tass--2020-08-20--Russia reports over 4,700 new coronavirus cases in the past day

MOSCOW , August 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s coronavirus cases rose by 4,785 in the past day , reaching 942,106 , the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Thursday .
According to the crisis center , the daily growth rate did not exceed 0.5 % for the fifth day in a row .
Some 688 new COVID-19 cases were recorded in Moscow , 160 in St. Petersburg , 157 in the Moscow Region , 139 in the Sverdlovsk Region and 132 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region .
Russia ’ s coronavirus fatalities grew by 110 in the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day before , a total of 16,099 patients have died so far .
Fatalities make up 1.71 % of the total number of infected people in Russia .
The lowest coronavirus spread rate in the past day was registered in the Nenets and Chukotka Autonomous Regions ( 0.0 % ) , the Moscow Region ( 0.2 % ) , the Bryansk Region ( 0.2 % ) , the Chechen Republic ( 0.2 % ) , Moscow ( 0.3 % ) , the Tyva Republic ( 0.3 % ) , North Ossetia ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 0.3 % ) , the Tambov Region ( 0.3 % ) , the Tula and the Leningrad Regions ( 0.3 % ) and the Jewish Autonomous Region ( 0.3 % ) .
Currently , some 170,494 people are undergoing treatment for the coronavirus in Russia .

MOSCOW, August 20. /TASS/. Russia’s coronavirus cases rose by 4,785 in the past day, reaching 942,106, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Thursday.
According to the crisis center, the daily growth rate did not exceed 0.5% for the fifth day in a row.
Some 688 new COVID-19 cases were recorded in Moscow, 160 in St. Petersburg, 157 in the Moscow Region, 139 in the Sverdlovsk Region and 132 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region.
Russia’s coronavirus fatalities grew by 110 in the past 24 hours compared to 117 deaths reported the day before, a total of 16,099 patients have died so far.
Fatalities make up 1.71% of the total number of infected people in Russia.
The lowest coronavirus spread rate in the past day was registered in the Nenets and Chukotka Autonomous Regions (0.0%), the Moscow Region (0.2%), the Bryansk Region (0.2%), the Chechen Republic (0.2%), Moscow (0.3%), the Tyva Republic (0.3%), North Ossetia (0.3%), the Smolensk Region (0.3%), the Tambov Region (0.3%), the Tula and the Leningrad Regions (0.3%) and the Jewish Autonomous Region (0.3%).
Currently, some 170,494 people are undergoing treatment for the coronavirus in Russia.


tass--2020-08-20--Dollar rate rises to 73.41 rubles, euro - up to 86.94 rubles as Thursday trading opens

MOSCOW , August 20 .
/TASS/ .
The dollar-to-ruble rate rose by 0.14 % , to 73.41 rubles at the @ @ @ @ @ Moscow Exchange .
The euro rate added 0.21 % , reaching 86.94 rubles .
This @ @ @ @ @ dare as of 10:00 Moscow time .
As of 10:14 Moscow time , the dollar @ @ @ @ @ amounted to 73.57 rubles , the euro rate went up 0.5 % to 87.21 rubles @ @ @ @ @ October futures contract for Brent crude oil on the ICE Exchange in London is dropping @ @ @ @ @ 45.03 per barrel .
WTI crude is trading at $ 42.75 a barrel , 0.8 @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, August 20. /TASS/. The dollar-to-ruble rate rose by 0.14%, to 73.41 rubles at the opening of trading on the Moscow Exchange. The euro rate added 0.21%, reaching 86.94 rubles. This is according to the trading dare as of 10:00 Moscow time.
As of 10:14 Moscow time, the dollar rate added 0.36% and amounted to 73.57 rubles, the euro rate went up 0.5% to 87.21 rubles.
The cost of the October futures contract for Brent crude oil on the ICE Exchange in London is dropping by 0.75% to $45.03 per barrel. WTI crude is trading at $42.75 a barrel, 0.8% below its previous close.


tass--2020-08-20--Omsk Region's authorities confirm Navalny taken to hospital

OMSK , August 20 .
/TASS/ .
The government of the Omsk Region has confirmed that Russian blogger Alexei Navalny had been taken to a hospital in Omsk .
The government ’ s press service reported on Thursday that he was in the intensive care unit .
`` An S7 Airlines aircraft carrying blogger Alexei Navalny made an emergency landing at Omsk Tsentralny Airport earlier today .
The blogger was taken to one of the city ’ s hospitals .
Navalny is currently in the intensive care unit where all necessary physical examinations are performed , '' the press service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watchdog ’ s department in the Tomsk Region informed TASS that it would carry out an inspection in the wake of media reports on Navalny 's poisoning at the city ’ s airport .
`` There are some media reports .
We must carry out an inspection , which must be coordinated with the prosecutor ’ s office .
We rely not on a statement but on media reports .
Information about poisoning appeared , and we have to respond , '' its spokesperson said .
Earlier on Thursday , Navalny ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carrying the Russian blogger had made an emergency landing in Omsk after he felt unwell .
She added that Navalny was unconscious .
According to Yarmysh , Navalny only drank tea in the morning , suggesting that he could have been poisoned .

OMSK, August 20. /TASS/. The government of the Omsk Region has confirmed that Russian blogger Alexei Navalny had been taken to a hospital in Omsk. The government’s press service reported on Thursday that he was in the intensive care unit.
"An S7 Airlines aircraft carrying blogger Alexei Navalny made an emergency landing at Omsk Tsentralny Airport earlier today. The blogger was taken to one of the city’s hospitals. Navalny is currently in the intensive care unit where all necessary physical examinations are performed," the press service said.
Meanwhile, the Russian sanitary watchdog’s department in the Tomsk Region informed TASS that it would carry out an inspection in the wake of media reports on Navalny's poisoning at the city’s airport.
"There are some media reports. We must carry out an inspection, which must be coordinated with the prosecutor’s office. We rely not on a statement but on media reports. Information about poisoning appeared, and we have to respond," its spokesperson said.
Earlier on Thursday, Navalny’s spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh said that the plane carrying the Russian blogger had made an emergency landing in Omsk after he felt unwell. She added that Navalny was unconscious. According to Yarmysh, Navalny only drank tea in the morning, suggesting that he could have been poisoned.


tass--2020-08-20--Kazakhstan’s COVID-19 cases surpass 103,800

NUR-SULTAN , August 20 .
/TASS/ .
Another 244 coronavirus cases were recorded in Kazakhstan in the past 24 hours , bringing the total number of infected people to 103,815 , the government ’ s anti-coronavirus commission reported on Thursday .
`` Another 244 coronavirus cases , including 134 patients showing symptoms and 110 asymptomatic patients , were recorded .
A total of 103,815 cases have been confirmed nationwide so far , '' the statement said .
Infected individuals make up 0.5 % of Kazakhstan ’ s population ( 18.7 mln people ) .
The highest number of confirmed infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9 .
To date , 86,450 people have recovered , with 164 recoveries reported in the past 24 hours .
The death toll has climbed to 1,446 .
As of August 17 , Kazakhstan conducted 2,291,327 coronavirus cases .
Kazakhstan declared a state of emergency over the coronavirus outbreak on March 16 , which ended on May 11 .
However , restrictions remained in place in its regions .
Due to the growing number of infections , the authorities imposed additional restrictions on July 5 .
They began to lift them on August @ @

NUR-SULTAN, August 20. /TASS/. Another 244 coronavirus cases were recorded in Kazakhstan in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of infected people to 103,815, the government’s anti-coronavirus commission reported on Thursday.
"Another 244 coronavirus cases, including 134 patients showing symptoms and 110 asymptomatic patients, were recorded. A total of 103,815 cases have been confirmed nationwide so far," the statement said.
Infected individuals make up 0.5% of Kazakhstan’s population (18.7 mln people). The highest number of confirmed infections (1,962) was recorded on July 9.
To date, 86,450 people have recovered, with 164 recoveries reported in the past 24 hours. The death toll has climbed to 1,446. As of August 17, Kazakhstan conducted 2,291,327 coronavirus cases.
Kazakhstan declared a state of emergency over the coronavirus outbreak on March 16, which ended on May 11. However, restrictions remained in place in its regions. Due to the growing number of infections, the authorities imposed additional restrictions on July 5. They began to lift them on August 17.


tass--2020-08-20--FSB foils Ukrainian intelligence’s kidnapping plot against Donbass military leader

MOSCOW , August 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Federal Security Service ( FSB ) has detained seven people for the kidnapping attempt of one of the leaders of the Donbass people ’ s militia organized by Ukrainian intelligence services , the FSB Public Relations Center informed TASS .
`` Russia ’ s FSB as a result of conducting a special operation has uncovered and intercepted the unlawful act of Ukraine ’ s special services of kidnapping on Russian territory and forceful transporting to Ukraine one of the leaders of the Donbass people ’ s militia who took active @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces .
Immediately during the kidnapping attempt were detained Russian citizens Makarov T.B.
, Mishchenko M.S.
, Kapkayeva O.D.
, Kormich A.M. , Pyzin M .
Yu.
, Moroz Ye.A .
and Dolgov V.V .
The kidnapping was organized and coordinated by Ukrainian citizens Andrey Baydala and Igor Mishchenko . ''
the Center reported .
According to the FSB , the kidnapping organizers were directed by the department head of Ukraine ’ s security services .
`` Baydala and Mishchenko were acting on an assignment and under general direction of Ukraine ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and director of the 5th directorate of the counterintelligence department of Ukraine ’ s security service A. Poklad .
Thus , Department No .
4 directly dealing with organized criminal groups on Russian territory functions as a part of the aforementioned directorate , '' the FSB Public Relations Center reported .
In order to create an alibi for the perpetrators , the Ukrainian intelligence services have disseminated in advance in the news outlets the reports of `` Baydala ’ s detention for illicit possession of arms . ''
Mishchenko and Baydala have formed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Russian criminal structure in order to kidnap forcefully a Russian citizen .
They promised Makarov ’ s group $ 200,000 and paid an advance of $ 50,000 .
`` Baydala , allegedly detained in Ukraine , was remotely personally directing both groups in real time .
The organizer of the channel for the illegal forceful transport was Russian citizen Moroz Ye .
A .
A criminal case has been opened on the kidnapping of a person by an organized group , '' the Center reported .
According to the FSB , Baydala @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the DPR ’ s competent bodies as the unofficial staff member of Ukrainian security services and of the Chief Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine , as well as an authorized representative of the 5th directorate of the counterintelligence department of Ukraine ’ s security service under an alias of Swede .
There is a number of criminal cases in the DPR opened against Baydala as an organizer of implemented and prevented terrorist acts , including the murder of Zakharchenko .
The FSB Public Relations Center noted that Ukrainian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and murders of Russian citizens .
`` During active search measures it has been established that the group of Makarov and Pyzin was engaged by the Ukrainian intelligence through Baydala and Mishchenko to plot several more crimes , also involving kidnapping and murder of Russian citizens .
Following the orders of the Ukrainian intelligence , members of the organized criminal group conducted surveillance of certain addresses in Russian regions and went to the DPR to fulfill a number of tasks , '' the Center reported .

MOSCOW, August 20. /TASS/. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has detained seven people for the kidnapping attempt of one of the leaders of the Donbass people’s militia organized by Ukrainian intelligence services, the FSB Public Relations Center informed TASS.
"Russia’s FSB as a result of conducting a special operation has uncovered and intercepted the unlawful act of Ukraine’s special services of kidnapping on Russian territory and forceful transporting to Ukraine one of the leaders of the Donbass people’s militia who took active part in warfare against the Ukrainian armed forces. Immediately during the kidnapping attempt were detained Russian citizens Makarov T.B., Mishchenko M.S., Kapkayeva O.D., Kormich A.M., Pyzin M. Yu., Moroz Ye.A. and Dolgov V.V. The kidnapping was organized and coordinated by Ukrainian citizens Andrey Baydala and Igor Mishchenko." the Center reported.
According to the FSB, the kidnapping organizers were directed by the department head of Ukraine’s security services. "Baydala and Mishchenko were acting on an assignment and under general direction of Ukraine’s security service counterintelligence department head A. Rusnak and director of the 5th directorate of the counterintelligence department of Ukraine’s security service A. Poklad. Thus, Department No. 4 directly dealing with organized criminal groups on Russian territory functions as a part of the aforementioned directorate," the FSB Public Relations Center reported. In order to create an alibi for the perpetrators, the Ukrainian intelligence services have disseminated in advance in the news outlets the reports of "Baydala’s detention for illicit possession of arms." Mishchenko and Baydala have formed two assault groups consisting of members of a Russian criminal structure in order to kidnap forcefully a Russian citizen. They promised Makarov’s group $200,000 and paid an advance of $50,000. "Baydala, allegedly detained in Ukraine, was remotely personally directing both groups in real time. The organizer of the channel for the illegal forceful transport was Russian citizen Moroz Ye. A. A criminal case has been opened on the kidnapping of a person by an organized group," the Center reported.
According to the FSB, Baydala is known to the security structures and the DPR’s competent bodies as the unofficial staff member of Ukrainian security services and of the Chief Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, as well as an authorized representative of the 5th directorate of the counterintelligence department of Ukraine’s security service under an alias of Swede. There is a number of criminal cases in the DPR opened against Baydala as an organizer of implemented and prevented terrorist acts, including the murder of Zakharchenko.
Preparation of a number of kidnappings
The FSB Public Relations Center noted that Ukrainian intelligence services were preparing several more kidnappings and murders of Russian citizens. "During active search measures it has been established that the group of Makarov and Pyzin was engaged by the Ukrainian intelligence through Baydala and Mishchenko to plot several more crimes, also involving kidnapping and murder of Russian citizens. Following the orders of the Ukrainian intelligence, members of the organized criminal group conducted surveillance of certain addresses in Russian regions and went to the DPR to fulfill a number of tasks," the Center reported.


tass--2020-08-20--Opposition figure Alexei Navalny hooked up to ventilator, unconscious, says spokeswoman

MOSCOW , August 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russian blogger Alexei Navalny who was earlier taken to a hospital in Omsk @ @ @ @ @ ventilator , his spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh said in a Twitter post on Thursday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ He was connected to a ventilator .
Police officers were called to the hospital at @ @ @ @ @ wrote .

MOSCOW, August 20. /TASS/. Russian blogger Alexei Navalny who was earlier taken to a hospital in Omsk has been connected to a ventilator, his spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh said in a Twitter post on Thursday.
"Alexei is still unconscious. He was connected to a ventilator. Police officers were called to the hospital at our request," she wrote.


tass--2020-08-20--CGTN：China strives for ecological protection along Yangtze River

BEIJING , Aug. 20 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- China has been stepping up efforts in ecological protection of the Yangtze River , China 's mother river and one of the two longest rivers in the country .
During his stay in Ma'anshan City in east China 's Anhui Province on Wednesday , Xi Jinping , general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee , visited the Xuejiawa ecological park .
He inspected the floodwater situation at the Yangtze River , comprehensive renovation of waterfronts , as well as ecological and environmental protection and restoration .
China has listed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Yellow River Basin , and the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt as national strategies .
By the end of November 2019 , the central budget had earmarked 123.7 billion yuan ( 17.67 billion U.S. dollars ) to support environment rehabilitation in the Yangtze River Economic Belt , according to the People 's Daily .
Xi also visited Magang Group of China Baowu Steel Group .
In a workshop , he learned about the company 's resumption of work , production and operations .
Thanks to its great sacrifice and painstaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 epidemic under control and the economy is steadily reviving .
As shown by multiple mid-year indicators , China 's economy has ridden out its downturn due to COVID-19 strains and bounced back to growth in the second quarter .
On Wednesday afternoon , Xi also inspected Chaohu Lake in Hefei , the capital City of Anhui Province , and spoke to soldiers and local officials as well as Paty members to help battle the flood .
Continuous rainfalls in the flood season have lifted the water level in Chaohu Lake , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lakes .
Local authorities dispatched 3,000 soldiers as part of the flood relief efforts in July .

BEIJING, Aug. 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- China has been stepping up efforts in ecological protection of the Yangtze River, China's mother river and one of the two longest rivers in the country.
During his stay in Ma'anshan City in east China's Anhui Province on Wednesday, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visited the Xuejiawa ecological park. He inspected the floodwater situation at the Yangtze River, comprehensive renovation of waterfronts, as well as ecological and environmental protection and restoration.
China has listed the ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin, and the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt as national strategies.
By the end of November 2019, the central budget had earmarked 123.7 billion yuan (17.67 billion U.S. dollars) to support environment rehabilitation in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, according to the People's Daily.
Xi also visited Magang Group of China Baowu Steel Group. In a workshop, he learned about the company's resumption of work, production and operations. Thanks to its great sacrifice and painstaking efforts, China has basically brought the COVID-19 epidemic under control and the economy is steadily reviving. As shown by multiple mid-year indicators, China's economy has ridden out its downturn due to COVID-19 strains and bounced back to growth in the second quarter.
On Wednesday afternoon, Xi also inspected Chaohu Lake in Hefei, the capital City of Anhui Province, and spoke to soldiers and local officials as well as Paty members to help battle the flood. Continuous rainfalls in the flood season have lifted the water level in Chaohu Lake, one of China's five largest fresh water lakes.
Local authorities dispatched 3,000 soldiers as part of the flood relief efforts in July.


tass--2020-08-20--Alexei Navalny is in serious condition

Alexei Navalny is in serious condition

Developer of Sputnik V said third stage of trials can be called mass vaccination The trials will be carried out @ @ @ @ @ some 20,000 - 30,000 people will get the vaccine

Lukashenko says Putin promises he would regard attack on Belarus as attack on Russia
The Belarusian leader pointed out that NATO was quickly building up forces on the border with Belarus in Poland and in the Baltic countries
Read more


tass--2020-08-20--Alexey Navalny hospitalized to toxicology intensive care unit in Omsk

OMSK , August 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russian blogger Alexey Navalny , who felt bad during his flight from Tomsk @ @ @ @ @ to Omsk Ambulance Hospital number 1 ’ s toxicology intensive care unit , the hospital @ @ @ @ @ , Navalny ’ s spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh said that his plane had conducted an emergency @ @ @ @ @ blogger suffered from toxic poisoning .
She added that Navalny was unconscious .
Yarmysh disclosed @ @ @ @ @ that day and speculated that the blogger could have been poisoned .

OMSK, August 20. /TASS/. Russian blogger Alexey Navalny, who felt bad during his flight from Tomsk to Moscow, was hospitalized to Omsk Ambulance Hospital number 1’s toxicology intensive care unit, the hospital announced Thursday.
On Thursday, Navalny’s spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh said that his plane had conducted an emergency landing in Omsk because the blogger suffered from toxic poisoning. She added that Navalny was unconscious.
Yarmysh disclosed that Navalny only drank tea that day and speculated that the blogger could have been poisoned.


tass--2020-08-20--Navalny’s plane conducts emergency landing in Omsk over blogger’s suspected poisoning

MOSCOW , August 20 .
/TASS/ .
A plane with Russian blogger Alexey Navalny on board heading from Tomsk to @ @ @ @ @ landing due to his alleged poisoning , the opposition figure ’ s spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh @ @ @ @ @ morning , Navalny was on his way from Tomsk to Moscow .
He started to @ @ @ @ @ .
The plane conducted an emergency landing in Omsk .
Alexey has toxic poisoning .
@ @ @ @ @ ambulance on our way to the hospital , '' Yarmysh tweeted .
The Omsk airport @ @ @ @ @ because a passenger felt unwell .
`` Yes , Sibir flight 2614 from Tomsk to @ @ @ @ @ Domodedovo has landed , [ because ] a passenger felt bad .
An ambulance has @ @ @ @ @ Galina Gavrish said , adding that she did not know the identity of the passenger @

MOSCOW, August 20. /TASS/. A plane with Russian blogger Alexey Navalny on board heading from Tomsk to Moscow, conducted an emergency landing due to his alleged poisoning, the opposition figure’s spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh announced Thursday.
"This morning, Navalny was on his way from Tomsk to Moscow. He started to feel bad during the flight. The plane conducted an emergency landing in Omsk. Alexey has toxic poisoning. We are currently in an ambulance on our way to the hospital," Yarmysh tweeted.
The Omsk airport confirmed that the airliner landed because a passenger felt unwell.
"Yes, Sibir flight 2614 from Tomsk to [Moscow’s] Domodedovo has landed, [because] a passenger felt bad. An ambulance has arrived," airport spokeswoman Galina Gavrish said, adding that she did not know the identity of the passenger.


tass--2020-08-19--Hainan to host national culture week in November

HAIKOU , August 20 .
/TASS/ .
China 's Hainan will host the International Culture Week dedicated to brocade and @ @ @ @ @ around the world in November , reported Xinhua .
A series of events will take @ @ @ @ @ 19-22 , including three art exhibitions and an international brocade competition in the style of @ @ @ @ @ The brocade produced by this small nation belongs to the intangible cultural heritage .
Craftspeople @ @ @ @ @ expected to present their own works in the style of the Li people .
The @ @ @ @ @ applications from future participants last Tuesday .
The art exhibition will feature samples of brocade @ @ @ @ @ from Thailand , India , Malaysia , and other regions from the One Belt One @ @ @ @ @ these initiatives will promote Hainan 's cultural exchanges with other countries from around the world @ @ @ @ @ Bureau for Tourism , Culture , Radio , Television and Sports .

HAIKOU, August 20. /TASS/. China's Hainan will host the International Culture Week dedicated to brocade and embroidery in national styles from around the world in November, reported Xinhua.
A series of events will take place in Haikou on November 19-22, including three art exhibitions and an international brocade competition in the style of Hainan's Li people. The brocade produced by this small nation belongs to the intangible cultural heritage. Craftspeople from other countries are also expected to present their own works in the style of the Li people. The organizers have already started accepting applications from future participants last Tuesday.
The art exhibition will feature samples of brocade and embroidery in national styles from Thailand, India, Malaysia, and other regions from the One Belt One Road states .
All of these initiatives will promote Hainan's cultural exchanges with other countries from around the world, according to the Provincial Bureau for Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports.


tass--2020-08-19--Direct flights from Noyabrsk in the north to southern resort of Sochi are due in 2021

TASS , August 19 .
Direct flights from Noyabrsk ( the Yamalo-Nenets Region ) to the Black Sea resort of @ @ @ @ @ , the region ’ s Governor Dmitry Artyukhov said at a meeting with local residents @ @ @ @ @ promise that from 2021 we shall have flights from Noyabrsk to Sochi , '' he @ @ @ @ @ requests from the locals .
In 2020 , the region has opened flights to Simferopol @ @ @ @ @ from Salekhard and Novy Urengoi .
Flights from Noyabrsk are operated to Simferopol .
The @ @ @ @ @ lies mostly north of the Polar Circle .
The climate is cold .
Winters last @ @ @ @ @ .

TASS, August 19. Direct flights from Noyabrsk (the Yamalo-Nenets Region) to the Black Sea resort of Sochi will begin in 2021, the region’s Governor Dmitry Artyukhov said at a meeting with local residents on Tuesday.
"I promise that from 2021 we shall have flights from Noyabrsk to Sochi," he said in response to numerous requests from the locals.
In 2020, the region has opened flights to Simferopol (Crimea) and Sochi from Salekhard and Novy Urengoi. Flights from Noyabrsk are operated to Simferopol.
The Yamalo-Nenets Region’s territory lies mostly north of the Polar Circle. The climate is cold. Winters last for up to eight months.


tass--2020-08-20--Three new duty free stores to open on Hainan by the end of 2020

HAIKOU , August 20 .
/TASS/ .
Three new duty free shops will open before the end of this year in China 's southern Hainan province , reported Xinhua citing local authorities .
The authorities explained the need to increase the number of duty free shops in the province by the growing number of tourists and high demand for duty free goods .
All three new stores will be located in the resort city of Sanya .
One of them will open at the airport , and the other two — in the city suburbs .
Duty free shops are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promote Hainan 's international tourism .
Since July , Hainan 's quota for one person for purchases in duty free shops has been increased from 30,000 to 100,000 yuan ( from $ 4,200 to $ 14,200 ) , and the list of duty free goods has been expanded from 38 to 45 items .
Four duty free shops are currently open on Hainan : two of them are located in the provincial capital , Haikou , the rest — in Sanya and the coastal town of Boao .
According to the latest data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 1.9 billion yuan ( about $ 279 million ) , which is by 141 % more compared to the same period last year .
Over the recent years , Hainan 's duty free zones have shown solid revenue growth .
Thus , in 2018 , sales in duty free shops on Hainan reached 10.1 billion yuan ( about $ 1.47 billion ) , which is about 26 % of the corresponding national figure .
Last year , sales grew by more than 34 % , to 13.61 billion yuan ( $ @ @ @ @

HAIKOU, August 20. /TASS/. Three new duty free shops will open before the end of this year in China's southern Hainan province, reported Xinhua citing local authorities.
The authorities explained the need to increase the number of duty free shops in the province by the growing number of tourists and high demand for duty free goods. All three new stores will be located in the resort city of Sanya. One of them will open at the airport, and the other two — in the city suburbs.
Duty free shops are part of the government's plan to promote Hainan's international tourism.
Since July, Hainan's quota for one person for purchases in duty free shops has been increased from 30,000 to 100,000 yuan (from $ 4,200 to $ 14,200), and the list of duty free goods has been expanded from 38 to 45 items.
Four duty free shops are currently open on Hainan: two of them are located in the provincial capital, Haikou, the rest — in Sanya and the coastal town of Boao. According to the latest data, their sales in May amounted to more than 1.9 billion yuan (about $ 279 million), which is by 141% more compared to the same period last year.
Over the recent years, Hainan's duty free zones have shown solid revenue growth. Thus, in 2018, sales in duty free shops on Hainan reached 10.1 billion yuan (about $ 1.47 billion), which is about 26% of the corresponding national figure. Last year, sales grew by more than 34%, to 13.61 billion yuan ($ 1.97 billion).


tass--2020-08-21--Lavrov: Russia works to resume negotiations on Karabakh

MOSCOW , August 21 .
/TASS/ .
Russia and its partners in the OSCE Minsk Group are working on the @ @ @ @ @ on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with @ @ @ @ @ are expecting early resumption of the negotiation process on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement .
We are @ @ @ @ @ our partners in the OSCE Minsk Group , '' he said .
Lavrov noted that @ @ @ @ @ Armenia and Azerbaijan was the second most widespread violation of the 1994 ceasefire agreement .
@ @ @ @ @ the Russian Foreign Ministry made active mediation efforts to resolve the conflict .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ Minsk Group on Nagorno-Karabakh Igor Popov has been in direct contact with the leadership of @ @ @ @ @ two countries all this time .
As a result , with active Russian mediation , @ @ @ @ @ since August 16 , albeit not on the first attempt , '' he stressed .

MOSCOW, August 21. /TASS/. Russia and its partners in the OSCE Minsk Group are working on the earliest possible resumption of negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Trud newspaper.
"We are expecting early resumption of the negotiation process on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement. We are working on this together with our partners in the OSCE Minsk Group," he said.
Lavrov noted that the July border conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan was the second most widespread violation of the 1994 ceasefire agreement. The minister pointed out that the Russian Foreign Ministry made active mediation efforts to resolve the conflict. "The Russian co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group on Nagorno-Karabakh Igor Popov has been in direct contact with the leadership of the foreign ministries of the two countries all this time. As a result, with active Russian mediation, a ceasefire has been reached since August 16, albeit not on the first attempt," he stressed.


tass--2020-08-21--US expressed concern over Alexey Navalny

NEW YORK , August 21 .
/TASS/ .
The US authorities are concerned about the situation around the Russian opposition @ @ @ @ @ remains in intensive care at one of the Omsk hospitals , United States National Security @ @ @ @ @ an interview with Fox News .
`` It ’ s extraordinarily concerning and if the @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s something that we ’ re going to factor into how we deal @ @ @ @ @ , '' O ’ Brien said .
`` He ’ s a very courageous man @ @ @ @ @ our prayers are with him and his family , '' he added .
On Thursday @ @ @ @ @ spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh said that the plane carrying Navalny made an emergency landing in Omsk @ @ @ @ @ in mid-flight .
According to Yarmysh , Navalny may have been poisoned .
The medical @ @ @ @ @ informed that Navalny is currently in an intensive care unit receiving symptomatic treatment , his @ @ @ @ @ established .

NEW YORK, August 21. /TASS/. The US authorities are concerned about the situation around the Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny, who remains in intensive care at one of the Omsk hospitals, United States National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien said in an interview with Fox News.
"It’s extraordinarily concerning and if the Russians were behind this ... it’s something that we’re going to factor into how we deal with the Russians going forward," O’Brien said.
"He’s a very courageous man … and our thoughts and our prayers are with him and his family," he added.
On Thursday morning, Navalny’s spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh said that the plane carrying Navalny made an emergency landing in Omsk after he suddenly felt unwell in mid-flight. According to Yarmysh, Navalny may have been poisoned.
The medical staff of the Omsk hospital informed that Navalny is currently in an intensive care unit receiving symptomatic treatment, his exact diagnosis is currently being established.


tass--2020-08-21--Lavrov: Russia will focus on arms control at the 75th session of the UN General Assembly

MOSCOW , August 21 .
/TASS/ .
At the upcoming 75th session of the UN General Assembly , Russia will continue to work on strengthening international cooperation in the fight against terrorism , strengthening the existing and developing new treaty regimes in the field of arms control , and upholding the principle of the inadmissibility of distorting history , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Trud newspaper .
`` At the upcoming session of the General Assembly , the Russian side will defend its principled approaches .
We are talking about promoting a positive , unifying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a polycentric world order , ensuring strict observance of the UN Charter , and countering attempts to promote the concept of ‘ rules-based world order ’ as an alternative to the international law , the search for political and diplomatic solutions to regional crises and conflicts , '' Lavrov said .
`` We will continue to work on building up international cooperation in the fight against terrorism , adopting truly universal , comprehensive rules for the responsible behavior of states in the information space , strengthening the existing and developing new treaty regimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disarmament and non-proliferation , upholding the principle of the inadmissibility of distorting history and revising the results World War II , '' the minister added .

MOSCOW, August 21. /TASS/. At the upcoming 75th session of the UN General Assembly, Russia will continue to work on strengthening international cooperation in the fight against terrorism, strengthening the existing and developing new treaty regimes in the field of arms control, and upholding the principle of the inadmissibility of distorting history, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Trud newspaper.
"At the upcoming session of the General Assembly, the Russian side will defend its principled approaches. We are talking about promoting a positive, unifying agenda, strengthening the vector for forming a polycentric world order, ensuring strict observance of the UN Charter, and countering attempts to promote the concept of ‘rules-based world order’ as an alternative to the international law, the search for political and diplomatic solutions to regional crises and conflicts," Lavrov said.
"We will continue to work on building up international cooperation in the fight against terrorism, adopting truly universal, comprehensive rules for the responsible behavior of states in the information space, strengthening the existing and developing new treaty regimes in the field of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation, upholding the principle of the inadmissibility of distorting history and revising the results World War II," the minister added.


tass--2020-08-21--Lavrov: Kiev uses conflict in Donbass to maintain EU sanctions against Russia

MOSCOW , August 21 .
/TASS/ .
Kiev authorities do not hide their desire to use the conflict in Donbass @ @ @ @ @ pressure on Russia and still do not fulfill their obligations under the Minsk Package of @ @ @ @ @ Sergey Lavrov in an interview with Trud newspaper .
According to him , Kiev takes @ @ @ @ @ the Europeans continue to link the issue of improving relations between the EU and Russia @ @ @ @ @ Minsk agreements , to which Russia is not a party .
`` Alas , this @ @ @ @ @ to this day - to the great satisfaction of the Kiev authorities , which not @ @ @ @ @ obligations under the Minsk Package of Measures , but also make no secret of their @ @ @ @ @ conflict to maintain sanctions pressure against Russia , '' the minister said .
He added @ @ @ @ @ prospects for improving relations between Moscow and Brussels should be addressed to colleagues from the @ @ @ @ @ cooperation .

MOSCOW, August 21. /TASS/. Kiev authorities do not hide their desire to use the conflict in Donbass to preserve the EU sanctions pressure on Russia and still do not fulfill their obligations under the Minsk Package of Measures, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in an interview with Trud newspaper.
According to him, Kiev takes advantage of the fact that the Europeans continue to link the issue of improving relations between the EU and Russia with the implementation of the Minsk agreements, to which Russia is not a party. "Alas, this artificial and short-sighted link persists to this day - to the great satisfaction of the Kiev authorities, which not only do not fulfill their obligations under the Minsk Package of Measures, but also make no secret of their desire to use the unresolved conflict to maintain sanctions pressure against Russia," the minister said.
He added that the question about the prospects for improving relations between Moscow and Brussels should be addressed to colleagues from the EU, who initiated curtailing cooperation.


tass--2020-08-21--Russia to send 2,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Mexico for testing

MEXICO , August 21 .
/TASS/ .
Mexico will receive 2,000 doses of the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine from Russia @ @ @ @ @ clinical trials , according to Foreign Secretary of Mexico Marcelo Ebrard .
According to Ebrard @ @ @ @ @ 2,000 doses of the vaccine to Mexico to start testing it , El Universal newspaper @ @ @ @ @ expected to begin in September .
On Wednesday , Ebrard met with Russian Ambassador to @ @ @ @ @ parties discussed the Sputnik V vaccine .
On August 11 , Russia became the first @ @ @ @ @ vaccine , which was named Sputnik V. The vaccine was developed by the Gamaleya Scientific @ @ @ @ @ Microbiology and underwent clinical trials in June and July .
According to the Russian Health @ @ @ @ @ such vaccines are capable of creating long-term immunity that lasts for up to two years @

MEXICO, August 21. /TASS/. Mexico will receive 2,000 doses of the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine from Russia for the third stage of clinical trials, according to Foreign Secretary of Mexico Marcelo Ebrard.
According to Ebrard, Moscow offered at least 2,000 doses of the vaccine to Mexico to start testing it, El Universal newspaper wrote. The testing is expected to begin in September.
On Wednesday, Ebrard met with Russian Ambassador to Mexico Viktor Koronelli and the parties discussed the Sputnik V vaccine.
On August 11, Russia became the first country to register a coronavirus vaccine, which was named Sputnik V. The vaccine was developed by the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology and underwent clinical trials in June and July. According to the Russian Health Ministry, normally such vaccines are capable of creating long-term immunity that lasts for up to two years.


tass--2020-08-21--Lavrov hopes flights with Georgia will resume in the near future

MOSCOW , August 21 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow is closely following the state of affairs in Tbilisi and hopes that @ @ @ @ @ be restored in the near future , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an @ @ @ @ @ `` I would like to hope that the resumption of air traffic is a matter @ @ @ @ @ '' Lavrov noted .
`` We are closely monitoring the state of affairs in Georgia @ @ @ @ @ are waiting for a general normalization of the sanitary and epidemiological situation in the region @ @ @ @ @ opening of regular flights to other destinations , '' he added .
The minister also @ @ @ @ @ resumption of the political dialogue in the Karasin-Abashidze format , interrupted due to the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ valued friendly ties with the Georgian people , with whom we have lived in a @ @ @ @ @ for more than one century , '' he stressed .

MOSCOW, August 21. /TASS/. Moscow is closely following the state of affairs in Tbilisi and hopes that air traffic with Georgia will be restored in the near future, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Trud newspaper.
"I would like to hope that the resumption of air traffic is a matter of the near future," Lavrov noted. "We are closely monitoring the state of affairs in Georgia. Of course, we are waiting for a general normalization of the sanitary and epidemiological situation in the region and in the world, opening of regular flights to other destinations," he added.
The minister also expressed hope for an early resumption of the political dialogue in the Karasin-Abashidze format, interrupted due to the pandemic. "Russia has always valued friendly ties with the Georgian people, with whom we have lived in a single state under different names for more than one century," he stressed.


tass--2020-08-21--Russian Foreign Minister said fighting Russia became NATO's reason for existence

MOSCOW , August 21 .
/TASS/ .
Confrontation with Russia has become the reason for existence for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Trud newspaper .
`` Now , just like during the Cold War , fighting Russia on all fronts , including information and propaganda , has become the alliance ’ s reason for existence .
NATO has deployed extensive activities on the eastern flank , near our borders , including conducting exercises and improving military infrastructure .
The alliance continues to expand its area of military and political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its ‘ umbrella ’ under the pretext of protecting them from Russia , '' he said .
The minister pointed out that there are no real threats to security , stressed that such NATO actions only contribute to new dividing lines in Europe .
Lavrov also drew attention to the fact that Russia has repeatedly proposed measures to reduce tensions and reduce the risk of incidents on the continent .
Lavrov added that the alliance adheres to the line of `` containment and dialogue '' in relations with Russia , although `` as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place for a real and open dialogue on pressing problems .
`` .

MOSCOW, August 21. /TASS/. Confrontation with Russia has become the reason for existence for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Trud newspaper.
"Now, just like during the Cold War, fighting Russia on all fronts, including information and propaganda, has become the alliance’s reason for existence. NATO has deployed extensive activities on the eastern flank, near our borders, including conducting exercises and improving military infrastructure. The alliance continues to expand its area of military and political influence, inviting all new countries under its ‘umbrella’ under the pretext of protecting them from Russia," he said.
The minister pointed out that there are no real threats to security, stressed that such NATO actions only contribute to new dividing lines in Europe. Lavrov also drew attention to the fact that Russia has repeatedly proposed measures to reduce tensions and reduce the risk of incidents on the continent.
Lavrov added that the alliance adheres to the line of "containment and dialogue" in relations with Russia, although "as a result, there is practically no place for a real and open dialogue on pressing problems.".


tass--2020-08-21--Lavrov urges Kiev to stop making excuses for not implementing Minsk agreements

MOSCOW , August 21 .
/TASS/ .
Ukraine needs to stop making excuses for not fulfilling their obligations under the Minsk agreements , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Trud newspaper .
`` The participants in the Normandy summit ( Russia , Germany , France , and Ukraine - TASS ) , including President [ of Ukraine Vladimir ] Zelensky , in Paris on December 9 , 2019 , unanimously supported the need for agreement between Kiev , Donetsk , and Lugansk on all legal aspects of the special status of Donbass in strict accordance with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Measures .
It is time for our Ukrainian partners to stop fooling everyone , consistently coming up with excuses not to do anything in terms of fulfilling existing obligations , '' Lavrov said .
He recalled that the Minsk Agreements contain a provision on the need for constitutional reform in Ukraine , with the key element - decentralization , taking into account the peculiarities of certain regions of Donetsk and Luhansk regions , agreed with representatives of these regions , as well as adoption of permanent legislation on their special status .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new Constitution of Ukraine , which , according to the same clause of the Minsk Agreements , was expected to enter into force before the end of 2015 , '' the minister said .
Lavrov noted that the constitutional consolidation of the special status of Donbass is the key to resolving the crisis in Ukraine and resolving security issues , socio-economic , and humanitarian problems .

MOSCOW, August 21. /TASS/. Ukraine needs to stop making excuses for not fulfilling their obligations under the Minsk agreements, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Trud newspaper.
"The participants in the Normandy summit [Russia, Germany, France, and Ukraine - TASS], including President [of Ukraine Vladimir] Zelensky, in Paris on December 9, 2019, unanimously supported the need for agreement between Kiev, Donetsk, and Lugansk on all legal aspects of the special status of Donbass in strict accordance with the provisions of the Minsk Package of Measures. It is time for our Ukrainian partners to stop fooling everyone, consistently coming up with excuses not to do anything in terms of fulfilling existing obligations," Lavrov said.
He recalled that the Minsk Agreements contain a provision on the need for constitutional reform in Ukraine, with the key element - decentralization, taking into account the peculiarities of certain areas of Donetsk and Lugansk regions, agreed with representatives of these regions, as well as adoption of permanent legislation on their special status. "All this should have been reflected in the new Constitution of Ukraine, which, according to the same clause of the Minsk Agreements, was expected to enter into force before the end of 2015," the minister said.
Lavrov noted that the constitutional consolidation of the special status of Donbass is the key to resolving the crisis in Ukraine and sorting out security issues as well as socio-economic and humanitarian problems.


tass--2020-08-21--Use of Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine to be strictly controlled - developer

MOSCOW , August 20 .
/TASS/ .
The use of Russia ’ s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine will be strictly @ @ @ @ @ at the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology Dmitry Logunov told reporters on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ will have a QR code .
Everyone getting the vaccine in civilian circulation will have @ @ @ @ @ Logunov said .
`` As a result , regulatory bodies will collect all information regarding @ @ @ @ @ through regional health departments .
So the use of the vaccine will be strictly controlled @ @ @ @ @ On August 11 , Russia became the first country to register a coronavirus vaccine , @ @ @ @ @ The vaccine was developed by the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology and @ @ @ @ @ and July .
According to the Russian Health Ministry , experience shows that such vaccines @ @ @ @ @ immunity that lasts for up to two years .

MOSCOW, August 20. /TASS/. The use of Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine will be strictly controlled, Deputy Research Director at the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology Dmitry Logunov told reporters on Thursday.
"Every vaccine tube will have a QR code. Everyone getting the vaccine in civilian circulation will have a special app," Logunov said. "As a result, regulatory bodies will collect all information regarding the use of the vaccine through regional health departments. So the use of the vaccine will be strictly controlled," he added.
On August 11, Russia became the first country to register a coronavirus vaccine, which was named Sputnik V. The vaccine was developed by the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology and underwent clinical trials in June and July. According to the Russian Health Ministry, experience shows that such vaccines are capable of creating long-term immunity that lasts for up to two years.


tass--2020-08-20--Moscow’s coronavirus death toll rises by 12 to 4,710

MOSCOW , August 20 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow ’ s coronavirus death toll rose by 12 in the past 24 @ @ @ @ @ s coronavirus monitoring center said in a statement on Thursday .
`` Another 12 patients @ @ @ @ @ were diagnosed with pneumonia and tested positive for the coronavirus , '' the statement reads @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus deaths in the city has climbed to 4,710 .
Moscow has so far recorded @ @ @ @ @ nearly 201,600 recoveries .
To date , 942,106 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia @ @ @ @ @ recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 16,099 fatalities nationwide .
@ @ @ @ @ set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, August 20. /TASS/. Moscow’s coronavirus death toll rose by 12 in the past 24 hours, the city’s coronavirus monitoring center said in a statement on Thursday.
"Another 12 patients have died in Moscow who were diagnosed with pneumonia and tested positive for the coronavirus," the statement reads. The overall number of coronavirus deaths in the city has climbed to 4,710.
Moscow has so far recorded over 255,100 coronavirus cases and nearly 201,600 recoveries.
To date, 942,106 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 755,513 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 16,099 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-08-20--Most countries interested in Russia’s coronavirus vaccine despite information war - fund

MOSCOW , August 20 .
/TASS/ .
Most countries express interest in the Russian coronavirus vaccine dubbed Sputnik V despite the current information war waged against it , Kirill Dmitriyev , Director General of the Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) , told reporters Thursday .
`` We can see that a number of countries are waging an information war against the Russian vaccine .
Nevertheless , most countries want to learn facts about the Russian vaccine and , correspondingly , understand how it works and what information there is , '' he said .
Dmitriyev also urged against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because there should be a lot of vaccine - the more the better for the humanity . ''
`` We see increasing interest from many countries in getting to know the technology .
As various countries understand the way the Russian vaccine works , the bigger interest it will attract , '' he added .
Earlier , the RDIF and Gamaleya Research Center , the vaccine developer , created a resource to disseminate current information about Sputnik V `` to fight the campaign of disinformation launched in a number of international media outlets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world is seeing `` coordinated and thoroughly prepared information attacks on the Russian vaccine . ''
Meanwhile , Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko slammed foreign criticism of the Russian breakthrough as groundless , linking it to the fact that foreign specialists understand `` competitive advantages of the Russian vaccine . ''
On August 11 , Russia became the first country in the world to register a coronavirus vaccine named Sputnik V and developed by Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian health ministry .
The injection passed clinical trials in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an already known platform that was used to create a number of other injections .
On August 15 , the national health ministry said that the vaccine production had begun .

MOSCOW, August 20. /TASS/. Most countries express interest in the Russian coronavirus vaccine dubbed Sputnik V despite the current information war waged against it, Kirill Dmitriev, director general of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), told reporters Thursday.
"We can see that a number of countries are waging an information war against the Russian vaccine. Nevertheless, most countries want to learn facts about the Russian vaccine and, correspondingly, understand how it works and what information there is," he said.
Dmitriev also urged against politicizing the situation surrounding the vaccine "because there should be a lot of vaccine - the more the better for the humanity."
"We see increasing interest from many countries in getting to know the technology. As various countries understand the way the Russian vaccine works, the bigger interest it will attract," he added.
Earlier, the RDIF and Gamaleya Research Center, the vaccine developer, created a resource to disseminate current information about Sputnik V "to fight the campaign of disinformation launched in a number of international media outlets." Dmitriev also claimed that the world is seeing "coordinated and thoroughly prepared information attacks on the Russian vaccine." Meanwhile, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko slammed foreign criticism of the Russian breakthrough as groundless, linking it to the fact that foreign specialists understand "competitive advantages of the Russian vaccine."
On August 11, Russia became the first country in the world to register a coronavirus vaccine named Sputnik V and developed by Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian health ministry. The injection passed clinical trials in June-July. The vaccine is based on an already known platform that was used to create a number of other injections. On August 15, the national health ministry said that the vaccine production had begun.


tass--2020-08-20--Navalny remains in serious condition

Navalny remains in serious condition

MOSCOW , August 20 .
/TASS/ .
Blogger Alexei Navalny is stable in serious condition , the Health Ministry of @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement on VKontakte .
`` The blogger was brought to the hospital @ @ @ @ @ were carried out immediately and Alexei was hooked up to a ventilator .
Doctors consider @ @ @ @ @ serious but stable , '' the statement reads .
The ministry added that doctors had @ @ @ @ @ federal medical centers to determine a treatment strategy .
`` Intensivists and neurophysiologists from the @ @ @ @ @ Center and the Burdenko National Medical Research Center for Neurosurgery will arrive in Omsk tomorrow @ @ @ @ @ , '' the statement added .
On Thursday morning , Navalny ’ s spokesperson Kira @ @ @ @ @ carrying the blogger made an emergency landing in Omsk after Navalny had suddenly felt unwell @ @ @

MOSCOW, August 20. /TASS/. Blogger Alexei Navalny is stable in serious condition, the Health Ministry of Russia’s Omsk region said in a statement on VKontakte.
"The blogger was brought to the hospital unconscious. All necessary examinations were carried out immediately and Alexei was hooked up to a ventilator. Doctors consider his current condition to be serious but stable," the statement reads.
The ministry added that doctors had held telemedicine consultations with leading federal medical centers to determine a treatment strategy.
"Intensivists and neurophysiologists from the Pirogov National Medical and Surgical Center and the Burdenko National Medical Research Center for Neurosurgery will arrive in Omsk tomorrow to hold a case conference," the statement added.
On Thursday morning, Navalny’s spokesperson Kira Yarmysh said that a plane carrying the blogger made an emergency landing in Omsk after Navalny had suddenly felt unwell in mid-flight.


tass--2020-08-20--Russia’s coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V gives at least 2-year protection - research center

MOSCOW , August 20 .
/TASS/ .
Developers of the Russian coronavirus vaccine dubbed Sputnik V expects the injection to protect from the virus for at least two years , Director of Gamaleya Federal Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry Alexander Gintsburg said Thursday .
`` We have all grounds to say that < … > the vaccine < … > will < … > protect the vaccinated people from this agent , COVID-19 , for at least two years and possible even longer , '' he told an online briefing dedicated to Sputnik V @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world .
At the same time , Gintsburg clarified that the final data will become clear after the vaccine ’ s effect is monitored for some time .
On August 11 , Russia became the first country in the world to register a coronavirus vaccine named Sputnik V and developed by Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian health ministry .
The injection passed clinical trials in June-July .
The vaccine is based on an already known platform that was used to create a number of other injections .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ministry said that the vaccine production had begun .

MOSCOW, August 20. /TASS/. Developers of the Russian coronavirus vaccine dubbed Sputnik V expects the injection to protect from the virus for at least two years, Director of Gamaleya Federal Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry Alexander Gintsburg said Thursday.
"We have all grounds to say that <…> the vaccine <…> will <…> protect the vaccinated people from this agent, COVID-19, for at least two years and possible even longer," he told an online briefing dedicated to Sputnik V, the first coronavirus vaccine registered in the world.
At the same time, Gintsburg clarified that the final data will become clear after the vaccine’s effect is monitored for some time.
On August 11, Russia became the first country in the world to register a coronavirus vaccine named Sputnik V and developed by Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian health ministry. The injection passed clinical trials in June-July. The vaccine is based on an already known platform that was used to create a number of other injections. On August 15, the national health ministry said that the vaccine production had begun.


tass--2020-08-20--All Belarusian factories operating as normal - PM

MINSK , August 20 .
/TASS/ .
All Belarusian factories are working as normal , while output targets are 100 % met , Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko told ONT TV Thursday .
`` Workforce is not aching to strike , '' he said .
`` The government is now monitoring the situation at the largest industrial factories .
Overall , around 650,000 people work there , but the latest reports suggest that only 360 of them did not start working or are not fulfilling their duties . ''
He also cited an example of the Minsk Tractor Works where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 500 of them took to streets in the first days .
`` Emotions have subsided now , '' he underlined .
`` At the same time , many media outlets , including foreign ones , publish biased information , saying that Belarus is paralyzed , '' the prime minister continued .
`` All factories in Belarus work as normal , output activity is not lowered anywhere , targets are met , '' he reassured .
There may be economic disputes between Belarus and Russia but neither Minsk nor Moscow questions the independence and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko said in an interview with the ONT TV channel on Thursday .
`` Things happen , including between Belarus and Russia , there are economic disputes .
But we are an independent state and no one question the sovereignty and independence of our state , '' he pointed out .
According to Golovchenko , allegations that Moscow dominates the Union State of Russia and Belarus and the Eurasian Economic Community ( EAEU ) are groundless because member states are equal .
`` All integration unions , from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] to the EAEU , were created to preserve what had been achieved before , that is , ties .
There was a need to create a platform on the ruins of the Soviet Union to resolve issues related to economic and political cooperation between the new independent states , '' the Belarusian prime minister said .
`` The EAEU is the most active organization at the moment .
In fact , it is a tool for our countries to boost economic integration , have an opportunity to implement consolidated programs and harmonize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hindering the movement of goods , services and labor force , '' Golovchenko said .

MINSK, August 20. /TASS/. All Belarusian factories are working as normal, while output targets are 100% met, Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko told ONT TV Thursday.
"Workforce is not aching to strike," he said. "The government is now monitoring the situation at the largest industrial factories. Overall, around 650,000 people work there, but the latest reports suggest that only 360 of them did not start working or are not fulfilling their duties."
He also cited an example of the Minsk Tractor Works where around 16,000 people work, but only 500 of them took to streets in the first days. "Emotions have subsided now," he underlined.
"At the same time, many media outlets, including foreign ones, publish biased information, saying that Belarus is paralyzed," the prime minister continued. "All factories in Belarus work as normal, output activity is not lowered anywhere, targets are met," he reassured.
Economic disputes
There may be economic disputes between Belarus and Russia but neither Minsk nor Moscow questions the independence and sovereignty of Belarus, the country’s Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko said in an interview with the ONT TV channel on Thursday.
"Things happen, including between Belarus and Russia, there are economic disputes. But we are an independent state and no one question the sovereignty and independence of our state," he pointed out.
According to Golovchenko, allegations that Moscow dominates the Union State of Russia and Belarus and the Eurasian Economic Community (EAEU) are groundless because member states are equal.
"All integration unions, from the CIS [the Commonwealth of Independent States] to the EAEU, were created to preserve what had been achieved before, that is, ties. There was a need to create a platform on the ruins of the Soviet Union to resolve issues related to economic and political cooperation between the new independent states," the Belarusian prime minister said. "The EAEU is the most active organization at the moment. In fact, it is a tool for our countries to boost economic integration, have an opportunity to implement consolidated programs and harmonize industrial and agricultural policies, remove barriers hindering the movement of goods, services and labor force," Golovchenko said.


tass--2020-08-20--Another opposition protest underway in downtown Minsk

MINSK , August 20 .
/TASS/ .
Hundreds of people protesting against the results of the presidential election in Belarus have gathered in front of the Government House on Independence Square in the country ’ s capital of Minsk , a TASS correspondent reported .
Protesters are chanting slogans in support of the Belarusian opposition .
At the same time , a motor cavalcade in support of President Alexander Lukashenko is circling around the square .
According to the TASS correspondent , the atmosphere is less tense than it was in previous days though traffic through Independence Square has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There are no large groups of police officers in sight .
Another thing to note is that a large number of reporters from European countries are covering the activity .
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9 .
According to the Central Election Commission , incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.1 % of the vote whereas his main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya garnered 10.12 % .
Protests erupted in the country 's capital of Minsk and several other cities following the presidential vote , leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to recognize the election ’ s results .

MINSK, August 20. /TASS/. Hundreds of people protesting against the results of the presidential election in Belarus have gathered in front of the Government House on Independence Square in the country’s capital of Minsk, a TASS correspondent reported.
Protesters are chanting slogans in support of the Belarusian opposition. At the same time, a motor cavalcade in support of President Alexander Lukashenko is circling around the square. According to the TASS correspondent, the atmosphere is less tense than it was in previous days though traffic through Independence Square has been shut down for the first time. There are no large groups of police officers in sight.
Another thing to note is that a large number of reporters from European countries are covering the activity.
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9. According to the Central Election Commission, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.1% of the vote whereas his main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya garnered 10.12%. Protests erupted in the country's capital of Minsk and several other cities following the presidential vote, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers. A number of Western countries refused to recognize the election’s results.


tass--2020-08-20--Arctic expedition studies fauna on Franz Josef Land

ARKHANGELSK , August 20 .
/TASS/ .
Scientists examined the Arctic fauna and soil on the Novaya Zemlya and Franz Josef Land archipelagoes during an expedition on the Mekhanik Yartsev vessel , which has returned to Arkhangelsk , Director of the Russian Arctic National Park Alexander Kirilov told TASS .
`` The expedition visited a few islands of the Franz Josef Land Archipelago and the northern point of Severny Island of the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago , where they monitored sea mammals and avifauna in the first place , '' he said .
`` On Hooker Island , they examined the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what works could be done there .
On Heiss Island they took samples of soil in the areas of recent cleanup to evaluate the concentrations of oil products . ''
The vessel brought materials for further restoration of the oldest Arctic wooden aircraft hangar to Hooker Island ’ s Tikhaya Bay .
It was built in 1932 and abandoned in 1960 .
During the field season in 2019 , specialists removed ice from the building and planned to continue works in 2020 , but due to the pandemic the works , carried out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arctic Museum and Exhibition Center ( St. Petersburg ) , were delayed to 2021 .
The center ’ s expert , Nikolai Frizin examined the hangar , as scientists feared the basement could be in poor condition .
`` The hangar has made it fine through the winter , '' the national park ’ s director said .
`` We were not sure about ventilation and wanted to see whether any ventilation would be necessary there at all , since in high Arctic wood does not rot . ''
In 2021 , specialists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s interior and the exposition .
On Heiss Island , the group examined all facilities of the former observatory near Lake Kosmicheskoye .
The Ernst Krenkel Observatory ( former name `` Druzhnaya '' ) was opened in 1957 .
It could accommodate about 200 people at a time .
After the fire of 2001 , the station was closed to be reopened in 2004 .
A new accommodation facility has been built there .
Nowadays , the station ’ s staff is 5-6 people .
On Lake Kosmicheskoye premises there are still about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The national park plans to set up a new base there .
The Russian Arctic National Park presently has two bases on Franz Josef Land : a year-round facility on Alexandra Land and a summer base on Hooker Island .
`` The expedition members examined the buildings to see how they could be used for the national park ’ s another base on Franz Josef Land - this time on Heiss Island , '' the interlocutor said .
Under the Clean Arctic project , supported by Rosneft , scientists took samples of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see microorganisms and oil products there .
They examined the areas exploited in the Soviet times .
On Alexandra Land there used to be military facilities whereas Heiss Island used to feature a big meteorological observatory .
Cleaning on Franz Josef Land continued from 2012 to 2017 , when more than 45,000 tonnes of waste was removed from the archipelago .
Works have been practically complete on Alexandra Land , Hooker , Heiss and Graham Bell islands .
Cleaning is yet to be conducted on Rudolf and Hofmann islands .
After the cleanup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas still remain contaminated with oil products .
Cleaning on Heiss Island began in 2014 , when specialists used drones to make pictures of the cleaned areas .
`` During this year ’ s expedition , we made fresh pictures and will compare them with the earlier ones , '' Kirilov said .
`` Before the year-end we expect results of the soil tests . ''
The expedition delivered equipment and materials to Cape Zhelaniya on Novaya Zemlya ’ s Severny Island to provide ecology paths and a visitor center there .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prepare it for big groups of tourists , '' the national park ’ s director said , adding that all tourist trips in the 2020 season had been postponed to 2021 .
Cameraman Maxim Pervakov will stay on the island till the end of the current field season .
The Russian Geographical Society provided a grant to finance works on the Bear Corner movie about the national park .
The crew has caught Atlantic walruses and a few meetings with polar bears on camera .
`` We ’ ve made a beautiful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the director said .
`` The animal is not worried , it lies , peacefully licking the paw , and pays no attention to the drone . ''
The field season on the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago will be complete in late September , the national park ’ s director said .
The Russian Arctic National Park is Russia ’ s northernmost and biggest nature reserve , which has an area of 8.8 million hectares .
It was established on June 15 , 2009 .
The park includes the northern part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Franz Josef Land Archipelago .

ARKHANGELSK, August 20. /TASS/. Scientists examined the Arctic fauna and soil on the Novaya Zemlya and Franz Josef Land archipelagoes during an expedition on the Mekhanik Yartsev vessel, which has returned to Arkhangelsk, Director of the Russian Arctic National Park Alexander Kirilov told TASS.
"The expedition visited a few islands of the Franz Josef Land Archipelago and the northern point of Severny Island of the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago, where they monitored sea mammals and avifauna in the first place," he said. "On Hooker Island, they examined the condition of the aircraft hangar to decide what works could be done there. On Heiss Island they took samples of soil in the areas of recent cleanup to evaluate the concentrations of oil products."
The vessel brought materials for further restoration of the oldest Arctic wooden aircraft hangar to Hooker Island’s Tikhaya Bay. It was built in 1932 and abandoned in 1960. During the field season in 2019, specialists removed ice from the building and planned to continue works in 2020, but due to the pandemic the works, carried out jointly by the national park and the Arctic Museum and Exhibition Center (St. Petersburg), were delayed to 2021.
The center’s expert, Nikolai Frizin examined the hangar, as scientists feared the basement could be in poor condition. "The hangar has made it fine through the winter," the national park’s director said. "We were not sure about ventilation and wanted to see whether any ventilation would be necessary there at all, since in high Arctic wood does not rot."
In 2021, specialists plan to work on the hangar’s interior and the exposition.
Examining buildings and soils
On Heiss Island, the group examined all facilities of the former observatory near Lake Kosmicheskoye. The Ernst Krenkel Observatory (former name "Druzhnaya") was opened in 1957. It could accommodate about 200 people at a time. After the fire of 2001, the station was closed to be reopened in 2004. A new accommodation facility has been built there. Nowadays, the station’s staff is 5-6 people.
On Lake Kosmicheskoye premises there are still about a dozen buildings of the former observatory. The national park plans to set up a new base there. The Russian Arctic National Park presently has two bases on Franz Josef Land: a year-round facility on Alexandra Land and a summer base on Hooker Island. "The expedition members examined the buildings to see how they could be used for the national park’s another base on Franz Josef Land - this time on Heiss Island," the interlocutor said.
Under the Clean Arctic project, supported by Rosneft, scientists took samples of soil and ground on Heiss Island to see microorganisms and oil products there. They examined the areas exploited in the Soviet times. On Alexandra Land there used to be military facilities whereas Heiss Island used to feature a big meteorological observatory.
Cleaning on Franz Josef Land continued from 2012 to 2017, when more than 45,000 tonnes of waste was removed from the archipelago. Works have been practically complete on Alexandra Land, Hooker, Heiss and Graham Bell islands. Cleaning is yet to be conducted on Rudolf and Hofmann islands. After the cleanup, lands were revegetated, but certain areas still remain contaminated with oil products.
Cleaning on Heiss Island began in 2014, when specialists used drones to make pictures of the cleaned areas. "During this year’s expedition, we made fresh pictures and will compare them with the earlier ones," Kirilov said. "Before the year-end we expect results of the soil tests."
Bears featured by movie about Arctic
The expedition delivered equipment and materials to Cape Zhelaniya on Novaya Zemlya’s Severny Island to provide ecology paths and a visitor center there. "We have been working on the territory to prepare it for big groups of tourists," the national park’s director said, adding that all tourist trips in the 2020 season had been postponed to 2021.
Cameraman Maxim Pervakov will stay on the island till the end of the current field season. The Russian Geographical Society provided a grant to finance works on the Bear Corner movie about the national park. The crew has caught Atlantic walruses and a few meetings with polar bears on camera. "We’ve made a beautiful recording of a bear from a drone," the director said. "The animal is not worried, it lies, peacefully licking the paw, and pays no attention to the drone."
The field season on the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago will be complete in late September, the national park’s director said.
The Russian Arctic National Park is Russia’s northernmost and biggest nature reserve, which has an area of 8.8 million hectares. It was established on June 15, 2009. The park includes the northern part of the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago and the entire Franz Josef Land Archipelago.


tass--2020-08-20--Russia to begin vaccination of medics against COVID-19 next week

MOSCOW , August 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russia will begin to vaccinate medics against COVID-19 , a disease caused by the novel coronavirus , next week .
The vaccination of medics will be carried out concurrently with the post-registration trials , head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev told reporters on Thursday .
`` Vaccination of high-risk groups ( medical professionals ) will begin at the same time as the post-registration clinical trials .
The people who will receive the vaccine will be duly monitored to ensure that all procedures are followed .
After the registration , vaccination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Russia , for the most part , '' Dmitriev stated .
He added that the vaccination of high-risk groups would be voluntary , just like the vaccination of the Russian population on the whole .
On August 11 , Russia became the first country to register a coronavirus vaccine , which was named Sputnik V. Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko informed that the vaccine created by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology had shown its effectiveness and safety on the outcomes of clinical trials .
It is based on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ development of a number of other vaccines .
According to the Russian Health Ministry , practice shows that such vaccines are capable of developing long-term immunity that lasts for up to two years .
Deputy Director of the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology Denis Logunov said that on the outcomes of the clinical trials of the Sputnik V vaccine , volunteers developed no serious side effects .
The most common side effects documented after vaccination are pain in the injection area , hypothermia and headache , he explained .

MOSCOW, August 20. /TASS/. Russia will begin to vaccinate medics against COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus, next week. The vaccination of medics will be carried out concurrently with the post-registration trials, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev told reporters on Thursday.
"Vaccination of high-risk groups (medical professionals) will begin at the same time as the post-registration clinical trials. The people who will receive the vaccine will be duly monitored to ensure that all procedures are followed. After the registration, vaccination can begin, which will take place in Russia, for the most part," Dmitriev stated.
He added that the vaccination of high-risk groups would be voluntary, just like the vaccination of the Russian population on the whole.
On August 11, Russia became the first country to register a coronavirus vaccine, which was named Sputnik V. Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko informed that the vaccine created by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology had shown its effectiveness and safety on the outcomes of clinical trials. It is based on a platform that had been used for the development of a number of other vaccines. According to the Russian Health Ministry, practice shows that such vaccines are capable of developing long-term immunity that lasts for up to two years.
Deputy Director of the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology Denis Logunov said that on the outcomes of the clinical trials of the Sputnik V vaccine, volunteers developed no serious side effects. The most common side effects documented after vaccination are pain in the injection area, hypothermia and headache, he explained.


tass--2020-08-20--Russia expects prisoner exchange in Afghanistan to be completed soon — diplomat

MOSCOW , August 20 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow expects that difficulties related to a prisoner swap between the Kabul authorities and the Taliban movement ( outlawed in Russia ) will not hinder the launch of intra-Afghan talks , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Thursday .
`` We welcome the Taliban ’ s move to release 1,000 military and police personnel in accordance with the February 29 agreement with the US , and expect that the Afghan president ’ s decision on freeing the remaining militant prisoners , which was made after a Loya Jirga @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' she said .
Zakharova pointed to reports of new obstacles on the way to peaceful dialogue .
`` This is about the release of six militants involved in terrorist attacks on foreign nationals and Kabul ’ s recent demand to free two dozen Afghan special forces members held by the Taliban .
We hope that these issues will not hinder the launch of peaceful dialogue and will be resolved in the near future , '' she emphasized .
According to Zakharova , an early launch of intra-Afghan talks is in the interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country ’ s foreign partners .
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani signed a decree last week on the release of the last group of Taliban prisoners on the list that the Taliban had presented during talks with the US in February .
A Loya Jirga meeting earlier ruled to release the group though the Afghan authorities had been reluctant to free those militants saying that apart from being Taliban supporters they had also been involved in serious criminal offences .
The US and the Taliban signed the agreement in Qatar ’ s capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the document , up to 5,000 Taliban supporters and up to 1,000 people held by the Taliban need to be released before the launch of intra-Afghan talks .

MOSCOW, August 20. /TASS/. Moscow expects that difficulties related to a prisoner swap between the Kabul authorities and the Taliban movement (outlawed in Russia) will not hinder the launch of intra-Afghan talks, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Thursday.
"We welcome the Taliban’s move to release 1,000 military and police personnel in accordance with the February 29 agreement with the US, and expect that the Afghan president’s decision on freeing the remaining militant prisoners, which was made after a Loya Jirga meeting, will be implemented soon," she said.
Zakharova pointed to reports of new obstacles on the way to peaceful dialogue. "This is about the release of six militants involved in terrorist attacks on foreign nationals and Kabul’s recent demand to free two dozen Afghan special forces members held by the Taliban. We hope that these issues will not hinder the launch of peaceful dialogue and will be resolved in the near future," she emphasized.
According to Zakharova, an early launch of intra-Afghan talks is in the interest of both the people of Afghanistan and the country’s foreign partners.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani signed a decree last week on the release of the last group of Taliban prisoners on the list that the Taliban had presented during talks with the US in February. A Loya Jirga meeting earlier ruled to release the group though the Afghan authorities had been reluctant to free those militants saying that apart from being Taliban supporters they had also been involved in serious criminal offences.
The US and the Taliban signed the agreement in Qatar’s capital of Doha on February 29. According to the document, up to 5,000 Taliban supporters and up to 1,000 people held by the Taliban need to be released before the launch of intra-Afghan talks.


tass--2020-08-20--Almost all defendants in Ukrainian security service’s kidnapping plot plead guilty

`` After the detention , almost all of the defendants pleaded guilty in the presence of their lawyers and provided the details of the kidnapping plot , '' the source said .
MOSCOW , August 20 .
/TASS/ .
Members of an organized crime group who plotted to kidnap a man in Russia for the Ukrainian Security Service ( SBU ) pleaded guilty after their detention , a law enforcement source told TASS .
Lawyer Marina Mastinskaya , who represents one of the defendants , confirmed to TASS that her client had pleaded guilty .
`` We filed an appeal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to place him under house arrest , '' she said , noting that her client `` did not get a cash reward . ''
Charges have been brought against seven defendants who have been taken into custody until September 30 .
According to investigators , the group was recruited in July to kidnap a man in Russia and take him to Ukraine .
Seven Russian nationals were detained during a kidnapping attempt .
Investigators believe that the plot was orchestrated by two Ukrainian citizens .
A criminal case has been opened under Articles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian Criminal Code ( kidnapping attempt by an organized group ) .
Russia ’ s Federal Security Service ( FSB ) earlier on Thursday announced the detention of seven members of a crime group who had plotted to kidnap a Donbass militia leader on the order of the Ukrainian intelligence .
According to the FSB , the chief of the SBU counterintelligence department supervised the two Ukrainian organizers of the kidnapping plot .

"After the detention, almost all of the defendants pleaded guilty in the presence of their lawyers and provided the details of the kidnapping plot," the source said.
MOSCOW, August 20. /TASS/. Members of an organized crime group who plotted to kidnap a man in Russia for the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) pleaded guilty after their detention, a law enforcement source told TASS.
Lawyer Marina Mastinskaya, who represents one of the defendants, confirmed to TASS that her client had pleaded guilty. "We filed an appeal against his arrest and requested the court to place him under house arrest," she said, noting that her client "did not get a cash reward."
Charges have been brought against seven defendants who have been taken into custody until September 30.
According to investigators, the group was recruited in July to kidnap a man in Russia and take him to Ukraine. Seven Russian nationals were detained during a kidnapping attempt. Investigators believe that the plot was orchestrated by two Ukrainian citizens. A criminal case has been opened under Articles 30.3 (a) and 126.3 of the Russian Criminal Code (kidnapping attempt by an organized group).
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) earlier on Thursday announced the detention of seven members of a crime group who had plotted to kidnap a Donbass militia leader on the order of the Ukrainian intelligence. According to the FSB, the chief of the SBU counterintelligence department supervised the two Ukrainian organizers of the kidnapping plot.


tass--2020-08-20--Russian cosmonauts face no threat after air leak at orbital outpost

MOSCOW , August 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russian cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner face no threat aboard the International Space Station ( ISS ) following an air leak at the orbital outpost , the press office of Russia ’ s State Space Corporation Roscosmos told TASS on Thursday .
A source earlier told TASS that sensors in the Russian segment of the ISS registered an air leak at the space station .
`` There is no danger for the crew and the station , '' Roscosmos said .
The International Space Station ( ISS ) crew will move to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Roscosmos informed TASS .
`` According to the Lead Operational Control Team for ISS Russian Segment , on Friday the crewmembers will move to the Zvezda module to set up pressure control in the US segment , '' the agency said .
Roscosmos clarified that the procedure `` is outlined in the board documentation and is a joint decision by the operational control teams of the US and the Russian segments of the International Space Station . ''
A source familiar with the situation told TASS that the ISS Russian-US crew was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As the source specified , the specialists are planning to sequentially seal off the station ’ s modules to determine where the pressure was falling .
As the source said , `` the air leak was registered by the sensors of the station ’ s Russian segment for measuring the content of nitrogen , oxygen and carbon dioxide in the station ’ s atmosphere . ''
Last time , an air leak occurred at the ISS on August 30 , 2018 when a drop in pressure was detected at the space station .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been caused by an air leak after the Soyuz spacecraft docked to the station , coming from a hole in the spacecraft ’ s habitation module .
A few days later , experts on Earth concluded that the hole had been drilled from inside the Soyuz .

MOSCOW, August 20. /TASS/. Russian cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner face no threat aboard the International Space Station (ISS) following an air leak at the orbital outpost, the press office of Russia’s State Space Corporation Roscosmos told TASS on Thursday.
A source earlier told TASS that sensors in the Russian segment of the ISS registered an air leak at the space station.
"There is no danger for the crew and the station," Roscosmos said.
The International Space Station (ISS) crew will move to the Zvezda Service Module for three days, Roscosmos informed TASS. "According to the Lead Operational Control Team for ISS Russian Segment, on Friday the crewmembers will move to the Zvezda module to set up pressure control in the US segment," the agency said.
Roscosmos clarified that the procedure "is outlined in the board documentation and is a joint decision by the operational control teams of the US and the Russian segments of the International Space Station."
A source familiar with the situation told TASS that the ISS Russian-US crew was working to localize the air leak. As the source specified, the specialists are planning to sequentially seal off the station’s modules to determine where the pressure was falling.
As the source said, "the air leak was registered by the sensors of the station’s Russian segment for measuring the content of nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide in the station’s atmosphere."
Last time, an air leak occurred at the ISS on August 30, 2018 when a drop in pressure was detected at the space station. It turned out that the pressure plunge had been caused by an air leak after the Soyuz spacecraft docked to the station, coming from a hole in the spacecraft’s habitation module. A few days later, experts on Earth concluded that the hole had been drilled from inside the Soyuz.


tass--2020-08-20--Putin: Sanctions against Russia can be overcome

MOSCOW , August 20 /TASS/ .
Sanctions introduced against Russia and obstructing development of Crimea create problems but can be @ @ @ @ @ Putin said on Thursday .
`` I regret to say that certain obstacles and roadblocks @ @ @ @ @ [ in Crimea ] by different methods .
Well-known restrictions , sanctions and so on @ @ @ @ @ head of state said .
`` Nevertheless , this is a matter of skill .
@ @ @ @ @ there 's a way , so we will overcome any difficulties , '' Putin asserted @

MOSCOW, August 20 /TASS/. Sanctions introduced against Russia and obstructing development of Crimea create problems but can be overcome, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.
"I regret to say that certain obstacles and roadblocks are created for us there [in Crimea] by different methods. Well-known restrictions, sanctions and so on are introduced," the head of state said. "Nevertheless, this is a matter of skill. Where there's a will there's a way, so we will overcome any difficulties," Putin asserted.


tass--2020-08-20--Scientists: Containment booms reduce environmental impact from oil spill near Norilsk

KRASNOYARSK , August 20 .
/TASS/ .
Containment booms significantly reduced the environmental impact from the oil spill near Norilsk .
Examination of the area , where the Ambarnaya River flows into Lake Pyasino , shows that the contamination did not affect the feed base of rodents and birds much , the Big Norilsk Expedition ’ s press service said on Thursday .
“ Several teams of the Big Norilsk Expedition spent a few days working at the confluence of the Ambarnaya River with Lake Pyasino , ” the press service said .
“ Experts in various academic disciplines examined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , soil and sediments < … > According to Igor Makhatkov of the Scientific and Research Institute of the Agriculture of the Extreme North , the installed containment booms have slowed down effectively the pollution and reduced the environmental damage.
” During the expedition , a team of zoologists examined the area , where the Ambarnaya River flows into Lake Pyasino .
They came to the conclusion that the oil spill led to insignificant reduction in the feed resources of rodents and birds .
“ In similar situations , you know , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil , or dead animals .
Nothing of the kind was seen there .
Broods are unaffected , at least we have not registered mortality , ” Alexander Shishkin of the Sukachev Institute of Forest said , adding that the only exception were wagtails , which at this time of year normally roam in families , but now only young single birds were spotted .
A team of geochronologists joined the expedition ’ s field stage .
Experts took soil samples for geochemical tests and obtained the soil profile .
Sampling results will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of any – the scientists will learn how and when it was accumulated .
Based on these results , the scientists will make a geochemical map of the soil in the Norilsk Industrial District and will evaluate its current conditions .
The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences for the first time in recent years headed for the Taimyr Peninsula at the invitation of Nornickel .
The big scientific expedition will study the peninsula and later on scientists will present suggestions for industrial companies , working in the Arctic , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expedition ’ s key points are watersheds of the Rivers Pyasina , Norilka and Ambarnaya and Lake Pyasino .
The expedition will work for five months – from July to November .
It will feature experts from 14 research institutes of the Academy of Sciences ’ Siberian Branch .
By the end of August , they will collect samples of soils , plants and sediments and then will begin working at labs .
The first results may be available in November-December 2020 .

KRASNOYARSK, August 20. /TASS/. Containment booms significantly reduced the environmental impact from the oil spill near Norilsk. Examination of the area, where the Ambarnaya River flows into Lake Pyasino, shows that the contamination did not affect the feed base of rodents and birds much, the Great Norilsk Expedition’s press service said on Thursday.
“Several teams of the Great Norilsk Expedition spent a few days working at the confluence of the Ambarnaya River with Lake Pyasino,” the press service said. “Experts in various academic disciplines examined seven points and took samples of water, soil and sediments <…> According to Igor Makhatkov of the Scientific and Research Institute of the Agriculture of the Extreme North, the installed containment booms have slowed down effectively the pollution and reduced the environmental damage.”
During the expedition, a team of zoologists examined the area, where the Ambarnaya River flows into Lake Pyasino. They came to the conclusion that the oil spill led to insignificant reduction in the feed resources of rodents and birds.
“In similar situations, you know, we often see pictures of birds smeared in oil, or dead animals. Nothing of the kind was seen there. Broods are unaffected, at least we have not registered mortality,” Alexander Shishkin of the Sukachev Institute of Forest said, adding that the only exception were wagtails, which at this time of year normally roam in families, but now only young single birds were spotted.
A team of geochronologists joined the expedition’s field stage. Experts took soil samples for geochemical tests and obtained the soil profile. Sampling results will show possible pollution, and in case of any – the scientists will learn how and when it was accumulated. Based on these results, the scientists will make a geochemical map of the soil in the Norilsk Industrial District and will evaluate its current conditions.
About expedition to Taimyr
The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences for the first time in recent years headed for the Taimyr Peninsula at the invitation of Nornickel. The big scientific expedition will study the peninsula and later on scientists will present suggestions for industrial companies, working in the Arctic, on how to preserve the nature.
The expedition’s key points are watersheds of the Rivers Pyasina, Norilka and Ambarnaya and Lake Pyasino. The expedition will work for five months – from July to November. It will feature experts from 14 research institutes of the Academy of Sciences’ Siberian Branch. By the end of August, they will collect samples of soils, plants and sediments and then will begin working at labs. The first results may be available in November-December 2020.