases were detected in Moscow - 4,648 ( against 5,049 ) , in St. Petersburg - 659 , which again became the maximum figure since the beginning of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 458 , in Rostov and Nizhny Novgorod regions - 288 and 287 , respectively .
The smallest increase per day in relative terms was recorded in Chechnya ( 0.2 % ) , Chuvashia and Tatarstan ( 0.5 % ) , Tuva , Dagestan , Moscow and Chelyabinsk regions ( 0.6 % ) , the headquarters said .
The number of so-called active cases , that is , patients who are being treated at the moment , increased by 6,026 to 295,034 .
The number of deaths due to coronavirus in Russia increased by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day before .
The country has confirmed more than 200 deaths in one day for the fifth time since the beginning of the week .
In total , in Russia , according to the headquarters , 24,002 people died due to complications associated with coronavirus .
In particular , 56 people died over the past day in Moscow , 31 - in St. Petersburg , 11 - in the Rostov region , 10 - in the Moscow region , 8 each - in Tuva and the Smolensk region .
The number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the past day to 1,065,199 .
Despite the maximum growth of recovered patients , their share decreased once again - to 77 % of all cases .
In particular , the number of recovered people in Moscow increased by 2,001 ( maximum since July 7 ) , in St. Petersburg - by 330 , in the Stavropol region - by 279 , in the Sverdlovsk and Rostov regions - by 278 and 262 , respectively .
Overall , the number of coronavirus cases in Russia increased by 14,922 over the past day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headquarters said .
In relative terms , the growth for the second day in a row is 1.1 % .
In total , 1,384,235 people were infected in Russia .
Most cases were detected in Moscow - 4,648 ( against 5,049 ) , in St. Petersburg - 659 , which again became the maximum figure since the beginning of the pandemic , in the Moscow region - 458 , in Rostov and Nizhny Novgorod regions - 288 and 287 , respectively .
The smallest increase per day in relative terms was recorded in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Tatarstan ( 0.5 % ) , Tuva , Dagestan , Moscow and Chelyabinsk regions ( 0.6 % ) , the headquarters said .
The number of so-called active cases , that is , patients who are being treated at the moment , increased by 6,026 to 295,034 .

MOSCOW, October 17. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Russia increased by 14,922 over the past day against 15,150 a day before, the federal operational headquarters for the fight against the new infection told reporters on Saturday.
In relative terms, the growth for the second day in a row is 1.1%.
In total, 1,384,235 people were infected in Russia.
Most cases were detected in Moscow - 4,648 (against 5,049), in St. Petersburg - 659, which again became the maximum figure since the beginning of the pandemic, in the Moscow region - 458, in Rostov and Nizhny Novgorod regions - 288 and 287, respectively.
The smallest increase per day in relative terms was recorded in Chechnya (0.2%), Chuvashia and Tatarstan (0.5%), Tuva, Dagestan, Moscow and Chelyabinsk regions (0.6%), the headquarters said.
The number of so-called active cases, that is, patients who are being treated at the moment, increased by 6,026 to 295,034.
The number of deaths
The number of deaths due to coronavirus in Russia increased by 279 over the past day against 232 the day before.
The country has confirmed more than 200 deaths in one day for the fifth time since the beginning of the week.
In total, in Russia, according to the headquarters, 24,002 people died due to complications associated with coronavirus.
In particular, 56 people died over the past day in Moscow, 31 - in St. Petersburg, 11 - in the Rostov region, 10 - in the Moscow region, 8 each - in Tuva and the Smolensk region.
Number of recovered
The number of recovered patients from coronavirus increased by 8,617 over the past day to 1,065,199. Despite the maximum growth of recovered patients, their share decreased once again - to 77% of all cases.
In particular, the number of recovered people in Moscow increased by 2,001 (maximum since July 7), in St. Petersburg - by 330, in the Stavropol region - by 279, in the Sverdlovsk and Rostov regions - by 278 and 262, respectively.
Overall, the number of coronavirus cases in Russia increased by 14,922 over the past day against 15,150 a day before, the headquarters said. In relative terms, the growth for the second day in a row is 1.1%. In total, 1,384,235 people were infected in Russia.
Most cases were detected in Moscow - 4,648 (against 5,049), in St. Petersburg - 659, which again became the maximum figure since the beginning of the pandemic, in the Moscow region - 458, in Rostov and Nizhny Novgorod regions - 288 and 287, respectively.
The smallest increase per day in relative terms was recorded in Chechnya (0.2%), Chuvashia and Tatarstan (0.5%), Tuva, Dagestan, Moscow and Chelyabinsk regions (0.6%), the headquarters said.
The number of so-called active cases, that is, patients who are being treated at the moment, increased by 6,026 to 295,034.


tass--2020-10-17--Death toll from missile attack on Ganja rises to 13

BAKU , October 17 .
/TASS/ .
Thirteen people were killed in the missile attack on the Azerbaijani city of Ganja , Ministry of Emergency Situations of Azerbaijan said on Saturday .
`` The bodies of 13 victims were removed from the rubble , 52 people were wounded , '' the ministry said , noting that search and rescue work continues .
Earleir , the Azerbaijani Prosecutor General ’ s Office reported twelve people killed in the missile attack on the Azerbaijani city of Ganja .
`` As a result of a missile attack on downtown Ganja at about 01:00 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) on October 17 , 12 people have been killed , over 40 civilians have been wounded , and serious damage has been inflicted on civil infrastructure and transport , '' the message informs .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civilians .
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , France and the United States .

BAKU, October 17. /TASS/. Thirteen people were killed in the missile attack on the Azerbaijani city of Ganja, Ministry of Emergency Situations of Azerbaijan said on Saturday.
"The bodies of 13 victims were removed from the rubble, 52 people were wounded," the ministry said, noting that search and rescue work continues.
Earleir, the Azerbaijani Prosecutor General’s Office reported twelve people killed in the missile attack on the Azerbaijani city of Ganja. "As a result of a missile attack on downtown Ganja at about 01:00 (local time, 00:00 Moscow time) on October 17, 12 people have been killed, over 40 civilians have been wounded, and serious damage has been inflicted on civil infrastructure and transport,"the message informs.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-10-17--Telegram audience grows by 1.2 mln people in one month

MOSCOW , October 17 .
/TASS/ .
The monthly audience of Telegram messenger in August grew by 1.2 mln and @ @ @ @ @ , press service of Mediascope told TASS on Saturday .
According to the presented data @ @ @ @ @ most popular among the entire population of Russia over 12 years old .
In August @ @ @ @ @ who opened WhatsApp mobile app at least once a month amounted to 70.6 mln people @ @ @ @ @ the population .
Over the month , the number of users decreased by 0.1 % @ @ @ @ @ taken by Viber with 36.2 mln users , or 29.7 % of the population .
@ @ @ @ @ in one summer month .
Telegram ranks third , with the audience growing by 0.9 @ @ @ @ @ ( 21.8 % ) in August .
Google Chat followed with 22.5 mln ( 18.4 @ @ @ @ @ % .
Facebook Messenger closed the top five popular messaging apps with 7.1 mln people @ @ @ @ @ growth in August was 0.1 % .

MOSCOW, October 17. /TASS/. The monthly audience of Telegram messenger in August grew by 1.2 mln and amounted to 26.7 mln people, press service of Mediascope told TASS on Saturday.
According to the presented data, WhatsApp messenger remains the most popular among the entire population of Russia over 12 years old. In August, the number of people who opened WhatsApp mobile app at least once a month amounted to 70.6 mln people, or 57.7% of the population. Over the month, the number of users decreased by 0.1%.
The second position is taken by Viber with 36.2 mln users, or 29.7% of the population. Its audience declined 0.5% in one summer month.
Telegram ranks third, with the audience growing by 0.9% to 26.7 mln people (21.8%) in August. Google Chat followed with 22.5 mln (18.4%), adding 0.5%. Facebook Messenger closed the top five popular messaging apps with 7.1 mln people (5.9%) - growth in August was 0.1%.


tass--2020-10-17--Number of people recovered from coronavirus in Moscow increased by 2,000 per day

MOSCOW , October 17 .
/TASS/ .
The number of people who have recovered from coronavirus increased in Moscow by 2,001 over the day and amounted to 272,227 people , Deputy Mayor of Moscow Anastasia Rakova told reporters on Saturday .
`` The number of people who have recovered in Moscow continues to increase .
Over the past 24 hours after undergoing treatment , another 2,001 patients have recovered .
The total number of people who have recovered from the infection has increased to 272,227 , '' she said .
Recovered residents of Moscow are offered to become plasma donors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aged 18 to 55 years old who has had a coronavirus infection and does not have chronic diseases .
In addition , the donor must test negative for HIV , hepatitis B and C. In late December 2019 , Chinese officials informed 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

MOSCOW, October 17. /TASS/. The number of people who have recovered from coronavirus increased in Moscow by 2,001 over the day and amounted to 272,227 people, Deputy Mayor of Moscow Anastasia Rakova told reporters on Saturday.
"The number of people who have recovered in Moscow continues to increase. Over the past 24 hours after undergoing treatment, another 2,001 patients have recovered. The total number of people who have recovered from the infection has increased to 272,227," she said.
Recovered residents of Moscow are offered to become plasma donors. A donor can be a person aged 18 to 55 years old who has had a coronavirus infection and does not have chronic diseases. In addition, the donor must test negative for HIV, hepatitis B and C.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials informed 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--2020-10-17--Baku reports new attacks by Armenia on areas around Nagorno-Karabakh

BAKU , October 17 .
/TASS/ .
The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry informed of new attacks of areas around Nagorno-Karabakh by the Armenian side .
`` This morning , the Armenian armed forces are shelling the territory of Tartar , Agdam , Barda and Agjabedi districts , blatantly violating the humanitarian ceasefire regime , '' the ministry stated .
At the talks held at Russia ’ s initiative in Moscow , Baku and Yerevan agreed a ceasefire , which came into effect at 12:00 local time on October 10 for humanitarian reasons in order to exchange detainees and the bodies of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after noon , the sides traded blame for violating the ceasefire agreement .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group , led by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

BAKU, October 17. /TASS/. The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry informed of new attacks of areas around Nagorno-Karabakh by the Armenian side.
"This morning, the Armenian armed forces are shelling the territory of Tartar, Agdam, Barda and Agjabedi districts, blatantly violating the humanitarian ceasefire regime," the ministry stated.
At the talks held at Russia’s initiative in Moscow, Baku and Yerevan agreed a ceasefire, which came into effect at 12:00 local time on October 10 for humanitarian reasons in order to exchange detainees and the bodies of those killed in the fighting. Shortly after noon, the sides traded blame for violating the ceasefire agreement.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-10-17--Situation with S-400 hinders progress in US-Turkish relations - Pentagon

WASHINGTON , October 17 .
/TASS/ .
The situation around Russian S-400 missile defense system creates obstacles on the path to progress in US-Turkish bilateral relations , Jonathan Rath Hoffman , Chief Pentagon Spokesman , told TASS on Friday , commenting on the fact that Turkey has tested S-400 for the first time during military exercises .
`` The US Department of Defense is aware of reports of a possible test of the S-400 air defense system by Turkey .
If accurate , the Department strongly condemns the test .
We have been clear : an operational S-400 system is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a U.S. and NATO Ally , '' the spokesman stated .
`` We object to Turkey ’ s purchase of the system , and are deeply concerned with reports that Turkey is bringing it into operation .
It should not be activated .
Doing so risks serious consequences for our security relationship .
Turkey has already been suspended from the F-35 program and the S-400 continues to be a barrier to progress elsewhere in the bilateral relationship , '' he said .
Earlier , US Department of State Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if it places S-400 in its defense system .
A military-diplomatic source informed TASS on Friday that Turkey had tested the S-400 system for the first time during the drills held in the northern part of the country in the area of Sinop .
Russia ’ s state arms seller Rosoboronexport ( part of the state hi-tech corporation Rostec ) declined to comment on this information .
The Turkish Navy ’ s Office of Oceanography reported on October 14 that Ankara planned to hold firings during drills on October 16-17 .
The news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launches were conducted during the drills .
Russia announced in September 2017 that it had signed a $ 2.5 billion deal with Turkey on the delivery of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems to Ankara .
Under the contract , Ankara received a regiment set of S-400 air defense missile systems ( two battalions ) .
The deal also envisages partial transfer of production technology to the Turkish side .
Turkey is the first NATO member state to purchase such air defense missile systems from Russia .
The deliveries of S-400 launchers to Turkey began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s decision to acquire the Russian-made S-400 surface-to-air missile systems has caused a sharply negative reaction from the United States and NATO as a whole .
The United States is not abandoning its attempts to make Turkey give up the Russian air defense systems .
As Turkey has not yielded to the pressure and has said that it will not give up the S-400 systems , Washington has excluded Ankara from the US program of developing the fifth-generation F-35 fighter-bomber .

WASHINGTON, October 17. /TASS/. The situation around Russian S-400 missile defense system creates obstacles on the path to progress in US-Turkish bilateral relations, Jonathan Rath Hoffman, Chief Pentagon Spokesman, told TASS on Friday, commenting on the fact that Turkey has tested S-400 for the first time during military exercises.
"The US Department of Defense is aware of reports of a possible test of the S-400 air defense system by Turkey. If accurate, the Department strongly condemns the test. We have been clear: an operational S-400 system is not consistent with Turkey’s commitments as a U.S. and NATO Ally," the spokesman stated.
"We object to Turkey’s purchase of the system, and are deeply concerned with reports that Turkey is bringing it into operation. It should not be activated. Doing so risks serious consequences for our security relationship. Turkey has already been suspended from the F-35 program and the S-400 continues to be a barrier to progress elsewhere in the bilateral relationship," he said.
Earlier, US Department of State Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus told TASS that Ankara would face serious consequences if it places S-400 in its defense system.
A military-diplomatic source informed TASS on Friday that Turkey had tested the S-400 system for the first time during the drills held in the northern part of the country in the area of Sinop. Russia’s state arms seller Rosoboronexport (part of the state hi-tech corporation Rostec) declined to comment on this information. The Turkish Navy’s Office of Oceanography reported on October 14 that Ankara planned to hold firings during drills on October 16-17. The news agency Reuters reported on Friday that missile launches were conducted during the drills.
Russia announced in September 2017 that it had signed a $2.5 billion deal with Turkey on the delivery of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems to Ankara. Under the contract, Ankara received a regiment set of S-400 air defense missile systems (two battalions). The deal also envisages partial transfer of production technology to the Turkish side.
Turkey is the first NATO member state to purchase such air defense missile systems from Russia. The deliveries of S-400 launchers to Turkey began on July 12, 2019.
Turkey’s decision to acquire the Russian-made S-400 surface-to-air missile systems has caused a sharply negative reaction from the United States and NATO as a whole. The United States is not abandoning its attempts to make Turkey give up the Russian air defense systems.
As Turkey has not yielded to the pressure and has said that it will not give up the S-400 systems, Washington has excluded Ankara from the US program of developing the fifth-generation F-35 fighter-bomber.


tass--2020-10-17--Death toll from missile attack on Ganja goes up to 12, Baku reports

BAKU , October 17 .
/TASS/ .
Twelve people were killed in the missile attack on the Azerbaijani city of Ganja , the Azerbaijani Prosecutor General ’ s Office informed on Saturday .
`` As a result of a missile attack on downtown Ganja at about 01:00 ( local time , 00:00 Moscow time ) on October 17 , 12 people have been killed , over 40 civilians have been wounded , and serious damage has been inflicted on civil infrastructure and transport , '' the message informs .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group , led by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

BAKU, October 17. /TASS/. Twelve people were killed in the missile attack on the Azerbaijani city of Ganja, the Azerbaijani Prosecutor General’s Office informed on Saturday.
"As a result of a missile attack on downtown Ganja at about 01:00 (local time, 00:00 Moscow time) on October 17, 12 people have been killed, over 40 civilians have been wounded, and serious damage has been inflicted on civil infrastructure and transport," the message informs.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-10-17--US intelligence interrogated RT reporter at New York airport for several hours - embassy

WASHINGTON , October 17 .
/TASS/ .
US intelligence services interrogated Konstantin Rozhkov , a Russian reporter working for RT channel , for several hours at the New York airport on Thursday , the Russian Embassy in Washington informed on Facebook on Friday , adding that the interrogation `` has gone beyond regular procedure , '' and demanding an explanation from the US State Department over the incident .
`` On October 15 , Konstantin Rozhkov , a reporter with the RT channel , was subdued to an interrogation at the New York airport by US intelligence services that lasted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came to the USA to shoot a documentary about America in the run-up to the presidential election , '' the message informs .
According to the embassy , the reporter was asked to `` provide access to all existing electronic devices , and then to give an explanation to information available for public access , namely the Russian national ’ s Sputnik V ( Russian vaccine against COVID-19 - TASS ) shot and the text messages related to journalist activity . ''
According to the embassy , `` the interrogation of a member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procedure related to ensuring public security . ''
`` We consider the incident as a blatant attempt by the American government to pressure a representative of the media that provides an opportunity for the audience to see alternative views to those prevalent in the USA .
We demand an explanation from the US State Department , '' the embassy stressed .

WASHINGTON, October 17. /TASS/. US intelligence services interrogated Konstantin Rozhkov, a Russian reporter working for RT channel, for several hours at the New York airport on Thursday, the Russian Embassy in Washington informed on Facebook on Friday, adding that the interrogation "has gone beyond regular procedure," and demanding an explanation from the US State Department over the incident.
"On October 15, Konstantin Rozhkov, a reporter with the RT channel, was subdued to an interrogation at the New York airport by US intelligence services that lasted for several hours. The Russian national came to the USA to shoot a documentary about America in the run-up to the presidential election," the message informs.
According to the embassy, the reporter was asked to "provide access to all existing electronic devices, and then to give an explanation to information available for public access, namely the Russian national’s Sputnik V (Russian vaccine against COVID-19 - TASS) shot and the text messages related to journalist activity."
According to the embassy, "the interrogation of a member of the Russia media went beyond regular procedure related to ensuring public security." "We consider the incident as a blatant attempt by the American government to pressure a representative of the media that provides an opportunity for the audience to see alternative views to those prevalent in the USA. We demand an explanation from the US State Department," the embassy stressed.


tass--2020-10-18--Iran has opportunity to buy weapons in foreign countries from Sunday

UN , October 18 .
/TASS/ .
The embargo on supplies to Iran and on Iranian export of conventional weapons @ @ @ @ @ fifth anniversary from the effective time of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA @ @ @ @ @ situation regarding the Iranian nuclear program and the UN Security Council ’ s Resolution 2231 @ @ @ @ @ which set the relevant term for restrictions .
The United States repeatedly opposed cancellation of @ @ @ @ @ of Iran during the last several months and introduced sanctions on sales of weapons to @ @ @ @ @ on September 21 ` .
Russia is not afraid of US sanctions because it is @ @ @ @ @ Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov says in a comment .
Russia is developing multi-aspect cooperation with @ @ @ @ @ the military-technical sphere will proceed depending on needs of the parties and mutual readiness to @ @ @ @ @ fashion , '' the diplomat adds .

UN, October 18. /TASS/. The embargo on supplies to Iran and on Iranian export of conventional weapons expired on Sunday, the fifth anniversary from the effective time of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on settlement of the situation regarding the Iranian nuclear program and the UN Security Council’s Resolution 2231 approved in its support, which set the relevant term for restrictions.
The United States repeatedly opposed cancellation of the weapons embargo in respect of Iran during the last several months and introduced sanctions on sales of weapons to Iran at the national level on September 21`.
Russia is not afraid of US sanctions because it is accustomed to them, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov says in a comment. Russia is developing multi-aspect cooperation with Iran and "cooperation in the military-technical sphere will proceed depending on needs of the parties and mutual readiness to such cooperation in a calm fashion," the diplomat adds.


tass--2020-10-18--Artillery, rocket shelling reported in Nagorno Karabakh - Armenian Defense Ministry

TASS , October 18 .
Artillery and rocket shelling took place in the northern and the southern directions in Nagorno-Karabakh @ @ @ @ @ ceasefire came into force , press secretary of the Armenian Ministry of Defense Shushan Stepanyan @ @ @ @ @ Having violated the humanitarian ceasefire regime again , the adversary made an artillery shelling in @ @ @ @ @ to 02:45 am [ local time ] and a rocket shelling in the southern direction @ @ @ @ @ [ ; local time ] , '' press secretary of the Armenian Ministry of Defense @ @ @ @ @ .
On Saturday , Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and Azerbaijan announced the agreement @ @ @ @ @ from October 18 .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , @ @ @ @ @ the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer @ @ @ @ @ 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched @ @ @ @ @ to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .

TASS, October 18. Artillery and rocket shelling took place in the northern and the southern directions in Nagorno-Karabakh is calm after the humanitarian ceasefire came into force, press secretary of the Armenian Ministry of Defense Shushan Stepanyan says on Sunday.
"Having violated the humanitarian ceasefire regime again, the adversary made an artillery shelling in the northern direction from 00:04 to 02:45 am [local time] and a rocket shelling in the southern direction from 02:20 to 02:45 am [;local time]," press secretary of the Armenian Ministry of Defense Shushan Stepanyan wrote in Facebook.
On Saturday, Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and Azerbaijan announced the agreement to start the humanitarian ceasefire from October 18.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.


tass--2020-10-18--Situation on line of contact in Karabakh is calm - Armenian Defense Ministry

TASS , October 18 .
The situation on the line of contact in Nagorno-Karabakh is calm after the humanitarian ceasefire @ @ @ @ @ local time on October 18 , press secretary of the Armenian Ministry of Defense Shushan @ @ @ @ @ `` The situation on the line of contact is calm .
The humanitarian ceasefire has @ @ @ @ @ '' Stepanyan wrote in her Telegram channel .
On Saturday , Ministries of Foreign Affairs @ @ @ @ @ the agreement to start the humanitarian ceasefire from October 18 .

TASS, October 18. The situation on the line of contact in Nagorno-Karabakh is calm after the humanitarian ceasefire came into force at midnight local time on October 18, press secretary of the Armenian Ministry of Defense Shushan Stepanyan says on Sunday.
"The situation on the line of contact is calm. The humanitarian ceasefire has already come into force," Stepanyan wrote in her Telegram channel.
On Saturday, Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and Azerbaijan announced the agreement to start the humanitarian ceasefire from October 18.


tass--2020-10-18--Humanitarian ceasefire comes into force in Nagorno-Karabakh

TASS , October 18 .
A new humanitarian ceasefire has come into effect in Nagorno-Karabakh at 00.00 local time on Sunday , October 18 ( at 11.00 Moscow time on October 17 ) , the foreign ministries of Azerbaijan and Armenia said on Saturday .
The two countries said in their statements , `` This decision was taken following the statement of the Presidents of the French Republic , the Russian Federation and the United States of America , representing the co-chair countries of the OSCE Minsk Group of 1 October 2020 , the Statement by the Co-Chairs of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in line with Moscow Statement of 10 October 2020 . ''
Earlier on Saturday , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks with top diplomats of Armenia and Azerbaijan by phone .
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry , `` The conversations emphasized the need of strict compliance with provisions of the Moscow statement of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation , the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia as of October 10 , which envisage a ceasefire for humanitarian reasons . ''
Apart from that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement adopted in Moscow to begin substantive negotiations with the aim of achieving a peace settlement at the soonest possible time basing on basic principles under the mediation of co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group , '' the foreign ministry added .

TASS, October 18. A new humanitarian ceasefire has come into effect in Nagorno-Karabakh at 00.00 local time on Sunday, October 18 (at 11.00 Moscow time on October 17), the foreign ministries of Azerbaijan and Armenia said on Saturday.
The two countries said in their statements, "This decision was taken following the statement of the Presidents of the French Republic, the Russian Federation and the United States of America, representing the co-chair countries of the OSCE Minsk Group of 1 October 2020, the Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group of 5 October, and in line with Moscow Statement of 10 October 2020."
Earlier on Saturday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks with top diplomats of Armenia and Azerbaijan by phone.
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, "The conversations emphasized the need of strict compliance with provisions of the Moscow statement of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia as of October 10, which envisage a ceasefire for humanitarian reasons."
Apart from that, they "reaffirmed the significance of the agreement adopted in Moscow to begin substantive negotiations with the aim of achieving a peace settlement at the soonest possible time basing on basic principles under the mediation of co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group," the foreign ministry added.


tass--2020-10-18--Moscow's death toll from confirmed COVID-19 cases rises by 52

MOSCOW , October 18 .
/TASS/ .
The death toll from confirmed coronavirus cases has risen by 52 in Moscow @ @ @ @ @ , the Russian capital ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Saturday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ have passed away in Moscow .
Their diagnoses of pneumonia were confirmed and they tested @ @ @ @ @ , '' the center informed .
The COVID-19 death toll amounts to 5,958 in Moscow @ @ @ @ @ recorded 357,643 coronavirus cases so far .
Of those , 4,648 were confirmed in the @ @ @ @ @ 272,000 people have recovered from the disease .

MOSCOW, October 18. /TASS/. The death toll from confirmed coronavirus cases has risen by 52 in Moscow over the past 24 hours, the Russian capital’s anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Saturday.
"As many as 52 patients have passed away in Moscow. Their diagnoses of pneumonia were confirmed and they tested positive for the coronavirus infection," the center informed.
The COVID-19 death toll amounts to 5,958 in Moscow.
The Russian capital has recorded 357,643 coronavirus cases so far. Of those, 4,648 were confirmed in the past day. More than 272,000 people have recovered from the disease.


tass--2020-10-18--Chechen leader denounces terrorist attack on teacher outside Paris

TASS , October 18 .
Chechnya ’ s head Ramzan Kadyrov has denounced the terrorist attack in which a teacher was killed in a Paris suburb and offered his condolences to the teacher ’ s family , Kadyrov wrote on his Telegram channel on Saturday .
`` We condemn this act of terror and offer condolences to the family of the victim .
Strongly opposing terrorism in any manifestations , I urge not to provoke the believers , nor to hurt their religious feelings , '' the Chechen leader said .
He assured France that the Chechens had nothing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not the first time when France attempts to blame Chechens for all her problems .
Let me assure you that Chechens are not a part of them , '' Kadyrov stated .
Kadyrov pointed out that the suspect had lived most of his lifetime in France .
`` Looking ahead , so that French investigators will not add color to the ‘ Chechen trace ’ version , I emphasize that Anzorov visited the Chechen Republic only once in his life at the age of two years , '' Chechnya ’ s head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teacher was attacked outside the school where he taught in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine , a suburb of Paris .
His throat was slit with a kitchen knife .
The assailant tried to threaten police officers who arrived at the scene but was shot dead .
France ’ s anti-terror prosecutor is investigating the attack , which President Emmanuel Macron dubbed as an act of terror .
The investigators ’ main lead is the teacher ’ s professional activities .
Nine people , including the killer ’ s relatives , have already been detained in connection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-terrorism prosecutor Jean-Francois Ricard said that the suspect was `` a Chechen born in Moscow on March 12 , 2002 , who was a refugee .
He was not known to the law enforcement agencies . ''
According to the prosecutor , the suspect was granted a 10-year residence permit on March 4 .
The investigators said that on October 5 the teacher showed cartoons of Prophet Muhammad in his class on freedom of expression and since then he was the target of threats from his students ’ parents .
He was said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the treats .

TASS, October 18. Chechnya’s head Ramzan Kadyrov has denounced the terrorist attack in which a teacher was killed in a Paris suburb and offered his condolences to the teacher’s family, Kadyrov wrote on his Telegram channel on Saturday.
"We condemn this act of terror and offer condolences to the family of the victim. Strongly opposing terrorism in any manifestations, I urge not to provoke the believers, nor to hurt their religious feelings," the Chechen leader said.
He assured France that the Chechens had nothing to do with the attack.
"It is not the first time when France attempts to blame Chechens for all her problems. Let me assure you that Chechens are not a part of them," Kadyrov stated.
Kadyrov pointed out that the suspect had lived most of his lifetime in France.
"Looking ahead, so that French investigators will not add color to the ‘Chechen trace’ version, I emphasize that Anzorov visited the Chechen Republic only once in his life at the age of two years," Chechnya’s head said.
About the attack
On October 16, a teacher was attacked outside the school where he taught in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, a suburb of Paris. His throat was slit with a kitchen knife. The assailant tried to threaten police officers who arrived at the scene but was shot dead.
France’s anti-terror prosecutor is investigating the attack, which President Emmanuel Macron dubbed as an act of terror. The investigators’ main lead is the teacher’s professional activities. Nine people, including the killer’s relatives, have already been detained in connection with the attack.
France’s anti-terrorism prosecutor Jean-Francois Ricard said that the suspect was "a Chechen born in Moscow on March 12, 2002, who was a refugee. He was not known to the law enforcement agencies." According to the prosecutor, the suspect was granted a 10-year residence permit on March 4.
The investigators said that on October 5 the teacher showed cartoons of Prophet Muhammad in his class on freedom of expression and since then he was the target of threats from his students’ parents. He was said to have filed a complaint to police over the treats.


tass--2020-10-18--OSCE welcomes humanitarian truce announced by Yerevan and Baku

VIENNA , October 18 .
/TASS/ .
Albania ’ s Chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) has welcomed the humanitarian ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh that entered into force at 00.00 local time on Sunday , October 18 .
`` Albanian OSCE Chairmanship welcomes the humanitarian truce in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict context , confirmed by MFA of Armenia and Azerbaijan MFA [ Ministry of Foreign Affairs ] , '' the Albanian OSCE Chairmanship 2020 wrote on its Twitter account on Saturday .
`` We need stability , both on ground & in the process led by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday , the foreign ministries of Azerbaijan and Armenia announced an agreement on a humanitarian ceasefire staring at 00.00 local time on October 18 .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held in Moscow on October 9 , Azerbaijan and Armenia agreed to a ceasefire .
It came into effect at 12.00 local time on Saturday , October 10 for humanitarian reasons , for the exchange of detainees and recovery of war dead .
Nevertheless , the ceasefire was broken later .

VIENNA, October 18. /TASS/. Albania’s Chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has welcomed the humanitarian ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh that entered into force at 00.00 local time on Sunday, October 18.
"Albanian OSCE Chairmanship welcomes the humanitarian truce in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict context, confirmed by MFA of Armenia and Azerbaijan MFA [Ministry of Foreign Affairs]," the Albanian OSCE Chairmanship 2020 wrote on its Twitter account on Saturday. "We need stability, both on ground & in the process led by the Minsk Group Co-Chairs."
On Saturday, the foreign ministries of Azerbaijan and Armenia announced an agreement on a humanitarian ceasefire staring at 00.00 local time on October 18.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.
At the talks, brokered by Russia and held in Moscow on October 9, Azerbaijan and Armenia agreed to a ceasefire. It came into effect at 12.00 local time on Saturday, October 10 for humanitarian reasons, for the exchange of detainees and recovery of war dead. Nevertheless, the ceasefire was broken later.