tass--2020-10-11--Stability of Azerbaijan, Armenia is one of priorities for Russia - diplomat

MOSCOW , October 11 .
/TASS/ .
Russia , standing up to its national interests , is very interested in the stable environment in Azerbaijan and Armenia , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in an interview aired by the Russia-1 TV channel .
`` The uniqueness of the current situation is that , while having our own national interests , we have them and we stand by them , the stability of both Azerbaijan and Armenia is a priority for us , their relations are crucially important to us , '' she said .
She stressed that Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other countries , never `` engaged in empty rhetoric . ''
According to the spokeswoman , in case of Azerbaijan and Armenia Russia managed to achieve the result based on the diplomatic effort .
The diplomat noted the special role of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the organization of the talks between the opposing sides .
`` One needs to remember a very important thing .
The work personally done by the president of our country in order to make possible the arrival in our capital < ... > of Foreign Ministers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It seems to me , one needs to begin any conversation on settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh and on the situation between the two countries with the understanding and reiteration of who is a true friend and who is not really , '' she added .
The Foreign Ministry ’ s official representative has also expressed an opinion that during talks Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had set a task to develop a document which would allow to begin moving towards conflict resolution .
`` I had a feeling that his goal was < ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to develop a starting point to begin this very difficult but necessary journey , '' she explained .
`` I observed many talks .
I witnessed lengthy negotiations with the participation of the head of Russia ’ s Foreign Ministry , you remember the Iranian nuclear program , the Syrian settlement , I won ’ t even mention Ukraine .
< … > I have an impression that during this round he ( Lavrov - TASS ) was completely invested , invested his intelligence , his mediating talents , his human qualities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us this is a special subject , '' the spokeswoman emphasized .
At the talks , mediated by Russia and held in Moscow on October 9 , Azerbaijan and Armenia had agreed on a ceasefire .
It came into effect at 12.00 local time on Saturday , October 10 for humanitarian reasons , in order to trade detainees and recover the bodies of those killed in fighting .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group , led by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

MOSCOW, October 11. /TASS/. Russia, standing up to its national interests, is very interested in the stable environment in Azerbaijan and Armenia, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in an interview aired by the Russia-1 TV channel.
"The uniqueness of the current situation is that, while having our own national interests, we have them and we stand by them, the stability of both Azerbaijan and Armenia is a priority for us, their relations are crucially important to us," she said.
She stressed that Russia never manipulates the feelings of people of other countries, never "engaged in empty rhetoric." According to the spokeswoman, in case of Azerbaijan and Armenia Russia managed to achieve the result based on the diplomatic effort. The diplomat noted the special role of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the organization of the talks between the opposing sides. "One needs to remember a very important thing. The work personally done by the president of our country in order to make possible the arrival in our capital <...> of Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia. <...> It seems to me, one needs to begin any conversation on settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh and on the situation between the two countries with the understanding and reiteration of who is a true friend and who is not really," she added.
The Foreign Ministry’s official representative has also expressed an opinion that during talks Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had set a task to develop a document which would allow to begin moving towards conflict resolution. "I had a feeling that his goal was <...> to work out a document, to develop a starting point to begin this very difficult but necessary journey," she explained.
"I observed many talks. I witnessed lengthy negotiations with the participation of the head of Russia’s Foreign Ministry, you remember the Iranian nuclear program, the Syrian settlement, I won’t even mention Ukraine. <…> I have an impression that during this round he (Lavrov - TASS) was completely invested, invested his intelligence, his mediating talents, his human qualities. For one simple reason - for all of us this is a special subject," the spokeswoman emphasized.
At the talks, mediated by Russia and held in Moscow on October 9, Azerbaijan and Armenia had agreed on a ceasefire. It came into effect at 12.00 local time on Saturday, October 10 for humanitarian reasons, in order to trade detainees and recover the bodies of those killed in fighting.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-10-11--Number of detainees at rallies in Belarus surpasses 200

MINSK , October 11 .
/TASS/ .
The number of opposition protest rallies participants detained by the law enforcement in @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday surpassed 200 .
This information was provided on the website of the Belarusian @ @ @ @ @ .
The center has published a list which as of 19:00 Moscow time included the @ @ @ @ @ Three quarters of them were detained in Minsk , the rest - in Brest , @ @ @ @ @ , Grodno , Zhlobin , Mogilev , Molodechno .
Some 43 detainees are journalists and @ @ @ @ @ opposition protest rallies .
Among them were TASS correspondents Natalya Fedosenko , Yuri Shamshur , @ @ @ @ @ who were released soon after .
Earlier on Sunday , in the Belarusian capital clashes @ @ @ @ @ security forces had occurred .
The law enforcement began to detain the protesters , in @ @ @ @ @ water cannons and stun grenades were used .

MINSK, October 11. /TASS/. The number of opposition protest rallies participants detained by the law enforcement in Minsk and other Belarusian cities on Sunday surpassed 200. This information was provided on the website of the Belarusian unregistered Vesna human rights center.
The center has published a list which as of 19:00 Moscow time included the names of 244 detainees. Three quarters of them were detained in Minsk, the rest - in Brest, Bobruisk, Vitebsk, Gomel, Grodno, Zhlobin, Mogilev, Molodechno.
Some 43 detainees are journalists and photographers who were covering the opposition protest rallies. Among them were TASS correspondents Natalya Fedosenko, Yuri Shamshur, Gavriil Grigorov and Valery Stepchenkov who were released soon after.
Earlier on Sunday, in the Belarusian capital clashes between the protesters and the security forces had occurred. The law enforcement began to detain the protesters, in order to disperse them, water cannons and stun grenades were used.


tass--2020-10-11--Total number of COVID-19 infections in Iran surpasses 500,000

TEHRAN , October 11 .
/TASS/ .
The number of the novel coronavirus infections in Iran has surpassed 500,000 , spokeswoman for the Iranian Health Ministry , Sima Sadat Lari said on Sunday .
`` The number of new coronavirus cases in the country reached 3,822 , the total number of infections reached 500,075 , '' the spokeswoman was quoted by the Iranian ISNA news agency as saying .
The record daily growth in the infections of 4,392 was registered on October 9 .
The Health Ministry representative noted that `` over the past 24 hours in Iran 251 patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reaching 28,544 . ''
The previous anti-record of 235 fatalities was registered on October 5 .
A total of 406,389 people have recovered in the country , according to the ministry .
On September 19 , Alireza Zali , head of Tehran ’ s anti-coronavirus task force , reported that a third wave of the infection had begun in the region .
On October 3 , the authorities made a decision to close restaurants , mosques , gyms , hairdressing salons , and museums in the capital due to the new wave of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of infections in Iran has resumed .
A relative decrease in values was observed at the end of the summer : on August 31 , the daily growth of 1,642 infections was the lowest over the past several weeks .
After that the number of new infections again continued to grow and over the last twelve days has been surpassing the mark of 3,500 a day .
Officially , the second wave of the spread of the coronavirus was announced in Iran on July 15 .

TEHRAN, October 11. /TASS/. The number of the novel coronavirus infections in Iran has surpassed 500,000, spokeswoman for the Iranian Health Ministry, Sima Sadat Lari said on Sunday.
"The number of new coronavirus cases in the country reached 3,822, the total number of infections reached 500,075," the spokeswoman was quoted by the Iranian ISNA news agency as saying. The record daily growth in the infections of 4,392 was registered on October 9.
The Health Ministry representative noted that "over the past 24 hours in Iran 251 patients died with the total number of fatalities reaching 28,544." The previous anti-record of 235 fatalities was registered on October 5.
A total of 406,389 people have recovered in the country, according to the ministry.
On September 19, Alireza Zali, head of Tehran’s anti-coronavirus task force, reported that a third wave of the infection had begun in the region. On October 3, the authorities made a decision to close restaurants, mosques, gyms, hairdressing salons, and museums in the capital due to the new wave of the infection.
Recently an increase in the number of infections in Iran has resumed. A relative decrease in values was observed at the end of the summer: on August 31, the daily growth of 1,642 infections was the lowest over the past several weeks. After that the number of new infections again continued to grow and over the last twelve days has been surpassing the mark of 3,500 a day. Officially, the second wave of the spread of the coronavirus was announced in Iran on July 15.


tass--2020-10-11--Azerbaijani President calls strike on Ganja ‘war crime’

BAKU , October 11 .
/TASS/ .
Azerbaijan ’ s President Ilham Aliyev has called a missile attack on the city of Ganja from Armenian territory a war crime .
`` Armenia has blatantly violated the ceasefire regime and launched a missile attack on innocent residents in the city of Ganja .
This is a war crime and gross violation of the Geneva Conventions , '' the head of state wrote on his Twitter page on Sunday .
He also stated that `` it is a disrespect to the negotiations under Russia ’ s mediation . ''
He noted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ territory of Armenia ’ s Vardenis district .
`` These heinous actions can never break the will of the Azerbaijani people ! ''
his statement said .
Azerbaijan ’ s office of Prosecutor General reported that nine people were killed and 34 wounded during the strike on Ganja .
At the talks , mediated by Russia and held in Moscow on October 9 , Azerbaijan and Armenia had agreed on a ceasefire .
It came into effect at 12.00 local time on Saturday , October 10 for humanitarian reasons , in order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those killed in fighting .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group , led by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

BAKU, October 11. /TASS/. Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has called a missile attack on the city of Ganja from Armenian territory a war crime.
"Armenia has blatantly violated the ceasefire regime and launched a missile attack on innocent residents in the city of Ganja. This is a war crime and gross violation of the Geneva Conventions," the head of state wrote on his Twitter page on Sunday. He also stated that "it is a disrespect to the negotiations under Russia’s mediation."
He noted that the missile attack was initiated from the territory of Armenia’s Vardenis district. "These heinous actions can never break the will of the Azerbaijani people!" his statement said.
Azerbaijan’s office of Prosecutor General reported that nine people were killed and 34 wounded during the strike on Ganja.
At the talks, mediated by Russia and held in Moscow on October 9, Azerbaijan and Armenia had agreed on a ceasefire. It came into effect at 12.00 local time on Saturday, October 10 for humanitarian reasons, in order to trade detainees and recover the bodies of those killed in fighting.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-10-11--Armenian top diplomat may meet with Minsk Group co-chairs in Moscow - ambassador

MOSCOW , October 11 .
/TASS/ .
Armenia ’ s Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan may meet with co-chairs of the @ @ @ @ @ on October 12 , Armenian Ambassador to Russia Vardan Toganyan told TASS on Sunday .
@ @ @ @ @ tell for sure because all of this is being prepared in the emergency mode , @ @ @ @ @ a meeting with the co-chairs in Moscow was planned , now it is being specified @ @ @ @ @ there may be an understanding whether there will be a separate meeting with the co-chairs @ @ @ @ @ said .
France ’ s top diplomat Jean-Yves Le Drian stated on Wednesday that France @ @ @ @ @ Russia in their capacity as co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group , will conduct talks @ @ @ @ @ on October 8 in Geneva and on October 12 in Moscow .

MOSCOW, October 11. /TASS/. Armenia’s Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan may meet with co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group in Moscow on October 12, Armenian Ambassador to Russia Vardan Toganyan told TASS on Sunday.
"I cannot yet tell for sure because all of this is being prepared in the emergency mode, but yes, indeed, a meeting with the co-chairs in Moscow was planned, now it is being specified. So after some time there may be an understanding whether there will be a separate meeting with the co-chairs or not," he said.
France’s top diplomat Jean-Yves Le Drian stated on Wednesday that France, the US, and Russia in their capacity as co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, will conduct talks on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh on October 8 in Geneva and on October 12 in Moscow.


tass--2020-10-11--Russia not losing hope to cooperate with US in cyber security field - Putin

MOSCOW , October 11 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is cherishing hope to continue cooperation with the United States in the field of cyber security , Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with `` Moscow .
Kremlin .
Putin '' TV program on Rossiya-1 TV channel on Sunday .
The Russian leader noted that his call on Washington to resume cooperation in the cyber security area remained unanswered .
`` This is not the first time we are outlining this proposal , we hope that everyone is interested in implementing the proposals that we had made .
We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to continue this effort with all concerned parties , including the US , '' the president said .
Meanwhile , Putin noted that Russia was still facing accusations of its `` alleged hyperactivity in the information sphere , of meddling in elections and so on , which were absolutely unfounded . ''
On September 25 , Putin made a number of proposals for cooperation in cyber security between Russia and the United States and around the world .
The Russian leader stressed that he would like to address the United States once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comprehensive program for practical measures for resetting relations with Russia in using IT technologies .
He called for restoring a full-scale bilateral regular inter-departmental dialogue on key issues of maintaining international security at a high level .

MOSCOW, October 11. /TASS/. Russia is cherishing hope to continue cooperation with the United States in the field of cyber security, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin" TV program on Rossiya-1 TV channel on Sunday.
The Russian leader noted that his call on Washington to resume cooperation in the cyber security area remained unanswered.
"This is not the first time we are outlining this proposal, we hope that everyone is interested in implementing the proposals that we had made. We are not losing hope that we will be able to continue this effort with all concerned parties, including the US," the president said.
Meanwhile, Putin noted that Russia was still facing accusations of its "alleged hyperactivity in the information sphere, of meddling in elections and so on, which were absolutely unfounded."
On September 25, Putin made a number of proposals for cooperation in cyber security between Russia and the United States and around the world. The Russian leader stressed that he would like to address the United States once again with a proposal for approving a comprehensive program for practical measures for resetting relations with Russia in using IT technologies. He called for restoring a full-scale bilateral regular inter-departmental dialogue on key issues of maintaining international security at a high level.


tass--2020-10-11--All TASS reporters released after detention in Minsk

MINSK , October 11 .
/TASS/ .
All TASS correspondents - Yuri Shamshur , Gavriil Grigorov and Valery Stepchenkov - detained earlier on Sunday when covering protests in Minsk have been released from the district office of the internal affairs .
Grigorov and Stepchenkov were apprehended for the second time and again walked free after a document check .
Later Shamshur , who was also held when covering the protests , called the editorial office to inform that he had been released .
All TASS correspondents had received the Belarusian Foreign Ministry ’ s accreditation to work in Minsk .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9 .
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 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

MINSK, October 11. /TASS/. All TASS correspondents - Yuri Shamshur, Gavriil Grigorov and Valery Stepchenkov - detained earlier on Sunday when covering protests in Minsk have been released from the district office of the internal affairs.
Grigorov and Stepchenkov were apprehended for the second time and again walked free after a document check. Later Shamshur, who was also held when covering the protests, called the editorial office to inform that he had been released.
All TASS correspondents had received the Belarusian Foreign Ministry’s accreditation to work in Minsk.
Belarus held the presidential election on August 9. 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--2020-10-11--Russian, Turkish top diplomats stress need to honor Moscow statement on Nagorno-Karabakh

MOSCOW , October 11 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu in a phone conversation on Sunday highlighted the need to fully comply with all provisions of a joint statement issued by the Russian , Azerbaijani and Armenian top diplomats on October 10 , the Russian Foreign Ministry said .
`` During the conversation the sides exchanged views on the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone developing after the trilateral talks in Moscow on October 9-10 , '' the ministry stated .
The two foreign ministers emphasized the need to `` fully comply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the foreign ministers of the Russian Federation , the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia on October 10 . ''
Besides , during the phone conversation held at Turkey ’ s initiative , Lavrov confirmed Moscow ’ s readiness to continue active mediation efforts aimed at achieving the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement `` in accordance with the provisions of the Moscow statement . ''
At the talks , brokered by Russia and held in Moscow on October 9 , Azerbaijan and Armenia agreed a ceasefire .
It came into effect at 12.00 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons in order to exchange detainees and the bodies of those killed in the fighting .
Shortly after noon the sides traded blame for violating the ceasefire agreement .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group , led by its three co-chairs - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, October 11. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu in a phone conversation on Sunday highlighted the need to fully comply with all provisions of a joint statement issued by the Russian, Azerbaijani and Armenian top diplomats on October 10, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
"During the conversation the sides exchanged views on the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone developing after the trilateral talks in Moscow on October 9-10," the ministry stated.
The two foreign ministers emphasized the need to "fully comply with all provisions of a joint statement of the foreign ministers of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia on October 10."
Besides, during the phone conversation held at Turkey’s initiative, Lavrov confirmed Moscow’s readiness to continue active mediation efforts aimed at achieving the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement "in accordance with the provisions of the Moscow statement."
At the talks, brokered by Russia and held in Moscow on October 9, Azerbaijan and Armenia agreed a ceasefire. It came into effect at 12.00 local time on October 10 for humanitarian reasons in order to exchange detainees and the bodies of those killed in the fighting. Shortly after noon the sides traded blame for violating the ceasefire agreement.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-10-11--Protesters and security forces clash in downtown Minsk

MINSK , October 11 .
/TASS/ .
Clashes between protesters and security forces began in the center of the Belarusian @ @ @ @ @ Minsk Hero City Obelisk , a TASS correspondent reported .
Several hundred demonstrators gathered outside @ @ @ @ @ vans arrived at the square .
The security forces later started dispersing protesters with billy @ @ @ @ @ The protesters started pelting the security forces with various objects .
A sound similar to @ @ @ @ @ explosion was heard at the scene of the clashes .

MINSK, October 11. /TASS/. Clashes between protesters and security forces began in the center of the Belarusian capital on Sunday near the Minsk Hero City Obelisk, a TASS correspondent reported.
Several hundred demonstrators gathered outside the obelisk, when police vans arrived at the square. The security forces later started dispersing protesters with billy clubs and detaining them.
The protesters started pelting the security forces with various objects. A sound similar to a stun grenade’s explosion was heard at the scene of the clashes.


tass--2020-10-11--Azerbaijan committed to ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh, president’s aide says

GANJA/Azerbaijan/ , October 11 .
/TASS/ .
Azerbaijan is committed to the Moscow deal on ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh , but is watching the developments , Azerbaijani Presidential Aide Hikmet Gadzhiyev told reporters on Sunday .
`` Currently , Azerbaijan is trying to observe ceasefire .
We are again trying to show our commitment to the reached agreements , '' Gadzhiyev said , answering a question whether the ceasefire would be implemented .
In his words , Baku sees `` attacks from the Armenian side against Azerbaijan ’ s civilians . ''
If such actions continue , Azerbaijan will be forced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to him , `` all options were being considered . ''
`` The Azerbaijani side is committed to the principles outlined in the joint declaration , '' Gadzhiyev said .
`` We are evaluating the situation now . ''
In its turn , the Defense Army of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh republic confirmed its commitment to the ceasefire , but said it was ready to respond in case the Azerbaijani forces continued aggressive actions .
`` On October 10 and 11 , Azerbaijan continues carrying out rocket and artillery attacks on civilian settlements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TASS ) attacking civilians and civilian infrastructure .
The Defense Army remains committed to the ceasefire deal .
If Azerbaijan continues violating ceasefire for humanitarian reasons and launches offensive operations , the Defense Army ’ s response will be disproportionally harsh , '' Armenian Defense Ministry Press Secretary Shushan Stepanyan wrote on her Facebook page .
At the talks , brokered by Russia and held in Moscow on October 9 , Azerbaijan and Armenia had agreed a ceasefire .
It came into effect at 12.00 local time on Saturday , October 10 for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detainees and recovery of the bodies of those killed in fighting .
Shortly after noon the sides traded blame for violating the ceasefire agreement .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group , led by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and @ @ @ @

GANJA/Azerbaijan/, October 11. /TASS/. Azerbaijan is committed to the Moscow deal on ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh, but is watching the developments, Azerbaijani Presidential Aide Hikmet Gadzhiyev told reporters on Sunday.
"Currently, Azerbaijan is trying to observe ceasefire. We are again trying to show our commitment to the reached agreements," Gadzhiyev said, answering a question whether the ceasefire would be implemented.
In his words, Baku sees "attacks from the Armenian side against Azerbaijan’s civilians." If such actions continue, Azerbaijan will be forced to take countermeasures, he warned. According to him, "all options were being considered."
"The Azerbaijani side is committed to the principles outlined in the joint declaration," Gadzhiyev said. "We are evaluating the situation now."
In its turn, the Defense Army of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh republic confirmed its commitment to the ceasefire, but said it was ready to respond in case the Azerbaijani forces continued aggressive actions.
"On October 10 and 11, Azerbaijan continues carrying out rocket and artillery attacks on civilian settlements of Artsakh (unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh republic - TASS) attacking civilians and civilian infrastructure. The Defense Army remains committed to the ceasefire deal. If Azerbaijan continues violating ceasefire for humanitarian reasons and launches offensive operations, the Defense Army’s response will be disproportionally harsh," Armenian Defense Ministry Press Secretary Shushan Stepanyan wrote on her Facebook page.
At the talks, brokered by Russia and held in Moscow on October 9, Azerbaijan and Armenia had agreed a ceasefire. It came into effect at 12.00 local time on Saturday, October 10 for humanitarian reasons, for the exchange of detainees and recovery of the bodies of those killed in fighting. Shortly after noon the sides traded blame for violating the ceasefire agreement.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-10-12--Political dialogue on Karabakh conflict cannot be postponed — Russian top diplomat

MOSCOW , October 12 .
/TASS/ .
It would be wrong to delay the renewal of negotiation process between the sides of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a joint press conference with his Armenian counterpart Zohrab Mnatsakanyan on Monday .
`` [ During the talks we ] also exchanged opinions on how to move forward .
This doesn ’ t mean that all issues will be resolved quickly and simultaneously .
We understand that the process is needed but we consider it wrong to draw out the negotiation process , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Armenian counterpart informed him of his intent to discuss the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh at a meeting with co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group ( France , US and Russia ) on Monday .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group , led by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the United States .
At the talks , mediated by Russia and held in Moscow on October 9 , Azerbaijan and Armenia had agreed on a ceasefire .
It came into effect at 12.00 local time on Saturday , October 10 for humanitarian reasons , in order to trade detainees and recover the bodies of those killed in fighting .
However both sides accuse each other of violating the agreements .

MOSCOW, October 12. /TASS/. It would be wrong to delay the renewal of negotiation process between the sides of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a joint press conference with his Armenian counterpart Zohrab Mnatsakanyan on Monday.
"[During the talks we] also exchanged opinions on how to move forward. This doesn’t mean that all issues will be resolved quickly and simultaneously. We understand that the process is needed but we consider it wrong to draw out the negotiation process," he said.
The top diplomat added that his Armenian counterpart informed him of his intent to discuss the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh at a meeting with co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (France, US and Russia) on Monday.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.
At the talks, mediated by Russia and held in Moscow on October 9, Azerbaijan and Armenia had agreed on a ceasefire. It came into effect at 12.00 local time on Saturday, October 10 for humanitarian reasons, in order to trade detainees and recover the bodies of those killed in fighting. However both sides accuse each other of violating the agreements.


tass--2020-10-12--DNA of pre-historic puppy, found in Yakutia, to be analyzed in Denmark

In 2011 , people living in the Tumat village in Yakutia ’ s north-east found remains of a puppy , which later on was dubbed Tumat puppy-1 .
In 2012 , the Netherlands ’ University of Groningen said the remains ’ geological age was about 12,500 years .
YAKUTSK , October 12 .
/TASS/ .
DNA samples of a pre-historic puppy , Tumat-1 , found in northern Yakutia in 2011 , will be tested in Denmark .
Scientists want to find out whether the puppy was a dog , a wolf or their common progenitor , Sergei Fyodorov of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2015 and 2018 , specialists found in the region two more remains of puppies - Tumat puppy-2 and Dogor .
The three discoveries have been studied at the North-Eastern Federal University under the project Pleistocene and Postglacial Canids from Yakutia ’ s Permafrost .
`` The ancient dog and wolf do not differ much .
In fact , the dog is a wolf with more tolerant attitudes towards humans .
The young age of the findings ( the puppies were 2-4 months old ) complicates identification , and their morphology features are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tend to suppose those were dog puppies .
Thus , in 2015 , specialists examined the area next to the place where the remains had been found to see traces of human settlement .
No settlement was found , but the expedition found bone tools , and perhaps the place where a large mammoth was butchered , and nearby that place the expedition members found a frozen mummified carcass of another puppy [ it was Tumat puppy-2 ] .
We plan to send additional DNA samples to Copenhagen , '' Fyodorov said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Mammoth and the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Siberian Branch ’ s Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography organized an expedition in 2015 .
During that expedition , researchers found remains of the second prehistoric puppy some 2.5 meters down the hill from the first puppy .
Scientists say , the puppies must have been from the same litter .
The project Pleistocene and Postglacial Canids from Yakutia ’ s Permafrost features specialists from Belgium , Germany , Denmark , Sweden and Japan - representatives of fundamental and applied sciences , museum and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find out what diet those puppies had , what migration routes the predators followed ; they also want to reconstruct structures of the palaeoflora and palaeofauna .
In 2018 , Tumat puppy-1 ’ s stomach was dissected during a scientific seminar at the Vienna Museum of Natural History .
During the study , in addition to twigs , earth and leaves , in it was found a fragment of a skin with small hair with very smooth edges .
`` I assumed it was a fragment of rhino skin from its limb .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ animals in a frozen state , including rhinoceros .
The texture and color of the fur were similar to the rhinoceros skins I had seen before .
The smooth edges of the fragment suggest that the piece of skin was probably separated by the hand of an ancient man , '' the scientist said .
According to him , DNA tests of this skin fragment from the stomach of Tumat puppy-1 , conducted at the Swedish Center for Palaeogenetics supervised by Professor Love Dalen , confirmed that in the stomach was a skin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the same time with the puppy .
The researchers will make tests of Tumat puppy-2 ’ s stomach .
`` How could the rhino skin fragment get into the puppy 's stomach ?
There may be several options : the puppy could pick up and eat this piece at a settlement of ancient people , and it was not far from the place of death and shortly before the death , since the piece had not digested in the stomach .
It is also possible that the mother fed her puppies with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the piece of skin got into the stomach , '' the scientist said .
Dogor is the most popular name for dogs in Yakutia : the word may be translated as `` friend . ''
This name was given to another puppy , which the locals found in August 2018 , as they hunted for mammoth tusks .
Luckily , at that time a group of foreign scientists was in Yakutia , and Professor Love Dalen jointly with local scientists examined and described the remains .
The animal ’ s age is about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could not specify whether it was a wolf , a dog or their common progenitor - even though Sweden has the biggest DNA bank of extinct and modern canids .
Here is very interesting the Dogor quirk : in the Yakut language Dogor means `` friend '' , and in English it may be split into two words - `` dog '' and `` or '' - which may be read as `` dog or . ''
The remains are in very good conditions : milk teeth , eyelashes , whiskers .
First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousand years ago .
The animals lived on the Zhokhov Island in the East Siberian Sea - the northernmost point of human settlement in the Eurasian Arctic .
It was there , at the area of an ancient settlement , that archaeologists discovered both remains of dogs and the sledge .
The scientists supposed ancient people could move and carry goods on dog sleds .
There are reasons to believe that some particularly large dogs helped people in hunting bears .
However , studies of the puppies may significantly push back the likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We hope that the research will contribute to the study of canine evolution and the problems of dog domestication , '' Fyodorov said , noting that full-scale work on the project would resume in Denmark and Sweden after the situation with spread of coronavirus had improved .

In 2011, people living in the Tumat village in Yakutia’s north-east found remains of a puppy, which later on was dubbed Tumat puppy-1. In 2012, the Netherlands’ University of Groningen said the remains’ geological age was about 12,500 years.
YAKUTSK, October 12. /TASS/. DNA samples of a pre-historic puppy, Tumat-1, found in northern Yakutia in 2011, will be tested in Denmark. Scientists want to find out whether the puppy was a dog, a wolf or their common progenitor, Sergei Fyodorov of the North-Eastern Federal University told TASS.
In 2015 and 2018, specialists found in the region two more remains of puppies - Tumat puppy-2 and Dogor. The three discoveries have been studied at the North-Eastern Federal University under the project Pleistocene and Postglacial Canids from Yakutia’s Permafrost.
"The ancient dog and wolf do not differ much. In fact, the dog is a wolf with more tolerant attitudes towards humans. The young age of the findings (the puppies were 2-4 months old) complicates identification, and their morphology features are not evident. After first examinations, zoologists tend to suppose those were dog puppies. Thus, in 2015, specialists examined the area next to the place where the remains had been found to see traces of human settlement. No settlement was found, but the expedition found bone tools, and perhaps the place where a large mammoth was butchered, and nearby that place the expedition members found a frozen mummified carcass of another puppy [it was Tumat puppy-2]. We plan to send additional DNA samples to Copenhagen," Fyodorov said.
The North-Eastern Federal University’s Museum of Mammoth and the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Siberian Branch’s Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography organized an expedition in 2015. During that expedition, researchers found remains of the second prehistoric puppy some 2.5 meters down the hill from the first puppy. Scientists say, the puppies must have been from the same litter.
What ancient puppies ate
The project Pleistocene and Postglacial Canids from Yakutia’s Permafrost features specialists from Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Japan - representatives of fundamental and applied sciences, museum and university experts. The scientists hope to find out what diet those puppies had, what migration routes the predators followed; they also want to reconstruct structures of the palaeoflora and palaeofauna.
In 2018, Tumat puppy-1’s stomach was dissected during a scientific seminar at the Vienna Museum of Natural History. During the study, in addition to twigs, earth and leaves, in it was found a fragment of a skin with small hair with very smooth edges. "I assumed it was a fragment of rhino skin from its limb. We often get body parts of extinct animals in a frozen state, including rhinoceros. The texture and color of the fur were similar to the rhinoceros skins I had seen before. The smooth edges of the fragment suggest that the piece of skin was probably separated by the hand of an ancient man," the scientist said.
According to him, DNA tests of this skin fragment from the stomach of Tumat puppy-1, conducted at the Swedish Center for Palaeogenetics supervised by Professor Love Dalen, confirmed that in the stomach was a skin fragment of a prehistoric rhinoceros which lived at the same time with the puppy. The researchers will make tests of Tumat puppy-2’s stomach.
"How could the rhino skin fragment get into the puppy's stomach? There may be several options: the puppy could pick up and eat this piece at a settlement of ancient people, and it was not far from the place of death and shortly before the death, since the piece had not digested in the stomach. It is also possible that the mother fed her puppies with regurgitated meat, and that was how the piece of skin got into the stomach," the scientist said.
Dogor is the most popular name for dogs in Yakutia: the word may be translated as "friend." This name was given to another puppy, which the locals found in August 2018, as they hunted for mammoth tusks. Luckily, at that time a group of foreign scientists was in Yakutia, and Professor Love Dalen jointly with local scientists examined and described the remains.
The animal’s age is about 18,000 years, but the DNA test could not specify whether it was a wolf, a dog or their common progenitor - even though Sweden has the biggest DNA bank of extinct and modern canids.
Here is very interesting the Dogor quirk: in the Yakut language Dogor means "friend", and in English it may be split into two words - "dog" and "or" - which may be read as "dog or." The remains are in very good conditions: milk teeth, eyelashes, whiskers.
First domesticated dogs appeared in Yakutia about eight thousand years ago. The animals lived on the Zhokhov Island in the East Siberian Sea - the northernmost point of human settlement in the Eurasian Arctic. It was there, at the area of an ancient settlement, that archaeologists discovered both remains of dogs and the sledge. The scientists supposed ancient people could move and carry goods on dog sleds. There are reasons to believe that some particularly large dogs helped people in hunting bears.
However, studies of the puppies may significantly push back the likely dates of dogs' domestication. "We hope that the research will contribute to the study of canine evolution and the problems of dog domestication," Fyodorov said, noting that full-scale work on the project would resume in Denmark and Sweden after the situation with spread of coronavirus had improved.


tass--2020-10-12--Legal norms in the way of EU imposing sanctions in light of Navalny case

BRUSSELS , October 12 .
/TASS/ .
The European Union has faced a legal issue of lacking suspects to impose @ @ @ @ @ organizations in Russia in light of the incident involving Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny , @ @ @ @ @ of the EU members in Brussels told TASS .
`` To draft a list of @ @ @ @ @ persons to impose sanctions against , the valid link between them and Navalny ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Otherwise , any of the people on the list could easily appeal these sanctions in @ @ @ @ @ to address these problems are being studied now , '' the diplomat noted .

BRUSSELS, October 12. /TASS/. The European Union has faced a legal issue of lacking suspects to impose sanctions against specific people and organizations in Russia in light of the incident involving Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny, a diplomatic source in one of the EU members in Brussels told TASS.
"The EU must impose sanctions on Navalny case since the accusations of using chemical weapons cannot be left without consequences. However, to draft a list of at least ten specific natural persons to impose sanctions against, the valid link between them and Navalny’s poisoning should be established. Otherwise, any of the people on the list could easily appeal these sanctions in court. A few ways to address these problems are being studied now," the diplomat noted.
According to him, "all EU members support introducing targeted sanctions, however, time is needed to come up with them."
To avoid this collision, the EU countries are considering the possibility to create a separate mechanism that will introduce sanctions against some Russian officials for efforts to stifle "a transparent investigation" into the Navalny incident rather than specifically for "using chemical weapons."
The source confirmed that the EU intends to blacklist several Russian officials in government and power structures who Brussels believes to be accomplices in this case. They will not be allowed to enter the EU for a year, while all their assets in the EU will be frozen. The sanctions could be extended after a year. All people sanctioned by Brussels can challenge the decision of the EU Council in the European Court of Justice.
Alexey Navalny was rushed to a local hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk on August 20 after collapsing on a Moscow-bound flight from Tomsk. He fell into a coma and was put on a ventilator in an intensive care unit. On August 22, he was airlifted to Berlin and admitted to the Charite hospital.
On September 2, Berlin claimed that having examined Navalny’s test samples, German government toxicologists had come to the conclusion that the blogger had been affected by a toxic agent belonging to the Novichok family.
On October 6, the OPCW confirmed that biomarkers of the cholinesterase inhibitor found in Navalny’s blood and urine samples have similar structural characteristics as the toxic chemicals added to the Chemical Weapons Convention’s Annex on Chemicals in November 2019. At the same time, this cholinesterase inhibitor is not listed in the Annex on Chemicals to the Convention.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier said that Russia was ready for comprehensive cooperation with Germany. He pointed out that no poisonous substances had been detected in Navalny’s system prior to his transfer to Berlin.


tass--2020-10-12--Medical workers can be redistributed between Russia’s regions to fight pandemic — Kremlin

MOSCOW , October 12 .
/TASS/ .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not rule out that medical professionals could be redistributed between Russia ’ s regions to fight the coronavirus pandemic in the event of their shortage .
He told reporters that this had been done `` during the first outbreak when medical workers from Moscow visited many regions , and medical professionals from other regions were likewise sent to those areas where the situation was more complex . ''
`` There is no doubt that , if regions get in touch with the [ government ] crisis center , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of personnel will be made , '' he said .
According to Peskov , the spread of COVID-19 can be uneven , so the healthcare system is facing different pressure across regions .
`` Redistribution of capacities in this case is quite possible and acceptable , '' he said .
When asked what information the Kremlin was guided by on the coronavirus mortality rate , Peskov stressed that those were `` official figures from the [ government ] crisis center . ''
`` They show a lower mortality rate than this past spring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this figure is lower than in other countries .
To date , 1,312,310 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 1,024,235 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 22,722 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, October 12. /TASS/. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not rule out that medical professionals could be redistributed between Russia’s regions to fight the coronavirus pandemic in the event of their shortage.
He told reporters that this had been done "during the first outbreak when medical workers from Moscow visited many regions, and medical professionals from other regions were likewise sent to those areas where the situation was more complex."
"There is no doubt that, if regions get in touch with the [government] crisis center, decisions on such mutual assistance in terms of personnel will be made," he said.
According to Peskov, the spread of COVID-19 can be uneven, so the healthcare system is facing different pressure across regions. "Redistribution of capacities in this case is quite possible and acceptable," he said.
When asked what information the Kremlin was guided by on the coronavirus mortality rate, Peskov stressed that those were "official figures from the [government] crisis center."
"They show a lower mortality rate than this past spring," he said, adding that this figure is lower than in other countries.
To date, 1,312,310 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 1,024,235 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 22,722 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-10-12--EU foreign ministers agree to slap sanctions on Belarusian president soon — source

BRUSSELS , October 12 .
/TASS/ .
The EU foreign ministers have agreed on the EU ’ s common stance on imposing sanctions on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko at a meeting in Luxembourg .
A European diplomatic source informed TASS on Monday that the decision had been prompted by the Belarusian leader ’ s inauguration .
`` The foreign ministers agreed on a common stance on adding [ Belarusian ] President Alexander Lukashenko to the Belarus sanctions list , given his inauguration after the election , which was not free or fair , '' the interlocutor said .
The additions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and enter into force later , another source said .
`` The ministers agreed to proceed with work to add new individuals , including Lukashenko , to the blacklist , '' the European diplomat said .
He noted that this stance would be announced at the EU summit on October 15-16 .
The External Action Service will then prepare a new version of the blacklist , which will come into force after its formal approval by the Council of the EU and publication in the EU Official Journal .
Experience shows that full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a week to several months .
Before the meeting of the EU Council at the foreign ministers ’ level , some of its members suggested refraining from targeted sanctions against Alexander Lukashenko in order to leave the door open for dialogue with Minsk .

BRUSSELS, October 12. /TASS/. The EU foreign ministers have agreed on the EU’s common stance on imposing sanctions on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko at a meeting in Luxembourg. A European diplomatic source informed TASS on Monday that the decision had been prompted by the Belarusian leader’s inauguration.
"The foreign ministers agreed on a common stance on adding [Belarusian] President Alexander Lukashenko to the Belarus sanctions list, given his inauguration after the election, which was not free or fair," the interlocutor said.
The additions to the blacklist will be formally approved and enter into force later, another source said. "The ministers agreed to proceed with work to add new individuals, including Lukashenko, to the blacklist," the European diplomat said.
He noted that this stance would be announced at the EU summit on October 15-16. The External Action Service will then prepare a new version of the blacklist, which will come into force after its formal approval by the Council of the EU and publication in the EU Official Journal.
Experience shows that full implementation of the procedure can take from a week to several months. Before the meeting of the EU Council at the foreign ministers’ level, some of its members suggested refraining from targeted sanctions against Alexander Lukashenko in order to leave the door open for dialogue with Minsk.


tass--2020-10-12--Russian Cabinet denies transfer of staff to teleworking

Kremlin : System of fighting COVID-19 created in Russia enables it to avoid full lockdown MOSCOW , October 12 .
@ @ @ @ @ denies the report on transfer of employees to remote work on Monday .
`` This @ @ @ @ @ to facts .
The government continues working normally , '' the Cabinet ’ s press @ @ @ @ @ Open Media online news outlet reported on Monday , citing sources , that the decision @ @ @ @ @ staff of the Russian government to teleworking .

Kremlin: System of fighting COVID-19 created in Russia enables it to avoid full lockdown
MOSCOW, October 12. /TASS/. The Russian government denies the report on transfer of employees to remote work on Monday.
"This piece of information is contrary to facts. The government continues working normally," the Cabinet’s press service told TASS.
The Open Media online news outlet reported on Monday, citing sources, that the decision was made to transfer the staff of the Russian government to teleworking.


tass--2020-10-12--Russia declares two Bulgarian embassy’s staff personae non gratae

MOSCOW , October 12 .
/TASS/ .
Russia declared two staff members of Bulgaria ’ s Embassy in Moscow personae @ @ @ @ @ Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday .
`` On October 12 , Bulgarian @ @ @ @ @ to the Russian Foreign Ministry where he was given the ministry ’ s note on @ @ @ @ @ the Bulgarian Embassy in Moscow personae non gratae , '' the ministry said .
This @ @ @ @ @ tit-for-tat measure , '' according to the ministry .
The Bulgarian Prosecutor ’ s Office @ @ @ @ @ Russian trade mission of espionage .
The authorities insisted that the two had been engaged @ @ @ @ @ Bulgaria since 2016 , supposedly collecting data on plans to upgrade the Bulgarian army and @ @ @ @ @ military hardware .
The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry declared the two personae non gratae .
They @ @ @ @ @ 25 .
The Russian Embassy in Bulgaria castigated the expulsion as baseless , emphasizing that @ @ @ @ @ to confirm any sort of activity incompatible with their status .

MOSCOW, October 12. /TASS/. Russia declared two staff members of Bulgaria’s Embassy in Moscow personae non gratae, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday.
"On October 12, Bulgarian Ambassador Atanas Krystin was invited to the Russian Foreign Ministry where he was given the ministry’s note on declaring two staff members of the Bulgarian Embassy in Moscow personae non gratae," the ministry said.
This step is "a retaliatory tit-for-tat measure," according to the ministry.
The Bulgarian Prosecutor’s Office accused two employees from the Russian trade mission of espionage. The authorities insisted that the two had been engaged in alleged spying activities in Bulgaria since 2016, supposedly collecting data on plans to upgrade the Bulgarian army and maintain the technical readiness of military hardware. The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry declared the two personae non gratae. They left the country on September 25.
The Russian Embassy in Bulgaria castigated the expulsion as baseless, emphasizing that no evidence had been furnished to confirm any sort of activity incompatible with their status.


tass--2020-10-12--Putin congratulates Tajikistan’s Rahmon on victory in presidential election

MOSCOW , October 12 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Tajikistan ’ s President Emomali Rahmon on a convincing victory in the presidential election , the Kremlin ’ s press service informed on Monday .
`` President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin has sent a congratulatory telegram to Emomali Rahmon on the occasion of his convincing victory in the presidential election , '' the Kremlin stated .
Putin said in his address that the outcomes of the vote had fully confirmed Rahmon ’ s political authority and the national support of his policy aimed to ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its international position .
The Russian leader stressed that Moscow values the relations of strategic partnership and alliance with Tajikistan , reaffirming the commitment to develop bilateral ties .
`` I would like to reaffirm the commitment for continuing the close joint work on expanding the entire complex of bilateral ties for the benefit of our friendly nations , in the interest of ensuring peace , security and stability in Central Asia , '' the Russian leader said in his telegram .
Tajikistan held a presidential election on October 11 .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Election Commission , incumbent head of state Rahmon garnered 90.92 % of the vote .
The remaining four candidates received less than 8 % of the vote all together .
The voter turnout reached 85.39 % .
The final results of the election will be announced within 10 days .

MOSCOW, October 12. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon on a convincing victory in the presidential election, the Kremlin’s press service informed on Monday.
"President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin has sent a congratulatory telegram to Emomali Rahmon on the occasion of his convincing victory in the presidential election," the Kremlin stated.
Putin said in his address that the outcomes of the vote had fully confirmed Rahmon’s political authority and the national support of his policy aimed to ensure Tajikistan’s social-economic development and strengthen its international position.
The Russian leader stressed that Moscow values the relations of strategic partnership and alliance with Tajikistan, reaffirming the commitment to develop bilateral ties.
"I would like to reaffirm the commitment for continuing the close joint work on expanding the entire complex of bilateral ties for the benefit of our friendly nations, in the interest of ensuring peace, security and stability in Central Asia," the Russian leader said in his telegram.
Tajikistan held a presidential election on October 11. According to the preliminary results announced by the Central Election Commission, incumbent head of state Rahmon garnered 90.92% of the vote. The remaining four candidates received less than 8% of the vote all together. The voter turnout reached 85.39%. The final results of the election will be announced within 10 days.


tass--2020-10-12--Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement not fully adhered to, says Lavrov

MOSCOW , October 12 .
/TASS/ .
The Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement reached in Moscow is not fully adhered to , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday , starting the talks with his Armenian colleague Zohrab Mnatsakanyan .
`` We spent last Friday and Saturday , at least part of Saturday , here , in this building , with our Azerbaijani colleague .
An important agreement was reached on President Putin ’ s initiative .
We see that this agreement is not adhered to fully so far , and that military activity continues , '' Lavrov said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contacts with Armenia and Azerbaijan would facilitate full adherence to the agreements on Nagorno-Karabakh regulation approved in the early hours of Saturday in Moscow after trilateral talks .
At the talks held at Russia ’ s initiative in Moscow , Baku and Yerevan agreed a ceasefire , which came into effect at 12:00 local time on October 10 for humanitarian reasons in order to exchange detainees and the bodies of those killed in the fighting .
Shortly after noon the sides traded blame for violating the ceasefire agreement .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group , led by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

MOSCOW, October 12. /TASS/. The Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement reached in Moscow is not fully adhered to, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday, starting the talks with his Armenian colleague Zohrab Mnatsakanyan.
"We spent last Friday and Saturday, at least part of Saturday, here, in this building, with our Azerbaijani colleague. An important agreement was reached on President Putin’s initiative. We see that this agreement is not adhered to fully so far, and that military activity continues," Lavrov said.
The minister expressed hope that Russia’s contacts with Armenia and Azerbaijan would facilitate full adherence to the agreements on Nagorno-Karabakh regulation approved in the early hours of Saturday in Moscow after trilateral talks.
At the talks held at Russia’s initiative in Moscow, Baku and Yerevan agreed a ceasefire, which came into effect at 12:00 local time on October 10 for humanitarian reasons in order to exchange detainees and the bodies of those killed in the fighting. Shortly after noon the sides traded blame for violating the ceasefire agreement.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-10-12--Kremlin: System of fighting COVID-19 created in Russia enables it to avoid full lockdown

MOSOW , October 12 .
/TASS/ .
The system of fighting coronavirus created in Russia makes it possible to refrain from going over to a full lockdown , despite the current increase in the number of cases , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday .
He assured that `` people ’ s life and health is an absolute priority '' for the Russian authorities , while `` everything else comes next . ''
At the same time , according to the Kremlin spokesman , a safety buffer has been created compared to the first wave of the epidemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , < … > the bed capacity , which allows to receive more infected people and provides an opportunity for more effective and fast recovery , has been prepared . ''
`` All that makes it possible for us to be more flexible and take into account the interests of the country ’ s economy to a greater extent without resorting to such tough measures as a full lockdown , '' Peskov said .
The Kremlin spokesman noted that the whole system to fight the coronavirus that had been created `` was showing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of infected people is growing , but , nevertheless , the system is working .
We just need to raise people ’ s consciousness so that they take more effective measures to minimize the risk of infection , '' he added .
When asked whether Russian President Vladimir Putin could address citizens amid the growing number of COVID-19 cases , Peskov said that `` it depends on the head of state ’ s decision , if he deems that necessary . ''

MOSOW, October 12. /TASS/. The system of fighting coronavirus created in Russia makes it possible to refrain from going over to a full lockdown, despite the current increase in the number of cases, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday.
He assured that "people’s life and health is an absolute priority" for the Russian authorities, while "everything else comes next." At the same time, according to the Kremlin spokesman, a safety buffer has been created compared to the first wave of the epidemic, including "more advanced treatment protocols, <…> the bed capacity, which allows to receive more infected people and provides an opportunity for more effective and fast recovery, has been prepared."
"All that makes it possible for us to be more flexible and take into account the interests of the country’s economy to a greater extent without resorting to such tough measures as a full lockdown," Peskov said.
The Kremlin spokesman noted that the whole system to fight the coronavirus that had been created "was showing its effectiveness." "Yes, the number of infected people is growing, but, nevertheless, the system is working. We just need to raise people’s consciousness so that they take more effective measures to minimize the risk of infection," he added.
When asked whether Russian President Vladimir Putin could address citizens amid the growing number of COVID-19 cases, Peskov said that "it depends on the head of state’s decision, if he deems that necessary."


tass--2020-10-12--Azerbaijani troops fully observe humanitarian truce, defense ministry says

BAKU , October 12 .
/TASS/ .
Azerbaijan ’ s Defense Ministry stated on Monday that the country ’ s forces were fully complying with the humanitarian ceasefire .
`` We announce that the Azerbaijani army is strictly observing the humanitarian ceasefire and is not involved in any active combat actions , '' the ministry said .
The ministry refuted Armenia ’ s statement that the Azerbaijani army was deploying major forces in order to carry out an offensive in Gadrut and that fierce battles were underway in this direction .
`` We recall that several days ago Gadrut was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occupation , '' it said .
At the talks held at Russia ’ s initiative in Moscow , Baku and Yerevan agreed a ceasefire , which came into effect at 12:00 local time on October 10 for humanitarian reasons in order to exchange detainees and the bodies of those killed in the fighting .
Shortly after noon the sides traded blame for violating the ceasefire agreement .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group , led by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

BAKU, October 12. /TASS/. Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry stated on Monday that the country’s forces were fully complying with the humanitarian ceasefire.
"We announce that the Azerbaijani army is strictly observing the humanitarian ceasefire and is not involved in any active combat actions," the ministry said.
The ministry refuted Armenia’s statement that the Azerbaijani army was deploying major forces in order to carry out an offensive in Gadrut and that fierce battles were underway in this direction. "We recall that several days ago Gadrut was freed by the Azerbaijani army from the occupation," it said.
At the talks held at Russia’s initiative in Moscow, Baku and Yerevan agreed a ceasefire, which came into effect at 12:00 local time on October 10 for humanitarian reasons in order to exchange detainees and the bodies of those killed in the fighting. Shortly after noon the sides traded blame for violating the ceasefire agreement.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-10-12--EU renews sanctions for chemical weapons use for one year

`` The Council today decided to extend the regime allowing the EU to impose restrictive measures on persons and entities involved in the development and use of chemical weapons by one year , until 16 October 2021 , '' the statement reads .
BRUSSELS , October 12 .
/TASS/ .
The European Council has prolonged the sanctions regime for the use of chemical weapons for one year , until October 16 , 2021 , the statement published by the Council on Monday informs .
Some members of the EU propose to expand the sanctions list in relation to the incident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Restrictive measures currently apply to nine persons - five linked to the Syrian regime and four involved in the Salisbury attack using the toxic nerve agent Novichok ( including Russian nationals Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov accused by the UK of organizing a chemical attack on Sergei Skripal - TASS ) - and one organisation , the Scientific Studies and Research Centre ( SSRC ) , the Syrian regime 's principal entity for the development of chemical weapons , '' the statement continues .
The decision to prolong the sanctions was taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictive measures consist of a ban on travel to the EU and an asset freeze for persons , and an asset freeze for entities .
In addition , persons and entities in the EU are forbidden from making funds available to those listed , '' the European Council informed .
During the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Monday , several EU states are insisting on including new individuals on the list in relation to the Navalny incident .

"The Council today decided to extend the regime allowing the EU to impose restrictive measures on persons and entities involved in the development and use of chemical weapons by one year, until 16 October 2021," the statement reads.
BRUSSELS, October 12. /TASS/. The European Council has prolonged the sanctions regime for the use of chemical weapons for one year, until October 16, 2021, the statement published by the Council on Monday informs. Some members of the EU propose to expand the sanctions list in relation to the incident with Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny.
"Restrictive measures currently apply to nine persons - five linked to the Syrian regime and four involved in the Salisbury attack using the toxic nerve agent Novichok (including Russian nationals Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov accused by the UK of organizing a chemical attack on Sergei Skripal - TASS) - and one organisation, the Scientific Studies and Research Centre (SSRC), the Syrian regime's principal entity for the development of chemical weapons," the statement continues.
The decision to prolong the sanctions was taken without a preceding discussion. "The restrictive measures consist of a ban on travel to the EU and an asset freeze for persons, and an asset freeze for entities. In addition, persons and entities in the EU are forbidden from making funds available to those listed," the European Council informed.
During the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Monday, several EU states are insisting on including new individuals on the list in relation to the Navalny incident.