tass--2020-10-09--Putin invites Armenian, Azerbaijani ministers to Moscow for talks

MOSCOW , October 9 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin invited the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan to visit Moscow on October 9 for talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict , the Kremlin press service said on Thursday .
`` After a series of phone conversations with Azerbaijani President Ilkham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan , the president of the Russian Federation is making a call to cease the current hostilities in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone for humanitarian reasons , with the aim to carry out a swap of dead bodies and prisoners , '' the press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In order to hold consultations on those issues , mediated by the Russian foreign minister , the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia are invited to Moscow on October 9 , '' it said .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civilians .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , led by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

MOSCOW, October 9. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin invited the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan to visit Moscow on October 9 for talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Kremlin press service said on Thursday.
"After a series of phone conversations with Azerbaijani President Ilkham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the president of the Russian Federation is making a call to cease the current hostilities in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone for humanitarian reasons, with the aim to carry out a swap of dead bodies and prisoners," the press service said in a statement.
"In order to hold consultations on those issues, mediated by the Russian foreign minister, the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia are invited to Moscow on October 9," it said.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-10-09--Armenian forces shoot down seven Azerbaijani drones — defense ministry

YEREVAN , October 9 .
/TASS/ .
The armed forces of Armenia shot down seven Azerbaijani drones near the Armenian city of Vardenis late on Thursday , Armenian Defense Ministry press secretary Shushan Stepanyan said .
`` Between 19:30 and 21:20 ( local time , 18:30 and 20:20 Moscow time ) , the armed forces of Armenia downed seven enemy drones , '' she said .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group , led by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

YEREVAN, October 9. /TASS/. The armed forces of Armenia shot down seven Azerbaijani drones near the Armenian city of Vardenis late on Thursday, Armenian Defense Ministry press secretary Shushan Stepanyan said.
"Between 19:30 and 21:20 (local time, 18:30 and 20:20 Moscow time), the armed forces of Armenia downed seven enemy drones," she said.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic.
In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-10-08--Russian, Azerbaijani Prime Ministers note importance of ceasefire in Karabakh

MOSCOW , October 8 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin noted the importance of prompt stabilization of the @ @ @ @ @ of the negotiations process in his phone call with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ali Asadov .
@ @ @ @ @ importance of prompt stabilization of the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict area , of cessation @ @ @ @ @ negotiation process on political and diplomatic settlement of the situation .
The sides underscored the @ @ @ @ @ in the southern Caucasus region , '' Russian Cabinet press service said in its statement @ @ @ @ @ also discussed pressing issues of Russian-Azerbaijani trade , economic and humanitarian cooperation , and exchanged @ @ @ @ @ joint project in various fields .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September @ @ @ @ @ raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in @ @ @ @ @ in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law @ @ @ @ @ Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .

MOSCOW, October 8. /TASS/. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin noted the importance of prompt stabilization of the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and restoration of the negotiations process in his phone call with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ali Asadov.
"Mikhail Mishustin noted the importance of prompt stabilization of the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict area, of cessation of hostilities and restoration of negotiation process on political and diplomatic settlement of the situation. The sides underscored the necessity of peace and security in the southern Caucasus region," Russian Cabinet press service said in its statement.
The heads of governments also discussed pressing issues of Russian-Azerbaijani trade, economic and humanitarian cooperation, and exchanged opinions on implementation of major joint project in various fields.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.


tass--2020-10-08--Russia to respond to potential sanctions over Navalny incident — diplomat

MOSCOW , October 8 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is prepared to provide a symmetrical response to the sanctions that Germany and France may impose over the Navalny incident , Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in an interview for Dozhd TV channel Thursday .
`` Sanctions , restrictions , stop lists in international relations always lead to one thing : reciprocal measures , '' she said .
No proof has been presented on the Navalny case , Zakharova noted , adding that the allegations are supposed to be taken as fact .
According to the diplomat , the West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bottom of the situation , but uses it as a pretext for imposition of sanctions .
`` The Western biological clock made it crave new sanctions against our country ; it needed a pretext , a motive , some kind of story , '' the diplomat underscored .
The Foreign Ministries of Germany and France said in their joint statement earlier that they will forward their proposals on additional sanctions over the Navalny incident , including personal ones , to their partners in the EU .
UK Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blok also expressed their support of the German and French authorities .

MOSCOW, October 8. /TASS/. Russia is prepared to provide a symmetrical response to the sanctions that Germany and France may impose over the Navalny incident, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in an interview for Dozhd TV channel Thursday.
"Sanctions, restrictions, stop lists in international relations always lead to one thing: reciprocal measures," she said.
No proof has been presented on the Navalny case, Zakharova noted, adding that the allegations are supposed to be taken as fact. According to the diplomat, the West is not interested in getting to the bottom of the situation, but uses it as a pretext for imposition of sanctions.
"The Western biological clock made it crave new sanctions against our country; it needed a pretext, a motive, some kind of story," the diplomat underscored.
The Foreign Ministries of Germany and France said in their joint statement earlier that they will forward their proposals on additional sanctions over the Navalny incident, including personal ones, to their partners in the EU.
UK Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Dominic Raab and his Dutch counterpart Stef Blok also expressed their support of the German and French authorities.


tass--2020-10-08--OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs meet in Geneva for consultations on Nagorno-Karabakh

GENEVA , October 8 .
/TASS/ .
Co-chairs of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) ’ s Minsk Group convened in Geneva on Thursday evening to discuss ways of settling the current conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh , informed sources told TASS .
`` The consultations are still ongoing , '' the source said , providing no further details .
Earlier in the day , Russian Permanent Mission to the UN Office and other international organizations in Geneva told TASS that Russian Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Igor Popov had arrived to the Swiss city for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official information about the beginning and the course of the negotiations has so far been published .
The agenda and venue of the talks are also unknown .
The co-chairs were supposed to meet with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov , but the Azerbaijani mission to Geneva told TASS it had no information to share at this point .
French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian announced on Wednesday that the Minsk group co-chair nations ( France , Russia and the United States ) will hold negotiations on Nagorno-Karabakh on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 in Moscow .
He did not disclose at what level the negotiations will take place .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia , Donald Trump of the United States and Emmanuel Macron of France , as the leaders of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair nations issued a statement on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh .
The leaders resolutely condemned the current escalation along the contact line in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone and called for immediate cessation of hostilities .

GENEVA, October 8. /TASS/. Co-chairs of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)’s Minsk Group convened in Geneva on Thursday evening to discuss ways of settling the current conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, informed sources told TASS.
"The consultations are still ongoing," the source said, providing no further details.
Earlier in the day, Russian Permanent Mission to the UN Office and other international organizations in Geneva told TASS that Russian Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Igor Popov had arrived to the Swiss city for talks on Nagorno-Karabakh. However, no official information about the beginning and the course of the negotiations has so far been published. The agenda and venue of the talks are also unknown.
The co-chairs were supposed to meet with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, but the Azerbaijani mission to Geneva told TASS it had no information to share at this point.
French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian announced on Wednesday that the Minsk group co-chair nations (France, Russia and the United States) will hold negotiations on Nagorno-Karabakh on October 8 in Geneva and on October 12 in Moscow. He did not disclose at what level the negotiations will take place.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.
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.
On October 1, Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia, Donald Trump of the United States and Emmanuel Macron of France, as the leaders of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair nations issued a statement on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. The leaders resolutely condemned the current escalation along the contact line in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone and called for immediate cessation of hostilities.


tass--2020-10-08--Moscow reports 33 coronavirus deaths in past day — crisis center

MSOCOW , October 8 .
/TASS/ .
A total of 33 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered in Moscow on Thursday , @ @ @ @ @ .
`` A total of 33 patients diagnosed with pneumonia , who had tested positive @ @ @ @ @ died in Moscow , '' the center said .
The Russian capital ’ s overall @ @ @ @ @ at 5,530 .
Moscow is the hardest-hit region in Russia , and daily numbers of @ @ @ @ @ rise .
Overall , 318,111 cases of the infection were registered in the city so @ @ @ @ @ the past day .
A total of 257,703 people have recovered .

MSOCOW, October 8. /TASS/. A total of 33 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered in Moscow on Thursday, the anti-coronavirus crisis center said.
"A total of 33 patients diagnosed with pneumonia, who had tested positive for the coronavirus infection, died in Moscow," the center said.
The Russian capital’s overall coronavirus death toll currently stands at 5,530.
Moscow is the hardest-hit region in Russia, and daily numbers of new cases are on the rise. Overall, 318,111 cases of the infection were registered in the city so far, including 3,323 in the past day. A total of 257,703 people have recovered.


tass--2020-10-08--No shortage in hospital beds in Moscow, chief physician assures

MOSCOW , October 8./TASS/ .
No shortage in hospital beds is expected in Moscow in view of a growing number @ @ @ @ @ physician of the clinic for coronavirus patients in Kommunarka , Denis Protsenko , said in @ @ @ @ @ Guest program on RTVI on Thursday .
`` I believe that we don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ hospital beds - TASS ) , nor will we have it .
Why ?
Because @ @ @ @ @ once again , the city showed in March how it can react , be reformatted @ @ @ @ @ According to him , about 250 coronavirus patients are now on a ventilator in Moscow @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus among the Russian regions .

MOSCOW, October 8./TASS/. No shortage in hospital beds is expected in Moscow in view of a growing number of coronavirus patients, chief physician of the clinic for coronavirus patients in Kommunarka, Denis Protsenko, said in an interview with the Special Guest program on RTVI on Thursday.
"I believe that we don’t have (any shortage in hospital beds - TASS), nor will we have it. Why? Because, I am saying this once again, the city showed in March how it can react, be reformatted," Protsenko said.
According to him, about 250 coronavirus patients are now on a ventilator in Moscow, the hardest hit by coronavirus among the Russian regions.


tass--2020-10-08--Some countries unable to confirm commitments to Treaty on Open Skies, says senior diplomat

MOSCOW , October 8 .
/TASS/ .
The unpreparedness of some countries to unequivocally confirm commitments to the Treaty on @ @ @ @ @ their real intentions , Russia ’ s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said at the @ @ @ @ @ Conference on the Open Skies Treaty .
A transcript of his statement was uploaded to @ @ @ @ @ website on Thursday .
`` The unpreparedness to unequivocally confirm their commitments to the treaty @ @ @ @ @ real intentions .
The discussion on this issue is not over yet .
We will @ @ @ @ @ from the standpoint of our likely response , '' Ryabkov said .

MOSCOW, October 8. /TASS/. The unpreparedness of some countries to unequivocally confirm commitments to the Treaty on Open Skies raises questions about their real intentions, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said at the opening of the Fourth Review Conference on the Open Skies Treaty. A transcript of his statement was uploaded to the Foreign Ministry’s website on Thursday.
"The unpreparedness to unequivocally confirm their commitments to the treaty evokes serious doubts regarding their real intentions. The discussion on this issue is not over yet. We will continue to analyze the situation from the standpoint of our likely response," Ryabkov said.


tass--2020-10-08--Lavrov appoints Alexander Kinschak as Foreign Ministry’s envoy for Syria

MOSCOW , October 8./TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has appointed Director of the Middle East and North Africa @ @ @ @ @ ’ s special envoy for Syria , Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a briefing on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ Sergey Lavrov appointed Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department of the Russian @ @ @ @ @ Alexander ] Kinschak , as minister ’ s special representative for the Syrian settlement , @ @ @ @ @ In the newly created position , Kinshchak will be representing the Russian side during bilateral @ @ @ @ @ , including in the Geneva and Astana formats , with an aim to facilitate the @ @ @ @ @ was Russian Ambassador to Kuwait from January 2008 to March 2013 .
After that , @ @ @ @ @ Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department .
From December 2014 to October @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Ambassador to Syria , replacing Azamat Kulmukhametov .

MOSCOW, October 8./TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has appointed Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department Alexander Kinschak as ministry’s special envoy for Syria, Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a briefing on Thursday.
"Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov appointed Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Mr. [Alexander] Kinschak, as minister’s special representative for the Syrian settlement," the diplomat said.
In the newly created position, Kinshchak will be representing the Russian side during bilateral and multilateral contacts on Syria, including in the Geneva and Astana formats, with an aim to facilitate the Syrian settlement.
Alexander Kinschak was Russian Ambassador to Kuwait from January 2008 to March 2013. After that, he returned to work as Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department. From December 2014 to October 2018, he was Russia’s Ambassador to Syria, replacing Azamat Kulmukhametov.


tass--2020-10-08--Russian blogger Yuri Kotenok heavily injured in Shushi, says Armenian Foreign Ministry

STEPANAKERT , October 8 .
/TASS/ .
Russian blogger Yuri Kotenok is among the three journalists , injured in the @ @ @ @ @ , Nagorno-Karabakh , an Armenian Foreign Ministry representative told TASS Thursday .
`` A total @ @ @ @ @ injured in Shushi .
One , Yuri Kotenok , has been injured severely , '' @ @ @ @

STEPANAKERT, October 8. /TASS/. Russian blogger Yuri Kotenok is among the three journalists, injured in the city of Shushi near Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, an Armenian Foreign Ministry representative told TASS Thursday.
"A total of three people have been injured in Shushi. One, Yuri Kotenok, has been injured severely," the representative said.


tass--2020-10-08--US uses elections as another pretext for sanctions against Russia, Zakharova says

MOSCOW , October 8 .
/TASS/ .
Washington ’ s latest bills for preventing alleged foreign interference in elections not so much protect the electoral system as serve as an excuse for creating impediments to Moscow ’ s activities along different tracks , Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told the media on Thursday .
A new bill on the prevention of foreign intervention in US elections was submitted to the House of Representatives of the US Congress on September 30 .
`` Just think of how many reports , resolutions , documents , statements and petitions are printed in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subject : ‘ Stop election meddling ’ , '' Zakharova said with pinch of irony .
`` This theme has been in the limelight for many years .
Will you please do something about it at last !
Stop wasting paper and making loud noises .
It ’ s no longer funny . ''
`` Honestly speaking , reading all these statements makes you feel that no people in in their right mind could ever write such things , '' Zakharova said .
`` The authors of the latest in a series of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions on Russia , including a ban on transactions with government securities and more sanctions against the leading Russian banks and fuel and energy companies . ''
`` There is an eternal : do you really wish to protect your electoral system from external influences ?
Or are you trying to think up an excuse for more restrictions on Russia ’ s activity on a number of tracks , which are not connected with your elections ?
For some reason you firmly link these two issues , '' Zakharova said .

MOSCOW, October 8. /TASS/. Washington’s latest bills for preventing alleged foreign interference in elections not so much protect the electoral system as serve as an excuse for creating impediments to Moscow’s activities along different tracks, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told the media on Thursday.
A new bill on the prevention of foreign intervention in US elections was submitted to the House of Representatives of the US Congress on September 30.
"Just think of how many reports, resolutions, documents, statements and petitions are printed in the United States every day on just one subject: ‘Stop election meddling’," Zakharova said with pinch of irony. "This theme has been in the limelight for many years. Will you please do something about it at last! Stop wasting paper and making loud noises. It’s no longer funny."
"Honestly speaking, reading all these statements makes you feel that no people in in their right mind could ever write such things," Zakharova said. "The authors of the latest in a series of such masterpieces call for imposing harsh economic restrictions on Russia, including a ban on transactions with government securities and more sanctions against the leading Russian banks and fuel and energy companies."
"There is an eternal : do you really wish to protect your electoral system from external influences? Or are you trying to think up an excuse for more restrictions on Russia’s activity on a number of tracks, which are not connected with your elections? For some reason you firmly link these two issues," Zakharova said.


tass--2020-10-08--Poland’s decision to fine Gazprom politically motivated, says Russian Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW , October 8 .
/TASS/ .
The decision of the Polish regulator UOKiK to fine Gazprom and European companies cooperating with the holding in the Nord Stream 2 projects was made for the sake of the idea of creating an alternative hub for US liquefied natural gas resale in Eastern European countries , official spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said at the briefing on Thursday .
`` Obviously , this refers to the next politically motivated attempt of applying pressure to the Russian gas exporter that reliably provided European consumers with natural gas for years and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all by Warsaw ’ s attempts to impede construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline by means of murky measures , including use of measures obviously not corresponding to the jurisdiction of Poland ’ s establishments , '' Zakharova said .
Behind the decision to impose the fine `` is the intention to materialize , obviously in favor of Washington , the idea of creating an alternative gas hub for resale of the US liquefied natural gas to Eastern European countries , '' she added .
Warsaw `` fully ignores principles of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , essentially undermining the European energy and , by the way , environmental safety , '' Zakharova noted .
On October 7 , the Polish regulator UOKiK made the decision to impose a fine on the Russian gas holding Gazprom and five European companies cooperating with it and demanded termination of agreements made under the project between Nord Stream 2 AG and Gazprom and European investors - OMV , Wintershall , Engie , Shell and Uniper .
Gazprom said it intends to dispute the fine .

MOSCOW, October 8. /TASS/. The decision of the Polish regulator UOKiK to fine Gazprom and European companies cooperating with the holding in the Nord Stream 2 projects was made for the sake of the idea of creating an alternative hub for US liquefied natural gas resale in Eastern European countries, official spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said at the briefing on Thursday.
"Obviously, this refers to the next politically motivated attempt of applying pressure to the Russian gas exporter that reliably provided European consumers with natural gas for years and years. We are not surprised at all by Warsaw’s attempts to impede construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline by means of murky measures, including use of measures obviously not corresponding to the jurisdiction of Poland’s establishments," Zakharova said. Behind the decision to impose the fine "is the intention to materialize, obviously in favor of Washington, the idea of creating an alternative gas hub for resale of the US liquefied natural gas to Eastern European countries," she added.
Warsaw "fully ignores principles of fair competition and interests of European users, essentially undermining the European energy and, by the way, environmental safety," Zakharova noted.
On October 7, the Polish regulator UOKiK made the decision to impose a fine on the Russian gas holding Gazprom and five European companies cooperating with it and demanded termination of agreements made under the project between Nord Stream 2 AG and Gazprom and European investors - OMV, Wintershall, Engie, Shell and Uniper. Gazprom said it intends to dispute the fine.


tass--2020-10-08--Russian, Armenian foreign ministers to discuss Nagorno-Karabakh on October 12

MOSCOW , October 8./TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will meet with his Armenian counterpart Zohrab Mnatsakanyan in Moscow on October 12 to discuss the situation in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh , Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a briefing on Thursday .
The top Armenian diplomat is expected be in Moscow on an official visit between October 11 and 13 .
Within the framework of the visit , the foreign ministers will meet `` to discuss international issues as well as issues of regional security '' .
`` It is obvious , that the focus will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict , '' Zakharova said .
`` Russia , both as a nation and within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group is consistently making every possible effort aimed towards an immediate ceasefire , and having conditions created for the restart of the negotiating process , '' she stressed .
According to the diplomat , the sides will consider a broad range of issues of multi-faceted bilateral cooperation , cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union , the Collective Security Treaty Organization as well as the Commonwealth of Independent States .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as the UN , the OSCE , the Council of Europe , the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation , as well as other organizations .
She also noted that allied relations between the countries are characterized by an active political dialogue , efficient contacts between the parliaments , constructive exchanges between the ministries and departments .
`` We expect that the official visit by the Armenian foreign minister to Moscow will give an additional impetus to the development of mutually advantageous Russian-Armenian cooperation and will help to strengthen security and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diplomat summed up .

MOSCOW, October 8./TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will meet with his Armenian counterpart Zohrab Mnatsakanyan in Moscow on October 12 to discuss the situation in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a briefing on Thursday.
The top Armenian diplomat is expected be in Moscow on an official visit between October 11 and 13. Within the framework of the visit, the foreign ministers will meet "to discuss international issues as well as issues of regional security". "It is obvious, that the focus will be on heightened tensions in the zone of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," Zakharova said.
"Russia, both as a nation and within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group is consistently making every possible effort aimed towards an immediate ceasefire, and having conditions created for the restart of the negotiating process," she stressed.
According to the diplomat, the sides will consider a broad range of issues of multi-faceted bilateral cooperation, cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union, the Collective Security Treaty Organization as well as the Commonwealth of Independent States. They will coordinate positions in international agencies, such as the UN, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, as well as other organizations.
She also noted that allied relations between the countries are characterized by an active political dialogue, efficient contacts between the parliaments, constructive exchanges between the ministries and departments.
"We expect that the official visit by the Armenian foreign minister to Moscow will give an additional impetus to the development of mutually advantageous Russian-Armenian cooperation and will help to strengthen security and stability in Transcaucasia," the Russian diplomat summed up.


tass--2020-10-08--US wants agreements with Russia to cover all nuclear warheads - Department of State

WASHINGTON , October 8 .
/TASS/ .
The United States wants agreements with Russia to apply to all nuclear warheads @ @ @ @ @ spokesperson told TASS on Thursday while commenting on the launch of the hypersonic missile Tsirkon @ @ @ @ @ to move beyond the bilateral deals of the past and seek to cover all nuclear @ @ @ @ @ monitor Russian military activity and missile tests , which inform our arms control and security @ @ @ @ @ said .

WASHINGTON, October 8. /TASS/. The United States wants agreements with Russia to apply to all nuclear warheads, a Department of State spokesperson told TASS on Thursday while commenting on the launch of the hypersonic missile Tsirkon.
"Our goal is to move beyond the bilateral deals of the past and seek to cover all nuclear warheads. We continue to monitor Russian military activity and missile tests, which inform our arms control and security policies," the official said.


tass--2020-10-08--Construction in Russia will not stop in case of second Covid-19 wave

MOSCOW , October 8 .
/ TASS / .
The Russian Ministry of Construction has developed security measures at construction sites that will help continue construction in the event of a second wave of coronavirus , Deputy Minister of Construction and Housing and Utilities Nikita Stasishin said on Thursday .
`` We have developed a number of security measures at construction sites that will be applied in the event of a second wave .
Therefore , I can say that if this happens , construction will not stop , '' the press service of the Ministry of Construction quoted Stasishin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commission for Europe Committee on Urban Development , housing policy and land use .
Stasishin added that the restrictions imposed on construction sites in the spring had an impact on the indicators for housing commissioning .
As added by the press service , Stasishin was elected a member of the Bureau of the Committee on Housing and Land Management of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe .
Earlier , the head of the Russian Ministry of Construction , Vladimir Yakushev , reported that 53 regions in one way or another suspended work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , and in Moscow and the Moscow region , construction stopped completely .

MOSCOW, October 8. / TASS /. The Russian Ministry of Construction has developed security measures at construction sites that will help continue construction in the event of a second wave of coronavirus, Deputy Minister of Construction and Housing and Utilities Nikita Stasishin said on Thursday.
"We have developed a number of security measures at construction sites that will be applied in the event of a second wave. Therefore, I can say that if this happens, construction will not stop," the press service of the Ministry of Construction quoted Stasishin at a meeting of the UN Economic Commission for Europe Committee on Urban Development, housing policy and land use.
Stasishin added that the restrictions imposed on construction sites in the spring had an impact on the indicators for housing commissioning.
As added by the press service, Stasishin was elected a member of the Bureau of the Committee on Housing and Land Management of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.
Earlier, the head of the Russian Ministry of Construction, Vladimir Yakushev, reported that 53 regions in one way or another suspended work on construction sites due to the coronavirus pandemic, and in Moscow and the Moscow region, construction stopped completely.


tass--2020-10-08--Russian, German senior lawmakers discuss Navalny case

MOSCOW , October 8 .
/TASS/ .
Head of Russian State Duma commission on investigation of foreign meddling Vasiliy Piskaryov @ @ @ @ @ address regarding the Alexey Navalny situation with Robby Schlund , head of German-Russian Bundestag parliamentary @ @ @ @ @ press service announced Thursday .
Piskaryov contacted the Bundestag lawmakers , asking for assistance in @ @ @ @ @ the Navalny case to the Russian law enforcement agencies , including Navalny ’ s medical @ @ @ @ @ and answers to questions from the Russian Prosecutor General ’ sOffice , sent within the @ @ @ @ @ which there have been four of already , '' according to the lawmaker .
`` @ @ @ @ @ favor of preservation of constructive dialogue between Russia and Germany , in favor of separation @ @ @ @ @ , economic , cultural and humanitarian cooperation of the two countries .
They also stated @ @ @ @ @ Bundestag president Wolfgan Schauble with a demand to provide an official response to the Russian @ @ @ @ @ request , '' the State Duma said .

MOSCOW, October 8. /TASS/. Head of Russian State Duma commission on investigation of foreign meddling Vasiliy Piskaryov discussed the Russian lawmakers’ address regarding the Alexey Navalny situation with Robby Schlund, head of German-Russian Bundestag parliamentary group, Russian State Duma press service announced Thursday.
Piskaryov contacted the Bundestag lawmakers, asking for assistance in provision of required materials on the Navalny case to the Russian law enforcement agencies, including Navalny’s medical expertise, medical examination results and answers to questions from the Russian Prosecutor General’sOffice, sent within the legal aid requests, "which there have been four of already," according to the lawmaker.
"The German parliamentarians spoke in favor of preservation of constructive dialogue between Russia and Germany, in favor of separation of criminal issues and political, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation of the two countries. They also stated their intention to address the Bundestag president Wolfgan Schauble with a demand to provide an official response to the Russian State Duma commission’s request," the State Duma said.


tass--2020-10-08--Aides who accompanied Navalny in Tomsk have many questions to answer — investigation

MOSCOW , October 8 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Interior Ministry still has many questions to ask staffers of the Anti-Corruption Foundation ( ACF ) who accompanied Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny on his trip to Tomsk , the Russian Interior Ministry ’ s Deputy Director of the Investigative Department of the Transport Department for the Siberian Federal District Sergei Potapov told reporters .
There were no toxic substances in Navalny ’ s body when he was in Russia — intel chief '' The employees of the Anti-Corruption Foundation and other people who accompanied Navalny during the trip still have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is clarifying what exactly they did in Navalny ’ s hotel room , why they removed objects that could have been classified as evidence in the probe ( including water bottles ) and how they transported them , '' he said .
According to Potapov , police officers are yet to get answers to these questions from these people as they refuse to testify .
Moreover , the investigation is trying to find out the location of Maria Pevchikh who permanently lives in the UK .
On August 22 , she refused to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Airport services did not find any water bottles allegedly carried by Maria Pevchikh , who accompanied Alexey Navalny , Sergei Potapov told reporters .
`` Some information emerged in the media that these objects ( bottles containing water ) were transported by car and plane from Tomsk to Germany .
At the same time , the investigative agencies objectively found out that Maria Pevchikh together with Georgy Alburov , after Navalny ’ s hospitalization , travelled from Tomsk to Novosibirsk by car and then to Omsk by plane .
As Maria Pevchikh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Novosibirsk ) , her suitcase and backpack did not have any liquid containers of over 100 ml , including any bottles of water , '' he said .
Earlier , Navalny ’ s Anti-Corruption Foundation said that they had managed to get to his hotel room in Tomsk , after the opposition figure became ill aboard the plane , and recover water bottles from there .
Pevchikh allegedly took one of them to Germany , whose experts said this week that the bottle did contain traces of a toxic substance .
Alexey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Siberian city of Omsk on August 20 after collapsing on a Moscow-bound flight from Tomsk .
He fell into a coma and was put on a ventilator in an intensive care unit .
On August 22 , he was airlifted to Berlin and admitted to the Charite hospital .
On September 2 , Berlin claimed that having examined Navalny ’ s test samples , German government toxicologists had come to the conclusion that the blogger had been affected by a toxic agent belonging to the Novichok family .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comprehensive cooperation with Germany .
He pointed out that no poisonous substances had been detected in Navalny ’ s system prior to his transfer to Berlin .
On October 6 , the OPCW confirmed that biomarkers of the cholinesterase inhibitor found in Navalny ’ s blood and urine samples have similar structural characteristics as the toxic chemicals added to the Chemical Weapons Convention ’ s Annex on Chemicals in November 2019 .
At the same time , this cholinesterase inhibitor is not listed in the Annex on Chemicals to the Convention .

MOSCOW, October 8. /TASS/. The Russian Interior Ministry still has many questions to ask staffers of the Anti-Corruption Foundation (ACF) who accompanied Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny on his trip to Tomsk, the Russian Interior Ministry’s Deputy Director of the Investigative Department of the Transport Department for the Siberian Federal District Sergei Potapov told reporters.
There were no toxic substances in Navalny’s body when he was in Russia — intel chief
"The employees of the Anti-Corruption Foundation and other people who accompanied Navalny during the trip still have many questions to answer. The investigation is clarifying what exactly they did in Navalny’s hotel room, why they removed objects that could have been classified as evidence in the probe (including water bottles) and how they transported them," he said.
According to Potapov, police officers are yet to get answers to these questions from these people as they refuse to testify.
Moreover, the investigation is trying to find out the location of Maria Pevchikh who permanently lives in the UK. On August 22, she refused to be questioned and left Omsk for Germany.
Water bottles with 'poison'
Airport services did not find any water bottles allegedly carried by Maria Pevchikh, who accompanied Alexey Navalny, Sergei Potapov told reporters.
"Some information emerged in the media that these objects (bottles containing water) were transported by car and plane from Tomsk to Germany. At the same time, the investigative agencies objectively found out that Maria Pevchikh together with Georgy Alburov, after Navalny’s hospitalization, travelled from Tomsk to Novosibirsk by car and then to Omsk by plane. As Maria Pevchikh went through pre-flight checks in Tolmachevo Airport (Novosibirsk), her suitcase and backpack did not have any liquid containers of over 100 ml, including any bottles of water," he said.
Earlier, Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation said that they had managed to get to his hotel room in Tomsk, after the opposition figure became ill aboard the plane, and recover water bottles from there. Pevchikh allegedly took one of them to Germany, whose experts said this week that the bottle did contain traces of a toxic substance.
Alexey Navalny was rushed to a local hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk on August 20 after collapsing on a Moscow-bound flight from Tomsk. He fell into a coma and was put on a ventilator in an intensive care unit. On August 22, he was airlifted to Berlin and admitted to the Charite hospital.
On September 2, Berlin claimed that having examined Navalny’s test samples, German government toxicologists had come to the conclusion that the blogger had been affected by a toxic agent belonging to the Novichok family.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia was 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.
On October 6, the OPCW confirmed that biomarkers of the cholinesterase inhibitor found in Navalny’s blood and urine samples have similar structural characteristics as the toxic chemicals added to the Chemical Weapons Convention’s Annex on Chemicals in November 2019. At the same time, this cholinesterase inhibitor is not listed in the Annex on Chemicals to the Convention.


tass--2020-10-08--Western countries showed nihilism by refusing to listen to former OPCW chief — diplomat

MOSCOW , October 8 .
/TASS/ .
The Western countries ’ reluctance to listen to a statement by a former chief of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons , Jose Bustani , in the UN Security Council was a manifestation of political and legal nihilism by the Euro-Atlantic allies , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a news briefing on Thursday .
`` The Western countries have once again demonstrated their reluctance even to listen to opinions they do not like from a person who is a recognized professional .
By means of procedural manipulations he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting even in a video conference mode .
In a word , the political and legal nihilism , to say the least , which is constantly resorted to by the Euro-Atlantic allies in the OPCW , has already spread to the UN Security Council ’ s platform .
It is very sad , '' Zakharova said .
She recalled that Bustani was ousted from his position in the OPCW under pressure from the United States and its allies for the sole reason he was trying to take an independent stance on crucial issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia , which holds the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council in October , suggested hearing Bustani ’ s report at a meeting devoted to the elimination of Syria ’ s chemical weapons .
However , Britain ’ s Deputy Permanent Representative Jonathan Allen called for putting the rapporteur ’ s candidature to the vote .
Belgium , Britain , Germany , the United States , France and Estonia voted against hearing his report .
In the end , Bustani ’ s report was read out by Russia ’ s Permanent Representative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OPCW ’ s former chief strongly criticized the current state of affairs in the organization .

MOSCOW, October 8. /TASS/. The Western countries’ reluctance to listen to a statement by a former chief of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Jose Bustani, in the UN Security Council was a manifestation of political and legal nihilism by the Euro-Atlantic allies, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a news briefing on Thursday.
"The Western countries have once again demonstrated their reluctance even to listen to opinions they do not like from a person who is a recognized professional. By means of procedural manipulations he was barred from addressing the participants in the meeting even in a video conference mode. In a word, the political and legal nihilism, to say the least, which is constantly resorted to by the Euro-Atlantic allies in the OPCW, has already spread to the UN Security Council’s platform. It is very sad," Zakharova said.
She recalled that Bustani was ousted from his position in the OPCW under pressure from the United States and its allies for the sole reason he was trying to take an independent stance on crucial issues on the organization’s agenda.
Russia, which holds the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council in October, suggested hearing Bustani’s report at a meeting devoted to the elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons. However, Britain’s Deputy Permanent Representative Jonathan Allen called for putting the rapporteur’s candidature to the vote. Belgium, Britain, Germany, the United States, France and Estonia voted against hearing his report. In the end, Bustani’s report was read out by Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya. The OPCW’s former chief strongly criticized the current state of affairs in the organization.


tass--2020-10-08--Azerbaijan denies shelling church in Nagorno-Karabakh

BAKU , October 8 .
/TASS/ .
Azerbaijani Defense Ministry on Thursday rejected reports that its forces had shelled the Ghazanchetsots Holy Savior Cathedral in the town of Shusha ( Shushi in Armenian ) in Nagorno-Karabakh .
`` The information that the church in Shusha has been damaged has nothing to do with the Azerbaijani army ’ s combat operations .
As distinct from the Armenian armed forces , which damaged civil facilities , residential buildings and also the Imamzadeh religious and architectural monument during the shelling of Ganja on October 4 , the Azerbaijani army takes no aim at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities , '' the ministry said in a statement .
The Armenian Defense Ministry spokesman said earlier on Thursday that the Azerbaijani army had shelled the Ghazanchetsots Holy Savior Cathedral in Shushi .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

BAKU, October 8. /TASS/. Azerbaijani Defense Ministry on Thursday rejected reports that its forces had shelled the Ghazanchetsots Holy Savior Cathedral in the town of Shusha (Shushi in Armenian) in Nagorno-Karabakh.
"The information that the church in Shusha has been damaged has nothing to do with the Azerbaijani army’s combat operations. As distinct from the Armenian armed forces, which damaged civil facilities, residential buildings and also the Imamzadeh religious and architectural monument during the shelling of Ganja on October 4, the Azerbaijani army takes no aim at historical and cultural monuments, especially religious facilities," the ministry said in a statement.
The Armenian Defense Ministry spokesman said earlier on Thursday that the Azerbaijani army had shelled the Ghazanchetsots Holy Savior Cathedral in Shushi.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic.
In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-10-08--Fire at ammo depot near Ryazan contained

MOSCOW , October 8 .
/TASS/ .
The fire at an ammunition depot near Ryazan in central Russia has been @ @ @ @ @ Minister Dmitry Bulgakov staying at the scene announced on Thursday .
`` Following the results @ @ @ @ @ carried out , we can confidently say that the fire has been contained both on @ @ @ @ @ premises and outside it along the entire perimeter , '' the Defense Ministry quoted Bulgakov @ @ @ @ @ broke out on the technical premises of a military base in the Ryazan Region on @ @ @ @ @ to explode as a result of the blaze .
A criminal case has been opened @ @ @ @ @ emergency regime has been introduced in the region .
Russia ’ s Emergencies Minister Yevgeny @ @ @ @ @ Putin on Thursday that 16 people had suffered from the explosions and over 20 buildings @ @ @ @ @ grouping of forces and equipment involved in eliminating the fire and the explosions at the @ @ @ @ @ Region comprised 1,500 personnel and 389 pieces of hardware .

MOSCOW, October 8. /TASS/. The fire at an ammunition depot near Ryazan in central Russia has been contained, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Dmitry Bulgakov staying at the scene announced on Thursday.
"Following the results of the work we have carried out, we can confidently say that the fire has been contained both on the depot’s technical premises and outside it along the entire perimeter," the Defense Ministry quoted Bulgakov as saying.
A fire broke out on the technical premises of a military base in the Ryazan Region on Wednesday afternoon. Munitions started to explode as a result of the blaze. A criminal case has been opened into the incident and an emergency regime has been introduced in the region.
Russia’s Emergencies Minister Yevgeny Zinichev reported to President Vladimir Putin on Thursday that 16 people had suffered from the explosions and over 20 buildings had been damaged.
The grouping of forces and equipment involved in eliminating the fire and the explosions at the ammunition depot in the Ryazan Region comprised 1,500 personnel and 389 pieces of hardware.


tass--2020-10-08--Excessive concentrations of three substances found in Kamchatka water samples

MOSCOW , October 8 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian environment protection watchdog Rosprirodnadzor presented the results of water samples testing @ @ @ @ @ Excessive concentrations were found for iron , phenol and phosphate ion , the press service @ @ @ @ @ Natural Resources said on Thursday .
`` Excess values of phosphate ion by 10.8 times @ @ @ @ @ 6.7 times and total phenol - by 2.9 times were found in tested samples , @ @ @ @ @ According to the regulator , excess values were registered not merely in the Avacha Bay @ @ @ @ @ rivers Taenka , Khalaktyrka and Kirpichnaya .
Specialists earlier detected excessive phenol and oil products @ @ @ @ @ of Khalaktyrsky Beach in Kamchatka , where a large-scale beaching of aquatic animals to the @ @ @ @ @ was later identified in three other areas of the Avacha Bay , and cases of @ @ @ @ @ in the Bolshaya Lagernaya Bay , the Malaya Lagernaya Bay and the Babya Bay .

MOSCOW, October 8. /TASS/. The Russian environment protection watchdog Rosprirodnadzor presented the results of water samples testing for pollutants in Kamchatka. Excessive concentrations were found for iron, phenol and phosphate ion, the press service of the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources said on Thursday.
"Excess values of phosphate ion by 10.8 times, total iron - by 6.7 times and total phenol - by 2.9 times were found in tested samples," the Ministry said.
According to the regulator, excess values were registered not merely in the Avacha Bay but also in the nearby rivers Taenka, Khalaktyrka and Kirpichnaya.
Specialists earlier detected excessive phenol and oil products content in the coastal zone of Khalaktyrsky Beach in Kamchatka, where a large-scale beaching of aquatic animals to the shore was registered. Pollution was later identified in three other areas of the Avacha Bay, and cases of sea habitat death were confirmed in the Bolshaya Lagernaya Bay, the Malaya Lagernaya Bay and the Babya Bay.


tass--2020-10-08--Several journalists wounded in Shushi shelling in Karabakh

YEREVAN , October 8 .
/TASS/ .
Several journalists sustained wounds in the Azerbaijani army ’ s shelling of the @ @ @ @ @ the town of Shushi in Nagorno-Karabakh and the condition of a Russian reporter is serious @ @ @ @ @ Government ’ s Information Center Hovannes Movsisyan wrote on his Facebook on Thursday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ Shushi .
We have received preliminary data from Stepanakert that the condition of the Russian @ @ @ @ @ is now undergoing surgery , '' he wrote .
This is not the first case @ @ @ @ @ the escalation of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh .
In particular , on October 1 , @ @ @ @ @ under the Azerbaijani army ’ s artillery fire in the town of Martuni in Karabakh @ @ @ @ @ three journalists , including a reporter of the French newspaper Le Monde and a cameraman @ @ @ @ @ shelling .

YEREVAN, October 8. /TASS/. Several journalists sustained wounds in the Azerbaijani army’s shelling of the Ghazanchetsots Holy Savior Cathedral in the town of Shushi in Nagorno-Karabakh and the condition of a Russian reporter is serious, Head of the Armenian Government’s Information Center Hovannes Movsisyan wrote on his Facebook on Thursday.
"Several journalists sustained wounds in Shushi. We have received preliminary data from Stepanakert that the condition of the Russian journalist is serious and he is now undergoing surgery," he wrote.
This is not the first case when journalists are wounded since the escalation of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. In particular, on October 1, a group of journalists came under the Azerbaijani army’s artillery fire in the town of Martuni in Karabakh. As a result, three journalists, including a reporter of the French newspaper Le Monde and a cameraman, were wounded in the shelling.


tass--2020-10-08--Apple requests blocking three Telegram channels on Belarus

MOSCOW , October 8 .
/TASS/ .
US-based Apple requests shutting down three Telegram channels on Belarus , Telegram founder @ @ @ @ @ official channel Apple ’ s concern is that publication of the personal information of law @ @ @ @ @ violence , '' Durov says .
`` Typically Apple doesn ’ t offer much choice @ @ @ @ @ such situations , '' the Telegram founder writes .
`` I assume these channels will @ @ @ @ @ iOS , but remain available on other platforms , '' he added .

MOSCOW, October 8. /TASS/. US-based Apple requests shutting down three Telegram channels on Belarus, Telegram founder Pavel Durov writes in his official channel
Apple’s concern is that publication of the personal information of law enforcement officials "may incite violence," Durov says.
"Typically Apple doesn’t offer much choice for apps like Telegram in such situations," the Telegram founder writes. "I assume these channels will end up getting blocked on iOS, but remain available on other platforms," he added.


tass--2020-10-08--Sebastian Kurz suggests holding talks on Nagorno-Karabakh in Austria

VIENNA , October 8 .
/TASS/ .
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz suggested holding the next round of Armenian-Azerbaijani top-level talks on Nagorno-Karabakh in Austria in a telephone conversation with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan .
`` I expressed my hope for a peaceful solution in a call with Armenian PM Nikol Pashiyan today and reiterated our offer to host another round of talks between the two parties .
Austria has always been a place for dialogue and we will continue to promote de-escalation and direct talks , '' he wrote in a Twitter post .
Kurz also noted he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` There is no military solution to this conflict .
Austria calls for an end of hostilities and supports negotiations under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs , '' he added .
In 2019 , Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met in Vienna to discuss the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .

VIENNA, October 8. /TASS/. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz suggested holding the next round of Armenian-Azerbaijani top-level talks on Nagorno-Karabakh in Austria in a telephone conversation with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
"I expressed my hope for a peaceful solution in a call with Armenian PM Nikol Pashiyan today and reiterated our offer to host another round of talks between the two parties. Austria has always been a place for dialogue and we will continue to promote de-escalation and direct talks," he wrote in a Twitter post.
Kurz also noted he was concerned about ongoing escalation in Nagorno-Karabakh. "There is no military solution to this conflict. Austria calls for an end of hostilities and supports negotiations under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs," he added.
In 2019, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met in Vienna to discuss the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.


tass--2020-10-08--OPEC assumes end of oil epoch for developed economies

MOSCOW , October 8 .
/TASS/ .
The global oil demand recovery in the near term and the long term will be possible due to the developing economies .
The oil epoch has already ended for developed economies and oil consumption in such countries will drop by 1.1 mln barrels per day in the next five years , the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries ( OPEC ) says in its World Oil Outlook released today .
Oil demand expectations in member-states of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development ( OECD ) are sharply in contrast with the forecast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OPEC says in the report .
The oil demand in OECD will not most probably recover to 2019 levels and after serious twist and turns in 2020 and 2021 will gradually pass from minor growth to decline by the end of the midterm , OPEC forecasts .
Oil demand in OECD will contract by 1.1 mln barrels per day within the period by 2025 , the Organization says .
The transportation sector of OECD states is actually saturated and has no growth prospects .
The economic growth will also remain within 2 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limited , OPEC says .
Another cause for the slowdown in oil consumption will be the climate change policy and the technology development leading to fossil fuel substitution by more eco-friendly ones .

MOSCOW, October 8. /TASS/. The global oil demand recovery in the near term and the long term will be possible due to the developing economies. The oil epoch has already ended for developed economies and oil consumption in such countries will drop by 1.1 mln barrels per day in the next five years, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) says in its World Oil Outlook released today.
Oil demand expectations in member-states of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) are sharply in contrast with the forecast for developing regions of the globe, OPEC says in the report. The oil demand in OECD will not most probably recover to 2019 levels and after serious twist and turns in 2020 and 2021 will gradually pass from minor growth to decline by the end of the midterm, OPEC forecasts. Oil demand in OECD will contract by 1.1 mln barrels per day within the period by 2025, the Organization says.
The transportation sector of OECD states is actually saturated and has no growth prospects. The economic growth will also remain within 2% and population increase in these countries is limited, OPEC says. Another cause for the slowdown in oil consumption will be the climate change policy and the technology development leading to fossil fuel substitution by more eco-friendly ones.
Global oil supply


tass--2020-10-08--Euro drops below 91 rubles on Moscow Exchange

MOSCOW , October 8 .
/TASS/ .
The euro declined 0.9 % during the trading session on the Moscow Exchange @ @ @ @ @ , according to trading data .
The euro slightly recovered later to 91.04 rubles , @ @ @ @ @ dollar dropped by 0.84 % to 77.37 rubles .
Brent oil futures with delivery in @ @ @ @ @ and climbed to $ 42.84 a barrel on the London-based ICE .
WTI oil futures @ @ @ @ @ 41.02 per barrel .

MOSCOW, October 8. /TASS/. The euro declined 0.9% during the trading session on the Moscow Exchange on Thursday to 90.99 rubles, according to trading data.
The euro slightly recovered later to 91.04 rubles, down 0.87%. The dollar dropped by 0.84% to 77.37 rubles.
Brent oil futures with delivery in December 2020 gained 2% and climbed to $42.84 a barrel on the London-based ICE. WTI oil futures added 2% to $41.02 per barrel.


tass--2020-10-08--Kremlin says no grounds for talks on asylum for Kyrgyz leader in Russia

MOSCOW , October 8 .
/TASS/ .
The issue of granting asylum in Russia for Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov is not on the agenda now , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday .
Speaking on whether Moscow was ready to grant asylum for the Kyrgyz leader , Peskov said : `` Wait , now this is not being discussed , let ’ s consistently consider issues that emerge on the agenda and refrain from discussing any possibilities . ''
The Kremlin spokesman said he had no information that Jeenbekov was allegedly in Russia .
Earlier , the Kyrgyz leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Jeenbekov continued working in Bishkek .
In her words , the head of state was personally holding talks with political forces in order to restore the rule of law in the republic .
Following the October 4 parliamentary polls in Kyrgyzstan , supporters of parties , which failed to win seats , organized mass riots in Bishkek .
On Monday night into Tuesday morning , the protesters seized the parliament , the government and the presidential administration buldings as well the Mayor ’ s Office and the Prosecutor General ’ s Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they created several structures , which declared themselves as interim authorities and appointed prime ministers .
State posts of all levels were seized in the Central Asian republic and unknown individuals took dozens of enterprises , deposits and other business facilities under control .

MOSCOW, October 8. /TASS/. The issue of granting asylum in Russia for Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov is not on the agenda now, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday.
Speaking on whether Moscow was ready to grant asylum for the Kyrgyz leader, Peskov said: "Wait, now this is not being discussed, let’s consistently consider issues that emerge on the agenda and refrain from discussing any possibilities." The Kremlin spokesman said he had no information that Jeenbekov was allegedly in Russia.
Earlier, the Kyrgyz leader’s spokesperson, Tolgonay Stamaliyeva announced that Jeenbekov continued working in Bishkek. In her words, the head of state was personally holding talks with political forces in order to restore the rule of law in the republic.
Following the October 4 parliamentary polls in Kyrgyzstan, supporters of parties, which failed to win seats, organized mass riots in Bishkek. On Monday night into Tuesday morning, the protesters seized the parliament, the government and the presidential administration buldings as well the Mayor’s Office and the Prosecutor General’s Office. With the help of the opposition they created several structures, which declared themselves as interim authorities and appointed prime ministers. State posts of all levels were seized in the Central Asian republic and unknown individuals took dozens of enterprises, deposits and other business facilities under control.


tass--2020-10-09--Russian, Armenian prime ministers discuss Nagorno-Karabakh

YEREVAN , October 9 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian and Armenian prime ministers , Mikhail Mishustin and Nikol Pashinyan , @ @ @ @ @ on the sidelines of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council of the Eurasian Economic Union ( EAEU @ @ @ @ @ the talks , the two prime ministers called for an immediate ceasefire in the region @ @ @ @ @ Mishustin and Pashinyan touched on the pressing issues of Russian-Armenian commercial and economic cooperation in @ @ @ @ @ industry fields .
The heads of state emphasized the significance of the implementation of joint @ @ @ @ @ collaboration within the EAEU and discussed anti-coronavirus measures .

YEREVAN, October 9. /TASS/. The Russian and Armenian prime ministers, Mikhail Mishustin and Nikol Pashinyan, discussed the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh on the sidelines of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) on Friday.
At the talks, the two prime ministers called for an immediate ceasefire in the region.
Apart from that, Mishustin and Pashinyan touched on the pressing issues of Russian-Armenian commercial and economic cooperation in the energy, transport and industry fields.
Both leaders emphasized the significance of the implementation of joint promising projects and of deeper collaboration within the EAEU and discussed anti-coronavirus measures.


tass--2020-10-09--Kyrgyz leader orders state of emergency in Bishkek until October 21

`` To introduce a state of emergency in the city of Bishkek of the Kyrgyz Republic between 8 pm on October 9 and 8 am on October 21 , 2020 , '' Jeenbekov ’ s press service reported Friday .
The Kyrgyz deputy interior minister is appointed commandant of the capital .
The Kyrgyz Armed Forces General Staff has been ordered to move troops to Bishkek to safeguard public order and prevent any armed clashes .
Moreover , the president instructed mass media outlets to `` spread information provided by the commandant to avoid heightened tensions in the current situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office was ordered to supervise legality of steps and temporary measures taken .
In the early hours of October 6 , representatives of parties who failed to secure seats in parliament at the recent elections staged mass unrest in Bishkek , stormed buildings of state institutions and released former President Almazbek Atambayev as well as other politicians .
Some bodies created by the opposition said that they assumed power and appointed their own heads of government and ministries .
Unidentified people attempted to seize control of the country ’ s largest industries .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the recent parliamentary elections null and void .
The Kyrgyz leader has called on the leaders of the parties to return to legitimate political process and sacked the government and the prime minister as well as appointed new heads of some power structures .

"To introduce a state of emergency in the city of Bishkek of the Kyrgyz Republic between 8 pm on October 9 and 8 am on October 21, 2020," Jeenbekov’s press service reported Friday.
The Kyrgyz deputy interior minister is appointed commandant of the capital. The Kyrgyz Armed Forces General Staff has been ordered to move troops to Bishkek to safeguard public order and prevent any armed clashes.
Moreover, the president instructed mass media outlets to "spread information provided by the commandant to avoid heightened tensions in the current situation." The Prosecutor General’s Office was ordered to supervise legality of steps and temporary measures taken.
In the early hours of October 6, representatives of parties who failed to secure seats in parliament at the recent elections staged mass unrest in Bishkek, stormed buildings of state institutions and released former President Almazbek Atambayev as well as other politicians. Some bodies created by the opposition said that they assumed power and appointed their own heads of government and ministries. Unidentified people attempted to seize control of the country’s largest industries. The Central Election Commission declared the results of the recent parliamentary elections null and void. The Kyrgyz leader has called on the leaders of the parties to return to legitimate political process and sacked the government and the prime minister as well as appointed new heads of some power structures.


tass--2020-10-09--Threats of EU sanctions against Russia over Navalny incident are not surprising — Lavrov

MOSCOW , October 9 .
/TASS/ .
Threats to impose sanctions on Russia over the incident involving Alexey Navalny are not surprising , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters at a news conference on Friday .
`` The fact that sanctions will be announced without any evidence and short of completing the investigation , which Germany and other EU countries insist on , does not surprise us .
We have seen this before when there was the Salisbury poisoning case , '' he said responding to a question about the upcoming EU meeting scheduled for Monday , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Le Monde newspaper earlier reported citing its own sources that the EU sanctions list over the Navalny case contained the names of nine individuals , including employees of the presidential administration and law enforcement agencies .
According to the paper , this list , which implies freezing bank accounts and banning travel to Europe , will be discussed at a meeting in Brussels on October 12 .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov refrained from commenting on the publication , stressing that this `` can not and should not be a reason for any reaction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maria Zakharova noted that restrictive measures in international relations led only to tit-for-tat steps .
Russia is unable to begin an investigation into the Navalny incident until it is presented with facts , Sergey Lavrov commented .
`` We are told we must investigate this crime ourselves , but we can not investigate a case we do not have facts on , '' he said .
`` Germany says this is no longer a bilateral matter , but an international one , so we should turn to the OPCW , who , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be provided on Berlin ’ s permission , '' Lavrov pointed out .
According to the foreign minister , Germany neglects the international law by ignoring the requests on legal assistance by the Russian Prosecutor General ’ s Office over the Navalny case .
At the same time , Lavrov is certain that Germany will not provide any proof .
`` We remember how the UK authorities accused Russia of poisoning the Skripals in Salisbury .
I am certain this is how this story will end too , '' the foreign minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position that it must be believed simply because it is the EU is a delusion of grandeur and disrespect to its partners , '' Lavrov noted .

MOSCOW, October 9. /TASS/. Threats to impose sanctions on Russia over the incident involving Alexey Navalny are not surprising, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters at a news conference on Friday.
"The fact that sanctions will be announced without any evidence and short of completing the investigation, which Germany and other EU countries insist on, does not surprise us. We have seen this before when there was the Salisbury poisoning case," he said responding to a question about the upcoming EU meeting scheduled for Monday, which is expected to discuss anti-Russian sanctions.
The Le Monde newspaper earlier reported citing its own sources that the EU sanctions list over the Navalny case contained the names of nine individuals, including employees of the presidential administration and law enforcement agencies. According to the paper, this list, which implies freezing bank accounts and banning travel to Europe, will be discussed at a meeting in Brussels on October 12. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov refrained from commenting on the publication, stressing that this "cannot and should not be a reason for any reaction," and Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted that restrictive measures in international relations led only to tit-for-tat steps.
Investigation
Russia is unable to begin an investigation into the Navalny incident until it is presented with facts, Sergey Lavrov commented. "We are told we must investigate this crime ourselves, but we cannot investigate a case we do not have facts on," he said.
"Germany says this is no longer a bilateral matter, but an international one, so we should turn to the OPCW, who, in turn, says that any examination results could be provided on Berlin’s permission," Lavrov pointed out.
According to the foreign minister, Germany neglects the international law by ignoring the requests on legal assistance by the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office over the Navalny case.
At the same time, Lavrov is certain that Germany will not provide any proof. "We remember how the UK authorities accused Russia of poisoning the Skripals in Salisbury. I am certain this is how this story will end too," the foreign minister said.
"The EU’s position that it must be believed simply because it is the EU is a delusion of grandeur and disrespect to its partners," Lavrov noted.


tass--2020-10-09--Shots heard in Bishkek’s central square where rally is held

BISHKEK , October 9 .
/TASS/ .
Shots have been heard from Bishkek ’ s central Ala-Too square , where @ @ @ @ @ TASS reported from the scene on Friday .
Number of injuries during disorders in Kyrgyz @ @ @ @ @ Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev ’ s supporters had gathered in the square and later , @ @ @ @ @ Sadyr Japarov , arrived .
Hundreds of Japarov ’ s supporters climbed the stage which @ @ @ @ @ minutes earlier .
Two or three shots were fired .
Then , Japarov ’ s @ @ @ @ @ while Atambayev ’ s people went across Chui Avenue to the other side of the @ @

BISHKEK, October 9. /TASS/. Shots have been heard from Bishkek’s central Ala-Too square, where a rally was underway, TASS reported from the scene on Friday.
Former Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev’s supporters had gathered in the square and later, supporters of his opponent, Sadyr Japarov, arrived.
Hundreds of Japarov’s supporters climbed the stage which Atambayev had spoken from ten minutes earlier. Two or three shots were fired. Then, Japarov’s supporters occupied the square, while Atambayev’s people went across Chui Avenue to the other side of the square.


tass--2020-10-09--Baku reports intensive shelling of Barda and Agdam districts near Karabakh

`` Currently , the enemy is intensively shelling the territory of the Barda and Agdam districts , '' the ministry said .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @

"Currently, the enemy is intensively shelling the territory of the Barda and Agdam districts," the ministry said.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic.
In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-10-09--Moscow concerned over NATO’s military activity near Russian borders in Baltic Sea region

MOSCOW , October 9 .
/TASS/ .
The build-up of NATO ’ s military activity close to the Russian borders in the Baltic Sea region causes concern , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a press conference after a meeting with his Danish counterpart Jeppe Kofod on Friday .
`` We spoke about the issues of security in the Baltic Sea region .
We drew our partners ’ attention to NATO ’ s alarming build-up of its military activity in close vicinity to the Russian borders .
We stressed that we do not see any problems in that part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole that require military solution , '' Russia ’ s top diplomat said .
`` We confirmed our position against confrontation and for developing constructive dialogue , including between our defense ministries , between the militaries both bilaterally and within the framework of Russia-NATO interaction , '' Lavrov added .
Russia ’ s top diplomat also recalled numerous proposals the Russian side had submitted to the North Atlantic Alliance for normalizing the situation and building confidence in the common region , including those on moving drills away from the Russia-NATO contact line and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that should always be observed by the navies and the air forces .
`` We have not received any answer from NATO to these constructive proposals so far , '' Russia ’ s foreign minister said .

MOSCOW, October 9. /TASS/. The build-up of NATO’s military activity close to the Russian borders in the Baltic Sea region causes concern, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a press conference after a meeting with his Danish counterpart Jeppe Kofod on Friday.
"We spoke about the issues of security in the Baltic Sea region. We drew our partners’ attention to NATO’s alarming build-up of its military activity in close vicinity to the Russian borders. We stressed that we do not see any problems in that part of Europe and in Europe as a whole that require military solution," Russia’s top diplomat said.
"We confirmed our position against confrontation and for developing constructive dialogue, including between our defense ministries, between the militaries both bilaterally and within the framework of Russia-NATO interaction," Lavrov added.
Russia’s top diplomat also recalled numerous proposals the Russian side had submitted to the North Atlantic Alliance for normalizing the situation and building confidence in the common region, including those on moving drills away from the Russia-NATO contact line and an arrangement on agreeing the minimum distance that should always be observed by the navies and the air forces.
"We have not received any answer from NATO to these constructive proposals so far," Russia’s foreign minister said.


tass--2020-10-09--Nagorno-Karabakh is facing humanitarian disaster, says Armenian PM

YEREVAN , October 9 .
/TASS/ .
The aggravation of the crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh has driven the region towards the @ @ @ @ @ , Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Friday at a meeting of the Eurasian @ @ @ @ @ `` Our people are facing a serious challenge .
Our cities and villages are under @ @ @ @ @ .
The civilian population of Nagorno-Karabakh is at gunpoint , there are many killed and @ @ @ @ @ seriously damaged , residential buildings have been destroyed .
Stepanakert , the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh @ @ @ @ @ The people of Nagorno-Karabakh are on the verge of a humanitarian disaster , '' he @ @ @ @ @ Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed @ @ @ @ @ area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and @ @ @ @ @ and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the @ @ @ @ @ among them civilians .

YEREVAN, October 9. /TASS/. The aggravation of the crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh has driven the region towards the verge of a humanitarian disaster, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Friday at a meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Yerevan.
"Our people are facing a serious challenge. Our cities and villages are under constant missile and artillery fire. The civilian population of Nagorno-Karabakh is at gunpoint, there are many killed and wounded. Infrastructure has been seriously damaged, residential buildings have been destroyed. Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, was most affected. The people of Nagorno-Karabakh are on the verge of a humanitarian disaster," he warned.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.


tass--2020-10-09--Russia unable to investigate Navalny case without facts, says Lavrov

MOSCOW , October 9 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is unable to begin an investigation of the Navalny incident until it @ @ @ @ @ Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a press conference Friday .
`` We are @ @ @ @ @ crime ourselves , but we can not investigate a case we do not have facts @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, October 9. /TASS/. Russia is unable to begin an investigation of the Navalny incident until it is presented with facts, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a press conference Friday.
"We are told we must investigate this crime ourselves, but we cannot investigate a case we do not have facts on," he said.


tass--2020-10-09--UN special rapporteurs to thoroughly inspect information on Navalny case — statement

GENEVA , October 9 .
/TASS/ .
UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial , summary or arbitrary executions , Agnes Callamard and her counterpart for freedom of expression and opinion , Irene Khan intend to thoroughly study the data on the alleged attempted poisoning of Russian blogger Alexey Navalny .
They do not intend to make statements until this analysis is complete , the officials said in response to the TASS inquiry .
There were no toxic substances in Navalny ’ s body when he was in Russia — intel chief '' In keeping with established procedures , these allegations will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the special rapporteurs said .
`` The special rapporteurs will reserve opinions on the substance of the allegations for a time when the analysis is completed and when the matters have been raised with the concerned State , as per the working methods of Special Procedures . ''
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights explained that the special rapporteurs `` are mandated to investigate incidents of human rights violations . ''
They report back to the Human Rights Council and draw its attention , as well as that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nations mechanisms and bodies , to serious violations that warrant immediate attention , the Office said .
The special rapporteurs regularly receive information on specific allegations of human rights violations and abuses and may send communications to States , and occasionally to non-State actors , asking for clarification and action .
`` Communications sent and the responses received are reported at each regular session to the Human Rights Council , '' the Office said .
The Special Procedures experts `` work on a voluntary basis ; they are not UN staff and do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the Office said , adding that they `` are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity . ''
On October 7 , Der Spiegel reported that UN Special Rapporteurs Khan and Callamard will investigate the Navalny case .
According to the report , the duo visited Berlin on the blogger ’ s request , which he relayed via French attorney Willam Bourdon .
Callamard reportedly vowed to `` thoroughly analyze and check the allegations , '' put forth by the blogger .
Navalny was rushed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Omsk on August 20 after collapsing on a Moscow-bound flight from Tomsk .
He fell into a coma and was put on a ventilator in an intensive care unit .
On August 22 , he was airlifted to Berlin and admitted to the Charite hospital .
On September 2 , Berlin claimed that having examined Navalny ’ s test samples , German government toxicologists had come to the conclusion that the blogger had been affected by a toxic agent belonging to the Novichok family .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He pointed out that no poisonous substances had been detected in Navalny ’ s system prior to his transfer to Berlin .
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 .

GENEVA, October 9. /TASS/. UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Agnes Callamard and her counterpart for freedom of expression and opinion, Irene Khan intend to thoroughly study the data on the alleged attempted poisoning of Russian blogger Alexey Navalny. They do not intend to make statements until this analysis is complete, the officials said in response to the TASS inquiry.
There were no toxic substances in Navalny’s body when he was in Russia — intel chief
"In keeping with established procedures, these allegations will be examined closely and thoroughly assessed," the special rapporteurs said. "The special rapporteurs will reserve opinions on the substance of the allegations for a time when the analysis is completed and when the matters have been raised with the concerned State, as per the working methods of Special Procedures."
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights explained that the special rapporteurs "are mandated to investigate incidents of human rights violations." They report back to the Human Rights Council and draw its attention, as well as that of the General Assembly and other United Nations mechanisms and bodies, to serious violations that warrant immediate attention, the Office said. The special rapporteurs regularly receive information on specific allegations of human rights violations and abuses and may send communications to States, and occasionally to non-State actors, asking for clarification and action.
"Communications sent and the responses received are reported at each regular session to the Human Rights Council," the Office said.
The Special Procedures experts "work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work," the Office said, adding that they "are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity."
On October 7, Der Spiegel reported that UN Special Rapporteurs Khan and Callamard will investigate the Navalny case. According to the report, the duo visited Berlin on the blogger’s request, which he relayed via French attorney Willam Bourdon. Callamard reportedly vowed to "thoroughly analyze and check the allegations," put forth by the blogger.
Navalny case
Navalny was rushed to a local hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk on August 20 after collapsing on a Moscow-bound flight from Tomsk. He fell into a coma and was put on a ventilator in an intensive care unit. On August 22, he was airlifted to Berlin and admitted to the Charite hospital.
On September 2, Berlin claimed that having examined Navalny’s test samples, German government toxicologists had come to the conclusion that the blogger had been affected by a toxic agent belonging to the Novichok family.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia was 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. 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--2020-10-09--Accreditation System for the Sixth Asian Beach Games Sanya 2020 Opens on Oct. 1s

SANYA , Oct. 9 .
/PRNewswire/ .
Oct. 1st saw the launch of the Accreditation System for the Sixth Asian Beach Games Sanya 2020 ( Sanya 2020 ) .
The system is to provide convenient and efficient accreditation services for Chinese and international participants of the Sanya 2020 Games .
The accreditation system is designed to collect , collate , verify , and confirm the information from applicants in order to provide them identity and accreditation cards for the Games .
Starting from Oct. 1st , Sanya 2020 Accreditation System can be accessed by the clients from OCA , NOCs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee and cooperative partners , except ordinary spectators through the website of the Accreditation System https : //acr.sanya2020.cn/ or through the official website of Sanya 2020 http : //www.sanya2020.cn/ .
All applications for accreditation should be submitted no later than 24:00 , December 31 , 2020 .
To help all applicants understand the accreditation process , the Main Accreditation Centre of the Sanya 2020 Games has formulated written accreditation guides for all types of personnel .
They can log in the system for detailed information .
According to a senior official of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help the eligible applicants obtain their Asian Beach Games Identity and Accreditation Cards and access specific functional areas to perform their duties .

SANYA, Oct. 9. /PRNewswire/. Oct. 1st saw the launch of the Accreditation System for the Sixth Asian Beach Games Sanya 2020 (Sanya 2020). The system is to provide convenient and efficient accreditation services for Chinese and international participants of the Sanya 2020 Games.
The accreditation system is designed to collect, collate, verify, and confirm the information from applicants in order to provide them identity and accreditation cards for the Games. Starting from Oct. 1st, Sanya 2020 Accreditation System can be accessed by the clients from OCA, NOCs, media agencies, the Games organizing committee and cooperative partners, except ordinary spectators through the website of the Accreditation System https://acr.sanya2020.cn/ or through the official website of Sanya 2020 http://www.sanya2020.cn/. All applications for accreditation should be submitted no later than 24:00, December 31, 2020.
To help all applicants understand the accreditation process, the Main Accreditation Centre of the Sanya 2020 Games has formulated written accreditation guides for all types of personnel. They can log in the system for detailed information.
According to a senior official of the Main Accreditation Centre, the system will help the eligible applicants obtain their Asian Beach Games Identity and Accreditation Cards and access specific functional areas to perform their duties.