tass--2020-09-18--Bank of Russia sees scope for key rate reduction, says regulator’s Chief

MOSCOW , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Central Bank still sees scope for further reduction of its key rate , the regulator ’ s Chief Elvira Nabiullina told an online conference following the regulator ’ s board meeting on Friday .
`` We still see scope for key rate reduction , '' she said .
Meanwhile , the key rate will return to the neutral corridor of 5-6 % per annum at some point , Nabiullina noted , adding though that it is still early to speak about that so far .
`` We realize that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ range at some point .
So far , we expect that in the second half of the three-year projected period - by the end of that period .
When that will happen and how fast will depend on how the situation unfolds , and so far , it is absolutely early to speak about that , '' she explained .
It is necessary to keep soft monetary policy next year to stabilize inflation to mid-term targets in 2021 , the regulator ’ s Chief said .
`` We take into account the fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % in the projected horizon it is necessary to keep soft monetary policy next year , '' she said .
The Bank of Russia kept the key rate at an all-time low level of 4.25 % per annum at its board meeting earlier on Friday following four rounds of its reduction .

MOSCOW, September 18. /TASS/. Russia’s Central Bank still sees scope for further reduction of its key rate, the regulator’s Chief Elvira Nabiullina told an online conference following the regulator’s board meeting on Friday.
"We still see scope for key rate reduction," she said.
Meanwhile, the key rate will return to the neutral corridor of 5-6% per annum at some point, Nabiullina noted, adding though that it is still early to speak about that so far.
"We realize that we will have to return to the neutral range at some point. So far, we expect that in the second half of the three-year projected period - by the end of that period. When that will happen and how fast will depend on how the situation unfolds, and so far, it is absolutely early to speak about that," she explained.
It is necessary to keep soft monetary policy next year to stabilize inflation to mid-term targets in 2021, the regulator’s Chief said.
"We take into account the fact that for stabilizing inflation close to 4% in the projected horizon it is necessary to keep soft monetary policy next year," she said.
The Bank of Russia kept the key rate at an all-time low level of 4.25% per annum at its board meeting earlier on Friday following four rounds of its reduction.


tass--2020-09-18--Russia to boost defense industry’s human capacity, says Putin

NOVO-OGARYOVO , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russia will keep boosting the human capacity of the defense industry , President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting of the Military Industrial Commission on Friday .
`` We will continue to boost the human capacity of the defense industry , particularly by creating conditions for talented managers , researchers and designers , who are now in their thirties and forties , to fully develop their skills , use the experience they have , implement their bold ideas and later take senior positions in defense companies , accepting responsibility for their future and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s army and navy in the coming decades , '' Putin pointed out .
At the same time , in his words , defense companies ’ heads need to be able to accomplish large-scale tasks .
`` It is important to train a new generation of top managers who will have to accomplish unusual and large-scale tasks that the industry is facing , particularly ensuring the effective and timely implementation of the State Defense Order , promptly introducing scientific achievements in mass production and - of course - developing advanced weapons and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We need hundreds of such professionals and hundreds of top specialists , '' he added .
When speaking about the industry ’ s staff issues , Putin noted that the presidential and federal personnel reserves and the Leaders of Russia contest were actively evolving and had proved to be effective .
`` Carefully selected professionals are already working at various levels of government agencies , '' the president noted .
`` The work began in defense companies in May this year , efforts are underway in four areas .
Fifty-five promising professionals and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are now learning to plan the activities of defense companies , manage worker communities and research teams , operate order portfolios and funds , '' Putin said .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, September 18. /TASS/. Russia will keep boosting the human capacity of the defense industry, President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting of the Military Industrial Commission on Friday.
"We will continue to boost the human capacity of the defense industry, particularly by creating conditions for talented managers, researchers and designers, who are now in their thirties and forties, to fully develop their skills, use the experience they have, implement their bold ideas and later take senior positions in defense companies, accepting responsibility for their future and pledging to provide advanced equipment to Russia’s army and navy in the coming decades," Putin pointed out.
At the same time, in his words, defense companies’ heads need to be able to accomplish large-scale tasks. "It is important to train a new generation of top managers who will have to accomplish unusual and large-scale tasks that the industry is facing, particularly ensuring the effective and timely implementation of the State Defense Order, promptly introducing scientific achievements in mass production and - of course - developing advanced weapons and equipment," Putin stressed. "We need hundreds of such professionals and hundreds of top specialists," he added.
When speaking about the industry’s staff issues, Putin noted that the presidential and federal personnel reserves and the Leaders of Russia contest were actively evolving and had proved to be effective.
"Carefully selected professionals are already working at various levels of government agencies," the president noted. "The work began in defense companies in May this year, efforts are underway in four areas. Fifty-five promising professionals and true leaders have already been selected, they are now learning to plan the activities of defense companies, manage worker communities and research teams, operate order portfolios and funds," Putin said.


tass--2020-09-18--Russian medics arrive in South Ossetia to help it fight coronavirus

TSKHINVAL , September 18./TASS/ .
Russian medics arrived on Friday in South Ossetia to help in their partners ’ fight against the spread of coronavirus , the press service of the republic 's Ministry of Health and Social Development told TASS .
Three medics from North Ossetian State Medical Academy arrived `` to assess the situation together with South Ossetian colleagues and offer assistance in organizing preemptive measures and medical assistance amid the spread of COVID-19 , '' the press service said .
It specified that these specialists had worked in the wake of the pandemic , developing algorithms for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state border between Russia and South Ossetia , measures have been stepped up to prevent the spread of the infection among the population , the South Ossetian sanitary watchdog said .
According to it , 90 coronavirus cases have been reported in the republic overall , all patients have recovered .
On September 15 , South Ossetia reopened its border with Russia .
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin also signed an instruction on border reopening on Tuesday .
Border restrictions were imposed early in April amid the coronavirus pandemic .
South Ossetia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had an opportunity to return after turning to South Ossetia ’ s consulate in Russia ’ s North Ossetia .
After crossing the border , they were placed in 14-day quarantine .
Exceptions were made for the cargo transport supplying food , medicines and construction materials to the republic .
A special schedule for border crossing was established for these vehicles .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 30,373,800 people have been infected worldwide and more than 950,900 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 22,058,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

TSKHINVAL, September 18./TASS/. Russian medics arrived on Friday in South Ossetia to help in their partners’ fight against the spread of coronavirus, the press service of the republic's Ministry of Health and Social Development told TASS.
Three medics from North Ossetian State Medical Academy arrived "to assess the situation together with South Ossetian colleagues and offer assistance in organizing preemptive measures and medical assistance amid the spread of COVID-19," the press service said.
It specified that these specialists had worked in the wake of the pandemic, developing algorithms for treating patients. With the reopening of the state border between Russia and South Ossetia, measures have been stepped up to prevent the spread of the infection among the population, the South Ossetian sanitary watchdog said.
According to it, 90 coronavirus cases have been reported in the republic overall, all patients have recovered.
On September 15, South Ossetia reopened its border with Russia. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin also signed an instruction on border reopening on Tuesday. Border restrictions were imposed early in April amid the coronavirus pandemic. South Ossetia’s citizens who had remained abroad had an opportunity to return after turning to South Ossetia’s consulate in Russia’s North Ossetia. After crossing the border, they were placed in 14-day quarantine.
Exceptions were made for the cargo transport supplying food, medicines and construction materials to the republic. A special schedule for border crossing was established for these vehicles.
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 30,373,800 people have been infected worldwide and more than 950,900 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 22,058,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-09-18--Germany looks into participation in Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 project

BERLIN , September 18 .
/TASS/ .
German Cabinet is looking into an option to participate in Novatek ’ s @ @ @ @ @ the Gydan Peninsula in Russia ’ s Yamalo-Nenets Region , Der Spiegel reported Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ Germany ’ s Euler Hermes may invest up to 300 million euro in the construction @ @ @ @ @ may assist with natural gas liquefaction technologies .
The final decision on participation in the @ @ @ @ @ yet , the report says , citing governmental sources .
Arctic LNG 2 is Novatek @ @ @ @ @ gas project .
Besides the Russian company , Chinese CNOOC and CNPC , France ’ @ @ @ @ @ of Japan ’ s Mitsui and Jogmec have 10 % share each .
The plant @ @ @ @ @ will have a total capacity of 19.8 million tonnes of LNG per year .
The @ @ @ @ @ launch in 2023 and the second and third lines will go into operation in 2024 @ @ @ @ @

BERLIN, September 18. /TASS/. German Cabinet is looking into an option to participate in Novatek’s Arctic LNG 2 project at the Gydan Peninsula in Russia’s Yamalo-Nenets Region, Der Spiegel reported Friday.
According to the report, Germany’s Euler Hermes may invest up to 300 million euro in the construction, while Linde chemical company may assist with natural gas liquefaction technologies. The final decision on participation in the project has not been made yet, the report says, citing governmental sources.
Arctic LNG 2 is Novatek’s second liquefied natural gas project. Besides the Russian company, Chinese CNOOC and CNPC, France’s Total and a consortium of Japan’s Mitsui and Jogmec have 10% share each. The plant’s three technological lines will have a total capacity of 19.8 million tonnes of LNG per year. The first line is scheduled for launch in 2023 and the second and third lines will go into operation in 2024 and 2026, correspondingly.


tass--2020-09-19--Georgian-Russian talks will not take place in September - Abashidze

TBILISI , September 19 .
/TASS/ .
The next round of talks with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin in Prague has been postponed from September to October , special representative of Georgia ’ s Prime Minister for relations with Russia Zurab Abashidze told TASS .
`` First of all , I should note that we are observing the situation associated with the spread of the new coronavirus in the world .
You know that in a number of countries , including Europe , the so-called second wave of the virus is starting .
Karasin and I are trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to meet in October .
Our negotiations will not take place in September , '' he said .
The Georgian diplomat also commented on the possible restoration of direct flights from Russia , interrupted in July 2019 , noting that Moscow has repeatedly made statements about the resumption of flights , but there is no specifics yet .
`` If there is political will on the part of the Russian leadership , then we are ready to put this issue ( the resumption of air traffic - TASS ) on the agenda , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abashidze and Karasin met in Prague was in November 2019 .
The next consultations were planned to be held in March , but due to the outbreak of the pandemic , they were postponed to April , and then to September .
The Prague format of negotiations with the participation of Karasin and Abashidze has existed since 2012 .
For a long time it remains the only direct dialogue between Moscow and Tbilisi .

TBILISI, September 19. /TASS/. The next round of talks with Grigory Karasin, a member of the Federation Council (the upper house of Russia’s parliament) who heads the Russian delegation at the talks with Georgia in Prague, has been postponed from September to October, special representative of Georgia’s Prime Minister for relations with Russia Zurab Abashidze told TASS on Saturday.
"First of all, I should note that we are observing the situation associated with the spread of the new coronavirus in the world. You know that in a number of countries, including Europe, the so-called second wave of the virus is starting. Karasin and I are trying to find a suitable time, some window to meet in October. Our negotiations will not take place in September," he said.
The Georgian diplomat also commented on the possible restoration of direct flights from Russia, interrupted in July 2019, noting that Moscow has repeatedly made statements about the resumption of flights, but there is no specifics yet. "If there is political will on the part of the Russian leadership, then we are ready to put this issue (the resumption of air traffic - TASS) on the agenda," he concluded.
The last time Abashidze and Karasin met in Prague was in November 2019. The next consultations were planned to be held in March, but due to the outbreak of the pandemic, they were postponed to April, and then to September. The Prague format of negotiations with the participation of Karasin and Abashidze has existed since 2012. For a long time it remains the only direct dialogue between Moscow and Tbilisi.


tass--2020-09-19--Russia’s government approves three-year draft budget, macro forecast

MOSCOW , September 19 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian government approved the draft federal budget for 2021 and for the @ @ @ @ @ 2023 , as well as a forecast of socio-economic development , the government said on @ @ @ @ @ meeting held on September 16 , the government approved the draft main directions of customs @ @ @ @ @ and for the planning period of 2022-2023 .
The document established medium-term priorities for regulation @ @ @ @ @ area , increasing the predictability of the conditions for conducting foreign economic activity and allowing @ @ @ @ @ of customs administration .
The government also decided to approve the draft guidelines for the @ @ @ @ @ 2021 and the period of 2022-2023 .

MOSCOW, September 19. /TASS/. The Russian government approved the draft federal budget for 2021 and for the planning period of 2022 and 2023, as well as a forecast of socio-economic development, the government said on its website.
At a meeting held on September 16, the government approved the draft main directions of customs and tariff regulation for 2021 and for the planning period of 2022-2023. The document established medium-term priorities for regulation in the customs and tariff area, increasing the predictability of the conditions for conducting foreign economic activity and allowing to improve the existing methods of customs administration.
The government also decided to approve the draft guidelines for the unified state monetary policy for 2021 and the period of 2022-2023.


tass--2020-09-19--Moscow reports maximum number of coronavirus cases per day since June 26

MOSCOW , September 19 .
/TASS/ .
New 825 coronavirus cases were reported in Moscow , the maximum figure since @ @ @ @ @ headquarters to combat the spread of the coronavirus reported on Saturday .
On Friday , @ @ @ @ @ in the city , while before that it did not exceed 700 for about 60 @ @ @ @ @ time , 275,633 coronavirus cases were detected in the capital .
The daily increase in @ @ @ @ @ Saturday did not change compared to Friday and amounted to 0.3 % .
Over the @ @ @ @ @ have been discharged to recover , a total of 236,055 people have recovered .
On @ @ @ @ @ recorded due to coronavirus , in total 5,044 patients died in the city .

MOSCOW, September 19. /TASS/. New 825 coronavirus cases were reported in Moscow, the maximum figure since June 26, the operational headquarters to combat the spread of the coronavirus reported on Saturday.
On Friday, 805 new cases were detected in the city, while before that it did not exceed 700 for about 60 days. For all the time, 275,633 coronavirus cases were detected in the capital.
The daily increase in morbidity in the capital on Saturday did not change compared to Friday and amounted to 0.3%.
Over the past day, 919 patients have been discharged to recover, a total of 236,055 people have recovered. On Friday, 11 deaths were recorded due to coronavirus, in total 5,044 patients died in the city.


tass--2020-09-19--Number of new coronavirus cases in Russia surpasses 6,000 first time in 2 months

MOSCOW , September 19 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases detected over the past day in Russia for the first time since July 19 exceeded 6,000 , the operational headquarters to combat the spread of the coronavirus reported on Saturday .
According to the headquarters , the daily growth was 0.56 % , the total number of infected people reached 1,097,251 .
The lowest growth rates per day were recorded in the Nenets Autonomous District ( 0 % ) , in the Moscow Region ( 0.2 % ) , Chuvashia , Chechnya , Moscow , Tula and Smolensk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New 212 coronavirus cases were detected in St. Petersburg , 180 in the Rostov region , 175 in the Moscow region , 164 in the Nizhny Novgorod region , and 151 in the Voronezh region .
In total , 171,450 people are currently infected in Russia .
The number of patients who recovered from coronavirus increased in Russia by 5,255 over the past day , in total 906,462 people have recovered .
According to the headquarters , the share of those who recovered exceeded 82.6 % of the total number of infected .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to coronavirus in Russia increased by 144 per day against 134 a day earlier , and reached a total of 19,339 people .
According to the headquarters , the total number of deaths was 1.76 % of all those infected in Russia .

MOSCOW, September 19. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases detected over the past day in Russia for the first time since July 19 exceeded 6,000, the operational headquarters to combat the spread of the coronavirus reported on Saturday.
According to the headquarters, the daily growth was 0.56%, the total number of infected people reached 1,097,251.
The lowest growth rates per day were recorded in the Nenets Autonomous District (0%), in the Moscow Region (0.2%), Chuvashia, Chechnya, Moscow, Tula and Smolensk Regions (0.3% each).
New 212 coronavirus cases were detected in St. Petersburg, 180 in the Rostov region, 175 in the Moscow region, 164 in the Nizhny Novgorod region, and 151 in the Voronezh region.
In total, 171,450 people are currently infected in Russia.
The number of patients who recovered from coronavirus increased in Russia by 5,255 over the past day, in total 906,462 people have recovered.
According to the headquarters, the share of those who recovered exceeded 82.6% of the total number of infected.
Meanwhile, the number of deaths due to coronavirus in Russia increased by 144 per day against 134 a day earlier, and reached a total of 19,339 people. According to the headquarters, the total number of deaths was 1.76% of all those infected in Russia.


tass--2020-09-19--Number of people recovered from coronavirus in Moscow rises by 919 over day

MOSCOW , September 19 .
/TASS/ .
The number of patients who have recovered from coronavirus increased in Moscow by @ @ @ @ @ to 236,055 , Deputy Mayor of the capital Anastasia Rakova told reporters on Saturday .
@ @ @ @ @ who have recovered in Moscow continues to increase .
Over the past day after undergoing @ @ @ @ @ have recovered .
The total number of people who have recovered from the infection has @ @ @ @ @ she said .
After treatment , doctors conduct special studies to confirm the absence of @ @ @ @ @ Rakova recalled .
Recovered residents of Moscow are offered to become plasma donors .

MOSCOW, September 19. /TASS/. The number of patients who have recovered from coronavirus increased in Moscow by 919 per day and amounted to 236,055, Deputy Mayor of the capital Anastasia Rakova told reporters on Saturday.
"The number of people who have recovered in Moscow continues to increase. Over the past day after undergoing treatment, another 919 patients have recovered. The total number of people who have recovered from the infection has increased to 236,055," she said.
After treatment, doctors conduct special studies to confirm the absence of the virus in people, Rakova recalled. Recovered residents of Moscow are offered to become plasma donors.


tass--2020-09-19--Trump baffled by criticism for ‘getting along’ with Putin

WASHINGTON , September 19 .
/TASS/ .
In his campaign remarks in Minnessota on Friday , US President Donald Trump said he was baffled by attempts to criticize him for ‘ getting along ’ with Russian President Vladimir Putin .
`` If I got along with Putin , somebody said : ‘ He gets along well with Putin.
’ And I ’ m saying to myself : ‘ But isn ’ t that sort of a good thing ?
Is that bad ?
’ '' Trump said , adding once again that `` there has never been anybody so tough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Back in his 2016 election campaign , Trump constantly stressed that he was hoping to `` get along '' with Moscow in order to start jointly solving the most pressing present-day issues .
His political opponents have since accused him of being too loyal to Russia , to the detriment of the US national interests .
The United States will hold a general election on November 3 .
US voters will elect the president and vice-president , all 435 members of the House of Representatives , one third of the Senate , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The incumbent , Donald Trump , will be challenged by the Democratic Party ’ s candidate Joseph Biden .
The contenders for the post of US vice-president are Michael Pence and Kamala Harris , respectively .

WASHINGTON, September 19. /TASS/. In his campaign remarks in Minnessota on Friday, US President Donald Trump said he was baffled by attempts to criticize him for ‘getting along’ with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"If I got along with Putin, somebody said: ‘He gets along well with Putin.’ And I’m saying to myself: ‘But isn’t that sort of a good thing? Is that bad?’" Trump said, adding once again that "there has never been anybody so tough on Russia with the sanctions."
Back in his 2016 election campaign, Trump constantly stressed that he was hoping to "get along" with Moscow in order to start jointly solving the most pressing present-day issues. His political opponents have since accused him of being too loyal to Russia, to the detriment of the US national interests.
The United States will hold a general election on November 3. US voters will elect the president and vice-president, all 435 members of the House of Representatives, one third of the Senate, and the governors of 13 states and territories. The incumbent, Donald Trump, will be challenged by the Democratic Party’s candidate Joseph Biden. The contenders for the post of US vice-president are Michael Pence and Kamala Harris, respectively.


tass--2020-09-19--Trump claims Russia created hypersonic missile after receiving info about it from US

WASHINGTON , September 19 .
/TASS/ .
US President Donald Trump claimed on Friday that Russia created its hypersonic missile after receiving information about such technologies from the administration of his predecessor Barack Obama .
`` They [ Russia ] have the missile , the super-duper-hypersonic missile < … > It goes five times faster than a normal missile , '' he told the crowd in Bemidji , Minnesota .
`` We have one that goes much faster , much faster than that . ''
`` Russia got that information from the Obama administration , Russia stole that information .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Russia got the information , and then they built it , '' the US leader added .
Speaking at a ceremony in the White House in mid-May , Trump said the United States was working on a `` super-duper missile '' capable of flying 17 times faster than any other missile existing at the moment .
He gave no further details .
Lately , senior US officials admitted that the country was trying to catch up with Russia and China in the hypersonic weapon domain .
Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country was `` planning catchup '' and `` investing every dollar it can '' in order to gain an advance in hypersonic weapons .
Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier that now that Moscow had hypersonic weapons there was no point for other countries to spend so much money to deter Russia .
He noted that for the first time history Russia had outstripped other countries in terms of developing advanced weapons .
The first missile regiment of Avangard hypersonic cruise missile systems came into service in Russia in late 2019 .
Apart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other state-of-the-art weapons , including the Tsirkon hypersonic anti-ship cruise missile and the Sarmat strategic missile system .

WASHINGTON, September 19. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump claimed on Friday that Russia created its hypersonic missile after receiving information about such technologies from the administration of his predecessor Barack Obama.
"They [Russia] have the missile, the super-duper-hypersonic missile <…> It goes five times faster than a normal missile," he told the crowd in Bemidji, Minnesota. "We have one that goes much faster, much faster than that."
"Russia got that information from the Obama administration, Russia stole that information. You knew that, you knew that. Russia got the information, and then they built it," the US leader added.
Speaking at a ceremony in the White House in mid-May, Trump said the United States was working on a "super-duper missile" capable of flying 17 times faster than any other missile existing at the moment. He gave no further details.
Lately, senior US officials admitted that the country was trying to catch up with Russia and China in the hypersonic weapon domain. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on December 7, 2019, that his country was "planning catchup" and "investing every dollar it can" in order to gain an advance in hypersonic weapons.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier that now that Moscow had hypersonic weapons there was no point for other countries to spend so much money to deter Russia. He noted that for the first time history Russia had outstripped other countries in terms of developing advanced weapons.
The first missile regiment of Avangard hypersonic cruise missile systems came into service in Russia in late 2019. Apart from that, Russia continues tests of other state-of-the-art weapons, including the Tsirkon hypersonic anti-ship cruise missile and the Sarmat strategic missile system.


tass--2020-09-19--About 66,000 coronavirus tests done in Moscow daily — mayor

MOSCOW , September 19 .
/TASS/ .
About 66,000 people are being tested for novel coronavirus in Moscow every day , Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin told the Rossiya-1 TV channel .
`` First of all , it [ the growth in novel coronavirus cases in Moscow ] is linked to the increased number of tests made .
The number of tests reaches 66,000 daily , which is a huge number .
This means that we test about one million people every two weeks , '' he said .
According to the mayor , the share of positive tests remains the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The number [ of registered cases ] grows because the overall number of tests also grows , '' Sobyanin said .
He went on to say that the novel coronavirus sutaiton in Moscow is also affected by the season , the resumption of full-fledged business activities in the Russian capital and the start of the academic year .
`` We need to do our best to prevent a seasonal flu epidemic this year .
To that end , we have already vaccinated more than one million people , and at least five more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total of 400 stationary and 50 mobile vaccination facilities are operational , this is enough so far , and there are no queues as of today , '' the mayor said .
About 400 Moscow residents are to take part in post-registration trials of the novel coronavirus vaccine , Sobyanin said .
The number of volunteers has already exceeded 60,000 .
`` A total of 700 people have already been vaccinated [ against the novel coronavirus ] , all of them are feeling well , '' the mayor said .
On August 11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first vaccine against the novel coronavirus .
The vaccine , dubbed Sputnik V , was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry , and its clinical trials were successfully completed in June-July .
The vaccine was developed on a platform that had been used for a number of other vaccines .

MOSCOW, September 19. /TASS/. About 66,000 people are being tested for novel coronavirus in Moscow every day, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin told the Rossiya-1 TV channel.
"First of all, it [the growth in novel coronavirus cases in Moscow] is linked to the increased number of tests made. The number of tests reaches 66,000 daily, which is a huge number. This means that we test about one million people every two weeks," he said.
According to the mayor, the share of positive tests remains the same as 2-3 weeks ago.
"The number [of registered cases] grows because the overall number of tests also grows," Sobyanin said.
He went on to say that the novel coronavirus sutaiton in Moscow is also affected by the season, the resumption of full-fledged business activities in the Russian capital and the start of the academic year.
"We need to do our best to prevent a seasonal flu epidemic this year. To that end, we have already vaccinated more than one million people, and at least five more million residents should be vaccinated. A total of 400 stationary and 50 mobile vaccination facilities are operational, this is enough so far, and there are no queues as of today," the mayor said.
About 400 Moscow residents are to take part in post-registration trials of the novel coronavirus vaccine, Sobyanin said. The number of volunteers has already exceeded 60,000.
"A total of 700 people have already been vaccinated [against the novel coronavirus], all of them are feeling well," the mayor said.
On August 11, Russia registered the world’s first vaccine against the novel coronavirus. The vaccine, dubbed Sputnik V, was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry, and its clinical trials were successfully completed in June-July. The vaccine was developed on a platform that had been used for a number of other vaccines.


tass--2020-09-19--UN agency notes improvements in situation along contact line in Eastern Ukraine

GENEVA , September 19 .
/TASS/ .
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs ( OCHA ) noted on Friday that the security situation along the line of contact in Eastern Ukraine has improved significantly since additional ceasefire control measures took effect on July 27 .
UN OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke told reporters in Geneva that the number of security incidents recorded in August more than halved since July , from 533 to 251 .
No houses were damaged in August , with 50 such incidents reported in July .
Five civilians were killed in the conflict zone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July .
`` In eastern Ukraine , the ceasefire that came into force on 27 July has now contributed to the longest period of relative calm since the beginning of the conflict in 2014 , '' Laerke said .
`` This reduction in hostilities has meant a 53 % drop in security incidents and an even larger reduction in civilian casualties .
Our colleagues in Ukraine tell us that this improvement has given people on both sides of the ‘ contact line ’ that divides eastern Ukraine a sense of normality , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he went on .
At the same time , according to the official , the UN was notified that `` up till now we have not observed changes in terms of humanitarian access that could lead to a scaling up of humanitarian work , and that is largely due to restrictions imposed in response to COVID-19 . ''
Additional measures to monitor compliance with the ceasefire that were agreed on by the members on the Contact Group on the situation in eastern Ukraine have been in effect in Donbass since July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offensive operations , reconnaissance and sabotage actions , on the use of aircraft , a ban on fire and the deployment of heavy weapons in populated areas .
One of the most important provisions of the agreement is the use of disciplinary measures for violating the ceasefire , while return fire in the event of offensive operations is only allowed in case of a direct order from the command .

GENEVA, September 19. /TASS/. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted on Friday that the security situation along the line of contact in Eastern Ukraine has improved significantly since additional ceasefire control measures took effect on July 27.
UN OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke told reporters in Geneva that the number of security incidents recorded in August more than halved since July, from 533 to 251. No houses were damaged in August, with 50 such incidents reported in July. Five civilians were killed in the conflict zone in August, compared to 13 in July.
"In eastern Ukraine, the ceasefire that came into force on 27 July has now contributed to the longest period of relative calm since the beginning of the conflict in 2014," Laerke said.
"This reduction in hostilities has meant a 53% drop in security incidents and an even larger reduction in civilian casualties. Our colleagues in Ukraine tell us that this improvement has given people on both sides of the ‘contact line’ that divides eastern Ukraine a sense of normality, and people hope that it will become sustainable," he went on.
At the same time, according to the official, the UN was notified that "up till now we have not observed changes in terms of humanitarian access that could lead to a scaling up of humanitarian work, and that is largely due to restrictions imposed in response to COVID-19."
Additional measures to monitor compliance with the ceasefire that were agreed on by the members on the Contact Group on the situation in eastern Ukraine have been in effect in Donbass since July 27. They include a ban on offensive operations, reconnaissance and sabotage actions, on the use of aircraft, a ban on fire and the deployment of heavy weapons in populated areas. One of the most important provisions of the agreement is the use of disciplinary measures for violating the ceasefire, while return fire in the event of offensive operations is only allowed in case of a direct order from the command.


tass--2020-09-19--Probe into Navalny’s hospitalization will not be limited to 30 days — source

MOSCOW , September 19 .
/TASS/ .
A pre-investigation check into the hospitalization of Russian blogger Alexei Navalny will not be limited to 30 days , a law enforcement source told TASS .
`` The check into Navalny ’ s hospitalization will not be completed on September 20 .
It will continue until a procedural decision is made to launch or not to launch criminal proceedings , '' the source said .
According to the source , no reasons to launch a criminal case have been established so far .
The pre-investigation check into Navalny ’ s hospitalization began on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Siberian Federal District ’ s Transport Police Department .
So far , officers established the timeline and route of Navalny ’ s stay in the Tomsk and the Tomsk Region , identified the people he met and places where he stayed .
Officers talked to 5 out of 6 six individuals who accompanied Navalny on his journey .
They displayed no signs of poisoning with prohibited or toxic substances .
The Russian Prosecutor General ’ s Office sent two appeals over the Navalny incident to Germany on August 27 and September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them have been left unanswered .
Besides , Russian prosecutors sent similar requests to France and Sweden on September 18 .
On August 20 , a plane carrying Navalny made an emergency landing in the Russian city of Omsk after the blogger had suddenly felt unwell in mid-flight .
Navalny was taken to the hospital in a coma and was hooked up to a ventilator .
On August 22 , he was flown to Germany for treatment at Berlin ’ s Charite hospital .
Charite medics said on September 7 Navalny had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was being disconnected from the ventilator .
The German government said on September 2 , citing the results of a toxicological analysis carried out by Bundeswehr experts , that Navalny had been poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow was ready to fully cooperate with Berlin .
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova , in turn , noted that Germany had failed to provide any evidence of poisoning .

MOSCOW, September 19. /TASS/. A pre-investigation check into the hospitalization of Russian blogger Alexei Navalny will not be limited to 30 days, a law enforcement source told TASS.
"The check into Navalny’s hospitalization will not be completed on September 20. It will continue until a procedural decision is made to launch or not to launch criminal proceedings," the source said.
According to the source, no reasons to launch a criminal case have been established so far.
The pre-investigation check into Navalny’s hospitalization began on August 20. It is being conducted by the Siberian Federal District’s Transport Police Department. So far, officers established the timeline and route of Navalny’s stay in the Tomsk and the Tomsk Region, identified the people he met and places where he stayed. Officers talked to 5 out of 6 six individuals who accompanied Navalny on his journey. They displayed no signs of poisoning with prohibited or toxic substances.
The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office sent two appeals over the Navalny incident to Germany on August 27 and September 14. So far, both of them have been left unanswered. Besides, Russian prosecutors sent similar requests to France and Sweden on September 18.
Navalny incident
On August 20, a plane carrying Navalny made an emergency landing in the Russian city of Omsk after the blogger had suddenly felt unwell in mid-flight. Navalny was taken to the hospital in a coma and was hooked up to a ventilator. On August 22, he was flown to Germany for treatment at Berlin’s Charite hospital. Charite medics said on September 7 Navalny had been taken out of the medically-induced coma and was being disconnected from the ventilator.
The German government said on September 2, citing the results of a toxicological analysis carried out by Bundeswehr experts, that Navalny had been poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow was ready to fully cooperate with Berlin. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, in turn, noted that Germany had failed to provide any evidence of poisoning.


tass--2020-09-19--Population of Russia down by 316,000 people in January-July 2020 — statistics

MOSCOW , September 19 .
/TASS/ .
The population of Russia declined by about 316,300 people in January-July 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ than during the same period last year , according to data published by Russian State @ @ @ @ @ on Friday .
According to the agency , the population of Russia declined by 209,700 @ @ @ @ @ months of 2019 .
A total of 811,700 people were born and about 1,128,000 people @ @ @ @ @ Overall , the nationwide number of deaths was 1.4 times higher than the number of @ @ @ @ @ Last year , it was 1.2 times higher in the same period .

MOSCOW, September 19. /TASS/. The population of Russia declined by about 316,300 people in January-July 2020, which is 106,600 people more than during the same period last year, according to data published by Russian State Statistics Service (Rosstat) on Friday.
According to the agency, the population of Russia declined by 209,700 people in the first seven months of 2019.
A total of 811,700 people were born and about 1,128,000 people died in January-July 2020.
Overall, the nationwide number of deaths was 1.4 times higher than the number of births in January-July 2020. Last year, it was 1.2 times higher in the same period.


tass--2020-09-19--Heads of eastern German regions speak in favor of completing Nord Stream 2 project

BERLIN , September 19 .
/TASS/ .
The prime ministers of eastern German regions unanimously spoke in favor of completing the Nord Stream 2 project in a document appointed in the wake of their meeting in Berlin .
The meeting brought together heads of six German states - Berlin , Brandenburg , Mecklenburg-Vorpommern , Saxony , Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia .
`` The project is important for future energy supply to Germany and Europe , '' therefore , completing it would be `` right and justified , '' the officials said in a joint document .
`` We need to look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project would entail .
Here , the prime ministers are united in the opinion that they would be significant , first of all for the energy supply , '' said Michael Muller , the head of the Berlin Government who now chairs the conference of heads of the eastern German states .
According to Muller , gas will remain an important source of energy during the country ’ s transition to renewable sources of energy .
`` This is the project that plays a decisive role in our amended energy and climate policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conclusion that we want to continue it , '' Muller said .
Meanwhile , premier of Saxony Michael Kretschmer said Nord Stream 2 was needed both for the country ’ s economy and for preserving Germany 's ties with Russia .
He also called for an investigation into the incident involving Russian blogger Alexei Navalny .
Until September 16 , the German Government stopped short of linking the Navalny incident with the Nord Stream 2 project .
Only after German military toxicologists claimed that Navalny had been poisoned with a Novichok-class substance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last weekend , German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas expressed his hope that Russia will not force Germany to `` change its position , '' which the media interpreted as a threat to stop the project .
According to the Cabinet spokesman Steffen Seibert , Chancellor Merkel `` endorsed the words '' of the top diplomat .
However , the German Minister of Economy and Energy Peter Altmeier noted that he treats the possibility of such sanctions with skepticism .

BERLIN, September 19. /TASS/. The prime ministers of eastern German regions unanimously spoke in favor of completing the Nord Stream 2 project in a document appointed in the wake of their meeting in Berlin.
The meeting brought together heads of six German states - Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia.
"The project is important for future energy supply to Germany and Europe," therefore, completing it would be "right and justified," the officials said in a joint document.
"We need to look at the consequences that withdrawal from this project would entail. Here, the prime ministers are united in the opinion that they would be significant, first of all for the energy supply," said Michael Muller, the head of the Berlin Government who now chairs the conference of heads of the eastern German states.
According to Muller, gas will remain an important source of energy during the country’s transition to renewable sources of energy.
"This is the project that plays a decisive role in our amended energy and climate policy. Therefore, we came to a conclusion that we want to continue it," Muller said.
Meanwhile, premier of Saxony Michael Kretschmer said Nord Stream 2 was needed both for the country’s economy and for preserving Germany's ties with Russia. He also called for an investigation into the incident involving Russian blogger Alexei Navalny.
Until September 16, the German Government stopped short of linking the Navalny incident with the Nord Stream 2 project. Only after German military toxicologists claimed that Navalny had been poisoned with a Novichok-class substance, the tone has changed. During the last weekend, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas expressed his hope that Russia will not force Germany to "change its position," which the media interpreted as a threat to stop the project. According to the Cabinet spokesman Steffen Seibert, Chancellor Merkel "endorsed the words" of the top diplomat. However, the German Minister of Economy and Energy Peter Altmeier noted that he treats the possibility of such sanctions with skepticism.


tass--2020-09-20--No second wave of coronavirus infection to take place in Russia - expert

NALCHIK , September 20 .
/TASS/ .
The second wave of the coronavirus infection is not expected but a small increase in the case rate will probably occur in fall , chief non-staff infection disease specialist of the Russian Healthcare Ministry Vladimir Chulanov told TASS .
`` We expect this will be a certain minor growth of the case rate , rather than the second wave .
One should speak about the second wave when the first wave [ ends ] completely .
We have only the sickness rate decline so far after the first wave - mainly in April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
It is proper to speak about `` a certain seasonal growth of the case rate , Chulanov noted .
`` Most likely , we will not see [ it ] , '' the expert added .
The case rate in Russia will grow in September-October because of the seasonal factor and more active contacts of people , the specialist says .
`` The sickness rate growth is related to the start of the academic year , the business year , since new school teams , student and working teams start the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This leads to closer social contact and to a certain disease rate increase , '' Chulanov said , adding that this is not something ‘ unusual.
’ On August 11 , Russia became the first country across the globe that registered a vaccine against the coronavirus infection , named Sputnik V. The third phase of vaccine ’ s clinical trials started , Russian Healthcare Minister Mikhail Murashko said on September 9 .

NALCHIK, September 20. /TASS/. The second wave of the coronavirus infection is not expected but a small increase in the case rate will probably occur in fall, chief non-staff infection disease specialist of the Russian Healthcare Ministry Vladimir Chulanov told TASS.
"We expect this will be a certain minor growth of the case rate, rather than the second wave. One should speak about the second wave when the first wave [ends] completely. We have only the sickness rate decline so far after the first wave - mainly in April of this year," the expert says.
It is proper to speak about "a certain seasonal growth of the case rate, Chulanov noted. "Most likely, we will not see [it]," the expert added.
The case rate in Russia will grow in September-October because of the seasonal factor and more active contacts of people, the specialist says. "The sickness rate growth is related to the start of the academic year, the business year, since new school teams, student and working teams start the buildup; many people returned from vacations. This leads to closer social contact and to a certain disease rate increase," Chulanov said, adding that this is not something ‘unusual.’
On August 11, Russia became the first country across the globe that registered a vaccine against the coronavirus infection, named Sputnik V. The third phase of vaccine’s clinical trials started, Russian Healthcare Minister Mikhail Murashko said on September 9.


tass--2020-09-20--Coronavirus vaccination for tourists can be reasonable measure - expert

NALCHIK , September 20 .
/TASS/ .
Introduction of compulsory vaccination against the new coronavirus infection as a precondition for international travels can be a reasonable measure , chief non-staff infection disease specialists of the Russian Healthcare Ministry Vladimir Chulanov told TASS .
The coronavirus vaccination can become a requirement for international tourism in coming years , adviser to the Russian Healthcare Minister Sergei Glagolev said earlier .
`` This is not ruled out .
Indeed if efficient specific prophylaxis aids appear with us , this will be a reasonable measure , because the specific prophylaxis , the vaccine prophylaxis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If we have such a vaccine ( the vaccine has already appeared and many vaccines are under development ) , then it is quite possible such measure will be introduced .
However , this depends on decisions of countries and on the coronavirus epidemiological situation at large , '' Chulanov said .
On August 11 , Russia became the first country across the globe that registered a vaccine against the coronavirus infection , named Sputnik V. The third phase of vaccine ’ s clinical trials started , Russian Healthcare Minister Mikhail Murashko said @ @ @ @

NALCHIK, September 20. /TASS/. Introduction of compulsory vaccination against the new coronavirus infection as a precondition for international travels can be a reasonable measure, chief non-staff infection disease specialists of the Russian Healthcare Ministry Vladimir Chulanov told TASS.
The coronavirus vaccination can become a requirement for international tourism in coming years, adviser to the Russian Healthcare Minister Sergei Glagolev said earlier.
"This is not ruled out. Indeed if efficient specific prophylaxis aids appear with us, this will be a reasonable measure, because the specific prophylaxis, the vaccine prophylaxis is the most efficient protecting measure. If we have such a vaccine (the vaccine has already appeared and many vaccines are under development), then it is quite possible such measure will be introduced. However, this depends on decisions of countries and on the coronavirus epidemiological situation at large," Chulanov said.
On August 11, Russia became the first country across the globe that registered a vaccine against the coronavirus infection, named Sputnik V. The third phase of vaccine’s clinical trials started, Russian Healthcare Minister Mikhail Murashko said on September 9.


tass--2020-09-20--US President approves deal on TikTok segment acquisition by US companies

WASHINGTON , September 20 .
/TASS/ .
The deal on acquisition of the US segment of TikTok social network by @ @ @ @ @ approved , US President Donald Trump told reporters .
The broadcast was made by Fox @ @ @ @ @ said he `` approves a deal in concept '' that will allow TikTok to continue @ @ @ @ @ .
The new TikTok company will be `` totally controlled by Oracle and Walmart , @ @ @ @ @ full scope of the deal will be reported very soon , the US President added @ @ @ @ @ new company , dubbed TikTok Global , will have a majority of US directors , @ @ @ @ @ a security expert on the board .

WASHINGTON, September 20. /TASS/. The deal on acquisition of the US segment of TikTok social network by Oracle and Walmart is conceptually approved, US President Donald Trump told reporters. The broadcast was made by Fox News TV Channel.
Trump said he "approves a deal in concept" that will allow TikTok to continue operations in the United State. The new TikTok company will be "totally controlled by Oracle and Walmart," Trump says. The full scope of the deal will be reported very soon, the US President added.
Reuters reported earlier the new company, dubbed TikTok Global, will have a majority of US directors, a US chief executive and a security expert on the board.


tass--2020-09-20--Secretary General of Union State speaks for continuing interaction between Russia, Belarus

MINSK , September 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russia and Belarus have reached a high level of interaction within the Union State framework that requires further expansion , Secretary General of the Union State of Russia and Belarus Grigory Rapota said in an interview with the Belarus-1 TV Channel .
`` We have very close relations at present in the sphere of science and technology , very serious ones that pertain to life of people .
For example , issues of creating new pharmaceuticals or spinal therapy for children with congenital or acquired defects .
Why all that should be lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matters require expansion , '' the official says .
Cooperation between the two countries directly concerns a great many nationals of Russia and Belarus , Rapota noted .
`` We can call it the Union State , we can change the name - it does not matter .
The main point is the substantial side of the issue .
It is important to be preserved because this pertains to life of people , to daily life of individuals , '' he said .
`` This comprises the issues of traveling , employment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not feel themselves as foreigners in Russia and Russians - as foreigners in Belarus , '' the official noted .
`` The whole world is moving in this direction and we are not an exception in this regard , '' he added .
The Agreement on the Union State of Russia and Belarus came into force on January 26 , 2000 after ratification by diets of the two countries .
The international treaty framework for the Russian-Belarusian cooperation comprises about 200 of interstate and intergovernmental agreements .

MINSK, September 20. /TASS/. Russia and Belarus have reached a high level of interaction within the Union State framework that requires further expansion, Secretary General of the Union State of Russia and Belarus Grigory Rapota said in an interview with the Belarus-1 TV Channel.
"We have very close relations at present in the sphere of science and technology, very serious ones that pertain to life of people. For example, issues of creating new pharmaceuticals or spinal therapy for children with congenital or acquired defects. Why all that should be lost? Furthermore, I believe all these matters require expansion," the official says.
Cooperation between the two countries directly concerns a great many nationals of Russia and Belarus, Rapota noted. "We can call it the Union State, we can change the name - it does not matter. The main point is the substantial side of the issue. It is important to be preserved because this pertains to life of people, to daily life of individuals," he said.
"This comprises the issues of traveling, employment, and generally the condition when Belarusians do not feel themselves as foreigners in Russia and Russians - as foreigners in Belarus," the official noted. "The whole world is moving in this direction and we are not an exception in this regard," he added.
The Agreement on the Union State of Russia and Belarus came into force on January 26, 2000 after ratification by diets of the two countries. The international treaty framework for the Russian-Belarusian cooperation comprises about 200 of interstate and intergovernmental agreements.


tass--2020-09-19--Moscow's death toll from confirmed coronavirus cases rises by 13 - crisis center

MOSCOW , September 19 .
/TASS/ .
The death toll from confirmed coronavirus cases has risen by 13 to 5,057 in Moscow over the past 24 hours , the city ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Saturday .
`` Thirteen patients have passed away in Moscow .
Their diagnoses of pneumonia were confirmed and they tested positive for the coronavirus infection , '' the center informed .
To date , the death toll from COVID-19 , the disease caused by coronavirus , has climbed to 5,057 in the Russian capital .
As of September 19 , Moscow recorded about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recoveries from COVID-19 .
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 30,500,000 people have been infected worldwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported .
To date , 1,097,251 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 906,462 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 19,339 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, September 19. /TASS/. The death toll from confirmed coronavirus cases has risen by 13 to 5,057 in Moscow over the past 24 hours, the city’s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Saturday.
"Thirteen patients have passed away in Moscow. Their diagnoses of pneumonia were confirmed and they tested positive for the coronavirus infection," the center informed.
To date, the death toll from COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, has climbed to 5,057 in the Russian capital. As of September 19, Moscow recorded about 276,000 cases, with more than 236,000 recoveries from COVID-19.
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 30,500,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 951,000 deaths have been reported.
To date, 1,097,251 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 906,462 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 19,339 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-09-19--Saxony’s head berates Berlin over policy towards Moscow

BERLIN , September 19 .
/TASS/ .
Minister-President of the Free State of Saxony Michael Kretschmer has bashed the German government over its policy towards Russia in regard to the incident with blogger Alexey Navalny and announced plans to visit Russia in December , the politician said at a Christian Democratic Union ( CDU ) convention in Erfurt , Thuringia , cited by Bild newspaper on Saturday .
`` I am not interested in the further escalation with Russia , in the further deterioration of tonality .
I would prefer us to cooperate with that country , '' Kretschmer said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact that the current foreign minister [ of Germany Heiko Maas ] , who you usually hear nothing from , is losing his mind in this issue [ the Navalny case ] is not a good sign for Germany , '' Saxony ’ s head added .
Kretschmer said that he had plans to visit Russia in spite of the crisis between Berlin and Moscow .
`` In December , I am going to Russia , '' he said noting that `` it goes without saying '' that he would raise human rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maas said in an interview with Bild am Sonntag that if Russia does not take steps to investigate the incident with Navalny , Germany and its allies will respond in kind .
He also alleged that `` there are lots of proofs '' of Moscow ’ s involvement in the incident .
Navalny was rushed to a local hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk on August 20 after collapsing on the Tomsk-Moscow flight .
He fell into a coma and was put on a ventilator in the intensive care unit .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Berlin and admitted to the Charite hospital .
On September 2 , the German government claimed that having examined Navalny ’ s test samples the Bundeswehr ’ s toxicologists had come to a conclusion that the blogger had been affected by a toxic agent of the Novichok family .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia stayed ready for comprehensive cooperation with Germany .
He pointed out that no poisonous substances had been detected in Navalny ’ s system prior to his transfer to Berlin .
The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman , Maria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office had not provided the Russian ambassador with any proof of its version of the incident .

BERLIN, September 19. /TASS/. Minister-President of the Free State of Saxony Michael Kretschmer has bashed the German government over its policy towards Russia in regard to the incident with blogger Alexey Navalny and announced plans to visit Russia in December, the politician said at a Christian Democratic Union (CDU) convention in Erfurt, Thuringia, cited by Bild newspaper on Saturday.
"I am not interested in the further escalation with Russia, in the further deterioration of tonality. I would prefer us to cooperate with that country," Kretschmer said. "To my mind, the fact that the current foreign minister [of Germany Heiko Maas], who you usually hear nothing from, is losing his mind in this issue [the Navalny case] is not a good sign for Germany," Saxony’s head added.
Kretschmer said that he had plans to visit Russia in spite of the crisis between Berlin and Moscow.
"In December, I am going to Russia," he said noting that "it goes without saying" that he would raise human rights issues during his visit.
Earlier, Maas said in an interview with Bild am Sonntag that if Russia does not take steps to investigate the incident with Navalny, Germany and its allies will respond in kind. He also alleged that "there are lots of proofs" of Moscow’s involvement in the incident.
Navalny case
Navalny was rushed to a local hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk on August 20 after collapsing on the Tomsk-Moscow flight. He fell into a coma and was put on a ventilator in the intensive care unit. On August 22, he was airlifted to Berlin and admitted to the Charite hospital.
On September 2, the German government claimed that having examined Navalny’s test samples the Bundeswehr’s toxicologists had come to a conclusion that the blogger had been affected by a toxic agent of the Novichok family.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia stayed ready for comprehensive cooperation with Germany. He pointed out that no poisonous substances had been detected in Navalny’s system prior to his transfer to Berlin. The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said that the German Foreign Office had not provided the Russian ambassador with any proof of its version of the incident.


tass--2020-09-19--Nagorno-Karabakh talks stalled, Azerbaijan’s president says

BAKU , September 19 .
/TASS/ .
Azerbaijan ’ s President Ilham Aliyev has given a negative assessment to the current state of the talks aimed at resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and claims that that they have been nearly mothballed .
`` I assess negatively the current state of negotiation .
I believe that the people of Azerbaijan completely agree with me .
In fact , the talks are not ongoing , '' Aliyev said in a televised interview with national channels .
From his point of view , Armenia `` has actually disrupted the negotiation process . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steps make talks senseless , '' Aliyev added .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group , led by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

BAKU, September 19. /TASS/. Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has given a negative assessment to the current state of the talks aimed at resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and claims that that they have been nearly mothballed.
"I assess negatively the current state of negotiation. I believe that the people of Azerbaijan completely agree with me. In fact, the talks are not ongoing," Aliyev said in a televised interview with national channels.
From his point of view, Armenia "has actually disrupted the negotiation process."
"Therefore, their absurd statements and provocative steps make talks senseless," Aliyev added.
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--2020-09-19--Vesna human rights center reports about over 310 detained protesters in Minsk

MINSK , September 19 .
/TASS/ .
The Belarusian human rights center Vesna reported that on Saturday law enforcers detained @ @ @ @ @ the opposition rally , most of them are women .
The center posted a list @ @ @ @ @ adding that the information is being updated .
According to the human rights activists , @ @ @ @ @ Inna Romashevskaya , is an employee at the UK embassy in Minsk , but there @ @ @ @ @ immunity status .
Vesna said that the police had already released Nina Baginskaya , an @ @ @ @ @ Earlier , TASS reported from the scene that police stopped the march of female protesters @ @ @ @ @ .

MINSK, September 19. /TASS/. The Belarusian human rights center Vesna reported that on Saturday law enforcers detained at least 316 participants in the opposition rally, most of them are women.
The center posted a list of names on its site adding that the information is being updated.
According to the human rights activists, one of the detainees, Inna Romashevskaya, is an employee at the UK embassy in Minsk, but there is no information about her immunity status.
Vesna said that the police had already released Nina Baginskaya, an elderly female opposition activist.
Earlier, TASS reported from the scene that police stopped the march of female protesters and detained over 100 participants.


tass--2020-09-19--Russian supersonic bombers set world record for longest non-stop flight - Aerospace Forces

MOSCOW , September 19 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Tu-160 supersonic bombers ( NATO reporting name of Blackjack ) broke the world record for longest non-stop flight for this type of aircraft , Lieutenant-General Sergey Kobylash , the Russian Aerospace Forces ’ Long-Range Aviation Commander , told reporters on Saturday .
`` Two crews of the Long-Range Aviation have set a new record for distance and duration on Tu-160 supersonic strategic missile-carrying bombers .
The pilots of the Russian Aerospace Forces were in the air for more than 25 hours , covering a distance of more than 20,000 kilometers , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flown this type of aircraft longer . ''
The previous record was set in 2010 by Tu-160 bombers that had been in the air for 24 hours 24 minutes .
According to the Defense Ministry , the two Tu-160 flew over the neutral waters of the central part of the Arctic and Pacific Oceans as well as the Kara , Laptev , East Siberian , Chukchi , and Barents Seas .
The missile-carrying bombers took off and landed at Engels airfield .
The crew commanders were Major-General Oleg Pchela and Lieutenant Colonel Sergei @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tu-160 bombers were refueled in the mid-air three times from six IL-78 tankers .
`` The Tu-160 strategic missile-carrying bombers were accompanied by Su-35S fighter jets along with foreign aircraft along certain sections of their route , '' the defense ministry said .
The Russian bombers ’ flight was conducted in strict compliance with international airspace rules .

MOSCOW, September 19. /TASS/. Russian Tu-160 supersonic bombers (NATO reporting name of Blackjack) broke the world record for longest non-stop flight for this type of aircraft, Lieutenant-General Sergey Kobylash, the Russian Aerospace Forces’ Long-Range Aviation Commander, told reporters on Saturday.
"Two crews of the Long-Range Aviation have set a new record for distance and duration on Tu-160 supersonic strategic missile-carrying bombers. The pilots of the Russian Aerospace Forces were in the air for more than 25 hours, covering a distance of more than 20,000 kilometers," Kobylash said adding that "nobody has flown this type of aircraft longer."
The previous record was set in 2010 by Tu-160 bombers that had been in the air for 24 hours 24 minutes.
According to the Defense Ministry, the two Tu-160 flew over the neutral waters of the central part of the Arctic and Pacific Oceans as well as the Kara, Laptev, East Siberian, Chukchi, and Barents Seas. The missile-carrying bombers took off and landed at Engels airfield. The crew commanders were Major-General Oleg Pchela and Lieutenant Colonel Sergei Volkovitsky.
The ministry added that the Tu-160 bombers were refueled in the mid-air three times from six IL-78 tankers.
"The Tu-160 strategic missile-carrying bombers were accompanied by Su-35S fighter jets along with foreign aircraft along certain sections of their route," the defense ministry said.
The Russian bombers’ flight was conducted in strict compliance with international airspace rules.


tass--2020-09-19--Invitation for Tikhanovskaya to Brussels is interference in Belarusian affairs - diplomat

MOSCOW , September 19 .
/TASS/ .
Brussels ’ overtures to the former Belarusian presidential candidate , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , and invitation for her to attend a meeting of the EU foreign ministers amount to interference in the republic ’ s affairs , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement on Saturday .
`` EU foreign ministers ’ overtures to the self-appointed Belarusian opposition representative and her invitation to Brussels ‘ to communicate ’ is an integral part of the scenario to meddle in Belarus ’ domestic affairs .
It is a brazen violation of fundamental norms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Helsinki Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe , which anniversaries are marked by international community this year , '' she said .
The diplomat added that Russia would view this contact `` as another proof of the European Union ’ s retreat from previous statements that there is no geopolitics in regard to Belarus or any parallels with the scenario of February 2014 in Ukraine when certain EU nations had come forward as so-called guarantors of the agreement between the government and opposition , which was trampled on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zakharova , this course was supported by High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell ’ s statements on non-recognition of Alexander Lukashenko as Belarus ’ president elect as well as by the European Parliament resolution passed on September 17 , which in fact calls for unconstitutional change of power in that country .
The diplomat focused attention on EU threats to impose sanctions on Belarusian officials .
Zakharova emphasized that such restrictions would run counter to the goals of restoring stability , of launching a dialogue and a constitution process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempts to ‘ rock the boat ’ are obvious , and Brussels should not be surprised that there will be a response , '' she said .
The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said that in the wake of a sanctions threat , Brussels was working on mechanisms to funnel the 53 million euros , previously allocated to Belarus , to the EU-selected Belarusian NGOs and media , bypassing the country ’ s official authorities .
`` Behind imaginary concern for the people of Belarus , the EU actually tries to decide for them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say again that the EU prefers not to talk about the constitutional reform , which aims to promote a nationwide dialogue in this country , '' she stated .
`` In general , we can see that disrespect for objective intra-political realities , rampant support to opposition forces , up to recognition of ‘ impostors ’ by certain EU member states which Brussels is unable to ‘ rein in , ’ and the option to oust the current government through sanctions , pressure and propaganda are being increasingly entrenched in the EU foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the only example in this respect , '' she said .
The diplomat urged the European Union to review its policy , which obstructs normalization in the country .
On Friday , Borrell said that it would be a good idea to have breakfast with Tikhanovskaya on September 21 to discuss Belarus .
The EU diplomat pointed out that the former Belarusian presidential candidate would not attend the meeting of EU foreign ministers .
Nationwide demonstrations have engulfed Belarus following the August 9 presidential election .
According to the Central Election Commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alexander Lukashenko won by a landslide , garnering 80.10 % of the vote .
His closest rival in the race , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , came in second , with 10.12 % of the ballot .
However , she refused to recognize the election ’ s outcome , and left Belarus for Lithuania .
After the results of the exit polls were announced late on August 9 , mass protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other Belarusian cities .
During the early post-election period , the rallies snowballed into fierce clashes between the protesters @ @ @

MOSCOW, September 19. /TASS/. Brussels’ overtures to the former Belarusian presidential candidate, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, and invitation for her to attend a meeting of the EU foreign ministers amount to interference in the republic’s affairs, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement on Saturday.
"EU foreign ministers’ overtures to the self-appointed Belarusian opposition representative and her invitation to Brussels ‘to communicate’ is an integral part of the scenario to meddle in Belarus’ domestic affairs. It is a brazen violation of fundamental norms of the United Nations Charter and the Helsinki Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, which anniversaries are marked by international community this year," she said.
The diplomat added that Russia would view this contact "as another proof of the European Union’s retreat from previous statements that there is no geopolitics in regard to Belarus or any parallels with the scenario of February 2014 in Ukraine when certain EU nations had come forward as so-called guarantors of the agreement between the government and opposition, which was trampled on the next day."
According to Zakharova, this course was supported by High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell’s statements on non-recognition of Alexander Lukashenko as Belarus’ president elect as well as by the European Parliament resolution passed on September 17, which in fact calls for unconstitutional change of power in that country.
Threat of sanctions
The diplomat focused attention on EU threats to impose sanctions on Belarusian officials. Zakharova emphasized that such restrictions would run counter to the goals of restoring stability, of launching a dialogue and a constitution process and of easing tensions.
"The attempts to ‘rock the boat’ are obvious, and Brussels should not be surprised that there will be a response," she said.
The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said that in the wake of a sanctions threat, Brussels was working on mechanisms to funnel the 53 million euros, previously allocated to Belarus, to the EU-selected Belarusian NGOs and media, bypassing the country’s official authorities.
"Behind imaginary concern for the people of Belarus, the EU actually tries to decide for them how they should live. We would say again that the EU prefers not to talk about the constitutional reform, which aims to promote a nationwide dialogue in this country," she stated.
"In general, we can see that disrespect for objective intra-political realities, rampant support to opposition forces, up to recognition of ‘impostors’ by certain EU member states which Brussels is unable to ‘rein in,’ and the option to oust the current government through sanctions, pressure and propaganda are being increasingly entrenched in the EU foreign policy arsenal. Regrettably, Belarus is not the only example in this respect," she said.
The diplomat urged the European Union to review its policy, which obstructs normalization in the country.
On Friday, Borrell said that it would be a good idea to have breakfast with Tikhanovskaya on September 21 to discuss Belarus. The EU diplomat pointed out that the former Belarusian presidential candidate would not attend the meeting of EU foreign ministers.
Nationwide demonstrations have engulfed Belarus following the August 9 presidential election. According to the Central Election Commission’s official results, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won by a landslide, garnering 80.10% of the vote. His closest rival in the race, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, came in second, with 10.12% of the ballot. However, she refused to recognize the election’s outcome, and left Belarus for Lithuania. After the results of the exit polls were announced late on August 9, mass protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other Belarusian cities. During the early post-election period, the rallies snowballed into fierce clashes between the protesters and police.


tass--2020-09-19--Elderly opposition activist Baginskaya detained in Minsk

MINSK , September 19 .
/TASS/ .
Law enforcement officers have started detentions at the Saturday protest march in Minsk @ @ @ @ @ the famed Belarusian opposition activist Nina Baginskaya , TASS reported from the scene .
The @ @ @ @ @ protesters .
According to the TASS correspondent ’ s estimates , about 100 people have @ @ @ @ @ addition , the mobile internet is being disrupted .
The 73-year-old Baginskaya is also known @ @ @ @ @ Belarusian protests over the past years .

MINSK, September 19. /TASS/. Law enforcement officers have started detentions at the Saturday protest march in Minsk, among the detainees is the famed Belarusian opposition activist Nina Baginskaya, TASS reported from the scene.
The law enforcers have blocked the protesters. According to the TASS correspondent’s estimates, about 100 people have already been apprehended. In addition, the mobile internet is being disrupted.
The 73-year-old Baginskaya is also known for her active participation in Belarusian protests over the past years.


tass--2020-09-19--Russian army to be 70% provided with new weapons by year-end - deputy PM

MOSCOW , September 19 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Armed Forces will be 70 % equipped with brand-new , cutting-edge @ @ @ @ @ Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov said in a televised interview with Rossiya ’ 23 news @ @ @ @ @ I think that upon the results of this year we will achieve a coveted amount @ @ @ @ @ to 70 % in our army ’ s rearmament with advanced and promising types of @ @ @ @ @ '' said Borisov , who is on a working visit in Tula on Saturday .
@ @ @ @ @ minister , state defense orders will not be disrupted due to the pandemic .
`` @ @ @ @ @ not slow down even in the worst period of the pandemic .
The plans for @ @ @ @ @ We monitor this practically in manual mode , '' Borisov said .

MOSCOW, September 19. /TASS/. The Russian Armed Forces will be 70% equipped with brand-new, cutting-edge weapons and military hardware, Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov said in a televised interview with Rossiya’23 news channel on Saturday.
"I think that upon the results of this year we will achieve a coveted amount, as we will approach to 70% in our army’s rearmament with advanced and promising types of weapons and military hardware," said Borisov, who is on a working visit in Tula on Saturday.
According to the deputy prime minister, state defense orders will not be disrupted due to the pandemic.
"Russian defense industry workers did not slow down even in the worst period of the pandemic. The plans for 2020 will be implemented. We monitor this practically in manual mode," Borisov said.


tass--2020-09-19--Work on Avangard complex comparable to USSR nuclear project - Putin

NOVO-OGARYOVO , September 19 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin compared the work of Russian gunsmiths on the development @ @ @ @ @ with the scale of the USSR 's nuclear project , Putin said on Saturday during @ @ @ @ @ Gunsmith Day with an engineer - designer of rocket and and space technology Gerbert Efremov @ @ @ @ @ your work can hardly be overestimated .
You not only stood at the origins of @ @ @ @ @ you are its author .
In modern conditions , the embodiment of your idea for @ @ @ @ @ to the implementation of the Soviet Union 's nuclear and missile projects , which were @ @ @ @ @ scientists Kurchatov and Korolev , '' Putin said .
The Russian leader recalled that the @ @ @ @ @ Missile Treaty in 2002 forced Russia to start developing hypersonic weapons .
`` We had @ @ @ @ @ response to the US deploying strategic missile defense system , which in the future would @ @ @ @ @ , nullify our entire nuclear potential , '' Putin said .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, September 19. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin compared the work of Russian gunsmiths on the development of the Avangard hypersonic missiles with the scale of the USSR's nuclear project, Putin said on Saturday during a video conference on the Gunsmith Day with an engineer - designer of rocket and and space technology Gerbert Efremov.
"The results of your work can hardly be overestimated. You not only stood at the origins of this technological idea, but you are its author. In modern conditions, the embodiment of your idea for our country is undoubtedly comparable to the implementation of the Soviet Union's nuclear and missile projects, which were carried out by outstanding Soviet scientists Kurchatov and Korolev," Putin said.
The Russian leader recalled that the US withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in 2002 forced Russia to start developing hypersonic weapons. "We had to create these weapons in response to the US deploying strategic missile defense system, which in the future would be able to actually neutralize, nullify our entire nuclear potential," Putin said.


tass--2020-09-20--Minsk police confirm protesters’ detention at unauthorized rally

MINSK , September 20 .
/TASS/ .
The law enforcement agencies are detaining participants of a protest dubbed `` Solidarity @ @ @ @ @ a spokesperson for the Interior Ministry ’ s department in Minsk , Natalya Ganusevich told @ @ @ @ @ that several participants of an unauthorized event , in particular on Nemiga Street , were @ @ @ @ @ taken to the district offices of the Interior Ministry as part of the administrative process @ @ @ @ @ According to a TASS correspondent , several hundred people were heading from the center to @ @ @ @ @ .
However , police vehicles approached them and people ran away .
Later , people @ @ @ @ @ outside the sports palace .
However , the groups of up to ten people are @ @ @ @ @ Some protesters are also moving in the opposite direction to the center .

MINSK, September 20. /TASS/. The law enforcement agencies are detaining participants of a protest dubbed "Solidarity March" in Minsk, a spokesperson for the Interior Ministry’s department in Minsk, Natalya Ganusevich told TASS.
"I confirm that several participants of an unauthorized event, in particular on Nemiga Street, were detained. They will be taken to the district offices of the Interior Ministry as part of the administrative process," Ganusevich said.
According to a TASS correspondent, several hundred people were heading from the center to the Minsk Hero City Obelisk. However, police vehicles approached them and people ran away. Later, people carrying white-red-white flags were arrested outside the sports palace.
However, the groups of up to ten people are heading to the obelisk. Some protesters are also moving in the opposite direction to the center.


tass--2020-09-20--Kremlin seeks to overcome downturn in economic relations with Belarus

MOSCOW , September 20 .
/TASS/ .
The Kremlin is sure that direct cooperation of Russian and Belarusian enterprises will give advantage to the two countries ’ people .
In an interview with the program `` Moscow .
Kremlin .
Putin '' on Rossiya-1 TV channel on Sunday , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov recalled that after the September 14 talks in Sochi the Russian and Belarusian presidents , Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko , instructed the heads of agencies and key enterprises to enter a direct contact and start discussing particular joint projects .
The heads of agencies and systemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the talks between Putin and Lukashenko `` in order to stop the trend of a downturn in bilateral trade and economic ties , '' Peskov said .
He stressed that these ties laid the foundation of bilateral relations .
`` Thanks to trade and economic cooperation the relations become mutually beneficial for the people of two countries , for nations , '' he explained .
At the talks in Sochi , Putin stated that the Russian-Belarusian trade dropped by more than 21 % over the unfavorable global economic environment related to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extra efforts in order to combat this trend .
The level of trust and respect between Russia and Belarus guarantees absolute non-interference in each other ’ s affairs , Peskov said .
`` We have a Union State , we are the closest allies and on the one hand , the level of mutual trust and mutual respect guarantees absolute non-interference in each other ’ s domestic affairs what President Putin repeatedly showed , '' Peskov said .
On the other hand , this allows the presidents to hold a candid exchange of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Kremlin spokesman stressed .
`` Certainly , the events of the past weeks in Belarus could not but be touched upon .
In addition , we know President Lukashenko ’ s initiative to carry out a constitutional reform , to launch a corresponding process , and this topic was also touched upon and this initiative was also supported by President Putin , '' Peskov recalled following the talks between the Russian and Belarusian leaders held on Monday .

MOSCOW, September 20. /TASS/. The Kremlin is sure that direct cooperation of Russian and Belarusian enterprises will give advantage to the two countries’ people.
In an interview with the program "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin" on Rossiya-1 TV channel on Sunday, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov recalled that after the September 14 talks in Sochi the Russian and Belarusian presidents, Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko, instructed the heads of agencies and key enterprises to enter a direct contact and start discussing particular joint projects.
The heads of agencies and systemic enterprises have been ordered to establish contacts after the talks between Putin and Lukashenko "in order to stop the trend of a downturn in bilateral trade and economic ties," Peskov said. He stressed that these ties laid the foundation of bilateral relations.
"Thanks to trade and economic cooperation the relations become mutually beneficial for the people of two countries, for nations," he explained.
At the talks in Sochi, Putin stated that the Russian-Belarusian trade dropped by more than 21% over the unfavorable global economic environment related to the coronavirus pandemic. The Russian leader suggested extra efforts in order to combat this trend.
The level of trust and respect between Russia and Belarus guarantees absolute non-interference in each other’s affairs, Peskov said. "We have a Union State, we are the closest allies and on the one hand, the level of mutual trust and mutual respect guarantees absolute non-interference in each other’s domestic affairs what President Putin repeatedly showed," Peskov said.
On the other hand, this allows the presidents to hold a candid exchange of views on the most topical issues, the Kremlin spokesman stressed.
"Certainly, the events of the past weeks in Belarus could not but be touched upon. In addition, we know President Lukashenko’s initiative to carry out a constitutional reform, to launch a corresponding process, and this topic was also touched upon and this initiative was also supported by President Putin," Peskov recalled following the talks between the Russian and Belarusian leaders held on Monday.


tass--2020-09-20--Russia’s coronavirus spread rate rises to record high since May 8

MOSCOW , September 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s coronavirus spread rate on Sunday grew to 1.08 and in Moscow it climbed to 1.14 , according to TASS estimates based on the anti-coronavirus crisis center ’ s data .
This is a record high figure for the country and the capital since May 8 .
In eight out of ten regions with the biggest caseload the coronavirus spread rate was above 1 .
In St. Petersburg it totaled 1.03 , in the Irkutsk and Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Regions - 1.06 , in the Rostov Region - 1.07 , the Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.08 .
The highest number - 1.22 - was registered in the Voronezh Region , where more than 150 new cases were recorded in the past two days .
In the Krasnoyarsk Region the coronavirus spread rate has stood at 1 in the past five days .
The Sverdlovsk Region is the only region where the figure is below 1 ( 0.98 ) .
The coronavirus spread rate indicates the growth in cases in the country in the past days : since September 4 Russia has been registering more than 5,000 new cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 6,000 cases .
Last time , these figures were recorded in the first half of August and on Sunday the number of new cases was the highest since July 18 .
The coronavirus spread rate shows the number of people one patient can infect before being isolated .
Along with other criteria , it was used to define the regions ’ readiness for a step-by-step removal of restrictions introduced this spring to combat the epidemic .
Now this rate is used to adopt decisions on resuming regular passenger service with foreign countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing ’ s recommendations , the borders with a country may be opened if the coronavirus spread rate does not exceed 1 for a week .

MOSCOW, September 20. /TASS/. Russia’s coronavirus spread rate on Sunday grew to 1.08 and in Moscow it climbed to 1.14, according to TASS estimates based on the anti-coronavirus crisis center’s data.
This is a record high figure for the country and the capital since May 8.
In eight out of ten regions with the biggest caseload the coronavirus spread rate was above 1. In St. Petersburg it totaled 1.03, in the Irkutsk and Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Regions - 1.06, in the Rostov Region - 1.07, the Moscow Region and the Nizhny Novgorod Region - 1.08. The highest number - 1.22 - was registered in the Voronezh Region, where more than 150 new cases were recorded in the past two days.
In the Krasnoyarsk Region the coronavirus spread rate has stood at 1 in the past five days. The Sverdlovsk Region is the only region where the figure is below 1 (0.98).
The coronavirus spread rate indicates the growth in cases in the country in the past days: since September 4 Russia has been registering more than 5,000 new cases per day and since September 19 more than 6,000 cases. Last time, these figures were recorded in the first half of August and on Sunday the number of new cases was the highest since July 18.
The coronavirus spread rate shows the number of people one patient can infect before being isolated. Along with other criteria, it was used to define the regions’ readiness for a step-by-step removal of restrictions introduced this spring to combat the epidemic. Now this rate is used to adopt decisions on resuming regular passenger service with foreign countries. In accordance with the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing’s recommendations, the borders with a country may be opened if the coronavirus spread rate does not exceed 1 for a week.


tass--2020-09-20--Kremlin calls dialogue between Russian and Belarusian presidents ‘trust-based’

MOSCOW , September 20 .
/TASS/ .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has described the dialogue between the Russian and Belarusian @ @ @ @ @ Alexander Lukashenko , as rather trust-based .
`` This dialogue is rather trust-based and at @ @ @ @ @ very substantive .
That ’ s because both know well the details of bilateral relations @ @ @ @ @ an interview with the program `` Moscow .
Kremlin .
Putin '' on Rossiya-1 TV @ @ @ @ @ noted that Putin and Lukashenko had `` a long story of their dialogue . ''
@ @ @ @ @ between the presidents are always held after the negotiations between the two countries ’ delegations @ @ @ @ @ why all the details of [ the meeting of Putin and Lukashenko in Moscow ] @ @ @ @ @ so that the presidents could discuss them at the highest level , '' he explained @ @ @ @ @ Sochi hosted the talks between Putin and Lukashenko .
The two leaders focused on the @ @ @ @ @ .
The presidents held one-on-one talks for nearly four hours .

MOSCOW, September 20. /TASS/. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has described the dialogue between the Russian and Belarusian presidents, Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko, as rather trust-based.
"This dialogue is rather trust-based and at the same time it is very substantive. That’s because both know well the details of bilateral relations," Peskov said in an interview with the program "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin" on Rossiya-1 TV channel.
The Kremlin spokesman noted that Putin and Lukashenko had "a long story of their dialogue." He recalled that the talks between the presidents are always held after the negotiations between the two countries’ delegations. "That’s why all the details of [the meeting of Putin and Lukashenko in Moscow] were prepared and worked out so that the presidents could discuss them at the highest level," he explained.
On September 14, Sochi hosted the talks between Putin and Lukashenko. The two leaders focused on the key issues of bilateral relations. The presidents held one-on-one talks for nearly four hours.