tass--2020-11-20--Armenian president dismisses defense minister

YEREVAN , November 20 .
/TASS/ .
Armenian President Armen Sarkisyan has made a decision to dismiss Defense Minister David @ @ @ @ @ to the republic ’ s Prime Minister Vagharshak Harutyunyan to this post , the presidential @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Based on the prime minister ’ s proposal , the president has signed @ @ @ @ @ Minister David Tonoyan .
By another presidential decree , Vagharshak Harutyunyan has been appointed as @ @ @ @ @ '' the press office said .
Tonoyan was appointed as the Armenian defense minister in @ @ @ @ @ in the republic .
Before that , he held the posts of the head of @ @ @ @ @ deputy defense minister in various years .
Lieutenant General Harutyunyan held the post of the @ @ @ @ @ .
In 1991 , he graduated from the Naval Academy and the Military Academy of @ @ @ @ @ Russian Armed Forces .
In 1992-1994 , he served as the deputy chief of the @ @ @ @ @ Command Staff .

YEREVAN, November 20. /TASS/. Armenian President Armen Sarkisyan has made a decision to dismiss Defense Minister David Tonoyan and appoint Chief Adviser to the republic’s Prime Minister Vagharshak Harutyunyan to this post, the presidential press office reported on Friday.
"Based on the prime minister’s proposal, the president has signed a decree on dismissing Defense Minister David Tonoyan. By another presidential decree, Vagharshak Harutyunyan has been appointed as the new defense minister," the press office said.
Tonoyan was appointed as the Armenian defense minister in May 2018 after political changes in the republic. Before that, he held the posts of the head of the Emergencies Ministry and a deputy defense minister in various years.
Lieutenant General Harutyunyan held the post of the Armenian defense minister in 1999-2000. In 1991, he graduated from the Naval Academy and the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces. In 1992-1994, he served as the deputy chief of the CIS Joint Armed Forces General Command Staff.


tass--2020-11-20--Russian Navy boosts advanced warships’ share in 2020 by a third

MOSCOW , November 20 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Armed Forces received 11 % more armament and military hardware in 2020 than the previous year , Chief of Russia ’ s National Defense Control Center Colonel General Mikhail Mizintsev reported on Friday .
`` In close inter-agency cooperation at the country ’ s shipyards , 35 submarines and surface ships were laid down , floated out and accepted for service in the Navy this year , which increased the share of the Navy ’ s advanced hardware by a third compared to 2019 , '' the general stressed .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Industry and Trade Ministry , Rospotrebnadzor [ the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing ] and defense enterprises , it became possible in an uneasy epidemiological situation both to provide for the full-fledged operation of factories and enterprises and boost the amount of armament , military and special hardware delivered to the troops by 11 % compared to last year , '' Mizintsev said .
`` The Russian Navy ’ s increased combat capabilities were demonstrated at the annual Main Naval Parade in St. Petersburg and also at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s main naval bases .
For the first time , the parade was held in Kaspiysk , the new base of the Caspian Flotilla .
Overall , 226 warships and support vessels were involved , '' the general said .

MOSCOW, November 20. /TASS/. The Russian Armed Forces received 11% more armament and military hardware in 2020 than the previous year, Chief of Russia’s National Defense Control Center Colonel General Mikhail Mizintsev reported on Friday.
"In close inter-agency cooperation at the country’s shipyards, 35 submarines and surface ships were laid down, floated out and accepted for service in the Navy this year, which increased the share of the Navy’s advanced hardware by a third compared to 2019," the general stressed.
"Thanks to the effective interaction with the Industry and Trade Ministry, Rospotrebnadzor [the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing] and defense enterprises, it became possible in an uneasy epidemiological situation both to provide for the full-fledged operation of factories and enterprises and boost the amount of armament, military and special hardware delivered to the troops by 11% compared to last year," Mizintsev said.
"The Russian Navy’s increased combat capabilities were demonstrated at the annual Main Naval Parade in St. Petersburg and also at the parades held at the Fleet’s main naval bases. For the first time, the parade was held in Kaspiysk, the new base of the Caspian Flotilla. Overall, 226 warships and support vessels were involved," the general said.


tass--2020-11-20--G20 will continue reforming WHO — Russian sherpa

MOSCOW , November 20 .
/TASS/ .
The inefficiency of the World Health Organization ( WHO ) at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic was caused by it being underfunded , Russian G20 Sherpa Svetlana Lukash said .
She added that the G20 will continue working on reforming the organization .
`` The WHO has been the subject of criticism due to its reaction to the pandemic .
On the other hand , the need to raise its efficiency has been pressing for a long time .
Russia has always stressed that there is no alternative to the WHO , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she said during a briefing on Friday .
`` Why was the WHO reportedly inefficient at the first stages of the pandemic ?
Simply because it was underfunded , '' she added .
According to the sherpa , `` this organization must always be at the center of all international efforts to prevent any crises in the sphere of healthcare and ensure common approaches to healthcare systems in all countries . ''
`` This year , the G20 fought for reaffirming the key role of the WHO , agreeing that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the efforts , but of course , its efficiency should be raised , '' Lukash stated .
She noted that the reform of key global bodies will continue , and the G20 is working on it .
When asked about the work of the World Trade Organization ( WTO ) , Lukash recalled that Russia supports its reformation .
`` This is a very difficult matter , but we have reached certain progress this year .
Despite the situation within the WTO itself and the essential block of a number of its key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of resuming this work , raising the efficiency of WTO managing bodies , '' the Russian sherpa stressed .
`` We hope that the reform will continue , because there is no alternative to the WTO , all global trade must be regulated based on clear universal rules , and only the WTO can ensure a unified approach and equal rules for everyone , '' Lukash stated .

MOSCOW, November 20. /TASS/. The inefficiency of the World Health Organization (WHO) at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic was caused by it being underfunded, Russian G20 Sherpa Svetlana Lukash said. She added that the G20 will continue working on reforming the organization.
"The WHO has been the subject of criticism due to its reaction to the pandemic. On the other hand, the need to raise its efficiency has been pressing for a long time. Russia has always stressed that there is no alternative to the WHO, however, its potential must be strengthened," she said during a briefing on Friday. "Why was the WHO reportedly inefficient at the first stages of the pandemic? Simply because it was underfunded," she added. According to the sherpa, "this organization must always be at the center of all international efforts to prevent any crises in the sphere of healthcare and ensure common approaches to healthcare systems in all countries."
"This year, the G20 fought for reaffirming the key role of the WHO, agreeing that the WHO must remain at the center of the efforts, but of course, its efficiency should be raised," Lukash stated. She noted that the reform of key global bodies will continue, and the G20 is working on it.
When asked about the work of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Lukash recalled that Russia supports its reformation. "This is a very difficult matter, but we have reached certain progress this year. Despite the situation within the WTO itself and the essential block of a number of its key functions, the G20 discussed the possibilities of resuming this work, raising the efficiency of WTO managing bodies," the Russian sherpa stressed. "We hope that the reform will continue, because there is no alternative to the WTO, all global trade must be regulated based on clear universal rules, and only the WTO can ensure a unified approach and equal rules for everyone," Lukash stated.


tass--2020-11-20--Putin to discuss ways of overcoming pandemic aftermath with G20 leaders Saturday

MOSCOW , November 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin will take part in the G20 summit on November 21 , the Kremlin press service reported on Friday .
It noted that the event chaired by Saudi Arabia this year would be held online .
`` The leaders will discuss issues related to dealing with the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic , ensuring universal access to vaccines , strengthening healthcare systems , restoring the global economy and international trade .
They will also address such issues as cooperation in the digital economy , the fight against climate change , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the report said .
According to the Kremlin press service , the key decisions of the summit are expected to be enshrined in the final declaration .
The G20 summit chaired by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia will be held online on November 21-22 .
Among the issues that will be discussed is an economic recovery after the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
In addition to problems related to COVID-19 , the participants in the event will discuss some other issues , in particular , @ @

MOSCOW, November 20. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin will take part in the G20 summit on November 21, the Kremlin press service reported on Friday. It noted that the event chaired by Saudi Arabia this year would be held online.
"The leaders will discuss issues related to dealing with the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic, ensuring universal access to vaccines, strengthening healthcare systems, restoring the global economy and international trade. They will also address such issues as cooperation in the digital economy, the fight against climate change, environmental protection, energy and countering corruption," the report said.
According to the Kremlin press service, the key decisions of the summit are expected to be enshrined in the final declaration.
The G20 summit chaired by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia will be held online on November 21-22. Among the issues that will be discussed is an economic recovery after the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to problems related to COVID-19, the participants in the event will discuss some other issues, in particular, innovation.


tass--2020-11-20--Attempts to undermine conclusions of Nuremberg trials threaten global security, Putin says

MOSCOW , November 20 .
/TASS/ .
Attempts to undermine the principles based on the conclusions of the Nuremberg trials threaten global security , Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his address to the participants of the Lessons of Nuremberg forum on Friday .
The Russian leader said that it is a duty of the entire global community to guard the decisions of the Nuremberg trials , noting that `` these are the principles that underlie the values of the post-war world order and the norms of the international law . ''
`` To this day they remain a firm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cooperation , whilst forgetting and attempting to undermine them is a blow to ensuring security on the entire planet , '' Putin said , noting that this is precisely the reason `` Russia persistently raises these questions at all negotiation platforms . ''
`` We constantly turn to the lessons of the Nuremberg trials , understanding their importance for the assertion of historical truth , in order to counteract the intentional distortions and falsifications of the events of the Second World War in a conclusive and well-founded way , especially the unscrupulous dishonest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminals and their accomplices , '' the Russian president stressed .
Putin expressed hope that this forum will contribute to the modern interpretation of the historical heritage of the Nuremberg trials , while the results and the recommendations by the forum participants will be relevant for the global community .
Conclusions drawn at the Nuremberg trials 75 years ago are still relevant today , Vladimir Putin said .
`` The Nuremberg conclusions continue to be relevant today , '' the Russian leader emphasized .
He reiterated that a month ago , based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district court for the first time ever in the Russian legal procedure recognized as genocide mass executions of civilians near the village of Zhestyanaya Gorka in the Novgorod Region where thousands of innocent people were brutally murdered .
Putin also thanked all the forum participants .
`` I am confident that the subject matter of the forum is meaningful to you not just because of your professional activities but also because you realize your personal responsibility to preserve the historical truth about the Second World War , profoundly comprehending the significance of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ norms and principles developed there for finding the answers to the most complex modern challenges and threats , '' he said .
The Russian president reiterated that 75 years ago , after the overwhelming defeat of the Nazi regime , `` a court process [ began ] that held the attention of the entire world . ''
`` The merciless Hitler 's regime that unleashed a criminal war , that committed monstrous atrocities history has never known , was overthrown but it was impossible to stop there .
The triumphant military victory had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , legal and moral condemnation of Nazism and its deadly ideology . ''
The role and losses of the Soviet Union The Russian president noted that certain individuals , the leadership of the Nazi Germany , were behind the mass terror and the determined extermination of entire nations .
The countries affected by the aggression and millions of people who endured inhuman trials and suffering hoped for a vindication and the inevitable public punishment of the Nazi criminals .
`` It is precisely this position - to create an open international military tribunal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Union beginning as early as 1942 and consistently maintained at all negotiations with the Allies , among whom , as it is known , initially the idea prevailed of a non-judicial , only a collective political decision of execution of the Nazi leaders , '' Putin emphasized .
By the end of the war , he continued , the necessity to conduct precisely a legal process was realized by many leading politicians , and in August 1945 , the Soviet Union , the US , Great Britain and France approved an agreement on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 19 other countries .
`` The tribunal rightfully earned the status of the Court of the people , '' Putin added .
The Soviet people who bore the brunt of the most powerful and violent attacks by the aggressor , had their own scores to settle with the Nazis `` for those killed on battlefields , for the wounded and crippled , for destroyed cities and burned villages and for mass murders of people on the occupied territories , '' the president said .
`` Those atrocities directed at peaceful Soviet people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and acquired the status of Hitler ’ s state policy .
The Soviet Union in the Second World War suffered enormous irreparable losses .
Among millions of victims the majority were servicemen killed in captivity and mercilessly murdered civilians , '' he noted .
According to the head of state , declassification of the archive documents in Russia and the work of search expeditions help `` uncover and reflect again on previously unknown yet horrible events of the past war and on the new facts of mass murder of Soviet citizens - the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Nazis and their accomplices . ''
`` Such crimes do not have a statute of limitations , '' Putin asserted .
`` They were evaluated precisely by the Nuremberg trials , that developed the criteria of a crime against humanity , which defined the very notion of genocide and laid the foundation for the UN Genocide Convention approved in 1948 , '' he added .

MOSCOW, November 20. /TASS/. Attempts to undermine the principles based on the conclusions of the Nuremberg trials threaten global security, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his address to the participants of the Lessons of Nuremberg forum on Friday.
The Russian leader said that it is a duty of the entire global community to guard the decisions of the Nuremberg trials, noting that "these are the principles that underlie the values of the post-war world order and the norms of the international law."
"To this day they remain a firm reliable foundation for a constructive dialogue and cooperation, whilst forgetting and attempting to undermine them is a blow to ensuring security on the entire planet," Putin said, noting that this is precisely the reason "Russia persistently raises these questions at all negotiation platforms."
"We constantly turn to the lessons of the Nuremberg trials, understanding their importance for the assertion of historical truth, in order to counteract the intentional distortions and falsifications of the events of the Second World War in a conclusive and well-founded way, especially the unscrupulous dishonest attempts to justify and even glorify Nazi criminals and their accomplices," the Russian president stressed.
Putin expressed hope that this forum will contribute to the modern interpretation of the historical heritage of the Nuremberg trials, while the results and the recommendations by the forum participants will be relevant for the global community.
Conclusions drawn at the Nuremberg trials 75 years ago are still relevant today, Vladimir Putin said. "The Nuremberg conclusions continue to be relevant today," the Russian leader emphasized. He reiterated that a month ago, based on the tribunals' decisions, the Soltsy district court for the first time ever in the Russian legal procedure recognized as genocide mass executions of civilians near the village of Zhestyanaya Gorka in the Novgorod Region where thousands of innocent people were brutally murdered.
Putin also thanked all the forum participants. "I am confident that the subject matter of the forum is meaningful to you not just because of your professional activities but also because you realize your personal responsibility to preserve the historical truth about the Second World War, profoundly comprehending the significance of the conclusions of the Nuremberg trials and the norms and principles developed there for finding the answers to the most complex modern challenges and threats," he said.
The Russian president reiterated that 75 years ago, after the overwhelming defeat of the Nazi regime, "a court process [began] that held the attention of the entire world." "The merciless Hitler's regime that unleashed a criminal war, that committed monstrous atrocities history has never known, was overthrown but it was impossible to stop there. The triumphant military victory had to be followed up by a political, legal and moral condemnation of Nazism and its deadly ideology."
The role and losses of the Soviet Union
The Russian president noted that certain individuals, the leadership of the Nazi Germany, were behind the mass terror and the determined extermination of entire nations. The countries affected by the aggression and millions of people who endured inhuman trials and suffering hoped for a vindication and the inevitable public punishment of the Nazi criminals. "It is precisely this position - to create an open international military tribunal - that was championed by the Soviet Union beginning as early as 1942 and consistently maintained at all negotiations with the Allies, among whom, as it is known, initially the idea prevailed of a non-judicial, only a collective political decision of execution of the Nazi leaders," Putin emphasized.
By the end of the war, he continued, the necessity to conduct precisely a legal process was realized by many leading politicians, and in August 1945, the Soviet Union, the US, Great Britain and France approved an agreement on its establishment. This agreement was supported by 19 other countries. "The tribunal rightfully earned the status of the Court of the people," Putin added.
The Soviet people who bore the brunt of the most powerful and violent attacks by the aggressor, had their own scores to settle with the Nazis "for those killed on battlefields, for the wounded and crippled, for destroyed cities and burned villages and for mass murders of people on the occupied territories," the president said. "Those atrocities directed at peaceful Soviet people were dictated by the special Nazi directives and acquired the status of Hitler’s state policy. The Soviet Union in the Second World War suffered enormous irreparable losses. Among millions of victims the majority were servicemen killed in captivity and mercilessly murdered civilians," he noted.
According to the head of state, declassification of the archive documents in Russia and the work of search expeditions help "uncover and reflect again on previously unknown yet horrible events of the past war and on the new facts of mass murder of Soviet citizens - the elderly, women and children - by the Nazis and their accomplices."
"Such crimes do not have a statute of limitations," Putin asserted. "They were evaluated precisely by the Nuremberg trials, that developed the criteria of a crime against humanity, which defined the very notion of genocide and laid the foundation for the UN Genocide Convention approved in 1948," he added.


tass--2020-11-20--Press review: Pompeo’s surprise Tbilisi tour and Russia’s revenge against Silicon Valley

Izvestia : US Secretary of State Pompeo pays surprise visit to Tbilisi An unexpected and rather brief visit by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Tbilisi came in the wake of the Moscow-brokered Nagorno-Karabakh agreement signed by Azerbaijan and Armenia , Izvestia reports .
Pompeo did not make any official statements , with the US State Department noting that all official announcements will be made after Pompeo concludes his regional tour and returns to the US .
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili stated that Pompeo ’ s visit highlights the importance of Georgia , the Caucasus and the Black Sea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ light of the recent events in the region .
Georgian security expert Vakhtang Maisaia told Izvestia that Pompeo ’ s surprise visit to Georgia , as well as his tour of Europe and the Middle East were timed to coincide with a number of events in the US and in the region .
`` Mike Pompeo is due to address the Senate with a foreign policy report in December .
Next , the unexpected turn of events in the region has prompted the US administration to act .
Trump decided to activate [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election , primarily setting his sights on introducing tougher sanctions against Iran .
Some even predicted that he might start a war with Iran , '' the pundit said .
He also noted that the Trump administration decided to pull US troops out of Afghanistan and Iraq .
In addition , the security expert pointed to the events in Nagorno-Karabakh as the final factor .
According to Maisaia , Georgia was included on Pompeo ’ s tour , since it has a direct or indirect connection to these key aspects of Washington ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global political significance , especially for the US , took place about 30-40 kilometers away from Georgia , namely , the events in Nagorno-Karabakh .
Besides , Georgia borders Iran .
What ’ s more , there is a transit corridor on Georgian soil , which the US used to deliver everything necessary to their troops and NATO coalition forces , '' he told Izvestia .
Kommersant : Armenian lawmakers to keep PM Pashinyan in power It is likely that the resignation of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan that seemed inevitable a week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ informs .
On Wednesday evening , a small rally of his supporters took place in Yerevan , and on Thursday , lawmakers from the ruling parliamentary coalition - the My Step Alliance - stated that they do not want the PM to step down , since the country needs stability .
Pashinyan , who faced a great deal of backlash in Armenia after signing the Russia-brokered Nagorno-Karabakh peace deal with Azerbaijan , which was seen as `` capitulation '' by the opposition , seems to be taking control of the situation .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resignation , crowds of his supporters gathered in the Armenian capital on Wednesday evening .
The opposition forces were not moved by the support rally , with Artur Vanetsyan , ex-head of Armenia ’ s National Security Service noting that the participants of the rallies may have been `` manipulated '' to attend the rally .
`` The person who signed the capitulation has no moral right to be the people ’ s leader and to head the country , '' he insisted .
Meanwhile , lawmakers representing the My Step Alliance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seats , made it clear that they plan to keep Pashinyan on as PM .
Vice President of Armenia ’ s National Assembly Lena Nazaryan stated that the My Step faction is not ready to replace Pashinyan even with a representative of the ruling party .
`` This may sound paradoxical , but we think that right now , Nikol Pashinyan is the factor stabilizing the situation in the country .
I can not imagine another candidate , '' she said .
Alen Simonyan , another vice president of the parliament , expressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will decide whether Pashinyan should stay or go , and right now , we need to stabilize the situation and then discuss what to do , '' he told Kommersant .
`` I do not rule out holding a snap election , and I am sure that Pashinyan ’ s party will get the majority . ''
When asked when martial law declared on September 27 will be lifted , the lawmaker said : `` Martial law will be annulled when it becomes clear that the war is over .
Right now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sides , and I think it would be wrong to cancel it based on the statement alone .
The opposition has the right to say anything they want . ''
Meanwhile , the Armenian police continue to disperse protest rallies , detaining participants , and showing loyalty to the current government .
Kommersant : Russian legislators get tough with Twitter , Facebook and YouTube over censorship On November 19 , a team of Russian lawmakers submitted to the lower house a bill stipulating action against Silicon Valley ’ s discrimination of Russian media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ censorship and deplatforming by global tech giants , namely Twitter , Facebook , and YouTube , Kommersant informs .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that tools are needed to counter censorship , and that they will be developed during the discussion of the bill .
Experts quizzed by Kommersant have different takes on the bill .
Some find it reasonable , while some warn that such initiatives may have a radical effect on the country ’ s media , its residents and the Russian state itself .
The press service of the Federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Technology , and Mass Media informed Kommersant that restricting access to Russian media sources violates Article 29 of the Russian Constitution , and foreign companies have no right to do that .
The watchdog did not respond to the paper ’ s question on the way the access to foreign platforms may be blocked or restricted .
Russian Internet Ombudsman Dmitry Marinichev thinks that the proposed initiative is too emotional , and that the bill and its consequences have not been thought through very well .
`` The desire for a tit-for-tat response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a human and emotional level .
However , I think that introducing initiatives that may have an extremely radical effect on Russia ’ s information space , on the country ’ s residents and on the state itself is a very dangerous game , '' the ombudsman cautioned .
Meanwhile , political analyst Dmitry Yegorchenkov stated that foreign platforms present in Russia do not adhere to Russian law .
`` I don ’ t think that they should be fully blocked , since any strict ban in the information sphere is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ definitely be some regulations , '' the expert stated .
`` The efficiency of such measures is questionable from a practical point of view .
People will use VPNs and anonymizers , '' said Karen Kazaryan , who heads the Internet Research Institute .
`` At the same time , mass blocking or [ bandwidth ] throttling may undermine user connection .
This will be harmful to other resources .
And if the infrastructure aspects are affected , the functioning of mobile apps may suffer .
Throttling is a more expensive measure than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we still do not have , '' he concluded .
Nezavisimaya Gazeta : Biden presidency to accelerate clean energy policies to the detriment of Russia The environmental plan of Joe Biden , the projected president of the US , includes a $ 2-trillion investment in the transition to renewable energy sources .
The EU is also looking to introduce taxes and slap bans on traditional hydrocarbons that cause greenhouse emissions .
Russia is not ready for a `` green revolution '' yet , which will now be supported by the US as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own strategy of lowering hydrocarbon emissions that seeks to cut greenhouse emissions by 2050 by 70-90 % compared to the 1990 level , Nezavisimaya Gazeta informs .
Western experts note that the COVID-19 pandemic has sped up the move of developed countries towards low-carbon emissions .
The possible change in the White House will affect the importance of environmental and clean energy programs around the world .
Biden ’ s election campaign was built on environmental initiatives .
He aims to spend about $ 2 trillion in four years to fight climate change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US power supply should be fully based on renewable energy sources by 2035 .
Unlike many other states , Russia can not tout an active environmental policy .
Under the current presidential decree , Russia must lower emissions by 30 % compared to the 1990 level .
This modest goal characterizes Russia as a state that is not ready for a radical drop in emissions , and that even plans to increase them , experts of the Higher School of Economics ( HSE ) note .
The shift of the majority of countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decrease in demand for traditional energy sources , which will negatively affect Russia ’ s exporting prospects .
According to HSE , Russia may lose up to a quarter of its revenue due to the environmental shift , and the country ’ s GDP may drop by 0.5 percentage points annually in the future .
Not only EU states , but also China , Japan , South Korea , and now the US , plan to lower carbon emissions , senior analyst at the Energy Center of the Moscow School of Management `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` These goals are absolutely real - this is not some whim from politicians or a fleeting fad , as Russia tries to present it at times , it is the result of a wide public consensus based on the fight against climate change , '' he stressed .
Izvestia : COVID-19 vaccine hopes often used as bait by hackers The share of e-mail scams offering a COVID-19 vaccine or information about it has risen , the Rostelecom-Solar security company informed Izvestia .
About 15 % of all e-mail scams undetected by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
Since the start of the pandemic , cases of phishing have increased by 10 % .
Hackers tend to use the alleged information of a COVID-19 vaccine as a pretense to spread malware .
The messages may contain offers to sell the vaccine or information on where a person can get vaccinated .
After the user opens the letter , a virus is loaded on their computer , which can encrypt all the data on the device , get access to bank cards and passwords , as well as the user @ @ @ @ @ @ @ popular a news topic is , the more likely it is that it will be used for some criminal means , and COVID-19 is the main topic of discussion throughout the world .
So , it is not surprising that it is being exploited by scammers .
People open their attachments often , which is already half the battle for hackers , head of the Internet-Rozysk company Igor Bederov told the paper .
The most dramatic rise of fraud cases related to COVID-19 was recorded in April 2020 .
At the peak , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 60 % of the total number of malicious emails , Alexey Malnev , head of the center of monitoring and response to incidents of cybersecurity of Jet CSIRT of the Jet Infosystems Company , said .
For the most part , the scammers used social engineering methods aimed against individuals .
The hackers often looked to obtain confidential information , banking data , and online accounts of a certain individual , he added .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews .

Izvestia: US Secretary of State Pompeo pays surprise visit to Tbilisi
Read also Protest rally in Georgia’s Tbilisi ending
An unexpected and rather brief visit by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Tbilisi came in the wake of the Moscow-brokered Nagorno-Karabakh agreement signed by Azerbaijan and Armenia, Izvestia reports. Pompeo did not make any official statements, with the US State Department noting that all official announcements will be made after Pompeo concludes his regional tour and returns to the US. Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili stated that Pompeo’s visit highlights the importance of Georgia, the Caucasus and the Black Sea Region for the US, especially in light of the recent events in the region. Georgian security expert Vakhtang Maisaia told Izvestia that Pompeo’s surprise visit to Georgia, as well as his tour of Europe and the Middle East were timed to coincide with a number of events in the US and in the region. "Mike Pompeo is due to address the Senate with a foreign policy report in December. Next, the unexpected turn of events in the region has prompted the US administration to act. Trump decided to activate [his] foreign policy after a lost election, primarily setting his sights on introducing tougher sanctions against Iran. Some even predicted that he might start a war with Iran," the pundit said. He also noted that the Trump administration decided to pull US troops out of Afghanistan and Iraq. In addition, the security expert pointed to the events in Nagorno-Karabakh as the final factor. According to Maisaia, Georgia was included on Pompeo’s tour, since it has a direct or indirect connection to these key aspects of Washington’s policy. "Events of great global political significance, especially for the US, took place about 30-40 kilometers away from Georgia, namely, the events in Nagorno-Karabakh. Besides, Georgia borders Iran. What’s more, there is a transit corridor on Georgian soil, which the US used to deliver everything necessary to their troops and NATO coalition forces," he told Izvestia. Kommersant: Armenian lawmakers to keep PM Pashinyan in power
It is likely that the resignation of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan that seemed inevitable a week ago has been postponed indefinitely, Kommersant informs. On Wednesday evening, a small rally of his supporters took place in Yerevan, and on Thursday, lawmakers from the ruling parliamentary coalition - the My Step Alliance - stated that they do not want the PM to step down, since the country needs stability. Pashinyan, who faced a great deal of backlash in Armenia after signing the Russia-brokered Nagorno-Karabakh peace deal with Azerbaijan, which was seen as "capitulation" by the opposition, seems to be taking control of the situation. After numerous rallies in Yerevan calling for his resignation, crowds of his supporters gathered in the Armenian capital on Wednesday evening. The opposition forces were not moved by the support rally, with Artur Vanetsyan, ex-head of Armenia’s National Security Service noting that the participants of the rallies may have been "manipulated" to attend the rally. "The person who signed the capitulation has no moral right to be the people’s leader and to head the country," he insisted. Meanwhile, lawmakers representing the My Step Alliance, which counts on two-thirds of the parliamentary seats, made it clear that they plan to keep Pashinyan on as PM. Vice President of Armenia’s National Assembly Lena Nazaryan stated that the My Step faction is not ready to replace Pashinyan even with a representative of the ruling party. "This may sound paradoxical, but we think that right now, Nikol Pashinyan is the factor stabilizing the situation in the country. I cannot imagine another candidate," she said. Alen Simonyan, another vice president of the parliament, expressed the same opinion. "The people will decide whether Pashinyan should stay or go, and right now, we need to stabilize the situation and then discuss what to do," he told Kommersant. "I do not rule out holding a snap election, and I am sure that Pashinyan’s party will get the majority." When asked when martial law declared on September 27 will be lifted, the lawmaker said: "Martial law will be annulled when it becomes clear that the war is over. Right now, there is only a statement by the sides, and I think it would be wrong to cancel it based on the statement alone. The opposition has the right to say anything they want." Meanwhile, the Armenian police continue to disperse protest rallies, detaining participants, and showing loyalty to the current government.
Read also Bill submitted to Russian parliament on labeling individuals as foreign agents
Kommersant: Russian legislators get tough with Twitter, Facebook and YouTube over censorship On November 19, a team of Russian lawmakers submitted to the lower house a bill stipulating action against Silicon Valley’s discrimination of Russian media outlets. The bill seeks to fight censorship and deplatforming by global tech giants, namely Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, Kommersant informs. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that tools are needed to counter censorship, and that they will be developed during the discussion of the bill. Experts quizzed by Kommersant have different takes on the bill. Some find it reasonable, while some warn that such initiatives may have a radical effect on the country’s media, its residents and the Russian state itself. The press service of the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology, and Mass Media informed Kommersant that restricting access to Russian media sources violates Article 29 of the Russian Constitution, and foreign companies have no right to do that. The watchdog did not respond to the paper’s question on the way the access to foreign platforms may be blocked or restricted. Russian Internet Ombudsman Dmitry Marinichev thinks that the proposed initiative is too emotional, and that the bill and its consequences have not been thought through very well. "The desire for a tit-for-tat response punishing those slipshod foreign companies is understandable on a human and emotional level. However, I think that introducing initiatives that may have an extremely radical effect on Russia’s information space, on the country’s residents and on the state itself is a very dangerous game," the ombudsman cautioned. Meanwhile, political analyst Dmitry Yegorchenkov stated that foreign platforms present in Russia do not adhere to Russian law. "I don’t think that they should be fully blocked, since any strict ban in the information sphere is not very effective. However, there should definitely be some regulations," the expert stated. "The efficiency of such measures is questionable from a practical point of view. People will use VPNs and anonymizers," said Karen Kazaryan, who heads the Internet Research Institute. "At the same time, mass blocking or [bandwidth] throttling may undermine user connection. This will be harmful to other resources. And if the infrastructure aspects are affected, the functioning of mobile apps may suffer. Throttling is a more expensive measure than blocking, it requires expensive equipment that we still do not have," he concluded. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Biden presidency to accelerate clean energy policies to the detriment of Russia The environmental plan of Joe Biden, the projected president of the US, includes a $2-trillion investment in the transition to renewable energy sources. The EU is also looking to introduce taxes and slap bans on traditional hydrocarbons that cause greenhouse emissions. Russia is not ready for a "green revolution" yet, which will now be supported by the US as well. Russian officials are working on their own strategy of lowering hydrocarbon emissions that seeks to cut greenhouse emissions by 2050 by 70-90% compared to the 1990 level, Nezavisimaya Gazeta informs. Western experts note that the COVID-19 pandemic has sped up the move of developed countries towards low-carbon emissions.
Read also Back to the caves? Putin warns ditching hydrocarbons would end civilization
The possible change in the White House will affect the importance of environmental and clean energy programs around the world. Biden’s election campaign was built on environmental initiatives. He aims to spend about $2 trillion in four years to fight climate change. According to his environmental plan, US power supply should be fully based on renewable energy sources by 2035. Unlike many other states, Russia cannot tout an active environmental policy. Under the current presidential decree, Russia must lower emissions by 30% compared to the 1990 level. This modest goal characterizes Russia as a state that is not ready for a radical drop in emissions, and that even plans to increase them, experts of the Higher School of Economics (HSE) note. The shift of the majority of countries to zero emissions may lead to a decrease in demand for traditional energy sources, which will negatively affect Russia’s exporting prospects. According to HSE, Russia may lose up to a quarter of its revenue due to the environmental shift, and the country’s GDP may drop by 0.5 percentage points annually in the future. Not only EU states, but also China, Japan, South Korea, and now the US, plan to lower carbon emissions, senior analyst at the Energy Center of the Moscow School of Management "Skolkovo" Yuri Melnikov told Nezavisimaya Gazeta. "These goals are absolutely real - this is not some whim from politicians or a fleeting fad, as Russia tries to present it at times, it is the result of a wide public consensus based on the fight against climate change," he stressed. Izvestia: COVID-19 vaccine hopes often used as bait by hackers


tass--2020-11-20--Russia’s top brass creates secure cyberspace for information exchange

MOSCOW , November 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russian army specialists have created secure cyberspace with the help of the Portal system to discuss defense issues with state authorities , Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Friday .
`` An information exchange with regions of the Russian Federation has been established through the Portal system .
This has made it possible to create the first ever confidential single information space between various levels of state power , '' the defense chief said at an inter-agency scientific and practical conference .
The inter-agency communication system has withstood the test of the 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and methods of interaction have been developed and `` a more qualitative level of operational response and cohesion has been achieved '' Shoigu stressed .
The fight against the novel coronavirus is a task of state importance , the defense chief stressed , pointing to multi-functional medical centers built and successfully operating in regions along with mobile military hospitals deployed in COVID-19 hotspots .
Russia ’ s Defense Ministry also pays great attention to the state armament program being monitored daily and the work on developing the system of the youth ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Also , the social issues of servicemen and members of their families are being resolved successfully in the work with regional authorities .
The fulfillment of such a broad range of tasks has prompted coordinated approaches and active efforts by the bodies of state power , '' the defense minister said .

MOSCOW, November 20. /TASS/. Russian army specialists have created secure cyberspace with the help of the Portal system to discuss defense issues with state authorities, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Friday.
"An information exchange with regions of the Russian Federation has been established through the Portal system. This has made it possible to create the first ever confidential single information space between various levels of state power," the defense chief said at an inter-agency scientific and practical conference.
The inter-agency communication system has withstood the test of the 2020 events and progressed further. New forms and methods of interaction have been developed and "a more qualitative level of operational response and cohesion has been achieved" Shoigu stressed.
The fight against the novel coronavirus is a task of state importance, the defense chief stressed, pointing to multi-functional medical centers built and successfully operating in regions along with mobile military hospitals deployed in COVID-19 hotspots.
Russia’s Defense Ministry also pays great attention to the state armament program being monitored daily and the work on developing the system of the youth’s military patriotic education, he said.
"Also, the social issues of servicemen and members of their families are being resolved successfully in the work with regional authorities. The fulfillment of such a broad range of tasks has prompted coordinated approaches and active efforts by the bodies of state power," the defense minister said.


tass--2020-11-20--Belarus authorities issued 1,325 decisions to arrest protesters since early November

MINSK , November 20 .
/TASS/ .
Belarus ’ human rights center Vesna , unregistered by the authorities , said on Friday that a total of 1,325 administrative decisions to arrest protesters had been made since early November and 520 people had been fined for participation in protest demonstrations .
On November 1-18 , a total of 1,325 administrative arrest orders were issued in Belarus and 520 people were fined to a total of $ 114,000 .
Protest demonstrators were punished with a total of 16,559 days of arrest , 46 years all in all , the center said on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities used such articles of the Administrative Code as massive unrest and organization or active participation in collective actions that crudely violate public order .
Less frequently protesters were accused of disobedience to legitimate orders from officials on duty .
As of early November Belarusian human rights activists said that a total of 16,000 had been detained in the country since the beginning of the election campaign .
Nationwide demonstrations have engulfed Belarus following the August 9 presidential election .
According to the Central Election Commission ’ s official results , incumbent President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ garnering 80.10 % of the vote .
His closest rival in the race , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , came in second , with 10.12 % of the ballot .
However , she refused to recognize the election ’ s outcome .
After the results of the exit polls were announced late on August 9 , mass protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other Belarusian cities .
During the early post-election period , the rallies snowballed into fierce clashes between the protesters and police .
In the capital Minsk and other cities residents of some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outdoor shows .
In response , the Belarusian authorities have castigated the ongoing turmoil and demanded that these unauthorized demonstrations be stopped .

MINSK, November 20. /TASS/. Belarus’ human rights center Vesna, unregistered by the authorities, said on Friday that a total of 1,325 administrative decisions to arrest protesters had been made since early November and 520 people had been fined for participation in protest demonstrations.
On November 1-18, a total of 1,325 administrative arrest orders were issued in Belarus and 520 people were fined to a total of $114,000. Protest demonstrators were punished with a total of 16,559 days of arrest, 46 years all in all, the center said on its website.
In most cases the authorities used such articles of the Administrative Code as massive unrest and organization or active participation in collective actions that crudely violate public order. Less frequently protesters were accused of disobedience to legitimate orders from officials on duty.
As of early November Belarusian human rights activists said that a total of 16,000 had been detained in the country since the beginning of the election campaign.
Nationwide demonstrations have engulfed Belarus following the August 9 presidential election. According to the Central Election Commission’s official results, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won by a landslide, garnering 80.10% of the vote. His closest rival in the race, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, came in second, with 10.12% of the ballot. However, she refused to recognize the election’s outcome.
After the results of the exit polls were announced late on August 9, mass protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other Belarusian cities. During the early post-election period, the rallies snowballed into fierce clashes between the protesters and police.
In the capital Minsk and other cities residents of some neighborhoods stage protest flash mobs and improvised outdoor shows. In response, the Belarusian authorities have castigated the ongoing turmoil and demanded that these unauthorized demonstrations be stopped.


tass--2020-11-20--Number of COVID-19 infections in Crimea surpasses 13,000

SIMFEROPOL , November 20 .
/TASS/ .
In Crimea , the novel coronavirus infection has been detected in 203 patients over the past 24 hours , the total number of infections during the entire pandemic surpassed 13,000 , Crimea ’ s head Sergey Aksyonov reported on his VKontakte page on Friday .
An increase in the number of infections in Crimea was noted in October with the record high of 255 infections registered on October 24 .
Since November 12 , the number of the coronavirus infections in the region was decreasing ( to 155 on November 16 ) but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 200 again .
`` On November 19 , in the territory of the Republic of Crimea 203 cases of the coronavirus infection were registered , including 33 asymptomatic ones .
Out of the total number of infections , 112 were detected among those seeking medical assistance and 91 - among the contacts of the cases recorded previously , '' he wrote .
In all , some 13,150 people got infected .
It was specified that 4,382 were screened over the past 24 hours .
Some 8,933 patients have recovered over the entire period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer season in Crimea was delayed , yet by September 30 , the region hosted 5 mln tourists and the load on hotels and resorts surpassed last year ’ s figures .
The regional authorities reported that by the year ’ s end they expect the tourist flow to be at last year ’ s record high levels .
It was forecasted that up to 1 mln tourists would arrive for the winter holidays .
However , due to the spread of the coronavirus , from December 20 through January 15 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banquets , celebrations and New Year ’ s Eve festivities , including those held on the premises of hotels , spas and resorts .
During the same period entertainment establishments have to remain closed from 22:00 to 08:00 .
Entertainment centers , including children ’ s , have to remain closed on weekends and holidays .

SIMFEROPOL, November 20. /TASS/. In Crimea, the novel coronavirus infection has been detected in 203 patients over the past 24 hours, the total number of infections during the entire pandemic surpassed 13,000, Crimea’s head Sergey Aksyonov reported on his VKontakte page on Friday.
An increase in the number of infections in Crimea was noted in October with the record high of 255 infections registered on October 24. Since November 12, the number of the coronavirus infections in the region was decreasing (to 155 on November 16) but on November 17 and 18 it surpassed 200 again.
"On November 19, in the territory of the Republic of Crimea 203 cases of the coronavirus infection were registered, including 33 asymptomatic ones. Out of the total number of infections, 112 were detected among those seeking medical assistance and 91 - among the contacts of the cases recorded previously," he wrote.
In all, some 13,150 people got infected. It was specified that 4,382 were screened over the past 24 hours. Some 8,933 patients have recovered over the entire period.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, summer season in Crimea was delayed, yet by September 30, the region hosted 5 mln tourists and the load on hotels and resorts surpassed last year’s figures. The regional authorities reported that by the year’s end they expect the tourist flow to be at last year’s record high levels. It was forecasted that up to 1 mln tourists would arrive for the winter holidays.
However, due to the spread of the coronavirus, from December 20 through January 15, the republic introduced restrictions on office parties, banquets, celebrations and New Year’s Eve festivities, including those held on the premises of hotels, spas and resorts. During the same period entertainment establishments have to remain closed from 22:00 to 08:00. Entertainment centers, including children’s, have to remain closed on weekends and holidays.


tass--2020-11-20--Moscow documents record-high 6,902 COVID-19 cases in past 24 hours

MOSCOW , November 20 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow has documented 6,902 cases of COVID-19 , a disease caused by the @ @ @ @ @ past 24 hours , the anti-coronavirus crisis center informed on Friday .
This is the @ @ @ @ @ the Russian capital since the start of the pandemic .
The previous record was set @ @ @ @ @ 6,897 cases were documented .
In total , 539,970 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ past 24 hours , 5,836 patients have recovered from COVID-19 in Moscow , and 77 @ @ @ @ @ start of the epidemic , 394,252 people have recovered from the disease in the Russian @ @ @ @ @ .
Currently , 137,559 people are undergoing treatment in Moscow .

MOSCOW, November 20. /TASS/. Moscow has documented 6,902 cases of COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in the past 24 hours, the anti-coronavirus crisis center informed on Friday. This is the highest daily case count in the Russian capital since the start of the pandemic.
The previous record was set on November 9, when 6,897 cases were documented. In total, 539,970 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in Moscow.
In the past 24 hours, 5,836 patients have recovered from COVID-19 in Moscow, and 77 have died.
Since the start of the epidemic, 394,252 people have recovered from the disease in the Russian capital, 8,159 have died. Currently, 137,559 people are undergoing treatment in Moscow.


tass--2020-11-20--Over 24,000 cases of COVID-19 infection detected in Russia

MOSCOW , November 20 .
/TASS/ .
The number of confirmed COVID-19 infections in Russia over the past 24 hours @ @ @ @ @ a record high nationwide since the beginning of the pandemic , according to the data @ @ @ @ @ published on Friday .
The previous record high of 23,610 detected daily cases was documented @ @ @ @ @ , according to the crisis center , 2,039,926 people got infected in Russia .
The @ @ @ @ @ registered in the Republic of Dagestan , the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region ( 0.6 % each @ @ @ @ @ Republic of Tatarstan , the Republic of Mari El ( 0.7 % each ) .
@ @ @ @ @ the past 24 hours were detected in St. Petersburg , 887 - in the Moscow @ @ @ @ @ in the Nizhny Novgorod Region , 372 - in the Sverdlovsk Region , and 343 @ @ @ @ @ Republic of Karelia .
In all , currently 453,201 patients continue treatment in Russia .

MOSCOW, November 20. /TASS/. The number of confirmed COVID-19 infections in Russia over the past 24 hours has increased by 24,318, a record high nationwide since the beginning of the pandemic, according to the data of the anti-coronavirus crisis center published on Friday.
The previous record high of 23,610 detected daily cases was documented on Thursday.
In all, according to the crisis center, 2,039,926 people got infected in Russia.
The lowest daily growth rates were registered in the Republic of Dagestan, the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region (0.6% each), Kalmykia, the Republic of Tatarstan, the Republic of Mari El (0.7% each).
Some 2,394 new cases over the past 24 hours were detected in St. Petersburg, 887 - in the Moscow Region, 444 cases - in the Nizhny Novgorod Region, 372 - in the Sverdlovsk Region, and 343 cases were detected in the Republic of Karelia.
In all, currently 453,201 patients continue treatment in Russia.


tass--2020-11-20--Russian citizen sentenced for attempt to hand over classified data to CIA

MOSCOW , November 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russian citizen Yury Yeshchenko has been sentenced to 13 years behind bars for @ @ @ @ @ to the CIA on the Northern Fleet ’ s prospective armaments , the Public Relations @ @ @ @ @ Service ( FSB ) told TASS on Friday .
`` A citizen of the Russian @ @ @ @ @ , was found guilty of high treason ( Article 275 of the Criminal Code of @ @ @ @ @ Bryansk ’ s regional court .
According to the court ruling , Y .
A.
@ @ @ @ @ years behind bars at a high-security prison , '' the public relations center reported .
@ @ @ @ @ and acknowledged his offence in court .

MOSCOW, November 20. /TASS/. Russian citizen Yury Yeshchenko has been sentenced to 13 years behind bars for attempting to pass classified information to the CIA on the Northern Fleet’s prospective armaments, the Public Relations Center of the Federal Security Service (FSB) told TASS on Friday.
"A citizen of the Russian Federation, Yury Alexandrovich Yeshchenko, was found guilty of high treason (Article 275 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) by Bryansk’s regional court. According to the court ruling, Y. A. Yeshchenko was sentenced to 13 years behind bars at a high-security prison," the public relations center reported. The defendant admitted his guilt and acknowledged his offence in court.


tass--2020-11-20--Victory over COVID-19 pandemic is in sight, says Moscow mayor

`` Moscow ’ s outpatient clinics are the best in the country .
Experienced and dedicated doctors and trained nurses who are performing a real professional feat today amid the coronavirus pandemic work there , '' he noted .
MOSCOW , November 20 .
/TASS/ .
The victory over the coronavirus pandemic is in sight , Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin wrote in a blog post on Friday .
According to Sobyanin , the most important thing now is to ensure the timely diagnosis of COVID-19 patients .
`` However , the victory over the pandemic is in sight , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undergo a medical examination closer to one ’ s home and the comfort of seeing a doctor will become important for patients again , '' he wrote .
To date , 2,015,608 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 1,526,656 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 34,850 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .
Moscow tops the list of Russia ’ s regions in terms of confirmed COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far reported 533,068 coronavirus cases , 394,252 people have recovered , and 8,159 patients have died .

"Moscow’s outpatient clinics are the best in the country. Experienced and dedicated doctors and trained nurses who are performing a real professional feat today amid the coronavirus pandemic work there," he noted.
MOSCOW, November 20. /TASS/. The victory over the coronavirus pandemic is in sight, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin wrote in a blog post on Friday.
According to Sobyanin, the most important thing now is to ensure the timely diagnosis of COVID-19 patients. "However, the victory over the pandemic is in sight, and then such things as the possibility to undergo a medical examination closer to one’s home and the comfort of seeing a doctor will become important for patients again," he wrote.
To date, 2,015,608 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 1,526,656 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 34,850 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.
Moscow tops the list of Russia’s regions in terms of confirmed COVID-19 cases. The Russian capital has so far reported 533,068 coronavirus cases, 394,252 people have recovered, and 8,159 patients have died.


tass--2020-11-20--Azerbaijani troops enter Agdam district in accordance with trilateral agreement

`` According to the trilateral statement , signed by Azerbaijan ’ s President , Russia ’ s President , and Armenia ’ s Prime Minister , on November 20 , units of the Azerbaijani army entered the Agdam district , '' the statement said .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , among them civilians .
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
On November 9 , Russian President Vladimir Putin , Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

"According to the trilateral statement, signed by Azerbaijan’s President, Russia’s President, and Armenia’s Prime Minister, on November 20, units of the Azerbaijani army entered the Agdam district," the statement said.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them.
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--2020-11-20--CGTN: China to boost economic growth through innovation and opening-up

BEIJING , November 20 .
/PRNewswire/ .
As the COVID-19 pandemic is still sweeping through the globe , with the Asia and Pacific region hit hard by the contagion , growth uncertainties are clouding economies to varying degrees .
Economic activity in the Asia and Pacific is expected to contract by 2.3 percent in 2020 , and to grow by 6.7 percent in 2021 , compared to a contraction of 5.8 percent in 2020 and a growth of 3.9 percent in 2021 for advanced economies , according to the International Monetary Fund ( IMF ) .
China , whose economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three quarters this year , shared its vision for continuing to foster domestic economic recovery and mutual beneficial cooperation with Asia-Pacific economies , as Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ( APEC ) CEO Dialogues on Thursday via a video link in Beijing .
APEC , Asia-Pacific 's premier economic forum , was established in 1989 to leverage the region 's growing interdependence and boost regional prosperity through initiatives promoting free and open trade among member economies .
The Malaysia delegation of the APEC Business Advisory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forum for setting priorities in the aftermath of COVID-19 , as Malaysia is the host of APEC this year .
Addressing leaders of Asia-Pacific 's business community , Xi said that China 's sound economic recovery has proven the resilience and vitality of the Chinese economy and he is confident that `` steady unleashing of the China market potential will create vast business possibilities for other countries '' and create stronger impetus for maintaining stable growth of the global economy .
As science and technology have been playing an even more significant role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to achieve high-quality growth driven by domestic demand , China will vigorously boost scientific and technological innovations in the country .
He noted that innovation has always been the primary driver of development to China , and the country has made major achievements by implementing an innovation-driven development strategy .
`` We will fully leverage the demand of our super-sized domestic market and the strengths of its complete industrial system and redouble efforts to turn research outcomes into real productivity , '' the Chinese president said .
To sustain China 's long-term economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endeavor to build an innovation system that integrates science and technology , education , industries and the financial sector , and upgrade the industrial chains . ''
The Chinese president also stressed that the country will continue to deepen reform and energize the market as reform is crucial for unleashing and boosting productivity .
The ratio of China 's foreign trade to GDP dropped from 67 percent in 2006 to less than 32 percent in 2019 , while the ratio of current account surplus to GDP has come down from 9.9 percent in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In seven years since the 2008 global financial crisis , the contribution of China 's domestic demand to GDP exceeded 100 percent , making domestic consumption the main driver of its growth .
Xi said that China has entered a new stage of development with new tasks of reform , emphasizing that the country will be adopting a new `` dual circulation '' development paradigm with domestic circulation as the mainstay and domestic and international circulations reinforcing each other .
However , by fostering a new development paradigm , Xi pointed out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circulation , but open and mutually reinforcing domestic and international circulations . ''
In addition , the president added that China will take more steps to remove deep-seated systemic and institutional barriers to modernize China 's governance system and capacity along with some market restrictions , from strengthening protection of property and intellectual property rights , set up a high-standard market system to improve mechanisms for fair competition .
The APEC 's 21 member economies together represent roughly 60 percent of the world economy and take up almost half of the world trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Asia-Pacific business community is an engine driving economic growth , and it carries an important role of shaping the future of the region .
He expressed hope for the community as he suggested that the business sector should put its efforts in promoting open trade and investment as well as development , exploring ways to achieve innovation-driven growth , and cooperating with each other and lending hands of help to the disadvantaged if needed for maximizing development outcomes .
On Friday , Xi will be attending APEC Economic Leaders ' Meeting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the region 's Post-2020 Vision – the key policy document that is set to elaborate the goals and guidelines for APEC member economies ' future cooperation .

BEIJING, November 20. /PRNewswire/. As the COVID-19 pandemic is still sweeping through the globe, with the Asia and Pacific region hit hard by the contagion, growth uncertainties are clouding economies to varying degrees.
Economic activity in the Asia and Pacific is expected to contract by 2.3 percent in 2020, and to grow by 6.7 percent in 2021, compared to a contraction of 5.8 percent in 2020 and a growth of 3.9 percent in 2021 for advanced economies, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Read the original article here.
China, whose economy saw positive overall growth in the first three quarters this year, shared its vision for continuing to foster domestic economic recovery and mutual beneficial cooperation with Asia-Pacific economies, as Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Dialogues on Thursday via a video link in Beijing.
APEC, Asia-Pacific's premier economic forum, was established in 1989 to leverage the region's growing interdependence and boost regional prosperity through initiatives promoting free and open trade among member economies.
The Malaysia delegation of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) is hosting the forum for setting priorities in the aftermath of COVID-19, as Malaysia is the host of APEC this year.
Addressing leaders of Asia-Pacific's business community, Xi said that China's sound economic recovery has proven the resilience and vitality of the Chinese economy and he is confident that "steady unleashing of the China market potential will create vast business possibilities for other countries" and create stronger impetus for maintaining stable growth of the global economy.
Pursue innovation-driven growth
As science and technology have been playing an even more significant role in boosting social productivity, Xi said to achieve high-quality growth driven by domestic demand, China will vigorously boost scientific and technological innovations in the country.
He noted that innovation has always been the primary driver of development to China, and the country has made major achievements by implementing an innovation-driven development strategy.
"We will fully leverage the demand of our super-sized domestic market and the strengths of its complete industrial system and redouble efforts to turn research outcomes into real productivity," the Chinese president said.
To sustain China's long-term economic development, Xi added "we will endeavor to build an innovation system that integrates science and technology, education, industries and the financial sector, and upgrade the industrial chains."
Deepen reform and opening-up through mechanism improvements
The Chinese president also stressed that the country will continue to deepen reform and energize the market as reform is crucial for unleashing and boosting productivity.
The ratio of China's foreign trade to GDP dropped from 67 percent in 2006 to less than 32 percent in 2019, while the ratio of current account surplus to GDP has come down from 9.9 percent in 2007 to less than 1 percent today.
In seven years since the 2008 global financial crisis, the contribution of China's domestic demand to GDP exceeded 100 percent, making domestic consumption the main driver of its growth.
Xi said that China has entered a new stage of development with new tasks of reform, emphasizing that the country will be adopting a new "dual circulation" development paradigm with domestic circulation as the mainstay and domestic and international circulations reinforcing each other.
However, by fostering a new development paradigm, Xi pointed out "we are not pursuing a closed-door circulation, but open and mutually reinforcing domestic and international circulations."
In addition, the president added that China will take more steps to remove deep-seated systemic and institutional barriers to modernize China's governance system and capacity along with some market restrictions, from strengthening protection of property and intellectual property rights, set up a high-standard market system to improve mechanisms for fair competition.
Hopes for the Asia-Pacific business community
The APEC's 21 member economies together represent roughly 60 percent of the world economy and take up almost half of the world trade volume in 2018.
Xi highlighted that the Asia-Pacific business community is an engine driving economic growth, and it carries an important role of shaping the future of the region.
He expressed hope for the community as he suggested that the business sector should put its efforts in promoting open trade and investment as well as development, exploring ways to achieve innovation-driven growth, and cooperating with each other and lending hands of help to the disadvantaged if needed for maximizing development outcomes.
On Friday, Xi will be attending APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, which is expected to see the launch of the region's Post-2020 Vision – the key policy document that is set to elaborate the goals and guidelines for APEC member economies' future cooperation.
Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xibK9bXtUQ
Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpMhQTc3wxQ
Media Contact: Simin Jiang, jiang.simin@cgtn.com, +86-188-2655-3286


tass--2020-11-20--Mexico’s coronavirus death toll tops 100,000

MEXICO CITY , November 20 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus-related fatalities in Mexico has increased to 100,104 , @ @ @ @ @ health ministry Jose Luis Alomia told a press conference Thursday .
`` As of today @ @ @ @ @ who died from complications of the disease caused by coronavirus , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ , 576 new fatalities were recorded , 74 more than a day earlier .
Moreover @ @ @ @ @ more cases of coronavirus , 554 more than on Wednesday .
Overall , the number @ @ @ @ @ since the virus was first identified in Mexico back in late February .
Currently , @ @ @ @ @ in the country .
Hospitals in Mexico are on average 37 % occupied .
Hospitals @ @ @ @ @ are 29 % occupied .

MEXICO CITY, November 20. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus-related fatalities in Mexico has increased to 100,104, head epidemiologist of the national health ministry Jose Luis Alomia told a press conference Thursday.
"As of today, we have 100,104 people who died from complications of the disease caused by coronavirus," he said. In the past 24 hours, 576 new fatalities were recorded, 74 more than a day earlier.
Moreover, the country identified 4,472 more cases of coronavirus, 554 more than on Wednesday. Overall, the number of infections has reached 1,019,543 since the virus was first identified in Mexico back in late February. Currently, more than 766,000 people recovered in the country.
Hospitals in Mexico are on average 37% occupied. Hospitals equipped with ventilators in ICUs are 29% occupied.


tass--2020-11-20--Almost 2,000 coronavirus patients died in US in past 24 hours

NEW YORK , November 20 .
/TASS/ .
The number of fatalities among the people infected with coronavirus in the @ @ @ @ @ per day , Johns Hopkins University data shows .
According to it , 1,964 patients @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 .
This is the highest daily number since the pandemic began in March .
@ @ @ @ @ on November 17 ( 1,707 ) .
The daily increase stands at 182,601 on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ number since March .
Overall , the university data shows that more than 11.71 million @ @ @ @ @ been recorded in the country .
The US ranks first in the world in both @ @

NEW YORK, November 20. /TASS/. The number of fatalities among the people infected with coronavirus in the United States have exceeded 1,900 per day, Johns Hopkins University data shows.
According to it, 1,964 patients died in the US from COVID-19. This is the highest daily number since the pandemic began in March. The previous high was recorded on November 17 (1,707).
The daily increase stands at 182,601 on Thursday, also the highest daily number since March.
Overall, the university data shows that more than 11.71 million infections and 252,515 deaths have been recorded in the country. The US ranks first in the world in both categories.


tass--2020-11-20--Kiev submits 11-people list for swap with Donbass

KIEV , November 20 .
/TASS/ .
Ukraine has submitted a list containing 11 names to organize a prisoner swap with the self-proclaimed Donbass republics and is expecting reciprocal steps from them to carry out the exchange before the end of the year , said head of the Ukrianian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group aiming to settle the situation in east Ukraine Leonid Kravchuk .
`` We submitted documents for 11 people .
They are fully ready .
We are expecting reciprocal steps from the specific areas of the Donetsk and Lugansk Regions ( as Ukraine refers to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - TASS ) because this swap is not a unilateral action .
So far , we have not seen such reciprocal steps from the specific areas of the Donetsk and Lugansk Regions , '' he said .
According to Kravchuk , `` people whose lists have been prepared should be swapped first . ''
`` And later , we should act under the all-for-all principle and make effort that it happens in the near future , '' he concluded .
Kravchuk urged to organize another mutual prisoner swap before the end of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on November 11 .

KIEV, November 20. /TASS/. Ukraine has submitted a list containing 11 names to organize a prisoner swap with the self-proclaimed Donbass republics and is expecting reciprocal steps from them to carry out the exchange before the end of the year, said head of the Ukrianian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group aiming to settle the situation in east Ukraine Leonid Kravchuk.
"We submitted documents for 11 people. They are fully ready. We are expecting reciprocal steps from the specific areas of the Donetsk and Lugansk Regions (as Ukraine refers to the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics - TASS) because this swap is not a unilateral action. So far, we have not seen such reciprocal steps from the specific areas of the Donetsk and Lugansk Regions," he said.
According to Kravchuk, "people whose lists have been prepared should be swapped first." "And later, we should act under the all-for-all principle and make effort that it happens in the near future," he concluded.
Kravchuk urged to organize another mutual prisoner swap before the end of the year at the Trilateral Contact Group meeting on November 11.


tass--2020-11-20--Georgia recount confirms Biden victory

Georgia recount confirms Biden victory

NEW YORK , November 20 .
/TASS/ .
Vote recount in Georgia has confirmed that Democratic nominee Joe Biden has won the state , reads the statement issued on Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger ’ s website Thursday .
The statement shows results of recounted 5 million ballots in 159 counties of the state .
Incumbent Republican President Donald Trump gets 2,462,857 votes , while Biden secured 2,475,141 ballots , the Democrat enjoys a lead of 12,284 votes .
Initially , Georgia counted 4.99 million votes and awarded the victory to Biden with 12,780 more ballots than Trump .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ audit reaffirmed that the state ’ s new secure paper ballot voting system accurately counted and reported results , '' said Raffensperger .
`` This is a credit to the hard work of our county and local elections officials who moved quickly to undertake and complete such a momentous task in a short period of time . ''
Trump led in Georgia ( 16 electoral votes ) in the first days after the vote , however , as ballots were being processed , his lead over Biden was shrinking until the Democrat pulled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state election commission , Biden won over Trump with 0.3 % gap .
This tiny margin gave ground to trigger a recount .
Georgia must finalize its results by November 20 .
According to The New York Times , Republicans can demand another recount in the state if the lead is again below the 0.5 % mark .
In this case , special fast scanners will be applied , while the first recount was carried out by hand .
The United States held the presidential elections on November 3 .
Though the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US media outlets project that the Democratic contender has presumptively won the presidential election .
Both Fox News and Associated Press have put Biden over the top , beyond the needed 270 vote threshold .
Trump is challenging the current outcome , claiming irregularities in the ballot processing in key swing states , and has filed lawsuits to fight his case in court .

NEW YORK, November 20. /TASS/. Vote recount in Georgia has confirmed that Democratic nominee Joe Biden has won the state, reads the statement issued on Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s website Thursday.
The statement shows results of recounted 5 million ballots in 159 counties of the state. Incumbent Republican President Donald Trump gets 2,462,857 votes, while Biden secured 2,475,141 ballots, the Democrat enjoys a lead of 12,284 votes.
Initially, Georgia counted 4.99 million votes and awarded the victory to Biden with 12,780 more ballots than Trump. "Georgia’s historic first statewide audit reaffirmed that the state’s new secure paper ballot voting system accurately counted and reported results," said Raffensperger. "This is a credit to the hard work of our county and local elections officials who moved quickly to undertake and complete such a momentous task in a short period of time."
Trump led in Georgia (16 electoral votes) in the first days after the vote, however, as ballots were being processed, his lead over Biden was shrinking until the Democrat pulled ahead on November 6. According to the state election commission, Biden won over Trump with 0.3% gap. This tiny margin gave ground to trigger a recount. Georgia must finalize its results by November 20.
According to The New York Times, Republicans can demand another recount in the state if the lead is again below the 0.5% mark. In this case, special fast scanners will be applied, while the first recount was carried out by hand.
The United States held the presidential elections on November 3. Though the vote count is still underway, major US media outlets project that the Democratic contender has presumptively won the presidential election. Both Fox News and Associated Press have put Biden over the top, beyond the needed 270 vote threshold. Trump is challenging the current outcome, claiming irregularities in the ballot processing in key swing states, and has filed lawsuits to fight his case in court.


tass--2020-11-20--Biden campaign slams Giuliani’s claims of mass electoral falsifications as absurd

NEW YORK , November 20 .
/TASS/ .
Claims of incumbent US President Donald Trump ’ s lawyers of mass falsifications at the recent presidential elections are not confirmed by any officials of the both parties and are groundless , the campaign of Democratic nominee Joe Biden , who is projected to win the elections , said in a statement Thursday .
`` Yet another Rudy Giuliani spectacle exposes , as his appearances always do , the absurdity of Donald Trump 's thoroughly discredited claims of voter fraud , '' said spokesperson for Biden Michael Gwin .
`` Numerous courts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and even officials within Trump 's own administration , have all reaffirmed that claims of widespread voter fraud are categorically false . ''
`` In fact , lawyers for Trump have admitted that in papers filed in court and under direct questioning from judges , '' he added , expressing confidence in Biden ’ s win .
On Thursday , Rudy Giuliani accused the Democratic Party and Biden of using a centralized falsification scheme , also coming down hard on the US media for biased treatment of Trump and Republicans .
The United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 .
Though the vote count is still underway , major US media outlets project that the Democratic contender has presumptively won the presidential election .
Both Fox News and Associated Press have put Biden over the top , beyond the needed 270 vote threshold .
Trump is challenging the current outcome , claiming irregularities in the ballot processing in key swing states , and has filed lawsuits to fight his case in court .

NEW YORK, November 20. /TASS/. Claims of incumbent US President Donald Trump’s lawyers of mass falsifications at the recent presidential elections are not confirmed by any officials of the both parties and are groundless, the campaign of Democratic nominee Joe Biden, who is projected to win the elections, said in a statement Thursday.
"Yet another Rudy Giuliani spectacle exposes, as his appearances always do, the absurdity of Donald Trump's thoroughly discredited claims of voter fraud," said spokesperson for Biden Michael Gwin. "Numerous courts, election officials from both parties, and even officials within Trump's own administration, have all reaffirmed that claims of widespread voter fraud are categorically false."
"In fact, lawyers for Trump have admitted that in papers filed in court and under direct questioning from judges," he added, expressing confidence in Biden’s win.
On Thursday, Rudy Giuliani accused the Democratic Party and Biden of using a centralized falsification scheme, also coming down hard on the US media for biased treatment of Trump and Republicans.
The United States held the presidential elections on November 3. Though the vote count is still underway, major US media outlets project that the Democratic contender has presumptively won the presidential election. Both Fox News and Associated Press have put Biden over the top, beyond the needed 270 vote threshold. Trump is challenging the current outcome, claiming irregularities in the ballot processing in key swing states, and has filed lawsuits to fight his case in court.


tass--2020-11-20--Maduro claims Trump wanted to start talks with him

BOGOTA , November 20 .
/TASS/ .
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has said that his US counterpart Donald Trump tried to initiate bilateral talks with him several times .
`` Donald Trump wanted to speak with me a few times .
We had contacts through special envoys .
However , the [ American ] establishment did not allow him to do it , '' Maduro said in Caracas Thursday , his speech was broadcast by the state TV .
The political crisis in Venezuela escalated on January 23 , 2019 , when Juan Guaido , Venezuelan opposition leader and parliament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been cancelled by the country ’ s Supreme Court , declared himself an interim president at a rally in the country ’ s capital of Caracas .
Several countries , including the United States , most of the EU states , Lima Group members ( excluding Mexico ) , Australia , Albania , Georgia and Israel , as well as the Organization of American States , recognized him .
Incumbent President of the country Nicolas Maduro , in turn , blasted the move as a coup staged by Washington and said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In contrast , Russia , Belarus , Bolivia , Iran , Cuba , Nicaragua , El Salvador , Syria and Turkey voiced support for Maduro .

BOGOTA, November 20. /TASS/. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has said that his US counterpart Donald Trump tried to initiate bilateral talks with him several times.
"Donald Trump wanted to speak with me a few times. We had contacts through special envoys. However, the [American] establishment did not allow him to do it," Maduro said in Caracas Thursday, his speech was broadcast by the state TV.
The political crisis in Venezuela escalated on January 23, 2019, when Juan Guaido, Venezuelan opposition leader and parliament speaker, whose appointment to that position had been cancelled by the country’s Supreme Court, declared himself an interim president at a rally in the country’s capital of Caracas. Several countries, including the United States, most of the EU states, Lima Group members (excluding Mexico), Australia, Albania, Georgia and Israel, as well as the Organization of American States, recognized him. Incumbent President of the country Nicolas Maduro, in turn, blasted the move as a coup staged by Washington and said he was severing diplomatic ties with the US. In contrast, Russia, Belarus, Bolivia, Iran, Cuba, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Syria and Turkey voiced support for Maduro.


tass--2020-11-20--CNN: Trump eyeing meeting with Michigan lawmakers to challenge election results

NEW YORK , November 20 .
/TASS/ .
US President Donald Trump has invited Republican lawmakers from Michigan to meet him at the White House as he attempts to challenge the results of the recent presidential elections , CNN reported Thursday .
According to its sources , the US leader invited the state Republican leaders to travel to the White House on Friday .
It has not been officially disclosed how many lawmakers will be received by Trump .
CNN sources also did not clarify what precisely Trump seeks to discuss with them , although the network reports that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s lawsuits to challenge the elections results in Michigan and the US .
Fox News projected Democratic nominee Joe Biden to win the state of Michigan and its 16 electoral votes with 50.6 % of the votes after 99 % of the ballots have been processed .
Trump managed to secure 47.8 % The incumbent US president earlier attempted to prevent these results from being finalized .
The United States held the presidential elections on November 3 .
Though the vote count is still underway , major US media outlets project that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election .
Both Fox News and Associated Press have put Biden over the top , beyond the needed 270 vote threshold .
Trump is challenging the current outcome , claiming irregularities in the ballot processing in key swing states , and has filed lawsuits to fight his case in court .

NEW YORK, November 20. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump has invited Republican lawmakers from Michigan to meet him at the White House as he attempts to challenge the results of the recent presidential elections, CNN reported Thursday.
According to its sources, the US leader invited the state Republican leaders to travel to the White House on Friday.
It has not been officially disclosed how many lawmakers will be received by Trump. CNN sources also did not clarify what precisely Trump seeks to discuss with them, although the network reports that the invitation comes as part of Trump’s lawsuits to challenge the elections results in Michigan and the US.
Fox News projected Democratic nominee Joe Biden to win the state of Michigan and its 16 electoral votes with 50.6% of the votes after 99% of the ballots have been processed. Trump managed to secure 47.8% The incumbent US president earlier attempted to prevent these results from being finalized.
The United States held the presidential elections on November 3. Though the vote count is still underway, major US media outlets project that the Democratic contender has presumptively won the presidential election. Both Fox News and Associated Press have put Biden over the top, beyond the needed 270 vote threshold. Trump is challenging the current outcome, claiming irregularities in the ballot processing in key swing states, and has filed lawsuits to fight his case in court.


tass--2020-11-20--Trump to attend APEC virtual summit on November 20

WASHINGTON , November 20 .
/TASS/ .
US President Donald Trump will take part in the virtual summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ( APEC ) forum which will be held online on November 20 , a senior-ranking official in the Washington administration told TASS Thursday .
`` President Trump will attend the APEC virtual summit tomorrow , '' he said when asked to confirm Trump ’ s plans .
On Wednesday , Reuters reported that the US President last travelled to such a summit only back in 2017 .
Last week , Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Australia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Islands Sandra Oudkirk said that Washington had yet to make a decision who will head its delegation to the APEC summit .
Previosuly , the APEC secretariat informed that the first virtual meeting of leaders of 21 economies will take place this year .
The APEC includes 19 countries , 12 founding members ( Australia , Brunei , Indonesia , Canada , New Zealand , Singapore , the United States , Thailand , the Philippines , South Korea and Japan ) as well as China , Mexico , Papua New Guinea , Chile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The forum also includes two Chinese territories , Hongkong and Taiwan .

WASHINGTON, November 20. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump will take part in the virtual summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum which will be held online on November 20, a senior-ranking official in the Washington administration told TASS Thursday.
"President Trump will attend the APEC virtual summit tomorrow," he said when asked to confirm Trump’s plans.
On Wednesday, Reuters reported that the US President last travelled to such a summit only back in 2017. Last week, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands Sandra Oudkirk said that Washington had yet to make a decision who will head its delegation to the APEC summit.
Previosuly, the APEC secretariat informed that the first virtual meeting of leaders of 21 economies will take place this year.
The APEC includes 19 countries, 12 founding members (Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, the United States, Thailand, the Philippines, South Korea and Japan) as well as China, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Chile, Russia, Vietnam and Peru. The forum also includes two Chinese territories, Hongkong and Taiwan.


tass--2020-11-20--Biden urges Trump administration to share coronavirus data

NEW YORK , November 20 .
/TASS/ .
Joe Biden , who declared himself US president-elect and is projected to win the recent presidential elections , says his transitional team should promptly be cleared to access the current US administration plans to address the coronavirus pandemic , he said Thursday at a press conference Wilmington , Delaware .
`` There is no excuse not to share the data and let us begin the plan because on day one it ’ s gon na take us time if we don ’ t have access to all this data , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost lives .
`` We need much more testing , we need much more masking , we need gloves .
I asked the National Governors Association through [ New York ] Governor [ Andrew ] Cuomo to let us know what their shortages are and what they anticipate . ''
`` We are going to move on day one , but it should be moved on now , now .
But if it waits , it takes a long time to get this thing going , '' Biden pointed out .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11.6 million coronavirus cases , while more than 251,800 people died from COVID-19 .

NEW YORK, November 20. /TASS/. Joe Biden, who declared himself US president-elect and is projected to win the recent presidential elections, says his transitional team should promptly be cleared to access the current US administration plans to address the coronavirus pandemic, he said Thursday at a press conference Wilmington, Delaware.
"There is no excuse not to share the data and let us begin the plan because on day one it’s gonna take us time if we don’t have access to all this data," he said, noting that a delay will cost lives.
"We need much more testing, we need much more masking, we need gloves. I asked the National Governors Association through [New York] Governor [Andrew] Cuomo to let us know what their shortages are and what they anticipate." "We are going to move on day one, but it should be moved on now, now. But if it waits, it takes a long time to get this thing going," Biden pointed out.
According to Johns Hopkins University, the US identified 11.6 million coronavirus cases, while more than 251,800 people died from COVID-19.