tass--2020-12-26--Moldovan ex-president thanks Russia for helping his country in crisis

CHISINAU , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
Moldova ’ s former President Igor Dodon thanked Russia for assistance in the fight against coronavirus and the extension of duty free trade agreement for exporters of agricultural goods , Dodon wrote on his Facebook account after a meeting with Dmitry Kozak , Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office , in Moscow .
`` I offered my sincere gratitude to Dmitry Kozak and to the leadership of the Russian Federation for the support of Moldova in its fight against the spread of coronavirus , and for the donations to our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moldovan exporters by providing duty free exports of agricultural produce to the Russian market in 2018-2019 , '' Dodon wrote .
Russia delivered medical aid to Moldova by donating testing systems , medicines and equipment .
Apart from that , the Russian Defense Ministry offered a plane to deliver a large consignment of medicines from China .
In addition , a team of Russian health professionals visited the Transnistrian region to share their experience in the fight against the pandemic .
In 2020 , nearly 50 % of the crops were damaged by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official statistics , the total damage is estimated at about 60 million euros .
Earlier , Russia channeled 275 million rubles ( $ 3.708mln ) to Moldova as aid to agricultural producers .

CHISINAU, December 25. /TASS/. Moldova’s former President Igor Dodon thanked Russia for assistance in the fight against coronavirus and the extension of duty free trade agreement for exporters of agricultural goods, Dodon wrote on his Facebook account after a meeting with Dmitry Kozak, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office, in Moscow.
"I offered my sincere gratitude to Dmitry Kozak and to the leadership of the Russian Federation for the support of Moldova in its fight against the spread of coronavirus, and for the donations to our farmers affected by the drought and to Moldovan exporters by providing duty free exports of agricultural produce to the Russian market in 2018-2019," Dodon wrote.
Russia delivered medical aid to Moldova by donating testing systems, medicines and equipment. Apart from that, the Russian Defense Ministry offered a plane to deliver a large consignment of medicines from China. In addition, a team of Russian health professionals visited the Transnistrian region to share their experience in the fight against the pandemic.
In 2020, nearly 50% of the crops were damaged by the drought in Moldova. According to official statistics, the total damage is estimated at about 60 million euros. Earlier, Russia channeled 275 million rubles ($3.708mln) to Moldova as aid to agricultural producers.


tass--2020-12-26--Petropavlovsk gold mining company’s founder arrested in misuse case — court

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
The Tverskoi Court of Moscow has taken into custody Pavel Maslovsky , the @ @ @ @ @ Petropavlovsk gold miner , in the case on the misuse of funds worth about 100 @ @ @ @ @ mln ) , the court ’ s press service told TASS on Friday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ ’ s request on custodial restraint of Maslovsky for two months , by February 23 @ @ @ @ @ charge under Part 4 of Article 160 of the Russian Penal Code ( a particularly @ @ @ @ @ , Court ’ s press secretary Olga Bondareva said .
Searches were made in the @ @ @ @ @ , a subsidiary of Petropavlovsk , CEO of the gold mining company Denis Alexandrov told @ @ @ @ @ is one of the largest Russian gold mining companies , with core assets of the @ @ @ @ @ Region .

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. The Tverskoi Court of Moscow has taken into custody Pavel Maslovsky, the founder and the ex-CEO of Petropavlovsk gold miner, in the case on the misuse of funds worth about 100 mln rubles ($1.34 mln), the court’s press service told TASS on Friday.
"The Court upheld the investigation’s request on custodial restraint of Maslovsky for two months, by February 23, 2021, on the charge under Part 4 of Article 160 of the Russian Penal Code (a particularly huge misuse of funds), Court’s press secretary Olga Bondareva said.
Searches were made in the Moscow office of Pokrovskiy Mine, a subsidiary of Petropavlovsk, CEO of the gold mining company Denis Alexandrov told TASS on Thursday.
Petropavlovsk is one of the largest Russian gold mining companies, with core assets of the company concentrated in the Amur Region.


tass--2020-12-26--Putin declares 2021 to be Year of Science and Technology in Russia

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared 2021 to be the Year of Science and @ @ @ @ @ presidential decree , published on Russia ’ s official web portal of legislative acts on @ @ @ @ @ move aims to promote `` further development of science and technologies in the Russian Federaiton @ @ @ @ @ state tasked his administration with setting up an organizational committee for the Year of Science @ @ @ @ @ Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko and Presidential Aide Andrei Fursenko as its co-chairs .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ approve the plan of main events within the framework of the Year of Science and @ @ @ @ @ says .
Putin announced his plans to declare 2021 to be the Year of Science @ @ @ @ @ meeting of the Lomonosov Moscow State University ’ s supervisory board on Thursday , December @ @

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin declared 2021 to be the Year of Science and Technology, according to a presidential decree, published on Russia’s official web portal of legislative acts on Friday
The document says the move aims to promote "further development of science and technologies in the Russian Federaiton."
The head of state tasked his administration with setting up an organizational committee for the Year of Science and Technology, appointing Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko and Presidential Aide Andrei Fursenko as its co-chairs.
"The Russian government should draft and approve the plan of main events within the framework of the Year of Science and Technology," the degree says.
Putin announced his plans to declare 2021 to be the Year of Science and Technology while attending a meeting of the Lomonosov Moscow State University’s supervisory board on Thursday, December 24.


tass--2020-12-25--Moscow court rules Syrian man be arrested for abducting Russian girl, taking her to Aleppo

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow ’ s district court has ruled to arrest in absentia Syrian national @ @ @ @ @ abducting a 12-year-old Russian girl and for illegally taking her to Syria , the court @ @ @ @ @ TASS on Friday .
`` The court rules to select a preventive measure for A.
@ @ @ @ @ accused under Part 2 Article 126 ( intentional abduction of a minor ) , in @ @ @ @ @ custody since the date of his detention or extradition to the Russian Federation , '' @ @ @ @ @ was earlier reported that the abducted girl is an orphan from Moscow , who lost @ @ @ @ @ Jallul , a friend of her mother ’ s , claimed custody of the child @ @ @ @ @ and took the girl to Syria in 2010 , saying she would be brought up @ @ @ @ @ , the girl was seen panhandling in the city of Aleppo .
Then , her @ @ @ @ @ and an abduction case was opened .

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. Moscow’s district court has ruled to arrest in absentia Syrian national, Abdullah Jallul, for abducting a 12-year-old Russian girl and for illegally taking her to Syria, the court’s press service told TASS on Friday.
"The court rules to select a preventive measure for A. P. Jallul, who is accused under Part 2 Article 126 (intentional abduction of a minor), in the form of a two-month custody since the date of his detention or extradition to the Russian Federation," the spokesperson said.
It was earlier reported that the abducted girl is an orphan from Moscow, who lost both parents in 2006. Jallul, a friend of her mother’s, claimed custody of the child. He formalized parental rights and took the girl to Syria in 2010, saying she would be brought up there. Some time later, the girl was seen panhandling in the city of Aleppo.
Then, her grandmother reported to the police and an abduction case was opened.


tass--2020-12-25--Pashinyan invites Armenian political forces to consultations on 2021 snap elections

YEREVAN , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan invited Armenian political forces to take part in consultations @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I invite the parliamentary and interested foreign parliamentary forces to hold extraordinary parliamentary @ @ @ @ @ the prime minister said on Facebook .
The prime minister stated that the opposition ’ @ @ @ @ @ resigned was not supported by the people .
According to Pashinyan , the opposition was @ @ @ @ @ government did not use force to retain power .
Protests demanding Pashinyan ’ s resignation @ @ @ @ @ for over a month already .
The opposition claims that the November 9 trilateral ceasefire @ @ @ @ @ capitulation .
His opponents also blame Pashinyan for the economic and social troubles in the @ @ @ @ @ turmoil , Armenian President Armen Sarkissian called for snap elections as preceded by delegating power @ @ @ @ @ Pashinyan refused to resign , arguing that any change of government must take place via @ @ @ @ @ proponents have already said they do not rule out snap elections .

YEREVAN, December 25. /TASS/. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan invited Armenian political forces to take part in consultations on 2021 snap parliamentary elections.
"I invite the parliamentary and interested foreign parliamentary forces to hold extraordinary parliamentary elections in 2021," the prime minister said on Facebook.
The prime minister stated that the opposition’s move to have him resigned was not supported by the people. According to Pashinyan, the opposition was free to act as the government did not use force to retain power.
Protests demanding Pashinyan’s resignation have been ongoing in Armenia for over a month already. The opposition claims that the November 9 trilateral ceasefire agreement on Nagorno-Karabakh was a capitulation. His opponents also blame Pashinyan for the economic and social troubles in the republic.
Amid the ongoing turmoil, Armenian President Armen Sarkissian called for snap elections as preceded by delegating power to an interim government. Pashinyan refused to resign, arguing that any change of government must take place via elections. Some of his proponents have already said they do not rule out snap elections.


tass--2020-12-25--Vostok Oil project to ensure shipment of 100 mln tonnes of goods along Northern Sea Route

KRASNOYARSK , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
Achievement of full capacity by Vostok Oil project of the Russian oil major Rosneft will provide annual load of 100 mln tonnes of goods along the Northern Sea Route , Governor of the Krasnoyarsk Region Alexander Uss told TASS in an interview .
`` When reaching full capacity by 2030 , Vostok Oil will generally provide for annual capacity of up to 100 mln tonnes of goods along the Northern Sea Route .
This does not refer to oil alone but also to coal and metals , '' the governor said .
Feedstock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either westward or eastward , Uss said .
The Northern Sea Route is a global transport artery changing the way logistics is operating in Eurasia and opening `` a historical window of opportunities '' for the Krasnoyarsk Region , the official noted .
Rosneft is currently engaged in the implementation of the large-scale Vostok Oil project bringing together already tapped fields of the Vankor Group and greenfields in the north of the Krasnoyarsk Region .
The first phase will provide oil production of 30 mln tonnes in 2024 and the second one up @ @ @ @ @ @ @

KRASNOYARSK, December 25. /TASS/. Achievement of full capacity by Vostok Oil project of the Russian oil major Rosneft will provide annual load of 100 mln tonnes of goods along the Northern Sea Route, Governor of the Krasnoyarsk Region Alexander Uss told TASS in an interview.
"When reaching full capacity by 2030, Vostok Oil will generally provide for annual capacity of up to 100 mln tonnes of goods along the Northern Sea Route. This does not refer to oil alone but also to coal and metals," the governor said.
Feedstock from fields and deposits will be directed either westward or eastward, Uss said. The Northern Sea Route is a global transport artery changing the way logistics is operating in Eurasia and opening "a historical window of opportunities" for the Krasnoyarsk Region, the official noted.
Rosneft is currently engaged in the implementation of the large-scale Vostok Oil project bringing together already tapped fields of the Vankor Group and greenfields in the north of the Krasnoyarsk Region. The first phase will provide oil production of 30 mln tonnes in 2024 and the second one up to 100 mln tonnes in 2030.


tass--2020-12-25--Over 100,000 requests for Sputnik V shots submitted in Argentina in 24 hours

BUENOS AIRES , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
Over 100,000 residents of the largest Argentine province of Buenos Aires have applied for inoculation against the coronavirus with the Russian Sputnik V preparation over the past 24 hours , the Telam news agency reported on Friday .
On Thursday , the first batch of the Sputnik V vaccine arrived in Argentina numbering 300,000 doses .
The Buenos Aires Province will receive 123,000 doses .
Requests for vaccination were submitted on a website launched on Thursday by the Buenos Aires Health Ministry .
During the first phase the preference will be given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , people over 60 , as well as to healthcare workers , law enforcement officers and teachers .
According to the Health Ministry , the province will set up 313 vaccination stations which should open on December 28 .
According to Telam , Governor of Buenos Aires Province Axel Kicillof will be among the first ones in the region to get inoculated .
Earlier , the Russian Direct Investment Fund and the government of Argentina signed a contract for the delivery of 10 mln doses of the Sputnik V vaccine .
Argentine President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first person in his country to get inoculated with the Russian vaccine since he does not question its quality .

BUENOS AIRES, December 25. /TASS/. Over 100,000 residents of the largest Argentine province of Buenos Aires have applied for inoculation against the coronavirus with the Russian Sputnik V preparation over the past 24 hours, the Telam news agency reported on Friday.
On Thursday, the first batch of the Sputnik V vaccine arrived in Argentina numbering 300,000 doses. The Buenos Aires Province will receive 123,000 doses.
Requests for vaccination were submitted on a website launched on Thursday by the Buenos Aires Health Ministry. During the first phase the preference will be given to individuals aged 18-59 with chronic conditions, people over 60, as well as to healthcare workers, law enforcement officers and teachers.
According to the Health Ministry, the province will set up 313 vaccination stations which should open on December 28. According to Telam, Governor of Buenos Aires Province Axel Kicillof will be among the first ones in the region to get inoculated.
Earlier, the Russian Direct Investment Fund and the government of Argentina signed a contract for the delivery of 10 mln doses of the Sputnik V vaccine. Argentine President Alberto Fernandez stated that he will be the first person in his country to get inoculated with the Russian vaccine since he does not question its quality.


tass--2020-12-25--Upper house classifies personal information about police, security officers

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Federation Council ( parliament 's upper house ) passed a law that makes it possible to classify personal information ( including information on property ) of judges , prosecutors , staff of the Investigative Committee and the Federal Security Service , as well as certain categories of the military even without a direct threat to their security .
The authors of the bill point out that currently such a measure can be applied in case of threat to the life or health of an official due to their professional activity .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the information on private life of law enforcement and watchdog employees and military officers is `` illegally published '' online more and more often , which `` negatively affects the implementation of their duties . ''
`` It has been proposed to establish the possibility to introduce the ban on providing information to third persons about protected people upon the decision of the security agency regardless of presence of a direct danger to their security , with the exception of consent of the protected person , pre-investigative inspection in a criminal case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the attached memo reads .
The bill amends the law `` on state protection of judges , law enforcement and watchdog officials . ''
According to this law , protection measures apply to judges , prosecutors , investigators as well as staff of the Federal Security Service , the Investigative Committee and the police who maintain public order and carry out judicial rulings and sentences .
This list also includes servicemen of the Ministry of the Interior ’ s internal forces , military police , National Guard , Armed Forces servicemen directly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intelligence officers involved in special operations and penitentiary system employees .
Besides , the state protection covers the relatives of the abovementioned categories of people .
At the same time , the bill amends the law on police activities , classifying information contained in investigation queries to citizens and organizations .
The exception is made for the information published during an open court proceeding , expressed in complaints against bodies carrying out investigative activities , as well as made public by the authorities .

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. Russian Federation Council (parliament's upper house) passed a law that makes it possible to classify personal information (including information on property) of judges, prosecutors, staff of the Investigative Committee and the Federal Security Service, as well as certain categories of the military even without a direct threat to their security.
The authors of the bill point out that currently such a measure can be applied in case of threat to the life or health of an official due to their professional activity. At the same time, according to them, the information on private life of law enforcement and watchdog employees and military officers is "illegally published" online more and more often, which "negatively affects the implementation of their duties."
"It has been proposed to establish the possibility to introduce the ban on providing information to third persons about protected people upon the decision of the security agency regardless of presence of a direct danger to their security, with the exception of consent of the protected person, pre-investigative inspection in a criminal case and implementation of the anti-corruption legislation," the attached memo reads.
The bill amends the law "on state protection of judges, law enforcement and watchdog officials." According to this law, protection measures apply to judges, prosecutors, investigators as well as staff of the Federal Security Service, the Investigative Committee and the police who maintain public order and carry out judicial rulings and sentences. This list also includes servicemen of the Ministry of the Interior’s internal forces, military police, National Guard, Armed Forces servicemen directly engaged in fighting terrorism, foreign military intelligence officers involved in special operations and penitentiary system employees. Besides, the state protection covers the relatives of the abovementioned categories of people.
At the same time, the bill amends the law on police activities, classifying information contained in investigation queries to citizens and organizations. The exception is made for the information published during an open court proceeding, expressed in complaints against bodies carrying out investigative activities, as well as made public by the authorities.


tass--2020-12-25--Moscow, Brussels resume direct charter flights

BRUSSELS , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
A direct charter flight from Moscow to Brussels operated by the Russian air carrier Aeroflot , the first one since spring of this year , arrived at the Belgian capital on Friday , TASS reports from Zaventem international airport .
The Russian airline is authorized to make flights until the end of March 2021 .
`` Flights of the Russian air carrier Aeroflot en route Moscow - Brussels - Moscow will be made on a standing basis once per week on Friday .
The authorization for such flights from the Belgian side was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the airport ’ s press service said .
Tickets to this flight can be booked through a standard procedure on the Aeroflot ’ s website until March 26 , 2021 .
The border between Russia and Belgium remains closed and only diplomats , members of official delegations and persons having valid entry documents - residence permits or EU citizenship - can take advantage of this flight .
It is impossible to even guarantee that flights once per week will continue uninterrupted ; everything will depend on the epidemic situation and vaccination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aviation sector told TASS .
`` We attach great importance to Aeroflot ’ s decision to resume direct flights between Moscow and Brussels , which will be made once per week at the initial stage , '' the Russian embassy in Belgium told TASS .
`` Direct flights will certainly facilitate normalization of bilateral interaction on different tracks and will help those in need of direct air service for an objective reason , '' the embassy added .

BRUSSELS, December 25. /TASS/. A direct charter flight from Moscow to Brussels operated by the Russian air carrier Aeroflot, the first one since spring of this year, arrived at the Belgian capital on Friday, TASS reports from Zaventem international airport. The Russian airline is authorized to make flights until the end of March 2021.
"Flights of the Russian air carrier Aeroflot en route Moscow - Brussels - Moscow will be made on a standing basis once per week on Friday. The authorization for such flights from the Belgian side was granted until the end of March 2021," the airport’s press service said.
Tickets to this flight can be booked through a standard procedure on the Aeroflot’s website until March 26, 2021.
The border between Russia and Belgium remains closed and only diplomats, members of official delegations and persons having valid entry documents - residence permits or EU citizenship - can take advantage of this flight. It is impossible to even guarantee that flights once per week will continue uninterrupted; everything will depend on the epidemic situation and vaccination efficiency, a source in the Belgian aviation sector told TASS.
"We attach great importance to Aeroflot’s decision to resume direct flights between Moscow and Brussels, which will be made once per week at the initial stage," the Russian embassy in Belgium told TASS. "Direct flights will certainly facilitate normalization of bilateral interaction on different tracks and will help those in need of direct air service for an objective reason," the embassy added.


tass--2020-12-25--Russia ranks third in the world by number of CCTV cameras

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is ranked third in the world after China and the United States by the number of video surveillance cameras installed .
According to the study by the TelecomDaily information analytical agency , there are 93 cameras per 1,000 people in Russia .
Currently , there are about 13.5 million cameras in Russia , while there are 200 million and 50 million cameras in China and the United States respectively .
In terms of the number of cameras per 1,000 people , the US ranks first ( 152.8 cameras ) , followed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 93.2 ) , the study notes .
In general , the cloud video surveillance market in the world remains one of the fastest growing IT segments .
In 2019 , its volume was $ 1.55 billion and by the end of 2020 it is expected to amount to $ 1.83 billion .
By 2024 , this market will reach $ 2.75 billion and will almost double in five years .
At the end of 2019 , in Russia , the market volume exceeded 2.76 bln rubles ( $ 37.2 mln ) , having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to preliminary forecasts , the market will earn 3.53 billion rubles ( $ 47.6 mln ) by the end of 2020 and by 2024 , revenues in this sector will soar 2.3 times , to 6.36 billion rubles ( $ 85.7 mln ) , TelecomDaily notes .
According to forecasts for 2020 , slightly less than 90 % of revenue in this segment was generated by B2B companies .
Individuals contributed about 9 % , public sector ( B2G ) accounted for 1.4 % and B2B2C clients - for 1.1 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rostelecom is the leader in the retail market ( 86 % ) .
It is followed by the Invideon company ( 5 % ) , telecom operator MTS and MGTS ( 2 % ) and Novotelecom ( 1.5 % ) .
The rest of the companies control 5.3 % of the total .

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. Russia is ranked third in the world after China and the United States by the number of video surveillance cameras installed. According to the study by the TelecomDaily information analytical agency, there are 93 cameras per 1,000 people in Russia.
Currently, there are about 13.5 million cameras in Russia, while there are 200 million and 50 million cameras in China and the United States respectively.
In terms of the number of cameras per 1,000 people, the US ranks first (152.8 cameras), followed by China (143.6) and Russia (93.2), the study notes.
In general, the cloud video surveillance market in the world remains one of the fastest growing IT segments. In 2019, its volume was $1.55 billion and by the end of 2020 it is expected to amount to $1.83 billion. By 2024, this market will reach $2.75 billion and will almost double in five years.
Video surveillance market in Russia
At the end of 2019, in Russia, the market volume exceeded 2.76 bln rubles ($37.2 mln), having increased by one third compared to 2018. According to preliminary forecasts, the market will earn 3.53 billion rubles ($47.6 mln) by the end of 2020 and by 2024, revenues in this sector will soar 2.3 times, to 6.36 billion rubles ($85.7 mln), TelecomDaily notes.
According to forecasts for 2020, slightly less than 90% of revenue in this segment was generated by B2B companies. Individuals contributed about 9%, public sector (B2G) accounted for 1.4% and B2B2C clients - for 1.1%. Russia’s digital services provider Rostelecom is the leader in the retail market (86%). It is followed by the Invideon company (5%), telecom operator MTS and MGTS(2%) and Novotelecom (1.5%). The rest of the companies control 5.3% of the total.


tass--2020-12-25--Russian regions receive over 7,000 doses of EpiVacCorona, PM says

According to him , the release of the second Russian vaccine against the coronavirus into civilian circulation continues .
`` The regions received over 7,000 doses , accordingly , over 14,000 will be delivered by the end of the year and by February medical organizations should receive , we think , according to the assurances of our manufacturer , over 50,000 doses , '' he said .
ST. PETERSBURG , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
Russian regions have received over 7,000 doses of the EpiVacCorona vaccine against the coronavirus , by the end of the year this amount will rise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February medical organizations should receive over 50,000 doses of the preparation , Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said at a meeting with coronavirus vaccine manufacturers on Friday .
The prime minister also touched on the issue of the Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus .
`` This is a unique process which is unparalleled worldwide .
Today it is produced at four industrial sites and the fifth one is preparing for registration , '' he said .
`` The number of these sites will expand , and I am confident that this will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the preparation , '' he noted .
`` Of course , it is very important for both vaccines to iron out the entire logistic chain .
We already have a federal distribution center .
I would like to draw attention of relevant agencies that , despite the upcoming holidays , its second phase should be launched in a timely manner , '' the prime minister stressed .
According to him , this will allow to `` store many more doses of the preparation . ''
`` I would like to emphasize once again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steadily , including on holidays , observing all the necessary requirements , '' he pointed out .

According to him, the release of the second Russian vaccine against the coronavirus into civilian circulation continues. "The regions received over 7,000 doses, accordingly, over 14,000 will be delivered by the end of the year and by February medical organizations should receive, we think, according to the assurances of our manufacturer, over 50,000 doses," he said.
ST. PETERSBURG, December 25. /TASS/. Russian regions have received over 7,000 doses of the EpiVacCorona vaccine against the coronavirus, by the end of the year this amount will rise to over 14,000 doses, and by February medical organizations should receive over 50,000 doses of the preparation, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said at a meeting with coronavirus vaccine manufacturers on Friday.
The prime minister also touched on the issue of the Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus. "This is a unique process which is unparalleled worldwide. Today it is produced at four industrial sites and the fifth one is preparing for registration," he said. "The number of these sites will expand, and I am confident that this will allow us to increase production volumes of the preparation," he noted.
"Of course, it is very important for both vaccines to iron out the entire logistic chain. We already have a federal distribution center. I would like to draw attention of relevant agencies that, despite the upcoming holidays, its second phase should be launched in a timely manner," the prime minister stressed. According to him, this will allow to "store many more doses of the preparation."
"I would like to emphasize once again that inoculation should be uninterrupted, increasing steadily, including on holidays, observing all the necessary requirements," he pointed out.


tass--2020-12-25--Azerbaijan’s Aliyev demobilizes reservists drafted during Karabakh war

BAKU , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
Azerbaijan ’ s President Ilham Aliyev on December 25 declared gradual demobilization of @ @ @ @ @ hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh .
The resolution was published on the presidential website on Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ 2020 - April 15 , 2021 the reservists mobilized on the basis of the presidential @ @ @ @ @ 2020 are to be demobilized , '' the resolution runs .
Baku and Yerevan have @ @ @ @ @ February 1988 , when the district declared its secession from the Azerbaijani Soviet Socialist Republic @ @ @ @ @ tensions in the region occurred on September 27 .
Intensive hostilities followed .
On November @ @ @ @ @ Russia , Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a joint statement on the complete cessation of hostilities @ @ @ @ @ and Armenian forces stopped at the positions they were holding at that moment .
A @ @ @ @ @ over to Baku .
Russian peacekeepers were deployed along the engagement line and the Lachin @ @

BAKU, December 25. /TASS/. Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev on December 25 declared gradual demobilization of reservists drafted during the recent hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh. The resolution was published on the presidential website on Friday.
"On December 25, 2020 - April 15, 2021 the reservists mobilized on the basis of the presidential resolution of September 28, 2020 are to be demobilized," the resolution runs.
Baku and Yerevan have disputed sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh since February 1988, when the district declared its secession from the Azerbaijani Soviet Socialist Republic. The latest aggravation of tensions in the region occurred on September 27. Intensive hostilities followed.
On November 9, the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a joint statement on the complete cessation of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Azerbaijani and Armenian forces stopped at the positions they were holding at that moment. A number of districts were handed over to Baku. Russian peacekeepers were deployed along the engagement line and the Lachin corridor.


tass--2020-12-25--Ethiopian government interested in obtaining Sputnik V vaccine, Russian Embassy says

PRETORIA , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
Ethiopian government has displayed interest in obtaining the Russian Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus , a representative of the Russian Embassy in Ethiopia told TASS on Friday .
`` Ethiopian authorities have complete information on the Russian Sputnik V vaccine and several times expressed the desire to obtain it , '' the diplomat said .
`` Several relevant documents were sent to the government , and now the Ethiopian side is studying them , '' he added .
Meanwhile , Ethiopian Health Minister Lia Tadesse stated that the government is preparing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country ’ s residents in the near future .
`` Currently the government is taking steps to gain access to the recently issued vaccines against COVID-19 .
We hope that efforts being applied now will allow to begin mass vaccination in the near future , '' the Fana TV channel quoted her as saying on Friday .
Ethiopia is in the second place in sub-Saharan Africa after South Africa by the number of the coronavirus infections and deaths caused by this virus - 120,638 and 1,864 , respectively .
The population of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it second in the continent after Nigeria .

PRETORIA, December 25. /TASS/. Ethiopian government has displayed interest in obtaining the Russian Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus, a representative of the Russian Embassy in Ethiopia told TASS on Friday.
"Ethiopian authorities have complete information on the Russian Sputnik V vaccine and several times expressed the desire to obtain it," the diplomat said. "Several relevant documents were sent to the government, and now the Ethiopian side is studying them," he added.
Meanwhile, Ethiopian Health Minister Lia Tadesse stated that the government is preparing to inoculate against the coronavirus 20% of the country’s residents in the near future. "Currently the government is taking steps to gain access to the recently issued vaccines against COVID-19. We hope that efforts being applied now will allow to begin mass vaccination in the near future," the Fana TV channel quoted her as saying on Friday.
Ethiopia is in the second place in sub-Saharan Africa after South Africa by the number of the coronavirus infections and deaths caused by this virus - 120,638 and 1,864, respectively. The population of Ethiopia surpasses 100 mln people, placing it second in the continent after Nigeria.


tass--2020-12-25--First batch-produced Su-57 to be used for testing hypersonic weapons

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
The first batch-produced fighter Sukhoi Su-57 will be used for testing hypersonic air-launched weapons at the flight test center in Akhtubinsk , a source in the defense-industrial complex told TASS on Friday .
Russia to roll out Su-57 fifth-generation fighter with 2nd-stage engine in 2022 '' The first serially produced Su-57 was delivered to the Akhtubinsk center at the end of November .
It will be used for testing the newest air-launched hypersonic means of attack , '' the source said .
A number of fundamentally new air-launched attack weapons is being developed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only MiG-31K fighters stationed in the Southern Military District are capable of carrying hypersonic missiles Kinzhal .
Earlier , a source told TASS that the first serial multirole fifth-generation fighter jet Su-57 was delivered to an air regiment in the Southern Military District .
Another four such planes will be provided in 2021 .
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told the Defense Ministry ’ s board meeting earlier this month that 22 Su-57 jets would be provided for the Russian armed forces by the end of 2024 .
Under a contract signed in 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be supplied by the end of 2028 .
Starting from 2022 the Su-57 jets will be equipped with second stage engines .

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. The first batch-produced fighter Sukhoi Su-57 will be used for testing hypersonic air-launched weapons at the flight test center in Akhtubinsk, a source in the defense-industrial complex told TASS on Friday.
"The first serially produced Su-57 was delivered to the Akhtubinsk center at the end of November. It will be used for testing the newest air-launched hypersonic means of attack," the source said.
A number of fundamentally new air-launched attack weapons is being developed by the Tactical Missiles Corporation.
Currently only MiG-31K fighters stationed in the Southern Military District are capable of carrying hypersonic missiles Kinzhal.
Earlier, a source told TASS that the first serial multirole fifth-generation fighter jet Su-57 was delivered to an air regiment in the Southern Military District. Another four such planes will be provided in 2021.
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told the Defense Ministry’s board meeting earlier this month that 22 Su-57 jets would be provided for the Russian armed forces by the end of 2024. Under a contract signed in 2019 a total of 76 Su-57 jets are to be supplied by the end of 2028. Starting from 2022 the Su-57 jets will be equipped with second stage engines.


tass--2020-12-25--Volume of sales at Hainan duty free stores in 2020 exceeded $ 4.82 bln

HAIKOU , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
The total volume of goods sold in 2020 by Hainan 's duty free shops has already exceeded 31.58 billion yuan ( about $ 4.82 billion ) .
The figure is expected to exceed 32 billion yuan ( roughly $ 4.89 billion ) by the end of the year , Xinhua reported citing the provincial commerce department .
According to the authorities , most of the goods were sold in the second half of 2020 : from early July to December 24 , sales at Hainan duty free zones amounted to 22.45 billion yuan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which amounts to 71 % of the total for 2020 .
Since the beginning of the year , more than 10.83 million people have visited Hainan duty free stores , having purchased about 19 million goods , which is 130 % higher than in 2019 .
`` Duty free stores in the Hainan offshore zone have boosted the local tourism industry , creating 1,802 jobs on the island , paying 2.09 billion yuan in taxes , '' said Liu Xiaodong , general manager of China Duty Free Group 's Hainan division .
Since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shopping in duty free shops in the Hainan province were increased from 30,000 to 100,000 yuan ( from $ 4,580 to $ 15,260 at the current exchange rate ) , as well as the list of goods was expanded from 38 to 45 positions .
There are currently four duty free shops on Hainan province : two of them are located in the provincial capital , Haikou , and the rest in Sanya and the coastal town of Boao in Qionghai District in the northeast of the island .
By the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three more new duty free stores , all of them will be located in Sanya .
One will open at the airport and the other two — in the suburbs .

HAIKOU, December 25. /TASS/. The total volume of goods sold in 2020 by Hainan's duty free shops has already exceeded 31.58 billion yuan (about $ 4.82 billion). The figure is expected to exceed 32 billion yuan (roughly $ 4.89 billion) by the end of the year, Xinhua reported citing the provincial commerce department.
According to the authorities, most of the goods were sold in the second half of 2020: from early July to December 24, sales at Hainan duty free zones amounted to 22.45 billion yuan (about $ 3.43 billion), which amounts to 71% of the total for 2020.
Since the beginning of the year, more than 10.83 million people have visited Hainan duty free stores, having purchased about 19 million goods, which is 130% higher than in 2019.
"Duty free stores in the Hainan offshore zone have boosted the local tourism industry, creating 1,802 jobs on the island, paying 2.09 billion yuan in taxes," said Liu Xiaodong, general manager of China Duty Free Group's Hainan division.
Since July 1, the personal quotas for shopping in duty free shops in the Hainan province were increased from 30,000 to 100,000 yuan (from $ 4,580 to $ 15,260 at the current exchange rate), as well as the list of goods was expanded from 38 to 45 positions.
There are currently four duty free shops on Hainan province: two of them are located in the provincial capital, Haikou, and the rest in Sanya and the coastal town of Boao in Qionghai District in the northeast of the island. By the end of 2020, it is planned to open three more new duty free stores, all of them will be located in Sanya. One will open at the airport and the other two — in the suburbs.


tass--2020-12-25--Moscow baffled by Israel’s oversensitive reaction to Russian envoy’s interview

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
The remarks of Russian Ambassador in Tel Aviv Anatoly Viktorov in an interview with The Jerusalem Post are perfectly in line with Russia ’ s well-known position on Middle Eastern issues , Spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said in a statement Friday .
`` We are confused by the overly sensitive reaction to the issues touched upon in the interview of our ambassadors to Israel .
The position presented in it has been repeatedly communicated to Israeli colleagues on various levels .
All statements by the Russian ambassador quoted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s well-known position on the Middle East , '' she underlined .
The diplomat highlighted the fact that Moscow views normalization of ties between Israel and its Arab neighbors as an opportunity to set up new channels of civilized conversation based on international law and is coming from the premise that confrontation and refusal to engage in constructive dialogue only further complicate the efforts to look for compromises to achieve settlement of the Israeli-Arab conflict .
At the same time , according to Zakharova , Russia has always underlined that the issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Middle East because without settling it it is impossible to ensure a long-lasting and steady stabilization in the region .
`` For our part , we are ready to provide every support possible in attaining this goal as a permanent member of the UN Security Council , member of the Middle Eastern Quartet of international mediators and as a state that always backs constructive relations with all countries of the region , including Israel , '' she emphasized .
At the same time , the diplomat continued , Russia has never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s airstrikes on Syria .
`` It is hard to deny that such actions further destabilize the complicated regional situation , '' she added .
`` We reaffirm our interest in continuing regular consultations with Israeli partners on issues of security and stability in the Middle East .
We highly appreciate the constructive dialogue of trust that we have .
We are committed to continue taking into account Israel ’ s security concerns in the decision-making process , as our envoy to Israel noted in the interview , '' the diplomat concluded .

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. The remarks of Russian Ambassador in Tel Aviv Anatoly Viktorov in an interview with The Jerusalem Post are perfectly in line with Russia’s well-known position on Middle Eastern issues, Spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said in a statement Friday.
"We are confused by the overly sensitive reaction to the issues touched upon in the interview of our ambassadors to Israel. The position presented in it has been repeatedly communicated to Israeli colleagues on various levels. All statements by the Russian ambassador quoted in the publication are in line with Russia’s well-known position on the Middle East," she underlined.
The diplomat highlighted the fact that Moscow views normalization of ties between Israel and its Arab neighbors as an opportunity to set up new channels of civilized conversation based on international law and is coming from the premise that confrontation and refusal to engage in constructive dialogue only further complicate the efforts to look for compromises to achieve settlement of the Israeli-Arab conflict.
At the same time, according to Zakharova, Russia has always underlined that the issue of Palestine is central for ensuring peace in the Middle East because without settling it it is impossible to ensure a long-lasting and steady stabilization in the region. "For our part, we are ready to provide every support possible in attaining this goal as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, member of the Middle Eastern Quartet of international mediators and as a state that always backs constructive relations with all countries of the region, including Israel," she emphasized.
At the same time, the diplomat continued, Russia has never concealed its negative attitude to Israel’s airstrikes on Syria. "It is hard to deny that such actions further destabilize the complicated regional situation," she added.
"We reaffirm our interest in continuing regular consultations with Israeli partners on issues of security and stability in the Middle East. We highly appreciate the constructive dialogue of trust that we have. We are committed to continue taking into account Israel’s security concerns in the decision-making process, as our envoy to Israel noted in the interview," the diplomat concluded.


tass--2020-12-25--About 4,000 applications submitted to News Photo Awards. Overcoming COVID photo contest

China , India , Malaysia , Iran , Russia , Italy , Turkey , US are among the leaders in terms of the number of submitted applications .
In addition , photographs from exotic countries such as Jamaica , Nepal and Rwanda applied for the contest .
MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
Almost 4,000 applications were submitted to News Photo Awards .
Overcoming COVID photo contest organized by TASS .
The submission process is over .
Now expert council and and jury will select the best photos and determine the winners .
Renowned journalists representing the world ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Reuters , AFP , Kyodo News , ТАСС , ANSA , PA Media , NOOR , Yonhap , Anadolu и Xinhua - will select the best pieces .
`` I thank all the colleagues who sent us their images for News Photo Awards .
Overcoming COVID '' , said TASS Director General Sergei Mikhailov .
`` Vibrant emotional pictures tell the story of medical workers , volunteers all over the world and their heroism , of people fighting for their lives and joining efforts in their strive for victory over the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the most difficult and responsible stage : international jury will have to select the best pictures .
This will not be an easy choice , I am sure , however , that they will succeed '' .
There are two nominations under the following categories : one for Single Photo and the other for Picture Series .
The winners in each category will get a monetary award of $ 3,000 .
The jury will also pick the best snapshot out of all those submitted , and that one will be awarded the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this winning picture will receive $ 10,000 .
The winners will be announced on March 11 , 2021 - the anniversary of the announcement of the coronavirus pandemic by the World Health Organization .
You can learn more about the rules of the News Photo Awards .
Overcoming Covid on the website : npacontest.com .

China, India, Malaysia, Iran, Russia, Italy, Turkey, US are among the leaders in terms of the number of submitted applications. In addition, photographs from exotic countries such as Jamaica, Nepal and Rwanda applied for the contest.
MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. Almost 4,000 applications were submitted to News Photo Awards. Overcoming COVID photo contest organized by TASS. The submission process is over. Now expert council and and jury will select the best photos and determine the winners. Renowned journalists representing the world’s leading media outlets - Associated Press, Reuters, AFP, Kyodo News, ТАСС, ANSA, PA Media, NOOR, Yonhap, Anadolu и Xinhua - will select the best pieces.
"I thank all the colleagues who sent us their images for News Photo Awards. Overcoming COVID", said TASS Director General Sergei Mikhailov. "Vibrant emotional pictures tell the story of medical workers, volunteers all over the world and their heroism, of people fighting for their lives and joining efforts in their strive for victory over the COVID-19 pandemic. Now it’s time for the most difficult and responsible stage: international jury will have to select the best pictures. This will not be an easy choice, I am sure, however, that they will succeed".
There are two nominations under the following categories: one for Single Photo and the other for Picture Series. The winners in each category will get a monetary award of $3,000. The jury will also pick the best snapshot out of all those submitted, and that one will be awarded the Grand Prize. The one who took this winning picture will receive $10,000. The winners will be announced on March 11, 2021 - the anniversary of the announcement of the coronavirus pandemic by the World Health Organization.
You can learn more about the rules of the News Photo Awards. Overcoming Covid on the website: npacontest.com.


tass--2020-12-25--Russian PM urges to collaborate with foreign colleagues on Russian coronavirus vaccines

ST. PETERSBURG , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has called to continue transfer of technologies @ @ @ @ @ vaccines abroad as well as set up collaborations with foreign colleagues .
`` Russian vaccines @ @ @ @ @ other countries in the world .
It is important to continue transferring Russian technologies to @ @ @ @ @ he said at a meeting with producers of the coronavirus vaccines .
`` Of course @ @ @ @ @ to just share our competences , we need to particularly receive feedback from foreign colleagues @ @ @ @ @ This work in underway today literally online , '' he noted .
Moreover , the @ @ @ @ @ up production capabilities .
`` We need to particularly expand production by putting in joint @ @ @ @ @ will discuss how this work is going ahead , '' he pointed out .

ST. PETERSBURG, December 25. /TASS/. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has called to continue transfer of technologies for production of Russian coronavirus vaccines abroad as well as set up collaborations with foreign colleagues.
"Russian vaccines are now in demand in other countries in the world. It is important to continue transferring Russian technologies to foreign production sites," he said at a meeting with producers of the coronavirus vaccines.
"Of course, it is not enough to just share our competences, we need to particularly receive feedback from foreign colleagues and organize relevant collaborations. This work in underway today literally online," he noted.
Moreover, the prime minister urged to ramp up production capabilities. "We need to particularly expand production by putting in joint effort. Today, we will discuss how this work is going ahead," he pointed out.


tass--2020-12-25--Russia donates 2 mln Swiss francs to ICRC to address humanitarian needs in Karabakh

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
Russia has made a contribution of two million Swiss francs ( $ 2.25mln ) to the International Committee of the Red Cross ( ICRC ) to tackle humanitarian issues in Nagorno-Karabakh .
Russia ’ s task in Karabakh is to restore peace as soon as possible — Emergencies Ministry '' In accordance with the decision of the government of the Russian Federation , a voluntary contribution worth two million Swiss francs was made to the ICRC to finance the costs related to the measures taken to offset the humanitarian impact of the Nagorno-Karabakh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement on Friday .
The Russian Foreign Ministry pointed out that the field was one of the priorities in `` fruitful cooperation of the Russian Federation with the ICRC . ''
`` Our country is taking extensive efforts to help the civilian population and to restore civilian infrastructure in the region , '' the ministry said adding that Moscow is open to cooperation with the ICRC in the future and hopes that the committee ’ s efficient work will be continued .
On November 24 , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rossiya-24 channel that during ICRC President Peter Maurer ’ s visit to Moscow Russian President Vladimir Putin supported the proposal to earmark a voluntary contribution for the IRCR efforts in Nagorno-Karabakh .

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. Russia has made a contribution of two million Swiss francs ($2.25mln) to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to tackle humanitarian issues in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Russia’s task in Karabakh is to restore peace as soon as possible — Emergencies Ministry
"In accordance with the decision of the government of the Russian Federation, a voluntary contribution worth two million Swiss francs was made to the ICRC to finance the costs related to the measures taken to offset the humanitarian impact of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday.
The Russian Foreign Ministry pointed out that the field was one of the priorities in "fruitful cooperation of the Russian Federation with the ICRC."
"Our country is taking extensive efforts to help the civilian population and to restore civilian infrastructure in the region," the ministry said adding that Moscow is open to cooperation with the ICRC in the future and hopes that the committee’s efficient work will be continued.
On November 24, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in a televised interview with Rossiya-24 channel that during ICRC President Peter Maurer’s visit to Moscow Russian President Vladimir Putin supported the proposal to earmark a voluntary contribution for the IRCR efforts in Nagorno-Karabakh.


tass--2020-12-25--Vice premier of China's State Council urges to further Hainan's development

HAIKOU , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
Vice Premier of the Chinese State Council Han Zheng called for deeper implementation of measures to develop the region at a plenary meeting of the steering group for promoting Hainan 's reform and openness , reported Xinhua .
`` We must get into the rhythm of gradual advancement [ of reforms ] and help make even more progress in the construction of Hainan 's free trade port , '' Han Zheng said .
He also stressed the need to `` pay close attention to leading industries and key functional platforms , boost the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Hainan 's economy . ''
According to the Vice Premier of the State Council of the People 's Republic of China , the construction of the free trade port has begun successfully , and the political and institutional base is being created in the province at an accelerated pace .
The official added that the region 's authorities need to continue to work on developing the free port 's infrastructure , improving the island 's ecological environment , liberalizing the region 's economy and introducing a new duty free trade policy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fourteenth five-year plan ( 2021-2025 — TASS ) to deepen Hainan 's reforms and openness comprehensively , '' concluded the official .
On June 1 , the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and the State Council published the General Development Program for Hainan 's Free Trade Port , according to which an effective mechanism to stimulate sustainable and long-term growth should be finally formed in Hainan by 2025 .
It is expected that thanks to new methods , many of which are being introduced in China for the first time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number of key socio-economic tasks necessary to form a powerful financial and economic center in the country ’ s south .
It is assumed that by 2035 both the economic and innovative potential of this region will be maximized , and it will become one of the most attractive places for international investors .

HAIKOU, December 25. /TASS/. Vice Premier of the Chinese State Council Han Zheng called for deeper implementation of measures to develop the region at a plenary meeting of the steering group for promoting Hainan's reform and openness, reported Xinhua.
"We must get into the rhythm of gradual advancement [of reforms] and help make even more progress in the construction of Hainan's free trade port," Han Zheng said. He also stressed the need to "pay close attention to leading industries and key functional platforms, boost the real economy and promote the quality development of Hainan's economy."
According to the Vice Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, the construction of the free trade port has begun successfully, and the political and institutional base is being created in the province at an accelerated pace. The official added that the region's authorities need to continue to work on developing the free port's infrastructure, improving the island's ecological environment, liberalizing the region's economy and introducing a new duty free trade policy. "We need to immediately draft a fourteenth five-year plan (2021-2025 — TASS) to deepen Hainan's reforms and openness comprehensively," concluded the official.
On June 1, the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and the State Council published the General Development Program for Hainan's Free Trade Port, according to which an effective mechanism to stimulate sustainable and long-term growth should be finally formed in Hainan by 2025. It is expected that thanks to new methods, many of which are being introduced in China for the first time, the province will be able to fulfill a number of key socio-economic tasks necessary to form a powerful financial and economic center in the country’s south. It is assumed that by 2035 both the economic and innovative potential of this region will be maximized, and it will become one of the most attractive places for international investors.


tass--2020-12-25--Number of Hainan's market participants exceeded 1.15 mln in November

HAIKOU , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
The total number of Hainan 's market participants at the end of November 2020 exceeded 1.156 million .
According to the `` Hainan Daily '' , about 427,000 od those are enterprises , about 730,000 — individual entrepreneurs .
As the newspaper writes , from January to November 2020 , more than 280,000 new market entities appeared on the island , which is 23.2 % higher compared to the same period last year .
The biggest growth was recorded in such industries as IT and Internet , financial services , pharmaceutical industry .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ new participants were registered on the provincial market , which is 9 % higher in annual terms .
Over the recent years , the Hainan authorities have made active efforts to boost local business climate .
The publication of the development program for the province 's free trade port on June 1 gave a new impetus to those efforts .
According to this document , Hainan will be turned into a special customs zone .
The Chinese government expects to complete the creation of the free port in the province by 2025 : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensuring free trade and investment should be built on the island .
By 2035 , it is planned to ensure freedom of trade and investment , cross-border movement of capital , people , and freight traffic on Hainan .

HAIKOU, December 25. /TASS/. The total number of Hainan's market participants at the end of November 2020 exceeded 1.156 million. According to the "Hainan Daily", about 427,000 od those are enterprises, about 730,000 — individual entrepreneurs.
As the newspaper writes, from January to November 2020, more than 280,000 new market entities appeared on the island, which is 23.2% higher compared to the same period last year. The biggest growth was recorded in such industries as IT and Internet, financial services, pharmaceutical industry.
In November alone, more than 31,100 new participants were registered on the provincial market, which is 9% higher in annual terms.
Over the recent years, the Hainan authorities have made active efforts to boost local business climate. The publication of the development program for the province's free trade port on June 1 gave a new impetus to those efforts . According to this document, Hainan will be turned into a special customs zone. The Chinese government expects to complete the creation of the free port in the province by 2025: by this time, a system for ensuring free trade and investment should be built on the island.
By 2035, it is planned to ensure freedom of trade and investment, cross-border movement of capital, people, and freight traffic on Hainan.


tass--2020-12-25--Hainan invested in 19 key projects worth $10.16 bln in January-November

HAIKOU , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
The Hainan authorities invested 66.4 billion yuan ( about $ 10.16 billion ) in 19 key projects in the first 11 months of 2020 promoting the construction of Hainan 's free trade port , announced the Provincial Development and Reform Committee .
According to the authorities , 12 projects have already been implemented , the rest are at the completion stage .
Among the key initiatives in which investments have been made are the development of the Lingshui deep-water gas field , which is expected to be commissioned in 2021 , the project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provincial capital Haikou , investments in the research activities of a hospital in Boao in the east of the island , etc .
In October 2020 , the Hainan Development and Reform Committee unveiled an investment plan for key island projects for 2021 which includes investments in the development of tourism , the high-tech industry , high-quality services and a number of other areas .
On June 1 , the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and the State Council published a program to create a free trade port on Hainan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , tasks and measures that the country 's leadership sets in the development of this region .
According to the government 's instructions , China will turn the entire island into a special customs zone .
According to the program , the Chinese authorities plan to generally complete the creation of Hainan 's free port in 2025 .
By this time , a system for ensuring free trade and investment should be built on the island .
By 2035 , the authorities plan to ensure freedom of trade and investment , cross-border movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traffic across the island .

HAIKOU, December 25. /TASS/. The Hainan authorities invested 66.4 billion yuan (about $ 10.16 billion) in 19 key projects in the first 11 months of 2020 promoting the construction of Hainan's free trade port, announced the Provincial Development and Reform Committee.
According to the authorities, 12 projects have already been implemented, the rest are at the completion stage. Among the key initiatives in which investments have been made are the development of the Lingshui deep-water gas field, which is expected to be commissioned in 2021, the project to expand Meilan International Airport in the provincial capital Haikou, investments in the research activities of a hospital in Boao in the east of the island, etc.
In October 2020, the Hainan Development and Reform Committee unveiled an investment plan for key island projects for 2021 which includes investments in the development of tourism, the high-tech industry, high-quality services and a number of other areas.
On June 1, the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and the State Council published a program to create a free trade port on Hainan. The document provides for several dozen targets, tasks and measures that the country's leadership sets in the development of this region. According to the government's instructions, China will turn the entire island into a special customs zone.
According to the program, the Chinese authorities plan to generally complete the creation of Hainan's free port in 2025. By this time, a system for ensuring free trade and investment should be built on the island. By 2035, the authorities plan to ensure freedom of trade and investment, cross-border movement of capital, people, and freight traffic across the island.


tass--2020-12-26--Top Russian, Armenian diplomats discuss Nagorno-Karabakh settlement process

MOSCOW , December 26 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Armenian counterpart Ara Ayvazyan have discussed over the phone the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement process and the implementation of the trilateral statement on Nagorno-Karabakh , the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday .
`` The parties continued to exchange views on current bilateral , regional and international issues .
Particular attention was paid to the discussion of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue in light of the implementation of the provisions of the statement signed by the leaders of Russia , Azerbaijan and Armenia on November 9 , '' the ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Vladimir Putin , Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10 .
The Russian leader said that the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides would maintain the positions that they had held , and Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the region .
After the deployment of Russian peacekeepers , the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh has stabilized .
Tens of thousands of Nagorno-Karabakh residents who had left their homes during the hostilities returned with the help of the peacekeeping @ @

MOSCOW, December 26. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Armenian counterpart Ara Ayvazyan have discussed over the phone the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement process and the implementation of the trilateral statement on Nagorno-Karabakh, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.
"The parties continued to exchange views on current bilateral, regional and international issues. Particular attention was paid to the discussion of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue in light of the implementation of the provisions of the statement signed by the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia on November 9," the ministry said.
On November 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10. The Russian leader said that the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides would maintain the positions that they had held, and Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the region.
After the deployment of Russian peacekeepers, the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh has stabilized. Tens of thousands of Nagorno-Karabakh residents who had left their homes during the hostilities returned with the help of the peacekeeping force.


tass--2020-12-26--Sputnik V vaccine more than 90% effective in people over 60, manufacturer reports

MOSCOW , December 6 .
/TASS/ .
The Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine has proved to be more than 90 % @ @ @ @ @ years of age , its manufacturer reported on Twitter on Saturday .
`` Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ Sputnik V for 60+ population following clinical trials that showed complete safety and efficacy over @ @ @ @ @ group , '' the Twitter post said .
Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko earlier told @ @ @ @ @ that the ministry had authorized the use of the Sputnik V vaccine for mass vaccination @ @ @ @ @ Russia began vaccination against COVID-19 on December 10 .
On December 14 , Murashko said @ @ @ @ @ delivered to all regions as part of the large-scale vaccination campaign .
On August 11 @ @ @ @ @ Russia became the world ’ s first coronavirus vaccine .
The vaccine was developed by @ @ @ @ @ of Epidemiology and Microbiology .

MOSCOW, December 6. /TASS/. The Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine has proved to be more than 90% effective in people over 60 years of age, its manufacturer reported on Twitter on Saturday.
"Russia’s Ministry of Health approved Sputnik V for 60+ population following clinical trials that showed complete safety and efficacy over 90% in this age group," the Twitter post said.
Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko earlier told the Rossiya 24 TV channel that the ministry had authorized the use of the Sputnik V vaccine for mass vaccination of people over 60.
Russia began vaccination against COVID-19 on December 10. On December 14, Murashko said that the vaccine had been delivered to all regions as part of the large-scale vaccination campaign.
On August 11, Sputnik V registered by Russia became the world’s first coronavirus vaccine. The vaccine was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology.


tass--2020-12-26--Four Islamic State members who plotted terror attack detained in Dagestan

MOSCOW , December 26 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Federal Security Service ( FSB ) has apprehended four members of the Islamic State terror group ( outlawed in Russia ) who were plotting a terror attack near the building of the law enforcement agencies , the FSB Public Relations Center informed TASS on Saturday .
`` The Federal Security Service , together with the Russian Interior Ministry , has thwarted preparations for a terror attack in Makhachkala , the Republic of Dagestan .
On December 25 , four members of the Islamic State international terrorist organization ’ s cell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steps that had been taken .
The group ’ s members planned to blow up an explosive device near one of the administrative buildings of the law enforcement agencies with a subsequent armed attack on employees of the Interior Ministry in the Republic of Dagestan , '' the Public Relations Center said .
Firearms and cold steel arms , large quantities of ammunition and an explosive device were found in a hideout equipped by terrorists .
A criminal case has been initiated under Part 2 of Section 205.5 of Russia ’ s Criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a terrorist organization '' ) .
According to the FSB , the terrorists ’ identities have not been made public because of the ongoing investigation .

MOSCOW, December 26. /TASS/. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has apprehended four members of the Islamic State terror group (outlawed in Russia) who were plotting a terror attack near the building of the law enforcement agencies, the FSB Public Relations Center informed TASS on Saturday.
"The Federal Security Service, together with the Russian Interior Ministry, has thwarted preparations for a terror attack in Makhachkala, the Republic of Dagestan. On December 25, four members of the Islamic State international terrorist organization’s cell were apprehended as a result of the steps that had been taken. The group’s members planned to blow up an explosive device near one of the administrative buildings of the law enforcement agencies with a subsequent armed attack on employees of the Interior Ministry in the Republic of Dagestan," the Public Relations Center said.
Firearms and cold steel arms, large quantities of ammunition and an explosive device were found in a hideout equipped by terrorists. A criminal case has been initiated under Part 2 of Section 205.5 of Russia’s Criminal Code ("Participation in the activities of a terrorist organization").
According to the FSB, the terrorists’ identities have not been made public because of the ongoing investigation.


tass--2020-12-26--Russia's coronavirus cases surpass 3 mln, crisis center reports

MOSCOW , December 26 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s coronavirus cases have exceeded 3 million .
Another 29,258 cases were confirmed in the past 24 hours , the total number of infected people has reached 3,021,964 , the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Saturday .
According to the crisis center , the growth rate has not exceeded 1 % for two days .
Russia ’ s coronavirus cases surpassed 1,000,000 on September 1 and 2,000,000 on November 19 .
The lowest daily growth rates were recorded in Tuva , the Jewish Autonomous Region ( 0.5 % ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Autonomous Region , the Magadan Region , the Karachay-Cherkess Region , the Mari El region , the Novosibirsk , Orenburg and Kemerovo regions ( 0.6 % ) .
Another 3,755 cases were confirmed in St. Petersburg , 1,615 in the Moscow Region , 501 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region , 425 in the Pskov Region and 406 in the Sverdlovsk Region .
Russia ’ s coronavirus recoveries grew by 28,185 in the past 24 hours reaching 2,426,439 .
According to the crisis center , recoveries have risen to 80.3 % .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October .
Another 5,602 patients were discharged in Moscow , 3,906 in St. Petersburg where daily recoveries exceeded the number of new cases , 1,355 in the Moscow Region , 556 in Crimea , 502 in the Khabarovsk Region and 497 in Karelia .
The number of coronavirus deaths in Russia grew by 567 in the past 24 hours compared to 563 fatalities reported a day earlier reaching 54,266 .
The conditional fatality rate stands at 1.79 % , as follows from the data provided by the crisis center .
Another 82 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Moscow , the Rostov and Krasnoyarsk regions ( 21 fatalities each ) and 20 in the Voronezh Region .
The Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod regions reported 19 deaths each .
Another 7,480 coronavirus cases were recorded in Moscow in the past 24 hours .
A total of 779,584 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the Russian capital so far .
Moscow reported 7,315 new cases a day earlier .
According to the crisis center , the growth rate stands at 1 % .
Another 5,602 patients were discharged in Moscow after treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 77 fatalities were recorded .
To date , 599,541 patients have recovered , and 10,840 people have died .
Currently , 168,203 people in Moscow continue treatment .

MOSCOW, December 26. /TASS/. Russia’s coronavirus cases have exceeded 3 million. Another 29,258 cases were confirmed in the past 24 hours, the total number of infected people has reached 3,021,964, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Saturday.
According to the crisis center, the growth rate has not exceeded 1% for two days. Russia’s coronavirus cases surpassed 1,000,000 on September 1 and 2,000,000 on November 19.
The lowest daily growth rates were recorded in Tuva, the Jewish Autonomous Region (0.5%), the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region, the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region, the Magadan Region, the Karachay-Cherkess Region, the Mari El region, the Novosibirsk, Orenburg and Kemerovo regions (0.6%).
Another 3,755 cases were confirmed in St. Petersburg, 1,615 in the Moscow Region, 501 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region, 425 in the Pskov Region and 406 in the Sverdlovsk Region.
At present, 541,299 people in Russia continue treatment.
Recoveries
Russia’s coronavirus recoveries grew by 28,185 in the past 24 hours reaching 2,426,439.
According to the crisis center, recoveries have risen to 80.3%. This is the highest figure since the beginning of October.
Another 5,602 patients were discharged in Moscow, 3,906 in St. Petersburg where daily recoveries exceeded the number of new cases, 1,355 in the Moscow Region, 556 in Crimea, 502 in the Khabarovsk Region and 497 in Karelia.
Deaths
The number of coronavirus deaths in Russia grew by 567 in the past 24 hours compared to 563 fatalities reported a day earlier reaching 54,266.
The conditional fatality rate stands at 1.79%, as follows from the data provided by the crisis center.
Another 82 deaths were recorded in St. Petersburg, 77 in Moscow, the Rostov and Krasnoyarsk regions (21 fatalities each) and 20 in the Voronezh Region. The Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod regions reported 19 deaths each.
Situation in Moscow
Another 7,480 coronavirus cases were recorded in Moscow in the past 24 hours. A total of 779,584 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the Russian capital so far.
Moscow reported 7,315 new cases a day earlier. According to the crisis center, the growth rate stands at 1%.
Another 5,602 patients were discharged in Moscow after treatment in the past 24 hours, and 77 fatalities were recorded.
To date, 599,541 patients have recovered, and 10,840 people have died. Currently, 168,203 people in Moscow continue treatment.


tass--2020-12-26--Russian Health Ministry authorizes use of Sputnik V for mass vaccination of people over 60

MOSCOW , December 26 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Health Ministry has authorized the use of the Sputnik V @ @ @ @ @ people over 60 years of age , Health Minister Mikhail Murashko told the Rossiya 24 @ @ @ @ @ `` The Health Ministry has approved the amendments to the instructions for medical use .
@ @ @ @ @ been approved for inoculating people aged 18 and over .
Thereby , citizens over 60 @ @ @ @ @ likewise be vaccinated against the new coronavirus infection , '' he said , stressing that @ @ @ @ @ all Russian regions .
Murashko also noted that the expert evaluation had proved the efficacy @ @ @ @ @ for senior citizens over 60 .
Russia began vaccination against COVID-19 on December 10 .
@ @ @ @ @ said that the vaccine had been delivered to all regions as part of the large-scale @ @ @

MOSCOW, December 26. /TASS/. Russia’s Health Ministry has authorized the use of the Sputnik V vaccine for mass vaccination of people over 60 years of age, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko told the Rossiya 24 TV channel on Saturday.
"The Health Ministry has approved the amendments to the instructions for medical use. The Sputnik V vaccine has been approved for inoculating people aged 18 and over. Thereby, citizens over 60 years of age can now likewise be vaccinated against the new coronavirus infection," he said, stressing that mass vaccination is underway in all Russian regions.
Murashko also noted that the expert evaluation had proved the efficacy and safety of the vaccine for senior citizens over 60.
Russia began vaccination against COVID-19 on December 10. On December 14, Murashko said that the vaccine had been delivered to all regions as part of the large-scale vaccination campaign.


tass--2020-12-26--Another 5,602 COVID-19 patients recover in Moscow

MOSCOW , December 26 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow ’ s coronavirus recoveries grew by 5,602 in the past 24 hours @ @ @ @ @ ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Saturday .
`` Another 5,602 coronavirus patients have @ @ @ @ @ treatment .
The total number of recoveries has risen to 599,541 , '' the crisis @ @ @ @ @ , doctors conduct special tests to confirm the absence of the disease .
All patients @ @ @ @ @ medical supervision receive the necessary recommendations .
Those patients who have recovered are offered to @ @ @ @ @ aged from 18 to 55 years who have recovered from COVID-19 and who have no @ @ @ @ @ plasma donors , provided they don ’ t have chronic diseases and test negative for @ @ @ @ @ C. People who have recovered can also become social volunteers and help those who are @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, December 26. /TASS/. Moscow’s coronavirus recoveries grew by 5,602 in the past 24 hours reaching 599,541, the city’s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Saturday.
"Another 5,602 coronavirus patients have recovered in the capital after treatment. The total number of recoveries has risen to 599,541," the crisis center said.
After treatment, doctors conduct special tests to confirm the absence of the disease. All patients who need to remain under medical supervision receive the necessary recommendations.
Those patients who have recovered are offered to become plasma donors. People aged from 18 to 55 years who have recovered from COVID-19 and who have no chronic diseases can become blood plasma donors, provided they don’t have chronic diseases and test negative for HIV, Hepatitis B and C.
People who have recovered can also become social volunteers and help those who are being treated at home.


tass--2020-12-26--Over 920,000 people visit Treatyakov art gallery in 2020, director general says

MOSCOW , December 26 .
/TASS/ .
About 927,000 people visited the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow in 2020 , given the coronavirus-related restrictions .
This is one-third of the record high figure of 2019 , the art gallery ’ s Director General Zelfira Tregulova told TASS .
The Tretyakov Gallery , just like other museums in Moscow , has suspended the reception of visitors .
The restrictions were imposed by Russia ’ s Culture Ministry from November 16 to January 15 .
Prior to that , museums also suspended reception of visitors from mid-March to mid-July .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ twelve in 2020 .
The number of visitors this year is 927,000 , which is one-third of the record high figure of 2019 - 2,836,000 , '' she said .
At the same time , the art gallery has been able to increase the audience of its online resources , Tregulova went on to say .
`` I believe we have been able to achieve significant results here , that ’ s what we always sought to do .
Nevertheless , we did not manage to do that before 2020 and before realizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to closed museum spaces .
The total audience of our online resources is 10 million people , we count by the number of page views , '' she noted .

MOSCOW, December 26. /TASS/. About 927,000 people visited the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow in 2020, given the coronavirus-related restrictions. This is one-third of the record high figure of 2019, the art gallery’s Director General Zelfira Tregulova told TASS.
The Tretyakov Gallery, just like other museums in Moscow, has suspended the reception of visitors. The restrictions were imposed by Russia’s Culture Ministry from November 16 to January 15. Prior to that, museums also suspended reception of visitors from mid-March to mid-July.
"We have worked exactly seven months out of twelve in 2020. The number of visitors this year is 927,000, which is one-third of the record high figure of 2019 - 2,836,000," she said.
At the same time, the art gallery has been able to increase the audience of its online resources, Tregulova went on to say. "I believe we have been able to achieve significant results here, that’s what we always sought to do. Nevertheless, we did not manage to do that before 2020 and before realizing the need for active online presence due to closed museum spaces. The total audience of our online resources is 10 million people, we count by the number of page views," she noted.


tass--2020-12-26--Russia-US visa war was started by Washington — Russian embassy

WASHINGTON , December 26 .
/TASS/ .
It was the United States who started a ‘ visa war ’ with Russia and imposed the practice of personal visa exchanges , the Russian embassy in Washington said on its Facebook page , commenting on US media reports about problems that US diplomatic missions are facing in Russia .
`` We would like to remind once again that the responsibility for this ‘ stalemate ’ lies entirely with the American side .
It was the United States that became the initiator of the so-called `` visa war '' , imposing the practice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Russian foreign missions receive entry permits only in conjunction with the issuance of visas for American staff , '' the embassy said .
The Russian diplomatic mission said it had taken note of the article published in the Friday electronic version of The Washington Post , `` in which , referring to sources in the U.S. State Department , the authors once again mislead their readers and seek to place all the blame for problems related to consular and visa matters on the Russian side . ''
`` The information contained in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real state of affairs , '' the Russian embassy said .
`` There were no refusals to issue visas to diplomats and other specialists employed by the US missions .
We do n't have any advantages here .
We act strictly on the basis of reciprocity .
The number of visas we issue to American officials corresponds to the number of visas received by Russian employees in the United States , '' Russian diplomats said .
According to the statement , Russia has repeatedly called on Washington `` to fully normalize our relations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` There is no need to put your brand on the wrong steer .
The ball is on the American side , '' the Russian embassy said .
According to a Washington Post article , the US Embassy in Moscow `` is understaffed and overstretched , '' and , therefore , senior diplomats have to do basic tasks like shoveling snow and handling disinfectants .
Besides , the paper reported that the US administration ’ s decision to close the US consulate in the Far Eastern Russian city of Vladivostok and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg were a result of visa issues and not linked to politics .
Former US ambassador Michael McFaul criticized the policy of the incumbent administration .
`` This is a self-inflicted wound , '' he said , commenting on the consulate closures .
`` Russia is not kicking us out .
We are unilaterally deciding we don ’ t want be there .
It ’ s a giant mistake .
I hope [ US president-elect Joseph ] Biden reverses it .
`` .

WASHINGTON, December 26. /TASS/. It was the United States who started a ‘visa war’ with Russia and imposed the practice of personal visa exchanges, the Russian embassy in Washington said on its Facebook page, commenting on US media reports about problems that US diplomatic missions are facing in Russia.
"We would like to remind once again that the responsibility for this ‘stalemate’ lies entirely with the American side. It was the United States that became the initiator of the so-called "visa war", imposing the practice of personal visa exchanges, when employees of Russian foreign missions receive entry permits only in conjunction with the issuance of visas for American staff," the embassy said.
The Russian diplomatic mission said it had taken note of the article published in the Friday electronic version of The Washington Post, "in which, referring to sources in the U.S. State Department, the authors once again mislead their readers and seek to place all the blame for problems related to consular and visa matters on the Russian side."
"The information contained in the article does not correspond to the real state of affairs," the Russian embassy said.
"There were no refusals to issue visas to diplomats and other specialists employed by the US missions. We don't have any advantages here. We act strictly on the basis of reciprocity. The number of visas we issue to American officials corresponds to the number of visas received by Russian employees in the United States," Russian diplomats said.
According to the statement, Russia has repeatedly called on Washington "to fully normalize our relations in terms of consular and visa issues."
"There is no need to put your brand on the wrong steer. The ball is on the American side," the Russian embassy said.
According to a Washington Post article, the US Embassy in Moscow "is understaffed and overstretched," and, therefore, senior diplomats have to do basic tasks like shoveling snow and handling disinfectants.
Besides, the paper reported that the US administration’s decision to close the US consulate in the Far Eastern Russian city of Vladivostok and to suspend the work of the consulate in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg were a result of visa issues and not linked to politics.
Former US ambassador Michael McFaul criticized the policy of the incumbent administration. "This is a self-inflicted wound," he said, commenting on the consulate closures. "Russia is not kicking us out. We are unilaterally deciding we don’t want be there. It’s a giant mistake. I hope [US president-elect Joseph] Biden reverses it.".


tass--2020-12-26--Russian rescuers deliver all humanitarian aid to recepients in Karabakh

MOSCOW , December 26 .
/TASS/ .
All humanitarian cargo , delivered from Russia to Nagorno-Karabakh , has been taken to distribution centers in the unrecognized republic , the Russian Emergencies Ministry ’ s press service told TASS on Saturday .
`` The humanitarian aid that had arrived by rail has been completely allocated among regions of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The cargo was delivered < … > to distribution points and is already being actively used for restoring houses and social facilities , '' the press service said .
The last batch of the humanitarian delivery , taken to the Martuni @ @ @ @ @ @ @ square meters of glass and almost 70 tons of corrugated sheet metal for reconstruction works .
Overall , the humanitarian delivery to Nagorno-Karabakh included 20 mobile diesel generators , six UAZ vehicles , eight fire tankers and one truck-mounted crane .
Construction materials were also sent to the conflict-hit region , such as over 22,000 square meters of glass , about 1,000 cubic meters of wood , chipboard and plywood , as well as 13,000 square meters of corrugated sheet metal .
Besides , the humanitarian cargo sent to Nagorno-Karabakh also includes over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pillows , 3,200 bedding sets , 940 sets of furniture , 4,000 beds and 500 stoves .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
Baku and Yerevan have disputed sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh since February 1988 , when the region announced its secession from the Azerbaijani Soviet Socialist Republic .
In the armed conflict of 1992-1994 , Azerbaijan lost control of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjoining districts .
On November 9 , Russian President Vladimir Putin , Azerbaijani President Ilham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10 .
Under the document , the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides stopped at the positions that they had held , and Russian peacekeepers were deployed to the region .
Only one ceasefire violation has been recorded since then .
Thousands of refugees , who had to flee amid intense fighting , already returned to their homes with the help of peacekeepers .

MOSCOW, December 26. /TASS/. All humanitarian cargo, delivered from Russia to Nagorno-Karabakh, has been taken to distribution centers in the unrecognized republic, the Russian Emergencies Ministry’s press service told TASS on Saturday.
"The humanitarian aid that had arrived by rail has been completely allocated among regions of Nagorno-Karabakh. The cargo was delivered <…> to distribution points and is already being actively used for restoring houses and social facilities," the press service said.
The last batch of the humanitarian delivery, taken to the Martuni and Martakert districts, comprises about 5,000 square meters of glass and almost 70 tons of corrugated sheet metal for reconstruction works.
Overall, the humanitarian delivery to Nagorno-Karabakh included 20 mobile diesel generators, six UAZ vehicles, eight fire tankers and one truck-mounted crane. Construction materials were also sent to the conflict-hit region, such as over 22,000 square meters of glass, about 1,000 cubic meters of wood, chipboard and plywood, as well as 13,000 square meters of corrugated sheet metal.
Besides, the humanitarian cargo sent to Nagorno-Karabakh also includes over 34,600 blankets, 1,800 mattresses, 1,900 pillows, 3,200 bedding sets, 940 sets of furniture, 4,000 beds and 500 stoves.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Baku and Yerevan have disputed sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh since February 1988, when the region announced its secession from the Azerbaijani Soviet Socialist Republic. In the armed conflict of 1992-1994, Azerbaijan lost control of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjoining districts.
On November 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10. Under the document, the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides stopped at the positions that they had held, and Russian peacekeepers were deployed to the region.
Only one ceasefire violation has been recorded since then. Thousands of refugees, who had to flee amid intense fighting, already returned to their homes with the help of peacekeepers.


tass--2020-12-26--Russian scientist supports introduction of COVID vaccination certificates

MOSCOW , December 26 .
/TASS/ .
Alexander Gintsburg , who heads the state-run Gamaleya research institute that developed the @ @ @ @ @ said he supported the introduction of COVID-19 vaccination certificates in Russia .
`` COVID passports @ @ @ @ @ thing to do , and they must be introduced simultaneously with the start of the @ @ @ @ @ should carry a document proving that he had been vaccinated and is completely protected against @ @ @ @ @ period of time , '' he said in an interview with the Rossiya-24 TV channel @ @ @ @ @ August 11 , Sputnik V became the world ’ s first coronavirus vaccine .
It @ @ @ @ @ National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology .
According to the research center ’ s @ @ @ @ @ about 700,000 Russians have been vaccinated with Sputnik V as of late December .
Interim @ @ @ @ @ efficacy of the Sputnik V vaccine exceeds 95 % on the 42nd day after the @ @ @ @ @ a patient receives the second dose three weeks after the first one .

MOSCOW, December 26. /TASS/. Alexander Gintsburg, who heads the state-run Gamaleya research institute that developed the Sputnik V anti-coronavirus vaccine, said he supported the introduction of COVID-19 vaccination certificates in Russia.
"COVID passports would be an absolutely right thing to do, and they must be introduced simultaneously with the start of the vaccination. Every vaccinated person should carry a document proving that he had been vaccinated and is completely protected against this virus for a certain period of time," he said in an interview with the Rossiya-24 TV channel.
Registered by Russia on August 11, Sputnik V became the world’s first coronavirus vaccine. It was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology. According to the research center’s head, Alexander Gintsburg, about 700,000 Russians have been vaccinated with Sputnik V as of late December.
Interim research results demonstrate that the efficacy of the Sputnik V vaccine exceeds 95% on the 42nd day after the first dose, provided that a patient receives the second dose three weeks after the first one.


tass--2020-12-26--Russian shipyard floats out nuclear-powered Akula-class sub after upgrade

MOSCOW , December 26 .
/TASS/ .
The Northern Fleet ’ s Project 971 ‘ Shchuka-B ’ ( NATO reporting name : Akula ) nuclear-powered submarine , the Leopard , has been floated out after repairs and upgrade at the Zvyozdochka Ship Repair Center , the Russian Defense Ministry said .
`` Zvezdochka has completed the hangar stage of the Leopard nuclear-powered submarine ’ s repairs and modernization .
The submarine left the shipyard ’ s main hangar to have the remaining work completed at the pier of the enterprise , '' the ministry said in a statement .
Project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their upgrade , according to reports .
The nuclear-powered submarine Leopard is part of the Northern Fleet ’ s 24th submarine division .
It arrived at the Zvyozdochka Shipyard ( part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation ) for repairs and upgrade in 2011 .
The same-type nuclear-powered submarine , the Vepr , completed its repairs and modernization at the Nerpa Ship Repair Plant ( part of the Zvyozdochka Shipyard ) on August 5 .
Project 971 nuclear-powered submarines have been developed by the St. Petersburg-based Malakhit Marine Engineering Design Bureau .
The Northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces includes six nuclear-powered subs : the Leopard , the Vepr , the Tigr , the Pantera , the Gepard and the Volk .

MOSCOW, December 26. /TASS/. The Northern Fleet’s Project 971 ‘Shchuka-B’ (NATO reporting name: Akula) nuclear-powered submarine, the Leopard, has been floated out after repairs and upgrade at the Zvyozdochka Ship Repair Center, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
"Zvezdochka has completed the hangar stage of the Leopard nuclear-powered submarine’s repairs and modernization. The submarine left the shipyard’s main hangar to have the remaining work completed at the pier of the enterprise," the ministry said in a statement.
Project 971 submarines carry Kalibr-PL cruise missiles after their upgrade, according to reports. The nuclear-powered submarine Leopard is part of the Northern Fleet’s 24th submarine division. It arrived at the Zvyozdochka Shipyard (part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation) for repairs and upgrade in 2011.
The same-type nuclear-powered submarine, the Vepr, completed its repairs and modernization at the Nerpa Ship Repair Plant (part of the Zvyozdochka Shipyard) on August 5.
Project 971 nuclear-powered submarines have been developed by the St. Petersburg-based Malakhit Marine Engineering Design Bureau. The Northern Fleet’s 24th division of submarine forces includes six nuclear-powered subs: the Leopard, the Vepr, the Tigr, the Pantera, the Gepard and the Volk.


tass--2020-12-26--Russian bomb squads defuse over 150,000 explosive objects in Syria in five years

HMEYMIM /Syria/ , December 26 .
/TASS/ .
During their five-year-long mission in Syria , Russian bomb squads have examined @ @ @ @ @ land in the country , finding and defusing more than 150,000 explosive objects , the @ @ @ @ @ in Syria said .
`` Combat engineering units , deployed in the Syrian Arab Republic @ @ @ @ @ efforts at more than 10,000 hectares of land , defusing and disposing of more than @ @ @ @ @ said Lieutenant General Sergei Kuzovlev , the Chief of Staff of the Southern Military District @ @ @ @ @ of Russian forces in Syria .
Units of the Russian Engineering Troops have been deployed @ @ @ @ @ five years .
They took part in the mine clearance effort in many conflict-hit Syrian @ @ @ @ @ Palmyra and Deir ez-Zor .
Besides , Russian specialists helped to train more than 1,200 @ @ @ @ @ Forces .

HMEYMIM /Syria/, December 26. /TASS/. During their five-year-long mission in Syria, Russian bomb squads have examined more than 10,000 hectares of land in the country, finding and defusing more than 150,000 explosive objects, the commander of the Russian forces in Syria said.
"Combat engineering units, deployed in the Syrian Arab Republic, have carried out demining efforts at more than 10,000 hectares of land, defusing and disposing of more than 150,000 explosive objects," said Lieutenant General Sergei Kuzovlev, the Chief of Staff of the Southern Military District who is now the commander of Russian forces in Syria.
Units of the Russian Engineering Troops have been deployed in Syria for the past five years. They took part in the mine clearance effort in many conflict-hit Syrian cities, including Aleppo, Palmyra and Deir ez-Zor. Besides, Russian specialists helped to train more than 1,200 sappers for the Syrian Armed Forces.