tass--2020-09-11--Shanghai Electric Half-Year Report Shows Huge Growth in Demand for Renewable Energy

SHANGHAI , Sept. 10 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Shanghai Electric ( SEHK : 02727 , SSE : 601727 ) , the world 's leading manufacturer and supplier of electric power generation equipment , industrial equipment and integration services , recently released their 2020 Half-Year Financial Report .
• Combined increase in new orders for energy equipment , integration services and industrial equipment of 40.75 % Representing a growth of 0.53 % , the gross revenue increase of nearly RMB 280 million was categorized by a huge number of new orders for energy equipment , integration services and industrial equipment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ orders for the energy equipment sector which more than doubled since the same timeframe in 2019 , to over RMB 52 billion .
For the other major sectors , industrial equipment recorded RMB 27 billion in new orders and integration services orders increased by RMB 2 billion from the first half of 2019 , to nearly RMB 29 billion in new orders .
Underpinning the energy equipment sector 's major growth in the first 6 months of 2020 , new orders for new energy equipment jumped to RMB 47 billion .
Mainly used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electricity through solar , wind and biomass , these equipment orders accounted for close to 80 % of the sector 's total .
The remaining 20 % was in traditional energy production from coal , gas and nuclear power .
Within new energy , orders for wind power equipment alone increased by 505.84 % year-on-year .
This increase was in part due to technological breakthroughs in development and production of China 's highest capacity operational wind turbine , the 8MW-167 offshore turbine , and the June announcement of the Group 's intention to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from wind , Shanghai Electric has also been focusing on nuclear power equipment with a recorded 244.8 % increase in new orders in the first half of 2020 .
These developments all reflect Shanghai Electric 's focus on capturing the enormous emerging market for renewable and new energy solutions .
Apart from renewables , Shanghai Electric has also been focused on engineering the future of smart cities .
Identifying four major technical areas to be transformed , the Group has been working alongside local government authorities and other large local partners to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city , providing smart energy solutions , manufacturing and transportation , Shanghai Electric is set to play a key role in developing China 's smart cities of the future .
Due to this focus , development in smart manufacturing , transportation and services also features in the Group 's Half-year Financial Report with an increase in new orders for smart transportation engineering and services of over 3,716 % to RMB 2.2 billion .
Comprised of four main digital service areas : cloud , supply chain , e-commerce and smart contracts , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SEunicloud Platform , seeking to accelerate the evolution of work and retool the energy industry .

SHANGHAI, Sept. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Shanghai Electric (SEHK: 02727, SSE: 601727), the world's leading manufacturer and supplier of electric power generation equipment, industrial equipment and integration services, recently released their 2020 Half-Year Financial Report.
Key Takeaways from Shanghai Electric 2020 Half-Year Financial Report
Year-on-year gross revenue increase of 0.53%
Combined increase in new orders for energy equipment, integration services and industrial equipment of 40.75%
Increase in wind power orders of 505.84%
Growing focus on Industrial Digitalization sector and smart city development
Representing a growth of 0.53%, the gross revenue increase of nearly RMB 280 million was categorized by a huge number of new orders for energy equipment, integration services and industrial equipment. The largest growth was observed in new orders for the energy equipment sector which more than doubled since the same timeframe in 2019, to over RMB 52 billion. For the other major sectors, industrial equipment recorded RMB 27 billion in new orders and integration services orders increased by RMB 2 billion from the first half of 2019, to nearly RMB 29 billion in new orders.
Underpinning the energy equipment sector's major growth in the first 6 months of 2020, new orders for new energy equipment jumped to RMB 47 billion. Mainly used in energy storage and the production of electricity through solar, wind and biomass, these equipment orders accounted for close to 80% of the sector's total. The remaining 20% was in traditional energy production from coal, gas and nuclear power.
Within new energy, orders for wind power equipment alone increased by 505.84% year-on-year. This increase was in part due to technological breakthroughs in development and production of China's highest capacity operational wind turbine, the 8MW-167 offshore turbine, and the June announcement of the Group's intention to IPO its wind power division. Apart from wind, Shanghai Electric has also been focusing on nuclear power equipment with a recorded 244.8% increase in new orders in the first half of 2020. These developments all reflect Shanghai Electric's focus on capturing the enormous emerging market for renewable and new energy solutions.
Apart from renewables, Shanghai Electric has also been focused on engineering the future of smart cities. Identifying four major technical areas to be transformed, the Group has been working alongside local government authorities and other large local partners to make smart cities a reality. Through building the city, providing smart energy solutions, manufacturing and transportation, Shanghai Electric is set to play a key role in developing China's smart cities of the future.
Due to this focus, development in smart manufacturing, transportation and services also features in the Group's Half-year Financial Report with an increase in new orders for smart transportation engineering and services of over 3,716% to RMB 2.2 billion. Comprised of four main digital service areas: cloud, supply chain, e-commerce and smart contracts, the Group has launched the award-wining Industrial Internet SEunicloud Platform, seeking to accelerate the evolution of work and retool the energy industry.


tass--2020-09-11--Several injured in blast in southern China

BEIJING , September 11 .
/TASS/ .
At least three people were injured in a gas blast outside a hotel @ @ @ @ @ of Zhuhai in the Guangdong Province on Friday , the China Central Television reported .
@ @ @ @ @ two people were slightly wounded and one was diagnosed with burns .
They were taken @ @ @ @ @ occurred at around 09:00 local time ( 4:00 Moscow time ) .
About an hour @ @ @ @ @ put out open fire .
A total of 11 firefighting teams are working at the @ @ @ @ @ rescue operation continues .
The circumstances surrounding the incident are being established .

BEIJING, September 11. /TASS/. At least three people were injured in a gas blast outside a hotel in the southern Chinese city of Zhuhai in the Guangdong Province on Friday, the China Central Television reported.
According to the broadcaster, two people were slightly wounded and one was diagnosed with burns. They were taken to hospitals.
The explosion damaged nearby residential houses and shops.
The incident occurred at around 09:00 local time (4:00 Moscow time). About an hour later, firefighters managed to put out open fire. A total of 11 firefighting teams are working at the scene, a search and rescue operation continues.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are being established.


tass--2020-09-11--Russian flagship air carrier Aeroflot resumes flights to UAE

The flights will be carried out twice a week - on Friday and Saturday .
The first flight is scheduled to take off at 2:30 Moscow time on Friday .
MOSCOW , September 11 .
/TASS/ .
Russian flagship air carrier Aeroflot will on Friday resume its flights to the United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) , interrupted this spring amid the novel coronavirus pandemic .
COVID-19 PCR tests are mandatory for all inbound and transit passengers arriving to Dubai ( and the UAE ) , including UAE citizens , residents and tourists , irrespective of the country they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UAE , Russian citizens will have to undergo another test and upload the results to the official state services portal .
Earlier this week , the Russian airline resumed flights to Cairo ( Egypt ) and the Maldives .
Last week , Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a decree on the resumption on a reciprocal basis of international flights with Egypt , the UAE and the Maldives .
According to government press service , airlines will be able to operate 2 flights a week to Dubai and the Maldives , to Cairo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision to open these countries to international flights was made based on the fact that they have a relatively low infection rate , as well as on the basis of reciprocity .
Regular flights between Russia and other countries were interrupted at the end of March due to the coronavirus pandemic .
After that , only the so-called repatriation flights could be carried out .
From August 1 , it was allowed to resume flights to the UK , Tanzania and Turkey .
Flights between Russia and Switzerland resumed on August 15 .

The flights will be carried out twice a week - on Friday and Saturday. The first flight is scheduled to take off at 2:30 Moscow time on Friday.
MOSCOW, September 11. /TASS/. Russian flagship air carrier Aeroflot will on Friday resume its flights to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), interrupted this spring amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
COVID-19 PCR tests are mandatory for all inbound and transit passengers arriving to Dubai (and the UAE), including UAE citizens, residents and tourists, irrespective of the country they are coming from. Upon their arrival from UAE, Russian citizens will have to undergo another test and upload the results to the official state services portal.
Earlier this week, the Russian airline resumed flights to Cairo (Egypt) and the Maldives.
Last week, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a decree on the resumption on a reciprocal basis of international flights with Egypt, the UAE and the Maldives. According to government press service, airlines will be able to operate 2 flights a week to Dubai and the Maldives, to Cairo - three flights a week. The decision to open these countries to international flights was made based on the fact that they have a relatively low infection rate, as well as on the basis of reciprocity.
Regular flights between Russia and other countries were interrupted at the end of March due to the coronavirus pandemic. After that, only the so-called repatriation flights could be carried out. From August 1, it was allowed to resume flights to the UK, Tanzania and Turkey. Flights between Russia and Switzerland resumed on August 15.


tass--2020-09-11--Hainan to host World New Energy Vehicle Conference in September

HAIKOU , September 11 .
/TASS/ .
The World New Energy Vehicle Conference will be held from September 27 to 30 in the city of Haikou , the administrative center of the southern Chinese province of Hainan , reported www.hinews.cn .
According to the news outlet , the main topic of the event will be `` Joint overcoming of temporary difficulties , cross-border interaction , mutually beneficial cooperation . ''
The event will touch upon such issues as sustainable development of the industry amid the coronavirus pandemic , as well as the introduction of high technologies and innovations in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As indicated in the material , some of the events of the conference will be held online .
According to the program , two plenary sessions , six international forums , a closed high-level meeting , and a Sino-German forum are planned to be held within four days .
Germany is one of the main guests of this year 's congress , according to Nanhaiwan .
The Hainan authorities are actively promoting the development of car industry on alternative energy sources .
A number of themed events are held on the island @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year in Haikou , the Fiurth Hainan Exhibition of Vehicles on Alternative Energy Sources was held with more than 100 companies ' participance .
In July 2019 , the World New Energy Vehicle Conference was held in Boao in the north-east of the province , the participants of which - more than 80 manufacturing companies - presented the latest innovations and achievements in the field of eco-friendly vehicles .
To the year 2030 with no gas In order to combat environment pollution and protect ecology , the Hainan authorities intend to completely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diesel engines on the island by 2030 .
For these purposes , the government will encourage the residents to buy electric vehicles and hybrids , as well as develop the infrastructure necessary for them .
Starting from August 1 , 2018 , the authorities have already introduced a special quota for obtaining state-standard numbers for ordinary types of vehicles .
Meanwhile , according to the last year 's data , there were more than 23,000 `` green '' cars registered on Hainan , which is about 1.8 % of the total number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to service eco-friendly vehicles there are more than 4.600 charging stationins in the province .
Since 2019 , according to the authorities , all companies and state-owned enterprises on the island are committed to switching to `` green '' cars .
By 2030 , they plan to install about 940,000 spots for recharging electric and hybrid cars on the island .

HAIKOU, September 11. /TASS/. The World New Energy Vehicle Conference will be held from September 27 to 30 in the city of Haikou, the administrative center of the southern Chinese province of Hainan, reported www.hinews.cn.
According to the news outlet, the main topic of the event will be "Joint overcoming of temporary difficulties, cross-border interaction, mutually beneficial cooperation." The event will touch upon such issues as sustainable development of the industry amid the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the introduction of high technologies and innovations in the production of vehicles using alternative energy sources.
As indicated in the material, some of the events of the conference will be held online. According to the program, two plenary sessions, six international forums, a closed high-level meeting, and a Sino-German forum are planned to be held within four days. Germany is one of the main guests of this year's congress, according to Nanhaiwan.
The Hainan authorities are actively promoting the development of car industry on alternative energy sources. A number of themed events are held on the island every year. Thus, in October last year in Haikou, the Fiurth Hainan Exhibition of Vehicles on Alternative Energy Sources was held with more than 100 companies' participance. In July 2019, the World New Energy Vehicle Conference was held in Boao in the north-east of the province, the participants of which - more than 80 manufacturing companies - presented the latest innovations and achievements in the field of eco-friendly vehicles.
To the year 2030 with no gas
In order to combat environment pollution and protect ecology, the Hainan authorities intend to completely stop selling cars with conventional gasoline and diesel engines on the island by 2030. For these purposes, the government will encourage the residents to buy electric vehicles and hybrids, as well as develop the infrastructure necessary for them.
Starting from August 1, 2018, the authorities have already introduced a special quota for obtaining state-standard numbers for ordinary types of vehicles. Meanwhile, according to the last year's data, there were more than 23,000 "green" cars registered on Hainan, which is about 1.8% of the total number of cars on the island. In order to service eco-friendly vehicles there are more than 4.600 charging stationins in the province.
Since 2019, according to the authorities, all companies and state-owned enterprises on the island are committed to switching to "green" cars. By 2030, they plan to install about 940,000 spots for recharging electric and hybrid cars on the island.


tass--2020-09-11--Russian, Chinese top diplomats to discuss strategic partnership in conditions of pandemic

MOSCOW , September 11 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will meet in person with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Moscow on Friday .
On September 10 , the ministers attended a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization ( SCO ) Foreign Ministers Council in Moscow .
Besides , they held a trilateral meeting with their Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar .
Although the novel coronavirus pandemic affected the traditionally intense schedule of the Russian-Chinese contacts , the ministers maintained regular contacts , including those aimed at coordinating measures to contain the disease .
According to the Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focus `` on the current state and prospects of Russian-Chinese strategic partnership in the conditions of a difficult epidemiological situation , as well as the practical issues on the bilateral agenda . ''
`` The ministers will discuss the outcomes of the SCO Foreign Ministers Council , the preparations for the summit of UN Security Council permanent members , the cooperation within the UN , BRICS , RIC , the issues in the Asia-Pacific Region , the situation with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iranian nuclear deal regulation , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eurasian continent , and other current international topics , '' the ministry said .
The sides are also expected to discuss the schedule of future contacts , including at the top level .
Russian Ambassador to Beijing Andrei Denisov said in late July that an official visit to China remained on Russian President Vladimir Putin 's agenda for 2020 but the final decision would be made later .

MOSCOW, September 11. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will meet in person with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Moscow on Friday.
On September 10, the ministers attended a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Foreign Ministers Council in Moscow. Besides, they held a trilateral meeting with their Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
Although the novel coronavirus pandemic affected the traditionally intense schedule of the Russian-Chinese contacts, the ministers maintained regular contacts, including those aimed at coordinating measures to contain the disease.
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the foreign ministers would focus "on the current state and prospects of Russian-Chinese strategic partnership in the conditions of a difficult epidemiological situation, as well as the practical issues on the bilateral agenda."
"The ministers will discuss the outcomes of the SCO Foreign Ministers Council, the preparations for the summit of UN Security Council permanent members, the cooperation within the UN, BRICS, RIC, the issues in the Asia-Pacific Region, the situation with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iranian nuclear deal regulation, the process of aligning integration initiatives on the Eurasian continent, and other current international topics," the ministry said.
The sides are also expected to discuss the schedule of future contacts, including at the top level. Russian Ambassador to Beijing Andrei Denisov said in late July that an official visit to China remained on Russian President Vladimir Putin's agenda for 2020 but the final decision would be made later.


tass--2020-09-11--China, India agree to cooperate on border issue

BEIJING , September 11 .
/TASS/ .
China and India have agreed to avoid escalation at the border and to observe the existing agreements on the issue , the top diplomats of the two countries said in a joint statement following talks in Moscow .
`` The two Ministers agreed that both sides shall abide by all the existing agreements and protocol on China-India boundary affairs , maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas and avoid any action that could escalate matters , '' the statement says .
According to the communique , `` both sides should take guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders on developing India-China relations , including not allowing differences to become disputes . ''
`` The two Foreign Ministers agreed that the current situation in the border areas is not in the interest of either side , '' the document says .
`` Sides should continue their dialogue . ''
`` The Ministers agreed that as the situation eases , the two sides should expedite work to conclude new Confidence Building Measures to maintain and enhance peace and tranquility in the border areas , '' it says .
The Chinese Foreign Ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ website that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi `` set forth China ’ s harsh stance regarding the situation n the Indian-Chinese border '' during talks with his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar .
`` He stressed that first of all , the sides need to immediately stop any provocations with shooting and other dangerous activities in breach of agreements , disengage troops and help to defuse and normalize the situation on the border , '' the document says .
In turn , the foreign minister of India said his country `` is not interested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas . ''
`` India is ready to move in the same direction with the Chinese side , to ease tensions on the border through dialogue and negotiations , to restore and protect peace and prosperity in border regions , '' he said .
The situation on the Indian-Chinese border in Ladakh deteriorated following clashes in early May .
On August 31 , the Indian Defense Ministry informed that Indian forces had blocked the movement of Chinese troops in the union territory of Ladakh in the early hours of August 30 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ informed that Chinese troops had staged another provocation on the southern bank of Pangong Tso Lake .
China has rejected the accusations of the Indian side .

BEIJING, September 11. /TASS/. China and India have agreed to avoid escalation at the border and to observe the existing agreements on the issue, the top diplomats of the two countries said in a joint statement following talks in Moscow.
"The two Ministers agreed that both sides shall abide by all the existing agreements and protocol on China-India boundary affairs, maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas and avoid any action that could escalate matters," the statement says.
According to the communique, "both sides should take guidance from the series of consensus of the leaders on developing India-China relations, including not allowing differences to become disputes."
"The two Foreign Ministers agreed that the current situation in the border areas is not in the interest of either side," the document says. "Sides should continue their dialogue."
"The Ministers agreed that as the situation eases, the two sides should expedite work to conclude new Confidence Building Measures to maintain and enhance peace and tranquility in the border areas," it says.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement posted on its website that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi "set forth China’s harsh stance regarding the situation n the Indian-Chinese border" during talks with his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
"He stressed that first of all, the sides need to immediately stop any provocations with shooting and other dangerous activities in breach of agreements, disengage troops and help to defuse and normalize the situation on the border," the document says.
In turn, the foreign minister of India said his country "is not interested in escalation of tensions in the border areas."
"India is ready to move in the same direction with the Chinese side, to ease tensions on the border through dialogue and negotiations, to restore and protect peace and prosperity in border regions," he said.
The situation on the Indian-Chinese border in Ladakh deteriorated following clashes in early May. On August 31, the Indian Defense Ministry informed that Indian forces had blocked the movement of Chinese troops in the union territory of Ladakh in the early hours of August 30. The following day, the Indian Foreign Ministry informed that Chinese troops had staged another provocation on the southern bank of Pangong Tso Lake. China has rejected the accusations of the Indian side.


tass--2020-09-11--Moscow to include coronavirus into its vaccination calendar — deputy mayor

MOSCOW , September 11 .
/TASS/ .
The novel coronavirus inoculation may be included into Moscow ’ s vaccination calendar , the Russian capital ’ s deputy mayor Anastasia Rakova said in an interview with the Rossiya-24 TV channel on Thursday .
`` I think that the vaccine will be available free of charge and will be included into the vaccination calendar , '' she said .
The deputy mayor added that vaccination would be voluntary .
In her words , Moscow residents are currently divided about the need to vaccinate .
`` 50 % want to get vaccinated , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` For now , even when the civilian circulation of the vaccine begins , it will be available in limited batches , '' she said .
`` And , naturally , we will use them to vaccinate at-risk groups , such as doctors , teachers , city utilities employees who directly communicate with people . ''
Earlier , the Russian capital launched health screening of first volunteers , who applied for becoming vaccinated against the novel coronavirus .
Doctors are selecting candidates who have no contraindications to vaccination .
According to Rakova @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who were vaccinated against the novel coronavirus are now in good health .
On August 11 , Russia was reported to have become the first country in the world to register a vaccine against the novel coronavirus , named Sputnik V. The inoculation was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry and passed clinical trials in June and July .
It is based on a platform that was widely used for the development of other vaccines in the past .
To date , 1,046,370 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with 862,373 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 18,263 fatalities nationwide .

MOSCOW, September 11. /TASS/. The novel coronavirus inoculation may be included into Moscow’s vaccination calendar, the Russian capital’s deputy mayor Anastasia Rakova said in an interview with the Rossiya-24 TV channel on Thursday.
"I think that the vaccine will be available free of charge and will be included into the vaccination calendar," she said.
The deputy mayor added that vaccination would be voluntary. In her words, Moscow residents are currently divided about the need to vaccinate. "50% want to get vaccinated, 50 have doubts," she said.
"For now, even when the civilian circulation of the vaccine begins, it will be available in limited batches," she said. "And, naturally, we will use them to vaccinate at-risk groups, such as doctors, teachers, city utilities employees who directly communicate with people."
Earlier, the Russian capital launched health screening of first volunteers, who applied for becoming vaccinated against the novel coronavirus. Doctors are selecting candidates who have no contraindications to vaccination. According to Rakova, the first 13 residents of Moscow who were vaccinated against the novel coronavirus are now in good health.
On August 11, Russia was reported to have become the first country in the world to register a vaccine against the novel coronavirus, named Sputnik V. The inoculation was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry and passed clinical trials in June and July. It is based on a platform that was widely used for the development of other vaccines in the past.
To date, 1,046,370 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 862,373 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 18,263 fatalities nationwide.


tass--2020-09-11--Number of coronavirus cases worldwide exceeds 28 million - Johns Hopkins University

MOSCOW , September 11 .
/TASS/ .
The number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases worldwide exceeded 28 million on Friday @ @ @ @ @ the Johns Hopkins University , which relies on the data of international organizations , federal @ @ @ @ @ expects COVID-19 pandemic to be brought under control within two years The US-based research university @ @ @ @ @ the global number of people infected with the novel coronavirus stands at 28,047,828 , while @ @ @ @ @ .
Over 18,849,981 have been reported to recover from the disease .
The United States @ @ @ @ @ terms of confirmed novel coronavirus cases ( 6 395 603 ) , followed by India @ @ @ @ @ and Brazil ( 4 197 889 ) .
To date , 1,046,370 coronavirus cases have @ @ @ @ @ with 862,373 patients having recovered from the disease , according to the anti-coronavirus crisis center @ @ @ @ @ data indicates 18,263 fatalities nationwide .

MOSCOW, September 11. /TASS/. The number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases worldwide exceeded 28 million on Friday, according to data from the Johns Hopkins University, which relies on the data of international organizations, federal and local authorities.
WHO expects COVID-19 pandemic to be brought under control within two years
The US-based research university reports that as of today the global number of people infected with the novel coronavirus stands at 28,047,828, while the death toll reached 906,195. Over 18,849,981 have been reported to recover from the disease.
The United States is the leading country in terms of confirmed novel coronavirus cases (6 395 603), followed by India (4 465 863) and Brazil (4 197 889).
To date, 1,046,370 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 862,373 patients having recovered from the disease, according to the anti-coronavirus crisis center. Russia’s latest data indicates 18,263 fatalities nationwide.


tass--2020-09-11--WHO expects COVID-19 pandemic to be brought under control within two years

GENEVA , September 11 .
/TASS/ .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) does not know when the COVID-19 pandemic will be over , but assumes that the disease would be brought under control within two years , the WHO press office told TASS .
Friday , September 11 , marks six months since the novel coronavirus outbreak was officially declared a pandemic .
The WHO defines the pandemic as `` the worldwide spread of a new disease . ''
At the early stages of the outbreak , until March 11 , the WHO viewed the novel coronavirus situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At the same time , back on January 30 , the WHO declared a public health emergency of international concern over the outbreak , which is the organization ’ s highest alert level .
The alert is still in place .
`` At this point in time , we do not know when the pandemic will come to an end , but it is possible that with global efforts and modern technology , the pandemic could be brought under control within a couple of years , '' the WHO press office said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 priorities : prevent amplifying events , empower people to protect themselves , focus on public health basics , and protect the vulnerable , including older people and those with underlying conditions . ''
The World Health Organization believes that six months after the pandemic was declared , the novel coronavirus has not become less or more contagious .
`` Human viruses can evolve , becoming less or more pathogenic .
Based on the current evidence from over 80 000 genomic sequences made available publicly , the transmissibility and severity of COVID-19 haven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press office said , answering to a question from TASS .
The reproduction number of COVID-19 ( which measures the transmissibility ) is naturally above 2 in the absence of control measures , `` which means it has an epidemic potential to take off if we allow it to , '' the organization said .
`` We are constantly monitoring the virus for any significant changes , '' it said .
`` While SARS-CoV2 is still a new virus , we already know a lot and we can use that information to mount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Russian contribution into the fight against the pandemic , the WHO press office replied that `` WHO welcomes all vaccine development programmes around the world . ''
`` We are very encouraged by the fact that over 30 candidate vaccines are now in various stages of clinical trial , including the Russian vaccine Sputnik V , '' it said .
Earlier , the global organization published a list of criteria that a vaccine should meet , which includes , among other factors , a certain degree of safety and a minimum of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lower bound of at least 30 % protection at the population level .
`` We have started discussion with Russian authorities to learn more about the vaccine candidate .
Sputnik V is about to start phase III clinical trials , as we understand .
Additionally ; each country is sovereign and has the right to choose the tools and products that it considers to be best suited for its population .
However , this choice must be guided by the highest standards of science and ethics , '' the organization ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance around the exceptional authorization of vaccines and other products in the context of emergencies .
Even if countries authorize emergency use of a vaccine , they must collect detailed efficacy and safety data following the immunization , '' it said .
On August 11 , Russia was reported to have become the first country in the world to register a vaccine against the novel coronavirus , named Sputnik V. The inoculation was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry and passed clinical trials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on a platform that was widely used for the development of other vaccines in the past .
According to the Russian health ministry , the previous experience of using vaccines of this type shows that they can provide immunity for a period of up to two years .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 27.8 mln people have been infected worldwide and more than 903,000 deaths have been reported .

GENEVA, September 11. /TASS/. The World Health Organization (WHO) does not know when the COVID-19 pandemic will be over, but assumes that the disease would be brought under control within two years, the WHO press office told TASS.
Friday, September 11, marks six months since the novel coronavirus outbreak was officially declared a pandemic. The WHO defines the pandemic as "the worldwide spread of a new disease." At the early stages of the outbreak, until March 11, the WHO viewed the novel coronavirus situation as an epidemic with multiple hotspots. At the same time, back on January 30, the WHO declared a public health emergency of international concern over the outbreak, which is the organization’s highest alert level. The alert is still in place.
"At this point in time, we do not know when the pandemic will come to an end, but it is possible that with global efforts and modern technology, the pandemic could be brought under control within a couple of years," the WHO press office said, adding that countries should "focus on 4 priorities: prevent amplifying events, empower people to protect themselves, focus on public health basics, and protect the vulnerable, including older people and those with underlying conditions."
Coronavirus transmissibility remains unchanged
The World Health Organization believes that six months after the pandemic was declared, the novel coronavirus has not become less or more contagious.
"Human viruses can evolve, becoming less or more pathogenic. Based on the current evidence from over 80 000 genomic sequences made available publicly, the transmissibility and severity of COVID-19 haven’t changed," the WHO press office said, answering to a question from TASS.
The reproduction number of COVID-19 (which measures the transmissibility) is naturally above 2 in the absence of control measures, "which means it has an epidemic potential to take off if we allow it to," the organization said.
"We are constantly monitoring the virus for any significant changes," it said. "While SARS-CoV2 is still a new virus, we already know a lot and we can use that information to mount an effective response."
Russia’s contribution into global effort
When asked about Russian contribution into the fight against the pandemic, the WHO press office replied that "WHO welcomes all vaccine development programmes around the world."
"We are very encouraged by the fact that over 30 candidate vaccines are now in various stages of clinical trial, including the Russian vaccine Sputnik V," it said.
Earlier, the global organization published a list of criteria that a vaccine should meet, which includes, among other factors, a certain degree of safety and a minimum of 50% efficacy in preventing infection with a lower bound of at least 30% protection at the population level.
"We have started discussion with Russian authorities to learn more about the vaccine candidate. Sputnik V is about to start phase III clinical trials, as we understand. Additionally; each country is sovereign and has the right to choose the tools and products that it considers to be best suited for its population. However, this choice must be guided by the highest standards of science and ethics," the organization’s press service said.
"WHO has guidance around the exceptional authorization of vaccines and other products in the context of emergencies. Even if countries authorize emergency use of a vaccine, they must collect detailed efficacy and safety data following the immunization," it said.
On August 11, Russia was reported to have become the first country in the world to register a vaccine against the novel coronavirus, named Sputnik V. The inoculation was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry and passed clinical trials in June and July. It is based on a platform that was widely used for the development of other vaccines in the past. According to the Russian health ministry, the previous experience of using vaccines of this type shows that they can provide immunity for a period of up to two years.
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. According to the latest statistics, over 27.8 mln people have been infected worldwide and more than 903,000 deaths have been reported.


tass--2020-09-11--Lukashenko says Coordination Council seeks to gain control of entire opposition movement

MINSK , September 11 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said the Coordination Council recently established in the country seeks to bring the entire opposition movement in the country under its control .
`` The Coordination Council has only one goal - to harness the entire protest and opposition movement , to be above them all .
Therefore , there is struggle for power .
There is an attempt to seize power , '' Lukashenko said at a meeting with the staff of the Belarusian Prosecutor General ’ s Office on Thursday .
Belarus held its presidential election on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Election Commission ’ s data , incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.1 % of the vote , while Svetlana Tikhanovskaya garnered 10.12 % .
After the election , she left for Lithuania .
Protests erupted in the country 's capital of Minsk and several other cities following the presidential vote , leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers .
The government demands that all unlawful protests be stopped .
On August 14 , Tikhanovskaya initiated the creation of the Coordination Council , which declared the transition of power in the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Council established a seven-member presidium .
On August 19 , the Belarusian Prosecutor General ’ s office launched a criminal case into public calls for toppling the government and actions that harm national security , committed with the help of the media or the internet .
The offense is punished by up to five years in prison .
The Investigative Committee of Belarus said on Wednesday it has evidence to prove that certain members of the Coordination Council were engaged in activities aimed at destabilizing the situation in the country .

MINSK, September 11. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said the Coordination Council recently established in the country seeks to bring the entire opposition movement in the country under its control.
"The Coordination Council has only one goal - to harness the entire protest and opposition movement, to be above them all. Therefore, there is struggle for power. There is an attempt to seize power," Lukashenko said at a meeting with the staff of the Belarusian Prosecutor General’s Office on Thursday.
Belarus held its presidential election on August 9. According to the Central Election Commission’s data, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.1% of the vote, while Svetlana Tikhanovskaya garnered 10.12%. After the election, she left for Lithuania. Protests erupted in the country's capital of Minsk and several other cities following the presidential vote, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers. The government demands that all unlawful protests be stopped.
On August 14, Tikhanovskaya initiated the creation of the Coordination Council, which declared the transition of power in the country as its main goal. Later, the Council established a seven-member presidium.
On August 19, the Belarusian Prosecutor General’s office launched a criminal case into public calls for toppling the government and actions that harm national security, committed with the help of the media or the internet. The offense is punished by up to five years in prison. The Investigative Committee of Belarus said on Wednesday it has evidence to prove that certain members of the Coordination Council were engaged in activities aimed at destabilizing the situation in the country.


tass--2020-09-11--Navalny case could be staged by those who benefit from it — Russia’s UN envoy

UNITED NATIONS , September 11 .
/TASS/ .
The situation around Russian blogger Alexei Navalny is reminiscent of a foul play staged by someone who benefits from it , Russia ’ s UN envoy Vasily Nebenzya said .
`` This whole incident can not but raise questions about some foul play being staged , '' he said at a UN Security Council session devoted to elimination of Syria ’ s chemical stockpile .
`` This leads to an unavoidable rhetorical question Latins posed in such situations : Cui bono ?
Is fecit cui prodest .
Who is to benefit from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` Our law enforcement authorities do not have grounds to open an investigation .
Our doctors who , by the way , saved Alexey Navalny did not find any chemical weapon substances in his analyses , '' the diplomat said , answering to calls from Western powers to carry out an investigation into the matter .
`` We received no evidence from Germany that would allow us to make a conclusion that it was a crime by attempted poisoning and thus start an investigation . ''
During the UN Security Council session @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European countries raised the issue of Navalny , although it was not on the session ’ s agenda .
US envoy Cherith Norman Chalet urged Russia to cooperate with the international community in investigating the incident .
Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny was rushed to a local hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk on August 20 after collapsing on the Tomsk-Moscow flight .
He fell into a coma and was hooked up to a ventilator in the intensive care unit .
On August 22 , he was airlifted to the Charite hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the German government claimed that Navalny had been poisoned with a Novichok-type toxic agent .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said later that Russia was ready for comprehensive cooperation with Germany .
He added that before Navalny was transferred to Berlin , no toxic substances had been found in his system .
The Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow was still awaiting for Berlin ’ s response to a request filed by the Russian Prosecutor General ’ s Office .
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the German Foreign Ministry has so far presented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian ambassador in the country .

UNITED NATIONS, September 11. /TASS/. The situation around Russian blogger Alexei Navalny is reminiscent of a foul play staged by someone who benefits from it, Russia’s UN envoy Vasily Nebenzya said.
"This whole incident cannot but raise questions about some foul play being staged," he said at a UN Security Council session devoted to elimination of Syria’s chemical stockpile. "This leads to an unavoidable rhetorical question Latins posed in such situations: Cui bono? Is fecit cui prodest. Who is to benefit from this, that one did it."
"Our law enforcement authorities do not have grounds to open an investigation. Our doctors who, by the way, saved Alexey Navalny did not find any chemical weapon substances in his analyses," the diplomat said, answering to calls from Western powers to carry out an investigation into the matter. "We received no evidence from Germany that would allow us to make a conclusion that it was a crime by attempted poisoning and thus start an investigation."
During the UN Security Council session on Thursday, the United States and European countries raised the issue of Navalny, although it was not on the session’s agenda. US envoy Cherith Norman Chalet urged Russia to cooperate with the international community in investigating the incident.
Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny was rushed to a local hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk on August 20 after collapsing on the Tomsk-Moscow flight. He fell into a coma and was hooked up to a ventilator in the intensive care unit. On August 22, he was airlifted to the Charite hospital in Berlin. On September 2, the German government claimed that Navalny had been poisoned with a Novichok-type toxic agent.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said later that Russia was ready for comprehensive cooperation with Germany. He added that before Navalny was transferred to Berlin, no toxic substances had been found in his system.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow was still awaiting for Berlin’s response to a request filed by the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the German Foreign Ministry has so far presented no evidence to substantiate its opinnion to the Russian ambassador in the country.


tass--2020-09-11--ISS orbit raised ahead of Soyuz MS-17 launch

MOSCOW , September 11 .
/TASS/ .
Specialists of Russia ’ s Flight Control Center carried out a maneuver to raise the average altitude of the orbit of the International Space Station ( ISS ) , using the engines of a Progress MS-14 cargo spacecraft , Russia ’ s space corporation Roscosmos said on Thursday .
`` On Thursday , September 10 , 2020 , Roscosmos specialists carried out the scheduled adjustment of the International Space Station ’ s orbit , '' Roscosmos said .
Engines of the Progress MS-14 cargo spacecraft currently docked with the station were switched on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 225 seconds .
`` The maneuver was carried out in order to establish ballistic conditions ahead of the Soyuz MS-17 manned spacecraft launch and docking , '' the space corporation said .
According to earlier reports from Roscosmos , the maneuver was expected to raise the station ’ s average altitude by 800 meters , to about 419.6 km above the earth .
As part of preparations for the upcoming launch , the station ’ s orbit was raised by 1.1 km in late July .
The launch of a Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled for October 2020 from Launch Site No .
31 of the Baikonur spaceport to deliver a new expedition to the orbital outpost .
The new crew includes Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergei Ryzhikov and Sergei Kud-Sverchkov and NASA astronaut Kathleen Rubins .
The current ISS crew comprises NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy and Russian cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner .

MOSCOW, September 11. /TASS/. Specialists of Russia’s Flight Control Center carried out a maneuver to raise the average altitude of the orbit of the International Space Station (ISS), using the engines of a Progress MS-14 cargo spacecraft, Russia’s space corporation Roscosmos said on Thursday.
"On Thursday, September 10, 2020, Roscosmos specialists carried out the scheduled adjustment of the International Space Station’s orbit," Roscosmos said.
Engines of the Progress MS-14 cargo spacecraft currently docked with the station were switched on at 23:32 Moscow time and worked for 225 seconds.
"The maneuver was carried out in order to establish ballistic conditions ahead of the Soyuz MS-17 manned spacecraft launch and docking," the space corporation said.
According to earlier reports from Roscosmos, the maneuver was expected to raise the station’s average altitude by 800 meters, to about 419.6 km above the earth.
As part of preparations for the upcoming launch, the station’s orbit was raised by 1.1 km in late July.
The launch of a Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket with the manned Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft is scheduled for October 2020 from Launch Site No. 31 of the Baikonur spaceport to deliver a new expedition to the orbital outpost. The new crew includes Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergei Ryzhikov and Sergei Kud-Sverchkov and NASA astronaut Kathleen Rubins.
The current ISS crew comprises NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy and Russian cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner.


tass--2020-09-11--About 180 different COVID-19 vaccines are being developed worldwide today

GENEVA , September 10 .
/TASS/ .
There are currently about 180 vaccines against the coronavirus being developed worldwide , 35 of them are undergoing trials on humans , Director General of the World Health Organization ( WHO ) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a briefing in Geneva on Thursday .
`` Around 180 vaccines are now in development , including 35 that are in human trials , '' he said .
`` No disease in history has seen such rapid development in research , '' the Director General stated .
According to the Director General , this `` is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ science and technology the world has made in recent years . ''
In relation with that he urged to provide access to vaccines to as many people as possible .
Mentioning the ACT Accelerator international partnership initiated by the WHO in April in order to expand access to tools of fighting the coronavirus , he noted that this mechanism `` will not be able to deliver on its goals without a significant increase in funding . ''
To date , the ACT Accelerator has received $ 2.7 bln in donations which is less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
By the end of 2020 `` we need to rapidly scale up our clinical trials , manufacturing , licensing and regulation capacity , '' the Director General said .
He expressed worries that `` bilateral vaccine deals and vaccine nationalism could compromise equitable access '' of the population to tools of fighting the infection .
The head of the WHO mentioned the first meeting of the Facilitation Council of the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator ( ACT-A ) held on Thursday .
One of the Council ’ s tasks will be `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concluded The international partnership named the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator , or ACT-Accelerator , was officially launched on April 24 by the WHO , the EU , France , and Bill and Melinda Gates .
As the WHO explained , the new initiative `` is a unique partnership of many of the world ’ s international health organizations who have come together to share , and build on , individual expertise to create a powerful global solution that will ensure equity in access to tests , vaccines , treatments across the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burden of the COVID-19 . ''

GENEVA, September 10. /TASS/. There are currently about 180 vaccines against the coronavirus being developed worldwide, 35 of them are undergoing trials on humans, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a briefing in Geneva on Thursday.
"Around 180 vaccines are now in development, including 35 that are in human trials," he said. "No disease in history has seen such rapid development in research," the Director General stated.
According to the Director General, this "is a testament to the incredible advances in science and technology the world has made in recent years." In relation with that he urged to provide access to vaccines to as many people as possible. Mentioning the ACT Accelerator international partnership initiated by the WHO in April in order to expand access to tools of fighting the coronavirus, he noted that this mechanism "will not be able to deliver on its goals without a significant increase in funding."
To date, the ACT Accelerator has received $2.7 bln in donations which is less than 10% of the amount needed. By the end of 2020 "we need to rapidly scale up our clinical trials, manufacturing, licensing and regulation capacity," the Director General said. He expressed worries that "bilateral vaccine deals and vaccine nationalism could compromise equitable access" of the population to tools of fighting the infection.
The head of the WHO mentioned the first meeting of the Facilitation Council of the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A) held on Thursday. One of the Council’s tasks will be "to mobilize additional resources," he concluded
The international partnership named the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator, or ACT-Accelerator, was officially launched on April 24 by the WHO, the EU, France, and Bill and Melinda Gates. As the WHO explained, the new initiative "is a unique partnership of many of the world’s international health organizations who have come together to share, and build on, individual expertise to create a powerful global solution that will ensure equity in access to tests, vaccines, treatments across the world with one goal: to reduce the burden of the COVID-19."


tass--2020-09-10--Materials from '100% Tatarstan' business platform to be saved

KAZAN , September 10 .
/TASS/ .
Intellectual business space `` 100 % Tatarstan '' provides viewers with full information about the republic , its base of video materials will be preserved , announced the President of the Republic Rustam Minnikhanov at the panel discussion of `` 100 % Tatarstan '' platform .
`` This platform provides full information about the republic , about our partners .
< ... > We did not even know what this forum would be like in the future , for 12 days — and we see how interesting and new this format is .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain because [ this ] is the most unique material about the republic , `` he said .
From August 30 to September 10 , online events about the experience of the republic were held on the sidelines of the intellectual business space `` 100 % Tatarstan '' .
It is also a communication platform that brings together citizens , business representatives , authorities and leading experts who discussed topics for the further strategic development of the region .
The forum 's program consists of more than 100 sessions in 21 areas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investment and entrepreneurship .

KAZAN, September 10. /TASS/. Intellectual business space "100% Tatarstan" provides viewers with full information about the republic, its base of video materials will be preserved, announced the President of the Republic Rustam Minnikhanov at the panel discussion of "100% Tatarstan" platform.
"This platform provides full information about the republic, about our partners. <...> We did not even know what this forum would be like in the future, for 12 days — and we see how interesting and new this format is. We suggested that this entire base would remain because [this] is the most unique material about the republic, "he said.
From August 30 to September 10, online events about the experience of the republic were held on the sidelines of the intellectual business space "100% Tatarstan". It is also a communication platform that brings together citizens, business representatives, authorities and leading experts who discussed topics for the further strategic development of the region. The forum's program consists of more than 100 sessions in 21 areas, including medicine, agriculture, tourism, investment and entrepreneurship.


tass--2020-09-12--Russian Embassy asks US State Department not to transfer Yaroshenko to another prison

WASHINGTON , September 12 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Embassy in the United States filed a request to the U.S. State Department not to transfer Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko to another prison , Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said on Friday .
`` At the request of the relatives of the Russian citizen , we sent a diplomatic note to the U.S. Department of State with a request not to change the place of detention of Konstantin Yaroshenko , '' Antonov said .
His words are published on the facebook page of the Russian diplomatic mission in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Embassy is concerned about the decision of the U.S. authorities to transfer Konstantin Yaroshenko to another correctional facility .
`` Moreover , the Embassy is not aware of the name , type and regime of the prison to which our compatriot is planned to be transferred .
Taking into account the pre-existing conditions that Konstantin Yaroshenko has , we believe that changing the place of serving his sentence may negatively affect his physical and mental state of health , '' the Russian ambassador said .
On Thursday , Russian lawyer Alexei @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yaroshenko , who is serving a sentence in the Danbury prison in Connecticut , is demanding that the U.S. authorities cancel his transfer to a private prison .
According to Tarasov , the request came from the department of the US Federal Bureau of Prisons in Philadelphia ( Pennsylvania ) .
The lawyer noted that the name of the prison and the reasons of transfer of his client are still unknown .
He also said that `` Yaroshenko is against the transfer . ''
In April , the administration of the Danbury prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release due to the risk of contracting the coronavirus had been denied .
The defense sought the release of the Russian following increased risks of infection in prison , and also because he had already served more than half of the sentence .
Yaroshenko was arrested in Liberia in May 2010 , and was later clandestinely transferred to the United States .
In September 2011 , he was found guilty of conspiring to smuggle a major cocaine shipment into the US , and sentenced to 20 years behind bars .
However , Yaroshenko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrest was a setup and the case was fabricated .
The Russian was first sent to the Fort Dix Federal Correctional Institution , but in mid-June , 2018 , he was first transferred to a transit prison in Brooklyn , New York , and then to the Danbury prison , which holds more than 1,400 inmates .
Russian officials and the pilot ’ s family have on numerous occasions requested that Washington extradite him to Russia .

WASHINGTON, September 12. /TASS/. The Russian Embassy in the United States filed a request to the U.S. State Department not to transfer Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko to another prison, Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said on Friday.
"At the request of the relatives of the Russian citizen, we sent a diplomatic note to the U.S. Department of State with a request not to change the place of detention of Konstantin Yaroshenko," Antonov said. His words are published on the facebook page of the Russian diplomatic mission in the U.S.
According to the diplomat, the Embassy is concerned about the decision of the U.S. authorities to transfer Konstantin Yaroshenko to another correctional facility.
"Moreover, the Embassy is not aware of the name, type and regime of the prison to which our compatriot is planned to be transferred. Taking into account the pre-existing conditions that Konstantin Yaroshenko has, we believe that changing the place of serving his sentence may negatively affect his physical and mental state of health," the Russian ambassador said.
On Thursday, Russian lawyer Alexei Tarasov told TASS that the defense of Yaroshenko, who is serving a sentence in the Danbury prison in Connecticut, is demanding that the U.S. authorities cancel his transfer to a private prison. According to Tarasov, the request came from the department of the US Federal Bureau of Prisons in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania). The lawyer noted that the name of the prison and the reasons of transfer of his client are still unknown. He also said that "Yaroshenko is against the transfer."
In April, the administration of the Danbury prison notified Yaroshenko that his request for early release due to the risk of contracting the coronavirus had been denied. The defense sought the release of the Russian following increased risks of infection in prison, and also because he had already served more than half of the sentence.
Yaroshenko case
Yaroshenko was arrested in Liberia in May 2010, and was later clandestinely transferred to the United States. In September 2011, he was found guilty of conspiring to smuggle a major cocaine shipment into the US, and sentenced to 20 years behind bars. However, Yaroshenko pleaded not guilty, saying that his arrest was a setup and the case was fabricated.
The Russian was first sent to the Fort Dix Federal Correctional Institution, but in mid-June, 2018, he was first transferred to a transit prison in Brooklyn, New York, and then to the Danbury prison, which holds more than 1,400 inmates. Russian officials and the pilot’s family have on numerous occasions requested that Washington extradite him to Russia.


tass--2020-09-12--Supplies of Russian coronavirus vaccine to Brazil may be doubled - RDIF

RIO DE JANEIRO , September 12 .
/TASS/ .
Brazil will receive 50 million doses of the Russian Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine by March , and this amount can be doubled , head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) Kirill Dmitriev in an interview with the newspaper Folha de S.Paulo on Friday .
`` We will be able to start producing and supplying the first doses to Brazil in November-December , in small quantities .
< ... > In January , February , there will be more .
By March , 50 million doses , and maybe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough for half of the population of Brazil , '' Dmitriev said as quoted by the publication .
According to him , Brazil is a strategic partner of the RDIF , since it has production facilities that allow the supply of the entire South America with a domestic drug .
Earlier , the RDIF announced the signing of a cooperation agreement with the state of Bahia for the supply of up to 50 million doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine to Brazil .
In August , RDIF and the government of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggesting the organization of the third phase of clinical trials of the vaccine and its further production .
In late August , the Federal University of Technology - Parana announced that it plans to send an application to the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency ( Anvisa ) by the end of September .
According to Dmitriev , in addition to the states of Parana and Bahia , another five Brazilian states are showing interest in the Russian vaccine .
He also confirmed earlier information that RDIF has been in talks with the Brazilian federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sputnik V vaccine developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology received a registration certificate from the Russian Health Ministry , becoming the world ’ s first registered coronavirus vaccine .
More information on the Sputnik V vaccine and other details are available at sputnikvaccine.com .

RIO DE JANEIRO, September 12. /TASS/. Brazil will receive 50 million doses of the Russian Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine by March, and this amount can be doubled, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) Kirill Dmitriev in an interview with the newspaper Folha de S.Paulo on Friday.
"We will be able to start producing and supplying the first doses to Brazil in November-December, in small quantities. <...> In January, February, there will be more. By March, 50 million doses, and maybe even 100 million doses, which is enough for half of the population of Brazil," Dmitriev said as quoted by the publication. According to him, Brazil is a strategic partner of the RDIF, since it has production facilities that allow the supply of the entire South America with a domestic drug.
Earlier, the RDIF announced the signing of a cooperation agreement with the state of Bahia for the supply of up to 50 million doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine to Brazil.
In August, RDIF and the government of the Brazilian state of Parana signed a memorandum suggesting the organization of the third phase of clinical trials of the vaccine and its further production.
In late August, the Federal University of Technology - Parana announced that it plans to send an application to the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa) by the end of September.
According to Dmitriev, in addition to the states of Parana and Bahia, another five Brazilian states are showing interest in the Russian vaccine. He also confirmed earlier information that RDIF has been in talks with the Brazilian federal government.
On August 11, the Sputnik V vaccine developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology received a registration certificate from the Russian Health Ministry, becoming the world’s first registered coronavirus vaccine. More information on the Sputnik V vaccine and other details are available at sputnikvaccine.com.


tass--2020-09-12--Norilsk Nickel estimates amount of fuel in soil at 12,000 tonnes at spill

MOSCOW , September 11 .
/ TASS / .
Norilsk Nickel has almost finished gathering fuel that got into water bodies near Norilsk after the accident at TPP-3 , the first vice-president and operating director of the company Sergei Dyachenko told reporters on Friday .
According to the company , this is a volume of no more than 12,000 tons , which is much less than the estimates made by Rosprirodnadzor , the Russian environmental regulator .
`` We are talking about a volume of about 12,000 tons , we will also clarify the density when converting from cubes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much less , nor much more , '' said Dyachenko , referring to the amount of fuel that got after the destruction of the diesel tank at CHPP-3 .
According to Dyachenko , today `` there is no fuel on the water surface '' , the collection of fuel has been completed by more than 90 % .
`` Today we can assume that what we have gathered and separated is exactly the fuel that got into the water , '' he concluded .
Earlier , Rosprirodnadzor estimated the amount that got into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15,000 tonnes .
At the same time , about 6,000 tonnes got into the soil , the department said .
In total , it was believed that about 21,000 tonnes flowed from the reservoir .
According to Dyachenko , the volume of oil products that got into the soil has yet to be assessed .
In total , 188,000 tonnes of contaminated soil were removed , now it is stored in special hangars , said Dyachenko .
Speaking about the amount of damage in 148 bln rubles , which was previously announced by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clearly not like that . ''
He also said that the company spent about 8 bln rubles in total to eliminate the consequences of the accident .
A claim to the Arbitration Court of the Krasnoyarsk Region against a subsidiary of Norilsk Nickel was filed by the territorial office Rosprirodnadzor .
The court must decide on the acceptance of the statement of claim before September 15 .
According to official data , on May 29 , more than 21,000 tonnes of fuel spilled after a storage tank collapsed at a power plant operated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giant Norilsk Nickel , in the city of Norilsk .
The fuel leaked , flooding an area of 180,000 square meters of terrain and also into local rivers , causing damage to the environment .

MOSCOW, September 11. / TASS /. Norilsk Nickel has almost finished gathering fuel that got into water bodies near Norilsk after the accident at TPP-3, the first vice-president and operating director of the company Sergei Dyachenko told reporters on Friday.
According to the company, this is a volume of no more than 12,000 tons, which is much less than the estimates made by Rosprirodnadzor, the Russian environmental regulator.
"We are talking about a volume of about 12,000 tons, we will also clarify the density when converting from cubes to tonnes. But it will not be much less, nor much more," said Dyachenko, referring to the amount of fuel that got after the destruction of the diesel tank at CHPP-3. According to Dyachenko, today "there is no fuel on the water surface", the collection of fuel has been completed by more than 90%. "Today we can assume that what we have gathered and separated is exactly the fuel that got into the water," he concluded.
Earlier, Rosprirodnadzor estimated the amount that got into Lake Pyasino and the Ambarnaya River at 15,000 tonnes. At the same time, about 6,000 tonnes got into the soil, the department said. In total, it was believed that about 21,000 tonnes flowed from the reservoir. According to Dyachenko, the volume of oil products that got into the soil has yet to be assessed.
In total, 188,000 tonnes of contaminated soil were removed, now it is stored in special hangars, said Dyachenko.
Speaking about the amount of damage in 148 bln rubles, which was previously announced by Rosprirodnadzor, Dyachenko said that "its clearly not like that." He also said that the company spent about 8 bln rubles in total to eliminate the consequences of the accident.
A claim to the Arbitration Court of the Krasnoyarsk Region against a subsidiary of Norilsk Nickel was filed by the territorial office Rosprirodnadzor. The court must decide on the acceptance of the statement of claim before September 15. According to official data, on May 29, more than 21,000 tonnes of fuel spilled after a storage tank collapsed at a power plant operated by CHPP-3, a subsidiary of metals giant Norilsk Nickel, in the city of Norilsk. The fuel leaked, flooding an area of 180,000 square meters of terrain and also into local rivers, causing damage to the environment.


tass--2020-09-12--Norilsk Nickel establishes preliminary reason for fuel tank destruction

MOSCOW , September 11 .
/ TASS / .
The reason for the destruction of the fifth fuel tank at CHPP-3 , the accident at which at the end of May entailed the largest ecological disaster in the Arctic , was a violation of technology during its construction about 40 years ago , the first vice-president and operating director of the company Sergei Dyachenko told reporters on Friday .
The construction of the reservoir took place in 1981 .
According to the building standards in force at that time , in the permafrost zone , the piles under the reservoir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 800 mm .
However , during the dismantling of the destroyed storage facility , it turned out that this had not been done initially .
`` According to our estimates , the distance from the bottom of the pile to the rock foundation is about one meter .
So while this indirectly indicates that the piles were not completed according to the project , they were not buried in the rock , '' he said .
According to the results of the core sample , between the piles and the rock of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consisting of sand and clay .
Most likely , about 40 years ago , the soil near the rock was severely frozen , Dyachenko admits .
Therefore , they did not deepen the piles into the rock .
The melting of permafrost has not manifested itself on the surface for decades .
`` The extremely warm summers over the past years and mild winters have made themselves felt , most likely .
And the fact that colleagues once left these piles unburied played a cruel joke on us , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessary to wait for the conclusion of the Investigative Committee , which is studying this issue .
Dyachenko also commented on the issue of the pre-emergency state of the fuel tank .
`` Indeed , in 2016 this tank did not pass the technical expertise , it was stopped .
And I would like to say that in 2017-2018 it was under repair .
After that , all the necessary state examinations were carried out , it was concluded that the tank suitable for use , '' he said .
Earlier , Rosprirodnadzor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pyasino and the Ambarnaya River at 15,000 tonnes .
At the same time , about 6,000 tonnes got into the soil , the department said .
In total , it was believed that about 21,000 tonnes flowed from the reservoir .
According to Dyachenko , the volume of oil products that got into the soil has yet to be assessed .
In total , 188,000 tonnes of contaminated soil were removed , now it is stored in special hangars , said Dyachenko .
Speaking about the amount of damage in 148 bln rubles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Dyachenko said that `` its clearly not like that . ''
He also said that the company spent about 8 bln rubles in total to eliminate the consequences of the accident .
A claim to the Arbitration Court of the Krasnoyarsk Region against a subsidiary of Norilsk Nickel was filed by the territorial office Rosprirodnadzor .
The court must decide on the acceptance of the statement of claim before September 15 .
According to official data , on May 29 , more than 21,000 tonnes of fuel spilled after a storage tank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CHPP-3 , a subsidiary of metals giant Norilsk Nickel , in the city of Norilsk .
The fuel leaked , flooding an area of 180,000 square meters of terrain and also into local rivers , causing damage to the environment .

MOSCOW, September 11. / TASS /. The reason for the destruction of the fifth fuel tank at CHPP-3, the accident at which at the end of May entailed the largest ecological disaster in the Arctic, was a violation of technology during its construction about 40 years ago, the first vice-president and operating director of the company Sergei Dyachenko told reporters on Friday.
The construction of the reservoir took place in 1981. According to the building standards in force at that time, in the permafrost zone, the piles under the reservoir were to be deepened into the rock by 800 mm. However, during the dismantling of the destroyed storage facility, it turned out that this had not been done initially.
"According to our estimates, the distance from the bottom of the pile to the rock foundation is about one meter. So while this indirectly indicates that the piles were not completed according to the project, they were not buried in the rock," he said. According to the results of the core sample, between the piles and the rock of the reservoir, there was a soil consisting of sand and clay.
Most likely, about 40 years ago, the soil near the rock was severely frozen, Dyachenko admits. Therefore, they did not deepen the piles into the rock. The melting of permafrost has not manifested itself on the surface for decades. "The extremely warm summers over the past years and mild winters have made themselves felt, most likely. And the fact that colleagues once left these piles unburied played a cruel joke on us," he said. According to Dyachenko, it is still necessary to wait for the conclusion of the Investigative Committee, which is studying this issue.
Dyachenko also commented on the issue of the pre-emergency state of the fuel tank. "Indeed, in 2016 this tank did not pass the technical expertise, it was stopped. And I would like to say that in 2017-2018 it was under repair. After that, all the necessary state examinations were carried out, it was concluded that the tank suitable for use," he said.
Earlier, Rosprirodnadzor estimated the amount that got into Lake Pyasino and the Ambarnaya River at 15,000 tonnes. At the same time, about 6,000 tonnes got into the soil, the department said. In total, it was believed that about 21,000 tonnes flowed from the reservoir. According to Dyachenko, the volume of oil products that got into the soil has yet to be assessed.
In total, 188,000 tonnes of contaminated soil were removed, now it is stored in special hangars, said Dyachenko.
Speaking about the amount of damage in 148 bln rubles, which was previously announced by Rosprirodnadzor, Dyachenko said that "its clearly not like that." He also said that the company spent about 8 bln rubles in total to eliminate the consequences of the accident.
A claim to the Arbitration Court of the Krasnoyarsk Region against a subsidiary of Norilsk Nickel was filed by the territorial office Rosprirodnadzor. The court must decide on the acceptance of the statement of claim before September 15. According to official data, on May 29, more than 21,000 tonnes of fuel spilled after a storage tank collapsed at a power plant operated by CHPP-3, a subsidiary of metals giant Norilsk Nickel, in the city of Norilsk. The fuel leaked, flooding an area of 180,000 square meters of terrain and also into local rivers, causing damage to the environment.


tass--2020-09-12--Election silence starts in Russia before single voting day on September 13

MOSCOW , September 12 .
/TASS/ .
Election silence starts in most Russian regions on the eve of the single voting day .
Elections at various levels will be held in 83 regions of Russia on September 13 .
Election silence starts in every election region at midnight local time on September 12 .
During 24 hours before the start of the main voting day , any campaigning , holding party actions and rallies , distributing leaflets , political advertising on television and radio is prohibited .
Only previously displayed campaign materials can remain in the same place , provided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 meters from the voting premises .
Online publications should not remove previously published political advertisements .
Campaigning is also prohibited on the voting day .
The ban is valid until the closure of polling stations in each specific region .
The law does not limit the media coverage of the preparations for the elections and the course of the single voting day .
Earlier Chairwoman of the Russian Central Election Commission ( CEC ) Ella Pamfilova told TASS , that this year , despite the early voting in most regions on September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13 , which is the single voting day , and according to the law , election campaigning can not be conducted only on September 12 and 13 .
According to her , this procedure is valid only this year , and the next elections `` will be held taking into account the recently adopted amendments to the law , which allow voting for one , two or three days , and the election silence will be observed before the first day of voting . ''
On July 24 , the CEC approved the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which implies that the primary voting day will take place on September 13 , and early voting will be possible on September 11 and 12 .
Elections of various levels will take place at 83 subjects of the Russian Federation , with over 78,000 mandates involved .
For instance , four regions ( Tatarstan , the Kursk , Penza , and Yaroslavl Regions ) will hold additional vote on State Duma seats ( State Duma is the lower house of parliament ) , 11 regions will vote on local legislature , and 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Heads of the Nenets Autonomous Region and the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area will be elected by the delegates of regional legislative assemblies .

MOSCOW, September 12. /TASS/. Election silence starts in most Russian regions on the eve of the single voting day. Elections at various levels will be held in 83 regions of Russia on September 13. Election silence starts in every election region at midnight local time on September 12.
During 24 hours before the start of the main voting day, any campaigning, holding party actions and rallies, distributing leaflets, political advertising on television and radio is prohibited. Only previously displayed campaign materials can remain in the same place, provided that they are located no closer than 50 meters from the voting premises. Online publications should not remove previously published political advertisements. Campaigning is also prohibited on the voting day. The ban is valid until the closure of polling stations in each specific region. The law does not limit the media coverage of the preparations for the elections and the course of the single voting day.
Earlier Chairwoman of the Russian Central Election Commission (CEC) Ella Pamfilova told TASS, that this year, despite the early voting in most regions on September 11 and 12, it is September 13, which is the single voting day, and according to the law, election campaigning cannot be conducted only on September 12 and 13. According to her, this procedure is valid only this year, and the next elections "will be held taking into account the recently adopted amendments to the law, which allow voting for one, two or three days, and the election silence will be observed before the first day of voting."
On July 24, the CEC approved the procedure for the single voting day, which implies that the primary voting day will take place on September 13, and early voting will be possible on September 11 and 12. Elections of various levels will take place at 83 subjects of the Russian Federation, with over 78,000 mandates involved. For instance, four regions (Tatarstan, the Kursk, Penza, and Yaroslavl Regions) will hold additional vote on State Duma seats (State Duma is the lower house of parliament), 11 regions will vote on local legislature, and 18 regions will vote on new governors. Heads of the Nenets Autonomous Region and the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area will be elected by the delegates of regional legislative assemblies.


tass--2020-09-12--Experts: Oil price to remain low in September, and then to rise again

MOSCOW , September 11 .
/ TASS / .
The price of oil in September will remain low , perhaps even with a slight decrease from the current levels below $ 40 per barrel , experts told TASS on Friday .
In October , the downward trend is likely to be interrupted and a gradual growth will begin , which will accelerate in November and December , they said .
`` There will not be a serious decline in the oil price in September - it is unlikely to fall closer to $ 35 per barrel .
Now there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for practically all agencies with a drawdown ( oil prices ) in September and October .
In November , we will enter a further growth trend , '' said Andrei Polishchuk , an analyst at Raiffeisen Bank .
He also added that as early as Q4 2020 , the price of oil may rise to $ 47 per barrel .
The research director of VYGON Consulting Maria Belova does not see any grounds for a further decrease in oil prices in the current conditions .
She believes that in today 's conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ range of $ 40-42 per barrel .
The head of the analytical department of AMarkets Artem Deev added that by the end of 2020 the average oil price will be from $ 40 to $ 50 per barrel , but it will not exceed this level .
Dmitry Marinchenko , director of the Fitch group for natural resources and commodities , is less optimistic : he estimates that the oil price will be higher than the current one , but on average in 2020 it will be about $ 41 per barrel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 45 , but on condition that the general trend towards opening up the world economy will continue .

MOSCOW, September 11. / TASS /. The price of oil in September will remain low, perhaps even with a slight decrease from the current levels below $ 40 per barrel, experts told TASS on Friday.
In October, the downward trend is likely to be interrupted and a gradual growth will begin, which will accelerate in November and December, they said.
"There will not be a serious decline in the oil price in September - it is unlikely to fall closer to $ 35 per barrel. Now there is a revision, according to the forecast, for practically all agencies with a drawdown (oil prices) in September and October.
In November, we will enter a further growth trend," said Andrei Polishchuk, an analyst at Raiffeisen Bank. He also added that as early as Q4 2020, the price of oil may rise to $ 47 per barrel.
The research director of VYGON Consulting Maria Belova does not see any grounds for a further decrease in oil prices in the current conditions. She believes that in today's conditions the equilibrium oil price is in the range of $ 40-42 per barrel. The head of the analytical department of AMarkets Artem Deev added that by the end of 2020 the average oil price will be from $ 40 to $ 50 per barrel, but it will not exceed this level.
Dmitry Marinchenko, director of the Fitch group for natural resources and commodities, is less optimistic: he estimates that the oil price will be higher than the current one, but on average in 2020 it will be about $ 41 per barrel, and next year it will rise to $ 45, but on condition that the general trend towards opening up the world economy will continue.


tass--2020-09-12--No materials on Navalny case received by OPCW Secretariat from Germany - Russian envoy

MOSCOW , September 11 .
/TASS/ .
The Secretariat of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons ( OPCW ) has confirmed that it received no materials from Germany about the condition of Russian opposition blogger Alexei Navalny , Russia ’ s Permanent Representative to the OPCW Alexander Shulgin said on Friday .
`` They confirmed once again that the secretariat had received from Germany neither sample test results nor any other materials concerning this case until now , i.e .
Friday ’ s evening , '' he said in an interview with the Rossiya-24 television channel .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Der Spiegel ’ s publication alleging that an OPCW delegation had visited Berlin ’ s Charite clinic and had received Navalny ’ s sample tests .
`` The OPCW told us that traditionally the secretariat does not comment on media publications , '' the Russian diplomat stressed .
The German side said earlier it had handed over Navalny ’ s test results to the OPCW .
However , the Russian mission to the organization said on Thursday these reports were not true .
Navalny felt sick on August 20 while flying from Tomsk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency landing in Omsk .
The man was taken to hospital in a state of coma and was connected to a ventilator .
He was airlifted to the Berlin-based Charite clinic in the morning on August 22 .
Its doctors said that indicators of poisoning had been found in his body .
Charite medics said on September 7 Navalny had been taken out of the medically-induced coma and was being disconnected from the ventilator .
Last week , the German government said that German military toxicologists had found that Navalny had been exposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family .
Following this , Berlin and its Western partners demanded Moscow clarify the circumstances of the incident and warned they would look at possible sanctions against Moscow .
The Russian side stresses that it is interested in a thorough investigation of the incident but has not yet received any reply from Germany to its inquiry .
Apart from that , Moscow points to the fact that no toxic agent had been spotted in Navalny ’ s samples before he was taken to Germany whereas the latter has given no evidence to back @ @ @

MOSCOW, September 11. /TASS/. The Secretariat of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has confirmed that it received no materials from Germany about the condition of Russian opposition blogger Alexei Navalny, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the OPCW Alexander Shulgin said on Friday.
"They confirmed once again that the secretariat had received from Germany neither sample test results nor any other materials concerning this case until now, i.e. Friday’s evening," he said in an interview with the Rossiya-24 television channel.
In this connection, Shulgin drew attention to Der Spiegel’s publication alleging that an OPCW delegation had visited Berlin’s Charite clinic and had received Navalny’s sample tests.
"The OPCW told us that traditionally the secretariat does not comment on media publications," the Russian diplomat stressed.
The German side said earlier it had handed over Navalny’s test results to the OPCW. However, the Russian mission to the organization said on Thursday these reports were not true.
Navalny case
Navalny felt sick on August 20 while flying from Tomsk to Moscow and the plane made an emergency landing in Omsk. The man was taken to hospital in a state of coma and was connected to a ventilator. He was airlifted to the Berlin-based Charite clinic in the morning on August 22. Its doctors said that indicators of poisoning had been found in his body.
Charite medics said on September 7 Navalny had been taken out of the medically-induced coma and was being disconnected from the ventilator.
Last week, the German government said that German military toxicologists had found that Navalny had been exposed to a nerve agent of the Novichok family. Following this, Berlin and its Western partners demanded Moscow clarify the circumstances of the incident and warned they would look at possible sanctions against Moscow.
The Russian side stresses that it is interested in a thorough investigation of the incident but has not yet received any reply from Germany to its inquiry. Apart from that, Moscow points to the fact that no toxic agent had been spotted in Navalny’s samples before he was taken to Germany whereas the latter has given no evidence to back its theory.