tass--2020-09-17--Brussels wants to deprive Minsk of loans, to impose sanctions against Russian citizens

Resolutions of the European Parliament are advisory and are not binding even for EU institutions .
The final wording of the resolution may differ as the process of amending this document is not yet complete .
BRUSSELS , September 17 .
/TASS/ .
The European Parliament ( EP ) has drafted a lengthy resolution on the situation in Belarus .
The document was published on Wednesday , the vote will be held at a parliamentary session on Thursday .
In this document , the European parliament calls on the EU institutions to delegitimize President Alexander Lukashenko as much as possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against him and the republic , but also against the Russians , supporting the Lukashenko government .
The European parliament also calls on the EU institutions to block financing of Minsk through all available channels , and to provide all possible support to the Belarusian opposition .
The document contains a lot of proposals how to put pressure on Belarus .
In particular , the European parliament `` deplores the fact that Belarus has already loaded nuclear fuel into the first reactor of the Astravyets nuclear power plant and is planning to start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It suggests that the European Council should freeze `` any EU fund transfers to the current Belarusian Government and state-controlled projects and stopping EIB , EBRD and other loans to the current regime , '' as well as hold `` a donors ’ conference for democratic Belarus . ''
Brussels also calls on the International Ice Hockey Federation ( IIHF ) to withdraw its decision to hold the 2021 World Ice Hockey Championship partially in Belarus . ''
The European parliament is trying to challenge the latest agreements between Moscow and Minsk claiming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or moral mandate to enter into any further contractual relations on behalf of Belarus , including with Russian authorities , which could threaten the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Belarus . ''
The European Parliament refuses to recognize the results of the presidential elections in Belarus .
The draft resolution states that `` systematic irregularities and violations of international electoral standards were reported during polling , including intimidation of voters . ''
According to the draft resolution , the European Parliament `` will not recognize Alexander Lukashenko as president of Belarus once his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` welcomes the Coordination Council as an interim representation of the people demanding democratic change in Belarus that is open to all political and social stakeholders . ''
In this respect , the European Parliament `` calls on the Commission , the VP/HR and the Council to provide assistance to Belarus ’ democratic opposition , including the Coordination Council led by Svetlana Tikhanovskaya . ''
According to the draft resolution , the European Parliament `` strongly supports EU sanctions against individuals responsible for the falsification of the election results and the repression in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Council to implement without delay , and in close coordination with international partners , broad and effective sanctions against all Belarusian perpetrators of election fraud , violence and repression in Belarus .
It also `` calls on the Council to follow the example of the Baltic States , which included Lukashenko in their sanctions list , as well as `` to explore the possibility of including Russian citizens who are directly involved in supporting the Lukashenko regime in Belarus . ''
Easy to adopt but hard to implement It is very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practically unchanged , since the leading factions of the European Parliament have very radical attitude towards Minsk .
However , the chances of fulfilling even a small share of the MEPs ' appeals are small , since such resolutions are not binding even for the institutions of the European Union .
The EU has failed to approve the black list of Belarusian officials Brussels considers `` responsible for election fraud and police violence . ''
The list was made on August 14 but the introduction of restrictions was blocked by Cyprus .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adoption of sanctions against Turkey , which is conducting geological exploration of gas fields in the disputed waters off the island .
The EU is trying with all its might to delay the approval of measures against Ankara , because in case of aggravation of relations , Turkey can let up to 3 million migrants detained at the border and accommodated in camps on its territory , flee to Europe .

Resolutions of the European Parliament are advisory and are not binding even for EU institutions. The final wording of the resolution may differ as the process of amending this document is not yet complete.
BRUSSELS, September 17. /TASS/. The European Parliament (EP) has drafted a lengthy resolution on the situation in Belarus. The document was published on Wednesday, the vote will be held at a parliamentary session on Thursday. In this document, the European parliament calls on the EU institutions to delegitimize President Alexander Lukashenko as much as possible, to impose tough sanctions not only against him and the republic, but also against the Russians, supporting the Lukashenko government. The European parliament also calls on the EU institutions to block financing of Minsk through all available channels, and to provide all possible support to the Belarusian opposition.
The document contains a lot of proposals how to put pressure on Belarus. In particular, the European parliament "deplores the fact that Belarus has already loaded nuclear fuel into the first reactor of the Astravyets nuclear power plant and is planning to start producing energy in November 2020."
It suggests that the European Council should freeze "any EU fund transfers to the current Belarusian Government and state-controlled projects and stopping EIB, EBRD and other loans to the current regime," as well as hold "a donors’ conference for democratic Belarus." Brussels also calls on the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to withdraw its decision to hold the 2021 World Ice Hockey Championship partially in Belarus."
The European parliament is trying to challenge the latest agreements between Moscow and Minsk claiming that Alexander Lukashenko "has no political or moral mandate to enter into any further contractual relations on behalf of Belarus, including with Russian authorities, which could threaten the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Belarus."
Elections and sanctions
The European Parliament refuses to recognize the results of the presidential elections in Belarus. The draft resolution states that "systematic irregularities and violations of international electoral standards were reported during polling, including intimidation of voters."
According to the draft resolution, the European Parliament "will not recognize Alexander Lukashenko as president of Belarus once his current term of office expires" and "welcomes the Coordination Council as an interim representation of the people demanding democratic change in Belarus that is open to all political and social stakeholders."
In this respect, the European Parliament "calls on the Commission, the VP/HR and the Council to provide assistance to Belarus’ democratic opposition, including the Coordination Council led by Svetlana Tikhanovskaya."
According to the draft resolution, the European Parliament "strongly supports EU sanctions against individuals responsible for the falsification of the election results and the repression in Belarus, including Alexander Lukashenko; calls on the Council to implement without delay, and in close coordination with international partners, broad and effective sanctions against all Belarusian perpetrators of election fraud, violence and repression in Belarus.
It also "calls on the Council to follow the example of the Baltic States, which included Lukashenko in their sanctions list, as well as "to explore the possibility of including Russian citizens who are directly involved in supporting the Lukashenko regime in Belarus."
Easy to adopt but hard to implement
It is very likely that this resolution will be adopted practically unchanged, since the leading factions of the European Parliament have very radical attitude towards Minsk. However, the chances of fulfilling even a small share of the MEPs' appeals are small, since such resolutions are not binding even for the institutions of the European Union.
The EU has failed to approve the black list of Belarusian officials Brussels considers "responsible for election fraud and police violence." The list was made on August 14 but the introduction of restrictions was blocked by Cyprus. In exchange for the approval Cyprus requires the adoption of sanctions against Turkey, which is conducting geological exploration of gas fields in the disputed waters off the island. The EU is trying with all its might to delay the approval of measures against Ankara, because in case of aggravation of relations, Turkey can let up to 3 million migrants detained at the border and accommodated in camps on its territory, flee to Europe.


tass--2020-09-17--Head of rehab where 4 people died in a fire detained in Krasnoyarsk

MOSCOW , September 17 .
/TASS/ .
Police officers detained the head of a private rehab center in Krasnoyarsk , where four people died in a fire , the press service of the Main Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee for the Krasnoyarsk region and the republic of Khakassia announced on Thursday .
`` As part of the investigation of a criminal case into the death of four patients of a private rehabilitation center as a result of a fire caused by a crime under part 3 of Art .
238 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Which Do Not Meet Safety Standards , which entailed by negligence the death of two or more persons ) a 45-year-old woman , the head of the Chisty Gorod clinic , has been detained , '' the press service said .
At 03:46 ( 11:46 pm Moscow time ) , the department received information about a fire in the Chisty Gorod private drug rehab , located at the Prospect mira ( avenue ) in Krasnoyarsk .
The fire has now been extinguished .
`` As a result of the fire , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six people were injured , four of them died , '' the Emergencies Ministry said .
According to preliminary data , some of the patients were in the clinic anonymously , and at the moment it is not possible to establish the identity of those killed due to thermal injuries without conducting genomic examinations .

MOSCOW, September 17. /TASS/. Police officers detained the head of a private rehab center in Krasnoyarsk, where four people died in a fire, the press service of the Main Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee for the Krasnoyarsk region and the republic of Khakassia announced on Thursday.
"As part of the investigation of a criminal case into the death of four patients of a private rehabilitation center as a result of a fire caused by a crime under part 3 of Art. 238 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (Fulfillment of Works or Rendering of Services Which Do Not Meet Safety Standards, which entailed by negligence the death of two or more persons) a 45-year-old woman, the head of the Chisty Gorod clinic, has been detained," the press service said.
At 03:46 (11:46 pm Moscow time), the department received information about a fire in the Chisty Gorod private drug rehab, located at the Prospect mira (avenue) in Krasnoyarsk. The fire has now been extinguished.
"As a result of the fire, according to preliminary data of the Investigative Committee, six people were injured, four of them died," the Emergencies Ministry said.
According to preliminary data, some of the patients were in the clinic anonymously, and at the moment it is not possible to establish the identity of those killed due to thermal injuries without conducting genomic examinations.


tass--2020-09-17--Lukashenko says Russia decided to issue a $1.5 bln loan to Minsk at his insistence

MINSK , September 17 .
/TASS/ .
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said on Wednesday that Russia 's decision to grant a $ 1.5 billion loan to Belarus was made at his insistence , BelTA agency reports .
`` I must tell you that it was my insistence .
Both the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister suggested it to me that we should pay off this loan - this year we had to repay a billion ( to Russia - TASS ) on our old debt .
Despite all the difficulties , we were ready to return this billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was my request to the leadership of Russia that we will not pay this billion this year , we will keep it and postpone it to the next year .
The interest rate there is acceptable .
So it is a matter of refinancing , '' Lukashenko said at a meeting in Minsk .
In late August , Lukashenko announced that Belarus would hold talks with Russia on refinancing the republic 's state debt for $ 1 billion .
Belarus ’ Finance Minister Yuri Seliverstov previously noted that in total this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3.6 billion in foreign currency national debt and $ 2 billion of that amount had already been paid .
According to the republic ’ s Finance Ministry , as of July 2020 , Belarus ’ foreign debt amounted to $ 18 billion Earlier , Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov told reporters that the loan to Belarus will be granted in two stages - $ 1 billion in 2020 and another $ 500 million in 2021 .

MINSK, September 17. /TASS/. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said on Wednesday that Russia's decision to grant a $1.5 billion loan to Belarus was made at his insistence, BelTA agency reports.
"I must tell you that it was my insistence. Both the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister suggested it to me that we should pay off this loan - this year we had to repay a billion (to Russia - TASS) on our old debt. Despite all the difficulties, we were ready to return this billion. This is not a new loan. It was my request to the leadership of Russia that we will not pay this billion this year, we will keep it and postpone it to the next year. The interest rate there is acceptable. So it is a matter of refinancing," Lukashenko said at a meeting in Minsk.
In late August, Lukashenko announced that Belarus would hold talks with Russia on refinancing the republic's state debt for $1 billion. Belarus’ Finance Minister Yuri Seliverstov previously noted that in total this year the country must pay about $3.6 billion in foreign currency national debt and $2 billion of that amount had already been paid. According to the republic’s Finance Ministry, as of July 2020, Belarus’ foreign debt amounted to $18 billion
Earlier, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov told reporters that the loan to Belarus will be granted in two stages - $1 billion in 2020 and another $500 million in 2021.


tass--2020-09-18--Germany looks into participation in Russia’s ‘Arctic LNG-2’ project

BERLIN , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
German Cabinet is looking into an option to participate in Novatek ’ s @ @ @ @ @ the Gydan Peninsula in Russia ’ s Yamalo-Nenets Region , Der Spiegel reported Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ Germany ’ s Euler Hermes may invest up to 300 million euro in the construction @ @ @ @ @ may assist with natural gas liquefaction technologies .
The final decision on participation in the @ @ @ @ @ yet , the report says , citing governmental sources .
Arctic LNG 2 is Novatek @ @ @ @ @ gas project .
Besides the Russian company , Chinese CNOOC and CNPC , France ’ @ @ @ @ @ of Japan ’ s Mitsui and Jogmec have 10 % share each .
The plant @ @ @ @ @ will have a total capacity of 19.8 million tonnes of LNG per year .
The @ @ @ @ @ launch in 2023 and the second and third lines will go into operation in 2024 @ @ @ @ @

BERLIN, September 18. /TASS/. German Cabinet is looking into an option to participate in Novatek’s Arctic LNG 2 project at the Gydan Peninsula in Russia’s Yamalo-Nenets Region, Der Spiegel reported Friday.
According to the report, Germany’s Euler Hermes may invest up to 300 million euro in the construction, while Linde chemical company may assist with natural gas liquefaction technologies. The final decision on participation in the project has not been made yet, the report says, citing governmental sources.
Arctic LNG 2 is Novatek’s second liquefied natural gas project. Besides the Russian company, Chinese CNOOC and CNPC, France’s Total and a consortium of Japan’s Mitsui and Jogmec have 10% share each. The plant’s three technological lines will have a total capacity of 19.8 million tonnes of LNG per year. The first line is scheduled for launch in 2023 and the second and third lines will go into operation in 2024 and 2026, correspondingly.


tass--2020-09-18--Man attempts self-immolation at police office in Belarus’ Minsk Region

MINSK , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
An unidentified man attempted self-immolation before the police office in the town of @ @ @ @ @ website reported Friday .
`` Today , a man attempted self-immolation near the regional police @ @ @ @ @ currently in an intensive care unit , '' the report reads .
Meanwhile , the @ @ @ @ @ the man did it in protest against the law enforcement actions . ''
The site @ @ @ @ @ the police with the investigators working on the scene .
According to reports , the @ @ @ @ @ and his true motives remain unknown .
TASS currently has no official comment from the @ @ @

MINSK, September 18. /TASS/. An unidentified man attempted self-immolation before the police office in the town of Smolevichi near Minsk, tut.by website reported Friday.
"Today, a man attempted self-immolation near the regional police office entrance, he is currently in an intensive care unit," the report reads.
Meanwhile, the Onliner website claims that "the man did it in protest against the law enforcement actions."
The site has been cordoned off by the police with the investigators working on the scene. According to reports, the man shouted no slogans, and his true motives remain unknown. TASS currently has no official comment from the Belarusian police.


tass--2020-09-18--Bank of Russia keeps key rate at 4.25% after four rounds of reduction

MOSCOW , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Central Bank ( Bank of Russia ) kept the key rate at 4.25 % per annum after four rounds of its reduction , according to a press release published following its board meeting on Friday .
`` On 18 September 2020 , the Bank of Russia Board of Directors decided to keep the key rate at 4.25 % per annum .
In recent months , price growth rates were slightly higher overall than the Bank of Russia ’ s expectations , '' the regulator said .
The growth rates dynamics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an active recovery of demand after the lockdown and the weakening of the ruble on the back of generally increased volatility on global markets and higher geopolitical risks , the Bank of Russia explained .
If the situation develops in line with the baseline forecast , the regulator will consider the necessity of further key rate reduction at its upcoming meetings .
`` In its key rate decision-making , the Bank of Russia will take into account actual and expected inflation dynamics relative to the target and economic developments over the forecast horizon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ domestic and external conditions and the reaction of financial markets , '' according to press release .
The Bank of Russia Board of Directors will hold its next rate review meeting on October 23 , 2020 .

MOSCOW, September 18. /TASS/. Russia’s Central Bank (Bank of Russia) kept the key rate at 4.25% per annum after four rounds of its reduction, according to a press release published following its board meeting on Friday.
"On 18 September 2020, the Bank of Russia Board of Directors decided to keep the key rate at 4.25% per annum. In recent months, price growth rates were slightly higher overall than the Bank of Russia’s expectations," the regulator said.
The growth rates dynamics was driven by two key factors - an active recovery of demand after the lockdown and the weakening of the ruble on the back of generally increased volatility on global markets and higher geopolitical risks, the Bank of Russia explained.
If the situation develops in line with the baseline forecast, the regulator will consider the necessity of further key rate reduction at its upcoming meetings. "In its key rate decision-making, the Bank of Russia will take into account actual and expected inflation dynamics relative to the target and economic developments over the forecast horizon, as well as risks posed by domestic and external conditions and the reaction of financial markets," according to press release.
The Bank of Russia Board of Directors will hold its next rate review meeting on October 23, 2020.


tass--2020-09-18--German cabinet spokesman reiterates call on Russia for clarifications on Navalny incident

BERLIN , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
Germany insists that Russia clarify the circumstances of the alleged poisoning of Alexey Navalny , German Government Spokesman Steffen Seibert said at a briefing in Berlin on Friday .
`` We have asked and called on Russia to immediately provide clarifications and the call is still relevant , '' he pointed out .
According to Seibert , the European Union ’ s summit , set to take place on September 24-25 , would particularly discuss relations with Turkey and China .
When asked why Russia was not on the agenda , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summits , other issues may also be discussed , I can ’ t specify them , we ’ ll see . ''
Seibert declined to comment on reports concerning a plastic bottle , which , according to Navalny ’ s team , had been brought to Berlin from Russia and had traces of the Novichok nerve agent .
`` The government has taken note of the Navalny team ’ s video , '' he said , adding : `` We have said everything we have to say in our press releases and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August 20 , a plane carrying Alexey Navalny made an emergency landing in the Russian city of Omsk after the blogger had suddenly felt unwell in mid-flight .
Navalny was taken to hospital in a coma and was hooked up to a ventilator .
On August 22 , he was flown to Germany for treatment at Berlin ’ s Charite hospital .
The German government said on September 2 , citing the results of a toxicological analysis carried out by Bundeswehr experts , that Navalny had been poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moscow was ready to fully cooperate with Berlin .
Zakharova , in turn , noted that Germany had failed to provide any evidence of poisoning .

BERLIN, September 18. /TASS/. Germany insists that Russia clarify the circumstances of the alleged poisoning of Alexey Navalny, German Government Spokesman Steffen Seibert said at a briefing in Berlin on Friday.
"We have asked and called on Russia to immediately provide clarifications and the call is still relevant," he pointed out.
According to Seibert, the European Union’s summit, set to take place on September 24-25, would particularly discuss relations with Turkey and China. When asked why Russia was not on the agenda, he said: "As it usually happens at summits, other issues may also be discussed, I can’t specify them, we’ll see."
Seibert declined to comment on reports concerning a plastic bottle, which, according to Navalny’s team, had been brought to Berlin from Russia and had traces of the Novichok nerve agent. "The government has taken note of the Navalny team’s video," he said, adding: "We have said everything we have to say in our press releases and we have nothing to add."
Navalny 'poisoning' saga
On August 20, a plane carrying Alexey Navalny made an emergency landing in the Russian city of Omsk after the blogger had suddenly felt unwell in mid-flight. Navalny was taken to hospital in a coma and was hooked up to a ventilator. On August 22, he was flown to Germany for treatment at Berlin’s Charite hospital.
The German government said on September 2, citing the results of a toxicological analysis carried out by Bundeswehr experts, that Navalny had been poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow was ready to fully cooperate with Berlin. Zakharova, in turn, noted that Germany had failed to provide any evidence of poisoning.


tass--2020-09-18--OPCW not finished with analysis of Navalny’s test samples yet

BERLIN , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons ( OPCW ) has not @ @ @ @ @ test samples taken from Russian blogger Alexey Navalny , German Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Adebahr @ @ @ @ @ Berlin on Friday .
`` The testing is still in progress .
We have not @ @ @ @ @ '' she said .
The OPCW said on Thursday that it had received a request @ @ @ @ @ Navalny affair from Germany .
A group of experts from the OPCW Technical Secretariat took @ @ @ @ @ tests at OPCW-certified laboratories .
The results will be presented to the German authorities as @ @ @ @ @ , the OPCW said .

BERLIN, September 18. /TASS/. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has not yet completed the analysis of test samples taken from Russian blogger Alexey Navalny, German Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Adebahr told a news briefing in Berlin on Friday.
"The testing is still in progress. We have not seen the results yet," she said.
The OPCW said on Thursday that it had received a request for technical assistance over the Navalny affair from Germany. A group of experts from the OPCW Technical Secretariat took biomedical samples from Navalny for tests at OPCW-certified laboratories. The results will be presented to the German authorities as soon as they are ready, the OPCW said.


tass--2020-09-18--Minsk’s envoy to UN dismisses reports about political prisoners in Belarus

GENEVA , September 18./TASS/ .
Belarus ’ Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva Yury Ambrazevich dismissed reports about political prisoners in the country during emergency debates on the situation in Belarus on Friday .
`` Allegations about political prisoners in the country have nothing to do with the reality .
We have certain people in custody based on concrete criminal cases in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Rules , '' the envoy specified on Friday .
Ambrazevich also said that the nation ’ s law enforcement agencies were looking into hundreds of complaints alleging police brutality during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order , detentions , hauling in detained persons and their detention in custody triggered a host of accusations over excessive use of force , '' he said .
`` According to the information we have on hand , more than 900 complaints over police abuse have been filed .
All of them are being looked into , '' the diplomat insisted .
Nationwide demonstrations have engulfed Belarus following the August 9 presidential election .
According to the Central Election Commission ’ s official results , incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won by a landslide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His closest rival in the race , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , came in second , with 10.12 % of the ballot .
However , she refused to recognize the election ’ s outcome , and left Belarus for Lithuania .
Later , Tikhanovskaya launched the Coordination Council , stating that its mission focuses on a would-be transfer of power .
The council elected a presidium of seven people .
On August 19 , the Belarusian General Prosecutor ’ s Office launched a criminal case over public appeals for a seizure of power .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Svetlana Alexievich is the only one that remains free in Belarus out of the members of the presidium .
After the results of the exit polls were announced late on August 9 , mass protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other Belarusian cities .
During the early post-election period , the rallies snowballed into fierce clashes between the protesters and law enforcement .
Police used tear gas , water cannons , stun grenades and rubber bullets against the demonstrators .
Then , however , they ceased using force to disperse the protests .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people were taken into custody in the first days after the election .
Hundreds of people were injured , with over 120 police officers among them , the Interior Ministry reported .

GENEVA, September 18./TASS/. Belarus’ Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva Yury Ambrazevich dismissed reports about political prisoners in the country during emergency debates on the situation in Belarus on Friday.
"Allegations about political prisoners in the country have nothing to do with the reality. We have certain people in custody based on concrete criminal cases in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Rules," the envoy specified on Friday.
Ambrazevich also said that the nation’s law enforcement agencies were looking into hundreds of complaints alleging police brutality during the countrywide protests. "Measures to establish order, detentions, hauling in detained persons and their detention in custody triggered a host of accusations over excessive use of force," he said.
"According to the information we have on hand, more than 900 complaints over police abuse have been filed. All of them are being looked into," the diplomat insisted.
Nationwide demonstrations have engulfed Belarus following the August 9 presidential election. According to the Central Election Commission’s official results, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won by a landslide, garnering 80.10% of the vote. His closest rival in the race, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, came in second, with 10.12% of the ballot. However, she refused to recognize the election’s outcome, and left Belarus for Lithuania.
Later, Tikhanovskaya launched the Coordination Council, stating that its mission focuses on a would-be transfer of power. The council elected a presidium of seven people. On August 19, the Belarusian General Prosecutor’s Office launched a criminal case over public appeals for a seizure of power. At the moment, Nobel Prize winner Svetlana Alexievich is the only one that remains free in Belarus out of the members of the presidium.
After the results of the exit polls were announced late on August 9, mass protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other Belarusian cities. During the early post-election period, the rallies snowballed into fierce clashes between the protesters and law enforcement. Police used tear gas, water cannons, stun grenades and rubber bullets against the demonstrators. Then, however, they ceased using force to disperse the protests. According to official data, almost 7,000 people were taken into custody in the first days after the election. Hundreds of people were injured, with over 120 police officers among them, the Interior Ministry reported.


tass--2020-09-18--Support measures during pandemic in Russia were effective — Kremlin

MOSCOW , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
The Kremlin is convinced that the measures taken by the authorities to mitigate the economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic in Russia were effective , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday .
Earlier , the head of the Accounts Chamber Alexei Kudrin , said that the government could have allocated more funds to support citizens and businesses .
When asked to comment on this opinion Peskov said : `` In general , the Kremlin considers the measures taken to combat the crisis manifestations during the pandemic to be effective , timely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consequences of the global crisis are minimized as much as possible . ''
`` Why ?
The comparative figures of [ economic ] decline , rise of unemployment and so on , starkly illustrate it [ the effectiveness of measures - TASS ] , if you take many countries - in Europe , America - and compare their data with that of Russia , '' the Kremlin spokesman explained .
According to him , the figures `` clearly show that the measures [ taken in Russia ] really worked . ''
Peskov also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is a huge number of countries that spent a lot of money in proportion to the size of their economies and the number of the population .
He added that there were countries that distributed so-called `` helicopter money . ''
`` This has neither resulted in an improved situation for business , nor helped prevent a slowdown in the economies of those countries , '' the Kremlin official stated .
Peskov recalled the words of President Vladimir Putin that the measures of support adopted by the government were `` effective , @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, September 18. /TASS/. The Kremlin is convinced that the measures taken by the authorities to mitigate the economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic in Russia were effective, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday.
Earlier, the head of the Accounts Chamber, Alexei Kudrin, said that the government could have allocated more funds to support citizens and businesses.
When asked to comment on this opinion Peskov said: "In general, the Kremlin considers the measures taken to combat the crisis manifestations during the pandemic to be effective, timely, carefully adjusted and ensuring that the consequences of the global crisis are minimized as much as possible."
"Why? The comparative figures of [economic] decline, rise of unemployment and so on, starkly illustrate it [the effectiveness of measures - TASS], if you take many countries - in Europe, America - and compare their data with that of Russia," the Kremlin spokesman explained.
According to him, the figures "clearly show that the measures [taken in Russia] really worked."
Peskov also drew attention to the fact that "there is a huge number of countries that spent a lot of money in proportion to the size of their economies and the number of the population. He added that there were countries that distributed so-called "helicopter money."
"This has neither resulted in an improved situation for business, nor helped prevent a slowdown in the economies of those countries," the Kremlin official stated.
Peskov recalled the words of President Vladimir Putin that the measures of support adopted by the government were "effective, timely and well-thought-out."


tass--2020-09-18--Too much absurdity in Navalny case to take anyone’s word on trust — Kremlin

MOSCOW , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that there are too many absurd inconsistencies in the alleged poisoning of Russian blogger Alexey Navalny to take anyone 's word for it .
`` There is too much absurdity about this whole situation to take anyone ’ s word on trust , so we are not going to take anyone ’ s word , '' Peskov told journalists Friday .
Commenting on the reports that traces of a Novichok-class substance had allegedly been found on a bottle in Navalny ’ s hotel room , Peskov said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because this bottle , if it ever existed , had been taken somewhere in Germany or elsewhere . ''
`` This means that an object that could serve as an evidence of poisoning has been shipped away .
This is yet another question : why and so on , '' he said .
Having no chance to study the bottle itself , Russian specialists can not say anything , Peskov noted .
The Kremlin spokesman also cited toxicology experts who say that , if such a bottle with traces of a combat nerve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlikely anyone would have been able to take it anywhere .
`` They wouldn ’ t have enough time , '' Peskov said .
`` The amount of the absurd and the number of questions keeps growing every day .
The only thing that could shed some light on what happened is exchange of information , exchange of biological materials , exchange of evidence and joint work , including that of medics , and so forth , on analyzing the situation , '' the spokesman insisted .
Peskov was not clear whether the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recreate Navalny ’ s route and identify objects that Navalny could have touched .
`` I can not tell you .
We don ’ t do investigations in the Kremlin , '' he said .
`` If there had been any traces of chemical weapons on Russian territory , then , of course , the president would have been briefed immediately .
That would have been a total emergency , '' the spokesman underscored .
`` The thing is that we are told : ‘ here are the Novichok traces on the bottle.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ if there were traces of the Novichok on the bottle , then people , who touched it or at least were nearby , could have been affected .
This totally contradicts the conclusions of the experts . ''
`` If there was a bottle , why was it transported somewhere ?
Then maybe , someone does not want an investigation to take place ? ''
Peskov went on .
`` I don ’ t know if our law enforcement seeks to find this out or not . ''
Moscow keeps trying to obtain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alexey Navalny from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons ( OPCW ) , but to no avail , the Kremlin spokesman revealed .
`` Yes , Russia continues these attempts , '' Peskov said , answering a question .
`` De facto , the situation is as follows : the OPCW Technical Secretariat says ‘ we know nothing , talk to the Germans , ’ and the Germans say ‘ we know nothing , talk to the OPCW , '' the spokesman said .
`` What I said perfectly reflects the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not abandon our attempts to talk to our counterparts in the [ OPCW ] Technical Secretariat and in Berlin , '' the spokesman said .
Dmitry Peskov refrained from commenting on the remarks made by State Duma ( parliament 's lower house ) Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin regarding possible involvement of foreign intelligence agencies in the alleged poisoning of blogger Alexey Navalny .
The spokesman told journalists Friday that there are currently more questions than answers about the case .
`` We can not state either our agreement or disagreement with [ Volodin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this case than we get answers , '' Peskov said .
He pointed out that Moscow has very limited options to investigate the incident , `` because , as it turned out , some items have been moved from Russia , and there is no way to study the examination results . ''
The Kremlin has no information whether Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny who was hospitalized in Omsk , Siberia , cooperates with foreign intelligence services , Dmitry Peskov went on .
`` I can not answer this question because I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Peskov said .
Peskov also recalled that the poisoning version was on the table from the very start .
`` It was on the table from the very start , but has seen no confirmation because poisoning implies presence of poisonous substances in bloodstream .
The Omsk medics and Moscow laboratories found no poisonous substances in the patient ’ s blood , '' he underscored .
Peskov assured that Russia is concerned over the information that comes from Berlin .
`` They say that the examination revealed that this poisoning .
Laboratories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same conclusion , '' the spokesman said .
Meanwhile , Russia has no way to study the examination results `` either because our Berlin colleagues do not want it , or because the patient himself does not want it . ''
`` All this raises questions .
We can not answer these questions now , but all this complicates our attempts to find out what actually happened , '' Peskov concluded .

MOSCOW, September 18. /TASS/. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that there are too many absurd inconsistencies in the alleged poisoning of Russian blogger Alexey Navalny to take anyone's word for it.
"There is too much absurdity about this whole situation to take anyone’s word on trust, so we are not going to take anyone’s word," Peskov told journalists Friday.
Commenting on the reports that traces of a Novichok-class substance had allegedly been found on a bottle in Navalny’s hotel room, Peskov said: "We cannot explain this, because this bottle, if it ever existed, had been taken somewhere in Germany or elsewhere."
"This means that an object that could serve as an evidence of poisoning has been shipped away. This is yet another question: why and so on," he said.
Having no chance to study the bottle itself, Russian specialists cannot say anything, Peskov noted.
The Kremlin spokesman also cited toxicology experts who say that, if such a bottle with traces of a combat nerve agent ever existed, it is highly unlikely anyone would have been able to take it anywhere. "They wouldn’t have enough time," Peskov said.
"The amount of the absurd and the number of questions keeps growing every day. The only thing that could shed some light on what happened is exchange of information, exchange of biological materials, exchange of evidence and joint work, including that of medics, and so forth, on analyzing the situation," the spokesman insisted.
Peskov was not clear whether the investigators and the intelligence agencies attempted to recreate Navalny’s route and identify objects that Navalny could have touched. "I cannot tell you. We don’t do investigations in the Kremlin," he said.
"If there had been any traces of chemical weapons on Russian territory, then, of course, the president would have been briefed immediately. That would have been a total emergency," the spokesman underscored. "The thing is that we are told: ‘here are the Novichok traces on the bottle.’ But a specialist says that, if there were traces of the Novichok on the bottle, then people, who touched it or at least were nearby, could have been affected. This totally contradicts the conclusions of the experts."
"If there was a bottle, why was it transported somewhere? Then maybe, someone does not want an investigation to take place?" Peskov went on. "I don’t know if our law enforcement seeks to find this out or not."
Obtaining results of tests from OPCW
Moscow keeps trying to obtain the results of tests of Russian blogger Alexey Navalny from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), but to no avail, the Kremlin spokesman revealed.
"Yes, Russia continues these attempts," Peskov said, answering a question.
"De facto, the situation is as follows: the OPCW Technical Secretariat says ‘we know nothing, talk to the Germans,’ and the Germans say ‘we know nothing, talk to the OPCW," the spokesman said.
"What I said perfectly reflects the current situation; yet still, we do not abandon our attempts to talk to our counterparts in the [OPCW] Technical Secretariat and in Berlin," the spokesman said.
Claims about Navalny’s cooperation with foreign intelligence
Dmitry Peskov refrained from commenting on the remarks made by State Duma (parliament's lower house) Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin regarding possible involvement of foreign intelligence agencies in the alleged poisoning of blogger Alexey Navalny. The spokesman told journalists Friday that there are currently more questions than answers about the case.
"We cannot state either our agreement or disagreement with [Volodin]. There are more questions arising in this case than we get answers," Peskov said.
He pointed out that Moscow has very limited options to investigate the incident, "because, as it turned out, some items have been moved from Russia, and there is no way to study the examination results."
The Kremlin has no information whether Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny who was hospitalized in Omsk, Siberia, cooperates with foreign intelligence services, Dmitry Peskov went on. "I cannot answer this question because I don’t have this information," Peskov said.
Peskov also recalled that the poisoning version was on the table from the very start. "It was on the table from the very start, but has seen no confirmation because poisoning implies presence of poisonous substances in bloodstream. The Omsk medics and Moscow laboratories found no poisonous substances in the patient’s blood," he underscored.
Peskov assured that Russia is concerned over the information that comes from Berlin. "They say that the examination revealed that is poisoning. Laboratories from France and Sweden have come to the same conclusion," the spokesman said.
Meanwhile, Russia has no way to study the examination results "either because our Berlin colleagues do not want it, or because the patient himself does not want it."
"All this raises questions. We cannot answer these questions now, but all this complicates our attempts to find out what actually happened," Peskov concluded.


tass--2020-09-18--No reason to transfer jailed Russian pilot to private US prison, wife says

ROSTOV-ON-DON , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
There is no reason to transfer Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko , jailed in the United States , to a private prison , the pilot ’ s wife , Viktoria told TASS on Friday .
According to her , the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , earlier requested that the Russian be transferred to a private prison .
`` No decision has been announced yet .
We don ’ t get why they decided to transfer Konstantin to another prison .
All the guards he talked to were surprised to hear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is no reason to transfer him to another prison , '' Viktoria pointed out .
Yaroshenko ’ s lawyer Alexei Tarasov told TASS that he was unaware why his client was to be transferred from the Danbury Federal Correctional Institution to a private prison .
`` As of now , no one knows where they want to move him , neither our embassy nor consulate has any information .
When Konstantin was transferred from the Fort Dix prison , they listed three possible facilities where he could be moved .
Our diplomats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York .
They made concessions and moved him to Danbury .
But now , there is no information , no one understands what ’ s going on , '' the jailed Russian ’ s wife said .
Yaroshenko earlier filed a request for early release , citing the coronavirus threat .
In April , the prison authorities informed the Russian that his request had been denied .
Yaroshenko was arrested in Liberia in May 2010 , and was later clandestinely transferred to the United States .
In September 2011 , he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major cocaine shipment into the US , and sentenced to 20 years behind bars .
However , Yaroshenko pleaded not guilty , saying that his arrest was a setup and the case was fabricated .

ROSTOV-ON-DON, September 18. /TASS/. There is no reason to transfer Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko, jailed in the United States, to a private prison, the pilot’s wife, Viktoria told TASS on Friday.
According to her, the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, earlier requested that the Russian be transferred to a private prison.
"No decision has been announced yet. We don’t get why they decided to transfer Konstantin to another prison. All the guards he talked to were surprised to hear about it. Even they recognize that there is no reason to transfer him to another prison," Viktoria pointed out.
Yaroshenko’s lawyer Alexei Tarasov told TASS that he was unaware why his client was to be transferred from the Danbury Federal Correctional Institution to a private prison.
"As of now, no one knows where they want to move him, neither our embassy nor consulate has any information. When Konstantin was transferred from the Fort Dix prison, they listed three possible facilities where he could be moved. Our diplomats asked to transfer him somewhere close to New York. They made concessions and moved him to Danbury. But now, there is no information, no one understands what’s going on," the jailed Russian’s wife said.
Yaroshenko earlier filed a request for early release, citing the coronavirus threat. In April, the prison authorities informed the Russian that his request had been denied.
Yaroshenko was arrested in Liberia in May 2010, and was later clandestinely transferred to the United States. In September 2011, he was found guilty of conspiring to smuggle a major cocaine shipment into the US, and sentenced to 20 years behind bars. However, Yaroshenko pleaded not guilty, saying that his arrest was a setup and the case was fabricated.


tass--2020-09-18--Press review: Moscow to hit back on EU sanctions and Poland blames Russia for 2010 crash

Even though the EU is trying to elbow Russia out of the gas market , it is unlikely that the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project will be abandoned over the incident with Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny , sources in the Russian Federation Council ( upper house of parliament ) told Izvestia .
The resolution approved by the European Parliament ( EP ) on Thursday stresses the need for an international investigation into the alleged poisoning of Navalny with a Novichok-type toxic agent .
European MPs called for suspending Nord Stream 2 and slapping sanctions on Russia .
Meanwhile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the investigation of what happened to Navalny .
If the EU levies sanctions on Russia , Moscow can provide a tit-for-tat response , Russian MPs told the paper .
`` I don ’ t think this option will come to life , because it is difficult to connect the situation with Navalny to the construction of Nord Stream 2 .
This is just an excuse to push Russia out of the gas market .
We need to react calmly and not be dragged into those discussions , '' Deputy Chairman of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foreign Affairs Vladimir Dzhabarov told Izvestia , commenting on the resolution .
Earlier , Klaus Ernst , who heads the Bundestag Economy and Energy Committee , told the paper that it would be absurd to tie Nord Stream 2 to the activity of the Russian opposition figure .
Deputy Chairman of the State Duma ’ s Foreign Affairs Committee Alexei Chepa explained to Izvestia that in the event of any real anti-Russian sanctions , Russia can provide a tit-for-tat response .
For example , if the EU approves personal restrictions and a sanctions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Of course , we will respond .
However , this will impact both our economy and the economy of Germany and the EU .
No one wins here .
However , there may be a tit-for-tat blacklist that would include , for example , the MPs that called for anti-Russian sanctions or for the suspension of Nord Stream 2 , '' the MP said , stressing that Moscow will only retaliate if the EU introduces real sanctions against Russia .
Russia has dismissed Poland ’ s demands to arrest three Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Smolensk North Airport on April 10 , 2010 , when The Tupolev-154M presidential plane of the Polish Air Force crashed while trying to land , killing all 96 people on board , including Polish President Lech Kaczynski .
Experts from the Interstate Aviation Committee ( IAC ) concluded that the crash was due to the actions of the plane ’ s Polish crew .
However , ten years later , Warsaw is still hurling accusations against Russia , Rossiyskaya Gazeta notes .
The Polish prosecution has not given up on finding a guilty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago , Polish investigators came to the conclusion that air traffic controllers who `` deliberately provoked the catastrophe '' are to blame for the disaster instead of the Polish pilots who chose to land in Smolensk despite the numerous warnings from Russian traffic control .
Press Secretary for the Polish General Prosecutor 's Office Eva Bialik disclosed that if the court demands the temporary arrest of the air traffic control workers , the investigators can take measures for their detention .
But does Poland have the ability to launch criminal proceedings against Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Association of Lawyers explained that in accordance with Article 11 Part 1 of the Russian Criminal Code , any person that committed a crime on Russian territory faces criminal proceedings under the Russian law .
`` Therefore , even if we assume that the Russian air traffic controllers had committed a crime , the case proceedings and the criminal prosecution must take place in strict accordance with the norms of Russian criminal law , '' Spiridonova told the paper .
`` Special attention should be paid to Article 61 of the Russian Constitution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian Federation can not be expelled from the country or handed over to another state . ''
The lawyer emphasized that a foreign state can launch criminal proceedings against Russian citizens only if they committed a crime on the territory of the said state .
In such cases , the Russian government must provide support for its citizens , which ranges from sending diplomatic notes to providing qualified legal aid .
Izvestia : How the GNA head ’ s imminent departure may impact Libya ’ s balance of power The resignation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government of National Accord ( GNA ) , will not change the balance of power in the North African country , and it is unlikely to change Russia ’ s stance on the situation in the country .
Whoever fills al-Sarraj ’ s shoes , Moscow will continue to support inter-Libyan dialogue mediated by the UN , Russian senators told Izvestia .
Experts explained to the paper that the resignation of the governments in Tobruk ( eastern Libya ) and Tripoli ( Western Libya ) are part of the same process that shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to resolve the conflict by force wo n't satisfy Libyans or the international community .
Further conflict resolution is possible only through peace talks .
Prime Minister of Libyan Government of National Accord ( GNA ) Fayez al-Sarraj announced on September 17 on national TV that he planned to resign in late October `` to give way to new leaders . ''
Despite the changes in the Libyan government , Russia ’ s stance remains unchanged , Chairman of the Russian Federation Council ( upper house of parliament ) Media Policy Commission Alexey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolving the Libyan problem through inter-Libyan dialogue and through political methods with the participation of the UN .
I don ’ t see why Moscow ’ s position should fundamentally change due to a change in leadership , '' the senator stressed .
`` Libya must form a united government that would be recognized by all parts of the process .
There is simply no other way . ''
The politician noted that the pending change in Libya ’ s leadership might improve or complicate the conditions for domestic dialogue .
This will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and what the new configuration of power in Tripoli will be like , he said .
Meanwhile , Grigory Lukyanov , a senior lecturer with the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Higher School of Economics ’ School of Political Science , told Izvestia that al-Sarraj ’ s rival , Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar of the Libyan National Army , is unlikely to resign in the near future .
The expert noted that Haftar ’ s post is not a political one , and that he can not be elected .
The veteran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clout in Libya , Lukyanov pointed out .
Kommersant : OPEC+ turns up the heat on production cut stragglers Leaders of OPEC+ states are trying to crank up pressure on those lagging behind on oil production cuts .
In August , Saudi Arabia and Russia failed to get stragglers , such as Iraq and Nigeria , to reach the required quota .
Saudi Arabia excoriated those states that failed to adhere to the promised cuts , however , despite its tough rhetoric , OPEC+ gave the states that are falling behind some time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ achieve the required level , Kommersant reports .
OPEC+ called on players that do not fully adhere to the oil production cut agreements to provide a plan on compensating for excess production until the end of September , the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee ruled .
As expected , OPEC+ chose not to change the quota on the cuts , focusing instead on those states that are violating the agreement .
Despite some improvements in member discipline ( in July , the required cutbacks were 95 % complete ) , Russia and Saudi Arabia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on participants to better fulfill their promises .
As a result , despite the tough rhetoric of some of the deal ’ s participants , like the Saudis , OPEC+ decided to make concessions for their off-track partners , allowing them to compensate for excess production in the summer until the end of the year .
Besides , OPEC+ will not introduce sanctions against them .
On the whole , the deal is being followed , and Iraq and Nigeria have improved their discipline , Fitch expert Dmitry Marinchenko told the paper , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was among the deal ’ s violators , however , this is likely to have happened due to technical reasons .
The expert pointed out that it is impossible to judge the effect of partial non-adherence to the deal , however , the fact that Saudi Arabia continues to monitor discipline closely is a positive signal for the market .
OPEC+ is likely to continue its flexible approach to the agreement , potentially changing its conditions depending on the pandemic situation and global demand for oil , Marinchenko said .
Nevertheless , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of the year , as the second wave of COVID-19 becomes a far more real risk .
RBC : Bank of Russia documents record volume of money transfers from Russia The volume of transnational money transfers from Russia abroad reached $ 837 mln in July 2020 , which is a record high since October 2018 ( $ 856 mln ) , the Bank of Russia ’ s statistical data cited by RBC reports , which includes the transfers made through money transfer services like Western Union , Golden Crown , Unistream , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , and Russian Post .
The bulk of the money was sent to countries within the Commonwealth of Independent States ( $ 686 mln ) , while the remaining part ( $ 152 mln ) was sent to non-CIS foreign states .
The international money transfer market recorded a sharp drop in April , reaching $ 302 mln .
The border shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic , along with a lull in the work of trade and services and the decreased value of the Russian ruble affected the situation on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of money transfers from Russia surpassed April ’ s figures by 177 % , and last year ’ s figures by 15.6 % .
Meanwhile , $ 279 mln was transferred to Russia from abroad , which is the highest figure since December 2019 ( $ 306 mln ) .
Pent-up demand was among the factors affecting a high volume of money transfers , deputy head of the National Payment Association Maria Mikhailova told RBC .
As the majority of transfers went to CIS states , the pent-up demand came from migrants that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the National Payments Council ’ s board Alma Obayeva said .
`` During the pandemic , the transfer collection points were shut .
Some migrants might also have been left without work .
Now they are transferring their savings that accumulated during the months of restrictions , if they did not lose their job , or they are sending the bulk of their wages to compensate for the lack of money in the previous months , if they had no job during the restrictions , '' she said .
Meanwhile , Golden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in money transfers from CIS to Russia during the pandemic , which is related to the support of migrants that were left without a job and were unable to return home , head of the service Ivan Sitnov told RBC .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews .

Izvestia: Russia vows to retaliate against potential EU sanctions
Read also Germany proposes 1 bln euro deal to US to reject sanctions against Nord Stream 2
Even though the EU is trying to elbow Russia out of the gas market, it is unlikely that the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project will be abandoned over the incident with Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny, sources in the Russian Federation Council (upper house of parliament) told Izvestia. The resolution approved by the European Parliament (EP) on Thursday stresses the need for an international investigation into the alleged poisoning of Navalny with a Novichok-type toxic agent. European MPs called for suspending Nord Stream 2 and slapping sanctions on Russia. Meanwhile, Moscow is urging Berlin to cooperate in the investigation of what happened to Navalny. If the EU levies sanctions on Russia, Moscow can provide a tit-for-tat response, Russian MPs told the paper. "I don’t think this option will come to life, because it is difficult to connect the situation with Navalny to the construction of Nord Stream 2. This is just an excuse to push Russia out of the gas market. We need to react calmly and not be dragged into those discussions," Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation Council’s Committee on Foreign Affairs Vladimir Dzhabarov told Izvestia, commenting on the resolution. Earlier, Klaus Ernst, who heads the Bundestag Economy and Energy Committee, told the paper that it would be absurd to tie Nord Stream 2 to the activity of the Russian opposition figure. Deputy Chairman of the State Duma’s Foreign Affairs Committee Alexei Chepa explained to Izvestia that in the event of any real anti-Russian sanctions, Russia can provide a tit-for-tat response. For example, if the EU approves personal restrictions and a sanctions list, Moscow will do the same. "Of course, we will respond. However, this will impact both our economy and the economy of Germany and the EU. No one wins here. However, there may be a tit-for-tat blacklist that would include, for example, the MPs that called for anti-Russian sanctions or for the suspension of Nord Stream 2," the MP said, stressing that Moscow will only retaliate if the EU introduces real sanctions against Russia. Rossiyskaya Gazeta: Warsaw claims Russian air traffic controllers caused 2010 Polish presidential plane crash
Russia has dismissed Poland’s demands to arrest three Russian air traffic controllers who worked at the Smolensk North Airport on April 10, 2010, when The Tupolev-154M presidential plane of the Polish Air Force crashed while trying to land, killing all 96 people on board, including Polish President Lech Kaczynski. Experts from the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) concluded that the crash was due to the actions of the plane’s Polish crew. However, ten years later, Warsaw is still hurling accusations against Russia, Rossiyskaya Gazeta notes. The Polish prosecution has not given up on finding a guilty party outside of Poland. Three years ago, Polish investigators came to the conclusion that air traffic controllers who "deliberately provoked the catastrophe" are to blame for the disaster instead of the Polish pilots who chose to land in Smolensk despite the numerous warnings from Russian traffic control. Press Secretary for the Polish General Prosecutor's Office Eva Bialik disclosed that if the court demands the temporary arrest of the air traffic control workers, the investigators can take measures for their detention. But does Poland have the ability to launch criminal proceedings against Russian citizens? Maria Spiridonova from the Russian Association of Lawyers explained that in accordance with Article 11 Part 1 of the Russian Criminal Code, any person that committed a crime on Russian territory faces criminal proceedings under the Russian law. "Therefore, even if we assume that the Russian air traffic controllers had committed a crime, the case proceedings and the criminal prosecution must take place in strict accordance with the norms of Russian criminal law," Spiridonova told the paper. "Special attention should be paid to Article 61 of the Russian Constitution, which says that a citizen of the Russian Federation cannot be expelled from the country or handed over to another state." The lawyer emphasized that a foreign state can launch criminal proceedings against Russian citizens only if they committed a crime on the territory of the said state. In such cases, the Russian government must provide support for its citizens, which ranges from sending diplomatic notes to providing qualified legal aid. Izvestia: How the GNA head’s imminent departure may impact Libya’s balance of power
The resignation of Fayez al-Sarraj, who heads the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), will not change the balance of power in the North African country, and it is unlikely to change Russia’s stance on the situation in the country. Whoever fills al-Sarraj’s shoes, Moscow will continue to support inter-Libyan dialogue mediated by the UN, Russian senators told Izvestia. Experts explained to the paper that the resignation of the governments in Tobruk (eastern Libya) and Tripoli (Western Libya) are part of the same process that shows a change in strategy. Any attempts to resolve the conflict by force won't satisfy Libyans or the international community. Further conflict resolution is possible only through peace talks. Prime Minister of Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez al-Sarraj announced on September 17 on national TV that he planned to resign in late October "to give way to new leaders." Despite the changes in the Libyan government, Russia’s stance remains unchanged, Chairman of the Russian Federation Council (upper house of parliament) Media Policy Commission Alexey Pushkov told Izvestia. "We advocate resolving the Libyan problem through inter-Libyan dialogue and through political methods with the participation of the UN. I don’t see why Moscow’s position should fundamentally change due to a change in leadership," the senator stressed. "Libya must form a united government that would be recognized by all parts of the process. There is simply no other way." The politician noted that the pending change in Libya’s leadership might improve or complicate the conditions for domestic dialogue. This will depend on who will come after al-Sarraj and what the new configuration of power in Tripoli will be like, he said. Meanwhile, Grigory Lukyanov, a senior lecturer with the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Higher School of Economics’ School of Political Science, told Izvestia that al-Sarraj’s rival, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar of the Libyan National Army, is unlikely to resign in the near future. The expert noted that Haftar’s post is not a political one, and that he cannot be elected. The veteran commander continues to hold on to his clout in Libya, Lukyanov pointed out. Kommersant: OPEC+ turns up the heat on production cut stragglers
Read also OPEC countries fulfill their obligations under oil production cut deal by 97% in July
Leaders of OPEC+ states are trying to crank up pressure on those lagging behind on oil production cuts. In August, Saudi Arabia and Russia failed to get stragglers, such as Iraq and Nigeria, to reach the required quota. Saudi Arabia excoriated those states that failed to adhere to the promised cuts, however, despite its tough rhetoric, OPEC+ gave the states that are falling behind some time until the end of the year to achieve the required level, Kommersant reports. OPEC+ called on players that do not fully adhere to the oil production cut agreements to provide a plan on compensating for excess production until the end of September, the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee ruled. As expected, OPEC+ chose not to change the quota on the cuts, focusing instead on those states that are violating the agreement. Despite some improvements in member discipline (in July, the required cutbacks were 95% complete), Russia and Saudi Arabia, the key OPEC+ players, called on participants to better fulfill their promises. As a result, despite the tough rhetoric of some of the deal’s participants, like the Saudis, OPEC+ decided to make concessions for their off-track partners, allowing them to compensate for excess production in the summer until the end of the year. Besides, OPEC+ will not introduce sanctions against them. On the whole, the deal is being followed, and Iraq and Nigeria have improved their discipline, Fitch expert Dmitry Marinchenko told the paper, adding that in August, the UAE was among the deal’s violators, however, this is likely to have happened due to technical reasons. The expert pointed out that it is impossible to judge the effect of partial non-adherence to the deal, however, the fact that Saudi Arabia continues to monitor discipline closely is a positive signal for the market. OPEC+ is likely to continue its flexible approach to the agreement, potentially changing its conditions depending on the pandemic situation and global demand for oil, Marinchenko said. Nevertheless, the quotas are unlikely to change until the end of the year, as the second wave of COVID-19 becomes a far more real risk. RBC: Bank of Russia documents record volume of money transfers from Russia
Read also Putin to discuss measures to support economy with banks’ representatives


tass--2020-09-18--Human rights activists in Belarus collect 500 testimonies by tortured protesters

`` At the moment the human rights center Vyasna has collected more than 500 testimonies by victims of torture .
Human rights activists are in the process of classifying them and writing a report , '' the human rights center said on its website .
The center says the Investigative Committee has received about 1,200 grievances from people who complained about `` moral and psychological pressure . ''
`` However , the Investigative Committee has not opened a single criminal case , '' the human rights activists say .
They claim that peaceful demonstrators were attacked in many Belarusian cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who absolutely disproportionately used special gear and weapons and beat up detainees during detention , inside police vehicles and at police stations and detention centers .
Human rights activists also say that after the August 9 presidential election there have been 180 detentions of journalists , including 21 arrests .
Also , there have been at least 40 detentions of journalists working for foreign media .
The human rights center says the UN Human Rights Council will meet for a session in Geneva on Friday to hold urgent debates on Belarus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is essential to brief the public at large and international organizations on mass torture .
Earlier , Belarusian human rights organizations acting in the interest of 47 former detainees addressed the UN Committee Against Torture with a documented statement about cases of brutal and humiliating treatment .
The human rights activists also gathered information about victims of torture and brutal treatment .
They say that on August 12-20 alone testimonies by several hundred victims were collected .
The complaints are confirmed by photographs and video recordings .
Testimonies by more than 100 victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belarus following the August 9 presidential election .
According to the Central Election Commission ’ s official results , incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won by a landslide , garnering 80.10 % of the vote .
His closest rival in the race , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , came in second , with 10.12 % of the ballot .
However , she refused to recognize the election ’ s outcome , and left Belarus for Lithuania .
After the results of the exit polls were announced late on August 9 , mass protests erupted in downtown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the early post-election period , the rallies snowballed into fierce clashes between the protesters and police .
The current unrest is being cheered on by the opposition ’ s Coordination Council , which has been beating the drum for more protests .
In response , the Belarusian authorities have castigated the ongoing turmoil and demanded that these unauthorized demonstrations be stopped .

"At the moment the human rights center Vyasna has collected more than 500 testimonies by victims of torture. Human rights activists are in the process of classifying them and writing a report," the human rights center said on its website.
The center says the Investigative Committee has received about 1,200 grievances from people who complained about "moral and psychological pressure."
"However, the Investigative Committee has not opened a single criminal case," the human rights activists say. They claim that peaceful demonstrators were attacked in many Belarusian cities by crack units of the Interior Ministry, who absolutely disproportionately used special gear and weapons and beat up detainees during detention, inside police vehicles and at police stations and detention centers.
Human rights activists also say that after the August 9 presidential election there have been 180 detentions of journalists, including 21 arrests. Also, there have been at least 40 detentions of journalists working for foreign media. The human rights center says the UN Human Rights Council will meet for a session in Geneva on Friday to hold urgent debates on Belarus. The center’s activists believe it is essential to brief the public at large and international organizations on mass torture.
Earlier, Belarusian human rights organizations acting in the interest of 47 former detainees addressed the UN Committee Against Torture with a documented statement about cases of brutal and humiliating treatment. The human rights activists also gathered information about victims of torture and brutal treatment. They say that on August 12-20 alone testimonies by several hundred victims were collected. The complaints are confirmed by photographs and video recordings. Testimonies by more than 100 victims were recorded.
Nationwide demonstrations have engulfed Belarus following the August 9 presidential election. According to the Central Election Commission’s official results, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won by a landslide, garnering 80.10% of the vote. His closest rival in the race, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, came in second, with 10.12% of the ballot. However, she refused to recognize the election’s outcome, and left Belarus for Lithuania. After the results of the exit polls were announced late on August 9, mass protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other Belarusian cities. During the early post-election period, the rallies snowballed into fierce clashes between the protesters and police. The current unrest is being cheered on by the opposition’s Coordination Council, which has been beating the drum for more protests. In response, the Belarusian authorities have castigated the ongoing turmoil and demanded that these unauthorized demonstrations be stopped.


tass--2020-09-18--Minsk decries European Parliament’s resolution as ‘prime example of political arrogance’

MINSK , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
The European Parliament resolution on Belarus demonstrated a systemic crisis of the European @ @ @ @ @ example of political arrogance , said Andrei Savinykh , chairman of the Belarusian parliamentary commission @ @ @ @ @ The European Parliament resolution is a prime example of judgemental and biased approach and political @ @ @ @ @ said .
According to Savinykh , Belarus notes with regret that `` the practice of @ @ @ @ @ aimed at strengthening trust and mutual understanding in Europe , gives way to banal politicking @ @ @ @ @ this trend as an obvious manifestation of a systemic crisis that engulfs all European institutions @ @ @ @ @ .
On September 17 , the European Parliament adopted a resolution , refusing to recognize @ @ @ @ @ of Belarus and demanded harsh sanctions - including financial ones - against the official Minsk @ @ @ @ @ , allegedly involved in rigging of presidential elections , violence and repressions .
Besides , @ @ @ @ @ into imposing sanctions on Russian people , involved in supporting Lukashenko .

MINSK, September 18. /TASS/. The European Parliament resolution on Belarus demonstrated a systemic crisis of the European institutions and has become an example of political arrogance, said Andrei Savinykh, chairman of the Belarusian parliamentary commission on foreign affairs.
"The European Parliament resolution is a prime example of judgemental and biased approach and political arrogance," the official said.
According to Savinykh, Belarus notes with regret that "the practice of weighted and considerate actions, aimed at strengthening trust and mutual understanding in Europe, gives way to banal politicking."
"We view this trend as an obvious manifestation of a systemic crisis that engulfs all European institutions," the lawmaker said.
On September 17, the European Parliament adopted a resolution, refusing to recognize Alexander Lukashenko as the president of Belarus and demanded harsh sanctions - including financial ones - against the official Minsk, as well as people, allegedly involved in rigging of presidential elections, violence and repressions. Besides, the European Parliament recommended looking into imposing sanctions on Russian people, involved in supporting Lukashenko.


tass--2020-09-18--Team of 35 Moscow doctors head to Uzbekistan to aid fight against COVID-19

MOSCOW , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
A team of Moscow doctors has been sent to Uzbekistan to aid the @ @ @ @ @ , the Moscow Department of Healthcare informed on Friday .
`` A team of 35 @ @ @ @ @ Uzbekistan to provide consultative and methodical and practical aid to local specialists treating COVID-19 patients @ @ @ @ @ is headed by Konstantin Pokrovsky , a surgeon at City Clinical Hospital No .
67 @ @ @ @ @ , he led medical teams that provided aid to colleagues in Vladikavkaz and the Tyva @ @ @ @ @ service informed .
This is the second team sent by the Russian Department of Healthcare @ @ @ @ @ against the pandemic .
The first one was dispatched to Kazakhstan in July .
The @ @ @ @ @ to Uzbek doctors as well as practical assistance in combating the coronavirus infection .
The @ @ @ @ @ hospitals , help restructure clinics , examine patients in the `` red zone '' and @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, September 18. /TASS/. A team of Moscow doctors has been sent to Uzbekistan to aid the fight against the novel coronavirus, the Moscow Department of Healthcare informed on Friday.
"A team of 35 Moscow doctors took off for Uzbekistan to provide consultative and methodical and practical aid to local specialists treating COVID-19 patients. The multidisciplinary medical brigade is headed by Konstantin Pokrovsky, a surgeon at City Clinical Hospital No. 67 named after Vorokhobov. Earlier, he led medical teams that provided aid to colleagues in Vladikavkaz and the Tyva Republic," the press service informed.
This is the second team sent by the Russian Department of Healthcare abroad to aid the fight against the pandemic. The first one was dispatched to Kazakhstan in July.
The Russian specialists will provide consultations to Uzbek doctors as well as practical assistance in combating the coronavirus infection. The medics will visit local COVID-19 hospitals, help restructure clinics, examine patients in the "red zone" and hold training sessions.


tass--2020-09-18--European Parliament’s claims indicate foreign intelligence behind Navalny case — speaker

MOSCOW , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
The European Parliament ’ s statements indicate that foreign intelligence agencies are behind the Alexey Navalny incident , Russian State Duma ( parliament 's lower house ) speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said Friday .
`` After the European Parliament 's statements , one can say that foreign states ’ intelligence agencies are behind the [ Russian blogger Alexey ] Navalny incident .
If such concepts as democracy and international law exist for the Western countries , they must take measures and hold those who initiate such decisions in the European Parliament responsible , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Volodin once again called on the German Bundestag to `` once again discuss to what extent their intelligence agencies and officials are involved in the ongoing events . ''
`` Other European parliaments would also do well to clear this issue , '' Volodin concluded .
On Thursday , the European Parliament adopted a resolution in regards to the Navalny incident , calling for `` immediate launch of < ... > an impartial international investigation '' with involvement of the EU , UN , the Council of Europe , the EU allies and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the EU to adopt a vast sanctions list against Russia as soon as possible , as well as to suspend the Nord Stream 2 pipeline construction .
EP resolutions are non-binding and act as recommendations .
On August 20 , Alexey Navalny was hospitalized in Omsk after his condition deteriorated rapidly aboard a plane .
Later , the blogger was transferred to the Charite clinic in Berlin .
The German government claimed that the blogger was poisoned with a Novichok-class substance .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow is open for cooperation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Foreign Ministry noted that Berlin provided no proof of its allegations .

MOSCOW, September 18. /TASS/. The European Parliament’s statements indicate that foreign intelligence agencies are behind the Alexey Navalny incident, Russian State Duma (parliament's lower house) speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said Friday.
"After the European Parliament's statements, one can say that foreign states’ intelligence agencies are behind the [Russian blogger Alexey] Navalny incident. If such concepts as democracy and international law exist for the Western countries, they must take measures and hold those who initiate such decisions in the European Parliament responsible," Volodin said.
In this regard, Volodin once again called on the German Bundestag to "once again discuss to what extent their intelligence agencies and officials are involved in the ongoing events."
"Other European parliaments would also do well to clear this issue," Volodin concluded.
On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted a resolution in regards to the Navalny incident, calling for "immediate launch of <...> an impartial international investigation" with involvement of the EU, UN, the Council of Europe, the EU allies and the OPCW. The European Parliament urged the EU to adopt a vast sanctions list against Russia as soon as possible, as well as to suspend the Nord Stream 2 pipeline construction.
EP resolutions are non-binding and act as recommendations.
On August 20, Alexey Navalny was hospitalized in Omsk after his condition deteriorated rapidly aboard a plane. Later, the blogger was transferred to the Charite clinic in Berlin. The German government claimed that the blogger was poisoned with a Novichok-class substance. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow is open for cooperation with Berlin on the incident, while the Foreign Ministry noted that Berlin provided no proof of its allegations.


tass--2020-09-18--Moscow documents record high COVID-19 cases since June 26

MOSCOW , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow has documented 805 cases of COVID-19 , a disease caused by the @ @ @ @ @ past 24 hours , which is a record high since June 26 , the anti-coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ .
The daily increase rate in Moscow has reached 0.3 % .
The day before @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 were documented in the Russian capital .
Moscow has recorded a total of 274,808 @ @ @ @ @ start of the pandemic .
In the past 24 hours , 1,107 patients have recovered @ @ @ @ @ , with 235,136 people beating the virus overall .
Eight people have died in the @ @ @ @ @ the overall death toll in Moscow hitting 5,033 .

MOSCOW, September 18. /TASS/. Moscow has documented 805 cases of COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in the past 24 hours, which is a record high since June 26, the anti-coronavirus crisis center informed on Friday.
The daily increase rate in Moscow has reached 0.3%. The day before, 730 new cases of COVID-19 were documented in the Russian capital.
Moscow has recorded a total of 274,808 cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.
In the past 24 hours, 1,107 patients have recovered from the disease in Moscow, with 235,136 people beating the virus overall. Eight people have died in the past 24 hours, with the overall death toll in Moscow hitting 5,033.


tass--2020-09-18--Ukraine documents 3,228 COVID-19 cases in past 24 hours

KIEV , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
Ukrainian medics have documented 3,228 cases of COVID-19 , a disease caused by the novel coronavirus , in the past 24 hours , which is 10 % lower than the day before , when a record 3,584 infections were recorded , the Ukrainian Health Ministry informed on Friday .
`` In the past 24 hours , 3,228 new cases have been documented , '' the ministry informs , adding that since the start of the pandemic , 169,472 people have been diagnosed with the virus in the country .
In the past 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the overall death toll since the start of the pandemic hitting 3,468 .
In the past 24 hours , 1,573 people have recovered , and since the start of the epidemic , 75,486 patients have beaten the virus .
According to the Health Ministry , since the start of the pandemic , 1,985,802 swab tests for COVID-19 have been held , out of which 8.5 % have been positive .
Some 4.7 % of the population have been covered by testing so far .
Ukraine confirmed its first COVID-19 case on March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government imposed a lockdown on March 17 .
Later on , restrictions were extended until the end of October .
Since August 1 , new rules of adaptive quarantine have been in effect : the country ’ s regions are divided into four zones with different restrictions depending on the epidemiological situation .

KIEV, September 18. /TASS/. Ukrainian medics have documented 3,228 cases of COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in the past 24 hours, which is 10% lower than the day before, when a record 3,584 infections were recorded, the Ukrainian Health Ministry informed on Friday.
"In the past 24 hours, 3,228 new cases have been documented," the ministry informs, adding that since the start of the pandemic, 169,472 people have been diagnosed with the virus in the country. In the past 24 hours, 68 people have died, with the overall death toll since the start of the pandemic hitting 3,468. In the past 24 hours, 1,573 people have recovered, and since the start of the epidemic, 75,486 patients have beaten the virus.
According to the Health Ministry, since the start of the pandemic, 1,985,802 swab tests for COVID-19 have been held, out of which 8.5% have been positive. Some 4.7% of the population have been covered by testing so far.
Ukraine confirmed its first COVID-19 case on March 3 in the Chernovtsy Region. The government imposed a lockdown on March 17. Later on, restrictions were extended until the end of October. Since August 1, new rules of adaptive quarantine have been in effect: the country’s regions are divided into four zones with different restrictions depending on the epidemiological situation.


tass--2020-09-18--Russia records 5,905 new daily coronavirus cases

MOSCOW , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russia recorded 5,905 coronavirus cases in the past day , the highest number since July 20 , the anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Friday .
According to the crisis center , the daily coronavirus growth rate has remained at or below 0.5 % for 34 days .
The overall number of infections has reached 1,091,186 .
The growth rate is the lowest in the Nenets Autonomous Region ( 0 % ) , the Smolensk and Moscow regions ( 0.2 % ) , and the Chuvash , Tula and Chechnya regions ( 0.3 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases were recorded in St. Petersburg , 172 - in the Rostov Region , 165 - in the Moscow Region , 161 - in the Nizhny Novgorod Region and 140 - in the Stavropol Region in the past 24 hours .
There are currently 170,784 active coronavirus cases in Russia .
The number of recoveries has reached 901,207 , including 5,339 in the past 24 hours , the anti-coronavirus crisis center informed reporters on Friday .
According to the crisis center , the share of those recovered reaches 82.5 % of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past 24 hours , 134 died from COVID-19 in Russia , compared to 144 one day earlier ; the total death toll is now 19,195 , the anti-coronavirus crisis center told journalists Friday .
The lethality rate is 1.76 % of all cases in Russia .

MOSCOW, September 18. /TASS/. Russia recorded 5,905 coronavirus cases in the past day, the highest number since July 20, the anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Friday.
According to the crisis center, the daily coronavirus growth rate has remained at or below 0.5% for 34 days. The overall number of infections has reached 1,091,186.
The growth rate is the lowest in the Nenets Autonomous Region (0%), the Smolensk and Moscow regions (0.2%), and the Chuvash, Tula and Chechnya regions (0.3%).
As many as 206 new coronavirus cases were recorded in St. Petersburg, 172 - in the Rostov Region, 165 - in the Moscow Region, 161 - in the Nizhny Novgorod Region and 140 - in the Stavropol Region in the past 24 hours.
There are currently 170,784 active coronavirus cases in Russia.
Recoveries
The number of recoveries has reached 901,207, including 5,339 in the past 24 hours, the anti-coronavirus crisis center informed reporters on Friday.
According to the crisis center, the share of those recovered reaches 82.5% of the total number of cases.
Fatalities
In the past 24 hours, 134 died from COVID-19 in Russia, compared to 144 one day earlier; the total death toll is now 19,195, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told journalists Friday.
The lethality rate is 1.76% of all cases in Russia.


tass--2020-09-18--Russian radars track 44 planes, 10 drones conducting reconnaissance near Russian borders

MOSCOW , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russian radars tracked 54 foreign aircraft conducting reconnaissance near Russian borders this week @ @ @ @ @ Friday , citing the Russian Ministry of Defense .
According to the inforgraphics , 44 @ @ @ @ @ foreign drones were engaged in reconnaissance along the Russian borders .
All flights were monitored @ @ @ @ @ border violations took place , the newspaper says .
This week , Russian military pilots @ @ @ @ @ 62 airfields , the ministry added .

MOSCOW, September 18. /TASS/. Russian radars tracked 54 foreign aircraft conducting reconnaissance near Russian borders this week, Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper reported Friday, citing the Russian Ministry of Defense.
According to the inforgraphics, 44 foreign recon planes and 10 foreign drones were engaged in reconnaissance along the Russian borders. All flights were monitored by Russian radars. No border violations took place, the newspaper says.
This week, Russian military pilots conducted 313 training sorties from 62 airfields, the ministry added.


tass--2020-09-18--Belarus tightens border security

Belarus tightens border security

Minsk forced to shut down borders with Lithuania , Poland and boost control with Ukraine '' Border security has been @ @ @ @ @ are being taken depending on the situation in specific regions , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ on Thursday that the country would close its borders with Lithuania and Poland and strengthen @ @ @ @ @ He called on the people of the three countries to prevent their politicians from starting @ @ @ @ @ ''

Minsk forced to shut down borders with Lithuania, Poland and boost control with Ukraine
"Border security has been tightened, the necessary measures are being taken depending on the situation in specific regions," he said.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday that the country would close its borders with Lithuania and Poland and strengthen border control with Ukraine. He called on the people of the three countries to prevent their politicians from starting "a hot war."


tass--2020-09-18--Uzbekistan records 609 new daily coronavirus cases

TASHKENT , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
As many as 609 coronavirus cases were recorded in Uzbekistan in the past @ @ @ @ @ total to 49,994 , the country ’ s Health Ministry said on Friday .
According @ @ @ @ @ recoveries rose by 620 to 46,092 .
The death toll climbed to 424 .
A @ @ @ @ @ remain hospitalized , 478 of them are in serious condition and 269 are critical .
@ @ @ @ @ s anti-coronavirus crisis center Barno Abdusamatova said on Thursday that Uzbekistan was ready for a @ @ @ @ @ the fall .
According to her , 19,346 coronavirus hospital beds have been set up @ @ @ @ @ there is enough medicine for coronavirus patients .
The country ’ s authorities began to @ @ @ @ @ 15 , allowing public transport services to resume and hotels , public catering facilities , @ @ @ @ @ fitness centers to reopen .
However , mask wearing and social distancing remain mandatory and @ @ @ @ @ remains in effect .

TASHKENT, September 18. /TASS/. As many as 609 coronavirus cases were recorded in Uzbekistan in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 49,994, the country’s Health Ministry said on Friday.
According to the ministry, coronavirus recoveries rose by 620 to 46,092. The death toll climbed to 424.
A total of 3,485 coronavirus patients remain hospitalized, 478 of them are in serious condition and 269 are critical.
Head of the country’s anti-coronavirus crisis center Barno Abdusamatova said on Thursday that Uzbekistan was ready for a second coronavirus wave expected in the fall. According to her, 19,346 coronavirus hospital beds have been set up at 114 medical facilities and there is enough medicine for coronavirus patients.
The country’s authorities began to ease coronavirus restrictions on August 15, allowing public transport services to resume and hotels, public catering facilities, beauty salons, gyms and fitness centers to reopen. However, mask wearing and social distancing remain mandatory and a ban on public gatherings remains in effect.


tass--2020-09-18--Peru’s coronavirus cases top 750,000

Peru’s coronavirus cases top 750,000

HAVANA , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
As many as 5,698 coronavirus cases were recorded in Peru in the past @ @ @ @ @ the country 's Health Ministry .
`` The number of confirmed coronavirus cases has reached @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .
The country ’ s death toll has climbed to 31,146 @ @ @ @ @ .
Peru ’ s President Martin Vizcarra declared a state of emergency due to the @ @ @ @ @ country ’ s authorities later extended the state of emergency and introduced a curfew .
@ @ @ @ @ of economic activities on May 2 .
However , he urged the country ’ s @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus precautions .

HAVANA, September 18. /TASS/. As many as 5,698 coronavirus cases were recorded in Peru in the past 24 hours, according to the country's Health Ministry.
"The number of confirmed coronavirus cases has reached 750,098," the ministry said in a statement.
The country’s death toll has climbed to 31,146 while 594,513 patients have recovered.
Peru’s President Martin Vizcarra declared a state of emergency due to the coronavirus in mid-March. The country’s authorities later extended the state of emergency and introduced a curfew. Vizcarra announced the gradual resumption of economic activities on May 2. However, he urged the country’s people to keep complying with coronavirus precautions.
Coronavirus pandemic


tass--2020-09-18--China conducts clinical trials of 11 COVID-19 vaccines

BEIJING , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
Currently China is conducting clinical trials of 11 vaccines against the disease caused @ @ @ @ @ Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Wang Zhigang said on Friday at the Global Science @ @ @ @ @ Beijing , four vaccines have already entered Phase Three of clinical trials .
According to @ @ @ @ @ is still spreading in the entire world and is still not fully controlled . ''
@ @ @ @ @ autumn and winter a new outbreak may emerge , the situation in the sphere of @ @ @ @ @ disease is still very serious . ''
The minister also added that in fighting the @ @ @ @ @ put the international scientific and technical cooperation first and fulfilled its international obligations in accordance @ @ @ @ @ transparency .
The official also pointed out that China had submitted the information on the @ @ @ @ @ Health Organization ( WHO ) which provided a major groundwork to conduct medical studies and @ @ @ @

BEIJING, September 18. /TASS/. Currently China is conducting clinical trials of 11 vaccines against the disease caused by the coronavirus. As Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Wang Zhigang said on Friday at the Global Science and Life Health Forum in Beijing, four vaccines have already entered Phase Three of clinical trials.
According to him, "the epidemic is still spreading in the entire world and is still not fully controlled." He stressed that "in autumn and winter a new outbreak may emerge, the situation in the sphere of prevention and control of the disease is still very serious."
The minister also added that in fighting the coronavirus outbreak China has always put the international scientific and technical cooperation first and fulfilled its international obligations in accordance with principles of openness and transparency. The official also pointed out that China had submitted the information on the coronavirus timely to the World Health Organization (WHO) which provided a major groundwork to conduct medical studies and develop pharmaceuticals worldwide.


tass--2020-09-18--Trump not to deliver face-to-face address at UN General Assembly

WASHINGTON , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
US President Donald Trump will not be present in person at the September @ @ @ @ @ Assembly , White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows told journalists in the presidential press @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s unclear in what capacity the President will participate in the event virtually @ @ @ @ @ reported .
Earlier the possibility of attending the session of the UN General Assembly in @ @ @ @ @ Trump himself .
As Brenden Varma , official spokesman of the President of the UN @ @ @ @ @ , during the UN high-level week which will take place mostly in a video format @ @ @ @ @ 29 , addresses of 119 world leaders and 54 heads of government are expected .
@ @ @ @ @ Secretary General Antonio Guterres has also mentioned a possible personal appearance at the UN .
@ @ @ @ @ President Vladimir Putin within the framework of the UN General Assembly is scheduled for September @ @

WASHINGTON, September 18. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump will not be present in person at the September session of the UN General Assembly, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows told journalists in the presidential press pool on Thursday.
"It’s unclear in what capacity the President will participate in the event virtually," the CNN News reported.
Earlier the possibility of attending the session of the UN General Assembly in person was not excluded by Trump himself. As Brenden Varma, official spokesman of the President of the UN General Assembly reported on Thursday, during the UN high-level week which will take place mostly in a video format from September 22 to September 29, addresses of 119 world leaders and 54 heads of government are expected.
To date, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has also mentioned a possible personal appearance at the UN. The video address of Russian President Vladimir Putin within the framework of the UN General Assembly is scheduled for September 22.