tass--2020-11-13--Russia urges YouTube to stop politically motivated censorship

She emphasized that the movie delves deeply and takes a closer look into the version that the Ukrainian Air Forces were involved in the tragic incident .
The investigation was uploaded to YouTube by Russia ’ s Ukraina.ru outlet .
MOSCOW , November 13 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow is calling on YouTube to abandon its politically motivated policing of content , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a briefing Friday , commenting on the fact that the global video hosting service blocked an investigative film into the Malaysian Boeing crash in Ukraine in 2014 .
`` On November 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the investigative film about the Malaysian Boeing crash in east Ukraine , I quote , ‘ violated the community guidelines of the platform ’ and blocked it before the premier .
< … > It is hard to explain this act of censorship other than being an attempt by certain interested parties to purge alternative versions of the 2014 tragedy from the global airwaves .
We are calling on the YouTube administration to reconsider its decision and , generally , abandon this politically motivated policing [ of content ] , '' she noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was deleted ahead of the resumption of hearings into the plane crash scheduled for November 12 .
`` These actions by the hosting service violate its audience ’ s right to freedom to seek , receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds , regardless of frontiers .
This is article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights .
Or does YouTube believe that it is also violates the platform ’ s rules ? ''
Zakharova added .
She recalled that video hosting service is controlled by Google .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international structures and human rights organizations will react accordingly to the American corporation ’ s actions and [ they ] will assess them appropriately , '' the diplomat concluded .

She emphasized that the movie delves deeply and takes a closer look into the version that the Ukrainian Air Forces were involved in the tragic incident. The investigation was uploaded to YouTube by Russia’s Ukraina.ru outlet.
MOSCOW, November 13. /TASS/. Moscow is calling on YouTube to abandon its politically motivated policing of content, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a briefing Friday, commenting on the fact that the global video hosting service blocked an investigative film into the Malaysian Boeing crash in Ukraine in 2014.
"On November 10, [YouTube] moderators said that the investigative film about the Malaysian Boeing crash in east Ukraine, I quote, ‘violated the community guidelines of the platform’ and blocked it before the premier. <…> It is hard to explain this act of censorship other than being an attempt by certain interested parties to purge alternative versions of the 2014 tragedy from the global airwaves. We are calling on the YouTube administration to reconsider its decision and, generally, abandon this politically motivated policing [of content]," she noted.
The diplomat emphasized that the film was deleted ahead of the resumption of hearings into the plane crash scheduled for November 12. "These actions by the hosting service violate its audience’s right to freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers. This is article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Or does YouTube believe that it is also violates the platform’s rules?" Zakharova added.
She recalled that video hosting service is controlled by Google. "Therefore, we expect that the relevant international structures and human rights organizations will react accordingly to the American corporation’s actions and [they] will assess them appropriately," the diplomat concluded.


tass--2020-11-13--Daily growth in coronavirus cases in Poland reaches over 24,000

WARSAW , November 13 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases in Poland per day increased by 24,051 , the Ministry of Health reported on Friday .
At the end of the last day , the department reported 419 deaths and 13,231 recovered patients .
In total , starting from March 4 , when the first coronavirus case was detected in the country , 665,547 people were infected , 9,499 died , and 267,580 patients recovered .
Around 22,200 patients with coronavirus are currently housed in Polish hospitals , 2,047 of them are connected to mechanical ventilation devices .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Temporary hospitals are being set up in Warsaw and other large cities .
At the moment , the country has 34,600 beds for patients with coronavirus and 2,600 mechanical lung ventilators .
The pandemic regime announced by the authorities in Poland has been maintained since March .
In connection with the increase in the incidence rate that began in the fall , the Polish government decided to return the widespread mask regime and a number of other restrictions on shops , public transport , and cultural institutions .
Restaurants , cafes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to distance learning .
Pensioners over 70 are urged to stay at home ; volunteers deliver food for this category of citizens .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared @ @ @ @ @ @

WARSAW, November 13. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Poland per day increased by 24,051, the Ministry of Health reported on Friday.
At the end of the last day, the department reported 419 deaths and 13,231 recovered patients. In total, starting from March 4, when the first coronavirus case was detected in the country, 665,547 people were infected, 9,499 died, and 267,580 patients recovered.
Around 22,200 patients with coronavirus are currently housed in Polish hospitals, 2,047 of them are connected to mechanical ventilation devices. More than 430,000 people remain in quarantine. Temporary hospitals are being set up in Warsaw and other large cities. At the moment, the country has 34,600 beds for patients with coronavirus and 2,600 mechanical lung ventilators.
The pandemic regime announced by the authorities in Poland has been maintained since March. In connection with the increase in the incidence rate that began in the fall, the Polish government decided to return the widespread mask regime and a number of other restrictions on shops, public transport, and cultural institutions. Restaurants, cafes and bars are takeaway only. Schoolchildren switched to distance learning. Pensioners over 70 are urged to stay at home; volunteers deliver food for this category of citizens.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-11-13--Putin to address East Asia Forum on Saturday - spokesman

MOSCOW , November 13 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin will take part in the 15th East Asia Summit @ @ @ @ @ , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters .
`` The president is scheduled to take @ @ @ @ @ Summit meeting tomorrow , '' he said , adding that Russia `` always actively participates @ @ @ @ @ '' `` The president will address the summit via video link and will also listen @ @ @ @ @ colleagues from the East Asian region , '' Peskov added .

MOSCOW, November 13. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin will take part in the 15th East Asia Summit on Saturday via video link, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
"The president is scheduled to take part in an East Asia Summit meeting tomorrow," he said, adding that Russia "always actively participates in East Asia Summits."
"The president will address the summit via video link and will also listen to the addresses of his colleagues from the East Asian region," Peskov added.


tass--2020-11-13--Georgia reports over 3,400 COVID-19 cases in 24 hours, new record high

TBILISI , November 13 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases in Georgia grew by 3,473 in the past @ @ @ @ @ the highest number since the start of the pandemic .
The total number of infected @ @ @ @ @ the government ’ s website on coronavirus spread reported Friday .
On Thursday , the @ @ @ @ @ cases , while on November 11 Georgia confirmed 2,911 new cases .
Another 3,342 people @ @ @ @ @ hours , bringing the total number of recoveries to 55,511 ( 75.88 % of all @ @ @ @ @ total of 3,413 people are undergoing treatment under medical supervision in special hotels , 102 @ @ @ @ @ earlier .
The coronavirus spread rate has stood at 1.09 over the past eight days @ @ @ @ @ % of the population , which equals 3,716,900 people , has been diagnosed with COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ in the past 24 hours , the death has reached 636 .
Georgia has so @ @ @ @ @ , with 27.52 % of its residents tested for the disease .

TBILISI, November 13. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Georgia grew by 3,473 in the past 24 hours, this is the highest number since the start of the pandemic. The total number of infected people has reached 73,154, the government’s website on coronavirus spread reported Friday.
On Thursday, the authorities reported another 3,120 COVID-19 cases, while on November 11 Georgia confirmed 2,911 new cases.
Another 3,342 people recovered in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of recoveries to 55,511 (75.88% of all infected people). A total of 3,413 people are undergoing treatment under medical supervision in special hotels, 102 patients more than a day earlier.
The coronavirus spread rate has stood at 1.09 over the past eight days. To date, 1.97% of the population, which equals 3,716,900 people, has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
Thirty-seven COVID-19 patients died in the past 24 hours, the death has reached 636. Georgia has so far conducted 1,022,805 coronavirus tests, with 27.52% of its residents tested for the disease.


tass--2020-11-13--Moscow awaits information from Baku about probe into downed helicopter

MOSCOW , November 13 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow is expecting details about Baku ’ s investigation into the Russian helicopter that was downed in the Armenian airspace , Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Friday .
`` There are channels of close contact between Russia and Azerbaijan , any additional channels are not needed here , '' he responded to the question whether any channels for exchanging information between the two countries about the downed helicopter are required .
`` Azerbaijan very quickly said that a thorough investigation will be conducted , those responsible will be identified and punished , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ definitely be expecting this information , '' the spokesman noted .
At the same time , Peskov slammed the question whether Russia trusts Azerbaijan to conduct a thorough investigation as inappropriate .
He also refused to comment on the remark of Azerbaijani Ambassador to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu about the Russian helicopter that was shot down by Azerbaijani forces , as he said that `` the war is war , anything can happen . ''
`` This remark has already been commented on by the Russian side , I think it was very exhaustive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything else should be said , '' he explained .
The Russian Foreign Ministry earlier underlined that it comes from the understanding that Baku will not make any other dubious statements in light of the tragic incident .
A Russian Mi-24 helicopter was downed over Armenia near the border with Azerbaijan on Monday .
Two crew members were killed and another one was injured .
Azerbaijan ’ s Foreign Ministry later claimed responsibility for the crash , informing that its Armed Forces had downed the Russian helicopter by mistake and offered to pay @ @

MOSCOW, November 13. /TASS/. Moscow is expecting details about Baku’s investigation into the Russian helicopter that was downed in the Armenian airspace, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Friday.
"There are channels of close contact between Russia and Azerbaijan, any additional channels are not needed here," he responded to the question whether any channels for exchanging information between the two countries about the downed helicopter are required. "Azerbaijan very quickly said that a thorough investigation will be conducted, those responsible will be identified and punished," Peskov recalled. "We will definitely be expecting this information," the spokesman noted.
At the same time, Peskov slammed the question whether Russia trusts Azerbaijan to conduct a thorough investigation as inappropriate.
He also refused to comment on the remark of Azerbaijani Ambassador to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu about the Russian helicopter that was shot down by Azerbaijani forces, as he said that "the war is war, anything can happen." "This remark has already been commented on by the Russian side, I think it was very exhaustive and I don’t believe that anything else should be said," he explained.
The Russian Foreign Ministry earlier underlined that it comes from the understanding that Baku will not make any other dubious statements in light of the tragic incident.
A Russian Mi-24 helicopter was downed over Armenia near the border with Azerbaijan on Monday. Two crew members were killed and another one was injured. Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry later claimed responsibility for the crash, informing that its Armed Forces had downed the Russian helicopter by mistake and offered to pay compensation.


tass--2020-11-13--Kremlin spokesman points to kinship between Russia, Belarus

MOSCOW , November 13 .
/TASS/ .
What binds Moscow and Minsk is more than just friendship , it is kinship ties , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with RT .
`` It ’ s not friendship , it is kinship ties , '' he said , describing relations between Russia and Belarus .
In response to the question if he considered Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to be one of his kin , Peskov answered in the affirmative .
`` It ’ s because he is Belarusian , '' he explained , adding : `` Some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` It is not Alexander Lukashenko that we support but the legitimate leader of a brotherly nation , '' the Russian presidential spokesman stressed .
He pointed out that `` indeed , for more than ten years , Russia and the Russian president supported and indirectly subsidized the Belarusian economy . ''
`` The reason is that we are closest allies and our people are closely related , so we do hold each other dear , '' Peskov explained .
When asked whether Moscow should support Lukashenko at the moment given that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Kremlin spokesman said : `` All people are different , they can have different views , but the fundamental approach should be based on legitimacy stemming from international law . ''
According to Peskov , `` countries are free to refuse to recognize the elections [ in Belarus ] but according to international law , no country has the right to declare the election legitimate or illegitimate . ''
`` Neither the European Union , nor Germany , nor France , nor Poland nor anyone else has such power , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stance regarding contacts with the Belarusian opposition has remained unchanged , the presidential spokesman said , when asked if the very instance of a meeting between Russia ’ s ambassador to the United Nations , Vasily Nebenzya and ex-candidate for the Belarusian presidency , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , on the sidelines of an event was a sign Moscow would establish contacts with the Belarusian opposition .
`` The [ Kremlin ’ s ] position has not changed absolutely , '' Peskov said .
He explained that Nebenzya did not meet with Tikhanovskaya one on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his colleagues .
Various events are held there .
If such people as Tikhanovskaya participate in them , too , he takes part in such events within the framework of that activity .
It was not a personal meeting .
There is nothing new in this sense , '' Peskov said , adding that the incident was in no way connected with the lack of contacts between Moscow and the Belarusian opposition .
Nationwide demonstrations have engulfed Belarus following the August 9 presidential election .
According to the Central Election Commission ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lukashenko won by a landslide , garnering 80.10 % of the vote .
His closest rival in the race , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , came in second , with 10.12 % of the ballot .
However , she refused to recognize the election ’ s outcome , and left Belarus for Lithuania .
After the results of the exit polls were announced late on August 9 , mass protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other Belarusian cities .
During the early post-election period , the rallies snowballed into fierce clashes between the protesters and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cheered on by the opposition ’ s Coordination Council , which has been beating the drum for more protests .
In response , the Belarusian authorities have castigated the ongoing turmoil and demanded that these unauthorized demonstrations be stopped .

MOSCOW, November 13. /TASS/. What binds Moscow and Minsk is more than just friendship, it is kinship ties, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with RT.
"It’s not friendship, it is kinship ties," he said, describing relations between Russia and Belarus.
In response to the question if he considered Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to be one of his kin, Peskov answered in the affirmative. "It’s because he is Belarusian," he explained, adding: "Some of my distant relatives are from Belarus."
"It is not Alexander Lukashenko that we support but the legitimate leader of a brotherly nation," the Russian presidential spokesman stressed. He pointed out that "indeed, for more than ten years, Russia and the Russian president supported and indirectly subsidized the Belarusian economy." "The reason is that we are closest allies and our people are closely related, so we do hold each other dear," Peskov explained.
When asked whether Moscow should support Lukashenko at the moment given that the Russian people could disapprove of that, the Kremlin spokesman said: "All people are different, they can have different views, but the fundamental approach should be based on legitimacy stemming from international law."
According to Peskov, "countries are free to refuse to recognize the elections [in Belarus] but according to international law, no country has the right to declare the election legitimate or illegitimate." "Neither the European Union, nor Germany, nor France, nor Poland nor anyone else has such power," Peskov emphasized.
Contacts with Belarusian opposition
The Kremlin’s stance regarding contacts with the Belarusian opposition has remained unchanged, the presidential spokesman said, when asked if the very instance of a meeting between Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya and ex-candidate for the Belarusian presidency, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, on the sidelines of an event was a sign Moscow would establish contacts with the Belarusian opposition.
"The [Kremlin’s] position has not changed absolutely," Peskov said.
He explained that Nebenzya did not meet with Tikhanovskaya one on one. "Our ambassador acts together with his colleagues. Various events are held there. If such people as Tikhanovskaya participate in them, too, he takes part in such events within the framework of that activity. It was not a personal meeting. There is nothing new in this sense," Peskov said, adding that the incident was in no way connected with the lack of contacts between Moscow and the Belarusian opposition.
Nationwide demonstrations have engulfed Belarus following the August 9 presidential election. According to the Central Election Commission’s official results, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won by a landslide, garnering 80.10% of the vote. His closest rival in the race, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, came in second, with 10.12% of the ballot. However, she refused to recognize the election’s outcome, and left Belarus for Lithuania. After the results of the exit polls were announced late on August 9, mass protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other Belarusian cities. During the early post-election period, the rallies snowballed into fierce clashes between the protesters and police. The current unrest is being cheered on by the opposition’s Coordination Council, which has been beating the drum for more protests. In response, the Belarusian authorities have castigated the ongoing turmoil and demanded that these unauthorized demonstrations be stopped.


tass--2020-11-13--‘Anti-Russian immunity’ won’t last long in Ukraine, Kremlin assures

`` We still believe that we have been and remain two related nations but not brotherly , at the same @ @ @ @ @ Friday in an interview with RT when speaking about the ties between Russia and Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ , `` the Ukrainian leadership made a lot of effort in these years to provoke @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` We don ’ t think that this is a longstanding anti-Russian immunity @ @ @ @ @ not be a long-term one .
These antibodies will pass soon , '' Peskov is @ @ @ @ @ imposed Russophobic antibodies will disappear quickly , '' he added .
`` By the way @ @ @ @ @ the results of these local elections in Ukraine showed exactly that these antibodies are not @ @ @ @ @ the Kremlin representative emphasized .

"We still believe that we have been and remain two related nations but not brotherly, at the same time," he said Friday in an interview with RT when speaking about the ties between Russia and Ukraine. Moreover, he underlined, "the Ukrainian leadership made a lot of effort in these years to provoke certain animosity in their nation."
"We don’t think that this is a longstanding anti-Russian immunity. No, it cannot be a long-term one. These antibodies will pass soon," Peskov is certain. "The artificially imposed Russophobic antibodies will disappear quickly," he added.
"By the way, the recent elections and the results of these local elections in Ukraine showed exactly that these antibodies are not very strong already," the Kremlin representative emphasized.


tass--2020-11-13--Press review: Russia hits back at EU and is left out of China’s free trade zone plans

Izvestia : Russia retaliates against EU restrictions with new sanctions Moscow has imposed new sanctions in response to the EU ’ s punitive measures over the alleged Navalny poisoning , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a press conference .
These sanctions are aimed at members of the French and German administrations .
The Russian-imposed sanctions in response to Europe ’ s restrictions is a logical step , the Federation Council told Izvestia .
The upper house said the story might not end here .
New measures from the European Union could be expected .
At the same time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role that the OPCW has been playing in the Navalny case .
Moscow has long accused the organization of being biased .
The Federation Council considers Russia 's reaction to be absolutely reasoned , Chairman of the Federation Council 's Foreign Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachev told Izvestia .
`` Without any evidence in hand , without waiting for any results of the investigation , such punitive decisions were definitely taken in order to exert political pressure on those investigative structures that are dealing with this regrettable case , '' the senator said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cooperate with the investigation , however , Germany still has not transferred Navalny ’ s test results .
A source in German political circles told Izvestia that all Russian requests were accepted and , within the framework of legal assistance mechanisms , Berlin needs time for inspection .
There is another key contradiction in this conflict , Izvestia writes .
Moscow insists that the `` Navalny case '' is a bilateral issue , while Germany says that it should be considered on a multilateral platform , in the Organization for the Prohibition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , according to Director of the MGIMO Center for Military-Political Research Alexey Podberezkin , no one will conduct an objective investigation of the situation in the OPCW .
Therefore , Russia should not expect an unbiased response from the organization , he concluded .
Russia ’ s Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya did not rule out that the country may even leave the organization .
Nezavisimaya Gazeta : China sets sights on setting up immense free trade zone without Russia The summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Hanoi , under the chairmanship of Vietnam .
Once its participants tackle the pandemic and the security issue in the South China Sea , the countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership ( RCEP ) will meet to discuss setting up a trade union .
The project promoted by Beijing would account for a third of global GDP .
According to experts , interviewed by Nezavisimaya Gazeta , it remains unclear why Russia was not invited .
The zone would include 10 ASEAN states and China , New Zealand , South Korea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on this bloc began back in 2012 .
It is believed that it will have about 3 bln consumers , and its total GDP will be about a third of the world .
The proclamation of this bloc will cement China 's position as the region 's main economic power , Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes .
Especially at a time when it is not yet clear what Washington ’ s policy in Southeast Asia will be .
However , transforming RCEP into a full-fledged mechanism , where trade barriers are removed , could take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to two decades .
Yet it is not clear why Russia has not been mentioned among its possible participants , the newspaper writes .
Head of the South-East Asia department at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences Dmitry Mosyakov told the newspaper , `` The fact that Russia is not mentioned can be explained by the weaknesses and shortcomings of our foreign policy on this track .
It 's a mystery to me why we find ourselves outside of this process .
Russia signed a free trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was also discussed with Singapore , but it did n't go further .
It would seem that China is our friend , and RCEP is a Chinese enterprise , but Russia is not there . ''
Kommersant : Russia won ’ t allow Turkey to patrol former Karabakh conflict zone ‘ on the ground ’ Russia and Turkey have entered into an uncompromising struggle for the title of peacekeepers , Kommersant writes .
Ankara professes that it is going to station its military observers in Nagorno-Karabakh along with Russian ones , but Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military will have to limit themselves to filming from drones without entering the former conflict zone .
Meanwhile , half of Russia ’ s peacekeeping personnel has already arrived in the region .
In the evening , the Russian peacekeeping battalion entered Stepanakert .
Director of European Studies at Seta Enes Bayrakli told the newspaper that the Erdogan administration considers the presence of Turkish peacekeepers `` on the ground '' to be the only possible way to maintain any balance , since Russia is perceived to be a supporter of Armenia .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this matter should be made by Azerbaijan .
According to researcher at the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies ( ORSAM ) in Ankara Oytun Orhan , Russia will do everything to limit Ankara ’ s role .
However , if Turkey is not represented on the ground , it will be more difficult for the Erdogan administration to influence the political resolution of the conflict , the expert told Kommersant .
Azerbaijan ’ s Ambassador to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu seems to lean closer to Russia ’ s position , Kommersant writes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not about the introduction of peacekeepers , that is , Turkish soldiers , the conversation is about technical control over the implementation of this peacekeeping statement by the parties . ''
In turn , Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia , speaking about Moscow ’ s role , was confident that `` Russian peacekeepers will ensure security and the Yerevan-Stepanakert connection will be reliable . ''
Meanwhile , the Russian peacekeeping contingent continues to arrive in Nagorno-Karabakh .
According to Russia ’ s Defense Ministry , 800 people have already been transferred there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the planned 1,960 .
Fostering tourism is one of the most promising areas for relations between Moscow and Abkhazia , Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a meeting with his Abkhazian counterpart Aslan Bzhania .
Experts told Izvestia that they believe that developing hotels on the Black Sea coast can boost new transportation and agricultural infrastructure .
In general , the economy of Abkhazia largely depends on Russia .
According to Putin , over 70 % of the republic 's total turnover falls on Russia .
Nevertheless , the economic aspect is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ties between the two countries .
Should the security situation in the Transcaucasian region deteriorate , including due to NATO expansion , Abkhazia could play an important role in terms of geopolitics .
Based on the Russian investment program for Abkhazia , the construction of 48 facilities will be completed in 2020 , including transportation and power grid infrastructures , water supply , and waste management facilities .
`` Without its own funds for the development of a proper resort and tourist infrastructure , the republic may be of interest to Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this direction are quite abundant , '' expert at the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies Azhdar Kurtov told Izvestia .
Nevertheless , Moscow has a competitor here - Turkey .
According to the expert , Turkish companies are very active in the post-Soviet space .
`` Of course , allied relations are important against the backdrop of political turbulence in Georgia .
Tbilisi may try to get revenge for August 2008 .
The size of Abkhazia ’ s army is extremely limited , '' Head of Eurasian integration and development of the SCO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vladimir Evseev told Izvestia .
Despite its small military , Abkhazia ’ s territory has geopolitical value for Russia , the paper writes .
Georgia 's possible full-fledged NATO membership in the future can lead to the creation of a powerful military infrastructure in the country .
Moscow can respond by strengthening its presence .
According to the expert , Russia , if necessary , will be able to very quickly build up its troops in Abkhazia .
The Russian Supreme Court released the founder of the Baring Vostok fund Michael Calvey and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2.5 bln rubles ( $ 32.4 mln ) belonging to Vostochny Bank , from house arrest .
After the bank was fully compensated for the alleged damage , the property of the defendants in the scandalous investigation was also released from the interim measures .
According to Kommersant , the defense now expects to convince the court to stop the criminal prosecution of investors due to the absence of a crime .
Political analysts interviewed by Kommersant are confident that the Calvey case will be terminated .
The turning point in this case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ house arrest , Director of the Center for Political Science Research at the Financial University Pavel Salin believes .
`` This means that the initiators of this story began to receive what they expected .
The first easing for Calvey and his colleagues coincided with the transfer of ownership to his Russian partners .
… When the point of no return is passed in this matter , Calvey will be released , [ he will be ] much poorer , but [ he ’ ll ] have an unblemished reputation , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Calvey case a vivid example of `` power entrepreneurship '' , when the power resource - in this case , the initiation of a criminal case - is used to put pressure on business to redistribute it .
`` The change in the pre-trial restrictions is a positive event , it is very important for their families and business , '' Russia ’ s business ombudsman Boris Titov told Kommersant .
`` This is especially important , since entrepreneurs are responsible for hiring employees and investment projects .
We wrote to the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in relation to businessmen , if it was established that they are unable to influence the investigation or witnesses and the head of state fully agreed with it , '' Titov added .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews .

Izvestia: Russia retaliates against EU restrictions with new sanctions
Read also Russia imposes retaliatory sanctions against German, French officials
Moscow has imposed new sanctions in response to the EU’s punitive measures over the alleged Navalny poisoning, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a press conference. These sanctions are aimed at members of the French and German administrations. The Russian-imposed sanctions in response to Europe’s restrictions is a logical step, the Federation Council told Izvestia. The upper house said the story might not end here. New measures from the European Union could be expected. At the same time, Russia is making claims about the role that the OPCW has been playing in the Navalny case. Moscow has long accused the organization of being biased. The Federation Council considers Russia's reaction to be absolutely reasoned, Chairman of the Federation Council's Foreign Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachev told Izvestia. "Without any evidence in hand, without waiting for any results of the investigation, such punitive decisions were definitely taken in order to exert political pressure on those investigative structures that are dealing with this regrettable case," the senator said. Moscow has repeatedly said it was ready to cooperate with the investigation, however, Germany still has not transferred Navalny’s test results. A source in German political circles told Izvestia that all Russian requests were accepted and, within the framework of legal assistance mechanisms, Berlin needs time for inspection. There is another key contradiction in this conflict, Izvestia writes. Moscow insists that the "Navalny case" is a bilateral issue, while Germany says that it should be considered on a multilateral platform, in the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). However, according to Director of the MGIMO Center for Military-Political Research Alexey Podberezkin, no one will conduct an objective investigation of the situation in the OPCW. Therefore, Russia should not expect an unbiased response from the organization, he concluded. Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya did not rule out that the country may even leave the organization. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: China sets sights on setting up immense free trade zone without Russia
The summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is being held via teleconference in Hanoi, under the chairmanship of Vietnam. Once its participants tackle the pandemic and the security issue in the South China Sea, the countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will meet to discuss setting up a trade union. The project promoted by Beijing would account for a third of global GDP. According to experts, interviewed by Nezavisimaya Gazeta, it remains unclear why Russia was not invited. The zone would include 10 ASEAN states and China, New Zealand, South Korea, Australia, and Japan. Negotiations on this bloc began back in 2012. It is believed that it will have about 3 bln consumers, and its total GDP will be about a third of the world. The proclamation of this bloc will cement China's position as the region's main economic power, Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes. Especially at a time when it is not yet clear what Washington’s policy in Southeast Asia will be. However, transforming RCEP into a full-fledged mechanism, where trade barriers are removed, could take, according to observers in Asia, up to two decades. Yet it is not clear why Russia has not been mentioned among its possible participants, the newspaper writes. Head of the South-East Asia department at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences Dmitry Mosyakov told the newspaper, "The fact that Russia is not mentioned can be explained by the weaknesses and shortcomings of our foreign policy on this track. It's a mystery to me why we find ourselves outside of this process. Russia signed a free trade zone deal with Vietnam, and one was also discussed with Singapore, but it didn't go further. It would seem that China is our friend, and RCEP is a Chinese enterprise, but Russia is not there." Kommersant: Russia won’t allow Turkey to patrol former Karabakh conflict zone ‘on the ground’
Russia and Turkey have entered into an uncompromising struggle for the title of peacekeepers, Kommersant writes. Ankara professes that it is going to station its military observers in Nagorno-Karabakh along with Russian ones, but Moscow has made it clear that the Turkish military will have to limit themselves to filming from drones without entering the former conflict zone. Meanwhile, half of Russia’s peacekeeping personnel has already arrived in the region. In the evening, the Russian peacekeeping battalion entered Stepanakert. Director of European Studies at Seta Enes Bayrakli told the newspaper that the Erdogan administration considers the presence of Turkish peacekeepers "on the ground" to be the only possible way to maintain any balance, since Russia is perceived to be a supporter of Armenia. He also noted that the final decision on this matter should be made by Azerbaijan. According to researcher at the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies (ORSAM) in Ankara Oytun Orhan, Russia will do everything to limit Ankara’s role. However, if Turkey is not represented on the ground, it will be more difficult for the Erdogan administration to influence the political resolution of the conflict, the expert told Kommersant. Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu seems to lean closer to Russia’s position, Kommersant writes. He noted, "the conversation is not about the introduction of peacekeepers, that is, Turkish soldiers, the conversation is about technical control over the implementation of this peacekeeping statement by the parties." In turn, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia, speaking about Moscow’s role, was confident that "Russian peacekeepers will ensure security and the Yerevan-Stepanakert connection will be reliable." Meanwhile, the Russian peacekeeping contingent continues to arrive in Nagorno-Karabakh. According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, 800 people have already been transferred there, that is, about half of the planned 1,960. Izvestia: Russian-Abkhazian ties gain geopolitical significance
Fostering tourism is one of the most promising areas for relations between Moscow and Abkhazia, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a meeting with his Abkhazian counterpart Aslan Bzhania. Experts told Izvestia that they believe that developing hotels on the Black Sea coast can boost new transportation and agricultural infrastructure. In general, the economy of Abkhazia largely depends on Russia. According to Putin, over 70% of the republic's total turnover falls on Russia. Nevertheless, the economic aspect is not the only thing that is important to the ties between the two countries. Should the security situation in the Transcaucasian region deteriorate, including due to NATO expansion, Abkhazia could play an important role in terms of geopolitics. Based on the Russian investment program for Abkhazia, the construction of 48 facilities will be completed in 2020, including transportation and power grid infrastructures, water supply, and waste management facilities. "Without its own funds for the development of a proper resort and tourist infrastructure, the republic may be of interest to Russian business. Opportunities for economic cooperation in this direction are quite abundant," expert at the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies Azhdar Kurtov told Izvestia. Nevertheless, Moscow has a competitor here - Turkey. According to the expert, Turkish companies are very active in the post-Soviet space. "Of course, allied relations are important against the backdrop of political turbulence in Georgia. Tbilisi may try to get revenge for August 2008. The size of Abkhazia’s army is extremely limited," Head of Eurasian integration and development of the SCO Department at the Institute of CIS Countries Vladimir Evseev told Izvestia. Despite its small military, Abkhazia’s territory has geopolitical value for Russia, the paper writes. Georgia's possible full-fledged NATO membership in the future can lead to the creation of a powerful military infrastructure in the country. Moscow can respond by strengthening its presence. According to the expert, Russia, if necessary, will be able to very quickly build up its troops in Abkhazia. Kommersant: Michael Calvey released from house arrest
Read also Supreme Court releases Michael Calvey and all defendants in his case from house arrest


tass--2020-11-13--Putin played key role in brokering Nagorno-Karabakh armistice, Kremlin says

MOSCOW , November 13 .
/TASS/ .
The role of Russian President Vladimir Putin in resolving the conflict in the @ @ @ @ @ key , intense work that spanned many days preceded the settlement , Kremlin spokesman Dmitry @ @ @ @ @ interview with RT .
`` This role was key , '' he noted .
`` @ @ @ @ @ hard work preceded the signing , sometimes even round-the-clock work , it was President Putin @ @ @ @ @ According to him , the Russian leader `` spent a lot of time on the @ @ @ @ @ with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan .
`` I reiterate @ @ @ @ @ one day , '' Peskov added .

MOSCOW, November 13. /TASS/. The role of Russian President Vladimir Putin in resolving the conflict in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh was key, intense work that spanned many days preceded the settlement, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday in an interview with RT.
"This role was key," he noted. "Many, many days of hard work preceded the signing, sometimes even round-the-clock work, it was President Putin’s work."
According to him, the Russian leader "spent a lot of time on the phone" to hold talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. "I reiterate, it did not take one day," Peskov added.


tass--2020-11-13--Disagreements with Obama led to soured relations with US, says Kremlin

`` I believe , this should have become clear to the man in the street by now , '' he noted .
`` We will show respect for any choice of the American people , '' Peskov quoted Putin as saying .
The Kremlin official stressed that Russia had never interfered in US internal affairs and would never interfere in the future , but it would not tolerate US meddling in its own affairs , either .
`` We will be interacting with any president who will be elected by the Americans themselves , '' he said , adding that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Vladimir Putin , said more than once .
`` Of course , we would like to see a president who would wish to reanimate bilateral relations somehow . ''
Russia would prefer to see a US president who would be eager to reanimate bilateral relations , the presidential spokesman stated .
`` The president met him ( Joseph Biden ) , but still , mostly he was meeting with his superior then ( Barack Obama ) , so the dialogue was mostly with Obama .
That wasn ’ t an easy dialogue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barack Obama 's presidency , '' the spokesman said .
He noted that `` there were a lot of disagreements that were probably a harbinger of the degradation that occurred in our relations during Trump ’ s presidency . ''
MOSCOW , November 13 .
/TASS/ .
Disagreements that emerged during the administration of Barack Obama have led to the current degradation of relations with the US , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with the RT TV channel .
`` The Russian president will certainly send a congratulatory message to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Peskov said , adding that `` it will be done after the official results of the election are announced . ''
`` As far as we understand , no one has been declared president-elect so far , '' Peskov stressed .
At the same time , he did not say what Russia would do if the election ’ s results were challenged in court .
`` It ’ s not our business to decide when to announce the official results , '' the Kremlin spokesman noted .
US take on its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former hegemon in the international scene finds it hard to adjust itself to the realities of multipolarity , which results in the collapse of international institutions , Dmitry Peskov elaborated .
He warned against focusing entirely on Russian-US relations and called for taking a broader look at the situation , in particular , the fact that the world was in the process of transition from the multipolar system to a multipolar one .
`` This is a very painful process .
The former single pole resists this , although I do not know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The former single pole has problems with getting accustomed to a new system of coordinates , '' Peskov said .
In his opinion this explains the collapse of the system of international law and international institutions .
`` Some countries lay claim to performing the role of international institutions all the time .
Also , there are countries whose role is dwindling and there are others whose role is growing .
And some international institutions lose their role altogether , '' he said .
Peskov put the emphasis on the idea the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sole universal international institution that the world can not do without .
Other basic institutions in the same class , Peskov said , are the Security Council and the ‘ nuclear quintet ’ members possessing the right of veto .
`` You know that this is President Putin ’ s stance .
It is a cornerstone of international security , '' Peskov said .
On November 3 , American citizens headed to the polls to elect 435 representatives to the House , 35 senators out of 100 to the Senate , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States .
The November race for the White House pit Democratic contender Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris against incumbent US President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence of the Republican Party .
In addition , voters decided on 13 US state and territorial governorships , and numerous other local elections were held .
The winner of the presidential race is still not known .
Though the vote count is still underway , major US media outlets project that the Democratic contender has presumptively won the presidential election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden over the top , beyond the needed 270 vote threshold .
Trump is challenging the current outcome , claiming irregularities in the ballot processing in key swing states , and has filed lawsuits to fight his case in court .

"I believe, this should have become clear to the man in the street by now," he noted.
"We will show respect for any choice of the American people," Peskov quoted Putin as saying. The Kremlin official stressed that Russia had never interfered in US internal affairs and would never interfere in the future, but it would not tolerate US meddling in its own affairs, either.
Russia would prefer to see a US president who would be eager to reanimate bilateral relations, the presidential spokesman stated. "We will be interacting with any president who will be elected by the Americans themselves," he said, adding that this is precisely what the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, said more than once. "Of course, we would like to see a president who would wish to reanimate bilateral relations somehow."
At the same time the spokesman declined to answer a question what the Kremlin expects from the administration of Joseph Biden and Kamala Harris. "I have no right [to comment on this] before the official election results," the Kremlin representative said.
"The president met him (Joseph Biden), but still, mostly he was meeting with his superior then (Barack Obama), so the dialogue was mostly with Obama. That wasn’t an easy dialogue, especially the last six months of Barack Obama's presidency," the spokesman said. He noted that "there were a lot of disagreements that were probably a harbinger of the degradation that occurred in our relations during Trump’s presidency."
MOSCOW, November 13. /TASS/. Disagreements that emerged during the administration of Barack Obama have led to the current degradation of relations with the US, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with the RT TV channel.
"The Russian president will certainly send a congratulatory message to the candidate who will be declared president-elect," Peskov said, adding that "it will be done after the official results of the election are announced."
"As far as we understand, no one has been declared president-elect so far," Peskov stressed.
At the same time, he did not say what Russia would do if the election’s results were challenged in court. "It’s not our business to decide when to announce the official results," the Kremlin spokesman noted.
US take on its global role
The United States as a former hegemon in the international scene finds it hard to adjust itself to the realities of multipolarity, which results in the collapse of international institutions, Dmitry Peskov elaborated.
He warned against focusing entirely on Russian-US relations and called for taking a broader look at the situation, in particular, the fact that the world was in the process of transition from the multipolar system to a multipolar one.
"This is a very painful process. The former single pole resists this, although I do not know whether this resistance is conscious or subconscious. The former single pole has problems with getting accustomed to a new system of coordinates," Peskov said.
In his opinion this explains the collapse of the system of international law and international institutions. "Some countries lay claim to performing the role of international institutions all the time. Also, there are countries whose role is dwindling and there are others whose role is growing. And some international institutions lose their role altogether," he said.
Peskov put the emphasis on the idea the United Nations has been and still is the sole universal international institution that the world cannot do without. Other basic institutions in the same class, Peskov said, are the Security Council and the ‘nuclear quintet’ members possessing the right of veto.
"You know that this is President Putin’s stance. It is a cornerstone of international security," Peskov said.
On November 3, American citizens headed to the polls to elect 435 representatives to the House, 35 senators out of 100 to the Senate, and the President and Vice President of the United States. The November race for the White House pit Democratic contender Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris against incumbent US President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence of the Republican Party. In addition, voters decided on 13 US state and territorial governorships, and numerous other local elections were held.
The winner of the presidential race is still not known. Though the vote count is still underway, major US media outlets project that the Democratic contender has presumptively won the presidential election. Fox News and Associated Press have put Biden over the top, beyond the needed 270 vote threshold. Trump is challenging the current outcome, claiming irregularities in the ballot processing in key swing states, and has filed lawsuits to fight his case in court.


tass--2020-11-13--Yakutia plans a project office to lift sunken ships, remove scrap metal

MOSCOW , November 13 .
/TASS/ .
Yakutia plans to organize a project office to remove gained ecology-damaging objects - first of all , scrap metal and sunken ships .
Most of them are in the Arctic , the region ’ s ecology official Sakhamin Afanasyev told TASS .
In 2019 , Russia ’ s President Vladimir Putin said the main threat in the Arctic is in the ecology situation , and the risks grow with further economic development of the Arctic zone .
The areas of gained ecology damage in Yakutia are mostly at former gold and tin fields @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shift workers , scrap metal and sunken vessels , left from the Soviet times .
`` We eye organization of a project office to remove the gained ecology damage - scrap metal and sunken vessels - in Yakutia , '' the official said .
The project office will unite regional authorities in ecology , transport , property and development .
The project office will supervise work of authorities , agencies and organizations , will collect , analyze data and offer cleaning solutions .
The office will provide information support and will issue recommendations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region , we have registered 437 locations of non-ferrous and ferrous scrap metal dumps - 84 % of them are in the Arctic zone .
More than 4.9 million tonnes are to be removed from the region ’ s 13 Arctic districts .
The biggest dumps are in the Bulunsky and Ust-Yansky districts with 1.3 million tonnes and 1.7 tonnes respectively .
Those are mostly barrels , iron sheets , pipes , vehicle bodies , transformers , radiators , metal structures , and wires .
In the littoral zone , there are also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas - bodies of mining equipment , '' he continued .
The cleaning is estimated at about 60 billion rubles ( $ 776 million ) .
Over recent five years , the regional budget has covered expenses for removing about 675 tonnes of scrap metal .
The complete cleanup at the expense of the federal budget is not possible , since it is not on the Ecology national project .
Under the Clean Country federal project , a part of the Ecology national project , Yakutia will remove one tail dump in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 10.3 hectares .
`` Our application for the federal subsidy to clean up the tailoring has been satisfied , and in early 2021 we shall enter an agreement with the Natural Resources Ministry .
The cost is estimated at 807.5 million rubles ( $ 10 million ) , '' the minister said .
`` The works are due in 2021-2022 .
The regional budget will cover 8 % of the cost . ''
The region and the Northern Fleet continue discussing cooperation in transportation of the collected metal along the Northern Sea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mikhail Mishustin stressed the importance of removing offshore ship graveyards .
More than 1,000 vessels have been idle in the Far Eastern Federal District .
In late September , the president ’ s envoy to the district Yuri Trutnev issued an order to the Ministry of Transport to address lifting in the Far East of the vessels , which threaten the transport safety and spoil the views .
The Lena River ’ s administration reports 294 sunken vessels in the river basin , where owners of 250 vessels remain unidentified .
In late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Ministry of Transport their suggestions on lifting and processing of the sunken vessels .
The ministry ’ s position is that lifting and processing should be undertaken by local administrations with financial support from the federal budget .
The ministry suggests inviting businesses to participate in lifting of the vessels , which are not harmful for the environment , and to identify owners or to confirm the vessels are abandoned .

MOSCOW, November 13. /TASS/. Yakutia plans to organize a project office to remove gained ecology-damaging objects - first of all, scrap metal and sunken ships. Most of them are in the Arctic, the region’s ecology official Sakhamin Afanasyev told TASS.
In 2019, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said the main threat in the Arctic is in the ecology situation, and the risks grow with further economic development of the Arctic zone. The areas of gained ecology damage in Yakutia are mostly at former gold and tin fields. Those are tailings, towns for shift workers, scrap metal and sunken vessels, left from the Soviet times.
"We eye organization of a project office to remove the gained ecology damage - scrap metal and sunken vessels - in Yakutia," the official said. The project office will unite regional authorities in ecology, transport, property and development.
The project office will supervise work of authorities, agencies and organizations, will collect, analyze data and offer cleaning solutions. The office will provide information support and will issue recommendations for regional officials.
"In the region, we have registered 437 locations of non-ferrous and ferrous scrap metal dumps - 84% of them are in the Arctic zone. More than 4.9 million tonnes are to be removed from the region’s 13 Arctic districts. The biggest dumps are in the Bulunsky and Ust-Yansky districts with 1.3 million tonnes and 1.7 tonnes respectively. Those are mostly barrels, iron sheets, pipes, vehicle bodies, transformers, radiators, metal structures, and wires. In the littoral zone, there are also remains of vessels, in the industrial areas - bodies of mining equipment," he continued.
The cleaning is estimated at about 60 billion rubles ($776 million). Over recent five years, the regional budget has covered expenses for removing about 675 tonnes of scrap metal.
Federal support
The complete cleanup at the expense of the federal budget is not possible, since it is not on the Ecology national project.
Under the Clean Country federal project, a part of the Ecology national project, Yakutia will remove one tail dump in the Ust-Yansky District. Soil will be re-vegetated at 10.3 hectares.
"Our application for the federal subsidy to clean up the tailoring has been satisfied, and in early 2021 we shall enter an agreement with the Natural Resources Ministry. The cost is estimated at 807.5 million rubles ($10 million)," the minister said. "The works are due in 2021-2022. The regional budget will cover 8% of the cost."
The region and the Northern Fleet continue discussing cooperation in transportation of the collected metal along the Northern Sea Route.
Sunken vessels
In mid-August, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin stressed the importance of removing offshore ship graveyards. More than 1,000 vessels have been idle in the Far Eastern Federal District. In late September, the president’s envoy to the district Yuri Trutnev issued an order to the Ministry of Transport to address lifting in the Far East of the vessels, which threaten the transport safety and spoil the views.
The Lena River’s administration reports 294 sunken vessels in the river basin, where owners of 250 vessels remain unidentified.
In late August, the regional authorities presented to the Ministry of Transport their suggestions on lifting and processing of the sunken vessels.
The ministry’s position is that lifting and processing should be undertaken by local administrations with financial support from the federal budget. The ministry suggests inviting businesses to participate in lifting of the vessels, which are not harmful for the environment, and to identify owners or to confirm the vessels are abandoned.


tass--2020-11-13--Russia’s daily coronavirus cases hit all-time high of 21,983

MOSCOW , November 13 .
/TASS/ .
Russia identified 21,983 coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours , hitting an @ @ @ @ @ crisis center said on Friday .
WHO reports record growth in coronavirus cases over week @ @ @ @ @ 21,798 cases was recorded in the country on November 9 .
The overall case tally @ @ @ @ @ particular , 5,974 patients were identified in Moscow in the past day , 1,756 in @ @ @ @ @ the Moscow region , 433 in the Nizhny Novgorod region and 378 in the Karelia @ @ @ @ @ crisis center , there are currently 441,205 active coronavirus cases in Russia .

MOSCOW, November 13. /TASS/. Russia identified 21,983 coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, hitting an all-time high, the anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Friday.
WHO reports record growth in coronavirus cases over week
The previous all-time high of 21,798 cases was recorded in the country on November 9.
The overall case tally has reached 1,880,551.
In particular, 5,974 patients were identified in Moscow in the past day, 1,756 in St. Petersburg, 760 in the Moscow region, 433 in the Nizhny Novgorod region and 378 in the Karelia region.
According to the crisis center, there are currently 441,205 active coronavirus cases in Russia.


tass--2020-11-13--CGTN: Shanghai's Pudong to be pioneer in China's new reform drive

BEIJING , November 13 .
/PRNewswire/ .
After 30 years of development and opening-up , Pudong in east China 's Shanghai Municipality has been given two new roles in the country 's overall development in the next three decades .
The area should strive to become a pioneer of reform and opening-up at a higher level and a vanguard in fully building a modern socialist country , Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday at a grand gathering in Shanghai to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Pudong 's development and opening-up .
Xi , also general secretary of the Communist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee , said as China embarks on a new journey to achieve the goal of fully building a modern socialist country by the middle of the century , Pudong needs to bear new historic missions to facilitate the process .
He encouraged the district to `` carry the heaviest load '' and `` crack the hardest nut '' in China 's reform and modernization drive .
How Xi Jinping cares about Pudong 's opening-up and development Pudong 30 years on : Epitome of China 's modernization and opening-up Thursday 's event came two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee , at which Chinese leaders charted the country 's development course for the next 15 years .
According to the Party leadership 's proposals for formulating the 14th Five-Year Plan ( 2021-2025 , FYP ) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035 , China will uphold the central role of innovation and take self-reliance in science and technology as strategic underpinning for national development , aiming to become a global leader in innovation .
In such a context @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its role as an engine of innovation and make breakthroughs in key and core technologies .
The district should develop innovative industries in key fields and create world-class industrial clusters in areas such as integrated circuits , biomedicine and artificial intelligence , he said .
China unveils blueprint to become global leader in innovation Pudong should strengthen the dominant role of enterprises in technological innovation and work more closely with other players in the Yangtze River Delta region , he said , calling for breakthroughs in core components and the launch of high-end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to initiate reforms in crucial areas and key links and create a market-oriented , internationalized business environment .
The district should deepen institutional opening-up in rules , regulations , management and standards to enhance its strengths in international cooperation and competition , he said .
The new Lingang area of the China ( Shanghai ) Pilot Free Trade Zone , launched last year , should make more efforts in stress testing and achieve breakthroughs in a number of key areas , said Xi .
It was Xi 's second speech to mark major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the past month .
In mid-October , Xi visited Shenzhen in south China 's Guangdong Province and attended a gathering to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone , urging the city to deepen all-round reform and expand opening-up on all fronts .
Shengzhen and Shanghai have been at the forefront of China 's reform and opening-up over the past decades .
The two cities are also homes to the only two stock exchanges on the Chinese mainland , playing irreplaceable roles in resource allocation for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As China strives to nurture a new development pattern that takes the domestic market as the mainstay while letting domestic and foreign markets boost each other , the roles of Shenzhen and Shanghai are becoming even more significant .
Xi called for efforts to improve Pudong 's capabilities in global resource allocation so that it will better serve the establishment of the new development pattern .
Pudong should better coordinate resources in domestic and foreign markets and enhance its global influence on mobilizing factors including fund , information , technology , talent and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strive to become a hub of the domestic market and a strategic link of the domestic and foreign markets , he said .
The area should also play a leading role in the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta region , he added .
The president also urged Pudong to establish an international financial-asset trading platform , develop a higher-level headquarters economy and build itself into an important hub of global industrial , supply and value chains .
Meanwhile , Xi called for modernizing urban governance and building the district into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in harmony .
On April 18 , 1990 , China announced the development and opening-up of Pudong , a less developed area located east of the Huangpu River in Shanghai .
Pudong 's regional GDP has increased more than 210 times over the past three decades .
The district now contributes nearly one-third of Shanghai 's GDP .
It is home to over 1,000 financial institutions , over 300 regional headquarters of multinationals and more than 240 foreign-invested R & D centers .

BEIJING, November 13. /PRNewswire/. After 30 years of development and opening-up, Pudong in east China's Shanghai Municipality has been given two new roles in the country's overall development in the next three decades.
The area should strive to become a pioneer of reform and opening-up at a higher level and a vanguard in fully building a modern socialist country, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday at a grand gathering in Shanghai to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Pudong's development and opening-up.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said as China embarks on a new journey to achieve the goal of fully building a modern socialist country by the middle of the century, Pudong needs to bear new historic missions to facilitate the process.
Read original article here.
He encouraged the district to "carry the heaviest load" and "crack the hardest nut" in China's reform and modernization drive.
Read more:
How Xi Jinping cares about Pudong's opening-up and development
Pudong 30 years on: Epitome of China's modernization and opening-up
Engine of innovation
Thursday's event came two weeks after the conclusion of the fifth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, at which Chinese leaders charted the country's development course for the next 15 years.
According to the Party leadership's proposals for formulating the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025, FYP) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035, China will uphold the central role of innovation and take self-reliance in science and technology as strategic underpinning for national development, aiming to become a global leader in innovation.
In such a context, Xi called on Pudong to strengthen its role as an engine of innovation and make breakthroughs in key and core technologies. The district should develop innovative industries in key fields and create world-class industrial clusters in areas such as integrated circuits, biomedicine and artificial intelligence, he said.
Read more:
Officials outline China's development roadmap at new stage
China unveils blueprint to become global leader in innovation
Pudong should strengthen the dominant role of enterprises in technological innovation and work more closely with other players in the Yangtze River Delta region, he said, calling for breakthroughs in core components and the launch of high-end products.
He also called on Pudong to initiate reforms in crucial areas and key links and create a market-oriented, internationalized business environment.
The district should deepen institutional opening-up in rules, regulations, management and standards to enhance its strengths in international cooperation and competition, he said.
The new Lingang area of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, launched last year, should make more efforts in stress testing and achieve breakthroughs in a number of key areas, said Xi.
Role in global resource allocation
It was Xi's second speech to mark major milestones of China's reform and opening-up during the past month. In mid-October, Xi visited Shenzhen in south China's Guangdong Province and attended a gathering to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, urging the city to deepen all-round reform and expand opening-up on all fronts.
Shengzhen and Shanghai have been at the forefront of China's reform and opening-up over the past decades. The two cities are also homes to the only two stock exchanges on the Chinese mainland, playing irreplaceable roles in resource allocation for the world's second largest economy.
As China strives to nurture a new development pattern that takes the domestic market as the mainstay while letting domestic and foreign markets boost each other, the roles of Shenzhen and Shanghai are becoming even more significant.
Xi called for efforts to improve Pudong's capabilities in global resource allocation so that it will better serve the establishment of the new development pattern. Pudong should better coordinate resources in domestic and foreign markets and enhance its global influence on mobilizing factors including fund, information, technology, talent and goods, he said.
Pudong should strive to become a hub of the domestic market and a strategic link of the domestic and foreign markets, he said. The area should also play a leading role in the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta region, he added.
The president also urged Pudong to establish an international financial-asset trading platform, develop a higher-level headquarters economy and build itself into an important hub of global industrial, supply and value chains.
Meanwhile, Xi called for modernizing urban governance and building the district into a beautiful home where people and nature coexist in harmony.
On April 18, 1990, China announced the development and opening-up of Pudong, a less developed area located east of the Huangpu River in Shanghai.
Pudong's regional GDP has increased more than 210 times over the past three decades. The district now contributes nearly one-third of Shanghai's GDP. It is home to over 1,000 financial institutions, over 300 regional headquarters of multinationals and more than 240 foreign-invested R&D centers.
Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmE9AKcjnQc
CONTACT: Simin Jiang, jiang.simin@cgtn.com, +86-18826553286


tass--2020-11-13--Kremlin says cause for sanctions against Russia over Navalny ‘more than dubious’

MOSCOW , November 13 .
/TASS/ .
The Kremlin considers the cause for sanctions against Russian high-ranking officials over the incident with blogger Alexey Navalny `` more than dubious , '' Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with the RT TV channel published on Friday .
`` The cause for these sanctions was more than dubious , the sanctions were unprecedented due to the questionable reason of including in them top representatives of the presidential administration , '' he emphasized .
Speaking of Russia ’ s reciprocal sanctions against France and Germany , the spokesman stressed that `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different . ''
`` The reciprocity principle works here rather clearly , hardly anyone could have expected that Russia would leave this without a reaction , '' he explained .
In response to a question which officials from Germany and France banned from entering Russia would correspond to the level of First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration of Russia Sergei Kiriyenko blacklisted by the West , the Kremlin representative noted `` One can hardly find Kiriyenko ’ s equal but in any case , at least nominally , of course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corresponding title . ''
Among those added to the list were Director of Russia ’ s Federal Security Service ( FSB ) Alexander Bortnikov , First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration of Russia Sergei Kiriyenko , Chief of the Presidential Domestic Policy Directorate in the Presidential Executive Office Andrei Yarin , Deputy Defense Ministers Pavel Popov and Alexei Krivoruchko as well as Plenipotentiary Representative of the Russian president in the Siberian Federal District Sergei Menyailo .
On Thursday , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reported that Russia imposed retaliatory sanctions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ German and French leaders .

MOSCOW, November 13. /TASS/. The Kremlin considers the cause for sanctions against Russian high-ranking officials over the incident with blogger Alexey Navalny "more than dubious," Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with the RT TV channel published on Friday.
"The cause for these sanctions was more than dubious, the sanctions were unprecedented due to the questionable reason of including in them top representatives of the presidential administration," he emphasized.
Speaking of Russia’s reciprocal sanctions against France and Germany, the spokesman stressed that "one couldn’t have expected anything different." "The reciprocity principle works here rather clearly, hardly anyone could have expected that Russia would leave this without a reaction," he explained. In response to a question which officials from Germany and France banned from entering Russia would correspond to the level of First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration of Russia Sergei Kiriyenko blacklisted by the West, the Kremlin representative noted "One can hardly find Kiriyenko’s equal but in any case, at least nominally, of course, it is easy to find a corresponding title."
Among those added to the list were Director of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) Alexander Bortnikov, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration of Russia Sergei Kiriyenko, Chief of the Presidential Domestic Policy Directorate in the Presidential Executive Office Andrei Yarin, Deputy Defense Ministers Pavel Popov and Alexei Krivoruchko as well as Plenipotentiary Representative of the Russian president in the Siberian Federal District Sergei Menyailo.
On Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reported that Russia imposed retaliatory sanctions against leading officials in the offices of German and French leaders.


tass--2020-11-13--Russia conducts over 67 mln coronavirus tests

MOSCOW , November 13 .
/TASS/ .
More than 67.3 mln coronavirus tests have been conducted in Russia so far @ @ @ @ @ Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing said in a statement on Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ in Moscow over past day '' Over 67.3 mln coronavirus tests have been conducted in @ @ @ @ @ reads .
As many as 636,000 tests were carried out in the past day .
@ @ @ @ @ 447,500 people remain under medical observation over coronavirus in Russia .

MOSCOW, November 13. /TASS/. More than 67.3 mln coronavirus tests have been conducted in Russia so far, the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing said in a statement on Friday.
Nearly 1,500 coronavirus patients hospitalized in Moscow over past day
"Over 67.3 mln coronavirus tests have been conducted in Russia," the statement reads.
As many as 636,000 tests were carried out in the past day.
According to the watchdog, 447,500 people remain under medical observation over coronavirus in Russia.


tass--2020-11-13--China's Ministry of Finance allocated $ 970 million to Hainan for economic reforms

HAIKOU , November 13 .
/TASS/ .
The Chinese Ministry of Finance announced that it has allocated 6.5 billion yuan ( about $ 970 million ) to Hainan for economic reforms , according to the official published on Friday .
`` In order to increase the budget 's value and accelerate the payment of the corresponding allocations from the budget of the central government , 6.5 billion yuan were transferred to comprehensively deepen the reforms and Hainan 's open policy in 2021 , '' the document reads .
According to the Ministry of Finance , the funds were transferred ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used for projects in the field of transport , improving air quality , expanding ecology in the province , building high-speed highways and other transport infrastructure , social projects , as well as improving people 's quality of life .
In April 2018 , President Xi Jinping said that the Chinese authorities intend to actively involve Hainan in globalization and to draw foreign investors to the island province .
By 2050 , according to the authorities , the island should become a unique international cluster with an advanced economy , developed tourism , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and modern medicine .
The branches of the best universities and offices of the most powerful corporations in the world will be located on the Island of Hainan .
By 2025 , the Chinese government intends to create an `` international center for tourism and consumption '' on Hainan .
In order to do so , the `` Eastern Hawaii '' with their unique natural landscapes , thick rainforests and great climate will establish a developed network of hotels , which blend perfectly with white sandy beaches stretching along the coastline .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a modern eco-friendly infrastructure will boost tourist inflow to the island from the most distant parts of the world .

HAIKOU, November 13. /TASS/. The Chinese Ministry of Finance announced that it has allocated 6.5 billion yuan (about $ 970 million) to Hainan for economic reforms, according to the official published on Friday.
"In order to increase the budget's value and accelerate the payment of the corresponding allocations from the budget of the central government, 6.5 billion yuan were transferred to comprehensively deepen the reforms and Hainan's open policy in 2021," the document reads. According to the Ministry of Finance, the funds were transferred ahead of schedule.
These funds will be used for projects in the field of transport, improving air quality, expanding ecology in the province, building high-speed highways and other transport infrastructure, social projects, as well as improving people's quality of life.
In April 2018, President Xi Jinping said that the Chinese authorities intend to actively involve Hainan in globalization and to draw foreign investors to the island province. By 2050, according to the authorities, the island should become a unique international cluster with an advanced economy, developed tourism, top-notch scientific, technical and financial potential, and modern medicine. The branches of the best universities and offices of the most powerful corporations in the world will be located on the Island of Hainan.
By 2025, the Chinese government intends to create an "international center for tourism and consumption" on Hainan. In order to do so, the "Eastern Hawaii" with their unique natural landscapes, thick rainforests and great climate will establish a developed network of hotels, which blend perfectly with white sandy beaches stretching along the coastline. The combination of an exotic subtropical nature and a modern eco-friendly infrastructure will boost tourist inflow to the island from the most distant parts of the world.


tass--2020-11-13--Africa’s coronavirus deaths surpass 46,000

PRETORIA , November 13 .
/TASS/ .
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Africa has reached 1,918,822 after 13,982 @ @ @ @ @ the past 24 hours , the eNCA TV channel reported on Friday , citing the @ @ @ @ @ ) Regional Office for Africa .
The number of coronavirus-related fatalities went up by 333 @ @ @ @ @ to reach 46,282 , while more than 1.6 million patients recovered .
The highest number @ @ @ @ @ recorded in South Africa - 742,394 and 20,011 , respectively .
Egypt reported 6,405 fatalities @ @ @ @ @ Morocco recorded 4,506 coronavirus-related deaths .
In Sub-Saharan Africa , Nigeria is ranked second after @ @ @ @ @ infections and 1,162 fatalities , followed by Kenya ( 65,804 and 1,160 ) .

PRETORIA, November 13. /TASS/. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Africa has reached 1,918,822 after 13,982 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours, the eNCA TV channel reported on Friday, citing the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa.
The number of coronavirus-related fatalities went up by 333 in the past 24 hours to reach 46,282, while more than 1.6 million patients recovered.
The highest number of infections and deaths was recorded in South Africa - 742,394 and 20,011, respectively. Egypt reported 6,405 fatalities and 109,881 infections, while Morocco recorded 4,506 coronavirus-related deaths.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria is ranked second after South Africa with 64,516 coronavirus infections and 1,162 fatalities, followed by Kenya (65,804 and 1,160).


tass--2020-11-13--Russian Direct Investment Fund, GL Rapha to produce coronavirus vaccine in South Korea

MOSCOW , November 13 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Direct Investment Fund and South Korea ’ s GL Rapha have made an agreement to produce the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine in South Korea , according to a press release published on a website dedicated to the vaccine .
`` The Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF , Russia ’ s sovereign wealth fund ) , and GL Rapha , one of the leading South Korean bio-tech companies ( including the subsidiary Hankook Korus Pharm ) have agreed to produce over 150 million doses per year of the world ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection - Sputnik V , '' the press release reads .
The RDIF and GL Ralpha also `` intend to commence production in December 2020 and a rollout of the Sputnik V vaccine in January 2021 .
RDIF and GL Rapha will supply over 150 million doses per year produced in South Korea for global distribution . ''
According to the press release , `` the first interim analysis of The Sputnik V vaccine data of Phase III clinical trials in Russia has demonstrated 92 % efficacy against coronavirus based on 20 confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who received the placebo . ''
`` Requests for more than 1.2 billion doses of the Sputnik V vaccine have been received by RDIF from over 50 countries .
The vaccine supplies for the global market will be produced by RDIF ’ s international partners in South Korea , India , Brazil , China , and other countries .
The existing RDIF contracts with international partners enable the annual production of 500 million doses of the Sputnik V vaccine outside Russia .
RDIF is now considering additional requests from a number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign production capacities , '' the press release added .

MOSCOW, November 13. /TASS/. The Russian Direct Investment Fund and South Korea’s GL Rapha have made an agreement to produce the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine in South Korea, according to a press release published on a website dedicated to the vaccine.
"The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF, Russia’s sovereign wealth fund), and GL Rapha, one of the leading South Korean bio-tech companies (including the subsidiary Hankook Korus Pharm) have agreed to produce over 150 million doses per year of the world’s first registered vaccine against the novel coronavirus infection - Sputnik V," the press release reads.
The RDIF and GL Ralpha also "intend to commence production in December 2020 and a rollout of the Sputnik V vaccine in January 2021. RDIF and GL Rapha will supply over 150 million doses per year produced in South Korea for global distribution."
According to the press release, "the first interim analysis of The Sputnik V vaccine data of Phase III clinical trials in Russia has demonstrated 92% efficacy against coronavirus based on 20 confirmed COVID-19 cases split between vaccinated individuals and those who received the placebo."
"Requests for more than 1.2 billion doses of the Sputnik V vaccine have been received by RDIF from over 50 countries. The vaccine supplies for the global market will be produced by RDIF’s international partners in South Korea, India, Brazil, China, and other countries. The existing RDIF contracts with international partners enable the annual production of 500 million doses of the Sputnik V vaccine outside Russia. RDIF is now considering additional requests from a number of countries and companies to further increase its foreign production capacities," the press release added.


tass--2020-11-13--Sales at Hainan's duty free stores doubled since July 1 reaching $ 1.8 billion

HAIKOU , November 13 .
/TASS/ .
Sales at Hainan 's duty free shops grew by 214.1 % year-on-year from July to October , to 12.01 billion yuan ( about $ 1.79 billion ) .
According to the Haikou Customs Administration , this figure has shown significant growth after increasing quotas for individual purchases since July 1 .
During this time , a total of 1.78 million customers visited the province 's duty free shops , their number increased by one and a half times compared to the same period last year - by 58.8 % .
Visitors purchased a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an increase of 139.7 % in annual terms .
Since July 1 , the presonal quotas for purchases in duty free shops in the province have been increased from 30,000 to 100,000 yuan ( from $ 4,200 to $ 14,200 ) , and the list of duty free goods has been expanded from 38 to 45 positions .
The Hainan authorities expect that by the end of 2020 , total sales in the province 's duty free shops will reach about 30 billion yuan ( about $ 4.4 billion ) .
Currently , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Hainan province : two of them are located in the provincial capital Haikou , and the rest — in Sanya and the coastal town of Boao .
A pilot program for the development of a chain of duty free shops on Hainan province was launched by the Chinese government in 2011 .
Duty free stores are part of the government 's plan to promote international tourism on Hainan .
By the end of 2020 , it is planned to open three more new duty free shops .
The authorities explained the need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shops in the province by the growing number of tourists and the high demand for duty free goods .
All three new stores will be located in Sanya .
One of them will open at the airport , the other two — in the suburbs .

HAIKOU, November 13. /TASS/. Sales at Hainan's duty free shops grew by 214.1% year-on-year from July to October, to 12.01 billion yuan (about $ 1.79 billion). According to the Haikou Customs Administration, this figure has shown significant growth after increasing quotas for individual purchases since July 1.
During this time, a total of 1.78 million customers visited the province's duty free shops, their number increased by one and a half times compared to the same period last year - by 58.8%. Visitors purchased a total of 12.87 million products which is an increase of 139.7% in annual terms.
Since July 1, the presonal quotas for purchases in duty free shops in the province have been increased from 30,000 to 100,000 yuan (from $ 4,200 to $ 14,200), and the list of duty free goods has been expanded from 38 to 45 positions. The Hainan authorities expect that by the end of 2020, total sales in the province's duty free shops will reach about 30 billion yuan (about $ 4.4 billion).
Currently, there are four duty free shops in the Hainan province: two of them are located in the provincial capital Haikou, and the rest — in Sanya and the coastal town of Boao. A pilot program for the development of a chain of duty free shops on Hainan province was launched by the Chinese government in 2011.
Duty free stores are part of the government's plan to promote international tourism on Hainan. By the end of 2020, it is planned to open three more new duty free shops. The authorities explained the need to increase the number of duty free shops in the province by the growing number of tourists and the high demand for duty free goods. All three new stores will be located in Sanya. One of them will open at the airport, the other two — in the suburbs.


tass--2020-11-13--Latest heavy flamethrowers TOS-2 go on trial tests with Russian troops

`` Heavy flamethrower TOS-2 is one of the newest weapons with the RCBD [ Radiological , Chemical and Biological Defense ] troops , '' Chief of Russia ’ s Chemical , Biological and Radiation Protection Forces Lieutenant-General Igor Kirillov said in an interview with the Russian Defense Ministry ’ s Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper .
MOSCOW , November 13 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s latest TOS-2 ‘ Tosochka ’ heavy flamethrowers are currently on trial tests with national troops , a senior Russian military official said on Friday .
`` The pilot batch of the weapons at the issue was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is currently under a trial test , '' Kirillov added .
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced in August that in the course of the Kavkaz-2020 ( Caucasus-2020 ) strategic command and staff drills , troops were ordered to practice firing the new flamethrowers .
The TOS-2 ‘ Tosochka ’ is a derivative of the TOS-1A ‘ Solntsepyok ’ ( ‘ Scorching Sun ’ ) heavy flamethrower system with improved performance characteristics .
As compared to its predecessor , it is mounted on the wheeled chassis of the Ural truck with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system has an increased range of launching rockets .
The TOS-2 has fully automated sighting , firing and fire control systems .
The heavy flamethrower is outfitted with a crane and , therefore , needs no transporter-loader vehicle .
The TOS-2 also features an electronic warfare system against precision weapons .

"Heavy flamethrower TOS-2 is one of the newest weapons with the RCBD [Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defense] troops," Chief of Russia’s Chemical, Biological and Radiation Protection Forces Lieutenant-General Igor Kirillov said in an interview with the Russian Defense Ministry’s Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper.
MOSCOW, November 13. /TASS/. Russia’s latest TOS-2 ‘Tosochka’ heavy flamethrowers are currently on trial tests with national troops, a senior Russian military official said on Friday.
"The pilot batch of the weapons at the issue was delivered to the military this year and it is currently under a trial test," Kirillov added.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced in August that in the course of the Kavkaz-2020 (Caucasus-2020) strategic command and staff drills, troops were ordered to practice firing the new flamethrowers.
The TOS-2 ‘Tosochka’ is a derivative of the TOS-1A ‘Solntsepyok’ (‘Scorching Sun’) heavy flamethrower system with improved performance characteristics. As compared to its predecessor, it is mounted on the wheeled chassis of the Ural truck with the increased carrying and cross-country capability. The system has an increased range of launching rockets. The TOS-2 has fully automated sighting, firing and fire control systems.
The heavy flamethrower is outfitted with a crane and, therefore, needs no transporter-loader vehicle. The TOS-2 also features an electronic warfare system against precision weapons.


tass--2020-11-12--Horsetail extract as protection from potato late blight? Russian scientists think so

November 12 .
/TASS/ .
Scientists from Tyumen State University as part of a research team studied how peptide extracts of medicinal plants affect the development of potato late blight .
Horsetail extract is recognized as promising for combating it , the press service of Tyumen State University reported on Thursday .
The results of the work were published in the journal Plants .
According to the authors of the publication , plant diseases caused by mycelial organisms ( oomycetes ) are a serious problem for agriculture all over the world .
One of these diseases - late blight - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agent of the disease - phytophthora oomycete ( Phytophthora infestans ) - causes leaf necrosis in potatoes , decomposition of tubers and plant 's death .
`` A common way to combat late blight is the treatment of potatoes with pesticides .
However , pathogenic microorganisms are becoming more and more resistant to chemicals .
Therefore , scientists are looking for alternative ways to protect plants , '' the press service quotes one of the authors of the study , head of the `` youth '' scientific laboratory of antimicrobial resistance , candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the scientist , natural extracts obtained from plants used in medicine , are a promising addition to chemical pesticides .
Their use will reduce the amount of pesticide residues in food and the environment .
In addition , the cost of complex plant protection can be reduced .
The effect of seven medicinal plants on phytophthora was studied by a team of researchers from the Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry ( the Russian Academy of Sciences ) , the Gause Institute for the Research of New Antibiotics , the Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Tyumen State University and Timiryazev State Agrarian University ( Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy ) .
Large celandine ( Chelidonium majus ) ; elecampane high ( Inula helertium ) ; horsetail ( Equisetum arvense ) ; laurel ( Laurus nobilis ) ; green tea ( Camellia sinensis ) ; St. John 's wort ( Hypericum perforatum ) were selected for the experiment .
Potato tubers were cut into discs and processed with extracts .
The scientists then observed the germination of phytophthora in vitro using optical microscopy .
`` The most evident effect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ horsetail .
Thus , according to the authors of the article , a candidate was selected for the role of an active substance for the development of a new biopesticide , '' the press service said .
The research was supported by the Russian Science Foundation and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research .
Research is carried out on the topic `` Biosafety of humans , animals and plants '' of the West Siberian interregional science and education center .

November 12. /TASS/. Scientists from Tyumen State University as part of a research team studied how peptide extracts of medicinal plants affect the development of potato late blight. Horsetail extract is recognized as promising for combating it, the press service of Tyumen State University reported on Thursday. The results of the work were published in the journal Plants.
According to the authors of the publication, plant diseases caused by mycelial organisms (oomycetes) are a serious problem for agriculture all over the world. One of these diseases - late blight - affects potatoes and tomatoes. The causative agent of the disease - phytophthora oomycete (Phytophthora infestans) - causes leaf necrosis in potatoes, decomposition of tubers and plant's death.
"A common way to combat late blight is the treatment of potatoes with pesticides. However, pathogenic microorganisms are becoming more and more resistant to chemicals. Therefore, scientists are looking for alternative ways to protect plants," the press service quotes one of the authors of the study, head of the "youth" scientific laboratory of antimicrobial resistance, candidate of biological sciences Alexei Vasilchenko.
According to the scientist, natural extracts obtained from plants used in medicine, are a promising addition to chemical pesticides. Their use will reduce the amount of pesticide residues in food and the environment. In addition, the cost of complex plant protection can be reduced.
The experiment's progress
The effect of seven medicinal plants on phytophthora was studied by a team of researchers from the Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry (the Russian Academy of Sciences), the Gause Institute for the Research of New Antibiotics, the Russian Institute for Plant Protection, X-BIO Institute of Tyumen State University and Timiryazev State Agrarian University (Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy).
Large celandine (Chelidonium majus); elecampane high (Inula helertium); horsetail (Equisetum arvense); laurel (Laurus nobilis); green tea (Camellia sinensis); St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) were selected for the experiment. Potato tubers were cut into discs and processed with extracts. The scientists then observed the germination of phytophthora in vitro using optical microscopy.
"The most evident effect was shown by the peptide extract from horsetail. Thus, according to the authors of the article, a candidate was selected for the role of an active substance for the development of a new biopesticide," the press service said.
The research was supported by the Russian Science Foundation and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research. Research is carried out on the topic "Biosafety of humans, animals and plants" of the West Siberian interregional science and education center.