tass--2020-10-26--OSCE Minsk Group, Baku and Yerevan to meet to discuss Nagorno-Karabakh on October 29

VIENNA , October 26 .
/TASS/ .
Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group will hold talks with the Armenian and Azeri foreign ministers in Geneva on October 29 to reach a peaceful settlement in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh , the OSCE reported Sunday .
The co-chairs held a meeting with the top Armenian and Azeri diplomats in Washington on October 24 .
They called on the parties to the conflict to implement the agreements reached in October and facilitated by the Minsk Group and resume the full-fledged peace negotiations on the conflict settlement .
`` The Co-Chairs and Foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on October 29 to discuss , reach agreement on , and begin implementation , in accordance with a timeline to be agreed upon , of all steps necessary to achieve a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in accordance with the basic principles accepted by the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia , '' the OSCE statement reads .
Earlier , Armenia and Azerbaijan reached agreements on a humanitarian ceasefire in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone starting with October 18 .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .
As a result of the Russia-initiated consultations in Moscow Baku and Yerevan agreed to cease fire starting from 12:00 local time of October 10 for humanitarian purposes for exchanging prisoners of war and bodies of the dead .
However , both parties to the conflict reported violations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17 , the two foreign ministries announced a new humanitarian ceasefire starting with 00:00 on October 18 .
Meanwhile , hostilities continue , while both sides accuse each other of violating the ceasefire .
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group , led by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

VIENNA, October 26. /TASS/. Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group will hold talks with the Armenian and Azeri foreign ministers in Geneva on October 29 to reach a peaceful settlement in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, the OSCE reported Sunday.
The co-chairs held a meeting with the top Armenian and Azeri diplomats in Washington on October 24. They called on the parties to the conflict to implement the agreements reached in October and facilitated by the Minsk Group and resume the full-fledged peace negotiations on the conflict settlement.
"The Co-Chairs and Foreign Ministers agreed to meet again in Geneva on October 29 to discuss, reach agreement on, and begin implementation, in accordance with a timeline to be agreed upon, of all steps necessary to achieve a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in accordance with the basic principles accepted by the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia," the OSCE statement reads.
Earlier, Armenia and Azerbaijan reached agreements on a humanitarian ceasefire in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone starting with October 18.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.
As a result of the Russia-initiated consultations in Moscow Baku and Yerevan agreed to cease fire starting from 12:00 local time of October 10 for humanitarian purposes for exchanging prisoners of war and bodies of the dead. However, both parties to the conflict reported violations the very same day. On October 17, the two foreign ministries announced a new humanitarian ceasefire starting with 00:00 on October 18. Meanwhile, hostilities continue, while both sides accuse each other of violating the ceasefire.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-10-26--Police to take all actions to stop unlawful actions by protesters

MINSK , October 25 .
/TASS/ .
Law enforcement agencies stand ready to take all actions possible to stop protesters from engaging in unlawful actions , head of the Minsk police Ivan Kubrakov said , commenting on the police actions during the Sunday protests .
`` We took measures to stop unlawful actions .
Law enforcement agents will continue taking all steps to prevent any unlawful actions by protesters , '' he said .
According to Kubrakov , `` more aggressive ans active protesters travelled to Minsk '' on Sunday .
`` They had one goal to seize the center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with all its squares , to be precise .
However , their plots failed to materialize , '' he noted .
`` Officers of the interior affairs agencies were in control of everything , and the crowd of protesters failed to make it to the Independence Square , '' he noted .
On Sunday , Belarus was seeing protest rallies under the slogan of the ‘ national ultimatum ’ .
Power structure officers used special equipment in Minsk to disperse people taking part in a large protest .
The move came after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incumbent Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and were stopped .
Nationwide demonstrations have engulfed Belarus following the August 9 presidential election .
According to the Central Election Commission ’ s official results , incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won by a landslide , garnering 80.10 % of the vote .
His closest rival in the race , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , came in second , with 10.12 % of the ballot .
However , she refused to recognize the election ’ s outcome , and left Belarus for Lithuania .
After the results of the exit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , mass protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other Belarusian cities .
During the early post-election period , the rallies snowballed into fierce clashes between the protesters and police .
The current unrest is being cheered on by the opposition ’ s Coordination Council , which has been beating the drum for more protests .
In response , the Belarusian authorities have castigated the ongoing turmoil and demanded that these unauthorized demonstrations be stopped .

MINSK, October 25. /TASS/. Law enforcement agencies stand ready to take all actions possible to stop protesters from engaging in unlawful actions, head of the Minsk police Ivan Kubrakov said, commenting on the police actions during the Sunday protests.
"We took measures to stop unlawful actions. Law enforcement agents will continue taking all steps to prevent any unlawful actions by protesters," he said.
According to Kubrakov, "more aggressive ans active protesters travelled to Minsk" on Sunday. "They had one goal to seize the center of Minsk, or the Independence Avenue with all its squares, to be precise. However, their plots failed to materialize," he noted. "Officers of the interior affairs agencies were in control of everything, and the crowd of protesters failed to make it to the Independence Square," he noted.
On Sunday, Belarus was seeing protest rallies under the slogan of the ‘national ultimatum’. Power structure officers used special equipment in Minsk to disperse people taking part in a large protest. The move came after the demonstrators tried to reach the residence of incumbent Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and were stopped.
Nationwide demonstrations have engulfed Belarus following the August 9 presidential election. According to the Central Election Commission’s official results, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won by a landslide, garnering 80.10% of the vote. His closest rival in the race, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, came in second, with 10.12% of the ballot. However, she refused to recognize the election’s outcome, and left Belarus for Lithuania. After the results of the exit polls were announced late on August 9, mass protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other Belarusian cities. During the early post-election period, the rallies snowballed into fierce clashes between the protesters and police. The current unrest is being cheered on by the opposition’s Coordination Council, which has been beating the drum for more protests. In response, the Belarusian authorities have castigated the ongoing turmoil and demanded that these unauthorized demonstrations be stopped.


tass--2020-10-26--White House congratulates Baku, Yerevan on reaching ceasefire agreement

WASHINGTON , October 26 .
/TASS/ .
The US administration has offered congratulations to authorities in Armenia and Azerbaijan on reaching agreements about a humanitarian ceasefire , US National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien said via Twitter Sunday .
He recalled that he held meetings with Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Azeri Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov on Saturday in Washington as well as phone talks with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azeri President Ilham Aliyev .
`` Congratulations to all of them for agreeing to adhere to the cease fire today , '' he noted .
Lives will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Brien also noted that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his first deputy Stephen Biegun had played an important part in the talks .
Earlier on Sunday , the US State Department issued a joint statement of the US , Armenia and Azerbaijan .
The document noted that the parties to the conflict confirmed their commitment to `` implement and abide by the humanitarian ceasefire agreed in Moscow on October 10 . ''
It will take effect at 08:00 am local time on October 26 .
The peaceful settlement talks to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on since 1992 in the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group headed by its three co-chairs , Russia , the US and France .
On October 1 , 2020 , Vladimir Putin , Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron as the leaders three co-chairing countries adopted a statement on the Nagorno-Karabakh situation , condemning escalation of violence along the line of contact and calling for an immediate ceasefire .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group , led by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

WASHINGTON, October 26. /TASS/. The US administration has offered congratulations to authorities in Armenia and Azerbaijan on reaching agreements about a humanitarian ceasefire, US National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien said via Twitter Sunday.
He recalled that he held meetings with Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Azeri Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov on Saturday in Washington as well as phone talks with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azeri President Ilham Aliyev. "Congratulations to all of them for agreeing to adhere to the cease fire today," he noted. Lives will be saved in both nations." O’Brien also noted that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his first deputy Stephen Biegun had played an important part in the talks.
Earlier on Sunday, the US State Department issued a joint statement of the US, Armenia and Azerbaijan. The document noted that the parties to the conflict confirmed their commitment to "implement and abide by the humanitarian ceasefire agreed in Moscow on October 10." It will take effect at 08:00 am local time on October 26.
The peaceful settlement talks to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has been going on since 1992 in the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group headed by its three co-chairs, Russia, the US and France. On October 1, 2020, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron as the leaders three co-chairing countries adopted a statement on the Nagorno-Karabakh situation, condemning escalation of violence along the line of contact and calling for an immediate ceasefire.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-10-26--Ceasefire between Baku, Yerevan to take effect Monday

WASHINGTON , October 26 .
/TASS/ .
A humanitarian ceasefire between Baku and Terevan will take place at 08:00 am local time on October 26 , the US State Department said in a joint statement of the US , Armenia and Azerbaijan Sunday .
`` Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with Deputy Secretary of State Stephen E. Biegun on October 24 , 2020 and reaffirmed their countries ’ commitment to implement and abide by the humanitarian ceasefire agreed in Moscow on October 10 < … > .
The humanitarian ceasefire will take effect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a.m. EDT ) on October 26 , 2020 , '' the statement reads .
`` The United States facilitated intensive negotiations among the Foreign Ministers and the Minsk Group Co-Chairs to move Armenia and Azerbaijan closer to a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict , '' the statement adds .
The peaceful settlement talks to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has been going on since 1992 in the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group headed by its three co-chairs , Russia , the US and France .
On October 1 , 2020 , Vladimir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the leaders three co-chairing countries adopted a statement on the Nagorno-Karabakh situation , condemning escalation of violence along the line of contact and calling for an immediate ceasefire .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

WASHINGTON, October 26. /TASS/. A humanitarian ceasefire between Baku and Terevan will take place at 08:00 am local time on October 26, the US State Department said in a joint statement of the US, Armenia and Azerbaijan Sunday.
"Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with Deputy Secretary of State Stephen E. Biegun on October 24, 2020 and reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to implement and abide by the humanitarian ceasefire agreed in Moscow on October 10 <…>. The humanitarian ceasefire will take effect at 08:00 a.m. local time (12:00 a.m. EDT) on October 26, 2020," the statement reads.
"The United States facilitated intensive negotiations among the Foreign Ministers and the Minsk Group Co-Chairs to move Armenia and Azerbaijan closer to a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," the statement adds.
Ceasefire talks
The peaceful settlement talks to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has been going on since 1992 in the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group headed by its three co-chairs, Russia, the US and France. On October 1, 2020, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron as the leaders three co-chairing countries adopted a statement on the Nagorno-Karabakh situation, condemning escalation of violence along the line of contact and calling for an immediate ceasefire.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-10-26--Ukraine reports 37% turnout at local elections

KIEV , October 26 .
/TASS/ .
The turnout at the local elections that were held in Ukraine on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ , the Ukrainian Central Election Commission ( CEC ) head Oleg Didenko told a briefing @ @ @ @ @ ( local time ) , the CEC received data from 97 % of territorial electoral @ @ @ @ @ data , the turnout stands at 37 % , '' he said .
Didenko noted @ @ @ @ @ 10 percentage points lower than the local election turnout in 2015 ( 46.6 % ) @ @ @ @ @ , a trend can be seen that turnout decreases by about 10 % , '' @ @ @ @ @ turnout was registered in the Ternopol Region ( 46.77 % ) , while the lowest @ @ @ @ @ Region ( 31.67 % ) .
On Sunday , Ukraine held the local elections .
@ @ @ @ @ the country except a part of Donbass uncontrolled by Kiev and a few areas adjacent @ @ @ @ @ .
The CEC is already tallying the votes .

KIEV, October 26. /TASS/. The turnout at the local elections that were held in Ukraine on Sunday has approximately reached 37%, the Ukrainian Central Election Commission (CEC) head Oleg Didenko told a briefing.
"As of 22:00 (local time), the CEC received data from 97% of territorial electoral commissions. According to this data, the turnout stands at 37%," he said.
Didenko noted that this number is almost 10 percentage points lower than the local election turnout in 2015 (46.6%). "In the quarantine, a trend can be seen that turnout decreases by about 10%," he explained. The highest turnout was registered in the Ternopol Region (46.77%), while the lowest was recorded in the Donetsk Region (31.67%).
On Sunday, Ukraine held the local elections. Voting stations were working across the country except a part of Donbass uncontrolled by Kiev and a few areas adjacent to the line of contact. The CEC is already tallying the votes.


tass--2020-10-25--OCSE Minsk Group co-chairs call on Baku, Yerevan to observe ceasefire - statement

WASHINGTON , October 25 .
/TASS/ .
The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group have called on Azerbaijan and Armenia to take immediate measures to implement the ceasefire agreements that were reached in Moscow on October 10 , as follows from their joint statement released by the US Department of State on Sunday .
The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group ( Igor Popov of the Russian Federation , Stephane Visconti of France , and Andrew Schofer of the United States of America ) released their statement after meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October 24 .
They also participated in a joint meeting with the Foreign Ministers and U.S. Deputy Foreign Minister Stephen Biegun .
OSCE Chairman in Office ’ s Personal Representative Andrzej Kasprzyk also participated in the meetings .
`` The Co-Chairs urged the sides to take immediate steps to implement all aspects of the October 10 Moscow Joint Statement in accordance with their commitments , noting that they had reaffirmed these commitments with Paris on October 18 , '' the statement reads .
The co-chairs will meet with the Azerbaijani and Armenian top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to discuss , reach agreement on , and begin implementation , in accordance with a timeline to be agreed upon , of all steps necessary to achieve a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in accordance with the basic principles accepted by the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia . ''
`` During their intensive discussions , the Co-Chairs and Foreign Ministers discussed implementing an immediate humanitarian ceasefire , possible parameters for monitoring the ceasefire , and initiating discussion of core substantive elements of a comprehensive solution , in accordance with the October 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .
Fighting continues in the region despite two declared ceasefire agreements .
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group , led by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OSCE Minsk Group co-chair nations , Presidents Vladimir Putin on Russia , Donald Trump of the United States , and Emmanuel Macron of France , issues a joint statement on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh to condemn escalation of tensions along the contact line in the conflict zone and call for immediate ceasefire .

WASHINGTON, October 25. /TASS/. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group have called on Azerbaijan and Armenia to take immediate measures to implement the ceasefire agreements that were reached in Moscow on October 10, as follows from their joint statement released by the US Department of State on Sunday.
The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, Stephane Visconti of France, and Andrew Schofer of the United States of America) released their statement after meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov in Washington, D.C., on October 24. They also participated in a joint meeting with the Foreign Ministers and U.S. Deputy Foreign Minister Stephen Biegun. OSCE Chairman in Office’s Personal Representative Andrzej Kasprzyk also participated in the meetings.
"The Co-Chairs urged the sides to take immediate steps to implement all aspects of the October 10 Moscow Joint Statement in accordance with their commitments, noting that they had reaffirmed these commitments with Paris on October 18," the statement reads.
The co-chairs will meet with the Azerbaijani and Armenian top diplomats in Geneva on October 29 "to discuss, reach agreement on, and begin implementation, in accordance with a timeline to be agreed upon, of all steps necessary to achieve a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in accordance with the basic principles accepted by the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia."
"During their intensive discussions, the Co-Chairs and Foreign Ministers discussed implementing an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, possible parameters for monitoring the ceasefire, and initiating discussion of core substantive elements of a comprehensive solution, in accordance with the October 10 Joint Statement," the document says.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians. Fighting continues in the region despite two declared ceasefire agreements.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.
On October 1, the leaders of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair nations, Presidents Vladimir Putin on Russia, Donald Trump of the United States, and Emmanuel Macron of France, issues a joint statement on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh to condemn escalation of tensions along the contact line in the conflict zone and call for immediate ceasefire.


tass--2020-10-25--Ceasefire between Baku and Yerevan to come into effect on Monday - statement

WASHINGTON , October 25 .
/TASS/ .
A humanitarian ceasefire between Baku and Yerevan will come into effect from 07:00 @ @ @ @ @ , as follows from a joint statement of the US , Armenian and Azerbaijani top @ @ @ @ @ Department of State on Sunday .
`` Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Azerbaijani Foreign @ @ @ @ @ Deputy Secretary of State Stephen E. Biegun on October 24 , 2020 and reaffirmed their @ @ @ @ @ and abide by the humanitarian ceasefire agreed in Moscow on October 10 , which were @ @ @ @ @ from Paris on October 17 , in accordance with the October 1 , 2020 joint @ @ @ @ @ Donald J. Trump , French President Emmanuel Macron , and Russian President Vladimir Putin .
@ @ @ @ @ effect at 08:00 a.m. local time ( 12:00 a.m. EDT ) on October 26 , @ @ @ @ @ reads .

WASHINGTON, October 25. /TASS/. A humanitarian ceasefire between Baku and Yerevan will come into effect from 07:00 Moscow time on October 26, as follows from a joint statement of the US, Armenian and Azerbaijani top diplomats released by the US Department of State on Sunday.
"Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with Deputy Secretary of State Stephen E. Biegun on October 24, 2020 and reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to implement and abide by the humanitarian ceasefire agreed in Moscow on October 10, which were reaffirmed in the statement issued from Paris on October 17, in accordance with the October 1, 2020 joint statement of United States President Donald J. Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The humanitarian ceasefire will take effect at 08:00 a.m. local time (12:00 a.m. EDT) on October 26, 2020," the document reads.


tass--2020-10-25--Voter turnout at Sunday’s local elections in Ukraine stands at about 37% - CEC

KIEV , October 25 .
/TASS/ .
Voted turnout at Sunday ’ s local elections in Ukraine was around 37 % , chairman of the country ’ s Central Election Commission ( CEC ) Oleg Didenko told a briefing .
`` As of 22:00 local time ( 23:00 Moscow time ) , the Central Election Commission had received data from 97 % of territorial election commissions .
According to these data , the voter turnout was 37 % , '' he said , adding that the figure was nearly ten percent down on the previous local elections in 2015 when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local legislatures and city mayor .
According to the country ’ s Central Election Commission , some 224,000 candidates contended seats in legislatures of various levels , and 2,600 candidates vied for mayor ’ s offices in 324 cities .
The official results of the voting will be announced on November 6 .
If neither of the candidates for mayors of big cities with a population of more than 75,000 manage to score more than 50 % of votes , the runoff election will be organized on November 15 .
In small cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a simple majority of votes .
Local elections however were not held in Donbass territories that are not controlled by Kiev .
Neither were they held in 18 territories of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions that are controlled by the central government .
The Central Election Commission explained that by security problems .

KIEV, October 25. /TASS/. Voted turnout at Sunday’s local elections in Ukraine was around 37%, chairman of the country’s Central Election Commission (CEC) Oleg Didenko told a briefing.
"As of 22:00 local time (23:00 Moscow time), the Central Election Commission had received data from 97% of territorial election commissions. According to these data, the voter turnout was 37%," he said, adding that the figure was nearly ten percent down on the previous local elections in 2015 when the turnout was 46.6%
Ukrainians elected local legislatures and city mayor. According to the country’s Central Election Commission, some 224,000 candidates contended seats in legislatures of various levels, and 2,600 candidates vied for mayor’s offices in 324 cities.
The official results of the voting will be announced on November 6. If neither of the candidates for mayors of big cities with a population of more than 75,000 manage to score more than 50% of votes, the runoff election will be organized on November 15. In small cities, the winner is a candidate with a simple majority of votes.
Local elections however were not held in Donbass territories that are not controlled by Kiev. Neither were they held in 18 territories of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions that are controlled by the central government. The Central Election Commission explained that by security problems.


tass--2020-10-25--Azerbaijani president says Armenia is supplied with weapons from aboard

BAKU , October 25 .
/TASS/ .
Armenia is supplied with weapons from foreign countries , Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said on Sunday at a meeting with senior officials of the country ’ s defense ministry .
`` I must say that Armenia is arming itself .
The most state-of-the-art weapons are being dispatched to Armenia every day .
We have a list of such weapons .
We have data about the flights : when , where from the flight was performed to Yerevan , and which cargo it carried , '' he said , adding that Armenia `` has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` We can not keep silent about that , '' he said .
`` We are fighting unaided . ''
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .
Fighting continues in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

BAKU, October 25. /TASS/. Armenia is supplied with weapons from foreign countries, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said on Sunday at a meeting with senior officials of the country’s defense ministry.
"I must say that Armenia is arming itself. The most state-of-the-art weapons are being dispatched to Armenia every day. We have a list of such weapons. We have data about the flights: when, where from the flight was performed to Yerevan, and which cargo it carried," he said, adding that Armenia "has been supplied with weapons free of charge."
"We cannot keep silent about that," he said. "We are fighting unaided."
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians. Fighting continues in the region despite two declared ceasefire agreements.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-10-25--Tikhanovskaya announced nationwide strike in Belarus from October 26

MINSK , October 25 .
/TASS/ .
Former candidate for Belarusian president Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has announced a nationwide strike starting from Monday .
`` Tomorrow , on October 26 , a nationwide strike will begin in Belarus .
Belarusians will make this step because their word is a law .
A law they tried to deprive us of but we will reinstate it without fail .
And our key peaceful weapon - solidarity - will help us , '' she wrote on her Telegram channel on Sunday .
Touching on Sunday ’ s protests organized by the opposition under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she noted that the Belarusians have demonstrated that `` peaceful protest is a permanent creative force '' and the authorities ’ reaction to the opposition protests means that they `` are losing power . ''
Sunday is the last day of an ultimatum set by former presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya to President Alexander Lukashenko .
The demands include resignation of the incumbent president , freedom to political prisoners and cessation of violence .
The opposition calls on workers of industrial enterprises to go on strike from Monday in case these demands are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following the August 9 presidential election .
According to the Central Election Commission ’ s official results , incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won by a landslide , garnering 80.10 % of the vote .
His closest rival in the race , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , came in second , with 10.12 % of the ballot .
However , she refused to recognize the election ’ s outcome , and left Belarus for Lithuania .
After the results of the exit polls were announced late on August 9 , mass protests erupted in downtown Minsk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early post-election period , the rallies snowballed into fierce clashes between the protesters and police .
The current unrest is being cheered on by the opposition ’ s Coordination Council , which has been beating the drum for more protests .
In response , the Belarusian authorities have castigated the ongoing turmoil and demanded that these unauthorized demonstrations be stopped .

MINSK, October 25. /TASS/. Former candidate for Belarusian president Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has announced a nationwide strike starting from Monday.
"Tomorrow, on October 26, a nationwide strike will begin in Belarus. Belarusians will make this step because their word is a law. A law they tried to deprive us of but we will reinstate it without fail. And our key peaceful weapon - solidarity - will help us," she wrote on her Telegram channel on Sunday.
Touching on Sunday’s protests organized by the opposition under the slogan of "popular ultimatum," she noted that the Belarusians have demonstrated that "peaceful protest is a permanent creative force" and the authorities’ reaction to the opposition protests means that they "are losing power."
Sunday is the last day of an ultimatum set by former presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya to President Alexander Lukashenko. The demands include resignation of the incumbent president, freedom to political prisoners and cessation of violence. The opposition calls on workers of industrial enterprises to go on strike from Monday in case these demands are not satisfied.
Nationwide demonstrations have engulfed Belarus following the August 9 presidential election. According to the Central Election Commission’s official results, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won by a landslide, garnering 80.10% of the vote. His closest rival in the race, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, came in second, with 10.12% of the ballot. However, she refused to recognize the election’s outcome, and left Belarus for Lithuania. After the results of the exit polls were announced late on August 9, mass protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other Belarusian cities. During the early post-election period, the rallies snowballed into fierce clashes between the protesters and police. The current unrest is being cheered on by the opposition’s Coordination Council, which has been beating the drum for more protests. In response, the Belarusian authorities have castigated the ongoing turmoil and demanded that these unauthorized demonstrations be stopped.


tass--2020-10-25--Voting at local elections in Ukraine over

KIEV , October 25 .
/TASS/ .
Voting at local elections in over in Ukraine , with polling stations being @ @ @ @ @ ( 21:00 Moscow time ) .
Ukrainians elected local legislatures and city mayor .
According @ @ @ @ @ Central Election Commission , some 224,000 candidates contended seats in legislatures of various levels , @ @ @ @ @ mayor ’ s offices in 324 cities .
The official results of the voting will @ @ @ @ @ .
If neither of the candidates for mayors of big cities with a population of @ @ @ @ @ score more than 50 % of votes , the runoff election will be organized on @ @ @ @ @ cities , the winner is a candidate with a simple majority of votes .
Local @ @ @ @ @ in Donbass territories that are not controlled by Kiev .
Neither were they held in @ @ @ @ @ and Lugansk regions that are controlled by the central government .
The Central Election Commission @ @ @ @ @ .

KIEV, October 25. /TASS/. Voting at local elections in over in Ukraine, with polling stations being closed at 20:00 local time (21:00 Moscow time).
Ukrainians elected local legislatures and city mayor. According to the country’s Central Election Commission, some 224,000 candidates contended seats in legislatures of various levels, and 2,600 candidates vied for mayor’s offices in 324 cities.
The official results of the voting will be announced on November 6. If neither of the candidates for mayors of big cities with a population of more than 75,000 manage to score more than 50% of votes, the runoff election will be organized on November 15. In small cities, the winner is a candidate with a simple majority of votes.
Local elections however were not held in Donbass territories that are not controlled by Kiev. Neither were they held in 18 territories of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions that are controlled by the central government. The Central Election Commission explained that by security problems.


tass--2020-10-25--Azerbaijani president calls for pressure on Armenia to cease hostilities in Karabakh

BAKU , October 25 .
/TASS/ .
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has called on countries , which want cessation of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh , to exert influence on Armenia .
`` We have only one condition : if countries that have been supporting Armenia for nearly 30 years and that have actually created conditions for it to occupy our lands want cessation of hostilities , they must exert pressure on Yerevan , '' he said at a meeting with senior officials of the defense ministry on Sunday .
`` The Armenian prime minister [ Nikol Pashinyan ] must come out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to leave the occupied territories .
We have not heard such a statement so far .
On the contrary , he is speaking about self-determination of nations and has actually killed the negotiating process . ''
He stressed that ceasefire `` can not be unconditional . ''
`` They will be deceiving up for another 30 years , with delegations keep on coming here and negotiating never ending .
We sick and tired of that .
The Azerbaijani people has run out of patience , '' Aliyev said , adding that Azerbaijan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promises to exert influence on Armenia are finally implemented .
`` Everything has turned out to be a lie , '' he said .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .
Fighting continues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreements .
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , led by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

BAKU, October 25. /TASS/. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has called on countries, which want cessation of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh, to exert influence on Armenia.
"We have only one condition: if countries that have been supporting Armenia for nearly 30 years and that have actually created conditions for it to occupy our lands want cessation of hostilities, they must exert pressure on Yerevan," he said at a meeting with senior officials of the defense ministry on Sunday. "The Armenian prime minister [Nikol Pashinyan] must come out with a statement that his country was going to leave the occupied territories. We have not heard such a statement so far. On the contrary, he is speaking about self-determination of nations and has actually killed the negotiating process."
He stressed that ceasefire "cannot be unconditional." "They will be deceiving up for another 30 years, with delegations keep on coming here and negotiating never ending. We sick and tired of that. The Azerbaijani people has run out of patience," Aliyev said, adding that Azerbaijan has been waiting for 30 years when promises to exert influence on Armenia are finally implemented. "Everything has turned out to be a lie," he said.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians. Fighting continues in the region despite two declared ceasefire agreements.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-10-25--Over 100 protesters detained in Belarus - human rights center

MINSK , October 25 .
/TASS/ .
More than 100 people were detained during Sunday ’ s protests in Belarus , the Vesna unregistered human rights center reported .
The list of those detained in Minsk , Grodno , Brest and other Belarusian cities has 113 names .
Protest marches dubbed the Popular Ultimatum are being held in Belarus on Sunday .
In Minsk , police used riot control means after demonstrators were near President Alexander Lukashenko ’ s residence .
When several thousands of protesters tried to come to the residence , they were stopped by riot police and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to retreat from the area , police blocked their passage again .
According to a TASS correspondent , the police used flash and bang grenades .
Interior Ministry Spokeswoman Olga Chemodanova confirmed the use of riot control means against the protesters .
`` Law enforcers used riot control means against the protesters in front of the Central district police department to stop illegal actions , '' she told TASS .
She did nor specify however which means had been used .
Meanwhile , according to the opposition website Nasha Niva , at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and bang grenade .
The man reportedly received a leg wound from its fragments .
No official confirmation is available so far .
Chemodanova told TASS the police were detaining `` aggressive protesters '' in Minsk .

MINSK, October 25. /TASS/. More than 100 people were detained during Sunday’s protests in Belarus, the Vesna unregistered human rights center reported.
The list of those detained in Minsk, Grodno, Brest and other Belarusian cities has 113 names.
Protest marches dubbed the Popular Ultimatum are being held in Belarus on Sunday. In Minsk, police used riot control means after demonstrators were near President Alexander Lukashenko’s residence. When several thousands of protesters tried to come to the residence, they were stopped by riot police and internal troops. When the protesters began to retreat from the area, police blocked their passage again. According to a TASS correspondent, the police used flash and bang grenades.
Interior Ministry Spokeswoman Olga Chemodanova confirmed the use of riot control means against the protesters. "Law enforcers used riot control means against the protesters in front of the Central district police department to stop illegal actions," she told TASS. She did nor specify however which means had been used.
Meanwhile, according to the opposition website Nasha Niva, at least one person was hurt by a flash and bang grenade. The man reportedly received a leg wound from its fragments.
No official confirmation is available so far.
Chemodanova told TASS the police were detaining "aggressive protesters" in Minsk.


tass--2020-10-25--Two journalists covering protests detained in Vitebsk

MINSK , October 25 .
/TASS/ .
Police have detained two journalists covering opposition protests in the Belarusian city of Vitebsk , tut.by internet portal reported on Sunday .
According to tut.by , they are Ales Piletsky , its photographer , and Sputnik reporter Pavel Vur .
Meanwhile , the Vesna unregistered human rights center reported the detention of more than 80 protesters in the country .
Opposition marches dubbed Popular Ultimatum are being held in Minsk and other Belarusian cities on Sunday , which is the last day of an ultimatum set by former presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resignation of the incumbent president , freedom to political prisoners and cessation of violence .
The opposition calls on workers of industrial enterprises to go on strike from Monday in case these demands are not satisfied .
Nationwide demonstrations have engulfed Belarus following the August 9 presidential election .
According to the Central Election Commission ’ s official results , incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won by a landslide , garnering 80.10 % of the vote .
His closest rival in the race , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , came in second , with 10.12 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refused to recognize the election ’ s outcome , and left Belarus for Lithuania .
After the results of the exit polls were announced late on August 9 , mass protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other Belarusian cities .
During the early post-election period , the rallies snowballed into fierce clashes between the protesters and police .
The current unrest is being cheered on by the opposition ’ s Coordination Council , which has been beating the drum for more protests .
In response , the Belarusian authorities have castigated the ongoing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be stopped .

MINSK, October 25. /TASS/. Police have detained two journalists covering opposition protests in the Belarusian city of Vitebsk, tut.by internet portal reported on Sunday.
According to tut.by, they are Ales Piletsky, its photographer, and Sputnik reporter Pavel Vur.
Meanwhile, the Vesna unregistered human rights center reported the detention of more than 80 protesters in the country.
Opposition marches dubbed Popular Ultimatum are being held in Minsk and other Belarusian cities on Sunday, which is the last day of an ultimatum set by former presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya to President Alexander Lukashenko. The demands include resignation of the incumbent president, freedom to political prisoners and cessation of violence. The opposition calls on workers of industrial enterprises to go on strike from Monday in case these demands are not satisfied.
Nationwide demonstrations have engulfed Belarus following the August 9 presidential election. According to the Central Election Commission’s official results, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won by a landslide, garnering 80.10% of the vote. His closest rival in the race, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, came in second, with 10.12% of the ballot. However, she refused to recognize the election’s outcome, and left Belarus for Lithuania. After the results of the exit polls were announced late on August 9, mass protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other Belarusian cities. During the early post-election period, the rallies snowballed into fierce clashes between the protesters and police. The current unrest is being cheered on by the opposition’s Coordination Council, which has been beating the drum for more protests. In response, the Belarusian authorities have castigated the ongoing turmoil and demanded that these unauthorized demonstrations be stopped.


tass--2020-10-25--Erdogan says Turkey will not refuse from Russian S400 systems, despite US’ position

ANKARA , October 25 .
/TASS/ .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has once again reiterated that Turkey will not refuse from Russian S400 missile systems , despite the Unites States ’ position .
`` The United States does not understand whom it is dealing with .
Your said to send the S-400s back to Russia .
But we are not a tribal state , we are Turkey , '' he said .
He said that the United States was free to use any sanctions it liked .
`` Whatever the sanctions might be , don ’ t delay imposing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also recalled that Turkey `` has paid money for [ US fifth generation ] F-35 fighter jects but the United States have delivered none . ''
On Friday , the Turkish president confirmed that test launches from the S400 systems had been conducted during drills on October 16 .
He said Turkey planned to continue tests launches , despite the United States ’ position .
Even before Erdogan ’ s statement , the US Department of State said that Turkey ’ s actions were running counter to its liabilities within NATO .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s accusations .
Russia said in September 2017 that it had signed a $ 2.5 bln contract for supplies of its S-400 missile systems with Turkey .
The first batch under the contract was delivered to Ankara by air transport in July 2019 .
The deal also envisages partial transfer of production technology to the Turkish side .
Turkey is the first NATO member state to purchase such air defense missile systems from Russia .
Turkey ’ s decision to acquire the Russian-made S-400 surface-to-air missile systems has caused a sharply negative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a whole , with the United States never stopping to press Turkey to give up its plans to by the Russian missile systems .
As Turkey has not yielded to the pressure , Washington has excluded Ankara from the US program of developing the fifth-generation F-35 fighter-bomber .
The United States is also threatening Turkey with unilateral sanctions over the purchase of S-400 air defense systems but is in no hurry to take these steps out of fear of further worsening relations with a major NATO ally while Ankara has warned it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia ’ s S-400 ‘ Triumf ’ ( NATO reporting name : SA-21 Growler ) is the latest long-and medium-range surface-to-air missile system that went into service in 2007 .
It is designed to destroy aircraft , cruise and ballistic missiles , and can also be used against ground installations .
The S-400 can engage targets at a distance of up to 400 km and at an altitude of up to 30 km under intensive enemy fire and jamming .

ANKARA, October 25. /TASS/. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has once again reiterated that Turkey will not refuse Russian S-400 missile systems, despite the Unites States’ position.
"The United States does not understand whom it is dealing with. Your said to send the S-400s back to Russia. But we are not a tribal state, we are Turkey," he said.
He said that the United States was free to use any sanctions it liked. "Whatever the sanctions might be, don’t delay imposing them," he stressed.
He also recalled that Turkey "has paid money for [US fifth generation] F-35 fighter jects but the United States have delivered none."
On Friday, the Turkish president confirmed that test launches from the S-400 systems had been conducted during drills on October 16. He said Turkey planned to continue tests launches, despite the United States’ position.
Even before Erdogan’s statement, the US Department of State said that Turkey’s actions were running counter to its liabilities within NATO. The Turkish defense ministry denied the US side’s accusations.
Russia said in September 2017 that it had signed a $2.5 bln contract for supplies of its S-400 missile systems with Turkey. The first batch under the contract was delivered to Ankara by air transport in July 2019. The deal also envisages partial transfer of production technology to the Turkish side.
Turkey is the first NATO member state to purchase such air defense missile systems from Russia. Turkey’s decision to acquire the Russian-made S-400 surface-to-air missile systems has caused a sharply negative reaction from the United States and NATO as a whole, with the United States never stopping to press Turkey to give up its plans to by the Russian missile systems. As Turkey has not yielded to the pressure, Washington has excluded Ankara from the US program of developing the fifth-generation F-35 fighter-bomber.
The United States is also threatening Turkey with unilateral sanctions over the purchase of S-400 air defense systems but is in no hurry to take these steps out of fear of further worsening relations with a major NATO ally while Ankara has warned it will not leave such restrictions unanswered.
Russia’s S-400 ‘Triumf’ (NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler) is the latest long-and medium-range surface-to-air missile system that went into service in 2007. It is designed to destroy aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, and can also be used against ground installations. The S-400 can engage targets at a distance of up to 400 km and at an altitude of up to 30 km under intensive enemy fire and jamming.


tass--2020-10-25--Putin says US presence in Afghanistan good for security

MOSCOW , October 25 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the continued presence of American troops in Afghanistan is beneficial for overall security .
`` Initially , we backed US forces ’ presence in Afghanistan and earlier voted in favor of a respective UN Security Council resolution .
I still believe that US presence in Afghanistan does not run counter to our external interests , '' Putin said in an interview with `` Moscow .
Kremlin .
Putin '' program on Rossiya-1 TV channel .
`` On the contrary , when it was announced that the Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - yes , our official position is that maybe this creates additional conditions for a kind of Afghan reconciliation - but I personally think that this creates many risks , '' Putin said .
`` First , we will have to spend more to maintain stability and second , no matter what , still US presence in Afghanistan contributes to stability in the country and their exit creates risks , '' the Russian leader explained .
`` We don ’ t have to fight against the Americans ’ presence there . ''
Putin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services continued working in this direction .
`` We are cooperating with the US despite numerous contradictions on a lot of areas , still cooperation at the level of special services is underway , '' he said .
In particular , this is cooperation on de-conflicting in Syria and a very good working contact was established at the operational level and at the level of military units ’ chiefs .
According to Putin , the Americans share data on anti-terror with their Russian colleagues .
`` We view the Americans ’ effort in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Putin stressed .
`` They hand over and repeatedly handed over [ data ] to us .
I thanked incumbent President [ Donald Trump ] because information that we received from America helped us prevent several terrorist acts in Russia , '' Putin noted .
`` In our turn , we are trying to do the same and we have such an agreement with the incumbent US president that if this information emerges , we will share it and help each other .
`` .

MOSCOW, October 25. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the continued presence of American troops in Afghanistan is beneficial for overall security.
"Initially, we backed US forces’ presence in Afghanistan and earlier voted in favor of a respective UN Security Council resolution. I still believe that US presence in Afghanistan does not run counter to our external interests," Putin said in an interview with "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin" program on Rossiya-1 TV channel.
"On the contrary, when it was announced that the Americans are preparing to withdraw their military contingent - yes, our official position is that maybe this creates additional conditions for a kind of Afghan reconciliation - but I personally think that this creates many risks," Putin said.
"First, we will have to spend more to maintain stability and second, no matter what, still US presence in Afghanistan contributes to stability in the country and their exit creates risks," the Russian leader explained. "We don’t have to fight against the Americans’ presence there."
Putin noted that the two countries’ special services continued working in this direction. "We are cooperating with the US despite numerous contradictions on a lot of areas, still cooperation at the level of special services is underway," he said. In particular, this is cooperation on de-conflicting in Syria and a very good working contact was established at the operational level and at the level of military units’ chiefs.
War on terror
According to Putin, the Americans share data on anti-terror with their Russian colleagues. "We view the Americans’ effort in Afghanistan as an anti-terrorist effort," Putin stressed.
"They hand over and repeatedly handed over [data] to us. I thanked incumbent President [Donald Trump] because information that we received from America helped us prevent several terrorist acts in Russia," Putin noted. "In our turn, we are trying to do the same and we have such an agreement with the incumbent US president that if this information emerges, we will share it and help each other.".


tass--2020-10-26--Activists say 290 people detained in Belarus protests Sunday

Most detainees are reported in Minsk and Grodno .
The protests also took place in Brest , Bobruisk , Vitebsk @ @ @ @ @ Pinsk , Polotsk and other cities .
Journalists are among the detainees .
The ‘ @ @ @ @ @ protest rally was organized as urged by former presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya .
The key @ @ @ @ @ resignation of incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko , end to violence and release of political prisoners @ @ @ @ @ not met , Tikhanovskaya said that a `` national strike at all industries , cordoning @ @ @ @ @ in state shops will begin '' on October 26 .

TASS, October 26. Law enforcement agents detained 290 people in Sunday protest rallies in Belarus, unregistered human rights center Vesna reported.
Most detainees are reported in Minsk and Grodno. The protests also took place in Brest, Bobruisk, Vitebsk, Borisov, Mogilyov, Pinsk, Polotsk and other cities. Journalists are among the detainees.
The ‘People’s Ultimatum’ protest rally was organized as urged by former presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya. The key demands of the ultimatum are resignation of incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko, end to violence and release of political prisoners. Since these demands were not met, Tikhanovskaya said that a "national strike at all industries, cordoning of rods and plummeting sales in state shops will begin" on October 26.


tass--2020-10-26--Biden says Russia key threat to US, while China its biggest competition

NEW YORK , October 26 .
/TASS/ .
US Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden believes that Russia poses the biggest @ @ @ @ @ on the international arena , he said in an interview with CBS published Sunday .
@ @ @ @ @ vice president which country he thinks to be the most dangerous for the US .
@ @ @ @ @ the biggest threat to America right now in terms of breaking up our security and @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
`` Secondly , I think that the biggest competitor is China @ @

NEW YORK, October 26. /TASS/. US Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden believes that Russia poses the biggest threat to the United States on the international arena, he said in an interview with CBS published Sunday.
The interviewer asked the former vice president which country he thinks to be the most dangerous for the US. "Well, I think the biggest threat to America right now in terms of breaking up our security and our alliances is Russia," he said. "Secondly, I think that the biggest competitor is China." "And depending on how we handle that will determine whether we're competitors or we end up being in a more serious competition relating to force," Biden added.
He also underlined that policies of incumbent President Donald Trump also pose a significant danger to the US globally. "Look what he [Trump] does. He embraces every dictator in sight, and he pokes his finger in the eye of all of our friends," the former vice president noted. According to him, this approach of the White House occupant led to increased missile arsenal in North Korea and "Iran closer to <…> having enough fissile material to get a nuclear weapon than they had before." "You have our NATO allies backing away from us because they say, ‘We can't count on,’ us," Biden concluded.
The 2020 United States elections are scheduled for November 3. Nationwide, American citizens will go to the polls to elect 435 representatives to the House, 35 senators out of 100 to the Senate, and the President and Vice President of the United States. Incumbent Republican President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden are vying for the highest office in the land. In addition, voters will head to the ballot boxes to decide on 13 US state and territorial governorships, and numerous other local elections will be held.
Disinformation campaign
US Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden believes that Moscow could have masterminded a campaign of disinformation against him on the eve of the presidential elections on November 3, he told CBS.
The interviewer asked him whether the information leak from his son Hunter’s laptop is linked to attempts to spread disinformation attributed to Russia. "From what I've read and know the intelligence community warned the president that [Rudy] Giuliani was being fed disinformation from the Russians. And we also know that Putin is trying very hard to spread disinformation about Joe Biden," he claimed.
In mid-October, the New York Post published private messages obtained from Hunter Biden’s laptop. The message exchanges show that Joe Biden’s son could have set up a meeting between his father, when he served as vice president, and a representative of Ukraine’s Burisma Holdings energy company. Hunter Biden was then on Burisma’s board of directors. Joe Biden also then called to fire Ukraine’s Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin who launched an investigation into Burisma. The revelations gave Republicans a reason to accuse Biden and his son of corruption.
On October 19, Director of US National Intelligence John Ratcliffe said that the US intelligence community has no reason to believe the scandal evolving around Hunter Biden’s messages and emails is part of a disinformation campaign allegedly advanced by Russia. Representatives of the State Department, FBI, Justice Department and Trump himself all expressed similar opinions.
The issue of potential interference in US elections is regularly raised in the context of claims made by US authorities that Russia is engaged in such actions. Moscow has repeatedly denied these accusations. In February, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow regrets to note that more and more claims of the sort would emerge in the US as the elections near. According to Peskov, these inventions "have nothing to do with reality.".


tass--2020-10-26--Over 1,000 taking part in protest march of pensioners in Minsk

The march started from Minsk ’ s central Independence Square , where they held a rally chanting the slogans `` Together We Are Strong '' and `` Strike . ''
The protesters are marching along Independence Avenue and are being joined by more and more people , including students of the Belarusian State University located in the vicinity .
Traffic along Independence Avenue is not smooth , with cars honking horns in solidarity with the demonstrators .
Across Belarus , the opposition-led People ’ s Ultimatum marches were held on Sunday , October 25 , which was the final day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya to President Alexander Lukashenko .
The demands included resignation of the incumbent president , freedom to political prisoners and cessation of violence .
The opposition has called on workers of industrial enterprises to go on strike from Monday in case these demands are not satisfied .
Workers at some enterprises have stopped doing their job but the authorities claim that `` all enterprises of Belarus ’ real sector of the economy are operating routinely , production lines have not been stopped . ''
Protest actions are being held in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ formats , including solidarity chains , sit-in strikes , rallies and road blocking .
Some private sector companies have joined the strike .
Nationwide demonstrations have engulfed Belarus following the August 9 presidential election .
According to the Central Election Commission ’ s official results , incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won by a landslide , garnering 80.10 % of the vote .
His closest rival in the race , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , came in second , with 10.12 % of the ballot .
However , she refused to recognize the election ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After the results of the exit polls were announced late on August 9 , mass protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other Belarusian cities .
During the early post-election period , the rallies snowballed into fierce clashes between the protesters and police .
The current unrest is being cheered on by the opposition ’ s Coordination Council , which has been beating the drum for more protests .
In response , the Belarusian authorities have castigated the ongoing turmoil and demanded that these unauthorized demonstrations be stopped .

The march started from Minsk’s central Independence Square, where they held a rally chanting the slogans "Together We Are Strong" and "Strike." The protesters are marching along Independence Avenue and are being joined by more and more people, including students of the Belarusian State University located in the vicinity. Traffic along Independence Avenue is not smooth, with cars honking horns in solidarity with the demonstrators.
The deadline for the opposition-led People’s Ultimatum expired on Sunday, October 25, put forward by now exiled, former presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya to President Alexander Lukashenko. The demands included the resignation of the incumbent president, the release of political prisoners and an end to violence. The opposition called on workers at industrial enterprises to go on strike starting Monday, October 26, if these demands are not met.
Workers at some enterprises have stopped doing their job but the authorities claim that "all enterprises of Belarus’ real sector of the economy are operating routinely, production lines have not been stopped." Protest actions are being held in Minsk and other Belarusian cities in various formats, including solidarity chains, sit-in strikes, rallies and road blocking. Some private sector companies have joined the strike.
Nationwide demonstrations have engulfed Belarus following the August 9 presidential election. According to the Central Election Commission’s official results, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won by a landslide, garnering 80.10% of the vote. His closest rival in the race, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, came in second, with 10.12% of the ballot. However, she refused to recognize the election’s outcome, and left Belarus for Lithuania. After the results of the exit polls were announced late on August 9, mass protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other Belarusian cities. During the early post-election period, the rallies snowballed into fierce clashes between the protesters and police. The current unrest is being cheered on by the opposition’s Coordination Council, which has been beating the drum for more protests. In response, the Belarusian authorities have castigated the ongoing turmoil and demanded that these unauthorized demonstrations be stopped.


tass--2020-10-26--Azerbaijan will ‘go all the way’ if Armenia does not leave its territories, president says

`` We will continue on our path .
If they want a ceasefire , they should tell Armenia to leave our territories .
If this does not happen , we will go all the way , '' Aliyev said in an address to the nation shown on AzTV state channel on Monday .
BAKU , October 26 .
/TASS/ .
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated that Baku will `` go all the way '' if Armenia does not leave Azerbaijani territories .
`` This conflict should be resolved either militarily or by peaceful means .
I made an offer : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolved peacefully , alright , we ’ ll stop , but we should be told immediately that Armenia is leaving our territories , we should be provided with a schedule for an Armenian troop pullout .
The situation with the continuous ceasefire and the frozen conflict does not suit us , '' he emphasized .
Aliyev also reproached countries that , according to him , speak in favor of a ceasefire while supplying Armenia with weapons .
On the evening of October 25 , Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers approved a Nagorno-Karabakh humanitarian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was set to enter into force on Monday morning .
However , both sides have accused each other of violating the agreement .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .
Hostilities in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreements .
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , France and the United States .

"We will continue on our path. If they want a ceasefire, they should tell Armenia to leave our territories. If this does not happen, we will go all the way," Aliyev said in an address to the nation shown on AzTV state channel on Monday.
BAKU, October 26. /TASS/. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated that Baku will "go all the way" if Armenia does not leave Azerbaijani territories.
"This conflict should be resolved either militarily or by peaceful means. I made an offer: if you want the conflict to be resolved peacefully, alright, we’ll stop, but we should be told immediately that Armenia is leaving our territories, we should be provided with a schedule for an Armenian troop pullout. The situation with the continuous ceasefire and the frozen conflict does not suit us," he emphasized.
Aliyev also reproached countries that, according to him, speak in favor of a ceasefire while supplying Armenia with weapons.
On the evening of October 25, Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers approved a Nagorno-Karabakh humanitarian ceasefire brokered by the US, which was set to enter into force on Monday morning. However, both sides have accused each other of violating the agreement.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians. Hostilities in the region continue despite the previously reached ceasefire agreements.
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-10-26--Russia strongly condemns Islamic State's terrorist act in Kabul

MOSCOW , October 26 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow strongly condemns the October 24 terrorist attack in Kabul , which left @ @ @ @ @ more than 50 injured , the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a commentary on Monday @ @ @ @ @ [ outlawed in Russia - TASS ] claimed responsibility for the suicide bomb attack .
@ @ @ @ @ , which claimed the lives of peaceful civilians , mostly youth - school and university @ @ @ @ @ Ministry said .
It stressed that the Islamic State remained a factor for destabilization in @ @ @ @ @ inter-faith discord and undermines efforts for establishing peace in the country . ''
`` We @ @ @ @ @ to take exhaustive measures against the hotbeds of terrorism and to ensure the safety of @ @ @ @ @ commentary runs .
Earlier , the television broadcaster TOLOnews said that an explosion near a @ @ @ @ @ capital killed at least 29 people and injured 72 others .

MOSCOW, October 26. /TASS/. Moscow strongly condemns the October 24 terrorist attack in Kabul, which left more than 20 dead and more than 50 injured, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a commentary on Monday.
"The Islamic State [outlawed in Russia - TASS] claimed responsibility for the suicide bomb attack. We strongly condemn the attack, which claimed the lives of peaceful civilians, mostly youth - school and university students," the Foreign Ministry said.
It stressed that the Islamic State remained a factor for destabilization in Afghanistan, "which breeds inter-faith discord and undermines efforts for establishing peace in the country."
"We urge the authorities of Afghanistan to take exhaustive measures against the hotbeds of terrorism and to ensure the safety of peaceful Afghan civilians," commentary runs.
Earlier, the television broadcaster TOLOnews said that an explosion near a tutoring center in the Afghan capital killed at least 29 people and injured 72 others.


tass--2020-10-26--Putin fully informed on COVID-19 situation in Russia, Kremlin says

MOSCOW , October 26 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin is fully informed on the difficult COVID-19 situation in Russia , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday .
`` Naturally , the president is fully informed , '' Peskov said .
`` Of course , both federal and regional centers report the information to the head of state . ''
He stated that the situation with the novel coronavirus in Russia `` is rather difficult . ''
`` Right now , the main force of the epidemic has hit the regions , it went to the east @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of the coronavirus is really rather difficult , it requires active efforts of the federal and regional governments , which are underway , '' the spokesman pointed out .
When asked about control over the situation , Peskov noted that this `` first and foremost means control over healthcare capacity , the number of hospital beds , the supply of medicine and means of individual protection . ''
`` This is the first thing that helps control the epidemiological situation , '' he said , adding that it is also important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the necessary measures and avoiding damage to the economy .
`` Different regions make different decisions when it comes to restrictions , but all these decisions do not halt the economy , '' Peskov pointed out .
`` Right now , unfortunately , the whole world is facing new record high numbers of coronavirus cases .
This is the reality that we live in and that we all should fight against , '' the Kremlin official stressed .
Since the start of the pandemic , over 43 mln people worldwide have been diagnosed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the novel coronavirus .
Russia has documented 1,531,224 cases of infection , 1,146,096 people have recovered and 26,269 have died .

MOSCOW, October 26. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin is fully informed on the difficult COVID-19 situation in Russia, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday.
"Naturally, the president is fully informed," Peskov said. "Of course, both federal and regional centers report the information to the head of state."
He stated that the situation with the novel coronavirus in Russia "is rather difficult." "Right now, the main force of the epidemic has hit the regions, it went to the east of Moscow, so the situation with the spread of the coronavirus is really rather difficult, it requires active efforts of the federal and regional governments, which are underway," the spokesman pointed out.
When asked about control over the situation, Peskov noted that this "first and foremost means control over healthcare capacity, the number of hospital beds, the supply of medicine and means of individual protection." "This is the first thing that helps control the epidemiological situation," he said, adding that it is also important to find a middle ground between taking the necessary measures and avoiding damage to the economy.
"Different regions make different decisions when it comes to restrictions, but all these decisions do not halt the economy," Peskov pointed out.
"Right now, unfortunately, the whole world is facing new record high numbers of coronavirus cases. This is the reality that we live in and that we all should fight against," the Kremlin official stressed.
Since the start of the pandemic, over 43 mln people worldwide have been diagnosed with COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus. Russia has documented 1,531,224 cases of infection, 1,146,096 people have recovered and 26,269 have died.


tass--2020-10-26--Opposition figurehead calls on private businesses to go on strike

VILNIUS , October 26 .
/TASS/ .
People employed in private businesses , IT workers and members of religious communities @ @ @ @ @ in support of the Belarusian opposition , former Belarusian presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya wrote on @ @ @ @ @ to her , employees of state-owned enterprises went on strike on Monday morning following her @ @ @ @ @ that private businesses , religious communities , cultural figures , athletes and IT workers will @ @ @ @ @ their work for one day , '' Tikhanovskaya wrote .
She added that in her @ @ @ @ @ state enterprises was a tool of economic pressure , while the strike in private companies @ @ @ @ @ Tikhanovskaya ’ s ultimatum for Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko expired on October 25 .
The @ @ @ @ @ called for strikes at industrial facilities starting on Monday .
Telegram channels supporting the opposition @ @ @ @ @ of the country ’ s major state enterprises had gone on strike .
However , @ @ @ @ @ s spokesperson Alexandra Isayeva said that all enterprises continued to operate normally .

VILNIUS, October 26. /TASS/. People employed in private businesses, IT workers and members of religious communities need to go on strike in support of the Belarusian opposition, former Belarusian presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya wrote on Telegram on Monday.
According to her, employees of state-owned enterprises went on strike on Monday morning following her call.
"I believe that private businesses, religious communities, cultural figures, athletes and IT workers will support the strikers and stop their work for one day," Tikhanovskaya wrote. She added that in her view, the strike at state enterprises was a tool of economic pressure, while the strike in private companies marked solidarity between people.
Tikhanovskaya’s ultimatum for Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko expired on October 25. The country’s opposition has called for strikes at industrial facilities starting on Monday. Telegram channels supporting the opposition wrote on Monday that many of the country’s major state enterprises had gone on strike. However, the Belarusian prime minister’s spokesperson Alexandra Isayeva said that all enterprises continued to operate normally.


tass--2020-10-26--Karabakh settlement should not transform into platform for Russian-US rivalry — Kremlin

`` The regulation of the Karabakh crisis , which is now in an acute phase , should not be and can not be a platform for any rivalry or competition , '' Peskov said , answering a question on whether the Kremlin thinks that the US achieved more than Russia in this regard .
The spokesman stressed that `` as a co-chair of the [ OSCE ] Minsk Group , Russia is ready to welcome any steps that can help stop the war . ''
`` Right now , we continue carefully monitoring the situation on the line of contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that peaceful regulation is the only possible way to resolve this issue , '' Peskov stated .
On the evening of October 25 , Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers approved a Nagorno-Karabakh humanitarian ceasefire brokered by the US , which was set to enter into force on Monday morning .
However , both sides have accused each other of violating the agreement .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .
Hostilities in the region continue despite the previously reached ceasefire agreements .
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group , led by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

"The regulation of the Karabakh crisis, which is now in an acute phase, should not be and cannot be a platform for any rivalry or competition," Peskov said, answering a question on whether the Kremlin thinks that the US achieved more than Russia in this regard.
The spokesman stressed that "as a co-chair of the [OSCE] Minsk Group, Russia is ready to welcome any steps that can help stop the war." "Right now, we continue carefully monitoring the situation on the line of contact between opposing parties. We still think that peaceful regulation is the only possible way to resolve this issue," Peskov stated.
On the evening of October 25, Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers approved a Nagorno-Karabakh humanitarian ceasefire brokered by the US, which was set to enter into force on Monday morning. However, both sides have accused each other of violating the agreement.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians. Hostilities in the region continue despite the previously reached ceasefire agreements.
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-10-26--Yerevan reports Azerbaijani offensive in south-eastern Karabakh

YEREVAN , October 26 .
/TASS/ .
Armenian Defense Ministry Press Secretary Shushan Stepanyan reported on Monday that Azerbaijan ’ s armed forces have launched an offensive on the front line of one of the military bases located in the south-eastern direction in Nagorno-Karabakh .
`` Despite the ceasefire agreement reached in the United States , Azerbaijani forces launched an offensive in the south-eastern sector , continuing shelling the peaceful settlements as well .
< … > At approximately 1.50 p.m. the enemy used Smerch MLRS in the direction of Zardarashen village of Artsakh ’ s ( the unrecognized republic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firing one missile , '' she wrote on her Facebook page , citing the statement by the defense army of the unrecognized republic of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The statement noted that the `` Defense Army subdivisions are waging defense battles to repel the offensives of the enemy and push them back to starting positions . ''
On Monday morning , Armenia ’ s Defense Ministry accused Baku of violating the ceasefire regime , noting that Azerbaijan ’ s forces shelled the positions of the defense army of the unrecognized republic of Nagorno-Karabakh in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Earlier on Sunday , the US Department of State issued a joint statement of the US , Armenia and Azerbaijan .
The document noted that the parties to the conflict confirmed their commitment to `` implement and abide by the humanitarian ceasefire agreed in Moscow on October 10 . ''
It became effective at 08:00 am local time on October 26 .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
Earlier , two ceasefire agreements have been brokered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the warring parties keep blaming each other for violating the truce .

YEREVAN, October 26. /TASS/. Armenian Defense Ministry Press Secretary Shushan Stepanyan reported on Monday that Azerbaijan’s armed forces have launched an offensive on the front line of one of the military bases located in the south-eastern direction in Nagorno-Karabakh.
"Despite the ceasefire agreement reached in the United States, Azerbaijani forces launched an offensive in the south-eastern sector, continuing shelling the peaceful settlements as well. <…> At approximately 1.50 p.m. the enemy used Smerch MLRS in the direction of Zardarashen village of Artsakh’s (the unrecognized republic of Nagorno-Karabakh - TASS) Martuni, firing one missile," she wrote on her Facebook page, citing the statement by the defense army of the unrecognized republic of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The statement noted that the "Defense Army subdivisions are waging defense battles to repel the offensives of the enemy and push them back to starting positions."
On Monday morning, Armenia’s Defense Ministry accused Baku of violating the ceasefire regime, noting that Azerbaijan’s forces shelled the positions of the defense army of the unrecognized republic of Nagorno-Karabakh in the north-eastern sector of the line of contact.
Earlier on Sunday, the US Department of State issued a joint statement of the US, Armenia and Azerbaijan. The document noted that the parties to the conflict confirmed their commitment to "implement and abide by the humanitarian ceasefire agreed in Moscow on October 10." It became effective at 08:00 am local time on October 26.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Earlier, two ceasefire agreements have been brokered already, but the hostilities continue and the warring parties keep blaming each other for violating the truce.


tass--2020-10-26--Kremlin says cannot give Lukashenko advice on domestic affairs

`` In this case , giving advice publicly would amount to an attempt to interfere in the situation .
We have done and will do nothing of the kind , '' Peskov noted .
He slammed questions about the Kremlin ’ s potential advice for Lukashenko as a provocation .
According to the spokesman , Russian authorities continue not to interfere in the situation in Belarus where protest rallies after the presidential election persist and think that other countries shouldn ’ t meddle in these events either .
`` We are still not going to interfere in these events and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these events , '' he said in response to a question on how the Kremlin is treating the `` new round of protest activity in Belarus . ''
The spokesman noted that `` it is difficult not to pay attention '' to these events , but did not offer his evaluations though .
`` We shouldn ’ t , probably , give any evaluations .
The evaluations and conclusions should be made by the Belarusian leadership , '' he explained .
The Kremlin representative specified that the Kremlin follows the events in Belarus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and interdependence of the economies of the two countries are at the highest level . ''
For Russia , it is extremely important how rhythmically and reliably the enterprises in Belarus function , the Kremlin spokesman stressed .
Nationwide demonstrations have engulfed Belarus following the August 9 presidential election .
According to the Central Election Commission ’ s official results , incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won by a landslide , garnering 80.10 % of the vote .
His closest rival in the race , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , came in second , with 10.12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she refused to recognize the election ’ s outcome , and left Belarus for Lithuania .
After the results of the exit polls were announced late on August 9 , mass protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other Belarusian cities .
During the early post-election period , the rallies snowballed into fierce clashes between the protesters and police .
The current unrest is being cheered on by the opposition ’ s Coordination Council , which has been beating the drum for more protests .
In response , the Belarusian authorities have castigated the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrations be stopped .

"In this case, giving advice publicly would amount to an attempt to interfere in the situation. We have done and will do nothing of the kind," Peskov noted.
He slammed questions about the Kremlin’s potential advice for Lukashenko as a provocation.
According to the spokesman, Russian authorities continue not to interfere in the situation in Belarus where protest rallies after the presidential election persist and think that other countries shouldn’t meddle in these events either. "We are still not going to interfere in these events and we think that nobody should meddle in these events," he said in response to a question on how the Kremlin is treating the "new round of protest activity in Belarus."
The spokesman noted that "it is difficult not to pay attention" to these events, but did not offer his evaluations though. "We shouldn’t, probably, give any evaluations. The evaluations and conclusions should be made by the Belarusian leadership," he explained.
The Kremlin representative specified that the Kremlin follows the events in Belarus. According to him, "interconnection and interdependence of the economies of the two countries are at the highest level." For Russia, it is extremely important how rhythmically and reliably the enterprises in Belarus function, the Kremlin spokesman stressed.
Nationwide demonstrations have engulfed Belarus following the August 9 presidential election. According to the Central Election Commission’s official results, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won by a landslide, garnering 80.10% of the vote. His closest rival in the race, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, came in second, with 10.12% of the ballot. However, she refused to recognize the election’s outcome, and left Belarus for Lithuania. After the results of the exit polls were announced late on August 9, mass protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other Belarusian cities. During the early post-election period, the rallies snowballed into fierce clashes between the protesters and police. The current unrest is being cheered on by the opposition’s Coordination Council, which has been beating the drum for more protests. In response, the Belarusian authorities have castigated the ongoing turmoil and demanded that these unauthorized demonstrations be stopped.