tass--2020-12-12--Russian-Turkish monitoring center to be set up in Agdam district - Aliyev

BAKU , December 12 .
/TASS/ .
A Russian-Turkish monitoring center for ceasefire control in Nagorno-Karabakh will be set up in the Agdam district of Azerbaijan , President Ilham Aliyev said at a meeting with the French and US co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group on Saturday .
The meeting was also attended by Russia ’ s Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mikhail Bocharnikov and Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk , Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office .
`` We are now already in the phase of creation of the monitoring center in Agdam district of Azerbaijan , '' Aliyev said cited by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monitoring center will monitor the ceasefire regime .
And this , I think , is also a very good sign of regional cooperation , also , a good sign of cooperation between Turkey and Russia .
And this already is a reality , '' he added .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 statement , the Azerbaijani and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they have held and then , Armenian forces are to turn over control of certain districts to Azerbaijan .
In addition , Russian peacekeepers are to be deployed along the contact line and to the Lachin corridor , which links Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia .

BAKU, December 12. /TASS/. A Russian-Turkish monitoring center for ceasefire control in Nagorno-Karabakh will be set up in the Agdam district of Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev said at a meeting with the French and US co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group on Saturday.
The meeting was also attended by Russia’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mikhail Bocharnikov and Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office.
"We are now already in the phase of creation of the monitoring center in Agdam district of Azerbaijan," Aliyev said cited by the AZERTAC news agency.
"The Turkish-Russian monitoring center will monitor the ceasefire regime. And this, I think, is also a very good sign of regional cooperation, also, a good sign of cooperation between Turkey and Russia. And this already is a reality," he added.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. 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 statement, the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides are to maintain the positions that they have held and then, Armenian forces are to turn over control of certain districts to Azerbaijan. In addition, Russian peacekeepers are to be deployed along the contact line and to the Lachin corridor, which links Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia.


tass--2020-12-12--First ceasefire violation recorded in Nagorno-Karabakh - Russia’s Defense Ministry

MOSCOW , December 12 .
/TASS/ .
The ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh has been broken for the first time since hostilities @ @ @ @ @ peacekeeping operation started in the region , the Russian Defense Ministry said in a bulletin @ @ @ @ @ Russian peacekeeping contingent continue its mission in Nagorno-Karabakh .
The Russian peacemakers monitor the situation @ @ @ @ @ at 23 observation posts .
On December 11 , one incident of ceasefire violation was @ @ @ @ @ '' the bulletin says .
Earlier in the day , Armenia ’ s Defense Ministry @ @ @ @ @ an offensive in southern Karabakh in the direction of villages of Hin Taghe and Khtsaberd @ @ @ @ @ Russian President Vladimir Putin , Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan @ @ @ @ @ a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10 .
The Russian leader said the @ @ @ @ @ maintain the positions that they had held and Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the @ @

MOSCOW, December 12. /TASS/. The ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh has been broken for the first time since hostilities were halted and the Russian peacekeeping operation started in the region, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a bulletin on Saturday.
"The Russian peacekeeping contingent continue its mission in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Russian peacemakers monitor the situation and control the ceasefire round-the-clock at 23 observation posts. On December 11, one incident of ceasefire violation was recorded in Hadrut district," the bulletin says.
Earlier in the day, Armenia’s Defense Ministry reported that Azerbaijan had launched an offensive in southern Karabakh in the direction of villages of Hin Taghe and Khtsaberd.
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. The Russian leader said the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides would maintain the positions that they had held and Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the region.


tass--2020-12-12--Yerevan informs about Baku’s offensive in southern Nagorno-Karabakh

YEREVAN , December 12 .
/TASS/ .
Azerbaijan ’ s Armed Forces resumed the offensive operation in the south of @ @ @ @ @ Armenian Defense Ministry said .
`` On December 12 , Azerbaijan resumed the offensive towards @ @ @ @ @ and Khtsaberd ( southern Nagorno-Karabakh - TASS ) of the Republic of Artsakh ( the @ @ @ @ @ TASS ) .
The Army of Defense is taking corresponding action , '' the Armenian @ @ @ @ @ statement .
On November 9 , Russian President Vladimir Putin , Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev @ @ @ @ @ Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10 @ @ @ @ @ the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides would maintain the positions that they had held and Russian @ @ @ @ @ the region .
Apart from that , Azerbaijan has retaken control of the Agdam and @ @ @ @ @ Lachin region .

YEREVAN, December 12. /TASS/. Azerbaijan’s Armed Forces resumed the offensive operation in the south of Nagorno-Karabakh on Saturday, the Armenian Defense Ministry said.
"On December 12, Azerbaijan resumed the offensive towards the villages of Hin Taghe and Khtsaberd (southern Nagorno-Karabakh - TASS) of the Republic of Artsakh (the unrecognized republic of Nagorno-Karabakh - TASS). The Army of Defense is taking corresponding action," the Armenian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
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. The Russian leader said the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides would maintain the positions that they had held and Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the region. Apart from that, Azerbaijan has retaken control of the Agdam and Kelbajar districts, and the Lachin region.


tass--2020-12-12--Russia to deliver humanitarian aid to Karabakh in 54 railroad cars - Emergencies Ministry

MOSCOW , December 12 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Emergencies Ministry will deliver 1,200 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Nagorno-Karabakh by railway , the ministry ’ s press service told TASS on Saturday .
`` The Russian Emergencies Ministry will send 54 railroad cars with humanitarian aid for the civilian population .
The [ aid ] will be dispatched from eight Russian cities .
The cargo contains construction products , generators , fire tank trucks and household supplies .
The total weight is 1,200 tonnes , '' the press service said .
The Emergencies Ministry pointed out that aid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ivanov , Ufa and other Russian cities .
The humanitarian aid deliveries are carried out in accordance with instructions of the Russian president and government .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
The Russian leader said the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides would maintain the positions that they had held and Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the region .

MOSCOW, December 12. /TASS/. Russia’s Emergencies Ministry will deliver 1,200 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Nagorno-Karabakh by railway, the ministry’s press service told TASS on Saturday.
"The Russian Emergencies Ministry will send 54 railroad cars with humanitarian aid for the civilian population. The [aid] will be dispatched from eight Russian cities. The cargo contains construction products, generators, fire tank trucks and household supplies. The total weight is 1,200 tonnes," the press service said.
The Emergencies Ministry pointed out that aid would be shipped from Moscow, Ulyanovsk, Ivanov, Ufa and other Russian cities. The humanitarian aid deliveries are carried out in accordance with instructions of the Russian president and government.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. 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. The Russian leader said the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides would maintain the positions that they had held and Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the region.


tass--2020-12-12--US position on Western Sahara may trigger new spiral of violence in region - ministry

MOSCOW , December 12 .
/TASS/ .
Washington ’ s recognition of Morocco ’ s sovereignty over Western Sahara could @ @ @ @ @ resolving the conflict and trigger a new spiral of violence in the region , the @ @ @ @ @ a statement on Saturday .
`` By this decision , the Donald Trump administration aims @ @ @ @ @ international legal groundwork of the Western Sahara settlement , which stipulates the determination of the @ @ @ @ @ through a referendum .
This new position of the United States could dramatically impede UN @ @ @ @ @ Plan for Western Sahara and to exacerbate the relations between the directly involved parties and @ @ @ @ @ of armed confrontation in the Sahara-Sahel region , '' the foreign ministry stressed .

MOSCOW, December 12. /TASS/. Washington’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara could hamper UN efforts aimed at resolving the conflict and trigger a new spiral of violence in the region, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
"By this decision, the Donald Trump administration aims to undermine the universally recognized international legal groundwork of the Western Sahara settlement, which stipulates the determination of the final status of that area through a referendum. This new position of the United States could dramatically impede UN efforts to promote the Settlement Plan for Western Sahara and to exacerbate the relations between the directly involved parties and to provoke a new spiral of armed confrontation in the Sahara-Sahel region," the foreign ministry stressed.


tass--2020-12-12--Diplomat: Lavrov discussed problem of justification of Nazi crimes with AfD delegation

MOSCOW , December 12 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized at a meeting with a delegation of the German opposition party Alternative for Germany ( AfD ) in Moscow on December 8 that Russia condemns any efforts to play down the Nazi crimes against humanity and any efforts to glorify Nazi criminals , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said answering reporters ’ questions on Saturday .
`` It is not true , '' she said when asked to comment on reports that at the meeting with the delegation of the Alternative for Germany party in Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not raise a question about that party ’ s policy to justify the military aggression of Nazi Germany and Nazi crimes .
`` At the talks with the delegation of Alternative for Germany , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov pointed out that we reject and condemn any efforts aimed at belittling the Nazi crimes against humanity , at whitewashing atrocities of National Socialism and at glorifying Nazi criminals , '' the diplomat said .
According to Zakharova , the German lawmakers ’ attention was drawn to personalized payments to Leningrad siege survivors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The AfD representatives showed understanding for our assessments .
They spoke about the importance of preserving historical memory about those years ’ events and about the proper maintenance of the war graves of Soviet [ soldiers ] in Germany .
During their visit , the AfD delegation laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Kremlin wall , '' she added .

MOSCOW, December 12. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized at a meeting with a delegation of the German opposition party Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Moscow on December 8 that Russia condemns any efforts to play down the Nazi crimes against humanity and any efforts to glorify Nazi criminals, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said answering reporters’ questions on Saturday.
"It is not true," she said when asked to comment on reports that at the meeting with the delegation of the Alternative for Germany party in Moscow on December 8 the Russian senior diplomats did not raise a question about that party’s policy to justify the military aggression of Nazi Germany and Nazi crimes.
"At the talks with the delegation of Alternative for Germany, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov pointed out that we reject and condemn any efforts aimed at belittling the Nazi crimes against humanity, at whitewashing atrocities of National Socialism and at glorifying Nazi criminals," the diplomat said.
According to Zakharova, the German lawmakers’ attention was drawn to personalized payments to Leningrad siege survivors, regardless of their nationality.
"The AfD representatives showed understanding for our assessments. They spoke about the importance of preserving historical memory about those years’ events and about the proper maintenance of the war graves of Soviet [soldiers] in Germany. During their visit, the AfD delegation laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Kremlin wall," she added.


tass--2020-12-13--Russia expects from US responsible approach to cooperation in OSCE - envoy

VIENNA , December 13 .
/TASS/ Russia expects responsible participation and negotiability from its US counterparts working in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) under Washington ’ s new administration , Russian Permanent Representative to the OSCE Alexander Lukashevich told TASS , discussing cooperation with the United States in 2021 .
As Lukashevich recalled , Soviet and US diplomats jointly with Europeans contributed greatly to the birth of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe in the mid-1970s ( CSCE - the original name of the OSCE - TASS ) , when they managed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the need to build intergovernmental relations on a mutually respectful basis without meddling in domestic affairs .
`` It has always been challenging to deal with the Americans .
But we are not afraid of substantive work even with the most difficult partners .
In fact , that is why the OSCE was created - to overcome differences of opinion and seek compromises that will enable the countries to cooperate more for the sake of peace and security , '' the Russian diplomat said .
`` What I would like to see is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsible participation in the OSCE .
If one works this way , everyone will find a decent place in this organization , '' Lukashevich stated .
The diplomat noted that his work experience in the OSCE shows that it is possible to pursue a constructive dialogue with the Americans regarding key security issues .
`` The US does n't like to talk about its role in European security ’ s degradation .
However , they made the main problems , in fact , by creating a crisis and undermining the strategic security system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are a lot of problems on the part of Washington regarding the OSCE .
This is the destruction of a legal basis for the arms control treaty , and the last escapade with the withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty , interference in affairs and destabilization of independent countries , human rights violation and the clampdown on media freedom , '' Lukashevich stressed .

VIENNA, December 13. /TASS/ Russia expects responsible participation and negotiability from its US counterparts working in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) under Washington’s new administration, Russian Permanent Representative to the OSCE Alexander Lukashevich told TASS, discussing cooperation with the United States in 2021.
As Lukashevich recalled, Soviet and US diplomats jointly with Europeans contributed greatly to the birth of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe in the mid-1970s (CSCE - the original name of the OSCE - TASS), when they managed to overcome ideological differences and agree on the need to build intergovernmental relations on a mutually respectful basis without meddling in domestic affairs.
"It has always been challenging to deal with the Americans. But we are not afraid of substantive work even with the most difficult partners. In fact, that is why the OSCE was created - to overcome differences of opinion and seek compromises that will enable the countries to cooperate more for the sake of peace and security," the Russian diplomat said.
"What I would like to see is greater negotiability of American counterparts and their responsible participation in the OSCE. If one works this way, everyone will find a decent place in this organization," Lukashevich stated.
The diplomat noted that his work experience in the OSCE shows that it is possible to pursue a constructive dialogue with the Americans regarding key security issues.
"The US doesn't like to talk about its role in European security’s degradation. However, they made the main problems, in fact, by creating a crisis and undermining the strategic security system. At the same time, there are a lot of problems on the part of Washington regarding the OSCE. This is the destruction of a legal basis for the arms control treaty, and the last escapade with the withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty, interference in affairs and destabilization of independent countries, human rights violation and the clampdown on media freedom," Lukashevich stressed.


tass--2020-12-13--Putin to see in New Year with near and dear as usual - Kremlin spokesman

MOSCOW , December 13 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin will see inn the New Year with his near @ @ @ @ @ does every year , Putin ’ s press secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday .
@ @ @ @ @ know where he [ Putin ] will see in the New Year .
But I @ @ @ @ @ degree of certainty that he will be with his near and dear , as he @ @ @ @ @ he said in an interview for Naili Asker-zade ’ s film `` Dangerous virus .
@ @ @ @ @ Rossiya-1 TV channel .
When asked whether the president plans to have New Year vacations @ @ @ @ @ year , '' the Kremlin spokesman said , `` Well , that ’ s him @ @ @ @ @ has proper rest , just a respite to take breath .
`` .

MOSCOW, December 13. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin will see inn the New Year with his near and dear, as he does every year, Putin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday.
"I don’t know where he [Putin] will see in the New Year. But I can say with a high degree of certainty that he will be with his near and dear, as he does every year," he said in an interview for Naili Asker-zade’s film "Dangerous virus. The first year" on Rossiya-1 TV channel.
When asked whether the president plans to have New Year vacations after "such a difficult year," the Kremlin spokesman said, "Well, that’s him all over: he never has proper rest, just a respite to take breath.".


tass--2020-12-13--Belarusian government beefs up security in Minsk amid protest

MINSK , December 13 .
/TASS/ .
Authorities in Belarus beefed up riot police patrols in downtown Minsk and other areas amid an unauthorized protest declared by the opposition on Sunday .
Trucks with the manpower and special police equipment , including water cannons , were sent to the center of Minsk from the Uruchye district , where the Interior Ministry 's troops unit is based , according to the Belarusian portal Onliner ’ s Telegram channel .
The security forces were approached by the government ’ s supporters , who unfurled a large state red and green flag along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from their cars .
Anti-government activists are planning to stage another march on the 127th day of protests .
Last month , the participants changed their tactics : initially they gathered in the yards , then they went to the district rally points , then on a joint march .
This time , security forces ’ cars and buses are deployed to the residential areas and shopping malls , where the protesters tried to gather last weekend .
Nationwide demonstrations have engulfed Belarus following the August 9 presidential election .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won by a landslide , garnering 80.10 % of the vote .
His closest rival in the race , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , came in second , with 10.12 % of the ballot .
However , she refused to recognize the election ’ s outcome and left the country .
The opposition ’ s Coordination Council , established in the republic , calls for further protests , while the Belarusian authorities demand to stop these unauthorized demonstrations .
The most attended marches are held in Minsk and in several @ @ @ @ @

MINSK, December 13. /TASS/. Authorities in Belarus beefed up riot police patrols in downtown Minsk and other areas amid an unauthorized protest declared by the opposition on Sunday.
Trucks with the manpower and special police equipment, including water cannons, were sent to the center of Minsk from the Uruchye district, where the Interior Ministry's troops unit is based, according to the Belarusian portal Onliner’s Telegram channel.
The security forces were approached by the government’s supporters, who unfurled a large state red and green flag along the street. Patriotic songs sounded loud from their cars.
Anti-government activists are planning to stage another march on the 127th day of protests. Last month, the participants changed their tactics: initially they gathered in the yards, then they went to the district rally points, then on a joint march. This time, security forces’ cars and buses are deployed to the residential areas and shopping malls, where the protesters tried to gather last weekend.
Nationwide demonstrations have engulfed Belarus following the August 9 presidential election. According to the Central Election Commission’s official results, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won by a landslide, garnering 80.10% of the vote. His closest rival in the race, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, came in second, with 10.12% of the ballot. However, she refused to recognize the election’s outcome and left the country. The opposition’s Coordination Council, established in the republic, calls for further protests, while the Belarusian authorities demand to stop these unauthorized demonstrations. The most attended marches are held in Minsk and in several other cities on Sundays.


tass--2020-12-13--Putin undergoes COVID tests as often as necessary for his safety - spokesman

MOSCOW , December 13 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin undergoes tests for the novel coronavirus infection as often @ @ @ @ @ safety , Putin ’ s press secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday .
`` He @ @ @ @ @ is necessary to ensure security of the head of state , '' he said in @ @ @ @ @ ’ s film `` Dangerous virus .
The first year '' on Rossiya-1 TV channel @ @ @ @ @ spokesman , the president uses the services of `` doctors , epidemiologists , specialists who @ @ @ @ @ the point of view of medicine '' .

MOSCOW, December 13. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin undergoes tests for the novel coronavirus infection as often as is necessary for his safety, Putin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday.
"He undergoes tests as often as is necessary to ensure security of the head of state," he said in an interview for Naili Asker-zade’s film "Dangerous virus. The first year" on Rossiya-1 TV channel.
According to the Kremlin spokesman, the president uses the services of "doctors, epidemiologists, specialists who draw his working schedule from the point of view of medicine".


tass--2020-12-13--Armenia claims Azerbaijan continues provocations in Nagorno-Karabakh

YEREVAN , December 13 .
/TASS/ .
Azerbaijan ’ s forces continued their provocation in the settlements of Metz-Shen and Hin-Shen in Nagorno-Karabakh ’ s Hadrut Province , Armenia ’ s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Sunday .
`` We strongly condemn this gross violation of commitments undertaken by Azerbaijan ’ s supreme military and political leadership in a trilateral statement on ending combat actions and deploying Russian peacekeepers .
We stress that these steps are directed at playing down Russian peacekeepers ’ presence in the conflict zone , '' the document said .
According to the statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) Minsk Group to the region and this posed a challenge to its efforts on peaceful settlement .
This is also part and parcel of unacceptable statements made by the Turkish and Azerbaijani leaders .
Yerevan notes that this once again points to the Turkish-Azerbaijani expansionism policy .
`` The official Baku ’ s steps highlight the need for deoccupying the territory of Artsakh ( the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh republic ) and returning Armenians of Artsakh to their places of residence .
Given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its international commitments , we are calling on co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group to unambiguously and clearly respond to the Azerbaijani side ’ s steps , which are aimed at violating the ceasefire , ethnic cleansing and occupying Armenian settlements , '' the statement said .
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 agreement , the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides maintained the positions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were deployed to the region .
In addition , Azerbaijan regained control over the Agdamsky , Kelbadzharsky and Lachinsky districts .

YEREVAN, December 13. /TASS/. Azerbaijan’s forces continued their provocation in the settlements of Metz-Shen and Hin-Shen in Nagorno-Karabakh’s Hadrut Province, Armenia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Sunday.
"We strongly condemn this gross violation of commitments undertaken by Azerbaijan’s supreme military and political leadership in a trilateral statement on ending combat actions and deploying Russian peacekeepers. We stress that these steps are directed at playing down Russian peacekeepers’ presence in the conflict zone," the document said.
According to the statement, Azerbaijan staged provocation during the visit of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group to the region and this posed a challenge to its efforts on peaceful settlement. This is also part and parcel of unacceptable statements made by the Turkish and Azerbaijani leaders. Yerevan notes that this once again points to the Turkish-Azerbaijani expansionism policy.
"The official Baku’s steps highlight the need for deoccupying the territory of Artsakh (the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh republic) and returning Armenians of Artsakh to their places of residence. Given the impunity of Azerbaijan, which violates its international commitments, we are calling on co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group to unambiguously and clearly respond to the Azerbaijani side’s steps, which are aimed at violating the ceasefire, ethnic cleansing and occupying Armenian settlements," the statement said.
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 agreement, the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides maintained the positions that they had held and Russian peacekeepers were deployed to the region. In addition, Azerbaijan regained control over the Agdamsky, Kelbadzharsky and Lachinsky districts.


tass--2020-12-13--Russia’s COVID-19 ‘patient zero’ emerged in early March, chief sanitary doctor says

MOSCOW , December 13 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s coronavirus patient zero , who started spreading the disease in @ @ @ @ @ on March 1 , chief sanitary doctor Anna Popova said in an interview for Nailya @ @ @ @ @ .
The first year '' on Rossiya-1 TV channel .
`` Yes , of course @ @ @ @ @ patient zero ] , he emerged here literarily on March 1 and by March 17 @ @ @ @ @ .
We are speaking now about who was spreading the infection , '' said Popova @ @ @ @ @ Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing .

MOSCOW, December 13. /TASS/. Russia’s coronavirus patient zero, who started spreading the disease in the country, was identified on March 1, chief sanitary doctor Anna Popova said in an interview for Nailya Asker-zade film "Dangerous virus. The first year" on Rossiya-1 TV channel.
"Yes, of course, we know [the patient zero], he emerged here literarily on March 1 and by March 17 we already had 100 cases. We are speaking now about who was spreading the infection," said Popova, who heads the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing.


tass--2020-12-13--Putin lives in his residence outside Moscow, there is no bunker, Kremlin says

MOSCOW , December 13 .
/TASS/ .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed rumors on Sunday that Russian President Vladimir Putin moved to a special bunker during the coronavirus pandemic .
Putin is living in his residence in Novo-Ogaryovo , outside Moscow , and visits the Kremlin and goes on rare business trips from time to time , Peskov said in his interview for Naili Asker-zade film `` Dangerous virus .
The first year '' on Rossiya-1 TV channel .
`` No , Putin is now living in Novo-Ogaryovo , where he lived before the pandemic .
He is living now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from there to the Kremlin .
From there he still goes on some business trips by plane - not so often as he wants to - and technological solutions give him a full effect of presence in those places where he needs , '' Peskov said , answering a question whether Putin was living in some bunker and was giving orders from there .
Speaking on Putin ’ s visit to Moscow ’ s Kommunarka hospital for coronavirus patients in March , Peskov admitted that everyone had tried to dissuade the president from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal decision , he always prefers to see with his own eyes how the things are going on during emergency situations .
Then there was solid understanding and a stable feeling that what was happening would not last just one or two weeks , this requires emergency mobilization of all , '' Peskov stressed .

MOSCOW, December 13. /TASS/. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed rumors on Sunday that Russian President Vladimir Putin moved to a special bunker during the coronavirus pandemic.
Putin is living in his residence in Novo-Ogaryovo, outside Moscow, and visits the Kremlin and goes on rare business trips from time to time, Peskov said in his interview for Naili Asker-zade film "Dangerous virus. The first year" on Rossiya-1 TV channel.
"No, Putin is now living in Novo-Ogaryovo, where he lived before the pandemic. He is living now and is often works there and comes from there to the Kremlin. From there he still goes on some business trips by plane - not so often as he wants to - and technological solutions give him a full effect of presence in those places where he needs," Peskov said, answering a question whether Putin was living in some bunker and was giving orders from there.
Speaking on Putin’s visit to Moscow’s Kommunarka hospital for coronavirus patients in March, Peskov admitted that everyone had tried to dissuade the president from this. "But this was his personal decision, he always prefers to see with his own eyes how the things are going on during emergency situations. Then there was solid understanding and a stable feeling that what was happening would not last just one or two weeks, this requires emergency mobilization of all," Peskov stressed.


tass--2020-12-13--Baku declares anti-terrorism operation in Nagorno-Karabakh

BAKU , December 13 .
/TASS/ .
Azerbaijan ’ s State Security Service carried out an anti-terrorism operation in the outskirts of the Hadrut village in Nagorno-Karabakh , it said in a joint statement with the republic ’ s Defense Ministry on Sunday .
`` After the signing of the November 10 ( November 9 Moscow Time - TASS ) joint statement on a ceasefire Armenia ’ s armed units remained in the forests to the northwest of the Hadrut village .
The Armenian side requested the assistance of the command of Russia ’ s peacekeeping contingent in withdrawing these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Azerbaijan ’ s State Security Service and the Defense Ministry stressed that Baku `` had created all conditions for withdrawing Armenian units from the above mentioned territory . ''
`` However , they did not leave the area but on the contrary created combat positions and carried out several acts of sabotage against Azerbaijan ’ s military and civilians .
As a result , four servicemen were killed and two others were wounded and another civilian was also wounded , '' the statement said .
`` The State Security Service of Azerbaijan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' it said .
In their turn , Russia ’ s peacekeepers showed professionalism and high responsibility in fulfilling their tasks on preserving the ceasefire and evacuating the Armenian units .
Baku demands Yerevan meet its commitments as part of the joint statement on ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh .
`` The Republic of Azerbaijan is committed to fulfilling the points outlined in the joint statement of the three countries ’ leaders and continues closely cooperating with Russia ’ s peacekeeping forces in order to ensure peace in the region , '' according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 agreement , the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides maintained the positions that they had held and Russian peacekeepers were deployed to the region .
In addition , Azerbaijan regained control over the Agdamsky , Kelbadzharsky and Lachinsky districts .

BAKU, December 13. /TASS/. Azerbaijan’s State Security Service carried out an anti-terrorism operation in the outskirts of the Hadrut village in Nagorno-Karabakh, it said in a joint statement with the republic’s Defense Ministry on Sunday.
"After the signing of the November 10 (November 9 Moscow Time - TASS) joint statement on a ceasefire Armenia’s armed units remained in the forests to the northwest of the Hadrut village. The Armenian side requested the assistance of the command of Russia’s peacekeeping contingent in withdrawing these units," according to the statement.
Azerbaijan’s State Security Service and the Defense Ministry stressed that Baku "had created all conditions for withdrawing Armenian units from the above mentioned territory." "However, they did not leave the area but on the contrary created combat positions and carried out several acts of sabotage against Azerbaijan’s military and civilians. As a result, four servicemen were killed and two others were wounded and another civilian was also wounded," the statement said.
"The State Security Service of Azerbaijan was forced to conduct an anti-terrorism operation," it said. In their turn, Russia’s peacekeepers showed professionalism and high responsibility in fulfilling their tasks on preserving the ceasefire and evacuating the Armenian units.
Baku demands Yerevan meet its commitments as part of the joint statement on ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh. "The Republic of Azerbaijan is committed to fulfilling the points outlined in the joint statement of the three countries’ leaders and continues closely cooperating with Russia’s peacekeeping forces in order to ensure peace in the region," according to the statement.
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 agreement, the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides maintained the positions that they had held and Russian peacekeepers were deployed to the region. In addition, Azerbaijan regained control over the Agdamsky, Kelbadzharsky and Lachinsky districts.


tass--2020-12-13--Armenian, Russian defense chiefs discuss Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire violation

YEREVAN , December 13 .
/TASS/ .
Armenian Defense Minister Vagharshak Harutiunyan , who is paying a working visit to @ @ @ @ @ Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu to discuss ceasefire violations in Nagorno-Karabakh ’ s Hadrut Province , @ @ @ @ @ s press service said on Sunday .
`` On December 12 , Azerbaijan ’ s @ @ @ @ @ the November 9 trilateral statement by concentrating additional personnel , military hardware and heavy artillery @ @ @ @ @ on the villages of Hin Tager and Htsaberd of the Hadrut Province in Artsakh ( @ @ @ @ @ ) , '' the press service said .
`` Defense Minister Vagharshak Harutiunyan , who @ @ @ @ @ visit to Russia , discussed this issue during his meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergei @ @ @ @ @ said .

YEREVAN, December 13. /TASS/. Armenian Defense Minister Vagharshak Harutiunyan, who is paying a working visit to Russia, met with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu to discuss ceasefire violations in Nagorno-Karabakh’s Hadrut Province, the Armenian Defense Ministry’s press service said on Sunday.
"On December 12, Azerbaijan’s Armed Forces violated commitments under the November 9 trilateral statement by concentrating additional personnel, military hardware and heavy artillery, and delivered a strike on the villages of Hin Tager and Htsaberd of the Hadrut Province in Artsakh (in the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh republic)," the press service said.
"Defense Minister Vagharshak Harutiunyan, who is currently on a working visit to Russia, discussed this issue during his meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu," the statement said.


tass--2020-12-13--Russia records over 28,000 coronavirus cases in the past day

MOSCOW , December 13 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s coronavirus cases grew by 28,080 in the past day to 2,653,928 , the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Sunday .
In the past two days the growth rate did not exceed 1.1 % , according to the crisis center .
The lowest growth rates in the past day were registered in the Tyva Republic , the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region , the Nenets Autonomous Region and Mari El ( 0.6 % ) , the Karachay-Cherkessia Republic , the Jewish Autonomous Region , the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic , Mordovia , the Orenburg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 0.7 % ) .
Moscow confirmed 6,425 new coronavirus cases in the past day and the total case tally in the capital reached 692,210 .
The growth rate in new cases reached 1 % , according to the crisis center .
Some 3,768 coronavirus cases were recorded in St. Petersburg , 1,444 in the Moscow Region , 497 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region , 417 in the Republic of Karelia and 401 in the Arkhangelsk Region .
Currently , 500,752 people are undergoing treatment in Russia .
Russia reported 488 COVID-19 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day earlier and the total death toll hit 46,941 .
The mortality rate remained at 1.77 % , according to the crisis center .
Moscow confirmed 72 deaths from the coronavirus in the past day .
Some 67 deaths were registered in St. Petersburg , 31 in the Moscow Region , 27 in the Rostov Region , 21 in the Krasnoyarsk Region and 18 in the Sverdlovsk Region .
Some 20,277 coronavirus patients recovered in Russia in the past day and the total number of recoveries reached 2,106,235 .
According to the crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remained at 79.4 % of all those infected .
Some 4,841 patients were discharged in Moscow in the past day .
Another 2,151 patients recovered in St. Petersburg , 962 in the Moscow Region , 531 in the Arkhangelsk Region , 433 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region and 393 in the Sverdlovsk Region .

MOSCOW, December 13. /TASS/. Russia’s coronavirus cases grew by 28,080 in the past day to 2,653,928, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Sunday.
In the past two days the growth rate did not exceed 1.1%, according to the crisis center.
The lowest growth rates in the past day were registered in the Tyva Republic, the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region, the Nenets Autonomous Region and Mari El (0.6%), the Karachay-Cherkessia Republic, the Jewish Autonomous Region, the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, Mordovia, the Orenburg, Novosibirsk, Kemerovo Regions and Dagestan (0.7%).
Moscow confirmed 6,425 new coronavirus cases in the past day and the total case tally in the capital reached 692,210. The growth rate in new cases reached 1%, according to the crisis center. Some 3,768 coronavirus cases were recorded in St. Petersburg, 1,444 in the Moscow Region, 497 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region, 417 in the Republic of Karelia and 401 in the Arkhangelsk Region.
Currently, 500,752 people are undergoing treatment in Russia.
Death toll
Russia reported 488 COVID-19 deaths in the past day versus 560 a day earlier and the total death toll hit 46,941.
The mortality rate remained at 1.77%, according to the crisis center.
Moscow confirmed 72 deaths from the coronavirus in the past day. Some 67 deaths were registered in St. Petersburg, 31 in the Moscow Region, 27 in the Rostov Region, 21 in the Krasnoyarsk Region and 18 in the Sverdlovsk Region.
Recoveries
Some 20,277 coronavirus patients recovered in Russia in the past day and the total number of recoveries reached 2,106,235.
According to the crisis center, the total number of recoveries remained at 79.4% of all those infected.
Some 4,841 patients were discharged in Moscow in the past day. Another 2,151 patients recovered in St. Petersburg, 962 in the Moscow Region, 531 in the Arkhangelsk Region, 433 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region and 393 in the Sverdlovsk Region.


tass--2020-12-13--Moscow reports over 4,800 coronavirus recoveries in the past day

MOSCOW , December 13 .
/TASS/ .
Doctors in Moscow have cured more than 4,840 coronavirus patients , the city ’ s crisis center for controlling and monitoring the situation with the infection in Moscow told reporters on Sunday .
`` The crisis center for controlling and monitoring the coronavirus situation in Moscow reported that another 4,841 patients have recovered after undergoing treatment against the coronavirus infection .
The total number of recoveries rose to 529,620 , '' the statement said .
All patients will remain under medical supervision after being discharged from hospitals and will receive recommendations .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ donate their plasma to treat coronavirus patients .
People aged 18 to 55 who have recovered from COVID-19 can become blood plasma donors , provided they don ’ t have chronic illnesses and test negative for HIV , Hepatitis B and C. 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Russia .

MOSCOW, December 13. /TASS/. Doctors in Moscow have cured more than 4,840 coronavirus patients, the city’s crisis center for controlling and monitoring the situation with the infection in Moscow told reporters on Sunday.
"The crisis center for controlling and monitoring the coronavirus situation in Moscow reported that another 4,841 patients have recovered after undergoing treatment against the coronavirus infection. The total number of recoveries rose to 529,620," the statement said.
All patients will remain under medical supervision after being discharged from hospitals and will receive recommendations.
The recovered Moscow citizens have been asked to donate their plasma to treat coronavirus patients. People aged 18 to 55 who have recovered from COVID-19 can become blood plasma donors, provided they don’t have chronic illnesses and test negative for HIV, Hepatitis B and C.
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.


tass--2020-12-13--Countries accounting for 70% of global economy declare commitment to zero emissions goal

LONDON , December 13 .
/TASS/ .
The countries that account for 70 % of the global economy remain committed to zero carbon emission goals , according to a final statement of the Climate Ambition Summit 2020 , held in a virtual format on Saturday .
`` Today ’ s Summit showed beyond doubt that climate action and ambition are on the rise .
The announcements at or just before the Summit , together with those expected early next year , mean that countries representing around 65 % of global CO2 emissions , and around 70 % of the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reaching net zero emissions or carbon neutrality by early next year , '' reads the final statement of the summit , presided by the United Nations , the United Kingdom and France , in participation with Chile and Italy .
On the fifth anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement , Finland , Austria and Sweden declared they were ready to achieve the zero carbon emission goal by 2030 , 2040 and 2045 , respectively .
Besides , Denmark undertook to end oil and gas exploration , while China announced intentions to increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ energy consumption to around 25 % by 2030 .
In turn , the UK government said it was preparing to end support for the fossil fuel sector overseas as soon as possible .
According to the document , climate-vulnerable countries also were at the forefront of action .
For example , Fiji , Malawi , Nauru and Nepal indicated that they were aiming for the 2050 zero carbon emission goal .
Apart from that , participants of the summit announced the launch of a major new global campaign , headlined the Race to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safeguarding 4 billion people vulnerable to climate risks by 2030 .
Within the framework of this initiative , Swiss company Zurich Insurance announced that the Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance will triple funding by 2025 and expand its reach from 11 to 21 countries .
The summit ’ s participants also stressed their commitment to attract $ 100 billion in 2021 for measures needed to adapt to impacts of the climate change .
`` The Summit has now sent strong signals that more countries and more businesses are ready to take the bold climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosperity depend , '' UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said .
`` Today was an important step forward , but it 's not yet enough .
Let 's not forget that we are still on track to an increase of temperature of 3 degrees at least in the end of the century , which would be catastrophic . ''
`` The recovery from COVID-19 presents an opportunity to set our economies and societies on a green path in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development , '' he continued .
`` As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the United Nations for 2021 is to build a truly Global Coalition for Carbon Neutrality . ''
The Paris Agreement , signed at the COP 21 UN Climate Change Conference in the French capital on December 12 , 2015 , sets a goal of keeping global warming below two degrees Celsius compared to the pre-industrial average by 2100 .
The agreement , in particular , provides for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions .
In Russia , the agreement came into force in November 2019 .
As of October 2020 , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump announced his country ’ s withdrawal from the deal in 2017 .
The Climate Ambition Summit 2020 , timed to coincide with the deal ’ s fifth anniversary on Saturday , brought together 75 heads of states and governments , company executives and public organizations , to define new and ambitious tasks for mitigating the effects of the climate change and adapting to them .

LONDON, December 13. /TASS/. The countries that account for 70% of the global economy remain committed to zero carbon emission goals, according to a final statement of the Climate Ambition Summit 2020, held in a virtual format on Saturday.
"Today’s Summit showed beyond doubt that climate action and ambition are on the rise. The announcements at or just before the Summit, together with those expected early next year, mean that countries representing around 65% of global CO2 emissions, and around 70% of the world’s economy, will have committed to reaching net zero emissions or carbon neutrality by early next year," reads the final statement of the summit, presided by the United Nations, the United Kingdom and France, in participation with Chile and Italy.
On the fifth anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement, Finland, Austria and Sweden declared they were ready to achieve the zero carbon emission goal by 2030, 2040 and 2045, respectively.
Besides, Denmark undertook to end oil and gas exploration, while China announced intentions to increase the share of non-fossil fuel in primary energy consumption to around 25% by 2030. In turn, the UK government said it was preparing to end support for the fossil fuel sector overseas as soon as possible.
According to the document, climate-vulnerable countries also were at the forefront of action. For example, Fiji, Malawi, Nauru and Nepal indicated that they were aiming for the 2050 zero carbon emission goal.
Apart from that, participants of the summit announced the launch of a major new global campaign, headlined the Race to Resilience, which sets a goal of safeguarding 4 billion people vulnerable to climate risks by 2030. Within the framework of this initiative, Swiss company Zurich Insurance announced that the Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance will triple funding by 2025 and expand its reach from 11 to 21 countries.
The summit’s participants also stressed their commitment to attract $100 billion in 2021 for measures needed to adapt to impacts of the climate change.
"The Summit has now sent strong signals that more countries and more businesses are ready to take the bold climate action on which our future security and prosperity depend," UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said. "Today was an important step forward, but it's not yet enough. Let's not forget that we are still on track to an increase of temperature of 3 degrees at least in the end of the century, which would be catastrophic."
"The recovery from COVID-19 presents an opportunity to set our economies and societies on a green path in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," he continued. "As we look ahead, the central objective of the United Nations for 2021 is to build a truly Global Coalition for Carbon Neutrality."
Paris Climate Agreement’s anniversary
The Paris Agreement, signed at the COP 21 UN Climate Change Conference in the French capital on December 12, 2015, sets a goal of keeping global warming below two degrees Celsius compared to the pre-industrial average by 2100. The agreement, in particular, provides for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In Russia, the agreement came into force in November 2019. As of October 2020, it was ratified by 189 countries. US President Donald Trump announced his country’s withdrawal from the deal in 2017.
The Climate Ambition Summit 2020, timed to coincide with the deal’s fifth anniversary on Saturday, brought together 75 heads of states and governments, company executives and public organizations, to define new and ambitious tasks for mitigating the effects of the climate change and adapting to them.


tass--2020-12-13--German authorities agree to declare strict lockdown no later than December 19 — portal

BERLIN , December 13 .
/TASS/ .
Germany ’ s federal and regional authorities agreed to announce a major new nationwide lockdown no later than December 16 , the Business Insider web portal reported citing results of talks involving chiefs of staff of the federal and local governments .
According to the portal , German Chancellor Angela Merkel ’ s administration insists on introducing a new lockdown as early as Tuesday , December 15 .
The final decision will be made on Sunday , when the head of the German government will hold a video conference with prime ministers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled to begin at 10:00 local time ( 12:00 Moscow time ) .
In line with the lockdown ’ s expected rules , only members of two households , not more than five persons in total , will be allowed to gather in houses and apartments .
Children under 14 years do not fall under the rule .
In the period of October 24-26 , up to 10 people can meet at one location , but all of them must be relatives .
However , the German Chancellor ’ s office and local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kindergartens should be closed during the lockdown period .
According to Business Insider , an agreement in principle was reached to let schoolchildren study online until January 10 .
Merkel ’ s administration wants to close kindergartens until January 10 as well , but regional governments insist that they should remain open .
At the moment , the so-called soft lockdown is currently in place in Germany , with kindergartens , schools , shopping malls and non-essential stores working .
Meanwhile , lockdown opponents took to the streets in Germany ’ s Frankfurt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite court rulings that prohibit mass gatherings due to the pandemic .
At least 72 people were detained in Dresden , the capital of the eastern German state of Saxony .
According to local police , almost 300 different public order violations were registered during the protest .
No detentions were reported in Frankfurt , although hundreds of police officers were deployed in the city center to prevent lockdown opponents from clashing with a crowd of people supporting those measures .
The number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 28,438 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 496 COVID-19 patients died in the reported period .
Germany ’ s overall coronavirus case count currently stands at 1,300,516 , including 21,466 fatalities .

BERLIN, December 13. /TASS/. Germany’s federal and regional authorities agreed to announce a major new nationwide lockdown no later than December 16, the Business Insider web portal reported citing results of talks involving chiefs of staff of the federal and local governments.
According to the portal, German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s administration insists on introducing a new lockdown as early as Tuesday, December 15. The final decision will be made on Sunday, when the head of the German government will hold a video conference with prime ministers of regional governments. The video conference is scheduled to begin at 10:00 local time (12:00 Moscow time).
In line with the lockdown’s expected rules, only members of two households, not more than five persons in total, will be allowed to gather in houses and apartments. Children under 14 years do not fall under the rule. In the period of October 24-26, up to 10 people can meet at one location, but all of them must be relatives.
However, the German Chancellor’s office and local authorities still disagree on whether schools and kindergartens should be closed during the lockdown period. According to Business Insider, an agreement in principle was reached to let schoolchildren study online until January 10. Merkel’s administration wants to close kindergartens until January 10 as well, but regional governments insist that they should remain open.
At the moment, the so-called soft lockdown is currently in place in Germany, with kindergartens, schools, shopping malls and non-essential stores working.
Meanwhile, lockdown opponents took to the streets in Germany’s Frankfurt, Erfurt and Dresden on Saturday, despite court rulings that prohibit mass gatherings due to the pandemic.
At least 72 people were detained in Dresden, the capital of the eastern German state of Saxony. According to local police, almost 300 different public order violations were registered during the protest.
No detentions were reported in Frankfurt, although hundreds of police officers were deployed in the city center to prevent lockdown opponents from clashing with a crowd of people supporting those measures.
The number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 28,438 in the past day. A total of 496 COVID-19 patients died in the reported period. Germany’s overall coronavirus case count currently stands at 1,300,516, including 21,466 fatalities.


tass--2020-12-13--Magnitude 4.7 earthquake hits Chechnya

Magnitude 4.7 earthquake hits Chechnya

MOSCOW , December 13 .
/TASS/ .
/TASS/ .
A magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck Russia ’ s North Caucasus Republic @ @ @ @ @ , the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre ( EMSC ) said .
The earthquake struck at @ @ @ @ @ .
According to EMSC , the epicenter of the earthquake was located at the depth @ @ @ @ @ km south of the region ’ s administrative center Grozny .
Users of social networking @ @ @ @ @ was felt in Chechnya and neighboring regions of Dagestan , Ingushetia and North Ossetia .
@ @ @ @ @ Russian Emergencies Ministry said , citing the North Ossetian branch of the Geophysical Survey of @ @ @ @ @ ( GS RAS ) , that a magnitude 5.6 seismic event was registered in the @ @ @ @ @ located in the Urus-Martan district of Chechnya , at the depth of 25 km .
@ @ @ @ @ consequences of this seismic event has been received so far , '' the department ’ @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, December 13. /TASS/. /TASS/. A magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck Russia’s North Caucasus Republic of Chechnya early on Sunday, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said.
The earthquake struck at 00:29 Moscow time on Sunday. According to EMSC, the epicenter of the earthquake was located at the depth of 10 km, 14 km south of the region’s administrative center Grozny.
Users of social networking sites report that the tremor was felt in Chechnya and neighboring regions of Dagestan, Ingushetia and North Ossetia.
The Chechnya department of the Russian Emergencies Ministry said, citing the North Ossetian branch of the Geophysical Survey of the Russian Academy of Sciences (GS RAS), that a magnitude 5.6 seismic event was registered in the region. Its epicenter was located in the Urus-Martan district of Chechnya, at the depth of 25 km.
"No information about any consequences of this seismic event has been received so far," the department’s press service said.


tass--2020-12-13--Over 26,000 people rally against new security bill in France — ministry

PARIS , December 13 .
/TASS/ .
More than 26,000 people took to the streets all across France on Saturday to protest against the country ’ s new bill on national security , the country ’ s interior ministry said .
`` The number of people participating in rallies in the country stood at 26,417 , including about 5,000 in Paris , '' the ministry said .
This is the third such protest in the country .
The previous event gathered more than 57,000 participants .
During the first wave of protests last month , 133,000 people took to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 164 people were detained on Saturday , according to latest reports , including 142 in the capital Paris .
According to the Interior Ministry , many participants of the Paris rally were detained for carrying screwdrivers , wrenches and other objects that could be used against police .
Some were apprehended for throwing bottles and smoke pellets at law-enforcement officers .
Apart from Paris , large-scale gatherings were also reported in Bordeaux , Dijon , Lille and other cities .
In Lyon , police had to use tear gas against the crowd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Strasbourg and some 1,800 - in Montpellier .
The controversial national security bill was widely criticized by journalists , politicians and citizens , mostly because of its Article 24 .
It envisages a punishment of up to one year in prison and a fine of 45,000 euro ( about $ 54,000 at the current exchange rate ) for publishing `` an image of the face or other element allowing identification '' of a law enforcement officer `` with the goal of damaging his physical or psychological integrity . ''
The lower chamber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considering the bill on November 18 .
First protests broke out in Paris immediately after the start of debates .

PARIS, December 13. /TASS/. More than 26,000 people took to the streets all across France on Saturday to protest against the country’s new bill on national security, the country’s interior ministry said.
"The number of people participating in rallies in the country stood at 26,417, including about 5,000 in Paris," the ministry said.
This is the third such protest in the country. The previous event gathered more than 57,000 participants. During the first wave of protests last month, 133,000 people took to the streets all across France.
A total of 164 people were detained on Saturday, according to latest reports, including 142 in the capital Paris. According to the Interior Ministry, many participants of the Paris rally were detained for carrying screwdrivers, wrenches and other objects that could be used against police. Some were apprehended for throwing bottles and smoke pellets at law-enforcement officers.
Apart from Paris, large-scale gatherings were also reported in Bordeaux, Dijon, Lille and other cities. In Lyon, police had to use tear gas against the crowd. Besides, about 1,300 people gathered in Strasbourg and some 1,800 - in Montpellier.
The controversial national security bill was widely criticized by journalists, politicians and citizens, mostly because of its Article 24. It envisages a punishment of up to one year in prison and a fine of 45,000 euro (about $54,000 at the current exchange rate) for publishing "an image of the face or other element allowing identification" of a law enforcement officer "with the goal of damaging his physical or psychological integrity."
The lower chamber of the country’s parliament started considering the bill on November 18. First protests broke out in Paris immediately after the start of debates.


tass--2020-12-14--Magnitude 5.6 earthquake hits Fiji coast

TASS , December 14 .
An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.6 was recorded on Monday south of the Fiji @ @ @ @ @ , according to the US Geological Survey .
According to the report , the epicenter @ @ @ @ @ of the capital of the country , the city of Suva , where about 77,300 @ @ @ @ @ focus was located at a depth of 530 km .
Information about possible destruction and @ @ @ @ @ was not reported .

TASS, December 14. An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.6 was recorded on Monday south of the Fiji archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, according to the US Geological Survey.
According to the report, the epicenter was located 659 km south-west of the capital of the country, the city of Suva, where about 77,300 people live. The earthquake focus was located at a depth of 530 km.
Information about possible destruction and the threat of a tsunami was not reported.


tass--2020-12-14--Espionage novelist John le Carre dies at 89

LONDON , December 14 .
/TASS/ .
Famous British writer , author of espionage novels John le Carre has died @ @ @ @ @ , according to his literary agency the Curtis Brown Group , representing the interests of @ @ @ @ @ is with great sadness that I must share the news that David Cornwell , known @ @ @ @ @ le Carre , passed away after a short illness ( not COVID-19 related ) in @ @ @ @ @ 12th December , 2020 .
He was 89 .
Our hearts go out to his @ @ @ @ @ and to his dear wife , Jane , '' the statement said .
Le Carre @ @ @ @ @ worked for the British intelligence service MI6 and counterintelligence MI5 , wrote several dozen short @ @ @ @ @ ( two of them were autobiographical ) , translated into dozens of languages .
Among @ @ @ @ @ Came in from the Cold , Tinker , Tailor , Soldier , Spy , The @ @ @ @ @ novel , Agent Running in the Field , was published in October 2019 .

LONDON, December 14. /TASS/. Famous British writer, author of espionage novels John le Carre has died at the age of 89, according to his literary agency the Curtis Brown Group, representing the interests of the writer.
"It is with great sadness that I must share the news that David Cornwell, known to the world as John le Carre, passed away after a short illness (not COVID-19 related) in Cornwall on Saturday evening, 12th December, 2020. He was 89. Our hearts go out to his four sons, their families and to his dear wife, Jane," the statement said.
Le Carre, who in his youth worked for the British intelligence service MI6 and counterintelligence MI5, wrote several dozen short stories and 25 spy novels (two of them were autobiographical), translated into dozens of languages. Among them - The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, The Night Manager. His last novel, Agent Running in the Field, was published in October 2019.


tass--2020-12-14--OAPEC honors commitments to restore market stability - Algerian minister

RABAT , December 14 .
/TASS/ .
Members of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries ( OAPEC ) comply with all obligations related to production cuts to restore oil market stability , Minister of Energy of Algeria , President of the OPEC conference Abdelmadjid Attar said at the 105th meeting of OAPEC held in a videoconference format .
Attar , who chaired the meeting , noted the efforts made by OAPEC under the OPEC+ agreement by complying with all production cut commitments to restore oil market stability and minimize oversupply .
According to him , the volatility in global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the short and medium term require oil exporting countries , especially Arab countries , to work together to better coordinate their energy policies , as well as exchange experience and information in order to adapt to changes in the oil market .
The minister noted that it is imperative to work on creating development strategies that meet the interests of the OAPEC countries .
The organization , he said , has proposed a recovery and development plan for its operations that can improve its performance and make it more efficient .
Coordination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase the opportunities for cooperation between them in various aspects of the oil and gas industry , and thus will allow achieving the expected results and goals , Attar concluded .
OPEC+ countries at an emergency video conference on April 12 were able to conclude an agreement to reduce oil production .
It included a cumulative decline in oil production in May - July 2020 by 9.7 mln barrels per day from the level of production in October 2018 , in August - December - by 7.7 mln barrels per day .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil production in January 2021 by 0.5 mln barrels per day , which means a cumulative decrease of 7.2 mln barrels from the level of October 2018 .
An agreement was also reached to hold meetings on a monthly basis .

RABAT, December 14. /TASS/. Members of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) comply with all obligations related to production cuts to restore oil market stability, Minister of Energy of Algeria, President of the OPEC conference Abdelmadjid Attar said at the 105th meeting of OAPEC held in a videoconference format.
Attar, who chaired the meeting, noted the efforts made by OAPEC under the OPEC+ agreement by complying with all production cut commitments to restore oil market stability and minimize oversupply.
According to him, the volatility in global markets and uncertainty about future oil demand in the short and medium term require oil exporting countries, especially Arab countries, to work together to better coordinate their energy policies, as well as exchange experience and information in order to adapt to changes in the oil market.
The minister noted that it is imperative to work on creating development strategies that meet the interests of the OAPEC countries. The organization, he said, has proposed a recovery and development plan for its operations that can improve its performance and make it more efficient.
Coordination between Arab oil exporting countries will further increase the opportunities for cooperation between them in various aspects of the oil and gas industry, and thus will allow achieving the expected results and goals, Attar concluded.
OPEC+ countries at an emergency video conference on April 12 were able to conclude an agreement to reduce oil production. It included a cumulative decline in oil production in May - July 2020 by 9.7 mln barrels per day from the level of production in October 2018, in August - December - by 7.7 mln barrels per day.
On December 3, OPEC+ decided to increase oil production in January 2021 by 0.5 mln barrels per day, which means a cumulative decrease of 7.2 mln barrels from the level of October 2018. An agreement was also reached to hold meetings on a monthly basis.


tass--2020-12-14--Pandemic causes dizzying drop in global oil demand - Algerian minister

RABAT , December 14 .
/TASS/ .
An extremely difficult situation has developed in the global economy and in the @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , Minister of Energy of Algeria , President of the OPEC conference Abdelmadjid Attar @ @ @ @ @ of the Council of Ministers of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries ( OAPEC @ @ @ @ @ format .
According to the minister , the world economy and oil markets are in @ @ @ @ @ to the coronavirus pandemic .
It has caused radical changes at the level of oil @ @ @ @ @ provoking a dizzying drop in global demand , he added .
In addition to the @ @ @ @ @ , the pandemic has led to serious socio-economic shocks in most countries of the world @ @ @ @ @ countries , Attar said .
OAPEC was established in 1968 .
It currently has 11 @ @ @ @ @ , Egypt , Iraq , Qatar , Kuwait , Libya , UAE , Saudi Arabia @ @ @ @ @ .

RABAT, December 14. /TASS/. An extremely difficult situation has developed in the global economy and in the oil markets due to the pandemic, Minister of Energy of Algeria, President of the OPEC conference Abdelmadjid Attar said at the 105th meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) held in a videoconference format.
According to the minister, the world economy and oil markets are in an extremely difficult situation due to the coronavirus pandemic. It has caused radical changes at the level of oil markets, in particular, provoking a dizzying drop in global demand, he added.
In addition to the great consequences for human health, the pandemic has led to serious socio-economic shocks in most countries of the world, including in the Arab countries, Attar said.
OAPEC was established in 1968. It currently has 11 members: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, Libya, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Tunisia.


tass--2020-12-14--Foreign Ministers of Russia and UAE to discuss leaders' agreements and regional crises

MOSCOW , December 14 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan will hold talks in Moscow on Monday .
This is the eight visit of the UAE diplomacy chief to Russia during his service in this position .
Official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova told reporters that the parties intend to discuss further development of bilateral cooperation , in particular implementation of the agreements reached during the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Abu Dhabi in October last year .
Despite the difficulties of 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensuing economic crisis , the two countries managed not only to avoid a decrease in the level of trade , but even to achieve significant growth .
It was reported earlier that in January-September 2020 , trade increased by 60.4 % and amounted to $ 2.02 bln .
`` We consider it important to agree on further coordinated steps that will allow not only to preserve this positive trend , but also to give it a long-term character , '' the Russian diplomatic service said .
Moscow also highly regards the level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) and the UAE sovereign fund Mubadala Investment Company have jointly implemented more than 50 projects worth more than $ 2.3 bln .
`` The plans are to expand the investment portfolio to $ 7 bln through new directions , '' the Russian Foreign Ministry said .
RDIF continues to cooperate in the fight against the spread of coronavirus with the relevant agencies of the UAE .
At the moment , the third phase of trials of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine is underway in the UAE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intend to discuss the developing situation in the Middle East and North Africa .
`` Russia and the UAE are consistent supporters of the settlement of conflicts and crises in this strategically important region of the world using political methods , through an inclusive dialogue that takes into account legitimate interests and concerns of all parties involved .
It was proposed to exchange views on the situation in Syria , Libya and Yemen , '' the Russian Foreign Ministry added .
The talks will also touch upon the Palestinian-Israeli settlement in the context @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of Arab countries , including the UAE , and Israel .
The topic of security in the Persian Gulf region will also become the subject of discussion .

MOSCOW, December 14. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan will hold talks in Moscow on Monday. This is the eight visit of the UAE diplomacy chief to Russia during his service in this position.
Official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova told reporters that the parties intend to discuss further development of bilateral cooperation, in particular implementation of the agreements reached during the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Abu Dhabi in October last year.
Despite the difficulties of 2020 caused by the coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing economic crisis, the two countries managed not only to avoid a decrease in the level of trade, but even to achieve significant growth. It was reported earlier that in January-September 2020, trade increased by 60.4% and amounted to $2.02 bln.
"We consider it important to agree on further coordinated steps that will allow not only to preserve this positive trend, but also to give it a long-term character," the Russian diplomatic service said.
Moscow also highly regards the level of investment partnership between the countries. The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and the UAE sovereign fund Mubadala Investment Company have jointly implemented more than 50 projects worth more than $2.3 bln. "The plans are to expand the investment portfolio to $7 bln through new directions," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
RDIF continues to cooperate in the fight against the spread of coronavirus with the relevant agencies of the UAE. At the moment, the third phase of trials of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine is underway in the UAE.
According to Zakharova, the ministers intend to discuss the developing situation in the Middle East and North Africa. "Russia and the UAE are consistent supporters of the settlement of conflicts and crises in this strategically important region of the world using political methods, through an inclusive dialogue that takes into account legitimate interests and concerns of all parties involved. It was proposed to exchange views on the situation in Syria, Libya and Yemen," the Russian Foreign Ministry added.
The talks will also touch upon the Palestinian-Israeli settlement in the context of the normalization of relations between a number of Arab countries, including the UAE, and Israel. The topic of security in the Persian Gulf region will also become the subject of discussion.


tass--2020-12-13--Armenian PM’s spokesperson refutes reports about his resignation

YEREVAN , December 13 .
/TASS/ .
Rumors about Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan ’ s resignation have nothing to @ @ @ @ @ of things , Pashinyan ’ s press secretary Mane Gevorgyan told TASS on Sunday .
@ @ @ @ @ are so non-serious that they need no comments , '' she said .
Protests demanding @ @ @ @ @ been held in Armenian for more than a month .
The opposition claims that the @ @ @ @ @ the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh Pashinyan signed along with Russian and Azerbaijani Presidents , Vladimir Putin @ @ @ @ @ a as a matter of fact capitulation .
They also bale the prime minister for @ @ @ @ @ in the country .
Amid these protests , Armenian President Armen Sarkissian called for early @ @ @ @ @ a national accord government before them .

YEREVAN, December 13. /TASS/. Rumors about Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation have nothing to do with the real state of things, Pashinyan’s press secretary Mane Gevorgyan told TASS on Sunday.
"News about his resignation are so non-serious that they need no comments," she said.
Protests demanding Pashinyan’s resignations have been held in Armenian for more than a month. The opposition claims that the November 9 joint statement on the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh Pashinyan signed along with Russian and Azerbaijani Presidents, Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev, was a as a matter of fact capitulation. They also bale the prime minister for the economic and social problems in the country. Amid these protests, Armenian President Armen Sarkissian called for early parliamentary elections and for forming a national accord government before them.


tass--2020-12-13--Russian diplomat anticipates uneasy work under Sweden’s presidency in OSCE in 2021

VIENNA , December 13 .
/TASS/ .
Russia hopes that during its presidency in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in 2021 Sweden will be committed to the common goals fixed in the organization ’ s founding documents , Russia ’ s Permanent Representative to that organization Alexander Lukashevich said in an interview with TASS .
`` It won ’ t be easy to work under the Swedish presidency .
They have specific gender-calibrated approaches to the agenda in any international formats .
Nevertheless , I hope that common goals committed to paper in the OSCE basic documents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focus , '' he said .
The OSCE ’ s global goal is to build a community of equal and indivisible security , he said , adding that to reach this strategic goal it is necessary to deescalate the military political situation in the Euro-Atlantic region .
`` We will continue professional dialogue within the existing format , the so-called structured dialogue , including involving military experts .
We will support the OSCE ’ s efforts in settling regional conflicts , combating terrorism , organized crime , drug trafficking , and promoting cybersecurity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian diplomat , trade-and-economic cooperation has a big consolidating potential and is less politicized within the OSCE .
`` We will focus special attention to the protection of the Russian-speaking population in the Baltic countries , in Ukraine and in other countries , '' he added .

VIENNA, December 13. /TASS/. Russia hopes that during its presidency in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in 2021 Sweden will be committed to the common goals fixed in the organization’s founding documents, Russia’s Permanent Representative to that organization Alexander Lukashevich said in an interview with TASS.
"It won’t be easy to work under the Swedish presidency. They have specific gender-calibrated approaches to the agenda in any international formats. Nevertheless, I hope that common goals committed to paper in the OSCE basic documents of the recent years will be in focus," he said.
The OSCE’s global goal is to build a community of equal and indivisible security, he said, adding that to reach this strategic goal it is necessary to deescalate the military political situation in the Euro-Atlantic region. "We will continue professional dialogue within the existing format, the so-called structured dialogue, including involving military experts. We will support the OSCE’s efforts in settling regional conflicts, combating terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking, and promoting cybersecurity," Lukashevich said.
According to the Russian diplomat, trade-and-economic cooperation has a big consolidating potential and is less politicized within the OSCE.
"We will focus special attention to the protection of the Russian-speaking population in the Baltic countries, in Ukraine and in other countries," he added.


tass--2020-12-13--Moscow's death toll from confirmed COVID-19 cases rises 75 in past day

MOSCOW , December 13 .
/TASS/ .
Seventy-five more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day , with @ @ @ @ @ exceeding 9,900 , the city ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Sunday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ pneumonia have died in Moscow , '' it said , adding the overall number of @ @ @ @ @ reached 9,945 .
The center once again warned that in case of any symptoms of @ @ @ @ @ necessary to stay at home , call a doctor and not indulge in self-treatment .
@ @ @ @ @ Russian regions in terms of confirmed coronavirus cases .
As of today , Moscow has @ @ @ @ @ and more than 529,000 recoveries .

MOSCOW, December 13. /TASS/. Seventy-five more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day, with the overall number of fatalities exceeding 9,900, the city’s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Sunday.
"Seventy-five coronavirus-positive patients diagnosed with pneumonia have died in Moscow," it said, adding the overall number of coronavirus-related deaths in Moscow has reached 9,945.
The center once again warned that in case of any symptoms of a respiratory disease it is necessary to stay at home, call a doctor and not indulge in self-treatment.
Moscow tops the list of Russian regions in terms of confirmed coronavirus cases. As of today, Moscow has reported 692,210 confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 529,000 recoveries.


tass--2020-12-13--Number of COVID-2019 cases across globe up by over 649,000 in past day - WHO

GENEVA , December 13 .
/TASS/ .
More than 649,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide in the past day , with the overall number of such cases exceeding 70.4 million , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin on Sunday .
As of 18:58 Moscow time on December 11 , as many as 70,461,926 coronavirus cases and 1,599,704 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases grew by 649,425 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 10,718 .
The highest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) was reported on November 14 and the highest daily death toll ( 12,432 ) was reported on April 17 .
The WHO statistics is based on officially confirmed data from the countries .
North and South America account for more than half of the COVID-19 daily tally ( 345,905 cases ) .
Next are Europe ( 219,023 cases ) , and Southeast Asia ( 41,803 cases ) .
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States ( 15,648,098 ) , India ( 9,857,029 ) , Brazil ( 6,836,227 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ France ( 2,324,603 ) , the United Kingdom ( 1,830,960 ) , Italy ( 1,825,775 ) , Spain ( 1,730,575 ) , Argentina ( 1,489,328 ) , Colombia ( 1,408,909 ) , Germany ( 1,320,716 ) , and Mexico ( 1,229,379 ) .

GENEVA, December 13. /TASS/. More than 649,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide in the past day, with the overall number of such cases exceeding 70.4 million, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin on Sunday.
As of 18:58 Moscow time on December 11, as many as 70,461,926 coronavirus cases and 1,599,704 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by 649,425 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 10,718.
The highest daily tally of coronavirus cases (667,164) was reported on November 14 and the highest daily death toll (12,432) was reported on April 17.
The WHO statistics is based on officially confirmed data from the countries.
North and South America account for more than half of the COVID-19 daily tally (345,905 cases). Next are Europe (219,023 cases), and Southeast Asia (41,803 cases).
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States (15,648,098), India (9,857,029), Brazil (6,836,227), Russia (2,653,928), France (2,324,603), the United Kingdom (1,830,960), Italy (1,825,775), Spain (1,730,575), Argentina (1,489,328), Colombia (1,408,909), Germany (1,320,716), and Mexico (1,229,379).


tass--2020-12-13--Neither of OSCE member nations want to withdraw from it - Russian diplomat

VIENNA , December 13 .
/TASS/ .
Neither of the member nations of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) want to withdraw from it because of criticism of its activities , Russia ’ s Permanent Representative to that organization said in an interview with TASS .
`` Even amid the criticism of the current situation in the organization , no one is going to withdraw from it , '' he said .
He admitted however that one of the member-nations had wanted to terminate its membership in the OSCE due to rather financial than political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run , common sense [ in that country ] suggested that once they joined it they should go on working , '' he said .
In general , the OSCE is still an in-demand venue for dialogue , `` difficult but a very important , which continues despite all the problems in international relations , '' and the latest ministerial meeting on December 3-4 that was held in a mixed format proved that , he noted .
The Russian diplomat also stressed the importance of consensus , a basic OSCE principle fixed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highest level as a main principle in decision-making within the organization .
As a vivid example of consensus in difficult times , he cited the appointment of the secretary general and heads of the three OSCE humanitarian institutions , the offices of which had been vacant since July 2020 .
`` This institutional crisis that emerged in the summer and continued for six months has told negatively on the activities of the entire organization .
The minister understood their political responsibility , they understood that even having different approaches to the nominees they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the organization , '' Lukashevich stressed .

VIENNA, December 13. /TASS/. Neither of the member nations of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) want to withdraw from it because of criticism of its activities, Russia’s Permanent Representative to that organization said in an interview with TASS.
"Even amid the criticism of the current situation in the organization, no one is going to withdraw from it," he said.
He admitted however that one of the member-nations had wanted to terminate its membership in the OSCE due to rather financial than political considerations. "But in the long run, common sense [in that country] suggested that once they joined it they should go on working," he said.
In general, the OSCE is still an in-demand venue for dialogue, "difficult but a very important, which continues despite all the problems in international relations," and the latest ministerial meeting on December 3-4 that was held in a mixed format proved that, he noted.
The Russian diplomat also stressed the importance of consensus, a basic OSCE principle fixed in its founding documents and reiterated at the highest level as a main principle in decision-making within the organization. As a vivid example of consensus in difficult times, he cited the appointment of the secretary general and heads of the three OSCE humanitarian institutions, the offices of which had been vacant since July 2020.
"This institutional crisis that emerged in the summer and continued for six months has told negatively on the activities of the entire organization. The minister understood their political responsibility, they understood that even having different approaches to the nominees they must reach compromises to ensure further work of the organization," Lukashevich stressed.


tass--2020-12-13--Situation after ceasefire violation in Nagorno-Karabakh normalizes - commander

MOSCOW , December 13 .
/TASS/ .
Russian peacekeepers suppressed a ceasefire violation in Nagorno-Karabakh on Friday .
By now , the situation in the region has normalized , Lieutenant General Rustam Muradov , commander of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone , said on Sunday .
`` A ceasefire violation was reported on December 11 near the settlements of Htsaberd and Hin Taher of the Gadrutsky district .
It was stopped by the Russian peacekeeping contingent , '' he said , adding that by now `` the situation in the area has normalized . ''
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation round-the-clock and maintain contacts with both the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides .
On Saturday , the Russian defense ministry reported the first ceasefire violation in Nagorno-Karabakh since the cessation of hostilities and deployment of Russian peacekeepers in early November .
The incident took place in the Gadrutsky district .
Baku and Yerevan blamed one another for staging this provocation .
According to a Russian defense ministry ’ s daily bulletin , the ceasefire is being observed along the entire contact line .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
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 and Russian peacekeepers were deployed to the region .

MOSCOW, December 13. /TASS/. Russian peacekeepers suppressed a ceasefire violation in Nagorno-Karabakh on Friday. By now, the situation in the region has normalized, Lieutenant General Rustam Muradov, commander of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, said on Sunday.
"A ceasefire violation was reported on December 11 near the settlements of Htsaberd and Hin Taher of the Gadrutsky district. It was stopped by the Russian peacekeeping contingent," he said, adding that by now "the situation in the area has normalized."
According to Muradov, Russian peacekeepers monitor the situation round-the-clock and maintain contacts with both the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides.
On Saturday, the Russian defense ministry reported the first ceasefire violation in Nagorno-Karabakh since the cessation of hostilities and deployment of Russian peacekeepers in early November. The incident took place in the Gadrutsky district. Baku and Yerevan blamed one another for staging this provocation. According to a Russian defense ministry’s daily bulletin, the ceasefire is being observed along the entire contact line.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July.
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 and Russian peacekeepers were deployed to the region.


tass--2020-12-13--Over 300 protesters detained in Minsk - police

MINSK , December 13 .
/TASS/ .
More than 300 protesters were detained during protests in Minsk on Sunday , spokesman for the Minsk police department Roman Lashkevich said .
`` More than 300 people were detained in Minsk on charges of violating the law on mass gatherings ( article 23.34 of the Belarusian Code of Administrative Offense ) and for disobedience of police orders ( article 23.4 of the Belarusian Code of Administrative Offense ) , '' he said .
More protests of the opponents of the current authorities were held on Sunday in Belarus .
In Minsk , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dozen to several hundred people in a number of residential quarters .
After law enforcers dispersed the protesters they tried to gather in groups again .
On the 127th day of protests this Sunday , the authorities did not close metro stations and block mobile communication for the first time .
Nationwide demonstrations have engulfed Belarus following the August 9 presidential election .
According to the Central Election Commission ’ s official results , incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won by a landslide , garnering 80.10 % of the vote .
His closest rival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came in second , with 10.12 % of the ballot .
However , she refused to recognize the election ’ s outcome , and left Belarus for Lithuania .
After the results of the exit polls were announced late on August 9 , mass protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other Belarusian cities .
During the early post-election period , the rallies snowballed into fierce clashes between the protesters and police .
The current unrest is being cheered on by the opposition ’ s Coordination Council , which has been beating the drum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Belarusian authorities have castigated the ongoing turmoil and demanded that these unauthorized demonstrations be stopped .
The biggest protests are held in Minsk and a number of other cities on Sundays .

MINSK, December 13. /TASS/. More than 300 protesters were detained during protests in Minsk on Sunday, spokesman for the Minsk police department Roman Lashkevich said.
"More than 300 people were detained in Minsk on charges of violating the law on mass gatherings (article 23.34 of the Belarusian Code of Administrative Offense) and for disobedience of police orders (article 23.4 of the Belarusian Code of Administrative Offense)," he said.
More protests of the opponents of the current authorities were held on Sunday in Belarus. In Minsk, protesters gathered in groups of from several dozen to several hundred people in a number of residential quarters. After law enforcers dispersed the protesters they tried to gather in groups again. On the 127th day of protests this Sunday, the authorities did not close metro stations and block mobile communication for the first time.
Nationwide demonstrations have engulfed Belarus following the August 9 presidential election. According to the Central Election Commission’s official results, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won by a landslide, garnering 80.10% of the vote. His closest rival in the race, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, came in second, with 10.12% of the ballot. However, she refused to recognize the election’s outcome, and left Belarus for Lithuania. After the results of the exit polls were announced late on August 9, mass protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other Belarusian cities. During the early post-election period, the rallies snowballed into fierce clashes between the protesters and police. The current unrest is being cheered on by the opposition’s Coordination Council, which has been beating the drum for more protests. In response, the Belarusian authorities have castigated the ongoing turmoil and demanded that these unauthorized demonstrations be stopped. The biggest protests are held in Minsk and a number of other cities on Sundays.