tass--2020-12-22--Russia to publish full fake news compilation

MOSCOW , December 22 .
/TASS/ .
Russia plans to publish a compilation of the most widespread fake news , says Alexei Goreslavsky , CEO of the Dialog non-profit organization .
`` There have been a great many fake news , and I hope that we will gather them all soon and publish separately , for the remembrance simply to raise the literacy of those who sees them < `` Goreslavsky said .
He pointed out that , in 2020 , regional control centers observed several artificial attempts to discredit governors , mayors and district heads .
`` In some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amount of similarity , this means that someone tries to artificially build a communication .
There were such cases , and there were even attempts of specific , I dare say , attacks on the district heads , mayors and so on , '' he explained .
According to the official , Dialog pays special attention to fighting fake and artificially created information .
In particular , the organization uses several methods that make it possible to detect similar news , warns the local authorities about them , and carries out inspections with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko ordered to check all fake news regarding the coronavirus pandemic , and debunk or remove the most malicious ones .
The expert reminded that , in early 2020 , several false stories circulated at the same time , adding that the most prominent one was the report , which alleged that a special anti-covid chemical was sprayed from helicopters , which could cause death .
The Dialog develops digital projects in government relations and communications .
The company also developed the Regional control centers in all regions of Russia @

MOSCOW, December 22. /TASS/. Russia plans to publish a compilation of the most widespread fake news, says Alexei Goreslavsky, CEO of the Dialog non-profit organization.
"There have been a great many fake news, and I hope that we will gather them all soon and publish separately, for the remembrance simply to raise the literacy of those who sees them<" Goreslavsky said.
He pointed out that, in 2020, regional control centers observed several artificial attempts to discredit governors, mayors and district heads.
"In some cases, when we see an off-the-chart amount of similarity, this means that someone tries to artificially build a communication. There were such cases, and there were even attempts of specific, I dare say, attacks on the district heads, mayors and so on," he explained.
According to the official, Dialog pays special attention to fighting fake and artificially created information. In particular, the organization uses several methods that make it possible to detect similar news, warns the local authorities about them, and carries out inspections with the authorities.
Goreslavsky disclosed that Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko ordered to check all fake news regarding the coronavirus pandemic, and debunk or remove the most malicious ones. The expert reminded that, in early 2020, several false stories circulated at the same time, adding that the most prominent one was the report, which alleged that a special anti-covid chemical was sprayed from helicopters, which could cause death.
The Dialog develops digital projects in government relations and communications. The company also developed the Regional control centers in all regions of Russia.


tass--2020-12-22--Russia sent 300 military instructors to CAR at government request

MOSCOW , December 22 .
/TASS/ .
Russia has sent an extra 300 military instructors to train the army of the Central African Republic at the request of the country ’ s leadership , the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a commentary on Tuesday .
`` For the purpose of providing assistance to Bangui in strengthening the defenses of the Central African Republic Russia promptly responded to the request of its leadership to dispatch a group of 300 instructors to train personnel for the national armed forces .
A corresponding notification was handed over to the UN Security Council ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Foreign Ministry said .
Moscow keeps a close watch on the situation in the Central African Republic and expresses serious concern in connection with the sharp degradation of the security situation there .
`` The movement of paramilitary groups across the country ’ s territory , well-coordinated and supported from outside , has acquired the traits of a massive attack aimed at destabilizing the internal situation and frustrating the election process , '' the Foreign Ministry stated .
Participating in efforts to repel the onslaught of illegal armed groups is the contingent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the CAR ( MINUSCA ) , which is operating in coordination with the national army .
`` A decision is about to be made to reinforce MINUSCA with peacekeepers from the UN Mission in South Sudan ( UNMISS ) .
Also , troops from Rwanda have been dispatched to the Central African Republic on the basis of bilateral agreements , '' the Foreign Ministry said .
Moscow has called upon all constructively-minded political forces in the Central African Republic for a dialogue and peace settlement of disputes concerning preparations for general elections .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for peaceful , transparent and free voting , '' the Foreign Ministry said .
`` We believe it is important to use to the maximum extent the potential of the United Nations and MINUSCA , as well as the African Union and the Economic Community of Central African States ( ECCAS ) to provide all-round support for Bangi at this dramatic moment for the Central Africans . ''
Three rebel groups last week formed an anti-government Coalition of Patriots for Change to launch combat operations on December 18 with the aim of gaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sealing off the capital .
The rebels are trying to offer resistance to President Faustin-Archange Touadera , who seeks re-election for a second term .
At present , the rebels have been rolled back by government troops and militias supporting them .

MOSCOW, December 22. /TASS/. Russia has sent an extra 300 military instructors to train the army of the Central African Republic at the request of the country’s leadership, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a commentary on Tuesday.
"For the purpose of providing assistance to Bangui in strengthening the defenses of the Central African Republic Russia promptly responded to the request of its leadership to dispatch a group of 300 instructors to train personnel for the national armed forces. A corresponding notification was handed over to the UN Security Council’s 2127 CAR Sanctions Committee," the Foreign Ministry said.
Moscow keeps a close watch on the situation in the Central African Republic and expresses serious concern in connection with the sharp degradation of the security situation there.
"The movement of paramilitary groups across the country’s territory, well-coordinated and supported from outside, has acquired the traits of a massive attack aimed at destabilizing the internal situation and frustrating the election process," the Foreign Ministry stated.
Participating in efforts to repel the onslaught of illegal armed groups is the contingent of the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the CAR (MINUSCA), which is operating in coordination with the national army.
"A decision is about to be made to reinforce MINUSCA with peacekeepers from the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Also, troops from Rwanda have been dispatched to the Central African Republic on the basis of bilateral agreements," the Foreign Ministry said.
Moscow has called upon all constructively-minded political forces in the Central African Republic for a dialogue and peace settlement of disputes concerning preparations for general elections.
"It is crucial to create conditions for peaceful, transparent and free voting," the Foreign Ministry said. "We believe it is important to use to the maximum extent the potential of the United Nations and MINUSCA, as well as the African Union and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) to provide all-round support for Bangi at this dramatic moment for the Central Africans."
Three rebel groups last week formed an anti-government Coalition of Patriots for Change to launch combat operations on December 18 with the aim of gaining control of the main roads to Bangui and sealing off the capital. The rebels are trying to offer resistance to President Faustin-Archange Touadera, who seeks re-election for a second term. At present, the rebels have been rolled back by government troops and militias supporting them.


tass--2020-12-22--Gazprom can allocate 40% of net profit to 2020 dividends, says Deputy CEO

MOSCOW , December 22 .
/TASS/ .
Gazprom can allocate 40 % of their net profit under International Financial Reporting @ @ @ @ @ 2020 dividends , Deputy CEO Famil Sadygov said in an interview with the corporate magazine @ @ @ @ @ policy of Gazprom , if the debt burden is above 2.5 for the net debt/EBITDA @ @ @ @ @ Directors can recommend lower dividends .
`` The debt burden will obviously be above 2.5 @ @ @ @ @ to the decline in global oil and gas prices .
However , we will recommend @ @ @ @ @ to use surpassing of the debt burden limit as a formal cause to reduce the @ @ @ @ @ consider possible to pay 40 % of adjusted net profit in full conformity to the @ @ @ @ @ said .
The corporate dividend policy anticipates the transition to paying at least 50 % @ @ @ @ @ dividends , from 2021 , the top manager added .

MOSCOW, December 22. /TASS/. Gazprom can allocate 40% of their net profit under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) to 2020 dividends, Deputy CEO Famil Sadygov said in an interview with the corporate magazine.
According to the dividend policy of Gazprom, if the debt burden is above 2.5 for the net debt/EBITDA ratio, the Board of Directors can recommend lower dividends.
"The debt burden will obviously be above 2.5 as of 2020 year-end due to the decline in global oil and gas prices. However, we will recommend the Board of Directors not to use surpassing of the debt burden limit as a formal cause to reduce the dividend payment amount. We consider possible to pay 40% of adjusted net profit in full conformity to the dividend policy," Sadygov said.
The corporate dividend policy anticipates the transition to paying at least 50% of IFRS net profit as dividends, from 2021, the top manager added.


tass--2020-12-22--Onshore segment of Nord Stream 2 ready for commissioning

MOSCOW , December 22 .
/TASS/ .
Construction of the onshore segment of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline has @ @ @ @ @ ready for commissioning , chief executive of Gazprom Export Elena Burmistrova says on Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ already been built and fully ready for commissioning .
Construction work on the onshore segment @ @ @ @ @ closing stage now as well , '' she added .
Construction of the gas pipeline @ @ @ @ @ on December 11 .
`` The deadline for the offshore segment construction will depend in @ @ @ @ @ range of conditions , such as weather conditions , the work period , and so @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, December 22. /TASS/. Construction of the onshore segment of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline has been completed and it is ready for commissioning, chief executive of Gazprom Export Elena Burmistrova says on Tuesday.
"The onshore segment has already been built and fully ready for commissioning. Construction work on the onshore segment in Russia is at the closing stage now as well," she added.
Construction of the gas pipeline in German territorial waters resumed on December 11. "The deadline for the offshore segment construction will depend in the first instance on a range of conditions, such as weather conditions, the work period, and so on," Burmistrova said.


tass--2020-12-22--Amendments to Russian Constitution main political event of 2020, expert claims

MOSCOW , December 22 .
/TASS/ .
The amendments to the Russian Constitution and the emergence of the so-called presidential consensus have become the main political event of 2020 , says Pavel Danilin , the CEO of the Center for Political Analysis think tank .
`` The main event of the country ’ s political life [ this year ] , is , of course , the approval of the presidential amendments to the Constitution .
The nationwide vote confirmed the unconditional political leadership of President Vladimir Putin ; what happened is an effective legal cementing of the last 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new Russia , '' Danilin said .
According to the expert , the amendments made the Constitution `` a politically modern and legally strong document , which provided an impulse for the development of the nation ’ s legislation for decades . ''
`` The most important is the formalization of the new presidential consensus , which we used to call the Crimean one .
It has transformed somewhat today .
We used to have this Putin ’ s consensus , the Putin ’ s majority , then it was the Crimean consensus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consensus that we see in the voting result .
These 74,215,000 people who voted in favor of the [ amended ] Constitution - this is the presidential consensus , '' the expert said .
He also reminded that some opposition parties , including the Communists , `` sought to use the discussion of the amendments not to doubt their relevance , but to assert themselves ahead of the 2021 Duma elections . ''
`` While not speaking directly against the amendments , supported by the entire society , they do the twisting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not solidarize with the authority .
I don ’ t know how effective it would be for the Communist Party , but it is unlikely they will gain a major electoral effect this way , '' Danilin added .

MOSCOW, December 22. /TASS/. The amendments to the Russian Constitution and the emergence of the so-called presidential consensus have become the main political event of 2020, says Pavel Danilin, the CEO of the Center for Political Analysis think tank.
"The main event of the country’s political life [this year], is, of course, the approval of the presidential amendments to the Constitution. The nationwide vote confirmed the unconditional political leadership of President Vladimir Putin; what happened is an effective legal cementing of the last 20 years of the new power, the new Russia," Danilin said.
According to the expert, the amendments made the Constitution "a politically modern and legally strong document, which provided an impulse for the development of the nation’s legislation for decades."
"The most important is the formalization of the new presidential consensus, which we used to call the Crimean one. It has transformed somewhat today. We used to have this Putin’s consensus, the Putin’s majority, then it was the Crimean consensus, and now it is the new consensus that we see in the voting result. These 74,215,000 people who voted in favor of the [amended] Constitution - this is the presidential consensus," the expert said.
He also reminded that some opposition parties, including the Communists, "sought to use the discussion of the amendments not to doubt their relevance, but to assert themselves ahead of the 2021 Duma elections."
"While not speaking directly against the amendments, supported by the entire society, they do the twisting, pretending to be the last opposition that does not solidarize with the authority. I don’t know how effective it would be for the Communist Party, but it is unlikely they will gain a major electoral effect this way," Danilin added.


tass--2020-12-22--Media: Hainan hosts global congress on the Internet of Things

HAIKOU , December 22 .
/TASS/ .
The fourth global congress on the Internet of Things was held in the administrative center of Hainan , Haikou .
According to the local Haikou Daily newspaper , experts , scientists and leaders of technology enterprises from more than 20 countries attended the event .
During the congress , the participants exchanged views on such topics as the advanced development of network technologies , the creation of a new type of smart infrastructure and the training of highly qualified specialists on Hainan .
During the event , the participants also signed agreements on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ province on the Internet of Things and the digital economy .
The total investment in these projects reaches approximately 80 billion yuan ( about $ 12.2 billion ) .
They will be implemented in the areas of big data , artificial intelligence , biosensor technologies , satellite Internet of Things , smart healthcare and modern services .
These investments will contribute to the technological development of Hainan and its promotion at the international level , the publication specifies .
The Internet of Things is a network of software-equipped devices ( things ) that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside world via the Internet .
The concept of the Internet of Things , in particular , is implemented in the `` smart home '' system , where home appliances can interact with each other with minimal human participation , for example , through a voice assistant in a smartphone .
This technology is widely used in automated industrial production .
In April 2018 , President Xi Jinping said that the Chinese authorities intend to actively involve Hainan in globalization and to draw foreign investors to the island province .
By 2050 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should become a unique international cluster with an advanced economy , developed tourism , top-notch scientific , technical and financial potential , and modern medicine .
The branches of the best universities and offices of the most powerful corporations in the world will be located on the Island of Hainan .

HAIKOU, December 22. /TASS/. The fourth global congress on the Internet of Things was held in the administrative center of Hainan, Haikou. According to the local Haikou Daily newspaper, experts, scientists and leaders of technology enterprises from more than 20 countries attended the event.
During the congress, the participants exchanged views on such topics as the advanced development of network technologies, the creation of a new type of smart infrastructure and the training of highly qualified specialists on Hainan. During the event, the participants also signed agreements on more than 20 infrastructure projects in the province on the Internet of Things and the digital economy.
The total investment in these projects reaches approximately 80 billion yuan (about $ 12.2 billion). They will be implemented in the areas of big data, artificial intelligence, biosensor technologies, satellite Internet of Things, smart healthcare and modern services. These investments will contribute to the technological development of Hainan and its promotion at the international level, the publication specifies.
The Internet of Things is a network of software-equipped devices (things) that interact with each other and with the outside world via the Internet. The concept of the Internet of Things, in particular, is implemented in the "smart home" system, where home appliances can interact with each other with minimal human participation, for example, through a voice assistant in a smartphone. This technology is widely used in automated industrial production.
In April 2018, President Xi Jinping said that the Chinese authorities intend to actively involve Hainan in globalization and to draw foreign investors to the island province. By 2050, according to the authorities, the island should become a unique international cluster with an advanced economy, developed tourism, top-notch scientific, technical and financial potential, and modern medicine. The branches of the best universities and offices of the most powerful corporations in the world will be located on the Island of Hainan.


tass--2020-12-22--Russian Su-30 jet fighter escorts Japanese patrol plane over Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk

MOSCOW , December 22 .
/TASS/ .
A Russian Su-30 jet fighter escorted a Japan Air Self-Defense Force OP-3C patrol @ @ @ @ @ Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk , the National Defense Control Center told journalists Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ , Russian airspace control means detected an airborne target approaching the Russian border over the @ @ @ @ @ of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan .
`` An Eastern Military District air defense @ @ @ @ @ in order to identify the airborne target and prevent the violation of the Russian border @ @ @ @ @ the target as a JA SDF OP-3C patrol plane and escorted it over the Sea @ @ @ @ @ of Okhotsk , '' the Center said .
`` No violation of the Russian border @ @ @ @ @ Center said .
After the foreign plane turned away from the Russian border , the @ @ @ @ @ base .
`` The sortie took place in strict compliance with the international air law @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, December 22. /TASS/. A Russian Su-30 jet fighter escorted a Japan Air Self-Defense Force OP-3C patrol plane over the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk, the National Defense Control Center told journalists Tuesday.
According to the military, Russian airspace control means detected an airborne target approaching the Russian border over the neutral waters of the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan.
"An Eastern Military District air defense forces Su-30 jet fighter scrambled in order to identify the airborne target and prevent the violation of the Russian border. The plane crew identified the target as a JA SDF OP-3C patrol plane and escorted it over the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk," the Center said.
"No violation of the Russian border took place," the Center said.
After the foreign plane turned away from the Russian border, the plane returned to the home base.
"The sortie took place in strict compliance with the international air law," the Center added.


tass--2020-12-22--Moscow expects US to return to Iran nuclear deal, says Russian deputy envoy

UNITED NATIONS , December 22 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow expects that the US will soon rejoin the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA ) on Iran ’ s nuclear program , Russian Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dmitry Polyansky said , addressing the UN General Assembly on Tuesday .
`` The most logical thing for the US to do would be to fully rejoin the previous agreements within the JCPOA , without preconditions , of course , '' he pointed out .
`` We expect that the new US administration will realize that and take the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entire world will benefit from it , '' the Russian diplomat added .
`` Over the past six months , we have seen how fragile the balance of interests that the nuclear deal is based on is , '' Polyansky added .
He was hopeful that the US would eventually `` draw the right conclusions what happened . ''
`` No one asked the US to take on the role of a global police officer and now , attempts to fit the role look outdated , as well as the irresponsible and arrogant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eventually damage the one that pursues it , '' the Russian deputy permanent representative noted .
The future of the JCPOA was put into question after the United States had unilaterally withdrawn from the deal on May 8 , 2018 , and introduced oil sanctions on Iran .
A year later , Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced a phased reduction of Tehran ’ s commitments under the agreement .

UNITED NATIONS, December 22. /TASS/. Moscow expects that the US will soon rejoin the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran’s nuclear program, Russian Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dmitry Polyansky said, addressing the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.
"The most logical thing for the US to do would be to fully rejoin the previous agreements within the JCPOA, without preconditions, of course," he pointed out.
"We expect that the new US administration will realize that and take the right steps in the near future. The entire world will benefit from it," the Russian diplomat added.
"Over the past six months, we have seen how fragile the balance of interests that the nuclear deal is based on is," Polyansky added. He was hopeful that the US would eventually "draw the right conclusions what happened." "No one asked the US to take on the role of a global police officer and now, attempts to fit the role look outdated, as well as the irresponsible and arrogant policy of unilateral pressure, which will eventually damage the one that pursues it," the Russian deputy permanent representative noted.
The future of the JCPOA was put into question after the United States had unilaterally withdrawn from the deal on May 8, 2018, and introduced oil sanctions on Iran. A year later, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced a phased reduction of Tehran’s commitments under the agreement.


tass--2020-12-22--Over 52,000 Russians inoculated already against coronavirus, Health Minister says

MOSCOW , December 22 .
/TASS/ .
Over 52,000 Russians have already been inoculated against the coronavirus , Russian Healthcare @ @ @ @ @ a session of the presidium of the state coordination council to control the coronavirus incidence @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
`` To date , over 52,000 cases of vaccination have been added to @ @ @ @ @ data on the inoculated , '' the minister said .
Earlier , Russian President Vladimir @ @ @ @ @ nationwide inoculation .
As Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin added , the inoculation should be completely @ @ @ @ @ .
Teachers , medics , and social workers should be the first to receive a @ @ @ @ @ expand this list .
According to the prime minister , the Russian regions will receive @ @ @ @ @ in December .
The Healthcare Ministry has already developed a schedule of its distribution across @ @ @

MOSCOW, December 22. /TASS/. Over 52,000 Russians have already been inoculated against the coronavirus, Russian Healthcare Minister Mikhail Murashko said at a session of the presidium of the state coordination council to control the coronavirus incidence in the Russian Federation on Tuesday.
"To date, over 52,000 cases of vaccination have been added to the information resource on entering data on the inoculated," the minister said.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered to organize a nationwide inoculation. As Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin added, the inoculation should be completely voluntary and free of charge. Teachers, medics, and social workers should be the first to receive a vaccine, while regions may expand this list. According to the prime minister, the Russian regions will receive 480,000 doses of the vaccine in December. The Healthcare Ministry has already developed a schedule of its distribution across the country.


tass--2020-12-22--Volume of orders at Hainan's Tropical Agricultural Products Show reaches $ 10 bln

HAIKOU , December 22 .
/TASS/ .
The International Winter Tropical Agricultural Products Show wrapped up on Tuesday on Hainan .
According to Xinhua , its participants have placed orders for the supply of products totaling 67.8 billion yuan ( about $ 10.4 billion ) .
The fair featured fruits , vegetables , grains and oilseeds , livestock products , seafood , tea , coffee , wine , and agro-industrial materials and machinery .
The volume of goods sold at its sites amounted to 213 million yuan ( about $ 32.6 million ) .
In addition , the event 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the agricultural sector worth 2.3 billion yuan ( approximately $ 353 million ) .
During the five days of work , more than 2,200 companies from China and 110 foreign companies from 31 countries took part in the show , more than 5,100 people took part in the event directly .
More than 279,000 people visited the fair from 18 to 22 December .
Ten exhibition halls with a total area of more than 100,000 square meters were opened for them .
The International Winter Tropical Agricultural Products Show is China 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season .
It was first held in 1998 and since then it has been held annually in this island province .
The Chinese authorities pay great attention to the development of agriculture in Hainan province .
Passion fruit , pitaya , coconut , pomelo and many other tropical fruits are grown here .
Moreover , the island offers opportunities for sea fishing , gardening and livestock raising .

HAIKOU, December 22. /TASS/. The International Winter Tropical Agricultural Products Show wrapped up on Tuesday on Hainan. According to Xinhua, its participants have placed orders for the supply of products totaling 67.8 billion yuan (about $ 10.4 billion).
The fair featured fruits, vegetables, grains and oilseeds, livestock products, seafood, tea, coffee, wine, and agro-industrial materials and machinery. The volume of goods sold at its sites amounted to 213 million yuan (about $ 32.6 million). In addition, the event's participants signed 79 agreements on investment projects in the agricultural sector worth 2.3 billion yuan (approximately $ 353 million).
During the five days of work, more than 2,200 companies from China and 110 foreign companies from 31 countries took part in the show, more than 5,100 people took part in the event directly. More than 279,000 people visited the fair from 18 to 22 December. Ten exhibition halls with a total area of more than 100,000 square meters were opened for them.
The International Winter Tropical Agricultural Products Show is China's only tropical agriculture fair during the winter season. It was first held in 1998 and since then it has been held annually in this island province.
The Chinese authorities pay great attention to the development of agriculture in Hainan province. Passion fruit, pitaya, coconut, pomelo and many other tropical fruits are grown here. Moreover, the island offers opportunities for sea fishing, gardening and livestock raising.


tass--2020-12-22--Russia’s air links with Britain were suspended to minimize risks, says watchdog chief

MOSCOW , December 22 .
/TASS/ .
Air links with Britain , where a new mutation of the novel coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ been suspended in order to ward off any potential risks involved , the chief of @ @ @ @ @ , Anna Popova , said at a meeting of the presidium of the government ’ @ @ @ @ @ `` In the interests of the people the anti-virus task force made a decision to @ @ @ @ @ for a week as a preventive measure .
Although the air traffic between the two @ @ @ @ @ believe it is essential to minimize all risks , '' Popova said .

MOSCOW, December 22. /TASS/. Air links with Britain, where a new mutation of the novel coronavirus has been identified, have been suspended in order to ward off any potential risks involved, the chief of the consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor, Anna Popova, said at a meeting of the presidium of the government’s anti-coronavirus coordination center.
"In the interests of the people the anti-virus task force made a decision to suspend air links with Britain for a week as a preventive measure. Although the air traffic between the two countries is small, we believe it is essential to minimize all risks," Popova said.


tass--2020-12-22--Moscow allocated $1.2 bln to support businesses in 2020

MOSCOW , December 22 .
/TASS/ .
The Moscow authorities have spent 90 bln rubles ( $ 1.2 bln ) to provide financial support to small and medium-sized businesses in 2020 , head of the Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovative Development of Moscow Alexey Fursin told reporters on Tuesday .
`` In general , the total volume of the economic block is 90 billion rubles , which was used to support businesses .
As for financial support , our department coordinates three blocks .
< ... > Complete subsidiary support passes through us , 14 subsidies that we give out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the applications that were condidred , we have [ allocated support ] for 3 billion rubles ( $ 39 mln ) .
As for the next block , a separate block of guarantees , < ... > we practically retained the same amount of support - about 10 billion ( $ 132 mln ) -9.7 billion [ rubles ] ( $ 128 mln ) for guarantee support and plus another 10.7 billion [ rubles ] ( $ 141 mln ) were allocated for concessional lending , '' Fursin said .
The head of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the authorities plan to increase the number of subsidies for small and medium-sized businesses .
`` There are several areas that we have not covered by now , and it is clear that we will proceed from our budgetary capabilities , and , of course , from efficiency , because it is very important to see that this measure really solves something , not only compensates for part of costs , but worked , in terms of development , '' Fursin said .
He added that the department is working on two areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are working on a few more areas that are interesting for us from the point of view of certain drivers for entrepreneurs .
This is a segment related to software - there is an application from them .
< ... > It is interesting for us to ensure that we stimulate these solutions and opportunities for development of the IT sector in particular through the state support .
Taking into account that decisions have been made on both maneuvering and additional benefits for programmers , we are now discussing with the industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We will allocate some specific subsidy , but this is one of the requests from two sides - from those who consume and from those who create .
And the second block , which is very new today , is the creative industry .
There are a lot of requests from this area .
Sometimes they are sectoral , for example , support for young animators - how to enable them to develop faster through the support of the city and the state , '' the official explained .
The Moscow business support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the capital now provide small and medium-sized businesses with 14 types of subsidies and grants .

MOSCOW, December 22. /TASS/. The Moscow authorities have spent 90 bln rubles ($1.2 bln) to provide financial support to small and medium-sized businesses in 2020, head of the Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovative Development of Moscow Alexey Fursin told reporters on Tuesday.
"In general, the total volume of the economic block is 90 billion rubles, which was used to support businesses. As for financial support, our department coordinates three blocks. <...> Complete subsidiary support passes through us, 14 subsidies that we give out to SMEs. Now, according to the applications that were condidred, we have [allocated support] for 3 billion rubles ($39 mln). As for the next block, a separate block of guarantees, <...> we practically retained the same amount of support - about 10 billion ($132 mln) -9.7 billion [rubles] ($128 mln) for guarantee support and plus another 10.7 billion [rubles] ($141 mln) were allocated for concessional lending," Fursin said.
The head of the department also noted that in 2021 the authorities plan to increase the number of subsidies for small and medium-sized businesses.
"There are several areas that we have not covered by now, and it is clear that we will proceed from our budgetary capabilities, and, of course, from efficiency, because it is very important to see that this measure really solves something, not only compensates for part of costs, but worked, in terms of development," Fursin said.
He added that the department is working on two areas - IT and creative industries.
"We are working on a few more areas that are interesting for us from the point of view of certain drivers for entrepreneurs. This is a segment related to software - there is an application from them. <...> It is interesting for us to ensure that we stimulate these solutions and opportunities for development of the IT sector in particular through the state support. Taking into account that decisions have been made on both maneuvering and additional benefits for programmers, we are now discussing with the industry how exactly we could help them. We will allocate some specific subsidy, but this is one of the requests from two sides - from those who consume and from those who create. And the second block, which is very new today, is the creative industry. There are a lot of requests from this area. Sometimes they are sectoral, for example, support for young animators - how to enable them to develop faster through the support of the city and the state," the official explained.
The Moscow business support program includes 17 industries. The authorities of the capital now provide small and medium-sized businesses with 14 types of subsidies and grants.


tass--2020-12-22--Russia’s coronavirus situation showing signs of stabilization, official says

MOSCOW , December 22 .
/TASS/ .
There are signs pointing to the fact that the coronavirus situation in Russia is stabilizing , head of Russia ’ s consumer watchdog Anna Popova said Tuesday .
`` As for the epidemiological process dynamic , there are general signs of stabilization observed .
Last week , the average daily value of infection was 18.9 , while it was 18.8 the previous week .
The average daily infection leaders are staying the same .
The increase rate has dropped in the last seven days and stands at 1 , '' she noted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , more than 77.4 million people have been infected worldwide and more than 1,700,000 deaths have been reported .
To date , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia , with 2,319,520 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 51,912 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, December 22. /TASS/. There are signs pointing to the fact that the coronavirus situation in Russia is stabilizing, head of Russia’s consumer watchdog Anna Popova said Tuesday.
"As for the epidemiological process dynamic, there are general signs of stabilization observed. Last week, the average daily value of infection was 18.9, while it was 18.8 the previous week. The average daily infection leaders are staying the same. The increase rate has dropped in the last seven days and stands at 1," she noted.
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. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.
According to the latest statistics, more than 77.4 million people have been infected worldwide and more than 1,700,000 deaths have been reported. To date, 2,906,503 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 2,319,520 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 51,912 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-12-22--Putin signs law reinforcing former presidents’ immunity

MOSCOW , December 22 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law that reinforces the immunity guarantees for former presidents .
The law has been published at the official legal information website Tuesday .
The law amends the procedure of withdrawal of ex-president ’ s immunity .
Under the new law , the State Duma must press charges of treason or other grievous crime , while the compliance with the procedure must be confirmed by the Supreme and Constitutional Courts .
Based on those charges , the Federation Council will make a decision .
Previously , pressing charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Investigative Committee .
The charges then were supposed to be forwarded to the State Duma , who gave its consent , and then the issue was supposed to be reviewed by the Federation Council .
The law stipulates that a former president could not be brought to administrative or criminal responsibility , could not be apprehended , arrested , searched or interrogated .
Previously , these protections only covered actions , carried out during the time in office or investigations of actions , connected to presidential duties .
Previously , Federation Council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrei Klishas noted that the bill was prepared in order to synchronize the current legislation with the amended Constitution .
The senator explained that the ex-presidential immunity covers his residence , and offices , his transport , communications , papers , luggage and correspondence .

MOSCOW, December 22. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law that reinforces the immunity guarantees for former presidents. The law has been published at the official legal information website Tuesday.
The law amends the procedure of withdrawal of ex-president’s immunity. Under the new law, the State Duma must press charges of treason or other grievous crime, while the compliance with the procedure must be confirmed by the Supreme and Constitutional Courts. Based on those charges, the Federation Council will make a decision.
Previously, pressing charges against an ex-president was the authority of the Investigative Committee. The charges then were supposed to be forwarded to the State Duma, who gave its consent, and then the issue was supposed to be reviewed by the Federation Council.
The law stipulates that a former president could not be brought to administrative or criminal responsibility, could not be apprehended, arrested, searched or interrogated. Previously, these protections only covered actions, carried out during the time in office or investigations of actions, connected to presidential duties.
Previously, Federation Council Committee on legislation and state building chairman Andrei Klishas noted that the bill was prepared in order to synchronize the current legislation with the amended Constitution. The senator explained that the ex-presidential immunity covers his residence, and offices, his transport, communications, papers, luggage and correspondence.


tass--2020-12-22--Roscosmos to demand explanations of sanctions from US Department of Commerce

MOSCOW , December 22 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s space corporation Roscosmos is going to demand explanations from the US Department of Commerce why its affiliates - TsNIImash and space rocket center Progress - have come under the latest US sanctions .
`` As far as the US Department of Commerce - the instigator and architect of all sanctions - is concerned , we will dispatch a query to demand explanations why such measures are being taken .
In other words , we will try to clear up the situation , '' Roscosmos CEO Dmitry Rogozin said in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He warned that if such steps yielded no results , Roscosmos would take measures to protect its branches from pressure .
Rogozin said he had forwarded a message to NASA Administrator James Bridenstine with a request for making the situation clear .
Also , he contacted his colleagues in the administration and the Senate .
`` If NASA wants to cooperate with us , they are obliged to say something in a situation like this .
We expect them to take action , '' he said .
The US Department of Commerce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Russian and Chinese enterprises , including Russia ’ s TsNIIMash and space rocket corporation Progress .
Washington argues that the blacklisted economic entities cooperate with both countries ’ armed forces .
The measure prohibits the organizations in question from acquiring a number of US goods and technologies .
There are 58 Chinese organizations and 45 Russian ones on the list .

MOSCOW, December 22. /TASS/. Russia’s space corporation Roscosmos is going to demand explanations from the US Department of Commerce why its affiliates - TsNIImash and space rocket center Progress - have come under the latest US sanctions.
"As far as the US Department of Commerce - the instigator and architect of all sanctions - is concerned, we will dispatch a query to demand explanations why such measures are being taken. In other words, we will try to clear up the situation," Roscosmos CEO Dmitry Rogozin said in an interview to the Ekho Moskvy radio station.
He warned that if such steps yielded no results, Roscosmos would take measures to protect its branches from pressure. Rogozin said he had forwarded a message to NASA Administrator James Bridenstine with a request for making the situation clear. Also, he contacted his colleagues in the administration and the Senate.
"If NASA wants to cooperate with us, they are obliged to say something in a situation like this. We expect them to take action," he said.
The US Department of Commerce on Monday imposed sanctions on a number of Russian and Chinese enterprises, including Russia’s TsNIIMash and space rocket corporation Progress. Washington argues that the blacklisted economic entities cooperate with both countries’ armed forces. The measure prohibits the organizations in question from acquiring a number of US goods and technologies. There are 58 Chinese organizations and 45 Russian ones on the list.


tass--2020-12-22--Sweden hoping for further regional cooperation in Russia

STOCKHOLM , December 22 .
/TASS/ .
The pandemic has not severed ties between the foreign ministers of Russia and Sweden , the Swedish diplomatic agency is hoping that the regional organizations of the two countries will continue to collaborate on issues of the Baltic and Barents Seas as well as the Arctic , Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde said in an interview with TASS about the 2020 achievements .
`` As neighbors , Sweden and Russia in 2020 were discussing cooperation in a range of political areas and not the least in ecology , climate , education and healthcare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ Russian ] counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow and also spoke with him on the phone .
Therefore , the pandemic has not disrupted our ties .
During my visit to Moscow , I lauded opportunities to communicate with representatives of the Russian civil society , '' the minister stressed , adding that she had `` inspiring conversations with Russian students who take interest in Sweden . ''
`` We had particularly productive cooperation of regional organizations on the issues of the Baltic and Barents Seas and the Arctic .
We are hoping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cooperation where we have common interests next year .
Our goal is to expand interpersonal exchanges with Russia , '' Linde pointed out .

STOCKHOLM, December 22. /TASS/. The pandemic has not severed ties between the foreign ministers of Russia and Sweden, the Swedish diplomatic agency is hoping that the regional organizations of the two countries will continue to collaborate on issues of the Baltic and Barents Seas as well as the Arctic, Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde said in an interview with TASS about the 2020 achievements.
"As neighbors, Sweden and Russia in 2020 were discussing cooperation in a range of political areas and not the least in ecology, climate, education and healthcare. In 2020, I met my [Russian] counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow and also spoke with him on the phone. Therefore, the pandemic has not disrupted our ties. During my visit to Moscow, I lauded opportunities to communicate with representatives of the Russian civil society," the minister stressed, adding that she had "inspiring conversations with Russian students who take interest in Sweden."
"We had particularly productive cooperation of regional organizations on the issues of the Baltic and Barents Seas and the Arctic. We are hoping for more development of these areas of cooperation where we have common interests next year. Our goal is to expand interpersonal exchanges with Russia," Linde pointed out.


tass--2020-12-22--‘Consumers shouldn’t be bullied’: Putin stresses need for fair play on fuel market

MOSCOW , December 22 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed the need to prevent buyers on the fuel @ @ @ @ @ and highlighted the importance of guaranteeing a comfortable atmosphere for the industry .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ it must feel comfortable , but consumers shouldn ’ t be ‘ bullied ’ at @ @ @ @ @ of state said at his Tuesday meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak , who @ @ @ @ @ sphere .
`` Everything is clear '' with the situation in the sector , Putin @ @ @ @ @ constantly in contact with oil producers on this matter and the mechanism has been fine-tuned @ @ @ @ @ will work on cue when needed , '' he added .

MOSCOW, December 22. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed the need to prevent buyers on the fuel market from being bullied, and highlighted the importance of guaranteeing a comfortable atmosphere for the industry.
"The industry should not suffer, it must feel comfortable, but consumers shouldn’t be ‘bullied’ at all," the head of state said at his Tuesday meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, who is in charge of this sphere.
"Everything is clear" with the situation in the sector, Putin insisted. "We are constantly in contact with oil producers on this matter and the mechanism has been fine-tuned, so I hope it will work on cue when needed," he added.


tass--2020-12-24--Trump demands appointment of special counsel to investigate November elections

MOSCOW , December 24 .
/TASS/ .
US President Donald Trump urged the need to appoint a special counsel to investigate the alleged rigged elections held in the country on November 3 , which was won by Trump ’ s opponent , Democrat Joseph Biden .
`` After seeing the massive Voter Fraud in the 2020 Presidential Election , I disagree with anyone that thinks a strong , fast , and fair Special Counsel is not needed , immediately .
This was the most corrupt election in the history of our Country , and it must be closely examined !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wall Street Journal reported that Trump had pushed for appointing special counsels to investigate his allegations of elections fraud related to November vote , as well as to launch a probe into President elect Joe Biden ’ s son Hunter .
`` Attorney General William Barr said he saw no reason to appoint a special counsel to investigate allegations against Hunter Biden or election fraud on Monday , saying he believed the investigation into President-elect Joe Biden ’ s son was `` being handled responsibly and professionally , '' Wall Street Journal wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Electoral College convened and confirmed Biden ’ s election victory .
The Democrat received 306 votes , while incumbent President Donald Trump secured 232 votes .
With 538 electors , a candidate needs to get 270 votes to be elected to the office of President of the United States .
Nevertheless , Trump has not conceded and has put up a relentless fight to challenge the results , filing a multitude of lawsuits claiming irregularities and voter fraud in a number of key states .
Trump ’ s legal battles have failed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state courts , as well as by the US Supreme Court .
The inauguration of the next head of the US administration will take place on January 20 .

MOSCOW, December 24. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump urged the need to appoint a special counsel to investigate the alleged rigged elections held in the country on November 3, which was won by Trump’s opponent, Democrat Joseph Biden.
"After seeing the massive Voter Fraud in the 2020 Presidential Election, I disagree with anyone that thinks a strong, fast, and fair Special Counsel is not needed, immediately. This was the most corrupt election in the history of our Country, and it must be closely examined!" Trump wrote on Twitter.
Earlier Wall Street Journal reported that Trump had pushed for appointing special counsels to investigate his allegations of elections fraud related to November vote, as well as to launch a probe into President elect Joe Biden’s son Hunter.
"Attorney General William Barr said he saw no reason to appoint a special counsel to investigate allegations against Hunter Biden or election fraud on Monday, saying he believed the investigation into President-elect Joe Biden’s son was "being handled responsibly and professionally," Wall Street Journal wrote.
On December 14, the US Electoral College convened and confirmed Biden’s election victory. The Democrat received 306 votes, while incumbent President Donald Trump secured 232 votes. With 538 electors, a candidate needs to get 270 votes to be elected to the office of President of the United States. Nevertheless, Trump has not conceded and has put up a relentless fight to challenge the results, filing a multitude of lawsuits claiming irregularities and voter fraud in a number of key states. Trump’s legal battles have failed to gain any ground, being rejected in state courts, as well as by the US Supreme Court. The inauguration of the next head of the US administration will take place on January 20.


tass--2020-12-24--US Treasury extends deadline for investors to complete deals with GAZ Group

WASHINGTON , December 24 .
/TASS/ .
The US authorities are extending the deadline for investors to complete transactions with GAZ Group until January 26 , 2022 and set the same deadline for American investors to get rid of the shares of the Russian holding .
The Office of Foreign Assets Control ( OFAC ) of the US Treasury Department announced this on Wednesday .
OFAC issued two general licenses : General License 13P , which extends the term for disposing of GAZ Group assets , and General License 15J , which specifies the terms for the extension of transactions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2018 , the United States imposed sanctions against 24 Russians and 15 legal entities .
The US Treasury blacklisted businessmen Oleg Deripaska , Vladimir Bogdanov , Suleiman Kerimov , Igor Rotenberg , Kirill Shamalov , Andrey Skoch , Viktor Vekselberg .
Restrictions were imposed on Deripaska-controlled Rusal and the En+ Group , the Basic Element industrial group and the Russian Machines machine-building holding , B-Finance and Eurosibenergo , the GAZ Group and the Kuban agricultural holding .
Also Gazprom Burenie , Rotenberg 's NPV Engineering group , Shamalov 's Ladoga Management company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sanctions .
Initially , the US Treasury obliged American investors to dispose of the shares and debt instruments of all blacklisted companies until May 7 , 2018 for , and to terminate contracts with them until June 5 , 2018 .
Subsequently , these terms were extended several times .
In July of 2020 , the deadline for completing transactions with GAZ Group was extended until January 22 , 2021 .
On January 27 of 2019 year , the US Treasury Department announced the lifting of the sanctions imposed on Rusal , @ @ @ @

WASHINGTON, December 24. /TASS/. The US authorities are extending the deadline for investors to complete transactions with GAZ Group until January 26, 2022 and set the same deadline for American investors to get rid of the shares of the Russian holding.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Treasury Department announced this on Wednesday.
OFAC issued two general licenses: General License 13P, which extends the term for disposing of GAZ Group assets, and General License 15J, which specifies the terms for the extension of transactions with the holding.
On April 6, 2018, the United States imposed sanctions against 24 Russians and 15 legal entities. The US Treasury blacklisted businessmen Oleg Deripaska, Vladimir Bogdanov, Suleiman Kerimov, Igor Rotenberg, Kirill Shamalov, Andrey Skoch, Viktor Vekselberg. Restrictions were imposed on Deripaska-controlled Rusal and the En+ Group, the Basic Element industrial group and the Russian Machines machine-building holding, B-Finance and Eurosibenergo, the GAZ Group and the Kuban agricultural holding. Also Gazprom Burenie, Rotenberg's NPV Engineering group, Shamalov's Ladoga Management company and Vekselberg's Renova Group became subject to sanctions.
Initially, the US Treasury obliged American investors to dispose of the shares and debt instruments of all blacklisted companies until May 7, 2018 for, and to terminate contracts with them until June 5, 2018. Subsequently, these terms were extended several times.
In July of 2020, the deadline for completing transactions with GAZ Group was extended until January 22, 2021.
On January 27 of 2019 year, the US Treasury Department announced the lifting of the sanctions imposed on Rusal, En+ and Eurosibenergo.


tass--2020-12-23--Moscow's death toll from confirmed COVID-19 cases rises by 76 to 10,689

MOSCOW , December 23 .
/TASS/ .
The death toll from confirmed coronavirus cases has risen by 76 in Moscow over the past 24 hours , the Russian capital ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Wednesday .
`` Seventy-six patients have passed away in Moscow .
Their diagnoses of pneumonia were confirmed and they tested positive for coronavirus , '' the center informed .
The death toll from confirmed cases of COVID-19 has risen to 10,689 in Moscow .
The Russian capital accounts for most cases of COVID-19 in Russia .
As of December 23 , as many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city .
Of those , 5,652 were confirmed in the past 24 hours .
At the same time , 582,772 patients recovered from the disease .
According to the latest statistics , more than 78 million people have been infected with coronavirus worldwide and more than 1.7 million deaths have been reported .
To date , 2,933,753 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 2,343,967 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 52,461 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, December 23. /TASS/. The death toll from confirmed coronavirus cases has risen by 76 in Moscow over the past 24 hours, the Russian capital’s anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Wednesday.
"Seventy-six patients have passed away in Moscow. Their diagnoses of pneumonia were confirmed and they tested positive for coronavirus," the center informed.
The death toll from confirmed cases of COVID-19 has risen to 10,689 in Moscow.
The Russian capital accounts for most cases of COVID-19 in Russia. As of December 23, as many as 756,586 COVID-19 cases were recorded in the city. Of those, 5,652 were confirmed in the past 24 hours. At the same time, 582,772 patients recovered from the disease.
According to the latest statistics, more than 78 million people have been infected with coronavirus worldwide and more than 1.7 million deaths have been reported.
To date, 2,933,753 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 2,343,967 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 52,461 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-12-23--WHO reports over 570,000 new daily cases of COVID-19

GENEVA , December 23 .
/TASS/ .
More than 570,000 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus have been recorded globally in the past day , pushing a total number of infections to 76.85 million , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin on Wednesday .
According to the WHO updates , the coronavirus-related deaths increased by over 11,400 to exceed 1.71 million .
As of 18.44 Moscow time on December 23 , as many as 76,858,506 coronavirus cases and 1,711,498 coronavirus-related deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases grew by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of fatalities increased by 11,496 .
The WHO statistics are based only on officially confirmed data provided by countries .
South and North America account for more than 43 % of new COVID-19 cases submitted to the WHO in the past 24 hours ( 247,875 ) .
Europe goes second ( 244,053 cases ) followed by South East Asia ( 34,484 ) .
Most COVID-19 cases are recorded in the United States ( 17,895,109 ) , followed by India ( 10,099,066 ) , Brazil ( 7,263,619 ) , Russia ( 2,933,753 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK ( 2,110,318 ) , Italy ( 1,977,370 ) , Spain ( 1,829,903 ) , Germany ( 1,554,920 ) , Argentina ( 1,547,138 ) , Colombia ( 1,518,067 ) , and Mexico ( 1,325,915 ) .

GENEVA, December 23. /TASS/. More than 570,000 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus have been recorded globally in the past day, pushing a total number of infections to 76.85 million, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin on Wednesday.
According to the WHO updates, the coronavirus-related deaths increased by over 11,400 to exceed 1.71 million.
As of 18.44 Moscow time on December 23, as many as 76,858,506 coronavirus cases and 1,711,498 coronavirus-related deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by 570,357 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 11,496.
The WHO statistics are based only on officially confirmed data provided by countries.
South and North America account for more than 43% of new COVID-19 cases submitted to the WHO in the past 24 hours (247,875). Europe goes second (244,053 cases) followed by South East Asia (34,484).
Most COVID-19 cases are recorded in the United States (17,895,109), followed by India (10,099,066), Brazil (7,263,619), Russia (2,933,753), France (2,448,543), the UK (2,110,318), Italy (1,977,370), Spain (1,829,903), Germany (1,554,920), Argentina (1,547,138), Colombia (1,518,067), and Mexico (1,325,915).


tass--2020-12-23--Indian spacemen to finalize training in Russia in March 2021

MOSCOW , December 23 .
/TASS/ .
Indian cosmonauts are expected to finalize their training in the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training @ @ @ @ @ says Glavkosmos CEO Dmitry Loskutov .
`` Overall , everything goes as planned , we @ @ @ @ @ in March next year , '' Loskutov said on Roscosmos TV Youtube channel .
According @ @ @ @ @ the future , it would be possible to send Russian specialists to train cosmonauts in @ @ @ @ @ depend on a many factors , including the epidemic .
In August 2018 , Indian @ @ @ @ @ that his country will sent its first national space crew to orbit in 2022 , @ @ @ @ @ 75th anniversary of the independence .
A group of four potential cosmonauts undergo training in @ @ @ @ @ Center .

MOSCOW, December 23. /TASS/. Indian cosmonauts are expected to finalize their training in the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in March 2021, says Glavkosmos CEO Dmitry Loskutov.
"Overall, everything goes as planned, we expect their training to end in March next year," Loskutov said on Roscosmos TV Youtube channel.
According to the official, in the future, it would be possible to send Russian specialists to train cosmonauts in India, but it would depend on a many factors, including the epidemic.
In August 2018, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that his country will sent its first national space crew to orbit in 2022, in order to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the independence. A group of four potential cosmonauts undergo training in the Russian Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center.


tass--2020-12-23--Coronavirus spread rate in UK keeps growing, scientists say

LONDON , December 23 .
/TASS/ .
Coronavirus spread rate in the UK continues to grow in December , says Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( SAGE ) report published Wednesday .
According to the report , the coronavirus situation changed to the worse last week .
The base reproduction coefficient , which indicated the covid spread rate , grew to 1.1 to 1.3 , which means that 10 infected people manage to infect a total of 11-13 more people .
Last week , this figure was about 1.1 to 1.2 , and three weeks ago , before the nationwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 0.8 to 1 .
The incidence spike is caused by the new , mutated strain of the coronavirus , reported by UK Secretary of State for Health Matt Hancock .
According to the official , preliminary research shows that this virus spreads faster than the previously known versions .
On December 19 , UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the new coronavirus could be up to 70 % more contagious , adding that there has so far been no indication that this strain is more lethal than others .
The new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection cases - the majority of new cases in London , in southeaster England and in Wales have this new virus variant .
This forces the authorities to take harsh measures to fight the infection .
Meanwhile , some 50 states , including most of the EU , Russia , Australia , Argentina , Canada and Turkey announced temporary suspension of air service with the UK .

LONDON, December 23. /TASS/. Coronavirus spread rate in the UK continues to grow in December, says Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) report published Wednesday.
According to the report, the coronavirus situation changed to the worse last week. The base reproduction coefficient, which indicated the covid spread rate, grew to 1.1 to 1.3, which means that 10 infected people manage to infect a total of 11-13 more people. Last week, this figure was about 1.1 to 1.2, and three weeks ago, before the nationwide quarantine was cancelled, it was just about 0.8 to 1.
The incidence spike is caused by the new, mutated strain of the coronavirus, reported by UK Secretary of State for Health Matt Hancock. According to the official, preliminary research shows that this virus spreads faster than the previously known versions. On December 19, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the new coronavirus could be up to 70% more contagious, adding that there has so far been no indication that this strain is more lethal than others.
The new coronavirus variant becomes dominant among the new infection cases - the majority of new cases in London, in southeaster England and in Wales have this new virus variant. This forces the authorities to take harsh measures to fight the infection. Meanwhile, some 50 states, including most of the EU, Russia, Australia, Argentina, Canada and Turkey announced temporary suspension of air service with the UK.


tass--2020-12-23--Some 50 countries to take part in 2021 International Army games

MOSCOW , December 23 .
/TASS/ .
Some 50 countries expressed their intention to participate in the International Army games @ @ @ @ @ Minister Sergei Shoigu said Wednesday .
`` Almost 50 states have already filed for participation @ @ @ @ @ continue to come in , and I hope that nothing would prevent us from hosting @ @ @ @ @ said .
He reminded that over 30 countries participated this year , which competition taking @ @ @ @ @ .
In 2021 , the International Army games will take place between August 22 and @ @ @ @ @ international competitions with maximum extension of their geography .

MOSCOW, December 23. /TASS/. Some 50 countries expressed their intention to participate in the International Army games next year, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Wednesday.
"Almost 50 states have already filed for participation next year. The applications continue to come in, and I hope that nothing would prevent us from hosting this event," Shoigu said.
He reminded that over 30 countries participated this year, which competition taking place across five different states.
In 2021, the International Army games will take place between August 22 and September 4, including 34 international competitions with maximum extension of their geography.


tass--2020-12-23--Russia needs to reach turning point in coronavirus spread, says Putin

NOVO-OGARYOVO , December 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has noted the importance of reaching a turning point in the coronavirus spread situation in the country , he said Wednesday , drawing conclusions of the joint meeting of the State Council and the Council for Strategic Development and National Projects .
`` We need to continue the fight against the coronavirus epidemic , to reach a turning point , to maintain a high level of healthcare system ’ s and all social services ’ mobilization and , of course , to learn lessons from all the problems that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure employment recovery and reaching steady economic growth trajectory , '' he noted .
Putin added that anti-crisis decisions should be quickly and clearly implemented , while the future goals should also be not allowed to slip from attention .
`` Resolution of systemic tasks should be more and more placed first , including increase of citizens ’ incomes , new jobs , improving accessibility and quality of healthcare and education , creation of favorable conditions for investment and business , development of infrastructure and residential building construction , '' he explained .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in these and other key spheres where the fundamental response to challenges we are facing lies .
According to Putin , it is important to not only overcome the consequences of the pandemic but also advance forward .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, December 23. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has noted the importance of reaching a turning point in the coronavirus spread situation in the country, he said Wednesday, drawing conclusions of the joint meeting of the State Council and the Council for Strategic Development and National Projects.
"We need to continue the fight against the coronavirus epidemic, to reach a turning point, to maintain a high level of healthcare system’s and all social services’ mobilization and, of course, to learn lessons from all the problems that we faced and solved as well as ensure employment recovery and reaching steady economic growth trajectory," he noted.
Putin added that anti-crisis decisions should be quickly and clearly implemented, while the future goals should also be not allowed to slip from attention. "Resolution of systemic tasks should be more and more placed first, including increase of citizens’ incomes, new jobs, improving accessibility and quality of healthcare and education, creation of favorable conditions for investment and business, development of infrastructure and residential building construction," he explained. "It is in reaching new quality in these and other key spheres where the fundamental response to challenges we are facing lies. According to Putin, it is important to not only overcome the consequences of the pandemic but also advance forward.


tass--2020-12-23--Armenian PM lauds Russia’s Emergency Ministry work in Nagorno-Karabakh

YEREVAN , December 23 .
/TASS/ .
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has had a meeting with Russian Emergency Minister Yevgeny Zinichev and praised the work of the Russian agency in returning to normality in Nagorno-Karabakh and providing humanitarian aid to citizens , the Armenian cabinet reported Wednesday .
`` We are interested in further development of cooperation with Russia in all spheres , including security , economy and the humanitarian sphere .
We highly appreciate the activity of the Russian Emergency Ministry to resume normal life in Nagorno-Karabakh , '' the prime minister said , noting the need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ various spheres .
Pashinyan also said that the Armenian government attaches importance to continuous development of strategic partnership with Russia and underlined key role of Russia in boosting peace and stability in the region .
Zinichev spoke in detail about the humanitarian activities of the Russian Emergency Ministry in Nagorno-Karabakh and stressed that transportation of humanitarian shipments is going ahead without any problems and in close cooperation with Armenian partners .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
On November 9 , Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
Currently , 23 observation posts were set up by the peacekeepers .

YEREVAN, December 23. /TASS/. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has had a meeting with Russian Emergency Minister Yevgeny Zinichev and praised the work of the Russian agency in returning to normality in Nagorno-Karabakh and providing humanitarian aid to citizens, the Armenian cabinet reported Wednesday.
"We are interested in further development of cooperation with Russia in all spheres, including security, economy and the humanitarian sphere. We highly appreciate the activity of the Russian Emergency Ministry to resume normal life in Nagorno-Karabakh," the prime minister said, noting the need to develop and implement new joint programs in various spheres. Pashinyan also said that the Armenian government attaches importance to continuous development of strategic partnership with Russia and underlined key role of Russia in boosting peace and stability in the region.
Zinichev spoke in detail about the humanitarian activities of the Russian Emergency Ministry in Nagorno-Karabakh and stressed that transportation of humanitarian shipments is going ahead without any problems and in close cooperation with Armenian partners.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. 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. Currently, 23 observation posts were set up by the peacekeepers.


tass--2020-12-23--Enormous iceberg separates from Antarctic ice shelf

MOSCOW , December 23 .
/TASS/ .
One of the biggest icebergs lately separated from the Antarctic ice shelf and @ @ @ @ @ Island in the Atlantic , Associated Press reported Wednesday , citing the British Antarctic Survey @ @ @ @ @ caused by strong winds , which currently push the iceberg towards South Georgia .
The @ @ @ @ @ send a research team towards the iceberg in January , in order to determine its @ @ @ @ @ ’ nesting region .
The iceberg has already reached the western boundary of South Georgia @ @ @ @ @ it hit a rock and split in two .
The larger part , with an @ @ @ @ @ kilometers , continues its movement towards the island .
The scientists believe that an impact @ @ @ @ @ .
The iceberg is currently 50 km away from the island .

MOSCOW, December 23. /TASS/. One of the biggest icebergs lately separated from the Antarctic ice shelf and drift towards the South Georgia Island in the Atlantic, Associated Press reported Wednesday, citing the British Antarctic Survey.
The cataclysm was probably caused by strong winds, which currently push the iceberg towards South Georgia. The British Antarctic Survey intends to send a research team towards the iceberg in January, in order to determine its possible effect to the birds’ nesting region.
The iceberg has already reached the western boundary of South Georgia’s shelf, where it hit a rock and split in two. The larger part, with an area of about 4,200 square kilometers, continues its movement towards the island. The scientists believe that an impact may damage the underwater ecosystems.
The iceberg is currently 50 km away from the island.


tass--2020-12-23--About 8,000 volunteers received placebo during Sputnik V trials, says expert

MOSCOW , December 23 .
/TASS/ .
About 8,000 volunteers out of almost 32,000 who participated in trials of the Sputnik V vaccine against the novel coronavirus have received a placebo instead of the preparation , Head of the Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapy , Vice-Chancellor of the Russian Medical Academy of Continued Professional Education Dmitry Sychev told journalists on Wednesday .
Earlier , the press service of the Russian Healthcare Ministry reported that the ministry made a decision not to recruit volunteers for vaccine trials anymore .
`` It is known that currently almost 32,000 volunteers participate in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine in Moscow , a quarter of them having received a placebo .
This number of participants may be enough for the study of the safety profile and preventive effectiveness of the vaccine , '' the expert said .
He also pointed out that in general other manufacturers of vaccine preparations engaged in studies of their vaccines a comparable number of volunteers .
`` Thus , about 30,000 people participate in clinical trials of a vaccine by American Moderna , '' he noted .
On August 11 , Russia became the first worldwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which was named Sputnik V. The preparation was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry and passed clinical trials in June-July .
Post-registration trials began in Moscow on September 7 , the first vaccine was administered to volunteers on September 9 .
In all , 40,000 people were supposed to participate in the program , with 10,000 of them receiving a placebo instead of the vaccine .

MOSCOW, December 23. /TASS/. About 8,000 volunteers out of almost 32,000 who participated in trials of the Sputnik V vaccine against the novel coronavirus have received a placebo instead of the preparation, Head of the Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapy, Vice-Chancellor of the Russian Medical Academy of Continued Professional Education Dmitry Sychev told journalists on Wednesday.
Earlier, the press service of the Russian Healthcare Ministry reported that the ministry made a decision not to recruit volunteers for vaccine trials anymore.
"It is known that currently almost 32,000 volunteers participate in post-registration clinical trials of the Sputnik V vaccine in Moscow, a quarter of them having received a placebo. This number of participants may be enough for the study of the safety profile and preventive effectiveness of the vaccine," the expert said.
He also pointed out that in general other manufacturers of vaccine preparations engaged in studies of their vaccines a comparable number of volunteers. "Thus, about 30,000 people participate in clinical trials of a vaccine by American Moderna," he noted.
On August 11, Russia became the first worldwide to register the vaccine against the coronavirus which was named Sputnik V. The preparation was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry and passed clinical trials in June-July. Post-registration trials began in Moscow on September 7, the first vaccine was administered to volunteers on September 9. In all, 40,000 people were supposed to participate in the program, with 10,000 of them receiving a placebo instead of the vaccine.


tass--2020-12-23--Oil product inventories in Europe at ten-year highs, Argus says

MOSCOW , December 23 .
/TASS/ .
Balances of oil products in storages of 15 EU member-states and Norway are @ @ @ @ @ the decade and the surplus offer will remain in the next year , Argus agency @ @ @ @ @ to Euroilstock data , inventories amounted to 689 mln barrels , up 14 % year-on-year @ @ @ @ @ for the third month in succession , Argus noted .
Inventories of all oil products @ @ @ @ @ the environment of the COVID-19 pandemic and poor demand , Argus says .
`` Market @ @ @ @ @ significant increase in processing at refineries in December because of the effect of lockdown measures @ @ @ @ @ worst for gasoline , whose volumes will remain in surplus in the next year also @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, December 23. /TASS/. Balances of oil products in storages of 15 EU member-states and Norway are at their highest level over the decade and the surplus offer will remain in the next year, Argus agency reports on Wednesday.
According to Euroilstock data, inventories amounted to 689 mln barrels, up 14% year-on-year. The indicator is maintained for the third month in succession, Argus noted.
Inventories of all oil products are above last-year figures in the environment of the COVID-19 pandemic and poor demand, Argus says. "Market players do not expect a significant increase in processing at refineries in December because of the effect of lockdown measures. The forecast is the worst for gasoline, whose volumes will remain in surplus in the next year also," the agency says.


tass--2020-12-23--Combination of online and traditional learning formats will evolve, says Putin

NOVO-OGAREVO , December 23 .
/TASS/ .
The combination of online learning opportunities and its traditional format will evolve , Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday .
`` I think the combination of these opportunities will develop , '' he said .
Putin noted that now , against the backdrop of the pandemic , not all schoolchildren have switched to the online mode of education .
Thus , `` almost all junior schoolchildren study in a regular , offline mode , only 2 % of schools work online . ''
`` This is due not only to coronavirus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diseases .
This has happened before , back in Soviet times , when the flu was raging , schools sometimes closed .
This is just a necessary measure , '' Putin said .
He added that no more than 10 % of high school students switched to the remote mode .
At the same time , Putin also noted the advantages of the online format .
According to him , this gives narrow-profile specialists and outstanding scientists a chance of more active participation in the educational process , which is much more difficult @ @ @ @ @

NOVO-OGAREVO, December 23. /TASS/. The combination of online learning opportunities and its traditional format will evolve, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.
"I think the combination of these opportunities will develop," he said. Putin noted that now, against the backdrop of the pandemic, not all schoolchildren have switched to the online mode of education. Thus, "almost all junior schoolchildren study in a regular, offline mode, only 2% of schools work online."
"This is due not only to coronavirus, but also to influenza and other seasonal diseases. This has happened before, back in Soviet times, when the flu was raging, schools sometimes closed. This is just a necessary measure," Putin said. He added that no more than 10% of high school students switched to the remote mode.
At the same time, Putin also noted the advantages of the online format. According to him, this gives narrow-profile specialists and outstanding scientists a chance of more active participation in the educational process, which is much more difficult with the usual format.


tass--2020-12-23--Natural population growth reported in 11 Russian regions

NOVO-OGARYOVO , December 23 .
/TASS/ .
Natural population increase is recorded in eleven Russian regions , Deputy Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ joint meeting of Russia ’ s State Council and Council for Strategic Development and National @ @ @ @ @ Even now , amid those difficult conditions related to COVID-19 , the country ’ s @ @ @ @ @ increase , according to the latest statistics of Rosstat [ the Federal Service for State @ @ @ @ @ 20 , '' the deputy prime minister said .
Golikova recalled that the sustainable growth @ @ @ @ @ by 2030 .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, December 23. /TASS/. Natural population increase is recorded in eleven Russian regions, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said at a joint meeting of Russia’s State Council and Council for Strategic Development and National Projects on Wednesday.
"Even now, amid those difficult conditions related to COVID-19, the country’s eleven regions show natural population increase, according to the latest statistics of Rosstat [the Federal Service for State Statistics] dated by December 20," the deputy prime minister said.
Golikova recalled that the sustainable growth of population should be ensured by 2030.


tass--2020-12-23--Russian State Duma calls on EU lawmakers to condemn harassment of journalists in Latvia

MOSCOW , December 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russian State Duma adopted a resolution Wednesday , calling on European lawmakers to condemn violations of the freedom of speech by the Latvian authorities and act against censorship in political struggle .
`` The State Duma deputies urge the lawmakers of European states to condemn the Latvian Republic ’ s blatant violations of international obligations to protect the freedom of speech and to support the free operation of the mass media ; we urge to act against the use of force and censorship as instruments of political struggle and informational standoff , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Latvian authorities for `` unending politically-motivated repressions against the Russian-speaking journalists and public figures . ''
`` Systemic violations of human rights and main freedoms in Latvia become more and more frequent and wide-scale , '' the paper says .
The State Duma underscored that the `` policy of Latvian authorities , aimed at discrimination of the so-called non-citizens and national minorities , at effective elimination of Russian-spoken educational space , '' as well as glorification of Nazi criminals and their accomplices `` coincide with blatant violation of the freedom of speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professional duties . ''
The lawmakers mentioned the December 3 , 2020 , apprehension of Sputnik Latvia and BaltNews employees as an example .

MOSCOW, December 23. /TASS/. Russian State Duma adopted a resolution Wednesday, calling on European lawmakers to condemn violations of the freedom of speech by the Latvian authorities and act against censorship in political struggle.
"The State Duma deputies urge the lawmakers of European states to condemn the Latvian Republic’s blatant violations of international obligations to protect the freedom of speech and to support the free operation of the mass media; we urge to act against the use of force and censorship as instruments of political struggle and informational standoff," the document says.
The lawmakers condemned the Latvian authorities for "unending politically-motivated repressions against the Russian-speaking journalists and public figures."
"Systemic violations of human rights and main freedoms in Latvia become more and more frequent and wide-scale," the paper says.
The State Duma underscored that the "policy of Latvian authorities, aimed at discrimination of the so-called non-citizens and national minorities, at effective elimination of Russian-spoken educational space," as well as glorification of Nazi criminals and their accomplices "coincide with blatant violation of the freedom of speech and journalists being prevented from performing their professional duties."
The lawmakers mentioned the December 3, 2020, apprehension of Sputnik Latvia and BaltNews employees as an example.


tass--2020-12-23--Africa’s COVID-19 death toll surpasses 60,000 mark, reports WHO

PRETORIA , December 23 .
/TASS/ .
African nations have recorded 36,130 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 48 @ @ @ @ @ number of infections to 2,542,653 , the World Health Organization ’ s ( WHO ) @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday .
The coronavirus-related death toll has topped 60,176 across African nations after a @ @ @ @ @ the past 48 hours .
More than 2.1 million people have recovered from the disease @

PRETORIA, December 23. /TASS/. African nations have recorded 36,130 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 48 hours, bringing the total number of infections to 2,542,653, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Office for Africa said on Wednesday.
The coronavirus-related death toll has topped 60,176 across African nations after a rise of 1,147 deaths in the past 48 hours. More than 2.1 million people have recovered from the disease.


tass--2020-12-23--Number of coronavirus cases in Finland rises to 34,084

HELSINKI , December 21 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases in Finland increased by 367 over the day , reaching 34,084 , the Finnish National Institute for Health and Social Development said on Wednesday .
At the same time , 524 patients died from the complications from coronavirus .
More than 2 mln people have been tested .
The largest daily increase in the number of infections during the pandemic was recorded on December 10 - 840 .
Finland closed its borders from March 19 to May 13 to prevent the spread of the virus .
Since September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without the need to be in quarantine from countries where the number of coronavirus cases is 25 per 100,000 people in the last two weeks .
From October 1 , for countries with this threshold exceeded , entry can be allowed without a 14-day quarantine with two negative tests for coronavirus - the first must be done before the trip , the second - after arriving in the country .
This measure will affect only the EU countries , the Schengen zone , and states from the list of third countries drawn up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apply , in particular , to Russia and the United States .
The border of the country for tourists from Russia will remain closed until at least January 12 .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

HELSINKI, December 21. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Finland increased by 367 over the day, reaching 34,084, the Finnish National Institute for Health and Social Development said on Wednesday.
At the same time, 524 patients died from the complications from coronavirus. More than 2 mln people have been tested. The largest daily increase in the number of infections during the pandemic was recorded on December 10 - 840.
Finland closed its borders from March 19 to May 13 to prevent the spread of the virus. Since September 19, the country has allowed entry without the need to be in quarantine from countries where the number of coronavirus cases is 25 per 100,000 people in the last two weeks. From October 1, for countries with this threshold exceeded, entry can be allowed without a 14-day quarantine with two negative tests for coronavirus - the first must be done before the trip, the second - after arriving in the country. This measure will affect only the EU countries, the Schengen zone, and states from the list of third countries drawn up by the EU, and will not apply, in particular, to Russia and the United States.
The border of the country for tourists from Russia will remain closed until at least January 12.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-12-23--Russia plans to issue annually loans worth 700 bln rubles to SME at reduced rate

NOVO-OGAREVO , December 23 .
/ TASS / .
The Russian government plans to issue annually 700 mln rubles of loans to small and medium-sized enterprises ( SMEs ) at a reduced interest rate , said First Deputy Russian Prime Minister Andrey Belousov at a joint meeting of the State Council and the Council for Strategic Development and National Projects on Wednesday .
`` [ It is assumed ] to increase the availability of soft loans at a reduced interest rate of 7 % or less .
It is planned to issue 700 bln rubles of such loans annually , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In four years , the coverage of this program will be at least 2 mln people , '' he said .
Belousov noted that over 4 years the number of employed in the SME sector should increase to 23 mln people , and by 2030 - to 25 mln .
Revenue per SME entity should increase annually by at least 4 % in comparable prices .
For this , in particular , it is planned to develop taxation regimes .
`` Already this year , as part of the abolition of UTII ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from January 2021 - TASS note ) , conditions have been created for a soft transition to other tax regimes - a patent and a simplified taxation system .
special tax regimes for the general regime when expanding the scope of the company 's activities , their revenue and amount , `` said Belousov .

NOVO-OGAREVO, December 23. / TASS /. The Russian government plans to issue annually 700 mln rubles of loans to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) at a reduced interest rate, said First Deputy Russian Prime Minister Andrey Belousov at a joint meeting of the State Council and the Council for Strategic Development and National Projects on Wednesday.
"[It is assumed] to increase the availability of soft loans at a reduced interest rate of 7% or less. It is planned to issue 700 bln rubles of such loans annually, covering 11,000 -13,000 SME companies annually. In four years, the coverage of this program will be at least 2 mln people," he said.
Belousov noted that over 4 years the number of employed in the SME sector should increase to 23 mln people, and by 2030 - to 25 mln. Revenue per SME entity should increase annually by at least 4% in comparable prices. For this, in particular, it is planned to develop taxation regimes. "Already this year, as part of the abolition of UTII (single tax on imputed income, canceled from January 2021 - TASS note), conditions have been created for a soft transition to other tax regimes - a patent and a simplified taxation system. special tax regimes for the general regime when expanding the scope of the company's activities, their revenue and amount, "said Belousov.


tass--2020-12-23--Russian government plans to sign at least 1,000 investment protection agreements

NOVO-OGAREVO , December 23 .
/TASS/ .
The national government plans to conclude at least 1,000 investment protection and promotion @ @ @ @ @ 2024 , First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Andrei Belousov says on Wednesday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ be created at the expense of investments .
It is planned in total to make @ @ @ @ @ to 14 trillion rubles ( $ 1.1 trillion by 2024 , '' Belousov said .
@ @ @ @ @ investments by medium businesses at the regional level also undergoes deployment at present , the @ @ @ @ @ to the schedule , this system will be launched in pilot regions of the country @ @ @ @ @ next year at the latest , '' Belousov added .

NOVO-OGAREVO, December 23. /TASS/. The national government plans to conclude at least 1,000 investment protection and promotion agreements with the business by 2024, First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Andrei Belousov says on Wednesday.
"Over 23,000 new jobs will be created at the expense of investments. It is planned in total to make at least 1,000 agreements amounting to 14 trillion rubles ($1.1 trillion by 2024," Belousov said.
A system for support of investments by medium businesses at the regional level also undergoes deployment at present, the official said.
"According to the schedule, this system will be launched in pilot regions of the country on September 30 of the next year at the latest," Belousov added.


tass--2020-12-23--Stabilization of coronavirus situation observed in Russia, top sanitary doctor says

MOSCOW , December 23 .
/TASS/ .
A stabilization of the situation with the coronavirus and lower rates of incidence @ @ @ @ @ Head of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing Anna @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday .
More than one third of Russians plan on getting vaccinated — survey @ @ @ @ @ lowering of growth rates and stabilization of figures are observed , '' she said .
@ @ @ @ @ that currently the daily incidence in Russia is 3-4-5 times lower than in some other @ @ @ @ @ latest global statistics , more than 78 mln people have been infected worldwide and over @ @ @ @ @ reported .
To date , 2,933,753 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with @ @ @ @ @ the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 52,461 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , @ @ @ @ @ an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, December 23. /TASS/. A stabilization of the situation with the coronavirus and lower rates of incidence are observed in Russia, Head of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing Anna Popova said at a briefing on Wednesday.
More than one third of Russians plan on getting vaccinated — survey
"In our country currently lowering of growth rates and stabilization of figures are observed," she said.
The top sanitary doctor noted that currently the daily incidence in Russia is 3-4-5 times lower than in some other countries.
According to the latest global statistics, more than 78 mln people have been infected worldwide and over 1.7 mln deaths have been reported. To date, 2,933,753 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 2,343,967 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 52,461 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.