tass--2020-09-03--PM Mishustin: Russia will help Belarus with COVID-19 vaccine

Mishustin said at the meeting that almost all the key ministers of the Russian Cabinet , including the energy minister , the minister of industry and trade and the health minister , had arrived in Minsk as part of the Russian delegation .
`` Will you help us with vaccines ? ''
Lukashenko asked .
The Russian prime minister assured that assistance would be provided .
`` Vladimir [ Putin ] told me that this ( Belarus ) would be the first country we ( Russia ) would help with the vaccine , '' the Belarusian president said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be , '' Mishustin answered .
According to BelTA news agency , Mishustin noted that his Belarusian counterpart Roman Golovchenko decided to test the Russian coronavirus vaccine on himself .
`` I am glad that Roman Alexandrovich Golovchenko decided to be vaccinated .
I am sure everything will be fine , '' BelTA quotes him as saying .
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko earlier agreed that Belarus would be one of the first countries to receive a vaccine against COVID-19 .
In addition , Belarus will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Russian vaccine .
Its citizens will be able to take part in the third stage of clinical trials on a voluntary basis .
On August 11 , Russia became the first country to register a coronavirus vaccine , which was named Sputnik V. The vaccine developed by the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology underwent clinical trials in June and July .
It is based on a platform that was used to create some other vaccines .
On August 15 , the Russian Health Ministry said that its production @ @ @

Mishustin said at the meeting that almost all the key ministers of the Russian Cabinet, including the energy minister, the minister of industry and trade and the health minister, had arrived in Minsk as part of the Russian delegation.
"Will you help us with vaccines?" Lukashenko asked. The Russian prime minister assured that assistance would be provided. "Vladimir [Putin] told me that this (Belarus) would be the first country we (Russia) would help with the vaccine," the Belarusian president said. "That’s the way it is going to be," Mishustin answered.
According to BelTA news agency, Mishustin noted that his Belarusian counterpart Roman Golovchenko decided to test the Russian coronavirus vaccine on himself. "I am glad that Roman Alexandrovich Golovchenko decided to be vaccinated. I am sure everything will be fine," BelTA quotes him as saying.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko earlier agreed that Belarus would be one of the first countries to receive a vaccine against COVID-19. In addition, Belarus will join the final stage of additional testing of the Russian vaccine. Its citizens will be able to take part in the third stage of clinical trials on a voluntary basis.
On August 11, Russia became the first country to register a coronavirus vaccine, which was named Sputnik V. The vaccine developed by the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology underwent clinical trials in June and July. It is based on a platform that was used to create some other vaccines. On August 15, the Russian Health Ministry said that its production had begun.


tass--2020-09-03--China's State Council approves project for Hainan nuclear power plant's expansion

HAIKOU , September 3 .
/TASS/ .
The Chinese State Council has approved a project for the implementation of the second stage of construction of the Changjiang nuclear power plant on the western coast of Hainan , according to a statement published on the website of China 's central government .
`` The project was approved during a meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang , '' the statement reads .
`` The participants proposed to accelerate structural transformations in regional energy , industry and transport . ''
According to the program , the second stage will take 60 months , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be built using third-generation technologies .
Additional investments in the project will amount to about 39.45 billion yuan ( approximately $ 5.77 billion at the current exchange rate ) .
`` This project will significantly boost employment , < ... > reduce the amount of harmful emissions into the atmosphere .
At the same time , economic growth and environmental protection will be ensured , '' the statement says .
According to a government source familiar with the situation , the Changjiang NPP will have four power units , two of which were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power of each of these reactors is about 1200 MW .
So far , the facility is capable of providing only one third of the declared design capacity of the station .
It is expected to be fully completed in 2026 .
According to the China Atomic Energy Authority , there are 47 reactors operating in the country , the total annual capacity of which exceeds 48,750 MW .
In 2019 , Hainan generated 9.72 billion kWh of electricity , which is by 26 % more than a year earlier .

HAIKOU, September 3. /TASS/. The Chinese State Council has approved a project for the implementation of the second stage of construction of the Changjiang nuclear power plant on the western coast of Hainan, according to a statement published on the website of China's central government.
"The project was approved during a meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang," the statement reads. "The participants proposed to accelerate structural transformations in regional energy, industry and transport."
According to the program, the second stage will take 60 months, during this time two more reactors will be built using third-generation technologies. Additional investments in the project will amount to about 39.45 billion yuan (approximately $ 5.77 billion at the current exchange rate).
"This project will significantly boost employment, <...> reduce the amount of harmful emissions into the atmosphere. At the same time, economic growth and environmental protection will be ensured," the statement says.
According to a government source familiar with the situation, the Changjiang NPP will have four power units, two of which were launched in 2015 and 2016. The power of each of these reactors is about 1200 MW. So far, the facility is capable of providing only one third of the declared design capacity of the station. It is expected to be fully completed in 2026.
According to the China Atomic Energy Authority, there are 47 reactors operating in the country, the total annual capacity of which exceeds 48,750 MW. In 2019, Hainan generated 9.72 billion kWh of electricity, which is by 26% more than a year earlier.


tass--2020-09-04--Russian economy will return to growth next year, minister says

Putin says economic situation in Moscow is very favorable MOSCOW , September 4 .
/ TASS / .
The Russian @ @ @ @ @ next year , said the Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov , speaking @ @ @ @ @ Production and Industrialization GMIS-2020 on Friday .
`` We expect the economic decline to be @ @ @ @ @ , and it will return to growth within the next year , '' Manturov said @

MOSCOW, September 4. / TASS /. The Russian economy will return to growth next year, said the Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov, speaking at the Global Summit of Production and Industrialization GMIS-2020 on Friday.
"We expect the economic decline to be around 5% this year, and it will return to growth within the next year," Manturov said.


tass--2020-09-04--Moscow companies tap five new export markets in first half of 2020

MOSCOW , September 4 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow companies expanded export of their products to five more markets in the @ @ @ @ @ , the press service of the city ’ s entrepreneurship and innovative development department reported @ @ @ @ @ producers of transport vehicles and components tapped ten new markets , firms operating in engineering @ @ @ @ @ markets , metal and jewelry industries - six markets .
The supplies geography includes European @ @ @ @ @ South American , Middle Eastern and African countries .
`` Sectoral leaders of the capital @ @ @ @ @ exports in terms of the number of markets covered all key regions in the first @ @ @ @ @ and Asia , the US and Latin American countries , the Middle East and Africa @ @ @ @ @ CIS states .
The Moscow government actively supports the city ’ s companies in diversification @ @ @ @ @ already boast successful examples , '' head of the department Alexei Fursin was quoted as @ @

MOSCOW, September 4. /TASS/. Moscow companies expanded export of their products to five more markets in the first six months of 2020, the press service of the city’s entrepreneurship and innovative development department reported on Friday.
Meanwhile, producers of transport vehicles and components tapped ten new markets, firms operating in engineering and equipment production - eight markets, metal and jewelry industries - six markets. The supplies geography includes European, Asian, North and South American, Middle Eastern and African countries.
"Sectoral leaders of the capital’s non-resource and non-energy exports in terms of the number of markets covered all key regions in the first half of 2020: Europe and Asia, the US and Latin American countries, the Middle East and Africa, the Transcaucasus region and CIS states. The Moscow government actively supports the city’s companies in diversification of export destinations that can already boast successful examples," head of the department Alexei Fursin was quoted as saying.


tass--2020-09-04--Measures to be taken over biological weapons threat, says Russian defense chief

KUBINKA /Moscow Region / , September 4 .
/TASS/ .
Countries outside the Shanghai Cooperation Organizations ( SCO ) , @ @ @ @ @ ( CIS ) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization ( CSTO ) develop biological weapons @ @ @ @ @ over this threat , Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said Friday .
`` We have @ @ @ @ @ aid and establishment of a reaction potential to biological hazard threats , including the military @ @ @ @ @ , '' Shoigu said , following a meeting of Defense Ministers of the SCO , @ @ @ @ @ He added that the attending Ministers also shared experience in overcoming the coronavirus pandemic aftermath @

KUBINKA /Moscow Region /, September 4. /TASS/. Countries outside the Shanghai Cooperation Organizations (SCO), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) develop biological weapons and measures must be taken over this threat, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said Friday.
"We have discussed possible measures on mutual aid and establishment of a reaction potential to biological hazard threats, including the military biological activity of non-regional states," Shoigu said, following a meeting of Defense Ministers of the SCO, CIS and CSTO countries.
He added that the attending Ministers also shared experience in overcoming the coronavirus pandemic aftermath.


tass--2020-09-04--Russia ready to share experience of developing COVID-19 vaccine with BRICS — Lavrov

MOSCOW , September 4 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is ready to share the experience of fighting coronavirus , including developing @ @ @ @ @ BRICS partners , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday .
`` Let me @ @ @ @ @ Russian COVID-19 vaccine , Sputnik V , was registered recently .
Russian scientists developed drugs @ @ @ @ @ We are ready to share this experience with other countries , including our BRICS friends @ @ @ @ @ in his opening remarks at a meeting of the BRICS foreign ministers held via a @ @ @ @ @ 11 , the Sputnik V vaccine developed by the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology @ @ @ @ @ certificate from the Russian Ministry of Health , becoming the world ’ s first registered @ @ @ @ @ on the Sputnik V vaccine and other details are available at sputnikvaccine.com .

MOSCOW, September 4. /TASS/. Russia is ready to share the experience of fighting coronavirus, including developing a vaccine, with its BRICS partners, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday.
"Let me remind you that the first Russian COVID-19 vaccine, Sputnik V, was registered recently. Russian scientists developed drugs against the coronavirus infection. We are ready to share this experience with other countries, including our BRICS friends," the minister said in his opening remarks at a meeting of the BRICS foreign ministers held via a video conference.
On August 11, the Sputnik V vaccine developed by the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology received a registration certificate from the Russian Ministry of Health, becoming the world’s first registered coronavirus vaccine. More information on the Sputnik V vaccine and other details are available at sputnikvaccine.com.


tass--2020-09-04--Navalny had digestive problems before arriving at Omsk clinic, toxicologist says

OMSK , September 4 .
/TASS/ .
Russian blogger Alexei Navalny a week before his hospitalization in an Omsk clinic was on a weight-loss diet and had digestive problems , main toxicologist of the Omsk Region and the Siberian Federal District Alexander Sabayev told journalists .
`` The anamnesis data , that is , the history of the disease , according to his companions and spouse pointed to the fact that indeed there were problems , and those problems persisted for 5-7 days .
There were problems with digestion , with nutrition .
During these days the patient was also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decreased body mass .
So , everything the patient was admitted with and the laboratory complex of metabolic changes basically had been there hours , even days before his admission , '' the physician said specifying that such a clinical picture is common .
According to him , the sudden deterioration of health may have been provoked by any external factor .
`` It may have been stress , exhaustion , a temperature factor - being in the sun for too long or else a hypothermia .
Any external factor may have facilitated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skipped breakfast , '' the toxicologist said .
He emphasized that he encountered cases of a coma as a result of disorders in the carbohydrate metabolism .
`` This is by far not a rare case , I can not say that this case was unique , '' the expert noted .
Russian blogger Alexei Navalny was hospitalized in Omsk on August 20 after he suddenly felt ill in mid-flight traveling from Tomsk to Moscow .
The blogger was in a coma and was connected to a lung ventilator .
On August 22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admitted to the Charite clinic .
On Wednesday , the German government said that German military toxicologists had found that Navalny had been exposed to a nerve agent of the Novichok family .

OMSK, September 4. /TASS/. Russian blogger Alexei Navalny a week before his hospitalization in an Omsk clinic was on a weight-loss diet and had digestive problems, main toxicologist of the Omsk Region and the Siberian Federal District Alexander Sabayev told journalists.
"The anamnesis data, that is, the history of the disease, according to his companions and spouse pointed to the fact that indeed there were problems, and those problems persisted for 5-7 days. There were problems with digestion, with nutrition. During these days the patient was also practicing dieting associated with weight loss, decreased body mass. So, everything the patient was admitted with and the laboratory complex of metabolic changes basically had been there hours, even days before his admission," the physician said specifying that such a clinical picture is common.
According to him, the sudden deterioration of health may have been provoked by any external factor. "It may have been stress, exhaustion, a temperature factor - being in the sun for too long or else a hypothermia. Any external factor may have facilitated the sudden deterioration, even a simple skipped breakfast," the toxicologist said.
He emphasized that he encountered cases of a coma as a result of disorders in the carbohydrate metabolism. "This is by far not a rare case, I cannot say that this case was unique," the expert noted.
Russian blogger Alexei Navalny was hospitalized in Omsk on August 20 after he suddenly felt ill in mid-flight traveling from Tomsk to Moscow. The blogger was in a coma and was connected to a lung ventilator. On August 22, he was taken to Berlin and admitted to the Charite clinic. On Wednesday, the German government said that German military toxicologists had found that Navalny had been exposed to a nerve agent of the Novichok family.


tass--2020-09-04--Austria’s top diplomat vows Russia won’t be sanctioned over Navalny case without proof

BERLIN , September 4 .
/TASS/ .
The European Union should not impose sanctions on Russia over the Navalny incident @ @ @ @ @ ’ involvement , Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Schallenberg said Friday in an interview @ @ @ @ @ .
`` All measures are possible .
There is an EU sanctions procedure against chemical @ @ @ @ @ the investigation ’ s outcome , we will discuss possible sanctions .
But they must @ @ @ @ @ proof .
We must know who is responsible , Schallenberg said , when answering a @ @ @ @ @ against Russia over the Navalny incident .
On Wednesday , the German Cabinet cited the @ @ @ @ @ the Russian blogger had been affected by a poisonous substance from the notorious Novichok family @ @ @ @ @ to clarify the circumstances of the incident .
Russia reiterated that it is interested in @ @ @ @ @ .
However , the Russian Foreign Ministry noted that Berlin provided no proof of its @ @ @ @ @

BERLIN, September 4. /TASS/. The European Union should not impose sanctions on Russia over the Navalny incident without proof of the authorities’ involvement, Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Schallenberg said Friday in an interview for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung .
"All measures are possible. There is an EU sanctions procedure against chemical weapon proliferation. Depending on the investigation’s outcome, we will discuss possible sanctions. But they must not be announced arbitrarily without proof. We must know who is responsible, Schallenberg said, when answering a question about EU pressure mechanisms against Russia over the Navalny incident.
The European Union should not lump together the decision on the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline with the incident with blogger Alexei Navalny, the Austrian foreign minister noted.
"You have to be careful and not to lump everything together. Even in the past we managed to distinguish when it concerned Crimea and events in eastern Ukraine. We have always responded precisely to those actions by Moscow that were unacceptable to us. There will certainly be a discussion, but I believe that one should act cum grano salis," Schellenberg said responding to the question if Austria and Germany should continue to support the Nord Stream 2 project.
On Wednesday, the German Cabinet cited the Bundeswehr toxicologists as saying that the Russian blogger had been affected by a poisonous substance from the notorious Novichok family. Berlin called on Russia to clarify the circumstances of the incident. Russia reiterated that it is interested in the investigation of the incident. However, the Russian Foreign Ministry noted that Berlin provided no proof of its version of the incident.
The Nord Stream 2 project envisages the construction of two pipeline strings with a total capacity of 55 bln cubic meters per year from the coast of Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany. To date, 93.5% of Nord Stream 2 has been finished. The construction was suspended at the end of 2019 when the Swiss pipe-laying company Allseas stopped work due to US sanctions.
The German government repeatedly spoke in favor of the project. However, Berlin pointed out that Ukraine should retain the role of a gas transit country in the future.


tass--2020-09-04--Coronavirus vaccination of volunteers to begin in Moscow next week

MOSCOW , September 4 .
/TASS/ .
The post-registration trials of Russia ’ s coronavirus vaccine will begin in Moscow @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said during an online meeting with President Vladimir Putin on @ @ @ @ @ facilities are ready , as well as an information system to monitor the trials and @ @ @ @ @ '' Sobyanin pointed out .
`` We are waiting for the Gamaleya Institute to make @ @ @ @ @ the vaccine over to us .
I think we will start the research process next @ @ @ @ @ mayor added .
On August 11 , Russia became the first country to register a @ @ @ @ @ named Sputnik V. The vaccine was developed by the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology @ @ @ @ @ trials in June and July .
The Russian Health Ministry announced the launch of vaccine @ @ @ @ @ The post-registration trials of the vaccine in Moscow are expected to involve 40,000 volunteers .

MOSCOW, September 4. /TASS/. The post-registration trials of Russia’s coronavirus vaccine will begin in Moscow next week, the city’s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said during an online meeting with President Vladimir Putin on Friday.
"All infrastructure facilities are ready, as well as an information system to monitor the trials and storage and distribution facilities," Sobyanin pointed out. "We are waiting for the Gamaleya Institute to make a final decision and hand the vaccine over to us. I think we will start the research process next week," the Moscow mayor added.
On August 11, Russia became the first country to register a coronavirus vaccine, which was named Sputnik V. The vaccine was developed by the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology and underwent clinical trials in June and July. The Russian Health Ministry announced the launch of vaccine production on August 15. The post-registration trials of the vaccine in Moscow are expected to involve 40,000 volunteers.


tass--2020-09-04--Russian envoy to Germany chides ‘misplaced’ censure of Moscow over Navalny case

BERLIN , September 4 .
/TASS/ .
Statements that Russia is involved in the situation around Russian blogger Alexei Navalny who is undergoing treatment in Berlin ’ s Charite clinic are inappropriate , Russian Ambassador to Germany Sergei Nechayev said in an interview with the German ZDF TV channel .
`` The reproaches that Russia is somehow involved in these events are absolutely misplaced from our point of view , '' he said .
Russian blogger Alexei Navalny was hospitalized in Omsk on August 20 after he suddenly felt ill in mid-flight traveling from Tomsk to Moscow .
The blogger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a lung ventilator .
Later , he was taken to Berlin and admitted to the Charite clinic .
On Wednesday , the German government said that German military toxicologists had found that Navalny had been exposed to a nerve agent of the Novichok family .
Berlin called on Moscow to clarify the circumstances of the incident .
The Russian side stated that it was ready for comprehensive investigation of the situation around Navalny .
However , Russia ’ s Foreign Ministry noted that the German side did not present any proof of @ @ @ @ @ @

BERLIN, September 4. /TASS/. Statements that Russia is involved in the situation around Russian blogger Alexei Navalny who is undergoing treatment in Berlin’s Charite clinic are inappropriate, Russian Ambassador to Germany Sergei Nechayev said in an interview with the German ZDF TV channel.
"The reproaches that Russia is somehow involved in these events are absolutely misplaced from our point of view," he said.
Russian blogger Alexei Navalny was hospitalized in Omsk on August 20 after he suddenly felt ill in mid-flight traveling from Tomsk to Moscow. The blogger fell into a coma and was connected to a lung ventilator. Later, he was taken to Berlin and admitted to the Charite clinic.
On Wednesday, the German government said that German military toxicologists had found that Navalny had been exposed to a nerve agent of the Novichok family. Berlin called on Moscow to clarify the circumstances of the incident. The Russian side stated that it was ready for comprehensive investigation of the situation around Navalny. However, Russia’s Foreign Ministry noted that the German side did not present any proof of their version of the events.


tass--2020-09-04--Russian exercises in Mediterranean do not violate international law, embassy says

`` Russia regularly conducts military exercises in the Eastern Mediterranean and invariably does so in strict accordance with international law .
Whenever a naval exercise is to be conducted , the World-Wide Navigational Warning Service ( WWNWS ) is notified and a bilateral procedure is used when an air exercise is due .
This is a routine process used on all occasions .
It remains unclear what the malicious commentators are worried about , '' the comment runs .
On Wednesday , the Turkish Navy ’ s Office of Navigation , Hydrography and Oceanography issued two Navtex notifications saying the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with live firing practice in two different regions of the Mediterranean , including near the Greek continental shelf .
Some Greek media speculated that in this way Russia took Turkey ’ s side in the sea shelf dispute with Greece .
Russia has not formally confirmed its participation in the exercise .
On August 6 , the foreign ministers of Greece and Egypt concluded an agreement on the demarcation of zones in the Mediterranean .
The parliaments of both countries have ratified it .
Athens says that the agreement with Egypt asserts the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shelf and the exclusive economic zone .
Ankara stated that it did not recognize that document and dispatched its research ship Oruc Reis and an escort of naval ships for seismic exploration of the Greek sea shelf near the island of Kastellorizo .
In response Greece placed its armed forces on alert .

"Russia regularly conducts military exercises in the Eastern Mediterranean and invariably does so in strict accordance with international law. Whenever a naval exercise is to be conducted, the World-Wide Navigational Warning Service (WWNWS) is notified and a bilateral procedure is used when an air exercise is due. This is a routine process used on all occasions. It remains unclear what the malicious commentators are worried about," the comment runs.
On Wednesday, the Turkish Navy’s Office of Navigation, Hydrography and Oceanography issued two Navtex notifications saying the Russian Navy would participate in an exercise with live firing practice in two different regions of the Mediterranean, including near the Greek continental shelf. Some Greek media speculated that in this way Russia took Turkey’s side in the sea shelf dispute with Greece. Russia has not formally confirmed its participation in the exercise.
On August 6, the foreign ministers of Greece and Egypt concluded an agreement on the demarcation of zones in the Mediterranean. The parliaments of both countries have ratified it. Athens says that the agreement with Egypt asserts the Greek islands’ right to the sea shelf and the exclusive economic zone. Ankara stated that it did not recognize that document and dispatched its research ship Oruc Reis and an escort of naval ships for seismic exploration of the Greek sea shelf near the island of Kastellorizo. In response Greece placed its armed forces on alert.


tass--2020-09-04--Moscow industry back to pre-crisis level, says mayor

MOSCOW , September 4 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow authorities believe that the city ’ s industry has returned to the @ @ @ @ @ Sobyanin said at a working meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin via a videoconference on @ @ @ @ @ and services have already reached the pre-crisis level .
Industry has returned to the pre-crisis @ @ @ @ @ reached the level equal to that before the crisis .
Housing delivery is slightly lower @ @ @ @ @ the construction industry has already reached those stages , '' he said .
Recovery is @ @ @ @ @ noted , adding though that a number of enterprises still face problems .
`` For @ @ @ @ @ fully recovered , though there are various trade enterprises , including those trading remotely , @ @ @ @ @ trade .
Those are small outlets that surely still feel difficulties , lacking funds in @ @ @ @ @ he said .
`` However , I expect the main problems here to be solved @ @ @ @ @ year , '' the mayor added .

MOSCOW, September 4. /TASS/. Moscow authorities believe that the city’s industry has returned to the pre-crisis level, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said at a working meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin via a videoconference on Friday.
"Overall trade and services have already reached the pre-crisis level. Industry has returned to the pre-crisis level and construction has also reached the level equal to that before the crisis. Housing delivery is slightly lower than investments themselves, though the construction industry has already reached those stages," he said.
Recovery is faster than expected, Sobyanin noted, adding though that a number of enterprises still face problems. "For example, trade volumes have fully recovered, though there are various trade enterprises, including those trading remotely, small-scale wholesale trade, front-office trade. Those are small outlets that surely still feel difficulties, lacking funds in their annual turnover," he said. "However, I expect the main problems here to be solved by the end of the year," the mayor added.


tass--2020-09-04--OPEC postpones 60th anniversary celebration in September due to pandemic

MOSCOW , September 4 .
/ TASS / .
The OPEC Secretariat decided to postpone the meeting of the organization dedicated to the organization 's 60th anniversary due to the restrictions associated with the pandemic ; Iraq had approached OPEC with a corresponding proposal , OPEC said in a statement on Friday .
The meeting was originally planned for September in Baghdad , where the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries ( OPEC ) was founded back in 1960 during an oil conference .
`` I am sincerely disappointed that I will not be able to host the 60th anniversary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this historic event , '' Iraqi Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar Ismaael wrote to OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Barkindo .
The minister stressed that `` health and safety is now more important than anything else . ''
Barkindo replied that he `` looks forward to meeting with all OPEC countries in the near future . ''
OPEC was founded in September 1960 at an oil conference in Baghdad by five states - Iran , Iraq , Kuwait , Saudi Arabia and Venezuela .
Later , other countries joined them .
OPEC accounts for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Since 2017 , OPEC has been working with Russia and a number of other countries to regulate oil production under an agreement known as OPEC+ .
The agreement helps avoid oversupply and oil price volatility .

MOSCOW, September 4. / TASS /. The OPEC Secretariat decided to postpone the meeting of the organization dedicated to the organization's 60th anniversary due to the restrictions associated with the pandemic; Iraq had approached OPEC with a corresponding proposal, OPEC said in a statement on Friday.
The meeting was originally planned for September in Baghdad, where the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was founded back in 1960 during an oil conference. "I am sincerely disappointed that I will not be able to host the 60th anniversary of OPEC after months of preparation for this historic event," Iraqi Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar Ismaael wrote to OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Barkindo. The minister stressed that "health and safety is now more important than anything else." Barkindo replied that he "looks forward to meeting with all OPEC countries in the near future."
OPEC was founded in September 1960 at an oil conference in Baghdad by five states - Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. Later, other countries joined them. OPEC accounts for a third of all world oil production. Since 2017, OPEC has been working with Russia and a number of other countries to regulate oil production under an agreement known as OPEC+. The agreement helps avoid oversupply and oil price volatility.


tass--2020-09-04--Press review: Novichok allegations imperil Nord Stream 2 and does Russia have a Covid cure

Nezavisimaya Gazeta : West threatens heavier sanctions against Moscow over ‘ Novichok ’ claims in Navalny case The outcome of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny 's toxicological examination has fuelled discussions of sanctions against Moscow .
German and American politicians are demanding that Russia should be punished for the alleged use of a nerve agent similar to Novichok .
The new sanctions could particularly include a ban on the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and Russian gas exports , Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes .
There is excess supply on the oil and gas market , which makes it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration Sergei Khestanov pointed out .
`` Any sanctions that will reduce currency inflows from exports would be rather painful , '' he stressed .
TeleTrade Chief Analyst Mark Goikhman believes that the Navalny incident makes the danger of `` sanctions from hell '' against Russia more real .
`` Those would include restrictions or even a ban on foreign investments in Russian federal loan bonds , the blocking of Russian banks ’ dollar accounts in US banks and a ban on foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explained .
However , some experts do n't expect serious sanctions to be imposed on Moscow .
According to Oleg Cherednichenko , an associate professor at the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics , the German government 's statements are largely declarative .
`` As for real action , it will be considered after a thorough investigation of the Navalny incident takes place , '' he said .
`` If sanctions are introduced , they are most likely to be individual , '' the expert added .
Cherednichenko also doubts that new sanctions will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 project .
`` The project has recently become an ace up the sleeve of European and American politicians that they use to score political and economic points , '' the analyst emphasized .
Six high-ranking generals , including two members of the royal family , have been sacked from Saudi Arabia 's army on suspicion of corruption and financial fraud , Izvestia writes .
The relevant decree was singed by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud .
Observers view it as proof of a secret struggle for power at the top of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its members recognize Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman 's right to succeed his father .
Russian International Affairs Council expert Andrei Chuprygin told Nezavisimaya Gazeta that the newly sacked individuals could soon face more charges .
They will probably be blamed for the crown prince ’ s blunders , which led to the fiasco in the Yemen war and made Riyadh lose face both on the international stage and domestically .
The political situation in Saudi Arabia is tense at the moment due to foreign policy failures , Senior Researcher at the Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Economy and International Relations Vladimir Avatkov told Izvestia .
`` Apart from the mishaps in Yemen , failures have also taken place in relation to Syria , and there has been a decline Saudi Arabia ’ s supremacy in the Arab world , '' the political scientist pointed out .
In his view , with Saudi Arabia ’ s authority diminishing , the domestic political struggle is gaining momentum .
`` Several forces advocate changing the country ’ s foreign policy priorities and shifting to a more balanced foreign policy course , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , insisting on maintaining a close alliance with the United States , '' the expert pointed out .
`` The situation in Saudi Arabia is seething and can sooner or later lead to dangerous consequences , given the negative regional trends , the old age of the ruling monarch and the young crown prince ’ s rather active foreign policy , '' Avatkov stressed .
The new political parties registered in Russia in 2020 are positive about their chances in the country ’ s regional elections for the upcoming Unified Election Day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties - New People , For the Truth , Green Alternative and the Direct Democracy Party - were registered by the Russian Justice Ministry in March .
They have already set up branches in half of Russia ’ s regions and plan to nominate candidates for the 2020 regional elections , as well as for the State Duma election scheduled for September 2021 .
Zakhar Prilepin , leader of the For the Truth party , anticipates success in the September ballot .
`` Nevertheless , we understand that our positions are stronger in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he told the paper .
Pundits believe that not all of the new political forces will succeed in getting seats in regional legislatures .
Political scientist Dmitry Fetisov pointed out that members of the New People and For the Truth parties have the best chances of success .
Analysts also say that neither of the new political projects is capable of entering the State Duma in 2021 .
`` These parties have made a statement in the 2020 election campaign but there has been no breakthrough as far as the people ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Director General of the Agency for Political and Economic Communications Dmitry Orlov noted .
According to him , the likely reason is that the new parties launched their election campaigns too late .
They will have to catch up on that by stepping up their activities before the State Duma election takes place , the expert added .
Orlov emphasized that United Russia , the Communist Party and the Liberal Democratic Party remained the main players on Russia ’ s political field .
The Russian currency can strengthen to 70 rubles per dollar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the situation is favorable , said experts interviewed by Izvestia .
However , such a scenario looks unlikely because there is too much uncertainty both in Russia and abroad .
Oil prices can once again drop to the $ 40-42 level after the hurricane season is over in the Gulf of Mexico , TeleTrade Chief Analyst Mark Goikhman noted .
According to the International Energy Agency and OPEC , the demand for oil won ’ t go back to last year ’ s level even in 2021 , yet the supply will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibility of a second coronavirus wave is also putting pressure on the Russian currency .
The pandemic ’ s consequences have not yet been fully realized , and the global economy is only starting to feel the impact of logistics gaps , AMarkets Analytics Department Chief Artem Deyev pointed out .
The second wave of the pandemic can trigger a sell-off on asset markets in developing countries , just like in March , he warned .
Apart from economic challenges , the ruble is also facing political pressure .
The threat of sanctions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate the most , BCS Chief Analyst Vitaly Gromadin said .
It comes amid a standoff in Belarus and German Chancellor Angela Merkel ’ s accusatory rhetoric regarding the Alexei Navalny case .
`` It is not the sanctions that are dangerous but the subsequent series of retaliatory measures and the uncertainty that it will create .
Additional negative statements by Western leaders can worsen the ruble ’ s position , '' said Ilya Zaporozhsky , an expert at the Finance and Investment Management Academy .
However , a positive scenario is still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are no new sanctions and no second wave of COVID-19 , while the global economy recovers together with oil demand , Deyev stressed .
Russian scientists have created a device to generate nitrogen oxide from the air and deliver it to patients through inhalation .
The device was developed at the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Experimental Physics and is already being tested for the treatment of COVID-19 , Rossiyskaya Gazeta writes .
It has been confirmed during the pandemic that nitrogen oxide inhalation can increase the survival rates of severe coronavirus patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 75 % .
However , the coronavirus and lung diseases are not the only field where the new device can be helpful .
There are prospects for using it in intensive care units , at heart surgery centers and perinatal facilities .
The device has undergone clinical trials at the Almazov National Medical Research Center in St. Petersburg and is now being tested by cardiologists in the city of Nizhny Novgorod .
`` This device has made it possible for us to operate on patients we were unable to help in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients has dropped .
Moreover , we are giving people a chance to live full lives after their treatment is over , '' Chief Physician at the Korolev Specialized Hospital for Heart Surgery Anton Maximov pointed out .
According to the developers , the device is unparalleled in the world .
`` We are capable of producing about 200 devices a year , which will meet Russia ’ s estimated needs , '' Director of the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Experimental Physics Viktor Selemir told the newspaper .
According to him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be manufactured by the end of September .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews .

Nezavisimaya Gazeta: West threatens heavier sanctions against Moscow over ‘Novichok’ claims in Navalny case
The outcome of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny's toxicological examination has fuelled discussions of sanctions against Moscow. German and American politicians are demanding that Russia should be punished for the alleged use of a nerve agent similar to Novichok. The new sanctions could particularly include a ban on the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and Russian gas exports, Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes. There is excess supply on the oil and gas market, which makes it easy to implement sanctions, Associate Professor with the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration Sergei Khestanov pointed out. "Any sanctions that will reduce currency inflows from exports would be rather painful," he stressed. TeleTrade Chief Analyst Mark Goikhman believes that the Navalny incident makes the danger of "sanctions from hell" against Russia more real. "Those would include restrictions or even a ban on foreign investments in Russian federal loan bonds, the blocking of Russian banks’ dollar accounts in US banks and a ban on foreign payment by Russian contractors," he explained. However, some experts don't expect serious sanctions to be imposed on Moscow. According to Oleg Cherednichenko, an associate professor at the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, the German government's statements are largely declarative. "As for real action, it will be considered after a thorough investigation of the Navalny incident takes place," he said. "If sanctions are introduced, they are most likely to be individual," the expert added. Cherednichenko also doubts that new sanctions will be slapped on the entire Nord Stream 2 project. "The project has recently become an ace up the sleeve of European and American politicians that they use to score political and economic points," the analyst emphasized. Media: Power struggle shakes up Saudi elite
Read also Saudi court sentences five people to death for murder of journalist Khashoggi
Six high-ranking generals, including two members of the royal family, have been sacked from Saudi Arabia's army on suspicion of corruption and financial fraud, Izvestia writes. The relevant decree was singed by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Observers view it as proof of a secret struggle for power at the top of the ruling family as not all of its members recognize Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's right to succeed his father. Russian International Affairs Council expert Andrei Chuprygin told Nezavisimaya Gazeta that the newly sacked individuals could soon face more charges. They will probably be blamed for the crown prince’s blunders, which led to the fiasco in the Yemen war and made Riyadh lose face both on the international stage and domestically. The political situation in Saudi Arabia is tense at the moment due to foreign policy failures, Senior Researcher at the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations Vladimir Avatkov told Izvestia. "Apart from the mishaps in Yemen, failures have also taken place in relation to Syria, and there has been a decline Saudi Arabia’s supremacy in the Arab world," the political scientist pointed out. In his view, with Saudi Arabia’s authority diminishing, the domestic political struggle is gaining momentum. "Several forces advocate changing the country’s foreign policy priorities and shifting to a more balanced foreign policy course, while others are employing more bellicose rhetoric, insisting on maintaining a close alliance with the United States," the expert pointed out. "The situation in Saudi Arabia is seething and can sooner or later lead to dangerous consequences, given the negative regional trends, the old age of the ruling monarch and the young crown prince’s rather active foreign policy," Avatkov stressed. Izvestia: New Russian parties upbeat about forthcoming regional elections
The new political parties registered in Russia in 2020 are positive about their chances in the country’s regional elections for the upcoming Unified Election Day, Izvestia notes. A total of four parties - New People, For the Truth, Green Alternative and the Direct Democracy Party - were registered by the Russian Justice Ministry in March. They have already set up branches in half of Russia’s regions and plan to nominate candidates for the 2020 regional elections, as well as for the State Duma election scheduled for September 2021. Zakhar Prilepin, leader of the For the Truth party, anticipates success in the September ballot. "Nevertheless, we understand that our positions are stronger in some regions and weaker in others," he told the paper. Pundits believe that not all of the new political forces will succeed in getting seats in regional legislatures. Political scientist Dmitry Fetisov pointed out that members of the New People and For the Truth parties have the best chances of success. Analysts also say that neither of the new political projects is capable of entering the State Duma in 2021. "These parties have made a statement in the 2020 election campaign but there has been no breakthrough as far as the people’s perception of them goes," Director General of the Agency for Political and Economic Communications Dmitry Orlov noted. According to him, the likely reason is that the new parties launched their election campaigns too late. They will have to catch up on that by stepping up their activities before the State Duma election takes place, the expert added. Orlov emphasized that United Russia, the Communist Party and the Liberal Democratic Party remained the main players on Russia’s political field. Izvestia: Russian ruble’s prospects look cloudy
The Russian currency can strengthen to 70 rubles per dollar in the next three to four months if the situation is favorable, said experts interviewed by Izvestia. However, such a scenario looks unlikely because there is too much uncertainty both in Russia and abroad. Oil prices can once again drop to the $40-42 level after the hurricane season is over in the Gulf of Mexico, TeleTrade Chief Analyst Mark Goikhman noted. According to the International Energy Agency and OPEC, the demand for oil won’t go back to last year’s level even in 2021, yet the supply will only rise, he added. The possibility of a second coronavirus wave is also putting pressure on the Russian currency. The pandemic’s consequences have not yet been fully realized, and the global economy is only starting to feel the impact of logistics gaps, AMarkets Analytics Department Chief Artem Deyev pointed out. The second wave of the pandemic can trigger a sell-off on asset markets in developing countries, just like in March, he warned. Apart from economic challenges, the ruble is also facing political pressure. The threat of sanctions against Russia is affecting the ruble-dollar exchange rate the most, BCS Chief Analyst Vitaly Gromadin said. It comes amid a standoff in Belarus and German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s accusatory rhetoric regarding the Alexei Navalny case. "It is not the sanctions that are dangerous but the subsequent series of retaliatory measures and the uncertainty that it will create. Additional negative statements by Western leaders can worsen the ruble’s position," said Ilya Zaporozhsky, an expert at the Finance and Investment Management Academy. However, a positive scenario is still possible. It will materialize if there are no new sanctions and no second wave of COVID-19, while the global economy recovers together with oil demand, Deyev stressed. Rossiyskaya Gazeta: Russian experts create coronavirus remedy out of air


tass--2020-09-04--Putin says economic situation in Moscow is very favorable

NOVO-OGAREVO , September 4 .
/ TASS / .
Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the current socio-economic situation in Moscow @ @ @ @ @ the mayor of the capital Sergei Sobyanin , which took place on Friday via videoconference @ @ @ @ @ state and the dynamics of economic development , social aspects , city finance management , @ @ @ @ @ capital is very favorable , we must admit it , '' Putin said .
Putin @ @ @ @ @ city leaders for the high results of their work .
Ahead of Moscow 's City @ @ @ @ @ to discuss not only Moscow 's successes , but also the existing difficulties .
`` @ @ @ @ @ there are n't problems in such a large metropolis - more than 10 mln people @ @ @ @ @ day .
The population is growing every year , '' he said .
Therefore , @ @ @ @ @ the capital `` also has problems . ''

NOVO-OGAREVO, September 4. / TASS /. Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the current socio-economic situation in Moscow during a working meeting with the mayor of the capital Sergei Sobyanin, which took place on Friday via videoconference.
"Considering both the state and the dynamics of economic development, social aspects, city finance management, the socio-economic situation in the capital is very favorable, we must admit it," Putin said.
Putin thanked the mayor and other city leaders for the high results of their work.
Ahead of Moscow's City Day, the president proposed to discuss not only Moscow's successes, but also the existing difficulties. "It's not possible that there aren't problems in such a large metropolis - more than 10 mln people plus 3 mln visitors every day. The population is growing every year," he said. Therefore, according to President Putin, the capital "also has problems."


tass--2020-09-04--Belarusian data on alleged faked poisoning of Navalny handed over to FSB — Kremlin

MOSCOW , September 4 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian intelligence data proving blogger Alexei Navalny ’ s alleged poisoning was a fake have been handed over to the federal security service FSB and the special service will now report them to President Vladimir Putin , presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday .
`` The materials were handed over yesterday .
As you must have noticed , Lukashenko said yesterday they would be shared with the FSB , '' Peskov said .
`` The FSB will certainly make a report about the documents obtained from the Belarusian counterparts .
I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , adding that it was `` the function of any special service . ''
Asked which side Russia was inclined to believe , Germany or Belarus ( bearing in mind the fact that Russian foreign intelligence service chief Sergei Naryshkin said the very fact Lukashenko made such accusations against the West indicated that he had enough reasons for that ) , Peskov called for being precise and avoiding distortion of facts .
`` Naryshkin did not rule out such a possibility , let us be accurate , '' Peskov said .
Also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question `` circulate among the special services '' and `` respectively are analyzed by our special services . ''
Peskov reiterated he found it difficult to say something regarding the content of the materials the Belarusian side had gathered .
The presidential spokesman declined to comment on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko ’ s statement that Germany and Poland fabricated data on the poisoning of blogger Alexei Navalny .
`` I don ’ t have information on those files , so I can not comment on the Belarusian president ’ s statement , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professionals at the Omsk hospital where Russian blogger Alexei Navalny was originally taken were far more open when informing the public about his condition than their German colleagues are now , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday .
`` In all fairness , we should probably draw everyone ’ s attention to the fact that the Omsk hospital provided more information about the patient ’ s health than , for example , the Berlin hospital is doing right now .
< … > Our doctors behaved much more transparently with regard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interested than their German colleagues do , '' Peskov concluded .
The Kremlin spokesman stressed that Russia was not hiding facts .
`` They are well known .
We told you about them .
All our partners and counterparts are well aware of them from the very first days the information was provided , '' he assured .
Dmitry Peskov informed that if proof of presence of a poison in Alexei Navalny ’ s body is found an investigation into his possible poisoning will commence de jure .
`` Our specialists from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pre-investigation inspection , it began almost immediately .
De facto , it is an investigation and it is underway .
If proof of presence of some poisonous substances is found in biological samples of the patient , without doubt , an investigation proper will commence de jure , '' the Kremlin spokesman said .
Russia prefers to act consistently and carefully when looking into different versions of the Navalny incident , Peskov added .
`` Very different versions , including the poisoning version , were on the table since the beginning , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care unit in Omsk .
According to our medics and our specialists , the poisoning hypothesis has not been confirmed .
Other medical hypotheses have also been reviewed , '' he recalled .
The Kremlin spokesman also pointed out that , according to statements made by the official representatives of the Western countries , including the German chancellor , the German specialists managed to discover an unidentified poisonous substance .
`` In this case , we count on dialogue with the German colleagues and expect that we will receive information about this substance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He reiterated that this information will assist the Ministry of the Interior in its efforts .
The spokesman refrained from theorizing on who might benefit from Navalny ’ s poisoning , either inside or outside Russia .
`` In this situation , we rely on facts , we act consistently and carefully , and we call on everybody else to rely on facts as well , '' he concluded .
Lukashenko said at a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on Thursday that Minsk had intercepted a conversation between Berlin and Warsaw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Navalny ’ s poisoning had been concocted .
The German government said on Wednesday , citing the results of a toxicological analysis carried out by Bundeswehr experts , that Navalny had been poisoned with the Novichok nerve agent .
Peskov said that Moscow was ready to cooperate with Germany in order to establish all circumstances of the Navalny case .
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova , in turn , noted that Germany had failed to provide any evidence of poisoning .

MOSCOW, September 4. /TASS/. Belarusian intelligence data proving blogger Alexei Navalny’s alleged poisoning was a fake have been handed over to the federal security service FSB and the special service will now report them to President Vladimir Putin, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.
"The materials were handed over yesterday. As you must have noticed, Lukashenko said yesterday they would be shared with the FSB," Peskov said. "The FSB will certainly make a report about the documents obtained from the Belarusian counterparts. I have no doubts about that," Peskov said, adding that it was "the function of any special service."
Asked which side Russia was inclined to believe, Germany or Belarus (bearing in mind the fact that Russian foreign intelligence service chief Sergei Naryshkin said the very fact Lukashenko made such accusations against the West indicated that he had enough reasons for that), Peskov called for being precise and avoiding distortion of facts.
"Naryshkin did not rule out such a possibility, let us be accurate," Peskov said.
Also, he said that the materials in question "circulate among the special services" and "respectively are analyzed by our special services." Peskov reiterated he found it difficult to say something regarding the content of the materials the Belarusian side had gathered.
The presidential spokesman declined to comment on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s statement that Germany and Poland fabricated data on the poisoning of blogger Alexei Navalny.
"I don’t have information on those files, so I cannot comment on the Belarusian president’s statement," he told reporters on Friday.
Cooperation with medics
Medical professionals at the Omsk hospital where Russian blogger Alexei Navalny was originally taken were far more open when informing the public about his condition than their German colleagues are now, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday.
"In all fairness, we should probably draw everyone’s attention to the fact that the Omsk hospital provided more information about the patient’s health than, for example, the Berlin hospital is doing right now. <…> Our doctors behaved much more transparently with regard to informing both journalists and all those interested than their German colleagues do," Peskov concluded.
The Kremlin spokesman stressed that Russia was not hiding facts. "They are well known. We told you about them. All our partners and counterparts are well aware of them from the very first days the information was provided," he assured.
Investigation
Dmitry Peskov informed that if proof of presence of a poison in Alexei Navalny’s body is found an investigation into his possible poisoning will commence de jure.
"Our specialists from the Ministry of the Interior are conducting a pre-investigation inspection, it began almost immediately. De facto, it is an investigation and it is underway. If proof of presence of some poisonous substances is found in biological samples of the patient, without doubt, an investigation proper will commence de jure," the Kremlin spokesman said.
Russia prefers to act consistently and carefully when looking into different versions of the Navalny incident, Peskov added. "Very different versions, including the poisoning version, were on the table since the beginning, when the patient was still in the intensive care unit in Omsk. According to our medics and our specialists, the poisoning hypothesis has not been confirmed. Other medical hypotheses have also been reviewed," he recalled.
The Kremlin spokesman also pointed out that, according to statements made by the official representatives of the Western countries, including the German chancellor, the German specialists managed to discover an unidentified poisonous substance.
"In this case, we count on dialogue with the German colleagues and expect that we will receive information about this substance through this dialogue," Peskov said.
He reiterated that this information will assist the Ministry of the Interior in its efforts.
The spokesman refrained from theorizing on who might benefit from Navalny’s poisoning, either inside or outside Russia. "In this situation, we rely on facts, we act consistently and carefully, and we call on everybody else to rely on facts as well," he concluded.
Lukashenko said at a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on Thursday that Minsk had intercepted a conversation between Berlin and Warsaw, which proved that the story of Navalny’s poisoning had been concocted.
The German government said on Wednesday, citing the results of a toxicological analysis carried out by Bundeswehr experts, that Navalny had been poisoned with the Novichok nerve agent. Peskov said that Moscow was ready to cooperate with Germany in order to establish all circumstances of the Navalny case. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, in turn, noted that Germany had failed to provide any evidence of poisoning.


tass--2020-09-04--Moscow prepares for Lukashenko’s visit

Moscow prepares for Lukashenko’s visit

MOSCOW , September 4 .
/TASS/ .
Kremlin prepares for Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko 's visit to Moscow , but @ @ @ @ @ date for the time being , Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists Friday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ of Belarus to Moscow will happen , it is being prepared as we speak , @ @ @ @ @ to announce the visit date `` in due time . ''
On September 2 , @ @ @ @ @ said that President Vladimir Putin ’ s meeting with his Belarusian counterpart should take place @ @ @ @ @ .
On Thursday , Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin visited Minsk .

MOSCOW, September 4. /TASS/. Kremlin prepares for Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's visit to Moscow, but will not name the exact date for the time being, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists Friday.
"The visit of the President of Belarus to Moscow will happen, it is being prepared as we speak," Peskov said, promising to announce the visit date "in due time."
On September 2, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that President Vladimir Putin’s meeting with his Belarusian counterpart should take place in the next two weeks. On Thursday, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin visited Minsk.


tass--2020-09-04--Coronavirus situation in Moscow may get worse this fall, mayor warns

MOSCOW , September 4 .
/TASS/ .
The coronavirus situation in Moscow may get more complicated this fall due to @ @ @ @ @ year and people ’ s return from their summer cottages , Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin @ @ @ @ @ on Friday .
`` The pandemic is not over yet .
Moreover , in the @ @ @ @ @ aggravation of the situation .
Children went to schools , students to the universities , @ @ @ @ @ summer cottages .
All that will create conditions for a certain increase in the number @ @ @ @ @ he stressed .
The mayor noted that local outbreaks of the disease were possible at @ @ @ @ @ and schools , which could be temporarily closed or will have to switch to remote @ @ @ @ @ The coronavirus situation in Moscow , which was the most complicated in Russia , has @ @ @ @ @ statistics .
Another 1,196 COVID-19 patients recovered in the city in the past 24 hours @ @ @ @ @ recoveries has reached 219,095 .

MOSCOW, September 4. /TASS/. The coronavirus situation in Moscow may get more complicated this fall due to the beginning of the school year and people’s return from their summer cottages, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin wrote in a blog post on Friday.
"The pandemic is not over yet. Moreover, in the fall we may face the aggravation of the situation. Children went to schools, students to the universities, many people returned from their summer cottages. All that will create conditions for a certain increase in the number of infected people," he stressed.
The mayor noted that local outbreaks of the disease were possible at some enterprises, in offices and schools, which could be temporarily closed or will have to switch to remote work and distance learning.
The coronavirus situation in Moscow, which was the most complicated in Russia, has improved substantially, according to statistics. Another 1,196 COVID-19 patients recovered in the city in the past 24 hours, the total number of recoveries has reached 219,095.


tass--2020-09-04--Russia’s FSB detains 13 members of online community plotting mass killings

MOSCOW , September 4 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Federal Security Service ( FSB ) has detained 13 members of a closed online community who plotted mass killings , the FSB said in a statement .
`` Thirteen Russian nationals who plotted to carry out mass killings have been detained in several regions of the country .
They planned to use improvised explosive devices , petrol bombs and bladed weapons , and also encouraged other Internet users to commit similar crimes .
Eleven of them were members of a closed online community within a social media platform , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ devices , components for making petrol bombs , as well as hunting , non-lethal and bladed weapons were seized .
`` Personal diaries and communication means seized from these people prove that they had plans to commit crimes .
The diaries particularly contain bomb-making manuals and blueprints of attacks on educational and law enforcement facilities , as well as on public places , '' the FSB added .
`` The necessary procedural steps and preventive measures will be taken after tests are conducted , '' the FSB said .
One of the young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ act at a school during the September 1 ceremonial line-up , according to a video made public on Friday by the FSB Public Relations Center .
The video footage shows the correspondence of one of the detainees .
`` I want to commit a terrorist act at school .
Will go to a ceremony at school .
< ... > I want to kill 100 [ people ] , '' the young person wrote .
He claimed he made a pipe bomb based on a blueprint .
According to the video , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The FSB does not specify the region of the intended massacre .
The FSB demonstrated the footage of the detention of some individuals .
Judging by the video , they are all underage .

MOSCOW, September 4. /TASS/. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has detained 13 members of a closed online community who plotted mass killings, the FSB said in a statement.
"Thirteen Russian nationals who plotted to carry out mass killings have been detained in several regions of the country. They planned to use improvised explosive devices, petrol bombs and bladed weapons, and also encouraged other Internet users to commit similar crimes. Eleven of them were members of a closed online community within a social media platform," the statement reads.
Four improvised explosive devices, components for making petrol bombs, as well as hunting, non-lethal and bladed weapons were seized.
"Personal diaries and communication means seized from these people prove that they had plans to commit crimes. The diaries particularly contain bomb-making manuals and blueprints of attacks on educational and law enforcement facilities, as well as on public places," the FSB added.
"The necessary procedural steps and preventive measures will be taken after tests are conducted," the FSB said.
One of the young people detained intended to commit a terrorist act at a school during the September 1 ceremonial line-up, according to a video made public on Friday by the FSB Public Relations Center.
The video footage shows the correspondence of one of the detainees. "I want to commit a terrorist act at school. Will go to a ceremony at school. <...> I want to kill 100 [people]," the young person wrote. He claimed he made a pipe bomb based on a blueprint.
According to the video, the message was written on August 17. The FSB does not specify the region of the intended massacre.
The FSB demonstrated the footage of the detention of some individuals. Judging by the video, they are all underage.


tass--2020-09-04--Russia reports over 5,000 COVID-19 cases per day for the first time since August 15

MOSCOW , September 4 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases recorded in Russia in the past 24 hours @ @ @ @ @ time since August 15 .
Another 5,110 cases were confirmed , bringing the total number @ @ @ @ @ , the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Friday .
According to the crisis center @ @ @ @ @ does not exceed 0.5 % for 20 days in a row .

MOSCOW, September 4. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases recorded in Russia in the past 24 hours surpassed 5,000 for the first time since August 15. Another 5,110 cases were confirmed, bringing the total number of infected people to 1,015,105, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Friday.
According to the crisis center, the daily growth rate does not exceed 0.5% for 20 days in a row.


tass--2020-09-04--EU won’t blacklist Lukashenko due to German stance — Die Welt

BERLIN , September 4 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian president-elect Alexander Lukashenko won ’ t be included on the EU sanctions list above all due to the position taken by Germany as well as by France and Italy , German Die Welt reported on Friday citing its own sources .
Berlin , Paris , and Rome stated that `` despite all circumstances , connection channels with Lukashenko should be kept open , '' because , in their opinion , his blacklisting would lead to a complete suspension of dialogue with Minsk .
Mainly the Baltic states and Poland urged to introduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the middle of August it became known that in connection with the protest rallies in Belarus , the EU is considering a list of 15-20 Belarusian officials who will be prohibited entry to the EU territory and access to the European banking system .
The EU sanctions against Belarus for human rights violations were in effect from 2004 to 2016 , over time the blacklist changed , at times including as many as 130 individuals .
In September 2008 , the European Union froze the sanctions , yet renewed them and even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the republic .
At an informal meeting in Berlin on August 27-28 the leaders of the Foreign Ministries of the EU countries made a decision to complete the sanctions procedure against Belarus as soon as possible .

BERLIN, September 4. /TASS/. Belarusian president-elect Alexander Lukashenko won’t be included on the EU sanctions list above all due to the position taken by Germany as well as by France and Italy, German Die Welt reported on Friday citing its own sources.
Berlin, Paris, and Rome stated that "despite all circumstances, connection channels with Lukashenko should be kept open," because, in their opinion, his blacklisting would lead to a complete suspension of dialogue with Minsk. Mainly the Baltic states and Poland urged to introduce restrictive measures against the Belarusian leader.
In the middle of August it became known that in connection with the protest rallies in Belarus, the EU is considering a list of 15-20 Belarusian officials who will be prohibited entry to the EU territory and access to the European banking system. The EU sanctions against Belarus for human rights violations were in effect from 2004 to 2016, over time the blacklist changed, at times including as many as 130 individuals. In September 2008, the European Union froze the sanctions, yet renewed them and even upgraded them after the 2010 presidential election in the republic.
At an informal meeting in Berlin on August 27-28 the leaders of the Foreign Ministries of the EU countries made a decision to complete the sanctions procedure against Belarus as soon as possible.


tass--2020-09-04--Global business community chides coronavirus-linked border closings as mistake

MOSCOW , September 4 .
/TASS/ .
Businessmen from a number of countries share the view that the closing of borders between countries due to the coronavirus pandemic was a mistake as anti-epidemic measures could have been observed with the help of international protocols and regulations , Russia ’ s Presidential Commissioner for the protection of entrepreneurs ’ rights Boris Titov told reporters at the Stolypin Forum on Friday .
`` Businesses are surely interested in open borders [ between countries ] , otherwise they become uncompetitive , which affects the efficiency of operations .
An incredibly quick closing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though businesses , particularly those present here , believe that the same security support results could have been reached with the help of protocols and regulations , '' he said .
Such `` mistakes badly affect the economy , eventually impacting businessmen and consumers , '' Titov said , adding that business can help countries get closer economically , without focusing on politics .
`` Today only business can bring all together , '' he noted .
The third Stolypin Forum dubbed ‘ The Immune System of the World Economy ’ in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Around 200 speakers from 40 countries are participating in business events offline and online .
TASS is the forum ’ s information partner .

MOSCOW, September 4. /TASS/. Businessmen from a number of countries share the view that the closing of borders between countries due to the coronavirus pandemic was a mistake as anti-epidemic measures could have been observed with the help of international protocols and regulations, Russia’s Presidential Commissioner for the protection of entrepreneurs’ rights Boris Titov told reporters at the Stolypin Forum on Friday.
"Businesses are surely interested in open borders [between countries], otherwise they become uncompetitive, which affects the efficiency of operations. An incredibly quick closing of Italy became an example for many countries, though businesses, particularly those present here, believe that the same security support results could have been reached with the help of protocols and regulations," he said.
Such "mistakes badly affect the economy, eventually impacting businessmen and consumers," Titov said, adding that business can help countries get closer economically, without focusing on politics. "Today only business can bring all together," he noted.
The third Stolypin Forum dubbed ‘The Immune System of the World Economy’ in taking place in Moscow on September 3-4. Around 200 speakers from 40 countries are participating in business events offline and online. TASS is the forum’s information partner.


tass--2020-09-04--First-Ever Global COVID-19 Death Forecasts by Nation Out to End of Year

Greece allows entry for up to 500 Russians per week since Sept. 7 Russian citizens are required to have a @ @ @ @ @ by PCR method 72 hours ahead of their arrival in Greece

Biden says alternative to sanctions against Russia would be Third World War
"Russia will pay a serious price for this short term and long term, particularly long term," the US leader stressed
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tass--2020-09-04--Why China hasn't forgotten about the war against Japanese aggression

BEIJING , Sept. 3 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chinese People 's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression that lasted from 1931 to 1945 forever changed China and China-Japan relations .
China is still remembering it , 75 years on since the end of the war .
Earlier on Thursday ( September 3 ) , Chinese President Xi Jinping , also general secretary of the Communist Party of China ( CPC ) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission ( CMC ) , went to a museum in the suburb of Beijing to commemorate the anniversary .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heroes , Xi , along with other leaders of the CPC Central Committee , laid wreaths for the martyrs .
Speaking at a symposium later in the day with the presence of veterans who survived the war , Xi hailed the Chinese nation 's great spirit , stressing patriotism and heroism in the effort to achieve China 's national rejuvenation .
He said the Chinese nation as a whole fought and won the war with great spirits of patriotism and heroism , which is invaluable today and can motivate the Chinese people to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to achieve national rejuvenation .
The COVID-19 pandemic has sent the already strained China-U.S. relations on a rapid downward spiral .
Despite fast and effective control of the epidemic in China , the U.S. has constantly attacked China over its handling of coronavirus .
In recent months , the U.S. government has also escalated attacks on the CPC , viewing it as a `` global threat and enemy . ''
Under the CPC 's leadership , the Chinese people have not only won the war against Japanese fascism but made remarkable achievements in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Xi highlighted in the symposium .
China 's reform and opening-up have completely overhauled its economy , urbanized society and improved living standards .
China is now the second-largest world economy following the U.S. , and before the end of 2020 , it will lift all people out of poverty .
To achieve China 's national rejuvenation , Xi said the country must stick to the leadership of the CPC , the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics , the people-centric approach as well as peaceful development .
`` The Chinese people will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force that attempts to distort the history of the CPC and stigmatize the nature of the CPC , '' Xi said .
`` The Chinese people will never agree with anyone or any force that attempts to distort and divert the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and attempt to deny and stigmatize the great achievement under the path .
The Chinese people will never agree with anyone or any force that attempts to split the CPC and the Chinese people . ''
He also rejected the attempts to bully and impose their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese people 's communication with people in other countries .
Little-known facts about the scale of war in China It 's important to remember the suffering and loss of World War II , but one must not forget the war in China in extent , consequences and legacy .
People from all across the country found themselves embroiled in the Chinese People 's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression ( 1931-1945 ) .
China was the main battlefield against Japanese fascism .
Before the Pacific War ( 1941-1943 ) , Japan deployed about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and after 1941 , Japan still kept over 50 percent of its soldiers in China .
When Japan surrendered , a total of 1.86 million Japanese troops were deployed in China , accounting for nearly 52 percent of the total number of combatants sent abroad .
During the war over 1.5 million Japanese troops died in China , while more than 35 million Chinese military and civilians died during the war , accounting for nearly 8 percent of China 's total population in 1928 .
China says it suffered more than 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 500 billion U.S. dollars of indirect economic losses ( at the price in 1937 ) .
In the past decades , China 's relations with Japan have experienced ups and downs .
During the Osaka meeting last June , leaders of both countries reached a 10-point consensus to jointly promote a healthy development of bilateral relations .
Xi also agreed in principle to pay a state visit to Japan , which was interrupted by the COVID-19 , turning a new page on ties between the two countries .
China and Japan are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relationship benefits people from both countries , as well as the stability of Asia and the world , Xi said while reflecting on the war .
Properly reflecting on Japanese fascism and its aggression and invasion to China is an important political foundation of the establishment and growth of the China-Japan relations , Xi said .
We should take the opportunity to remember and reflect on history as we cherish peace and friendship between the two countries , he said .

BEIJING, Sept. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression that lasted from 1931 to 1945 forever changed China and China-Japan relations.
China is still remembering it, 75 years on since the end of the war.
Earlier on Thursday (September 3), Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), went to a museum in the suburb of Beijing to commemorate the anniversary.
After a minute of silence mourning the fallen heroes, Xi, along with other leaders of the CPC Central Committee, laid wreaths for the martyrs.
Speaking at a symposium later in the day with the presence of veterans who survived the war, Xi hailed the Chinese nation's great spirit, stressing patriotism and heroism in the effort to achieve China's national rejuvenation.
He said the Chinese nation as a whole fought and won the war with great spirits of patriotism and heroism, which is invaluable today and can motivate the Chinese people to overcome all difficulties and obstacles and strive to achieve national rejuvenation.
The COVID-19 pandemic has sent the already strained China-U.S. relations on a rapid downward spiral.
Despite fast and effective control of the epidemic in China, the U.S. has constantly attacked China over its handling of coronavirus. In recent months, the U.S. government has also escalated attacks on the CPC, viewing it as a "global threat and enemy."
Under the CPC's leadership, the Chinese people have not only won the war against Japanese fascism but made remarkable achievements in economic and social developments since then, Xi highlighted in the symposium.
China's reform and opening-up have completely overhauled its economy, urbanized society and improved living standards. China is now the second-largest world economy following the U.S., and before the end of 2020, it will lift all people out of poverty.
To achieve China's national rejuvenation, Xi said the country must stick to the leadership of the CPC, the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the people-centric approach as well as peaceful development.
"The Chinese people will never agree with any one or any force that attempts to distort the history of the CPC and stigmatize the nature of the CPC," Xi said.
"The Chinese people will never agree with anyone or any force that attempts to distort and divert the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and attempt to deny and stigmatize the great achievement under the path. The Chinese people will never agree with anyone or any force that attempts to split the CPC and the Chinese people."
He also rejected the attempts to bully and impose their will on China as well as hinder Chinese people's communication with people in other countries.
Little-known facts about the scale of war in China
It's important to remember the suffering and loss of World War II, but one must not forget the war in China in extent, consequences and legacy.
People from all across the country found themselves embroiled in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-1945).
China was the main battlefield against Japanese fascism. Before the Pacific War (1941-1943), Japan deployed about 80-94 percent of its troops in China, and after 1941, Japan still kept over 50 percent of its soldiers in China.
When Japan surrendered, a total of 1.86 million Japanese troops were deployed in China, accounting for nearly 52 percent of the total number of combatants sent abroad.
During the war over 1.5 million Japanese troops died in China, while more than 35 million Chinese military and civilians died during the war, accounting for nearly 8 percent of China's total population in 1928.
China says it suffered more than 100 billion U.S. dollars of direct economic losses and 500 billion U.S. dollars of indirect economic losses (at the price in 1937).
Opportunity for reflection
In the past decades, China's relations with Japan have experienced ups and downs.
During the Osaka meeting last June, leaders of both countries reached a 10-point consensus to jointly promote a healthy development of bilateral relations. Xi also agreed in principle to pay a state visit to Japan, which was interrupted by the COVID-19, turning a new page on ties between the two countries.
China and Japan are close neighbors, and a long-term peaceful relationship benefits people from both countries, as well as the stability of Asia and the world, Xi said while reflecting on the war.
Properly reflecting on Japanese fascism and its aggression and invasion to China is an important political foundation of the establishment and growth of the China-Japan relations, Xi said.
We should take the opportunity to remember and reflect on history as we cherish peace and friendship between the two countries, he said.


tass--2020-09-04--IHME Projects Three-Quarters of a Million Lives Could be Saved by January 1

SEATTLE , Sept. 4 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- In the first global projections of the COVID-19 pandemic by nation , the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation ( IHME ) at the University of Washington 's School of Medicine is predicting nearly 770,000 lives worldwide could be saved between now and January 1 through proven measures such as mask-wearing and social distancing .
Cumulative deaths expected by January 1 total 2.8 million , about 1.9 million more from now until the end of the year .
Daily deaths in December could reach as high as 30,000 .
`` These first-ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forecast as well as a roadmap toward relief from COVID-19 that government leaders as well as individuals can follow , '' said IHME Director Dr. Christopher Murray .
`` We are facing the prospect of a deadly December , especially in Europe , Central Asia , and the United States .
But the science is clear and the evidence irrefutable : mask-wearing , social distancing , and limits to social gatherings are vital to helping prevent transmission of the virus . ''
• A `` worse case '' in which mask usage stays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing requirements , leading to 4.0 million total deaths by the end of the year ; • A `` best case '' of 2.0 million total deaths if mask usage is near-universal and governments impose social distancing requirements when their daily death rate exceeds 8 per million ; and • A `` most likely '' scenario that assumes individual mask use and other mitigation measures remain unchanged , resulting in approximately 2.8 million total deaths .
The references to 750,000 lives saved and 30,000 daily deaths in December represent the differences between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most likely '' scenarios .
Each of these scenarios represents a significant increase over the current total deaths , estimated at nearly 910,000 worldwide .
The increase is due in part to a likely seasonal rise in COVID-19 cases in the Northern Hemisphere .
To date , COVID-19 has followed seasonal patterns similar to pneumonia , and if that correlation continues to hold , northern countries can anticipate more cases in the late fall and winter months .
`` People in the Northern Hemisphere must be especially vigilant as winter approaches , since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be more prevalent in cold climates , '' Murray said .
Murray highlighted the unprecedented opportunity to save lives with rapid action .
`` Looking at the staggering COVID-19 estimates , it 's easy to get lost in the enormity of the numbers , '' Murray said .
`` The number of deaths exceeds the capacity of the world 's 50 largest stadiums , a sobering image of the people who have lost their lives and livelihoods . ''
Under the most likely of IHME 's scenarios , the nations with the highest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US Virgin Islands , the Netherlands , and Spain .
By WHO region , this scenario projects 959,685 total deaths by January 1 in the Region of the Americas , 667,811 in the European Region , 79,583 in the African Region , 168,711 in the Eastern Mediterranean Region , 738,427 in the South-East Asia Region , and 191,598 in the Western Pacific Region .
`` We all must learn from those leaders of nations where the virus has been contained , or where second waves of infections have occurred , and where swift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of life , '' Murray said .
He also cautioned against pursuing the so-called `` herd immunity '' strategy , which occurs when a large proportion of a community becomes immune to the virus through infection and recovery .
The `` worse-case '' scenario in these projections reflects a situation where leaders allow transmission to run through their population , resulting in significant loss of life .
`` This first global forecast represents an opportunity to underscore the problem with herd immunity , which , essentially , ignores science and ethics , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Murray said .
`` It is , quite simply , reprehensible . ''
Here are the top 10 nations with highest per capita death forecasts with worse-case scenario , most likely scenario , and best scenario : • Worse case : Netherlands , Spain , US Virgin Islands , Japan , Sweden , Romania , Israel , Republic of Moldova , United States of America , Montenegro • Most likely : US Virgin Islands , Netherlands , Spain , Belgium , Peru , San Marino , Sweden , United States of America , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including additional forecasts of daily infections , are available , and will be regularly updated moving forward.IHME 's projections for India are based on an epidemiological model that includes data on cases , deaths , and antibody prevalence , as well as state-specific COVID-19 testing rates , mobility , social distancing mandates , mask use , population density and age structure , and pneumonia seasonality , which shows a strong correlation with the trajectory of COVID-19 .
About the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ research organization at the University of Washington School of Medicine that provides rigorous and comparable measurement of the world 's most important health problems and evaluates the strategies used to address them .
IHME is committed to transparency and makes this information widely available so that policymakers have the evidence they need to make informed decisions on allocating resources to improve population health .

SEATTLE, Sept. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- In the first global projections of the COVID-19 pandemic by nation, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington's School of Medicine is predicting nearly 770,000 lives worldwide could be saved between now and January 1 through proven measures such as mask-wearing and social distancing.
Cumulative deaths expected by January 1 total 2.8 million, about 1.9 million more from now until the end of the year. Daily deaths in December could reach as high as 30,000.
"These first-ever worldwide projections by country offer a daunting forecast as well as a roadmap toward relief from COVID-19 that government leaders as well as individuals can follow," said IHME Director Dr. Christopher Murray. "We are facing the prospect of a deadly December, especially in Europe, Central Asia, and the United States. But the science is clear and the evidence irrefutable: mask-wearing, social distancing, and limits to social gatherings are vital to helping prevent transmission of the virus."
The Institute modeled three scenarios:
A "worse case" in which mask usage stays at current rates and governments continue relaxing social distancing requirements, leading to 4.0 million total deaths by the end of the year;
A "best case" of 2.0 million total deaths if mask usage is near-universal and governments impose social distancing requirements when their daily death rate exceeds 8 per million; and
A "most likely" scenario that assumes individual mask use and other mitigation measures remain unchanged, resulting in approximately 2.8 million total deaths.
The references to 750,000 lives saved and 30,000 daily deaths in December represent the differences between the "best case" and "most likely" scenarios.
Each of these scenarios represents a significant increase over the current total deaths, estimated at nearly 910,000 worldwide. The increase is due in part to a likely seasonal rise in COVID-19 cases in the Northern Hemisphere. To date, COVID-19 has followed seasonal patterns similar to pneumonia, and if that correlation continues to hold, northern countries can anticipate more cases in the late fall and winter months.
"People in the Northern Hemisphere must be especially vigilant as winter approaches, since the coronavirus, like pneumonia, will be more prevalent in cold climates," Murray said.
Murray highlighted the unprecedented opportunity to save lives with rapid action.
"Looking at the staggering COVID-19 estimates, it's easy to get lost in the enormity of the numbers," Murray said. "The number of deaths exceeds the capacity of the world's 50 largest stadiums, a sobering image of the people who have lost their lives and livelihoods."
Under the most likely of IHME's scenarios, the nations with the highest per capita total deaths would be the US Virgin Islands, the Netherlands, and Spain. By WHO region, this scenario projects 959,685 total deaths by January 1 in the Region of the Americas, 667,811 in the European Region, 79,583 in the African Region, 168,711 in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, 738,427 in the South-East Asia Region, and 191,598 in the Western Pacific Region.
"We all must learn from those leaders of nations where the virus has been contained, or where second waves of infections have occurred, and where swift action has been taken to prevent loss of life," Murray said.
He also cautioned against pursuing the so-called "herd immunity" strategy, which occurs when a large proportion of a community becomes immune to the virus through infection and recovery. The "worse-case" scenario in these projections reflects a situation where leaders allow transmission to run through their population, resulting in significant loss of life.
"This first global forecast represents an opportunity to underscore the problem with herd immunity, which, essentially, ignores science and ethics, and allows millions of avoidable deaths," Murray said. "It is, quite simply, reprehensible."
Here are the top 10 nations with highest per capita death forecasts with worse-case scenario, most likely scenario, and best scenario:
Worse case: Netherlands, Spain, US Virgin Islands, Japan, Sweden, Romania, Israel, Republic of Moldova, United States of America, Montenegro
Most likely: US Virgin Islands, Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Peru, San Marino, Sweden, United States of America, Ecuador, France
Best case: US Virgin Islands, Spain, Peru, San Marino, Kazakhstan, Ecuador, Belgium, Panama, Mexico, Colombia
The new projections, including additional forecasts of daily infections, are available, and will be regularly updated moving forward.IHME's projections for India are based on an epidemiological model that includes data on cases, deaths, and antibody prevalence, as well as state-specific COVID-19 testing rates, mobility, social distancing mandates, mask use, population density and age structure, and pneumonia seasonality, which shows a strong correlation with the trajectory of COVID-19.
About the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) is an independent global health research organization at the University of Washington School of Medicine that provides rigorous and comparable measurement of the world's most important health problems and evaluates the strategies used to address them. IHME is committed to transparency and makes this information widely available so that policymakers have the evidence they need to make informed decisions on allocating resources to improve population health.


tass--2020-09-04--Over 211,000 people in Russia remain under medical supervision due to COVID-19

MOSCOW , September 4 .
/TASS/ .
More than 211,000 people in Russia remain under medical supervision due to being @ @ @ @ @ the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing said on @ @ @ @ @ total of ] 211,128 people remain under medical supervision in Russia , '' its press @ @ @ @ @ the watchdog , more than 37.8 mln coronavirus tests have been conducted nationwide so far @ @ @ @ @ in the past 24 hours .

MOSCOW, September 4. /TASS/. More than 211,000 people in Russia remain under medical supervision due to being suspected of having COVID-19, the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing said on Friday.
"[A total of] 211,128 people remain under medical supervision in Russia," its press service reported.
According to the watchdog, more than 37.8 mln coronavirus tests have been conducted nationwide so far, with 334,000 tests conducted in the past 24 hours.


tass--2020-09-04--Japan to consider negotiations with Russia under new prime minister - Foreign Ministry

TOKYO , September 4 .
/TASS/ .
After the formation of a new government due to the resignation of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe , Japan will consider how to continue negotiating a peace treaty with Russia , Minister of Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi announced on Friday at a press conference in Tokyo .
According to him , when the new government is approved , Japan will think about how to continue to negotiate a peace treaty and how to promote economic cooperation .
Motegi added that during Abe ’ s term as head of the Japanese government , specific results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On August 28 , Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has announced that he is resigning due to health reasons .
`` It is most important for politician to demonstrate results .
I ’ ve been putting all my effort into this for these seven years and eight months .
Politician can not allow mistakes caused by his poor health .
I resign as prime minister , '' he said .
Shinzo Abe has led Japan as the president of the Liberal Democratic Party since December 2012 .
This month , he beat the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister in Japan ’ s history .
Elections of a new leader of the party are expected to take place in September .
Tradition holds that the prime minister ’ s office is normally assumed by the ruling party ’ s leader after a parliamentary vote .

TOKYO, September 4. /TASS/. After the formation of a new government due to the resignation of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japan will consider how to continue negotiating a peace treaty with Russia, Minister of Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi announced on Friday at a press conference in Tokyo.
According to him, when the new government is approved, Japan will think about how to continue to negotiate a peace treaty and how to promote economic cooperation. Motegi added that during Abe’s term as head of the Japanese government, specific results were achieved in negotiations with Russia.
On August 28, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has announced that he is resigning due to health reasons. "It is most important for politician to demonstrate results. I’ve been putting all my effort into this for these seven years and eight months. Politician cannot allow mistakes caused by his poor health. I resign as prime minister," he said. Shinzo Abe has led Japan as the president of the Liberal Democratic Party since December 2012. This month, he beat the previous record to become the longest-serving prime minister in Japan’s history. Elections of a new leader of the party are expected to take place in September. Tradition holds that the prime minister’s office is normally assumed by the ruling party’s leader after a parliamentary vote.