tass--2020-11-17--Number of COVID-2019 cases across globe up by over 456,000 in past day

GENEVA , November 17 .
/TASS/ .
More than 456,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide in the past day , with the overall number of such cases exceeding 54.77 million , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin on Tuesday .
As of 17:33 Moscow time on November 16 , as many as 54,771,888 novel coronavirus cases and 1,3124,249 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases grew by 456,751 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 6,871 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data from the countries .
Europe accounts for nearly 43 % of the COVID-19 daily tally ( 195,450 ) .
Next are North and South America ( 181,196 cases ) , and Southeast Asia ( 37,703 cases ) .
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States ( 10,933,918 ) , India ( 8,874,290 ) , Brazil ( 5,863,093 ) , Russia ( 1,971,013 ) , France ( 1,954,562 ) , Spain ( 1,458,591 ) , the United Kingdom ( 1,390,685 ) , Argentina ( 1,310,491 ) , Italy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , Mexico ( 1,006,522 ) , and Peru ( 937,011 ) .

GENEVA, November 17. /TASS/. More than 456,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide in the past day, with the overall number of such cases exceeding 54.77 million, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin on Tuesday.
As of 17:33 Moscow time on November 16, as many as 54,771,888 novel coronavirus cases and 1,3124,249 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by 456,751 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 6,871.
The WHO statistics is based on officially confirmed data from the countries.
Europe accounts for nearly 43% of the COVID-19 daily tally (195,450). Next are North and South America (181,196 cases), and Southeast Asia (37,703 cases).
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States (10,933,918), India (8,874,290), Brazil (5,863,093), Russia (1,971,013), France (1,954,562), Spain (1,458,591), the United Kingdom (1,390,685), Argentina (1,310,491), Italy (1,205,881), Colombia (1,198,746), Mexico (1,006,522), and Peru (937,011).


tass--2020-11-17--Over 500 refugees arrive in Stepanakert escorted by Russian peacekeepers

MOSCOW , November 17 .
/TASS/ .
Another procession of over 500 refugees has arrived in Stepanakert accompanied by Russian peacekeepers , Russia ’ s Defense Ministry reported on Tuesday .
`` On November 17 , some 502 refugees returned to Nagorno-Karabakh from the territory of the Republic of Armenia .
A cavalcade of 24 buses from Yerevan proceeded to Stepanakert ’ s main square accompanied by patrols of the Russian peacekeeping contingent and military police , '' the Defense Ministry said .
The interagency humanitarian response center , created within the framework of a decree by Russian President Vladimir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of civilians to their homes .
`` Safety of the buses crossing the line of contact in order to return civilians to their homes in Stepanakert was ensured by the Russian servicemen , '' the military agency added .
In all , according to the Defense Ministry , since November 14 , over 1,700 residents who had earlier abandoned their homes have returned to Stepanakert .
On November 9 , Russian President Vladimir Putin , Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Russian leader said the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides would maintain the positions that they had held and Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the region .
Besides , Baku and Yerevan must exchange prisoners and the bodies of those killed .
According to the Russian Defense Ministry , the core of the contingent is formed by subdivisions of the 15th separate motor-rifle ( peacekeeping ) brigade of the Central Military District .
Russian observation points are positioned along the line of contact in Nagorno-Karabakh and the Lachin corridor , connecting Armenia and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ located in Stepanakert .
The situation is monitored around the clock .

MOSCOW, November 17. /TASS/. Another procession of over 500 refugees has arrived in Stepanakert accompanied by Russian peacekeepers, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on Tuesday.
"On November 17, some 502 refugees returned to Nagorno-Karabakh from the territory of the Republic of Armenia. A cavalcade of 24 buses from Yerevan proceeded to Stepanakert’s main square accompanied by patrols of the Russian peacekeeping contingent and military police," the Defense Ministry said.
The interagency humanitarian response center, created within the framework of a decree by Russian President Vladimir Putin, ensured safe return and relocation of civilians to their homes. "Safety of the buses crossing the line of contact in order to return civilians to their homes in Stepanakert was ensured by the Russian servicemen," the military agency added.
In all, according to the Defense Ministry, since November 14, over 1,700 residents who had earlier abandoned their homes have returned to Stepanakert.
On November 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10. The Russian leader said the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides would maintain the positions that they had held and Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the region. Besides, Baku and Yerevan must exchange prisoners and the bodies of those killed.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the core of the contingent is formed by subdivisions of the 15th separate motor-rifle (peacekeeping) brigade of the Central Military District. Russian observation points are positioned along the line of contact in Nagorno-Karabakh and the Lachin corridor, connecting Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. The peacekeeping operation command is located in Stepanakert. The situation is monitored around the clock.


tass--2020-11-17--Nagorno-Karabakh’s status to be agreed in future, says Putin

NOVO-OGARYOVO , November 17 .
/TASS/ .
Nagorno-Karabakh status will be agreed later but so far a status quo should be maintained , Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday .
`` Yes , such a problem does exist .
Karabakh ’ s final status has not yet been settled .
We agreed that the status quo will be maintained and what happens next will be determined by future leaders , future participants in this process , '' he said in an interview with the Russian mass media .
He said that it would be possible to agree Nagorno-Karabakh ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal life , for resuming relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and relations between people , especially in the conflict zone .
`` As for recognition or non-recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent sovereign state , the situation van be seen from different angles but , no doubt , it was a major factor , including during the bloody conflict that , I hope , has just been stopped .
So , the very fact of non-recognition of Karabakh , including by Armenia , seriously impacted the developments and their interpretation , '' Putin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ straight : following the criminal action of the former Georgian leadership , I mean the strikes on our peacekeepers in South Ossetia , Russia recognized South Ossetia ’ s and Abkhazia ’ s independence .
We recognized as fair the expression of will by the Crimean residents , their striving to reunify with Russia .
We reached out to the people and did it openly , '' the Russian president recalled .
`` Some may like it or not but we did it in the interests of the people leaving there , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say it openly . ''
However , in his words , `` it was not done in respect of Nagorno-Karabakh and , naturally , it has been influencing all the developments there .
`` .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, November 17. /TASS/. Nagorno-Karabakh status will be agreed later but so far a status quo should be maintained, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday.
"Yes, such a problem does exist. Karabakh’s final status has not yet been settled. We agreed that the status quo will be maintained and what happens next will be determined by future leaders, future participants in this process," he said in an interview with the Russian mass media.
He said that it would be possible to agree Nagorno-Karabakh’s status after conditions were created for normal life, for resuming relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and relations between people, especially in the conflict zone.
"As for recognition or non-recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent sovereign state, the situation van be seen from different angles but, no doubt, it was a major factor, including during the bloody conflict that, I hope, has just been stopped. So, the very fact of non-recognition of Karabakh, including by Armenia, seriously impacted the developments and their interpretation," Putin noted.
"It should be said straight: following the criminal action of the former Georgian leadership, I mean the strikes on our peacekeepers in South Ossetia, Russia recognized South Ossetia’s and Abkhazia’s independence. We recognized as fair the expression of will by the Crimean residents, their striving to reunify with Russia. We reached out to the people and did it openly," the Russian president recalled. "Some may like it or not but we did it in the interests of the people leaving there, in the interests of Russia and we can say it openly."
However, in his words, "it was not done in respect of Nagorno-Karabakh and, naturally, it has been influencing all the developments there.".


tass--2020-11-17--Agreement on Nagorno-Karabakh creates conditions for lasting normalization, says Putin

He stressed that the most important thing that has been done is the end to bloodshed in Nagorno-Karabakh .
MOSCOW , November 17 .
/TASS/ .
The November 9 ceasefire agreement in Nagorno-Karabakh creates favorable conditions for the normalization of the situation for a long-term perspective , Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday in an interview with the Russian media aired by the Rossiya-1 and Rossiya-24 television channels .
He cited official data indicating that more than 4,000 people were killed during the renewed conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh .
`` As a matter of fact , I think there might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , adding that tens of thousands of people were wounded .
`` It is not a movie , it is a real tragedy that is happening to concrete people , concrete families .
So , the end to bloodshed is the key result , '' he explained .
The Russian leader also stressed that along with the cessation of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh an agreement had been reached to unblock all transport services and resume economic ties .
`` I think it is extremely important and creates good conditions for the normalization of relations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stressed .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
On November 9 , Russian President Vladimir Putin , Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10 .
Under the document , the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides are to maintain the positions that they held and Russian peacekeepers are to be deployed to the region .

He stressed that the most important thing that has been done is the end to bloodshed in Nagorno-Karabakh.
MOSCOW, November 17. /TASS/. The November 9 ceasefire agreement in Nagorno-Karabakh creates favorable conditions for the normalization of the situation for a long-term perspective, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday in an interview with the Russian media aired by the Rossiya-1 and Rossiya-24 television channels.
He cited official data indicating that more than 4,000 people were killed during the renewed conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. "As a matter of fact, I think there might be more casualties," he said, adding that tens of thousands of people were wounded.
"It is not a movie, it is a real tragedy that is happening to concrete people, concrete families. So, the end to bloodshed is the key result," he explained.
The Russian leader also stressed that along with the cessation of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh an agreement had been reached to unblock all transport services and resume economic ties.
"I think it is extremely important and creates good conditions for the normalization of relations for a long-time perspective," Putin stressed.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. On November 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10. Under the document, the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides are to maintain the positions that they held and Russian peacekeepers are to be deployed to the region.


tass--2020-11-17--Putin says Ankara’s support to Baku in Karabakh is geopolitical outcome of USSR’s collapse

MOSCOW , November 17 .
/TASS/ .
Turkey ’ s siding with Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can be seen @ @ @ @ @ the collapse of the former Soviet Union , Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ , Turkey ’ s role , it is well known , it has been repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ Turkish side has never made any secret of that : they have been unilaterally supporting @ @ @ @ @ in an interview with the Russian media aired by the Rossiya-1 and Rossiya-24 television channels @ @ @ @ @ can I say ?
It is a geopolitical consequence of the collapse of the former @ @ @ @ @ Russian leader stressed that Azerbaijan is an independent sovereign state which has the right to @ @ @ @ @ likes .

MOSCOW, November 17. /TASS/. Turkey’s siding with Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can be seen as a geopolitical consequence of the collapse of the former Soviet Union, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday.
"As for Turkey, Turkey’s role, it is well known, it has been repeatedly said in Azerbaijan and the Turkish side has never made any secret of that: they have been unilaterally supporting Azerbaijan," Putin said in an interview with the Russian media aired by the Rossiya-1 and Rossiya-24 television channels. "Well, what can I say? It is a geopolitical consequence of the collapse of the former Soviet Union."
The Russian leader stressed that Azerbaijan is an independent sovereign state which has the right to choose its allies as it likes.


tass--2020-11-17--Mutated coronavirus in Siberia is not something exceptional, says expert

NOVOSIBIRSK , November 17 .
/TASS/ .
The emergence of a mutated variety of the novel coronavirus in Siberia is @ @ @ @ @ properties remain basically unchanged , the chief of the experimental modelling and pathogenesis of infectious @ @ @ @ @ Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine , Alexander Shestopalov , told TASS .
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ consumer rights watchdog Anna Popova said the virus circulating in the Siberian region displayed some @ @ @ @ @ ’ s press-service said the virus was not something exceptional and characteristic only of Siberia @ @ @ @ @ be a mutation already found abroad .

NOVOSIBIRSK, November 17. /TASS/. The emergence of a mutated variety of the novel coronavirus in Siberia is not something exceptional and its properties remain basically unchanged, the chief of the experimental modelling and pathogenesis of infectious diseases department at the Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine, Alexander Shestopalov, told TASS.
Earlier, the chief of the consumer rights watchdog Anna Popova said the virus circulating in the Siberian region displayed some new features. The Rospotrebnadzor’s press-service said the virus was not something exceptional and characteristic only of Siberia. Specialists speculated it must be a mutation already found abroad.


tass--2020-11-17--Russian deputy defense minister, ICRC president discuss humanitarian situation in Karabakh

MOSCOW , November 17 .
/TASS/ .
The humanitarian situation in Syria and Nagorno-Karabakh , as well as combating the novel coronavirus pandemic were in focus of a meeting between Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin and visiting President of the International Committee of the Red Cross Peter Maurer , the Russian defense ministry said on Tuesday .
`` The sides discussed the humanitarian situation in Syria and Nagorno-Karabakh , efforts to combat the novel coronavirus infection , as well as the current state of and prospects for cooperation between the Russian defense ministry and the International Committee of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The sides reiterated their commitment to further dialogue and cooperation in rendering humanitarian assistance to civilians in crisis-gripped regions , the ministry noted .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
On November 9 , Russian President Vladimir Putin , Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10 .
Under the document , the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides are to maintain the positions that they held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the region .
The Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh basically comprise units of the 15th separate motor rifle ( peacekeeping ) brigade of the Central Military District .
The Russian peacekeepers have set up observation posts along the engagement line in Nagorno-Karabakh and along the Lachinsky corridor that connects Armenia with the enclave to exercise control of the ceasefire observance .
The peacekeeping mission ’ s command is stationed in Stepanakert in Nagorno-Karabakh .
The situation in the area is monitored round-the-clock .

MOSCOW, November 17. /TASS/. The humanitarian situation in Syria and Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as combating the novel coronavirus pandemic were in focus of a meeting between Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin and visiting President of the International Committee of the Red Cross Peter Maurer, the Russian defense ministry said on Tuesday.
"The sides discussed the humanitarian situation in Syria and Nagorno-Karabakh, efforts to combat the novel coronavirus infection, as well as the current state of and prospects for cooperation between the Russian defense ministry and the International Committee of the Red Cross," the ministry said.
The sides reiterated their commitment to further dialogue and cooperation in rendering humanitarian assistance to civilians in crisis-gripped regions, the ministry noted.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. On November 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10. Under the document, the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides are to maintain the positions that they held and Russian peacekeepers are to be deployed to the region.
The Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh basically comprise units of the 15th separate motor rifle (peacekeeping) brigade of the Central Military District.
The Russian peacekeepers have set up observation posts along the engagement line in Nagorno-Karabakh and along the Lachinsky corridor that connects Armenia with the enclave to exercise control of the ceasefire observance. The peacekeeping mission’s command is stationed in Stepanakert in Nagorno-Karabakh. The situation in the area is monitored round-the-clock.


tass--2020-11-17--BRICS states are concerned about rising level of internet crime world wide

MOSCOW , November 17 .
/TASS/ .
The BRICS countries are concerned about the rising level of criminal misuse of information technology and consider it important to develop international legal norms to combat cybercrime , according to the 12th BRICS Summit Moscow Declaration published on the Kremlin website on Tuesday .
The document was adopted following the results of the BRICS leaders ' summit held by videoconference .
`` While emphasizing the formidable potential of the digital revolution for growth and development , we recognize new associated possibilities it brings for criminal activities and threats .
We express concern over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misuse of ICTs ( Information and communication technologies - TASS ) as well as the absence of a multilateral framework to counter the use of ICTs for criminal purposes , '' the BRICS leaders say .
The BRICS states recognize that `` new challenges and threats in this respect require international cooperation and discussions on possible legal frameworks , including the need to elaborate a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of ICTs for criminal purposes under the auspices of the UN . ''
In October , Russia submitted an updated draft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information security to the First Committee of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly .
The purpose of the resolution is to consolidate the maintenance of inclusive multilateral discussion within the UN by creating an appropriate open-ended working group in 2021 for a period of five years .

MOSCOW, November 17. /TASS/. The BRICS countries are concerned about the rising level of criminal misuse of information technology and consider it important to develop international legal norms to combat cybercrime, according to the 12th BRICS Summit Moscow Declaration published on the Kremlin website on Tuesday. The document was adopted following the results of the BRICS leaders' summit held by videoconference.
"While emphasizing the formidable potential of the digital revolution for growth and development, we recognize new associated possibilities it brings for criminal activities and threats. We express concern over the rising level and complexity of criminal misuse of ICTs (Information and communication technologies - TASS) as well as the absence of a multilateral framework to counter the use of ICTs for criminal purposes," the BRICS leaders say.
The BRICS states recognize that "new challenges and threats in this respect require international cooperation and discussions on possible legal frameworks, including the need to elaborate a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of ICTs for criminal purposes under the auspices of the UN."
In October, Russia submitted an updated draft of the traditional Russian resolution on international information security to the First Committee of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly. The purpose of the resolution is to consolidate the maintenance of inclusive multilateral discussion within the UN by creating an appropriate open-ended working group in 2021 for a period of five years.


tass--2020-11-17--Post-Soviet security bloc to continue military drills for collective forces’ deployment

MOSCOW , November 17 .
/TASS/ .
The member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization ( CSTO ) will continue holding military drills for deploying the organization ’ s collective forces , Secretary of Russia ’ s Security Council Nikolai Patrushev said on Tuesday .
`` We agreed on continuing the practice of military exercises to master new forms and methods of employing collective forces , '' Patrushev said after a meeting of the heads of the CSTO security councils held via a video conference .
The conference paid special attention to information security , military and military-technical cooperation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that `` the collective forces that have been established possess sufficient potential today for accomplishing assigned missions . ''
The head of Russia ’ s Security Council noted that the participants in the meeting also discussed the plans of outfitting the CSTO collective forces with advanced armament , military hardware , control and communications systems .
`` We analyzed the prospects of the CSTO peacekeeping activity with an emphasis on the possibility of the CSTO forces ’ participation in peacekeeping operations under the UN aegis , '' the secretary of Russia ’ s @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, November 17. /TASS/. The member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) will continue holding military drills for deploying the organization’s collective forces, Secretary of Russia’s Security Council Nikolai Patrushev said on Tuesday.
"We agreed on continuing the practice of military exercises to master new forms and methods of employing collective forces," Patrushev said after a meeting of the heads of the CSTO security councils held via a video conference.
The conference paid special attention to information security, military and military-technical cooperation. The participants in the meeting stated that "the collective forces that have been established possess sufficient potential today for accomplishing assigned missions."
The head of Russia’s Security Council noted that the participants in the meeting also discussed the plans of outfitting the CSTO collective forces with advanced armament, military hardware, control and communications systems.
"We analyzed the prospects of the CSTO peacekeeping activity with an emphasis on the possibility of the CSTO forces’ participation in peacekeeping operations under the UN aegis," the secretary of Russia’s Security Council added.


tass--2020-11-17--Draft legislation on Putin’s right for re-election introduced in State Duma

MOSCOW , November 17 .
/TASS/ .
State Duma delegates Pavel Krasheninnikov and Olga Savastianova , as well as senator Andrey Klishas have introduced to the State Duma a draft legislation to implement the amendment to the Constitution giving Russian incumbent President Vladimir Putin the right to run for the office of the head of state again .
The corresponding document is published in the electronic database of the lower house of parliament .
`` The provision of the Constitution of the Russian Federation , limiting the number of terms the same individual may serve as the President of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individual who has served and/or is serving as the President of the Russian Federation without taking into account the number of terms he served and/or is serving in this capacity at the moment of the amendment to the Constitution of the Russian Federation becoming effective which introduces the corresponding limitation and does not exclude for him a possibility to serve as the President of the Russian Federation during the terms allowed by the said provision , '' the text read .
In order to develop new constitutional provisions , the draft legislation also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` A citizen of the Russian Federation no younger than 35 years of age , permanently residing in the Russian Federation for no less than 25 years , who does not have and have not had earlier a citizenship of a foreign state nor a residence permit may be elected President of the Russian Federation , '' the document stated .
The requirement of an absence of a foreign citizenship will not apply to those Russian citizens `` who earlier had citizenship of a country which was accepted or part of which was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the federal constitutional law . ''
On March 10 , while reviewing a draft legislation on changes to the Constitution in the second reading , the State Duma accepted the amendment proposed by lawmaker Valentina Tereshkova on the right of the incumbent president to run for a new term .
The head of state during his speech in the lower house of parliament supported the initiative provided it would be reviewed by the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation .
On March 16 , the Constitutional Court explained that the proposed amendment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not contradict the 1998 decree of the Constitutional Court .

MOSCOW, November 17. /TASS/. State Duma delegates Pavel Krasheninnikov and Olga Savastianova, as well as senator Andrey Klishas have introduced to the State Duma a draft legislation to implement the amendment to the Constitution giving Russian incumbent President Vladimir Putin the right to run for the office of the head of state again. The corresponding document is published in the electronic database of the lower house of parliament.
"The provision of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, limiting the number of terms the same individual may serve as the President of the Russian Federation, is applied to an individual who has served and/or is serving as the President of the Russian Federation without taking into account the number of terms he served and/or is serving in this capacity at the moment of the amendment to the Constitution of the Russian Federation becoming effective which introduces the corresponding limitation and does not exclude for him a possibility to serve as the President of the Russian Federation during the terms allowed by the said provision," the text read.
In order to develop new constitutional provisions, the draft legislation also introduces additional requirements to presidential candidates.
"A citizen of the Russian Federation no younger than 35 years of age, permanently residing in the Russian Federation for no less than 25 years, who does not have and have not had earlier a citizenship of a foreign state nor a residence permit may be elected President of the Russian Federation," the document stated. The requirement of an absence of a foreign citizenship will not apply to those Russian citizens "who earlier had citizenship of a country which was accepted or part of which was accepted in the Russian Federation in accordance with the federal constitutional law."
On March 10, while reviewing a draft legislation on changes to the Constitution in the second reading, the State Duma accepted the amendment proposed by lawmaker Valentina Tereshkova on the right of the incumbent president to run for a new term. The head of state during his speech in the lower house of parliament supported the initiative provided it would be reviewed by the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation. On March 16, the Constitutional Court explained that the proposed amendment corresponds to the fundamental law and does not contradict the 1998 decree of the Constitutional Court.


tass--2020-11-17--Number of known COVID-19 mutations reaches 500, scientist says

`` To date , about 500 various mutations of the novel coronavirus are known , this is a normal manifestation , since all live organisms mutate and evolve .
Viruses mutate especially rapidly because they have a very primitive genetic apparatus .
< … > More often the mutations weaken the virus making it less deadly .
However , at the same time it may become more contagious .
At the moment , all the coronavirus mutations described in research articles insignificantly influence the properties of the virus causing COVID-19 , '' the scientist said .
KAZAN , November 17 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for viruses which is supported by the example of the SARS-CoV-2 virus with the number of known variations since the beginning of its spread worldwide reaching 500 , Director of Kazan Federal University ’ s Research Clinical Center for Precision and Regenerative Medicine Albert Rizvanov who heads a research group of developers of a test system and a vaccine against the coronavirus told TASS on Tuesday .
Earlier on Tuesday , Head of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing Anna Popova reported on changes in the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time she noted that these changes did not make it more dangerous .
As Rizvanov explained to TASS , the mutation occurs in the process of self-replication of the coronavirus .
A polymerase protein , copying a viral genome , makes a lot of mistakes which cause the emergence of new variants of the virus .
Frequently numerous mutant variants of the virus may be present in the system of the same person , the scientist added .
The expert also added that to date , scientists do not have valid data that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious forms of the disease .
However , in rare cases the mutations indeed can make the viruses stronger .
In the case of the SARS-CoV-2 virus it is the D614G variety with the mutation in the spike protein .
The researchers think that this coronavirus version is more contagious .
According to the scientist , the current information on the mutations allows to conclude that vaccines against the coronavirus infection being developed worldwide are capable of fighting the mutated virus .
`` They should work against the mutant variants of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the full spike protein .
This helps develop a comprehensive immunity which will cope with the coronavirus even if some of its spike protein mutates .
The residual antibodies against other sequences of the spike protein should be sufficient to neutralize the virus , '' the interlocutor told TASS .
The vaccines may require additional work only if the coronavirus strains begin to significantly differ from the initial one .
However , to date , no preconditions for this have been observed since the coronavirus due to the absence of pharmaceuticals directed against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' stimulating its evolution and making it resistant to therapy , the scientist noted .
In his opinion , the coronavirus mutations signify that it is undergoing a period of active selection .
`` Evolutionally viruses become more contagious but less lethal .
Thus , a virus fulfills its built-in propagation program : in order to do so , it is necessary to infect successfully , yet not kill , its host .
This is precisely why the existing `` safe '' viruses took on these properties - they learned to cause the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ survival and they are activated only when the immune system is disrupted .
If one talks about the coronavirus , then , most likely , it will also become a little bit more contagious and a little bit less lethal , '' the researcher thinks .
He specified that for substantial evolutionary changes the viruses need `` hundreds or even millions of years '' so one shouldn ’ t expect cardinal changes in the coronavirus during one season .

"To date, about 500 various mutations of the novel coronavirus are known, this is a normal manifestation, since all live organisms mutate and evolve. Viruses mutate especially rapidly because they have a very primitive genetic apparatus. <…> More often the mutations weaken the virus making it less deadly. However, at the same time it may become more contagious. At the moment, all the coronavirus mutations described in research articles insignificantly influence the properties of the virus causing COVID-19," the scientist said.
KAZAN, November 17. /TASS/. Mutational changes are inherent for viruses which is supported by the example of the SARS-CoV-2 virus with the number of known variations since the beginning of its spread worldwide reaching 500, Director of Kazan Federal University’s Research Clinical Center for Precision and Regenerative Medicine Albert Rizvanov who heads a research group of developers of a test system and a vaccine against the coronavirus told TASS on Tuesday.
Earlier on Tuesday, Head of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing Anna Popova reported on changes in the virus circulating in Siberia. At the same time she noted that these changes did not make it more dangerous.
As Rizvanov explained to TASS, the mutation occurs in the process of self-replication of the coronavirus. A polymerase protein, copying a viral genome, makes a lot of mistakes which cause the emergence of new variants of the virus. Frequently numerous mutant variants of the virus may be present in the system of the same person, the scientist added.
The expert also added that to date, scientists do not have valid data that the coronavirus mutations increase mortality or cause serious forms of the disease. However, in rare cases the mutations indeed can make the viruses stronger. In the case of the SARS-CoV-2 virus it is the D614G variety with the mutation in the spike protein. The researchers think that this coronavirus version is more contagious.
New vaccine not needed
According to the scientist, the current information on the mutations allows to conclude that vaccines against the coronavirus infection being developed worldwide are capable of fighting the mutated virus. "They should work against the mutant variants of the virus as well since they are based on the full spike protein. This helps develop a comprehensive immunity which will cope with the coronavirus even if some of its spike protein mutates. The residual antibodies against other sequences of the spike protein should be sufficient to neutralize the virus," the interlocutor told TASS.
The vaccines may require additional work only if the coronavirus strains begin to significantly differ from the initial one. However, to date, no preconditions for this have been observed since the coronavirus due to the absence of pharmaceuticals directed against it does not experience "selective pressure" stimulating its evolution and making it resistant to therapy, the scientist noted.
In his opinion, the coronavirus mutations signify that it is undergoing a period of active selection. "Evolutionally viruses become more contagious but less lethal. Thus, a virus fulfills its built-in propagation program: in order to do so, it is necessary to infect successfully, yet not kill, its host. This is precisely why the existing "safe" viruses took on these properties - they learned to cause the least harm to humans for their own survival and they are activated only when the immune system is disrupted. If one talks about the coronavirus, then, most likely, it will also become a little bit more contagious and a little bit less lethal," the researcher thinks.
He specified that for substantial evolutionary changes the viruses need "hundreds or even millions of years" so one shouldn’t expect cardinal changes in the coronavirus during one season.


tass--2020-11-17--Brazil, India, China, South Africa commend Russia’s BRICS chairmanship in 2020

MOSCOW , November 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russia 's BRICS partners - Brazil , India , China and South Africa @ @ @ @ @ of the Russian chairmanship in this association in 2020 .
This is stated in the @ @ @ @ @ published on the Kremlin website on Tuesday .
The document was adopted following the results @ @ @ @ @ summit held by videoconference .
`` India , China , South Africa and Brazil commend @ @ @ @ @ and express their gratitude to the government and people of Russia for holding the XII @ @ @ @ @ document says .
Besides that , Brazil , Russia , China and South Africa extend @ @ @ @ @ its BRICS Chairmanship in 2021 and the holding of the 13th BRICS Summit .

MOSCOW, November 17. /TASS/. Russia's BRICS partners - Brazil, India, China and South Africa - highly appreciated the results of the Russian chairmanship in this association in 2020. This is stated in the 12th BRICS Summit Moscow Declaration published on the Kremlin website on Tuesday. The document was adopted following the results of the BRICS leaders' summit held by videoconference.
"India, China, South Africa and Brazil commend Russian BRICS Chairmanship in 2020 and express their gratitude to the government and people of Russia for holding the XII BRICS Summit," the document says.
Besides that, Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa extend full support to India for its BRICS Chairmanship in 2021 and the holding of the 13th BRICS Summit.


tass--2020-11-17--Russian, UK diplomats discuss bilateral issues, Karabakh, Ukraine, Iran

MOSCOW , November 17 .
/TASS/ .
The current state of the Russian-UK relations , the Ukrainian settlement , the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh , and the Iranian nuclear program were among the topics discussed by Russian First Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov and visiting Minister for European Neighborhood and the Americas at the UK Foreign , Commonwealth and Development Office Wendy Morton , the Russian foreign ministry said on Tuesday .
`` The sides discussed in detail the current state of bilateral relations .
The Russian side called on British officials to drop unfriendly rhetoric in the interstate dialogue and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the basis of mutual respect to each other ’ s interests in order to develop a positive agenda in the Russian-British relations , '' the ministry said .
`` The sides exchanged views on the current international problems and discussed issues of the Ukrainian settlement , stabilization of the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh , the Iranian nuclear program , as well as other topics which the two countries can consolidate their efforts on . ''
The two diplomats also confirmed their countries interest in cooperation within international efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cooperation within multilateral efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic and global climate change , as well as in the development of trade-and-economic ties , '' the ministry said .

MOSCOW, November 17. /TASS/. The current state of the Russian-UK relations, the Ukrainian settlement, the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, and the Iranian nuclear program were among the topics discussed by Russian First Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov and visiting Minister for European Neighborhood and the Americas at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Wendy Morton, the Russian foreign ministry said on Tuesday.
"The sides discussed in detail the current state of bilateral relations. The Russian side called on British officials to drop unfriendly rhetoric in the interstate dialogue and stressed the necessity of responsible cooperation on the basis of mutual respect to each other’s interests in order to develop a positive agenda in the Russian-British relations," the ministry said. "The sides exchanged views on the current international problems and discussed issues of the Ukrainian settlement, stabilization of the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, the Iranian nuclear program, as well as other topics which the two countries can consolidate their efforts on."
The two diplomats also confirmed their countries interest in cooperation within international efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic. "The sides reiterated mutual interest in cooperation within multilateral efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic and global climate change, as well as in the development of trade-and-economic ties," the ministry said.


tass--2020-11-17--Number of confirmed COVID cases in Azerbaijan up to over 79,000

BAKU , November 17 .
/TASS/ .
As many as 2,075 novel coronavirus cases were confirmed in Azerbaijan over the past day , the coronavirus response headquarters under the Azerbaijani government said on Tuesday .
The overall number of coronavirus cases in Azerbaijan has reached 79,158 , or 0.79 % of the country ’ s population .
Twenty coronavirus-related deaths were reported during the day , with the overall number of coronavirus-related fatalities standing at 1,005 .
A total of 56,894 coronavirus patients have recovered , with 1,139 recoveries reported in the past day .
As many as 21,259 patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million tests for the coronavirus infection have been made in the country , including more than 13,000 in the past day .
The first coronavirus case was confirmed in Azerbaijan on February 28 .
The epidemic reached its peak at the beginning of the summer , with the biggest number of newly confirmed cases - 590 - being reported on June 24 .
The morbidity rate began to go down from mid-July , dropping to less than 100 cases a day on August 9 .
However it began to go up again in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported from October 9 .
In view of the worsening epidemic situation , with the morbidity rates exceeding those in the spring , the country ’ s authorities have imposed a number of restrictions effective from October 19 .
Thus , operation of metro in the capital city of Baku was suspended , educational establishments were closed for vacations , and up to 70 % of employees of government institutions were switched to work from home .

BAKU, November 17. /TASS/. As many as 2,075 novel coronavirus cases were confirmed in Azerbaijan over the past day, the coronavirus response headquarters under the Azerbaijani government said on Tuesday.
The overall number of coronavirus cases in Azerbaijan has reached 79,158, or 0.79% of the country’s population. Twenty coronavirus-related deaths were reported during the day, with the overall number of coronavirus-related fatalities standing at 1,005.
A total of 56,894 coronavirus patients have recovered, with 1,139 recoveries reported in the past day. As many as 21,259 patients are undergoing treatment. More than 1.5 million tests for the coronavirus infection have been made in the country, including more than 13,000 in the past day.
The first coronavirus case was confirmed in Azerbaijan on February 28. The epidemic reached its peak at the beginning of the summer, with the biggest number of newly confirmed cases - 590 - being reported on June 24. The morbidity rate began to go down from mid-July, dropping to less than 100 cases a day on August 9. However it began to go up again in mid-August, with a dramatic growth being reported from October 9.
In view of the worsening epidemic situation, with the morbidity rates exceeding those in the spring, the country’s authorities have imposed a number of restrictions effective from October 19. Thus, operation of metro in the capital city of Baku was suspended, educational establishments were closed for vacations, and up to 70% of employees of government institutions were switched to work from home.


tass--2020-11-17--ICRC can help overcome humanitarian impacts of crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, says Lavrov

MOSCOW , November 17 .
/TASS/ .
The International Committee of the Red Cross ( ICRC ) can play a major role to help overcome the consequences of the crisis around Nagorno-Karabakh , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday after talks with visiting ICRC President Peter Maurer .
The ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh that was agreed by the leaders of Russia , Azerbaijan and Armenia `` Opens additional possibilities for the ICRC , '' he said .
`` We think that the ICRC can play an important and more active role in overcoming the humanitarian impacts of what has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know what the Red Cross is doing to help exchange bodies of those killed , release prisoners and other detainees .
It is very important in terms of restoration of normal relations between people of various etnic and religious groups , '' Lavrov stressed .
`` Russia is taking an active part in the implementation of the ICRC ’ s projects , '' the Russian minister said .
`` Today , we reiterated our readiness to continue to promote their implementation , first of all , those projects that are geared to improve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Russia ’ s annual voluntary contributions to the ICRC have been used for these purposed since 2018 . ''
The Russian top diplomat highly assessed cooperation with the ICRC in southeastern Ukraine , in Abkhazia , in South Ossetia , in the Middle East and North Africa , in particular in Syria and Libya .
Touching on issues of cooperation with the ICRC in combating the novel coronavirus infection , Lavrov drew attention to the fact that `` the pandemic aggravates humanitarian problems in many crisis-gripped regions . ''
`` In general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of illegal unilateral sanction still heavier for millions of people who can not have access to normal medial services and infrastructure and to articles of daily necessity , '' he stressed .
`` Unilateral restrictions are still in place .
It is regrettable as it only aggravates the crisis and complicates the activities of humanitarian organizations .
`` .

MOSCOW, November 17. /TASS/. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) can play a major role to help overcome the consequences of the crisis around Nagorno-Karabakh, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday after talks with visiting ICRC President Peter Maurer.
The ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh that was agreed by the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia "Opens additional possibilities for the ICRC," he said. "We think that the ICRC can play an important and more active role in overcoming the humanitarian impacts of what has happened in Nagorno-Karabakh."
"We know what the Red Cross is doing to help exchange bodies of those killed, release prisoners and other detainees. It is very important in terms of restoration of normal relations between people of various etnic and religious groups," Lavrov stressed.
"Russia is taking an active part in the implementation of the ICRC’s projects," the Russian minister said. "Today, we reiterated our readiness to continue to promote their implementation, first of all, those projects that are geared to improve the situation of civilians in crisis situations. Russia’s annual voluntary contributions to the ICRC have been used for these purposed since 2018."
The Russian top diplomat highly assessed cooperation with the ICRC in southeastern Ukraine, in Abkhazia, in South Ossetia, in the Middle East and North Africa, in particular in Syria and Libya.
Touching on issues of cooperation with the ICRC in combating the novel coronavirus infection, Lavrov drew attention to the fact that "the pandemic aggravates humanitarian problems in many crisis-gripped regions." "In general, the coronavirus pandemic makes the burden of illegal unilateral sanction still heavier for millions of people who cannot have access to normal medial services and infrastructure and to articles of daily necessity," he stressed. "Unilateral restrictions are still in place. It is regrettable as it only aggravates the crisis and complicates the activities of humanitarian organizations.".


tass--2020-11-17--BRICS leaders call on WTO members to ensure targeted anti-COVID measures

MOSCOW , November 17 .
/TASS/ .
The leaders of the BRICS countries ( Brazil , Russia , India , China and South Africa ) have called on the member-states of the World Trade Organization ( WTO ) to ensure that the restrictive measures related to combating the coronavirus pandemic are targeted and temporary .
This is according to the text of the Moscow Declaration of the BRICS Summit , published on the Kremlin 's website on Tuesday .
`` We call on all WTO members to ensure that all COVID-19 related measures are targeted , proportionate , transparent and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to trade or disruption to global supply chains , and are consistent with WTO rules , '' according to the document .
The leaders of BRICS states welcomed strengthening international cooperation in all these sectors .
`` We will continue to explore concrete ways to facilitate the movement of people in a way that does not impede our efforts to protect public health , '' the declaration notes .
Besides that BRICS leaders reiterated the importance of open , stable and secure global markets and acknowledged the building of more resilient global supply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , food and other industrial and agricultural products at the national level and in our respective regional contexts , consistent with WTO rules .

MOSCOW, November 17. /TASS/. The leaders of the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) have called on the member-states of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to ensure that the restrictive measures related to combating the coronavirus pandemic are targeted and temporary. This is according to the text of the Moscow Declaration of the BRICS Summit, published on the Kremlin's website on Tuesday.
"We call on all WTO members to ensure that all COVID-19 related measures are targeted, proportionate, transparent and temporary and do not create unnecessary barriers to trade or disruption to global supply chains, and are consistent with WTO rules," according to the document.
The leaders of BRICS states welcomed strengthening international cooperation in all these sectors.
"We will continue to explore concrete ways to facilitate the movement of people in a way that does not impede our efforts to protect public health," the declaration notes.
Besides that BRICS leaders reiterated the importance of open, stable and secure global markets and acknowledged the building of more resilient global supply chains for increased production of critical health, food and other industrial and agricultural products at the national level and in our respective regional contexts, consistent with WTO rules.


tass--2020-11-17--BRICS countries support WTO reform - Declaration

MOSCOW , November 17 .
/TASS/ .
BRICS countries support the required reform of the WTO for solution of global economic problems , the member-states say in the Moscow Declaration posted on the Kremlin ’ s website on Tuesday .
`` We support the necessary reform of the WTO with a view to making it more resilient and effective in confronting global economic challenges and to improve its key functions in the interest of all WTO Members , '' the Declaration says .
The reform should in particular preserve the centrality , core values and fundamental principles of the WTO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members , the document says .
`` We urge all WTO Members to engage constructively in addressing the need for expeditious restoration of the full-strength Appellate Body , '' the Declaration noted .
BRICS countries `` acknowledge the crucial role of international trade in economic recovery and remain fully committed to a transparent , open , inclusive , non-discriminatory and rules-based multilateral trading system , as embodied in the World Trade Organization . ''
`` It is critical that all WTO Members avoid unilateral and protectionist measures , that run counter to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the Declaration says .

MOSCOW, November 17. /TASS/. BRICS countries support the required reform of the WTO for solution of global economic problems, the member-states say in the Moscow Declaration posted on the Kremlin’s website on Tuesday.
"We support the necessary reform of the WTO with a view to making it more resilient and effective in confronting global economic challenges and to improve its key functions in the interest of all WTO Members," the Declaration says.
The reform should in particular preserve the centrality, core values and fundamental principles of the WTO, and consider the interests of all members, the document says. "We urge all WTO Members to engage constructively in addressing the need for expeditious restoration of the full-strength Appellate Body," the Declaration noted.
BRICS countries "acknowledge the crucial role of international trade in economic recovery and remain fully committed to a transparent, open, inclusive, non-discriminatory and rules-based multilateral trading system, as embodied in the World Trade Organization."
"It is critical that all WTO Members avoid unilateral and protectionist measures, that run counter to the spirit and rules of the WTO," the Declaration says.


tass--2020-11-17--Turkish authorities grant license for construction of third unit of Akkuyu NPP

ANKARA , November 17 .
/TASS/ .
Turkey ’ s Energy and Natural Resources Ministry announced on Tuesday that a @ @ @ @ @ third power unit of Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant ( NPP ) has been granted .
@ @ @ @ @ of the third power unit of Akkuyu NPP has been granted .
The first unit @ @ @ @ @ , diversifying our energy portfolio with a new source of energy , '' the ministry @ @ @ @ @ Akkuyu NPP is the first nuclear power plant to be built in Turkey .
The @ @ @ @ @ Akkuyu Nuclear ( part of Rosatom ) based on the intergovernmental agreement signed by Russia @ @ @ @ @ .
It is planned that after completion of construction the NPP with the installed capacity @ @ @ @ @ around 35 bln kWh per year .

ANKARA, November 17. /TASS/. Turkey’s Energy and Natural Resources Ministry announced on Tuesday that a license for construction of the third power unit of Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) has been granted.
"The license for construction of the third power unit of Akkuyu NPP has been granted. The first unit will be commissioned in 2023, diversifying our energy portfolio with a new source of energy," the ministry said in a statement.
Akkuyu NPP is the first nuclear power plant to be built in Turkey. The project is being implemented by Akkuyu Nuclear (part of Rosatom) based on the intergovernmental agreement signed by Russia and Turkey in May 2010. It is planned that after completion of construction the NPP with the installed capacity of 4,800 MW will generate around 35 bln kWh per year.


tass--2020-11-17--New pandemic-related restrictions have less effect on oil demand now than in spring

MOSCOW , November 17 .
/TASS/ .
New restrictive measures imposed by different countries in response to a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic are having less effect on oil demand than previously , Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said at a meeting of the OPEC+ monitoring committee on Tuesday , adding that the understanding of how to combat the pandemic is a positive factor for the market .
`` The fact that the world better understands how to combat the pandemic is a positive factor .
New restrictive measures have less effect on demand .
We also see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
OPEC downgraded the outlook on oil demand decrease for 2020 by 0.3 mln barrels per day to 9.8 mln barrels per day in its November report .
Thus , the demand is expected at 90 mln barrels per day .
The downgrade is due to a weaker than expected oil demand in OECD countries in the third quarter , as well as the recently announced coronavirus-related restrictions new in certain countries , which will affect transportations in the fourth quarter .
The outlook on global oil demand for 2021 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per day as growth is now projected at 6.2 mln barrels per day compared with 6.5 mln barrels per day expected earlier .
The meeting of the OPEC+ ministerial monitoring committee is being held on November 17 as a videoconference .
On Tuesday ministers may provide OPEC+ nations with a recommendation on crude production levels for the first 3-6 months of 2021 .
It is expected that they may offer extension of the current reduction parameters by the end of the first quarter or even half of the year .

MOSCOW, November 17. /TASS/. New restrictive measures imposed by different countries in response to a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic are having less effect on oil demand than previously, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said at a meeting of the OPEC+ monitoring committee on Tuesday, adding that the understanding of how to combat the pandemic is a positive factor for the market.
"The fact that the world better understands how to combat the pandemic is a positive factor. New restrictive measures have less effect on demand. We also see a substantial progress in vaccines development," he said.
OPEC downgraded the outlook on oil demand decrease for 2020 by 0.3 mln barrels per day to 9.8 mln barrels per day in its November report. Thus, the demand is expected at 90 mln barrels per day. The downgrade is due to a weaker than expected oil demand in OECD countries in the third quarter, as well as the recently announced coronavirus-related restrictions new in certain countries, which will affect transportations in the fourth quarter.
The outlook on global oil demand for 2021 has been downgraded by 0.3 mln barrels per day as growth is now projected at 6.2 mln barrels per day compared with 6.5 mln barrels per day expected earlier.
The meeting of the OPEC+ ministerial monitoring committee is being held on November 17 as a videoconference. On Tuesday ministers may provide OPEC+ nations with a recommendation on crude production levels for the first 3-6 months of 2021. It is expected that they may offer extension of the current reduction parameters by the end of the first quarter or even half of the year.


tass--2020-11-17--If coronavirus mutates, the vaccine may have to be updated, but not reworked, says expert

MOSCOW , November 17 .
/TASS/ .
The existing vaccine against the novel coronavirus may have to be updated , @ @ @ @ @ if the virus ’ S-protein mutates , the chief specialist of the Gamaleya National Research @ @ @ @ @ , Fyodor Lisitsin , said on the round-the-clock television news channel Rossiya-24 .
`` Proteins @ @ @ @ @ fundamental changes to the principle of vaccines ’ operation , '' he said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ then the vaccine is complemented with a component containing the mutated protein .
The vaccine @ @ @ @ @ reworked fundamentally .
It will be just updated , '' he said .
Lisitsyn said @ @ @ @ @ yet come across coronavirus mutations with changed S-protein parameters .

MOSCOW, November 17. /TASS/. The existing vaccine against the novel coronavirus may have to be updated, but not reworked altogether, if the virus’ S-protein mutates, the chief specialist of the Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Fyodor Lisitsin, said on the round-the-clock television news channel Rossiya-24.
"Proteins’ mutations do not require fundamental changes to the principle of vaccines’ operation," he said. "If a protein mutates, then the vaccine is complemented with a component containing the mutated protein. The vaccine will not have to be reworked fundamentally. It will be just updated," he said.
Lisitsyn said the Gamaleya center had not yet come across coronavirus mutations with changed S-protein parameters.


tass--2020-11-17--BRICS leaders adopt Moscow Declaration, counter-terrorism and economic strategies

NOVO-OGARYOVO , November 17 .
/TASS/ .
The leaders of the BRICS nations , namely Brazil , Russia , India , China and South Africa , have adopted a Moscow Declaration , Counter-Terrorism Strategy and a BRICS Economic Partnership Strategy till the year 2025 , Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday .
`` In general , we plan to adopt later in the day a Moscow Declaration that was drafted for the summit to reflect common views on the global situation , sum up the results of Russia ’ s presidency , and to outline promising areas and long-term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Apart from that , we are yet to adopt two more documents : the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the updated Economic Partnership Strategy till the year 2025 , '' he said , summing up the results of Tuesday ’ s BRICS summit .
He suggested these documents be considered as adopted as there had been no objections .
The Russian president noted that the BRICS nations had had to work in a special mode because of the coronavirus pandemic for nearly the whole year .
The old complicated problems were aggravated by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Our consolidated efforts , our joint work to strengthen our association are geared to resolve the problems facing us in a most efficient way , '' he stressed , adding that support from the Brazilian , Indian , Chinese and South African partners helped organize this Russia-chaired summit at a proper level even amid the pandemic .
`` I think we have managed to do it together , '' Putin said .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, November 17. /TASS/. The leaders of the BRICS nations, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, have adopted a Moscow Declaration, Counter-Terrorism Strategy and a BRICS Economic Partnership Strategy till the year 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday.
"In general, we plan to adopt later in the day a Moscow Declaration that was drafted for the summit to reflect common views on the global situation, sum up the results of Russia’s presidency, and to outline promising areas and long-term goals of our cooperation within the organization. Apart from that, we are yet to adopt two more documents: the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the updated Economic Partnership Strategy till the year 2025," he said, summing up the results of Tuesday’s BRICS summit.
He suggested these documents be considered as adopted as there had been no objections.
The Russian president noted that the BRICS nations had had to work in a special mode because of the coronavirus pandemic for nearly the whole year. The old complicated problems were aggravated by new, pandemic-linked challenges, he said.
"Our consolidated efforts, our joint work to strengthen our association are geared to resolve the problems facing us in a most efficient way," he stressed, adding that support from the Brazilian, Indian, Chinese and South African partners helped organize this Russia-chaired summit at a proper level even amid the pandemic. "I think we have managed to do it together," Putin said.


tass--2020-11-17--Moscow to earmark more than $12 mln to combat coronavirus

`` Over 960 million rubles will be additionally allocated for measures to counter the new coronavirus infection .
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin signed a relevant resolution of the Moscow government , '' the press service said .
MOSCOW , November 17 .
/TASS/ .
The Moscow authorities will additionally allocate more than 960 million rubles ( $ 12.5 mln ) to combat the new coronavirus infection , the press service of the city Mayor and the government of Moscow told TASS on Tuesday .
They clarified that these funds will be used to finance the provision of assistance in reserve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security , cleaning of premises , sterilization of waste , purchase of primary tools , consumables , laundry , dry cleaning and replacement of bed linen , other expenses ) ; additional cash payments to specialists ( assistants ) in nursing homes and psycho-neurological institutions transferred to a continuous ( shift ) mode of work ; reimbursement of travel expenses for medical personnel and delivery of equipment , medicines and protective equipment .
On September 3 , Deputy Mayor of the capital , Vladimir Efimov said that Moscow had spent about 300 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combating the coronavirus , in particular on the purchase of medicines and equipment for hospitals .
On November 16 , during a meeting of the Moscow City Duma Commission on Healthcare and Public Health , the head of the Moscow Healthcare Department , Alexei Khripun , said that the draft budget of the Moscow Healthcare Department in 2021 provides for about 11 billion rubles ( $ 144 mln ) to fight the coronavirus .

"Over 960 million rubles will be additionally allocated for measures to counter the new coronavirus infection. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin signed a relevant resolution of the Moscow government," the press service said.
MOSCOW, November 17. /TASS/. The Moscow authorities will additionally allocate more than 960 million rubles ($12.5 mln) to combat the new coronavirus infection, the press service of the city Mayor and the government of Moscow told TASS on Tuesday.
They clarified that these funds will be used to finance the provision of assistance in reserve hospitals and observation facilities (food, security, cleaning of premises, sterilization of waste, purchase of primary tools, consumables, laundry, dry cleaning and replacement of bed linen, other expenses); additional cash payments to specialists (assistants) in nursing homes and psycho-neurological institutions transferred to a continuous (shift) mode of work; reimbursement of travel expenses for medical personnel and delivery of equipment, medicines and protective equipment.
On September 3, Deputy Mayor of the capital, Vladimir Efimov said that Moscow had spent about 300 billion rubles ($3.9 bln) on combating the coronavirus, in particular on the purchase of medicines and equipment for hospitals. On November 16, during a meeting of the Moscow City Duma Commission on Healthcare and Public Health, the head of the Moscow Healthcare Department, Alexei Khripun, said that the draft budget of the Moscow Healthcare Department in 2021 provides for about 11 billion rubles ($144 mln) to fight the coronavirus.


tass--2020-11-18--OPEC+ nations must offset daily 2.35-mln-barrel oil glut in 2020

MOSCOW , November 18 .
/TASS/ .
The total volume of OPEC+ agreement ’ s oil glut from May to October reached 2.346 mln barrels per day , which is roughly 160,000 barrels per day higher than the previous month , a source familiar with the internal monitoring data told TASS .
Particularly , the ‘ debt ’ on oil output reduction of OPEC countries amounted to 1.32 mln barrels per day by the end of October against 1.025 mln barrels per day by non-OPEC states .
For example , Iraq has to compensate for 0.6 mln barrels per day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mln barrels per day , South Sudan - 0.3 mln barrels per day , Gabon , Nigeria and Congo - 0.2 mln barrels per day each .
The revised agreement on crude production cuts came into force in May 2020 .
The participating countries reduced production by 9.7 mln barrels per day until the end of July , while 7.7 mln barrels per day are to be curtailed from August till the end of this year .
Russia is a major oil producer in OPEC+ with one of the largest reduction quotas .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduced by OPEC+ due to the failure to fully implement the agreement by some countries .
According to the recommendation of the OPEC+ monitoring committee , non-compliant producers should fully compensate for the allowed oil glut by the end of 2020 .
The largest quotas violations were registered in May-June .

MOSCOW, November 18. /TASS/. The total volume of OPEC+ agreement’s oil glut from May to October reached 2.346 mln barrels per day, which is roughly 160,000 barrels per day higher than the previous month, a source familiar with the internal monitoring data told TASS.
Particularly, the ‘debt’ on oil output reduction of OPEC countries amounted to 1.32 mln barrels per day by the end of October against 1.025 mln barrels per day by non-OPEC states. For example, Iraq has to compensate for 0.6 mln barrels of oil glut per day, Russia - 0.53 mln barrels per day, South Sudan - 0.3 mln barrels per day, Gabon, Nigeria and Congo - 0.2 mln barrels per day each.
The revised agreement on crude production cuts came into force in May 2020. The participating countries reduced production by 9.7 mln barrels per day until the end of July, while 7.7 mln barrels per day are to be curtailed from August till the end of this year. Russia is a major oil producer in OPEC+ with one of the largest reduction quotas.
The mechanism of inefficient reduction compensations was introduced by OPEC+ due to the failure to fully implement the agreement by some countries. According to the recommendation of the OPEC+ monitoring committee, non-compliant producers should fully compensate for the allowed oil glut by the end of 2020. The largest quotas violations were registered in May-June.


tass--2020-11-18--Stepanakert gradually coming back to a peaceful life

It was a pinpoint artillery shelling , aimed at cleaning , military facilities and the local Emergencies Ministry .
In the latter , the detritus damaged the existing equipment and a historic fire engine standing on a pedestal .
But the shells flew into the private sector as well .
One of them set fire to Hamlet 's house .
`` Well , now people are returning , the traffic lights have started working for the third day , the garbage has begun to be taken out , the shops are opening .
The life is slowly getting back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there will be no more war , '' he sighs and goes to feed rabbits and chickens , which he was asked to do by his Yerevan friends .
The man speaks about politics with restraint , does not condemn the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and often compares the Karabakh people with 300 spartans .
Tigran also often thanks the Russian peacekeepers who did not allow the Azerbaijani troops to enter Stepanakert .
However he emphasizes : Russians should not die for his compatriots .
Tigran fought for Karabakh in 1992 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part ( the park of defenders ) there is a photograph of him with his battle comrades taken at that time .
There he is younger , wearing a camouflage and with a machine gun .
He did not take part in the current hostilities , according to Tigran .
But his three sons are now serving .
Tigran thanks God that they are all alive .
In another hundred meters , a piece of rocket sticks out of the curb .
The asphalt around it was ripped apart and the building was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the mountain , almost an entire rocket of a multiple launch rocket system lies at a cemetery entrance .
`` And here three people died : two brothers came to their grandmother , and at that moment they started shooting .
The third brother did not go and survived , '' Tigran shows a pile of wreckage , in which a two-story house can barely be distinguished .
Tigran is one of those who left for Yerevan , but came back .
Its five-story panel building is located in the city center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Mother of God .
The house was not damaged by shelling , but he , like all Stepanakert residents , knows where the shells fell .
`` This is where the shell hit the collector ( housing services are working nearby ) , no one was hurt .
This is where the shell hit , there was no one in the house then , '' he shows the courtyard in which the blast wave turned a Zhiguli car over and tore the walls of the nearest houses apart exposing their life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kitchen are intact , but covered by a thick layer of whitewash .
STEPANAKERT , November 18 .
/TASS/ .
The residents of Stepanakert who left are returning to the city , shops are opening , infrastructure is being restored , a TASS correspondent reports .
According to Russia 's Defense Ministry , 1,700 residents have returned to the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh since November 14 .
These are the people who came by bus .
In reality , this figure is higher because of those who used private transport .
Truth be told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with certainty the number of people who left the city when hostilities broke out .
`` It was during the night , we managed to run out , everything was on fire , but the firemen put it out .
We were not hurt , it 's a pity we lost the house — it has recently been renovated , '' the owner of the house complains .
`` Only the storage room was left intact '' .
Now Hamlet lives at his friends ' and is not going to leave .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rebuild the house - there may be another shelling .
He , like many residents of Stepanakert , hopes for peacekeepers who will stop the war .
In his garden , the persimmon is already ripe , pomegranate — in the neighbors 's garden .
Overripe fruits that have fallen to the ground are eaten by hungry dogs .
There are a lot of such animals in the city , probably , they had it even worse than the owners .
They do not find food in garbage bins and wander in small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We always had a lot of dogs and cats , we kept a lot , but now we left and released them , '' explains Hamlet .
The shells even flew into the building of the republican hospital under construction .
Broken green glass covers the courtyard , the wind flutters the sheeting that covered the broken roof .
Inside , almost everything was already ready to receive patients .
Now two wild tabby kittens are sleeping in a hospital bed , running away at the sight of a person .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There is a maternity ward in the basement of the unfinished building .
The main building continues to receive patients .
The windows of the hospital are lined with soil bags so as not to be knocked out during shelling .
Doctors are in a hurry on business , they are guarded by armed soldiers .
A few days ago nothing worked in Stepanakert .
There were interruptions in water supply and electricity .
It is very difficult with heating , and many people heat their apartments with small stoves .
Finding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is the same with cellular communication - it comes and goes .
They promise to fix it within a week , but things are moving very slowly .
Banks are not working , there are lines at the head office of Artsakh Bank for money .
On a nearby street , people lining up to get humanitarian aid .
Big shops are gradually opening , small shops are still closed .
Many were closed in a hurry and their goods are right on the streets .
The fruits are already rotten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have melted and deteriorated .
But no one steals what is still intact - it is not customary here to take something that belongs to someone else , even if they have no food at home .
Tamara , the owner of one of such shops , is sorting bottles in the refrigerator .
She is in no hurry to open - there is nowhere to get new supplies from .
`` I ’ ll seal the windows now , suddenly there will be shelling .
And in a week , with God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivered , '' the woman smiles .
She scolds politicians eloquently and wonders why it is impossible to live in peace .
She is even ready to forgive Azerbaijanis and live with them , as during the Soviet years .
If only there was no war and no one died .
`` Tell me , what are they thinking in their offices ?
Do they not know that living and breathing people are living here ?
Well , let 's divide Artsakh ( Nagorno-Karabakh Republic - TASS ) .
But where is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later ?
And Russia will not be able to protect us here forever , '' an outraged Tamara said .
Nobody is ready to put up with the status quo .
Greta , a Shusha resident , which is under the control of Azerbaijan , now lives and works in a hotel in Stepanakert .
When the city was evacuated , she took only essentials with her , but now she is worried about the property she left behind .
`` I have flash drives in my closet , are all the photographs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them if you are in Shusha ?
And the rest is yours , '' she asks journalists , showing them where the house is .
But no one can promise her anything : the military does not allow journalists into this city .
And no one knows what is going on there , there is no news , not even rumors about the situation in the city .
Everyone knows only that the signs with in Armenian are changed to the ones in Azerbaijani .
Journalists grumble that due to the closed nature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's coverage is one-sided .

It was a pinpoint artillery shelling, aimed at cleaning, military facilities and the local Emergencies Ministry. In the latter, the detritus damaged the existing equipment and a historic fire engine standing on a pedestal. But the shells flew into the private sector as well. One of them set fire to Hamlet's house.
"Well, now people are returning, the traffic lights have started working for the third day, the garbage has begun to be taken out, the shops are opening. The life is slowly getting back to normal. I want to believe that there will be no more war," he sighs and goes to feed rabbits and chickens, which he was asked to do by his Yerevan friends.
The man speaks about politics with restraint, does not condemn the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and often compares the Karabakh people with 300 spartans. Tigran also often thanks the Russian peacekeepers who did not allow the Azerbaijani troops to enter Stepanakert. However he emphasizes: Russians should not die for his compatriots.
Tigran fought for Karabakh in 1992. On the alley in the Azatamartik part (the park of defenders) there is a photograph of him with his battle comrades taken at that time. There he is younger, wearing a camouflage and with a machine gun. He did not take part in the current hostilities, according to Tigran. But his three sons are now serving. Tigran thanks God that they are all alive.
In another hundred meters, a piece of rocket sticks out of the curb. The asphalt around it was ripped apart and the building was smashed with detritus. A little higher on the mountain, almost an entire rocket of a multiple launch rocket system lies at a cemetery entrance.
"And here three people died: two brothers came to their grandmother, and at that moment they started shooting. The third brother did not go and survived," Tigran shows a pile of wreckage, in which a two-story house can barely be distinguished.
Tigran is one of those who left for Yerevan, but came back. Its five-story panel building is located in the city center next to the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Mother of God. The house was not damaged by shelling, but he, like all Stepanakert residents, knows where the shells fell. "This is where the shell hit the collector (housing services are working nearby), no one was hurt. This is where the shell hit, there was no one in the house then," he shows the courtyard in which the blast wave turned a Zhiguli car over and tore the walls of the nearest houses apart exposing their life. Pots and other utensils in the kitchen are intact, but covered by a thick layer of whitewash.
STEPANAKERT, November 18. /TASS/. The residents of Stepanakert who left are returning to the city, shops are opening, infrastructure is being restored, a TASS correspondent reports. According to Russia's Defense Ministry, 1,700 residents have returned to the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh since November 14. These are the people who came by bus. In reality, this figure is higher because of those who used private transport. Truth be told, it is also impossible to tell with certainty the number of people who left the city when hostilities broke out.
"It was during the night, we managed to run out, everything was on fire, but the firemen put it out. We were not hurt, it's a pity we lost the house — it has recently been renovated," the owner of the house complains."Only the storage room was left intact".
Now Hamlet lives at his friends' and is not going to leave. He is also not in a hurry to rebuild the house - there may be another shelling. He, like many residents of Stepanakert, hopes for peacekeepers who will stop the war.
In his garden, the persimmon is already ripe, pomegranate — in the neighbors's garden. Overripe fruits that have fallen to the ground are eaten by hungry dogs. There are a lot of such animals in the city, probably, they had it even worse than the owners. They do not find food in garbage bins and wander in small flocks around the city searching for food. "We always had a lot of dogs and cats, we kept a lot, but now we left and released them," explains Hamlet.
The shells even flew into the building of the republican hospital under construction. Broken green glass covers the courtyard, the wind flutters the sheeting that covered the broken roof. Inside, almost everything was already ready to receive patients. Now two wild tabby kittens are sleeping in a hospital bed, running away at the sight of a person.
But the hospital itself continues to operate. There is a maternity ward in the basement of the unfinished building. The main building continues to receive patients. The windows of the hospital are lined with soil bags so as not to be knocked out during shelling. Doctors are in a hurry on business, they are guarded by armed soldiers.
Tamara
A few days ago nothing worked in Stepanakert. There were interruptions in water supply and electricity. It is very difficult with heating, and many people heat their apartments with small stoves. Finding a working Wi-Fi is a great success. It is the same with cellular communication - it comes and goes . They promise to fix it within a week, but things are moving very slowly. Banks are not working, there are lines at the head office of Artsakh Bank for money. On a nearby street, people lining up to get humanitarian aid.
Big shops are gradually opening, small shops are still closed. Many were closed in a hurry and their goods are right on the streets. The fruits are already rotten, and the contents of the refrigerators have melted and deteriorated. But no one steals what is still intact - it is not customary here to take something that belongs to someone else, even if they have no food at home.
Tamara, the owner of one of such shops, is sorting bottles in the refrigerator. She is in no hurry to open - there is nowhere to get new supplies from. "I’ll seal the windows now, suddenly there will be shelling. And in a week, with God's help, the goods will be delivered," the woman smiles.
She scolds politicians eloquently and wonders why it is impossible to live in peace. She is even ready to forgive Azerbaijanis and live with them, as during the Soviet years. If only there was no war and no one died. "Tell me, what are they thinking in their offices? Do they not know that living and breathing people are living here? Well, let's divide Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic - TASS). But where is the guarantee that there will be no war later? And Russia will not be able to protect us here forever," an outraged Tamara said.
Greta
Nobody is ready to put up with the status quo. Greta, a Shusha resident, which is under the control of Azerbaijan, now lives and works in a hotel in Stepanakert. When the city was evacuated, she took only essentials with her, but now she is worried about the property she left behind. "I have flash drives in my closet, are all the photographs are there. Could you please take them if you are in Shusha? And the rest is yours," she asks journalists, showing them where the house is.
But no one can promise her anything: the military does not allow journalists into this city. And no one knows what is going on there, there is no news, not even rumors about the situation in the city. Everyone knows only that the signs with in Armenian are changed to the ones in Azerbaijani. Journalists grumble that due to the closed nature of the Azerbaijani side, the conflict's coverage is one-sided.


tass--2020-11-18--Pandemic reduced level of international security cooperation, says post-Soviet bloc chief

MINSK , November 18 .
/TASS/ .
The problems caused by the coronavirus pandemic reduced the level of international security cooperation , Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization ( CSTO ) Stanislav Zas said at a meeting of the heads of the security councils from the CIS member states held via a video conference on Wednesday .
`` The problems caused by the pandemic , which lowered the level of international cooperation in the sphere of security , ultimately affected the efficiency of measures for countering present-day challenges and threats , including terrorism , '' the news agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The deterioration in the economic sphere and the decline in the living standards of millions of people around the planet as a result of lockdown measures `` create additional possibilities for recruiting new recruits '' using various modern information and communications technologies , Zas pointed out .
The international community is experiencing an acute shortage of trust and stability , the CSTO chief stressed .
The developments in the area of the CSTO collective security prompt the need for constantly developing the mechanisms of inter-state cooperation in countering present-day challenges and threats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backed the idea of synchronizing anti-terror measures within the formats of the CIS , the CSTO and the SCO ( Shanghai Cooperation Organization ) put forward by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers from the CSTO member states held in May .
`` We are now collecting proposals on the practical implementation of this process , '' the SCTO chief said .

MINSK, November 18. /TASS/. The problems caused by the coronavirus pandemic reduced the level of international security cooperation, Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Stanislav Zas said at a meeting of the heads of the security councils from the CIS member states held via a video conference on Wednesday.
"The problems caused by the pandemic, which lowered the level of international cooperation in the sphere of security, ultimately affected the efficiency of measures for countering present-day challenges and threats, including terrorism," the news agency BelTA quoted the CSTO chief as saying.
The deterioration in the economic sphere and the decline in the living standards of millions of people around the planet as a result of lockdown measures "create additional possibilities for recruiting new recruits" using various modern information and communications technologies, Zas pointed out.
The international community is experiencing an acute shortage of trust and stability, the CSTO chief stressed.
The developments in the area of the CSTO collective security prompt the need for constantly developing the mechanisms of inter-state cooperation in countering present-day challenges and threats, he noted.
The CSTO chief backed the idea of synchronizing anti-terror measures within the formats of the CIS, the CSTO and the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) put forward by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers from the CSTO member states held in May.
"We are now collecting proposals on the practical implementation of this process," the SCTO chief said.


tass--2020-11-18--Moldova’s President-elect Sandu backs positive dialogue with Russia

CHISINAU , November 18 .
/TASS/ .
Moldovan President-elect Maia Sandu had a meeting with Russian Ambassador to the country Oleg Vasnetsov Wednesday where she spoke in favor of positive and pragmatic dialogue with Russia , the Party of Action and Solidarity headed by Sandu reported .
`` I will make every effort to establish positive , pragmatic and predictable relations with the Russian Federation .
I hope for good cooperation , '' the party ’ s press office quoted her as saying .
Sandu also outlined her short-range plans for ties with Russia .
`` Good relations with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems facing [ Moldovan ] citizens .
We agreed to immediately start working on extending tariff-free export of some Moldovan goods as it expires at the end of this year , '' the president-elect noted .
Moldova held the run-off of the presidential election on November 15 .
According to preliminary results of the Central Election Commission , Sandu won the presidency with 57.7 % of the votes , while Dodon only got 42.2 % The current legislation outlines that the Central Election Commission should announce the official results before November 25 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approval .
If candidates challenge the results , the court will have to wait for legal outcomes .
Dodon ’ s term in the office expires on December 23 ; he will still serve as president until inauguration .

CHISINAU, November 18. /TASS/. Moldovan President-elect Maia Sandu had a meeting with Russian Ambassador to the country Oleg Vasnetsov Wednesday where she spoke in favor of positive and pragmatic dialogue with Russia, the Party of Action and Solidarity headed by Sandu reported.
"I will make every effort to establish positive, pragmatic and predictable relations with the Russian Federation. I hope for good cooperation," the party’s press office quoted her as saying.
Sandu also outlined her short-range plans for ties with Russia. "Good relations with the Russian Federation will help us resolve important problems facing [Moldovan] citizens. We agreed to immediately start working on extending tariff-free export of some Moldovan goods as it expires at the end of this year," the president-elect noted.
Moldova held the run-off of the presidential election on November 15. According to preliminary results of the Central Election Commission, Sandu won the presidency with 57.7% of the votes, while Dodon only got 42.2% The current legislation outlines that the Central Election Commission should announce the official results before November 25 and refer them to the Constitutional Court for approval. If candidates challenge the results, the court will have to wait for legal outcomes. Dodon’s term in the office expires on December 23; he will still serve as president until inauguration.


tass--2020-11-18--Upper house approves bill on 15% income tax rate for annual incomes of over $66,000

MOSCOW , November 18 .
/TASS/ .
The Federation Council , the upper house of the Russian parliament , has approved a law on raising personal income tax rate from 13 % to 15 % for incomes that exceed 5 mln rubles ( $ 66,123 ) a year .
The bill was initiated by the Russian government .
The law was drafted by the order of President Vladimir Putin to create an additional source of funding for the treatment of children with severe life-threatening and chronic diseases , including rare ones .
According to the financial and economic feasibility study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will lead to additional tax receipts in the amount of 60 bln rubles ( $ 793 mln ) in 2021 , 64 bln rubles ( $ 846 mln ) in 2022 , and 68.5 bln rubles ( $ 906 mln ) in 2023 .
These allocations have already been reserved for the formation of the draft federal budget for 2021 and the planning period of 2022 and 2023 under the Healthcare Development state program .
The new law stipulates that the personal income tax rate remains at 13 % for incomes of individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are raised from sale of property and their shares in it , incomes in the form of the cost of property obtained by way of gift , as well as for taxable incomes individuals receive in the form of insurance payments under insurance agreements and in the form of pensions payments .
The exception is made for securities .
The bill emphasizes that a fixed income of over 5 mln rubles a year , raised by a foreign company , is subject to a 15 % income tax .
This also applies to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entity and declares in his or her tax return .
As for control over the raised personal income tax rate payment , the bill envisages that tax agents will be exempt from liability for tax violations for the first quarter of 2021 .
They are also exempt from paying the corresponding amounts of penalties in case they voluntarily transfer specified tax amounts to the budget system of the Russian Federation until July 1 , 2021 .

MOSCOW, November 18. /TASS/. The Federation Council, the upper house of the Russian parliament, has approved a law on raising personal income tax rate from 13% to 15% for incomes that exceed 5 mln rubles ($66,123) a year. The bill was initiated by the Russian government.
The law was drafted by the order of President Vladimir Putin to create an additional source of funding for the treatment of children with severe life-threatening and chronic diseases, including rare ones.
According to the financial and economic feasibility study, the increase in the tax rate will lead to additional tax receipts in the amount of 60 bln rubles ($793 mln) in 2021, 64 bln rubles ($846 mln) in 2022, and 68.5 bln rubles ($906 mln) in 2023. These allocations have already been reserved for the formation of the draft federal budget for 2021 and the planning period of 2022 and 2023 under the Healthcare Development state program.
The new law stipulates that the personal income tax rate remains at 13% for incomes of individuals (Russian tax residents), which are raised from sale of property and their shares in it, incomes in the form of the cost of property obtained by way of gift, as well as for taxable incomes individuals receive in the form of insurance payments under insurance agreements and in the form of pensions payments.
The exception is made for securities. The bill emphasizes that a fixed income of over 5 mln rubles a year, raised by a foreign company, is subject to a 15% income tax. This also applies to dividends an individual receives from a foreign entity and declares in his or her tax return.
As for control over the raised personal income tax rate payment, the bill envisages that tax agents will be exempt from liability for tax violations for the first quarter of 2021. They are also exempt from paying the corresponding amounts of penalties in case they voluntarily transfer specified tax amounts to the budget system of the Russian Federation until July 1, 2021.