tass--2020-12-26--Roscosmos sues its subsidiary over satellite that stopped working in orbit

MOSCOW , December 26 .
/TASS/ .
Russian space agency Roscosmos filed a lawsuit against its subsidiary , the Progress Rocket and Space Center , for producing a satellite that stopped working in the orbit , Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozin said on his Facebook page .
`` Several years ago , our subsidiary used a rocket that it had manufactured to put into the orbit a satellite that it had also manufactured .
Soon , the latter had ‘ died ’ in the orbit , '' he wrote .
`` In line with the current legislation , we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the satellite ’ s failure . ''
According to the space official , Roscosmos is obliged to seek compensation for the faulty satellite and the launch services .
In his words , the top management of the space corporation and its subsidiary has since been reshuffled .
`` Those guilty left long ago , but we are obliged to punish the enterprise and its current employees for the mistakes committed by people who have not been working at this plant for quite a while , '' Rogozin said .
He explained that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in due time , the top management of Roscosmos will have to stand trial themselves , for failing to properly react to the mistake and the missed opportunities it had entailed .

MOSCOW, December 26. /TASS/. Russian space agency Roscosmos filed a lawsuit against its subsidiary, the Progress Rocket and Space Center, for producing a satellite that stopped working in the orbit, Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozin said on his Facebook page.
"Several years ago, our subsidiary used a rocket that it had manufactured to put into the orbit a satellite that it had also manufactured. Soon, the latter had ‘died’ in the orbit," he wrote. "In line with the current legislation, we are obliged to file a lawsuit in connection with the satellite’s failure."
According to the space official, Roscosmos is obliged to seek compensation for the faulty satellite and the launch services.
In his words, the top management of the space corporation and its subsidiary has since been reshuffled.
"Those guilty left long ago, but we are obliged to punish the enterprise and its current employees for the mistakes committed by people who have not been working at this plant for quite a while," Rogozin said.
He explained that if such a lawsuit is not filed in due time, the top management of Roscosmos will have to stand trial themselves, for failing to properly react to the mistake and the missed opportunities it had entailed.


tass--2020-12-26--Medicine to prevent patients from developing COVID-19 tested in UK

LONDON , December 26 .
/TASS/ .
A medicine that can potentially prevent people exposed to novel coronavirus from developing COVID-19 is now being tested in the United Kingdom , the Guardian reported on its website Friday .
The medicine , based on monoclonal antibodies created in a laboratory , was developed by UK-Swedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and the University College London Hospitals .
`` If we can prove that this treatment works and prevent people who are exposed to the virus going on to develop Covid-19 , it would be an exciting addition to the arsenal of weapons being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Dr Catherine Houlihan , a UCLH virologist who is leading a study into the drug .
Scientists hope that people from high-risk groups will be protected from COVID-19 for a period of between six months and one year .
It is also expected to be effective in cases when vaccination is too late , for example if offered to someone after close contact with a virus carrier .
Developers expect the medicine to hit shelves in the UK in March or April 2021 , if clinical trials are successful and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthcare regulators .

LONDON, December 26. /TASS/. A medicine that can potentially prevent people exposed to novel coronavirus from developing COVID-19 is now being tested in the United Kingdom, the Guardian reported on its website Friday.
The medicine, based on monoclonal antibodies created in a laboratory, was developed by UK-Swedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and the University College London Hospitals.
"If we can prove that this treatment works and prevent people who are exposed to the virus going on to develop Covid-19, it would be an exciting addition to the arsenal of weapons being developed to fight this dreadful virus," said Dr Catherine Houlihan, a UCLH virologist who is leading a study into the drug.
Scientists hope that people from high-risk groups will be protected from COVID-19 for a period of between six months and one year. It is also expected to be effective in cases when vaccination is too late, for example if offered to someone after close contact with a virus carrier.
Developers expect the medicine to hit shelves in the UK in March or April 2021, if clinical trials are successful and it is approved by the country’s healthcare regulators.


tass--2020-12-26--Nashville mayor says Friday’s explosion was 'deliberate'

NEW YORK , December 26 .
/TASS/ .
Initial information suggests that the explosion that rocked the US city of Nashville , Tennessee , on Friday was a deliberate bomb blast , Nashville Mayor John Cooper told reporters .
`` Initial evidence does show that it was a deliberate bomb being set off in our community , '' he said at a media briefing .
In his words , the blast `` was intended to create chaos and fear in this season of peace and hope . ''
`` We won ’ t rest until those responsible for this cowardly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cooper said , adding that three persons hospitalized after the blast were in stable condition .
He also announced that a curfew will be in place in the blast-hit district for the next few days , but expressed hope that the city with a population of about 700,000 would soon return to normal life .
Nashville police said in a Twitter post on Friday that a recreational vehicle ( RV ) exploded in the city center at 6:30 local time ( 15:30 Moscow time ) on Friday .
Three people were taken to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not life-threatening .
Police described the blast as an `` intentional act . ''
The explosion was preceded by a recorded warning , heard from the RV .
According to Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake , remains probably belonging to a human were found at the scene of the explosion .
`` We found tissue that we believe could be human remains , '' he told reporters late on Friday .
However , according to Drake , police currently have no information proving that anyone died in the blast .
The incident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local law enforcement bodies .
Outgoing US President Donald Trump and president-elect Joseph Biden have been informed about it .
Departures from the Nashville International Airport have been suspended in the wake of the incident .
`` Due to telecommunications issues associated with this morning ’ s incident in downtown Nashville , FAA [ the Federal Aviation Authority ] has temporarily halted flights out of BNA , '' the airport said in a Twitter post .

NEW YORK, December 26. /TASS/. Initial information suggests that the explosion that rocked the US city of Nashville, Tennessee, on Friday was a deliberate bomb blast, Nashville Mayor John Cooper told reporters.
"Initial evidence does show that it was a deliberate bomb being set off in our community," he said at a media briefing.
In his words, the blast "was intended to create chaos and fear in this season of peace and hope."
"We won’t rest until those responsible for this cowardly attack are brought to justice," Cooper said, adding that three persons hospitalized after the blast were in stable condition.
He also announced that a curfew will be in place in the blast-hit district for the next few days, but expressed hope that the city with a population of about 700,000 would soon return to normal life.
Nashville police said in a Twitter post on Friday that a recreational vehicle (RV) exploded in the city center at 6:30 local time (15:30 Moscow time) on Friday. Three people were taken to a hospital, but their injuries are not life-threatening. Police described the blast as an "intentional act." The explosion was preceded by a recorded warning, heard from the RV.
According to Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake, remains probably belonging to a human were found at the scene of the explosion. "We found tissue that we believe could be human remains," he told reporters late on Friday. However, according to Drake, police currently have no information proving that anyone died in the blast.
The incident is being investigated by the FBI and local law enforcement bodies. Outgoing US President Donald Trump and president-elect Joseph Biden have been informed about it.
Departures from the Nashville International Airport have been suspended in the wake of the incident. "Due to telecommunications issues associated with this morning’s incident in downtown Nashville, FAA [the Federal Aviation Authority] has temporarily halted flights out of BNA," the airport said in a Twitter post.


tass--2020-12-27--Russians more often denied foreign travel due to unpaid credits, alimony, utilities

MOSCOW , December 27 .
/TASS/ .
Over 4 mln Russians are listed as debtors barred from leaving Russia before winter holidays , more often this is caused by unpaid credits , alimony , or utility bills , the press service of the Federal Bailiffs Service told TASS in response to the agency ’ s inquiry .
`` As of December 1 , 2020 , 4.1 mln decisions on a temporary restriction of a debtor ’ s right to leave the Russian Federation were in effect , '' the Federal Bailiffs noted .
This is 700,000 ( or 20 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as of December 1 , 2019 , 3.4 mln people were listed as barred from leaving the country ) and 2.5 times more than three years ago ( as of December 1 , 2017 such lists included 1.7 mln people ) .
`` The restriction on a debtor ’ s right to leave the Russian Federation is applied the most often regarding individuals who have alimony debts , credit debts and debts for housing and public utilities , '' the Federal Bailiffs Service reported .
According to TASS ' data , a ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the majority of persistent non-payers of alimony and to about a third of credit debtors .
Over the recent years such decisions became also effective regarding those who forget to pay their utility bills .
In all , over 11 months of this year , the bailiffs issued 8.3 mln decisions on barring the debtors from leaving the country ( while 7.8 mln of such decisions were made in 2019 and five years ago , in 2015 , only 1.5 mln - TASS ) .
As the Federal Bailiffs Service noted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traveling abroad in all paid their debts for a total amount of 41.5 bln rubles ( over $ 560 mln - TASS ) .

MOSCOW, December 27. /TASS/. Over 4 mln Russians are listed as debtors barred from leaving Russia before winter holidays, more often this is caused by unpaid credits, alimony, or utility bills, the press service of the Federal Bailiffs Service told TASS in response to the agency’s inquiry.
"As of December 1, 2020, 4.1 mln decisions on a temporary restriction of a debtor’s right to leave the Russian Federation were in effect," the Federal Bailiffs noted. This is 700,000 (or 20%) more than a year ago (as of December 1, 2019, 3.4 mln people were listed as barred from leaving the country) and 2.5 times more than three years ago (as of December 1, 2017 such lists included 1.7 mln people). "The restriction on a debtor’s right to leave the Russian Federation is applied the most often regarding individuals who have alimony debts, credit debts and debts for housing and public utilities," the Federal Bailiffs Service reported.
According to TASS' data, a ban on leaving the country is usually applied to the majority of persistent non-payers of alimony and to about a third of credit debtors. Over the recent years such decisions became also effective regarding those who forget to pay their utility bills.
In all, over 11 months of this year, the bailiffs issued 8.3 mln decisions on barring the debtors from leaving the country (while 7.8 mln of such decisions were made in 2019 and five years ago, in 2015, only 1.5 mln - TASS). As the Federal Bailiffs Service noted, by early December the debtors barred from traveling abroad in all paid their debts for a total amount of 41.5 bln rubles (over $560 mln - TASS).


tass--2020-12-27--Inoculation against coronavirus with Sputnik V to begin in Argentina on December 29

BUENOS AIRES , December 27 .
/TASS/ .
Vaccination against the coronavirus with the Russian Sputnik V preparation in Argentina will begin on December 29 , the press service of the presidential staff of the Latin American republic reported on Saturday after a meeting of Argentine President Alberto Fernandez with governors in a video conference format .
`` A nationwide inoculation campaign will begin on Tuesday , '' the statement said .
As the president reported , by December 28 , doses of the Sputnik V vaccine will be delivered to all Argentine provinces .
`` We want to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups inoculated by autumn , '' the president noted .
According to the press service , all governors welcomed the fact that the government managed to secure supplies of the vaccine against the coronavirus to Argentina .
As Governor of the Cordoba Province Juan Schiaretti reported , 98 % of healthcare workers in the region expressed desire to get inoculated .
On Thursday , the first batch of the Sputnik V vaccine arrived in Argentina numbering 300,000 doses .
Earlier , the Russian Direct Investment Fund and the government of Argentina signed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sputnik V vaccine .

BUENOS AIRES, December 27. /TASS/. Vaccination against the coronavirus with the Russian Sputnik V preparation in Argentina will begin on December 29, the press service of the presidential staff of the Latin American republic reported on Saturday after a meeting of Argentine President Alberto Fernandez with governors in a video conference format.
"A nationwide inoculation campaign will begin on Tuesday," the statement said.
As the president reported, by December 28, doses of the Sputnik V vaccine will be delivered to all Argentine provinces. "We want to have the majority of people from the risk groups inoculated by autumn," the president noted.
According to the press service, all governors welcomed the fact that the government managed to secure supplies of the vaccine against the coronavirus to Argentina. As Governor of the Cordoba Province Juan Schiaretti reported, 98% of healthcare workers in the region expressed desire to get inoculated.
On Thursday, the first batch of the Sputnik V vaccine arrived in Argentina numbering 300,000 doses.
Earlier, the Russian Direct Investment Fund and the government of Argentina signed a contract to deliver 10 mln doses of the Sputnik V vaccine.


tass--2020-12-27--Putin thanks staff of Emergencies Ministry for productive work in 2020

MOSCOW , December 27 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated staff and veterans of the Russian Emergencies Ministry on the Emergency Rescuer ’ s Day , noting their professionalism and thanking them for their work this year .
`` I would like to say the kindest words to the veterans of the agency and , of course , to thank the entire staff of the Russian Emergencies Ministry for productive work this year , for professionalism demonstrated during liquidation of consequences of storms and typhoons in the Far East , of diesel fuel spill in Norilsk , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russia-24 TV channel .
`` In general , it is necessary to further increase the capabilities of a unified state system of alert and liquidation of emergency situations , fully use the advantages of contemporary approaches to risk forecasting in order to minimize the damage from natural disasters , fires , floods , accidents .
And what ’ s the most important - to protect lives , people ’ s lives and health , '' Putin emphasized .
The president also noted the assistance provided by the personnel of the Emergencies Ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abroad , for instance , in Nagorno-Karabakh .
`` I will add that in all , over the past 30 years , more than 500 humanitarian operations have been conducted by the Emergencies Ministry abroad .
I consider this one of the most important and significant directions of your work , '' the president said .
`` The entire world knows that Russia will help , will send its rescuers , specialists where it is particularly tough , will deliver what is needed the most - food , medicines , clothes , will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to people who found themselves in a desperate situation .
And will do it unconditionally , not for some political benefits .
This experience , without a doubt , should be used for further enhancement of the entire system of the Emergencies Ministry .
A lot has already been done in this respect : human resources and technical equipment have been strengthened at all levels , in all key sections , '' Putin noted .
The head of state also expressed confidence that the staff of the Emergencies Ministry will continue to fulfill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happy New Year .
The Emergency Rescuer ’ s Day was first marked in 1995 .
According to a presidential decree it is celebrated on December 27 , the day the Emergencies Ministry was founded .
This year the ministry celebrates its 30th anniversary .

MOSCOW, December 27. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated staff and veterans of the Russian Emergencies Ministry on the Emergency Rescuer’s Day, noting their professionalism and thanking them for their work this year.
"I would like to say the kindest words to the veterans of the agency and, of course, to thank the entire staff of the Russian Emergencies Ministry for productive work this year, for professionalism demonstrated during liquidation of consequences of storms and typhoons in the Far East, of diesel fuel spill in Norilsk, other emergency situations," he told the Russia-24 TV channel.
"In general, it is necessary to further increase the capabilities of a unified state system of alert and liquidation of emergency situations, fully use the advantages of contemporary approaches to risk forecasting in order to minimize the damage from natural disasters, fires, floods, accidents. And what’s the most important - to protect lives, people’s lives and health," Putin emphasized.
The president also noted the assistance provided by the personnel of the Emergencies Ministry during the coronavirus pandemic and their work abroad, for instance, in Nagorno-Karabakh. "I will add that in all, over the past 30 years, more than 500 humanitarian operations have been conducted by the Emergencies Ministry abroad. I consider this one of the most important and significant directions of your work," the president said. "The entire world knows that Russia will help, will send its rescuers, specialists where it is particularly tough, will deliver what is needed the most - food, medicines, clothes, will provide emergency and medical and psychological help to people who found themselves in a desperate situation. And will do it unconditionally, not for some political benefits. This experience, without a doubt, should be used for further enhancement of the entire system of the Emergencies Ministry. A lot has already been done in this respect: human resources and technical equipment have been strengthened at all levels, in all key sections," Putin noted.
The head of state also expressed confidence that the staff of the Emergencies Ministry will continue to fulfill their duties honorably and wished them a happy New Year.
The Emergency Rescuer’s Day was first marked in 1995. According to a presidential decree it is celebrated on December 27, the day the Emergencies Ministry was founded. This year the ministry celebrates its 30th anniversary.


tass--2020-12-27--Emergencies minister congratulates rescue workers on professional holiday

MOSCOW , December 27 .
/TASS/ .
Emergencies Minister Yevgeny Zinichev has congratulated rescue workers on their professional holiday and the 30th anniversary of the Ministry .
`` I would like to congratulate firemen and rescuers , pilots and mine rescue workers , doctors and psychologists , all those who earned people ’ s respect with their daily labor and devotion to the profession .
Each one of you , sparing no effort , honorably fulfills your professional duties .
You are the first ones to come to the rescue .
Despite the danger , you fight the squall , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He had special words of thanks for veterans who stood at the origins of the Emergencies Ministry .
As the press service of the Emergencies Ministry told TASS , over 30 years more than 2.5 mln people have been rescued , aid has been provided to more than 5 mln people , over 31,000 emergency situations of various nature have been resolved , more than 6.9 mln fires have been extinguished , over 1.7 mln explosive devices have been deactivated , more than 500 humanitarian operations abroad have been conducted , humanitarian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 countries worldwide .
On December 27 , 1990 , the Russian Corps of Rescuers was created that soon became the State Committee on Emergency Situations and then - the Emergencies Ministry .
This day is considered the birth date of the Emergencies Ministry which turned 30 .

MOSCOW, December 27. /TASS/. Emergencies Minister Yevgeny Zinichev has congratulated rescue workers on their professional holiday and the 30th anniversary of the Ministry.
"I would like to congratulate firemen and rescuers, pilots and mine rescue workers, doctors and psychologists, all those who earned people’s respect with their daily labor and devotion to the profession. Each one of you, sparing no effort, honorably fulfills your professional duties. You are the first ones to come to the rescue. Despite the danger, you fight the squall," the minister’s statement said. He had special words of thanks for veterans who stood at the origins of the Emergencies Ministry.
As the press service of the Emergencies Ministry told TASS, over 30 years more than 2.5 mln people have been rescued, aid has been provided to more than 5 mln people, over 31,000 emergency situations of various nature have been resolved, more than 6.9 mln fires have been extinguished, over 1.7 mln explosive devices have been deactivated, more than 500 humanitarian operations abroad have been conducted, humanitarian cargo has been delivered to more than 100 countries worldwide.
On December 27, 1990, the Russian Corps of Rescuers was created that soon became the State Committee on Emergency Situations and then - the Emergencies Ministry. This day is considered the birth date of the Emergencies Ministry which turned 30.


tass--2020-12-27--Bitcoin price surpasses $26,000 hitting all-time high

Russian army is not going to get involved in arms race , says chief of General Staff He said that @ @ @ @ @ were capable of neutralizing any threats to the country ’ s security and firmly protecting @ @ @ @ @ and its allies

West was covering up crimes of Kiev regime that led to Ukraine’s tragedy, Lavrov says
"During this entire period, the population of DPR and LPR was subjected to abuse, perennial shelling on the part of the Kiev regime that openly adopted a course towards Russophobia and genocide," the Russian top diplomat noted
Read more


tass--2020-12-26--Banning Russian officials from attending sports competitions is unacceptable - Lavrov

MOSCOW , December 26 .
/TASS/ .
Banning Russian officials from attending international sporting events is unacceptable , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Match TV channel .
`` I think the provision concerning banning state leaders from attending sports events is unclear and unacceptable , '' he said , commenting on the latest decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport ( CAS ) regarding Russian athletes .
The court ’ s decision was expended for a period of two years , with WADA initially requiring four years .
`` Two is less than four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I understand correctly , permission to have national symbols on sports uniforms is also a relaxation compared to what was at the 2018 Olympics .
Regulating the behavior of spectators and the opportunity for them to have national symbols - this also distinguishes , as I understand it , this decision from the previous one , '' he noted .
CAS ruled on the night of December 17 to keep in force a number of sanctions against Russia for the period of up to two years .
The decision of the Swiss-based court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal spat between RUSADA ( the Russian Anti-Doping Agency ) and WADA ( the World Anti-Doping Agency ) .
According to CAS decision , Russian athletes were deprived of their right to participate in all World Championships , Olympic and Paralympic Games under the national flag of Russia for the two-year period .
The national anthem of Russia was also ruled out to be played at international sport tournaments in the course of the next two years , including at the upcoming Olympic Games in Japan next year .
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been always standing for the development of international sports cooperation as well as for the honest and just sports , which `` will be beyond all types of politicized matters . ''
Russia will draw the right conclusions after the decision of CAS , Lavrov said .
`` I think that after the decision of the CAS , we will all draw the right conclusions .
The most important thing in this decision is that there is no collective responsibility , and pure athletes , unlike during the previous Winter Olympic Games , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some special invitation from the International Olympic Committee , '' he said .
`` If you are clean , you have no doping history or your disqualification has already expired - that is it , you do n't need any invitations , you have every right in accordance with the decision of your federation to get into the national team to participate in the Olympic Games , as I understand it , '' the Minister added .
Lavrov stressed that he opposes doping in general , which , among other things , destroys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also things that , I believe , need to be eliminated in the international movement for the purity of sports .
We have been working with the World Anti-Doping Agency for a long time , although at some stage we underestimated the need to work within this structure .
It 's good that the crisis with the Russian Anti-Doping Agency is finally over , '' Lavrov pointed out .
The WADA Executive Committee ( ExCo ) approved on December 9 , 2019 , recommendations of its Compliance Review Committee to revoke the compliance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to strip Russia of the right to participate in major international sports tournaments , including the Olympics , Paralympics and world championships , for a period of four years .
The WADA ExCo also ruled that Russia must not host , or bid for or be granted the right to host any major international sports tournament in this four-year period .
Russian state officials , as well as the officials of the Russian Olympic Committee and the Russian Paralympic Committee , were banned from attending all major international sports tournaments for this four-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on December 19 , 2019 the agency ’ s Founder Board to disagree with WADA ’ s sanctions against Russian sports and to take this case to the Court of Arbitration for Sports ( CAS ) in Switzerland ’ s Lausanne .
On December 27 , RUSADA sent an official notification of its disagreement to WADA and the global anti-doping body turned this case over to the Swiss-based court .
CAS held hearings on a legal debate between RUSADA and WADA in the period between November 2 and 5 , 2020 .
Appointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and WADA were Mark Williams ( Australia ) , Luigi Fumagalli ( Italy ) and Hamid Gharavi ( France ) .

MOSCOW, December 26. /TASS/. Banning Russian officials from attending international sporting events is unacceptable, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Match TV channel.
"I think the provision concerning banning state leaders from attending sports events is unclear and unacceptable," he said, commenting on the latest decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding Russian athletes.
The court’s decision was expended for a period of two years, with WADA initially requiring four years. "Two is less than four," Lavrov added. "If I understand correctly, permission to have national symbols on sports uniforms is also a relaxation compared to what was at the 2018 Olympics. Regulating the behavior of spectators and the opportunity for them to have national symbols - this also distinguishes, as I understand it, this decision from the previous one," he noted.
CAS ruled on the night of December 17 to keep in force a number of sanctions against Russia for the period of up to two years. The decision of the Swiss-based court was made within the frames of a legal spat between RUSADA (the Russian Anti-Doping Agency) and WADA (the World Anti-Doping Agency).
According to CAS decision, Russian athletes were deprived of their right to participate in all World Championships, Olympic and Paralympic Games under the national flag of Russia for the two-year period.
The national anthem of Russia was also ruled out to be played at international sport tournaments in the course of the next two years, including at the upcoming Olympic Games in Japan next year.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said earlier that Russia had been always standing for the development of international sports cooperation as well as for the honest and just sports, which "will be beyond all types of politicized matters."
Russia will draw the right conclusions after the decision of CAS, Lavrov said. "I think that after the decision of the CAS, we will all draw the right conclusions. The most important thing in this decision is that there is no collective responsibility, and pure athletes, unlike during the previous Winter Olympic Games, will no longer have to apply for some special invitation from the International Olympic Committee," he said.
"If you are clean, you have no doping history or your disqualification has already expired - that is it, you don't need any invitations, you have every right in accordance with the decision of your federation to get into the national team to participate in the Olympic Games, as I understand it," the Minister added.
Lavrov stressed that he opposes doping in general, which, among other things, destroys athletes' health. "There are also things that, I believe, need to be eliminated in the international movement for the purity of sports. We have been working with the World Anti-Doping Agency for a long time, although at some stage we underestimated the need to work within this structure. It's good that the crisis with the Russian Anti-Doping Agency is finally over," Lavrov pointed out.
WADA-RUSADA case
The WADA Executive Committee (ExCo) approved on December 9, 2019, recommendations of its Compliance Review Committee to revoke the compliance status of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency and to strip Russia of the right to participate in major international sports tournaments, including the Olympics, Paralympics and world championships, for a period of four years.
The WADA ExCo also ruled that Russia must not host, or bid for or be granted the right to host any major international sports tournament in this four-year period. Russian state officials, as well as the officials of the Russian Olympic Committee and the Russian Paralympic Committee, were banned from attending all major international sports tournaments for this four-year period.
The RUSADA Supervisory Board recommended on December 19, 2019 the agency’s Founder Board to disagree with WADA’s sanctions against Russian sports and to take this case to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) in Switzerland’s Lausanne. On December 27, RUSADA sent an official notification of its disagreement to WADA and the global anti-doping body turned this case over to the Swiss-based court.
CAS held hearings on a legal debate between RUSADA and WADA in the period between November 2 and 5, 2020. Appointed judges in the CAS case between RUSADA and WADA were Mark Williams (Australia), Luigi Fumagalli (Italy) and Hamid Gharavi (France).


tass--2020-12-26--Moscow reports 73 coronavirus deaths over per day

MOSCOW , December 26 .
/TASS/ .
The number of deaths due to coronavirus in Moscow has increased by 73 @ @ @ @ @ headquarters for the control and monitoring of the situation with coronavirus reported on Saturday .
@ @ @ @ @ patients died , who were diagnosed with pneumonia and had a positive coronavirus test , @ @ @ @ @ In total , during the pandemic , 10,913 people with coronavirus died in the Russian @ @ @ @ @ first place in Russia in terms of the number of coronavirus cases .
As of @ @ @ @ @ were detected in the city , including 7,840 over the past day , while 599,541 @ @ @ @ @ mln people have been infected with the coronavirus in the world , more than 1.7 @ @ @ @ @ Russia , according to the federal operational headquarters for the fight against coronavirus , 3,021,964 @ @ @ @ @ 2,426,439 people recovered , 54,226 died .

MOSCOW, December 26. /TASS/. The number of deaths due to coronavirus in Moscow has increased by 73 per day, the operational headquarters for the control and monitoring of the situation with coronavirus reported on Saturday.
"In Moscow, 73 patients died, who were diagnosed with pneumonia and had a positive coronavirus test," the headquarters said.
In total, during the pandemic, 10,913 people with coronavirus died in the Russian capital.
Moscow is in first place in Russia in terms of the number of coronavirus cases. As of December 26, 779,584 cases were detected in the city, including 7,840 over the past day, while 599,541 people recovered.
About 79.9 mln people have been infected with the coronavirus in the world, more than 1.7 mln have died. In Russia, according to the federal operational headquarters for the fight against coronavirus, 3,021,964 coronavirus cases were registered, 2,426,439 people recovered, 54,226 died.


tass--2020-12-26--Over 401,000 coronavirus cases registered globally over day

GENEVA , December 26 .
/TASS/ .
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world exceeded 78.6 mln , having increased by more than 401,000 in 24 hours .
According to data published on Saturday by the World Health Organization ( WHO ) , the number of deaths increased by more than 7,300 , exceeding 1.74 mln .
As of 19:03 Moscow time on December 26 , WHO received information about 78,604,532 cases and 1,744 235 deaths .
The number of cases increased by 401,176 , deaths - by 7,335 .
The World Health Organization takes into account only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths provided by countries .
More than 48 % of cases reported in the past 24 hours occured in the Europe region ( 195,754 ) , followed by the Americas ( 120,363 ) , and South-East Asia ( 33,506 ) .
The majority of confirmed cases of infection were registered in the USA - 18,311,405 , followed by India ( 10,169,118 ) , Brazil ( 7,425,593 ) , Russia ( 3,021,964 ) , France ( 2,505,074 ) , the United Kingdom ( 221,316 ) , Italy ( 2,028,354 ) , Spain ( 1,854,951 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Argentina ( 1,571m680 ) , Colombia ( 1,559,766 ) , and Mexico ( 1,362,564 ) .

GENEVA, December 26. /TASS/. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world exceeded 78.6 mln, having increased by more than 401,000 in 24 hours. According to data published on Saturday by the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of deaths increased by more than 7,300, exceeding 1.74 mln.
As of 19:03 Moscow time on December 26, WHO received information about 78,604,532 cases and 1,744 235 deaths. The number of cases increased by 401,176, deaths - by 7,335.
The World Health Organization takes into account only officially confirmed information on coronavirus cases and deaths provided by countries.
More than 48% of cases reported in the past 24 hours occured in the Europe region (195,754), followed by the Americas (120,363), and South-East Asia (33,506).
The majority of confirmed cases of infection were registered in the USA - 18,311,405, followed by India (10,169,118), Brazil (7,425,593), Russia (3,021,964), France (2,505,074), the United Kingdom (221,316), Italy (2,028,354), Spain (1,854,951), Germany (1,627,103), Argentina (1,571m680), Colombia (1,559,766), and Mexico (1,362,564).


tass--2020-12-26--Over 80 mln people worldwide infected with coronavirus

TASS , December 26 .
The number of detected cases of coronavirus in the world surpassed 80 mln on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ the Johns Hopkins University , which uses information from international organizations , federal and local @ @ @ @ @ university , the number of coronavirus cases in the world now reaches 80,027,056 , 1,753,313 @ @ @ @ @ have recovered .
The largest number of infections - 18,771,885 - was detected in the @ @ @ @ @ of 330,345 people with coronavirus have died in the United States .
India ranks second @ @ @ @ @ of cases , with 10,169,118 detected cases and 147,343 deaths .
India is followed by @ @ @ @ @ were infected and 190,488 patients died .
Russia , according to Johns Hopkins University , @ @ @ @ @ the number of coronavirus cases .
According to the federal operational headquarters for the fight @ @ @ @ @ cases have been detected in Russia , 2,426,439 people recovered , 54,226 died .

TASS, December 26. The number of detected cases of coronavirus in the world surpassed 80 mln on Saturday, according to data from the Johns Hopkins University, which uses information from international organizations, federal and local authorities.
According to the university, the number of coronavirus cases in the world now reaches 80,027,056, 1,753,313 people have died, 45,145,454 have recovered. The largest number of infections - 18,771,885 - was detected in the United States. A total of 330,345 people with coronavirus have died in the United States. India ranks second in terms of the number of cases, with 10,169,118 detected cases and 147,343 deaths. India is followed by Brazil, where 7,448,560 people were infected and 190,488 patients died.
Russia, according to Johns Hopkins University, ranks fourth in terms of the number of coronavirus cases. According to the federal operational headquarters for the fight against coronavirus, 3,021,964 coronavirus cases have been detected in Russia, 2,426,439 people recovered, 54,226 died.


tass--2020-12-26--Japan temporarily bans entry into country until end of January

TOKYO , December 26 .
/TASS/ .
Japan decided to introduce a temporary ban on entry into the country for @ @ @ @ @ regions of the world , with the exception of Japanese and foreigners with long-term visas @ @ @ @ @ according to a government statement released on Saturday .
According to the statement , the @ @ @ @ @ a preventive measure in connection with the discovery of a new strain of coronavirus in @ @ @ @ @ The measures will be in effect from December 28 to the end of January 2021 @ @ @ @ @ Japanese residents who make short-term business trips are canceled .
Until now , they have @ @ @ @ @ in quarantine for two weeks after returning .
Starting from December 28 , this rule @ @ @ @ @ In addition , residents of Japan returning from countries with a new coronavirus strain will @ @ @ @ @ confirming negative coronavirus test upon entry , submitted no later than three days before arrival @

TOKYO, December 26. /TASS/. Japan decided to introduce a temporary ban on entry into the country for citizens of all countries and regions of the world, with the exception of Japanese and foreigners with long-term visas permanently residing in Japan, according to a government statement released on Saturday.
According to the statement, the restrictions are being introduced as a preventive measure in connection with the discovery of a new strain of coronavirus in a number of countries. The measures will be in effect from December 28 to the end of January 2021.
Also, exemptions for Japanese residents who make short-term business trips are canceled. Until now, they have not been required to remain in quarantine for two weeks after returning. Starting from December 28, this rule will apply once again.
In addition, residents of Japan returning from countries with a new coronavirus strain will need to have a document confirming negative coronavirus test upon entry, submitted no later than three days before arrival.


tass--2020-12-26--Russia’s PM approves rules for subsidies for IT projects

MOSCOW , December 26 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a decree on the rules for granting @ @ @ @ @ the development of new projects in the field of information technology within the framework of @ @ @ @ @ ; by the end of 2023 , 750 mln rubles ( $ 10.09 mln ) @ @ @ @ @ purposes , the government press service said in a statement .
`` We are talking @ @ @ @ @ companies - developers in expanding innovative projects and helping bringing their products to the domestic @ @ @ @ @ Development Fund is already working on programs for this .
From 2021 to 2023 , @ @ @ @ @ allocated for these purposes .
Funds are already provided for in the federal budget , @ @ @ @ @ The press service recalled that on behalf of the Russian President , the government has @ @ @ @ @ for state support of the industry .
These include new tax regimes , programs to @ @ @ @ @ public-private partnerships , and expansion of the human resources base .

MOSCOW, December 26. /TASS/. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a decree on the rules for granting subsidies in order to accelerate the development of new projects in the field of information technology within the framework of the digital economy national program; by the end of 2023, 750 mln rubles ($10.09 mln) will be allocated for these purposes, the government press service said in a statement.
"We are talking about providing acceleration support to companies - developers in expanding innovative projects and helping bringing their products to the domestic market. The Internet Initiatives Development Fund is already working on programs for this. From 2021 to 2023, 750 mln rubles will be allocated for these purposes. Funds are already provided for in the federal budget," the statement said.
The press service recalled that on behalf of the Russian President, the government has developed a set of measures for state support of the industry. These include new tax regimes, programs to stimulate demand, development of public-private partnerships, and expansion of the human resources base.


tass--2020-12-26--Bitcoin price surpasses $25,000 renewing historical maximum

Putin explains why German defense chief wants to deal with Russia from position of force According to the Russian president @ @ @ @ @ show `` how tough she is ''


tass--2020-12-27--Intra-Ukrainian conflict is ever harder to settle, Peskov says

MOSCOW , December 27 .
/TASS/ .
A settlement in Ukraine will be ever harder to achieve as time flies , Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov has warned .
`` It ’ s an intra-Ukrainian conflict on the agenda .
Neither Russia , nor France , nor Germany are participants in or parties to this conflict .
Russia , France and Germany have been doing everything in their powers to help Ukraine settle the conflict , '' Peskov said in an interview to the program `` Moscow .
Kremlin .
Putin '' on the federal television news channel Rossiya-1 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as time flies , the settlement is ever harder to achieve . ''
`` Kiev ’ s passiveness in implementing the adopted decisions is clear to the naked eye in Paris and in Berlin .
Both Paris and Berlin make no secret of their disappointment over many aspects of this situation , '' Peskov said .
He remarked that no proposals for contacts were being made to Moscow from the Ukrainian side for the time being .
`` Nobody makes any phone calls , '' the Kremlin official said .
`` Not that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were achieved in Paris and the Minsk package of measures is stalled .
Some individual ideas have materialized , but by and large nobody has even tried to work on them in earnest .

MOSCOW, December 27. /TASS/. A settlement in Ukraine will be ever harder to achieve as time flies, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov has warned.
"It’s an intra-Ukrainian conflict on the agenda. Neither Russia, nor France, nor Germany are participants in or parties to this conflict. Russia, France and Germany have been doing everything in their powers to help Ukraine settle the conflict," Peskov said in an interview to the program "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin" on the federal television news channel Rossiya-1. He warned, though, that "as time flies, the settlement is ever harder to achieve."
"Kiev’s passiveness in implementing the adopted decisions is clear to the naked eye in Paris and in Berlin. Both Paris and Berlin make no secret of their disappointment over many aspects of this situation," Peskov said.
He remarked that no proposals for contacts were being made to Moscow from the Ukrainian side for the time being.
"Nobody makes any phone calls," the Kremlin official said. "Not that the process of implementing the agreements that were achieved in Paris and the Minsk package of measures is stalled. Some individual ideas have materialized, but by and large nobody has even tried to work on them in earnest.


tass--2020-12-27--Russia, Turkey can and must promote stability, security in their region, Peskov says

MOSCOW , December 27 .
/TASS/ .
Russia and Turkey are major geopolitical actors capable of promoting stability and security @ @ @ @ @ presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview to the program `` Moscow .
Kremlin @ @ @ @ @ federal television channel Rossiya-1 .
`` In our region Russia and Turkey are possibly the @ @ @ @ @ and must make tangible contributions to the cause of security and stability .
At least @ @ @ @ @ utmost to ensure there be no war , '' he said .

MOSCOW, December 27. /TASS/. Russia and Turkey are major geopolitical actors capable of promoting stability and security in their region, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview to the program "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin" on the federal television channel Rossiya-1.
"In our region Russia and Turkey are possibly the largest countries, which can and must make tangible contributions to the cause of security and stability. At least, they should do their utmost to ensure there be no war," he said.


tass--2020-12-27--Russia won’t test Sputnik V and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine’s combination, developer says

MOSCOW , December 27 .
/TASS/ .
Russia will use the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine in its original form , @ @ @ @ @ by the British-Swedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca , the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and @ @ @ @ @ Gintsburg announced on the Rossiya-1 TV channel ’ s news program .
`` No , @ @ @ @ @ Sputnik V vaccine ’ s classic form , in which it exists , '' he @ @ @ @ @ response to a question whether Russia would participate in clinical trials of the Sputnik V @ @ @ @ @ .
Earlier , the Gamaleya National Research Institute , the Russian Direct Investment Fund , @ @ @ @ @ signed a memorandum of cooperation on the COVID-19 vaccine development .

MOSCOW, December 27. /TASS/. Russia will use the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine in its original form, without adding the component developed by the British-Swedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology’s Director Alexander Gintsburg announced on the Rossiya-1 TV channel’s news program.
"No, Russia is currently using the Sputnik V vaccine’s classic form, in which it exists," he told Vesti Nedeli program in response to a question whether Russia would participate in clinical trials of the Sputnik V and AstraZeneca’s combination.
Earlier, the Gamaleya National Research Institute, the Russian Direct Investment Fund, R-Pharm medical company and AstraZeneca signed a memorandum of cooperation on the COVID-19 vaccine development.


tass--2020-12-27--Putin likely to announce about receiving COVID-19 vaccine soon, Kremlin says

MOSCOW , December 27 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely to announce about taking the coronavirus vaccine @ @ @ @ @ Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday .
`` We should expect that in the @ @ @ @ @ announce himself about the decision , '' Peskov said in an interview with `` Moscow @ @ @ @ @ program on Rossiya-1 TV channel .
The Kremlin spokesman recalled that at his annual news @ @ @ @ @ would get vaccinated at the first opportunity .
`` He said he would take the @ @ @ @ @ made such a decision and he was waiting for all formal issues to be solved @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Health Ministry authorized the use of Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine for people over @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, December 27. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely to announce about taking the coronavirus vaccine in the near future, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday.
"We should expect that in the near future the president will announce himself about the decision," Peskov said in an interview with "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin" program on Rossiya-1 TV channel.
The Kremlin spokesman recalled that at his annual news conference the president said he would get vaccinated at the first opportunity. "He said he would take the vaccine and that he had made such a decision and he was waiting for all formal issues to be solved."
Earlier, Russia’s Health Ministry authorized the use of Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine for people over 60 years of age.


tass--2020-12-27--Putin’s good ties with Baku and Yerevan help to settle Nagorno-Karabakh crisis - Kremlin

MOSCOW , December 27 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s friendly relations with Baku and Yerevan helped to achieve a peace deal on Nagorno-Karabakh , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with `` Moscow .
Kremlin .
Putin '' on Rossiya-1 TV channel .
`` Good and constructive relations based on mutual respect with Baku and Yerevan helped Putin to mediate this settlement [ of the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh ] , '' Peskov said .
In order to stabilize the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict , Putin spent `` many and many days with a phone in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he noted .
Putin also held talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan .
`` In 2020 , active combat actions in Europe right near our borders are something that certainly the world community must not allow to happen .
In this case Putin ’ s responsible position , his efforts to stop this are certainly worth a lot and it ’ s hard to overestimate them , '' Peskov stressed .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh since February 1988 , when the region announced its secession from the Azerbaijani Soviet Socialist Republic .
In the armed conflict of 1992-1994 , Azerbaijan lost control of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjoining districts .
On November 9 , Russian President Vladimir Putin , Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10 .
The Russian leader said that the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides would maintain the positions that they had held , and Russian peacekeepers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After the deployment of Russian peacekeepers , the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh has stabilized .
Tens of thousands of Nagorno-Karabakh residents who had left their homes during the hostilities returned with the help of the peacekeeping force .

MOSCOW, December 27. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s friendly relations with Baku and Yerevan helped to achieve a peace deal on Nagorno-Karabakh, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin" on Rossiya-1 TV channel.
"Good and constructive relations based on mutual respect with Baku and Yerevan helped Putin to mediate this settlement [of the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh]," Peskov said.
In order to stabilize the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Putin spent "many and many days with a phone in his hand" and personally controlled the developments, he noted. Putin also held talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
"In 2020, active combat actions in Europe right near our borders are something that certainly the world community must not allow to happen. In this case Putin’s responsible position, his efforts to stop this are certainly worth a lot and it’s hard to overestimate them," Peskov stressed.
Situation in Nagorno-Karabakh
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Baku and Yerevan have disputed sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh since February 1988, when the region announced its secession from the Azerbaijani Soviet Socialist Republic. In the armed conflict of 1992-1994, Azerbaijan lost control of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjoining districts.
On November 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10. The Russian leader said that the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides would maintain the positions that they had held, and Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the region.
After the deployment of Russian peacekeepers, the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh has stabilized. Tens of thousands of Nagorno-Karabakh residents who had left their homes during the hostilities returned with the help of the peacekeeping force.


tass--2020-12-27--Kremlin slams sanctions against Nord Stream 2 as ‘cowboy’ attack

MOSCOW , December 27 .
/TASS/ .
The United States ’ sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline are an uncovered cowboy attack or a hostile takeover , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with `` Moscow .
Kremlin .
Putin '' program on Rossiya-1 TV channel .
`` This is an absolutely uncovered cowboy attack or a hostile takeover .
< ... > How else could this be called ? ''
Peskov said commenting on the sanctions against Nord Stream 2 .
Peskov stressed that the work on the gas pipeline was underway and this project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also noted that Russia lived in `` an unfriendly and even hostile environment '' and the entire outgoing year the country had to face `` new and new so-called sanctions . ''
The Nord Stream 2 project contemplates construction of two gas pipeline strings with the total capacity of 55 bln cubic meters per year from Russia to Germany across the Baltic Sea .
The gas pipeline is 93 % complete to date .
The construction was suspended in December 2019 when the Swiss pipe-laying company Allseas stopped the works due to US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 the works resumed .
On December 23 , Reuters , citing senior sources in the administration of President Donald Trump , announced that the US administration plans to impose a new package of sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 project .

MOSCOW, December 27. /TASS/. The United States’ sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline are an uncovered cowboy attack or a hostile takeover, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin" program on Rossiya-1 TV channel.
"This is an absolutely uncovered cowboy attack or a hostile takeover. <...> How else could this be called?" Peskov said commenting on the sanctions against Nord Stream 2.
Peskov stressed that the work on the gas pipeline was underway and this project was about to be completed.
He also noted that Russia lived in "an unfriendly and even hostile environment" and the entire outgoing year the country had to face "new and new so-called sanctions."
The Nord Stream 2 project contemplates construction of two gas pipeline strings with the total capacity of 55 bln cubic meters per year from Russia to Germany across the Baltic Sea. The gas pipeline is 93% complete to date. The construction was suspended in December 2019 when the Swiss pipe-laying company Allseas stopped the works due to US sanctions. However, on December 11, 2020 the works resumed.
On December 23, Reuters, citing senior sources in the administration of President Donald Trump, announced that the US administration plans to impose a new package of sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 project.


tass--2020-12-27--Britain’s coronavirus strain not detected in Russia, expert says

MOSCOW , December 27 .
/TASS/ .
A new British coronavirus strain has not been registered in Russia so far , Deputy Director for Research of the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of the Russian sanitary watchdog Alexander Gorelov said on Sunday .
`` In Russia , 111 laboratories of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing are monitoring the virus circulation across the country and can definitely say that at the moment we don ’ t have an English mutation but if it emerges , it will not spell anything global and terrible , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vesti Nedeli program with Dmitry Kiselev on Rossiya-1 TV channel .
On December 14 , Britain ’ s Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock said British scientists had identified a new coronavirus strain that might be to blame for high infection rates in southeastern England .
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said according to preliminary findings the new virus strain appeared to be 70 % more contagious , but there was no evidence that it was more lethal .
Some countries , including Russia , have suspended flights with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mutation .

MOSCOW, December 27. /TASS/. A new British coronavirus strain has not been registered in Russia so far, Deputy Director for Research of the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of the Russian sanitary watchdog Alexander Gorelov said on Sunday.
"In Russia, 111 laboratories of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing are monitoring the virus circulation across the country and can definitely say that at the moment we don’t have an English mutation but if it emerges, it will not spell anything global and terrible," Gorelov said in an interview with Vesti Nedeli program with Dmitry Kiselev on Rossiya-1 TV channel.
On December 14, Britain’s Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock said British scientists had identified a new coronavirus strain that might be to blame for high infection rates in southeastern England. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said according to preliminary findings the new virus strain appeared to be 70% more contagious, but there was no evidence that it was more lethal. Some countries, including Russia, have suspended flights with the UK over concerns about the virus mutation.


tass--2020-12-27--Moscow citizens over 60 to receive COVID-19 vaccine next week

MOSCOW , December 27 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow citizens above 60 years of age will be able to get vaccinated @ @ @ @ @ 28 , when the application begins , Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin wrote on his personal @ @ @ @ @ Russia ’ s Health Ministry has given the green light to grant the opportunity for @ @ @ @ @ against COVID-19 .
Since Monday we are opening the application for the vaccination for them @ @ @ @ @ experience - this really works , '' Sobyanin said .
According to Sobyanin , elderly @ @ @ @ @ for severe illness .
Application for vaccination is available on the official website of the @ @ @ @ @ .
Moscow is ranked first among Russian regions for the number of coronavirus cases .
@ @ @ @ @ cases have been registered in Moscow , including 6,620 of them in the past day @ @ @ @ @ recovered and another 10,913 have died .

MOSCOW, December 27. /TASS/. Moscow citizens above 60 years of age will be able to get vaccinated against the coronavirus since December 28, when the application begins, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin wrote on his personal blog on Sunday.
"Russia’s Health Ministry has given the green light to grant the opportunity for senior citizens to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Since Monday we are opening the application for the vaccination for them. I speak from my experience - this really works," Sobyanin said.
According to Sobyanin, elderly people are at higher risk for severe illness. Application for vaccination is available on the official website of the mayor and the Moscow government.
Moscow is ranked first among Russian regions for the number of coronavirus cases. As many as 786,204 COVID-19 cases have been registered in Moscow, including 6,620 of them in the past day. Some 604,604 people have recovered and another 10,913 have died.


tass--2020-12-27--Turkey vows to open fire on Haftar’s supporters in case of attack on its military

ANKARA , December 27 .
/TASS/ .
Ankara is ready to open retaliatory fire against supporters of Khalifa Haftar ’ @ @ @ @ @ case of an attack on the Turkish military , Turkey ’ s National Defense Minister @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Haftar and those who support him should be well-aware that they will be @ @ @ @ @ in any attempt to attack the Turkish military , '' Akar said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ after the Turkish delegation ’ s visit to Libya on December 26 .
According to @ @ @ @ @ s Armed Forces carry out the offensive , the attackers `` won ’ t be @ @ @ @ @ hide . ''
On December 24 , Haftar urged Turkey to leave Libya ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Ankara and its mercenaries would `` be driven out by force .
`` .

ANKARA, December 27. /TASS/. Ankara is ready to open retaliatory fire against supporters of Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army in case of an attack on the Turkish military, Turkey’s National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar warned on Sunday.
"Haftar and those who support him should be well-aware that they will be considered as a legitimate target in any attempt to attack the Turkish military," Akar said in a statement released by the Defense Ministry after the Turkish delegation’s visit to Libya on December 26.
According to Akar, if Turkey’s Armed Forces carry out the offensive, the attackers "won’t be able to find places to hide."
On December 24, Haftar urged Turkey to leave Libya’s soil, warning that otherwise Ankara and its mercenaries would "be driven out by force.".


tass--2020-12-27--Putin has no plans to meet with businesses late this year

MOSCOW , December 27 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin is not planning to hold a meeting with business @ @ @ @ @ Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS on Sunday .
`` Yes , the meeting won @ @ @ @ @ '' Peskov said .
Earlier , Head of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs @ @ @ @ @ told TASS that this meeting is usually held in the end of the year - @ @ @ @ @ 28 .

MOSCOW, December 27. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin is not planning to hold a meeting with business representatives late this year, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS on Sunday.
"Yes, the meeting won’t take place," Peskov said.
Earlier, Head of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) Alexander Shokhin told TASS that this meeting is usually held in the end of the year - from December 25 to December 28.


tass--2020-12-27--Russia records over 200,000 COVID-19 cases this week

MOSCOW , December 27 .
/TASS/ .
More than 200,000 new coronavirus cases were registered in Russia in the past @ @ @ @ @ high since the start of the pandemic , according to TASS estimates based on the @ @ @ @ @ data .
On December 21-27 , the crisis center confirmed 201,871 new cases versus 194,449 @ @ @ @ @ , Russia reported 3.8 % more cases of infection than in the previous seven days @ @ @ @ @ rose by 175,172 , an all-time high since the start of December .
Last week @ @ @ @ @ 168,422 recoveries .
The share of patients who were discharged in the past seven days @ @ @ @ @ 80.3 % .
This week ’ s death toll was nearly the same as last @ @ @ @ @ .
The mortality rate was nearly unchanged , rising from 1.79 % to 1.8 % @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, December 27. /TASS/. More than 200,000 new coronavirus cases were registered in Russia in the past seven days, a new high since the start of the pandemic, according to TASS estimates based on the anti-coronavirus crisis center’s data.
On December 21-27, the crisis center confirmed 201,871 new cases versus 194,449 a week earlier. Thus, Russia reported 3.8% more cases of infection than in the previous seven days.
The number of recoveries rose by 175,172, an all-time high since the start of December. Last week, the crisis center confirmed 168,422 recoveries. The share of patients who were discharged in the past seven days grew from 79.9% to 80.3%.
This week’s death toll was nearly the same as last week - 3,920 versus 3,917. The mortality rate was nearly unchanged, rising from 1.79% to 1.8%, according to TASS estimates.


tass--2020-12-27--Russia reports over 28,000 new COVID-19 cases

MOSCOW , December 27 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s COVID-19 case tally grew by 28,284 in the past day to 3,050,248 , the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Sunday .
A day earlier 29,258 coronavirus cases were reported .
The growth rate in the past three days did not exceed 1 % , according to the crisis center .
Some 6,620 new COVID-19 cases were registered in Moscow in the past day , bringing the total case tally in the Russian capital to 786,204 .
A day earlier , some 7,480 coronavirus cases were recorded in Moscow .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ capital rose by 0.8 % .
Some 5,063 people recovered in the city in the past day and 73 others died .
Since the start of the pandemic in Moscow as many as 604,604 patients have recovered ( 76.9 % of all those infected ) , and 10,913 fatalities have been registered ( 1.39 % of patients ) .
Currently , 170,687 people are undergoing treatment in the capital , according to the crisis center .
According to the crisis center , some 3,761 COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the past day in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Region , 499 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region , 409 in the Sverdlovsk Region and 398 in the Pskov Region .
The number of the so-called active cases or patients who are currently undergoing treatment increased to 544,641 .
Russia ’ s coronavirus recoveries rose by 24,390 in the past day to 2,450,829 .
Some 80.3 % of all those infected in the country have recovered , according to the crisis center .
Over the past day , 5,063 patients were discharged from hospitals in Moscow , 3,128 in St. Petersburg , 1,349 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Karelia , 420 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region and 411 in the Sverdlovsk Region .
Russia ’ s death toll from the coronavirus rose by 552 in the past day to 54,778 .
A day earlier 567 new deaths from COVID-19 were registered .
The average mortality rate rose to an all-time high of 1.8 % since the start of the pandemic , according to the crisis center .
Over the past day , 74 deaths from the coronavirus were registered in St. Petersburg , 73 in Moscow , 22 in the Rostov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 18 in the Krasnoyarsk Region , and 17 in the Voronezh and Sverdlovsk Regions .

MOSCOW, December 27. /TASS/. Russia’s COVID-19 case tally grew by 28,284 in the past day to 3,050,248, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Sunday.
A day earlier 29,258 coronavirus cases were reported. The growth rate in the past three days did not exceed 1%, according to the crisis center.
Some 6,620 new COVID-19 cases were registered in Moscow in the past day, bringing the total case tally in the Russian capital to 786,204. A day earlier, some 7,480 coronavirus cases were recorded in Moscow. The number of coronavirus cases in the capital rose by 0.8%.
Some 5,063 people recovered in the city in the past day and 73 others died. Since the start of the pandemic in Moscow as many as 604,604 patients have recovered (76.9% of all those infected), and 10,913 fatalities have been registered (1.39% of patients). Currently, 170,687 people are undergoing treatment in the capital, according to the crisis center.
According to the crisis center, some 3,761 COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the past day in St. Petersburg, 1,609 in the Moscow Region, 499 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region, 409 in the Sverdlovsk Region and 398 in the Pskov Region.
The number of the so-called active cases or patients who are currently undergoing treatment increased to 544,641.
Recoveries
Russia’s coronavirus recoveries rose by 24,390 in the past day to 2,450,829.
Some 80.3% of all those infected in the country have recovered, according to the crisis center.
Over the past day, 5,063 patients were discharged from hospitals in Moscow, 3,128 in St. Petersburg, 1,349 in the Moscow Region, 517 in Karelia, 420 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region and 411 in the Sverdlovsk Region.
Death toll
Russia’s death toll from the coronavirus rose by 552 in the past day to 54,778.
A day earlier 567 new deaths from COVID-19 were registered.
The average mortality rate rose to an all-time high of 1.8% since the start of the pandemic, according to the crisis center.
Over the past day, 74 deaths from the coronavirus were registered in St. Petersburg, 73 in Moscow, 22 in the Rostov Region, 21 in the Moscow Region, 18 in the Krasnoyarsk Region, and 17 in the Voronezh and Sverdlovsk Regions.


tass--2020-12-27--Moscow reports over 5,000 coronavirus recoveries in the past day

MOSCOW , December 27 .
/TASS/ .
Doctors have cured another 5,063 coronavirus patients in Moscow , the city ’ s crisis center for controlling and monitoring the coronavirus situation told reporters on Sunday .
`` The crisis center for controlling and monitoring the coronavirus situation in Moscow reported that another 5,063 patients recovered after undergoing treatment for the coronavirus infection .
The total number of people who recovered from the infection rose to 604,604 , '' the crisis center reported .
All patients will remain under medical supervision after being discharged from hospitals and will receive recommendations .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ donate their plasma to treat coronavirus patients .
People aged 18 to 55 who have recovered from COVID-19 can become blood plasma donors , provided they don ’ t have chronic illnesses and test negative for HIV , Hepatitis B and C. In late December 2019 , Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Russia .

MOSCOW, December 27. /TASS/. Doctors have cured another 5,063 coronavirus patients in Moscow, the city’s crisis center for controlling and monitoring the coronavirus situation told reporters on Sunday.
"The crisis center for controlling and monitoring the coronavirus situation in Moscow reported that another 5,063 patients recovered after undergoing treatment for the coronavirus infection. The total number of people who recovered from the infection rose to 604,604," the crisis center reported.
All patients will remain under medical supervision after being discharged from hospitals and will receive recommendations.
The recovered Moscow citizens have been asked to donate their plasma to treat coronavirus patients. People aged 18 to 55 who have recovered from COVID-19 can become blood plasma donors, provided they don’t have chronic illnesses and test negative for HIV, Hepatitis B and C.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.


tass--2020-12-27--Russia carries out over 89 mln COVID-19 tests

MOSCOW , December 27 .
/TASS/ .
More than 89 mln tests for the novel coronavirus have been carried out @ @ @ @ @ watchdog said on Sunday .
`` Over 89 mln tests for the coronavirus have been @ @ @ @ @ , '' the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing reported @ @ @ @ @ , 494,000 tests were carried out .
According to the sanitary watchdog , 656,100 people @ @ @ @ @ Russia .

MOSCOW, December 27. /TASS/. More than 89 mln tests for the novel coronavirus have been carried out in Russia, the sanitary watchdog said on Sunday.
"Over 89 mln tests for the coronavirus have been conducted in the Russian Federation," the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing reported. In the past day, 494,000 tests were carried out.
According to the sanitary watchdog, 656,100 people remain under medical supervision in Russia.


tass--2020-12-27--Russia may develop analogue of Trump’s coronavirus treatment by end of 2021

MOSCOW , December 27 .
/TASS/ .
The Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry has obtained a grant to develop a preparation for treatment of the novel coronavirus infection based on monoclonal antibodies - an analogue of the preparation used to treat US President Donald Trump .
The results may be presented as early as the end of next year , Center ’ s Director Alexander Gintsburg told TASS .
As Sean Conley , treating physician of the US President reported earlier , after being diagnosed with the coronavirus , the American leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by American Regeneron Pharmaceuticals .
Trump himself said that he felt `` superhuman '' after taking the medication .
`` Yes , on some directions we have now obtained grants and < ... > one of my main laboratories is working exclusively on that [ the development of a preparation ] .
These are monoclonal antibodies , these are actually those antibodies that protect [ from the virus and are found ] in the plasma of those who had the infection , only they will be obtained via genetic engineering outside of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
By the end of next year , I think , I will tell you about positive results , or maybe even sooner , maybe even in autumn , '' he said .
The scientist divulged that the center is also working on developing a vaccine that will simultaneously protect against the novel coronavirus and the flu .
`` We worked out the technology on rotaviruses , and already this variant of connection , linked to the coronavirus , [ may be explored ] closer to the end of next year .
Yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should allow to create vaccine preparations against different strains of the same agent at once < … > or even against different viruses , like the coronavirus and the flu virus , when it is practically necessary to protect a person simultaneously , '' the researcher said .
`` We also create various pharmaceuticals that should protect against intrahospital infections , this is the main cause of death of COVID patients at inpatient facilities when they are placed on artificial lung ventilators < ... > .
They die first of all of intrahospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course , not in a month or two , let ’ s hope that in a year all of this will appear , '' he concluded .

MOSCOW, December 27. /TASS/. The Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry has obtained a grant to develop a preparation for treatment of the novel coronavirus infection based on monoclonal antibodies - an analogue of the preparation used to treat US President Donald Trump. The results may be presented as early as the end of next year, Center’s Director Alexander Gintsburg told TASS.
As Sean Conley, treating physician of the US President reported earlier, after being diagnosed with the coronavirus, the American leader was receiving an experimental antibodies-based serum produced by American Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. Trump himself said that he felt "superhuman" after taking the medication.
"Yes, on some directions we have now obtained grants and <...> one of my main laboratories is working exclusively on that [the development of a preparation]. These are monoclonal antibodies, these are actually those antibodies that protect [from the virus and are found] in the plasma of those who had the infection, only they will be obtained via genetic engineering outside of the human body and in a concentrated form. By the end of next year, I think, I will tell you about positive results, or maybe even sooner, maybe even in autumn," he said.
The scientist divulged that the center is also working on developing a vaccine that will simultaneously protect against the novel coronavirus and the flu. "We worked out the technology on rotaviruses, and already this variant of connection, linked to the coronavirus, [may be explored] closer to the end of next year. Yet this is a universal technology which basically should allow to create vaccine preparations against different strains of the same agent at once <…> or even against different viruses, like the coronavirus and the flu virus, when it is practically necessary to protect a person simultaneously," the researcher said.
"We also create various pharmaceuticals that should protect against intrahospital infections, this is the main cause of death of COVID patients at inpatient facilities when they are placed on artificial lung ventilators <...>. They die first of all of intrahospital infections. Yet this is, of course, not in a month or two, let’s hope that in a year all of this will appear," he concluded.


tass--2020-12-27--Three people killed, three wounded after shooting in Illinois, AP reports

NEW YORK , December 27 .
/TASS/ .
At least three people were killed in shooting in Rockford , Illinois @ @ @ @ @ Associated Press news agency reported on Saturday .
According to local law enforcement , as @ @ @ @ @ at a local bowling alley , three people were killed and three were injured .
@ @ @ @ @ of a local police precinct , a sole suspect was detained .
NBC news channel @ @ @ @ @ in law enforcement , that the shooting took place both indoors and outside .
The @ @ @ @ @ are being determined , however , the law enforcement thinks that the shooting incident was @ @ @

NEW YORK, December 27. /TASS/. At least three people were killed in shooting in Rockford, Illinois in the US, the Associated Press news agency reported on Saturday.
According to local law enforcement, as a result of a shooting at a local bowling alley, three people were killed and three were injured. According to the Twitter account of a local police precinct, a sole suspect was detained.
NBC news channel specified, citing a source in law enforcement, that the shooting took place both indoors and outside. The exact causes of the incident are being determined, however, the law enforcement thinks that the shooting incident was not premeditated.


tass--2020-12-28--Trump signs 2021 budget, avoids government shutdown

WASHINGTON , December 28 .
/TASS/ .
US President Donald Trump signed the $ 2.3 trillion draft budget for 2021 , which included almost $ 900 billion worth of economy support measures due to the pandemic , White House Deputy Spokesman Judd Deere announced in his Twitter Sunday .
Trump ’ s approval of this document makes it possible to avoid the so-called government shutdown , which could begin on Tuesday and would involve several million officials , unless an addition temporary resolution on funding extension is adopted .
`` President [ Donald Trump ] has signed H.R .
133 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fiscal year ending September 30 , 2021 , providing coronavirus emergency response and relief , and for other purposes , '' Deere tweeted .
By signing this document , Trump effectively agreed to making direct payments to the citizens within the economy stimulation package only $ 600 - something he previously opposed .
However , he made it clear that he intends to fight to get these payments increased up to $ 2,000 after the budget is signed , while excluding some expenses he considers unjustified .
`` I will sign the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ message that makes clear to Congress that wasteful items need to be removed , '' Trump said in a statement released on Monday .
He noted that the House will vote on Monday to increase stimulus payments from $ 600 to $ 2,000 .
`` Additionally , Congress has promised that Section 230 , which so unfairly benefits Big Tech at the expense of the American people , will be reviewed and either be terminated or substantially reformed , '' he said .

WASHINGTON, December 28. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump signed the $2.3 trillion draft budget for 2021, which included almost $900 billion worth of economy support measures due to the pandemic, White House Deputy Spokesman Judd Deere announced in his Twitter Sunday.
Trump’s approval of this document makes it possible to avoid the so-called government shutdown, which could begin on Tuesday and would involve several million officials, unless an additional temporary resolution on funding extension is adopted.
"President [Donald Trump] has signed H.R. 133, an Act making consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2021, providing coronavirus emergency response and relief, and for other purposes," Deere tweeted.
By signing this document, Trump effectively agreed to direct payments to citizens through the economic stimulus package of just $600, which he previously called into question. However, he made it clear that he intends to fight to raise these payments to $2,000 after the budget is signed, while excluding some expenses he considers unjustified.
"I will sign the omnibus and covid package with a strong message that makes clear to Congress that wasteful items need to be removed," Trump said in a statement released on Monday.
He noted that the House will vote on Monday to increase stimulus payments from $600 to $2,000.
"Additionally, Congress has promised that Section 230, which so unfairly benefits Big Tech at the expense of the American people, will be reviewed and either be terminated or substantially reformed," he said.
Previously, Trump repeatedly spoke against Section 230.


tass--2020-12-28--Volcano erupts in Japan, anti-crisis center established - report

TOKYO , December 28 .
/TASS/ .
The government of Japan established an anti-crisis center over the eruption of the @ @ @ @ @ of Suwanose-jima that began early Monday .
Explosions rock the insides of the volcano , @ @ @ @ @ hot rocks at a distance of up to 1.3 km , Kyodo report says .
@ @ @ @ @ reports of victims or damage on the island .
Local residents are prohibited from approaching @ @ @ @ @ a small island with population of just 49 .
It is located 230 km southwest @ @ @ @ @ Kagoshima .
Last time , this volcano erupted in 2009 .

TOKYO, December 28. /TASS/. The government of Japan established an anti-crisis center over the eruption of the Otake volcano on the island of Suwanose-jima that began early Monday. Explosions rock the insides of the volcano, erupting clouds of ash and hot rocks at a distance of up to 1.3 km, Kyodo report says.
There have been no immediate reports of victims or damage on the island. Local residents are prohibited from approaching the volcano.
Suwanose-jima is a small island with population of just 49. It is located 230 km southwest of the major city of Kagoshima. Last time, this volcano erupted in 2009.


tass--2020-12-28--Mutated coronavirus strain discovered in Jordanian couple returned from London - Minister

BEIRUT , December 28 .
/TASS/ .
First cases of the mutated coronavirus infection were registered in Jordan , Health Minister Nazir Obeidat announced Sunday .
According to the Minister , the new strain was found in a married couple who returned from London on December 19 .
`` The spouses currently feel normal , but they remain in total isolation on a 14-day quarantine , '' Obeidat said .
Jordan suspended accepting flight from the UK between December 21 and January 3 .
The Health Minister explained that this decision was made due to the epidemic situation in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mutated strain of the coronavirus .
On December 14 , UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced that British scientists have identified a mutated version of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus , which might explain rapid disease spread in Southeastern England .
According to Prime Minister Boris Johnson , the new strain could be up to 70 % more contagious , although there is no indication that the strain more lethal than its previous variant .
According to the statistics , 1,590 COVID-19 cases were registered in Jordan in the past 24 hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the total case count in the kingdom to 287,946 .
A total of 3,758 people died , while 261,514 have recovered .

BEIRUT, December 28. /TASS/. The first cases of the mutated coronavirus infection were registered in Jordan, Health Minister Nazir Obeidat announced Sunday.
According to the Minister, the new strain was found in a married couple who returned from London on December 19.
"The spouses currently feel normal, but they remain in total isolation on a 14-day quarantine," Obeidat said.
Jordan suspended accepting flight from the UK between December 21 and January 3. The Health Minister explained that this decision was made due to the epidemic situation in the United Kingdom, which reported a new mutated strain of the coronavirus.
On December 14, UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced that British scientists had identified a mutated version of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which might explain the rapid spread of the disease in Southeastern England. According to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the new strain could be up to 70% more contagious, although there is no indication that the strain is more lethal than its previous variant.
According to the statistics, 1,590 COVID-19 cases were registered in Jordan in the past 24 hours, with 29 deaths, which bring the total case count in the kingdom to 287,946. A total of 3,758 people died, while 261,514 have recovered.


tass--2020-12-28--Magnitude 6.8 earthquake rocks Chile

Magnitude 6.8 earthquake rocks Chile

MOSCOW , December 28 .
/TASS/ .
A magnitude 6.8 earthquake was registered Sunday in the ocean near Chile , @ @ @ @ @ According the report , the epicenter was located 163 km west of Valdivia ( population @ @ @ @ @ km deep .
There were no immediate reports of damage or tsunami threat .

MOSCOW, December 28. /TASS/. A magnitude 6.8 earthquake was registered Sunday in the ocean near Chile, US Geological Survey reports.
According the report, the epicenter was located 163 km west of Valdivia (population 133,000), about 10 km deep.
There were no immediate reports of damage or tsunami threat.


tass--2020-12-28--Poland enters three-week nationwide lockdown

WARSAW , December 28 .
/TASS/ .
Following the Christmas holidays , Poland enter a three-week nationwide quarantine .
Starting on Monday , the republic will live under almost total lockdown for three weeks .
In early November , the government of Poland imposed partial quarantine : cultural venues , sports centers are closed , while citizens are urged to stay home and work remotely .
A mask regime is imposed across the country , while bars and cafes serve only to-go .
People are banned from gathering in groups of over five people .
Between December 28 and January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Poland will shut down hotels , ski resorts and all stores , apart from groceries , pharmacies and general stores .
This decision was made in order to avoid mass gathering of people amid the two-week school holidays that begin on January 4 .
According to Health Minister Adam Niedzielski such measures are necessary in order to avoid the third wave of the epidemic , which may feature daily case growth of 40,000 or even 60,000 people in worst case scenario .
According to the Minister , Polish healthcare system will not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @

WARSAW, December 28. /TASS/. Following the Christmas holidays, Poland is going to enter a three-week nationwide quarantine. Starting on Monday, the East European country will live under an almost complete lockdown for three weeks.
In early November, the government of Poland imposed a partial quarantine, closing cultural venues and sports centers, while urging citizens to stay home and work remotely. A mask regime has been imposed nationwide, with bars and cafes serving only take-out/to-go orders. People are banned from gathering in groups of over five individuals.
Between December 28 and January 17, besides the existing restrictions, Poland will shut down hotels, ski resorts and all stores, apart from groceries, pharmacies and general stores. This decision was made in order to avoid mass gathering of people amid the two-week school holidays that start on January 4. According to Health Minister Adam Niedzielski such measures are necessary in order to avoid a third wave of the epidemic, which may run the risk of daily case surges of 40,000 or even 60,000 people in a worst-case scenario. According to the top official, Poland's healthcare system will not be able to cope with this sort of caseload


tass--2020-12-27--Russian Defense Ministry does not rule out US might revise its stance on New START

MOSCOW , December 27 .
/TASS/ .
The United States ’ attitude to prolonging the Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms ( New START ) may change by virtue of political reasons , Russia ’ s Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin told the government-published daily Rossiiskaya Gazeta in an interview on Sunday .
`` Russia invited the United States to prolong the New START and simultaneously get down to joint work to draft a new agreement that would take into account all factors influencing strategic stability .
At the same time , as I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different priorities , for which reason it has shown no interest in extending the treaty .
In the light of the current political situation in the United States we do not rule out that the US stance on this issue may change , '' Fomin said .
He recalled that the current treaty would stay effective until February 5 , 2021 .
Fomin stressed that the United States had for a long time pushed ahead with a policy of building up its military potential .
`` On a variety of far-fetched pretexts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the field of arms control that impede attempts at trying to achieve global supremacy .
After quitting the ABM Treaty in 2002 the US terminated the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty , '' he said .
In order to minimize the negative effects of the United States ’ pullout from the INF Treaty Russia asked NATO countries to join its moratorium on the deployment of intermediate and shorter range missiles . ''
`` A major instrument of implementing our proposals might be created by taking mutual verification measures regarding the weapon systems causing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worrisome the universal launchers Mk-41 in Romania and Poland , and the United States , the 9M729 missiles ) , Fomin said .
`` If our call fails to meet with support and US missiles begin to be deployed in Europe , we reserve the right to take proportionate retaliatory measures , '' he warned .
Fomin underscored Russia ’ s concern over the US decision to quit the Treaty on Open Skies .
`` We hope that the treaty will nevertheless retain its positive potential .
Future policies regarding the Open Skies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the readiness of other signatories to guarantee they will refrain from passing to the American side the information gathered as a result of monitoring flights over Russia ’ s territory .
We will keep a close watch on the situation involving the Open Skies Treaty and take decisions proceeding from the interests of national security , '' Fomin said .
The United States suspended compliance with the INF Treaty on February 2 , 2019 due to Russia ’ s alleged violations .
For the first time Washington accused Moscow of being in breach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The US administration argued that Russia ’ s 9M729 missile violated the terms of the agreement signed between Moscow and Washington in 1987 .
Moscow dismissed all of Washington ’ s charges and put forward a number of its own counterclaims over the United States ’ non-compliance with the agreement , for instance , the US missile defense systems in Europe .
The United States warned that under article 15 it would quit the treaty , unless Russia agreed to meet certain demands , including the elimination of the 9M729 missile in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s demands as an unacceptable ultimatum .
However , as John Bolton , the then US presidential national security adviser said later , Washington dropped the INF Treaty mostly because China was not a party to it .
In September 2019 , it was announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin had addressed the leaders of some countries , including NATO members , with a proposal for imposing a freeze on the deployment of the intermediate and shorter range missiles in Europe and some other regions .
The United States in fact eventually @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, December 27. /TASS/. The United States’ attitude to prolonging the Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (New START) may change by virtue of political reasons, Russia’s Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin told the government-published daily Rossiiskaya Gazeta in an interview on Sunday.
"Russia invited the United States to prolong the New START and simultaneously get down to joint work to draft a new agreement that would take into account all factors influencing strategic stability. At the same time, as I have already said, the American side has different priorities, for which reason it has shown no interest in extending the treaty. In the light of the current political situation in the United States we do not rule out that the US stance on this issue may change," Fomin said. He recalled that the current treaty would stay effective until February 5, 2021.
Fomin stressed that the United States had for a long time pushed ahead with a policy of building up its military potential.
"On a variety of far-fetched pretexts, the American side has relinquished its obligations in the field of arms control that impede attempts at trying to achieve global supremacy. After quitting the ABM Treaty in 2002 the US terminated the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty," he said.
In order to minimize the negative effects of the United States’ pullout from the INF Treaty Russia asked NATO countries to join its moratorium on the deployment of intermediate and shorter range missiles."
"A major instrument of implementing our proposals might be created by taking mutual verification measures regarding the weapon systems causing concerns on either side (Russia finds worrisome the universal launchers Mk-41 in Romania and Poland, and the United States, the 9M729 missiles), Fomin said.
"If our call fails to meet with support and US missiles begin to be deployed in Europe, we reserve the right to take proportionate retaliatory measures," he warned.
Fomin underscored Russia’s concern over the US decision to quit the Treaty on Open Skies.
"We hope that the treaty will nevertheless retain its positive potential. Future policies regarding the Open Skies treaty will be determined in accordance with the readiness of other signatories to guarantee they will refrain from passing to the American side the information gathered as a result of monitoring flights over Russia’s territory. We will keep a close watch on the situation involving the Open Skies Treaty and take decisions proceeding from the interests of national security," Fomin said.
INF Treaty dispute
The United States suspended compliance with the INF Treaty on February 2, 2019 due to Russia’s alleged violations. For the first time Washington accused Moscow of being in breach of the INF Treaty in July 2014. The US administration argued that Russia’s 9M729 missile violated the terms of the agreement signed between Moscow and Washington in 1987.
Moscow dismissed all of Washington’s charges and put forward a number of its own counterclaims over the United States’ non-compliance with the agreement, for instance, the US missile defense systems in Europe. The United States warned that under article 15 it would quit the treaty, unless Russia agreed to meet certain demands, including the elimination of the 9M729 missile in the first place. Moscow dismissed Washington’s demands as an unacceptable ultimatum.
However, as John Bolton, the then US presidential national security adviser said later, Washington dropped the INF Treaty mostly because China was not a party to it.
In September 2019, it was announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin had addressed the leaders of some countries, including NATO members, with a proposal for imposing a freeze on the deployment of the intermediate and shorter range missiles in Europe and some other regions. The United States in fact eventually dismissed this initiative.