tass--2020-09-11--Vaccination against coronavirus to be widely available in March-April 2021 — expert

MOSCOW , September 10./TASS/ .
Vaccination against coronavirus will be accessible to all in March-April 2021 , Deputy Research Director at the Gamaleya National Research Center Denis Logunov said on Thursday .
`` The beginning of 2021 , I hope .
March or April , maybe , '' Logunov said in an interview with Business FM radio station when asked when the vaccine would be available for anybody who wanted to be vaccinated .
He also said that less than one million dozes would be produced before the end of this year .
`` The Ministry of Health will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulator , vaccinating people for whom it is important in its opinion .
Teachers , maybe , medics - those who will say they want '' to be inoculated , the expert stressed .
On August 11 , Russia was reported to have become the first country in the world to register a vaccine against the novel coronavirus , named Sputnik V. The inoculation was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry and passed clinical trials in June and July .
It is based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the development of other vaccines in the past .
To date , 1,046,370 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 862,373 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 18,263 fatalities nationwide .

MOSCOW, September 10./TASS/. Vaccination against coronavirus will be accessible to all in March-April 2021, Deputy Research Director at the Gamaleya National Research Center Denis Logunov said on Thursday.
"The beginning of 2021, I hope. March or April, maybe," Logunov said in an interview with Business FM radio station when asked when the vaccine would be available for anybody who wanted to be vaccinated.
He also said that less than one million dozes would be produced before the end of this year. "The Ministry of Health will be determining the high risk groups as the regulator, vaccinating people for whom it is important in its opinion. Teachers, maybe, medics - those who will say they want" to be inoculated, the expert stressed.
On August 11, Russia was reported to have become the first country in the world to register a vaccine against the novel coronavirus, named Sputnik V. The inoculation was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry and passed clinical trials in June and July. It is based on a platform that was widely used for the development of other vaccines in the past.
To date, 1,046,370 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 862,373 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 18,263 fatalities nationwide.


tass--2020-09-11--Nine coronavirus patients die in Moscow in the past 24 hours — crisis center

MOSCOW , September 10./TASS/ .
Nine coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day , the city ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .
`` Nine coronavirus-positive patients diagnosed with pneumonia have died in Moscow , '' @ @ @ @ @ overall number of coronavirus-related deaths in Moscow has reached 4,956 .
Meanwhile , the situation @ @ @ @ @ , which was the hardest hit by coronavirus , according to statistical data .
Overall @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases , including 695 infections in the past 24 hours .
As many as @ @ @ @ @ The number of recoveries once again exceeded the number of infections in the past 24 @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, September 10./TASS/. Nine coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day, the city’s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Thursday.
"Nine coronavirus-positive patients diagnosed with pneumonia have died in Moscow," it said, adding the overall number of coronavirus-related deaths in Moscow has reached 4,956.
Meanwhile, the situation has visibly improved in Moscow, which was the hardest hit by coronavirus, according to statistical data.
Overall, the city reports 269,079 coronavirus cases, including 695 infections in the past 24 hours. As many as 226,274 people have recovered. The number of recoveries once again exceeded the number of infections in the past 24 hours, making up 1,434.


tass--2020-09-11--EU Troika rejects US attempts to trigger snapback sanctions against Iran — Germany

BERLIN , September 10 .
/TASS/ .
The European troika of UN mediators ( the United Kingdom , Germany and France ) rejects the US attempt to trigger snapback sanctions against Tehran and is determined to preserve the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA ) on Iran ’ s nuclear program , the German Foreign Ministry said on Thursday .
`` The E3 agree : reject the US snapback attempt and remain committed to preserving the nuclear agreement , but Iran urgently needs to return to full compliance , '' the ministry said on Twitter following a meeting of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK and French counterparts , Dominic Raab and Jean-Yves Le Drian .
According to the German Foreign Ministry , the three top diplomats met to coordinate joint steps for preserving the JCPOA .
EU High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell also took part in the talks via a video linkup .
On August 20 , US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo handed over the Washington ’ s request to restore sanctions to the President of the UN Security Council .
According to the US , the sanctions may enter force again in 30 days .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Action , any signatory to the treaty can initiate the snapback procedure , should Iran violate the terms of the agreement .
However , the US withdrew from the deal in 2018 .

BERLIN, September 10. /TASS/. The European troika of UN mediators (the United Kingdom, Germany and France) rejects the US attempt to trigger snapback sanctions against Tehran and is determined to preserve the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran’s nuclear program, the German Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
"The E3 agree: reject the US snapback attempt and remain committed to preserving the nuclear agreement, but Iran urgently needs to return to full compliance," the ministry said on Twitter following a meeting of German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas with his UK and French counterparts, Dominic Raab and Jean-Yves Le Drian.
According to the German Foreign Ministry, the three top diplomats met to coordinate joint steps for preserving the JCPOA. EU High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell also took part in the talks via a video linkup.
On August 20, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo handed over the Washington’s request to restore sanctions to the President of the UN Security Council.
According to the US, the sanctions may enter force again in 30 days. According to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, any signatory to the treaty can initiate the snapback procedure, should Iran violate the terms of the agreement. However, the US withdrew from the deal in 2018.


tass--2020-09-11--Intra-Afghan peace talks to start in Doha on September 12 — Qatari foreign ministry

MOSCOW , September 10./TASS/ .
Afghani peace negotiations will begin in Qatari capital city Doha on September 12 , the Foreign Ministry of Qatar said in a report that TASS received on Thursday .
The foreign ministry pointed out that direct negotiations between different Afghani parties were an important move towards bringing lasting peace to Afghanistan , that became possible after the US and the Taliban had signed a peace deal .
On Monday , Afghan president ’ s Spokesperson Sediq Sediqqi said that the delegation was fully ready for negotiations with the Taliban and all technical problems had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One of the reasons delaying a dialogue was the demand of the Taliban to release from prison six radical fighters , which Australia and France opposed .
However , as TOLOnews TV channel has learned , they were brought from Kabul to Doha on Thursday .
The US and the Taliban signed the agreement in Qatar ’ s capital of Doha on February 29 .
According to the document , the US and coalition forces are supposed to withdraw their troops from Afghanistan within 14 months .
The Taliban , in turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be used to plot or carry out attacks against the United States and its allies .
According to the document , up to 5,000 Taliban supporters and up to 1,000 people held by the Taliban need to be released before the launch of intra-Afghan talks .

MOSCOW, September 10./TASS/. Afghani peace negotiations will begin in Qatari capital city Doha on September 12, the Foreign Ministry of Qatar said in a report that TASS received on Thursday.
The foreign ministry pointed out that direct negotiations between different Afghani parties were an important move towards bringing lasting peace to Afghanistan, that became possible after the US and the Taliban had signed a peace deal.
On Monday, Afghan president’s Spokesperson Sediq Sediqqi said that the delegation was fully ready for negotiations with the Taliban and all technical problems had been settled ahead of the talks in Doha. One of the reasons delaying a dialogue was the demand of the Taliban to release from prison six radical fighters, which Australia and France opposed. However, as TOLOnews TV channel has learned, they were brought from Kabul to Doha on Thursday.
The US and the Taliban signed the agreement in Qatar’s capital of Doha on February 29. According to the document, the US and coalition forces are supposed to withdraw their troops from Afghanistan within 14 months. The Taliban, in turn, guarantee that Afghan soil will not be used to plot or carry out attacks against the United States and its allies. According to the document, up to 5,000 Taliban supporters and up to 1,000 people held by the Taliban need to be released before the launch of intra-Afghan talks.


tass--2020-09-11--Serbian leader praises Putin’s deep understanding of Serbia’s problems

BELGRADE , September 10 .
/TASS/ .
In an interview with Serbia ’ s national television channel RTS on Thursday , the country ’ s President Aleksandar Vucic praised his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin ’ s profound understanding of the Balkan state ’ s problems .
`` Putin understands Serbia ’ s problems very well < … > .
I ’ m not pro-Russian , pro-American and so on , I am pro-Serbian , '' Vucic said .
`` He [ Putin ] understands very well what it is like to govern a country with a population of seven million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than anyone else in Europe . ''
The Serbian leader described Belgrade ’ s relations with Russia as `` very good ’ and with China - as ‘ also very good , excellent.
’ Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Russian leader Vladimir Putin had a phone conversation earlier on Thursday to discuss `` pressing matters related to strategic partnership between Russia and Serbia . ''
The Russian side praised Aleksandar Vucic ’ s personal contribution to efforts to boost Russia-Serbia ties .
Vucic , in turn , informed Putin in about the outcome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Washington and Brussels .

BELGRADE, September 10. /TASS/. In an interview with Serbia’s national television channel RTS on Thursday, the country’s President Aleksandar Vucic praised his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin’s profound understanding of the Balkan state’s problems.
"Putin understands Serbia’s problems very well <…>. I’m not pro-Russian, pro-American and so on, I am pro-Serbian," Vucic said. "He [Putin] understands very well what it is like to govern a country with a population of seven million, which develops very rapidly, faster than anyone else in Europe."
The Serbian leader described Belgrade’s relations with Russia as "very good’ and with China - as ‘also very good, excellent.’
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Russian leader Vladimir Putin had a phone conversation earlier on Thursday to discuss "pressing matters related to strategic partnership between Russia and Serbia." The Russian side praised Aleksandar Vucic’s personal contribution to efforts to boost Russia-Serbia ties. Vucic, in turn, informed Putin in about the outcome of his talks on Kosovo recently held in Washington and Brussels.


tass--2020-09-11--Germany’s claims it handed over materials on Navalny to OPCW untrue — Russian mission

THE HAGUE , September 10 .
/TASS/ .
Statements made by German officials regarding the handover of materials on Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny ’ s alleged poisoning to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons ( OPCW ) are untrue , Russia ’ s mission to the OPCW said in a message published on Thursday .
`` The statements made by German officials < … > are untrue , they do not correspond to reality , '' the document says .
`` The OPCW Technical Secretariat has confirmed to us that Germany did not hand over anything to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on September 10 .
The only thing that came from Berlin was the letter by State Secretary of the Federal Foreign Office Miguel Berger dated September 3 . ''
`` We are ready to cooperate with the organization using all convention mechanisms in its possession to find out what happened through exchanging information and holding consultations as stipulated by the [ Chemical Weapons ] Convention , '' the mission informed .
Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny was rushed to a local hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk on August 20 after collapsing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into a coma and was hooked up to a ventilator in the intensive care unit .
On August 22 , he was airlifted to the Charite hospital in Berlin .
Last week , the German government claimed that Navalny had been poisoned with a Novichok-type toxic agent .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said later that Russia is ready for comprehensive cooperation with Germany .
He noted that before Navalny was transferred to Berlin , no toxic substances had been found in his system .
On September 7 , the German clinic informed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coma , and that he is gradually being taken off artificial ventilation .

THE HAGUE, September 10. /TASS/. Statements made by German officials regarding the handover of materials on Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny’s alleged poisoning to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) are untrue, Russia’s mission to the OPCW said in a message published on Thursday.
"The statements made by German officials <…> are untrue, they do not correspond to reality," the document says. "The OPCW Technical Secretariat has confirmed to us that Germany did not hand over anything to the organization neither on September 9 nor on September 10. The only thing that came from Berlin was the letter by State Secretary of the Federal Foreign Office Miguel Berger dated September 3." "We are ready to cooperate with the organization using all convention mechanisms in its possession to find out what happened through exchanging information and holding consultations as stipulated by the [Chemical Weapons] Convention," the mission informed.
Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny was rushed to a local hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk on August 20 after collapsing on the Tomsk-Moscow flight. He fell into a coma and was hooked up to a ventilator in the intensive care unit. On August 22, he was airlifted to the Charite hospital in Berlin. Last week, the German government claimed that Navalny had been poisoned with a Novichok-type toxic agent.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said later that Russia is ready for comprehensive cooperation with Germany. He noted that before Navalny was transferred to Berlin, no toxic substances had been found in his system.
On September 7, the German clinic informed that Navalny had been brought out of a coma, and that he is gradually being taken off artificial ventilation.


tass--2020-09-11--Belarus opposition figures say they will soon return from Ukraine to ‘destabilize regime’

KIEV , September 10./TASS/ .
Members of the Belarusian opposition Coordination Council , Anton Rodnenkov and Ivan Kravtsov , said on Thursday that they planned to return to Belarus from Ukraine within two or three weeks .
The return to Belarus `` is a possibility to destabilize the regime through non-standard actions , '' they said in an interview with Ukraine ’ s Strana news outlet .
`` Our effectiveness here [ in Ukraine ] will be declining , since it is important to be at the scene .
It is difficult to take part in a revolution remotely , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return was planned within two or three weeks .
According to Anton Rodnenkov , before getting back to Belarus , they are planning to head to Lithuania and Poland to work from there .
The opposition figures said they realized that they could be arrested upon the return , so they wanted to make the return dramatic .
`` We want to make our return to Belarus more impressive , and this requires preparations , '' Rodnenkov said .
`` So far we have no exact plan .
But we want this to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .
The two once again specified that they were not planning to ask for political asylum in Ukraine , since they were in Ukraine `` within the framework of a political campaign '' .
Earlier , they told a news conference that they had crossed the border between Belarus and Ukraine legally and of their own free will .
They said that prior to that they had been detained by unidentified persons .
Besides , they said that a member of the Belarusian opposition ’ s Coordination Council Maria Kolesnikova , also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , did not want to leave Belarus and that is why she tore her passport .
On Tuesday , Belarus-1 state TV channel reported on its Telegram channel that Kolesnikova had been detained while trying to illegally cross the border with Ukraine .
According to the Belarusian State Border Committee , she was going through border control together with the Council ’ s spokesman Anton Rodnenkov and executive secretary Ivan Kravtsov .
The two men passed the control and later headed to Kiev .
Later , the Belarusian Investigative Committee reported that Kolesnikova @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takeover appeals .

KIEV, September 10./TASS/. Members of the Belarusian opposition Coordination Council, Anton Rodnenkov and Ivan Kravtsov, said on Thursday that they planned to return to Belarus from Ukraine within two or three weeks.
The return to Belarus "is a possibility to destabilize the regime through non-standard actions," they said in an interview with Ukraine’s Strana news outlet. "Our effectiveness here [in Ukraine] will be declining, since it is important to be at the scene. It is difficult to take part in a revolution remotely," said Kravtsov, adding that the return was planned within two or three weeks.
According to Anton Rodnenkov, before getting back to Belarus, they are planning to head to Lithuania and Poland to work from there. The opposition figures said they realized that they could be arrested upon the return, so they wanted to make the return dramatic. "We want to make our return to Belarus more impressive, and this requires preparations," Rodnenkov said. "So far we have no exact plan. But we want this to be pubic and manifest," he added.
The two once again specified that they were not planning to ask for political asylum in Ukraine, since they were in Ukraine "within the framework of a political campaign".
Earlier, they told a news conference that they had crossed the border between Belarus and Ukraine legally and of their own free will. They said that prior to that they had been detained by unidentified persons. Besides, they said that a member of the Belarusian opposition’s Coordination Council Maria Kolesnikova, also taken to the border with Ukraine forcibly, did not want to leave Belarus and that is why she tore her passport.
On Tuesday, Belarus-1 state TV channel reported on its Telegram channel that Kolesnikova had been detained while trying to illegally cross the border with Ukraine. According to the Belarusian State Border Committee, she was going through border control together with the Council’s spokesman Anton Rodnenkov and executive secretary Ivan Kravtsov. The two men passed the control and later headed to Kiev.
Later, the Belarusian Investigative Committee reported that Kolesnikova had been arrested under the case of takeover appeals.


tass--2020-09-11--Kiev refuses to hold joint inspection in Donbass under false pretenses - DPR

DONETSK , September 10 .
/TASS/ .
Kiev representatives have refused to hold a joint inspection of the areas on the line of contact where violations had been documented under false pretenses , the foreign ministry of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People ’ s Republic ( DPR ) informed on Thursday , publishing its address to the OSCE Special Representative Heidi Grau .
`` Not only did the Ukrainian side derail the joint inspection in the area of the Shumy settlement , it has begun to spread fake news in the media which supposedly could justify Kiev ’ s actions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened , '' the ministry stated .
The ministry published a letter sent to OSCE Special Representative Heidi Grau , in which the DPR working group on the implementation of the Minsk Agreements explains that the Ukrainian side is attempting to derail the planned inspection .
The DPR received a letter from Ukraine in which it stated incorrect coordinates of the inspection .
In its address to Grau , the DPR asks OSCE to document the fact that DPR representatives have not been allowed to monitor the coordinates previously agreed upon where suspected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted that during the session of the Contact Group on Wednesday , specific coordinates of the area where violations had taken place had not been stipulated .
`` The Ukrainian side used this situation to its advantage , formally agreeing to the inspection , while in reality , they hindered the inspection of the real state of events in the area of the Shumy settlement , '' the address says .
However , the DPR listed the coordinates of three areas where violations had been documented and provided a detailed route of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when it sent a letter to the OSCE Special Monitoring Commission .
The ministry stressed that it has all the evidence of Ukraine ’ s violations .
`` We have all photo-and video-proof confirming that engineering works in this area by the Ukrainian Armed Forces had taken place after additional measures had been introduced , '' the address points out .
Earlier , the DPR mission to the Joint Center for Control and Coordination of the Donbass ceasefire informed that the joint inspection of an area near the Shumy settlement had been derailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its part , Kiev explained its refusal to carry out an inspection of its positions on the line of contact in Donbass by the fact that it did not have an opportunity to carry out an inspection of the positions of the DPR and LPR , the office of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky informed .
On Wednesday , Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group ( TCG ) Ambassador Heidi Grau has confirmed the planned inspection of a problem area on the line of contact in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participants of the talks to take additional necessary steps to ensure the current ceasefire in the region .

DONETSK, September 10. /TASS/. Kiev representatives have refused to hold a joint inspection of the areas on the line of contact where violations had been documented under false pretenses, the foreign ministry of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) informed on Thursday, publishing its address to the OSCE Special Representative Heidi Grau.
"Not only did the Ukrainian side derail the joint inspection in the area of the Shumy settlement, it has begun to spread fake news in the media which supposedly could justify Kiev’s actions, namely through accusing DPR representatives of what happened," the ministry stated.
The ministry published a letter sent to OSCE Special Representative Heidi Grau, in which the DPR working group on the implementation of the Minsk Agreements explains that the Ukrainian side is attempting to derail the planned inspection. The DPR received a letter from Ukraine in which it stated incorrect coordinates of the inspection. In its address to Grau, the DPR asks OSCE to document the fact that DPR representatives have not been allowed to monitor the coordinates previously agreed upon where suspected violations had taken place.
DPR representatives noted that during the session of the Contact Group on Wednesday, specific coordinates of the area where violations had taken place had not been stipulated. "The Ukrainian side used this situation to its advantage, formally agreeing to the inspection, while in reality, they hindered the inspection of the real state of events in the area of the Shumy settlement," the address says.
However, the DPR listed the coordinates of three areas where violations had been documented and provided a detailed route of the planned inspection back on September 9, when it sent a letter to the OSCE Special Monitoring Commission. The ministry stressed that it has all the evidence of Ukraine’s violations. "We have all photo-and video-proof confirming that engineering works in this area by the Ukrainian Armed Forces had taken place after additional measures had been introduced," the address points out.
Cancelled inspection
Earlier, the DPR mission to the Joint Center for Control and Coordination of the Donbass ceasefire informed that the joint inspection of an area near the Shumy settlement had been derailed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. For its part, Kiev explained its refusal to carry out an inspection of its positions on the line of contact in Donbass by the fact that it did not have an opportunity to carry out an inspection of the positions of the DPR and LPR, the office of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky informed.
On Wednesday, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) Ambassador Heidi Grau has confirmed the planned inspection of a problem area on the line of contact in Donbass on September 10, advising the participants of the talks to take additional necessary steps to ensure the current ceasefire in the region.


tass--2020-09-11--About 180 different COVID-19 vaccines are being developed worldwide today — WHO

GENEVA , September 10 .
/TASS/ .
There are currently about 180 vaccines against the coronavirus being developed worldwide , 35 of them are undergoing trials on humans , Director General of the World Health Organization ( WHO ) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a briefing in Geneva on Thursday .
`` Around 180 vaccines are now in development , including 35 that are in human trials , '' he said .
`` No disease in history has seen such rapid development in research , '' the Director General stated .
According to the Director General , this `` is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ science and technology the world has made in recent years . ''
In relation with that he urged to provide access to vaccines to as many people as possible .
Mentioning the ACT Accelerator international partnership initiated by the WHO in April in order to expand access to tools of fighting the coronavirus , he noted that this mechanism `` will not be able to deliver on its goals without a significant increase in funding . ''
To date , the ACT Accelerator has received $ 2.7 bln in donations which is less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
By the end of 2020 `` we need to rapidly scale up our clinical trials , manufacturing , licensing and regulation capacity , '' the Director General said .
He expressed worries that `` bilateral vaccine deals and vaccine nationalism could compromise equitable access '' of the population to tools of fighting the infection .
The head of the WHO mentioned the first meeting of the Facilitation Council of the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator ( ACT-A ) held on Thursday .
One of the Council ’ s tasks will be `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concluded The international partnership named the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator , or ACT-Accelerator , was officially launched on April 24 by the WHO , the EU , France , and Bill and Melinda Gates .
As the WHO explained , the new initiative `` is a unique partnership of many of the world ’ s international health organizations who have come together to share , and build on , individual expertise to create a powerful global solution that will ensure equity in access to tests , vaccines , treatments across the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burden of the COVID-19 .
`` .

GENEVA, September 10. /TASS/. There are currently about 180 vaccines against the coronavirus being developed worldwide, 35 of them are undergoing trials on humans, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a briefing in Geneva on Thursday.
"Around 180 vaccines are now in development, including 35 that are in human trials," he said. "No disease in history has seen such rapid development in research," the Director General stated.
According to the Director General, this "is a testament to the incredible advances in science and technology the world has made in recent years." In relation with that he urged to provide access to vaccines to as many people as possible. Mentioning the ACT Accelerator international partnership initiated by the WHO in April in order to expand access to tools of fighting the coronavirus, he noted that this mechanism "will not be able to deliver on its goals without a significant increase in funding."
To date, the ACT Accelerator has received $2.7 bln in donations which is less than 10% of the amount needed. By the end of 2020 "we need to rapidly scale up our clinical trials, manufacturing, licensing and regulation capacity," the Director General said. He expressed worries that "bilateral vaccine deals and vaccine nationalism could compromise equitable access" of the population to tools of fighting the infection.
The head of the WHO mentioned the first meeting of the Facilitation Council of the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A) held on Thursday. One of the Council’s tasks will be "to mobilize additional resources," he concluded
The international partnership named the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator, or ACT-Accelerator, was officially launched on April 24 by the WHO, the EU, France, and Bill and Melinda Gates. As the WHO explained, the new initiative "is a unique partnership of many of the world’s international health organizations who have come together to share, and build on, individual expertise to create a powerful global solution that will ensure equity in access to tests, vaccines, treatments across the world with one goal: to reduce the burden of the COVID-19."


tass--2020-09-10--Nobel Prize winner asks UN to send monitoring mission to Belarus

PARIS , September 10 .
/TASS/ .
Winner of the Nobel Prize in literature , member of the presidium of the Coordination Council of the Belarusian opposition Svetlana Alexievich appealed to the UN asking to send a monitoring mission to the republic .
This is the subject of an article she coauthored with chairperson of the Belarusian Association of Journalists Andrey Bastunets and Director General of the international Reporters Without Borders organization Christophe Deloire which was published on Thursday by the French Le Monde daily .
`` We are urging the UN General Assembly to send a monitoring mission to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the article pointed out .
Its authors also urged the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe `` to include freedom of the press on the list of priority subjects within the framework of the proposal on mediation in the crisis settlement . ''
The presidential election in Belarus was held on August 9 .
According to the final results of the Central Election Committee , incumbent president of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.1 % of the vote .
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya who was considered his main opponent , was second with 10.12 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results .
Immediately after exit poll results were announced , mass protest rallies erupted in the country which in the early days were accompanied by clashes between protesters and law enforcement forces .
The Coordination Council of the opposition created in the republic is urging to continue the protests .
The authorities state the necessity to stop the unauthorized rallies .

PARIS, September 10. /TASS/. Winner of the Nobel Prize in literature, member of the presidium of the Coordination Council of the Belarusian opposition Svetlana Alexievich appealed to the UN asking to send a monitoring mission to the republic. This is the subject of an article she coauthored with chairperson of the Belarusian Association of Journalists Andrey Bastunets and Director General of the international Reporters Without Borders organization Christophe Deloire which was published on Thursday by the French Le Monde daily.
"We are urging the UN General Assembly to send a monitoring mission to witness the repressions against journalists," the article pointed out. Its authors also urged the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe "to include freedom of the press on the list of priority subjects within the framework of the proposal on mediation in the crisis settlement."
The presidential election in Belarus was held on August 9. According to the final results of the Central Election Committee, incumbent president of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.1% of the vote. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya who was considered his main opponent, was second with 10.12%, she refused to recognize the election results. Immediately after exit poll results were announced, mass protest rallies erupted in the country which in the early days were accompanied by clashes between protesters and law enforcement forces. The Coordination Council of the opposition created in the republic is urging to continue the protests. The authorities state the necessity to stop the unauthorized rallies.


tass--2020-09-10--Large-scale COVID-19 vaccination to begin with an increase in production

`` Vaccination on a broad scale will be launched as the amount of production grows and post-registration data is accumulated .
We can say that the system of safety , control over the safety of the vaccine has been worked out exhaustively , '' which will ensure the patients ’ safety , Glagolev told an online briefing focusing on Russia ’ s Sputnik V vaccine against coronavirus .
MOSCOW , September 10./TASS/ .
Large-scale vaccination against coronavirus in Russia will begin when the amount of production increases , Sergei Glagolev , adviser to the minister of healthcare said on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported to have become the first country in the world to register a vaccine against the novel coronavirus , named Sputnik V. The inoculation was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry and passed clinical trials in June and July .
It is based on a platform that was widely used for the development of other vaccines in the past .
Over 160 vaccines are currently developed across the globe .
According to the latest statistics , over 27.8 million people have been infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been reported .
To date , 1,046,370 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 862,373 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 18,263 fatalities nationwide .

"Vaccination on a broad scale will be launched as the amount of production grows and post-registration data is accumulated. We can say that the system of safety, control over the safety of the vaccine has been worked out exhaustively," which will ensure the patients’ safety, Glagolev told an online briefing focusing on Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine against coronavirus.
MOSCOW, September 10./TASS/. Large-scale vaccination against coronavirus in Russia will begin when the amount of production increases, Sergei Glagolev, adviser to the minister of healthcare said on Thursday.
On August 11, Russia was reported to have become the first country in the world to register a vaccine against the novel coronavirus, named Sputnik V. The inoculation was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry and passed clinical trials in June and July. It is based on a platform that was widely used for the development of other vaccines in the past. Over 160 vaccines are currently developed across the globe.
According to the latest statistics, over 27.8 million people have been infected worldwide and more than 903,000 deaths have been reported.
To date, 1,046,370 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 862,373 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 18,263 fatalities nationwide.


tass--2020-09-10--COVID-19 vaccine may become one of travel requirements

MOSCOW , September 10 .
/TASS/ .
COVID-19 tests can guarantee that a person is not sick with the virus for a limited amount of time , which is why it is likely that a novel coronavirus vaccine may become one of the requirements for international travel over the next several years , Sergei Glagolev , aide to the Russian health minister , said on Thursday .
`` Unfortunately , so far , polymer chain reaction and antibodies tests guarantee that a patient is not sick for a rather limited amount of time , '' he said .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for years , so a more optimal approach would be to introduce international vaccination schemes or active certificates showing that a person has overcome the illness and has confirmed antibodies or there is certain data about cell immunity , '' he said during an online briefing dedicated to the first Russian vaccine against the novel coronavirus `` Sputnik V '' .
On August 11 , Russia became the first country to register a coronavirus vaccine , which was named Sputnik V. Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko informed that the vaccine created by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Epidemiology and Microbiology had shown its effectiveness and safety on the outcomes of clinical trials .
It was created on a platform that had been used for the development of a number of other vaccines .
On August 15 , the Russian Health Ministry announced the launch of vaccine production .
Later , head of the Gamaleya research center Alexander Ginzburg informed TASS that vaccination of volunteers during the post-registration trials would begin in early September .
In total , about 40,000 people will take part in the research , 10,000 of which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late December 2019 , Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 27.8 mln people have been infected worldwide and more than 903,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 1,046,370 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 862,373 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 18,263 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, September 10. /TASS/. COVID-19 tests can guarantee that a person is not sick with the virus for a limited amount of time, which is why it is likely that a novel coronavirus vaccine may become one of the requirements for international travel over the next several years, Sergei Glagolev, aide to the Russian health minister, said on Thursday.
"Unfortunately, so far, polymer chain reaction and antibodies tests guarantee that a patient is not sick for a rather limited amount of time," he said. "It seems like COVID-19 is here to stay for years, so a more optimal approach would be to introduce international vaccination schemes or active certificates showing that a person has overcome the illness and has confirmed antibodies or there is certain data about cell immunity," he said during an online briefing dedicated to the first Russian vaccine against the novel coronavirus "Sputnik V".
On August 11, Russia became the first country to register a coronavirus vaccine, which was named Sputnik V. Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko informed that the vaccine created by the N. F. Gamaleya Federal Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology had shown its effectiveness and safety on the outcomes of clinical trials. It was created on a platform that had been used for the development of a number of other vaccines. On August 15, the Russian Health Ministry announced the launch of vaccine production.
Later, head of the Gamaleya research center Alexander Ginzburg informed TASS that vaccination of volunteers during the post-registration trials would begin in early September. In total, about 40,000 people will take part in the research, 10,000 of which will receive a placebo dose.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 27.8 mln people have been infected worldwide and more than 903,000 deaths have been reported.
To date, 1,046,370 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 862,373 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 18,263 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-09-10--Studies of Sputnik V vaccine to demonstrate its epidemiologic effectiveness

MOSCOW , September 10 .
/TASS/ .
Phase Three trials of the Sputnik V vaccine are needed to study the epidemiologic effectiveness of the preparation , its safety has been proven , Deputy Research Director at the Gamaleya National Research Center , Associate Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Denis Logunov reported on Thursday .
`` This isn ’ t the issue of Phase Three safety trials .
Phase Three is needed first of all to study epidemiologic effectiveness , this is a very important issue which may be researched and determined on a large sampling of patients , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , this is the important part .
Yet , of course , safety and immunogenicity will be studied within the framework of this stage but overall our platform has proven its safety , '' he said at an online briefing dedicated to the first registered worldwide Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus .
On August 11 , Russia became the first worldwide to register the vaccine against the coronavirus which was named Sputnik V. The preparation was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center and passed clinical trials in June - July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ platform previously used for other vaccines .
On August 15 , the Healthcare Ministry announced the production launch of the preparation .
Later Director of the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry Alexander Gintsburg told TASS that inoculation of volunteers at the stage of post-registration clinical trials will be launched in early September .
In all , 40,000 people will take part in the study , with 10,000 of them receiving placebo instead of a vaccine .
According to the latest statistics , over 27.8 mln @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 903,000 deaths have been reported .
To date , 1,046,370 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 862,373 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 18,263 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, September 10. /TASS/. Phase Three trials of the Sputnik V vaccine are needed to study the epidemiologic effectiveness of the preparation, its safety has been proven, Deputy Research Director at the Gamaleya National Research Center, Associate Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Denis Logunov reported on Thursday.
"This isn’t the issue of Phase Three safety trials. Phase Three is needed first of all to study epidemiologic effectiveness, this is a very important issue which may be researched and determined on a large sampling of patients, that is why there will be 40,000 people, this is the important part. Yet, of course, safety and immunogenicity will be studied within the framework of this stage but overall our platform has proven its safety," he said at an online briefing dedicated to the first registered worldwide Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus.
On August 11, Russia became the first worldwide to register the vaccine against the coronavirus which was named Sputnik V. The preparation was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center and passed clinical trials in June - July. It is based on a known platform previously used for other vaccines. On August 15, the Healthcare Ministry announced the production launch of the preparation.
Later Director of the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry Alexander Gintsburg told TASS that inoculation of volunteers at the stage of post-registration clinical trials will be launched in early September. In all, 40,000 people will take part in the study, with 10,000 of them receiving placebo instead of a vaccine.
According to the latest statistics, over 27.8 mln people have been infected worldwide and more than 903,000 deaths have been reported. To date, 1,046,370 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 862,373 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 18,263 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-09-10--China ready to expand SCO cooperation on fight against COVID-19

BEIJING , September 10 .
/TASS/ .
Members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization ( SCO ) must continue implementing joint mechanisms of fighting the novel coronavirus pandemic , and China is ready to expand cooperation in this sphere , Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday during a session of the SCO Foreign Ministers Council in Moscow .
`` China is ready to expand multilateral cooperation in the fight against the pandemic , we are ready to continue promoting the creation of joint prevention and control mechanisms in border regions , '' the Chinese Foreign Ministry quotes Wang Yi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to aid the common policy of the international community on combating the coronavirus together , denouncing politicization and labelling , as well as incorrect words and actions that hinder the global fight against the pandemic . ''
The minister noted that after China develops and begins to use the COVID-19 vaccine , China is ready to focus on the needs of SCO member states .
Last week , Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said during a briefing that Chinese pharmaceutical companies had developed nine vaccines against the novel coronavirus that are currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon be available to all countries .
A session of SCO Council of Foreign Ministers took place in Moscow on September 9-10 .
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a regional international association , which includes Russia , India , China , Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , Pakistan , Tajikistan and Uzbekistan .
Mongolia , Iran , Afghanistan and Belarus act as observers within the organization .
Armenia , Azerbaijan , Cambodia , Nepal , Turkey and Sri Lanka have SCO partner status .

BEIJING, September 10. /TASS/. Members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) must continue implementing joint mechanisms of fighting the novel coronavirus pandemic, and China is ready to expand cooperation in this sphere, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday during a session of the SCO Foreign Ministers Council in Moscow.
"China is ready to expand multilateral cooperation in the fight against the pandemic, we are ready to continue promoting the creation of joint prevention and control mechanisms in border regions," the Chinese Foreign Ministry quotes Wang Yi as saying. "It is necessary to aid the common policy of the international community on combating the coronavirus together, denouncing politicization and labelling, as well as incorrect words and actions that hinder the global fight against the pandemic."
The minister noted that after China develops and begins to use the COVID-19 vaccine, China is ready to focus on the needs of SCO member states.
Last week, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said during a briefing that Chinese pharmaceutical companies had developed nine vaccines against the novel coronavirus that are currently at the clinical trials stage and will soon be available to all countries.
A session of SCO Council of Foreign Ministers took place in Moscow on September 9-10. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a regional international association, which includes Russia, India, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Mongolia, Iran, Afghanistan and Belarus act as observers within the organization. Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Turkey and Sri Lanka have SCO partner status.


tass--2020-09-10--Rocket targets Baghdad Airport, reports say

CAIRO , September 10 .
/TASS/ .
Baghdad International Airport has been targeted by a rocket for the second time @ @ @ @ @ TV channel informed on Thursday , citing an official statement by the Iraqi law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ enforcement , one rocket fell on the territory of the airport without causing any damage @ @ @ @ @ the rocket came from the direction of the Al-Furat district .
Last Sunday , the @ @ @ @ @ three rockets , damaging four cars .
There were no reports of injuries .
The @ @ @ @ @ the goal of such attacks is the military air base located in the area where @ @ @ @ @ are based .

CAIRO, September 10. /TASS/. Baghdad International Airport has been targeted by a rocket for the second time this week, Al Sumaria TV channel informed on Thursday, citing an official statement by the Iraqi law enforcement.
According to the law enforcement, one rocket fell on the territory of the airport without causing any damage. It is reported that the rocket came from the direction of the Al-Furat district.
Last Sunday, the Baghdad airport was shelled by three rockets, damaging four cars. There were no reports of injuries. The local law enforcement suggests that the goal of such attacks is the military air base located in the area where the US and Iraqi military are based.


tass--2020-09-10--Chinese top diplomat calls on SCO countries to prevent color revolutions

BEIJING , September 10 /TASS/ .
Members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization ( SCO ) need to prevent foreign interference in their domestic affairs , Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi said at a meeting of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers in Moscow on Thursday .
`` External powers have never stopped interfering in the domestic policies of the organization ’ s members and it is our common task to resist this interference , '' Wang Yi said .
`` We must not let external powers interfere in the internal affairs of SCO member states and allow color revolutions to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .
According to the Chinese foreign minister , SCO countries can effectively maintain `` the hard-won regional stability '' only through joint efforts .
`` We need to firmly support each other in efforts to choose our path of development that is in line with the national realities of every country and ensure political security and social stability , '' Wang Yi emphasized .
The SCO permanent members include Russia , China , India , Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , Pakistan , Tajikistan and Uzbekistan .
Afghanistan , Belarus , Iran and Mongolia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Armenia , Cambodia , Nepal , Sri Lanka and Turkey are dialogue partners .

BEIJING, September 10 /TASS/. Members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) need to prevent foreign interference in their domestic affairs, Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi said at a meeting of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers in Moscow on Thursday.
"External powers have never stopped interfering in the domestic policies of the organization’s members and it is our common task to resist this interference," Wang Yi said. "We must not let external powers interfere in the internal affairs of SCO member states and allow color revolutions to emerge in the region," he added.
According to the Chinese foreign minister, SCO countries can effectively maintain "the hard-won regional stability" only through joint efforts.
"We need to firmly support each other in efforts to choose our path of development that is in line with the national realities of every country and ensure political security and social stability," Wang Yi emphasized.
The SCO permanent members include Russia, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia are SCO observers, while Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkey are dialogue partners.


tass--2020-09-10--Moscow authorities to lift quarantine for patients with negative COVID-19 tests

MOSCOW , September 10 .
/TASS/ .
The compulsory quarantine for Moscow residents with an acute respiratory viral infection and negative test results for the presence of the novel coronavirus infection is going to be lifted , Deputy Moscow Mayor Anastasia Rakova said on Thursday .
`` If a patient has a negative test for the coronavirus , they won ’ t be treated as a COVID-19 patient like before .
They will be considered either an acute respiratory viral infection patient or a flu patient and will be treated according to the algorithms accepted for the treatment of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview with the Russia-24 channel .
Rakova noted that everyone with symptoms of a cold should be tested for the novel coronavirus infection .
According to the deputy mayor , the Moscow authorities are counting on a stable course of the autumn-winter epidemiological period .
`` Now we are entering a completely different period , the autumn-winter one , when the objective growth in various viruses and infections is observed .
And we realize that along with the COVID patients we will have a rather large number of patients with the acute respiratory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usual for the season .
So , of course , we will have to rebuild the entire work of our public healthcare system in the city emphasizing primarily the correct differentiation of a diagnosis and the selection of treatment , based on the established diagnosis .
We need to do that to prevent and as much as possible exclude the overlapping of infections and people infected with the flu or some other infection .
That is why we again reinvented all algorithms of work of the outpatient clinics , inpatient clinics , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will launch them , '' she added .

MOSCOW, September 10. /TASS/. The compulsory quarantine for Moscow residents with an acute respiratory viral infection and negative test results for the presence of the novel coronavirus infection is going to be lifted, Deputy Moscow Mayor Anastasia Rakova said on Thursday.
"If a patient has a negative test for the coronavirus, they won’t be treated as a COVID-19 patient like before. They will be considered either an acute respiratory viral infection patient or a flu patient and will be treated according to the algorithms accepted for the treatment of these diseases," she said in an interview with the Russia-24 channel.
Rakova noted that everyone with symptoms of a cold should be tested for the novel coronavirus infection. According to the deputy mayor, the Moscow authorities are counting on a stable course of the autumn-winter epidemiological period.
"Now we are entering a completely different period, the autumn-winter one, when the objective growth in various viruses and infections is observed. And we realize that along with the COVID patients we will have a rather large number of patients with the acute respiratory viral infection and the flu which is usual for the season. So, of course, we will have to rebuild the entire work of our public healthcare system in the city emphasizing primarily the correct differentiation of a diagnosis and the selection of treatment, based on the established diagnosis. We need to do that to prevent and as much as possible exclude the overlapping of infections and people infected with the flu or some other infection. That is why we again reinvented all algorithms of work of the outpatient clinics, inpatient clinics, the ambulances, and starting next week we will launch them," she added.


tass--2020-09-10--Measures on economic recovery should serve Russia’s long-term development, says Putin

NOVO-OGARYOVO , September 10 .
/TASS/ .
The measures on economic recovery taken by the Russian authorities should serve the @ @ @ @ @ goals , President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting focused on economic issues on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ do at this stage of economic recovery should serve long-term national development goals .
That @ @ @ @ @ for structural changes , '' he noted .
Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin , Presidential Administration @ @ @ @ @ , First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov , deputy prime ministers Tatyana Golikova and Dmitry @ @ @ @ @ Oreshkin , Labor and Social Protection Minister Anton Kotyakov , Economic Development Minister Maksim Reshetnikov @ @ @ @ @ and Central Bank Chief Elvira Nabiullina are present at the meeting that is being held @ @ @ @ @ .
Reports are presented on `` what solutions the draft federal budget is based on @ @ @ @ @ to National Projects , '' according to President .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, September 10. /TASS/. The measures on economic recovery taken by the Russian authorities should serve the country’s long-term development goals, President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting focused on economic issues on Thursday.
"All that we do at this stage of economic recovery should serve long-term national development goals. That should become a firm basis for structural changes," he noted.
Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Presidential Administration Chief of Staff Anton Vaino, First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov, deputy prime ministers Tatyana Golikova and Dmitry Grigorenko, Presidential Aide Maksim Oreshkin, Labor and Social Protection Minister Anton Kotyakov, Economic Development Minister Maksim Reshetnikov, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov and Central Bank Chief Elvira Nabiullina are present at the meeting that is being held in a video conference format. Reports are presented on "what solutions the draft federal budget is based on, what changes are suggested to National Projects," according to President.


tass--2020-09-10--EU extends sanctions against Russian citizens for another six months

BRUSSELS , September 10 .
/TASS/ .
The European Union has extended sanctions against Russian and Ukrainian persons and entities over the crisis in Ukraine for another six months - until March 15 , 2021 , the Council of the European Union said in a statement on Thursday .
EU to extend sanctions on Russian nationals for another six months — source '' Today the Council decided to extend the sanctions targeting persons and entities that continue to undermine or threaten the territorial integrity , sovereignty and independence of Ukraine , for a further 6 months until 15 March 2021 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The decision was adopted by the Council by written procedure , '' the Council noted , adding that the legal acts will be published in the Official Journal on September 11 , 2020 .
The European Union introduced sanctions against Russian and Ukrainian citizens `` in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity , sovereignty and independence of Ukraine '' for the first time in the spring of 2014 .
The blacklist applies to 175 persons , among whom are Russian and Ukrainian citizens , as well as 44 entities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Donetsk and Lugansk People ’ s Republics .
The existing restrictive measures provide for travel restrictions and the freezing of assets .

BRUSSELS, September 10. /TASS/. The European Union has extended sanctions against Russian and Ukrainian persons and entities over the crisis in Ukraine for another six months - until March 15, 2021, the Council of the European Union said in a statement on Thursday.
EU to extend sanctions on Russian nationals for another six months — source
"Today the Council decided to extend the sanctions targeting persons and entities that continue to undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, for a further 6 months until 15 March 2021," the statement reads.
"The decision was adopted by the Council by written procedure," the Council noted, adding that the legal acts will be published in the Official Journal on September 11, 2020.
The European Union introduced sanctions against Russian and Ukrainian citizens "in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine" for the first time in the spring of 2014. The blacklist applies to 175 persons, among whom are Russian and Ukrainian citizens, as well as 44 entities, mainly bodies of authority and army units of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics.
The existing restrictive measures provide for travel restrictions and the freezing of assets.


tass--2020-09-10--Plasma of 16% of COVID-19 patients effective when transfused, says expert

ST. PETERSBURG , September 10 .
/TASS/ .
Joint studies of Russian and German researchers have demonstrated that plasma of only 16 % of donors who had been infected with the coronavirus possesses neutralizing antibodies which may alleviate the course of the coronavirus infection if transfused to patients with this diagnosis , Deputy Research Director of St. Petersburg ’ s Scientific Research Institute of Phthisiopulmonology Evgeny Sokolovich told a press conference at TASS on Thursday .
`` There is a certain form of neutralizing antibodies which may help either to alleviate the course of the disease or to cure it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those donors that we managed to check , at two laboratories where the determination of those neutralizing antibodies was conducted , one being a German laboratory in Dresden and the other belonging to the Influenza Institute , only 16 % of patients have the titer of neutralizing antibodies which will allow to overcome , to alleviate the course of this illness , '' he said .
The expert added that the final results of the study are expected by the end of this year .
He also explained that for this study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ St. Petersburg State University , the Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza , the Scientific Research Institute of Phthisiopulmonology , the St. Petersburg blood bank , several St. Petersburg hospitals and German institutions .
It is believed that COVREC donor blood plasma transfusion ( plasma with the antibodies to the novel coronavirus infection ) is one of the most effective methods of treating the disease caused by the coronavirus in the absence of a vaccine .
This method is widely used abroad : in the US , Germany , China and other countries .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was reported that the medRxiv electronic scientific library had published preliminary results of clinical trials of plasma transfusion of the former coronavirus patients which demonstrated that the procedure on average barely influenced the severity and the duration of the disease .

ST. PETERSBURG, September 10. /TASS/. Joint studies of Russian and German researchers have demonstrated that plasma of only 16% of donors who had been infected with the coronavirus possesses neutralizing antibodies which may alleviate the course of the coronavirus infection if transfused to patients with this diagnosis, Deputy Research Director of St. Petersburg’s Scientific Research Institute of Phthisiopulmonology Evgeny Sokolovich told a press conference at TASS on Thursday.
"There is a certain form of neutralizing antibodies which may help either to alleviate the course of the disease or to cure it completely. It turned out that out of those donors that we managed to check, at two laboratories where the determination of those neutralizing antibodies was conducted, one being a German laboratory in Dresden and the other belonging to the Influenza Institute, only 16% of patients have the titer of neutralizing antibodies which will allow to overcome, to alleviate the course of this illness," he said. The expert added that the final results of the study are expected by the end of this year.
He also explained that for this study a consortium was created which included the St. Petersburg State University, the Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza, the Scientific Research Institute of Phthisiopulmonology, the St. Petersburg blood bank, several St. Petersburg hospitals and German institutions.
It is believed that COVREC donor blood plasma transfusion (plasma with the antibodies to the novel coronavirus infection) is one of the most effective methods of treating the disease caused by the coronavirus in the absence of a vaccine. This method is widely used abroad: in the US, Germany, China and other countries. However, on September 9, it was reported that the medRxiv electronic scientific library had published preliminary results of clinical trials of plasma transfusion of the former coronavirus patients which demonstrated that the procedure on average barely influenced the severity and the duration of the disease.


tass--2020-09-10--Huawei expands all-scenario product portfolio with six new products

DONGGUAN , China , Sept. 10 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Huawei Consumer Business Group ( BG ) today hosted the Huawei Seamless AI Life New Products Global Launch event , where the company announced six new products that further enrich the 1+8+N all-scenario ecosystem .
Richard Yu , Executive Director and CEO of Huawei Consumer BG , said : `` Great user experiences are always founded on innovation , but our journey of innovation always begins and ends with consumers .
In the future , we will continue working with our valued partners to offer more smart and high-quality experiences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pro is the world 's first true wireless stereo ( TWS ) earphones to support intelligent dynamic noise cancellation .
Further , HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro delivers an industry-leading noise cancellation rating of 40dB .
HUAWEI FreeLace Pro offers great audio , a stylish design and supports a noise cancellation rating of up to 40dB .
It also features a pair of 14mm dynamic drivers to offer the high fidelity audio for the ideal listening experience .
The new HUAWEI WATCH GT 2 Pro offers up to two weeks of battery life , more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and golf driving range modes ) , plus pro-grade fitness data tracking features .
At 34g , the HUAWEI WATCH FIT feels as light as a sports wristband .
The watch features HUAWEI TruSeen™ 4.0 to provide more accurate , 24-hour heart monitoring to track changes in blood oxygen , sleep and stress conditions .
HUAWEI MateBook X combines the flagship series ' iconic design and innovative technology with improved lightweight design and smart features , including Multi-screen Collaboration .
Weighing just 1kg1 , the lightweight notebook measures just 13.6mm2 at its thickest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of A4 paper .
Huawei also unveiled HUAWEI MateBook 14 .
Featuring a highly portable design and powerful performance , HUAWEI MateBook 14 integrates the AMD Ryzen 4000 H Series processor , with a 2K HUAWEI FullView Display3 and supports smart features including Multi-screen Collaboration to help consumers stay productive on the road .
Huawei 's products and services are available in more than 170 countries and are used by a third of the world 's population .
Fourteen R & D centres have been set up in countries around the world , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ India and China .
Huawei Consumer BG is one of Huawei 's three business units and covers smartphones , PC and tablets , wearables and cloud services , etc .
Huawei 's global network is built on over 30 years of expertise in the telecom industry and is dedicated to delivering the latest technological advances to consumers around the world .
For more information please visit : http : //consumer.huawei.com 1 Data obtained from Huawei labs .
Actual measurement may vary due to manufacturing tolerance and difference in measurement methods .
For reference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Actual measurement may vary due to manufacturing tolerance and difference in measurement methods .
For reference only .
3 Multi-touch support is available as an option .
Feature availability may vary by region .

DONGGUAN, China, Sept. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Huawei Consumer Business Group (BG) today hosted the Huawei Seamless AI Life New Products Global Launch event, where the company announced six new products that further enrich the 1+8+N all-scenario ecosystem.
Richard Yu, Executive Director and CEO of Huawei Consumer BG, said: "Great user experiences are always founded on innovation, but our journey of innovation always begins and ends with consumers. In the future, we will continue working with our valued partners to offer more smart and high-quality experiences to consumers worldwide."
HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro & HUAWEI FreeLace Pro: ANC and immersive audio on demand
HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro is the world's first true wireless stereo (TWS) earphones to support intelligent dynamic noise cancellation. Further, HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro delivers an industry-leading noise cancellation rating of 40dB.
HUAWEI FreeLace Pro offers great audio, a stylish design and supports a noise cancellation rating of up to 40dB. It also features a pair of 14mm dynamic drivers to offer the high fidelity audio for the ideal listening experience.
HUAWEI WATCH GT 2 Pro & HUAWEI WATCH FIT: practical pro-grade features for everyday use
The new HUAWEI WATCH GT 2 Pro offers up to two weeks of battery life, more than 100 workout modes (including skiing and golf driving range modes), plus pro-grade fitness data tracking features.
At 34g, the HUAWEI WATCH FIT feels as light as a sports wristband. The watch features HUAWEI TruSeen™ 4.0 to provide more accurate, 24-hour heart monitoring to track changes in blood oxygen, sleep and stress conditions.
HUAWEI MateBook X & HUAWEI MateBook 14: mobile productivity redefined
HUAWEI MateBook X combines the flagship series' iconic design and innovative technology with improved lightweight design and smart features, including Multi-screen Collaboration. Weighing just 1kg1, the lightweight notebook measures just 13.6mm2 at its thickest part and is smaller than a piece of A4 paper.
Huawei also unveiled HUAWEI MateBook 14. Featuring a highly portable design and powerful performance, HUAWEI MateBook 14 integrates the AMD Ryzen 4000 H Series processor, with a 2K HUAWEI FullView Display3 and supports smart features including Multi-screen Collaboration to help consumers stay productive on the road.
About Huawei Consumer BG
Huawei's products and services are available in more than 170 countries and are used by a third of the world's population. Fourteen R&D centres have been set up in countries around the world, including Germany, Sweden, Russia, India and China. Huawei Consumer BG is one of Huawei's three business units and covers smartphones, PC and tablets, wearables and cloud services, etc. Huawei's global network is built on over 30 years of expertise in the telecom industry and is dedicated to delivering the latest technological advances to consumers around the world.
For more information please visit: http://consumer.huawei.com
1 Data obtained from Huawei labs. Actual measurement may vary due to manufacturing tolerance and difference in measurement methods. For reference only.
2 Laptop feet not included. Actual measurement may vary due to manufacturing tolerance and difference in measurement methods. For reference only.
3 Multi-touch support is available as an option. Feature availability may vary by region.
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1251897/Huawei_BG_AI_Life_Product.jpg
CONTACT: cbgcomms@huawei.com


tass--2020-09-10--Russia’s MiG-29 escorts two Norwegian Air Force planes over Barents Sea

MOSCOW , September 10 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s MiG-29 fighter escorted Norway ’ s Falcon 20 and P-3C Orion planes over the Barents Sea on Thursday , the National Defense Control Center said .
According to the Russian military , Russian radars identified two air targets over the international waters of the Barents Sea .
`` For identifying the air targets and preventing violations of Russia ’ s state borders a MiG-29 fighter of the Northern Fleet ’ s air defense was dispatched .
The crew identified the air targets as a patrol plane P-3C Orion and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 of the Norwegian Air Force , '' the Defense Control Center said , adding that there was no violation of Russia ’ s state border .
The Russian fighter jet escorted the foreign planes over the Barents Sea .
When they turned away , the MiG-29 returned to its home airfield .
`` The MiG-29 fighter ’ s flight proceeded in strict compliance with the international rules of using air space , '' the National Defense Control Center said .
On September 5 , Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near Russia ’ s borders had grown more than 30 % in contrast to last year - from 87 in August 2019 to 120 in August 2020 .
On August 23 - September 2 Russia ’ s Aerospace Force planes flew no less than ten sorties to intercept spy planes over the Baltic , Barents and Black seas .

MOSCOW, September 10. /TASS/. Russia’s MiG-29 fighter escorted Norway’s Falcon 20 and P-3C Orion planes over the Barents Sea on Thursday, the National Defense Control Center said.
According to the Russian military, Russian radars identified two air targets over the international waters of the Barents Sea.
"For identifying the air targets and preventing violations of Russia’s state borders a MiG-29 fighter of the Northern Fleet’s air defense was dispatched. The crew identified the air targets as a patrol plane P-3C Orion and a radio-technical reconnaissance and radio-electronic warfare plane Falcon 20 of the Norwegian Air Force," the Defense Control Center said, adding that there was no violation of Russia’s state border.
The Russian fighter jet escorted the foreign planes over the Barents Sea. When they turned away, the MiG-29 returned to its home airfield.
"The MiG-29 fighter’s flight proceeded in strict compliance with the international rules of using air space," the National Defense Control Center said.
On September 5, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that the intensity of NATO’s reconnaissance flights near Russia’s borders had grown more than 30% in contrast to last year - from 87 in August 2019 to 120 in August 2020. On August 23 - September 2 Russia’s Aerospace Force planes flew no less than ten sorties to intercept spy planes over the Baltic, Barents and Black seas.


tass--2020-09-10--Kiev sends request to OSCE to hold additional talks on Donbass inspection

KIEV , September 10 .
/TASS/ .
Ukraine has sent a letter to Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group ( TCG ) Ambassador Heidi Grau with the request to hold additional consultations regarding the joint inspection of an area in the Shumy settlement in Donbass , head of the Ukrainian delegation to the Contact Group Leonid Kravchuk said .
`` The inspection of the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Gorlovka has been postponed due to the position of the representatives of the self-proclaimed DPR [ Donetsk People ’ s Republic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreed to hold the inspection in the settlement of Shumy , and today , several other settlements were added to the list .
Ukraine has already sent a letter to the OSCE Special Representative in the TCG Heidi Grau with the request to hold additional consultations , '' Kravchuk said .
Earlier , the DPR mission to the Joint Center for Control and Coordination of the Donbass Ceasefire informed that the joint inspection of an area near the Shumy settlement had been derailed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces .
For its part , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an inspection of its positions on the line of contact in Donbass by the fact that it did not have an opportunity to carry out an inspection of the positions of the DPR and LPR , the office of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky informed .
On Wednesday , Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group ( TCG ) Ambassador Heidi Grau confirmed the planned inspection of the conflict zone on the line of contact in Donbass on September 10 , advising the participants of the talks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the current ceasefire in the region .

KIEV, September 10. /TASS/. Ukraine has sent a letter to Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) Ambassador Heidi Grau with the request to hold additional consultations regarding the joint inspection of an area in the Shumy settlement in Donbass, head of the Ukrainian delegation to the Contact Group Leonid Kravchuk said.
"The inspection of the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Gorlovka has been postponed due to the position of the representatives of the self-proclaimed DPR [Donetsk People’s Republic - TASS]. Yesterday, we agreed to hold the inspection in the settlement of Shumy, and today, several other settlements were added to the list. Ukraine has already sent a letter to the OSCE Special Representative in the TCG Heidi Grau with the request to hold additional consultations," Kravchuk said.
Earlier, the DPR mission to the Joint Center for Control and Coordination of the Donbass Ceasefire informed that the joint inspection of an area near the Shumy settlement had been derailed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. For its part, Kiev explained its refusal to carry out an inspection of its positions on the line of contact in Donbass by the fact that it did not have an opportunity to carry out an inspection of the positions of the DPR and LPR, the office of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky informed.
On Wednesday, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) Ambassador Heidi Grau confirmed the planned inspection of the conflict zone on the line of contact in Donbass on September 10, advising the participants of the talks to take additional necessary steps to ensure the current ceasefire in the region.


tass--2020-09-10--OPCW still waiting for Germany’s files on Navalny, says Russian envoy

MOSCOW , September 10./TASS/ .
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons ( OPCW ) has not yet received files from Germany regarding the case of Russian blogger Alexei Navalny , Russia ’ s Permanent Representative to the OPCW Alexander Shulgin told the `` 60 Minutes '' program aired on the Rossiya-1 television channel on Thursday .
`` According to our information , no files [ in the Navalny case ] have been handed to the OPCW as of yet , although the German authorities made an announcement on this matter yesterday and this morning , '' Shulgin specified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter of time .
If they [ the German authorities ] have promised , apparently they will pass the data , '' he maintained .
Shulgin also said that it was not yet clear what would be the wording of the German request to the organization .
`` I don ’ t know what specifically the Germans are passing to the OPCW - paper documents , certain reports or some biochemical samples , '' the Russian envoy added .
According to the Russian diplomat , remarks from German officials about the Navalny case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not corroborating their statements with facts .
They are refusing to answer the August 27 request from the Russian Prosecutor General ’ s Office , '' the envoy stressed .
He said that if the Navalny files were handed to the OPCW , Russia intended to act strictly within the Chemical Weapons Convention .
`` There is Article IX [ of the convention ] .
In the event of an unclear situation , you can ask the other side , and the other side must respond within 10 days .
If this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the [ OPCW ] Executive Council , and the Executive Council will appeal to the director general [ of the organization ] , '' the diplomat said , adding that even a special group could be set up to clarify all of the case ’ s circumstances .
Russian blogger Alexei Navalny was hospitalized in Omsk on August 20 after he suddenly felt ill in mid-flight traveling from Tomsk to Moscow .
He fell into a coma and was then hooked up to a ventilator .
Later , he was taken to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On September 2 , the German government said that German military toxicologists had found that Navalny had been exposed to a nerve agent belonging to the Novichok family .
Berlin and its Western partners called on Moscow to clarify the circumstances of the incident and warned they would look into possible sanctions against Moscow .
The Russian side stated that it was interested in a comprehensive investigation of the Navalny case but is yet to receive any reply from Berlin to its inquiry .
On Wednesday , a representative from the Federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed the results of Navalny ’ s medical tests to the OPCW .
For her part , German Government Deputy Spokesperson Martina Fitz noted that after handing over the samples to the OPCW , where Russia is also a member , Berlin does not see any conditions for Germany to hand over the evidence of its conclusions on the Navalny case to Russia .

MOSCOW, September 10./TASS/. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has not yet received files from Germany regarding the case of Russian blogger Alexei Navalny, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the OPCW Alexander Shulgin told the "60 Minutes" program aired on the Rossiya-1 television channel on Thursday.
"According to our information, no files [in the Navalny case] have been handed to the OPCW as of yet, although the German authorities made an announcement on this matter yesterday and this morning," Shulgin specified.
"Maybe, this is a matter of time. If they [the German authorities] have promised, apparently they will pass the data," he maintained. Shulgin also said that it was not yet clear what would be the wording of the German request to the organization. "I don’t know what specifically the Germans are passing to the OPCW - paper documents, certain reports or some biochemical samples," the Russian envoy added.
According to the Russian diplomat, remarks from German officials about the Navalny case vilify Russia. "However, they are not corroborating their statements with facts. They are refusing to answer the August 27 request from the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office," the envoy stressed. He said that if the Navalny files were handed to the OPCW, Russia intended to act strictly within the Chemical Weapons Convention. "There is Article IX [of the convention]. In the event of an unclear situation, you can ask the other side, and the other side must respond within 10 days. If this answer is unsatisfactory, you can turn to the [OPCW] Executive Council, and the Executive Council will appeal to the director general [of the organization]," the diplomat said, adding that even a special group could be set up to clarify all of the case’s circumstances.
Navalny’s ‘poisoning’ saga
Russian blogger Alexei Navalny was hospitalized in Omsk on August 20 after he suddenly felt ill in mid-flight traveling from Tomsk to Moscow. He fell into a coma and was then hooked up to a ventilator. Later, he was taken to Berlin and admitted to the Charite clinic. On September 2, the German government said that German military toxicologists had found that Navalny had been exposed to a nerve agent belonging to the Novichok family. Berlin and its Western partners called on Moscow to clarify the circumstances of the incident and warned they would look into possible sanctions against Moscow. The Russian side stated that it was interested in a comprehensive investigation of the Navalny case but is yet to receive any reply from Berlin to its inquiry.
On Wednesday, a representative from the Federal Ministry of Defense said that Germany had passed the results of Navalny’s medical tests to the OPCW.
For her part, German Government Deputy Spokesperson Martina Fitz noted that after handing over the samples to the OPCW, where Russia is also a member, Berlin does not see any conditions for Germany to hand over the evidence of its conclusions on the Navalny case to Russia.


tass--2020-09-10--New fire rages at Beirut port

New fire rages at Beirut port

BEIRUT , September 10 .
/TASS/ .
A new fire is raging in Beirut .
According to eyewitnesses , it @ @ @ @ @ site of the August 4 blast .
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport district @ @ @ @ @ a shockwave that ripped through residential areas of the Lebanese capital .
The shockwave destroyed @ @ @ @ @ and cars , leaving over 300,000 people homeless .
According to the local law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ by the detonation during welding at a warehouse with over 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate @ @ @ @ @ services over six years ago .

BEIRUT, September 10. /TASS/. A new fire is raging in Beirut. According to eyewitnesses, it ignited not far from the site of the August 4 blast.
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport district on August 4, sending a shockwave that ripped through residential areas of the Lebanese capital. The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars, leaving over 300,000 people homeless. According to the local law enforcement, the blast was caused by the detonation during welding at a warehouse with over 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, confiscated by the customs services over six years ago.


tass--2020-09-10--US seeks to use situation in Belarus to interfere in Russia’s affairs — Russian senator

MOSCOW , September 10 .
/TASS/ .
The United States continues attempts to interfere in Russia ’ s domestic affairs , Chairman of the Russian Federation Council ’ s ( the upper house of parliament ) Temporary Commission for the Protection of State Sovereignty and Prevention of Interference in Russia 's Internal Affairs Andrei Klimov told reporters on Thursday .
`` Though constitutional amendments have been adopted that legally strengthened Russia ’ s sovereignty , Washington and its foreign partners did not abandon attempts to interfere in our domestic affairs , '' he pointed out .
According to him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belarusian presidential election that was `` implemented by the intelligence agencies and politicians of Ukraine , Poland and the Baltic states . ''
`` As for Russia , the goal was to create political tensions in the country ’ s regions ahead of the September 13 regionals elections , '' the senator noted .
Klimov went on to say that blogger Alexei Navalny was meant to play an active role in organizing protest activities .
The plan was that he and his Anti-Corruption Foundation ( FBK ) , officially designated as a foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Novosibirsk and Tomsk regions where regional parliamentary elections will take place , the senator specified .
He added that neither the developments in Belarus nor attempts to create tensions in Russian regions led to the desired results .

MOSCOW, September 10. /TASS/. The United States continues attempts to interfere in Russia’s domestic affairs, Chairman of the Russian Federation Council’s (the upper house of parliament) Temporary Commission for the Protection of State Sovereignty and Prevention of Interference in Russia's Internal Affairs Andrei Klimov told reporters on Thursday.
"Though constitutional amendments have been adopted that legally strengthened Russia’s sovereignty, Washington and its foreign partners did not abandon attempts to interfere in our domestic affairs," he pointed out.
According to him, a plan was drawn up for the Belarusian presidential election that was "implemented by the intelligence agencies and politicians of Ukraine, Poland and the Baltic states." "As for Russia, the goal was to create political tensions in the country’s regions ahead of the September 13 regionals elections," the senator noted.
Klimov went on to say that blogger Alexei Navalny was meant to play an active role in organizing protest activities. The plan was that he and his Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), officially designated as a foreign agent, would spread protest sentiment in the Novosibirsk and Tomsk regions where regional parliamentary elections will take place, the senator specified. He added that neither the developments in Belarus nor attempts to create tensions in Russian regions led to the desired results.


tass--2020-09-10--Putin urges targeted support to those who lost jobs due to crisis

NOVO-OGARYOVO , September 10 .
/TASS/ .
President Vladimir Putin has called on the authorities to provide targeted support to those who lost their jobs during the crisis and still can not find a job .
He was speaking at a meeting on economic issues , which was held as a videoconference .
`` I would like to stress that the situation on the labor market , as I said , is still tense .
We need to continue providing targeted support to people who found themselves in a difficult situation and have not yet found a job , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ although the work of enterprises , companies resumed and there are other positive trends in the economy , unemployment rate in Russia remains quite high and now exceeds 6 % of the economically active population .
He recalled that Russia had this unemployment rate in March 2012 .
`` We started - about a year and a half ago , we had 4.7 % , - now it is 6.3 % .
It seems to be a little percentage , but this is a significant increase , '' the head of state noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the authorities took unprecedented measures to support people who had lost jobs , in particular , the maximum amount of unemployment benefits was raised to the minimum wage level , and benefits were supplemented with payments for children .
`` Of course , this also influenced the growth of this formal indicator .
Previously , people did not apply for assistance , but now , when the payments became more noticeable , people came , and the number of unemployed has grown automatically .
This is understandable , '' the Russian leader said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were planned for a limited period of time .
`` However , I would like to stress that the situation on the labor market , as I said , is still tense .
< ... > Today , dear colleagues , I am waiting for your proposals on how this assistance will be organized in the future , '' he told the meeting participants .
Putin also set a goal to bring the unemployment rate to pre-crisis level by the end of 2021 .
`` Let me also remind you of the priority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : by the end of next year it is necessary to restore employment to the level of 2019 , '' the head of state told the Cabinet members .
He stressed that by that time the unemployment rate should not exceed `` 4.7 % economically active population , '' he said .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, September 10. /TASS/. President Vladimir Putin has called on the authorities to provide targeted support to those who lost their jobs during the crisis and still cannot find a job. He was speaking at a meeting on economic issues, which was held as a videoconference.
"I would like to stress that the situation on the labor market, as I said, is still tense. We need to continue providing targeted support to people who found themselves in a difficult situation and have not yet found a job," the President said.
Putin noted that although the work of enterprises, companies resumed and there are other positive trends in the economy, unemployment rate in Russia remains quite high and now exceeds 6% of the economically active population. He recalled that Russia had this unemployment rate in March 2012.
"We started - about a year and a half ago, we had 4.7%, - now it is 6.3%. It seems to be a little percentage, but this is a significant increase," the head of state noted with regret.
The President recalled that the authorities took unprecedented measures to support people who had lost jobs, in particular, the maximum amount of unemployment benefits was raised to the minimum wage level, and benefits were supplemented with payments for children.
"Of course, this also influenced the growth of this formal indicator. Previously, people did not apply for assistance, but now, when the payments became more noticeable, people came, and the number of unemployed has grown automatically. This is understandable," the Russian leader said.
Putin recalled that initially these measures were planned for a limited period of time.
"However, I would like to stress that the situation on the labor market, as I said, is still tense. <...> Today, dear colleagues, I am waiting for your proposals on how this assistance will be organized in the future," he told the meeting participants.
Putin also set a goal to bring the unemployment rate to pre-crisis level by the end of 2021.
"Let me also remind you of the priority task set for the government, namely: by the end of next year it is necessary to restore employment to the level of 2019," the head of state told the Cabinet members. He stressed that by that time the unemployment rate should not exceed "4.7% economically active population," he said.


tass--2020-09-10--Chinese living abroad eyeing Hainan free trade port's business opportunities — media

HAIKOU , September 10 .
/TASS/ .
Chinese businessmen living abroad have shown considerable interest in Hainan 's free trade port development .
According to the Hainan Daily , entrepreneurs invited by the local administration announced this during a business presentation held for the huaqiao — Chinese citizens who moved abroad and descendants of Chinese migrants .
More than 50 huaqiao businessmen from 14 countries have come to Hainan o learn more about the island 's key industrial parks and seek opportunities for cooperation and business .
They became interested in the possibilities of the free port in the fields @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investment , health care , education , logistics , international trade and tourism , the publication writes .
`` The construction of Hainan 's Free Trade Port has just begun , and this is the best place for huaqiao businessmen to start their own business and start growing rapidly , '' said Wang Linda , chairman of the board of directors of Yihai Group , a real estate and education business in China , US and European countries .
According to him , Yihai Group plans to take advantage of the free trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guohui , deputy head of the Hainan International Economic Development Bureau , noted during the presentation that the province will continue to create even more business opportunities based on zero customs tariffs , low tax rates , simplified taxation and economic liberalization .
According to the official , Hainan `` will provide a new platform for entering the Chinese market for huaqiao-controlled enterprises from different countries . ''
Earlier , the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Сhinese State Council published the “ General Program for the Establishment of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to which the island ’ s administration intends to create an effective system to fulfill a number of important social and economic goals by 2025 , and within 10 years to decisively enhance the innovative mechanisms for the region 's development .
By 2025 , the Chinese government intends to create an `` international center for tourism and consumption '' on Hainan .
In order to do so , the `` Eastern Hawaii '' with their unique natural landscapes , thick rainforests and great climate will establish a developed network of hotels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beaches stretching along the coastline .
The combination of an exotic subtropical nature and a modern eco-friendly infrastructure will boost tourist inflow to the island from the most distant parts of the world .

HAIKOU, September 10. /TASS/. Chinese businessmen living abroad have shown considerable interest in Hainan's free trade port development. According to the Hainan Daily, entrepreneurs invited by the local administration announced this during a business presentation held for the huaqiao — Chinese citizens who moved abroad and descendants of Chinese migrants.
More than 50 huaqiao businessmen from 14 countries have come to Hainan o learn more about the island's key industrial parks and seek opportunities for cooperation and business. They became interested in the possibilities of the free port in the fields of scientific and technological innovation, financial investment, health care, education, logistics, international trade and tourism, the publication writes.
"The construction of Hainan's Free Trade Port has just begun, and this is the best place for huaqiao businessmen to start their own business and start growing rapidly," said Wang Linda, chairman of the board of directors of Yihai Group, a real estate and education business in China, US and European countries. According to him, Yihai Group plans to take advantage of the free trade port and actively develop here.
Ji Guohui, deputy head of the Hainan International Economic Development Bureau, noted during the presentation that the province will continue to create even more business opportunities based on zero customs tariffs, low tax rates, simplified taxation and economic liberalization. According to the official, Hainan "will provide a new platform for entering the Chinese market for huaqiao-controlled enterprises from different countries."
About Hainan's free trade port
Earlier, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Сhinese State Council published the “General Program for the Establishment of a Free Port on Hainan,” according to which the island’s administration intends to create an effective system to fulfill a number of important social and economic goals by 2025, and within 10 years to decisively enhance the innovative mechanisms for the region's development.
By 2025, the Chinese government intends to create an "international center for tourism and consumption" on Hainan. In order to do so, the "Eastern Hawaii" with their unique natural landscapes, thick rainforests and great climate will establish a developed network of hotels, which blend perfectly with white sandy beaches stretching along the coastline. The combination of an exotic subtropical nature and a modern eco-friendly infrastructure will boost tourist inflow to the island from the most distant parts of the world.