tass--2020-10-27--Russia’s defense chief highlights tension along borders with NATO countries

MOSCOW , October 27 .
/TASS/ .
The situation on the border of the Russia-Belarus Union State with NATO member states remains tense and security provision is a top priority for Russia ’ s Defense Ministry , Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said at a board meeting of the Union State ’ s defense ministries on Tuesday .
`` The uneasy situation remains on the western borders of the Union State where NATO continues building up its forward presence , '' Shoigu told the defense ministries ’ board meeting via a video link-up .
`` In the current military and political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid new challenges and threats , primarily , from international terrorism , the Defense Ministry of Russia views the provision of the Union State ’ s military security among its priority tasks , '' Shoigu stressed .
The North Atlantic Alliance is improving its military infrastructure , stockpiling supplies , armament and military hardware near the Union State ’ s borders , Russia ’ s defense chief pointed out .
The US missile shield segment is being beefed up and its launchers can be used for strike weapons , Shoigu said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military drills does not decrease , despite the pandemic , '' he said .
In turn , Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin noted the growing number of NATO drills in the countries bordering on Belarus and the increasing presence of the US Army .
`` Over the past few years , NATO ’ s rotational grouping in the countries neighboring on Belarus has grown by more than 17 times to 10,000 troops , '' Khrenin said .
The United States , backed by its NATO allies , has quit the Anti-Ballistic Missile ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nuclear Forces ( INF ) Treaties and refused to ratify the adapted version of the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty , the Belarusian defense minister said .
All these moves are aimed at `` disrupting international and regional security and providing a legal framework for militarizing the European continent through constant US presence , '' Khrenin stressed .

MOSCOW, October 27. /TASS/. The situation on the border of the Russia-Belarus Union State with NATO member states remains tense and security provision is a top priority for Russia’s Defense Ministry, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said at a board meeting of the Union State’s defense ministries on Tuesday.
"The uneasy situation remains on the western borders of the Union State where NATO continues building up its forward presence," Shoigu told the defense ministries’ board meeting via a video link-up.
"In the current military and political situation in the region, and also amid new challenges and threats, primarily, from international terrorism, the Defense Ministry of Russia views the provision of the Union State’s military security among its priority tasks," Shoigu stressed.
The North Atlantic Alliance is improving its military infrastructure, stockpiling supplies, armament and military hardware near the Union State’s borders, Russia’s defense chief pointed out.
The US missile shield segment is being beefed up and its launchers can be used for strike weapons, Shoigu said.
"The intensity of the bloc’s military drills does not decrease, despite the pandemic," he said.
In turn, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin noted the growing number of NATO drills in the countries bordering on Belarus and the increasing presence of the US Army. "Over the past few years, NATO’s rotational grouping in the countries neighboring on Belarus has grown by more than 17 times to 10,000 troops," Khrenin said.
The United States, backed by its NATO allies, has quit the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM), Open Skies and Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaties and refused to ratify the adapted version of the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty, the Belarusian defense minister said.
All these moves are aimed at "disrupting international and regional security and providing a legal framework for militarizing the European continent through constant US presence," Khrenin stressed.


tass--2020-10-27--Yerevan says Baku bombarded Armenian territory near Iranian border Tuesday morning

YEREVAN , October 27 .
/TASS/ .
Azerbaijan 's military on Tuesday morning bombarded an Armenian garrison near the Iranian border using combat drones and artillery , Armenian Defense Ministry Spokeswoman Shushan Stepanyan said on her Facebook page .
`` At about 10:00-10:15 ( 09:00-09:15 Moscow time ) this morning the Azerbaijani side violated the ceasefire once again .
It used drones ( one of them crashed in Armenia 's territory ) and artillery to bombard an Armenian border guard garrison near the Iranian border , '' Stepanyan said .
The Defense Ministry of the Republic of Armenia has registereed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state border and warns that it will have to carry out retaliatory strikes against the Azerbaijani forces . ''
The Armenian Defense Ministry on Monday morning said Baku had violated the ceasefire by shelling positions of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic 's defense units in the northeast of the engagement line .
Azerbaijan 's Defense Ministry earlier said that Baku strictly complied with all ceasefire terms and blamed the violation of truce on Armenia .
On October 25 , Azerbaijan and Armenia concluded a US-brokered ceasefire for humanitarian purposes , which took effect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .

YEREVAN, October 27. /TASS/. Azerbaijan's military on Tuesday morning bombarded an Armenian garrison near the Iranian border using combat drones and artillery, Armenian Defense Ministry Spokeswoman Shushan Stepanyan said on her Facebook page.
"At about 10:00-10:15 (09:00-09:15 Moscow time) this morning the Azerbaijani side violated the ceasefire once again. It used drones (one of them crashed in Armenia's territory) and artillery to bombard an Armenian border guard garrison near the Iranian border," Stepanyan said. The Defense Ministry of the Republic of Armenia has registered another violation of truce and bombardment on the state border and warns that it will have to carry out retaliatory strikes against the Azerbaijani forces."
The Armenian Defense Ministry on Monday morning said Baku had violated the ceasefire by shelling positions of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic's defense units in the northeast of the engagement line. Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry earlier said that Baku strictly complied with all ceasefire terms and blamed the violation of truce on Armenia.
On October 25, Azerbaijan and Armenia concluded a US-brokered ceasefire for humanitarian purposes, which took effect on October 26 at 07:00 Moscow time.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.


tass--2020-10-27--Moscow reports lowest number of daily coronavirus cases since October 15

MOSCOW , October 27 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow identified 4,312 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours , the @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
This is the lowest number recorded in Moscow since October 15 .
The @ @ @ @ @ % Yesterday , 5,224 infections were identified .
Over the past 24 hours , 3,269 @ @ @ @ @ as well as 61 deaths .
Since the pandemic began the Russian capital has reported @ @ @ @ @ .
Currently , 102,375 people continue to be treated in the city .

MOSCOW, October 27. /TASS/. Moscow identified 4,312 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters Tuesday. This is the lowest number recorded in Moscow since October 15.
The daily increase stands at 1.075% Yesterday, 5,224 infections were identified.
Over the past 24 hours, 3,269 recoveries were reported in Moscow as well as 61 deaths.
Since the pandemic began the Russian capital has reported 296,474 recoveries and 6,503 fatalities. Currently, 102,375 people continue to be treated in the city.


tass--2020-10-27--Russia reports record-high 320 daily coronavirus deaths

MOSCOW , October 27 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus-related fatalities in Russia went up by 320 in the past 24 hours , compared to 219 a day earlier , this is the highest daily number since the pandemic began , the national anti-coronavirus crisis center ’ s data shows .
Overall , 26,589 people died in Russia from coronavirus .
The provisional mortality rate stands at 1.72 % , the crisis center ’ s data demonstrates .
Over the past 24 hours , 47 patients died in St. Petersburg followed by the Voronezh Region ( 16 ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Nizhny Novgorod Region ( 11 ) , Udmurtia ( 10 ) and Komi ( 10 ) .
Russia ’ s coronavirus cases rose by 16,550 to 1,547,774 in the past 24 hours .
The coronavirus growth rate has remained at 1.1 % for four days .
The rate is the lowest in Chechnya ( 0.3 % ) , Tatarstan ( 0.5 % ) , Dagestan , the Chuvash and Moscow regions ( 0.6 % ) .
As many as 721 coronavirus cases were confirmed in St. Petersburg in the past day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Nizhny Novgorod region , 312 in the Arkhangelsk region , and 311 in the Rostov region .
There are currently 362,245 active coronavirus cases in Russia .

MOSCOW, October 27. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus-related fatalities in Russia went up by 320 in the past 24 hours, compared to 219 a day earlier, this is the highest daily number since the pandemic began, the national anti-coronavirus crisis center’s data shows.
Overall, 26,589 people died in Russia from coronavirus. The provisional mortality rate stands at 1.72%, the crisis center’s data demonstrates.
Over the past 24 hours, 47 patients died in St. Petersburg followed by the Voronezh Region (16), the Moscow Region (14), the Nizhny Novgorod Region (11), Udmurtia (10) and Komi (10).
Russia’s coronavirus cases rose by 16,550 to 1,547,774 in the past 24 hours. The coronavirus growth rate has remained at 1.1% for four days.
The rate is the lowest in Chechnya (0.3%), Tatarstan (0.5%), Dagestan, the Chuvash and Moscow regions (0.6%).
As many as 721 coronavirus cases were confirmed in St. Petersburg in the past day, 496 in the Moscow region, 369 in the Nizhny Novgorod region, 312 in the Arkhangelsk region, and 311 in the Rostov region.
There are currently 362,245 active coronavirus cases in Russia.


tass--2020-10-27--Russia detains drug dealing gang, seizing 100 kg of marijuana

Turkish F-16 may be used in case of external aggression against Azerbaijan — Aliyev According to the head of state @ @ @ @ @ five to six '' Turkish F-16 jets in Azerbaijan

Lukashenko says Putin promises he would regard attack on Belarus as attack on Russia
The Belarusian leader pointed out that NATO was quickly building up forces on the border with Belarus in Poland and in the Baltic countries
Read more


tass--2020-10-27--Clashes continue in Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia says

YEREVAN , October 27 .
/TASS/ .
Sporadic clashes continue in Nagorno-Karabakh between the Defense Army of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and Azerbaijan ’ s Armed Forces , the Armenian government ’ s Unified Information Center said in a statement on Tuesday .
`` Local clashes continue along the line of contact .
The Artsakh [ Nagorno-Karabakh ] Defense Army continues the combat task of maintaining control of the situation , '' the statement reads .
According to the information center , the Azerbaijani Armed Forces used unmanned aerial vehicles late on Monday , some of which `` were downed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air defense forces . ''
`` The enemy continues to shell residential areas , including the towns of Martuni and Martakert , as well as settlements in the Askeran district , '' the statement added .
On October 25 , the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to a US-brokered humanitarian ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh , which took effect on October 26 .
On Monday morning , the Armenian Defense Ministry accused Baku of violating the ceasefire , saying that Azerbaijan had shelled the positions of the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army along the northeastern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Azerbaijan ’ s Defense Ministry , in turn , said that Baku was committed to the ceasefire and accused Armenia of violating the agreement .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The parties made ceasefire agreements twice but hostilities continue .

YEREVAN, October 27. /TASS/. Sporadic clashes continue in Nagorno-Karabakh between the Defense Army of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and Azerbaijan’s Armed Forces, the Armenian government’s Unified Information Center said in a statement on Tuesday.
"Local clashes continue along the line of contact. The Artsakh [Nagorno-Karabakh] Defense Army continues the combat task of maintaining control of the situation," the statement reads.
According to the information center, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces used unmanned aerial vehicles late on Monday, some of which "were downed by the Artsakh Defense Army’s air defense forces." "The enemy continues to shell residential areas, including the towns of Martuni and Martakert, as well as settlements in the Askeran district," the statement added.
On October 25, the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to a US-brokered humanitarian ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh, which took effect on October 26.
On Monday morning, the Armenian Defense Ministry accused Baku of violating the ceasefire, saying that Azerbaijan had shelled the positions of the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army along the northeastern sector of the line of contact. Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry, in turn, said that Baku was committed to the ceasefire and accused Armenia of violating the agreement.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The parties made ceasefire agreements twice but hostilities continue.


tass--2020-10-27--Infortrend Upgraded Software to Optimize SSD Lifespan

TAIPEI , October 27 .
/PRNewswire/ .
Infortrend® Technology , Inc. ( TWSE : 2495 ) , the industry-leading enterprise storage provider , upgraded software for its storage products to prevent simultaneous failure of multiple SSDs , eliminate risks of data loss , and extend SSD lifespan .
More and more enterprises are looking to SSD for increasing datacenter performance as SSDs make data access almost instantaneous .
HDD , on the other hand , is a considerably less expensive technology providing massive capacity for Big Data .
When it comes to prolonging service lifetime of storage , there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HDDs are more sensitive to physical conditions , such as external temperature , powering , proper ejection , etc .
SSD lifespan is more predictable and depends on Drive Writes Per Day ( DWPD ) , measuring how many times a user can rewrite an entire SSD every day throughout its warrantied lifetime .
While predictability is in a sense convenient , but it also creates a possibility of simultaneous failure of multiple SSDs , imposing a higher risk of data loss .
To ensure well data protection , Infortrend 's upgraded software @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same time .
Infortrend RAID algorithm `` unbalances '' write data between SSDs , so that SSDs have different write times , and , therefore , different lifespan left .
Moreover , with `` UNMAP '' command supported , unused free space can be reclaimed from the storage , which improves wear-leveling to sustain long-term SSD endurance and performance .
Finally , SSD lifespan monitoring function alerts users when SSD lifespan is about to end and allows timely SSD replacement .
`` We upgraded software for our storage products for preventing occurrence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Enterprises can rely completely on Infortrend storage and be sure in integrity of their valuable data , '' said Frank Lee , Senior Director of Product Planning .
Learn more about EonStor CS , EonStor GS , and EonStor DS Infortrend ( TWSE : 2495 ) has been developing and manufacturing storage solutions since 1993 .
With a strong emphasis on in-house design , testing , and manufacturing , Infortrend storage delivers performance and scalability with the latest standards , user friendly data services , personal after-sales support , and unrivaled value @ @ @ @ @ @ @ www.infortrend.com Infortrend® and EonStor® are trademarks or registered trademarks of Infortrend Technology , Inc. ; other trademarks are the property of their respective owners .

TAIPEI, October 27. /PRNewswire/. Infortrend® Technology, Inc. (TWSE: 2495), the industry-leading enterprise storage provider, upgraded software for its storage products to prevent simultaneous failure of multiple SSDs, eliminate risks of data loss, and extend SSD lifespan.
More and more enterprises are looking to SSD for increasing datacenter performance as SSDs make data access almost instantaneous. HDD, on the other hand, is a considerably less expensive technology providing massive capacity for Big Data. When it comes to prolonging service lifetime of storage, there are different approaches to HDDs and SSDs. HDDs are more sensitive to physical conditions, such as external temperature, powering, proper ejection, etc. SSD lifespan is more predictable and depends on Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD), measuring how many times a user can rewrite an entire SSD every day throughout its warrantied lifetime. While predictability is in a sense convenient, but it also creates a possibility of simultaneous failure of multiple SSDs, imposing a higher risk of data loss.
To ensure well data protection, Infortrend's upgraded software that prevents SSDs from failing at the same time. Infortrend RAID algorithm "unbalances" write data between SSDs, so that SSDs have different write times, and, therefore, different lifespan left. Moreover, with "UNMAP" command supported, unused free space can be reclaimed from the storage, which improves wear-leveling to sustain long-term SSD endurance and performance. Finally, SSD lifespan monitoring function alerts users when SSD lifespan is about to end and allows timely SSD replacement.
"We upgraded software for our storage products for preventing occurrence of multiple SSD failure and optimizing SSD lifespan. Enterprises can rely completely on Infortrend storage and be sure in integrity of their valuable data," said Frank Lee, Senior Director of Product Planning.
Learn more about EonStor CS , EonStor GS, and EonStor DS
About Infortrend
Infortrend (TWSE: 2495) has been developing and manufacturing storage solutions since 1993. With a strong emphasis on in-house design, testing, and manufacturing, Infortrend storage delivers performance and scalability with the latest standards, user friendly data services, personal after-sales support, and unrivaled value. For more information, please visit www.infortrend.com
Infortrend® and EonStor® are trademarks or registered trademarks of Infortrend Technology, Inc.; other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
CONTACT: Infortrend Technology, Inc., Winnie Tsai, E-mail: winnie.tsai@infortrend.com


tass--2020-10-27--Japanese PM seeks active dialogue on peace treaty with Russia, lawmaker says

TOKYO , October 27 .
/TASS/ .
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is determined to maintain his predecessor Shinzo Abe ’ s policy aimed at boosting relations with Russia and advancing peace treaty talks , member of the upper house of Japan ’ s parliament Muneo Suzuki told reporters following a meeting with Suga .
Suzuki has been engaged in contacts with Moscow since the 1990s and was considered to be Abe ’ s unofficial adviser on relations with Russia .
`` Prime Minister Suga told me that he intended to resolve the peace treaty issue without leaving the task @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news agency quoted Suzuki as saying .
Suga said earlier in an address to parliament that he would seek to achieve success in talks on the southern Kuril Islands and boost relations with Russia , including the singing of a peace treaty .
Since the mid-20th century , Russia and Japan have been holding consultations in order to clinch a peace treaty as a follow-up to World War II .
The southern Kuril Islands issue remains the sticking point .
In 1945 , the whole archipelago was handed over to the Soviet Union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kunashir , Shikotan and a group of uninhabited islands referred to as Habomai in Japan .
Moscow has stated many times that Russia ’ s sovereignty over the islands can not be called into question .

TOKYO, October 27. /TASS/. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is determined to maintain his predecessor Shinzo Abe’s policy aimed at boosting relations with Russia and advancing peace treaty talks, member of the upper house of Japan’s parliament Muneo Suzuki told reporters following a meeting with Suga.
Suzuki has been engaged in contacts with Moscow since the 1990s and was considered to be Abe’s unofficial adviser on relations with Russia.
"Prime Minister Suga told me that he intended to resolve the peace treaty issue without leaving the task to future generations," the Kyodo news agency quoted Suzuki as saying.
Suga said earlier in an address to parliament that he would seek to achieve success in talks on the southern Kuril Islands and boost relations with Russia, including the singing of a peace treaty.
Peace treaty issue
Since the mid-20th century, Russia and Japan have been holding consultations in order to clinch a peace treaty as a follow-up to World War II. The southern Kuril Islands issue remains the sticking point. In 1945, the whole archipelago was handed over to the Soviet Union. Tokyo laid claims to Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and a group of uninhabited islands referred to as Habomai in Japan. Moscow has stated many times that Russia’s sovereignty over the islands cannot be called into question.


tass--2020-10-27--Russia likely to reach plateau in COVID-19 cases by early December, expert says

`` Now we are in the growth phase .
In epidemiological practice , it lasts 2 or 2.5 incubation periods on average for 14 days .
So , the period when we could speak about some stabilization is the first ten days of December , and now this is a growth phase , '' Gorelov said .
MOSCOW , October 27 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s situation with the coronavirus infection is likely to stabilize by early December , Deputy Director of Russia ’ s Central Research Institute of Epidemiology Alexander Gorelov told TASS .
Coronavirus incidence in Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks , expert says The expert explained that since the coronavirus outbreak began in Moscow earlier , it will exit it faster than other regions , where the number of cases started growing later .
In the long-term prospect , it is possible to reduce the number of new daily cases to zero .
`` But we are well aware that today less than 1 % of the Earth ’ s population , including in Russia , were ill .
If 30 % get infected , the growth rate will slow down and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immunity threshold we will enter a situation when the virus becomes seasonal and then the situation will be more predictable .
I repeat , only vaccination will help us achieve this date faster , '' Gorelov said .
On Monday , the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported a record high of 17,347 daily COVID-19 cases in Russia .
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 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 43 mln people have been infected worldwide and more than 1.15 mln deaths have been reported .
To date , 1,531,224 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 1,146,096 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 26,269 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

"Now we are in the growth phase. In epidemiological practice, it lasts 2 or 2.5 incubation periods on average for 14 days. So, the period when we could speak about some stabilization is the first ten days of December, and now this is a growth phase," Gorelov said.
MOSCOW, October 27. /TASS/. Russia’s situation with the coronavirus infection is likely to stabilize by early December, Deputy Director of Russia’s Central Research Institute of Epidemiology Alexander Gorelov told TASS.
Coronavirus incidence in Russia to keep on going up for 2-3 weeks, expert says
The expert explained that since the coronavirus outbreak began in Moscow earlier, it will exit it faster than other regions, where the number of cases started growing later. In the long-term prospect, it is possible to reduce the number of new daily cases to zero.
"But we are well aware that today less than 1% of the Earth’s population, including in Russia, were ill. If 30% get infected, the growth rate will slow down and after there is a 60-70% herd immunity threshold we will enter a situation when the virus becomes seasonal and then the situation will be more predictable. I repeat, only vaccination will help us achieve this date faster," Gorelov said.
On Monday, the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported a record high of 17,347 daily COVID-19 cases in Russia.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 43 mln people have been infected worldwide and more than 1.15 mln deaths have been reported.
To date, 1,531,224 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 1,146,096 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 26,269 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-10-27--Over 250 protesters detained in Belarus, human rights activists say

MINSK , October 27 .
/TASS/ .
More than 250 people were detained in Belarus during protests on Monday , Vesna human rights center unregistered by the Justice Ministry said .
`` The list of human rights activists has 254 names as of 20:00 and it is being updated .
The majority were detained in Minsk and Grodno and there are detentions in Brest , Novopolotsk and Borisov , '' according to the statement .
Among those detained are students , who supported the opposition ’ s call for a nationwide strike .
During the day people in Minsk formed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protest marches .
Sunday was the last day of an ultimatum set by former presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya to President Alexander Lukashenko .
The demands included resignation of the incumbent president , freedom to political prisoners and cessation of violence .
The opposition has called on workers of industrial enterprises to go on strike from Monday in case these demands are not satisfied .
Employees at some enterprises have stopped working but the authorities claim that `` all enterprises of Belarus ’ real sector of the economy are operating routinely , production lines @ @ @ @ @ @ @

MINSK, October 27. /TASS/. More than 250 people were detained in Belarus during protests on Monday, Vesna human rights center unregistered by the Justice Ministry said.
"The list of human rights activists has 254 names as of 20:00 and it is being updated. The majority were detained in Minsk and Grodno and there are detentions in Brest, Novopolotsk and Borisov," according to the statement.
Among those detained are students, who supported the opposition’s call for a nationwide strike. During the day people in Minsk formed the so-called chains of solidarity and held protest marches.
Sunday was the last day of an ultimatum set by former presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya to President Alexander Lukashenko. The demands included resignation of the incumbent president, freedom to political prisoners and cessation of violence. The opposition has called on workers of industrial enterprises to go on strike from Monday in case these demands are not satisfied.
Employees at some enterprises have stopped working but the authorities claim that "all enterprises of Belarus’ real sector of the economy are operating routinely, production lines have not been stopped.".


tass--2020-10-26--Chinese authorities award medals to more than 730 Korean War volunteers from Hainan

HAIKOU , October 26 .
/TASS/ .
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China , the State Council and the Central Military Commission on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the opposition to the American invasion during the Korean War ( 1950-1953 ) , awarded more than 730 Chinese volunteer soldiers from Hainan with commemorative medals , announced the propaganda department of the provincial party committee .
As the local administration clarified , in addition to the veteran soldiers who fought on the front line , home front workers were also awarded : doctors , railroad workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese who took part in the preparation of the armistice agreement , including journalists .
Moreover , the honorary list includes persons who in 1953-1958 helped the DPRK to restore the economy , which was greatly destroyed as a result of the war .
Medals were also posthumously awarded to those volunteers who did not manage to live to see the ceremony and died after January 1 , 2020 .
According to official data from Beijing , about 2.4 million people were included in the corps of people 's volunteers for the entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistance to the Korean People 's Army in battles against South Korean troops and US troops who fought under the UN flag .
According to the estimates of the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs , more than 197,000 Chinese soldiers were killed on the battlefields .
After the cessation of hostilities and the conclusion of an armistice , the Korean Peninsula was divided into the DPRK and the Republic of Korea .

HAIKOU, October 26. /TASS/. The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the State Council and the Central Military Commission on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the opposition to the American invasion during the Korean War (1950-1953), awarded more than 730 Chinese volunteer soldiers from Hainan with commemorative medals, announced the propaganda department of the provincial party committee.
As the local administration clarified, in addition to the veteran soldiers who fought on the front line, home front workers were also awarded: doctors, railroad workers, translators, as well as the Chinese who took part in the preparation of the armistice agreement, including journalists. Moreover, the honorary list includes persons who in 1953-1958 helped the DPRK to restore the economy, which was greatly destroyed as a result of the war.
Medals were also posthumously awarded to those volunteers who did not manage to live to see the ceremony and died after January 1, 2020.
According to official data from Beijing, about 2.4 million people were included in the corps of people's volunteers for the entire period of the war. They provided assistance to the Korean People's Army in battles against South Korean troops and US troops who fought under the UN flag. According to the estimates of the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs, more than 197,000 Chinese soldiers were killed on the battlefields. After the cessation of hostilities and the conclusion of an armistice, the Korean Peninsula was divided into the DPRK and the Republic of Korea.


tass--2020-10-26--North Caucasian universities team up to develop sports

STAVROPOL , October 26 .
/TASS/ .
Higher educational institutions of the North Caucasus will team up to develop student sports in the district .
A cooperatoin agreement was reached at the business site of the festival of culture and sports of the peoples of the Caucasus , the press service of North Caucasus Federal University told reporters on Monday .
On October 24 , the festival of culture and sports of the peoples of the Caucasus kicked off in Grozny .
About 400 people participated — the best athletes from all districts of the region , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Sevastopol .
For the first time , a scientific and business program was organized on the sidelines of the festival .
`` The initiative of NCFU and the Russian Ministry of Sports received comprehensive support from the academic community of the region .
Student sports should take a priority place in the development of youth in the North Caucasus Federal District , '' the press service of the rector of the NCFU Dmitry Bespalov quotes .
The purpose of the business program was to attract the academic community of the North Caucasus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sports , training for the industry , discussing and solving problems facing the industry of physical culture and sports .
The list of participants included representatives of federal ministries , regional authorities , experts from 11 universities in the district .
`` This is a professional community : university leaders , heads of departments of physical culture , deans of faculties , directors of institutes , as well as students , activists of student sports clubs .
It is obvious that today universities are centers of growth in the field of physical culture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least result in a minimum synchronization of tasks between all participants of the process '' , said the First Vice-President of the Russian Sports Student Union , Advisor to the Russian Minister of Sports Roman Olkhovsky .
The festival of culture and sports of the peoples of the Caucasus is held on the sidelines of the federal project `` Sport is the norm of life '' .
The festival , which takes place annually in one of the capitals of the Caucasian regions , aims to contribute to the preservation of traditional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further development of international friendly relations of the peoples of the North Caucasus .

STAVROPOL, October 26. /TASS/. Higher educational institutions of the North Caucasus will team up to develop student sports in the district. A cooperatoin agreement was reached at the business site of the festival of culture and sports of the peoples of the Caucasus, the press service of North Caucasus Federal University told reporters on Monday.
On October 24, the festival of culture and sports of the peoples of the Caucasus kicked off in Grozny. About 400 people participated — the best athletes from all districts of the region, as well as the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. For the first time, a scientific and business program was organized on the sidelines of the festival.
"The initiative of NCFU and the Russian Ministry of Sports received comprehensive support from the academic community of the region. Student sports should take a priority place in the development of youth in the North Caucasus Federal District," the press service of the rector of the NCFU Dmitry Bespalov quotes.
The purpose of the business program was to attract the academic community of the North Caucasus Federal District to the development of student sports, training for the industry, discussing and solving problems facing the industry of physical culture and sports. The list of participants included representatives of federal ministries, regional authorities, experts from 11 universities in the district.
"This is a professional community: university leaders, heads of departments of physical culture, deans of faculties, directors of institutes, as well as students, activists of student sports clubs. It is obvious that today universities are centers of growth in the field of physical culture. I expect that this program will at least result in a minimum synchronization of tasks between all participants of the process", said the First Vice-President of the Russian Sports Student Union, Advisor to the Russian Minister of Sports Roman Olkhovsky.
The festival of culture and sports of the peoples of the Caucasus is held on the sidelines of the federal project "Sport is the norm of life". The festival, which takes place annually in one of the capitals of the Caucasian regions, aims to contribute to the preservation of traditional culture and national sports, strengthening and further development of international friendly relations of the peoples of the North Caucasus.


tass--2020-10-28--Russian ambassador informs Greek health ministry about Russian coronavirus vaccine

ATHENS , October 28 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Ambassador to Greece Andrey Maslov has informed the Greek Health Ministry ’ s expert committee about the Russian vaccine against the novel coronavirus , a senior Greek health official told reporters late on Tuesday .
`` Today we had a meeting with the Russian ambassador here , at the Health Ministry .
He told us about the hope for a Russian vaccine , developed by a major vaccine research institution .
There is hope , '' said Professor of Medicine and Infectious Diseases Sotiris Tsiodras , who is in charge of Greece @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to the official , an accessible vaccine against the novel coronavirus can appear earlier than previously expected , mentioning the Oxford University vaccine and its US-made counterparts .
`` We do not lose hope , but we can not stay passive as the virus continues to spread , '' the expert said , adding that `` the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic is worse than the first one . ''
Tsiodras added that the next three months , preceeding the projected start of the coronavirus vaccination in January , will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the only solution is to wear a [ protective ] mask , '' he said .
Greek health ministry ’ s expert group member Charalambos Gogos described Russia ’ s Sputnik V vaccine as ‘ very good ’ during a briefing in September , adding that it triggers a proper immune response in almost 100 % of all cases .
On August 11 , the Sputnik V vaccine developed by the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology was registered by Russia ’ s Health Ministry and became the world ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trials began in Moscow on September 7 .
First doses of the vaccine were administered on September 9 .
Overall , the program involves some 40,000 people , including 10,000 people who received placebo instead of the vaccine .

ATHENS, October 28. /TASS/. Russian Ambassador to Greece Andrey Maslov has informed the Greek Health Ministry’s expert committee about the Russian vaccine against the novel coronavirus, a senior Greek health official told reporters late on Tuesday.
"Today we had a meeting with the Russian ambassador here, at the Health Ministry. He told us about the hope for a Russian vaccine, developed by a major vaccine research institution. There is hope," said Professor of Medicine and Infectious Diseases Sotiris Tsiodras, who is in charge of Greece's response to the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the official, an accessible vaccine against the novel coronavirus can appear earlier than previously expected, mentioning the Oxford University vaccine and its US-made counterparts.
"We do not lose hope, but we cannot stay passive as the virus continues to spread," the expert said, adding that "the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic is worse than the first one."
Tsiodras added that the next three months, preceeding the projected start of the coronavirus vaccination in January, will be very difficult.
"So far, the only solution is to wear a [protective] mask," he said.
Greek health ministry’s expert group member Charalambos Gogos described Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine as ‘very good’ during a briefing in September, adding that it triggers a proper immune response in almost 100% of all cases.
On August 11, the Sputnik V vaccine developed by the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology was registered by Russia’s Health Ministry and became the world’s first registered vaccine against COVID-19. Post-registration trials began in Moscow on September 7. First doses of the vaccine were administered on September 9. Overall, the program involves some 40,000 people, including 10,000 people who received placebo instead of the vaccine.


tass--2020-10-28--Russian health ministry rules out commercial coronavirus vaccination for foreign tourists

MOSCOW , October 28 .
/TASS/ .
A senior Russian health ministry official on Wednesday ruled out the possibility of offering paid vaccination against the novel coronavirus , including to foreign tourirsts .
Alexei Kuznetsov , an aide to the Russian health minister , told TASS that Russians will be vaccinated on a first-priority basis .
The comment came in response to foreign media reports that travel agencies in certain countries have already started to offer `` coronavirus vaccination tours '' to Russia to their clients .
`` This is nothing but ordinary fraud .
COVID-19 vaccination on commercial basis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign ] tourists .
The vaccination is already under way , and it is free of charge for citizens .
Vaccination of Russians is our absolute priority , '' the official said .
`` Any form of commercial vaccine supply can be discussed only after the domestic demand is satisfied , '' Kuznetsov added .
According to a Czech TV report , a local entrepreneur started offering tours to Russia for people willing to get vaccinated with Russia ’ s Sputnik V vaccine .
The tours were offered at the price of over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional courier fee of about 170 euro .
On August 11 , the Sputnik V vaccine developed by the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology was registered by Russia ’ s Health Ministry and became the world ’ s first registered vaccine against COVID-19 .
Post-registration trials began in Moscow on September 7 .
First doses of the vaccine were administered on September 9 .
Overall , the program involves some 40,000 people , including 10,000 people who received placebo instead of the vaccine .
More than 50 countries in CIS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Latin America have applied for Sputnik V. RDIF announced earlier supply agreements with Mexico for 32 mln doses , with Brazil for up to 50 mln doses , India - 100 mln doses , as well as Uzbekistan for up to 35 mln doses and Nepal - 25 mln doses .

MOSCOW, October 28. /TASS/. A senior Russian health ministry official on Wednesday ruled out the possibility of offering paid vaccination against the novel coronavirus, including to foreign tourirsts.
Alexei Kuznetsov, an aide to the Russian health minister, told TASS that Russians will be vaccinated on a first-priority basis. The comment came in response to foreign media reports that travel agencies in certain countries have already started to offer "coronavirus vaccination tours" to Russia to their clients.
"This is nothing but ordinary fraud. COVID-19 vaccination on commercial basis is ruled out, especially for [foreign] tourists. The vaccination is already under way, and it is free of charge for citizens. Vaccination of Russians is our absolute priority," the official said.
"Any form of commercial vaccine supply can be discussed only after the domestic demand is satisfied," Kuznetsov added.
According to a Czech TV report, a local entrepreneur started offering tours to Russia for people willing to get vaccinated with Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine. The tours were offered at the price of over 1,170 euro and higher, with an additional courier fee of about 170 euro.
On August 11, the Sputnik V vaccine developed by the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology was registered by Russia’s Health Ministry and became the world’s first registered vaccine against COVID-19. Post-registration trials began in Moscow on September 7. First doses of the vaccine were administered on September 9. Overall, the program involves some 40,000 people, including 10,000 people who received placebo instead of the vaccine.
More than 50 countries in CIS, Europe, Asia, Middle East and Latin America have applied for Sputnik V. RDIF announced earlier supply agreements with Mexico for 32 mln doses, with Brazil for up to 50 mln doses, India - 100 mln doses, as well as Uzbekistan for up to 35 mln doses and Nepal - 25 mln doses.


tass--2020-10-28--Russia mulls repaying its state debt to S. Korea by helicopter supplies

MOSCOW , October 28 .
/TASS/ .
Russia could repay its state debt to South Korea by delivering helicopters to @ @ @ @ @ of the Presidential plenipotentiary envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District said on Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ a video conference of Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far @ @ @ @ @ and South Korea ’ s Minister of Economy and Finance and Deputy Prime Minister Hong @ @ @ @ @ delivering Russian rotorcraft machines to the Republic of Korea in repayment of Russia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ According to Russian Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Alexander Morozov , JSC Russian Helicopters is @ @ @ @ @ , '' Trutnev ’ s press service said in a statement .
Earlier , the @ @ @ @ @ , Infrastructure and Transport validated the certificate of Mi-171A2 , a Russian-made civilian helicopter , @ @ @ @ @ the country .
Also , Russian-made Ka-32 and Mi8/17 are already in service in South @ @

MOSCOW, October 28. /TASS/. Russia could repay its state debt to South Korea by delivering helicopters to the country, the office of the Presidential plenipotentiary envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District said on Tuesday.
The issue was raised during a video conference of Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev and South Korea’s Minister of Economy and Finance and Deputy Prime Minister Hong Nam-ki.
"Issues of delivering Russian rotorcraft machines to the Republic of Korea in repayment of Russia’s state debt were discussed. According to Russian Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Alexander Morozov, JSC Russian Helicopters is working with interested Korean partners," Trutnev’s press service said in a statement.
Earlier, the South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport validated the certificate of Mi-171A2, a Russian-made civilian helicopter, effectively authorizing its use in the country. Also, Russian-made Ka-32 and Mi8/17 are already in service in South Korea.


tass--2020-10-28--Armenian foreign ministry sees no alternative to verification mechanisms in Karabakh

YEREVAN , October 28 .
/TASS/ .
The Foreign Ministry of Armenia sees no alternative to launching international verification mechanisms in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone , the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday .
`` Today , the Armenian Defense Ministry says that Azerbaijan ’ s report about the missile attack on Azerbaijan ’ s Barda district from the territory of Armenia is absolutely false : not a single missile was ever launched in the above-mentioned direction by the Armenian armed forces or by the defense troops of Artsakh [ the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic ] , '' the ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another cheap provocation by the Azerbaijani side , which once again proves a simple fact that there is no alternative to launching international verification mechanisms .
Interestingly , Azerbaijan persistently avoids creating a system of this kind , '' it said .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .
Fighting continues in the region despite the previous ceasefire agreements .
On Sunday evening , Azerbaijan and Armenia , with the United States ’ mediation , agreed another humanitarian ceasefire in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone that entered into force from 07:00 Moscow time on October 26 .
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group , led by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

YEREVAN, October 28. /TASS/. The Foreign Ministry of Armenia sees no alternative to launching international verification mechanisms in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
"Today, the Armenian Defense Ministry says that Azerbaijan’s report about the missile attack on Azerbaijan’s Barda district from the territory of Armenia is absolutely false: not a single missile was ever launched in the above-mentioned direction by the Armenian armed forces or by the defense troops of Artsakh [the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic]," the ministry said.
"This is a yet another cheap provocation by the Azerbaijani side, which once again proves a simple fact that there is no alternative to launching international verification mechanisms. Interestingly, Azerbaijan persistently avoids creating a system of this kind," it said.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians. Fighting continues in the region despite the previous ceasefire agreements.
On Sunday evening, Azerbaijan and Armenia, with the United States’ mediation, agreed another humanitarian ceasefire in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone that entered into force from 07:00 Moscow time on October 26.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-10-28--Over 68 million people take part in 2020 US election early vote — portal

NEW YORK , October 28 .
/TASS/ .
More than 68 million US citizens have already cast their ballot in the 2020 US general election early vote , according to data , published by the United States Elections Project web portal on Tuesday .
Overall , 68,594,113 people have already taken part in the early vote .
The biggest number of early votes ( 7,802,505 ) was registered in Texas , followed by California ( 7,402,302 ) , Florida ( 6,427,773 ) and North Carolina ( 3,411,850 ) .
The number of early votes exceeds one million in 16 states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ohio , Pennsylvania , New Jersey , Washington , Massachusetts and New York .
The 2020 United States elections are scheduled for November 3 .
Nationwide , American citizens will go 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 .
In addition , voters will head to the ballot boxes to decide on 13 US state and territorial governorships , and numerous other local elections will be held .
Incumbent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden are competing in the presidential race .
The winner has to secure 270 electoral votes among the 538 members of the Electoral College .
The new US president will be inaugurated on January 20 , 2021 .

NEW YORK, October 28. /TASS/. More than 68 million US citizens have already cast their ballot in the 2020 US general election early vote, according to data, published by the United States Elections Project web portal on Tuesday.
Overall, 68,594,113 people have already taken part in the early vote.
The biggest number of early votes (7,802,505) was registered in Texas, followed by California (7,402,302), Florida (6,427,773) and North Carolina (3,411,850). The number of early votes exceeds one million in 16 states, including Georgia, Virginia, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Washington, Massachusetts and New York.
The 2020 United States elections are scheduled for November 3. Nationwide, American citizens will go 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. In addition, voters will head to the ballot boxes to decide on 13 US state and territorial governorships, and numerous other local elections will be held.
Incumbent US President Donald Trump and Democrat Joseph Biden are competing in the presidential race. The winner has to secure 270 electoral votes among the 538 members of the Electoral College. The new US president will be inaugurated on January 20, 2021.


tass--2020-10-28--Coronavirus cases hit all-time high weekly number of over 2.8 million — WHO

GENEVA , October 28 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases worldwide increased by more than 2.8 million in the past week , the biggest number for a seven-day period ever recorded , the World Health Organization said on Tuesday .
As of October 25 , the global organization was been informed about more than 42 million cases worldwide and over 1.1 million deaths .
Over 2.8 million new cases and over 40,000 new deaths were registered in the past week , the WHO said .
The European region posted the highest growth , recording over 1.33 million new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of October 25 , the region had some 9.66 confirmed cases and over 271,000 deaths .
The situation also remains difficult in North and South America , with over 884,000 new cases and almost 17,000 deaths registered in the reported period .
Overall , the region has 19.7 million cases of the infection and almost 626,000 deaths .
Some 445,000 people contracted the illness in Southeast Asia in the past seven days , and the overall case count is now nearing 8.97 million .
The death toll has topped 140,000 , including 5,700 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the reported period , the number of coronavirus cases increased by over 436,000 in the United States , by over 370,000 in India and by more than 153,000 in Brazil .

GENEVA, October 28. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases worldwide increased by more than 2.8 million in the past week, the biggest number for a seven-day period ever recorded, the World Health Organization said on Tuesday.
As of October 25, the global organization was been informed about more than 42 million cases worldwide and over 1.1 million deaths. Over 2.8 million new cases and over 40,000 new deaths were registered in the past week, the WHO said.
The European region posted the highest growth, recording over 1.33 million new cases in the reported period. As of October 25, the region had some 9.66 confirmed cases and over 271,000 deaths.
The situation also remains difficult in North and South America, with over 884,000 new cases and almost 17,000 deaths registered in the reported period. Overall, the region has 19.7 million cases of the infection and almost 626,000 deaths.
Some 445,000 people contracted the illness in Southeast Asia in the past seven days, and the overall case count is now nearing 8.97 million. The death toll has topped 140,000, including 5,700 fatalities registered in the past week.
In the reported period, the number of coronavirus cases increased by over 436,000 in the United States, by over 370,000 in India and by more than 153,000 in Brazil.


tass--2020-10-28--Lavrov reiterates Moscow’s support to constitutional reform in Belarus

MOSCOW , October 28 .
/TASS/ .
Russian and Belarusian Foreign Ministers , Sergey Lavrov and Vladimir Makey , discussed over the phone the current situation in Belarus and the Russian minister reiterated Moscow ’ s support to the initiative to hold a constitutional reform in Belarus , the Russian foreign ministry said on Tuesday .
`` The ministers exchanged views on the current situation in Belarus .
The Russian side reiterated its support to the initiative of the Belarusian leadership to hold a constitutional reform in the interests of the soonest normalization of the situation in the country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian and Belarusian top diplomats discussed preparations for a joint meeting of collegiums of the Russian and Belarusian foreign ministries , due to be held in the Belarusian capital Minsk in November .
The sides also `` touched upon pressing issues of cooperation within the framework of key international organizations , first of all at the UN [ United Nations ] and the OSCE [ the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ] . ''
Belarus held its presidential election on August 9 .
According to the Central Election Commission ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received 80.1 % of the vote .
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , who garnered 10.12 % , refused to recognize the election ’ s results and left Belarus .
Protests erupted in the country 's capital of Minsk and several other cities following the presidential vote , leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers .
The deadline for the opposition-led People ’ s Ultimatum expired on October 25 , put forward by Tikhanovskaya to Lukashenko .
The demands included the resignation of the incumbent president , the release of political prisoners and an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on workers at industrial enterprises to go on strike starting on October 26 , if these demands are not met .
However , the country ’ s authorities say that all facilities continue to operate normally .
Meanwhile , several protest activities took place in Minsk and some other cities on Monday and Tuesday .
Lukashenko claimed the need to amend the constitution amid the continuing , expressing his readiness to relegate some presidential powers .
According to Lukashenko , the amendment process should be brought as close to ordinary people as possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ platforms in the republic ’ s regions .
In this regard , Lukashenko noted the importance of the Nationwide people ’ s gathering , planned for late December - early January .
On October 2 , the lower chamber of the Belarusian parliament began accepting proposals on Constitutional amendments .

MOSCOW, October 28. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Belarusian counterpart Vladimir Makey, discussed the current situation in Belarus over the phone, and the Russian top diplomat reiterated Moscow’s support for the constitutional reform initiative in Belarus, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
"The ministers exchanged views on the current situation in Belarus. The Russian side reiterated its support for the Belarusian leadership’s initiative to carry out constitutional reform in the interests of normalizing the situation in the country as soon as possible," the ministry said.
Besides, the Russian and Belarusian top diplomats discussed preparations for a joint meeting of collegiums of the Russian and Belarusian foreign ministries, due to be held in the Belarusian capital Minsk in November.
The sides also "touched upon pressing issues of cooperation within the framework of key international organizations, first of all at the UN [United Nations] and the OSCE [the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe]."
Belarus held its presidential election on August 9. According to the Central Election Commission’s data, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.1% of the vote. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who garnered 10.12%, refused to recognize the election’s results and left Belarus. Protests erupted in the country's capital of Minsk and several other cities following the presidential vote, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers.
The deadline for the opposition-led People’s Ultimatum expired on October 25, put forward by Tikhanovskaya to Lukashenko. The demands included the resignation of the incumbent president, the release of political prisoners and an end to violence. The opposition called on workers at industrial enterprises to go on strike starting on October 26, if these demands are not met. However, the country’s authorities say that all facilities continue to operate normally. Meanwhile, several protest activities took place in Minsk and some other cities on Monday and Tuesday.
Lukashenko claimed the need to amend the constitution amid the continuing, expressing his readiness to relegate some presidential powers. According to Lukashenko, the amendment process should be brought as close to ordinary people as possible, which led to establishment of dialogue platforms in the republic’s regions. In this regard, Lukashenko noted the importance of the Nationwide people’s gathering, planned for late December - early January. On October 2, the lower chamber of the Belarusian parliament began accepting proposals on Constitutional amendments.


tass--2020-10-28--Egyptian foreign minister arrives to Moscow for talks with Russian leadership

CAIRO , October 28 .
/TASS/ .
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry arrived to Moscow on Tuesday for talks with the Russian leadership , the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said .
According to the ministry , during the visit Shoukry will discuss bilateral cooperation and `` the two states ’ coordination on most pressing regional issues of highest concern , including the Middle Eastern reconciliation efforts and the situation in Libya , Syria , Yemen and Lebanon . ''
`` As Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had to self-isolate after a contact with a coronavirus carrier , Sameh Shoukry will meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manturov , Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev , State Duma Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Leonid Slutsky and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov , '' the Egyptian foreign ministry said .
Upon his arrival to Moscow , Egypt ’ s top diplomat took part in an online conference of foreign ministers of Egypt , Sudan and Ethiopia to discuss re-launching the talks on the Renaissance Dam issue .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will self-isolate over a contact with a COVID-19 carrier , the Ministry press service said on Tuesday , adding that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visits and meetings will be postponed .

CAIRO, October 28. /TASS/. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry arrived in Moscow on Tuesday for talks with the Russian leadership, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said.
According to the ministry, during the visit Shoukry will discuss bilateral cooperation and "the two states’ coordination on most pressing regional issues of highest concern, including the Middle Eastern reconciliation efforts and the situation in Libya, Syria, Yemen and Lebanon."
"As Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had to self-isolate after a contact with a coronavirus carrier, Sameh Shoukry will meet with Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov, Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev, State Duma Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Leonid Slutsky and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov," the Egyptian foreign ministry said.
Upon his arrival to Moscow, Egypt’s top diplomat took part in an online conference of foreign ministers of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia to discuss re-launching the talks on the Renaissance Dam issue.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will self-isolate over a contact with a COVID-19 carrier, the Ministry press service said on Tuesday, adding that the Minister feels well. Previously planned visits and meetings will be postponed.


tass--2020-10-28--Reconciliation center urges Turkey to assist release of detained Idlib residents

MOSCOW , October 27 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Parties in Syria calls upon Turkey to take measures for the release of citizens unlawfully held by militants in the Idlib de-escalation zone , the center 's deputy chief Alexander Grinkevich , told reporters on Tuesday .
`` The Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Parties in Syria has been receiving reports from residents of the Idlib de-escalation zone , about ongoing arrests and abductions of public activists and civilians , who oppose illegal armed groups , their behavior and their violent acts committed against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to the Russian military official , `` militants of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham extremist group [ former Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organization , both outlawed in Russia ] are forcibly keeping in prisons and other detention facilities no less than 2,116 people , including journalists , doctors , teachers and clerics . ''
`` We call upon the Turkish side to take effective measures for elimination of terrorist groups on the territory of the Idlib de-escalation zone and for release of citizens who have been unlawfully detained by militants , '' Grinkevich said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacks coming from positions held by Turkish-controlled militant groups were registered in the past 24 hours .
`` At the same time , 39 shelling attacks coming from positions held by the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organization were registered in the Idlib de-escalation zone , '' he said , adding that the figure includes 29 shelling incidents in the governorates of Idlib , Aleppo , Latakia and Hama , reported by the Syrian armed forces .

MOSCOW, October 27. /TASS/. The Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Parties in Syria calls upon Turkey to take measures for the release of citizens unlawfully held by militants in the Idlib de-escalation zone, the center's deputy chief Alexander Grinkevich, told reporters on Tuesday.
"The Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Parties in Syria has been receiving reports from residents of the Idlib de-escalation zone, about ongoing arrests and abductions of public activists and civilians, who oppose illegal armed groups, their behavior and their violent acts committed against the civilian population," Grinkevich said.
According to the Russian military official, "militants of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham extremist group [former Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organization, both outlawed in Russia] are forcibly keeping in prisons and other detention facilities no less than 2,116 people, including journalists, doctors, teachers and clerics."
"We call upon the Turkish side to take effective measures for elimination of terrorist groups on the territory of the Idlib de-escalation zone and for release of citizens who have been unlawfully detained by militants," Grinkevich said.
In his words, no shelling attacks coming from positions held by Turkish-controlled militant groups were registered in the past 24 hours.
"At the same time, 39 shelling attacks coming from positions held by the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organization were registered in the Idlib de-escalation zone," he said, adding that the figure includes 29 shelling incidents in the governorates of Idlib, Aleppo, Latakia and Hama, reported by the Syrian armed forces.


tass--2020-10-28--Moscow reports 75 coronavirus-related deaths in past day, for first time since May 31

MOSCOW , October 27 .
/TASS/ .
A total of 75 deaths caused by the novel coronavirus infection were registered @ @ @ @ @ day , the anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Tuesday .
`` A total of 75 @ @ @ @ @ who tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection , died in Moscow in the past @ @ @ @ @ center said .
This is the biggest daily death toll since May 31 , when @ @ @ @ @ The overall number of coronavirus-associated fatalities in the Russian capital currently stands at 6,578 .
@ @ @ @ @ that in case of any symptoms of a respiratory disease it is necessary to stay @ @ @ @ @ and not indulge in self-treatment .
Moscow tops the list of Russian regions in terms @ @ @ @ @ the morbidity is now demonstrating upward tendencies .
As of October 27 , Moscow has @ @ @ @ @ with 4,312 of them being confirmed during the past day .
As many as 296,474 @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, October 27. /TASS/. A total of 75 deaths caused by the novel coronavirus infection were registered in Moscow in the past day, the anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Tuesday.
"A total of 75 patients diagnosed with pneumonia, who tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection, died in Moscow in the past 24 hours," the center said.
This is the biggest daily death toll since May 31, when 76 deaths were registered.
The overall number of coronavirus-associated fatalities in the Russian capital currently stands at 6,578.
The center once again warned that in case of any symptoms of a respiratory disease it is necessary to stay home, call a doctor and not indulge in self-treatment.
Moscow tops the list of Russian regions in terms of confirmed coronavirus cases and the morbidity is now demonstrating upward tendencies. As of October 27, Moscow has reported 405,352 coronavirus cases, with 4,312 of them being confirmed during the past day. As many as 296,474 patients have recovered.


tass--2020-10-28--Putin, Erdogan discuss Syria, Libya, Nagorno-Karabakh — Kremlin

MOSCOW , October 27 .
/TASS/ .
During their recent phone conversation , the presidents of Russia and Turkey discussed the crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh , as well as situation in Syria and Libya , the Kremlin press service said on Tuesday .
`` Developments in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone were discussed .
The Russian side expressed deep concern about the ongoing military action , and the growing involvement of terrorists from the Middle East , '' the press service said in a statement .
Besides , Putin informed Erdogan about `` contacts with the leadership of Armenia and Azerbaijan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ de-escalation of the crisis . ''
Leaders of the two states also agreed on `` further coordination between the diplomatic and defense agencies of Russia and Turkey , and between the two countries ’ special services . ''
The conversation was held on the Turkish side ’ s initiative .
Putin and Erdogan also discussed matters of cooperation in Syria `` in detail , '' the press service said The sides `` noted the importance of joint efforts to implement the existing agreements on stabilization in Idlib and the Trans-Euphrates area . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ political settlement in Syria , including with the assistance of the Astana process guarantor nations , '' the statement reads .
Besides , the leaders of Russia and Turkey `` touched upon the Libyan issue , including prospects for further normalization of the situation and for stepping up intra-Libyan reconciliation talks . ''

MOSCOW, October 27. /TASS/. During their recent phone conversation, the presidents of Russia and Turkey discussed the crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as situation in Syria and Libya, the Kremlin press service said on Tuesday.
"Developments in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone were discussed. The Russian side expressed deep concern about the ongoing military action, and the growing involvement of terrorists from the Middle East," the press service said in a statement.
Besides, Putin informed Erdogan about "contacts with the leadership of Armenia and Azerbaijan, and measures taken for soonest ceasefire and de-escalation of the crisis."
Leaders of the two states also agreed on "further coordination between the diplomatic and defense agencies of Russia and Turkey, and between the two countries’ special services."
The conversation was held on the Turkish side’s initiative.
Putin and Erdogan also discussed matters of cooperation in Syria "in detail," the press service said
The sides "noted the importance of joint efforts to implement the existing agreements on stabilization in Idlib and the Trans-Euphrates area."
"The leaders also exchanged opinions about political settlement in Syria, including with the assistance of the Astana process guarantor nations," the statement reads.
Besides, the leaders of Russia and Turkey "touched upon the Libyan issue, including prospects for further normalization of the situation and for stepping up intra-Libyan reconciliation talks."


tass--2020-10-27--Russian watchdog notes growing imports of garlic and ginger

MOSCOW , October 27 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s imports of garlic , ginger and lemons increased during the period from January 1 to October 25 of this year , the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision says on Tuesday .
`` According to Argus-Phito information system data , supplies of garlic and ginger to Russia increased notably in 2020 and the quantity of imported lemons has grown as well , '' the regulator says .
Russia imported 10,400 tonnes of fresh ginger from January 1 to October 25 , 2020 , up 36 % against the like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tonnes ) .
March and April account for more than 50 % of total ginger imports .
China is the top supplier of ginger to Russia ( 84 % of the total volume ) , followed by Peru and Brazil ( 16 % in total ) .
Fresh garlic imports surged by 25 % during the reporting period , the watchdog said .
Russia imported 59,100 tonnes of garlic as of October 25 , compared to 44,300 tonnes in the like period of the last year .
China takes the lead in garlic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the total volume ) , followed by Egypt ( about 14 % ) and Iran ( 13 % ) .
The import of lemons gained 2 % annually and totaled 183,200 tonnes by October 25 , the authority says .
Turkey is the leader in deliveries of lemons to Russia , with more than 65,000 tonnes supplied year-to-date ( 36 % of the total figure ) .

MOSCOW, October 27. /TASS/. Russia’s imports of garlic, ginger and lemons increased during the period from January 1 to October 25 of this year, the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision says on Tuesday.
"According to Argus-Phito information system data, supplies of garlic and ginger to Russia increased notably in 2020 and the quantity of imported lemons has grown as well," the regulator says.
Russia imported 10,400 tonnes of fresh ginger from January 1 to October 25, 2020, up 36% against the like period of the last year (6,600 tonnes). March and April account for more than 50% of total ginger imports. China is the top supplier of ginger to Russia (84% of the total volume), followed by Peru and Brazil (16% in total).
Fresh garlic imports surged by 25% during the reporting period, the watchdog said. Russia imported 59,100 tonnes of garlic as of October 25, compared to 44,300 tonnes in the like period of the last year. China takes the lead in garlic exports to Russia (71% of the total volume), followed by Egypt (about 14%) and Iran (13%).
The import of lemons gained 2% annually and totaled 183,200 tonnes by October 25, the authority says. Turkey is the leader in deliveries of lemons to Russia, with more than 65,000 tonnes supplied year-to-date (36% of the total figure).


tass--2020-10-27--Baku reports shelling of three districts by Armenia

MOSCOW , October 27 .
/TASS/ .
The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan reported shelling of Goranboy , Tartar and @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Armenian Armed Forces fire missiles at territories of Goranboy , Terter and Barda @ @ @ @ @ of Defense of Azerbaijan said on its website .
According to Azerbaijani Presidential Aide Hikmet @ @ @ @ @ , 13 sustained injuries .
On October 25 , Azerbaijan and Armenia negotiated yet another @ @ @ @ @ in Nagorno-Karbakh , which was supposed to begin on October 26 .
The situation in @ @ @ @ @ 27 , when intense military action began .
Both sides report killed and injured , @ @ @ @ @ each other of violation of the ceasefire .

MOSCOW, October 27. /TASS/. The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan reported shelling of Goranboy, Tartar and Barda Districts by Armenia Tuesday.
"Armenian Armed Forces fire missiles at territories of Goranboy, Terter and Barda Districts," the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan said on its website.
According to Azerbaijani Presidential Aide Hikmet Gajiyev, four people died, 13 sustained injuries.
Armenia denied shooting towards the Barda District.
On October 25, Azerbaijan and Armenia negotiated yet another (the third) ceasefire in Nagorno-Karbakh, which was supposed to begin on October 26.
The situation in the region escalated on September 27, when intense military action began. Both sides report killed and injured, including among civilians and accuse each other of violation of the ceasefire.


tass--2020-10-27--COVID-19 epidemic process activates in all Russian regions, top sanitary doctor says

`` The seasonal nature today absolutely clearly demonstrates that the activation of the epidemic process is underway in all constituent entities of the Russian Federation , '' she said .
MOSCOW , October 27 .
/TASS/ .
Activation of the epidemic process of the coronavirus infection has been observed in all Russian regions , Head of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing Anna Popova said in an interview with the Russia-24 TV channel on Tuesday .
`` This is expected of the virus , and the reaction should be appropriate .
The most important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduce some strict measures , restrictions , is to introduce measures that do not compromise the quality of life yet to a certain extent require our organization and self-discipline .
Those measures are for everyone , today the responsibility of citizens is front and center , '' the top sanitary doctor added .
According to the latest statistics , over 43,825,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 1,165,200 deaths have been reported .
To date , 1,547,774 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 1,158,940 patients having recovered from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data indicates 26,589 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

"The seasonal nature today absolutely clearly demonstrates that the activation of the epidemic process is underway in all constituent entities of the Russian Federation," she said.
MOSCOW, October 27. /TASS/. Activation of the epidemic process of the coronavirus infection has been observed in all Russian regions, Head of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing Anna Popova said in an interview with the Russia-24 TV channel on Tuesday.
"This is expected of the virus, and the reaction should be appropriate. The most important thing today, in order not to introduce some strict measures, restrictions, is to introduce measures that do not compromise the quality of life yet to a certain extent require our organization and self-discipline. Those measures are for everyone, today the responsibility of citizens is front and center," the top sanitary doctor added.
According to the latest statistics, over 43,825,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 1,165,200 deaths have been reported. To date, 1,547,774 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 1,158,940 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 26,589 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-10-27--Authorities will do everything for cultural institutions to remain open, Putin says

NOVO-OGARYOVO , October 27 .
/TASS/ .
Authorities will do everything possible for the cultural institutions to remain open despite the situation with the spread of the coronavirus , Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday at a meeting of the Council for Culture and Art .
He noted the words of actor-director Vladimir Mashkov who in his address mentioned that currently theaters have a limited occupancy of no more than 50 % .
`` I think that colleagues approach this with understanding .
We need to do something so we won ’ t shut down altogether , '' Putin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some other countries : `` In Spain they introduced very strict limitations - all the way until May ! ''
`` I remember my discussions with your colleagues , we will do everything in order for the cultural institutions to remain open , '' the President concluded .
The actor in his address also mentioned the concert held at the Bolshoi Theater in April to support the `` We are together '' campaign .
Putin , in his turn , expressed gratitude to all participants of that event .
`` Such events are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President said , noting that citizens who were self-isolated in spring `` needed to feel that there was a light at the end of the tunnel . ''
`` Such events certainly light this candle of hope , '' the head of state emphasized .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, October 27. /TASS/. Authorities will do everything possible for the cultural institutions to remain open despite the situation with the spread of the coronavirus, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday at a meeting of the Council for Culture and Art.
He noted the words of actor-director Vladimir Mashkov who in his address mentioned that currently theaters have a limited occupancy of no more than 50%. "I think that colleagues approach this with understanding. We need to do something so we won’t shut down altogether," Putin stressed. He reiterated the situation in some other countries: "In Spain they introduced very strict limitations - all the way until May!"
"I remember my discussions with your colleagues, we will do everything in order for the cultural institutions to remain open," the President concluded.
The actor in his address also mentioned the concert held at the Bolshoi Theater in April to support the "We are together" campaign. Putin, in his turn, expressed gratitude to all participants of that event. "Such events are extremely important to people," the President said, noting that citizens who were self-isolated in spring "needed to feel that there was a light at the end of the tunnel." "Such events certainly light this candle of hope," the head of state emphasized.


tass--2020-10-27--Russian government allocates almost 2.4 bln rubles for world-class scientific centers

MOSCOW , October 27 .
/TASS/ .
The amount of grants for world-class scientific centers on Russia ’ s scientific and technological development priorities created under the ‘ Science ’ National Project will total almost 2.4 bln rubles ( $ 31.1 mln ) in 2020 , according to a respective government ’ s decree released on the official website of legal information on Tuesday .
`` To approve the list of winning selection competition participants involved in R & D on scientific and technological development priorities for providing grants as subsidies from the federal budget to Russian organizations implementing scientific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state support to create and develop world-class scientific centers , '' the document said .
All in all , ten such centers on six priority areas will receive support totally worth 2.39 bln rubles .
World-class scientific centers are being created under the National Project ‘ Science ’ on the basis of scientific organizations , higher educational establishments or their integrations as a consortium for R & D on priority areas of Russia ’ s scientific and technological development .
In 2019 , three genomic studies centers and four international mathematical centers were @ @

MOSCOW, October 27. /TASS/. The amount of grants for world-class scientific centers on Russia’s scientific and technological development priorities created under the ‘Science’ National Project will total almost 2.4 bln rubles ($31.1 mln) in 2020, according to a respective government’s decree released on the official website of legal information on Tuesday.
"To approve the list of winning selection competition participants involved in R&D on scientific and technological development priorities for providing grants as subsidies from the federal budget to Russian organizations implementing scientific research and educational programs in 2020 as state support to create and develop world-class scientific centers," the document said.
All in all, ten such centers on six priority areas will receive support totally worth 2.39 bln rubles.
World-class scientific centers are being created under the National Project ‘Science’ on the basis of scientific organizations, higher educational establishments or their integrations as a consortium for R&D on priority areas of Russia’s scientific and technological development. In 2019, three genomic studies centers and four international mathematical centers were established.


tass--2020-10-27--X5 retailer to open chain of 45-50 hard discount stores in 2021

MOSCOW , October 27 .
/TASS/ .
X5 Retail Group will open a chain of hard discount stores under the Chizik brand name , which will include 45-50 stores in 2021 , the Group ’ s Strategy Director Vladimir Salakhutdinov said on Tuesday .
He was speaking at the Investor ’ s Day event .
`` Hard discount stores are stores with prices , which are lower than in conventional discounters , with small sales area , minimum staff and minimum assortment .
These are stores in a 'hard discounter ' format .
They will start opening this week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street in Moscow on Thursday .
Although we will open only a few pilot stores this year , we plan to develop the chain up to 45-50 stores next year , '' Salakhutdinov said .
According to him , the assortment of stores will not exceed 800 unique items .
`` This will not be the case at the start , but in the future we will reach these figures .
These are also small stores of 200-250 square meters , '' Salakhutdinov added .
X5 Retail Group N.V. operates several retail formats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Pyaterochka brand , the supermarket chain under the Perekrestok brand and the hypermarket chain under the Karusel brand .
As of 30 September 2019 , X5 had 15,752 company-operated stores .
The company added 492 net new stores in Q3 2019 .

MOSCOW, October 27. /TASS/. X5 Retail Group will open a chain of hard discount stores under the Chizik brand name, which will include 45-50 stores in 2021, the Group’s Strategy Director Vladimir Salakhutdinov said on Tuesday. He was speaking at the Investor’s Day event.
"Hard discount stores are stores with prices, which are lower than in conventional discounters, with small sales area, minimum staff and minimum assortment. These are stores in a 'hard discounter' format. They will start opening this week. The first store will open on Dolgoprudnaya Street in Moscow on Thursday. Although we will open only a few pilot stores this year, we plan to develop the chain up to 45-50 stores next year," Salakhutdinov said. According to him, the assortment of stores will not exceed 800 unique items.
"This will not be the case at the start, but in the future we will reach these figures. These are also small stores of 200-250 square meters," Salakhutdinov added.
X5 Retail Group N.V. operates several retail formats: the chain of proximity stores under the Pyaterochka brand, the supermarket chain under the Perekrestok brand and the hypermarket chain under the Karusel brand. As of 30 September 2019, X5 had 15,752 company-operated stores. The company added 492 net new stores in Q3 2019.


tass--2020-10-27--QR-code registration system may be extended to retail enterprises

MOSCOW , October 27 .
/TASS/ .
The QR-code system currently established in Moscow nightclubs could be extended to other @ @ @ @ @ says Moscow retail and service department chairman Alexei Nemeryuk .
`` Currently , we believe @ @ @ @ @ ] system works , and quite well .
Apart from the enterprises , covered by @ @ @ @ @ has been voluntarily adopted by many other catering venues - cafes and restaurants .
Voluntarily @ @ @ @ @ be used in other retail enterprises of Moscow , '' Nemeryuk said .
He added @ @ @ @ @ night venues attendance , which allows for prompt epidemiological investigation in case of infection among @ @ @ @ @ authorities have no intention to restrict the night establishments ’ operation .

MOSCOW, October 27. /TASS/. The QR-code system currently established in Moscow nightclubs could be extended to other retail and service enterprises, says Moscow retail and service department chairman Alexei Nemeryuk.
"Currently, we believe that this [guest registration] system works, and quite well. Apart from the enterprises, covered by the mayoral decree, it has been voluntarily adopted by many other catering venues - cafes and restaurants. Voluntarily. Maybe, it will be used in other retail enterprises of Moscow," Nemeryuk said.
He added that Moscow established control over night venues attendance, which allows for prompt epidemiological investigation in case of infection among patrons, and therefore Moscow authorities have no intention to restrict the night establishments’ operation.


tass--2020-10-27--London hopes Russia to show commitment to arms control

LONDON , October 27 .
/TASS/ .
The British government hopes that Russia will demonstrate its commitment to arms control and non-proliferation , the Foreign Office said in a message to TASS in response to a request for a comment on Russian President Vladimir Putin 's call upon NATO countries to minimize the effects of the collapse of Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty .
`` The UK is committed to international arms control , disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons .
We want Russia to demonstrate the same commitment , '' the Foreign Office said .
It reiterated London 's official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed as a direct result of Russia violating it . ''
The INF Treaty , which prohibited Moscow and Washington from having ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with a range of 500 kilometers to 5,500 kilometers , was signed in 1987 .
It was terminated in August 2019 .
In September 2019 there reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin had invited the leaders of a number of countries , including NATO members to introduce a moratorium on the deployment of such missiles in Europe and other regions .
The United States in fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October 26 , Putin reaffirmed Russia would remain committed to the moratorium on the deployment of intermediate and shorter range missiles as long as similar class missile weapons of US manufacture were absent from the corresponding regions .
He stressed the relevance of the call on the NATO countries for declaring a reciprocal moratorium and voiced the readiness for `` further steps to minimize the negative effects of the INF Treaty 's collapse on the basis of principles of equal and indivisible security and respect for the balance of interests . ''

LONDON, October 27. /TASS/. The British government hopes that Russia will demonstrate its commitment to arms control and non-proliferation, the Foreign Office said in a message to TASS in response to a request for a comment on Russian President Vladimir Putin's call upon NATO countries to minimize the effects of the collapse of Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty.
"The UK is committed to international arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. We want Russia to demonstrate the same commitment," the Foreign Office said. It reiterated London's official stance "the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty failed as a direct result of Russia violating it."
Putin's proposal
The INF Treaty, which prohibited Moscow and Washington from having ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with a range of 500 kilometers to 5,500 kilometers, was signed in 1987. It was terminated in August 2019. In September 2019 there reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin had invited the leaders of a number of countries, including NATO members to introduce a moratorium on the deployment of such missiles in Europe and other regions. The United States in fact dismissed the initiative.
On Monday, October 26, Putin reaffirmed Russia would remain committed to the moratorium on the deployment of intermediate and shorter range missiles as long as similar class missile weapons of US manufacture were absent from the corresponding regions. He stressed the relevance of the call on the NATO countries for declaring a reciprocal moratorium and voiced the readiness for "further steps to minimize the negative effects of the INF Treaty's collapse on the basis of principles of equal and indivisible security and respect for the balance of interests."


tass--2020-10-27--Russia reiterates support to CAR authorities’ efforts to ensure security in that country

MOSCOW , October 27 .
/TASS/ .
Russia reiterates its readiness to support the efforts of the Central African Republic @ @ @ @ @ authorities to ensure peace and security in the country , the Russian foreign ministry said @ @ @ @ @ between Russian president ’ s special envoy for the Middle East and African countries and @ @ @ @ @ and Prime Minister of the Central African Republic Firmin Ngrebada , who is currently on @ @ @ @ @ .
The sides discussed a range of issues of further strengthening relations between Russia and @ @ @ @ @ including closer cooperation in the political , trade-and-economic , investment and humanitarian areas , the @ @ @

MOSCOW, October 27. /TASS/. Russia reiterates its readiness to support the efforts of the Central African Republic’s (CAR) authorities to ensure peace and security in the country, the Russian foreign ministry said on Tuesday after a meeting between Russian president’s special envoy for the Middle East and African countries and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and Prime Minister of the Central African Republic Firmin Ngrebada, who is currently on a private visit to Moscow.
The sides discussed a range of issues of further strengthening relations between Russia and the Central African Republic, including closer cooperation in the political, trade-and-economic, investment and humanitarian areas, the ministry said.


tass--2020-10-27--Cultural workers helped create atmosphere of solidarity in Russia during pandemic - Putin

NOVO-OGARYOVO , October 27 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has thanked cultural workers for the moral support of Russians during the coronavirus pandemic .
`` I would like to thank again the cultural workers for an enormous spiritual , moral support of Russian citizens during the present time , difficult for all of us , '' the head of state said , opening a meeting of the Council for Culture and Art on Tuesday .
According to him , `` despite all complications , the forced restrictions which due to the pandemic were encountered by museums , theaters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers were active , proposed entirely new creative formats , the talents , using their art , have been and are creating the atmosphere of solidarity in the society , strengthen the confidence that , no matter the odds , everything will work out , life goes on . ''
At the current meeting Putin proposed to discuss issues encountered by the cultural sphere as well as `` immediate pressing measures of supporting the sector - the strategic , long-terms ones , directed at its stable development in the future . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ council the issue of legislative development of the new constitutional norms related to the issues of culture and education .
According to Putin , cultural workers `` will eagerly join the lawmakers who are already working on the relevant draft legislations . ''
Among the subjects that should be reflected in the legislation , Putin named the state responsibility to protect , support , and develop the culture and uniqueness of people of Russia , to assist compatriots living abroad , to preserve the common cultural identity .
`` Of course , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state is the preservation of the unique heritage of our country , '' the President asserted .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, October 27. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has thanked cultural workers for the moral support of Russians during the coronavirus pandemic.
"I would like to thank again the cultural workers for an enormous spiritual, moral support of Russian citizens during the present time, difficult for all of us," the head of state said, opening a meeting of the Council for Culture and Art on Tuesday.
According to him, "despite all complications, the forced restrictions which due to the pandemic were encountered by museums, theaters, cinema, libraries, the cultural workers were active, proposed entirely new creative formats, the talents, using their art, have been and are creating the atmosphere of solidarity in the society, strengthen the confidence that, no matter the odds, everything will work out, life goes on."
At the current meeting Putin proposed to discuss issues encountered by the cultural sphere as well as "immediate pressing measures of supporting the sector - the strategic, long-terms ones, directed at its stable development in the future."
The head of state also presented to the council the issue of legislative development of the new constitutional norms related to the issues of culture and education. According to Putin, cultural workers "will eagerly join the lawmakers who are already working on the relevant draft legislations." Among the subjects that should be reflected in the legislation, Putin named the state responsibility to protect, support, and develop the culture and uniqueness of people of Russia, to assist compatriots living abroad, to preserve the common cultural identity. "Of course, one of the most important tasks of the state is the preservation of the unique heritage of our country," the President asserted.