tass--2020-12-09--EU to extend sanctions on Russia on December 10, says source

BRUSSELS , December 9 .
/TASS/ .
European Union leaders will extend economic sanctions on Russia , set to expire in late January 2021 , at the December 10 summit , a high-ranking EU official told reporters in Brussels on Wednesday .
`` There will be a discussion regarding the implementation of the Minsk Agreements , based on which the sanctions are usually extended , '' he said , adding : `` No one has opposed an extension of sanctions . ''
EU leaders are expected to make a political decision to extend the sanctions for another six months , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procedure will begin , concluding with the publication of the relevant documents in the Official Journal of the European Union .
In 2014 , the European Union slapped sanctions on Russia over the events in Ukraine and Crimea ’ s reunification with Russia .
Since then , these sanctions have been repeatedly extended and prolonged .
Talks on the cancellation of visas and a new basic agreement on cooperation were put on hold , some Russian officials were prohibited from visiting EU countries and their assets were frozen .
In addition , trading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In response , Moscow banned food imports from EU states .

BRUSSELS, December 9. /TASS/. European Union leaders will extend economic sanctions on Russia, set to expire in late January 2021, at the December 10 summit, a high-ranking EU official told reporters in Brussels on Wednesday.
"There will be a discussion regarding the implementation of the Minsk Agreements, based on which the sanctions are usually extended," he said, adding: "No one has opposed an extension of sanctions."
EU leaders are expected to make a political decision to extend the sanctions for another six months, and after that, a formal extension procedure will begin, concluding with the publication of the relevant documents in the Official Journal of the European Union.
In 2014, the European Union slapped sanctions on Russia over the events in Ukraine and Crimea’s reunification with Russia. Since then, these sanctions have been repeatedly extended and prolonged. Talks on the cancellation of visas and a new basic agreement on cooperation were put on hold, some Russian officials were prohibited from visiting EU countries and their assets were frozen. In addition, trading, financial and military restrictions were introduced. In response, Moscow banned food imports from EU states.


tass--2020-12-09--Sputnik V supply talks with Turkey ongoing, says source

MOSCOW , December 9 .
/TASS/ .
The negotiations on supplying the Russian Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine are continuing despite the recent quotes of the national Health Ministry saying that Turkey rejected plans to purchase the Russian vaccine , which are fake , a source in the Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) told TASS .
`` The talks with Turkey are ongoing .
The cited quotes [ of the Turkish Health Ministry ] are fake news , '' the source underlined .
Earlier , Haberturk newspaper cited a statement by Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca to report that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ V coronavirus vaccine purchase .
At the same time , on November 25 , Koca said that toxicological trials of the Russian vaccine would be launched in the country soon .
On November 27 , Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan informed that Ankara continues talks with Moscow on importing the coronavirus vaccine .
On August 11 , Russia became the first country in the world to register a coronavirus vaccine named Sputnik V , which was developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The post-registration trials of Sputnik V began in Moscow on September 7 , volunteers received the first vaccine already on September 9 .
Overall , the trials include 40,000 people , 10,000 of them had placebo instead of the vaccine .
the Sputnik V efficiency is estimated after the 42nd day after the first vaccination ( or 21 days after the second jab ) , when volunteers had a sustainable immune response , exceeds 95 % More than 50 countries have sent applications to purchase more than 1.2 billion Sputnik V doses .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ markets by international partners of the Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) in India , Brazil , China , South Korea and others .

MOSCOW, December 9. /TASS/. The negotiations on supplying the Russian Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine are continuing despite the recent quotes of the national Health Ministry saying that Turkey rejected plans to purchase the Russian vaccine, which are fake, a source in the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) told TASS.
"The talks with Turkey are ongoing. The cited quotes [of the Turkish Health Ministry] are fake news," the source underlined.
Earlier, Haberturk newspaper cited a statement by Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca to report that Ankara decided to forego the Russian Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine purchase.
At the same time, on November 25, Koca said that toxicological trials of the Russian vaccine would be launched in the country soon. On November 27, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan informed that Ankara continues talks with Moscow on importing the coronavirus vaccine.
Sputnik V
On August 11, Russia became the first country in the world to register a coronavirus vaccine named Sputnik V, which was developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry. The injection passed clinical trials in June-July. The post-registration trials of Sputnik V began in Moscow on September 7, volunteers received the first vaccine already on September 9. Overall, the trials include 40,000 people, 10,000 of them had placebo instead of the vaccine.
the Sputnik V efficiency is estimated after the 42nd day after the first vaccination (or 21 days after the second jab), when volunteers had a sustainable immune response, exceeds 95%
More than 50 countries have sent applications to purchase more than 1.2 billion Sputnik V doses. The vaccine will be supplied to foreign markets by international partners of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) in India, Brazil, China, South Korea and others.


tass--2020-12-09--Russian scientists plan to continue studies of methane emissions in Arctic seas

TASS , December , 9 .
The scientists , who in 2020 participated in an expedition onboard the Akademik Mstislav Keldysh research-survey vessel , plan to continue studies of methane emissions , which emerge in Russia ’ s Arctic seas due to the thawing permafrost , said Igor Semiletov of the Ilichev Pacific Oceanological Institute ( the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Far Eastern Branch ) .
The international expedition in 2020 began on September 27 and continued to November 4 in seas of the Eastern Arctic and in the Kara Sea .
Russian scientists observed strong emissions of methane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gas concentration above the Arctic at rather high levels .
The expedition studied seep fields , and came to the conclusion methane emissions would double within the coming year .
According to them , the permafrost ’ s progressing degradation develops unexpectedly quickly .
`` We have filed an application with the Ministry of Science and Higher Education regarding next year , '' the expert told TASS .
`` We plan to continue the studies on an annual basis .
This topic ( methane emissions ) is a key challenge - consequences from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ develops due to the global climate changes .
We can not say clearly how much this process influences the climate , but the main ‘ candidate ’ to explain those massive emissions is the destabilization of hydrates ( gas hydrates consisting of water and methane ) , which are in a giant quantity under the permafrost and inside it - two-fold bigger than in the atmosphere , '' he said .
Presently , scientists do not have sufficient data to forecast how the seeps could change the atmosphere and climate within next 5-10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much bigger than the seeps they have observed earlier .
`` We have organized the studies in a limited area .
We have put on maps about 2,000 seeps - just what we could see under the vessel ’ s bottom .
You know , how they say - if you see one mouse in a barn , be sure they are hundreds there , '' he added .
The scientists want to put together the first ever 3D map of massive emissions with the indication of their depths .
They will analyze @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken place within one year and why .
During the expedition in 2020 , scientists tested in the Arctic latitudes a digital holographic camera ( DHC ) , designed by the Tomsk State University .
The camera was used to observe plankton and other organisms in natural environment , without sampling water .
Thus , results were received on the spot .
`` By using this camera , scientists without moving plankton organisms - they remain in the water - have received so to say ‘ an optic test ’ of about 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s expert Alexei Olshukov told TASS .
`` The concentration of fragments is measured in real time , and further detailed tests could be done later on in labs .
The bio diversity and amounts of plankton prompt fish reserves , and conditions of plankton point to the ecosystem ’ s state .
Consequently , scientists can diagnose early problems . ''
DNCs during the expedition registered tiny bubbles of 100-300 micrometers from gas hydrate seeps , coming to the surface .
`` We could register the gas hydrate bubbles in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surface , '' he continued .
`` Later on , we shall present methods to place the camera next to a seep and to analyze plankton , as well as concentrations and average sizes of the bubbles .
We shall be working on this jointly with the Ilichev Pacific Oceanological Institute , the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Far Eastern Branch . ''
According to Semiletov , the Russian Arctic is a unique range for scientific studies , and Russia has been leading in scientific publications about the Arctic .
Expeditions to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Onboard the Keldysh , worked seven young scientists of the Tomsk Polytechnic University , who studied soils and water .
`` The project ’ s objective is to train young scientists during Arctic expeditions , '' the University ’ s representative Alexei Ruban said .
`` We shall compare ( by sampling ) sediments and water in the areas of methane emissions against the samples from areas without such emissions .
Methane emissions are not a permanent process .
This way , we shall learn whether methane has been emitted into the atmosphere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Tomsk University ’ s scientists hope to continue studies of water and sediments in the coming year .
The expedition featured about 70 participants from ten countries .
Under the conditions of the current pandemic and respective border restrictions , it was the only international expedition in 2020 .

TASS, December, 9. The scientists, who in 2020 participated in an expedition onboard the Akademik Mstislav Keldysh research-survey vessel, plan to continue studies of methane emissions, which emerge in Russia’s Arctic seas due to the thawing permafrost, said Igor Semiletov of the Ilichev Pacific Oceanological Institute (the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Far Eastern Branch).
The international expedition in 2020 began on September 27 and continued to November 4 in seas of the Eastern Arctic and in the Kara Sea. Russian scientists observed strong emissions of methane (seeps), which keep the gas concentration above the Arctic at rather high levels. The expedition studied seep fields, and came to the conclusion methane emissions would double within the coming year. According to them, the permafrost’s progressing degradation develops unexpectedly quickly.
"We have filed an application with the Ministry of Science and Higher Education regarding next year," the expert told TASS. "We plan to continue the studies on an annual basis. This topic (methane emissions) is a key challenge - consequences from the permafrost’s thawing, which develops due to the global climate changes. We cannot say clearly how much this process influences the climate, but the main ‘candidate’ to explain those massive emissions is the destabilization of hydrates (gas hydrates consisting of water and methane), which are in a giant quantity under the permafrost and inside it - two-fold bigger than in the atmosphere," he said.
Presently, scientists do not have sufficient data to forecast how the seeps could change the atmosphere and climate within next 5-10 years. Experts say gas emissions are much bigger than the seeps they have observed earlier. "We have organized the studies in a limited area. We have put on maps about 2,000 seeps - just what we could see under the vessel’s bottom. You know, how they say - if you see one mouse in a barn, be sure they are hundreds there," he added.
The scientists want to put together the first ever 3D map of massive emissions with the indication of their depths. They will analyze recent samples to see what changes have taken place within one year and why.
Testing new technologies
During the expedition in 2020, scientists tested in the Arctic latitudes a digital holographic camera (DHC), designed by the Tomsk State University. The camera was used to observe plankton and other organisms in natural environment, without sampling water. Thus, results were received on the spot.
"By using this camera, scientists without moving plankton organisms - they remain in the water - have received so to say ‘an optic test’ of about 1 liter of water," the University’s expert Alexei Olshukov told TASS. "The concentration of fragments is measured in real time, and further detailed tests could be done later on in labs. The bio diversity and amounts of plankton prompt fish reserves, and conditions of plankton point to the ecosystem’s state. Consequently, scientists can diagnose early problems."
DNCs during the expedition registered tiny bubbles of 100-300 micrometers from gas hydrate seeps, coming to the surface. "We could register the gas hydrate bubbles in the areas, where they got to the surface," he continued. "Later on, we shall present methods to place the camera next to a seep and to analyze plankton, as well as concentrations and average sizes of the bubbles. We shall be working on this jointly with the Ilichev Pacific Oceanological Institute, the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Far Eastern Branch."
Training young specialists
According to Semiletov, the Russian Arctic is a unique range for scientific studies, and Russia has been leading in scientific publications about the Arctic. Expeditions to the Arctic feature many young Russian scientists. Onboard the Keldysh, worked seven young scientists of the Tomsk Polytechnic University, who studied soils and water.
"The project’s objective is to train young scientists during Arctic expeditions," the University’s representative Alexei Ruban said. "We shall compare (by sampling) sediments and water in the areas of methane emissions against the samples from areas without such emissions. Methane emissions are not a permanent process. This way, we shall learn whether methane has been emitted into the atmosphere in an area or not."
The Tomsk University’s scientists hope to continue studies of water and sediments in the coming year.
2020 expedition
The expedition featured about 70 participants from ten countries. Under the conditions of the current pandemic and respective border restrictions, it was the only international expedition in 2020.


tass--2020-12-09--Presentation of Great Norilsk Expedition results due on December 10

MOSCOW , December 9 .
/TASS/ .
An announcement of the Great Norilsk Expedition ’ s results and a presentation of the Ecology research center of the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Siberian Branch are scheduled for December 10 , the Academy ’ s press service told TASS .
“ On December 10 , in Moscow , the Academy of Sciences ’ President Alexander Sergeyev will chair a presentation of the Great Norilsk Expedition ’ s results , ” the press service said .
“ The event will feature representatives of the Academy , including its Siberian Branch , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ecology organizations , as well as experts and reporters.
” The expedition ’ s results will be presented by the Siberian Branch ’ s Chairman Valentin Parmon , leaders of field and laboratory teams , the field works ’ supervisor Nikolai Yurkevich and research advisor Valery Kryukov .
“ The Academy of Sciences will announce the establishment of the Ecology scientific research center , which will be located in Novosibirsk and Norilsk , ” the press service said .
“ The center will integrate capacities of various scientific organizations for complex studies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effect on the environment and consequences ' elimination.
” The organizers have invited representatives of Rosprirodnadzor ( Russia ’ s environment watchdog ) , non-governmental ecology organizations , including the World Wild Fund for Nature ( WWF ) , and Greenpeace .
The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences has sent to the Taimyr Peninsula , at the invitation of Nornickel , a big scientific expedition to conduct a large-scale examination of the area .
Scientists will use the expedition ’ s results to present suggestions for industrial companies , working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preserve the nature .
The expedition ’ s key points were watersheds of the Rivers Pyasina , Norilka and Ambarnaya and Lake Pyasino .
In August , experts from 14 research institutes of the Academy of Sciences ’ Siberian Branch collected samples of soils , plants and sediments and began tests at the institutes ’ labs .

MOSCOW, December 9. /TASS/. An announcement of the Great Norilsk Expedition’s results and a presentation of the Ecology research center of the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Siberian Branch are scheduled for December 10, the Academy’s press service told TASS.
“On December 10, in Moscow, the Academy of Sciences’ President Alexander Sergeyev will chair a presentation of the Great Norilsk Expedition’s results,” the press service said. “The event will feature representatives of the Academy, including its Siberian Branch, and representatives of major industrial companies, non-governmental and ecology organizations, as well as experts and reporters.”
The expedition’s results will be presented by the Siberian Branch’s Chairman Valentin Parmon, leaders of field and laboratory teams, the field works’ supervisor Nikolai Yurkevich and research advisor Valery Kryukov.
“The Academy of Sciences will announce the establishment of the Ecology scientific research center, which will be located in Novosibirsk and Norilsk,” the press service said. “The center will integrate capacities of various scientific organizations for complex studies aimed at monitoring, estimation of anthropogenic effect on the environment and consequences' elimination.”
The organizers have invited representatives of Rosprirodnadzor (Russia’s environment watchdog), non-governmental ecology organizations, including the World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF), and Greenpeace.
Expedition to Taimyr
The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences has sent to the Taimyr Peninsula, at the invitation of Nornickel, a big scientific expedition to conduct a large-scale examination of the area. Scientists will use the expedition’s results to present suggestions for industrial companies, working in the Arctic, on how to preserve the nature.
The expedition’s key points were watersheds of the Rivers Pyasina, Norilka and Ambarnaya and Lake Pyasino. In August, experts from 14 research institutes of the Academy of Sciences’ Siberian Branch collected samples of soils, plants and sediments and began tests at the institutes’ labs.


tass--2020-12-09--Moscow’s sparkling New Year’s decorations shine through coronavirus fears

Biden will try to make anti-Russian sanctions more effective , former envoy says Thomas Pickering admitted that the current sanctions @ @ @ @ @

Biden says alternative to sanctions against Russia would be Third World War
"Russia will pay a serious price for this short term and long term, particularly long term," the US leader stressed
Read more


tass--2020-12-09--2021 Munich Security Conference postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic

BERLIN , December 9 .
/TASS/ .
The 2021 Munich Security Conference ( MSC ) has been postponed indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic , a statement by the conference ’ s organizers published on the official website informs .
`` The Munich Security Conference has been held each February for over five decades .
Next year , the ongoing pandemic will prevent us from hosting the MSC , as originally planned , on February 19-21 , 2021 , '' the statement quotes Wolfgang Ischinger , chairman of the Munich Security Conference , as saying .
`` Given current global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stability , the need for the MSC to provide a platform for informal exchanges between international decision-makers as early as possible in 2021 is clear and urgent , '' the chairman informed .
`` Therefore , we have not taken this decision to postpone lightly .
We will continue to work with our partners to identify a new date for the MSC 2021 , which will be announced as soon as this can be confirmed with the relevant authorities . ''
`` As the MSC 's Chairman , my aim remains to convene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as possible to its traditional physical format as soon as conditions permit , '' he concluded .
On Wednesday , Ischinger told the DPA news agency that the conference would be held no earlier than in late April .
Besides , he expressed hope that US President-Elect Joe Biden would attend the conference .
According to DPA , Biden has taken part in the Munich Security Conference several times since the 1980 .
The Munich Security Conference was established by German publisher Ewald von Kleist in 1962 as a meeting of NATO defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by delegates from Central and Eastern Europe since 1999 .
Russia has been taking part in the conference since the late 1990s .
The Russian delegation to the conference has been led by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov since 2010 , with the exception of 2016 when it was headed by then-Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev .
In 2020 , the 56th Munich Security Conference involved about 800 participants - politicians , business representatives , researchers and human rights activists from all over the world .
The Russian delegation was headed by Foreign Minister Sergey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heads of state and government and nearly 100 foreign and defense ministers were in attendance .

BERLIN, December 9. /TASS/. The 2021 Munich Security Conference (MSC) has been postponed indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic, a statement by the conference’s organizers published on the official website informs.
"The Munich Security Conference has been held each February for over five decades. Next year, the ongoing pandemic will prevent us from hosting the MSC, as originally planned, on February 19-21, 2021," the statement quotes Wolfgang Ischinger, chairman of the Munich Security Conference, as saying.
"Given current global threats and challenges to international security and stability, the need for the MSC to provide a platform for informal exchanges between international decision-makers as early as possible in 2021 is clear and urgent," the chairman informed. "Therefore, we have not taken this decision to postpone lightly. We will continue to work with our partners to identify a new date for the MSC 2021, which will be announced as soon as this can be confirmed with the relevant authorities."
"As the MSC's Chairman, my aim remains to convene the Munich Security Conference 2021 as close as possible to its traditional physical format as soon as conditions permit," he concluded.
On Wednesday, Ischinger told the DPA news agency that the conference would be held no earlier than in late April. Besides, he expressed hope that US President-Elect Joe Biden would attend the conference. According to DPA, Biden has taken part in the Munich Security Conference several times since the 1980.
The Munich Security Conference
The Munich Security Conference was established by German publisher Ewald von Kleist in 1962 as a meeting of NATO defense ministries officials. It has been attended by delegates from Central and Eastern Europe since 1999. Russia has been taking part in the conference since the late 1990s. The Russian delegation to the conference has been led by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov since 2010, with the exception of 2016 when it was headed by then-Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.
In 2020, the 56th Munich Security Conference involved about 800 participants - politicians, business representatives, researchers and human rights activists from all over the world. The Russian delegation was headed by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. In total, about 35 heads of state and government and nearly 100 foreign and defense ministers were in attendance.


tass--2020-12-09--Next OPEC+ meeting to be held on January 4

NOVO-OGARYOVO , December 9 .
/TASS/ .
The next OPEC+ ministerial meeting will be held on January 4 , 2021 @ @ @ @ @ Alexander Novak said at a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and cabinet members .
@ @ @ @ @ will hold the next meeting on January 4 to determine what actions to take jointly @ @ @ @ @ '' Novak said .
At a meeting on December 3 , the ministers of the @ @ @ @ @ increase oil production from January 1 , 2021 .
The mechanism stipulates that a monthly @ @ @ @ @ no more than 500,000 bpd .
In total , OPEC+ countries intend to restore oil @ @ @ @ @ .
An agreement was also reached to hold meetings on a monthly basis .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, December 9. /TASS/. The next OPEC+ ministerial meeting will be held on January 4, 2021, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said at a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and cabinet members.
"We agreed that we will hold the next meeting on January 4 to determine what actions to take jointly, starting from February," Novak said.
At a meeting on December 3, the ministers of the alliance countries agreed to gradually increase oil production from January 1, 2021. The mechanism stipulates that a monthly increase in supply will be no more than 500,000 bpd. In total, OPEC+ countries intend to restore oil production by 2 mln bpd. An agreement was also reached to hold meetings on a monthly basis.


tass--2020-12-09--Moscow officials confirm leak of COVID-19 patients’ personal data

`` On the outcomes of an inquiry into the reports of personal data leaks among Moscow residents who recovered from @ @ @ @ @ that there were no hacks or any unsanctioned interference in the work of information systems @ @ @ @ @ The leak happened due to human error : employees involved in processing internal documents allowed @ @ @ @ @ over to third persons .
The inquiry is still being held , measures will be @ @ @ @ @ '' head of the Moscow Informational Technologies Department Eduard Lysenko said in a statement published @ @ @ @ @ Telegram .
Earlier , several media outlets reported that files with personal data of Moscow @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 had been uploaded online .
Reportedly , 362 files totaling 940 megabytes have been @ @ @ @ @ contain full names of patients , their dates of birth , places of residence , @ @ @ @ @ and so on .
Moscow ranks first in Russia by the number of COVID-19 cases @ @ @ @ @ 660,073 cases of the infection , while 507,149 patients have recovered .

"On the outcomes of an inquiry into the reports of personal data leaks among Moscow residents who recovered from COVID-19, it was documented that there were no hacks or any unsanctioned interference in the work of information systems of the Moscow government. The leak happened due to human error: employees involved in processing internal documents allowed the files to be handed over to third persons. The inquiry is still being held, measures will be taken on its outcomes," head of the Moscow Informational Technologies Department Eduard Lysenko said in a statement published by the crisis center on Telegram.
Earlier, several media outlets reported that files with personal data of Moscow residents who were diagnosed with COVID-19 had been uploaded online. Reportedly, 362 files totaling 940 megabytes have been made public. The files contain full names of patients, their dates of birth, places of residence, phone numbers, passport numbers and so on.
Moscow ranks first in Russia by the number of COVID-19 cases. The city has documented 660,073 cases of the infection, while 507,149 patients have recovered.


tass--2020-12-09--Putin points to declining economic situation in Russia

NOVO-OGARYOVO , December 9 .
/TASS/ .
The economic situation in Russia is deteriorating , President Vladimir Putin said at @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday .
According to him , people ’ s incomes have fallen , the @ @ @ @ @ and essential food prices are growing .
`` Unfortunately , people ’ s incomes declined @ @ @ @ @ market is facing pressure .
The unemployment rate has grown , '' Putin pointed out @ @ @ @ @ about other figures , including rising essential food prices ? ''
he added , pointing @ @ @ @

NOVO-OGARYOVO, December 9. /TASS/. The economic situation in Russia is deteriorating, President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting on economic issues on Wednesday.
According to him, people’s incomes have fallen, the labor market is under pressure and essential food prices are growing.
"Unfortunately, people’s incomes declined this year. The labor market is facing pressure. The unemployment rate has grown," Putin pointed out. "However, what about other figures, including rising essential food prices?" he added, pointing to a problem.


tass--2020-12-09--Media: Chinese research institutes ink major agreements on scientific personnel in Sanya

SANYA , December 9 .
/TASS/ .
Representatives of management at several Chinese research institutes signed a number of agreements on scientific specialists and effective redistribution of resources in the agricultural sector during the forum of cross-border innovation , held in Hainan 's Sanya , reported the Hainan Daily newspaper .
According to the news outlet , the conference participants agreed to create a center for the development of human resources at Hainan 's Free Trade Port , an international platform for the optimization of biological resources , and promote cooperation in a number of promising areas of modern tropical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Chinese Ministry of Labor and Social Security announced the opening of five national research facilities on Hainan , where specialists with the highest scientific degrees will be working .
As the local authorities specified , the signed agreements will accelerate the formation of an `` integrated structure involving government agencies , commercial , financial and public organizations '' , allowing the intensive use of biological resources .
It is expected that this will help to outline new important areas for cooperation , which will be carried out with the active participation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cross-Border Innovation for the Formation of Hainan 's Free Trade Port '' was organized by the Chinese Ministry of Labor and Social Security , the provincial administration and the Sanya City Hall in cooperation with Beijing Tsinghua University , Hainan Human Resources Development Department .
One of the main goals of this conference is to stimulate interdepartmental and interdisciplinary cooperation , to remove boundaries .
The event was attended by representatives of more than 200 research organizations , enterprises and universities .

SANYA, December 9. /TASS/. Representatives of management at several Chinese research institutes signed a number of agreements on scientific specialists and effective redistribution of resources in the agricultural sector during the forum of cross-border innovation, held in Hainan's Sanya, reported the Hainan Daily newspaper.
According to the news outlet, the conference participants agreed to create a center for the development of human resources at Hainan's Free Trade Port, an international platform for the optimization of biological resources, and promote cooperation in a number of promising areas of modern tropical agriculture. Moreover, during the event, the Chinese Ministry of Labor and Social Security announced the opening of five national research facilities on Hainan, where specialists with the highest scientific degrees will be working.
As the local authorities specified, the signed agreements will accelerate the formation of an "integrated structure involving government agencies, commercial, financial and public organizations", allowing the intensive use of biological resources. It is expected that this will help to outline new important areas for cooperation, which will be carried out with the active participation of foreign partners.
The Forum "Cross-Border Innovation for the Formation of Hainan's Free Trade Port" was organized by the Chinese Ministry of Labor and Social Security, the provincial administration and the Sanya City Hall in cooperation with Beijing Tsinghua University, Hainan Human Resources Development Department. One of the main goals of this conference is to stimulate interdepartmental and interdisciplinary cooperation, to remove boundaries. The event was attended by representatives of more than 200 research organizations, enterprises and universities.


tass--2020-12-09--Kremlin says Navalny case not central focus of Putin-Merkel conversation

MOSCOW , December 9 .
/TASS/ .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has confirmed that Russian and German leaders Vladimir Putin and Angela Merkel in a recent phone conversation touched on the subject of blogger Alexey Navalny , which , as the spokesman revealed , did not top the agenda .
`` In our statement we pointed out those conversation subjects that were the most fully discussed and that are the most important , '' the spokesman told journalists on Wednesday commenting on the phone conversation between Putin and Merkel on December 7 .
According to him , `` the subject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upon , which the German side reported on . ''
The Kremlin representative added that no changes were introduced to the statement by the Kremlin press service .
`` Neither Putin , nor Merkel are physicians to discuss the issues of [ Navalny ’ s ] treatment , '' the spokesman noted answering a question of how exactly the situation around Navalny was discussed .
The spokesman did not provide any explanation , reiterating that `` the subject was mentioned . ''
On Monday , the Kremlin press service reported that Putin and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh , the issues of settlement in Ukraine and implementation of Minsk-2 , as well as agreed upon further contacts between the health ministries of Russia and Germany on the issue of vaccines , among others .
The Kremlin did not mention the discussion of the situation around Navalny while Germany ’ s cabinet of ministers reported about it later .
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 .
Later , he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
According to Berlin , these conclusions were confirmed by laboratories in France and Sweden .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov repeatedly emphasized that Russia was ready for comprehensive cooperation with Germany and pointed out that no poisonous substances had been detected in Navalny ’ s system prior to his transfer to Berlin @

MOSCOW, December 9. /TASS/. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has confirmed that Russian and German leaders Vladimir Putin and Angela Merkel in a recent phone conversation touched on the subject of blogger Alexey Navalny, which, as the spokesman revealed, did not top the agenda.
"In our statement we pointed out those conversation subjects that were the most fully discussed and that are the most important," the spokesman told journalists on Wednesday commenting on the phone conversation between Putin and Merkel on December 7. According to him, "the subject of the Berlin patient was indeed touched upon, which the German side reported on." The Kremlin representative added that no changes were introduced to the statement by the Kremlin press service.
"Neither Putin, nor Merkel are physicians to discuss the issues of [Navalny’s] treatment," the spokesman noted answering a question of how exactly the situation around Navalny was discussed. The spokesman did not provide any explanation, reiterating that "the subject was mentioned."
On Monday, the Kremlin press service reported that Putin and Merkel in a phone conversation hashed over the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh, the issues of settlement in Ukraine and implementation of Minsk-2, as well as agreed upon further contacts between the health ministries of Russia and Germany on the issue of vaccines, among others. The Kremlin did not mention the discussion of the situation around Navalny while Germany’s cabinet of ministers reported about it later.
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. Later, 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. According to Berlin, these conclusions were confirmed by laboratories in France and Sweden.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov repeatedly emphasized that Russia was ready for comprehensive cooperation with Germany and pointed out that no poisonous substances had been detected in Navalny’s system prior to his transfer to Berlin.


tass--2020-12-09--"Cross the Sea - Gather in Haikou on the New Year's Eve" Carnival Festival To Be Held

HAIKOU , China , Dec. 9 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ .
According to Haikou Tourism Development Commission , the `` Cross the Sea - Gather in Haikou on the New Year 's Eve '' Carnival Festival will be held from November , 2020 to the end of February , 2021 .
With its rainforests , volcanic landscapes , pristine beaches and plethora of surf spots , the tropical island of Hainan is China 's very own Hawaii .
With numerous international connections , visitors are drawn to Hainan for the scenery and the sunshine , some of China 's finest hotels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sand beaches and in its waterside capital Haikou , fondly known as the Coconut City .
Not only is Haikou the gateway to Hainan , it also has its own charm , with many pretty historic neighbourhoods , known as Qilou , characterised by pedestrianised streets and white-washed , porticoed arcades of cafes , shops and handicraft markets .
Haikou 's Qilou is the place to take a morning tea and spicy rice soup as visitors watch daily life go by against the backdrop of centuries-old Southeast Asian architecture .
These historic streets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ambitious city-wide festival which takes place at Chinese New Year , as Haikou seeks to establish itself as the 'City of New Year 's Eve ' .
Encompassing more than 200 cultural and entertainment events during the festive season - the 'Cross the Sea ' festival will see Haikou 's streets , parks and beaches transformed with music , theatre , art and sporting events .
A '5D ' light and shadow show will illuminate the white-washed facades of the qilou , with another light-art showcase taking place in Sun Moon Square .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the setting for street art performances , while duty-free shops will be offering discounts for the duration of the festival - a nod to newly unveiled plans to transform the island into Hainan Free Trade Port - China 's largest free-trade zone .
This Carnival Festival is planned to make `` Gather in Haikou '' a brand of Haikou and `` the city of New Year 's Eve '' more established as Haikou 's urban symbol .
This will be of great significance for Haikou to deepen integration between culture and tourism , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support the construction of Hainan Free Trade Port .

HAIKOU, China, Dec. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/. According to Haikou Tourism Development Commission, the "Cross the Sea - Gather in Haikou on the New Year's Eve" Carnival Festival will be held from November, 2020 to the end of February, 2021.
With its rainforests, volcanic landscapes, pristine beaches and plethora of surf spots, the tropical island of Hainan is China's very own Hawaii. With numerous international connections, visitors are drawn to Hainan for the scenery and the sunshine, some of China's finest hotels are set along its miles of palm-fringed sand beaches and in its waterside capital Haikou, fondly known as the Coconut City.
Not only is Haikou the gateway to Hainan, it also has its own charm, with many pretty historic neighbourhoods, known as Qilou, characterised by pedestrianised streets and white-washed, porticoed arcades of cafes, shops and handicraft markets. Haikou's Qilou is the place to take a morning tea and spicy rice soup as visitors watch daily life go by against the backdrop of centuries-old Southeast Asian architecture.
These historic streets are also among the setting for an ambitious city-wide festival which takes place at Chinese New Year, as Haikou seeks to establish itself as the 'City of New Year's Eve'. Encompassing more than 200 cultural and entertainment events during the festive season - the 'Cross the Sea' festival will see Haikou's streets, parks and beaches transformed with music, theatre, art and sporting events. A '5D' light and shadow show will illuminate the white-washed facades of the qilou, with another light-art showcase taking place in Sun Moon Square. The hip Haikou Bay Bund will be the setting for street art performances, while duty-free shops will be offering discounts for the duration of the festival - a nod to newly unveiled plans to transform the island into Hainan Free Trade Port - China's largest free-trade zone.
This Carnival Festival is planned to make "Gather in Haikou" a brand of Haikou and "the city of New Year's Eve" more established as Haikou's urban symbol. This will be of great significance for Haikou to deepen integration between culture and tourism, build an international tourism consumption center and support the construction of Hainan Free Trade Port.
CONTACT: Ms. Yu, Tel: +86-10-63074558


tass--2020-12-09--Shanghai Transport Hub Installs 1,800m² of Absen LEDs

SHENZHEN , China , Dec. 9 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ .
A total of 1,800m² of Absen LEDs have been installed in the OXO City area of Shanghai Hongqiao airport .
The centrepiece of this ambitious project is a gigantic 700m² videowall at the airport 's exit , which welcomes travellers and visitors into the adjacent shopping environment featuring a further 40 screens arranged into eight cubes , all of which are used to display the same vivid , cyberpunk-inspired 3D video content .
OXO City – which is connected to Hongqiao International Airport 's T2 in the east and Hongqiao @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serves as the transfer station of Line 2 , 10 , 17 of the city 's metro , giving it an average daily passenger flow of over 500,000 people .
After winning the project , the client installation team decided that the high brightness , colour uniformity , and flexible configuration of Absen 's new KL series made it the ideal fit for such a high-profile installation .
`` The sheer size of the screens calls for displays with exceptional flatness , '' said Absen sales manager Ying Chen .
`` The content @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – especially the 3D portions – so the LED panels had to be flawless and offer outstanding image quality . ''
Absen 's KL is a front and rear installation and maintenance product with a depth of only 70mm and weighing at 7.8kg per panel .
In addition , KL is an all-in-one product , with PSU ( power supply units ) , cables , receiving cards and the other key components inside , which makes both installation and maintenance of the panels as easy as possible for end users .
`` Building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in such as central place with a heavy passenger flow is challenging , '' said Chen .
`` OXO City has very strict regulations and restrictions , so the project had its share of challenges .
During the actual installation process , for example , Absen 's team of engineers had to work together with experts and technicians from different institutions involved in this project , making a number of adjustments in the process . ''
Terry Zhu , the product director for Absen , concluded : `` The giant LED display is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infrastructure of the biggest cities in China and the rest of the world .
With 19 years of devotion to this industry , Absen has a wealth of experience in these high-end projects , as well as the confidence to fulfil every requirement our customers have . ''

SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/. A total of 1,800m² of Absen LEDs have been installed in the OXO City area of Shanghai Hongqiao airport.
The centrepiece of this ambitious project is a gigantic 700m² videowall at the airport's exit, which welcomes travellers and visitors into the adjacent shopping environment featuring a further 40 screens arranged into eight cubes, all of which are used to display the same vivid, cyberpunk-inspired 3D video content.
OXO City – which is connected to Hongqiao International Airport's T2 in the east and Hongqiao Railway Station in the west – also serves as the transfer station of Line 2, 10, 17 of the city's metro, giving it an average daily passenger flow of over 500,000 people.
After winning the project, the client installation team decided that the high brightness, colour uniformity, and flexible configuration of Absen's new KL series made it the ideal fit for such a high-profile installation.
"The sheer size of the screens calls for displays with exceptional flatness," said Absen sales manager Ying Chen. "The content played on the screen is very immersive – especially the 3D portions – so the LED panels had to be flawless and offer outstanding image quality."
Absen's KL is a front and rear installation and maintenance product with a depth of only 70mm and weighing at 7.8kg per panel. In addition, KL is an all-in-one product, with PSU (power supply units), cables, receiving cards and the other key components inside, which makes both installation and maintenance of the panels as easy as possible for end users.
"Building such a gigantic fixed indoor LED display in such as central place with a heavy passenger flow is challenging," said Chen. "OXO City has very strict regulations and restrictions, so the project had its share of challenges. During the actual installation process, for example, Absen's team of engineers had to work together with experts and technicians from different institutions involved in this project, making a number of adjustments in the process."
Terry Zhu, the product director for Absen, concluded: "The giant LED display is becoming more and more important in the infrastructure of the biggest cities in China and the rest of the world. With 19 years of devotion to this industry, Absen has a wealth of experience in these high-end projects, as well as the confidence to fulfil every requirement our customers have."
CONTACT: Emma Zhang, +86-166-2050-8723


tass--2020-12-09--Global Korea Convention opens to spotlight Seoul's achievements in int'l cooperation

SEOUL , South Korea , Dec. 9 .
/PRNewswire/ .
An international forum kicked off in Seoul on Wednesday to share South Korea 's achievements in global cooperation and explore its future roles and challenges in the post-COVID-19 era .
The National Research Council for Economics , Humanities and Social Sciences and the Korea Land & Housing Corp. are hosting the convention , with sponsorship from about 150 government and public institutions .
Global Korea Convention 2020 opened in a ceremony at the K-Hotel Seoul for a three-day run , with the in-person and online attendance of about 30 dignitaries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development ; Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun ; and National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug .
Several dozen government departments and public institutions are to introduce various experiences on public diplomacy and international cooperation since the independence of Korea in 1945 , as well as their efforts to pursue public diplomacy focused on peace , human rights , democracy and values enabling sustainable development of humankind .
In particular , the convention is to put the spotlight on South Korea 's diverse and rich experience as the world 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aid recipient to a donor country .
During the opening ceremony , Chung gave a congratulatory video address , and former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland made a keynote speech under the title of `` international cooperation for world peace and sustainable development . ''
A `` Vision Declaration '' was also announced at the opening ceremony , declaring a vision of South Korea 's future as a world leader that contributes to international peace , prosperity and sustainable development .
`` Embracing 'inclusive multilateralism ' as our core value , Korea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ form a new wave of cooperation that pursues world peace , common prosperity and sustainable development , '' it said .
Hosts and organizers said Seoul 's efforts to overcome the coronavirus pandemic , dubbed `` K-Quarantine '' , and the Korean New Deal initiative aimed at stimulating economic growth and job creation through digital and green projects will be intensively discussed at the convention .
In a special event , Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Moon Seong-hyeok will hold a videoconference interview with Korean researchers stationed at the nation 's second Antarctic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the spread of the coronavirus , all convention programs will be broadcast live at the convention 's website ( globalkoreaconvention.kr ) .

SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 9. /PRNewswire/. An international forum kicked off in Seoul on Wednesday to share South Korea's achievements in global cooperation and explore its future roles and challenges in the post-COVID-19 era. The National Research Council for Economics, Humanities and Social Sciences and the Korea Land & Housing Corp. are hosting the convention, with sponsorship from about 150 government and public institutions.
Global Korea Convention 2020 opened in a ceremony at the K-Hotel Seoul for a three-day run, with the in-person and online attendance of about 30 dignitaries, including Angel Gurria, secretary-general of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development; Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun; and National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug.
Several dozen government departments and public institutions are to introduce various experiences on public diplomacy and international cooperation since the independence of Korea in 1945, as well as their efforts to pursue public diplomacy focused on peace, human rights, democracy and values enabling sustainable development of humankind.
In particular, the convention is to put the spotlight on South Korea's diverse and rich experience as the world's only country that has transformed from an aid recipient to a donor country.
During the opening ceremony, Chung gave a congratulatory video address, and former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland made a keynote speech under the title of "international cooperation for world peace and sustainable development."
A "Vision Declaration" was also announced at the opening ceremony, declaring a vision of South Korea's future as a world leader that contributes to international peace, prosperity and sustainable development.
"Embracing 'inclusive multilateralism' as our core value, Korea is taking its first step forward to form a new wave of cooperation that pursues world peace, common prosperity and sustainable development," it said.
Hosts and organizers said Seoul's efforts to overcome the coronavirus pandemic, dubbed "K-Quarantine", and the Korean New Deal initiative aimed at stimulating economic growth and job creation through digital and green projects will be intensively discussed at the convention.
In a special event, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Moon Seong-hyeok will hold a videoconference interview with Korean researchers stationed at the nation's second Antarctic base called Jang Bogo.
In consideration of the spread of the coronavirus, all convention programs will be broadcast live at the convention's website (globalkoreaconvention.kr).
CONTACT: Lee Soo-Han (+82-44-211-1018, shlee@nrc.re.kr)


tass--2020-12-09--Media: Hainan's fishing exhibition participants sign contracts worth $ 275 million

HAIKOU , December 9 .
/TASS/ .
Participants of a recreational fishing exhibition held in Hainan 's Haikou concluded deals worth 1.8 billion yuan ( about $ 275 million ) .
According to the Haikou Daily , the contracts are expected to produce goods and services worth 10 billion yuan ( $ 1.5 billion ) .
In accordance with the contracts , 500 new fishing vessels will be floated in the Hainan Province in the near future , some of them will run on eco-friendly energy sources ( lithium batteries , hydrogen or LNG ) .
About 3,000 people will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fishing industry .
Contracts were also signed for the construction of fishing villages , as well as bases for amateur and sport fishing at the exhibition .
In addition , the event hosted a presentation of the first Hainan LNG-powered fishing vessel .
The experts evaluated it and concluded that it fully complies with the standards of the respective vehicles running on alternative energy sources .
According to the provincial agriculture department 's plans , Hainan will reach its planned target of 5,000 recreational fishing vessels by 2025 .
According to official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million tonnes of fish to the market in 2019 , 1.9 % less than in the previous 12 months .
However , this has so far insignificantly affected the growth of the agrarian sector , which includes forestry and fisheries .
Its added value increased by 2.7 % over the corresponding period , amounting to 111.9 billion yuan ( about $ 15.9 billion ) .

HAIKOU, December 9. /TASS/. Participants of a recreational fishing exhibition held in Hainan's Haikou concluded deals worth 1.8 billion yuan (about $ 275 million). According to the Haikou Daily, the contracts are expected to produce goods and services worth 10 billion yuan ($ 1.5 billion).
In accordance with the contracts, 500 new fishing vessels will be floated in the Hainan Province in the near future, some of them will run on eco-friendly energy sources (lithium batteries, hydrogen or LNG). About 3,000 people will be trained and will be employed in the fishing industry. Contracts were also signed for the construction of fishing villages, as well as bases for amateur and sport fishing at the exhibition.
In addition, the event hosted a presentation of the first Hainan LNG-powered fishing vessel. The experts evaluated it and concluded that it fully complies with the standards of the respective vehicles running on alternative energy sources.
According to the provincial agriculture department's plans, Hainan will reach its planned target of 5,000 recreational fishing vessels by 2025.
According to official statistics, Hainan companies supplied about 1.72 million tonnes of fish to the market in 2019, 1.9% less than in the previous 12 months. However, this has so far insignificantly affected the growth of the agrarian sector, which includes forestry and fisheries. Its added value increased by 2.7% over the corresponding period, amounting to 111.9 billion yuan (about $ 15.9 billion).


tass--2020-12-10--US-jailed Russian pilot Yaroshenko’s attorneys to ask US court to commute his sentence

MOSCOW , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
Defense attorneys of Russian pilot Viktor Yaroshenko , who is serving a 20-year prison term in a US prison , will go to court with an appeal for commutation of his sentence , his attorney Alexei Tarasov told TASS on Thursday .
`` We plan to lodge an appeal for commutation of Yaroshenko ’ s sentence .
My client is facing health risks because of the aggravating coronavirus situation .
The situation in the federal prison in Danbury , Connecticut , is worsening again .
We will file the appeal within days and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release him prematurely , '' he said .
According to Tarasov , a quarantine was imposed in Yaroshenko ’ s prison block last week .
Yaroshenko ’ s wife , Viktoria , told TASS earlier the prison administration had tested the inmates for the coronavirus infection to find seven positive results .
Yaroshenko has serious health problems .
Since the time of his detention in 2010 , he has lost nearly all his teeth , which has entailed digestion problems .
He was finally consulted by a gastroenterologist in September .
In February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leg but received medical assistance at the prison only after Russian diplomats had interfered into the situation .
Konstantin Yaroshenko was convicted in the United States in September 2011 and sentenced to 20 years in prison .
The pilot was clandestinely transferred to the United States from Liberia , where he had been arrested in May 2010 .
Agents from the US Drug Enforcement Administration operating under cover allegedly exposed Yaroshenko ’ s criminal intention to transport a large batch of cocaine .
He pleaded not guilty , condemning his arrest as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ utter set-up .

MOSCOW, December 10. /TASS/. Defense attorneys of Russian pilot Viktor Yaroshenko, who is serving a 20-year prison term in a US prison, will go to court with an appeal for commutation of his sentence, his attorney Alexei Tarasov told TASS on Thursday.
"We plan to lodge an appeal for commutation of Yaroshenko’s sentence. My client is facing health risks because of the aggravating coronavirus situation. The situation in the federal prison in Danbury, Connecticut, is worsening again. We will file the appeal within days and hope the court will satisfy it and release him prematurely," he said.
According to Tarasov, a quarantine was imposed in Yaroshenko’s prison block last week. Yaroshenko’s wife, Viktoria, told TASS earlier the prison administration had tested the inmates for the coronavirus infection to find seven positive results.
Yaroshenko has serious health problems. Since the time of his detention in 2010, he has lost nearly all his teeth, which has entailed digestion problems. He was finally consulted by a gastroenterologist in September. In February, he complained of problems with his leg but received medical assistance at the prison only after Russian diplomats had interfered into the situation.
Konstantin Yaroshenko was convicted in the United States in September 2011 and sentenced to 20 years in prison. The pilot was clandestinely transferred to the United States from Liberia, where he had been arrested in May 2010. Agents from the US Drug Enforcement Administration operating under cover allegedly exposed Yaroshenko’s criminal intention to transport a large batch of cocaine. He pleaded not guilty, condemning his arrest as a provocation and the whole case as an utter set-up.


tass--2020-12-10--Russian Navy warship wraps up 5-month Atlantic deployment

MURMANSK , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
The Northern Fleet ’ s large anti-submarine warfare ship Vice-Admiral Kulakov has returned to its home base of Severomorsk after 5-month deployment in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea , the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Thursday .
`` Today the large anti-submarine warfare ship Vice-Admiral Kulakov has completed its long-distance deployment tasks and arrived at the Northern Fleet ’ s main naval base of Severomorsk .
The warship returned together with the medium sea tanker Akademik Pashin and the rescue tug Altai .
The large anti-submarine ship Vice-Admiral Kulakov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to November where it held over 10 drills for hunting submarines , including in interaction with other ships of the Russian Navy , '' the press office said in a statement .
At the final stage of its deployment in the Norwegian and Barents Seas , the large anti-submarine warfare ship Vice-Admiral Kulakov practiced concurrently searching for submarines , employing sonar armament .
Upon their return from the Mediterranean Sea , the naval sailors practiced assigned tasks in the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean northwest of the British Isles , the statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moiseyev congratulated the naval sailors on their return .
He noted that the Vice-Admiral Kulakov was one of the most active participants in long-distance deployments to various parts of the World Ocean , both to the southern latitudes and the Arctic , and stressed that the crew had accomplished all the assigned missions worthily .
Over its 5-month deployment , the large anti-submarine warfare ship Vice-Admiral Kulakov covered a distance of more than 30,000 nautical miles and made business calls at Algeria , Greece , Cyprus and Syria .
The Vice-Admiral Kulakov is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Northern Fleet ’ s Kola Flotilla of All-Arms Forces based in Severomorsk .
The warship constantly participates in long-distance deployments to the Atlantic and Indian Oceans , the Mediterranean Sea and the Arctic .
The Vice-Admiral Kulakov is part of the Fleet ’ s Arctic grouping .
The Project 1155 large anti-submarine warfare ship Vice-Admiral Kulakov is armed with anti-submarine missile systems , rocket launchers , torpedo tubes and other types of artillery and missile armament .
The warship also carries two Ka-27 anti-submarine warfare helicopters .

MURMANSK, December 10. /TASS/. The Northern Fleet’s large anti-submarine warfare ship Vice-Admiral Kulakov has returned to its home base of Severomorsk after 5-month deployment in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, the Fleet’s press office reported on Thursday.
"Today the large anti-submarine warfare ship Vice-Admiral Kulakov has completed its long-distance deployment tasks and arrived at the Northern Fleet’s main naval base of Severomorsk. The warship returned together with the medium sea tanker Akademik Pashin and the rescue tug Altai. The large anti-submarine ship Vice-Admiral Kulakov operated in the Mediterranean Sea from August to November where it held over 10 drills for hunting submarines, including in interaction with other ships of the Russian Navy," the press office said in a statement.
At the final stage of its deployment in the Norwegian and Barents Seas, the large anti-submarine warfare ship Vice-Admiral Kulakov practiced concurrently searching for submarines, employing sonar armament. Upon their return from the Mediterranean Sea, the naval sailors practiced assigned tasks in the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean northwest of the British Isles, the statement says.
Northern Fleet Commander Vice-Admiral Alexander Moiseyev congratulated the naval sailors on their return. He noted that the Vice-Admiral Kulakov was one of the most active participants in long-distance deployments to various parts of the World Ocean, both to the southern latitudes and the Arctic, and stressed that the crew had accomplished all the assigned missions worthily.
Over its 5-month deployment, the large anti-submarine warfare ship Vice-Admiral Kulakov covered a distance of more than 30,000 nautical miles and made business calls at Algeria, Greece, Cyprus and Syria.
The Vice-Admiral Kulakov is operational in the Anti-Submarine Warfare Brigade of the Northern Fleet’s Kola Flotilla of All-Arms Forces based in Severomorsk. The warship constantly participates in long-distance deployments to the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, the Mediterranean Sea and the Arctic. The Vice-Admiral Kulakov is part of the Fleet’s Arctic grouping.
The Project 1155 large anti-submarine warfare ship Vice-Admiral Kulakov is armed with anti-submarine missile systems, rocket launchers, torpedo tubes and other types of artillery and missile armament. The warship also carries two Ka-27 anti-submarine warfare helicopters.


tass--2020-12-10--Finland sets new record for number of new coronavirus cases

HELSINKI , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases in Finland increased to 29,572 .
In the last 24 hours , the Finnish National Institute for Health and Social Development reported 840 cases , the highest daily number of cases .
Meanwhile , 433 people died from the consequences of infection .
About 2 mln people were tested for coronavirus .
Finland closed its borders from March 19 to May 13 to prevent the spread of the virus .
Since September 19 , the country has allowed entry without the need to be in quarantine from countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 per 100,000 people in the last two weeks .
From October 1 , for countries with this threshold exceeded , entry can be allowed without a 14-day quarantine with two negative tests for coronavirus - the first must be done before the trip , the second - after arriving in the country .
This measure will affect only the EU countries , the Schengen zone , and states from the list of third countries drawn up by the EU , and will not apply , in particular , to Russia and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country for tourists from Russia will remain closed until at least December 13 .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

HELSINKI, December 10. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Finland increased to 29,572. In the last 24 hours, the Finnish National Institute for Health and Social Development reported 840 cases, the highest daily number of cases.
Meanwhile, 433 people died from the consequences of infection. About 2 mln people were tested for coronavirus.
Finland closed its borders from March 19 to May 13 to prevent the spread of the virus. Since September 19, the country has allowed entry without the need to be in quarantine from countries where the number of coronavirus cases is 25 per 100,000 people in the last two weeks. From October 1, for countries with this threshold exceeded, entry can be allowed without a 14-day quarantine with two negative tests for coronavirus - the first must be done before the trip, the second - after arriving in the country. This measure will affect only the EU countries, the Schengen zone, and states from the list of third countries drawn up by the EU, and will not apply, in particular, to Russia and the United States.
The border of the country for tourists from Russia will remain closed until at least December 13.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-12-10--Over 150,000 Russians receive Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine

MOSCOW , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
More than 150,000 people in Russia have been inoculated with the Sputnik V @ @ @ @ @ Director of the Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology Alexander Gintsburg said on @ @ @ @ @ 150,000 residents have received this preparation nationwide as part of civil circulation .
This is @ @ @ @ @ vaccinated against COVID-19 than in any other country in the world using a similar preparation @ @ @ @ @ Rossiya 24 TV channel .
Sputnik V registered by Russia on August 11 became the @ @ @ @ @ vaccine .
Its post-registration trials began in Moscow on September 7 , with volunteers receiving @ @ @ @ @ 9 .
A total of 40,000 people are involved in the program , 10,000 of @ @ @ @ @ of the vaccine .

MOSCOW, December 10. /TASS/. More than 150,000 people in Russia have been inoculated with the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine by now, Director of the Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology Alexander Gintsburg said on Thursday.
"More than 150,000 residents have received this preparation nationwide as part of civil circulation. This is the largest number of people vaccinated against COVID-19 than in any other country in the world using a similar preparation," he told the Rossiya 24 TV channel.
Sputnik V registered by Russia on August 11 became the world’s first coronavirus vaccine. Its post-registration trials began in Moscow on September 7, with volunteers receiving the first vaccine on September 9. A total of 40,000 people are involved in the program, 10,000 of them received a placebo instead of the vaccine.


tass--2020-12-10--Damage to fish resources from fuel spill in Norilsk is estimated at $26,000

MOSCOW , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
The damage to fish resources from the oil spill near Norilsk is about 1.9 million rubles ( $ 26,000 ) .
Fish in Lake Pyasino is not affected , Mikhail Gladyshev of the Institute of Biophysics at the Krasnoyarsk Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Siberian Branch said during a presentation of the Great Norilsk Expedition ’ s results on Thursday .
“ The biomass of zoobenthos ’ feed organisms has shrunk by more than ten times and by more than two times in the Daldykan and Ambarnaya Rivers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this , the total damage to water biology resources , estimated in accordance with approved practice of Rosrybolovstvo ( fishery authority ) , is 1.9 million rubles.
” The calculation includes expenses on fish stocking , though this work should not be done now , as restocked fish would die without sufficient feed , he added .
The expedition also noted that diatoms dominated in the Norilskaya River , in Lake Pyasino and the Pyasina River , as it did many years before the accident , which proves the spill had not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ observed high capabilities of the microbiological system for self-cleaning from organic pollutants , ” the final report reads .
“ Microflora of the surveyed waters is adapted to oil products and is able to participate in their absorption .
However , in the Ambarnaya River , due to high concentrations of oil products , not only the number of oil-oxidizing bacteria is decreasing but also their abilities for oxidizing volatile compounds of petroleum , benzene , toluene and naphthalene are impaired.
” The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences has sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invitation of Nornickel , a big scientific expedition to conduct a large-scale examination of the area .
Scientists will use the expedition ’ s results to present suggestions for industrial companies , working in the Arctic , on how to preserve the nature .
The expedition ’ s key points were watersheds of the Rivers Pyasina , Norilka and Ambarnaya and Lake Pyasino .
In August , experts from 14 research institutes of the Academy of Sciences ’ Siberian Branch collected samples of soils , plants and sediments and began tests at the @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, December 10. /TASS/. The damage to fish resources from the oil spill near Norilsk is estimated at about 1.9 million rubles ($26,000). Fish in Lake Pyasino is not affected, Mikhail Gladyshev of the Institute of Biophysics at the Krasnoyarsk Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Siberian Branch said during a presentation of the Great Norilsk Expedition’s results on Thursday.
“The biomass of zoobenthos’ feed organisms has shrunk by more than ten times and by more than two times in the Daldykan and Ambarnaya Rivers,” the expert said. “Due to this, the total damage to water biology resources, estimated in accordance with approved practice of Rosrybolovstvo (fishery authority), is 1.9 million rubles.”
The calculation includes expenses on fish stocking, though this work should not be done now, as restocked fish would die without sufficient feed, he added.
The expedition also noted that diatoms dominated in the Norilskaya River, in Lake Pyasino and the Pyasina River, as it did many years before the accident, which proves the spill had not affected the ecosystem.
“We have observed high capabilities of the microbiological system for self-cleaning from organic pollutants,” the final report reads. “Microflora of the surveyed waters is adapted to oil products and is able to participate in their absorption. However, in the Ambarnaya River, due to high concentrations of oil products, not only the number of oil-oxidizing bacteria is decreasing but also their abilities for oxidizing volatile compounds of petroleum, benzene, toluene and naphthalene are impaired.”
Expedition to Taimyr
The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences has sent to the Taimyr Peninsula, at the invitation of Nornickel, a big scientific expedition to conduct a large-scale examination of the area. Scientists will use the expedition’s results to present suggestions for industrial companies, working in the Arctic, on how to preserve the nature.
The expedition’s key points were watersheds of the Rivers Pyasina, Norilka and Ambarnaya and Lake Pyasino. In August, experts from 14 research institutes of the Academy of Sciences’ Siberian Branch collected samples of soils, plants and sediments and began tests at the institutes’ labs.


tass--2020-12-10--Putin says Russia was better prepared to switch to online than other countries

NOVO-OGARYOVO , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that Russia came to be better prepared to @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic than the authorities expected .
`` The country turned out to be @ @ @ @ @ ourselves , and better prepared than many other states in the world to switch to @ @ @ @ @ but also in other spheres , '' he noted at a meeting with members of @ @ @ @ @ Society and Human Rights .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, December 10. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that Russia came to be better prepared to switch to working online during the coronavirus pandemic than the authorities expected.
"The country turned out to be better prepared than we expected ourselves, and better prepared than many other states in the world to switch to online not just in education but also in other spheres," he noted at a meeting with members of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights.


tass--2020-12-10--Scientists find growing spot of degrading permafrost under Norilsk power plant

MOSCOW , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
Scientists found a spot of thawing permafrost under the power plant in Norilsk , where fuel spilled in May , Director of the Melnikov Permafrost Institute ( the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences ) Mikhail Zheleznyak said during a presentation of the Great Norilsk Expedition ’ s results on Thursday .
“ During the survey , we received proofs of a deep thawing area or of a complete absence of perennially frozen soils near tank number 5 , ” he said .
“ Besides , the experts have identified changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and their lower stability.
” The thawing area began forming after the fuel storage was put operational , he continued .
The thawing continues , and the movement of water inside it is apparent .
“ This water is connected with lakes , it is the formation of thawing , which is supported from even open water reservoirs , which exist there , ” he said .
“ Much snow is typical for Norilsk , and those waters , which get into rocks , when they are concentrated , will make big influence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report reads geophysics surveys have been conducted at the storage of diesel fuel near tanks number 2 and 5 and along the temporary seasonal runoff to its confluence with the Daldykan River .
The power plant ’ s safety will be a subject of a separate survey .
The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences has sent to the Taimyr Peninsula , at the invitation of Nornickel , a big scientific expedition to conduct a large-scale examination of the area .
Scientists will use the expedition ’ s results to present @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Arctic , on how to preserve the nature .
The expedition ’ s key points were watersheds of the Rivers Pyasina , Norilka and Ambarnaya , and Lake Pyasino .
In August , experts from 14 research institutes of the Academy of Sciences ’ Siberian Branch collected samples of soils , plants and sediments and began tests at the institutes ’ labs .

MOSCOW, December 10. /TASS/. Scientists found a spot of thawing permafrost under the power plant in Norilsk, where fuel spilled in May, Director of the Melnikov Permafrost Institute (the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences) Mikhail Zheleznyak said during a presentation of the Great Norilsk Expedition’s results on Thursday.
“During the survey, we received proofs of a deep thawing area or of a complete absence of perennially frozen soils near tank number 5,” he said. “Besides, the experts have identified changes in the soil’s physical characteristics and their lower stability.”
The thawing area began forming after the fuel storage was put operational, he continued. The thawing continues, and the movement of water inside it is apparent.
“This water is connected with lakes, it is the formation of thawing, which is supported from even open water reservoirs, which exist there,” he said. “Much snow is typical for Norilsk, and those waters, which get into rocks, when they are concentrated, will make big influence along runoffs.”
The expedition’s report reads geophysics surveys have been conducted at the storage of diesel fuel near tanks number 2 and 5 and along the temporary seasonal runoff to its confluence with the Daldykan River. The power plant’s safety will be a subject of a separate survey.
Expedition to Taimyr
The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences has sent to the Taimyr Peninsula, at the invitation of Nornickel, a big scientific expedition to conduct a large-scale examination of the area. Scientists will use the expedition’s results to present suggestions for industrial companies, working in the Arctic, on how to preserve the nature.
The expedition’s key points were watersheds of the Rivers Pyasina, Norilka and Ambarnaya, and Lake Pyasino. In August, experts from 14 research institutes of the Academy of Sciences’ Siberian Branch collected samples of soils, plants and sediments and began tests at the institutes’ labs.


tass--2020-12-10--Human rights commissioner hopes new US president will pardon Russian prisoners

MOSCOW , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
Russia 's Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova expressed hope that the new US president will exercise his right to pardon Russian citizens jailed in the United States .
`` I hope , regardless of who the new US president will be , that he will use his right to pardon Russian citizens who are behind bars in the US , '' Moskalkova said in an interview with the Rossiya-24 TV channel on Thursday .
The human rights commissioner recalled that Russian President Vladimir Putin had repeatedly pardoned foreign citizens .
`` This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two nations closer to each other , '' Moskalkova stressed .
According to the relatives and lawyers of Konstantin Yaroshenko , Viktor Bout , and other Russians jailed in the US , the conditions in the US prisons are `` terrible , '' she noted .
For example , Yaroshenko could not meet with his wife and daughter for more than nine years .
The US presidential election was held on November 3 .
Major US media outlets project that the Democratic contender Joe Biden has presumptively won the presidential election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US President Donald Trump is challenging the current outcome , claiming irregularities in the ballot processing in key swing states , and has filed lawsuits to fight his case in court .
The US General Services Administration acknowledged Biden ’ s win , formally informing him that they were ready to transfer the budget funds required to begin the transition process in the run-up to his inauguration .
The inauguration ceremony is planned for January 20 .

MOSCOW, December 10. /TASS/. Russia's Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova expressed hope that the new US president will exercise his right to pardon Russian citizens jailed in the United States.
"I hope, regardless of who the new US president will be, that he will use his right to pardon Russian citizens who are behind bars in the US," Moskalkova said in an interview with the Rossiya-24 TV channel on Thursday.
The human rights commissioner recalled that Russian President Vladimir Putin had repeatedly pardoned foreign citizens. "This is a good example of humanism and bringing the two nations closer to each other," Moskalkova stressed.
According to the relatives and lawyers of Konstantin Yaroshenko, Viktor Bout, and other Russians jailed in the US, the conditions in the US prisons are "terrible," she noted. For example, Yaroshenko could not meet with his wife and daughter for more than nine years.
The US presidential election was held on November 3. Major US media outlets project that the Democratic contender Joe Biden has presumptively won the presidential election, securing over 270 electoral votes. Incumbent US President Donald Trump is challenging the current outcome, claiming irregularities in the ballot processing in key swing states, and has filed lawsuits to fight his case in court. The US General Services Administration acknowledged Biden’s win, formally informing him that they were ready to transfer the budget funds required to begin the transition process in the run-up to his inauguration. The inauguration ceremony is planned for January 20.


tass--2020-12-10--Azerbaijan’s Aliyev says military operation in Karabakh 'restored justice'

BAKU , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
Azerbaijan ’ s military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh restored justice and international law , President Ilham Aliyev said on Thursday before the beginning of a military parade in Baku devoted to the end of hostilities in Karabakh .
`` In the course of the 44-day war Azerbaijan put an end to the occupation of its territories and restored justice and international law , '' Aliyev said .
He recalled that the people of Azerbaijan had waited for that moment for nearly 30 years .
Aliyev stressed that the presence of a Turkish delegation led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parade was a `` demonstration of unity , friendship and fraternity of the two countries . ''
`` From the very first hours of the war we felt Turkey ’ s backing .
This political and moral support makes every Azerbaijani feel proud , '' Aliyev said .
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of 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 .
On November 9 , Russian President Vladimir Putin , Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10 .
Under the document , the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides stopped at the positions that they had held .
Baku would eventually take over a number of regions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ line and the Lachin corridor connecting Karabakh with Armenia .
On November 11 , after video talks Turkey ’ s Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu signed a memorandum on setting up a joint Russian-Turkish center for monitoring ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh .

BAKU, December 10. /TASS/. Azerbaijan’s military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh restored justice and international law, President Ilham Aliyev said on Thursday before the beginning of a military parade in Baku devoted to the end of hostilities in Karabakh.
"In the course of the 44-day war Azerbaijan put an end to the occupation of its territories and restored justice and international law," Aliyev said.
He recalled that the people of Azerbaijan had waited for that moment for nearly 30 years. Aliyev stressed that the presence of a Turkish delegation led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the parade was a "demonstration of unity, friendship and fraternity of the two countries."
"From the very first hours of the war we felt Turkey’s backing. This political and moral support makes every Azerbaijani feel proud," Aliyev said.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them.
On November 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10. Under the document, the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides stopped at the positions that they had held. Baku would eventually take over a number of regions. Russian peacekeepers were deployed along the engagement line and the Lachin corridor connecting Karabakh with Armenia.
On November 11, after video talks Turkey’s Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu signed a memorandum on setting up a joint Russian-Turkish center for monitoring ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh.


tass--2020-12-10--Putin plans to meet with Council for Human Rights on December 10

MOSCOW , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to meet with members of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights on Thursday , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov informed , adding that the meeting will last for about two hours and that all information about it will be published on the Kremlin website .
`` In total , about two hours will be allocated for the practically live transmission of this event .
If it is held longer than that , a full transcript of the meeting will be published on the presidential website , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December 10 marks the Human Rights Day , and that the upcoming session of the council is timed to this date .
`` It will be held in a format of a video conference this year .
The event is big .
As you all know , the council has a large membership .
The format is also clear .
Several standard addresses are planned .
The council ’ s chairman Valery Fadeev , the members of the council will have their word , and there will be a free exchange of opinions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that on the outcomes of the session , the president has planned several non-public working meetings .

MOSCOW, December 10. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to meet with members of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights on Thursday, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov informed, adding that the meeting will last for about two hours and that all information about it will be published on the Kremlin website.
"In total, about two hours will be allocated for the practically live transmission of this event. If it is held longer than that, a full transcript of the meeting will be published on the presidential website," he assured.
Peskov reminded that December 10 marks the Human Rights Day, and that the upcoming session of the council is timed to this date. "It will be held in a format of a video conference this year. The event is big. As you all know, the council has a large membership. The format is also clear. Several standard addresses are planned. The council’s chairman Valery Fadeev, the members of the council will have their word, and there will be a free exchange of opinions," Peskov stated.
He added that on the outcomes of the session, the president has planned several non-public working meetings.


tass--2020-12-10--Ukraine’s COVID-19 case daily count likely to hit 25,000 by January, PM says

KIEV , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
Ukraine ’ s COVID-19 case tally may reach 25,000 per day by early January 2021 , the country 's Prime Minister Denis Shmygal stated in an interview with the Ukrainskaya Pravda newspaper .
`` Preliminary calculations , which we see , predict it to be somewhere near 20,000-25,000 COVID-19 cases per day for the first ten days of January , '' Shmygal said .
In order to curb the coronavirus spread and to prevent the country 's healthcare system ’ s collapse , the cabinet of ministers previously decided to impose a strict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We wo n't wait for 32 [ thousand patients per day ] so that to prevent the healthcare system ’ s collapse .
Of course , the lockdown should be introduced before we approach this figure , '' Shmygal added .
The prime minister reported that the country ’ s hospitals had set aside 62,145 beds for patients with COVID-19 , 33,216 of which are oxygen-supported .
Every day the number of beds equipped with oxygen supply systems grows , according to Shmygal .
`` Our limit is 55 % of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Earlier on Thursday , Ukrainian Health Minister Maxim Stepanov reported that over the past 24 hours the number of new COVID-19 infections hit 13,371 , a 6.2 % increase from the previous day when 12,585 new cases were reported .
In total , since the start of the pandemic , 858,714 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed , 465,021 people have recovered , and the death toll has climbed to 14,470 .
Ukraine saw its first coronavirus case on March 3 .
On March 17 , quarantine measures were imposed across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a state of emergency , as well as a general lockdown will be in effect .
In line with the cabinet of ministers ’ decision , Ukraine will be under a strict lockdown from January 8 to 24 , 2021 .

KIEV, December 10. /TASS/. Ukraine’s COVID-19 case tally may reach 25,000 per day by early January 2021, the country's Prime Minister Denis Shmygal stated in an interview with the Ukrainskaya Pravda newspaper.
"Preliminary calculations, which we see, predict it to be somewhere near 20,000-25,000 COVID-19 cases per day for the first ten days of January," Shmygal said. In order to curb the coronavirus spread and to prevent the country's healthcare system’s collapse, the cabinet of ministers previously decided to impose a strict lockdown from January 8 to 24. "We won't wait for 32 [thousand patients per day] so that to prevent the healthcare system’s collapse. Of course, the lockdown should be introduced before we approach this figure," Shmygal added.
The prime minister reported that the country’s hospitals had set aside 62,145 beds for patients with COVID-19, 33,216 of which are oxygen-supported.
Every day the number of beds equipped with oxygen supply systems grows, according to Shmygal. "Our limit is 55% of all beds, or 91,000," he said.
Earlier on Thursday, Ukrainian Health Minister Maxim Stepanov reported that over the past 24 hours the number of new COVID-19 infections hit 13,371, a 6.2% increase from the previous day when 12,585 new cases were reported.
In total, since the start of the pandemic, 858,714 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed, 465,021 people have recovered, and the death toll has climbed to 14,470.
Ukraine saw its first coronavirus case on March 3. On March 17, quarantine measures were imposed across the country. Until February 28, 2021, a state of emergency, as well as a general lockdown will be in effect. In line with the cabinet of ministers’ decision, Ukraine will be under a strict lockdown from January 8 to 24, 2021.


tass--2020-12-10--Safe Internet League registers over 1,400 fake news about COVID-19 vaccination in November

MOSCOW , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Safe Internet League has discovered over 1,400 fake news about the COVID-19 vaccine and vaccination , the League head Yekaterina Mizulina told journalists Thursday .
Putin ’ s quotes on social media likely to be fake — Kremlin '' The Safe Internet League has been monitoring fake news about the coronavirus since early November .
The number of fakes about the vaccine and vaccination increased gradually in November .
By now , we have discovered 1,476 fakes about the vaccine , and a total of 6,731 fakes about COVID itself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 vaccines key objective of global healthcare , WHO envoy says Such fake news mostly appear in WhatsApp , Telegram and Instagram and in comments on YouTube , she added .
According to the League , the fakes target not only the Russian vaccine , but the Western developments as well .
`` They are possibly being disseminated both in order to discredit the vaccination process in general and as part of unscrupulous competition among the producers , '' Mizulina believes .
As an example , Mizulina mentioned a fake report , alleging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Washington to immediately provide 30,000 doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines .
Allegedly , the foreign vaccine is to be imported in order to vaccinate 14,000 Federal Protective Service officers .
Another fake report , viral on Instagram , alleges that the Russian vaccine is infected with COVID and contains other substances that suppress the immune system .
A fake spread in WhatsApp messenger lists the alleged side effects , including `` sterilization of women '' and `` aggressive immune response to body tissues '' after vaccination .

MOSCOW, December 10. /TASS/. Russia’s Safe Internet League has discovered over 1,400 fake news about the COVID-19 vaccine and vaccination, the League head Yekaterina Mizulina told journalists Thursday.
Putin’s quotes on social media likely to be fake — Kremlin
"The Safe Internet League has been monitoring fake news about the coronavirus since early November. The number of fakes about the vaccine and vaccination increased gradually in November. By now, we have discovered 1,476 fakes about the vaccine, and a total of 6,731 fakes about COVID itself," Mizulina said.
Introduction of COVID-19 vaccines key objective of global healthcare, WHO envoy says
Such fake news mostly appear in WhatsApp, Telegram and Instagram and in comments on YouTube, she added.
According to the League, the fakes target not only the Russian vaccine, but the Western developments as well. "They are possibly being disseminated both in order to discredit the vaccination process in general and as part of unscrupulous competition among the producers," Mizulina believes.
As an example, Mizulina mentioned a fake report, alleging that the Russian Foreign Ministry asked Brussels and Washington to immediately provide 30,000 doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Allegedly, the foreign vaccine is to be imported in order to vaccinate 14,000 Federal Protective Service officers.
Another fake report, viral on Instagram, alleges that the Russian vaccine is infected with COVID and contains other substances that suppress the immune system.
A fake spread in WhatsApp messenger lists the alleged side effects, including "sterilization of women" and "aggressive immune response to body tissues" after vaccination.


tass--2020-12-10--Ecology scientific and research center established by Academy of Sciences’ Siberian Branch

MOSCOW , December 10 .
/TASS/ .
The Ecology scientific and research center is established by the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Siberian Branch , the Siberian Branch ’ s Chairman Valentin Parmon said during a presentation of the Great Norilsk Expedition ’ s results on Thursday .
“ As you know , the government prioritizes the issue of ecology , ” he said .
“ Since this is a multi-disciplinary problem , the Russian Academy of Sciences is the only integrator of all structures , which may be involved in work on drafting proposals regarding the ecology.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Trofimuk Institute of Petroleum-Gas Geology and Geophysics .
It will not receive budget financing , and the Norilsk Nickel company will be the first client .
In the future , other businesses , working in the Arctic , will follow suit .
“ The ecology expedition and the Ecology center are the Academy ’ s forerunners , ” Parmon said .
“ We hope other expeditions and consolidated structures will follow suit.
” The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences has sent to the Taimyr Peninsula , at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expedition to conduct a large-scale examination of the area .
Scientists will use the expedition ’ s results to present suggestions for industrial companies , working in the Arctic , on how to preserve the nature .
The expedition ’ s key points were watersheds of the Rivers Pyasina , Norilka and Ambarnaya and Lake Pyasino .
In August , experts from 14 research institutes of the Academy of Sciences ’ Siberian Branch collected samples of soils , plants and sediments and began tests at the institutes ’ labs .

MOSCOW, December 10. /TASS/. The Ecology scientific and research center is established by the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Siberian Branch, the Siberian Branch’s Chairman Valentin Parmon said during a presentation of the Great Norilsk Expedition’s results on Thursday.
“As you know, the government prioritizes the issue of ecology,” he said. “Since this is a multi-disciplinary problem, the Russian Academy of Sciences is the only integrator of all structures, which may be involved in work on drafting proposals regarding the ecology.”
The center will be managed by Nikolai Yurkevich of the Trofimuk Institute of Petroleum-Gas Geology and Geophysics. It will not receive budget financing, and the Norilsk Nickel company will be the first client. In the future, other businesses, working in the Arctic, will follow suit.
“The ecology expedition and the Ecology center are the Academy’s forerunners,” Parmon said. “We hope other expeditions and consolidated structures will follow suit.”
Expedition to Taimyr
The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences has sent to the Taimyr Peninsula, at the invitation of Nornickel, a big scientific expedition to conduct a large-scale examination of the area. Scientists will use the expedition’s results to present suggestions for industrial companies, working in the Arctic, on how to preserve the nature.
The expedition’s key points were watersheds of the Rivers Pyasina, Norilka and Ambarnaya and Lake Pyasino. In August, experts from 14 research institutes of the Academy of Sciences’ Siberian Branch collected samples of soils, plants and sediments and began tests at the institutes’ labs.