tass--2020-10-15--EU bans entry to FSB director, other Russian officials over Navalny incident

BRUSSELS , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
Director of Russia ’ s Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov , First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration Sergei Kiriyenko and four other high-ranking Russian officials were put on the EU ’ s blacklist against Russia over the incident with blogger Alexei Navalny , the Council of the European Union said its regulation published in the EU Official Journal .
Among those added to the list is also Chief of the Presidential Domestic Policy Directorate in the Presidential Executive Office Andrei Yarin , Deputy Defense Ministers Pavel Popov and Alexei Krivoruchko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federal District Sergei Menyailo .
Legal norms in the way of EU imposing sanctions in light of Navalny case — source '' In these circumstances , it is reasonable to conclude that the poisoning of Alexei Navalny was only possible with the consent of '' the above mentioned officials , the document reads .
The sanctions list also includes the State Scientific Research Institute for Organic Chemistry and Technology ( GosNIIOKhT ) .
EU businesses will be banned from maintaining any ties with the institute .
The EU restrictions stipulate an entry ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The sanctions were imposed in the framework of the EU special regime for using chemical weapons , which earlier targeted Salisbury poisoning suspects Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov .
On Monday , foreign ministers of 27 EU member-states adopted a political decision to introduce sanctions against individuals or legal entities deemed responsible for the alleged poisoning of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny .
However , EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell told a press conference that the sad incident with Navalny could not define the future of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brussels earlier told TASS that a serious legal problem with sanctions over the Navalny incident was to explain direct ties between those individuals on the blacklist and the poisoning .
Unless there is a well-grounded link between them and Navalny ’ s poisoning , any of the sanctioned persons could easily challenge these sanctions in court , he said .
Russian blogger Alexei Navalny was rushed to a local hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk on August 20 after collapsing on a Moscow-bound flight from Tomsk .
He fell into a coma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an intensive care unit .
On August 22 , he was airlifted to Berlin and admitted to the Charite hospital .
He woke up from the coma on September 7 and was released on September 22 .
On September 2 , Berlin claimed that having examined Navalny ’ s test samples , German government toxicologists had come to the conclusion that the blogger had been affected by a toxic agent belonging to the Novichok family .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on many occasions that Russia was ready for comprehensive cooperation with Germany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ substances had been detected in Navalny ’ s system prior to his transfer to Berlin .

BRUSSELS, October 15. /TASS/. Director of Russia’s Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration Sergei Kiriyenko and four other high-ranking Russian officials were put on the EU’s blacklist against Russia over the incident with blogger Alexei Navalny, the Council of the European Union said its regulation published in the EU Official Journal.
Among those added to the list is also Chief of the Presidential Domestic Policy Directorate in the Presidential Executive Office Andrei Yarin, Deputy Defense Ministers Pavel Popov and Alexei Krivoruchko and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Siberian Federal District Sergei Menyailo.
Legal norms in the way of EU imposing sanctions in light of Navalny case — source
"In these circumstances, it is reasonable to conclude that the poisoning of Alexei Navalny was only possible with the consent of" the above mentioned officials, the document reads.
The sanctions list also includes the State Scientific Research Institute for Organic Chemistry and Technology (GosNIIOKhT). EU businesses will be banned from maintaining any ties with the institute.
The EU restrictions stipulate an entry ban and freezing financial assets in European banks.
The sanctions were imposed in the framework of the EU special regime for using chemical weapons, which earlier targeted Salisbury poisoning suspects Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov.
On Monday, foreign ministers of 27 EU member-states adopted a political decision to introduce sanctions against individuals or legal entities deemed responsible for the alleged poisoning of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny. However, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell told a press conference that the sad incident with Navalny could not define the future of EU-Russia ties.
A European diplomat in Brussels earlier told TASS that a serious legal problem with sanctions over the Navalny incident was to explain direct ties between those individuals on the blacklist and the poisoning. Unless there is a well-grounded link between them and Navalny’s poisoning, any of the sanctioned persons could easily challenge these sanctions in court, he said.
Navalny’s ‘poisoning’ saga
Russian blogger Alexei Navalny was rushed to a local hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk on August 20 after collapsing on a Moscow-bound flight from Tomsk. He fell into a coma and was put on a ventilator in an intensive care unit. On August 22, he was airlifted to Berlin and admitted to the Charite hospital. He woke up from the coma on September 7 and was released on September 22.
On September 2, Berlin claimed that having examined Navalny’s test samples, German government toxicologists had come to the conclusion that the blogger had been affected by a toxic agent belonging to the Novichok family.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on many occasions that Russia was ready for comprehensive cooperation with Germany. He pointed out that no poisonous substances had been detected in Navalny’s system prior to his transfer to Berlin.


tass--2020-10-15--Foreign mercenaries not fighting on Azerbaijan’s side, president says

BAKU , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said mercenaries are not fighting in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone on Azerbaijan ’ s side and no one has presented evidence to confirm the claims .
`` We don ’ t have mercenaries .
This is our official statement .
Since the outbreak , already more than two weeks passed , not a single country presented us a single evidence of that .
< ... > Therefore , if there is no evidence I think these rumors should also remain in the past , '' Aliyev said in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The president stressed that Azerbaijan does not need mercenaries .
`` We have an army of more than 100,000 fighters .
And what we are doing now on the ground demonstrates that our army is capable to liberate its land itself , '' he stressed .
Aliyev again refuted claims of Turkey ’ s military participation in combat actions in the conflict zone .
`` Turkish military involvement is another fake news .
There is no military involvement of Turkey .
We are using Turkish military equipment , it is true , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , military equipment of Israel and military equipment of other countries .
< ... > Turkey in no way other than political is present in the process , there are no Turkish forces , '' the Azerbaijani president said .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported casualties , among them civilians .
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

BAKU, October 15. /TASS/. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said mercenaries are not fighting in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone on Azerbaijan’s side and no one has presented evidence to confirm the claims.
"We don’t have mercenaries. This is our official statement. Since the outbreak, already more than two weeks passed, not a single country presented us a single evidence of that. <...> Therefore, if there is no evidence I think these rumors should also remain in the past," Aliyev said in an interview with France 24 TV channel.
The president stressed that Azerbaijan does not need mercenaries. "We have an army of more than 100,000 fighters. And what we are doing now on the ground demonstrates that our army is capable to liberate its land itself," he stressed.
Aliyev again refuted claims of Turkey’s military participation in combat actions in the conflict zone. "Turkish military involvement is another fake news. There is no military involvement of Turkey. We are using Turkish military equipment, it is true, but we are using military equipment of Russia, military equipment of Israel and military equipment of other countries. <...> Turkey in no way other than political is present in the process, there are no Turkish forces," the Azerbaijani president said.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-10-15--Oxygen supply system breaks down on space station

MOSCOW , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
The Elektron-VM system that supplies oxygen to the crew of the International Space @ @ @ @ @ broken down , one of the Russian cosmonauts reported to Russia ’ s Flight Control @ @ @ @ @ live broadcast on NASA ’ s website on Thursday .
`` At 18:33 [ the @ @ @ @ @ s breakage came ] , '' the cosmonaut said .
The Flight Control Center later @ @ @ @ @ required .
`` We will deal with the situation tomorrow , '' the Flight Control @ @ @ @ @ oxygen supply system developed by Russia ’ s Research and Design Institute of Chemical Machine-Building @ @ @ @ @ operational aboard the space station since its creation .
The system can generate from 25 @ @ @ @ @ per hour and additionally from 50 to 320 liters of hydrogen per hour .
In @ @ @ @ @ the ISS crew several days to fix the broken system .
The space station has @ @ @ @ @ US module Tranquility has its own oxygen generation equipment .

MOSCOW, October 15. /TASS/. The Elektron-VM system that supplies oxygen to the crew of the International Space Station (ISS) has broken down, one of the Russian cosmonauts reported to Russia’s Flight Control Center, according to a live broadcast on NASA’s website on Thursday.
"At 18:33 [the signal about the system’s breakage came]," the cosmonaut said.
The Flight Control Center later said that no measures were required.
"We will deal with the situation tomorrow," the Flight Control Center said.
The Elektron-VM oxygen supply system developed by Russia’s Research and Design Institute of Chemical Machine-Building (NIIChimMash) has been operational aboard the space station since its creation. The system can generate from 25 to 160 liters of oxygen per hour and additionally from 50 to 320 liters of hydrogen per hour. In April 2010, it took the ISS crew several days to fix the broken system.
The space station has available oxygen supplies while the US module Tranquility has its own oxygen generation equipment.


tass--2020-10-15--128th Canton Fair Opens with Innovation Driving Future Lifestyle Changes

GUANGZHOU , Oct. 15 .
/PRNewswire/ .
The 128th China Import and Export Fair ( Canton Fair ) , also its second virtual showcase , kicks off on October 15 .
26,000 exhibitors from 50 exhibition sections have brought more than 2.358 million products across 16 categories to the 10-day event , of which 691,500 products are making their debuts .
Xu Bing , Spokesperson of the Canton Fair and Deputy Director General of China Foreign Trade Centre , said that against the backdrop of massive changes in economic development and pandemic control both domestically and internationally , Canton Fair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ platform for businesses to access international markets and to facilitate the stability of foreign trade supply and industrial chain .
Register at for more opportunities .
This year 's Canton Fair digital platform includes 60,000 booths showcasing cutting-edge products and future living scenarios enabled by innovative ideas and technologies .
This e-platform also features exhibits , business match-making , virtual exhibition halls , live streams , news & events , services , cross-border e-commerce zone , to enable 24-hour visits and business negotiation .
The Fair will introduce 120 live streams from over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest quality products that are the result of their constant commitment to innovation targeting to create a brighter future for all .
• In the kitchen appliance exhibition section , built-in , multi-functional household and kitchen appliances have adopted cutting-edge technologies to provide consumers with a friendly kitchen experience .
At the same time , premium new products such as furniture , ceramics and carpets feature upgrades in functionality , materials , craftsmanship and style .
These products can create a more comfortable , customizable and smarter lifestyle for global consumers .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year 's Canton Fair .
Companies in the textile exhibition section have applied advanced technology to use environmental-friendly recycled raw materials in their new fashion products , displaying their commitment to environmental protection .
To help business find trading partners and target products without having to leave their home , Canton Fair will utilize its digital platform to connect suppliers and buyers with supporting services that cover product design and trade supporting , financial , logistics , inspection , certification and customs .
By working together with its partners , Canton Fair will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their fingertips amid the current economic challenges .

GUANGZHOU, Oct. 15. /PRNewswire/. The 128th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair), also its second virtual showcase, kicks off on October 15. 26,000 exhibitors from 50 exhibition sections have brought more than 2.358 million products across 16 categories to the 10-day event, of which 691,500 products are making their debuts.
Xu Bing, Spokesperson of the Canton Fair and Deputy Director General of China Foreign Trade Centre, said that against the backdrop of massive changes in economic development and pandemic control both domestically and internationally, Canton Fair will play its role as an open platform for businesses to access international markets and to facilitate the stability of foreign trade supply and industrial chain.
Register at for more opportunities.
This year's Canton Fair digital platform includes 60,000 booths showcasing cutting-edge products and future living scenarios enabled by innovative ideas and technologies. This e-platform also features exhibits, business match-making, virtual exhibition halls, live streams, news & events, services, cross-border e-commerce zone, to enable 24-hour visits and business negotiation.
The Fair will introduce 120 live streams from over 100 leading Chinese companies, presenting the latest quality products that are the result of their constant commitment to innovation targeting to create a brighter future for all.
In the kitchen appliance exhibition section, built-in, multi-functional household and kitchen appliances have adopted cutting-edge technologies to provide consumers with a friendly kitchen experience. At the same time, premium new products such as furniture, ceramics and carpets feature upgrades in functionality, materials, craftsmanship and style. These products can create a more comfortable, customizable and smarter lifestyle for global consumers.
Sustainable development is another highlight of this year's Canton Fair. Companies in the textile exhibition section have applied advanced technology to use environmental-friendly recycled raw materials in their new fashion products, displaying their commitment to environmental protection.
To help business find trading partners and target products without having to leave their home, Canton Fair will utilize its digital platform to connect suppliers and buyers with supporting services that cover product design and trade supporting, financial, logistics, inspection, certification and customs. By working together with its partners, Canton Fair will help global businesses do business just at their fingertips amid the current economic challenges.


tass--2020-10-15--ISS crew traces probable air leak on orbital outpost

`` We have found the possible place of the air leak , '' Ivanishin said .
MOSCOW , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian cosmonauts have traced the probable area of an air leak in the transfer compartment of the Zvezda module on the International Space Station ( ISS ) , Cosmonaut Anatoly Ivanishin reported to Russia ’ s Flight Control Center , according to a live broadcast on NASA ’ s website on Thursday .
The Flight Control Center suggested that the cosmonauts patch up the possible air leak with the tape when they have free time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to send the photos and the video of the possible air leak area .
A source told TASS in August that the space station ’ s Russian-American crew was working on tracing an air leak aboard the orbital outpost .
As Russia ’ s State Space Corporation Roscosmos later told TASS , the cosmonauts had come to the conclusion that the air leak was located in the Russian Zvezda module but it posed no threat to the crew ’ s life and health .
Cosmonaut Sergei Ryzhikov said during a pre-flight press-conference on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MS-17 manned spacecraft would bring additional equipment to the orbital outpost to trace the air leak in the transfer compartment of the Russian Zvezda module and a special sealant .
The Soyuz MS-17 manned spacecraft launched from the Baikonur spaceport in Kazakhstan at 08:45 a.m. Moscow time on October 14 docked to the International Space Station at 11:48 a.m. Moscow time on the same day , making a super-fast flight to the orbital laboratory within three hours and three minutes .

"We have found the possible place of the air leak," Ivanishin said.
MOSCOW, October 15. /TASS/. The Russian cosmonauts have traced the probable area of an air leak in the transfer compartment of the Zvezda module on the International Space Station (ISS), Cosmonaut Anatoly Ivanishin reported to Russia’s Flight Control Center, according to a live broadcast on NASA’s website on Thursday.
The Flight Control Center suggested that the cosmonauts patch up the possible air leak with the tape when they have free time. The flight controllers also requested the crew to send the photos and the video of the possible air leak area.
A source told TASS in August that the space station’s Russian-American crew was working on tracing an air leak aboard the orbital outpost. As Russia’s State Space Corporation Roscosmos later told TASS, the cosmonauts had come to the conclusion that the air leak was located in the Russian Zvezda module but it posed no threat to the crew’s life and health.
Cosmonaut Sergei Ryzhikov said during a pre-flight press-conference on Wednesday that the crew of the Soyuz MS-17 manned spacecraft would bring additional equipment to the orbital outpost to trace the air leak in the transfer compartment of the Russian Zvezda module and a special sealant.
The Soyuz MS-17 manned spacecraft launched from the Baikonur spaceport in Kazakhstan at 08:45 a.m. Moscow time on October 14 docked to the International Space Station at 11:48 a.m. Moscow time on the same day, making a super-fast flight to the orbital laboratory within three hours and three minutes.


tass--2020-10-15--Moscow reports 15.5% increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations

MOSCOW , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus hospitalizations in Moscow grew by 15.5 % over the past week , the city ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Thursday .
`` [ A total of ] 1,196 COVID-19 patients were taken to hospitals in the past 24 hours .
Hospitalizations grew by 15.5 % over the past week compared to the previous one .
Currently , 319 patients are connected to ventilators in Moscow ’ s hospitals .
That ’ s a 25 % increase compared to last week , '' the report said .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those infected are children , 42.4 % are people aged between 18 and 45 , 29.3 % are patients aged between 46 and 65 and another 11.2 % are people aged 66-79 .
Also , 5.1 % of infected individuals are older than 80 .
All patients as well as all those who had close contacts with them are already under medical supervision .
The crisis center highlighted the need for self-isolation for citizens over 65 years of age and Moscow residents with chronic diseases and the importance of wearing face masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing .

MOSCOW, October 15. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus hospitalizations in Moscow grew by 15.5% over the past week, the city’s anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Thursday.
"[A total of] 1,196 COVID-19 patients were taken to hospitals in the past 24 hours. Hospitalizations grew by 15.5% over the past week compared to the previous one. Currently, 319 patients are connected to ventilators in Moscow’s hospitals. That’s a 25% increase compared to last week," the report said.
According to the crisis center, 12% of those infected are children, 42.4% are people aged between 18 and 45, 29.3% are patients aged between 46 and 65 and another 11.2% are people aged 66-79. Also, 5.1% of infected individuals are older than 80.
All patients as well as all those who had close contacts with them are already under medical supervision.
The crisis center highlighted the need for self-isolation for citizens over 65 years of age and Moscow residents with chronic diseases and the importance of wearing face masks and gloves in public places and observing social distancing.


tass--2020-10-15--Kyrgyzstan’s President Sooronbay Jeenbekov resigns

`` I do not cling to power .
I do not wish to go down in Kyrgyzstan ’ s history as a president who shed blood and shot at his own citizens .
For this reason , I have made a decision to resign , '' the president said in a statement uploaded to his website .
Jeenbekov said he valued the country ’ s integrity , the unity of the people and calm in society above all .
`` Nothing is more precious to me that the life of each fellow citizen , '' Jeenbekov said .
The situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between law enforcers and demonstrators , the outgoing leader said .
He asked Prime Minister Sadyr Japarov and other politicians to persuade their supporters to leave the country ’ s capital and restore life to normal .
`` Regrettably , the aggression continues unabated and demands for my resignation are still there .
The current situation is close to a bilateral conflict .
On the one hand , there are the protesters , and on the other , the law enforcement agencies .
Servicemen and law enforcers are obliged to use weapons to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case there will be bloodshed .
It is inevitable .
I am calling upon both parties to avoid yielding to provocations . ''
Jeenbekov has been Kyrgyzstan ’ s president for three years .
He was elected on October 15 , 2017 .
All Kyrgyzstan ’ s presidents left office at 61 years of age .
Some did so voluntarily and others were ousted .
On October 4 , Kyrgyzstan saw parliamentary elections .
The next day the supporters of those political parties which failed to gain seats in the national legislature staged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , seized government buildings and freed the country ’ s former president , Almazbek Atambayev , and a number of other politicians , including Sadyr Japarov , the country ’ s current prime minister , from a detention center .
More clashes between the supporters of different opposition forces followed in the center of Bishkek .
Prime Minister Kubatbek Boronov and Parliamentary Speaker Dastanbek Jumabekov stepped down .
After that Jeenbekov imposed a state of emergency on the capital city .
The Central Election Commission declared the election returns void .
An election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November 6 .
On Tuesday and Wednesday , a new speaker of parliament and head of government were elected .

"I do not cling to power. I do not wish to go down in Kyrgyzstan’s history as a president who shed blood and shot at his own citizens. For this reason, I have made a decision to resign," the president said in a statement uploaded to his website.
Jeenbekov said he valued the country’s integrity, the unity of the people and calm in society above all. "Nothing is more precious to me that the life of each fellow citizen," Jeenbekov said.
The situation in Kyrgyzstan is close to a conflict between law enforcers and demonstrators, the outgoing leader said. He asked Prime Minister Sadyr Japarov and other politicians to persuade their supporters to leave the country’s capital and restore life to normal. "Regrettably, the aggression continues unabated and demands for my resignation are still there. The current situation is close to a bilateral conflict. On the one hand, there are the protesters, and on the other, the law enforcement agencies. Servicemen and law enforcers are obliged to use weapons to protect the state residence. In this case there will be bloodshed. It is inevitable. I am calling upon both parties to avoid yielding to provocations."
Jeenbekov has been Kyrgyzstan’s president for three years. He was elected on October 15, 2017. All Kyrgyzstan’s presidents left office at 61 years of age. Some did so voluntarily and others were ousted.
Situation in Kyrgyzstan
On October 4, Kyrgyzstan saw parliamentary elections. The next day the supporters of those political parties which failed to gain seats in the national legislature staged overnight mass rioting in the capital Bishkek, seized government buildings and freed the country’s former president, Almazbek Atambayev, and a number of other politicians, including Sadyr Japarov, the country’s current prime minister, from a detention center. More clashes between the supporters of different opposition forces followed in the center of Bishkek.
Prime Minister Kubatbek Boronov and Parliamentary Speaker Dastanbek Jumabekov stepped down. After that Jeenbekov imposed a state of emergency on the capital city. The Central Election Commission declared the election returns void. An election rerun date is to be set before November 6. On Tuesday and Wednesday, a new speaker of parliament and head of government were elected.


tass--2020-10-15--Russian, EU political directors highlight need for observing Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire

MOSCOW , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko and Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service Enrique Mora discussed the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and highlighted the need for observing the ceasefire agreed on by Armenia and Azerbaijan in Moscow on October 10 .
`` On the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement , [ the sides ] highlighted the need for observing the humanitarian ceasefire agreed on in Moscow on the initiative of Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin on October 10 , '' the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday following the consultations held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussed a wide range of regional and global issues , `` including the situation in Libya , Syria , Iraq , the Western Balkans region and Venezuela .
`` The state of affairs in the OSCE and the Council of Europe was discussed in detail as well , including from the viewpoint of the EU ’ s accession to the European Convention on Human Rights , '' the Foreign Ministry noted .
`` While discussing the situation in Ukraine , they pointed out that there was no alternative to the full and unconditional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Also , the EU ’ s attention was drawn to the danger and destabilizing consequences of meddling in the domestic affairs of Belarus , '' the ministry stressed .
During the consultations , the Russian side also noted that interaction with the EU was possible `` only on the basis of equality and consideration of each other ’ s legitimate interests . ''
At the talks held at Russia ’ s initiative in Moscow , Baku and Yerevan agreed on a humanitarian ceasefire , which came into effect at 12:00 local time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 in order to exchange detainees and the bodies of those killed in the fighting .
Either side accuses the other of violations .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .

MOSCOW, October 15. /TASS/. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko and Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service Enrique Mora discussed the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and highlighted the need for observing the ceasefire agreed on by Armenia and Azerbaijan in Moscow on October 10.
"On the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement, [the sides] highlighted the need for observing the humanitarian ceasefire agreed on in Moscow on the initiative of Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin on October 10," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday following the consultations held on Wednesday.
Grushko and Mora also discussed a wide range of regional and global issues, "including the situation in Libya, Syria, Iraq, the Western Balkans region and Venezuela. "The state of affairs in the OSCE and the Council of Europe was discussed in detail as well, including from the viewpoint of the EU’s accession to the European Convention on Human Rights," the Foreign Ministry noted.
"While discussing the situation in Ukraine, they pointed out that there was no alternative to the full and unconditional implementation of the Minsk Package of Measures. Also, the EU’s attention was drawn to the danger and destabilizing consequences of meddling in the domestic affairs of Belarus," the ministry stressed.
During the consultations, the Russian side also noted that interaction with the EU was possible "only on the basis of equality and consideration of each other’s legitimate interests."
At the talks held at Russia’s initiative in Moscow, Baku and Yerevan agreed on a humanitarian ceasefire, which came into effect at 12:00 local time (11:00 Moscow time) on October 10 in order to exchange detainees and the bodies of those killed in the fighting. Either side accuses the other of violations.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.


tass--2020-10-15--Announcing INKR: An International, Immersive World of Comics

SINGAPORE , Oct. 15 .
/PRNewswire/ .
INKR Global 's immersive new comics reading and publishing app , INKR Comics , launches today .
This revolutionary new platform features an AI-backed translation technology , tailored content recommendations , a seamless reading experience , and integrated advertising , subscription , pay-per-chapter support , all combining to create one unprecedented global outlet for publishers .
To view the Multimedia News Release , please click .
`` From our love for comics came the drive to build a platform that could leave a large-scale positive impact , '' said Ken Luong , INKR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and experience in building products we have accumulated throughout the years , we realized that we are in a unique position to efficiently bring all types of comics to readers across the globe . ''
INKR offers readers universal access to comics from around the world , including Japanese manga from Kodansha and Tokyopop , Korean webtoons from Mr. Blue and Toons Family , Chinese manhua from Weibo and FanFan , and American comics from publishers such as Image , an unparalleled catalog of diverse works available to read on one app .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ localization software which allows comics to be translated and posted by their authorized creators in record time .
INKR Localize will effectively end issues with the practice of unpaid , unauthorized scanned translations .
Alongside Localize , INKR for Publishers is every creator 's gateway to global distribution for their comics catalog .
INKR for Publishers allows flexible monetization and in-app content promotion .
For more details , please visit .
The app is currently available on iOS and Android .
INKR Global is a human-centered , design-driven tech company aiming to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publishers and creators reach readers globally by making awesome content available to consumers , no matter where they are .
Based in Singapore with a team working out of Vietnam , INKR was created by passionate readers of comics and manga .
They believe in the potential of the medium as not only an avenue for storytelling but also as a means of education and communication .
Other apps created by the team include Fuzel Collage , Woodpost , Wikly and KeepShot .

SINGAPORE, Oct. 15. /PRNewswire/. INKR Global's immersive new comics reading and publishing app, INKR Comics, launches today. This revolutionary new platform features an AI-backed translation technology, tailored content recommendations, a seamless reading experience, and integrated advertising, subscription, pay-per-chapter support, all combining to create one unprecedented global outlet for publishers.
To view the Multimedia News Release, please click.
"From our love for comics came the drive to build a platform that could leave a large-scale positive impact," said Ken Luong, INKR CEO. "With all the learning and experience in building products we have accumulated throughout the years, we realized that we are in a unique position to efficiently bring all types of comics to readers across the globe."
INKR offers readers universal access to comics from around the world, including Japanese manga from Kodansha and Tokyopop, Korean webtoons from Mr. Blue and Toons Family, Chinese manhua from Weibo and FanFan, and American comics from publishers such as Image, an unparalleled catalog of diverse works available to read on one app.
INKR also offers INKR Localize, AI-assisted localization software which allows comics to be translated and posted by their authorized creators in record time. INKR Localize will effectively end issues with the practice of unpaid, unauthorized scanned translations.
Alongside Localize, INKR for Publishers is every creator's gateway to global distribution for their comics catalog. INKR for Publishers allows flexible monetization and in-app content promotion. For more details, please visit.
The app is currently available on iOS and Android.
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tass--2020-10-15--Russia reports over 13,700 new coronavirus cases

MOSCOW , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s coronavirus cases grew by 13,754 in the past day and @ @ @ @ @ to 1,354,163 , the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Thursday .
A day earlier @ @ @ @ @ recorded , setting a record high during the entire pandemic .
The lowest growth rates @ @ @ @ @ recorded in the Chechen Republic ( 0.2 % ) , the Chuvash Republic ( 0.4 @ @ @ @ @ and Tatarstan Republics ( 0.5 % ) .
Some 3,942 new cases were confirmed in @ @ @ @ @ Moscow Region , 281 in the Rostov and Nizhny Novgorod Regions .
The Krasnoyarsk Region @ @ @ @ @ the first time since May 12 .
Currently , some 282,575 people are receiving treatment @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, October 15. /TASS/. Russia’s coronavirus cases grew by 13,754 in the past day and the total case tally climbed to 1,354,163, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Thursday.
A day earlier some 14,231 COVID-19 cases were recorded, setting a record high during the entire pandemic.
The average daily growth rate dropped to 1%.
The lowest growth rates in the past day were recorded in the Chechen Republic (0.2%), the Chuvash Republic (0.4%), the Tyva and Tatarstan Republics (0.5%).
Some 3,942 new cases were confirmed in Moscow, 439 in the Moscow Region, 281 in the Rostov and Nizhny Novgorod Regions. The Krasnoyarsk Region recorded 204 new cases for the first time since May 12.
Currently, some 282,575 people are receiving treatment for the coronavirus in Russia.


tass--2020-10-15--Area of wildfire striking Saratov Region doubles in over 24 hours

SARATOV , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
About 35 hectares of forest are on fire in the Saratov Region , @ @ @ @ @ more than doubled over the past 24 hours , the press service of the Saratov @ @ @ @ @ Emergencies Ministry reported .
Earlier , head of the department of forest recovery , protection @ @ @ @ @ Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Maksim Sheptalov reported that three forest fires with the @ @ @ @ @ were being extinguished in the Saratov region .
The woods were on fire in the @ @ @ @ @ Saratovsky districts .
`` Currently two forest fires are active .
In the Yekaterinovsky district @ @ @ @ @ hectares .
And in the Volsky district the area on fire is 5 hectares , @ @ @ @ @ '' the statement made public by the press service said .
There are no casualties @ @ @ @ @ populated localities are threatened .

SARATOV, October 15. /TASS/. About 35 hectares of forest are on fire in the Saratov Region, the area of wildfires has more than doubled over the past 24 hours, the press service of the Saratov Main Regional Directorate of the Emergencies Ministry reported.
Earlier, head of the department of forest recovery, protection and preservation of the regional Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Maksim Sheptalov reported that three forest fires with the total area of 14 hectares were being extinguished in the Saratov region. The woods were on fire in the Krasnoarmeysky, Yekaterinovsky, and Saratovsky districts.
"Currently two forest fires are active. In the Yekaterinovsky district the wildfire area is 30 hectares. And in the Volsky district the area on fire is 5 hectares, the fire is localized," the statement made public by the press service said.
There are no casualties, nor injuries, no populated localities are threatened.


tass--2020-10-15--Almost 2,000 COVID-19 patients recover in Moscow, deputy mayor says

MOSCOW , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
The number of recoveries in Moscow after treatment for the coronavirus infection has @ @ @ @ @ past 24 hours to reach 268,423 , Deputy Moscow Mayor Anastasia Rakova said on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ recoveries in Moscow keeps growing .
Over the past day another 1,953 patients recovered after @ @ @ @ @ number of people who recovered from the infection has risen to 268,423 , '' she @ @ @ @ @ who have recovered , have been asked to donate their plasma .
People aged 18 @ @ @ @ @ plasma donors , provided they do not have chronic illnesses and test negative for HIV @ @ @ @ @ C. Those residents may also become social volunteers and help those who are being treated @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, October 15. /TASS/. The number of recoveries in Moscow after treatment for the coronavirus infection has increased by 1,953 over the past 24 hours to reach 268,423, Deputy Moscow Mayor Anastasia Rakova said on Thursday.
"The number of recoveries in Moscow keeps growing. Over the past day another 1,953 patients recovered after undergoing treatment. The total number of people who recovered from the infection has risen to 268,423," she said.
Moscow residents, who have recovered, have been asked to donate their plasma. People aged 18 to 55 can become blood plasma donors, provided they do not have chronic illnesses and test negative for HIV, and Hepatitis B and C.
Those residents may also become social volunteers and help those who are being treated for the infection at home.


tass--2020-10-15--Hainan to facilitate development of financial center on the island in 2020

HAIKOU , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
The Hainan authorities began to facilitate policy to create an international financial center on the island in the second half of 2020 , the Hainan Daily newspaper reported .
According to the news outlet , the local administration has doubled its efforts to draw domestic and foreign financial institutions to the region , especially after the publication of the General Program for the establishment of Hainan 's Free Trade Port in June .
Among the companies that have expressed interest in participating in these projects and have established their representative offices here over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kong-Shanghai banking corporation HSBC , the South Korean Hana Financial Group , and also smaller Chinese investment banks , insurance and trust companies .
At the same time , related infrastructure facilities and specialized commercial organizations began to appear on the island , which are also expected to boost the development of an international financial center on the island .
Specifically , the creation of Hainan Intellectual Property Exchange .
`` Our exchange center maintains close contacts with Chinese and foreign companies , both online and through personal meetings , '' said Zhao @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to him , the organization is working on various joint projects with US and Singapore 's leading companies in the intellectual property market .
Despite the short period of its existence since the foundation , the exchange has already been able to conclude more than 60 contracts on cooperation in the field of evaluating the latest developments , providing them with legal protection and commercialization by raising funds in the stock markets .
According to the head of Hainan 's Financial Supervision Department Chen Yang , at the moment the government faces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ institutions as possible to the local market , which will create an even more favorable environment for long-term dynamic development , overcome the drawbacks as the scale of the relevant sector of the economy is still insufficient .
He stressed that the authorities intend to stimulate the growth of not only big corporations , but also small and medium-sized businesses .
`` This is an important goal we are pursuing .
It will not be an easy one to achieve , therefore we are considering the possibility of creating a special platform that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for small companies , '' the official concluded .

HAIKOU, October 15. /TASS/. The Hainan authorities began to facilitate policy to create an international financial center on the island in the second half of 2020, the Hainan Daily newspaper reported.
According to the news outlet, the local administration has doubled its efforts to draw domestic and foreign financial institutions to the region, especially after the publication of the General Program for the establishment of Hainan's Free Trade Port in June. Among the companies that have expressed interest in participating in these projects and have established their representative offices here over the past few months are the Hong Kong-Shanghai banking corporation HSBC, the South Korean Hana Financial Group, and also smaller Chinese investment banks, insurance and trust companies.
At the same time, related infrastructure facilities and specialized commercial organizations began to appear on the island, which are also expected to boost the development of an international financial center on the island. Specifically, the creation of Hainan Intellectual Property Exchange.
"Our exchange center maintains close contacts with Chinese and foreign companies, both online and through personal meetings," said Zhao Jun, CEO of the organization. According to him, the organization is working on various joint projects with US and Singapore's leading companies in the intellectual property market. Despite the short period of its existence since the foundation, the exchange has already been able to conclude more than 60 contracts on cooperation in the field of evaluating the latest developments, providing them with legal protection and commercialization by raising funds in the stock markets.
According to the head of Hainan's Financial Supervision Department Chen Yang, at the moment the government faces the task of attracting as many financial institutions as possible to the local market, which will create an even more favorable environment for long-term dynamic development, overcome the drawbacks as the scale of the relevant sector of the economy is still insufficient. He stressed that the authorities intend to stimulate the growth of not only big corporations, but also small and medium-sized businesses. "This is an important goal we are pursuing. It will not be an easy one to achieve, therefore we are considering the possibility of creating a special platform that will provide a wide range of services for small companies," the official concluded.


tass--2020-10-15--China's Chengdu offers $42.3-billion opportunities in building world famous cultural city

CHENGDU , Oct. 14 .
/PRNewswire/ .
Southwest China 's Chengdu , a top travel destination with vibrant cultural creativity in the country , will offer a slew of supportive policies and investment opportunities centering on building the city into a world renowned cultural city on October 15 .
The October event is carried out by National Business Daily .
The upcoming event is to be held at the E-sports Hall of Fanmate Creative Area , which is located at the eastern outskirt of the city .
A total of 51 favorable policies , investment opportunities worth of 284.8 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 100 new products and 100 scenes related to culture , sports , and travel industries will be unveiled at the event .
The policies and opportunities echo Chengdu 's efforts to build itself an internationally well-known city of culture & creativity , tourism , sport events , gastronomy , music , and exhibitions .
All these six sectors saw double-digit year-over-year growth in 2019 .
Data shows that Chengdu is the second most popular travel destination during the recent National Day holidays .
At the event , Chengdu-based CoCo Cartoon , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ne Zha , will unveil an animation-reality-mixed show co-produced with Chengdu Yongling Museum .
The show will feature musicians and dancers from over a thousand years ago and put them in six representative Chengdu scenes .
Another highlight of the event is the attendance of popular Chengdu e-sports club All Gamers , which has earned reputation for outstanding performance in Honor of Kings and PlayerUnknown 's Battlegrounds pro leagues , including one championship and three silver medals in the King Pro League .
The phenomenal mobile game Honor of Kings was developed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group of distinguished guests will gather at the event to offer their insights on fostering a city of culture .
The list include Paul Owens , Director of the World Cities Culture Forum , Jean-Luc Monterosso , member of France 's Académie des Beaux-Arts and curator of Chengdu Contemporary Image Museum , and Patrick Nijs , former ambassador of Belgium to China and co-founder of EU-China Joint Innovation Centre .
The event is part of a year-long campaign to boost the new economy sector in Chengdu , which will publish 1,000 new products @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the end of 2020 .
The October event is organized by a number of municipal authorities of Chengdu and the government of the Longquanyi District .

CHENGDU, Oct. 14. /PRNewswire/. Southwest China's Chengdu, a top travel destination with vibrant cultural creativity in the country, will offer a slew of supportive policies and investment opportunities centering on building the city into a world renowned cultural city on October 15. The October event is carried out by National Business Daily.
The night scene of Chengdu
The upcoming event is to be held at the E-sports Hall of Fanmate Creative Area, which is located at the eastern outskirt of the city. A total of 51 favorable policies, investment opportunities worth of 284.8 billion yuan (42.3 billion U.S. dollars), 100 new products and 100 scenes related to culture, sports, and travel industries will be unveiled at the event.
The policies and opportunities echo Chengdu's efforts to build itself an internationally well-known city of culture & creativity, tourism, sport events, gastronomy, music, and exhibitions. All these six sectors saw double-digit year-over-year growth in 2019. Data shows that Chengdu is the second most popular travel destination during the recent National Day holidays.
At the event, Chengdu-based CoCo Cartoon, the producer of China's highest-grossing animation movie Ne Zha, will unveil an animation-reality-mixed show co-produced with Chengdu Yongling Museum. The show will feature musicians and dancers from over a thousand years ago and put them in six representative Chengdu scenes.
Another highlight of the event is the attendance of popular Chengdu e-sports club All Gamers, which has earned reputation for outstanding performance in Honor of Kings and PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds pro leagues, including one championship and three silver medals in the King Pro League. The phenomenal mobile game Honor of Kings was developed by Chengdu-based TiMi Studios.
Besides, a group of distinguished guests will gather at the event to offer their insights on fostering a city of culture. The list include Paul Owens, Director of the World Cities Culture Forum, Jean-Luc Monterosso, member of France's Académie des Beaux-Arts and curator of Chengdu Contemporary Image Museum, and Patrick Nijs, former ambassador of Belgium to China and co-founder of EU-China Joint Innovation Centre.
The event is part of a year-long campaign to boost the new economy sector in Chengdu, which will publish 1,000 new products and 1,000 new scenes in the sector by the end of 2020. The October event is organized by a number of municipal authorities of Chengdu and the government of the Longquanyi District.


tass--2020-10-15--Over 286,000 COVID-19 patients in Russia remain under observation

MOSCOW , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
Over 286,000 patients remain under medical observation in Russia due to the suspected @ @ @ @ @ press service of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing @ @ @ @ @ In the Russian Federation 286,630 people remain under medical observation , '' the statement said @ @ @ @ @ , in all , over 52.2 mln coronavirus tests have been conducted .
Over the @ @ @ @ @ tests were made .

MOSCOW, October 15. /TASS/. Over 286,000 patients remain under medical observation in Russia due to the suspected novel coronavirus infection, the press service of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing reported on Thursday.
"In the Russian Federation 286,630 people remain under medical observation," the statement said.
According to the agency, in all, over 52.2 mln coronavirus tests have been conducted. Over the past 24 hours, 478,000 tests were made.


tass--2020-10-15--British Museum to showcase 40 pieces of St. Petersburg’s Kunstkamera

LONDON , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
More than 40 pieces of the Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography ( Kunstkamera ) will be showcased at the British Museum ’ s exhibition dedicated to the Arctic and its people , senior keeper of the Kunstkamera ’ s Siberia fund Vladimir Kisel told TASS Wednesday .
`` The Kunstkamera is represented at the exhibition by more than 40 pieces , which is around a quarter of the total number .
The exhibition is focused on climate change in the Arctic and how this process affects the region ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the finds from Ust-Polui sanctuary in Salekhard .
This is the so-called Ust-Polui archeological culture which dates back to III century BC - III-IV century AD .
There are also objects of the Beringomor culture of the Proto-Eskimos of approximately the same period , primarily bone carving , '' Kisel underlined .
Apart from that , the exhibition will show artefacts from Yakutia of XIX-XX centuries such as female silver jewelry as well as shaman costumes and tambourines .
`` The other objects were taken from the collections of the museums in Cambridge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collection of the British Museum in London itself .
The exhibition was in the works for a couple of years , '' the Kunstkamera representative underlined , saying that political differences between Russia and the United Kingdom did not affect the event organization .
The Arctic : culture and climate exhibition will open its doors in the British Museum on October 22 and will last until February 21 .
Hartwig Fischer , Director of the museum , said that the event `` is a bold and ambitious exhibition that reflects the expanding vision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directly addresses the essential question of how humans can live with the impacts of extreme weather .
The future and past come together in the present , united by the shared experiences of Arctic peoples . ''
The exhibition was initially planned to open in May but had to be rescheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography is one of the oldest and largest ethnographical museums in the world , its collections have 1.2 million objects .
It is the successor of the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kunstkamera founded by Peter the Great in 1714 .

LONDON, October 15. /TASS/. More than 40 pieces of the Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (Kunstkamera) will be showcased at the British Museum’s exhibition dedicated to the Arctic and its people, senior keeper of the Kunstkamera’s Siberia fund Vladimir Kisel told TASS Wednesday.
"The Kunstkamera is represented at the exhibition by more than 40 pieces, which is around a quarter of the total number. The exhibition is focused on climate change in the Arctic and how this process affects the region’s population. We brought unique things, the finds from Ust-Polui sanctuary in Salekhard. This is the so-called Ust-Polui archeological culture which dates back to III century BC - III-IV century AD. There are also objects of the Beringomor culture of the Proto-Eskimos of approximately the same period, primarily bone carving," Kisel underlined. Apart from that, the exhibition will show artefacts from Yakutia of XIX-XX centuries such as female silver jewelry as well as shaman costumes and tambourines.
"The other objects were taken from the collections of the museums in Cambridge and Oxford as well as from the collection of the British Museum in London itself. The exhibition was in the works for a couple of years," the Kunstkamera representative underlined, saying that political differences between Russia and the United Kingdom did not affect the event organization.
The Arctic: culture and climate exhibition will open its doors in the British Museum on October 22 and will last until February 21. Hartwig Fischer, Director of the museum, said that the event "is a bold and ambitious exhibition that reflects the expanding vision of the British Museum. The show directly addresses the essential question of how humans can live with the impacts of extreme weather. The future and past come together in the present, united by the shared experiences of Arctic peoples." The exhibition was initially planned to open in May but had to be rescheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography is one of the oldest and largest ethnographical museums in the world, its collections have 1.2 million objects. It is the successor of the first Russian state public museum, the famous Kunstkamera founded by Peter the Great in 1714.


tass--2020-10-15--No US presidential candidate can relaunch ties with Russia - speaker

MOSCOW , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
Speaker of the Russian Federation Council ( upper house of parliament ) Valentina Matviyenko does not see anyone among the US presidential candidate a person who can break the impasse in the Russian-US ties , she said in an interview with TASS .
`` We would very much like to see such a person among the candidates for US president but there are no grounds to say that , to be honest , '' Matviyenko noted when asked if the US candidates can break the current deadlock and reload the relations .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work with any president elected by the American people .
`` We would like to hope that when the US presidential elections pass and , as most experts predict , the post-election disputes settle down and when the elected president shakes off , possibly , strict domestic political restrictions , the US leader will realize the importance of restoring and improving ties with Russia in the sphered where we have mutual interests , '' the speaker noted .
Mentioning the fact that the Russian interference card can once again be played in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` this topic is artificially created and everyone in the US is tired of it . ''
`` This card is discarded , I think .
This is definitely not going to be a trick in the current election campaign .
Americans are concerned by their domestic issues , they are real and can not be attributed as the Kremlin ’ s doing , '' Matviyenko noted .
The topic of the anti-Russian sanctions , she believes , has become `` a ritual for American politicians . ''
`` It is easy to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to be conceived further until our relations are reloaded and rethought , '' she noted .
The speaker is convinced that Russia should be independent of these sanctions .
`` I believe that sanctions are a sign of weakness .
It is not a sign of a strong and confident state .
Meanwhile , we are strong , we are a country of great opportunities .
We have the most educated and intellectual people .
We have everything to be self-reliant , confident and develop successfully .
We will work on this @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, October 15. /TASS/. Speaker of the Russian Federation Council (upper house of parliament) Valentina Matviyenko does not see anyone among the US presidential candidate a person who can break the impasse in the Russian-US ties, she said in an interview with TASS.
"We would very much like to see such a person among the candidates for US president but there are no grounds to say that, to be honest," Matviyenko noted when asked if the US candidates can break the current deadlock and reload the relations.
She recalled the Russian position that Moscow will work with any president elected by the American people. "We would like to hope that when the US presidential elections pass and, as most experts predict, the post-election disputes settle down and when the elected president shakes off, possibly, strict domestic political restrictions, the US leader will realize the importance of restoring and improving ties with Russia in the sphered where we have mutual interests," the speaker noted.
Mentioning the fact that the Russian interference card can once again be played in the US, the senator pointed out that "this topic is artificially created and everyone in the US is tired of it." "This card is discarded, I think. This is definitely not going to be a trick in the current election campaign. Americans are concerned by their domestic issues, they are real and cannot be attributed as the Kremlin’s doing," Matviyenko noted.
The topic of the anti-Russian sanctions, she believes, has become "a ritual for American politicians." "It is easy to make up a reason, they will likely to be conceived further until our relations are reloaded and rethought," she noted.
The speaker is convinced that Russia should be independent of these sanctions. "I believe that sanctions are a sign of weakness. It is not a sign of a strong and confident state. Meanwhile, we are strong, we are a country of great opportunities. We have the most educated and intellectual people. We have everything to be self-reliant, confident and develop successfully. We will work on this," she concluded.


tass--2020-10-15--Only Belarusians entitled to decide what their constitution should be - Russian speaker

MOSCOW , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusians holding opposition views should be included in the national constitutional reform , only the Belarusian people can decide what their constitution should be like , Speaker of the Russian Federation Council ( upper house of parliament ) Valentina Matviyenko said in an interview with TASS .
`` I primarily would like to say that the situation in Belarus is obviously not an easy one , but President Alexander Lukashenko said that a constitutional reform is needed .
I , for instance , am positive about the very fact that he met with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point of view on the country ’ s future development .
It is necessary to have dialogue with them and involve them in this constitutional reform , '' she noted .
`` Only the Belarusian people and no one else have the right to decide what the constitution should be like and what country development choice should be made .
If they ask us for advice , we will share our opinion .
< … > There has never been any economic , political or forceful pressure on our CIS territory partners .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Matviyenko added .
The speaker underlined that Russia treats Belarus as a respected sovereign state and is convinced that `` no one can interfere into domestic affairs of this or any other country from abroad . ''
`` We empathize with what ’ s happening and are very concerned , hoping that there is no further radicalization , more clashes because it will primarily affect the well-being and living standards of people , '' she added .
According to the speaker , any responsible politicians and parties , even if they hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ democracy is negotiations , it is a process , it is a parliament that reflects people ’ s will , it is elections . ''
`` This should be discussed rather than how to radicalize the situation with possible , God forbid , victims and toughest consequences for the country .
This is untenable , '' she concluded .

MOSCOW, October 15. /TASS/. Belarusians holding opposition views should be included in the national constitutional reform, only the Belarusian people can decide what their constitution should be like, Speaker of the Russian Federation Council (upper house of parliament) Valentina Matviyenko said in an interview with TASS.
"I primarily would like to say that the situation in Belarus is obviously not an easy one, but President Alexander Lukashenko said that a constitutional reform is needed. I, for instance, am positive about the very fact that he met with people who have opposition views and their point of view on the country’s future development. It is necessary to have dialogue with them and involve them in this constitutional reform," she noted.
"Only the Belarusian people and no one else have the right to decide what the constitution should be like and what country development choice should be made. If they ask us for advice, we will share our opinion. <…> There has never been any economic, political or forceful pressure on our CIS territory partners. We act in a partner-like manner," Matviyenko added.
The speaker underlined that Russia treats Belarus as a respected sovereign state and is convinced that "no one can interfere into domestic affairs of this or any other country from abroad."
"We empathize with what’s happening and are very concerned, hoping that there is no further radicalization, more clashes because it will primarily affect the well-being and living standards of people," she added.
According to the speaker, any responsible politicians and parties, even if they hold different views, "should understand that democracy is negotiations, it is a process, it is a parliament that reflects people’s will, it is elections." "This should be discussed rather than how to radicalize the situation with possible, God forbid, victims and toughest consequences for the country. This is untenable," she concluded.


tass--2020-10-15--Russia hoping US will abandon unacceptable conditions to extend New START - speaker

MOSCOW , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow is hoping that Washington will realize the importance and necessity of extending the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms ( New START ) as it expires in the beginning of 2021 , Speaker of the Russian Federation Council ( upper house of parliament ) Valentina Matviyenko said in an interview with TASS .
`` We are hoping that New START will be extended .
This is a vital strategic document .
We want the US to not put forward unacceptable conditions to Russia and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , '' she said .
The speaker is certain that ideas and intentions to involve other nuclear states in this process can be discussed without destroying the foundation .
`` We can have this dialogue on this foundation .
To discuss the updated strategic agreement .
However , New START needs to be in force until there is a more effective and , possibly , more correct agreement that stands up to new challenges , '' the senator underlined .
Matviyenko pointed out that Russia is persistently working and `` confirms its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preconditions . ''
Earlier , US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea said that the US is willing to extend New START with Russia under the condition that both countries temporarily freeze their nuclear arsenals .
According to him , Washington `` could strike it tomorrow , in fact , but Moscow ’ s going to have to show the political will to do so as well . ''
In turn , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov blasted the proposal as unacceptable .
Moscow and Washington signed the Measures for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Offensive Arms in 2010 .
Under its terms , either country must reduce its strategic offensive arms in such a way that at the end of the seventh year following its entry into force and later on their overall amounts should not exceed 700 units of deployed inter-continental ballistic missiles ( ICBMs ) , submarine-launched ballistic missiles ( SLBMs ) and heavy bombers , 1,550 warheads and 800 operational and non-operational missile launchers and strategic bombers .
The treaty was concluded for a period of ten years ( until February 5 , 2021 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a follow-up agreement before the deadline expires , or prolonged for no more than five years ( until 2026 ) by mutual consent .
Moscow urges Washington to refrain from procrastinating on the treaty ’ s extension , because in its opinion it is the `` gold standard '' in the field of disarmament .

MOSCOW, October 15. /TASS/. Moscow is hoping that Washington will realize the importance and necessity of extending the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (New START) as it expires in the beginning of 2021, Speaker of the Russian Federation Council (upper house of parliament) Valentina Matviyenko said in an interview with TASS.
"We are hoping that New START will be extended. This is a vital strategic document. We want the US to not put forward unacceptable conditions to Russia and to understand the importance and necessity of extending it," she said.
The speaker is certain that ideas and intentions to involve other nuclear states in this process can be discussed without destroying the foundation. "We can have this dialogue on this foundation. To discuss the updated strategic agreement. However, New START needs to be in force until there is a more effective and, possibly, more correct agreement that stands up to new challenges," the senator underlined.
Matviyenko pointed out that Russia is persistently working and "confirms its readiness to extend New START without any preconditions."
Earlier, US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea said that the US is willing to extend New START with Russia under the condition that both countries temporarily freeze their nuclear arsenals. According to him, Washington "could strike it tomorrow, in fact, but Moscow’s going to have to show the political will to do so as well." In turn, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov blasted the proposal as unacceptable.
New START
Moscow and Washington signed the Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms in 2010. Under its terms, either country must reduce its strategic offensive arms in such a way that at the end of the seventh year following its entry into force and later on their overall amounts should not exceed 700 units of deployed inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and heavy bombers, 1,550 warheads and 800 operational and non-operational missile launchers and strategic bombers.
The treaty was concluded for a period of ten years (until February 5, 2021). It can be replaced by a follow-up agreement before the deadline expires, or prolonged for no more than five years (until 2026) by mutual consent.
Moscow urges Washington to refrain from procrastinating on the treaty’s extension, because in its opinion it is the "gold standard" in the field of disarmament.


tass--2020-10-15--Russian minister says no need to shut down shops, restaurants

MOSCOW , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
Cafes , restaurants and shops can continue working in Russia , abiding by the guidelines of the Russian consumer watchdog , if there is no sharp increases in rates of coronavirus infections , Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov told TASS .
`` Yes , for now , '' he responded to the question whether these businesses can keep working .
`` It is difficult to provide a specific answer to this question because each region has a different epidemiological situation and regional leaderships make decisions based on it .
Speaking about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their work looks very realistic in case they comply with all the demands put forward by the Russian consumer watchdog if infections don ’ t start going up , '' the minister added .
Manturov noted that the government is working with Russian industries to use remote work for some employees if it does not affect their operation .
Russia ’ s Retail Companies Association ( ACORT ) earlier said that the non-food businesses can jointly lose up to 6.08 trillion rubles ( $ 78 billion ) in 2020 due to the @ @ @

MOSCOW, October 15. /TASS/. Cafes, restaurants and shops can continue working in Russia, abiding by the guidelines of the Russian consumer watchdog, if there is no sharp increases in rates of coronavirus infections, Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov told TASS.
"Yes, for now," he responded to the question whether these businesses can keep working.
"It is difficult to provide a specific answer to this question because each region has a different epidemiological situation and regional leaderships make decisions based on it. Speaking about service and trade businesses, the continuation of their work looks very realistic in case they comply with all the demands put forward by the Russian consumer watchdog if infections don’t start going up," the minister added.
Manturov noted that the government is working with Russian industries to use remote work for some employees if it does not affect their operation.
Russia’s Retail Companies Association (ACORT) earlier said that the non-food businesses can jointly lose up to 6.08 trillion rubles ($78 billion) in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.


tass--2020-10-16--Results of clinical tests of one more Russian anti-COVID vaccine to be ready in December

MOSCOW , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
Results of clinical trials of another Russian anti-coronavirus vaccine will be ready in mid-December , Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said on Thursday .
`` The third vaccine is currently being tested .
We expect results by mid-December , '' he said in an interview with the Vesti daily news roundup on the Rossiya-1 television channel .
According to the minister , the three Russian vaccines , with two of them being already registered , were developed on different platforms and it will give more instruments to combat the pandemic .
On August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s first vaccine against the novel coronavirus .
The vaccine , dubbed Sputnik V , was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry , and its clinical trials were successfully completed in June-July .
The vaccine was developed on a platform that had been used for a number of other vaccines .
According to the Russian health ministry , these vaccines have proved their ability to form lasting immunity for a period of up to two years .
On Wednesday , Russian President Vladimir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Vektor center had been registered in Russia .
The vaccine was tested on 100 volunteers and post-registration clinical trials will involve 40,000 volunteers in a number of Russian regions .
Meanwhile , the Novosibirsk-based Chumakov Center began clinical tests of its whole-virion inactivated anti-coronavirus vaccine on October 6 .

MOSCOW, October 15. /TASS/. Results of clinical trials of another Russian anti-coronavirus vaccine will be ready in mid-December, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said on Thursday.
"The third vaccine is currently being tested. We expect results by mid-December," he said in an interview with the Vesti daily news roundup on the Rossiya-1 television channel.
According to the minister, the three Russian vaccines, with two of them being already registered, were developed on different platforms and it will give more instruments to combat the pandemic.
On August 11, Russia registered the world’s first vaccine against the novel coronavirus. The vaccine, dubbed Sputnik V, was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry, and its clinical trials were successfully completed in June-July. The vaccine was developed on a platform that had been used for a number of other vaccines. According to the Russian health ministry, these vaccines have proved their ability to form lasting immunity for a period of up to two years.
On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that another anti-coronavirus vaccine developed by the Vektor center had been registered in Russia. The vaccine was tested on 100 volunteers and post-registration clinical trials will involve 40,000 volunteers in a number of Russian regions.
Meanwhile, the Novosibirsk-based Chumakov Center began clinical tests of its whole-virion inactivated anti-coronavirus vaccine on October 6.


tass--2020-10-16--Russian citizen arrested in US as part of cyber fraud, money laundering case

WASHINGTON , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
The US authorities arrested Russian citizen Maxim Boyko as part of investigation into computer fraud and money laundering , the US Department of Justice said on Thursday .
According to a department ’ s statement , 30-year-old Boyko was arrested `` in late March 2020 while visiting the United States . ''
This was also when charges against him were filed .
Overall , 20 people have been charged as part of the case , including citizens of Georgia and Latvia .
Criminal proceedings are under way in the United Kingdom , Spain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More than 40 searches were carried out in Bulgaria , the United Kingdom , Spain , Latvia and Portugal .
Russian diplomats are providing consular assistance to Boyko , the press service of the Russian embassy in Washington told TASS .
`` The embassy ’ s consular department was notified about the issue by the US authorities .
We are aware of the situation .
We keep in contact with Maxim Boyko and his relatives in Russia , and provide the required consular and legal assistance .
We are keeping track of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @

WASHINGTON, October 15. /TASS/. The US authorities arrested Russian citizen Maxim Boyko as part of investigation into computer fraud and money laundering, the US Department of Justice said on Thursday.
According to a department’s statement, 30-year-old Boyko was arrested "in late March 2020 while visiting the United States." This was also when charges against him were filed.
Overall, 20 people have been charged as part of the case, including citizens of Georgia and Latvia. Criminal proceedings are under way in the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal and the United States. More than 40 searches were carried out in Bulgaria, the United Kingdom, Spain, Latvia and Portugal.
Russian diplomats are providing consular assistance to Boyko, the press service of the Russian embassy in Washington told TASS.
"The embassy’s consular department was notified about the issue by the US authorities. We are aware of the situation. We keep in contact with Maxim Boyko and his relatives in Russia, and provide the required consular and legal assistance. We are keeping track of the matter," the embassy said.
Boyko pleaded not guilty, his lawyer Arkady Bukh told TASS.
"Our client was among the first to be arrested on money laundering charges. He pleaded not guilty," Bukh said, adding that the defense team expects the case to be heard by a jury.
The lawyer said the defense team would contest the reasoning of US attorneys, who insist that the participants of the purported criminal scheme were aware that the money were obtained by illegal means.
"One of our reasons <…> is that those people were carrying out financial transactions without knowing that the money was stolen," he said. "We hope that this reason <…> will help to remove from the case the element of money laundering, which is exactly what they are accused of."
"The money was indeed stolen, and organizations were indeed robbed," he said. "But it is important to understand that not all players on the market were aware that the money was stolen."


tass--2020-10-16--Russia prioritizes unconditional extension of New START - ambassador

WASHINGTON , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
Russia prioritizes the unconditional extension of New START ( Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty ) , Russian Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov said during a session of the US-Russia Business Council .
His address was published on the embassy ’ s Facebook .
`` We need to remember that strategic issues have always been the cornerstone of our relations under any circumstances .
We hope that the United States will carry out a policy that does not seek military advantage over Russia .
Our primary aim is to extend START Treaty immediately without any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian president Vladimir Putin in December , 2019 , '' he said .
`` In his pre-recorded video address to the 75th anniversary session of the UN General Assembly on September 22 , 2020 president Putin reiterated that extension of the Russia-US Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty is the issue of primary importance that should and must be promptly dealt with , '' the ambassador added .
When asked about the prospects of the treaty ’ s extension , the ambassador stressed : `` We are concerned about the deep crisis of confidence in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The primary shared interest for Russia , the United States and the entire world is to maintain strategic stability , prevent an arms race and reduce the risk of military incidents . ''
`` With the erosion of the architecture of international security that was shaping during for the past 50 years and served to prevent the cold war from turning into a hot one , it is particularly important to maintain the regime of transparency and confidence-building measures in strategic areas in accordance with the New START Treaty , '' Antonov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our teams have started dialogue on strategic stability .
We have had a few rounds of consultations in Vienna .
These consultations have been practical , useful , aimed at a compromise , '' the diplomat pointed out .
`` The Russian side looks forward to further progress of the talks .
But the potential result could be very sensitive and delicate . ''
`` In order to meet the interests of the USA and the Russian Federation , there should be no place for any attempts to get significant unilateral advantages in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not single out just one problem and forget about the necessity to find a compromise on all key factors of strategic stability , '' Antonov noted .
`` We need a stability formula with equal rights and obligations .
Russia ’ s main concerns are global missile defense system , the development of non-nuclear strategic offensive weapons within the framework of the concept of a global strike , the growing threats of weapons deployed in space , quantitative and qualitative imbalances in conventional weapons in Europe and so on , '' the ambassador @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue intensive consultations to find solutions to these key factors of strategic stability , '' he concluded .
Russia thinks that if New START ( Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty ) is not preserved , a period of unpredictability will follow , and the risk of nuclear weapons being used will be greater , Russian Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov said during a session of the US-Russia Business Council .
The Russian ambassador deemed New START `` the latest agreement to limit the two largest nuclear arsenals in the world , '' noting that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very disturbing , but very real prospect . ''
`` Without preserving the Treaty , a period of unpredictability will begin in 2021 .
With the weakening of transparency measures and the reduction of communication channels , the mutual understanding of our countries regarding each other 's strategic nuclear arsenals will be significantly reduced .
The risk of accidental or unintentional use of nuclear weapons will increase , as will the likelihood that a crisis situation could quickly escalate into a nuclear conflict , '' he said in a speech published on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Let me remind you that we did our best to avoid such a scenario .
We continue to conduct a dialogue with the American side on a wide range of arms control issues , in which the fate of the New START Treaty is a priority , '' the diplomat stressed .
`` Whatever the outcome of these efforts , Russia is ready for any development of events .
We have the necessary potential to ensure national security .
Without getting involved in a costly race of nuclear missile arms , we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the foundations of strategic stability and international security , '' he said .
The Russian-US New START treaty took effect in 2011 .
Under its terms , either party shall reduce its strategic offensive arms in such a way that by the end of a seven-year period following the moment the treaty takes effect , it should have no more than 700 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles , submarine-launched missiles and heavy bombers , 1,550 warheads for them and 800 deployed and non-deployed ICBM and SLBM ( submarine launched ballistic missiles ) launchers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in effect for ten years ( up to 2021 ) unless it is replaced by another agreement by that moment , or it can be prolonged for no more than five years ( until 2026 ) by mutual consent .
Lately , Moscow repeatedly urged Washington to avoid delays in prolonging that treaty , which it described as a gold standard in the field of disarmament .
Earlier , Russian President Vladimir Putin told the Financial Times newspaper that if New START ceases to exist , there will be nothing stopping the next @ @ @

WASHINGTON, October 15. /TASS/. Russia prioritizes the unconditional extension of New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty), Russian Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov said during a session of the US-Russia Business Council. His address was published on the embassy’s Facebook.
"We need to remember that strategic issues have always been the cornerstone of our relations under any circumstances. We hope that the United States will carry out a policy that does not seek military advantage over Russia. Our primary aim is to extend START Treaty immediately without any preconditions. Such proposal was made by Russian president Vladimir Putin in December, 2019," he said.
"In his pre-recorded video address to the 75th anniversary session of the UN General Assembly on September 22, 2020 president Putin reiterated that extension of the Russia-US Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty is the issue of primary importance that should and must be promptly dealt with," the ambassador added.
A deep crisis of confidence
When asked about the prospects of the treaty’s extension, the ambassador stressed: "We are concerned about the deep crisis of confidence in relations between the two leading nuclear powers. The primary shared interest for Russia, the United States and the entire world is to maintain strategic stability, prevent an arms race and reduce the risk of military incidents."
"With the erosion of the architecture of international security that was shaping during for the past 50 years and served to prevent the cold war from turning into a hot one, it is particularly important to maintain the regime of transparency and confidence-building measures in strategic areas in accordance with the New START Treaty," Antonov added.
"We are satisfied that our teams have started dialogue on strategic stability. We have had a few rounds of consultations in Vienna. These consultations have been practical, useful, aimed at a compromise," the diplomat pointed out. "The Russian side looks forward to further progress of the talks. But the potential result could be very sensitive and delicate."
"In order to meet the interests of the USA and the Russian Federation, there should be no place for any attempts to get significant unilateral advantages in the military political sphere. We cannot single out just one problem and forget about the necessity to find a compromise on all key factors of strategic stability," Antonov noted.
"We need a stability formula with equal rights and obligations. Russia’s main concerns are global missile defense system, the development of non-nuclear strategic offensive weapons within the framework of the concept of a global strike, the growing threats of weapons deployed in space, quantitative and qualitative imbalances in conventional weapons in Europe and so on," the ambassador continued.
"We are ready to continue intensive consultations to find solutions to these key factors of strategic stability," he concluded.
A period of instability
Russia thinks that if New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) is not preserved, a period of unpredictability will follow, and the risk of nuclear weapons being used will be greater, Russian Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov said during a session of the US-Russia Business Council.
The Russian ambassador deemed New START "the latest agreement to limit the two largest nuclear arsenals in the world," noting that its potential termination "is indeed a very disturbing, but very real prospect."
"Without preserving the Treaty, a period of unpredictability will begin in 2021. With the weakening of transparency measures and the reduction of communication channels, the mutual understanding of our countries regarding each other's strategic nuclear arsenals will be significantly reduced. The risk of accidental or unintentional use of nuclear weapons will increase, as will the likelihood that a crisis situation could quickly escalate into a nuclear conflict," he said in a speech published on the embassy’s Facebook account.
"Let me remind you that we did our best to avoid such a scenario. We continue to conduct a dialogue with the American side on a wide range of arms control issues, in which the fate of the New START Treaty is a priority," the diplomat stressed.
"Whatever the outcome of these efforts, Russia is ready for any development of events. We have the necessary potential to ensure national security. Without getting involved in a costly race of nuclear missile arms, we will continue to search for ways to preserve the foundations of strategic stability and international security," he said.
About New START
The Russian-US New START treaty took effect in 2011. Under its terms, either party shall reduce its strategic offensive arms in such a way that by the end of a seven-year period following the moment the treaty takes effect, it should have no more than 700 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched missiles and heavy bombers, 1,550 warheads for them and 800 deployed and non-deployed ICBM and SLBM (submarine launched ballistic missiles) launchers and heavy bombers.
The treaty shall stay in effect for ten years (up to 2021) unless it is replaced by another agreement by that moment, or it can be prolonged for no more than five years (until 2026) by mutual consent. Lately, Moscow repeatedly urged Washington to avoid delays in prolonging that treaty, which it described as a gold standard in the field of disarmament.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin told the Financial Times newspaper that if New START ceases to exist, there will be nothing stopping the next arms race.


tass--2020-10-16--Nagorno-Karabakh sees another day of heavy fighting — Armenia

YEREVAN , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
The armed forces of Azerbaijan resumed their attacks in three areas of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone on Thursday , Armenian Defense Ministry Representative Artsrun Hovhannisyan told reporters .
`` Throughout the day , heavy fighting continued along the entire line of contact , particularly in the southern zone , along the Aras River bank .
We managed to drive back the enemy .
Both sides are sustaining losses .
The situation remains tense .
The intensity of fire subsides at night , '' he said .
At the talks , brokered by Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Azerbaijan and Armenia agreed a ceasefire .
It came into effect at 12.00 local time on Saturday , October 10 for humanitarian reasons , for the exchange of detainees and recovery of war dead .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them civilians .
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .

YEREVAN, October 15. /TASS/. The armed forces of Azerbaijan resumed their attacks in three areas of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone on Thursday, Armenian Defense Ministry Representative Artsrun Hovhannisyan told reporters.
"Throughout the day, heavy fighting continued along the entire line of contact, particularly in the southern zone, along the Aras River bank. We managed to drive back the enemy. Both sides are sustaining losses. The situation remains tense. The intensity of fire subsides at night," he said.
At the talks, brokered by Russia and held in Moscow on October 9, Azerbaijan and Armenia agreed a ceasefire. It came into effect at 12.00 local time on Saturday, October 10 for humanitarian reasons, for the exchange of detainees and recovery of war dead.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them.