tass--2020-12-22--China conducts first launch of state-of-the-art CZ-8 vehicle with five satellites on board

BEIJING , December 22 .
/TASS/ .
China carried out the first successful launch of the newest launch vehicle CZ-8 ( `` Changzheng-8 '' , English name Long March 8 ) on Tuesday with five satellites on board , reported China Central Television .
According to the news outlet , the launch took place from the Wenchang cosmodrome ( southern Hainan province ) at 12:37 local time ( 07:37 Moscow time ) .
After 15 minutes , the rocket reached heliosynchronous orbit at an altitude of 512 km .
Then five satellites separated from it : one experimental apparatus and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 356th launch for the Changzheng series launch vehicles .
The CZ-8 is a two-stage medium launch vehicle with low-temperature liquid propellant engines running on eco-friendly fuel .
Unlike other rockets in this series , the CZ-8 runs on liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen — the result of their combustion is water , which makes this engine harmless to the environment .
They are designed to launch spacecraft into geo- and heliosynchronous orbits .
Another feature of this rocket is that its design provides for the possibility of reusing the first stage engine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they must make a soft landing .
This greatly reduces the cost of each launch , which makes the rocket especially attractive for commercial use .

BEIJING, December 22. /TASS/. China carried out the first successful launch of the newest launch vehicle CZ-8 ("Changzheng-8", English name Long March 8) on Tuesday with five satellites on board, reported China Central Television.
According to the news outlet, the launch took place from the Wenchang cosmodrome (southern Hainan province) at 12:37 local time (07:37 Moscow time). After 15 minutes, the rocket reached heliosynchronous orbit at an altitude of 512 km. Then five satellites separated from it: one experimental apparatus and four private probes.
This launch marks the 356th launch for the Changzheng series launch vehicles.
The CZ-8 is a two-stage medium launch vehicle with low-temperature liquid propellant engines running on eco-friendly fuel. Unlike other rockets in this series, the CZ-8 runs on liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen — the result of their combustion is water, which makes this engine harmless to the environment. They are designed to launch spacecraft into geo- and heliosynchronous orbits.
Another feature of this rocket is that its design provides for the possibility of reusing the first stage engine and two upper stages — after takeoff, they must make a soft landing. This greatly reduces the cost of each launch, which makes the rocket especially attractive for commercial use.


tass--2020-12-22--Another 5,003 patients recover from COVID-19 in Moscow

MOSCOW , December 22 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow ’ s coronavirus recoveries grew by 5,003 in the past 24 hours @ @ @ @ @ ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Tuesday .
`` Another 5,003 coronavirus patients have @ @ @ @ @ capital .
The total number of people who have recovered from the infection has risen @ @ @ @ @ crisis center said .
After treatment , doctors conduct special tests to confirm the absence @ @ @ @ @ patients who need to remain under medical supervision receive the necessary recommendations .
Those patients @ @ @ @ @ to become plasma donors .
People aged from 18 to 55 years who have recovered @ @ @ @ @ no chronic diseases can become blood plasma donors , provided they don ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ for HIV , Hepatitis B and C. People who have recovered can also become social @ @ @ @ @ are being treated at home .

MOSCOW, December 22. /TASS/. Moscow’s coronavirus recoveries grew by 5,003 in the past 24 hours reaching 577,544, the city’s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Tuesday.
"Another 5,003 coronavirus patients have recovered after treatment in the capital. The total number of people who have recovered from the infection has risen to 577,544," the crisis center said.
After treatment, doctors conduct special tests to confirm the absence of the disease. All patients who need to remain under medical supervision receive the necessary recommendations.
Those patients who have recovered are offered to become plasma donors. People aged from 18 to 55 years who have recovered from COVID-19 and who have no chronic diseases can become blood plasma donors, provided they don’t have chronic diseases and test negative for HIV, Hepatitis B and C.
People who have recovered can also become social volunteers and help those who are being treated at home.


tass--2020-12-22--Risen Obtains Project Financing from DEG

NINGBO , China , December 22 .
/PRNewswire/ .
Lately , Risen has successfully finished all the CPs to the first disbursement and successfully reached the financial close of the Project Financing of the 73MWp solar project in Cambodia , Risen Energy has signed a $ 45 million long-term Debt Financing with DEG and ICCF ( The Interact Climate Change Facility , a company incorporated as `` Société Anonyme '' owned by the French Development Agency ( AFD ) , the European Investment Bank and eleven European Development Finance Institutions ) .
Risen Energy is the only Chinese company in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both DEG and EBRD , demonstrating its strong international financing capabilities .
The financing will be used for a Cambodian independent solar farm .
As a global leading solar PV company , Risen Energy has received international project financing on several occasions .
Risen Energy has signed financing agreements with EBRD for Kazakhstan 's 50MW solar farm and another 40MW PV project .
By doing so , Risen has established the first self-invested , built , and operated independent power stations .
This demonstrates Risen Energy 's ability in building large-scale solar farms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ built , and operated ' .
Risen Energy has engaged in the R & D and production of solar cells and modules as well as the construction and operation of PV solar farms .
The company has accumulated rich technical experience and reached to the international standard .
Currently , in addition to existing overseas solar farms in Europe , America and Australia , Risen Energy has also invested in LATAM , Central Asia and Southeast Asia .
The success in achieving financing for the Cambodian project represents Risen Energy 's new phase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ milestone in the overseas markets .
`` DEG is very proud in taking an active role in helping Cambodia on its route to more renewable energy .
Thanks to the successful collaboration with Risen Group , the project will be one of the first major utility scale solar power plants in the country .
On the back of this successful transaction , DEG is looking to do more projects in the renewables sector in the region to accelerate the growth of green energy capacities and to combat carbon emissions , '' said Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Infrastructure and Energy Asia/ Europe , DEG .
Regarding the successful cooperation with DEG , Ms. Jieling Zhang , Director of Oversea Project Finance and Investment of Risen Energy , said , `` This is a great achievement for both Risen and DEG .
We are grateful to work with DEG , who is a global Development Finance Institution with rich experiences and good reputation in cross-border project coordination .
The experience greatly enhances our ability in overseas project development , financing and construction , providing strong support for moving towards a broader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the future co-operation with DEG and fighting the global warming together ! ''

NINGBO, China, December 22. /PRNewswire/. Lately, Risen has successfully finished all the CPs to the first disbursement and successfully reached the financial close of the Project Financing of the 73MWp solar project in Cambodia, Risen Energy has signed a $45 million long-term Debt Financing with DEG and ICCF (The Interact Climate Change Facility, a company incorporated as "Société Anonyme" owned by the French Development Agency (AFD), the European Investment Bank and eleven European Development Finance Institutions). Risen Energy is the only Chinese company in the industry to get project financing from both DEG and EBRD, demonstrating its strong international financing capabilities. The financing will be used for a Cambodian independent solar farm.
As a global leading solar PV company, Risen Energy has received international project financing on several occasions. Risen Energy has signed financing agreements with EBRD for Kazakhstan's 50MW solar farm and another 40MW PV project. By doing so, Risen has established the first self-invested, built, and operated independent power stations. This demonstrates Risen Energy's ability in building large-scale solar farms and enhances its model for 'self-invested, built, and operated'.
Risen Energy has engaged in the R&D and production of solar cells and modules as well as the construction and operation of PV solar farms. The company has accumulated rich technical experience and reached to the international standard. Currently, in addition to existing overseas solar farms in Europe, America and Australia, Risen Energy has also invested in LATAM, Central Asia and Southeast Asia.
The success in achieving financing for the Cambodian project represents Risen Energy's new phase in Cambodian market as well as a milestone in the overseas markets.
"DEG is very proud in taking an active role in helping Cambodia on its route to more renewable energy. Thanks to the successful collaboration with Risen Group, the project will be one of the first major utility scale solar power plants in the country. On the back of this successful transaction, DEG is looking to do more projects in the renewables sector in the region to accelerate the growth of green energy capacities and to combat carbon emissions," said Mr. Felix Busse, the Vice President in Infrastructure and Energy Asia/ Europe, DEG.
Regarding the successful cooperation with DEG, Ms. Jieling Zhang, Director of Oversea Project Finance and Investment of Risen Energy, said, "This is a great achievement for both Risen and DEG. We are grateful to work with DEG, who is a global Development Finance Institution with rich experiences and good reputation in cross-border project coordination. The experience greatly enhances our ability in overseas project development, financing and construction, providing strong support for moving towards a broader overseas market. We look forward to the future co-operation with DEG and fighting the global warming together!"
CONTACT: Tina Feng, +86-57459953077


tass--2020-12-22--Almost 9,000 people in Moscow donate plasma with COVID-19 antibodies since April

MOSCOW , December 22 .
/TASS/ .
A total of 8,825 people in Moscow have become donors of plasma with coronavirus antibodies , they donated plasma more than 10,500 times , the Moscow mayor ’ s official website reported .
`` [ A total of ] 8,825 Moscow residents have donated plasma with COVID antibodies since April , they have undergone more than 10,500 procedures .
About 13.5 % of the donors have done that several times , '' the report said .
People who recover from COVID-19 continue to produce antibodies for several months .
Plasma can be donated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In this case , the interval between donations should be two weeks .
According to the clinical committee ’ s decision , plasma with COVID-19 antibodies is used for treating hospital patients with moderate and severe conditions .
The decision on its transfusion is made by the attending physician depending on the clinical picture .
This method is a component of comprehensive treatment .
Thanks to plasma transfusion , the likelihood that a patient ’ s condition will deteriorate and he or she will be connected to a ventilator drops by almost half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19 % .
`` People aged between 18 and 55 years old who have recovered from COVID-19 and weigh more than 50 kilograms are invited to become donors .
Five weeks should pass after the first symptoms of COVID-19 appear .
Chronic diseases , HIV , syphilis and viral hepatitis are among the contraindications , '' the report said .
To date , 2,877,727 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 2,295,362 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 51,351 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, December 22. /TASS/. A total of 8,825 people in Moscow have become donors of plasma with coronavirus antibodies, they donated plasma more than 10,500 times, the Moscow mayor’s official website reported.
"[A total of] 8,825 Moscow residents have donated plasma with COVID antibodies since April, they have undergone more than 10,500 procedures. About 13.5% of the donors have done that several times," the report said.
People who recover from COVID-19 continue to produce antibodies for several months. Plasma can be donated up to 20 times a year. In this case, the interval between donations should be two weeks.
According to the clinical committee’s decision, plasma with COVID-19 antibodies is used for treating hospital patients with moderate and severe conditions. The decision on its transfusion is made by the attending physician depending on the clinical picture. This method is a component of comprehensive treatment.
Thanks to plasma transfusion, the likelihood that a patient’s condition will deteriorate and he or she will be connected to a ventilator drops by almost half, while the survival rate grows by 19%.
"People aged between 18 and 55 years old who have recovered from COVID-19 and weigh more than 50 kilograms are invited to become donors. Five weeks should pass after the first symptoms of COVID-19 appear. Chronic diseases, HIV, syphilis and viral hepatitis are among the contraindications," the report said.
To date, 2,877,727 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 2,295,362 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 51,351 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-12-22--Russian envoy calls US export restrictions destructive, says they undermine interaction

WASHINGTON , December 22 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow believes that the export restrictions imposed by the US Department of Commerce @ @ @ @ @ Russian organizations and industrial enterprises are destructive and such steps drive relations into an even @ @ @ @ @ to Washington Anatoly Antonov said on Tuesday , answering media questions .
`` Such actions @ @ @ @ @ .
They not only undermine the continuing economic interaction between our countries , but also @ @ @ @ @ '' the ambassador stressed .
`` Baseless allegations that our flagship industrial companies , scientific @ @ @ @ @ `` undermine '' the US national security are absolutely unacceptable . ''
According to Antonov @ @ @ @ @ our relations into an even deeper crisis . ''
`` It will be possible to @ @ @ @ @ only if the United States is ready to build relations on the principles of equality @ @ @ @ @ far , we do not see such a desire , '' he noted .

WASHINGTON, December 22. /TASS/. Moscow believes that the export restrictions imposed by the US Department of Commerce on more than four dozen Russian organizations and industrial enterprises are destructive and such steps drive relations into an even deeper crisis, Russian Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov said on Tuesday, answering media questions.
"Such actions of the administration are destructive. They not only undermine the continuing economic interaction between our countries, but also diminish any positive prospects," the ambassador stressed. "Baseless allegations that our flagship industrial companies, scientific and R&D institutes "undermine" the US national security are absolutely unacceptable."
According to Antonov, "such steps drive our relations into an even deeper crisis." "It will be possible to get out of this crisis only if the United States is ready to build relations on the principles of equality and mutual respect. So far, we do not see such a desire," he noted.


tass--2020-12-22--Malaysia plans to get Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine, prime minister says

SINGAPORE , December 22 .
/TASS/ .
Malaysia ’ s authorities signed a deal on purchasing 6.4 mln doses of a coronavirus vaccine produced by British-Swedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and also expect Russia ’ s Sputnik V , Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said in his televised speech on Tuesday .
The Vaccine Supplies Access Guarantee Special Committee , co-chaired by the Health Minister and the Science , Technology and Innovation Minister , will ensure the vaccines could be acquired fast , he said .
The government is also `` in the final stage of negotiation with Sinovac , CanSino and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secure vaccine supply . ''
`` We will make certain that the acquired vaccines are safe and effective , '' he stressed , also announcing plans to be among the first ones to receive the vaccine .
On December 13 , the head of government said in late November 3 bln Malaysian ringgits ( $ 700 mln ) had been allocated to purchase the vaccine .
Last month , an agreement was reached with Pfizer , which is due to supply 12.8 mln doses of the vaccine in 2021 .
Russia was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry .
The vaccine was registered on August 11 and on December 21 it was registered in Belarus .

SINGAPORE, December 22. /TASS/. Malaysia’s authorities signed a deal on purchasing 6.4 mln doses of a coronavirus vaccine produced by British-Swedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and also expect Russia’s Sputnik V, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said in his televised speech on Tuesday.
The Vaccine Supplies Access Guarantee Special Committee, co-chaired by the Health Minister and the Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, will ensure the vaccines could be acquired fast, he said. The government is also "in the final stage of negotiation with Sinovac, CanSino and Gamaleya [Sputnik V producer] to secure vaccine supply."
"We will make certain that the acquired vaccines are safe and effective," he stressed, also announcing plans to be among the first ones to receive the vaccine.
On December 13, the head of government said in late November 3 bln Malaysian ringgits ($700 mln) had been allocated to purchase the vaccine. Last month, an agreement was reached with Pfizer, which is due to supply 12.8 mln doses of the vaccine in 2021.
Russia was the first in the world to register a coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry. The vaccine was registered on August 11 and on December 21 it was registered in Belarus.


tass--2020-12-21--Chinese research vessel Tanso-2 returns to Sanya's port after the expedition

SANYA , December 21 .
/TASS/ .
The Chinese research vessel Tanso-2 with the deep-water manned vehicle Shenhai Yongshi ( Deep Sea Warrior ) anchored on Monday in the port of Sanya after an ocean expedition , reported Xinhua citing the Institute of Deep Sea Research and Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences .
Shenhai Yongshi is able to study resources , flora and fauna while diving to a depth of 4.5 km , as well as perform a number of other research tasks .
In April 2020 , during a dive on this device , the Chinese scientists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three meters long at a depth of 1,600 meters .
This is the first such discovery in the South China Sea .
All over the world , there are only about 50 such findings .
Earlier , the `` Tanso-2 '' ship took part in the mission of the manned bathyscaphe Fendouzhe ( The Warrior ) , which was on board another research vessel , `` Tanso-1 '' , which returned to the port of Sanya at the end of November .
On November 10 , this device set a new dive record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abyss to a depth of 10,909 meters in the Mariana Trench .
The Challenger Abyss is a deep canyon in the western Pacific Ocean , located 500 km southwest of Guam .
It is named after the British survey ship , whose crew members were the first to measure this deepest depression on Earth in 1875 .
Chinese scientists are gradually improving technology and achieving ever deeper immersion in the Mariana Trench .
Previously , Fendouzhe demonstrated the best result for China on October 27 , reaching a depth of 10,058 meters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , other manned vehicles were also tested , including Jiaolong , but the absolute world record still belongs to the Five Deeps expedition , led by 54-year-old American Victor Veskovo .
In May 2019 , he single-handedly dived to 10,928 meters .

SANYA, December 21. /TASS/. The Chinese research vessel Tanso-2 with the deep-water manned vehicle Shenhai Yongshi (Deep Sea Warrior) anchored on Monday in the port of Sanya after an ocean expedition, reported Xinhua citing the Institute of Deep Sea Research and Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Shenhai Yongshi is able to study resources, flora and fauna while diving to a depth of 4.5 km, as well as perform a number of other research tasks. In April 2020, during a dive on this device, the Chinese scientists discovered the remains of a whale approximately three meters long at a depth of 1,600 meters. This is the first such discovery in the South China Sea. All over the world, there are only about 50 such findings.
Earlier, the "Tanso-2" ship took part in the mission of the manned bathyscaphe Fendouzhe (The Warrior), which was on board another research vessel, "Tanso-1", which returned to the port of Sanya at the end of November. On November 10, this device set a new dive record for China, sinking into the Challenger Abyss to a depth of 10,909 meters in the Mariana Trench.
The Challenger Abyss is a deep canyon in the western Pacific Ocean, located 500 km southwest of Guam. It is named after the British survey ship, whose crew members were the first to measure this deepest depression on Earth in 1875.
Chinese scientists are gradually improving technology and achieving ever deeper immersion in the Mariana Trench. Previously, Fendouzhe demonstrated the best result for China on October 27, reaching a depth of 10,058 meters. In this part of the Pacific Ocean, other manned vehicles were also tested, including Jiaolong, but the absolute world record still belongs to the Five Deeps expedition, led by 54-year-old American Victor Veskovo. In May 2019, he single-handedly dived to 10,928 meters.


tass--2020-12-23--One in three Russians not keeping track of personal finances, says poll

MOSCOW , December 23 .
/ TASS / .
More than half of economically active Russians ( 53 % ) keep an approximate account of their income and expenses , 14 % are engaged in strict calculation , and 33 % do not do it at all , according to the results of a survey conducted by the SuperJob job search service available to TASS on Wednesday .
Not keeping track of finances , according to the study , is more common among young people under 24 ( 37 % ) , as well as respondents with income less than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At the same time , half of Russians ( 40 % ) plan their income and expenses for six months or less , for a longer period - up to a year - 12 % expect money .
Men are more likely to calculate a budget for a period from six months to a year ( 14 % versus 10 % among women ) , and 30 % of respondents do not make any financial plans , this is more typical of respondents over 45 years old ( 33 % ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30,000 to 50,000 rubles .
( 32 % ) When answering the question about the financial cushion , 40 % of the respondents stated that they had no savings , 14 % of the respondents in case of loss of income will have enough funds for less than a month , every fifth person - for 1-3 months , another 12 % - from 3 months to six months .
Out of all , 7 % of respondents said that their savings will last for six months or a year , another 7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The study was conducted from November 18 to December 18 of the current year in all districts of the Russian Federation .
It was attended by 1,600 representatives of the economically active population of Russia .

MOSCOW, December 23. / TASS /. More than half of economically active Russians (53%) keep an approximate account of their income and expenses, 14% are engaged in strict calculation, and 33% do not do it at all, according to the results of a survey conducted by the SuperJob job search service available to TASS on Wednesday.
Not keeping track of finances, according to the study, is more common among young people under 24 (37%), as well as respondents with income less than 50,000 rubles. (36%). At the same time, half of Russians (40%) plan their income and expenses for six months or less, for a longer period - up to a year - 12% expect money. Men are more likely to calculate a budget for a period from six months to a year (14% versus 10% among women), and 30% of respondents do not make any financial plans, this is more typical of respondents over 45 years old (33%), as well as those with income from 30,000 to 50,000 rubles. (32%)
When answering the question about the financial cushion, 40% of the respondents stated that they had no savings, 14% of the respondents in case of loss of income will have enough funds for less than a month, every fifth person - for 1-3 months, another 12% - from 3 months to six months. Out of all, 7% of respondents said that their savings will last for six months or a year, another 7% - for more than a year. The study was conducted from November 18 to December 18 of the current year in all districts of the Russian Federation. It was attended by 1,600 representatives of the economically active population of Russia.


tass--2020-12-23--Female pilots may join Russian long-range military aviation crews, says commander

MOSCOW , December 23 .
/TASS/ .
Female pilots could be accepted to the Russian Air Force ’ s long-range @ @ @ @ @ says LRA commander Lieutenant General Sergey Kobylash .
`` If girls want to fly , @ @ @ @ @ opportunity .
But we will see how they prove themselves after they take their place @ @ @ @ @ we do get ready for this , '' Kobylash said .
He explained that women @ @ @ @ @ the education center , where they will familiarize themselves with this type of planes .
@ @ @ @ @ including male ones , can master such big and complex machines .
Let ’ s @ @ @ @ @ .
Maybe , they will master it even easier , '' he noted .
Previously @ @ @ @ @ disclosed that four female cadets of the Krasnodar High Aviation School started training flights on @ @ @ @ @ train for long-range , fighter and strike aviation .

MOSCOW, December 23. /TASS/. Female pilots could be accepted to the Russian Air Force’s long-range aviation (LRA), says LRA commander Lieutenant General Sergey Kobylash.
"If girls want to fly, we should give them this opportunity. But we will see how they prove themselves after they take their place in the ranks. But we do get ready for this," Kobylash said.
He explained that women will first undergo training at the education center, where they will familiarize themselves with this type of planes.
"Not every pilot, including male ones, can master such big and complex machines. Let’s see how girls prove themselves. Maybe, they will master it even easier," he noted.
Previously, Russian Ministry of Defense disclosed that four female cadets of the Krasnodar High Aviation School started training flights on L-39 training planes. They train for long-range, fighter and strike aviation.


tass--2020-12-23--Moscow anti-coronavirus system functioning well, says deputy mayor

MOSCOW , December 23 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow ’ s healthcare system set up to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic is functioning well , it does need additional adjustments , Moscow Deputy Mayor Anastasia Rakova said on Wednesday in an interview with Yandex.Efir .
`` We honed the working technique during the summer , when there was a slight break .
We tried new medicine , purchased great quantities of it , and by the fall , we were more prepared .
So far , this is a huge technological system that is working accurately with great effort .
It does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Rakova pointed out that the first wave of the pandemic had been more difficult in Moscow , because the work of many systems needed to be changed .
The second wave is easier despite the high infection rate , as Moscow officials have developed the necessary schemes to implement certain solutions and prepared the corresponding infrastructure .
`` We worked through the entire first wave , the measures proved to be effective , we honed them over the summer .
By late May , when the pandemic was going down , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the future , '' she explained .
Moscow ranks first in Russia on the amount of COVID-19 cases .
There are 756,586 cases of coronavirus recorded in the Russian capital , 582,772 patients have recovered and 10,613 have died .

MOSCOW, December 23. /TASS/. Moscow’s healthcare system set up to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic is functioning well, it does need additional adjustments, Moscow Deputy Mayor Anastasia Rakova said on Wednesday in an interview with Yandex.Efir.
"We honed the working technique during the summer, when there was a slight break. We tried new medicine, purchased great quantities of it, and by the fall, we were more prepared. So far, this is a huge technological system that is working accurately with great effort. It does not need additional adjustments," she said.
Rakova pointed out that the first wave of the pandemic had been more difficult in Moscow, because the work of many systems needed to be changed. The second wave is easier despite the high infection rate, as Moscow officials have developed the necessary schemes to implement certain solutions and prepared the corresponding infrastructure.
"We worked through the entire first wave, the measures proved to be effective, we honed them over the summer. By late May, when the pandemic was going down, we allocated 7,000 beds at temporary hospitals for the future," she explained.
Moscow ranks first in Russia on the amount of COVID-19 cases. There are 756,586 cases of coronavirus recorded in the Russian capital, 582,772 patients have recovered and 10,613 have died.


tass--2020-12-23--Latest amphibious assault ship accepted for service in Russian Navy

KALININGRAD , December 23 .
/TASS/ .
The Project 11711 large amphibious assault ship Pyotr Morgunov built at the Yantar Shipyard ( part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation ) has been accepted for service in the Russian Navy , a TASS correspondent reports from the scene .
The Russian Navy ’ s St. Andrew ’ s flag was officially raised aboard the warship .
`` I express the confidence that the crew … will worthily represent the Russian Navy in the World Ocean , '' Navy Commander-in-Chief Nikolai Yevmenov said at the official ceremony .
The Pyotr Morgunov is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Nevskoye Design Bureau .
The contract on the warship ’ s construction was concluded with Russia ’ s Defense Ministry in September 2014 .
The warship was laid down in June 2015 and put afloat in May 2018 .
The shipbuilders ’ sea trials began in December 2019 and were completed in September this year .
In November , the latest warship wrapped up the program of state trials in the Baltic Sea .
The large amphibious assault ship Pyotr Morgunov will operate in Russia ’ s Northern Fleet and the crew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already staying on its board .
The warship has been named after the first holder of the 1st Class Nakhimov Order , chief of the Black Sea Fleet ’ s coastal defense during the Soviet Union ’ s 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War against Nazi Germany Lieutenant-General Pyotr Morgunov .
The Pyotr Morgunov is the Project 11711 second warship .
The Project ’ s lead ship Ivan Gren was floated out in Kaliningrad in May 2012 .
It was accepted for service in the Russian Navy on June 20 , 2018 .
The Pyotr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and displaces 5,000 tonnes .
It will be able to take on its board 13 main battle tanks , or 36 armored personnel carriers or infantry fighting vehicles .
An option is envisaged for taking a marine infantry battalion on its board .
The amphibious assault ship can also transport a reinforced marine infantry company with organic military hardware and land it with the use of pontoons .
The amphibious assault ship is armed with two 30mm AK-630M six-barrel artillery guns , a doubled AK-630M-2 ‘ Duet ’ gun system with a Laska @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carry helicopters in its deck hangars .

KALININGRAD, December 23. /TASS/. The Project 11711 large amphibious assault ship Pyotr Morgunov built at the Yantar Shipyard (part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation) has been accepted for service in the Russian Navy, a TASS correspondent reports from the scene.
The Russian Navy’s St. Andrew’s flag was officially raised aboard the warship.
"I express the confidence that the crew … will worthily represent the Russian Navy in the World Ocean," Navy Commander-in-Chief Nikolai Yevmenov said at the official ceremony.
The Pyotr Morgunov is the first serial-produced Project 11711 warship designed by the Nevskoye Design Bureau. The contract on the warship’s construction was concluded with Russia’s Defense Ministry in September 2014. The warship was laid down in June 2015 and put afloat in May 2018. The shipbuilders’ sea trials began in December 2019 and were completed in September this year.
In November, the latest warship wrapped up the program of state trials in the Baltic Sea. The large amphibious assault ship Pyotr Morgunov will operate in Russia’s Northern Fleet and the crew of the Fleet’s sailors is already staying on its board.
The warship has been named after the first holder of the 1st Class Nakhimov Order, chief of the Black Sea Fleet’s coastal defense during the Soviet Union’s 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War against Nazi Germany Lieutenant-General Pyotr Morgunov.
The Pyotr Morgunov is the Project 11711 second warship. The Project’s lead ship Ivan Gren was floated out in Kaliningrad in May 2012. It was accepted for service in the Russian Navy on June 20, 2018.
The Pyotr Morgunov is the largest in its class and displaces 5,000 tonnes. It will be able to take on its board 13 main battle tanks, or 36 armored personnel carriers or infantry fighting vehicles. An option is envisaged for taking a marine infantry battalion on its board.
The amphibious assault ship can also transport a reinforced marine infantry company with organic military hardware and land it with the use of pontoons.
The amphibious assault ship is armed with two 30mm AK-630M six-barrel artillery guns, a doubled AK-630M-2 ‘Duet’ gun system with a Laska fire control radar. The warship can carry helicopters in its deck hangars.


tass--2020-12-23--Russian tech firm to quadruple service life of engine for Tu-95MS strategic bomber

SAMARA , December 23 .
/TASS/ .
The service life of the modernized NK-12MPM engine for the Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic bomber will increase four-fold , Chief Designer of UEC-Kuznetsov Company ( part of the United Engine Corporation within the state tech corporation Rostec ) Pavel Chupin said on Wednesday .
Currently , the state joint trials of the engine and the Tu-95MSM bomber are ongoing , he said .
`` They are nearing completion .
The larger part of the trials has been completed , '' Chupin said .
Work is currently underway to increase the engine ’ s service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Pursuant to the practice accepted for any gas turbine engine , the initial service life is defined following the results of the trials .
After that , work continues to extend the engine ’ s life .
We are planning to increase the engine ’ s service life four-fold compared to current figures , '' Chupin said .
Pursuant to the existing plans , the NK-12MP engines will be upgraded to the NK-12MPM level during major repairs provided that there is a relevant order placed by Russia ’ s Defense Ministry , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of production , I believe that the enterprise is ready for that , '' he stressed .
The NK-12MPM engine developed by the Samara-based UEC-Kuznetsov Company is a modification of the NK-12MP , the world ’ s most powerful serial-produced turboprop ( 15,000 hp ) .
The new power plant features more powerful propellers created by Aerosila Research and Production Enterprise .
The new design solutions incorporated in the engine have helped almost halve its vibration level .
Tu-95MS aircraft are the air component of Russia ’ s nuclear triad .
Tu-95MS strategic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against vital targets in remote areas and deep in the rear of continental theaters of military operations .

SAMARA, December 23. /TASS/. The service life of the modernized NK-12MPM engine for the Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic bomber will increase four-fold, Chief Designer of UEC-Kuznetsov Company (part of the United Engine Corporation within the state tech corporation Rostec) Pavel Chupin said on Wednesday.
Currently, the state joint trials of the engine and the Tu-95MSM bomber are ongoing, he said. "They are nearing completion. The larger part of the trials has been completed," Chupin said.
Work is currently underway to increase the engine’s service life, the chief designer said.
"Pursuant to the practice accepted for any gas turbine engine, the initial service life is defined following the results of the trials. After that, work continues to extend the engine’s life. We are planning to increase the engine’s service life four-fold compared to current figures," Chupin said.
Pursuant to the existing plans, the NK-12MP engines will be upgraded to the NK-12MPM level during major repairs provided that there is a relevant order placed by Russia’s Defense Ministry, he added.
"From the viewpoint of production, I believe that the enterprise is ready for that," he stressed.
The NK-12MPM engine developed by the Samara-based UEC-Kuznetsov Company is a modification of the NK-12MP, the world’s most powerful serial-produced turboprop (15,000 hp). The new power plant features more powerful propellers created by Aerosila Research and Production Enterprise. The new design solutions incorporated in the engine have helped almost halve its vibration level.
Tu-95MS aircraft are the air component of Russia’s nuclear triad. Tu-95MS strategic missile-carrying bombers are designated to deliver strikes against vital targets in remote areas and deep in the rear of continental theaters of military operations.


tass--2020-12-23--Russian currency, oil prices will recover in early 2021, market watchers say

Despite the recent news about a new strain of the coronavirus , experts expect the global economy to recover in 2021 .
`` That will stir up the demand for risky assets , including the ruble and currencies of other emerging markets , '' Finam ’ s analyst Andrey Maslov said .
MOSCOW , December 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s national currency will continue strengthening following oil prices , experts polled by TASS suggest .
They project the oil price to rise to $ 55 per barrel in early 2021 , whereas the ruble ’ s exchange rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollar .
The concerns around 2021 subsided as coronavirus vaccines appeared , VTB Capital ’ s Chief Economist for Russia and the CIS Alexander Isakov said , adding that the downward pressure of the epidemiological environment is of far less relevance today .
The US presidential election also imparted a positive impulse to the market , Head of Tinkoff Investments Premium ’ s department Evgeny Dorofeev added .
Among external factors that will trigger growth , experts mentioned the monetary easing policies of the world ’ s largest central banks .
`` Amid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ institutional investors will be forced to boost investments in riskier instruments to make sure earning yield targets are reached , '' Maslov noted .
For Russia the risks of intensified sanctions pressure that are partially included in the price of the Russian currency , are rising , Dorofeev also suggests .
Maslov believes that this factor is difficult to predict , adding that its share will depend on the foreign policy of the new US administration regarding Russia and the severity of possible sanctions .
As the ‘ coronacrisis ’ factor becomes less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be expected to gradually increase as well , `` particularly if borders open and the number of passenger flights go up , '' Chief Analyst at Alfa Capital Maxim Biryukov said .
Apart from existing OPEC+ oil output restrictions , the China ’ s and India ’ s oil demand is growing , Maslov said , noting that those countries are the world ’ s biggest oil importers .
According to Alfa Capital ’ s base case scenario , the price of Brent crude oil will range between $ 50 and $ 55 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estimates the possible range at $ 47-55 per barrel .
Tinkoff Investments Premium expects the Brent oil price at $ 50-60 per barrel in the long run .
A negative scenario suggesting long and deep lockdowns in Europe and the US , delays in vaccination may well bring the price of Brent oil to $ 40-45 per barrel , Biryukov added .
Maslov even does not rule out a decrease of the Brent price to $ 40 within a year in case of local corrections on financial markets .
However , a scenario @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first quarter of 2021 is hardly probable , Isakov noted .
In case of economic revival investors will be willing to invest funds in riskier assets , which gives space for strengthening of currencies of emerging markets on the horizon of several months , Dorofeev said .

Despite the recent news about a new strain of the coronavirus, experts expect the global economy to recover in 2021. "That will stir up the demand for risky assets, including the ruble and currencies of other emerging markets," Finam’s analyst Andrey Maslov said.
MOSCOW, December 23. /TASS/. Russia’s national currency will continue strengthening following oil prices, experts polled by TASS suggest. They project the oil price to rise to $55 per barrel in early 2021, whereas the ruble’s exchange rate - to 72 rubles per the US dollar.
The concerns around 2021 subsided as coronavirus vaccines appeared, VTB Capital’s Chief Economist for Russia and the CIS Alexander Isakov said, adding that the downward pressure of the epidemiological environment is of far less relevance today.
The US presidential election also imparted a positive impulse to the market, Head of Tinkoff Investments Premium’s department Evgeny Dorofeev added.
Among external factors that will trigger growth, experts mentioned the monetary easing policies of the world’s largest central banks. "Amid interest rates close to zero, global institutional investors will be forced to boost investments in riskier instruments to make sure earning yield targets are reached," Maslov noted.
For Russia the risks of intensified sanctions pressure that are partially included in the price of the Russian currency, are rising, Dorofeev also suggests. Maslov believes that this factor is difficult to predict, adding that its share will depend on the foreign policy of the new US administration regarding Russia and the severity of possible sanctions.
Investors poised for risk
As the ‘coronacrisis’ factor becomes less relevant in 2021, oil demand may be expected to gradually increase as well, "particularly if borders open and the number of passenger flights go up," Chief Analyst at Alfa Capital Maxim Biryukov said.
Apart from existing OPEC+ oil output restrictions, the China’s and India’s oil demand is growing, Maslov said, noting that those countries are the world’s biggest oil importers.
According to Alfa Capital’s base case scenario, the price of Brent crude oil will range between $50 and $55 per barrel in early 2021. Finam estimates the possible range at $47-55 per barrel. Tinkoff Investments Premium expects the Brent oil price at $50-60 per barrel in the long run.
A negative scenario suggesting long and deep lockdowns in Europe and the US, delays in vaccination may well bring the price of Brent oil to $40-45 per barrel, Biryukov added.
Maslov even does not rule out a decrease of the Brent price to $40 within a year in case of local corrections on financial markets. However, a scenario suggesting its decrease below that mark in the first quarter of 2021 is hardly probable, Isakov noted.
Ruble to follow oil price
In case of economic revival investors will be willing to invest funds in riskier assets, which gives space for strengthening of currencies of emerging markets on the horizon of several months, Dorofeev said.


tass--2020-12-23--Over 26,000 people died in Poland due to coronavirus

WARSAW , December 23 .
/TASS/ .
The number of deaths due to coronavirus in Poland has exceeded 26,000 , the Ministry of Health said on Wednesday .
At the end of the last day , the ministry reported 472 deaths - 104 deaths were directly associated with COVID-19 , another 368 - with concomitant diseases .
The highest figure for mortality due to coronavirus was set in Poland on November 25 , when the country 's Ministry of Health reported 674 deaths .
On Wednesday , 12,361 new coronavirus cases were reported and 10,906 patients recovered over the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 , when the first coronavirus case was detected in the country , 1,226,883 people were infected , 26,255 died , and 965,178 recovered .
Recently , the daily increase in the number of coronavirus cases in Poland has stabilized , consolidating at a level below 13,000 per day .
About 17,700 patients with coronavirus are now housed in Polish hospitals , including 1,600 pepople connected to mechanical ventilation devices .
More than 176,000 people are in quarantine .
At the moment , the country has a total of 35,400 beds for COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic regime announced by the authorities in March .
The government decided to introduce partial quarantine in the country - cultural institutions , sports complexes are closed , citizens are advised to stay at home and work remotely .
Throughout the country , a mask regime has been introduced , schoolchildren study remotely , restaurants , cafes and bars are open only for takeaway , and hotels can only accept business travelers .
Gathering in groups of more than five people is banned .
All these restrictions remain in effect until the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preparing for vaccination of the population .
It is expected to start in January-February with representatives of high-risk groups : doctors and the elderly .
In the coming weeks , it is planned to create more than 8,000 vaccination points in the country .
It was reported that vaccinations will be free and voluntary , and will be given in two stages .
All vaccinated will be issued a certificate and an electronic code confirming the fact of vaccination and making it possible to not comply with a number of current restrictions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

WARSAW, December 23. /TASS/. The number of deaths due to coronavirus in Poland has exceeded 26,000, the Ministry of Health said on Wednesday.
At the end of the last day, the ministry reported 472 deaths - 104 deaths were directly associated with COVID-19, another 368 - with concomitant diseases. The highest figure for mortality due to coronavirus was set in Poland on November 25, when the country's Ministry of Health reported 674 deaths.
On Wednesday, 12,361 new coronavirus cases were reported and 10,906 patients recovered over the day. In total, starting from March 4, when the first coronavirus case was detected in the country, 1,226,883 people were infected, 26,255 died, and 965,178 recovered.
Recently, the daily increase in the number of coronavirus cases in Poland has stabilized, consolidating at a level below 13,000 per day. About 17,700 patients with coronavirus are now housed in Polish hospitals, including 1,600 pepople connected to mechanical ventilation devices. More than 176,000 people are in quarantine. At the moment, the country has a total of 35,400 beds for COVID-19 patients and 3,000 ventilators.
Poland maintains the pandemic regime announced by the authorities in March. The government decided to introduce partial quarantine in the country - cultural institutions, sports complexes are closed, citizens are advised to stay at home and work remotely. Throughout the country, a mask regime has been introduced, schoolchildren study remotely, restaurants, cafes and bars are open only for takeaway, and hotels can only accept business travelers. Gathering in groups of more than five people is banned. All these restrictions remain in effect until the new year.
The Polish authorities are preparing for vaccination of the population. It is expected to start in January-February with representatives of high-risk groups: doctors and the elderly. In the coming weeks, it is planned to create more than 8,000 vaccination points in the country. It was reported that vaccinations will be free and voluntary, and will be given in two stages. All vaccinated will be issued a certificate and an electronic code confirming the fact of vaccination and making it possible to not comply with a number of current restrictions.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-12-23--Third COVID-19 wave in Russia possible, expert says

ST. PETERSBURG , December 23 .
/TASS/ .
A third wave of the coronavirus infection in Russia is possible , its emergence will depend on many factors .
According to scientists , if the third wave emerges , its spread rate will be lower than the previous one , Viktor Zakharov , Head of the Intellectual Logistics Center of the St. Petersburg State University that developed a mathematical forecasting model of spread of COVID-19 , told TASS on Wednesday .
`` There are [ experts ] in Russia , like , for example , the chief physician of the Kommunarka @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third wave is looming .
It is possible but it will depend on many factors , '' he said .
He explained that the new wave of the coronavirus will depend on many factors , for instance , on the discipline of residents in observing anti-epidemiologic measures as well as on the restrictions introduced in Russian regions .
The expert also added that , according to his data , the spread rate of the coronavirus during the third wave will be slower than during the previous one .
The CBRR ( Case-Based Rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ epidemics invented by the Center ’ s specialists , uses data on the coronavirus spread dynamics in those countries where the epidemic began earlier .
In order to forecast the coronavirus situation in Russia , the official statistics is used .
According to the latest data , some 212,074 cases of the infection have been detected in St. Petersburg which puts it in the second place after Moscow nationwide .
Some 123,518 coronavirus patients have recovered , 7,074 patients died .
Over the past 24 hours , 3,749 cases of the infection have @ @ @ @ @ @

ST. PETERSBURG, December 23. /TASS/. A third wave of the coronavirus infection in Russia is possible, its emergence will depend on many factors. According to scientists, if the third wave emerges, its spread rate will be lower than the previous one, Viktor Zakharov, Head of the Intellectual Logistics Center of the St. Petersburg State University that developed a mathematical forecasting model of spread of COVID-19, told TASS on Wednesday.
"There are [experts] in Russia, like, for example, the chief physician of the Kommunarka [hospital] who say that a third wave is looming. It is possible but it will depend on many factors," he said.
He explained that the new wave of the coronavirus will depend on many factors, for instance, on the discipline of residents in observing anti-epidemiologic measures as well as on the restrictions introduced in Russian regions. The expert also added that, according to his data, the spread rate of the coronavirus during the third wave will be slower than during the previous one.
The CBRR (Case-Based Rate Reasoning) model of forecasting development of epidemics invented by the Center’s specialists, uses data on the coronavirus spread dynamics in those countries where the epidemic began earlier. In order to forecast the coronavirus situation in Russia, the official statistics is used.
According to the latest data, some 212,074 cases of the infection have been detected in St. Petersburg which puts it in the second place after Moscow nationwide. Some 123,518 coronavirus patients have recovered, 7,074 patients died. Over the past 24 hours, 3,749 cases of the infection have been detected in the city.


tass--2020-12-23--Russia to respond to new US sanctions, says Lavrov

MOSCOW , December 23 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow will draw conclusions on the entire range of relations with the US following Washington ’ s new sanctions , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters on Wednesday .
`` The United States has long been pursuing a hostile policy towards our country .
A response will certainly follow , not only in terms of reciprocation , but we will also draw additional conclusions on the entire range of Russia-US relations , '' he pointed out .
`` We will take it all into account in specific situations , particularly when building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has proved to be an unreliable partner , and we will also take into consideration on a larger scale , '' the Russian top diplomat noted .
According to Lavrov , the vast majority of Russian and US businessmen aren ’ t happy with the current situation as they `` do want the trend to stop . ''
The Russian foreign minister also said that the United States ’ actions were based on `` a strategy '' aimed at weakening Washington ’ s rivals on the global markets , `` blatantly violating the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The US Department of Commerce on Monday imposed sanctions on a number of Russian and Chinese enterprises .
Washington argues that the blacklisted economic entities cooperate with Russia ’ s armed forces .
The measure prohibits the organizations in question from acquiring a number of US goods and technologies .
There are 58 Chinese organizations and 45 Russian ones on the list , including Russia ’ s Foreign Intelligence Service ( SVR ) , the Ministry of Defense , the Rossiya Special Flight Unit , the Rostec state corporation , the MiG @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Machine Building ( TsNIIMash ) , the Progress Space Rocket Center , the Rosoboronexport agency , the United Engine Corporation , the United Aircraft Corporation , the United Instrument Manufacturing Corporation , the Admiralty Shipyard , and the UEC-Saturn aircraft engine manufacturer .

MOSCOW, December 23. /TASS/. Moscow will draw conclusions on the entire range of relations with the US following Washington’s new sanctions, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters on Wednesday.
"The United States has long been pursuing a hostile policy towards our country. A response will certainly follow, not only in terms of reciprocation, but we will also draw additional conclusions on the entire range of Russia-US relations," he pointed out.
"We will take it all into account in specific situations, particularly when building business ties with the US, who has proved to be an unreliable partner, and we will also take into consideration on a larger scale," the Russian top diplomat noted.
According to Lavrov, the vast majority of Russian and US businessmen aren’t happy with the current situation as they "do want the trend to stop." The Russian foreign minister also said that the United States’ actions were based on "a strategy" aimed at weakening Washington’s rivals on the global markets, "blatantly violating the rules of the World Trade Organization."
US sanctions
The US Department of Commerce on Monday imposed sanctions on a number of Russian and Chinese enterprises. Washington argues that the blacklisted economic entities cooperate with Russia’s armed forces. The measure prohibits the organizations in question from acquiring a number of US goods and technologies. There are 58 Chinese organizations and 45 Russian ones on the list, including Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), the Ministry of Defense, the Rossiya Special Flight Unit, the Rostec state corporation, the MiG Aircraft Corporation, the Central Research Institute of Machine Building (TsNIIMash), the Progress Space Rocket Center, the Rosoboronexport agency, the United Engine Corporation, the United Aircraft Corporation, the United Instrument Manufacturing Corporation, the Admiralty Shipyard, and the UEC-Saturn aircraft engine manufacturer.


tass--2020-12-23--Lower house approves law on blocking web resources for censorship of Russian media

MOSCOW , December 23 .
/TASS/ .
The State Duma ( lower house of parliament ) approved a draft law granting the Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Communications , Information Technology and Mass Media the right to block internet resources discriminating against Russian media outlets in the third reading at a plenary session on Wednesday .
The bill introduces a special status of the `` owner of an information resource involved in violations of the basic human rights and freedoms and rights and freedoms of Russian citizens . ''
The prosecutor general and his deputies acting in coordination with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assign such a status to the owner of an information resource that permits discrimination against the content of Russian mass media .
The scope of the document includes major internet resources such as YouTube , Facebook and Twitter .
The media watchdog may get the right to partially or fully restrict access to these resources .
As one of the architects of the bill , legislator Anton Gorelkin , told TASS that such web resources may face a fine of up to 3 million rubles ( over $ 39,000 ) .
The corresponding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be introduced to the State Duma later .
As another author of this bill , chairman of the State Duma ’ s Committee on Information Policy , Information Technologies and Communications Alexander Khinshtein noted earlier that the draft law encompasses all resources regardless of their registration , if their content is in Russian and is designated for Russian nationals .
At the same time , the lawmaker said that blocking YouTube in Russia is an extreme and not very realistic measure .
The document was introduced to the State Duma by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on November 19 .

MOSCOW, December 23. /TASS/. The State Duma (lower house of parliament) approved a draft law granting the Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media the right to block internet resources discriminating against Russian media outlets in the third reading at a plenary session on Wednesday.
The bill introduces a special status of the "owner of an information resource involved in violations of the basic human rights and freedoms and rights and freedoms of Russian citizens." The prosecutor general and his deputies acting in coordination with the Foreign Ministry could be empowered to assign such a status to the owner of an information resource that permits discrimination against the content of Russian mass media.
The scope of the document includes major internet resources such as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. The media watchdog may get the right to partially or fully restrict access to these resources. As one of the architects of the bill, legislator Anton Gorelkin, told TASS that such web resources may face a fine of up to 3 million rubles (over $39,000). The corresponding amendments to the Code of Administrative Violations will be introduced to the State Duma later.
Another author of this bill, chairman of the State Duma’s Committee on Information Policy, Information Technologies and Communications Alexander Khinshtein noted earlier that the draft law encompasses all resources regardless of their registration, if their content is in Russian and is designated for Russian nationals. At the same time, the lawmaker said that blocking YouTube in Russia is an extreme and not very realistic measure.
The document was introduced to the State Duma by a group of lawmakers and senator Alexei Pushkov on November 19.


tass--2020-12-23--Moscow may beat COVID-19 pandemic by late spring, says deputy mayor

MOSCOW , December 23 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow may beat the COVID-19 pandemic by mid-or late spring due to mass vaccination of the population , Moscow Deputy Mayor Anastasia Rakova said on Wednesday in an interview with Yandex.Efir .
`` I think that if vaccination is actively promoted , then in a few months , maybe by mid-or late spring we can expect and hope that we will be able to beat it to some extent , '' she said .
The deputy mayor noted that the infection rate in the Russian capital is slowing down .
`` There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we understand that the Moscow healthcare system can manage these numbers , '' Rakova said .
She added that it is hard to state an exact percentage of people naturally immune to COVID-19 .
`` Those people who recovered in the spring and had antibodies in the spring , of course , their antibodies are decreasing .
< … > According to recent data , as of today , of those who was infected this fall , some 33-35 % have antibodies .
< … > We see that the pandemic ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Moscow ranks first in Russia on the amount of COVID-19 cases .
There are 756,586 cases of coronavirus recorded in the Russian capital , 582,772 patients have recovered and 10,613 have died .

MOSCOW, December 23. /TASS/. Moscow may beat the COVID-19 pandemic by mid-or late spring due to mass vaccination of the population, Moscow Deputy Mayor Anastasia Rakova said on Wednesday in an interview with Yandex.Efir.
"I think that if vaccination is actively promoted, then in a few months, maybe by mid-or late spring we can expect and hope that we will be able to beat it to some extent," she said.
The deputy mayor noted that the infection rate in the Russian capital is slowing down. "There is no explosive growth. So far, we understand that the Moscow healthcare system can manage these numbers," Rakova said.
She added that it is hard to state an exact percentage of people naturally immune to COVID-19. "Those people who recovered in the spring and had antibodies in the spring, of course, their antibodies are decreasing. <…> According to recent data, as of today, of those who was infected this fall, some 33-35% have antibodies. <…> We see that the pandemic’s growth is slowing," she noted.
Moscow ranks first in Russia on the amount of COVID-19 cases. There are 756,586 cases of coronavirus recorded in the Russian capital, 582,772 patients have recovered and 10,613 have died.


tass--2020-12-23--Russian lower house approves bill on recognizing political groups as foreign agents

MOSCOW , December 23 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian State Duma ( lower house of parliament ) has approved the third reading of the bill regulating the activity of foreign agents developed by Russian parliamentary commissions to avoid foreign interference in Russian affairs .
Non-registered public groups involved in political activity and receiving foreign funding will be considered foreign agents , along with individuals involved in politics in the interest of foreign actors that provide them with funding .
The individuals considered foreign agents may also be involved in collecting information in the sphere of Russia ’ s military or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be used against Russian security by a foreign source .
Such political groups and individuals will be obligated to register as foreign agents and report their activity to the Russian Ministry of Justice , providing data on the spending of their funds and property received from foreign sources .
Individuals considered foreign agents will be unable to work for the federal and municipal government , and they can not be given access to state secrets .
The forms of political activity that allow the Russian government to brand individuals and groups as foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , spread of opinions on state policy , actions aimed at getting a certain result in elections or during a referendum , election observing and activity within political parties , provided that this activity is carried out in the interest of foreign sources .
Charity work , as well as activity in the spheres of research , culture , art , healthcare , social services , social support , sports , environmental protection and so on can not be considered political .
The list of foreign agents will be available online .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and groups as foreign agents in publications about them .
This demand will not apply to publications by Internet users , including bloggers .
Besides , individuals and political groups considered foreign agents will have to mark their materials themselves .
This bill takes on the central role within the package of initiatives dedicated to regulating the activity of foreign agents .
The corresponding bills from the package developed by Russian MPs and senators contain amendments to electoral legislation , the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Offences of the Russian Federation @

MOSCOW, December 23. /TASS/. The Russian State Duma (lower house of parliament) has approved the third reading of the bill regulating the activity of foreign agents developed by Russian parliamentary commissions to avoid foreign interference in Russian affairs.
Non-registered public groups involved in political activity and receiving foreign funding will be considered foreign agents, along with individuals involved in politics in the interest of foreign actors that provide them with funding. The individuals considered foreign agents may also be involved in collecting information in the sphere of Russia’s military or military-technical activity, if such data can be used against Russian security by a foreign source.
Such political groups and individuals will be obligated to register as foreign agents and report their activity to the Russian Ministry of Justice, providing data on the spending of their funds and property received from foreign sources. Individuals considered foreign agents will be unable to work for the federal and municipal government, and they cannot be given access to state secrets.
The forms of political activity that allow the Russian government to brand individuals and groups as foreign agents include: rallies and public debates, spread of opinions on state policy, actions aimed at getting a certain result in elections or during a referendum, election observing and activity within political parties, provided that this activity is carried out in the interest of foreign sources. Charity work, as well as activity in the spheres of research, culture, art, healthcare, social services, social support, sports, environmental protection and so on cannot be considered political.
The list of foreign agents will be available online. The media will be obliged to mark individuals and groups as foreign agents in publications about them. This demand will not apply to publications by Internet users, including bloggers. Besides, individuals and political groups considered foreign agents will have to mark their materials themselves.
This bill takes on the central role within the package of initiatives dedicated to regulating the activity of foreign agents. The corresponding bills from the package developed by Russian deputies and senators contain amendments to electoral legislation, the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Offences of the Russian Federation.


tass--2020-12-23--Duma passes in first reading bill allowing Putin to run for president again

The document was introduced to the State Duma by lawmakers Pavel Krasheninnikov and Olga Savastianova as well as by Federation Council member Andrey Klishas .
According to one of the new provisions of the Russian Constitution , the limitation on the number of terms the same person may serve as the President of the Russian Federation is applied to the incumbent head of state without taking into account his previous presidential terms .
Thus , this norm will allow the current head of state to serve two presidential terms .
In order to develop new constitutional provisions , the draft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates .
Thus , it is established that a presidential candidate should be a citizen of the Russian Federation no younger than 35 years of age who has permanently resided in the Russian Federation for no less than 25 years and who does not have and did not have earlier a citizenship of a foreign state nor a residence permit .
The requirement of an absence of a foreign citizenship will not apply to those Russian citizens `` who earlier had a citizenship of a country which was accepted or part of which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accordance with the federal constitutional law . ''
The document also stipulates that a chairman of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation should be at least 30 years of age .

The document was introduced to the State Duma by lawmakers Pavel Krasheninnikov and Olga Savastianova as well as by Federation Council member Andrey Klishas. According to one of the new provisions of the Russian Constitution, the limitation on the number of terms the same person may serve as the President of the Russian Federation is applied to the incumbent head of state without taking into account his previous presidential terms. Thus, this norm will allow the current head of state to serve two presidential terms.
In order to develop new constitutional provisions, the draft legislation also introduces additional requirements to presidential candidates. Thus, it is established that a presidential candidate should be a citizen of the Russian Federation no younger than 35 years of age who has permanently resided in the Russian Federation for no less than 25 years and who does not have and did not have earlier a citizenship of a foreign state nor a residence permit. The requirement of an absence of a foreign citizenship will not apply to those Russian citizens "who earlier had a citizenship of a country which was accepted or part of which was accepted in the Russian Federation in accordance with the federal constitutional law." The document also stipulates that a chairman of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation should be at least 30 years of age.


tass--2020-12-23--More than one third of Russians plan on getting vaccinated — survey

The most frequent reasons for coronavirus vaccine hesitancy are poor study of the vaccine ( 23 % ) , distrust and fear of vaccination ( 16 % ) , and health condition ( 13 % ) .
Furthermore , 9 % of residents do not believe in the vaccine ’ s effectiveness .
`` As many as 38 % of respondents are going to get vaccinated against the coronavirus , with the most of them over 60 years old , the most vulnerable group for the virus ( 49 % ) , as well as Russians aged from 45 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total of 52 % do not want get the jab , this share is higher among young Russians aged from 25 to 34 ( 70 % ) , '' according to the survey .
MOSCOW , December 23 .
/TASS/ .
More than one third of Russians ( 38 % ) plan to take the COVID-19 vaccine , according to a survey carried out by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center .
The vast majority of respondents ( 84 % ) who plan to get the shot , prefer the domestic vaccine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccinated with a foreign one .
A total of 29 % are going to take the vaccine this year , 13 % - in January 2021 , 12 % - in February , 9 % - in March .
In general , 97 % are aware of mass vaccination against the coronavirus with a Russian vaccine to varying degrees .
Some 58 % of respondents know a lot about the vaccination , while 39 % are informed but without going into details .
A total of 3 % heard about the COVID-19 vaccination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The long-awaited vaccination campaign against the coronavirus in Russia has started !
Not everyone knows about it yet , but a significant part of Russia ’ s population is going to participate .
Those who have not yet made such a decision are refraining due to uncertainty about the vaccine ’ s effectiveness and the willingness to see how it works in practice .
There are those who do not believe in vaccinations at all .
Furthermore , there is an obvious need for an advertising and information campaign , which will encourage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but to get engaged in the vaccination process faster , '' Head of the Russian Public Opinion Research Center Valery Fedorov said .
The nationwide survey was conducted on December 11-19 via telephone interviews with 1,600 respondents above 18 .
The margin of error does not exceed 2.5 % at the 95 % confidence level .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously set a goal to launch vaccination across the country .
As Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said , vaccination should be completely voluntary and free of charge .
Teachers , doctors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first , while the regions can expand this list .
According to Mishustin , the country ’ s regions will receive 480,000 doses of the vaccine in December .
The Health Ministry has already formed its distribution schedule across the country .

The most frequent reasons for coronavirus vaccine hesitancy are poor study of the vaccine (23%), distrust and fear of vaccination (16%), and health condition (13%). Furthermore, 9% of residents do not believe in the vaccine’s effectiveness.
"As many as 38% of respondents are going to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, with the most of them over 60 years old, the most vulnerable group for the virus (49%), as well as Russians aged from 45 to 59 (44%). A total of 52% do not want get the jab, this share is higher among young Russians aged from 25 to 34 (70%)," according to the survey.
MOSCOW, December 23. /TASS/. More than one third of Russians (38%) plan to take the COVID-19 vaccine, according to a survey carried out by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center.
The vast majority of respondents (84%) who plan to get the shot, prefer the domestic vaccine, whereas another 7% want to get vaccinated with a foreign one. A total of 29% are going to take the vaccine this year, 13% - in January 2021, 12% - in February, 9% - in March.
In general, 97% are aware of mass vaccination against the coronavirus with a Russian vaccine to varying degrees. Some 58% of respondents know a lot about the vaccination, while 39% are informed but without going into details. A total of 3% heard about the COVID-19 vaccination campaign for the first time.
"The long-awaited vaccination campaign against the coronavirus in Russia has started! Not everyone knows about it yet, but a significant part of Russia’s population is going to participate. Those who have not yet made such a decision are refraining due to uncertainty about the vaccine’s effectiveness and the willingness to see how it works in practice. There are those who do not believe in vaccinations at all. Furthermore, there is an obvious need for an advertising and information campaign, which will encourage our compatriots not to wait for others, but to get engaged in the vaccination process faster," Head of the Russian Public Opinion Research Center Valery Fedorov said.
The nationwide survey was conducted on December 11-19 via telephone interviews with 1,600 respondents above 18. The margin of error does not exceed 2.5% at the 95% confidence level.
Vaccination campaign
Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously set a goal to launch vaccination across the country. As Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said, vaccination should be completely voluntary and free of charge. Teachers, doctors and social workers should get the vaccine first, while the regions can expand this list. According to Mishustin, the country’s regions will receive 480,000 doses of the vaccine in December. The Health Ministry has already formed its distribution schedule across the country.


tass--2020-12-23--‘On solid ground’: Russia’s fortitude helped weather COVID storm of 2020, Kremlin says

MOSCOW , December 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s capabilities made it possible to maintain stability in the country amid the coronavirus pandemic , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at the MediaTek awards ceremony on Wednesday .
When wrapping up the outcome of 2020 , Peskov described the pandemic as the leading negative development .
`` The important thing is that our countries ’ capabilities prevented us from collapsing in the face of this challenge and allowed us to maintain stability , '' he pointed out .
`` Based on this stability , we can look to the future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , adding : `` Clearly , the difficulties won ’ t end on January 1 , and the coronavirus won ’ t go anywhere on January 1 . ''
`` Nevertheless , we stand on solid ground , our government knows exactly how to mitigate the negative consequences for all aspects of our lives and gradually boost development , '' Peskov emphasized .
He also said that `` the entire world has lost momentum and the loss needs to be offset . ''
The Kremlin spokesman noted that 2020 marked the 75th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patriotic War , which `` is an utterly sacred event for our country . ''

MOSCOW, December 23. /TASS/. Russia’s capabilities made it possible to maintain stability in the country amid the coronavirus pandemic, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at the MediaTek awards ceremony on Wednesday.
When wrapping up the outcome of 2020, Peskov described the pandemic as the leading negative development. "The important thing is that our countries’ capabilities prevented us from collapsing in the face of this challenge and allowed us to maintain stability," he pointed out. "Based on this stability, we can look to the future with confidence," the presidential spokesman said, adding: "Clearly, the difficulties won’t end on January 1, and the coronavirus won’t go anywhere on January 1."
"Nevertheless, we stand on solid ground, our government knows exactly how to mitigate the negative consequences for all aspects of our lives and gradually boost development," Peskov emphasized. He also said that "the entire world has lost momentum and the loss needs to be offset."
The Kremlin spokesman noted that 2020 marked the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, which "is an utterly sacred event for our country."


tass--2020-12-23--Hackers mostly targeted Russian entertainment and telecom companies in 2020, experts say

StormWall 's analysis of DDoS attacks found that 40.76 % of entertainment companies , 29.27 % of telecommunications and 11.94 % of online retail firms were hacked .
Furthermore , hackers attacked companies specializing in construction ( 6.26 % ) , finance ( 4.56 % ) , education ( 3.61 % ) and services ( 2.58 % ) in 2020 .
MOSCOW , December 23 .
/TASS/ .
Hackers mostly targeted Russia ’ s entertainment , telecommunications and online retail companies this year , a cyber security provider , specializing in the companies ’ IT infrastructure protection , StormWall told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DDoS attacks aimed at entertainment websites increased by 7 % this year compared to 2019 .
`` The gaming sector has traditionally been the most targeted , insofar as hackers have the opportunity to make a quick profit by blackmailing the entertainment resource ’ s owners , '' according to the cyber security company .
The number of cyber attacks on the telecommunications industry rose 35 % in 2020 , year-on-year .
`` Such a significant growth in attacks on telecom companies occurred due to the notably increased competition on this market , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remote work contributed to a higher demand for steady Internet access , making the infrastructure more critical , of which rivals decided to take advantage , they explained .
The DDoS attacks on online retail have grown five-fold in 2020 compared to the previous year , thus the cyber attacks were mainly carried out as part of unfair competition and money extortion , experts said .
The number of hacker attacks on banks and financial institutions grew 27 % .
Their key goal was to steal data , with the hackers ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and banking card information .
`` Even the educational sector , on which there used to be almost no attacks , was targeted this year .
Due to the challenging economic situation and increased competition in 2021 , DDoS attacks could hit companies from those rarely affected industries , such as real estate , logistics and medicine , '' Ramil Khantimirov , CEO and co-founder of StormWall , said .

StormWall's analysis of DDoS attacks found that 40.76% of entertainment companies, 29.27% of telecommunications and 11.94% of online retail firms were hacked. Furthermore, hackers attacked companies specializing in construction (6.26%), finance (4.56%), education (3.61%) and services (2.58%) in 2020.
MOSCOW, December 23. /TASS/. Hackers mostly targeted Russia’s entertainment, telecommunications and online retail companies this year, a cyber security provider, specializing in the companies’ IT infrastructure protection, StormWall told TASS.
Thus, the share of DDoS attacks aimed at entertainment websites increased by 7% this year compared to 2019. "The gaming sector has traditionally been the most targeted, insofar as hackers have the opportunity to make a quick profit by blackmailing the entertainment resource’s owners," according to the cyber security company.
The number of cyber attacks on the telecommunications industry rose 35% in 2020, year-on-year. "Such a significant growth in attacks on telecom companies occurred due to the notably increased competition on this market," the experts said.
The shift to remote work contributed to a higher demand for steady Internet access, making the infrastructure more critical, of which rivals decided to take advantage, they explained.
The DDoS attacks on online retail have grown five-fold in 2020 compared to the previous year, thus the cyber attacks were mainly carried out as part of unfair competition and money extortion, experts said. The number of hacker attacks on banks and financial institutions grew 27%. Their key goal was to steal data, with the hackers’ biggest interest being users’ personal data and banking card information.
"Even the educational sector, on which there used to be almost no attacks, was targeted this year. Due to the challenging economic situation and increased competition in 2021, DDoS attacks could hit companies from those rarely affected industries, such as real estate, logistics and medicine," Ramil Khantimirov, CEO and co-founder of StormWall, said.


tass--2020-12-23--Press review: Russia, EU launch blacklist battle and Armenian opposition wants PM’s ouster

Izvestia : Russia , EU continue to hurl sanctions at each other Moscow ’ s new sanctions against certain EU individuals , which bar them from entering Russia , are a tit-for-tat response in the war of restrictions unleashed in the fall , said experts interviewed by Izvestia .
Political scientists believe a further escalation of tensions is on the horizon .
On December 22 , the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on retaliatory measures in response to the European Union ’ s October sanctions against Russian individuals over the situation surrounding Alexey Navalny .
`` The EU ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and targeted high-ranking officials in charge of Russia ’ s domestic policy .
That said , the EU actually claimed that the attempt to poison Navalny had been made on orders of the Kremlin .
Russia then vowed that the move would not go unanswered .
The measures announced by the Foreign Ministry are retaliatory in nature , '' said Deputy Director of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at the Higher School of Economics Dmitry Suslov .
According to Director of Programs at the Russian International Affairs Council ( RIAC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move was laid a while ago as the EU blacklist emerged back in October , but there are nuances to Russia ’ s measures .
`` Russia ’ s sanctions can be described as partially proportional .
Moscow imposed restrictions on a number of EU individuals based on the principle of reciprocity but the thing to note is that they concern only visa matters , while the European Union also imposed financial sanctions , '' the expert pointed out .
Suslov , in turn , stressed that tensions could escalate further .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also be expected to introduce sanctions related to the Navalny case .
The Trump administration is currently focused on the vote recount but it may still address the matter .
Alternatively , the incoming Biden administration will do it .
Kommersant : Navalny 's video may provide grounds for criminal investigation , legal experts say Lawyers believe that Alexey Navalny ’ s video of his phone call with a purported FSB officer concerning his alleged poisoning provides grounds for a criminal investigation , Kommersant writes .
Managing partner at Kocherin and Partners Vladislav @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be viewed as information from open sources '' thus serving as grounds for a criminal case to be initiated .
`` It can also be added to the files of a probe that was conducted earlier and the decision not to launch criminal proceedings can be reversed in light of new information , '' he added .
Managing partner at the Yempp law firm Sergei Yegorov , however , does not consider the recording to be reason enough for a criminal investigation because it was obtained unlawfully .
At the same time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to open a case based on prior circumstances and study the recording as part of the investigation .
Head of the Department of Criminal Procedure at Moscow State University 's faculty of law Leonid Golovko , in turn , pointed out that any kind of information has to undergo a legal analysis before any case is launched .
Head of the Civil Society Development Fund Konstantin Kostin is confident that the Russian authorities will act in accordance with the law rather than based on the current political climate .
Particularly because the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant impact on the 2021 parliamentary election as the large amount of his video views does not mean that voters will listen to his calls .
Izvestia : Armenian opposition determined to carry on with protests Demonstrators have set up tents in front of the Government House in the Armenian capital of Yerevan .
Alen Simonyan , Vice President of the National Assembly ( Armenia ’ s parliament ) slammed the opposition ’ s demands as an attempt to usurp power but said that there were no plans to use force to disperse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the demonstrators have become commonplace for Armenian society .
Member of the Dashnaktsutyun opposition party Armen Rustamyan told the newspaper that protests would continue into the New Year until Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan steps down .
According to Director of the Yerevan-based Caucasus Institute Alexander Iskandaryan , the rallies haven ’ t yet reached a boiling point where the government can be overthrown .
The scale of the demonstrations is not large enough at the moment since they involve up to 10,000 people , by comparison 200,000 to 300,000 participated in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` However , I think that the opposition will be able to stabilize the protests soon .
But the authorities won ’ t engage in talks with the demonstrators because they are sure that they will some how manage to remain in power , '' the political scientist said .
Political analyst Denis Denisov sees no reason for Pashinyan to resign in the near future , as well as for the protests , which have been solely political , to gain momentum and engulf the social agenda .
As of now , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agreements on Nagorno-Karabakh , the prime minister step down and martial law be lifted .
`` No severe crisis has broken out in the country despite the inflow of refugees from Karabakh , which is why the majority of people have come to view the protests as an acceptable and even commonplace thing , '' the expert emphasized .
Stock markets did not take the news about the new coronavirus strain in the UK easily .
The week began with a drop in oil prices , while the widening sanctions pressure exacerbated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this has affected the exchange rate of the national currency .
According to experts interviewed by Nezavisimaya Gazeta , the ruble may nosedive in 2021 if matters continue to deteriorate , but vaccination offers hope that a new round of crisis can be prevented .
`` If mass vaccination helps resolve the pandemic issue quickly , the dollar exchange rate may fall to the 70 ruble mark in the first six months of next year but the rate can later return to the 73 ruble per dollar level , '' said BCS investment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in oil prices could be crucial for the strengthening of the ruble , which will be facilitated by recovering demand and economic growth amid a decline in the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic , '' he added .
Uncertainty on global markets will remain until coronavirus vaccine developers prove that their vaccines are effective in the fight against the new strain of the virus , Finam analyst Anna Zaitseva pointed out .
`` Meanwhile , this is not the first and certainly not the last mutation of the coronavirus .
New strains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause panic on the markets , '' the expert noted .
`` In this case , investors reacted negative largely because of tight restrictions , '' Zaitseva explained .
The Russian smartphone market will hit a record turnover in 2020 despite the coronavirus pandemic and retail closure during the lockdown , Izvestia writes , citing mobile retailers .
Sales are expected to reach about 32 mln devices by the end of the year , up six percent compared to 2019 .
Russians have tended to purchase more expensive smartphones this year and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent to 17,700 rubles ( $ 233 ) , according to the MTS mobile operator .
The rise was particularly driven by remote work and distant learning , said Svyaznoy Vice President for Procurement and Development Mikhail Dogadin .
According to MegaFon Retail Director General Andrei Levykin , customers prefer to purchase high-performance devices with large screens to work and study from home .
The amount of money Russians spend on smartphones keeps climbing and is expected to reach the highest level on record by the end of the year , Citilink Procurement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to spend two percent of their yearly budget on cell phones but now that rate is three percent , he specified .
People are spending the money they had saved for foreign trips , dining out and movie-going cancelled due to the coronavirus restrictions , the expert explained .
The demand for electronic devices may continue to grow next year based on currency fluctuations , analysts say .
However , according to a source close to one of the retailers , shortages of goods will persist at the beginning of the year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews

Izvestia: Russia, EU continue to hurl sanctions at each other Moscow’s new sanctions against certain EU individuals, which bar them from entering Russia, are a tit-for-tat response in the war of restrictions unleashed in the fall, said experts interviewed by Izvestia. Political scientists believe a further escalation of tensions is on the horizon. On December 22, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on retaliatory measures in response to the European Union’s October sanctions against Russian individuals over the situation surrounding Alexey Navalny.
Read also Russia strikes back at EU over Navalny-fueled sanctions
"The EU’s sanctions were not based on evidence and targeted high-ranking officials in charge of Russia’s domestic policy. That said, the EU actually claimed that the attempt to poison Navalny had been made on orders of the Kremlin. Russia then vowed that the move would not go unanswered. The measures announced by the Foreign Ministry are retaliatory in nature," said Deputy Director of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at the Higher School of Economics Dmitry Suslov. According to Director of Programs at the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) Ivan Timofeev, groundwork for the move was laid a while ago as the EU blacklist emerged back in October, but there are nuances to Russia’s measures. "Russia’s sanctions can be described as partially proportional. Moscow imposed restrictions on a number of EU individuals based on the principle of reciprocity but the thing to note is that they concern only visa matters, while the European Union also imposed financial sanctions," the expert pointed out. Suslov, in turn, stressed that tensions could escalate further. In his view, the United States can also be expected to introduce sanctions related to the Navalny case. The Trump administration is currently focused on the vote recount but it may still address the matter. Alternatively, the incoming Biden administration will do it. Kommersant: Navalny's video may provide grounds for criminal investigation, legal experts say Lawyers believe that Alexey Navalny’s video of his phone call with a purported FSB officer concerning his alleged poisoning provides grounds for a criminal investigation, Kommersant writes. Managing partner at Kocherin and Partners Vladislav Kocherin said that the audio recording "can be viewed as information from open sources" thus serving as grounds for a criminal case to be initiated. "It can also be added to the files of a probe that was conducted earlier and the decision not to launch criminal proceedings can be reversed in light of new information," he added.
Managing partner at the Yempp law firm Sergei Yegorov, however, does not consider the recording to be reason enough for a criminal investigation because it was obtained unlawfully. At the same time, he believes that there is a need to open a case based on prior circumstances and study the recording as part of the investigation. Head of the Department of Criminal Procedure at Moscow State University's faculty of law Leonid Golovko, in turn, pointed out that any kind of information has to undergo a legal analysis before any case is launched. Head of the Civil Society Development Fund Konstantin Kostin is confident that the Russian authorities will act in accordance with the law rather than based on the current political climate. Particularly because the Navalny situation won’t have a significant impact on the 2021 parliamentary election as the large amount of his video views does not mean that voters will listen to his calls. Izvestia: Armenian opposition determined to carry on with protests Demonstrators have set up tents in front of the Government House in the Armenian capital of Yerevan. Alen Simonyan, Vice President of the National Assembly (Armenia’s parliament) slammed the opposition’s demands as an attempt to usurp power but said that there were no plans to use force to disperse the protesters. Experts share the opinion that the demonstrators have become commonplace for Armenian society.
Member of the Dashnaktsutyun opposition party Armen Rustamyan told the newspaper that protests would continue into the New Year until Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan steps down. According to Director of the Yerevan-based Caucasus Institute Alexander Iskandaryan, the rallies haven’t yet reached a boiling point where the government can be overthrown. The scale of the demonstrations is not large enough at the moment since they involve up to 10,000 people, by comparison 200,000 to 300,000 participated in the 2018 protests, the expert noted. "However, I think that the opposition will be able to stabilize the protests soon. But the authorities won’t engage in talks with the demonstrators because they are sure that they will some how manage to remain in power," the political scientist said. Political analyst Denis Denisov sees no reason for Pashinyan to resign in the near future, as well as for the protests, which have been solely political, to gain momentum and engulf the social agenda. As of now, the protesters are demanding that the authorities revise the agreements on Nagorno-Karabakh, the prime minister step down and martial law be lifted. "No severe crisis has broken out in the country despite the inflow of refugees from Karabakh, which is why the majority of people have come to view the protests as an acceptable and even commonplace thing," the expert emphasized. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Ruble expected to undergo mutations next year Stock markets did not take the news about the new coronavirus strain in the UK easily. The week began with a drop in oil prices, while the widening sanctions pressure exacerbated the situation for Russia. All of this has affected the exchange rate of the national currency. According to experts interviewed by Nezavisimaya Gazeta, the ruble may nosedive in 2021 if matters continue to deteriorate, but vaccination offers hope that a new round of crisis can be prevented. "If mass vaccination helps resolve the pandemic issue quickly, the dollar exchange rate may fall to the 70 ruble mark in the first six months of next year but the rate can later return to the 73 ruble per dollar level," said BCS investment expert Dmitry Babin. "A rise in oil prices could be crucial for the strengthening of the ruble, which will be facilitated by recovering demand and economic growth amid a decline in the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic," he added. Uncertainty on global markets will remain until coronavirus vaccine developers prove that their vaccines are effective in the fight against the new strain of the virus, Finam analyst Anna Zaitseva pointed out. "Meanwhile, this is not the first and certainly not the last mutation of the coronavirus. New strains emerged over the year but did not cause panic on the markets," the expert noted. "In this case, investors reacted negative largely because of tight restrictions," Zaitseva explained. Izvestia: Pandemic boosts smartphone sales in Russia The Russian smartphone market will hit a record turnover in 2020 despite the coronavirus pandemic and retail closure during the lockdown, Izvestia writes, citing mobile retailers. Sales are expected to reach about 32 mln devices by the end of the year, up six percent compared to 2019.
Read also Russians spend more money on video games amid quarantine — retailers