tass--2020-11-18--Putin’s health ‘absolutely fine’ — Kremlin

Unclear why Armenian PM was reluctant to allow refugees to return to Shusha , Putin says According to Putin , @ @ @ @ @ emerged during this round of conflict ''

Lukashenko says Putin promises he would regard attack on Belarus as attack on Russia
The Belarusian leader pointed out that NATO was quickly building up forces on the border with Belarus in Poland and in the Baltic countries
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tass--2020-11-18--Baku regards Putin’s signature as a guarantee Karabakh agreements are irreversible

`` The personal role of the Russian president and his signature to the trilateral statement are an exceptionally important contribution to the peace process and a guarantee this process will not be reversed , '' the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry ’ s press-service has said .
About Putin ’ s interview , in which he spoke about the de-escalation of the crisis , the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said that `` Baku appreciates the efforts that the Russian side has been exerting for the sake of a settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict . ''
`` Russia is a permanent member of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ borders on our region and has old-time historical bonds with it .
This explains Russia ’ s direct interest in strengthening security , stability and peace in the South Caucasus , '' the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said .
The commentary points out that Baku `` entirely shares '' the Russian president ’ s point of view in that the end of bloodshed was an important achievement of the trilateral statement .
`` From the very beginning of the war the Azerbaijani side has always and entirely supported the international community ’ s calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
Baku and Yerevan have disputed sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh since February 1988 , when the region declared secession from the Azerbaijani Soviet Socialist Republic .
In the armed conflict of 1992-1994 Azerbaijan lost control of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjoining regions .
On November 9 , Russian President Vladimir Putin , Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides would maintain the positions that they had held and Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the region .

"The personal role of the Russian president and his signature to the trilateral statement are an exceptionally important contribution to the peace process and a guarantee this process will not be reversed," the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry’s press-service has said.
About Putin’s interview, in which he spoke about the de-escalation of the crisis, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said that "Baku appreciates the efforts that the Russian side has been exerting for the sake of a settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict."
"Russia is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, a country that borders on our region and has old-time historical bonds with it. This explains Russia’s direct interest in strengthening security, stability and peace in the South Caucasus," the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said.
The commentary points out that Baku "entirely shares" the Russian president’s point of view in that the end of bloodshed was an important achievement of the trilateral statement. "From the very beginning of the war the Azerbaijani side has always and entirely supported the international community’s calls for ceasefire," the commentary runs.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Baku and Yerevan have disputed sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh since February 1988, when the region declared secession from the Azerbaijani Soviet Socialist Republic. In the armed conflict of 1992-1994 Azerbaijan lost control of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjoining regions.
On November 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10. The Russian leader said the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides would maintain the positions that they had held and Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the region.


tass--2020-11-18--Russian peacekeepers redeploy observation posts in Karabakh

MOSCOW , November 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russian peacekeepers redeployed observation posts and changed their number in Nagorno-Karabakh , Defense Ministry Spokesman Major-General Igor Konashenkov announced on Wednesday .
`` Considering the current situation , the Russian contingent ’ s command specified the position and the structure of observation posts .
The peacekeeping units are carrying out round-the-clock monitoring of the situation and exercising control of the ceasefire at 23 observation posts in the area of the peacekeeping operation .
Eleven observation posts have been set up in the northern area of responsibility and 12 in the southern zone , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peacekeepers earlier set up 25 observation posts in the area of the peacekeeping operation : nine in the northern and southern responsibility areas each and also seven temporary posts in the Lachin corridor .
The Russian peacekeeping contingent ’ s units continue accomplishing the tasks of round-the-clock monitoring and control of the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh , the general stressed .
Russian military transport planes continue airlifting personnel , military hardware and equipment of the peacekeeping contingent to Nagorno-Karabakh .
Overall , the Russian military transport aircraft have carried out 184 flights since November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ twenty-four hours , the Defense Ministry spokesman said .
On November 9 , Russian President Vladimir Putin , President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a full ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh .
Under the peace deal , Azerbaijani and Armenian forces will remain at their current positions while 1,960 Russian peacekeepers will be deployed to the region .
The Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh will basically comprise units of the 15th separate motor rifle ( peacekeeping ) brigade of the Central Military District , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Russian peacekeepers have set up observation posts along the engagement line in Nagorno-Karabakh and along the Lachin corridor that connects Armenia with the enclave to exercise control of the ceasefire observance .
The peacekeeping mission ’ s command has been deployed in the area of Stepanakert .
The Russian peacekeepers are monitoring the situation round-the-clock .

MOSCOW, November 18. /TASS/. Russian peacekeepers redeployed observation posts and changed their number in Nagorno-Karabakh, Defense Ministry Spokesman Major-General Igor Konashenkov announced on Wednesday.
"Considering the current situation, the Russian contingent’s command specified the position and the structure of observation posts. The peacekeeping units are carrying out round-the-clock monitoring of the situation and exercising control of the ceasefire at 23 observation posts in the area of the peacekeeping operation. Eleven observation posts have been set up in the northern area of responsibility and 12 in the southern zone," the spokesman said.
The Russian peacekeepers earlier set up 25 observation posts in the area of the peacekeeping operation: nine in the northern and southern responsibility areas each and also seven temporary posts in the Lachin corridor.
The Russian peacekeeping contingent’s units continue accomplishing the tasks of round-the-clock monitoring and control of the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh, the general stressed.
Russian military transport planes continue airlifting personnel, military hardware and equipment of the peacekeeping contingent to Nagorno-Karabakh. Overall, the Russian military transport aircraft have carried out 184 flights since November 10, including 22 in the past twenty-four hours, the Defense Ministry spokesman said.
On November 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a full ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh. Under the peace deal, Azerbaijani and Armenian forces will remain at their current positions while 1,960 Russian peacekeepers will be deployed to the region.
The Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh will basically comprise units of the 15th separate motor rifle (peacekeeping) brigade of the Central Military District, Russia’s Defense Ministry said.
The Russian peacekeepers have set up observation posts along the engagement line in Nagorno-Karabakh and along the Lachin corridor that connects Armenia with the enclave to exercise control of the ceasefire observance. The peacekeeping mission’s command has been deployed in the area of Stepanakert. The Russian peacekeepers are monitoring the situation round-the-clock.


tass--2020-11-18--West stirring the pot to disrupt Nagorno-Karabakh agreements — Russian foreign intel chief

`` According to the information we have , some Western countries are inciting Armenian and Azerbaijani nationalists to discredit and disrupt the ceasefire agreements .
They are trying to convince Armenians that the peace in Nagorno-Karabakh is a defeat for Yerevan .
They are injecting ideas about the need for a ‘ war to the victorious end.
’ On the other hand , Azerbaijanis are told that the Kremlin ‘ stole their victory ’ when the Azerbaijani army was a step away from capturing Stepanakert , '' reads the statement by Naryshkin issued by the Foreign Intelligence Service Wednesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries are trying to hide their irritation at the agreement on the Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire between Azerbaijan and Armenia reached with Russia ’ s active participation . ''
`` The United States and its allies are vexed that the war was stopped through Moscow ’ s mediation .
The thing is that it essentially reduced their longstanding work to push Russia out of Transcaucasia to zero , '' the intelligence chief pointed out .
`` Neither Washington nor the ‘ United Europe ’ want to come to terms with the existing balance of power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t come up with anything better than trying to rekindle animosity between the nations of Azerbaijan and Armenia to dismantle it , '' he warned .
`` These actions serve as yet more proof that the US and its European friends again pursue their goals at the expense of the interests of ordinary people , in this case , Azerbaijanis and Armenians .
Americans and Europeans are not worried that their provocations can lead to new bloodshed and plunge the region into a severe military conflict . ''
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
On November 9 , Russian President Vladimir Putin , Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10 .
The Russian leader said the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides would maintain the positions that they had held and Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the region .
Besides , Baku and Yerevan must exchange prisoners and the bodies of those killed .
On November 13 , Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nagorno-Karabakh , including representatives of the Emergencies Ministry , Foreign Ministry , Federal Security Service ( FSB ) as well as representatives of other interested federal bodies of executive power .
The Defense Ministry is tasked with addressing organizational issues .

"According to the information we have, some Western countries are inciting Armenian and Azerbaijani nationalists to discredit and disrupt the ceasefire agreements. They are trying to convince Armenians that the peace in Nagorno-Karabakh is a defeat for Yerevan. They are injecting ideas about the need for a ‘war to the victorious end.’ On the other hand, Azerbaijanis are told that the Kremlin ‘stole their victory’ when the Azerbaijani army was a step away from capturing Stepanakert," reads the statement by Naryshkin issued by the Foreign Intelligence Service Wednesday.
According to Naryshkin, "leading NATO countries are trying to hide their irritation at the agreement on the Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire between Azerbaijan and Armenia reached with Russia’s active participation." "The United States and its allies are vexed that the war was stopped through Moscow’s mediation. The thing is that it essentially reduced their longstanding work to push Russia out of Transcaucasia to zero," the intelligence chief pointed out.
"Neither Washington nor the ‘United Europe’ want to come to terms with the existing balance of power in the region. They couldn’t come up with anything better than trying to rekindle animosity between the nations of Azerbaijan and Armenia to dismantle it," he warned. "These actions serve as yet more proof that the US and its European friends again pursue their goals at the expense of the interests of ordinary people, in this case, Azerbaijanis and Armenians. Americans and Europeans are not worried that their provocations can lead to new bloodshed and plunge the region into a severe military conflict."
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. On November 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10. The Russian leader said the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides would maintain the positions that they had held and Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the region. Besides, Baku and Yerevan must exchange prisoners and the bodies of those killed. On November 13, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an order to establish an inter-agency humanitarian response center for Nagorno-Karabakh, including representatives of the Emergencies Ministry, Foreign Ministry, Federal Security Service (FSB) as well as representatives of other interested federal bodies of executive power. The Defense Ministry is tasked with addressing organizational issues.


tass--2020-11-18--One in 10 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in serious condition

MOSCOW , November 18 .
/TASS/ .
Currently , 221,000 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 have been hospitalized in Russia , @ @ @ @ @ in serious condition , Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko stated on Wednesday .
`` Right @ @ @ @ @ 1.1 mln patients under supervision and undergoing treatment ; 221,000 patients are hospitalized with a @ @ @ @ @ infection , '' 17,000 patients are with community-acquired pneumonia .
< … > Ten percent @ @ @ @ @ serious , '' they need intensive observation , '' he said during a session between @ @ @ @ @ government officials .

MOSCOW, November 18. /TASS/. Currently, 221,000 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 have been hospitalized in Russia, 10% of them are in serious condition, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko stated on Wednesday.
"Right now, we have over 1.1 mln patients under supervision and undergoing treatment; 221,000 patients are hospitalized with a confirmed diagnosis "novel coronavirus infection," 17,000 patients are with community-acquired pneumonia. <…> Ten percent of those hospitalized are "serious," they need intensive observation," he said during a session between Russian President Vladimir Putin and government officials.


tass--2020-11-18--More than 6,300 companies registered in Haikou's new business district in ten months

HAIKOU , November 18 .
/TASS/ .
The total number of new enterprises registered in Haikou 's new Jiangdong district reached 6,302 in the first 10 months of 2020 .
In October alone , the local newspaper Hainan Daily reports , their number increased by more than 2 , 600 .
The district 's administration , the newspaper writes , is actively working to improve the business climate and simplify administrative registration procedures .
Transactions on 15 positions for enterprises are now processed in a matter of seconds .
The administration of the new district of Jiangdong , the newspaper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to improve business environment , and also adopted a roadmap for the implementation of the related tasks for the next three years .
The Jiangdong District intends to use the best international practices , in particular Singapore , in terms of design and innovation , trade and investment facilitation , and free cross-border movement of people .
The creation of new districts , where the authorities are attracting various enterprises and high-tech companies , is an important part of Hainan 's free trade port project , the development program for which was published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ document , Hainan will be turned into a special customs zone .
The Chinese government expects to complete the creation of the free port in the province by 2025 : by this time , a system for ensuring free trade and investment should be set up on the island .
By 2035 , the free port and its model will become more solid .
By this time , it is planned to ensure freedom of trade and investment , cross-border movement of capital , people , and freight traffic on Hainan .

HAIKOU, November 18. /TASS/. The total number of new businesses registered in Haikou's Jiangdong District exceeded 2,600 units in the first 10 months of 2020. By the end of October, the local newspaper "Hainan Daily" writes, their total number reached more than 6,300.
The district's administration, the newspaper writes, is actively working to improve the business climate and simplify administrative registration procedures. Transactions on 15 positions for enterprises are now processed in a matter of seconds.
The administration of the new district of Jiangdong, the newspaper writes, has already approved a plan to improve business environment, and also adopted a roadmap for the implementation of the related tasks for the next three years. The Jiangdong District intends to use the best international practices, in particular Singapore, in terms of design and innovation, trade and investment facilitation, and free cross-border movement of people.
The creation of new districts, where the authorities are attracting various enterprises and high-tech companies, is an important part of Hainan's free trade port project, the development program for which was published on June 1. According to this document, Hainan will be turned into a special customs zone. The Chinese government expects to complete the creation of the free port in the province by 2025: by this time, a system for ensuring free trade and investment should be set up on the island.
By 2035, the free port and its model will become more solid. By this time, it is planned to ensure freedom of trade and investment, cross-border movement of capital, people, and freight traffic on Hainan.


tass--2020-11-18--Hainan's Haikou to double the number of duty free stores in 2020

HAIKOU , November 18 .
/TASS/ .
Haikou will double the number of large duty free stores this year to boost consumption .
The local authorities said Wednesday that the city will have four large duty free shops in the coming months .
`` Haikou plans to gradually build up its potential in the consumer sector , attracting new commercial organizations specializing in this kind of activities , '' according to a statement posted on the regional government 's WeChat .
According to a draft on boosting consumption , which was recently posted on another official resource — the Haikou @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening two new stores , the city plans to significantly expand existing duty free facilities in 2020 .
The first of them is located at Meilan International Airport , where the area of the modernized luxury section will soon increase to 9,000 square meters .
The second — in the Sun Moon Plaza shopping center , located in one of the busiest parts of the city , where the prestigious brands sector will receive an additional 50,000 meters .
Moreover , according to the document , the Haikou authorities in the foreseeable future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cozy consumer zone for tourists , where they can relax , enjoy themselves , and also shop .
Currently , there are four duty free shops in the Hainan province : two of them are located in the provincial capital Haikou , and the rest — in Sanya and the coastal town of Boao .
A pilot program for the development of a chain of duty free shops on Hainan province was launched by the Chinese government in 2011 .
Duty free stores are part of the government 's plan to promote international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 2020 , it is planned to open three more new duty free shops .
The authorities explained the need to increase the number of duty free shops in the province by the growing number of tourists and the high demand for duty free goods .
All three new stores will be located in Sanya .
One of them will open at the airport , the other two — in the suburbs .

HAIKOU, November 18. /TASS/. Haikou will double the number of large duty free stores this year to boost consumption. The local authorities said Wednesday that the city will have four large duty free shops in the coming months.
"Haikou plans to gradually build up its potential in the consumer sector, attracting new commercial organizations specializing in this kind of activities," according to a statement posted on the regional government's WeChat.
According to a draft on boosting consumption, which was recently posted on another official resource — the Haikou administration's website — in addition to opening two new stores, the city plans to significantly expand existing duty free facilities in 2020. The first of them is located at Meilan International Airport, where the area of the modernized luxury section will soon increase to 9,000 square meters. The second — in the Sun Moon Plaza shopping center, located in one of the busiest parts of the city, where the prestigious brands sector will receive an additional 50,000 meters.
Moreover, according to the document, the Haikou authorities in the foreseeable future will customize several more streets as a cozy consumer zone for tourists, where they can relax, enjoy themselves, and also shop.
Currently, there are four duty free shops in the Hainan province: two of them are located in the provincial capital Haikou, and the rest — in Sanya and the coastal town of Boao. A pilot program for the development of a chain of duty free shops on Hainan province was launched by the Chinese government in 2011.
Duty free stores are part of the government's plan to promote international tourism on Hainan. By the end of 2020, it is planned to open three more new duty free shops. The authorities explained the need to increase the number of duty free shops in the province by the growing number of tourists and the high demand for duty free goods. All three new stores will be located in Sanya. One of them will open at the airport, the other two — in the suburbs.


tass--2020-11-19--Russia ready to strengthen dialogue with Myanmar

MOSCOW , November 19 .
/TASS/ .
Russia reaffirms its commitment to developing multilateral cooperation with Myanmar , where a @ @ @ @ @ recently , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during Thursday ’ s briefing .
@ @ @ @ @ in separate regions of the country , the election campaign and the vote were held @ @ @ @ @ peaceful atmosphere in accordance with Myanmar ’ s law , and it was characterized by @ @ @ @ @ '' the diplomat said .
`` We reaffirm our principal commitment to strengthening our traditionally @ @ @ @ @ cooperation further in the interest of our countries ’ people . ''
The Myanmar parliamentary @ @ @ @ @ with the win of the ruling party `` National League for Democracy '' led by @ @ @ @ @ Counsellor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi .

MOSCOW, November 19. /TASS/. Russia reaffirms its commitment to developing multilateral cooperation with Myanmar, where a parliamentary election has been held recently, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during Thursday’s briefing.
"Despite the difficult situation in separate regions of the country, the election campaign and the vote were held in a generally stable and peaceful atmosphere in accordance with Myanmar’s law, and it was characterized by a high voter turnout," the diplomat said. "We reaffirm our principal commitment to strengthening our traditionally friendly relations and developing multilateral cooperation further in the interest of our countries’ people."
The Myanmar parliamentary election ended on November 8 with the win of the ruling party "National League for Democracy" led by the country’s State Counsellor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi.


tass--2020-11-19--Russian Antarctic station rattled by 6.0 magnitude earthquake

ST. PETERSBURG , November 19 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian polar station Bellingshausen in the Antarctic is registering tremors with a magnitude of up to 6.0 , the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute , the country ’ s sole operator of Antarctic research , reported on Thursday .
`` At the Bellingshausen station… tremors with a magnitude of 4.7 - 6.0 , with their epicenter located at a distance of 40-50 km southeast of the station in the Bransfield Strait at depths in the earth ’ s crust from 1.5 to 10 km , '' the Institute ’ s press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian polar stations in the Antarctic are now carrying out preparatory work under the program of the 66th Russian Antarctic expedition .
In particular , the Vostok station has completed the work to prepare the runway 3,700 meters long .
The Progress and Mirny stations have also finished the work to put runways into operation .
The Novolazarevskaya station is carrying out emergency work to clean and restore the runway after a recent blizzard .
The first flight of an Il-76 plane from Cape Town is scheduled for November 19 .
The scientific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Antarctic .
The ship departed from St. Petersburg on November 15 with the first group of researchers on its board .
The group comprises 32 members of the 66th seasonal and wintering expedition .
There are also 54 crewmembers , a helicopter squad of 11 people and a group of nine participants in the Belarusian Antarctic expedition aboard the vessel .
The Bellingshausen station is a Russian polar base on King George island of the South Shetland Islands established on February 22 , 1968 .
It is Russia ’ s northernmost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stations are operational in the Antarctic , including 42 year-round bases .
Russia has five year-round research stations and five seasonal bases in the Antarctic .
The Russian Antarctic expedition is continuously operating on the southernmost continent .

ST. PETERSBURG, November 19. /TASS/. The Russian polar station Bellingshausen in the Antarctic is registering tremors with a magnitude of up to 6.0, the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, the country’s sole operator of Antarctic research, reported on Thursday.
"At the Bellingshausen station… tremors with a magnitude of 4.7 - 6.0, with their epicenter located at a distance of 40-50 km southeast of the station in the Bransfield Strait at depths in the earth’s crust from 1.5 to 10 km," the Institute’s press office said in a statement.
The Russian polar stations in the Antarctic are now carrying out preparatory work under the program of the 66th Russian Antarctic expedition. In particular, the Vostok station has completed the work to prepare the runway 3,700 meters long. The Progress and Mirny stations have also finished the work to put runways into operation. The Novolazarevskaya station is carrying out emergency work to clean and restore the runway after a recent blizzard. The first flight of an Il-76 plane from Cape Town is scheduled for November 19.
The scientific expedition vessel Akademik Tryoshnikov is now heading to the Antarctic. The ship departed from St. Petersburg on November 15 with the first group of researchers on its board. The group comprises 32 members of the 66th seasonal and wintering expedition. There are also 54 crewmembers, a helicopter squad of 11 people and a group of nine participants in the Belarusian Antarctic expedition aboard the vessel.
The Bellingshausen station is a Russian polar base on King George island of the South Shetland Islands established on February 22, 1968. It is Russia’s northernmost station in the Antarctic.
About 110 stations are operational in the Antarctic, including 42 year-round bases. Russia has five year-round research stations and five seasonal bases in the Antarctic. The Russian Antarctic expedition is continuously operating on the southernmost continent.


tass--2020-11-19--Defense firm delivers Ratnik combat outfits to Russian troops ahead of schedule

MOSCOW , November 19 .
/TASS/ .
The Central Research Institute for Precision Machine-Building ( TsNIITochMash , part of the state tech corporation Rostec ) delivered almost 18,000 Ratnik combat outfits to the troops a month ahead of schedule under the 2020 defense procurement plan , the Rostec press office reported on Thursday .
`` Almost 18,000 combat outfits were delivered to the armed forces and there are no complaints , '' the press office said in a statement .
`` Despite all the difficulties related to the pandemic and the restrictions imposed , the defense procurement plan has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press office quoted Rostec Industrial Director for the Armament , Munitions and Special Chemistry Cluster Bekhan Ozdoyev as saying .
The Ratnik is a system of advanced protective and communications equipment , weapons and ammunition .
It comprises over 60 protective and life support elements and allows a soldier to get continuously updated about the situation in the combat area .
In addition , the Ratnik includes a self-contained heater , a backpack , an individual water filter , a gas mask and a medical kit .
The second-generation Ratnik combat gear has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces , the Airborne Force and marines since 2016 .
An advanced Ratnik-3 combat gear with an integrated exoskeleton and a helmet visor-mounted target designation system is currently being developed for Russia ’ s Armed Forces .

MOSCOW, November 19. /TASS/. The Central Research Institute for Precision Machine-Building (TsNIITochMash, part of the state tech corporation Rostec) delivered almost 18,000 Ratnik combat outfits to the troops a month ahead of schedule under the 2020 defense procurement plan, the Rostec press office reported on Thursday.
"Almost 18,000 combat outfits were delivered to the armed forces and there are no complaints," the press office said in a statement.
"Despite all the difficulties related to the pandemic and the restrictions imposed, the defense procurement plan has been fulfilled ahead of schedule," the press office quoted Rostec Industrial Director for the Armament, Munitions and Special Chemistry Cluster Bekhan Ozdoyev as saying.
The Ratnik is a system of advanced protective and communications equipment, weapons and ammunition. It comprises over 60 protective and life support elements and allows a soldier to get continuously updated about the situation in the combat area. In addition, the Ratnik includes a self-contained heater, a backpack, an individual water filter, a gas mask and a medical kit.
The second-generation Ratnik combat gear has been arriving for Russia’s ground forces, the Airborne Force and marines since 2016.
An advanced Ratnik-3 combat gear with an integrated exoskeleton and a helmet visor-mounted target designation system is currently being developed for Russia’s Armed Forces.


tass--2020-11-19--Biocad company plans to produce 1 mln doses of Sputnik V vaccine in December

ST. PETERSBURG , November 19 .
/TASS/ .
Biocad company plans to start producing 1 mln doses of the Sputnik @ @ @ @ @ 2020 , Chief Executive Officer of the Russian pharmaceutical company Dmitry Morozov said on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ International Innovation Forum .
`` According to my estimates , we must produce 3-4 mln @ @ @ @ @ we could at least partly cover the demand .
It is difficult for me to @ @ @ @ @ possible .
We now plan to reach the production level of 1 mln doses in @ @ @ @ @ it later on , '' Morozov said .
As reported earlier , Biocad signed an @ @ @ @ @ Center on September 23 for industrial production of the Sputnik V vaccine .

ST. PETERSBURG, November 19. /TASS/. Biocad company plans to start producing 1 mln doses of the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine in December 2020, Chief Executive Officer of the Russian pharmaceutical company Dmitry Morozov said on Thursday at the 13th St. Petersburg International Innovation Forum.
"According to my estimates, we must produce 3-4 mln doses per month so that we could at least partly cover the demand. It is difficult for me to say when it will be possible. We now plan to reach the production level of 1 mln doses in December and will continue expanding it later on," Morozov said.
As reported earlier, Biocad signed an agreement with the Gamaleya Research Center on September 23 for industrial production of the Sputnik V vaccine.


tass--2020-11-19--Resisting Silicon Valley’s bias: Kremlin seeks to defend Russians from big tech censorship

MOSCOW , November 19./TASS/ .
A mechanism to protect the interests of Russian Internet users is needed , but it must be thoroughly hammered out , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday in comments on a bill stipulating action against the discrimination of Russian media outlets .
`` We must say that clearly bias towards Russian clients of these [ Internet ] services does take place .
We have seen such steps that infringe upon the interests of users from Russia .
We have seen them in the recent weeks and even months .
Of course , there must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Creating an instrument to fight this abuse by Silicon Valley is a whole different ballgame , he stressed .
`` This is an issue that has to be thoroughly looked into , and I think this mechanism will be formulated in the process of discussing this bill , '' he added .
The details are yet to be discussed , but this mechanism is definitely needed , he stressed .
He also noted that the global tech titans have issues not just with Russian users .
`` These giants have problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not only discriminating against our media outlets , and our users .
They are also discriminating against their users , so this problem has broader characteristics , '' he pointed out .
`` However , in this context let them themselves sort things out with their users , while for us the main thing is to protect our users against this discrimination , '' Peskov stated .
On Thursday , a team of State Duma legislators submitted a bill to the lower house enabling the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications , Information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resources for censorship with regard to Russian media outlets .
The bill introduces the status of `` the owner of web resources involved in violations of fundamental rights and freedoms of the people and against the rights and freedoms of nationals of the Russian Federation '' .
In consultations with the Foreign Ministry , the nation ’ s prosecutor general may assign this status to the owner of a web resource permitting discrimination against Russian media content .
The media watchdog may get the right to partially or fully restrict access to these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fine varying from several thousand rubles to 3 million rubles ( about $ 39,194 ) , one of the architects of the bill , legislator Anton Gorelkin , told TASS on Thursday .

MOSCOW, November 19./TASS/. A mechanism to protect the interests of Russian Internet users is needed, but it must be thoroughly hammered out, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday in comments on a bill stipulating action against the discrimination of Russian media outlets.
"We must say that clearly bias towards Russian clients of these [Internet] services does take place. We have seen such steps that infringe upon the interests of users from Russia. We have seen them in the recent weeks and even months. Of course, there must be action against this," Peskov said.
Creating an instrument to fight this abuse by Silicon Valley is a whole different ballgame, he stressed. "This is an issue that has to be thoroughly looked into, and I think this mechanism will be formulated in the process of discussing this bill," he added.
The details are yet to be discussed, but this mechanism is definitely needed, he stressed. He also noted that the global tech titans have issues not just with Russian users. "These giants have problems with their own clients. They are not only discriminating against our media outlets, and our users. They are also discriminating against their users, so this problem has broader characteristics," he pointed out. "However, in this context let them themselves sort things out with their users, while for us the main thing is to protect our users against this discrimination," Peskov stated.
On Thursday, a team of State Duma legislators submitted a bill to the lower house enabling the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media to block internet resources for censorship with regard to Russian media outlets. The bill introduces the status of "the owner of web resources involved in violations of fundamental rights and freedoms of the people and against the rights and freedoms of nationals of the Russian Federation". In consultations with the Foreign Ministry, the nation’s prosecutor general may assign this status to the owner of a web resource permitting discrimination against Russian media content. The media watchdog may get the right to partially or fully restrict access to these resources.
Such web resources may face the fine varying from several thousand rubles to 3 million rubles (about $39,194), one of the architects of the bill, legislator Anton Gorelkin, told TASS on Thursday.


tass--2020-11-19--Russia notes attempts to skew details of Nagorno-Karabakh agreement — diplomat

MOSCOW , November 19 .
/TASS/ .
Russia has noticed attempts to distort or omit the details related to the implementation of the Nagorno-Karabakh agreement signed by Russian , Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during Thursday ’ s briefing .
`` We have noticed attempts to omit or distort information related to the implementation of the trilateral agreement on Nagorno-Karabakh regulation , '' she said .
She also noted that the reserved reaction to the agreement by Western countries is surprising .
`` We witness a reserved reaction , to say the least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the implementation of concrete provisions stipulated in it , '' the spokeswoman said .
`` Why so ?
A month or a month-and-a-half ago , everyone wanted a ceasefire , everyone was waiting for it .
And now the ceasefire has been established and is being maintained .
We do not see a full-fledged reaction that the West is capable of : as we know , when they choose to react on a broad front , you can learn about and hear it anywhere . ''
Zakharova pointed out that the agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that there was no `` desire to welcome and comment on the statement , encourage the sides to implement it and note Russia ’ s role as a mediator . ''
`` In many official statements made by foreign ministries of Western states , Russia ’ s role is not mentioned at all , as if the statement were bilateral .
It is not even mentioned that the statement is trilateral .
It is surprising , but it ’ s the way it is .
As if the positive and constructive role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in international affairs in any shape or form , '' the diplomat stressed .
On November 9 , Russian President Vladimir Putin , Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10 .
The Russian leader said the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides would maintain the positions that they had held and Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the region .
Besides , Baku and Yerevan must exchange prisoners and the bodies of those killed .

MOSCOW, November 19. /TASS/. Russia has noticed attempts to distort or omit the details related to the implementation of the Nagorno-Karabakh agreement signed by Russian, Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during Thursday’s briefing.
"We have noticed attempts to omit or distort information related to the implementation of the trilateral agreement on Nagorno-Karabakh regulation," she said.
She also noted that the reserved reaction to the agreement by Western countries is surprising. "We witness a reserved reaction, to say the least, to this statement, which led to the implementation of concrete provisions stipulated in it," the spokeswoman said. "Why so? A month or a month-and-a-half ago, everyone wanted a ceasefire, everyone was waiting for it. And now the ceasefire has been established and is being maintained. We do not see a full-fledged reaction that the West is capable of: as we know, when they choose to react on a broad front, you can learn about and hear it anywhere."
Zakharova pointed out that the agreement had not been met with excitement, adding that there was no "desire to welcome and comment on the statement, encourage the sides to implement it and note Russia’s role as a mediator." "In many official statements made by foreign ministries of Western states, Russia’s role is not mentioned at all, as if the statement were bilateral. It is not even mentioned that the statement is trilateral. It is surprising, but it’s the way it is. As if the positive and constructive role of our country should not be represented in international affairs in any shape or form," the diplomat stressed.
On November 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10. The Russian leader said the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides would maintain the positions that they had held and Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the region. Besides, Baku and Yerevan must exchange prisoners and the bodies of those killed.


tass--2020-11-19--Power plant in Russia's Vladivostok halts operation due to snow cyclone

MOSCOW , November 19 .
/TASS/ .
The Vostochnaya Combined Heat and Power Plant ( CHPP ) in Vladivostok has @ @ @ @ @ heavy ice with wind , press service of the Russian Energy Ministry told TASS on @ @ @ @ @ Ministry exercises special control over power supply in the Primorsky Region : a portion of @ @ @ @ @ due to heavy snow with wind ; Vostochnaya CHPP halted electricity generation , and power @ @ @ @ @ consumers has been disrupted , '' the press service says .
The Vladivostok Administration has @ @ @ @ @ in the city because of large-scale power tripping during the snow cyclone .
According to @ @ @ @ @ Vladivostok residents are left without electricity ; some houses are without heat supply .

MOSCOW, November 19. /TASS/. The Vostochnaya Combined Heat and Power Plant (CHPP) in Vladivostok has halted electricity generation because of heavy ice with wind, press service of the Russian Energy Ministry told TASS on Thursday.
"The Energy Ministry exercises special control over power supply in the Primorsky Region: a portion of power transmission line turned off due to heavy snow with wind; Vostochnaya CHPP halted electricity generation, and power supply to a portion of consumers has been disrupted," the press service says.
The Vladivostok Administration has introduced a state of emergency in the city because of large-scale power tripping during the snow cyclone.
According to local authorities, over 90,000 Vladivostok residents are left without electricity; some houses are without heat supply.


tass--2020-11-19--Lavrov to visit Minsk on November 25-26, to meet with Lukashenko, top Belarusian diplomat

MOSCOW , November 19./TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will visit Minsk on November 25-26 , where he will meet with President Alexander Lukashenko and Belarusian counterpart Vladimir Makei , Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a briefing on Thursday .
`` On November 25-26 , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will pay a working visit to Minsk to take part in a joint session of the boards of the Russian and Belarusian foreign ministries , '' the diplomat said .
The program includes talks with the Belarusian president and the foreign minister , she added .
The sides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and key issues on the bilateral and international agenda .
The joint session of the ministries ’ boards on November 26 `` will look into the implementation of the program of coordinated action in the foreign policy of the Union State for 2020-2021 , including coordination of activity in international organizations , in the Eurasian Economic Union , the Collective Security Treaty Organization ( CSTO ) and the Commonwealth of Independent States , '' the diplomat pointed out .
Besides , the talks will focus on relations with the European Union , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United Nations ’ peacekeeping operations , prospects of shaping the Greater Eurasian Partnership through pairing integration processes , as well as cooperation on the track of information security .
The sides plan the signing of joint documents , including a plan of consultations between the foreign ministries for 2021 , Zakharova said .
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9 .
According to the Central Election Commission , Alexander Lukashenko emerged the winner with a considerable advantage .
The runner-up , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , refused to recognize the results .
As soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mass protest demonstrations began in the country .
In the first days there were clashes with police .
The demonstrations have continued up to this day .

MOSCOW, November 19./TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will visit Minsk on November 25-26, where he will meet with President Alexander Lukashenko and Belarusian counterpart Vladimir Makei, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a briefing on Thursday.
"On November 25-26, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will pay a working visit to Minsk to take part in a joint session of the boards of the Russian and Belarusian foreign ministries," the diplomat said. The program includes talks with the Belarusian president and the foreign minister, she added.
The sides plan to discuss the situation in Belarus and key issues on the bilateral and international agenda. The joint session of the ministries’ boards on November 26 "will look into the implementation of the program of coordinated action in the foreign policy of the Union State for 2020-2021, including coordination of activity in international organizations, in the Eurasian Economic Union, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Commonwealth of Independent States," the diplomat pointed out.
Besides, the talks will focus on relations with the European Union, the possibility of CSTO’s participation in United Nations’ peacekeeping operations, prospects of shaping the Greater Eurasian Partnership through pairing integration processes, as well as cooperation on the track of information security.
The sides plan the signing of joint documents, including a plan of consultations between the foreign ministries for 2021, Zakharova said.
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9. According to the Central Election Commission, Alexander Lukashenko emerged the winner with a considerable advantage. The runner-up, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, refused to recognize the results. As soon as the election returns were disclosed, mass protest demonstrations began in the country. In the first days there were clashes with police. The demonstrations have continued up to this day.


tass--2020-11-19--Slowdown for deplatforming Russian media? Moscow to punish US tech giants for censorship

MOSCOW , November 19 .
/TASS/ .
A bill to penalize tech giants for censoring and deplatforming Russian media , empowers Russia ’ s telecom and media watchdog to slow down the violator 's traffic , one of the document ’ s authors , MP Anton Gorelkin told TASS on Thursday .
`` Limiting access , which also includes slowing down traffic , is stipulated as a last-ditch justification against blatant discrimination of Russian media on foreign platforms .
I have always supported soft power and opposed shutdowns , but the state must have powerful alternatives in its reserve at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the law , '' said Gorelkin , a member of the State Duma ( lower house ) Committee on Informational Policy , Technologies and Communications .
Russia ’ s telecom and media watchdog , the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications , Information Technology and Mass Media , will be in charge of this measure , the lawmaker said .
Earlier , the MP noted that the bill would target major Internet giants such as YouTube , Facebook and Twitter .
According to him , the violators would face fines of up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40,000 ) and the respective amendments to the Administrative Offences Code would be submitted to the State Duma later .
On Thursday , a group of State Duma lawmakers along with Senator Alexei Pushkov submitted a bill to the lower house authorizing the telecom and media watchdog to block Internet resources , which censor Russian media outlets .
The bill imposes the status of an owner of an information resource involved in violating fundamental human rights and freedoms in Russia .
Russia ’ s top prosecutor with the consent of the Foreign Ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an information resource , which permits discrimination against Russian media reports .
The telecom and media watchdog could get the right to partially or fully limit access to these resources .

MOSCOW, November 19. /TASS/. A bill to penalize tech giants for censoring and deplatforming Russian media, empowers Russia’s telecom and media watchdog to slow down the violator's traffic, one of the document’s authors, MP Anton Gorelkin told TASS on Thursday.
"Limiting access, which also includes slowing down traffic, is stipulated as a last-ditch justification against the blatant discrimination of Russian media on foreign platforms. I have always supported soft power and opposed shutdowns, but the state must have powerful alternatives in its reserve at all times for the most blatant violators of the law," said Gorelkin, a member of the State Duma (lower house) Committee on Informational Policy, Technologies and Communications.
Russia’s telecom and media watchdog, the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media, will be in charge of this measure, the lawmaker said.
Earlier, the MP noted that the bill would target major Internet giants such as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. According to him, the violators would face fines of up to 3 mln rubles (nearly $40,000) and the respective amendments to the Administrative Offences Code would be submitted to the State Duma later.
On Thursday, a group of State Duma lawmakers along with Senator Alexei Pushkov submitted a bill to the lower house authorizing the telecom and media watchdog to block Internet resources, which censor Russian media outlets. The bill imposes the status of an owner of an information resource involved in violating fundamental human rights and freedoms in Russia. Russia’s top prosecutor with the consent of the Foreign Ministry can assign this status to the owner of an information resource, which permits discrimination against Russian media reports. The telecom and media watchdog could get the right to partially or fully limit access to these resources.


tass--2020-11-19--Russia asks Germany to submit Navalny's test results, not meaningless replies — diplomat

MOSCOW , November 19 .
/TASS/ .
In relation to the situation around blogger Alexey Navalny , Russia demands that the German side submit the results of his tests instead of formal responses and documents with all the meaningful information missing , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Thursday .
`` We are urging the German side to disclose the materials on the Navalny case and to present the results of samples and tests done by the European doctors , directly by the German Bundeswehr physicians .
We are demanding that a normal document , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Russian side , in response to its inquiries , '' she said .
The diplomat pointed out that in the materials sent to Moscow by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons ( OPCW ) all valuable information was blacked out .
`` Accordingly , all materials that we received were almost non-responses .
They were basically lacking any significant information , '' the spokeswoman explained .
Navalny was rushed to a local hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk on August 20 after collapsing on a Moscow-bound flight from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
He was discharged on September 22 .
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 .
According to Berlin , these conclusions were confirmed by laboratories in France and Sweden .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for comprehensive cooperation with Germany and pointed out that no poisonous substances had been detected in Navalny ’ s system prior to his transfer to Berlin .

MOSCOW, November 19. /TASS/. In relation to the situation around blogger Alexey Navalny, Russia demands that the German side submit the results of his tests instead of formal responses and documents with all the meaningful information missing, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Thursday.
"We are urging the German side to disclose the materials on the Navalny case and to present the results of samples and tests done by the European doctors, directly by the German Bundeswehr physicians. We are demanding that a normal document, not a blacked out one is presented to the Russian side, in response to its inquiries," she said.
The diplomat pointed out that in the materials sent to Moscow by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) all valuable information was blacked out. "Accordingly, all materials that we received were almost non-responses. They were basically lacking any significant information," the spokeswoman explained.
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. He was discharged on September 22.
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. According to Berlin, these conclusions were confirmed by laboratories in France and Sweden.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized numerous times that Russia was ready for comprehensive cooperation with Germany and pointed out that no poisonous substances had been detected in Navalny’s system prior to his transfer to Berlin.


tass--2020-11-19--Certification request for Sputnik V vaccine submitted to WHO

MOSCOW , November 19 .
/TASS/ .
Manufacturers of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus have submitted a certification request to the headquarters of the World Health Organization ( WHO ) , Melita Vujnovic , WHO representative in Russia , said in an interview with the Ekho Moskvy ( Echo of Moscow ) radio station on Thursday .
`` The WHO hasn ’ t announced any vaccines yet since every vaccine should first pass the Emergency Use Listing evaluation system .
This is a provisional certification performed in the case of a pandemic .
All vaccines in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia , the manufacturers of the Sputnik V vaccine have already applied to the WHO headquarters . ''
On August 11 , Russia became the first worldwide to register the vaccine against the coronavirus which was named Sputnik V. The preparation was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry and passed clinical trials in June - July .
It is based on a known platform previously used for other vaccines .
The Healthcare Ministry noted that the experience of use of similar preparations shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lengthy immunity of up to two years .

MOSCOW, November 19. /TASS/. Manufacturers of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus have submitted a certification request to the headquarters of the World Health Organization (WHO), Melita Vujnovic, WHO representative in Russia, said in an interview with the Ekho Moskvy (Echo of Moscow) radio station on Thursday.
"The WHO hasn’t announced any vaccines yet since every vaccine should first pass the Emergency Use Listing evaluation system. This is a provisional certification performed in the case of a pandemic. All vaccines in the country should pass this certification, in Russia, the manufacturers of the Sputnik V vaccine have already applied to the WHO headquarters."
On August 11, Russia became the first worldwide to register the vaccine against the coronavirus which was named Sputnik V. The preparation was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry and passed clinical trials in June - July. It is based on a known platform previously used for other vaccines. The Healthcare Ministry noted that the experience of use of similar preparations shows that they are capable of providing a lengthy immunity of up to two years.


tass--2020-11-19--Resolution by UN General Assembly on Crimea is biased — diplomat

`` On November 18 , the Third Committee of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly voted for the Ukraine-initiated draft resolution on the human rights situation in Crimea , '' she said .
`` As in the previous years , the resolution is politically biased and has nothing to do with the real situation on the peninsula .
Once again Ukraine used the UN platform for peddling its groundless political and territorial claims to Crimea . ''
Zakharova recalled that `` the question of territorial affiliation of the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol was settled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the March 2014 referendum . ''
`` The referendum was held in strict compliance with international law , '' she stressed .
`` It was utterly inappropriate to raise the issue of affiliation of certain territories at the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly session , which discusses exclusively social , cultural , humanitarian and human rights issues . ''
Zakharova stated that the extreme political bias of the resolution was proved by the fact that `` the delegations who abstained and voted against outnumbered those who supported this document .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries preferred not to participate in the voting , thus demonstrating their negative attitude to Ukraine ’ s proposal , '' she said .

"On November 18, the Third Committee of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly voted for the Ukraine-initiated draft resolution on the human rights situation in Crimea," she said. "As in the previous years, the resolution is politically biased and has nothing to do with the real situation on the peninsula. Once again Ukraine used the UN platform for peddling its groundless political and territorial claims to Crimea."
Zakharova recalled that "the question of territorial affiliation of the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol was settled by their residents once and for all in the March 2014 referendum." "The referendum was held in strict compliance with international law," she stressed. "It was utterly inappropriate to raise the issue of affiliation of certain territories at the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly session, which discusses exclusively social, cultural, humanitarian and human rights issues."
Zakharova stated that the extreme political bias of the resolution was proved by the fact that "the delegations who abstained and voted against outnumbered those who supported this document."
"Also, a number of countries preferred not to participate in the voting, thus demonstrating their negative attitude to Ukraine’s proposal," she said.


tass--2020-11-19--Opposition activists block streets of Yerevan, call for Pashinyan’s resignation

YEREVAN , November 19 .
/TASS/ .
Opposition activists blocked several central streets of Yerevan on Thursday , a TASS @ @ @ @ @ .
They are calling for resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan .
Currently the police @ @ @ @ @ protest rally participants , the situation remains very tense .
The Armenian opposition demands Pashinyan @ @ @ @ @ opposition politics think that the November 9 joint statement he signed with Russian President Vladimir @ @ @ @ @ Aliyev on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh is essentially a capitulation .
They also hold @ @ @ @ @ internal economic and social problems of the republic .
Pashinyan stated that after Shusha fell @ @ @ @ @ side became senseless since from that moment Yerevan would n't have been able to reach @ @ @ @ @ .
On Monday , Armenian President Armen Sarkissian addressing the nation urged to conduct early @ @ @ @ @ to the government of national accord until then .

YEREVAN, November 19. /TASS/. Opposition activists blocked several central streets of Yerevan on Thursday, a TASS correspondent reports from the site. They are calling for resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
Currently the police have begun to detain the protest rally participants, the situation remains very tense.
The Armenian opposition demands Pashinyan’s resignation. The opposition politics think that the November 9 joint statement he signed with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh is essentially a capitulation. They also hold the prime minister responsible for internal economic and social problems of the republic.
Pashinyan stated that after Shusha fell the fight for the Armenian side became senseless since from that moment Yerevan wouldn't have been able to reach a breakthrough in military action. On Monday, Armenian President Armen Sarkissian addressing the nation urged to conduct early parliamentary elections, transferring power to the government of national accord until then.


tass--2020-11-19--Russia’s efforts create conditions for lasting settlement in Karabakh — diplomat

`` The measures being taken create conditions for a lasting and full-scale settlement of the crisis on a fair basis in the interests of friendly Armenian and Azerbaijani peoples , '' she said .
She said that the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group were in Moscow on a visit on November 17-19 at the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov .
They held consultations at the Russian Foreign Ministry , met with Defense Ministry officials and compared stances on further interaction by the `` troika '' of mediators for achieving a settlement of the Karabakh problem after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 385 bodies of those killed during the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh since November 13 , the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said .
`` Since November 13 , 385 bodies of those killed have been handed over .
This figure includes casualties on both sides . ''
To date , over 3,000 refugees have returned to Nagorno-Karabakh since November 14 , Maria Zakharova added .
`` The return of refugees to Nagorno-Karabakh is underway .
Since November 14 , some 3,054 people have returned to Nagorno-Karabakh , '' she said .
The diplomat noted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kalbajar district arrive in Armenia en masse .
On November 9 , Russian President Vladimir Putin , Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10 .
The Russian leader said the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides would maintain the positions that they had held and some 1,960 Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the region .
Besides , Baku and Yerevan must exchange prisoners and the bodies of those killed .
The Kalbajar district is the first of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baku according to the tripartite statement .
The transfer of the district should be fully completed by November 25 .

"The measures being taken create conditions for a lasting and full-scale settlement of the crisis on a fair basis in the interests of friendly Armenian and Azerbaijani peoples," she said.
She said that the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group were in Moscow on a visit on November 17-19 at the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. They held consultations at the Russian Foreign Ministry, met with Defense Ministry officials and compared stances on further interaction by the "troika" of mediators for achieving a settlement of the Karabakh problem after the ceasefire.
Azerbaijan and Armenia have swapped 385 bodies of those killed during the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh since November 13, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said. "Since November 13, 385 bodies of those killed have been handed over. This figure includes casualties on both sides."
To date, over 3,000 refugees have returned to Nagorno-Karabakh since November 14, Maria Zakharova added. "The return of refugees to Nagorno-Karabakh is underway. Since November 14, some 3,054 people have returned to Nagorno-Karabakh," she said.
The diplomat noted that at the same time residents of the Kalbajar district arrive in Armenia en masse.
On November 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10. The Russian leader said the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides would maintain the positions that they had held and some 1,960 Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the region. Besides, Baku and Yerevan must exchange prisoners and the bodies of those killed.
The Kalbajar district is the first of the three territories to be controlled by Baku according to the tripartite statement. The transfer of the district should be fully completed by November 25.


tass--2020-11-19--Russia to complete tests of breakthrough ceramic armor for armored vehicles in early 2021

MOSCOW , November 19 .
/TASS/ .
Technodinamika Group ( part of the state tech corporation Rostec ) plans to @ @ @ @ @ trials of the unique ceramic armor for armored vehicles at the beginning of next year @ @ @ @ @ Nasenkov told TASS on Thursday .
`` The manufacturer ’ s trials are currently underway @ @ @ @ @ be completed within 3-4 months , '' the chief executive said .
The ceramic armor @ @ @ @ @ armored vehicles , he said .
`` Our product features such advantages as lightness and @ @ @ @ @ and tank weapons , '' the chief executive noted .
Corundum ceramic armor plates have @ @ @ @ @ Aggregate Production Association .
Corundum ceramics is a super-hard material produced on the basis of @ @ @

MOSCOW, November 19. /TASS/. Technodinamika Group (part of the state tech corporation Rostec) plans to complete the manufacturer’s trials of the unique ceramic armor for armored vehicles at the beginning of next year, Technodinamika Group CEO Igor Nasenkov told TASS on Thursday.
"The manufacturer’s trials are currently underway. I think they will be completed within 3-4 months," the chief executive said.
The ceramic armor plates are intended to shield armored vehicles, he said. "Our product features such advantages as lightness and big resistance to various artillery and tank weapons," the chief executive noted.
Corundum ceramic armor plates have been developed by the Ufa Aggregate Production Association. Corundum ceramics is a super-hard material produced on the basis of aluminum oxide.


tass--2020-11-19--WHO envoy says COVID-19 pandemic may have reached a peak

MOSCOW , November 19 .
/TASS/ .
The decrease in new COVID-19 cases in the world last week may mean @ @ @ @ @ its peak , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) Representative in Russia Melita Vujnovic @ @ @ @ @ interview with the Echo of Moscow radio station .
`` There is good news .
@ @ @ @ @ 10 % fewer cases than 14 days before that .
Perhaps , we are at @ @ @ @ @ need to consult the numbers , because every country has a different situation .
Some @ @ @ @ @ although in some cases , we can say that the situation may be stabilizing , @ @ @ @ @ WHO envoy added that the epicenter of COVID-19 spread is located in Europe and North @ @ @ @ @ of all documented cases last week were reported there .

MOSCOW, November 19. /TASS/. The decrease in new COVID-19 cases in the world last week may mean that the pandemic has reached its peak, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Russia Melita Vujnovic said on Thursday in an interview with the Echo of Moscow radio station.
"There is good news. Last week, we documented 10% fewer cases than 14 days before that. Perhaps, we are at the peak, but we need to consult the numbers, because every country has a different situation. Some are only gaining speed, although in some cases, we can say that the situation may be stabilizing," she noted.
The WHO envoy added that the epicenter of COVID-19 spread is located in Europe and North America, as 81% of all documented cases last week were reported there.


tass--2020-11-19--Atlantic Salmon Farmer Becomes the Industry's First to Stop Using Air Freight

FAROE ISLANDS , Nov. 19 .
/PRNewswire/ .
Atlantic Salmon farmer , Hiddenfjord has announced the suspension of all air freight as of 10-10-2020 .
This change has reduced Hiddenfjord 's overseas transportation CO2 emissions by 94 % — as reported by the independent Norwegian research organization , SINTEF .
Air freight is a major contributor to global CO2 emissions and emits around 50 times as much CO2 as sea freight .
Hiddenfjord is the first in the aquaculture industry to make a commitment of this size and scope , significantly decreasing their environmental impact in line with the 13 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action .
Salmon already has a much lower carbon footprint than other animal foods such as pork or beef but replacing air freight with sea freight makes it a very sustainable food choice .
`` The facts are clear , we all need to immediately stop using airplanes to transport goods in order to reduce climate change , '' states Atli Gregersen , Managing Director and owner .
He adds , `` this was a challenging decision for us - we knew it could mean lower prices and a much higher risk because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But ethically , it is absolutely the right decision .
If we claim that we want to be a truly sustainable company , we must take responsible actions . ''
New independent consumer research shows that Hiddenfjord salmon has maintained the same quality , despite the company 's termination of air freight .
`` Even if the suspension of air freight has been a big change for many of our customers , we were very happy to be able to prove that we could maintain our well-known high quality – now with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see good growth in sales figures , and the product is attracting interest from new customers focusing on sustainability , '' explains Óli Hansen , Sales Director at Hiddenfjord .
The maintained high quality is primarily attributed to three significant factors : For thousands of years the Atlantic salmon has migrated from rivers flowing into the North Atlantic Ocean to the sea around the Faroe Islands to feed and grow and has adapted to the conditions of the region 's waters .
This pristine environment characterized by stable year-round sea temperatures between 6-11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Faroe Islands is the natural home of the Atlantic salmon .
Hiddenfjord salmon is raised in the wild – in pens placed in exposed sites with high waves and strong currents that provide the perfect natural living conditions for the Atlantic salmon , while at the same time preventing seabed pollution .
Hiddenfjord is the salmon farmer that raises salmon in the harshest conditions in the world .
Hiddenfjord uses a unique concept of stress-free harvesting that utilizes the salmon 's natural instinct to swim against the current .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the harvesting basin and stunned without stress .
Hiddenfjord is a salmon farmer from the Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic – a family-owned company dating back to 1929 .
As an independent company , Hiddenfjord is allowed to have an idealistic focus on sustainability without the constant pressure from shareholders on short-term profits .
Hiddenfjord 's air freight elimination and use of exposed locations to farm salmon stand as examples of the company 's focus on sustainability .
All Hiddenfjord salmon products are GLOBALG.A.P-certified .

FAROE ISLANDS, Nov. 19. /PRNewswire/. Atlantic Salmon farmer, Hiddenfjord has announced the suspension of all air freight as of 10-10-2020. This change has reduced Hiddenfjord's overseas transportation CO2 emissions by 94% — as reported by the independent Norwegian research organization, SINTEF. Air freight is a major contributor to global CO2 emissions and emits around 50 times as much CO2 as sea freight. Hiddenfjord is the first in the aquaculture industry to make a commitment of this size and scope, significantly decreasing their environmental impact in line with the 13. UN Global Goal about urgent climate action.
Salmon already has a much lower carbon footprint than other animal foods such as pork or beef but replacing air freight with sea freight makes it a very sustainable food choice.
"The facts are clear, we all need to immediately stop using airplanes to transport goods in order to reduce climate change," states Atli Gregersen, Managing Director and owner. He adds, "this was a challenging decision for us - we knew it could mean lower prices and a much higher risk because of reduced flexibility in reaching far-away markets. But ethically, it is absolutely the right decision. If we claim that we want to be a truly sustainable company, we must take responsible actions."
New independent consumer research shows that Hiddenfjord salmon has maintained the same quality, despite the company's termination of air freight.
"Even if the suspension of air freight has been a big change for many of our customers, we were very happy to be able to prove that we could maintain our well-known high quality – now with a much lower CO2 footprint. We see good growth in sales figures, and the product is attracting interest from new customers focusing on sustainability," explains Óli Hansen, Sales Director at Hiddenfjord.
The maintained high quality is primarily attributed to three significant factors:
For thousands of years the Atlantic salmon has migrated from rivers flowing into the North Atlantic Ocean to the sea around the Faroe Islands to feed and grow and has adapted to the conditions of the region's waters. This pristine environment characterized by stable year-round sea temperatures between 6-11 C° and a specific regional daylight regime in the Faroe Islands is the natural home of the Atlantic salmon.
Hiddenfjord salmon is raised in the wild – in pens placed in exposed sites with high waves and strong currents that provide the perfect natural living conditions for the Atlantic salmon, while at the same time preventing seabed pollution. Hiddenfjord is the salmon farmer that raises salmon in the harshest conditions in the world.
Hiddenfjord uses a unique concept of stress-free harvesting that utilizes the salmon's natural instinct to swim against the current. It is guided from the open sea pens to the harvesting basin and stunned without stress.
About Hiddenfjord
Hiddenfjord is a salmon farmer from the Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic – a family-owned company dating back to 1929. As an independent company, Hiddenfjord is allowed to have an idealistic focus on sustainability without the constant pressure from shareholders on short-term profits. Hiddenfjord's air freight elimination and use of exposed locations to farm salmon stand as examples of the company's focus on sustainability. All Hiddenfjord salmon products are GLOBALG.A.P-certified.
CONTACT: Anna Ditchev, APCO Worldwide (on behalf of Hiddenfjord), (t) +1 646 717 9921, (m) +1 775 771 6848, aditchev@apcoworldwide.com


tass--2020-11-19--Press review: Russia’s humanitarian response in Karabakh and is the dollar doomed in 2021

The final structure of an inter-agency humanitarian response center in Nagorno-Karabakh was approved on November 18 , sources in Russia ’ s Defense Ministry told Izvestia .
Earlier that day , the Federation Council ( upper house ) had unanimously approved Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s proposal on a long-term peacekeeping mission in Nagorno-Karabakh .
According to the Defense Ministry , the humanitarian response center will be the key body for fulfilling the peace deal signed by the conflicting sides on November 9 .
The humanitarian response center will consist of some 1,200 people .
Besides servicemen , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff of the Border Service of the Russian Federal Security Service and the Emergencies Ministry , the Defense Ministry ’ s sources said .
The center will focus on an entire range of sensitive issues and will guarantee not only the return of refugees but also normal daily life in its zone of responsibility .
Its structure will include five specialized centers of interaction .
One of them will be in charge of control over the disengagement of the conflicting sides and monitoring the ceasefire .
The second one will deal with humanitarian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be responsible for access and maintenance of roads and transportation routes agreed on by the sides .
The functions of others have not yet been detailed , the sources said .
Besides , Russia is reinforcing its air force in Armenia .
Aircraft will be also used for the peacekeeping operation .
The Russian military will be deployed in the conflict zone for five years .
Their mission will be automatically extended for a new five-year-term unless Armenia or Azerbaijan announce the termination of the deal six months prior to its end .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ up in the air .
Azerbaijan demands its full control over the territory of the unrecognized republic .
Kommersant writes that in its contact with Western countries on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue , Russia has apparently chosen the strategy of `` good cop and bad cop . ''
President Putin acted as a `` good cop '' as he praised the mediating role of the US and France , which co-chair the OSCE Minsk Group on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement .
In his turn , Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergey Naryshkin took on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' when he accused the US and its NATO allies on Wednesday of an attempt to undermine the truce there and force out Russia from the region .
Sources in Russia ’ s state structures explain that Moscow is ready to cooperate with its Western partners on a final settlement for the South Caucasus region , but won ’ t tolerate their accusations over the breakthrough agreements reached thanks to its mediation .
Nezavisimaya Gazeta : Kremlin gears up to battle imminent foreign meddling under Biden A bill was submitted to Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Duma , on November 18 on new requirements for the activity of opposition forces and election campaigns .
The document introduces procedures for labeling both foreign and Russian citizens as well as unregistered NGOs as foreign agents .
Obviously , the Russian Justice Ministry will include Alexei Navalny with his regional headquarters and Mikhail Khodorkovsky ’ s Open Russia in its registries .
Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes that Russia is apparently borrowing the US ’ idea of tightening the struggle for nationalizing the elites , including the opposition .
Moreover , as a likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president ’ s party adheres to the strategy of meddling in the domestic affairs of Washington ’ s geopolitical rivals .
The document on `` amending certain Russian legal acts on establishing additional measures of countering national security threats '' was signed by representatives of all four factions of the State Duma .
According to tradition , this is a signal that the initiative had been , at minimum , coordinated with the presidential administration but most likely it had been just drafted there .
A consensus between the parties also shows that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shortest possible time although it ’ s impossible to predict the final text .
Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Russia Sergey Obukhov noted that `` obviously , a [ presumptive ] Biden victory has sparked anxiety among our elites and Putin has already voiced concerns over foreign attempts to influence Russia . ''
Konstantin Kalachev , who heads the Political Expert Group believes that the campaign for the elections to the State Duma will be carried out under the toughest scenario .
`` Now the philosophy of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as martial laws , '' he said .
Izvestia : Analysts examine whether 2021 would spell doom and gloom for greenback In 2021 , the dollar could drop 20 % if COVID-19 vaccines become widely available , helping to revive global trade , economists at Citigroup , a US-based banking conglomerate , predicted .
Experts compare the situation with the early 2000s when China ’ s accession to the World Trade Organization spurred a wave of globalization and the dollar started to plummet .
This trend continued for several years .
Izvestia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and looked at whether this massive vaccination will really spell trouble for the greenback and how the ruble would fare under this scenario .
Analysts told the newspaper that Citigroup ’ s outlook is too gloomy and the connection between the expectations on global trade revival and a weaker dollar is not quite obvious .
Now the situation differs from the early 2000s .
Mikhail Korolyuk , head of trust management at IFK Solid , explains that the dollar ’ s depreciation in 2001 was related to the euro , which was actively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chairs the board of directors at Custodian investment company , shares this opinion , noting that trade and economic growth on the contrary stimulates an increase in consumption and the dollar ’ s circulation around the world .
Thus , the greenback won ’ t drop as much as Citigroup expects .
`` It seems to me that Citigroup ’ s forecast is too ‘ sensational ’ - I expect DXY to fall not more than 5-7 % in the midterm prospect , '' said Nikolai Klenov , financial analyst at Raison Asset @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t lose more than 10 % of its value in 2021 .
How will all this affect the Russian currency ?
It ’ s highly likely that the ruble will gain from the dollar ’ s weakness since the volume of investments in developing markets will increase .
However , the growth potential will be limited by mounting tensions between the US and Russia - under a Biden administration this is almost inevitable , the newspaper writes .
The board of Russian energy giant Rosneft approved the sale of 10 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the largest global oil trader Trafigura .
The Russian company launched its ambitious project to develop hydrocarbons in the Russian Arctic this year .
Its confirmed oil and gas condensate resources are estimated at 6 bln tonnes ( 44 bln barrels ) .
Analysts say that the development of Vostok Oil ’ s fields will be an investment in Russia ’ s future , Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes .
`` The participation in the project by one of the largest global traders - the Trafigura company - shows that Vostok Oil with its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - is the future of global energy , '' said senior analyst at WMT Consult Valery Andrianov .
`` The possibility of deliveries along the Northern Sea Route to European and Asian markets is an important competitive advantage that attracts the increased interest of investors .
This project ’ s implementation can become a real revolution in the global hydrocarbon market , '' he noted .
The oil and gas sector is now obviously lacking investments and the implementation of this project could drastically turn this situation around , the expert said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vostok Oil ’ s project .
In their report , Merrill Lynch ’ s experts named the implementation of this project as one of key factors of the Russian company ’ s development .
`` Now there is an understanding that this is a resource for the country ’ s future global competitive edge , '' Director of the Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences Fedor Voytolovsky said .
According to him , Vostok Oil ’ s advancement will help Russia secure leading positions in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to developing the oil and gas sector as well as systemic benefits for the country as a whole .
The number of people who got fired over their comments on social media doubled over the past nine years .
In 2011 some 5 % lost their jobs over posting on their accounts , while in 2020 this figure grew to 10 % , Rossiyskaya Gazeta writes citing a SuperJob survey .
The audience of Runet has also doubled during this time from 57 mln to 96.7 mln users , according to the Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of social media users has also seriously grown .
The survey showed that one in ten companies fired their staff over inappropriate posts and one in four firms chose not to hire candidates after researching their social media accounts .
Superjob ’ s survey questioned representatives of 1,000 companies and 1,600 economically active Russians .
Half of employers don ’ t watch the activity of their staff in social networks .
However , most companies ( 56 % ) read profiles of job seekers .
Russian workers have become more careful over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ click on like button mostly neutral or positive posts .
Women think that employers research their pages on social media more than men do - 50 % versus 42 % .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews .

Media: Russia embarks on enacting Karabakh peacekeeping structure, takes ‘good cop, bad cop’ stance with West
The final structure of an inter-agency humanitarian response center in Nagorno-Karabakh was approved on November 18, sources in Russia’s Defense Ministry told Izvestia. Earlier that day, the Federation Council (upper house) had unanimously approved Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal on a long-term peacekeeping mission in Nagorno-Karabakh. According to the Defense Ministry, the humanitarian response center will be the key body for fulfilling the peace deal signed by the conflicting sides on November 9. The humanitarian response center will consist of some 1,200 people. Besides servicemen, it will also bring together civilian specialists, staff of the Border Service of the Russian Federal Security Service and the Emergencies Ministry, the Defense Ministry’s sources said. The center will focus on an entire range of sensitive issues and will guarantee not only the return of refugees but also normal daily life in its zone of responsibility. Its structure will include five specialized centers of interaction. One of them will be in charge of control over the disengagement of the conflicting sides and monitoring the ceasefire. The second one will deal with humanitarian operations in Nagorno-Karabakh. Another one will be responsible for access and maintenance of roads and transportation routes agreed on by the sides. The functions of others have not yet been detailed, the sources said. Besides, Russia is reinforcing its air force in Armenia. Aircraft will be also used for the peacekeeping operation. The Russian military will be deployed in the conflict zone for five years. Their mission will be automatically extended for a new five-year-term unless Armenia or Azerbaijan announce the termination of the deal six months prior to its end. Meanwhile, Karabakh’s fate remains up in the air. Azerbaijan demands its full control over the territory of the unrecognized republic. Kommersant writes that in its contact with Western countries on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, Russia has apparently chosen the strategy of "good cop and bad cop." President Putin acted as a "good cop" as he praised the mediating role of the US and France, which co-chair the OSCE Minsk Group on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement. In his turn, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergey Naryshkin took on the role of a "bad cop," when he accused the US and its NATO allies on Wednesday of an attempt to undermine the truce there and force out Russia from the region. Sources in Russia’s state structures explain that Moscow is ready to cooperate with its Western partners on a final settlement for the South Caucasus region, but won’t tolerate their accusations over the breakthrough agreements reached thanks to its mediation. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Kremlin gears up to battle imminent foreign meddling under Biden
A bill was submitted to Russia’s lower house, the State Duma, on November 18 on new requirements for the activity of opposition forces and election campaigns. The document introduces procedures for labeling both foreign and Russian citizens as well as unregistered NGOs as foreign agents. Obviously, the Russian Justice Ministry will include Alexei Navalny with his regional headquarters and Mikhail Khodorkovsky’s Open Russia in its registries. Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes that Russia is apparently borrowing the US’ idea of tightening the struggle for nationalizing the elites, including the opposition. Moreover, as a likely Biden presidency looms, the former vice president’s party adheres to the strategy of meddling in the domestic affairs of Washington’s geopolitical rivals. The document on "amending certain Russian legal acts on establishing additional measures of countering national security threats" was signed by representatives of all four factions of the State Duma. According to tradition, this is a signal that the initiative had been, at minimum, coordinated with the presidential administration but most likely it had been just drafted there. A consensus between the parties also shows that the draft law will be approved in the shortest possible time although it’s impossible to predict the final text. Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Russia Sergey Obukhov noted that "obviously, a [presumptive] Biden victory has sparked anxiety among our elites and Putin has already voiced concerns over foreign attempts to influence Russia." Konstantin Kalachev, who heads the Political Expert Group believes that the campaign for the elections to the State Duma will be carried out under the toughest scenario. "Now the philosophy of a besieged fortress will be revived as well as martial laws," he said. Izvestia: Analysts examine whether 2021 would spell doom and gloom for greenback
In 2021, the dollar could drop 20% if COVID-19 vaccines become widely available, helping to revive global trade, economists at Citigroup, a US-based banking conglomerate, predicted. Experts compare the situation with the early 2000s when China’s accession to the World Trade Organization spurred a wave of globalization and the dollar started to plummet. This trend continued for several years. Izvestia analyzed how realistic this forecast is, and looked at whether this massive vaccination will really spell trouble for the greenback and how the ruble would fare under this scenario. Analysts told the newspaper that Citigroup’s outlook is too gloomy and the connection between the expectations on global trade revival and a weaker dollar is not quite obvious. Now the situation differs from the early 2000s. Mikhail Korolyuk, head of trust management at IFK Solid, explains that the dollar’s depreciation in 2001 was related to the euro, which was actively developing then. Andrei Plotnikov, who chairs the board of directors at Custodian investment company, shares this opinion, noting that trade and economic growth on the contrary stimulates an increase in consumption and the dollar’s circulation around the world. Thus, the greenback won’t drop as much as Citigroup expects. "It seems to me that Citigroup’s forecast is too ‘sensational’ - I expect DXY to fall not more than 5-7% in the midterm prospect," said Nikolai Klenov, financial analyst at Raison Asset Management. Analysts believe that the dollar won’t lose more than 10% of its value in 2021. How will all this affect the Russian currency? It’s highly likely that the ruble will gain from the dollar’s weakness since the volume of investments in developing markets will increase. However, the growth potential will be limited by mounting tensions between the US and Russia - under a Biden administration this is almost inevitable, the newspaper writes. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Major global oil trader joins Rosneft’s Vostok Oil project
Read also Rosneft starts exploration drilling at Vostok Oil project in Arctic
The board of Russian energy giant Rosneft approved the sale of 10% of capital in the Vostok Oil project to the largest global oil trader Trafigura. The Russian company launched its ambitious project to develop hydrocarbons in the Russian Arctic this year. Its confirmed oil and gas condensate resources are estimated at 6 bln tonnes (44 bln barrels). Analysts say that the development of Vostok Oil’s fields will be an investment in Russia’s future, Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes. "The participation in the project by one of the largest global traders - the Trafigura company - shows that Vostok Oil with its huge resource base and obvious logistic advantages - is the future of global energy," said senior analyst at WMT Consult Valery Andrianov. "The possibility of deliveries along the Northern Sea Route to European and Asian markets is an important competitive advantage that attracts the increased interest of investors. This project’s implementation can become a real revolution in the global hydrocarbon market," he noted. The oil and gas sector is now obviously lacking investments and the implementation of this project could drastically turn this situation around, the expert said. Investment bank analysts see major prospects in Vostok Oil’s project. In their report, Merrill Lynch’s experts named the implementation of this project as one of key factors of the Russian company’s development. "Now there is an understanding that this is a resource for the country’s future global competitive edge," Director of the Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences Fedor Voytolovsky said. According to him, Vostok Oil’s advancement will help Russia secure leading positions in the technology field, derive benefits linked both to developing the oil and gas sector as well as systemic benefits for the country as a whole. Rossiyskaya Gazeta: Russia sees increase in sackings over social media posts


tass--2020-11-19--Russia developing new weapon to replace Iskander tactical missile system

MOSCOW , November 19 .
/TASS/ .
Russia has laid the scientific groundwork for a new weapon to replace the Iskander tactical missile system , Russia ’ s Missile Forces and Artillery Chief Lieutenant-General Mikhail Matveyevsky said in an interview with the Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper on Thursday .
`` The Iskander-M will comply with modern requirements for quite a long time and will remain the basic weapon for the missile forces and artillery at least until 2030… As for the future weapon , we can say that quite substantial scientific groundwork is already available today for its development , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missile system is unique and its upgraded potential `` has been tapped by less than a half , '' he stressed .
Russia is currently carrying out scientific work on the concept of advanced rocket artillery armament .
Efforts are simultaneously underway for upgrading the capabilities of existing weapon systems .
Today the Russian artillery troops are receiving upgraded Tornado-G medium-caliber multiple launch rocket systems and modernized Tornado-S launchers , the general said .
The Iskander-M tactical missile system is designated to strike adversary low-sized and site targets to a range of up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple launch rocket systems , long-range artillery , aircraft and helicopters at aerodromes , command posts and communications centers .

MOSCOW, November 19. /TASS/. Russia has laid the scientific groundwork for a new weapon to replace the Iskander tactical missile system, Russia’s Missile Forces and Artillery Chief Lieutenant-General Mikhail Matveyevsky said in an interview with the Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper on Thursday.
"The Iskander-M will comply with modern requirements for quite a long time and will remain the basic weapon for the missile forces and artillery at least until 2030… As for the future weapon, we can say that quite substantial scientific groundwork is already available today for its development," the general said.
The Iskander-M tactical missile system is unique and its upgraded potential "has been tapped by less than a half," he stressed.
Russia is currently carrying out scientific work on the concept of advanced rocket artillery armament. Efforts are simultaneously underway for upgrading the capabilities of existing weapon systems. Today the Russian artillery troops are receiving upgraded Tornado-G medium-caliber multiple launch rocket systems and modernized Tornado-S launchers, the general said.
The Iskander-M tactical missile system is designated to strike adversary low-sized and site targets to a range of up to 500 km: missile launchers, multiple launch rocket systems, long-range artillery, aircraft and helicopters at aerodromes, command posts and communications centers.