tass--2020-09-03--Lukashenko says Minsk intercepted chat proving Navalny’s poisoning was utter fabrication

MINSK , September 3 .
/TASS/ .
Minsk has intercepted a conversation between Berlin and Warsaw , which proves that the story of Russian blogger Alexei Navalny ’ s poisoning was fabricated , Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday , adding that the information would be handed over to Russia ’ s Federal Security Service ( FSB ) .
`` Before [ German Chancellor Angela ] Merkel made a statement that someone sought to silence Navalny , we had intercepted a conversation .
As far as we can understand , it was a chat between Warsaw and Berlin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin .
`` Our military electronic intelligence agency intercepted the conversation .
We continue to confront NATO in the field of electronic intelligence because military units are deployed there [ along the western border of Belarus - TASS ] , '' Lukashenko specified .
`` We intercepted an interesting chat , I will provide a transcript to you and we will also send it to the FSB .
This proves that it is a fabricated story .
Navalny was not poisoned , '' the Belarusian president stressed .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made an emergency landing in the Russian city of Omsk after the blogger had suddenly felt unwell in mid-flight .
Navalny was taken to the hospital in a coma and was hooked up to a ventilator .
On August 22 , he was flown to Germany for treatment at Berlin ’ s Charite hospital .
The German government said on Wednesday , citing the results of a toxicological analysis carried out by Bundeswehr experts , that Navalny had been poisoned with the Novichok nerve agent .
Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any toxic substances in Navalny ’ s body .
He also emphasized that Russia was interested in establishing the cause of what happened to the blogger and the information that Germany had could be helpful to Russian investigators .

MINSK, September 3. /TASS/. Minsk has intercepted a conversation between Berlin and Warsaw, which proves that the story of Russian blogger Alexei Navalny’s poisoning was fabricated, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday, adding that the information would be handed over to Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB).
"Before [German Chancellor Angela] Merkel made a statement that someone sought to silence Navalny, we had intercepted a conversation. As far as we can understand, it was a chat between Warsaw and Berlin," Lukashenko said at a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. "Our military electronic intelligence agency intercepted the conversation. We continue to confront NATO in the field of electronic intelligence because military units are deployed there [along the western border of Belarus - TASS]," Lukashenko specified.
"We intercepted an interesting chat, I will provide a transcript to you and we will also send it to the FSB [Russian principal security agency]. This proves that it is a fabricated story. Navalny was not poisoned," the Belarusian president stressed.
The aim of the Berlin-Warsaw plot was to "discourage Putin from sticking his nose in Belarusian affairs," Lukashenko said, citing the intercepted conversation between German and Polish officials.
"A group of specialists prepared, as far as I understand, details for [German Chancellor Angela] Merkel’s administration, or maybe even the statement that she made. They did it, and I quote, ‘to discourage Putin from sticking his nose into Belarusian affairs.’ That’s a quote from this conversation. Do you understand how deviously these people act," Lukashenko insisted.
"Therefore, I believe that [FSB Director Alexander] Bortnikov and [Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergei] Naryshkin will have to examine this situation seriously. We will hand over both the voice recording and the text. The materials will be at your intelligence services in full today or tomorrow, so that they can figure out who needed this," Lukashenko emphasized.
"There is another quote: In particular, they will hold elections shortly, voting day in the Russian regions.’ That is, they know that there will be elections in Russia and that they have some dirty trick up their sleeves ahead of those elections," the president cautioned.
"We believe they will come up with something else. This is their style. This is their true face," Lukashenko pointed out. "There was also talk about Belarus. I will leave it to you so you can read it."
"They are making sure that they won’t give us any peace, life will not be quiet," the Belarusian leader concluded. "I am certain of that. But you must understand that we are determined to defend our sovereignty and our independence and we won’t allow them to make us give in here."
Navalny ‘poisoning’ saga
Russian blogger Alexei Navalny was hospitalized in Omsk on August 20, after his health deteriorated rapidly during his flight from Tomsk to Moscow. Upon hospitalization, Navalny was in coma and then hooked up to a ventilator. On August 22, he was transferred to the Charite clinic in Berlin. On Wednesday, the German government claimed that Navalny’s tests revealed traces of an unidentified poisonous substance from the notorious Novichok group.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov claimed Thursday that Russian specialists discovered no poisonous substance during Navalny’s stay at the Omsk hospital. He stressed that Russia is undoubtedly interested in determining the cause of the incident, adding that the information from Germany’s authorities would help the investigation better understand what happened to the blogger. Peskov mentioned that the Ministry of the Interior is carrying out a pre-investigation inspection and all the necessary investigative procedures.


tass--2020-09-03--Russian Navy ships sent to assist tanker in distress in Indian Ocean

MOSCOW , September 3 .
/TASS/ .
A group of the Pacific Fleet ’ s combat ships has been urgently sent to render assistance to the tanker New Diamond in distress in the Indian Ocean , Russia ’ s National Defense Control Center reported on Thursday .
`` A group of the Pacific Fleet ’ s combat ships comprising the large anti-submarine warfare ships Admiral Tributs and Admiral Vinogradov and the large sea tanker Boris Butoma making a planned transit to the Andaman Sea for participating in the Indra Navy Russian-Indian joint naval exercise has been sent to the area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Diamond ( the port of registry Panama ) is in distress , '' the statement says .
The tanker New Diamond was sailing from Kuwait to India .
It is currently staying 180 miles off the coast of Sri Lanka .
`` The team , except for two crewmembers , has left the tanker and is staying on rescue craft at sea , '' the Center specified .
The Pacific Fleet ’ s ships have already begun their transit to the area where the tanker is in distress , it said .

MOSCOW, September 3. /TASS/. A group of the Pacific Fleet’s combat ships has been urgently sent to render assistance to the tanker New Diamond in distress in the Indian Ocean, Russia’s National Defense Control Center reported on Thursday.
"A group of the Pacific Fleet’s combat ships comprising the large anti-submarine warfare ships Admiral Tributs and Admiral Vinogradov and the large sea tanker Boris Butoma making a planned transit to the Andaman Sea for participating in the Indra Navy Russian-Indian joint naval exercise has been sent to the area in the Indian Ocean where the tanker New Diamond (the port of registry Panama) is in distress," the statement says.
The tanker New Diamond was sailing from Kuwait to India. It is currently staying 180 miles off the coast of Sri Lanka.
"The team, except for two crewmembers, has left the tanker and is staying on rescue craft at sea," the Center specified.
The Pacific Fleet’s ships have already begun their transit to the area where the tanker is in distress, it said.


tass--2020-09-03--Putin ready to take joint efforts with China on ensuring global stability

MOSCOW , September 3 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed readiness to carry out joint efforts with China @ @ @ @ @ stability , the Kremlin press service said on Thursday .
The Russian president sent a @ @ @ @ @ Xi Jinping on occasion of the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II @ @ @ @ @ People 's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression .
`` World War II was a @ @ @ @ @ ’ s history , which claimed dozens of millions of lives .
The Soviet Union @ @ @ @ @ brunt of fascism and militarism and defeated invaders at the cost of the biggest human @ @ @ @ @ said .
Putin expressed readiness to `` to continue active efforts jointly with its ally @ @ @ @ @ wars and conflicts in the world and ensure global stability and security .
`` .

MOSCOW, September 3. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed readiness to carry out joint efforts with China in order to ensure global stability, the Kremlin press service said on Thursday.
The Russian president sent a congratulatory telegram to Chinese leader Xi Jinping on occasion of the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II and victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.
"World War II was a major tragedy in the mankind’s history, which claimed dozens of millions of lives. The Soviet Union and China took a major brunt of fascism and militarism and defeated invaders at the cost of the biggest human losses," the telegram said.
Putin expressed readiness to "to continue active efforts jointly with its ally China in order to prevent wars and conflicts in the world and ensure global stability and security.".


tass--2020-09-03--Moscow authorities to fund subsidized loans for SMEs by yearend

MOSCOW , September 3 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow ’ s government will fund subsidized rates of loans for small and medium-sized enterprises ( SMEs ) provided by banks by the end of the year , head of the city ’ s entrepreneurship and innovative development department Aleksei Fursin said at the third Stolypin Forum on Thursday .
There are currently two subsidized lending programs - on restructuring of existing loans and a subsidized rate on new loans for business development , he noted .
`` All those programs will remain in force by the end of the year , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the program will last .
The program for subsidized lending for small and mid-sized businesses was launched in Moscow in the spring , with 11 largest banks participating in it .
According to Fursin , loans restructuring has become the most demanded support measure as loans totally worth around 90 bln rubles ( $ 1.1 bln ) have been restructured on that program by now .
The third Stolypin Forum dubbed ‘ The Immune System of the World Economy ’ in taking place in Moscow on September 3-4 .
Around 200 speakers from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offline and online .
TASS is the forum ’ s information partner .

MOSCOW, September 3. /TASS/. Moscow’s government will fund subsidized rates of loans for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) provided by banks by the end of the year, head of the city’s entrepreneurship and innovative development department Aleksei Fursin said at the third Stolypin Forum on Thursday.
There are currently two subsidized lending programs - on restructuring of existing loans and a subsidized rate on new loans for business development, he noted.
"All those programs will remain in force by the end of the year," he told TASS when asked how long the program will last.
The program for subsidized lending for small and mid-sized businesses was launched in Moscow in the spring, with 11 largest banks participating in it. According to Fursin, loans restructuring has become the most demanded support measure as loans totally worth around 90 bln rubles ($1.1 bln) have been restructured on that program by now.
The third Stolypin Forum dubbed ‘The Immune System of the World Economy’ in taking place in Moscow on September 3-4. Around 200 speakers from 40 countries are participating in business events offline and online. TASS is the forum’s information partner.


tass--2020-09-03--Russian MiG-31 fighter intercepts Norwegian military plane over Barents Sea

Russian radars detected an air target over the neutral waters of the Barents Sea flying towards Russia ’ s state border on September 3 , the Center said .
MOSCOW , September 3 .
/TASS/ .
A Russian MiG-31 fighter was scrambled to intercept a Norwegian military plane over the Barents Sea , Russia ’ s National Defense Control Center reported on Thursday .
`` A MiG-31BM fighter from the Northern Fleet ’ s air defense quick reaction alert forces was scrambled to intercept the air target and prevent it from violating the Russian state border .
The Russian fighter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a Norwegian Air Force P-3C Orion maritime patrol plane , '' the National Defense Control Center said .
After the Norwegian military plane flew away from Russia ’ s state border , the MiG-31 fighter safely returned to its home airfield , it said .
The entire flight of the Russian fighter proceeded `` in strict compliance with the international rules of using the airspace , '' the National Defense Control Center said .
The Norwegian military plane was not allowed to violate Russia ’ s state border , it stressed .

Russian radars detected an air target over the neutral waters of the Barents Sea flying towards Russia’s state border on September 3, the Center said.
MOSCOW, September 3. /TASS/. A Russian MiG-31 fighter was scrambled to intercept a Norwegian military plane over the Barents Sea, Russia’s National Defense Control Center reported on Thursday.
"A MiG-31BM fighter from the Northern Fleet’s air defense quick reaction alert forces was scrambled to intercept the air target and prevent it from violating the Russian state border. The Russian fighter’s crew identified the air target as a Norwegian Air Force P-3C Orion maritime patrol plane," the National Defense Control Center said.
After the Norwegian military plane flew away from Russia’s state border, the MiG-31 fighter safely returned to its home airfield, it said.
The entire flight of the Russian fighter proceeded "in strict compliance with the international rules of using the airspace," the National Defense Control Center said.
The Norwegian military plane was not allowed to violate Russia’s state border, it stressed.


tass--2020-09-03--Artillery troops eliminate enemy armor with Msta-B howitzers in Siberia drills

YEKATERINBURG , September 3 .
/TASS/ .
The teams of Msta-B towed howitzers eliminated a notional enemy ’ s armor at a maximum range during drills in the Kemerovo Region , the press office of the Central Military District reported on Thursday .
`` The personnel of the artillery formation of the Central Military District ’ s 41st all-arms army stationed in the Kemerovo Region accomplished fire assignments during tactical drills to strike the targets that simulated the notional enemy ’ s armored hardware and manpower at a maximum distance of up to 2,000 meters .
The fire was delivered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the press office said in a statement .
The artillery personnel delivered fire both against observed and invisible targets from sheltered fire positions and by direct fire .
The artillery teams paid special attention to the accuracy of striking targets while accomplishing their fire assignments and to the proper fulfillment of counter-fire maneuvers , the statement says .
The drills involved over 500 personnel and about 40 items of military hardware , the press office specified .
The Central Military District ’ s 41st combined arms army is stationed on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Altai Regions and the Republic of Tyva .
The army comprises motor rifle , artillery and air defense forces , radiation , chemical and biological protection units and signal troops .

YEKATERINBURG, September 3. /TASS/. The teams of Msta-B towed howitzers eliminated a notional enemy’s armor at a maximum range during drills in the Kemerovo Region, the press office of the Central Military District reported on Thursday.
"The personnel of the artillery formation of the Central Military District’s 41st all-arms army stationed in the Kemerovo Region accomplished fire assignments during tactical drills to strike the targets that simulated the notional enemy’s armored hardware and manpower at a maximum distance of up to 2,000 meters. The fire was delivered from 2A65 ‘Msta-B’ towed howitzers," the press office said in a statement.
The artillery personnel delivered fire both against observed and invisible targets from sheltered fire positions and by direct fire. The artillery teams paid special attention to the accuracy of striking targets while accomplishing their fire assignments and to the proper fulfillment of counter-fire maneuvers, the statement says.
The drills involved over 500 personnel and about 40 items of military hardware, the press office specified.
The Central Military District’s 41st combined arms army is stationed on the territory of the Novosibirsk, Kemerovo and Altai Regions and the Republic of Tyva. The army comprises motor rifle, artillery and air defense forces, radiation, chemical and biological protection units and signal troops.


tass--2020-09-03--Kremlin sees no reason to blame Navalny incident on Russia

MOSCOW , September 3 .
/TASS/ .
There is no reason to blame Russia for what happened to blogger Alexei Navalny , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday .
`` I would choose words carefully when speaking about accusations against the Russian state because there are no accusations at the moment and there is no reason to accuse the Russian state , '' he pointed out .
`` We aren ’ t inclined to accept any accusations in this regard , '' the Russian presidential spokesman added .
Peskov said that he did not see people and forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspected poisoning of Navalny .
`` I can not answer your question who could benefit from that person ’ s poisoning .
As a matter of fact , I don ’ t think that anyone could stand to gain from that , if one just takes a sober look at things , '' Peskov said .
`` We certainly would not like our partners in Germany and other European countries to jump to conclusions and make assessments , '' Peskov noted , adding that Moscow would like to maintain the dialogue on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Germany would share its findings on the Navalny ’ s incident with Russia .
`` We are undoubtedly interested in determining the cause of what happened to the Berlin patient .
Our investigative agencies conduct all necessary inspections .
The information from Germany would definitely help those inspections .
So far , we have received no information but we hope that this will happen shortly , '' Peskov said .
Russian Prosecutor General ’ s Office requested legal aid on Navalny ’ s incident from Germany , but received no response , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Russia ’ s involvement in the incident has been presented to the Russian Ambassador to Germany as well .
`` Russian Prosecutor General ’ s Office filed a request of legal aid to Berlin , which was received by Germany .
There has been no response yet , '' he said , adding that `` during the conversation at the Foreign Ministry , our Ambassador in Berlin has not been presented with any exact information on the German specialists ’ examinations , which led them to the conclusion about the poisoning .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrounding Navalny from the very beginning , one has to be deaf not to hear that , Peskov said .
`` Everyone has been clarifying the situation , both in the Kremlin and at the level of our specialists .
One has to be deaf not to hear that , '' he said .
Russian investigators have no grounds for launching a criminal investigation into alleged poisoning of Navalny without data provided by Germany , according to Peskov .
`` We don ’ t have information from our colleagues in Berlin .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , all biological samples and so on , our specialists - these are doctors and toxicologists - did not find any toxic agents , '' Peskov said answering a question if the Kremlin saw any grounds for launching criminal investigation after Germany announced its conclusions on the incident with Navalny .

MOSCOW, September 3. /TASS/. There is no reason to blame Russia for what happened to blogger Alexei Navalny, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday.
"I would choose words carefully when speaking about accusations against the Russian state because there are no accusations at the moment and there is no reason to accuse the Russian state," he pointed out. "We aren’t inclined to accept any accusations in this regard," the Russian presidential spokesman added.
Peskov said that he did not see people and forces in Russia that could benefit from the suspected poisoning of Navalny.
"I cannot answer your question who could benefit from that person’s poisoning. As a matter of fact, I don’t think that anyone could stand to gain from that, if one just takes a sober look at things," Peskov said.
"We certainly would not like our partners in Germany and other European countries to jump to conclusions and make assessments," Peskov noted, adding that Moscow would like to maintain the dialogue on the issue with them.
No information from Germany
Peskov expressed hope that Germany would share its findings on the Navalny case with Russia.
"We are undoubtedly interested in determining the cause of what happened to the Berlin patient. Our investigative agencies conduct all necessary inspections. The information from Germany would definitely help those inspections. So far, we have received no information but we hope that this will happen shortly," Peskov said.
Russian Prosecutor General’s Office requested legal aid on the Navalny case from Germany, but received no response, Peskov said, adding that no proof of Russia’s involvement in the incident has been presented to the Russian Ambassador to Germany as well.
"Russian Prosecutor General’s Office filed a request of legal aid to Berlin, which was received by Germany. There has been no response yet," he said, adding that "during the conversation at the Foreign Ministry, our Ambassador in Berlin has not been presented with any exact information on the German specialists’ examinations, which led them to the conclusion about the poisoning."
Russia has been clarifying the situation surrounding Navalny from the very beginning, one has to be deaf not to hear that, Peskov said.
"Everyone has been clarifying the situation, both in the Kremlin and at the level of our specialists. One has to be deaf not to hear that," he said.
No grounds for investigation
Russian investigators have no grounds for launching a criminal investigation into alleged poisoning of Navalny without data provided by Germany, according to Peskov.
"We don’t have information from our colleagues in Berlin. After all tests, which were carried out, all biological samples and so on, our specialists - these are doctors and toxicologists - did not find any toxic agents," Peskov said answering a question if the Kremlin saw any grounds for launching criminal investigation after Germany announced its conclusions on the incident with Navalny.


tass--2020-09-03--Russian Prime Minister arrives in Minsk

Russian Prime Minister arrives in Minsk

MINSK , September 3 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin arrived in Belarus on a visit on Thursday .
In the Belarusian capital the Russian Prime Minister is accompanied by a sizeable government delegation , including , for instance , Deputy Prime Ministers Dmitry Chernyshenko and Alexey Overchuk , Energy Minister Alexander Novak , Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov , Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova , Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin , and Healthcare Minister Mikhail Murashko .
The Minsk visit of the head of the Russian government precedes the top-level talks which should occur within the framework of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alexander Lukashenko scheduled during the next two weeks .
Over the recent weeks , the prime minister several times had phone conversations with his Belarusian counterpart Roman Golovchenko , the last time being August 27 .
As the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers reported , the prime ministers discussed pressing issues of trade and economic cooperation and strengthening of interaction in the format of the Union State .
Earlier they had phone conversations on August 19 and 20 .
Even earlier , on August 10 , the day after the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a conversation with the Belarusian prime minister asked to congratulate President Lukashenko on his victory at the presidential election and stressed the importance of further mutual cooperation .
The prime minister visited Minsk last on July 17 in order to participate in a session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council .
Then he also had a meeting with Lukashenko .
One of the pressing economic issues in the interaction of the two countries is the issue of refinancing of the Belarusian national debt to Russia .
At the end of August , Lukashenko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia on refinancing the $ 1 bln debt .
On Tuesday , Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov reported that currently the talks are conducted at the level of Ministries of Finance , working out the credit conditions and volume .
The presidential election in Belarus was held on August 9 .
According to the final results of the Central Election Committee , the incumbent president of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.1 % of the vote .
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya who was considered his main opponent , was second with 10.12 % , she refused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after exit poll results were announced , mass protest rallies erupted in the country which in the early days were accompanied by clashes between protesters and law enforcement forces .
The Coordination Council of the opposition created in the republic is urging to continue the protests .
The authorities state the necessity to stop the unauthorized rallies .

MINSK, September 3. /TASS/. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin arrived in Belarus on a visit on Thursday.
In the Belarusian capital the Russian Prime Minister is accompanied by a sizeable government delegation, including, for instance, Deputy Prime Ministers Dmitry Chernyshenko and Alexey Overchuk, Energy Minister Alexander Novak, Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov, Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova, Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin, and Healthcare Minister Mikhail Murashko. The Minsk visit of the head of the Russian government precedes the top-level talks which should occur within the framework of the visit to Russia of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko scheduled during the next two weeks.
Over the recent weeks, the prime minister several times had phone conversations with his Belarusian counterpart Roman Golovchenko, the last time being August 27. As the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers reported, the prime ministers discussed pressing issues of trade and economic cooperation and strengthening of interaction in the format of the Union State. Earlier they had phone conversations on August 19 and 20. Even earlier, on August 10, the day after the election in Belarus, the Russian prime minister in a conversation with the Belarusian prime minister asked to congratulate President Lukashenko on his victory at the presidential election and stressed the importance of further mutual cooperation.
The prime minister visited Minsk last on July 17 in order to participate in a session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council. Then he also had a meeting with Lukashenko.
One of the pressing economic issues in the interaction of the two countries is the issue of refinancing of the Belarusian national debt to Russia. At the end of August, Lukashenko stated that Belarus will conduct negotiations with Russia on refinancing the $1 bln debt. On Tuesday, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov reported that currently the talks are conducted at the level of Ministries of Finance, working out the credit conditions and volume.
The presidential election in Belarus was held on August 9. According to the final results of the Central Election Committee, the incumbent president of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.1% of the vote. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya who was considered his main opponent, was second with 10.12%, she refused to recognize the election results. Immediately after exit poll results were announced, mass protest rallies erupted in the country which in the early days were accompanied by clashes between protesters and law enforcement forces. The Coordination Council of the opposition created in the republic is urging to continue the protests. The authorities state the necessity to stop the unauthorized rallies.


tass--2020-09-03--Press review: Berlin claims Novichok in Navalny case and when will the EU open to Russians

A vehicle is seen in front of the building of the Charite hospital where Alexei Navalny is being treated in Berlin , Germany Novichok is once again at the center of attention , poisoning relations between Moscow and the West .
German authorities announced on Wednesday that Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny was poisoned by the same substance that former Russian military intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia had been two years ago in the United Kingdom .
Back then , the West furnished a coordinated response , which resulted in an unprecedented diplomatic scandal with Moscow .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ German Chancellor Angela Merkel ’ s speech , calls were also made for imposing sanctions against Russia .
In turn , Moscow believes that the conclusions of the German specialists were unfounded and demanded actual facts , Kommersant writes .
Program Director of the Russian International Affairs Council Ivan Timofeev explained that sanctions against Moscow could be imposed for human rights violation and for using weapons of mass destruction , and the latter was the most likely scenario .
`` The mechanism created back in 2018 implies freezing assets and visa sanctions against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them or are involved in preparing their use .
The mechanism was used against four Russian citizens , who were involved in the Salisbury incident , according to the EU , '' Timofeyev said .
According to him , the poisoning scandal could also affect the EU ’ s stance on the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline .
The United States also threatens to impose sanctions , the expert said .
`` For example , there is President Donald Trump ’ s decree of August 1 , 2019 : it stipulated sanctions over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Navalny case .
Further restrictions are possible on loans for Russia , new export and import restrictions , downgrading the level of diplomatic relations and restrictions against national airlines , '' he said .
The US won ’ t miss a chance to punish Russia for human rights violations by possibly using the Magnitsky Act .
The decisions on sanctions are unilateral , extrajudicial and political , the expert said , stressing : `` The key question is how far the EU and especially the US will go given the possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chairman of the Russian Federation Council ’ s ( upper house of parliament ) Committee on Foreign Affairs Vladimir Dzhabarov told Izvestia that Moscow was again up against a provocation .
`` You can say whatever you want .
But show the documents , the results of tests and the official conclusions of the doctors .
Invite our specialists so that they also assess the results .
It ’ s clear that this is another show .
We have nothing to hide and nothing to apologize for .
The Russian side should now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which our specialists should study , '' the senator said .
German political scientist Alexander Rahr noted that Moscow and Berlin now need a dialogue and a conference of Russian and German doctors should find out what tests the blogger underwent in Russia and Germany .
One of the creators of the Soviet nerve agent Novichok , Leonid Rink , dismissed Germany ’ s claims about Navalny ’ s poisoning as absolute nonsense .
`` Navalny had no symptoms linked to Novichok .
If there had been , they would have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very quick effect , '' the scientist told Izvestia , noting that if the opposition figure had been really poisoned by this substance , `` he would have been dead now . ''
Izvestia : EU borders to fully open to Russian tourists only by spring The opening of Russia ’ s borders with EU countries and the gradual resumption of direct transportation could take place by the end of 2020 , but the full restoration of tourism is expected only by spring , the Association of Tour Operators of Russia ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Hospitality Industry ( OSIG ) told Izvestia .
This process won ’ t be delayed despite political tensions in Russian-European ties over the unrest in Belarus , said sources in the European Parliament , the European Commission and EU diplomatic missions in Russia .
The Council of the European Union assured Izvestia that an active discussion on opening the borders with third countries was underway at an expert level .
Although it is too early to talk about restoring tourism to Europe , the opening of borders for Russians is expected by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Vice President Dmitry Gorin told Izvestia .
`` The removal of all restrictions and full-fledged beginning of the tourism season in Europe and across the entire world is possible in the first quarter of next year .
The opening of European borders could take place much earlier - we hope that this will happen in the fourth quarter of this year , '' he said .
In the near future , regular flights to Europe once per week are expected to be restored for certain categories of Russians , for example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undergo medical treatment there and also for relatives of EU citizens , the expert noted .
`` We expect the EU ’ s full re-opening to Russian tourists not earlier than in March .
However , this needs to be done step-by-step and carefully because in some countries the number of coronavirus patients is again growing , '' Executive Director of OSIG Alexei Volkov said .
Many expect that the vaccination will boost the process of opening borders .
However , there are fears that COVID-19 could morph in a new form .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ their bilateral talks have a clear anti-Western tone .
Experts predict various scenarios of the two allies ’ steps , which could be both Moscow ’ s stronger support for Alexander Lukashenko or dumping him , Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes .
Commenting on the possible goals of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin ’ s visit to Minsk , experts are not excluding that the talks could focus on redirecting trade flows from Lithuania to Russia .
Local analysts don ’ t doubt that Moscow has decided to help Lukashenko due to self-serving interests .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia will take advantage of Lukashenko ’ s weakness and his strive to retain power , in order to attach Belarus to itself even more .
Now the Belarusian authorities , which are `` in the heat of a confrontation with the West '' and seek the Kremlin ’ s backing , dismiss the idea of diversifying external economic ties , the expert noted .
In exchange for its support , Moscow could ask Belarus to allow it to create military bases in Belarus and could wish to buy some enterprises , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , experts note that Lukashenko might not fulfill his promises .
Meanwhile , some pundits believe that Moscow has grown tired of Lukashenko and is ready for creating a so-called `` managed democracy '' in Belarus .
Now Russia is only simulating support while studying Lukashenko ’ s enemies and building ties with them .
`` The upcoming meeting between Lukashenko and Putin in Moscow in two weeks ( if it takes place ) will be devoted not to signing `` roadmaps '' on deepening integration but to forcing Lukashenko to conduct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politics in exchange for personal guarantees , '' said Yuri Tsarik , who heads the Russian and post-Soviet research department at the Center for Strategic and Foreign Policy Studies .
The expert says Russia is not going to sign any serious documents with the illegitimate president and won ’ t antagonize Belarusian society by supporting him .
Miners won ’ t be able to obtain any recompense in bitcoins and ethereums if amendments to the federal law on digital financial assets proposed by the Finance Ministry are passed , Izvestia writes .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to produce cryptocurrency in Russia , but miners won ’ t be able to get any payment as usual , Izvestia writes .
The new regulation does not mean anything good for miners because it is unclear how they will get their recompense , Director General of Moscow Digital School Dmitry Zakharov said .
Perhaps , specialists will try to come up with some legal frameworks but all of them will imply significant risks of administrative and criminal liability , he warned .
The amendments impose a direct ban on all operations with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as inheritance , obtaining assets as part of a bankruptcy procedure and enforcement proceeding .
Russia will introduce administrative and criminal liability for deals with digital currency .
Russian individuals may face fines of up to 100,000 rubles ( $ 1,300 ) or up to seven years behind bars , while legal entities will have to pay up to 1 mln ( $ 13,300 ) in fines .
The proposed document needs to be fine-tuned , lawyers noted .
According to Partner at Padva & Epstein law firm Anton Babenko , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because it could result in hiding revenues and consequently tax losses .
RBC : Russian airlines report major losses in first half of 2020 Thirty-five major Russian passenger airlines , which account for more than 99 % of flights , lost 121 bln rubles ( $ 1.6 bln ) in revenues in the first half of 2020 , Deputy Executive Director at the Association of Air Transport Operators ( AEVT ) Boris Shokurov told RBC .
This sum was calculated based on the companies ’ statistics .
Earlier , AEVT predicted that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( $ 930 mln ) in the first half of the year .
Aeroflot , which accounts for 42 % of the Russian aviation market , reported 70.33 bln rubles in losses on sales in January-June 2020 .
The key reasons behind the losses are the decline in the volume of transportation amid the coronavirus pandemic and mounting foreign currency rates , on which aircraft leasing depends , as well as the rising petrol prices .
`` The airlines really had major losses in the first half of the year and amid closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market , even the summer season did not let us earn anything . ''
By the end of the first half of 2020 , Russian and foreign airlines carried 30.7 mln passengers in Russia , half that of 2019 ( 66.2 mln ) .
A major plunge was seen in the second quarter when flights overseas were suspended and domestic Russian flights significantly decreased .
The number of passengers dropped from 38.1 mln ( half of them flew to other countries ) to 4.6 mln .
TASS is not responsible for the material @ @ @ @ @

A vehicle is seen in front of the building of the Charite hospital where Alexei Navalny is being treated in Berlin, Germany
Media: Germany alleges Navalny poisoned with Novichok-class agent Novichok is once again at the center of attention, poisoning relations between Moscow and the West. German authorities announced on Wednesday that Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny was poisoned by the same substance that former Russian military intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia had been two years ago in the United Kingdom. Back then, the West furnished a coordinated response, which resulted in an unprecedented diplomatic scandal with Moscow. This time, just several minutes after German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s speech, calls were also made for imposing sanctions against Russia. In turn, Moscow believes that the conclusions of the German specialists were unfounded and demanded actual facts, Kommersant writes. Program Director of the Russian International Affairs Council Ivan Timofeev explained that sanctions against Moscow could be imposed for human rights violation and for using weapons of mass destruction, and the latter was the most likely scenario. "The mechanism created back in 2018 implies freezing assets and visa sanctions against those who create chemical weapons, use them or are involved in preparing their use. The mechanism was used against four Russian citizens, who were involved in the Salisbury incident, according to the EU," Timofeyev said. According to him, the poisoning scandal could also affect the EU’s stance on the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline.
Read also Germany claims blogger Navalny was poisoned with Novichok class agent
The United States also threatens to impose sanctions, the expert said. "For example, there is President Donald Trump’s decree of August 1, 2019: it stipulated sanctions over the Salisbury case, but can be used in the Navalny case. Further restrictions are possible on loans for Russia, new export and import restrictions, downgrading the level of diplomatic relations and restrictions against national airlines," he said. The US won’t miss a chance to punish Russia for human rights violations by possibly using the Magnitsky Act. The decisions on sanctions are unilateral, extrajudicial and political, the expert said, stressing: "The key question is how far the EU and especially the US will go given the possible harm for themselves." First Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation Council’s (upper house of parliament) Committee on Foreign Affairs Vladimir Dzhabarov told Izvestia that Moscow was again up against a provocation. "You can say whatever you want. But show the documents, the results of tests and the official conclusions of the doctors. Invite our specialists so that they also assess the results. It’s clear that this is another show. We have nothing to hide and nothing to apologize for. The Russian side should now demand the official results of the examination, which our specialists should study," the senator said. German political scientist Alexander Rahr noted that Moscow and Berlin now need a dialogue and a conference of Russian and German doctors should find out what tests the blogger underwent in Russia and Germany. One of the creators of the Soviet nerve agent Novichok, Leonid Rink, dismissed Germany’s claims about Navalny’s poisoning as absolute nonsense. "Navalny had no symptoms linked to Novichok. If there had been, they would have been detected in Russia because this thing had a very quick effect," the scientist told Izvestia, noting that if the opposition figure had been really poisoned by this substance, "he would have been dead now." Izvestia: EU borders to fully open to Russian tourists only by spring The opening of Russia’s borders with EU countries and the gradual resumption of direct transportation could take place by the end of 2020, but the full restoration of tourism is expected only by spring, the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) and the National Union of the Hospitality Industry (OSIG) told Izvestia. This process won’t be delayed despite political tensions in Russian-European ties over the unrest in Belarus, said sources in the European Parliament, the European Commission and EU diplomatic missions in Russia. The Council of the European Union assured Izvestia that an active discussion on opening the borders with third countries was underway at an expert level. Although it is too early to talk about restoring tourism to Europe, the opening of borders for Russians is expected by the end of this year, ATOR’s Vice President Dmitry Gorin told Izvestia. "The removal of all restrictions and full-fledged beginning of the tourism season in Europe and across the entire world is possible in the first quarter of next year. The opening of European borders could take place much earlier - we hope that this will happen in the fourth quarter of this year," he said. In the near future, regular flights to Europe once per week are expected to be restored for certain categories of Russians, for example for those who work, study or undergo medical treatment there and also for relatives of EU citizens, the expert noted.
"We expect the EU’s full re-opening to Russian tourists not earlier than in March. However, this needs to be done step-by-step and carefully because in some countries the number of coronavirus patients is again growing," Executive Director of OSIG Alexei Volkov said. Many expect that the vaccination will boost the process of opening borders. However, there are fears that COVID-19 could morph in a new form. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: What's Moscow’s condition for supporting Lukashenko Moscow and Minsk are exchanging visits and their bilateral talks have a clear anti-Western tone. Experts predict various scenarios of the two allies’ steps, which could be both Moscow’s stronger support for Alexander Lukashenko or dumping him, Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes. Commenting on the possible goals of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s visit to Minsk, experts are not excluding that the talks could focus on redirecting trade flows from Lithuania to Russia. Local analysts don’t doubt that Moscow has decided to help Lukashenko due to self-serving interests. According to political observer Alexander Klaskovsky, Russia will take advantage of Lukashenko’s weakness and his strive to retain power, in order to attach Belarus to itself even more. Now the Belarusian authorities, which are "in the heat of a confrontation with the West" and seek the Kremlin’s backing, dismiss the idea of diversifying external economic ties, the expert noted.
Read also Baltic states ban entrance to Lukashenko, 29 more Belarusian officials
In exchange for its support, Moscow could ask Belarus to allow it to create military bases in Belarus and could wish to buy some enterprises, which still interest investors, he said. However, experts note that Lukashenko might not fulfill his promises. Meanwhile, some pundits believe that Moscow has grown tired of Lukashenko and is ready for creating a so-called "managed democracy" in Belarus. Now Russia is only simulating support while studying Lukashenko’s enemies and building ties with them. "The upcoming meeting between Lukashenko and Putin in Moscow in two weeks (if it takes place) will be devoted not to signing "roadmaps" on deepening integration but to forcing Lukashenko to conduct constitutional reforms and his exit from Belarusian politics in exchange for personal guarantees," said Yuri Tsarik, who heads the Russian and post-Soviet research department at the Center for Strategic and Foreign Policy Studies. The expert says Russia is not going to sign any serious documents with the illegitimate president and won’t antagonize Belarusian society by supporting him. Izvestia: Russia tightens the screws on cryptocurrency mining Miners won’t be able to obtain any recompense in bitcoins and ethereums if amendments to the federal law on digital financial assets proposed by the Finance Ministry are passed, Izvestia writes. The document says that it will be possible to produce cryptocurrency in Russia, but miners won’t be able to get any payment as usual, Izvestia writes. The new regulation does not mean anything good for miners because it is unclear how they will get their recompense, Director General of Moscow Digital School Dmitry Zakharov said. Perhaps, specialists will try to come up with some legal frameworks but all of them will imply significant risks of administrative and criminal liability, he warned.
Read also Russia’s Central Bank sees no obvious need to issue national cryptocurrency


tass--2020-09-03--Belarusian police detain 24 people during protests in Minsk on Wednesday

MINSK , September 3 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian police detained 24 people during protests in the country ’ s capital of Minsk on Wednesday , the Interior Ministry said in a statement on Telegram .
`` Twenty-four people , including three students , were detained for violating the law on public events .
Sixteen people will remain in custody until administrative hearings take place , '' the statement reads .
According to the ministry , about 1,000 people participated in protests across the country on Wednesday .
Belarus held its presidential election on August 9 .
According to the Central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.1 % of the vote , while Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , who garnered 10.12 % refused to recognize the election ’ s results and is currently in Lithuania .
Protests erupted in the country 's capital of Minsk and several other cities following the presidential vote , leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers .
The opposition ’ s Coordination Council keeps calling on the country ’ s people to carry on with protests , while the authorities are emphasizing the need to put an end to unauthorized @ @

MINSK, September 3. /TASS/. Belarusian police detained 24 people during protests in the country’s capital of Minsk on Wednesday, the Interior Ministry said in a statement on Telegram.
"Twenty-four people, including three students, were detained for violating the law on public events. Sixteen people will remain in custody until administrative hearings take place," the statement reads.
According to the ministry, about 1,000 people participated in protests across the country on Wednesday.
Belarus held its presidential election on August 9. According to the Central Election Commission’s data, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.1% of the vote, while Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who garnered 10.12% refused to recognize the election’s results and is currently in Lithuania. Protests erupted in the country's capital of Minsk and several other cities following the presidential vote, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers. The opposition’s Coordination Council keeps calling on the country’s people to carry on with protests, while the authorities are emphasizing the need to put an end to unauthorized activities.


tass--2020-09-03--Lukashenko appoints new KGB and Security Council chiefs

MINSK , September 3 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko appointed new head of the State Security Committee ( @ @ @ @ @ secretary of the republic ’ s Security Council .
According to BelTA news agency , @ @ @ @ @ recently chaired the Belarusian KGB , was appointed as the security chief .
Ivan Tertel @ @ @ @ @ Control Committee , will head the KGB .
He will be succeeded by Valery Gerasimov @ @ @ @ @ the first deputy chief of this agency .
The report said Lukashenko had also greenlighted @ @ @ @ @ of local executive bodies in a number of districts of the Gomel Region .
The @ @ @ @ @ executive committee Andrei Baranovsky will be appointed as the deputy chairman of the Gomel regional @ @ @ @ @ be replaced by first deputy chairman Sergei Dovgalev .
The director of administration of the @ @ @ @ @ Interior Ministry in the Gomel Region Sergei Ermolitsky will head the Gomel regional executive committee @ @ @ @ @ , Dmitry Kozel , will serve as the head of the Dobrush district .

MINSK, September 3. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko appointed new head of the State Security Committee (KGB) and the state secretary of the republic’s Security Council.
According to BelTA news agency, Valery Vakulchuk, who until recently chaired the Belarusian KGB, was appointed as the security chief. Ivan Tertel, who headed the State Control Committee, will head the KGB. He will be succeeded by Valery Gerasimov, who earlier served as the first deputy chief of this agency.
The report said Lukashenko had also greenlighted the appointment of the heads of local executive bodies in a number of districts of the Gomel Region. The chairman of the Oktyabrsky district executive committee Andrei Baranovsky will be appointed as the deputy chairman of the Gomel regional executive committee. He will be replaced by first deputy chairman Sergei Dovgalev.
The director of administration of the Department of Corrections at the Interior Ministry in the Gomel Region Sergei Ermolitsky will head the Gomel regional executive committee. The first deputy chairman, Dmitry Kozel, will serve as the head of the Dobrush district.


tass--2020-09-03--Russia’s FSB discovers cache of weapons, explosives in Volgograd region

VOLGOGRAD , September 3 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Federal Security Service ( FDB ) has discovered an arms @ @ @ @ @ , the FSB said in a statement on Thursday .
`` Officers of the FSB @ @ @ @ @ discovered a cache of firearms and ammunition during an anti-crime operation , '' the statement @ @ @ @ @ enforcement officers seized four Kalashnikov rifles and related ammunition , a night scope , about @ @ @ @ @ plastic explosives , detonators and components for remote-controlled improvised explosive devices , as well as @ @ @ @ @ smoke grenades , '' the statement reads .
The weapons and ammunition belonged to an @ @ @ @ @ Vladimir Kadin , killed in 2011 .
An investigation is underway .

VOLGOGRAD, September 3. /TASS/. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FDB) has discovered an arms cache in the Volgograd region, the FSB said in a statement on Thursday.
"Officers of the FSB branch in the Volgograd region discovered a cache of firearms and ammunition during an anti-crime operation," the statement reads. "Regional law enforcement officers seized four Kalashnikov rifles and related ammunition, a night scope, about three kilograms of TNT and plastic explosives, detonators and components for remote-controlled improvised explosive devices, as well as hand grenades, mines and smoke grenades," the statement reads.
The weapons and ammunition belonged to an organized crime group led by Vladimir Kadin, killed in 2011. An investigation is underway.


tass--2020-09-03--Over 40 injured in wildfires in southern Russia

ROSTOV-ON-DON , September 3 .
/TASS/ .
At least 46 people were injured in wildfires that broke out in southern @ @ @ @ @ , Governor Vasily Golubev said on Thursday .
`` According to preliminary data , 32 @ @ @ @ @ fire disaster in the Krasnosulinsky district and another 14 in the Kamensky district , '' @ @ @ @ @ VKontakte account .
One woman was killed by fire in the Krasnosulinsky district .
The @ @ @ @ @ four districts in the Rostov Region - Belokalitvinsky , Tarasovsky , Kamensky and Krasnosulinsky , @ @ @ @ @ extinguished .
The wildfire was localized in the Belokalitvinsky district on the area of 21.7 @ @ @ @ @ situation is in the Tarasovsky district , where 700 ha of forest are on fire @ @ @ @ @ buildings , including 15 houses .
The likely cause of the fires is negligence or @ @ @ @ @ in three districts made a decision on introducing a state of emergency .

ROSTOV-ON-DON, September 3. /TASS/. At least 46 people were injured in wildfires that broke out in southern Russia’s Rostov Region, Governor Vasily Golubev said on Thursday.
"According to preliminary data, 32 people were injured by the fire disaster in the Krasnosulinsky district and another 14 in the Kamensky district," the governor wrote on his VKontakte account.
One woman was killed by fire in the Krasnosulinsky district.
The wildfires occurred on Wednesday in four districts in the Rostov Region - Belokalitvinsky, Tarasovsky, Kamensky and Krasnosulinsky, and one of fires was extinguished. The wildfire was localized in the Belokalitvinsky district on the area of 21.7 ha. The most challenging situation is in the Tarasovsky district, where 700 ha of forest are on fire. The blaze damaged 64 buildings, including 15 houses. The likely cause of the fires is negligence or short circuit. The administration in three districts made a decision on introducing a state of emergency.


tass--2020-09-03--Ukraine reports record high coronavirus death toll in the past day

KIEV , September 3 .
/TASS/ .
Doctors in Ukraine recorded 54 deaths from the coronavirus in the past day @ @ @ @ @ Defense Council of Ukraine said on Thursday .
In the past day , 2,430 new @ @ @ @ @ nearly 3 % fewer than a day earlier , when the number totaled 2,495 .
@ @ @ @ @ the past day and the total number of recoveries reached 59,676 since the start of @ @ @

KIEV, September 3. /TASS/. Doctors in Ukraine recorded 54 deaths from the coronavirus in the past day, the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine said on Thursday.
In the past day, 2,430 new COVID-19 cases were registered, nearly 3% fewer than a day earlier, when the number totaled 2,495. Some 859 people recovered in the past day and the total number of recoveries reached 59,676 since the start of the pandemic.


tass--2020-09-03--Foreigner detained in Russia's Barnaul accused of terrorist activity

BARNAUL , September 3 .
/TASS/ .
Investigative division of the Altai Regional Directorate of the Russian Federal Security Service ( FSB ) submitted to court a criminal case against a Central Asian native who was detained in June at the Barnaul airport attempting to fly out to the Middle East in order to engage in warfare of the international terrorist organization , the Islamic State ( IS , outlawed in Russia ) .
In Barnaul he was gathering information on locations of mass gatherings and social objects per the terrorists ’ orders , the press service of the Altai @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday .
`` During investigation it has been established that the foreigner residing in the Altai Region on a work permit has established contact with the members of the Islamic State < ... > For monetary remuneration the accused was collecting information on locations of mass gatherings and social objects in Barnaul and sent to his `` curators '' detailed geo-referenced photographs of buildings .
< ... > A criminal case with the criminal indictment approved by a prosecutor is sent to the 1st Eastern district military court , '' the statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the defendant also created a closed Internet channel which facilitated the group ’ s terrorist activity .
The defendant is incriminated under part 1 , Article 30 , part 5 , Article 33 , part 2 , Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code ( participating in the activity of an organization deemed terrorist in accordance with the Russian law ) .
On December 29 , 2014 , the Russian Supreme Court declared the Islamic State - IS - ( before 2014 - the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremist organization ’ s activities are outlawed in Russia .

BARNAUL, September 3. /TASS/. Investigative division of the Altai Regional Directorate of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) submitted to court a criminal case against a Central Asian native who was detained in June at the Barnaul airport attempting to fly out to the Middle East in order to engage in warfare of the international terrorist organization, the Islamic State (IS, outlawed in Russia). In Barnaul he was gathering information on locations of mass gatherings and social objects per the terrorists’ orders, the press service of the Altai Regional Directorate of the FSB told reporters on Thursday.
"During investigation it has been established that the foreigner residing in the Altai Region on a work permit has established contact with the members of the Islamic State <...> For monetary remuneration the accused was collecting information on locations of mass gatherings and social objects in Barnaul and sent to his "curators" detailed geo-referenced photographs of buildings. <...> A criminal case with the criminal indictment approved by a prosecutor is sent to the 1st Eastern district military court," the statement said.
According to the investigation, the defendant also created a closed Internet channel which facilitated the group’s terrorist activity. The defendant is incriminated under part 1, Article 30, part 5, Article 33, part 2, Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code (participating in the activity of an organization deemed terrorist in accordance with the Russian law).
On December 29, 2014, the Russian Supreme Court declared the Islamic State - IS - (before 2014 - the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIS) a terrorist organization. The extremist organization’s activities are outlawed in Russia.


tass--2020-09-03--Into Tibet 2020: Explore 'the Roof of the World' with three teams

BEIJING , Sept. 3 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Tibet is dubbed the `` the Roof of the World '' for good reason .
It 's not just for its high altitude , but also the foothills of snow-capped mountains with crystal-clear rivers flowing along in harmony .
CGTN 's `` Into Tibet 2020 '' presents three teams led by CGTN reporters and accompanied by international journalists and vloggers .
Starting September 18 , they have taken different routes across the plateau from Tibet 's capital city Lhasa , where they joined traditional celebrations to show audience the real Tibet .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ draw Thangka painting with local artists , met `` Living Buddha '' Kyungpo in Tashi Lhunpo Monastery , spent a day with Tibetan internet celebrity Lhamo , fed the Tibetan bulls , learned to ride a horse and explored the region through different routes .
CGTN reporter Li Jingjing , Canadian Youtuber Daniel Dumbrill and French journalist Manuel Rambaud are three members from Team DJ .
Li Jingjing and her team met `` Living Buddha '' Kyungpo in Tashi Lhunpo Monastery , reached the base camp for Mount Qomolangma , and visited Rongpo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world .
Beard Brothers team consists mainly of CGTN 's reporter Marco Shan , journalist Oscar Margain and a Bahraini `` China Expert '' PhD Yaser Ali Taher Jawad .
On August 29 , they talked to Tibetan internet celebrity Lhamo , who has nearly 1.5 million followers .
She lives a quiet life in Qonggyai County but built up a huge following just by sharing her everyday routine .
The team spent a day with Lhamo and tried to find out the secret to her online success .
Their route covers Tibetan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousand-year-old crafts , a lake `` in the sky , '' yaks on a plateau and more .
 The third team named themselves A.N.T.
, which has CGTN reporter Yang Xinmeng , Spanish vlogger Noel and digital guru of CGTN Russian Sergei .
Yang and Noel learned how to draw Tibetan Thangka paintings with local artists on August 21 , the sacred art of such religious painting has been passed down the generations .
They met Sithar Dorje , who is one of the representative inheritors who has contributed to passing down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ King Gesar '' he performs is one of the world 's oldest epic poems .
During the trip of CGTN 's three teams , a vivid and colorful Tibet is presented to the audiences .
The veil of the mysterious `` Roof of the World '' was lifted .
For people who live in this ancient land , we are separated not only by distance but geography as well .
However it 's our emotions that bind us together .

BEIJING, Sept. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Tibet is dubbed the "the Roof of the World" for good reason. It's not just for its high altitude, but also the foothills of snow-capped mountains with crystal-clear rivers flowing along in harmony.
CGTN's "Into Tibet 2020" presents three teams led by CGTN reporters and accompanied by international journalists and vloggers. Starting September 18, they have taken different routes across the plateau from Tibet's capital city Lhasa, where they joined traditional celebrations to show audience the real Tibet.
In Tibet, they learned how to draw Thangka painting with local artists, met "Living Buddha" Kyungpo in Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, spent a day with Tibetan internet celebrity Lhamo, fed the Tibetan bulls, learned to ride a horse and explored the region through different routes.
Three teams with fan bases
CGTN reporter Li Jingjing, Canadian Youtuber Daniel Dumbrill and French journalist Manuel Rambaud are three members from Team DJ. Li Jingjing and her team met "Living Buddha" Kyungpo in Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, reached the base camp for Mount Qomolangma, and visited Rongpo Monastery, the highest monastery in the world.
Beard Brothers team consists mainly of CGTN's reporter Marco Shan, journalist Oscar Margain and a Bahraini "China Expert" PhD Yaser Ali Taher Jawad. On August 29, they talked to Tibetan internet celebrity Lhamo, who has nearly 1.5 million followers. She lives a quiet life in Qonggyai County but built up a huge following just by sharing her everyday routine. The team spent a day with Lhamo and tried to find out the secret to her online success.
Their route covers Tibetan folk dance, local musical band, thousand-year-old crafts, a lake "in the sky," yaks on a plateau and more.
The third team named themselves A.N.T., which has CGTN reporter Yang Xinmeng, Spanish vlogger Noel and digital guru of CGTN Russian Sergei.
Yang and Noel learned how to draw Tibetan Thangka paintings with local artists on August 21, the sacred art of such religious painting has been passed down the generations.
They met Sithar Dorje, who is one of the representative inheritors who has contributed to passing down the legacy. "The Epic of King Gesar" he performs is one of the world's oldest epic poems.
During the trip of CGTN's three teams, a vivid and colorful Tibet is presented to the audiences. The veil of the mysterious "Roof of the World" was lifted. For people who live in this ancient land, we are separated not only by distance but geography as well. However it's our emotions that bind us together.


tass--2020-09-03--Russia reports 4,995 new coronavirus cases in the past day

According to the crisis center , this was the highest growth in the past 19 days in absolute numbers .
In relative terms it remained at the level of 0.5 % .
MOSCOW , September 3 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s coronavirus cases grew by 4,995 in the past day to 1,009,995 , the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Thursday .
Russia ready to provide all data on its coronavirus vaccine to WHO Some 690 new coronavirus cases were recorded in Moscow , 191 in St. Petersburg ( the highest number since July 20 ) , 163 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nizhny Novgorod Region and 139 in the Rostov Region .
The lowest growth rate was recorded in the Nenets and Chukotka Autonomous Regions , where not a single case was confirmed in the past day , in the Moscow Region ( 0.2 % ) , as well as in Moscow , the Bryansk , Kaluga , Smolensk and Tula Regions , Chechnya and the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region ( 0.3 % ) .
The number of the so-called active cases or patients who continue treatment at the moment dropped by 0.5 % to 165,532 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some 16.4 % of coronavirus patients are ill in Russia now .

According to the crisis center, this was the highest growth in the past 19 days in absolute numbers. In relative terms it remained at the level of 0.5%.
MOSCOW, September 3. /TASS/. Russia’s coronavirus cases grew by 4,995 in the past day to 1,009,995, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Thursday.
Russia ready to provide all data on its coronavirus vaccine to WHO
Some 690 new coronavirus cases were recorded in Moscow, 191 in St. Petersburg (the highest number since July 20), 163 in the Moscow Region, 143 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region and 139 in the Rostov Region.
The lowest growth rate was recorded in the Nenets and Chukotka Autonomous Regions, where not a single case was confirmed in the past day, in the Moscow Region (0.2%), as well as in Moscow, the Bryansk, Kaluga, Smolensk and Tula Regions, Chechnya and the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region (0.3%).
The number of the so-called active cases or patients who continue treatment at the moment dropped by 0.5% to 165,532, according to the crisis center. Some 16.4% of coronavirus patients are ill in Russia now.


tass--2020-09-03--Wildfire area in Rostov Region increases to 700 hectares

ROSTOV-ON-DON , September 3 .
/TASS/ .
The area of the largest forest fire in the Tarasovsky district in the @ @ @ @ @ 500 to 700 hectares , Deputy Governor of the region Vadim Artyomov reported on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ forest fire in the Tarasovsky district .
In the morning they are reporting the area @ @ @ @ @ as 700 hectares already , '' he said at the meeting of the headquarters on @ @ @ @ @ the Tarasovsky district .
In all , there are currently four wildfires in the region @ @ @ @ @ Ministry , a formation including 462 people and 131 units of technical equipment is involved @ @ @ @ @ It also includes the air mobile group of the Main Directorate of the Emergencies Ministry @ @ @ @ @ 12 units of technical equipment and the Don Rescue Center of Russia ’ s Emergencies @ @ @ @ @ people and 12 units of equipment .
Also six aircraft of the Defense Ministry , @ @ @ @ @ the Emergencies Ministry are used in the firefighting .

ROSTOV-ON-DON, September 3. /TASS/. The area of the largest forest fire in the Tarasovsky district in the Rostov Region has increased from 500 to 700 hectares, Deputy Governor of the region Vadim Artyomov reported on Thursday.
"There is a forest fire in the Tarasovsky district. In the morning they are reporting the area (affected by fire) as 700 hectares already," he said at the meeting of the headquarters on liquidating the emergency situation in the Tarasovsky district.
In all, there are currently four wildfires in the region.
According to the Emergencies Ministry, a formation including 462 people and 131 units of technical equipment is involved in the firefighting effort. It also includes the air mobile group of the Main Directorate of the Emergencies Ministry consisting of 60 people and 12 units of technical equipment and the Don Rescue Center of Russia’s Emergencies Ministry, consisting of 50 people and 12 units of equipment. Also six aircraft of the Defense Ministry, the National Guard, and the Emergencies Ministry are used in the firefighting.


tass--2020-09-03--Media: Hainan's nightlife contributes to reviving city's economy after pandemic

SANYA , September 3 .
/TASS/ .
The support and development of the night economy of Hainan 's Sanya is helping to attract tourists to the city and revive its economy after the coronavirus pandemic , reported Xinhua .
According to the material , after the adoption by local authorities of regulations aimed at supporting Sanya 's nightlife economy , the city has seen an influx of tourists , the number of pedestrians on the streets at night has increased significantly , as well consumption .
According to the agency , the city 's department for commerce has published a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attractions , which includes a list of cafes and restaurants , places to visit late in the evening and even at night , shops , a list of beautiful routes for walking .
Thus , according to Xinhua , the number of visitors to Sanya 's Romance Park in July this year exceeded last year 's figures .
According to the director of the park , Zheng Jiejun , `` the local government has provided subsidies in the amount of more than 8 million yuan ( about $ 1.16 million ) . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure caused by the downtime due to the pandemic and get back to normal rhythm , ” he explained .
The article also highlights that support from the local authorities has helped rebuild the catering industry .
Many cafes , restaurants and eateries in the city have switched to 24/7 working hours , which allowed them not only to increase revenue , but also to draw new customers .
Over the entire period of the epidemic on Hainan , 171 cases of coronavirus infection were detected , 55 of which — in Sanya @

SANYA, September 3. /TASS/. The support and development of the night economy of Hainan's Sanya is helping to attract tourists to the city and revive its economy after the coronavirus pandemic, reported Xinhua.
According to the material, after the adoption by local authorities of regulations aimed at supporting Sanya's nightlife economy, the city has seen an influx of tourists, the number of pedestrians on the streets at night has increased significantly, as well consumption. According to the agency, the city's department for commerce has published a special guide to the resort's night attractions, which includes a list of cafes and restaurants, places to visit late in the evening and even at night, shops, a list of beautiful routes for walking.
Thus, according to Xinhua, the number of visitors to Sanya's Romance Park in July this year exceeded last year's figures. According to the director of the park, Zheng Jiejun, "the local government has provided subsidies in the amount of more than 8 million yuan (about $ 1.16 million)." “It helped us to relieve the pressure caused by the downtime due to the pandemic and get back to normal rhythm,” he explained.
The article also highlights that support from the local authorities has helped rebuild the catering industry. Many cafes, restaurants and eateries in the city have switched to 24/7 working hours, which allowed them not only to increase revenue, but also to draw new customers.
Over the entire period of the epidemic on Hainan, 171 cases of coronavirus infection were detected, 55 of which — in Sanya.


tass--2020-09-03--Russia resumes international air service with Egypt, Emirates, Maldives

MOSCOW , September 3 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has signed a directive to resume international air service with Egypt , the United Arab Emirates , and the Maldives on a mutual basis , the government ’ s press service reported on Thursday .
`` Egypt ( Cairo ) , three flights a week ; the United Arab Emirates ( Dubai ) , two flights a week ; the Republic of Maldives ( Velana airport ) , two flights a week , '' the statement said .
It is noted that the decision was proposed by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voiced earlier ( 40 new cases of the coronavirus infection per 100,000 of population during 14 days , no more than 1 % of daily growth of the new cases over 14 days and the coronavirus spread coefficient not higher than one over a week ) .
Regular air service between Russia and other countries was interrupted at the end of March due to the coronavirus pandemic .
After that only the so-called repatriation flights were performed .
Since August 1 , it was allowed to resume flights to Great Britain , Tanzania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , air service was restored between Russia and Switzerland .

MOSCOW, September 3. /TASS/. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has signed a directive to resume international air service with Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and the Maldives on a mutual basis, the government’s press service reported on Thursday.
"Egypt (Cairo), three flights a week; the United Arab Emirates (Dubai), two flights a week; the Republic of Maldives (Velana airport), two flights a week," the statement said.
It is noted that the decision was proposed by the anti-coronavirus crisis center based on the criteria voiced earlier (40 new cases of the coronavirus infection per 100,000 of population during 14 days, no more than 1% of daily growth of the new cases over 14 days and the coronavirus spread coefficient not higher than one over a week).
Regular air service between Russia and other countries was interrupted at the end of March due to the coronavirus pandemic. After that only the so-called repatriation flights were performed. Since August 1, it was allowed to resume flights to Great Britain, Tanzania, and Turkey. Since August 15, air service was restored between Russia and Switzerland.


tass--2020-09-03--NCCN's leading cancer treatment guidelines are now available in a foreign language

PLYMOUTH MEETING , Pennsylvania , Sept. 3 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® ( NCCN® ) today announced the availability of multiple non-English language versions of NCCN Guidelines® for several high-incidence cancer types .
Expert recommendations in French , German , Italian , Portuguese , Russian , and Spanish can all be accessed for free at NCCN.org/global or via the free Virtual Library of NCCN Guidelines®App .
NCCN is devoted to defining and advancing high-quality , high-value , patient-centered cancer care globally .
NCCN Guidelines are the recognized standard for clinical direction and policy in cancer management @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practice guidelines available in any area of medicine .
They are written by subject-specific , multidisciplinary panels of experts from across 30 leading cancer centers in the United States .
`` NCCN is committed to maintaining and growing a library of global resources to ensure that providers and patients have access to the most up-to-date standards in cancer care around the world , '' said Robert W. Carlson , MD , Chief Executive Officer , NCCN .
`` Nearly half of our registered users live outside the United States and many may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; NCCN Guidelines have been downloaded in more than 180 countries .
Expanding the number of non-English translations increases the accessibility of this crucial information throughout Europe and other parts of the world . ''
The recently translated NCCN Guidelines cover the following cancer types : NCCN also offers supportive care guidelines , including the Russian language version of the NCCN Guidelines for Management of Immunotherapy-Related Toxicities , that covers immunotherapy-related adverse events ( irAEs ) from immune checkpoint inhibitors and chimeric antigen receptor ( CAR ) T-cell therapy .
The NCCN Distress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addressing the psycho-social wellbeing in people with cancer – has also been translated into 46 languages , including French , German , Italian , Portuguese , Russian , and Spanish .
In addition to all of these recommendations for adults with cancer , NCCN has also recently announced the translation of NCCN Guidelines for Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia into Portuguese and Spanish .
Visit NCCN.org/global/international_adaptations.aspx to view and download 24 global adaptations and 230 translations of NCCN resources across 47 different languages .
The NCCN global team also offers patient-friendly versions in several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ German , Italian , Russian , and Spanish .
NCCN provides NCCN Framework for Resource Stratification of NCCN Guidelines ( NCCN Framework™ ) and NCCN Harmonized Guidelines™ that merge optimal recommendations and pragmatic considerations for treatment in resource-constrained settings , such as low- and middle-income countries .
Join the conversation online with the hashtag # NCCNGlobal .
About the National Comprehensive Cancer Network The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® ( NCCN® ) is a not-for-profit alliance of leading cancer centers devoted to patient care , research , and education .
NCCN is dedicated to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efficient , and accessible cancer care so patients can live better lives .
The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology ( NCCN Guidelines® ) provide transparent , evidence-based , expert consensus recommendations for cancer treatment , prevention , and supportive services ; they are the recognized standard for clinical direction and policy in cancer management and the most thorough and frequently-updated clinical practice guidelines available in any area of medicine .
The NCCN Guidelines for Patients® provide expert cancer treatment information to inform and empower patients and caregivers , through support from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education , global initiatives , policy , and researchcollaboration and publication in oncology .
Visit NCCN.org for more information and follow NCCN on Facebook @ NCCNorg , Instagram @ NCCNorg , and Twitter @ NCCN .

PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pennsylvania, Sept. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) today announced the availability of multiple non-English language versions of NCCN Guidelines® for several high-incidence cancer types. Expert recommendations in French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish can all be accessed for free at NCCN.org/global or via the free Virtual Library of NCCN Guidelines®App.
NCCN is devoted to defining and advancing high-quality, high-value, patient-centered cancer care globally. NCCN Guidelines are the recognized standard for clinical direction and policy in cancer management and the most thorough and frequently-updated clinical practice guidelines available in any area of medicine. They are written by subject-specific, multidisciplinary panels of experts from across 30 leading cancer centers in the United States.
"NCCN is committed to maintaining and growing a library of global resources to ensure that providers and patients have access to the most up-to-date standards in cancer care around the world," said Robert W. Carlson, MD, Chief Executive Officer, NCCN. "Nearly half of our registered users live outside the United States and many may be more comfortable in languages other than English; NCCN Guidelines have been downloaded in more than 180 countries. Expanding the number of non-English translations increases the accessibility of this crucial information throughout Europe and other parts of the world."
The recently translated NCCN Guidelines cover the following cancer types:
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) – Portuguese and Spanish
B-Cell Lymphomas – French, German, Italian, and Spanish
Breast Cancer – Spanish
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (CLL/SLL) – Portuguese and Spanish
Colon Cancer – Spanish
Gastric Cancer – Spanish
Hairy Cell Leukemia – Italian and Spanish
Head and Neck Cancers – Spanish
Hodgkin Lymphoma – Italian and Spanish
Melanoma (Cutaneous)– Spanish
Multiple Myeloma – Portuguese and Spanish
Non-small Cell Lung Cancer – Italian and Spanish
Primary Cutaneous Lymphomas – Italian and Spanish
T-Cell Lymphomas – Italian and Spanish
NCCN also offers supportive care guidelines, including the Russian language version of the NCCN Guidelines for Management of Immunotherapy-Related Toxicities, that covers immunotherapy-related adverse events (irAEs) from immune checkpoint inhibitors and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. The NCCN Distress Thermometer – a tool for gauging and addressing the psycho-social wellbeing in people with cancer – has also been translated into 46 languages, including French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.
In addition to all of these recommendations for adults with cancer, NCCN has also recently announced the translation of NCCN Guidelines for Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia into Portuguese and Spanish.
Visit NCCN.org/global/international_adaptations.aspx to view and download 24 global adaptations and 230 translations of NCCN resources across 47 different languages. The NCCN global team also offers patient-friendly versions in several languages, including Czech, French, German, Italian, Russian, and Spanish. NCCN provides NCCN Framework for Resource Stratification of NCCN Guidelines (NCCN Framework™) and NCCN Harmonized Guidelines™ that merge optimal recommendations and pragmatic considerations for treatment in resource-constrained settings, such as low- and middle-income countries.
Join the conversation online with the hashtag #NCCNGlobal.
About the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) is a not-for-profit alliance of leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research, and education. NCCN is dedicated to improving and facilitating quality, effective, efficient, and accessible cancer care so patients can live better lives. The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) provide transparent, evidence-based, expert consensus recommendations for cancer treatment, prevention, and supportive services; they are the recognized standard for clinical direction and policy in cancer management and the most thorough and frequently-updated clinical practice guidelines available in any area of medicine. The NCCN Guidelines for Patients® provide expert cancer treatment information to inform and empower patients and caregivers, through support from the NCCN Foundation®. NCCN also advances continuing education, global initiatives, policy, and researchcollaboration and publication in oncology. Visit NCCN.org for more information and follow NCCN on Facebook @NCCNorg, Instagram @NCCNorg, and Twitter @NCCN.


tass--2020-09-03--Over 26 mln people infected with COVID-19 worldwide

TASS , September 3 .
The number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases around the world exceeded 26 million on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ Johns Hopkins University , which relies on data provided by international organizations , federal and @ @ @ @ @ the university , a total of 26,031,410 cases have been recorded so far , 863,028 @ @ @ @ @ 17,291,874 patients have recovered .
The largest number of confirmed cases ( 6,113,359 ) has @ @ @ @ @ States , followed by Brazil ( 3,997,865 ) and India ( 3,769,523 ) .

TASS, September 3. The number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases around the world exceeded 26 million on Thursday, according to the US-based Johns Hopkins University, which relies on data provided by international organizations, federal and local authorities.
According to the university, a total of 26,031,410 cases have been recorded so far, 863,028 people have died, while 17,291,874 patients have recovered. The largest number of confirmed cases (6,113,359) has been recorded in the United States, followed by Brazil (3,997,865) and India (3,769,523).


tass--2020-09-03--Geology experts sample sediment from Lake Pyasino near Norilsk

MOSCOW , September 3 .
/TASS/ .
Geology experts took samples of sediments from Lake Pyasino , which is not far from Norilsk , to analyze its contamination , press service of the Big Norilsk Expedition said on Wednesday .
“ The Big Norilsk Expedition ’ s team of geo chronology is the last to complete the stage of field works , ” the press service said .
“ A group of scientists from Novosibirsk ’ s Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy worked for almost a week to drill the main well – in Lake Pyasino ’ s southern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ containment booms.
” Scientists say test results will show the rate of contamination from the oil spill .
For five days , the team could not begin drilling as in strong wind and waves they could not fix the mobile drilling pad .
On the sixth day only , the wind calmed down , and the scientists drilled five cores : four of them are under one meter long , and the fifth is four meters .
“ We have drilled ten cores – in Lakes Melkoye and Pyasino – this was our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on test results , ” the team ’ s leader Sergei Krivonogov said .
“ We will see the chronology of layers , will see the contamination rates , if any , and will specify their chronology – that is when they appeared.
” Near Norilsk , the team took about 200 samples of the soil ’ s upper layer to make geo-chemical tests .
Experts will learn the area ’ s geo-chemical background to see the man-made impact on the ecology .
The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has sent to the Taimyr Peninsula , at the invitation of Nornickel , a big scientific expedition to conduct a large-scale examination of the area .
Scientists will use the expedition ’ s results to present suggestions for industrial companies , working in the Arctic , on how to preserve the nature .
The expedition ’ s key points are watersheds of the Rivers Pyasina , Norilka and Ambarnaya , and Lake Pyasino .
The expedition ’ s term is five months – from July to November .
Before end of August , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Academy of Sciences ’ Siberian Branch have collected samples of soils , plants and sediments , and now they work on tests at the institutes ’ labs .
First results may be expected in November-December , 2020 .

MOSCOW, September 3. /TASS/. Geology experts took samples of sediments from Lake Pyasino, which is not far from Norilsk, to analyze its contamination, press service of the Great Norilsk Expedition said on Wednesday.
“The Great Norilsk Expedition’s team of geo chronology is the last to complete the stage of field works,” the press service said. “A group of scientists from Novosibirsk’s Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy worked for almost a week to drill the main well – in Lake Pyasino’s southern part, a few kilometers from the containment booms.”
Scientists say test results will show the rate of contamination from the oil spill. For five days, the team could not begin drilling as in strong wind and waves they could not fix the mobile drilling pad. On the sixth day only, the wind calmed down, and the scientists drilled five cores: four of them are under one meter long, and the fifth is four meters.
“We have drilled ten cores – in Lakes Melkoye and Pyasino – this was our minimum program. Our conclusions will be based on test results,” the team’s leader Sergei Krivonogov said. “We will see the chronology of layers, will see the contamination rates, if any, and will specify their chronology – that is when they appeared.”
Near Norilsk, the team took about 200 samples of the soil’s upper layer to make geo-chemical tests. Experts will learn the area’s geo-chemical background to see the man-made impact on the ecology.
Expedition to Taimyr
The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences for the first time in recent years has sent to the Taimyr Peninsula, at the invitation of Nornickel, a big scientific expedition to conduct a large-scale examination of the area. Scientists will use the expedition’s results to present suggestions for industrial companies, working in the Arctic, on how to preserve the nature.
The expedition’s key points are watersheds of the Rivers Pyasina, Norilka and Ambarnaya, and Lake Pyasino. The expedition’s term is five months – from July to November. Before end of August, experts from 14 research institutes of the Academy of Sciences’ Siberian Branch have collected samples of soils, plants and sediments, and now they work on tests at the institutes’ labs. First results may be expected in November-December, 2020.


tass--2020-09-03--Wreath from Russia laid on USS Missouri deck on 75th end-of-WWII anniversary

NEW YORK , September 3 .
/TASS/ .
A wreath from Russia was laid on the deck of the US @ @ @ @ @ on the 75th commemoration of the End of World War II at Pearl Harbor Naval @ @ @ @ @ the Russian embassy to the United States said on Thursday .
`` Yes , we @ @ @ @ @ ceremony , '' the spokesman told TASS .
Wreaths were also laid from Australia , @ @ @ @ @ France , Germany , Japan , Myanmar , New Zealand , the Philippines , Portugal @ @ @ @ @ , the United Kingdom , and the United States .
The Japanese Instrument of Surrender @ @ @ @ @ War II , was signed by representatives from the Japanese government and Allied forces aboard @ @ @ @ @ Bay on September 2 , 1945 .

NEW YORK, September 3. /TASS/. A wreath from Russia was laid on the deck of the US Battleship Missouri during the ceremony on the 75th commemoration of the End of World War II at Pearl Harbor Naval Station, a spokesman for the Russian embassy to the United States said on Thursday.
"Yes, we sent a wreath to the ceremony," the spokesman told TASS.
Wreaths were also laid from Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The Japanese Instrument of Surrender, which effectively ended World War II, was signed by representatives from the Japanese government and Allied forces aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945.


tass--2020-09-02--Hainan's Haikou airport to serve 1,500 more new flights in September

HAIKOU , September 2 .
/TASS/ .
Haikou Meilan International Airport in the southern Chinese province of Hainan plans to add more than 1,500 flights to its schedule amid growing passenger traffic , Xinhua reported on Wednesday .
`` About 16 airlines , including Air China , Hainan Airlines and China Southern Airlines , will increase the number of flights through Haikou .
The decision is made due to the large flow of students returning to school in September .
The increase in passenger traffic is also associated with the upcoming celebration of China 's Education Day in October and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reads .
According to the agency , more than 1,340 flights will be added to service passengers flying from Haikou to major cities such as Guangzhou , Wuhan , Shenzhen and Shanghai .
Another 180 flights , previously suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic in various directions , will be resumed .
In August , Meilan Airport served over 12,500 flights , and the total passenger traffic through this airport exceeded 1.66 million people .
Over the past few months , Hainan 's passenger air traffic has been recovering rapidly and is approaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to a number of factors , including , in particular , an increase in the duty free purchasing quota per person , as well as the lifting of the ban on group tourism .

HAIKOU, September 2. /TASS/. Haikou Meilan International Airport in the southern Chinese province of Hainan plans to add more than 1,500 flights to its schedule amid growing passenger traffic, Xinhua reported on Wednesday.
"About 16 airlines, including Air China, Hainan Airlines and China Southern Airlines, will increase the number of flights through Haikou. The decision is made due to the large flow of students returning to school in September. The increase in passenger traffic is also associated with the upcoming celebration of China's Education Day in October and the Mid-Autumn Festival," the article reads.
According to the agency, more than 1,340 flights will be added to service passengers flying from Haikou to major cities such as Guangzhou, Wuhan, Shenzhen and Shanghai. Another 180 flights, previously suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic in various directions, will be resumed.
In August, Meilan Airport served over 12,500 flights, and the total passenger traffic through this airport exceeded 1.66 million people.
Over the past few months, Hainan's passenger air traffic has been recovering rapidly and is approaching its previous level, which is seen due to a number of factors, including, in particular, an increase in the duty free purchasing quota per person, as well as the lifting of the ban on group tourism.


tass--2020-09-02--Current developments set Belarus’ relations with Europe back by many years — top diplomat

MOSCOW , September 2 .
/TASS/ .
Current developments in Belarus have set the country ’ s relations with some European states back by many years , Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei said at a joint press conference with Russian top diplomat Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday .
`` Long before the election , when we met with our European partners and discussed the possible scenarios , we agreed that street protests and violent demonstrations would set our relations back by many years .
Unfortunately , this is what happened .
Everyone agreed back then that we should not let it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Belarusian foreign minister stressed that Minsk had reached an understanding with its European partners that `` any election , even a bad one , will move the country forward . ''
`` Unfortunately , we have to deal with what ’ s happened and our partners are now calling for some peaceful and quiet revolutions , while in fact , any revolution eventually leads to bloodshed , '' Makei said .
Belarus held its presidential election on August 9 .
According to the Central Election Commission ’ s data , incumbent President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote , while Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , his main rival , garnered 10.12 % .
Tikhanovskaya refused to recognize the election results and left for Lithuania .
Protests erupted in the country 's capital of Minsk and several other cities following the presidential vote , leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers .
The opposition ’ s Coordination Council keeps calling on the country ’ s people to carry on with protests , while the authorities are emphasizing the need to put an end to unauthorized activities .

MOSCOW, September 2. /TASS/. Current developments in Belarus have set the country’s relations with some European states back by many years, Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei said at a joint press conference with Russian top diplomat Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday.
"Long before the election, when we met with our European partners and discussed the possible scenarios, we agreed that street protests and violent demonstrations would set our relations back by many years. Unfortunately, this is what happened. Everyone agreed back then that we should not let it happen," Makei pointed out.
The Belarusian foreign minister stressed that Minsk had reached an understanding with its European partners that "any election, even a bad one, will move the country forward." "Unfortunately, we have to deal with what’s happened and our partners are now calling for some peaceful and quiet revolutions, while in fact, any revolution eventually leads to bloodshed," Makei said.
Belarus held its presidential election on August 9. According to the Central Election Commission’s data, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.1% of the vote, while Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, his main rival, garnered 10.12%. Tikhanovskaya refused to recognize the election results and left for Lithuania. Protests erupted in the country's capital of Minsk and several other cities following the presidential vote, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers. The opposition’s Coordination Council keeps calling on the country’s people to carry on with protests, while the authorities are emphasizing the need to put an end to unauthorized activities.