tass--2020-09-18--Biden considers Russia opponent, not enemy

NEW YORK , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
US Democratic presidential candidate Joseph Biden considers Russia an opponent , not an enemy .
He voiced this opinion at an event hosted by CNN in Pennsylvania .
Answering the question of the moderator , whether he considered Russia an enemy , the presidential candidate responded : `` I believe Russia is an opponent .
I really do . ''
He added : `` Putin ’ s overwhelming objective is to break up NATO , to fundamentally alter the circumstance in Europe so he doesn ’ t have to face an entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked about the alleged election meddling by Russia and his reaction to these statements .
In response , the former US vice-president assured that Russia will `` pay a price '' if such attempts are proven .
He referred to election interference as a `` violation of our sovereignty , '' saying that in this case `` they ’ ll pay a price for it , and it ’ ll be an economic price . ''
He didn ’ t go into specifics , telling CNN anchor Anderson Cooper that it `` would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at this time .
He also asserted again that Moscow doesn ’ t want him to become president .
US intelligence accused Russia of interfering in the 2016 US presidential election .
These meddling allegations were investigated by then DOJ Special Counsel Robert Mueller for almost two years .
On April 18 , 2019 , the US Department of Justice publicized his final report , where Mueller acknowledged that no collusion whatsoever had taken place between Russian authorities and then US presidential candidate Donald Trump who had won the election .
Trump himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any wrongful contacts with Russian officials during his campaign .
Moscow also repeatedly rejected rumors of attempting to influence the US election .
Recently , FBI director Christopher Wray made a statement resuscitating the prior disproven allegations that Russia is supposedly trying again to actively influence the US electoral process through `` malign foreign influence . ''
The likelihood of US election interference is habitually trotted out by American authorities baselessly claiming that Russia was ‘ complicit ’ in such actions back in 2016 .
Moscow has repeatedly rejected these accusations .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted that the Kremlin regrettably believed that there would be ever more news of alleged attempts by Russia to interfere in the US election as November 2020 approaches .
According to Peskov , these claims `` are nowhere near close to the truth . ''

NEW YORK, September 18. /TASS/. US Democratic presidential candidate Joseph Biden considers Russia an opponent, not an enemy. He voiced this opinion at an event hosted by CNN in Pennsylvania.
Answering the question of the moderator, whether he considered Russia an enemy, the presidential candidate responded: "I believe Russia is an opponent. I really do." He added: "Putin’s overwhelming objective is to break up NATO, to fundamentally alter the circumstance in Europe so he doesn’t have to face an entire NATO contingent."
Biden was also asked about the alleged election meddling by Russia and his reaction to these statements. In response, the former US vice-president assured that Russia will "pay a price" if such attempts are proven. He referred to election interference as a "violation of our sovereignty," saying that in this case "they’ll pay a price for it, and it’ll be an economic price." He didn’t go into specifics, telling CNN anchor Anderson Cooper that it "would not be prudent" to do so at this time. He also asserted again that Moscow doesn’t want him to become president.
US intelligence accused Russia of interfering in the 2016 US presidential election. These meddling allegations were investigated by then DOJ Special Counsel Robert Mueller for almost two years. On April 18, 2019, the US Department of Justice publicized his final report, where Mueller acknowledged that no collusion whatsoever had taken place between Russian authorities and then US presidential candidate Donald Trump who had won the election. Trump himself repeatedly dismissed all speculation and suspicions of any wrongful contacts with Russian officials during his campaign. Moscow also repeatedly rejected rumors of attempting to influence the US election. Recently, FBI director Christopher Wray made a statement resuscitating the prior disproven allegations that Russia is supposedly trying again to actively influence the US electoral process through "malign foreign influence."
The likelihood of US election interference is habitually trotted out by American authorities baselessly claiming that Russia was ‘complicit’ in such actions back in 2016. Moscow has repeatedly rejected these accusations. In February, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that the Kremlin regrettably believed that there would be ever more news of alleged attempts by Russia to interfere in the US election as November 2020 approaches. According to Peskov, these claims "are nowhere near close to the truth."


tass--2020-09-18--Trump considers China greater threat to US election than Russia

TASS , September 18 .
China represents a greater threat for the upcoming November 3 US elections than Russia , US President Donald Trump said , commenting on the statement by FBI Director Christopher Wray on the alleged Moscow attempts to influence US elections .
`` But Chris , you don ’ t see any activity from China , even though it is a far greater threat than Russia , Russia , Russia , '' he posted on Twitter .
He thinks that both China and Russia , as well as other countries , will have an opportunity to influence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The FBI director yesterday made a statement that Russia continues attempts to influence the elections in the US through `` malign foreign influence '' using `` social media , proxies , state media and online journals . ''
The issue of potential interference in US elections is regularly raised due to claims of American authorities that Russia was complicit in such actions back in 2016 .
Moscow has repeatedly rejected these accusations .
In February , Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that the Kremlin regrettably notes that there will be increasingly more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interfere in the electoral process as the US election in November 2020 approaches .
According to Peskov , these claims `` are nowhere near close to the truth . ''
The United States will hold a general election on November 3 .
US voters will elect the president and vice-president , all 435 members of the House of Representatives , one third of the Senate , and the governors of 13 states and territories .
The incumbent , Donald Trump , will be challenged by the Democratic Party ’ s candidate Joseph Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US vice-president are Michael Pence and Kamala Harris , respectively .

TASS, September 18. China represents a greater threat for the upcoming November 3 US elections than Russia, US President Donald Trump said, commenting on the statement by FBI Director Christopher Wray on the alleged Moscow attempts to influence US elections.
"But Chris, you don’t see any activity from China, even though it is a far greater threat than Russia, Russia, Russia," he posted on Twitter. He thinks that both China and Russia, as well as other countries, will have an opportunity to influence the election because of the mail-in voting.
The FBI director yesterday made a statement that Russia continues attempts to influence the elections in the US through "malign foreign influence" using "social media, proxies, state media and online journals."
The issue of potential interference in US elections is regularly raised due to claims of American authorities that Russia was complicit in such actions back in 2016. Moscow has repeatedly rejected these accusations. In February, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that the Kremlin regrettably notes that there will be increasingly more news of alleged attempts by Russia to interfere in the electoral process as the US election in November 2020 approaches. According to Peskov, these claims "are nowhere near close to the truth."
The United States will hold a general election on November 3. US voters will elect the president and vice-president, all 435 members of the House of Representatives, one third of the Senate, and the governors of 13 states and territories. The incumbent, Donald Trump, will be challenged by the Democratic Party’s candidate Joseph Biden. The contenders for the post of US vice-president are Michael Pence and Kamala Harris, respectively.


tass--2020-09-18--Russian embassy asks US to explain report on assistance to 'Ukrainian units in Crimea'

WASHINGTON , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s embassy in Washington has demanded that American authorities explain the NBC News report which mentions the US support of the `` Ukrainian units '' in Crimea , the statement published on the embassy ’ s Facebook page said .
`` The statements provided in the NBC News report about the US involvement in `` Ukrainian units fighting Russian forces in Crimea '' were noticed with grave concern by the Embassy .
In other words , unnamed US officials speak about their country ’ s support of terrorist activities in third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talk specifically about Russia , '' the diplomats noted .
`` If it is true ( and not the channel ’ s geographical myopia ) , we then demand the US side to clarify whether or not Washington directly or indirectly has facilitated the SBU ( Ukraine ’ s security service - TASS ) in organizing terrorist attacks against the people of Crimea , '' the embassy added .
The TV channel mentioned `` Ukrainian units < … > in Crimea '' in the context of the alleged `` bounty program '' by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groundlessly claimed , involved compensation by Russia to Afghan militants for killing US military personnel .
NBC asserted that some `` current and former US officials have said '' that such actions were `` a proportional response to the US arming of Ukrainian units .
`` .

WASHINGTON, September 18. /TASS/. Russia’s embassy in Washington has demanded that American authorities explain the NBC News report which mentions the US support of the "Ukrainian units" in Crimea, the statement published on the embassy’s Facebook page said.
"The statements provided in the NBC News report about the US involvement in "Ukrainian units fighting Russian forces in Crimea" were noticed with grave concern by the Embassy. In other words, unnamed US officials speak about their country’s support of terrorist activities in third countries. In this case, they talk specifically about Russia," the diplomats noted.
"If it is true (and not the channel’s geographical myopia), we then demand the US side to clarify whether or not Washington directly or indirectly has facilitated the SBU (Ukraine’s security service - TASS) in organizing terrorist attacks against the people of Crimea," the embassy added.
The TV channel mentioned "Ukrainian units <…> in Crimea" in the context of the alleged "bounty program" by Moscow which, as the US media groundlessly claimed, involved compensation by Russia to Afghan militants for killing US military personnel. NBC asserted that some "current and former US officials have said" that such actions were "a proportional response to the US arming of Ukrainian units.".


tass--2020-09-17--GWM Announces Global Rollout Plan of P Series Pickup Trucks

BAODING , China , Sept. 17 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- GWM ( 601633.SS/02333.HK ) , a world-renowned SUV and pickup manufacturer , has announced the global rollout plan of its P Series Pickup .
This series , developed on the carmaker 's new P71 platform , a production system fully compliant with a series of regulations for safety , emissions of global standards and designed for global markets in line with the mission to create intelligent products , is GWM 's latest addition to its product lineup .
The P Series is a next-generation range of pickup trucks that integrate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most significant product update in its 23-year history of international sales .
It is expected to help GWM enhance its international competitiveness and enter leading pickup markets .
The official name of the range to be adopted in overseas markets will be announced at a later stage .
`` Pickups are one of the most popular models in global markets as they are widely used in daily work and life .
At a time when emerging technology is reshaping the world and the automobile industry is in a stage of transformation , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are the future development trends for pickup segment , '' said Tony Sun , Deputy General Manager of GWM international .
`` As new technologies evolve , we believe this new lineup represents how we reimagine the future of the pickup segment . ''
In addition to maintaining basic loading capacity , vehicle performance will be enhanced in various respects , including the safety features , application of intelligent technology and the ability to navigate different terrain as well as drivers work , travel and go about their day-to-day activities .
True multi-purpose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas : driving comfort , leisure driving experience , load capacity and off-road performance .
GWM 's multi-purpose pickups integrate intelligent and safe design across every aspect of the driving experience , bringing new value-added experiences to drivers .
P series is the first model developed on the latest P71 platform equipped with new technologies .
Based on GWM 's cutting-edge technology and innovative R & D capabilities on SUV models , as well as its 23-year global experience , GWM is dedicated to creating a new globally competitive pickup range by applying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pickups for the first time .
Intelligent safety design is at the core of the P series pickups and represents the application of GWM 's new technologies .
This pickup series is an extension to the current pickup truck category which is undergoing substantial technological upgrades .
GWM expects to further develop in global markets by rolling out this series and to bring new experience to customers worldwide .
Emerging technologies are paving the way for the next generation of pickups as the automotive industry undergoes a rapid transformation .
GWM seeks to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manufacturing quality and industry-leading technology .
Since announcing the shift from a China-based automobile company to a global mobility technology company , GWM has invested in intelligent technology , connectivity , autonomous driving technology placing the manufacturer in a strong position to disrupt the existing global pickup market .
GWM is a world-renowned SUV and pickup manufacturer .
The firm listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2003 and the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2011 .
With four brands , including HAVAL , WEY , ORA and GWM Pickup , the carmaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and focuses on SUV and pickup truck category .
GWM has independent support ability of the core parts , including engines and transmissions .
As of the end of 2019 , GWM had over 80 subsidiaries and employed nearly 60,000 staff worldwide .
In 2019 , the company recorded 4.497 billion yuan ( approx .
US $ 663 million ) in net profit .
As of the end of 2019 , the total assets of GWM are up to 113 billion yuan ( approx .
US $ 16.7 billion ) .
In 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an increase of 1.43 % year on year , exceeding the one million mark for the fourth consecutive year .
For more information , please visit https : //www.gwm-global.com/

BAODING, China, Sept. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- GWM (601633.SS/02333.HK), a world-renowned SUV and pickup manufacturer, has announced the global rollout plan of its P Series Pickup. This series, developed on the carmaker's new P71 platform, a production system fully compliant with a series of regulations for safety, emissions of global standards and designed for global markets in line with the mission to create intelligent products, is GWM's latest addition to its product lineup.
The P Series is a next-generation range of pickup trucks that integrate intelligent and safety features and is the most significant product update in its 23-year history of international sales. It is expected to help GWM enhance its international competitiveness and enter leading pickup markets. The official name of the range to be adopted in overseas markets will be announced at a later stage.
"Pickups are one of the most popular models in global markets as they are widely used in daily work and life. At a time when emerging technology is reshaping the world and the automobile industry is in a stage of transformation, we believe intelligent technology, connectivity and electrification are the future development trends for pickup segment," said Tony Sun, Deputy General Manager of GWM international. "As new technologies evolve, we believe this new lineup represents how we reimagine the future of the pickup segment."
In addition to maintaining basic loading capacity, vehicle performance will be enhanced in various respects, including the safety features, application of intelligent technology and the ability to navigate different terrain as well as drivers work, travel and go about their day-to-day activities. True multi-purpose pickups are expected to excel in four areas: driving comfort, leisure driving experience, load capacity and off-road performance. GWM's multi-purpose pickups integrate intelligent and safe design across every aspect of the driving experience, bringing new value-added experiences to drivers.
P series is the first model developed on the latest P71 platform equipped with new technologies. Based on GWM's cutting-edge technology and innovative R&D capabilities on SUV models, as well as its 23-year global experience, GWM is dedicated to creating a new globally competitive pickup range by applying the latest technology on high-end SUV to pickups for the first time.
Intelligent safety design is at the core of the P series pickups and represents the application of GWM's new technologies. This pickup series is an extension to the current pickup truck category which is undergoing substantial technological upgrades. GWM expects to further develop in global markets by rolling out this series and to bring new experience to customers worldwide.
Emerging technologies are paving the way for the next generation of pickups as the automotive industry undergoes a rapid transformation. GWM seeks to lead this transformation with a focus on manufacturing quality and industry-leading technology. Since announcing the shift from a China-based automobile company to a global mobility technology company, GWM has invested in intelligent technology, connectivity, autonomous driving technology placing the manufacturer in a strong position to disrupt the existing global pickup market.
About GWM
GWM is a world-renowned SUV and pickup manufacturer. The firm listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2003 and the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2011. With four brands, including HAVAL, WEY, ORA and GWM Pickup, the carmaker produces both conventional and new energy vehicles and focuses on SUV and pickup truck category. GWM has independent support ability of the core parts, including engines and transmissions. As of the end of 2019, GWM had over 80 subsidiaries and employed nearly 60,000 staff worldwide. In 2019, the company recorded 4.497 billion yuan (approx. US$663 million) in net profit. As of the end of 2019, the total assets of GWM are up to 113 billion yuan (approx. US$16.7 billion). In 2019, GWM sold 1,058,648 new vehicles, an increase of 1.43% year on year, exceeding the one million mark for the fourth consecutive year.
For more information, please visit https://www.gwm-global.com/
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1276292/1.jpg
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1276293/2.jpg
CONTACT: Brand Communication Department, +86-312-2194373, globalmarketing@gwm.cn


tass--2020-09-19--Libyan National Army announces launch of intra-Libyan dialogue — statement

MOSCOW , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
The Command General of the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) announced the launch of intra-Libyan dialogue in a statement posted on its Facebook page on Friday .
`` With active participation of the LNA , the intra-Libyan internal dialogue has been launched , '' the statement says .
According to the document , the Deputy Prime Minister of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord ( GNA ) , Ahmed Maiteeq , is taking part in the negotiations .
Moreover , the LNA announced it was ready to reopen the republic ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month .
Earlier on Friday , LNA General Commander Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar announced that the country would resume oil production and export in a bid to prevent further deterioration of the economic situation in Libya .
Currently , Libya has two supreme executive authorities , namely the internationally-recognized Tripoli-based Government of National Accord headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj , and the interim government , seated in the east of the country , along with the elected parliament , which is supported by the Libyan National Army led by Field Marshal Khalifa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting for control over the capital city for more than a year , after Haftar launched an offensive in April 2019 with an aim of what he called liberation of the city from terrorists .
Oil production on the majority of fields in the country was actually halted in early 2020 .
According to data of the National Oil Corporation , Libya sustained losses of almost $ 10 bln as a result of the production halt and closing of oil loading ports in the east of the country .

MOSCOW, September 18. /TASS/. The Command General of the Libyan National Army (LNA) announced the launch of intra-Libyan dialogue in a statement posted on its Facebook page on Friday.
"With active participation of the LNA, the intra-Libyan internal dialogue has been launched," the statement says.
According to the document, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA), Ahmed Maiteeq, is taking part in the negotiations. Moreover, the LNA announced it was ready to reopen the republic’s oil fields for the period of one month.
Earlier on Friday, LNA General Commander Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar announced that the country would resume oil production and export in a bid to prevent further deterioration of the economic situation in Libya.
Currently, Libya has two supreme executive authorities, namely the internationally-recognized Tripoli-based Government of National Accord headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, and the interim government, seated in the east of the country, along with the elected parliament, which is supported by the Libyan National Army led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. The conflicting parties have been fighting for control over the capital city for more than a year, after Haftar launched an offensive in April 2019 with an aim of what he called liberation of the city from terrorists.
Oil production on the majority of fields in the country was actually halted in early 2020. According to data of the National Oil Corporation, Libya sustained losses of almost $10 bln as a result of the production halt and closing of oil loading ports in the east of the country.


tass--2020-09-19--Eleven more coronavirus patients die in Moscow in past day — crisis center

MOSCOW , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
Eleven more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day , with @ @ @ @ @ exceeding 5,040 the city ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Friday .
`` Eleven @ @ @ @ @ have died in Moscow , '' it said , adding the overall number of coronavirus-related @ @ @ @ @ 5,044 .
The coronavirus situation in Moscow , which was the most serious among other @ @ @ @ @ improved .
By today , Moscow has reported more than 274,800 confirmed coronavirus cases .
@ @ @ @ @ recovered .
To date , 1,091,186 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with @ @ @ @ @ the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 19,195 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , @ @ @ @ @ an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, September 18. /TASS/. Eleven more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day, with the overall number of fatalities exceeding 5,040 the city’s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Friday.
"Eleven coronavirus-positive patients diagnosed with pneumonia have died in Moscow," it said, adding the overall number of coronavirus-related deaths in Moscow has reached 5,044.
The coronavirus situation in Moscow, which was the most serious among other Russian regions, has significantly improved. By today, Moscow has reported more than 274,800 confirmed coronavirus cases. More than 235,100 patients have recovered.
To date, 1,091,186 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 901,207 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 19,195 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-09-19--Sputnik V research team responds to criticism in The Lancet

LONDON , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
The developers of Russia ’ s Sputnik V vaccine against the novel coronavirus responded to criticism of their article about the vaccine ’ s clinical trials , published by The Lancet magazine .
Their letter , sent to the magazine ’ s editorial board , and arguments given by the group of scientists who criticized the article , were published on The Lancet ’ s website on Friday evening .
Denis Logunov , a deputy research director at the Gamaleya Center , and his co-authors promised to provide access to health records of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ existing issues are clarified .
`` We would like to emphasize that all presented data were obtained in experiments and double checked , '' the letter reads .
`` The coincidences that emerged , especially at the early points ( values are low and areclose to baseline ) , are associated with the discreteness of the data , as well as with the small number of participants in the groups .
We acknowledged this as a limitation of the study in the discussion section of the Article . ''
`` We confirm that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on request to DYL and that after approval of a proposal , data can be shared through a secure online platform , '' the Russian scientists said .
On September 7 , some scientists from US , Italian and other universities released an open letter to the Russian researchers , drawing their attention to some experiments depicted in the article , where , according to the letters ’ authors , certain statistics anomalies could be detected .
The Russian scientists announced their readiness to provide required explanations to The Lancet , if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent their explanations to The Lancet on September 10 .
Last week , Alexander Kabanov , Associate Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Professor of North Carolina University and Moscow State University , told TASS that criticism of scientific articles is part of a normal scientific process , `` moreover , when we talk about the works of paramount social importance , like a vaccine or a drug amid the pandemic . ''
He emphasized that this criticism does not mean that the researchers ’ results are erroneous .
Kabanov recalled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US scientists were withdrawn from two leading journals , including The Lancet , after criticism of the published results and the refusal to provide primary data on the outcome of their research on the use of certain drugs to treat COVID-19 .
On August 11 , Russia registered the world ’ s first vaccine against the novel coronavirus .
The vaccine , dubbed Sputnik V , was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry , and its clinical trials were successfully completed in June-July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ platform that had been used for a number of other vaccines .

LONDON, September 18. /TASS/. The developers of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine against the novel coronavirus responded to criticism of their article about the vaccine’s clinical trials, published by The Lancet journal.
Their letter, sent to the journal’s editorial board, and arguments given by the group of scientists who criticized the article, were published on The Lancet’s website on Friday evening.
Denis Logunov, a deputy research director at the Gamaleya Center, and his co-authors promised to provide access to health records of certain volunteers, so that all the existing issues are clarified.
"We would like to emphasize that all presented data were obtained in experiments and double checked," the letter reads. "The coincidences that emerged, especially at the early points (values are low and areclose to baseline), are associated with the discreteness of the data, as well as with the small number of participants in the groups. We acknowledged this as a limitation of the study in the discussion section of the Article."
"We confirm that individual participant data will be made available on request to DYL and that after approval of a proposal, data can be shared through a secure online platform," the Russian scientists said.
On September 7, some scientists from US, Italian and other universities released an open letter to the Russian researchers, drawing their attention to some experiments depicted in the article, where, according to the letters’ authors, certain statistics anomalies could be detected. The Russian scientists announced their readiness to provide required explanations to The Lancet, if the journal requests that.
Russian vaccine developers sent their explanations to The Lancet on September 10.
Last week, Alexander Kabanov, Associate Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Professor of North Carolina University and Moscow State University, told TASS that criticism of scientific articles is part of a normal scientific process, "moreover, when we talk about the works of paramount social importance, like a vaccine or a drug amid the pandemic."
He emphasized that this criticism does not mean that the researchers’ results are erroneous. Kabanov recalled that three months ago, articles by US scientists were withdrawn from two leading journals, including The Lancet, after criticism of the published results and the refusal to provide primary data on the outcome of their research on the use of certain drugs to treat COVID-19.
On August 11, Russia registered the world’s first vaccine against the novel coronavirus. The vaccine, dubbed Sputnik V, was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry, and its clinical trials were successfully completed in June-July. The vaccine was developed on a platform that had been used for a number of other vaccines.


tass--2020-09-19--US policy in Asia Pacific rests on Sinophobia — Russian ambassador

WASHINGTON , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
Washington ’ s policy in the Asia Pacific region rests entirely on Sinophobia , Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said in an interview with Japan ’ s Nikkei Asian Review .
The text was posted on the Russian embassy ’ s Facebook about on Friday .
`` Many countries wish to gain more influence in Asia .
And that is natural .
The region has a great social and economic potential .
The pandemic has shown that Asian economies are the first to overcome or start to overcome the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Asia-Pacific , the region does need some steps to solve multiple problems of economic development and to resolve various issues on unifying basis , '' he said .
`` Unfortunately , Washington promotes anti-Chinese sentiments and its relations with regional countries are based on their support to such an approach . ''
According to the Russian diplomat , the concept of `` the free and open Asia Pacific '' promoted by a number of nations , including the United States , can hardly be called `` free and open . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : this project is non-transparent and non-inclusive .
It is closed to a lot of countries and even whole regions if we talk about the Indian Ocean countries .
Instead of well-established norms of the international law Washington promotes there an obscure ‘ rules based order.
’ What are those rules , who created them and who agreed to them - all this remains unclear , '' he explained .
`` The US actions in Asia should not substitute effective multilateral efforts of the functioning regional bodies , '' Antonov stressed .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cooperation , East Asia Summit , etc .
Participants of these mechanisms and their partners , including Russia , work with each other on the basis of mutually accepted approaches .
They strive for consensus decisions through negotiations . ''
The new regional concept of the `` free and open Asia Pacific '' was advanced by US President Donald Trump and is supported by Australia , India , Japan , and the United States .
Expert however say it is mainly geared to contain China ’ s influence in the region .

WASHINGTON, September 18. /TASS/. Washington’s policy in the Asia Pacific region rests entirely on Sinophobia, Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said in an interview with Japan’s Nikkei Asian Review. The text was posted on the Russian embassy’s Facebook about on Friday.
"Many countries wish to gain more influence in Asia. And that is natural. The region has a great social and economic potential. The pandemic has shown that Asian economies are the first to overcome or start to overcome the COVID-19 crisis. As for the US policy in Asia-Pacific, the region does need some steps to solve multiple problems of economic development and to resolve various issues on unifying basis," he said. "Unfortunately, Washington promotes anti-Chinese sentiments and its relations with regional countries are based on their support to such an approach."
According to the Russian diplomat, the concept of "the free and open Asia Pacific" promoted by a number of nations, including the United States, can hardly be called "free and open." "More likely it is quite the opposite: this project is non-transparent and non-inclusive. It is closed to a lot of countries and even whole regions if we talk about the Indian Ocean countries. Instead of well-established norms of the international law Washington promotes there an obscure ‘rules based order.’ What are those rules, who created them and who agreed to them - all this remains unclear," he explained.
"The US actions in Asia should not substitute effective multilateral efforts of the functioning regional bodies," Antonov stressed. "Among them are ASEAN, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, East Asia Summit, etc. Participants of these mechanisms and their partners, including Russia, work with each other on the basis of mutually accepted approaches. They strive for consensus decisions through negotiations."
The new regional concept of the "free and open Asia Pacific" was advanced by US President Donald Trump and is supported by Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. Expert however say it is mainly geared to contain China’s influence in the region.


tass--2020-09-19--Deployment of US missiles in Asia to put Russia’s nuclear deterrent at risk — ambassador

WASHINGTON , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
Possible deployment of US ground-based intermediate-range missiles in Asia will affect Russia ’ s national security interests and will put its nuclear deterrence potential at risk , Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said in an interview with Japan ’ s Nikkei Asian Review .
The text was posted on the Russian embassy ’ s Facebook about on Friday .
`` The possible deployment of US intermediate-range ground-based missiles in Asia will not only upset the military-political balance in the region and global strategic stability , but will also directly affect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The fact is that this region is located near the Russian borders , naval facilities and the bases of the Pacific Fleet where submarine strategic forces are based .
The deployment of new US systems there will put our nuclear deterrent at risk , '' he said .
`` The American partners , perhaps , should carefully weigh all the destabilizing consequences of such a step fraught with further escalation of tension and an arms race , '' he noted .
`` We are interested neither in escalating tension either in the Asia-Pacific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , nor in the beginning of an economically destructive arms race .
I hope the United States and its regional allies share this approach .
We are ready to work together - our proposals remain on the table . ''
According to the Russian diplomat , the United States ’ withdrawal from the Russian-US INF Treaty in August 2019 led to `` the collapse of this important for global stability and security Treaty . ''
`` As a result , this erroneous US step has complicated efforts to avert the escalation of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I would like to stress that Russia has taken concrete steps to prevent the situation from sliding into a crisis .
In February 2019 , our country made unilateral commitments not to field ground-based intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles in any region of the world - including Asia - until American systems of this kind are deployed there , '' he stressed .
`` We regret that the Russian initiative to introduce similar moratoriums was categorically rejected by the United States and its NATO allies .
Moreover , the Pentagon is rapidly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously prohibited under the INF Treaty .
US officials periodically declare their intention to deploy such missiles in the Asia-Pacific region as soon as possible .
`` .

WASHINGTON, September 18. /TASS/. Possible deployment of US ground-based intermediate-range missiles in Asia will affect Russia’s national security interests and will put its nuclear deterrence potential at risk, Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said in an interview with Japan’s Nikkei Asian Review. The text was posted on the Russian embassy’s Facebook about on Friday.
"The possible deployment of US intermediate-range ground-based missiles in Asia will not only upset the military-political balance in the region and global strategic stability, but will also directly affect Russia’s national security interests. The fact is that this region is located near the Russian borders, naval facilities and the bases of the Pacific Fleet where submarine strategic forces are based. The deployment of new US systems there will put our nuclear deterrent at risk," he said.
"The American partners, perhaps, should carefully weigh all the destabilizing consequences of such a step fraught with further escalation of tension and an arms race," he noted. "We are interested neither in escalating tension either in the Asia-Pacific region or anywhere else in the world, nor in the beginning of an economically destructive arms race. I hope the United States and its regional allies share this approach. We are ready to work together - our proposals remain on the table."
According to the Russian diplomat, the United States’ withdrawal from the Russian-US INF Treaty in August 2019 led to "the collapse of this important for global stability and security Treaty." "As a result, this erroneous US step has complicated efforts to avert the escalation of the missile arms race," he added.
"I would like to stress that Russia has taken concrete steps to prevent the situation from sliding into a crisis. In February 2019, our country made unilateral commitments not to field ground-based intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles in any region of the world - including Asia - until American systems of this kind are deployed there," he stressed. "We regret that the Russian initiative to introduce similar moratoriums was categorically rejected by the United States and its NATO allies. Moreover, the Pentagon is rapidly developing and has already tested twice systems previously prohibited under the INF Treaty. US officials periodically declare their intention to deploy such missiles in the Asia-Pacific region as soon as possible.".


tass--2020-09-18--US attempts to forge anti-Chinese alliances threaten global security - Russian diplomat

WASHINGTON , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
Washington ’ s attempts to forge anti-Chinese alliance across the world threaten global security and Russian will never join any alliances against third countries , including against China , Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said in an interview with Japan ’ s Nikkei Asian Review .
The text was posted on the Russian embassy ’ s Facebook about on Friday .
`` We believe that the US attempts to create anti-Chinese alliances around the world are counterproductive .
They present a threat to international security and stability .
Russia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in coalitions against third countries , including China , '' he said .
`` The aggravation of relations between the US and China does not meet the interests of Russia and the entire international community , '' the Russian diplomat noted .
`` A possible continuation of the trade war between Washington and Beijing is a threat to the global economy . ''
In his words , gaps in relations between the United States and China are growing wider but `` the hope remains that the two countries will be able to solve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We expect that common sense will prevail , '' Antonov stressed .
`` Russia has established contacts with both states .
We have experience in resolving inter-state disputes in various regions of the world .
If somewhere there is a need for our balancing efforts , we provide them .
But we do not impose ourselves , '' he added .

WASHINGTON, September 18. /TASS/. Washington’s attempts to forge anti-Chinese alliance across the world threaten global security and Russian will never join any alliances against third countries, including against China, Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said in an interview with Japan’s Nikkei Asian Review. The text was posted on the Russian embassy’s Facebook about on Friday.
"We believe that the US attempts to create anti-Chinese alliances around the world are counterproductive. They present a threat to international security and stability. Russia, for its part, will never participate in coalitions against third countries, including China," he said.
"The aggravation of relations between the US and China does not meet the interests of Russia and the entire international community," the Russian diplomat noted. "A possible continuation of the trade war between Washington and Beijing is a threat to the global economy."
In his words, gaps in relations between the United States and China are growing wider but "the hope remains that the two countries will be able to solve their problems by diplomatic means."
"We expect that common sense will prevail," Antonov stressed.
"Russia has established contacts with both states. We have experience in resolving inter-state disputes in various regions of the world. If somewhere there is a need for our balancing efforts, we provide them. But we do not impose ourselves," he added.


tass--2020-09-18--Russian Prosecutor General’s Office sends appeals to France, Sweden over Navalny

MOSCOW , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Prosecutor General ’ s Office has sent appeals of legal aid to the relevant agencies of France and Sweden over the incident involving the alleged poisoning of Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny , the office told reporters .
Too much absurdity in Navalny case to take anyone ’ s word on trust — Kremlin '' Based on the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters , on September 18 , 2020 , the relevant appeals for legal aid were sent to the agencies of France and Sweden , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new appeals request information on the toxicological tests of Navalny ’ s biomaterials held in France and Sweden as well as the interviews of foreign experts .
Earlier , the Russian Prosecutor General ’ s Office sent two appeals over the Navalny incident to Germany .
`` They are yet to be processed , '' the office noted .
Russia launched a probe into Navalny ’ s hospitalization on August 20 .
On August 20 , a plane carrying Navalny made an emergency landing in the Russian city of Omsk after the blogger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Navalny was taken to the hospital in a coma and was hooked up to a ventilator .
On August 22 , he was flown to Germany for treatment at Berlin ’ s Charite hospital .
On September 2 , the German government said , citing the results of a toxicological analysis by Bundeswehr experts , that Navalny had been allegedly poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent .
For his part , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow was ready for comprehensive cooperation with Berlin , while the Russian Foreign Ministry noted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these accusations .
On September 7 , Berlin hospital doctors reported that Navalny was out of coma and was put off the ventilator .

MOSCOW, September 18. /TASS/. The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office has sent appeals of legal aid to the relevant agencies of France and Sweden over the incident involving the alleged poisoning of Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny, the office told reporters.
Too much absurdity in Navalny case to take anyone’s word on trust — Kremlin
"Based on the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters, on September 18, 2020, the relevant appeals for legal aid were sent to the agencies of France and Sweden," the office noted, adding, "the new appeals request information on the toxicological tests of Navalny’s biomaterials held in France and Sweden as well as the interviews of foreign experts.
Earlier, the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office sent two appeals over the Navalny incident to Germany. "They are yet to be processed," the office noted. Russia launched a probe into Navalny’s hospitalization on August 20.
Navalny incident
On August 20, a plane carrying Navalny made an emergency landing in the Russian city of Omsk after the blogger had suddenly felt unwell in mid-flight. Navalny was taken to the hospital in a coma and was hooked up to a ventilator. On August 22, he was flown to Germany for treatment at Berlin’s Charite hospital.
On September 2, the German government said, citing the results of a toxicological analysis by Bundeswehr experts, that Navalny had been allegedly poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent.
For his part, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow was ready for comprehensive cooperation with Berlin, while the Russian Foreign Ministry noted that no evidence had been furnished to substantiate these accusations.
On September 7, Berlin hospital doctors reported that Navalny was out of coma and was put off the ventilator.


tass--2020-09-18--Russia-US dialogue on arms control must be based on parity — ambassador

WASHINGTON , September 18./TASS .
Russia is ready for further interaction with the US on the track of arms control , but only on a basis of parity , Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said in an interview with the Japanese Nikkei newspaper .
The text of the interview was uploaded to the embassy ’ s Facebook page on Friday .
`` We are ready for further interaction with the US on arms control , but only on a basis of parity and the principle of mutual respect for each other ’ s interests and concerns .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an integrated approach to arms control agreements which takes into account key factors influencing strategic stability .
Among them are missile defense , ground-based intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles , Global Strike weapons , hypersonic delivery systems , future space weapons , etc.
, '' the ambassador said .
Another round of Russian-US strategic stability and arms control consultations finished in Vienna on August 18 .
It was the second round of such consultations in 2020 .
After the consultations , US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea said he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look at possible extension of the New START Treaty once agreement is reached with Moscow on a number of matters .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said later that the conditions set by the US side for the treaty ’ s extension were unrealistic .

WASHINGTON, September 18./TASS. Russia is ready for further interaction with the US on the track of arms control, but only on a basis of parity, Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said in an interview with the Japanese Nikkei newspaper. The text of the interview was uploaded to the embassy’s Facebook page on Friday.
"We are ready for further interaction with the US on arms control, but only on a basis of parity and the principle of mutual respect for each other’s interests and concerns. In this regard, we are in favor of an integrated approach to arms control agreements which takes into account key factors influencing strategic stability. Among them are missile defense, ground-based intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles, Global Strike weapons, hypersonic delivery systems, future space weapons, etc.," the ambassador said.
Another round of Russian-US strategic stability and arms control consultations finished in Vienna on August 18. It was the second round of such consultations in 2020. After the consultations, US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea said he was ready to recommend US President Donald Trump look at possible extension of the New START Treaty once agreement is reached with Moscow on a number of matters. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said later that the conditions set by the US side for the treaty’s extension were unrealistic.


tass--2020-09-18--Russia to issue loan to Belarus after additional negotiations

MOSCOW , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russia will issue a loan to Belarus following the negotiations and signing of @ @ @ @ @ framework of intergovernmental agreements , Russian Ambassador to Belarus Dmitry Mezentsev said on Friday in @ @ @ @ @ 24 TV channel .
Lukashenko says Russia decided to issue a $ 1.5 bln loan @ @ @ @ @ '' The loan will be issued following the negotiations , signing an additional protocol within @ @ @ @ @ .
You should have no < ... > doubts [ in issuing a loan ] @ @ @ @ @ its allied obligations , '' he said .
Earlier , Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov @ @ @ @ @ provide Belarus with a loan in two stages - $ 1 bln in 2020 and @ @ @ @ @ 2021 .

MOSCOW, September 18. /TASS/. Russia will issue a loan to Belarus following the negotiations and signing of an additional protocol within the framework of intergovernmental agreements, Russian Ambassador to Belarus Dmitry Mezentsev said on Friday in an interview with the Rossiya 24 TV channel.
Lukashenko says Russia decided to issue a $1.5 bln loan to Minsk at his insistence
"The loan will be issued following the negotiations, signing an additional protocol within the framework of intergovernmental agreements. You should have no <...> doubts [in issuing a loan], that Russia invariably fulfills its allied obligations," he said.
Earlier, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov told reporters that Russia will provide Belarus with a loan in two stages - $1 bln in 2020 and another $500 mln in 2021.


tass--2020-09-18--Russian fighter scrambled to intercept US maritime patrol plane over Black Sea

MOSCOW , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
A Russian Su-27 fighter jet was scrambled to intercept a US maritime patrol plane approaching the Russian border over the Black Sea , Russia ’ s National Defense Management Center reported on Friday .
According to the Center , Russian airspace control systems of the Southern Military District detected an aerial target over the Black Sea approaching Russia ’ s state border .
`` A Su-27 fighter from the Southern Military District ’ s air defense quick reaction alert forces was scrambled to intercept the target .
The crew of the Russian fighter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distance , identified it as a US Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and escorted itover the Black Sea , '' the Center said .
The Russian border was not violated .
After the US aircraft moved away from Russia ’ s state border , the Russian fighter safely returned to its home airfield .
`` The entire flights of the Russian fighters proceeded in strict compliance with the international rules of using the airspace , '' the Center stressed .
A similar incident was reported on Thursday when a Russian Su-27 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US warplanes over the Black Sea .
The Russian border was not violated .

MOSCOW, September 18. /TASS/. A Russian Su-27 fighter jet was scrambled to intercept a US maritime patrol plane approaching the Russian border over the Black Sea, Russia’s National Defense Management Center reported on Friday.
According to the Center, Russian airspace control systems of the Southern Military District detected an aerial target over the Black Sea approaching Russia’s state border.
"A Su-27 fighter from the Southern Military District’s air defense quick reaction alert forces was scrambled to intercept the target. The crew of the Russian fighter approached the aerial target at a safe distance, identified it as a US Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and escorted itover the Black Sea," the Center said.
The Russian border was not violated. After the US aircraft moved away from Russia’s state border, the Russian fighter safely returned to its home airfield.
"The entire flights of the Russian fighters proceeded in strict compliance with the international rules of using the airspace," the Center stressed.
A similar incident was reported on Thursday when a Russian Su-27 fighter jet escorted a British and a US warplanes over the Black Sea. The Russian border was not violated.


tass--2020-09-18--Drunk driver crashes into gates of US ambassador’s Moscow residence -

MOSCOW , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
The Moscow police have confirmed that a drunk driver crashed into the gates @ @ @ @ @ the US ambassador , Moscow ’ s main department of the interior ministry told TASS @ @ @ @ @ 16:25 , a man was driving an off-road vehicle and drove into the gates of @ @ @ @ @ , Spasopeskovsky Lane .
Police officers apprehended the driver at the site .
His identity @ @ @ @ @ department says .

MOSCOW, September 18. /TASS/. The Moscow police have confirmed that a drunk driver crashed into the gates of the Moscow residence of the US ambassador, Moscow’s main department of the interior ministry told TASS Friday.
"Today at 16:25, a man was driving an off-road vehicle and drove into the gates of the building No. 10, Spasopeskovsky Lane. Police officers apprehended the driver at the site. His identity was clarified," the department says.


tass--2020-09-18--UN Human Rights Council calls on Minsk to enter dialogue with opposition

GENEVA , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
The United Nations Human Rights Council ( HRC ) has called on the Belarusian authorities to begin dialogue with the Coordination Council of the opposition , as follows from the UNHRC resolution passed on Friday after a discussion of the situation in that country .
The HRC `` calls on the Belarusian authorities to enter into dialogue with the political opposition including the Coordination Council and the civil society in order to guarantee the respect for human rights law , including civil and political rights , '' the document reads .
The resolution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the European Union , was not met with unanimity .
Thus , only 22 out of 47 member nations , or less than a half , voted in its favor .
They were the European Union nations , Ukraine and most of Latin American countries .
Venezuela and Eritrea voted against it , and 22 nations , mostly African countries and Armenia , abstained .
Russia currently is not a member of the UN Human Rights Council and hence it did not take part in the voting , however its delegation took an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the fact that the European Union is seeking to use the UNHRC and human rights topics as a tool of political pressure on Belarus .
Russia suggested 17 amendments to the German draft but none were adopted .
Thus , Russia suggested an amendment on the inadmissibility of interference into Belarus ’ domestic affairs .
Dmitry Vorobyov of the Russian delegation stressed `` absolute inadmissibility '' of attempts to meddle with `` electoral processes in a sovereign state . ''
He cited a ruling of the Belarusian Constitutional Court that recognized the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

GENEVA, September 18. /TASS/. The United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) has called on the Belarusian authorities to begin dialogue with the Coordination Council of the opposition, as follows from the UNHRC resolution passed on Friday after a discussion of the situation in that country.
The HRC "calls on the Belarusian authorities to enter into dialogue with the political opposition including the Coordination Council and the civil society in order to guarantee the respect for human rights law, including civil and political rights," the document reads.
The resolution, initiated by Germany on behalf on the European Union, was not met with unanimity. Thus, only 22 out of 47 member nations, or less than a half, voted in its favor. They were the European Union nations, Ukraine and most of Latin American countries. Venezuela and Eritrea voted against it, and 22 nations, mostly African countries and Armenia, abstained.
Russia currently is not a member of the UN Human Rights Council and hence it did not take part in the voting, however its delegation took an active part in the discussion, pointing to the fact that the European Union is seeking to use the UNHRC and human rights topics as a tool of political pressure on Belarus. Russia suggested 17 amendments to the German draft but none were adopted. Thus, Russia suggested an amendment on the inadmissibility of interference into Belarus’ domestic affairs.
Dmitry Vorobyov of the Russian delegation stressed "absolute inadmissibility" of attempts to meddle with "electoral processes in a sovereign state." He cited a ruling of the Belarusian Constitutional Court that recognized the establishment of the Coordination Council as unconstitutional.


tass--2020-09-18--Moscow court orders detention of senior sports official Kravtsov on embezzlement charges

MOSCOW , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
The Basmanny Court of Moscow ruled on Friday to place in custody Alexander Kravtsov , who used to serve as a director of the Russian national teams ’ training programs , on embezzlement charges .
Kravtsov ’ s defense lawyers asked to put their client under a house arrest , however their motion was not satisfied and they have stated an intention to file an appeal .
Kravtsov was charged with embezzlement and was ordered by the court to be held in custody until November 15 .
According to prosecutors , he also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of his acquaintances , who in did not work in fact , but were nevertheless receiving salaries .
The total amount of the financial damage , according to prosecutors , reached the figure of 14 million rubles ( over $ 185,360 ) .
Kravtsov served as the head of the Centre of Sports Preparation ( CSP ) for the National Teams of Russia since 2009 .
He also served as the president of the Russian Biathlon Union ( RBU ) in 2014-2018 and was the head of the Russian athletics delegation at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Sochi .

MOSCOW, September 18. /TASS/. The Basmanny Court of Moscow ruled on Friday to place in custody Alexander Kravtsov, who used to serve as a director of the Russian national teams’ training programs, on embezzlement charges.
Kravtsov’s defense lawyers asked to put their client under a house arrest, however their motion was not satisfied and they have stated an intention to file an appeal.
Kravtsov was charged with embezzlement and was ordered by the court to be held in custody until November 15. According to prosecutors, he also facilitated in provision of jobs to a number of his acquaintances, who in did not work in fact, but were nevertheless receiving salaries.
The total amount of the financial damage, according to prosecutors, reached the figure of 14 million rubles (over $185,360).
Kravtsov served as the head of the Centre of Sports Preparation (CSP) for the National Teams of Russia since 2009. He also served as the president of the Russian Biathlon Union (RBU) in 2014-2018 and was the head of the Russian athletics delegation at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Russia’s Sochi.


tass--2020-09-18--Putin, Lukashenko meeting reaffirmed special relations between countries, says envoy

MOSCOW , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
Talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko have reaffirmed the special system of relations that exists between the two countries , Russian Ambassador to Minsk Dmitry Mezentsev said Friday .
`` The large-scale , extensive and substantial talks between the heads of states [ Putin and Lukashenko ] have confirmed the expected and what we are long used to , the special system of relations between the two brotherly nations , '' he said .
Mezentsev underlined that today `` at the backdrop of the difficult stages that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through '' the confirmation by Putin at the talks that the relations are allied and brotherly is incredibly important and significant .
On Monday , Russia ’ s Sochi welcomed talks between the Russian and the Belarusian leaders which centered on the key topics of the bilateral relations .
Belarus held the presidential election on August 9 .
According to the Central Election Commission , incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko secured his reelection with 80.10 % of the votes , while his key rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya came second with 10.12 % She rejected the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Amid this background , the country plunged into mass protests , as people challenged the official results .
In the first few days , demonstrations were coupled with clashes with the police .
The recently created Coordination Council of the Belarusian opposition is urging people to keep protesting .
Meanwhile , authorities say that unlawful rallies need to stop .

MOSCOW, September 18. /TASS/. Talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko have reaffirmed the special system of relations that exists between the two countries, Russian Ambassador to Minsk Dmitry Mezentsev said Friday.
"The large-scale, extensive and substantial talks between the heads of states [Putin and Lukashenko] have confirmed the expected and what we are long used to, the special system of relations between the two brotherly nations," he said.
Mezentsev underlined that today "at the backdrop of the difficult stages that the country [Belarus] is going through" the confirmation by Putin at the talks that the relations are allied and brotherly is incredibly important and significant.
On Monday, Russia’s Sochi welcomed talks between the Russian and the Belarusian leaders which centered on the key topics of the bilateral relations.
Belarus held the presidential election on August 9. According to the Central Election Commission, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko secured his reelection with 80.10% of the votes, while his key rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya came second with 10.12% She rejected the results and later fled to neighboring Lithuania. Amid this background, the country plunged into mass protests, as people challenged the official results. In the first few days, demonstrations were coupled with clashes with the police. The recently created Coordination Council of the Belarusian opposition is urging people to keep protesting. Meanwhile, authorities say that unlawful rallies need to stop.


tass--2020-09-18--EU to discuss relations with Russia at its summit in October, says source

BRUSSELS , September 18./TASS/ .
At its scheduled summit in mid-October , the European Union will hold a major discussion on relations with Russia , a high-ranking EU representative told journalists on Friday ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers on September 21 .
`` We will have an in-depth discussion on relations with Russia in October , '' the source said , adding that the EU `` does not understand Russia ’ s behavior '' .
According to the diplomat , relations with Russia within the context of the situation around the alleged poisoning of Russian blogger Alexey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ session of the Council of the European Union on Monday .
`` The ministers will get information from the head of the German Foreign Office , '' the source added .
On August 20 , a plane carrying Navalny made an emergency landing in the Russian city of Omsk after the blogger had suddenly felt unwell in mid-flight .
Navalny was taken to the hospital in a coma and was hooked up to a ventilator .
On August 22 , he was flown to Germany for treatment at Berlin ’ s Charite hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government said , citing the results of a toxicological analysis by Bundeswehr experts , that Navalny had been allegedly poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent .
For his part , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow was ready for comprehensive cooperation with Berlin , while the Russian Foreign Ministry noted that no evidence had been furnished to substantiate these accusations .

BRUSSELS, September 18./TASS/. At its scheduled summit in mid-October, the European Union will hold a major discussion on relations with Russia, a high-ranking EU representative told journalists on Friday ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers on September 21.
"We will have an in-depth discussion on relations with Russia in October," the source said, adding that the EU "does not understand Russia’s behavior".
According to the diplomat, relations with Russia within the context of the situation around the alleged poisoning of Russian blogger Alexey Navalny will be also discussed at a session of the Council of the European Union on Monday. "The ministers will get information from the head of the German Foreign Office," the source added.
On August 20, a plane carrying Navalny made an emergency landing in the Russian city of Omsk after the blogger had suddenly felt unwell in mid-flight. Navalny was taken to the hospital in a coma and was hooked up to a ventilator. On August 22, he was flown to Germany for treatment at Berlin’s Charite hospital.
On September 2, the German government said, citing the results of a toxicological analysis by Bundeswehr experts, that Navalny had been allegedly poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent.
For his part, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow was ready for comprehensive cooperation with Berlin, while the Russian Foreign Ministry noted that no evidence had been furnished to substantiate these accusations.


tass--2020-09-18--Defense industry managers must be able to cope with extraordinary tasks, says Putin

NOVO-OGARYOVO , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that the managers of defense-industrial complex enterprises must be able to cope with unconventional , extraordinary tasks .
`` It is essential to coach a new generation of managers , destined to handle large-scale unconventional tasks facing the industry , such as effective and timely fulfillment of the state defense order , fast-tracked serial manufacturing of the latest products of science and engineering and , of course , the development of weapons and technologies of the future , '' Putin said at a meeting of the military-industrial commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundreds of top-notch specialists . ''
The head of state instructed Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov to present a detailed report on progress in creating the federal personnel reserve in the defense-industrial complex and further plans in this field .
About the industry ’ s personnel issues Putin said that such programs as the federal and presidential personnel reserve and the contest Leaders of Russia were developing actively and demonstrated their best features .
`` Some specialists who have been through this strict selection already work at different levels of power , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been in progress at defense-industrial complex enterprises .
It proceeds along four tracks .
Fifty five promising professionals and genuine leaders have been selected , who are mastering the skill of planning the strategies of defense industrial enterprises , the organization of work of large labor staffs and research teams and the management of contract portfolios and finance .
`` .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, September 18. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that the managers of defense-industrial complex enterprises must be able to cope with unconventional, extraordinary tasks.
"It is essential to coach a new generation of managers, destined to handle large-scale unconventional tasks facing the industry, such as effective and timely fulfillment of the state defense order, fast-tracked serial manufacturing of the latest products of science and engineering and, of course, the development of weapons and technologies of the future," Putin said at a meeting of the military-industrial commission. "We need hundreds, many hundreds of top-notch specialists."
The head of state instructed Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov to present a detailed report on progress in creating the federal personnel reserve in the defense-industrial complex and further plans in this field.
About the industry’s personnel issues Putin said that such programs as the federal and presidential personnel reserve and the contest Leaders of Russia were developing actively and demonstrated their best features.
"Some specialists who have been through this strict selection already work at different levels of power," he said. "Such work has been in progress at defense-industrial complex enterprises. It proceeds along four tracks. Fifty five promising professionals and genuine leaders have been selected, who are mastering the skill of planning the strategies of defense industrial enterprises, the organization of work of large labor staffs and research teams and the management of contract portfolios and finance.".


tass--2020-09-18--Moscow draws EU attention to importance of international efforts to fight anti-Semitism

MOSCOW , September 18./TASS/ .
Moscow expects that the European Union countries will realize the importance of international efforts to fight anti-Semitism , the Foreign Ministry said in a commentary on Friday .
The ministry drew attention to a recent report by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights about manifestations of anti-Semitism in EU countries .
`` The report demonstrates a negative situation with regard to countering manifestations of anti-Semitism in the EU , '' the ministry said .
`` Significant gaps were noted in the collection of data by EU member countries on incidents of anti-Semitism : only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of xenophobic manifestations against members of the Jewish community , '' it added .
It noted that EU countries traditionally abstain in the voting in the UN on a resolution on fight against glorification of Nazism , yearly submitted by Russia and other co-authors .
`` We hope that leadership of the EU member nations will realize the importance of international efforts to fight manifestations of anti-Semitism and other kinds of xenophobia and will take more active part in the future in putting them into practice , '' the Foreign Ministry stressed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ racism , racial discrimination , xenophobia and connected with them intolerance is one of the key issues on the human rights agenda of the European Union , '' it summed up .

MOSCOW, September 18./TASS/. Moscow expects that the European Union countries will realize the importance of international efforts to fight anti-Semitism, the Foreign Ministry said in a commentary on Friday.
The ministry drew attention to a recent report by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights about manifestations of anti-Semitism in EU countries. "The report demonstrates a negative situation with regard to countering manifestations of anti-Semitism in the EU," the ministry said. "Significant gaps were noted in the collection of data by EU member countries on incidents of anti-Semitism: only some of them keep records on incidents of xenophobic manifestations against members of the Jewish community," it added.
It noted that EU countries traditionally abstain in the voting in the UN on a resolution on fight against glorification of Nazism, yearly submitted by Russia and other co-authors. "We hope that leadership of the EU member nations will realize the importance of international efforts to fight manifestations of anti-Semitism and other kinds of xenophobia and will take more active part in the future in putting them into practice," the Foreign Ministry stressed.
"The situation with the spread of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and connected with them intolerance is one of the key issues on the human rights agenda of the European Union," it summed up.


tass--2020-09-18--Duma to ask FSB, Prosecutor’s Office to check reports of US support of terrorism in Crimea

MOSCOW , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
The State Duma Commission on investigation of foreign meddling in Russia ’ s internal affairs will ask the Prosecutor General ’ s Office and the Federal Security Service ( FSB ) to check the reports of possible Washington ’ s support of terrorism in Crimea , says Commission head Vasiliy Piskaryov .
Previously , Russian Embassy in the US demanded explanations from the US authorities over the NBC report that mentioned the US support of `` Ukrainian forces '' no the peninsula .
`` The NBC allegations that Washington supports , quote , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crimea , ’ must be checked and , if confirmed , provided with adequate legal assessment , '' the lawmaker said Friday , adding that the commission will file applications to the Prosecutor General ’ s Office and the FSB .
`` We expect an official response from the US Administration on whether they indeed support terror activities in Crimea .
Until then , we can not view this NBC report as anything other than US ’ s admission of support of international terrorism and direct intervention in Russia ’ s internal affairs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international law and the UN Charter , '' the Commission head said .
He noted that `` Russia is well aware of Security Service of Ukraine ( SBU ) ’ s unending attempts to destabilize the situation in Crimea , and of Ukraine ’ s regular dispatching of agents to the peninsula , including with US-made equipment for sabotage on the Russian territory . ''
NBC mentioned the `` Ukrainian units in Crimea '' in context of the bounties on US servicemen of that Russia allegedly proposed to the militants in Afghanistan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that such actions come in response to Washington ’ s support of said Ukrainian units .

MOSCOW, September 18. /TASS/. The State Duma Commission on investigation of foreign meddling in Russia’s internal affairs will ask the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Federal Security Service (FSB) to check the reports of possible Washington’s support of terrorism in Crimea, says Commission head Vasiliy Piskaryov.
Previously, Russian Embassy in the US demanded explanations from the US authorities over the NBC report that mentioned the US support of "Ukrainian forces" no the peninsula.
"The NBC allegations that Washington supports, quote, ‘Ukrainian units fighting Russian forces in Crimea,’ must be checked and, if confirmed, provided with adequate legal assessment," the lawmaker said Friday, adding that the commission will file applications to the Prosecutor General’s Office and the FSB.
"We expect an official response from the US Administration on whether they indeed support terror activities in Crimea. Until then, we cannot view this NBC report as anything other than US’s admission of support of international terrorism and direct intervention in Russia’s internal affairs, which is a violation of the international law and the UN Charter," the Commission head said.
He noted that "Russia is well aware of Security Service of Ukraine (SBU)’s unending attempts to destabilize the situation in Crimea, and of Ukraine’s regular dispatching of agents to the peninsula, including with US-made equipment for sabotage on the Russian territory."
NBC mentioned the "Ukrainian units in Crimea" in context of the bounties on US servicemen of that Russia allegedly proposed to the militants in Afghanistan. NBC claimed that some US officials believe that such actions come in response to Washington’s support of said Ukrainian units.


tass--2020-09-18--This week in photos: sky-high cyclists, Putin and Lukashenko meet, and a roof concert

Models preparing backstage before the Idol Lady 2020 collection show during the day two of Beijing Fashion Week at Longfu Culture Center in Beijing , China , September 16 © Lintao Zhang/Getty Images Supporters of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange taking part in a protest outside the Central Criminal Court , the Old Bailey , in London , September 14 .
The London court hearing on Assange 's extradition from Britain to the United States resumed after a COVID-19 test on one of the participating lawyers came back negative © AP Photo/Matt Dunham US President Donald Trump is seen with Bahrain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , and United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan , during the Abraham Accords signing ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington , USA , September 15 © AP Photo/Alex Brandon Prince William , Duke of Cambridge and Catherine , Duchess of Cambridge knead dough during a visit to Beigel Bake Brick Lane Bakery in London , England , September 15 .
The 24-hour bakery was forced to reduce their opening hours during the pandemic , whilst the shop has helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivery © Justin Tallis - WPA Pool/Getty Images People dressed as riders perform suspended from cable car cabins before the start of the 17th stage of the 107th edition of the Tour de France cycling race over 170 km from Grenoble to Meribel Col de la Loze , France , September 16 © EPA-EFE/SEBASTIEN NOGIER A sportsman competes in the 2020 High Diving World Cup , Yalta , September 12 .
The height of the platform is 27 metres © Sergei Malgavko/TASS Japan 's outgoing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe waves as he leaves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tokyo , Japan , September 16 .
Abe and his Cabinet resigned , clearing the way for his successor Yoshihide Suga to take over after parliamentary confirmation later in the day © AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko Law enforcement officers blocking an area in Svobody [ Freedom ] Square during a women 's rally , Minsk , Belarus , September 12 .
Since the announcement of the 2020 Belarusian presidential election results on August 9 , mass protests against the election results have been erupting in major cities across Belarus © Valery Sharifulin/TASS Residents on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distant harmonies , Dresden , Germany , September 12 .
About 33 musicians of the Dresden Sinfoniker performed a concert named the 'Himmel ueber Prohils ' , The Sky above Prohlis , on the roof-tops of apartment blocs in the Dresden neighborhood Prohlis © AP Photo/Markus Schreiber Two meerkat ( Suricata suricatta ) playing in their enclosure at zoo in Frankfurt am Main , Germany , September 16 © EPA-EFE/RONALD WITTEK Weekly general audience of Pope Francis with the presence of a small group of faithful in San Damaso courtyard , Vatican City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Galazka/Archivio Grzegorz Galazka/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images Actors of Sergei Obraztsov Puppet Theatre performing during the opening of the theatre 's new season , Moscow , Russia , September 16 © Mikhail Japaridze/TASS A woman looking at the Mayakovsky Descent waterfront area decorated with ornaments by calligraphy artist Pokras Lampas ( Arseny Pyshenkov ) , pioneer of an art movement known as Calligrafuturism , Samara , Russia , September 15 © Albert Dzen/TASS

Models preparing backstage before the Idol Lady 2020 collection show during the day two of Beijing Fashion Week at Longfu Culture Center in Beijing, China, September 16 © Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
Supporters of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange taking part in a protest outside the Central Criminal Court, the Old Bailey, in London, September 14. The London court hearing on Assange's extradition from Britain to the United States resumed after a COVID-19 test on one of the participating lawyers came back negative © AP Photo/Matt Dunham
US President Donald Trump is seen with Bahrain Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan, during the Abraham Accords signing ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, USA, September 15 © AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge knead dough during a visit to Beigel Bake Brick Lane Bakery in London, England, September 15. The 24-hour bakery was forced to reduce their opening hours during the pandemic, whilst the shop has helped the local community through food donation and delivery © Justin Tallis - WPA Pool/Getty Images
People dressed as riders perform suspended from cable car cabins before the start of the 17th stage of the 107th edition of the Tour de France cycling race over 170 km from Grenoble to Meribel Col de la Loze, France, September 16 © EPA-EFE/SEBASTIEN NOGIER
A sportsman competes in the 2020 High Diving World Cup, Yalta, September 12. The height of the platform is 27 metres © Sergei Malgavko/TASS
Parajumpers performing over the Ryazan Guards Higher Airborne Command School during the first year cadets' oath-taking ceremony, Ryazan, Russia, September 12 © Alexander Ryumin/TASS
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin are seen during a meeting at Bocharov Ruchei residence, Sochi, Russia, September 14 © Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASS
Japan's outgoing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe waves as he leaves the prime minister's office, in Tokyo, Japan, September 16. Abe and his Cabinet resigned, clearing the way for his successor Yoshihide Suga to take over after parliamentary confirmation later in the day © AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko
Law enforcement officers blocking an area in Svobody [Freedom] Square during a women's rally, Minsk, Belarus, September 12. Since the announcement of the 2020 Belarusian presidential election results on August 9, mass protests against the election results have been erupting in major cities across Belarus © Valery Sharifulin/TASS
Residents on their balconies listening to a concert featuring distant harmonies, Dresden, Germany, September 12. About 33 musicians of the Dresden Sinfoniker performed a concert named the 'Himmel ueber Prohils', The Sky above Prohlis, on the roof-tops of apartment blocs in the Dresden neighborhood Prohlis © AP Photo/Markus Schreiber
Two meerkat (Suricata suricatta) playing in their enclosure at zoo in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, September 16 © EPA-EFE/RONALD WITTEK
Weekly general audience of Pope Francis with the presence of a small group of faithful in San Damaso courtyard, Vatican City, Vatican, September 16 © Grzegorz Galazka/Archivio Grzegorz Galazka/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images
Actors of Sergei Obraztsov Puppet Theatre performing during the opening of the theatre's new season, Moscow, Russia, September 16 © Mikhail Japaridze/TASS


tass--2020-09-18--Belarus’ response to EU sanctions may be applicable to foreign media, says top diplomat

MOSCOW , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
In case the European Union imposes sanctions Minsk will take corresponding measures that may be applicable to foreign media , Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makey said on Friday .
`` Naturally , if any sanctions are imposed on Belarus , I think , the Belarusian state will take corresponding steps linked , so to say , with the political functioning of states .
They may be linked with both the political system and functioning of foreign mass media accredited to Belarus , and a number of other steps , '' he said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ channel STV .
According to Makey , Minsk will never take any moves to deteriorate relations with its major partner , the European Union .
`` But we are ready to give an adequate response to such destructive actions , '' he stressed .
At an emergency meeting on August 14 , the EU foreign ministers took a decision to impose sanctions against Belarusian officials the EU believed to be responsible for the falsification of the August 9 presidential polls , the use of force and violation of human rights .
The ministers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a corresponding black list .
It was reported later that would-be anti-Belarussian sanctions would be among the topics of a EU ministerial meeting on September 21 .

MOSCOW, September 18. /TASS/. In case the European Union imposes sanctions Minsk will take corresponding measures that may be applicable to foreign media, Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makey said on Friday.
"Naturally, if any sanctions are imposed on Belarus, I think, the Belarusian state will take corresponding steps linked, so to say, with the political functioning of states. They may be linked with both the political system and functioning of foreign mass media accredited to Belarus, and a number of other steps," he said in an interview televised by the Belarusian television channel STV.
According to Makey, Minsk will never take any moves to deteriorate relations with its major partner, the European Union. "But we are ready to give an adequate response to such destructive actions," he stressed.
At an emergency meeting on August 14, the EU foreign ministers took a decision to impose sanctions against Belarusian officials the EU believed to be responsible for the falsification of the August 9 presidential polls, the use of force and violation of human rights. The ministers instructed the EU diplomatic services to draw a corresponding black list. It was reported later that would-be anti-Belarussian sanctions would be among the topics of a EU ministerial meeting on September 21.


tass--2020-09-18--Unidentified person storms into US ambassador’s Moscow residence territory, embassy says

MOSCOW , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
An unidentified person driving a vehicle has breached the perimeter of the residence @ @ @ @ @ Moscow , nobody was injured , spokesperson for the US embassy in Russia Rebecca Ross @ @ @ @ @ At approximately 16:20 , a Russian national in a vehicle breached the perimeter at Spaso @ @ @ @ @ ’ s residence in Moscow .
He was intercepted by Embassy personnel and turned over @ @ @ @ @ [ Ambassador ] [ John ] Sullivan was not home at the time , and @ @ @ @ @ '' she wrote .

MOSCOW, September 18. /TASS/. An unidentified person driving a vehicle has breached the perimeter of the residence of the US ambassador in Moscow, nobody was injured, spokesperson for the US embassy in Russia Rebecca Ross reported via Twitter.
"At approximately 16:20, a Russian national in a vehicle breached the perimeter at Spaso House, the U.S. Ambassador’s residence in Moscow. He was intercepted by Embassy personnel and turned over to local authorities. Amb [Ambassador] [John] Sullivan was not home at the time, and no one was injured," she wrote.


tass--2020-09-18--Artillery exercises involving 6,000 men end in Russia’s four regions

YEKATERINBURG , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
Exercises by artillery units of the Central Military District involving more than 6,000 @ @ @ @ @ grounds in Tyva and the Kemerovo , Orenburg and Chelyabinsk regions , the district ’ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The artillery personnel practiced fire support tactics based on the experience of combat @ @ @ @ @ , '' the news release says .
`` Also , the participating forces coped with @ @ @ @ @ and mechanized infantry units using drones Orlan-10 and artillery reconnaissance systems Aistyonok and Zoopark-1M .
@ @ @ @ @ conducted since September 1 were 1,500 pieces of military equipment , such as 152mm howitzers @ @ @ @ @ launchers 9P140 Uragan and BM-21 Grad and self-propelled howitzers 2C3 Akatsiya .

YEKATERINBURG, September 18. /TASS/. Exercises by artillery units of the Central Military District involving more than 6,000 men have ended at proving grounds in Tyva and the Kemerovo, Orenburg and Chelyabinsk regions, the district’s press-service said on Friday.
"The artillery personnel practiced fire support tactics based on the experience of combat operations in modern armed conflicts," the news release says. "Also, the participating forces coped with offensive tasks and supported armor and mechanized infantry units using drones Orlan-10 and artillery reconnaissance systems Aistyonok and Zoopark-1M."
Involved in the exercises conducted since September 1 were 1,500 pieces of military equipment, such as 152mm howitzers 2A65 Msta-B, multiple rocket launchers 9P140 Uragan and BM-21 Grad and self-propelled howitzers 2C3 Akatsiya.


tass--2020-09-18--UNHRC discussion on Belarus motivated by other countries’ interests, says envoy

GENEVA , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
The discussion on Belarus in the UN Human Rights Council ( UNHRC ) represents an attempt of aggressively motivated states to push through their political priorities that have nothing to do with human rights , Russia ’ s Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva and other international organizations Gennady Gatilov said in an interview with TASS to comment on the urgent debates initiated by Germany on behalf of the EU at the UNHRC 45th session on Friday .
`` Unfortunately , this is not the first or the last time when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushing through their own political priorities that bear no relation to human rights , '' he said .
`` This is done through special sessions , urgent debates or resolutions .
This is the way it was done with Syria , Venezuela , Nicaragua and the Philippines , the list can go on for a while . ''
According to the diplomat , there is nothing particularly special about the debates on Belarus in this sense .
`` The majority of these events is part of the common strategy of some groups of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legitimate authorities of a specific country to forcefully topple them . ''
Gatilov underlined that similar scenarios could be observed in the UNHRC when dealing with other states .
`` Human rights here is just an instrument , the true reasons are purely political , '' he lamented .

GENEVA, September 18. /TASS/. The discussion on Belarus in the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) represents an attempt of aggressively motivated states to push through their political priorities that have nothing to do with human rights, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva and other international organizations Gennady Gatilov said in an interview with TASS to comment on the urgent debates initiated by Germany on behalf of the EU at the UNHRC 45th session on Friday.
"Unfortunately, this is not the first or the last time when a group of aggressively motivated states is pushing through their own political priorities that bear no relation to human rights," he said. "This is done through special sessions, urgent debates or resolutions. This is the way it was done with Syria, Venezuela, Nicaragua and the Philippines, the list can go on for a while."
According to the diplomat, there is nothing particularly special about the debates on Belarus in this sense. "The majority of these events is part of the common strategy of some groups of states to delegitimize and essentially dehumanize of legitimate authorities of a specific country to forcefully topple them." Gatilov underlined that similar scenarios could be observed in the UNHRC when dealing with other states. "Human rights here is just an instrument, the true reasons are purely political," he lamented.


tass--2020-09-18--Ship owner engaged in talks with pirates who abducted Russian sailors in May

`` Negotiations are underway , '' a Russian diplomat said .
`` The ship owner has contacted the abductors .
The embassy , on its part , remains in contact with the ship owner . ''
PRETORIA , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
Owners of the ship that Russian sailors have previously been abducted from engaged in negotiations on their release with the pirates , Russian embassy in Cameroon told TASS Friday .
Previously , human right ombudsman in Sevastopol Pavel Butsay told TASS that the pirates , who abducted Russian citizens in the Gulf of Guinea , called their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kill the sailors .
According to Butsay , citizens of Crimea and Sevastopol have been abducted from various ships near Equatorial Guinea in May .
On May 9 , two ships were attacked in the waters of Equatorial Guinea ; three Russians have been abducted as a result .
One Russian was taken from the Rio Mitong cargo ship near the port of Malabo ; two more were taken from the Djibloho research vessel near the port of Luba .
On September 11 , Russian Foreign Ministry reminded that security measures must be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guinea .
The gulf that stretches from Senegal to Angola has become the most dangerous region of the world from the piracy standpoint : 45 % of all pirate cases in the world took place in this gulf .

"Negotiations are underway," a Russian diplomat said. "The ship owner has contacted the abductors. The embassy, on its part, remains in contact with the ship owner."
PRETORIA, September 18. /TASS/. Owners of the ship that Russian sailors have previously been abducted from engaged in negotiations on their release with the pirates, Russian embassy in Cameroon told TASS Friday.
Previously, human right ombudsman in Sevastopol Pavel Butsay told TASS that the pirates, who abducted Russian citizens in the Gulf of Guinea, called their families and demanded ransom, threatening to kill the sailors. According to Butsay, citizens of Crimea and Sevastopol have been abducted from various ships near Equatorial Guinea in May.
On May 9, two ships were attacked in the waters of Equatorial Guinea; three Russians have been abducted as a result. One Russian was taken from the Rio Mitong cargo ship near the port of Malabo; two more were taken from the Djibloho research vessel near the port of Luba.
On September 11, Russian Foreign Ministry reminded that security measures must be taken during navigation in the Gulf of Guinea. The gulf that stretches from Senegal to Angola has become the most dangerous region of the world from the piracy standpoint: 45% of all pirate cases in the world took place in this gulf.


tass--2020-09-18--Eleven Russian nationals hurt in bus accident in southern Turkey

ANKARA , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
At least 11 Russian nationals were hurt in a road accident involving tourist @ @ @ @ @ south of Turkey , a spokesman for the Russian consulate general told TASS on Friday @ @ @ @ @ local time , a traffic accident involving Russian tourists occurred near Avsallar , between Alanya @ @ @ @ @ preliminary data , the driver of a bus carrying 14 Russian nationals lost control of @ @ @ @ @ fell on its side , injuring 11 passengers .
All of them were taken to @ @ @ @ @ degrees of gravity .
One woman is suspected of having a shoulder fracture .
Others @ @ @ @ @ he said , adding that the Russia diplomats are in contact with the hospital , @ @ @ @ @ of the travel operator and law enforcement agencies .

ANKARA, September 18. /TASS/. At least 11 Russian nationals were hurt in a road accident involving tourist buses near Alanya in the south of Turkey, a spokesman for the Russian consulate general told TASS on Friday.
"At about 13:00 local time, a traffic accident involving Russian tourists occurred near Avsallar, between Alanya and Manavgat. According to preliminary data, the driver of a bus carrying 14 Russian nationals lost control of the vehicle. The bus fell on its side, injuring 11 passengers. All of them were taken to hospitals with injuries of various degrees of gravity. One woman is suspected of having a shoulder fracture. Others have lighter injuries," he said, adding that the Russia diplomats are in contact with the hospital, the insurance company, representatives of the travel operator and law enforcement agencies.


tass--2020-09-18--NATO boosts its presence in Black Sea, Russian Defense Ministry says

MOSCOW , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
The missions of NATO warships in the Black Sea are lasting 30 % @ @ @ @ @ of the Main Operations Directorate of Russia ’ s General Staff Sergei Rudskoi said at @ @ @ @ @ Defense Management Center on Friday .
`` The number of NATO warships ’ visits to @ @ @ @ @ .
The overall duration of their missions has increased by 33 % compared to last @ @ @ @ @ % of them carry long-range , high-precision weapons , '' he pointed out .
In @ @ @ @ @ the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt aircraft carrier , which can carry up to 90 Tomahawk @ @ @ @ @ aircraft carrier is currently in the Black Sea along with three other ships from non-Black @ @ @ @ @ Sea Fleet timely detected NATO ’ s ships , started to escort them and track @ @ @ @ @ Rudskoi added .
According to him , apart from ships , NATO has also boosted @ @ @ @ @ and aerial and maritime surveillance equipment in the Black Sea .

MOSCOW, September 18. /TASS/. The missions of NATO warships in the Black Sea are lasting 30% longer in 2020, Chief of the Main Operations Directorate of Russia’s General Staff Sergei Rudskoi said at a briefing at the National Defense Management Center on Friday.
"The number of NATO warships’ visits to the Black Sea remains high. The overall duration of their missions has increased by 33% compared to last year. Up to 40% of them carry long-range, high-precision weapons," he pointed out. In this regard, Rudskoi mentioned the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt aircraft carrier, which can carry up to 90 Tomahawk cruise missiles.
"The aircraft carrier is currently in the Black Sea along with three other ships from non-Black Sea countries. The Black Sea Fleet timely detected NATO’s ships, started to escort them and track them with weapons," Rudskoi added. According to him, apart from ships, NATO has also boosted the presence of strategic aircraft and aerial and maritime surveillance equipment in the Black Sea.