tass--2020-08-31--Montenegro’s ruling party loses parliamentary vote to opposition

BELGRADE , August 31 .
/TASS/ .
Montenegro ’ s ruling Democratic Party of Socialists led by President Milo Djukanovic has lost the parliamentary vote to the opposition coalition after decades of domination .
With 92.99 % of the votes calculated by the State Electoral Commission of Montenegro , the ruling party has only won 30 seats in the 81-seat parliament , whereas the opposition coalition has 41 seats required for cabinet formation .
According to the figures provided by the State Electoral Commission , Djukanovic ’ s block is leading in the vote with 35.20 % .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Future of Montenegro ’ has won 32.51 % ( 27 seats in the parliament ) , the ‘ Peace is Our Nation ’ coalition - 12.34 % ( 10 seats ) , the ‘ Black on White ’ coalition - 5.33 % ( 4 seats ) , the Social Democrats of Ivan Brajovic - 4.17 % ( 3 seats ) .
The Bosniak Party and the Social Democratic Party ‘ Strong Montenegro ’ have gained another three and two seats , respectively , and two Albanian National Parties have won one seat each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ leader Zdravko Krivokapic told TASS that Montenegro ’ s opposition electoral blocs ‘ For the Future of Montenegro ’ , ‘ Peace is Our Nation ’ and ‘ Black on White ’ intend to form a coalition government of experts that will dismiss Milo Djukanovic .
`` The regime has definitely collapsed , you will see that as the votes are calculated the gap between the opposition and the ruling party and its satellites will only rise , '' he said .
`` Currently we think that an expert government will become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the best solution for the nation , '' Krivokapic added .
Asked about primary plans , he said that the first decision taken by the opposition government will be to revoke the law on freedom of faith , which infringes on interests of the Orthodox Church , as well pass the lustration law and the law on the property origin .
Meanwhile , Krivokapic noted that he does not plan to cooperate with the sitting President Milo Djukanovic , whose presidential mandate expires in 2023 .
`` Hopefully the reaction of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably resign after certain events that are very clear and unambiguous and that concern Djukanovic and his network , '' he said .
Krivokapic urged opponents to cooperate , mentioning `` a partnership hand '' extended by the opposition .
Despite the opposition ’ s proposal , President of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic has not yet acknowledged the defeat of the bloc he has created .
It is necessary `` to wait until the official results of the vote appear , '' he noted .
`` We remain the strongest party in the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about final results yet , the issue is who will get the decisive 41st mandate .
We have established a democratic European society and will acknowledge the winner once we know the final results , '' President said .
The parliamentary vote has become the 11th after the country embraced a multi-party system .
Montenegro is a parliamentary republic with the 81-seat unicameral parliament ( Skupstina ) being its legislative body .
The parliament is particularly mandated to adopt the constitution , approve and dismiss the prime minister and cabinet members , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the prosecutor general .
It also adopts the country ’ s budget .

BELGRADE, August 31. /TASS/. Montenegro’s ruling Democratic Party of Socialists led by President Milo Djukanovic has lost the parliamentary vote to the opposition coalition after decades of domination. With 92.99% of the votes calculated by the State Electoral Commission of Montenegro, the ruling party has only won 30 seats in the 81-seat parliament, whereas the opposition coalition has 41 seats required for cabinet formation.
According to the figures provided by the State Electoral Commission, Djukanovic’s block is leading in the vote with 35.20%. Meanwhile, the biggest opposition coalition ‘For the Future of Montenegro’ has won 32.51% (27 seats in the parliament), the ‘Peace is Our Nation’ coalition - 12.34% (10 seats), the ‘Black on White’ coalition - 5.33% (4 seats), the Social Democrats of Ivan Brajovic - 4.17% (3 seats). The Bosniak Party and the Social Democratic Party ‘Strong Montenegro’ have gained another three and two seats, respectively, and two Albanian National Parties have won one seat each.
Opposition coalition
‘For the Future of Montenegro’ leader Zdravko Krivokapic told TASS that Montenegro’s opposition electoral blocs ‘For the Future of Montenegro’, ‘Peace is Our Nation’ and ‘Black on White’ intend to form a coalition government of experts that will dismiss Milo Djukanovic.
"The regime has definitely collapsed, you will see that as the votes are calculated the gap between the opposition and the ruling party and its satellites will only rise," he said. "Currently we think that an expert government will become the best solution for Montenegro, that is the best solution for the nation," Krivokapic added.
Asked about primary plans, he said that the first decision taken by the opposition government will be to revoke the law on freedom of faith, which infringes on interests of the Orthodox Church, as well pass the lustration law and the law on the property origin.
Meanwhile, Krivokapic noted that he does not plan to cooperate with the sitting President Milo Djukanovic, whose presidential mandate expires in 2023. "Hopefully the reaction of people will be such that Mister Djukanovic will probably resign after certain events that are very clear and unambiguous and that concern Djukanovic and his network," he said.
Krivokapic urged opponents to cooperate, mentioning "a partnership hand" extended by the opposition.
Djukanovic waiting for results
Despite the opposition’s proposal, President of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic has not yet acknowledged the defeat of the bloc he has created. It is necessary "to wait until the official results of the vote appear," he noted.
"We remain the strongest party in the country. It is too early to speak about final results yet, the issue is who will get the decisive 41st mandate. We have established a democratic European society and will acknowledge the winner once we know the final results," President said.
Parliament’s authorities
The parliamentary vote has become the 11th after the country embraced a multi-party system. Montenegro is a parliamentary republic with the 81-seat unicameral parliament (Skupstina) being its legislative body. The parliament is particularly mandated to adopt the constitution, approve and dismiss the prime minister and cabinet members, as well as Supreme and Constitutional Courts chairmen, and the prosecutor general. It also adopts the country’s budget.


tass--2020-08-31--Academy of Sciences expedition to Norilsk completes field works on Lake Pyasino

MOSCOW , August 31 .
/TASS/ .
Collecting samples of sediments in Lake Pyasino will be the final task of the Big Norilsk Expedition ’ s field work , the expedition team ’ s leader Nikolai Yurkevich told TASS , adding the expedition would finish soon .
“ Our five teams have practically finished their work , and now a team from [ the Sobolev ] Institute of Geology and Mineralogy is to take cones of sediments from Lake Pyasino , ” he said .
The expedition has been lucky to work in favorable weather conditions – scientists have accomplished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .
“ The works have been carried out fully , all zones of interest have been addressed , including the long trips to the Kara Sea , ” he said .
“ Most samples have been delivered to the institutes , and testing at labs has begun.
” The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences for the first time in recent years has sent to the Taimyr Peninsula , at the invitation of Nornickel , a big scientific expedition to conduct a large-scale examination of the area .
Scientists will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ present suggestions for industrial companies , working in the Arctic , on how to preserve the nature .
The expedition ’ s key points are watersheds of the Rivers Pyasina , Norilka and Ambarnaya , and Lake Pyasino .
The expedition ’ s term is five months – from July to November .
Before end of August , experts from 14 research institutes of the Academy of Sciences ’ Siberian Branch have collected samples of soils , plants and sediments , and later on they will make tests at labs .
First results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, August 31. /TASS/. Collecting samples of sediments in Lake Pyasino will be the final task of the Great Norilsk Expedition’s field work, the expedition team’s leader Nikolai Yurkevich told TASS, adding the expedition would finish soon.
“Our five teams have practically finished their work, and now a team from [the Sobolev] Institute of Geology and Mineralogy is to take cones of sediments from Lake Pyasino,” he said.
The expedition has been lucky to work in favorable weather conditions – scientists have accomplished big works within limited time, he added.
“The works have been carried out fully, all zones of interest have been addressed, including the long trips to the Kara Sea,” he said. “Most samples have been delivered to the institutes, and testing at labs has begun.”
About expedition to Taimyr
The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences for the first time in recent years has sent to the Taimyr Peninsula, at the invitation of Nornickel, a big scientific expedition to conduct a large-scale examination of the area. Scientists will use the expedition’s results to present suggestions for industrial companies, working in the Arctic, on how to preserve the nature.
The expedition’s key points are watersheds of the Rivers Pyasina, Norilka and Ambarnaya, and Lake Pyasino. The expedition’s term is five months – from July to November. Before end of August, experts from 14 research institutes of the Academy of Sciences’ Siberian Branch have collected samples of soils, plants and sediments, and later on they will make tests at labs. First results may be expected in November-December, 2020.


tass--2020-08-31--Japan fully suspends visa-free travel programs with Russia this year due to coronavirus

TOKYO , August 31 .
/TASS/ .
Japan has taken a final decision to fully suspend all visa-free travel programs between Japanese prefectures and the southern Kuril Islands planned for this year due to the coronavirus spread , an association of former residents of the southern Kuril Islands said on Monday .
Meanwhile , the association hopes that next year trips will be organized as scheduled previously , according to the Kyodo news agency .
The association considered the possibility of conducting a visa-free trip to the southern Kuril Islands on September 25-28 until the last moment , though eventually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The two countries agree visa-free travel programs every year , with trips taking place between May and October .
Visa-free trips started in 1992 based on an intergovernmental agreement aimed at improving mutual understanding between the two countries ’ people .
Since then , over 8,000 residents of Iturup , Kunashir and Shikotan islands have visited Japan and more than 18,000 Japanese nationals have traveled to the southern Kuril Islands .
The total number of coronavirus cases has exceeded 68,800 people in Japan , whereas the death toll has reached 1,299 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As many as 50,000 patients have recovered .
On Sunday , the lowest daily increase in the number of new coronavirus cases since the middle of July was recorded as around 600 new cases were revealed across the country .

TOKYO, August 31. /TASS/. Japan has taken a final decision to fully suspend all visa-free travel programs between Japanese prefectures and the southern Kuril Islands planned for this year due to the coronavirus spread, an association of former residents of the southern Kuril Islands said on Monday.
Meanwhile, the association hopes that next year trips will be organized as scheduled previously, according to the Kyodo news agency.
The association considered the possibility of conducting a visa-free trip to the southern Kuril Islands on September 25-28 until the last moment, though eventually it was forced to abandon the plans.
The two countries agree visa-free travel programs every year, with trips taking place between May and October. Visa-free trips started in 1992 based on an intergovernmental agreement aimed at improving mutual understanding between the two countries’ people. Since then, over 8,000 residents of Iturup, Kunashir and Shikotan islands have visited Japan and more than 18,000 Japanese nationals have traveled to the southern Kuril Islands.
The total number of coronavirus cases has exceeded 68,800 people in Japan, whereas the death toll has reached 1,299 people, according to the recent figures. As many as 50,000 patients have recovered. On Sunday, the lowest daily increase in the number of new coronavirus cases since the middle of July was recorded as around 600 new cases were revealed across the country.


tass--2020-08-31--Blogger Zhukov hospitalized with suspected head injury after violent assault in Moscow

MOSCOW , August 31 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s blogger Yegor Zhukov was taken to hospital with suspected head injury after being attacked by unknown people in Moscow , spokesman for the ‘ Team of Zhukov ’ Stas Toporkov told TASS .
`` Provisional diagnosis is concussion and closed craniocerebral injury , '' he said .
Moscow ’ s police have started an inspection after the beating of blogger Yegor Zhukov by two unknown persons .
Zhukov was attacked and beaten near his house late on Sunday .
A source in press service of Moscow ’ s office of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Internal Affairs Ministry told TASS that a young man appealed to the police claiming infliction of bodily injury on Sunday .
He said that two unknown persons had beaten him and fled the scene .
`` An inspection is underway on that fact , the issue of initiation of a criminal case under Article 116 of the Russian Criminal Code ( ‘ Battery ’ ) is under consideration , '' the source said .
The blogger was arrested on August 2 , 2019 , on charges of participating in mass riots in Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month later , he was placed under house arrest upon the investigators ’ request .
Later , the Russian Investigative Committee dropped the initial charge , but instead accused him of public calls for extremism .
According to the case files , the new charges were based on Zhukov ’ s videos posted on YouTube .
The court said in its verdict that the blogger 's guilt was confirmed by search protocols in his house and expert evidence .
An expert of the Russian Federal Security Service ( FSB ) Alexander Korshikov admitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ direct calls for violence in Zhukov ’ s words , he drew a conclusion that the blogger stirred up violence .
The prosecutor demanded a four-year prison sentence for Zhukov .
The court gave him a three-year suspended sentence .
The blogger was also banned from creating and managing his own Internet pages for two years .

MOSCOW, August 31. /TASS/. Russia’s blogger Yegor Zhukov was taken to hospital with suspected head injury after being attacked by unknown people in Moscow, spokesman for the ‘Team of Zhukov’ Stas Toporkov told TASS.
"Provisional diagnosis is concussion and closed craniocerebral injury," he said.
Moscow’s police have started an inspection after the beating of blogger Yegor Zhukov by two unknown persons. Zhukov was attacked and beaten near his house late on Sunday.
A source in press service of Moscow’s office of Russia’s Main Directorate of the Internal Affairs Ministry told TASS that a young man appealed to the police claiming infliction of bodily injury on Sunday. He said that two unknown persons had beaten him and fled the scene. "An inspection is underway on that fact, the issue of initiation of a criminal case under Article 116 of the Russian Criminal Code (‘Battery’) is under consideration," the source said.
The blogger was arrested on August 2, 2019, on charges of participating in mass riots in Moscow on July 27, 2019. A month later, he was placed under house arrest upon the investigators’ request. Later, the Russian Investigative Committee dropped the initial charge, but instead accused him of public calls for extremism. According to the case files, the new charges were based on Zhukov’s videos posted on YouTube. The court said in its verdict that the blogger's guilt was confirmed by search protocols in his house and expert evidence. An expert of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) Alexander Korshikov admitted that although he did not find any direct calls for violence in Zhukov’s words, he drew a conclusion that the blogger stirred up violence. The prosecutor demanded a four-year prison sentence for Zhukov. The court gave him a three-year suspended sentence. The blogger was also banned from creating and managing his own Internet pages for two years.


tass--2020-09-01--Interpol ends prosecution of Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Concord company

MOSCOW , September 1 .
/TASS/ .
Interpol stopped prosecuting the Concord Management and Consulting company , headed by Russian entrepreneur Yevgeny Prigozhin since August 28 , 2020 , Concord ’ s press service reported at the company ’ s page in VKontakte social network on Monday .
`` After the victory in the US court , Concord Management and Consulting and Yevgeny Viktorovich Prigozhin appealed to Interpol demanding to end their international prosecution .
Today we received the documents that Interpol ended this prosecution starting from August 28 , '' the company said .
In February 2018 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees of the Russian Internet Research Agency of interfering in the 2016 US presidential election .
According to the American side , Prigozhin 's companies , including Concord Management and Consulting , were financed by the Internet Research Agency .
However , on March 16 , 2020 , a federal court in Washington upheld the prosecutor 's request to terminate the process .
She asked to close the case , as she came to the conclusion that `` further proceedings < ... > serve neither the interests of justice , nor the interests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not have a presence in the United States and `` can not be effectively punished if conviction `` .
At the same time , the prosecutor 's office emphasized that it intends to continue efforts with the aim of `` taking into custody the individual defendants and making them appear before this court on existing charges . ''
After that Prigozin demanded imitating a criminal case against ex-US President Barack Obama , as well as a number of American congressmen , senators and officials due to the illegal prosecution of him and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US Attorney General William Barr was published by the Concord press service .
The Russian authorities repeatedly rejected claims of attempts to influence the course of the US elections .
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Washington would not achieve anything from Moscow by using sanctions pressure , except for a further deterioration in relations between the two countries .

MOSCOW, September 1. /TASS/. Interpol stopped prosecuting the Concord Management and Consulting company, headed by Russian entrepreneur Yevgeny Prigozhin since August 28, 2020, Concord’s press service reported at the company’s page in VKontakte social network on Monday.
"After the victory in the US court, Concord Management and Consulting and Yevgeny Viktorovich Prigozhin appealed to Interpol demanding to end their international prosecution. Today we received the documents that Interpol ended this prosecution starting from August 28," the company said.
Charges against Prigozhin's companies
In February 2018, the US Department of Justice accused Prigozhin and employees of the Russian Internet Research Agency of interfering in the 2016 US presidential election. According to the American side, Prigozhin's companies, including Concord Management and Consulting, were financed by the Internet Research Agency.
However, on March 16, 2020, a federal court in Washington upheld the prosecutor's request to terminate the process. She asked to close the case, as she came to the conclusion that "further proceedings <...> serve neither the interests of justice, nor the interests of national security", since Concorde does not have a presence in the United States and "cannot be effectively punished if conviction ". At the same time, the prosecutor's office emphasized that it intends to continue efforts with the aim of "taking into custody the individual defendants and making them appear before this court on existing charges."
After that Prigozin demanded imitating a criminal case against ex-US President Barack Obama, as well as a number of American congressmen, senators and officials due to the illegal prosecution of him and his companies. Prigozhin's letter to US Attorney General William Barr was published by the Concord press service.
The Russian authorities repeatedly rejected claims of attempts to influence the course of the US elections. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Washington would not achieve anything from Moscow by using sanctions pressure, except for a further deterioration in relations between the two countries.


tass--2020-09-01--Moldova opens border for citizens of Russia and some other countries

CHISINAU , September 1 .
/TASS/ .
Moldova opens the border for citizens of Russia and a number of other countries after an almost six-month break , according to the decision taken by the National Emergency Public Health Commission .
Local epidemiologists also allowed Chisinau to renew contacts with a number of other countries .
However , the ban on entry to Moldova for residents of countries the Ministry of Health , Labor and Social Protection put on the so-called list of countries of the `` red zone '' remains .
Now the list includes 53 states , including the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as Armenia , Israel , Spain , Kazakhstan , France and a number of others .
An exception is made for foreigners who are relatives of Moldovan citizens , or who have the right to permanent or temporary residence in the republic , the right to work or study in the country , for representatives of the diplomatic corps and members of their families , as well as transit passengers .
The list of countries of the `` red zone '' will be updated by the authorities of the republic every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will come into force on Monday next week .
For citizens of Moldova returning to the republic from the countries of the `` red zone '' , there is still a need to serve a 14-day quarantine .
Earlier , Moldova resumed flights with all countries .
At the same time , Russia did not open regular flights with the republic .
This destination is served by special export flights , which must be registered through consular services or embassies .
The epidemiological situation in the republic remains tense .
At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were gradually canceled here .
Public transport , markets , shops , cafes , gyms and beauty salons resumed functioning .
At the same time , the country bans mass events and gatherings of more than 50 .
People are obliged to wear protective masks in public places and check the body temperature at the entrance .
According to the Ministry of Health of Moldova , as of August 31 , 36,920 cases of coronavirus infection were registered in the country , which is 1 % of the population of the republic ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total number of those tested reached 207,720 ( 5.9 % of the population ) .
The spread of the virus is currently 0.8 .
10,053 people are being treated in hospitals and at home , including 541 who are in serious condition .
32 patients are connected to artificial lung ventilation devices .
The number of deaths has reached 995 .

CHISINAU, September 1. /TASS/. Moldova opens the border for citizens of Russia and a number of other countries after an almost six-month break, according to the decision taken by the National Emergency Public Health Commission.
Local epidemiologists also allowed Chisinau to renew contacts with a number of other countries.
However, the ban on entry to Moldova for residents of countries the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection put on the so-called list of countries of the "red zone" remains.
Now the list includes 53 states, including the neighboring countries of Romania and Ukraine, as well as Armenia, Israel, Spain, Kazakhstan, France and a number of others. An exception is made for foreigners who are relatives of Moldovan citizens, or who have the right to permanent or temporary residence in the republic, the right to work or study in the country, for representatives of the diplomatic corps and members of their families, as well as transit passengers.
The list of countries of the "red zone" will be updated by the authorities of the republic every 14 days and published on Friday, and will come into force on Monday next week. For citizens of Moldova returning to the republic from the countries of the "red zone", there is still a need to serve a 14-day quarantine.
Earlier, Moldova resumed flights with all countries. At the same time, Russia did not open regular flights with the republic. This destination is served by special export flights, which must be registered through consular services or embassies.
Coronavirus in Moldova
The epidemiological situation in the republic remains tense. At the same time, most of the restrictions were gradually canceled here.
Public transport, markets, shops, cafes, gyms and beauty salons resumed functioning. At the same time, the country bans mass events and gatherings of more than 50. People are obliged to wear protective masks in public places and check the body temperature at the entrance.
According to the Ministry of Health of Moldova, as of August 31, 36,920 cases of coronavirus infection were registered in the country, which is 1% of the population of the republic (including the unrecognized Transnistria). The total number of those tested reached 207,720 (5.9% of the population). The spread of the virus is currently 0.8.
10,053 people are being treated in hospitals and at home, including 541 who are in serious condition. 32 patients are connected to artificial lung ventilation devices. The number of deaths has reached 995.


tass--2020-09-01--Russia denies NATO statement about its Su-27 fighter violating Danish border

MOSCOW , September 1 .
/TASS/ .
The Su-27 fighter , Russia scrambled to identify the US Air Force B-52H strategic bomber , was flying over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea , without violating the Danish border , Russia ’ s Defense Ministry ’ s spokesman told reporters on Tuesday .
`` The Defense Ministry has denied the statement of the North Atlantic Alliance about the violation of the Danish state border by Russia ’ s Su-27 fighter , '' the official said .
Earlier , NATO issued a statement that that a B52 bomber of the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian Su-27 fighter in international airspace over the Baltic Sea .
According to the statement , the Russian fighter followed the B52 well into Danish airspace over the island , committing a significant violation of airspace of a NATO nation .
The Defense Ministry noted that the flight was carried out in strict accordance with the international airspace regulations , without violating the borders of other states .
This is confirmed by means of objective control , the ministry stressed .
On August 31 , Russian airspace control over the neutral waters of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approaching the Russian state border .
To identify them , three Su-27s from the air defense forces of the Baltic Fleet were scrambled .
Crews of Russian fighters identified the aerial targets as US Air Force B-52H strategic bombers .
Russian fighters returned to their home base after the American aircraft left the Russian state border .

MOSCOW, September 1. /TASS/. The Su-27 fighter, Russia scrambled to identify the US Air Force B-52H strategic bomber, was flying over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea, without violating the Danish border, Russia’s Defense Ministry’s spokesman told reporters on Tuesday.
"The Defense Ministry has denied the statement of the North Atlantic Alliance about the violation of the Danish state border by Russia’s Su-27 fighter," the official said.
Earlier, NATO issued a statement that that a B52 bomber of the United States Air Force was intercepted by a Russian Su-27 fighter in international airspace over the Baltic Sea. According to the statement, the Russian fighter followed the B52 well into Danish airspace over the island, committing a significant violation of airspace of a NATO nation.
The Defense Ministry noted that the flight was carried out in strict accordance with the international airspace regulations, without violating the borders of other states. This is confirmed by means of objective control, the ministry stressed.
On August 31, Russian airspace control over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea detected three air targets approaching the Russian state border. To identify them, three Su-27s from the air defense forces of the Baltic Fleet were scrambled. Crews of Russian fighters identified the aerial targets as US Air Force B-52H strategic bombers. Russian fighters returned to their home base after the American aircraft left the Russian state border.


tass--2020-09-01--At least two people killed in Israeli strike south of Damascus

TASS , August 31 .
At least two soldiers were killed by Israeli missiles fired from the area of Mount @ @ @ @ @ Heights at the Syrian territory south of Damascus , SANA news agency reported on Monday @ @ @ @ @ seven more were wounded .
Syrian troops opened retaliatory fire and hit several missiles .
@ @ @ @ @ channel , Israeli forces attacked weapons depots of Shia units near Damascus ’ international airport @

TASS, August 31. At least two soldiers were killed by Israeli missiles fired from the area of Mount Hermon and the occupied Golan Heights at the Syrian territory south of Damascus, SANA news agency reported on Monday.
According to SANA, seven more were wounded. Syrian troops opened retaliatory fire and hit several missiles.
According to the Al-Hadath television channel, Israeli forces attacked weapons depots of Shia units near Damascus’ international airport.


tass--2020-08-31--Russian fighters scrambled to intercept US bombers over Baltic Sea - defense ministry

MOSCOW , August 31 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jets were scrambled to intercept three US strategic bombers @ @ @ @ @ Russia ’ s National Defense Management Center reported on Monday .
According to the Center @ @ @ @ @ detected three aerial targets over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea approaching Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ Three Su-27 fighters from the Baltic Fleet ’ s air defense quick reaction alert forces @ @ @ @ @ targets , '' the Center said .
`` The crew of the Russian fighter approached @ @ @ @ @ safe distance and identified them as US Air Force strategic bombers B-52H . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ violated , the National Defense Control Center stressed .
`` The entire flight of the @ @ @ @ @ strict compliance with the international rules of using the airspace , '' the Center added @ @ @ @ @ a Russian Su-27 fighter jet was scrambles to intercept four German , Danish , US @ @ @ @ @ Baltic Sea .

MOSCOW, August 31. /TASS/. Russian Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jets were scrambled to intercept three US strategic bombers over the Baltic Sea, Russia’s National Defense Management Center reported on Monday.
According to the Center, Russian airspace control systems detected three aerial targets over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea approaching Russia’s state border.
"Three Su-27 fighters from the Baltic Fleet’s air defense quick reaction alert forces were scrambled to intercept the targets," the Center said. "The crew of the Russian fighter approached the aerial targets at a safe distance and identified them as US Air Force strategic bombers B-52H."
The Russian state border was not violated, the National Defense Control Center stressed.
"The entire flight of the Russian Su-27 fighter proceeded in strict compliance with the international rules of using the airspace," the Center added.
Earlier on Monday, a Russian Su-27 fighter jet was scrambles to intercept four German, Danish, US and Sweden warplanes over the Baltic Sea.


tass--2020-08-31--Eleven more coronavirus patients die in Moscow in past day - crisis center

MOSCOW , August 31 .
/TASS/ .
Eleven more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day , with @ @ @ @ @ nearing 4,830 , the city ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Monday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ pneumonia have died in Moscow , '' it said , adding the overall number of @ @ @ @ @ reached 4,832 .
The coronavirus situation in Moscow , which was the most serious in @ @ @ @ @ .
By today , Moscow has reported more than 262,400 confirmed coronavirus cases .
More @ @ @ @ @ .
A campaign of voluntary testing for coronavirus antibodies is underway in the capital city @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 809,387 patients having recovered from the @ @ @ @ @ latest data indicates 17,176 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an @ @ @ @ @ public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, August 31. /TASS/. Eleven more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day, with the overall number of fatalities nearing 4,830, the city’s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Monday.
"Eleven coronavirus-positive patients diagnosed with pneumonia have died in Moscow," it said, adding the overall number of coronavirus-related deaths in Moscow has reached 4,832.
The coronavirus situation in Moscow, which was the most serious in Russia, has visibly improved. By today, Moscow has reported more than 262,400 confirmed coronavirus cases. More than 214,100 patients have recovered. A campaign of voluntary testing for coronavirus antibodies is underway in the capital city.
To date, 995,319 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 809,387 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 17,176 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-08-31--US coronavirus cases top 6 million - Johns Hopkins

TASS , August 31 .
The number of people who contracted COVID-19 in the United States has reached 6,002,615 on @ @ @ @ @ tally shows .
According to the research university , 183,203 people died from the coronavirus-related @ @ @ @ @ while 2,153,939 people recovered .
Most cases ( 706,731 ) are reported from California , @ @ @ @ @ ) , Florida ( 623,471 ) and New York ( 434,100 ) .
According to @ @ @ @ @ than 25.2 million people contracted the disease globally , while more than 846,000 people died @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 809,387 patients having recovered from the @ @ @ @ @ latest data indicates 17,176 fatalities nationwide .

TASS, August 31. The number of people who contracted COVID-19 in the United States has reached 6,002,615 on Monday, Johns Hopkins University tally shows.
According to the research university, 183,203 people died from the coronavirus-related causes in the country, while 2,153,939 people recovered. Most cases (706,731) are reported from California, followed by Texas (629,680), Florida (623,471) and New York (434,100).
According to Johns Hopkins University, more than 25.2 million people contracted the disease globally, while more than 846,000 people died. To date, 995,319 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 809,387 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 17,176 fatalities nationwide.


tass--2020-08-31--Foreign students in Russia can begin academic year without restrictions

MOSCOW , August 31 .
/TASS/ .
Foreign students who are already in Russia can start studying in universities without any restrictions , head of the Russian consumer watchdog Anna Popova said .
`` I am sure that there are no restrictions [ placed ] on foreign students who are already in Russia .
Meanwhile , those who are yet to arrive in Russia will be able to come here when it will be allowed from various countries in accordance with the specific rules , '' she noted .
Moreover , she recalled , all students are required to wear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have to take these measures because students are the most active part of our society in terms of communication , '' Popova underlined .
The watchdog chief conceded , however , that the requirement to wear masks in universities could be lifted in the future , but it is a necessity for now .
Schools may be switched to online mode in case the coronavirus situation worsens , Anna Popova said .
`` Yes , it may be done , like in case of outbreaks of flue or other respiratory infections , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Vesti news program on the Rossiya-1 television channel .
According to Popova , such an algorithm has been used during flu and other acute respiratory infections for several years .
If a student catches the coronavirus infection at school , he or she will be isolated until the diagnosis is established , she said .
`` Further steps will be decided by a watchdog specialist .
If a person catches the infection , he or she will have to stay at home for several days .
I hope it will be enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each particular case , for each particular class , each particular group , etc.
, '' she explained .
The coronavirus situation in Russia is generally stable , although a number of outbreaks are reported , Anna Popova said .
`` Today , the situation in Russia is stable .
The morbidity rate continues to go down , but we see a number of group foci , outbreaks , and we are working with that , '' she said in an interview with the Vesti news program on the Rossiya-1 television channel .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the country `` is absolutely controlled '' and the situation was seen as `` stabilizing . ''
To date , 995,319 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 809,387 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 17,176 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, August 31. /TASS/. Foreign students who are already in Russia can start studying in universities without any restrictions, head of the Russian consumer watchdog Anna Popova said.
"I am sure that there are no restrictions [placed] on foreign students who are already in Russia. Meanwhile, those who are yet to arrive in Russia will be able to come here when it will be allowed from various countries in accordance with the specific rules," she noted.
Moreover, she recalled, all students are required to wear face masks in universities. "Today we have to take these measures because students are the most active part of our society in terms of communication," Popova underlined.
The watchdog chief conceded, however, that the requirement to wear masks in universities could be lifted in the future, but it is a necessity for now.
Online mode
Schools may be switched to online mode in case the coronavirus situation worsens, Anna Popova said.
"Yes, it may be done, like in case of outbreaks of flue or other respiratory infections," she said in an interview with the Vesti news program on the Rossiya-1 television channel.
According to Popova, such an algorithm has been used during flu and other acute respiratory infections for several years.
If a student catches the coronavirus infection at school, he or she will be isolated until the diagnosis is established, she said. "Further steps will be decided by a watchdog specialist. If a person catches the infection, he or she will have to stay at home for several days. I hope it will be enough. An algorithm will be chosen in each particular case, for each particular class, each particular group, etc.," she explained.
Stable situation
The coronavirus situation in Russia is generally stable, although a number of outbreaks are reported, Anna Popova said.
"Today, the situation in Russia is stable. The morbidity rate continues to go down, but we see a number of group foci, outbreaks, and we are working with that," she said in an interview with the Vesti news program on the Rossiya-1 television channel.
Popova said earlier that the epidemic process in the country "is absolutely controlled" and the situation was seen as "stabilizing."
To date, 995,319 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 809,387 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 17,176 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-08-31--Relatives of convicted spy Paul Whelan hoping for US diplomatic efforts

NEW YORK , August 31 .
/TASS/ .
Relatives of Paul Whelan , US citizen who was convicted to 16 years in prison for spying against Russia , are hoping that the issue of his future will be decided through diplomatic channels , reads the statement of Paul Whelan ’ s brother David Whelan issued Monday .
`` Paul [ Whelan ] remains on the agenda of U.S. and Russian Federation relations , '' he believes .
According to him , `` It will only be through efforts by diplomats in the U.S. State Department and other government agencies that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an end . ''
Earlier , US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan told reporters that he wants to visit Whelan in prison in Russia ’ s Mordovia .
On December 28 , 2018 , former US marine Paul Whelan , who also holds British , Canadian and Irish citizenships , was detained by the Russian Federal Security Service ( FSB ) in a room of the Metropol Hotel in Moscow while on an alleged spy mission .
The FSB opened a criminal case against him on charges of espionage under Article 276 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 16 , the Moscow City Court found Whelan guilty of spying against Russia and sentenced him to 16 years in prison .
Whelan pleaded not guilty dismissing the criminal case as provocation by Russian special services .

NEW YORK, August 31. /TASS/. Relatives of Paul Whelan, US citizen who was convicted to 16 years in prison for spying against Russia, are hoping that the issue of his future will be decided through diplomatic channels, reads the statement of Paul Whelan’s brother David Whelan issued Monday.
"Paul [Whelan] remains on the agenda of U.S. and Russian Federation relations," he believes. According to him, "It will only be through efforts by diplomats in the U.S. State Department and other government agencies that the ongoing injustice Paul suffers will come to an end."
Earlier, US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan told reporters that he wants to visit Whelan in prison in Russia’s Mordovia.
On December 28, 2018, former US marine Paul Whelan, who also holds British, Canadian and Irish citizenships, was detained by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) in a room of the Metropol Hotel in Moscow while on an alleged spy mission. The FSB opened a criminal case against him on charges of espionage under Article 276 of the Russian Criminal Code. On June 16, the Moscow City Court found Whelan guilty of spying against Russia and sentenced him to 16 years in prison. Whelan pleaded not guilty dismissing the criminal case as provocation by Russian special services.


tass--2020-08-31--Uncontrolled lifting of COVID-19 restrictions ‘recipe for disaster’ - WHO

GENEVA , August 31 .
/TASS/ .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has warned countries against lifting the @ @ @ @ @ novel coronavirus pandemic too quickly .
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated during a @ @ @ @ @ lifting of measures is a `` recipe for disaster . ''
`` If countries are @ @ @ @ @ they must be serious about suppressing transmission and saving lives .
This may seem like @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s not .
It can be done and it has been done .
@ @ @ @ @ done if countries are in control of transmission , '' he said .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ the virus , the more they can open up .
Opening up without having control @ @ @ @ @ , '' he stressed .

GENEVA, August 31. /TASS/. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned countries against lifting the restrictions introduced to combat the novel coronavirus pandemic too quickly. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated during a briefing in Geneva that uncontrolled lifting of measures is a "recipe for disaster."
"If countries are serious about opening up, they must be serious about suppressing transmission and saving lives. This may seem like an impossible balance, but it’s not. It can be done and it has been done. But it can only be done if countries are in control of transmission," he said. "The more control countries have over the virus, the more they can open up. Opening up without having control is a recipe for disaster," he stressed.


tass--2020-08-31--Belarussian Interior Minister denies arrival of Russian forces in the country

MINSK , August 31 .
/TASS/ .
Belarussian Interior Minister Yuri Karayev has said that no Russian troops , police or national guardsmen have arrived in the country since the beginning of protest demonstrations .
`` Nobody has seen a single Russian soldier , or police or guardsmen in Belarus yet , '' Karayev told the RT television channel in an interview .
He believes that rumors about the emergence of Russian forces near the border with Belarus or even in the territory of the country were spread in the social networks by the opponents of the authorities in order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggle has never stopped , '' he said .
`` Apparently , some would like to present it in this light .
Clearly , the ‘ Belarus has been sold up ’ card is being played .
Who has it been sold to ?
Some would say , to the Russians , and others , to the West . ''
In an interview to Sergei Brilyov on August 27 Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow and Minsk had agreed a special law enforcement reserve would be formed for Belarus .
Putin said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if `` extremist elements , without bothering to use political slogans as a cover , step over certain red lines and unleash brigandage , set buildings and homes on fire , try to storm administrative buildings and so on . ''
Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that the situation in Belarus was under control and it made no sense to discuss the possibility a Russian police reserve might be used .

MINSK, August 31. /TASS/. Belarusian Interior Minister Yuri Karayev has said that no Russian troops, police or national guardsmen have arrived in the country since the beginning of protest demonstrations.
"Nobody has seen a single Russian soldier, or police or guardsmen in Belarus yet," Karayev told the RT television channel in an interview.
He believes that rumors about the emergence of Russian forces near the border with Belarus or even in the territory of the country were spread in the social networks by the opponents of the authorities in order to foment anti-Russian sentiment.
"Information struggle has never stopped," he said. "Apparently, some would like to present it in this light. Clearly, the ‘Belarus has been sold up’ card is being played. Who has it been sold to? Some would say, to the Russians, and others, to the West."
In an interview to Sergei Brilyov on August 27 Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow and Minsk had agreed a special law enforcement reserve would be formed for Belarus. Putin said that this reserve would be used only if "extremist elements, without bothering to use political slogans as a cover, step over certain red lines and unleash brigandage, set buildings and homes on fire, try to storm administrative buildings and so on." Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that the situation in Belarus was under control and it made no sense to discuss the possibility a Russian police reserve might be used.


tass--2020-08-31--Russian Su-27 fighter intercepts foreign spy planes over Baltic Sea

MOSCOW , August 31 .
/TASS/ .
A Russian Su-27 fighter of the Baltic Fleet was scrambled to intercept four foreign spy planes over the Baltic Sea , Russia ’ s National Defense Control Center reported on Monday .
Russian radars detected four air targets over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea approaching Russia ’ s state border on August 31 .
A Su-27 fighter from the Baltic Fleet ’ s air defense quick reaction alert forces was scrambled to identify the air targets , the Center said .
`` The Russian fighter ’ s crew identified the air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategic reconnaissance aircraft , a Swedish Air Force Gulfstream spy plane , a Danish Air Force Challenger surveillance aircraft and a German Navy P-3C Orion maritime patrol plane , '' the statement says .
The foreign reconnaissance planes were not allowed to violate the Russian state border .
After the foreign aircraft moved away , the Su-27 fighter safely returned to its home airfield , according to the statement .
`` The entire flight of the Russian Su-27 fighter proceeded in strict compliance with the international rules of using the airspace , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, August 31. /TASS/. A Russian Su-27 fighter of the Baltic Fleet was scrambled to intercept four foreign spy planes over the Baltic Sea, Russia’s National Defense Control Center reported on Monday.
Russian radars detected four air targets over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea approaching Russia’s state border on August 31. A Su-27 fighter from the Baltic Fleet’s air defense quick reaction alert forces was scrambled to identify the air targets, the Center said.
"The Russian fighter’s crew identified the air targets as a US Air Force RC-135 strategic reconnaissance aircraft, a Swedish Air Force Gulfstream spy plane, a Danish Air Force Challenger surveillance aircraft and a German Navy P-3C Orion maritime patrol plane," the statement says.
The foreign reconnaissance planes were not allowed to violate the Russian state border. After the foreign aircraft moved away, the Su-27 fighter safely returned to its home airfield, according to the statement.
"The entire flight of the Russian Su-27 fighter proceeded in strict compliance with the international rules of using the airspace," the National Defense Control Center stressed.


tass--2020-08-31--Russian military police win ‘Guardian of Order’ contest at International Army Games

KUBINKA /Moscow Region/ , August 31 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian military police team won the ‘ Guardian of Order ’ competition at the 2020 International Army Games , the Games ’ press center reported on Monday .
`` In the overall count , the Russian team captured the first place after a tight struggle , overcoming the 10 km obstacle course in less than an hour for the first time in the competition ’ s history , '' the organizers said .
The team from Iran took the second place while the Armenian military police came in third .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ place at the Patriot Congress and Exhibition Center near Moscow .
Chief of the Main Military Police Department of Russia ’ s Defense Ministry Colonel-General Sergei Kuralenko noted that all the teams had confirmed their high professionalism , the will to win and the team spirit .
`` The international army contest made an important contribution to strengthening the defense potential of our countries , which finally helped improve comradeship-in-arms among the participating states , '' the general said .
The ‘ Guardian of Order ’ contest ran at the Alabino and Kalininets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of four stages : firing service arms , overcoming an obstacle course , accomplishing firing and medical training procedures within the required time limits and competing in radiation , chemical and biological protection .
`` The final contest took place in the form of team races at the ‘ Race of Heroes ’ 10 km obstacle course that included 46 elements , '' the press center explained .

KUBINKA /Moscow Region/, August 31. /TASS/. The Russian military police team won the ‘Guardian of Order’ competition at the 2020 International Army Games, the Games’ press center reported on Monday.
"In the overall count, the Russian team captured the first place after a tight struggle, overcoming the 10 km obstacle course in less than an hour for the first time in the competition’s history," the organizers said.
The team from Iran took the second place while the Armenian military police came in third. The ceremony of closing the competition took place at the Patriot Congress and Exhibition Center near Moscow.
Chief of the Main Military Police Department of Russia’s Defense Ministry Colonel-General Sergei Kuralenko noted that all the teams had confirmed their high professionalism, the will to win and the team spirit.
"The international army contest made an important contribution to strengthening the defense potential of our countries, which finally helped improve comradeship-in-arms among the participating states," the general said.
The ‘Guardian of Order’ contest ran at the Alabino and Kalininets training grounds on August 24-31 and consisted of four stages: firing service arms, overcoming an obstacle course, accomplishing firing and medical training procedures within the required time limits and competing in radiation, chemical and biological protection.
"The final contest took place in the form of team races at the ‘Race of Heroes’ 10 km obstacle course that included 46 elements," the press center explained.


tass--2020-08-31--Libyan protests may widen divide between political elites, says expert

MOSCOW , August 31 .
/TASS/ .
Protests in Libya may widen the divide between the military and political elites in the northwestern part of the country , who have united against the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) , Research Director of the Valdai Discussion Club Foundation for Development and Support Fyodor Lukyanov told TASS on Monday .
According to the expert , renewed protests can not resolve the issues that have piled up in the Libyan economy and management .
`` On the other hand , they can aggravate the significant tensions and widen the divide between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who have temporarily united in the face of a common enemy : field marshal Khalifa Haftar , '' he said .
He explained that opponents of the Government of National Accord ( GNA ) can use the situation to their advantage to undermine the Libyan regulation talks .
Destructive forces represented by members of the IS and Al-Qaeda ( terrorist organizations outlawed in Russia - TASS ) and radical representatives of ethnic minorities in Libya may also benefit from the protests , Lukyanov added .
The protests in northwestern Libya are a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy '' implemented by the GNA during the time of war , the coronavirus pandemic and the state budget deficit .
Protests against the GNA , the worsening economic situation in the country and corruption have been going on in Tripoli over the past week .
Head of the GNA Fayez Al-Sarraj said in a televised address that the country ’ s people had the right to hold peaceful protests .
He also pledged to make an urgent cabinet reshuffle .
Currently , Libya has two parallel bodies of executive power : the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GNA ) headed by Fayez al-Sarraj , and an interim government operating in the country ’ s east together with parliament and supported by the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) , led by Commander Khalifa Haftar .

MOSCOW, August 31. /TASS/. Protests in Libya may widen the divide between the military and political elites in the northwestern part of the country, who have united against the Libyan National Army (LNA), Research Director of the Valdai Discussion Club Foundation for Development and Support Fyodor Lukyanov told TASS on Monday.
According to the expert, renewed protests cannot resolve the issues that have piled up in the Libyan economy and management. "On the other hand, they can aggravate the significant tensions and widen the divide between the military and political elites of northwestern Libya, who have temporarily united in the face of a common enemy: field marshal Khalifa Haftar," he said.
He explained that opponents of the Government of National Accord (GNA) can use the situation to their advantage to undermine the Libyan regulation talks. Destructive forces represented by members of the IS and Al-Qaeda (terrorist organizations outlawed in Russia - TASS) and radical representatives of ethnic minorities in Libya may also benefit from the protests, Lukyanov added.
The protests in northwestern Libya are a result of "clearly inefficient state social-economic policy" implemented by the GNA during the time of war, the coronavirus pandemic and the state budget deficit.
Protests against the GNA, the worsening economic situation in the country and corruption have been going on in Tripoli over the past week. Head of the GNA Fayez Al-Sarraj said in a televised address that the country’s people had the right to hold peaceful protests. He also pledged to make an urgent cabinet reshuffle.
Currently, Libya has two parallel bodies of executive power: the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) headed by Fayez al-Sarraj, and an interim government operating in the country’s east together with parliament and supported by the Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Commander Khalifa Haftar.


tass--2020-08-31--Putin sends condolences over death of former Indian president Pranab Mukherjee

MOSCOW , August 31 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences over the death of former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee in a telegram to current Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi published on the Kremlin website .
`` Please accept my deepest condolences over the death of former head of state Pranab Kumar Mukherjee .
In the year of his work as president and other government positions of responsibility , Pranab Kumar Mukherjee earned the well-deserved respect of his compatriots and high international authority .
As a true friend of Russia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the strengthening of specially privileged strategic partnership relations between our states , '' the Russian president said .
Putin has also sent his condolences to the late president ’ s family and to the Indian people .
Former President of India Pranab Mukherjee passed away on Monday at the age of 84 .
He was a veteran of Indian politics , considered to be one of the most respected political figures in the country .
During his career , he held several high-ranking government positions .
Mukherjee served as President of India from @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, August 31. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences over the death of former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee in a telegram to current Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi published on the Kremlin website.
"Please accept my deepest condolences over the death of former head of state Pranab Kumar Mukherjee. In the year of his work as president and other government positions of responsibility, Pranab Kumar Mukherjee earned the well-deserved respect of his compatriots and high international authority. As a true friend of Russia, he made a significant personal contribution to the strengthening of specially privileged strategic partnership relations between our states," the Russian president said.
Putin has also sent his condolences to the late president’s family and to the Indian people.
Former President of India Pranab Mukherjee passed away on Monday at the age of 84. He was a veteran of Indian politics, considered to be one of the most respected political figures in the country. During his career, he held several high-ranking government positions. Mukherjee served as President of India from 2012 to 2017.


tass--2020-08-31--Shipbuilders to deliver cutting-edge corvette to Russian Navy by year-end

ST. PETERSBURG , August 31 .
/TASS/ .
The Project 20385 corvette Gremyashchiy built at the Severnaya Shipyard ( part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation ) is scheduled for its delivery to the Russian Navy in December , Shipyard CEO Igor Orlov announced on Monday .
`` Now it is at sea for trials .
We are planning to deliver it in December , '' the Shipyard ’ s chief said .
The Gremyashchiy is the Project 20385 lead corvette laid down at the Severnaya Shipyard on February 1 , 2012 and floated out in June 2017 .
The corvettes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Central Marine Design Bureau are designated to detect and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships , provide for troop landing and cope with numerous green-water tasks .
The corvette entered its new stage of trials on December 6 .
Project 20385 corvettes displace 2,200 tonnes , have an operating range of 3,500 miles and their sea endurance is 15 days .
They are armed with Kalibr-NK universal missile systems , Redut anti-aircraft missile launchers and Paket anti-submarine warfare technology .
It was earlier reported that the corvette Gremyashchiy might be subsequently armed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ named after the Northern Fleet ’ s legendary destroyer Gremyashchiy that fought during the Soviet Union ’ s 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War against Nazi Germany .
For its successful operations at sea during the war , the destroyer was awarded the Guards title while its commander , 1st Rank Captain Anton Gurin was bestowed with the Hero of the Soviet Union title .

ST. PETERSBURG, August 31. /TASS/. The Project 20385 corvette Gremyashchiy built at the Severnaya Shipyard (part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation) is scheduled for its delivery to the Russian Navy in December, Shipyard CEO Igor Orlov announced on Monday.
"Now it is at sea for trials. We are planning to deliver it in December," the Shipyard’s chief said.
The Gremyashchiy is the Project 20385 lead corvette laid down at the Severnaya Shipyard on February 1, 2012 and floated out in June 2017. The corvettes of this Project developed by the Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau are designated to detect and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships, provide for troop landing and cope with numerous green-water tasks. The corvette entered its new stage of trials on December 6.
Project 20385 corvettes displace 2,200 tonnes, have an operating range of 3,500 miles and their sea endurance is 15 days. They are armed with Kalibr-NK universal missile systems, Redut anti-aircraft missile launchers and Paket anti-submarine warfare technology.
It was earlier reported that the corvette Gremyashchiy might be subsequently armed with Tsirkon hypersonic missiles.
The corvette was named after the Northern Fleet’s legendary destroyer Gremyashchiy that fought during the Soviet Union’s 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War against Nazi Germany. For its successful operations at sea during the war, the destroyer was awarded the Guards title while its commander, 1st Rank Captain Anton Gurin was bestowed with the Hero of the Soviet Union title.


tass--2020-08-31--Portugal’s coronavirus cases pass 58,000

MADRID , August 31 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases in Portugal rose by 244 to 58,012 in the past 24 hours , the country ’ s Directorate-General for Health said on Monday .
Three coronavirus deaths were recorded in the past day , bringing the death toll to 1,822 .
Nearly 42,000 coronavirus patients have recovered in the country .
As many as 349 patients remain hospitalized , 41 of them are in intensive care .
A state of emergency was in effect in the country until May 2 .
On July 1 , the Spanish and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two countries , which had been closed due to the pandemic .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worldwide and more than 850,870 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 17,716,700 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

MADRID, August 31. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Portugal rose by 244 to 58,012 in the past 24 hours, the country’s Directorate-General for Health said on Monday.
Three coronavirus deaths were recorded in the past day, bringing the death toll to 1,822. Nearly 42,000 coronavirus patients have recovered in the country. As many as 349 patients remain hospitalized, 41 of them are in intensive care.
A state of emergency was in effect in the country until May 2. On July 1, the Spanish and Portuguese authorities reopened the border between the two countries, which had been closed due to the pandemic.
Coronavirus pandemic
In late December 2019, Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 25,400,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 850,870 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 17,716,700 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-08-31--Gazprom expects gas exports to Europe in 2020 at 170 bln cubic meters

MOSCOW , August 31 .
/TASS/ .
Gazprom expects `` with cautious optimism '' gas exports to Europe in 2020 to reach 170 bln cubic meters , department head at Gazprom Export Andrey Zotov said during a telephone conference with investors .
At the same time , the company forecasts the price of gas exports to Europe in 2020 at $ 100-160 per 1,000 cubic meters .
Meanwhile , Gazprom noted signs of a recovery in gas prices on the European market , Head of Gazprom 's Financial and Economic Department Alexander Ivannikov said .
`` The current dynamics with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Q2 was the lowest point of this crisis and in the future we expect a recovery in the global economy .
This means an increase in gas prices .
We are already observing positive dynamics in the European gas market .
For example , spot prices have won back the decline of the first half of the year to a large extent , and forward contracts for the winter are already trading within $ 160-170 per 1,000 cubic meters .
This , in fact , reflects the fact that players expect it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future , '' Ivannikov said .

MOSCOW, August 31. /TASS/. Gazprom expects "with cautious optimism" gas exports to Europe in 2020 to reach 170 bln cubic meters, department head at Gazprom Export Andrey Zotov said during a telephone conference with investors.
At the same time, the company forecasts the price of gas exports to Europe in 2020 at $100-160 per 1,000 cubic meters.
Meanwhile, Gazprom noted signs of a recovery in gas prices on the European market, Head of Gazprom's Financial and Economic Department Alexander Ivannikov said.
"The current dynamics with the pandemic allows us to assume that the Q2 was the lowest point of this crisis and in the future we expect a recovery in the global economy. This means an increase in gas prices. We are already observing positive dynamics in the European gas market. For example, spot prices have won back the decline of the first half of the year to a large extent, and forward contracts for the winter are already trading within $160-170 per 1,000 cubic meters. This, in fact, reflects the fact that players expect it to be more balanced in the near future," Ivannikov said.


tass--2020-08-31--Gazprom transfers $1.35 bln to PGNiG under Stockholm Arbitration decision

MOSCOW , August 31 .
/TASS/ .
Gazprom transferred 100 bln rubles ( $ 1.35 bln ) to Polish energy @ @ @ @ @ decision of the Stockholm Arbitration , which will not affect the process of appealing , @ @ @ @ @ and Economic Department Alexander Ivannikov said during a conference call with investors .
`` Also @ @ @ @ @ Gazprom Export paid Polish company PGNiG 100 billion rubles in accordance with the decision of @ @ @ @ @ he said .
Ivannikov explained that this payment will not affect the appeal process of @ @ @ @ @ damage the company 's position .
`` Gazprom Export continues to appeal against the decision @ @ @ @ @ and the transfer of funds does not damage our position during the appeal , '' @ @ @

MOSCOW, August 31. /TASS/. Gazprom transferred 100 bln rubles ($1.35 bln) to Polish energy company PGNiG according to the decision of the Stockholm Arbitration, which will not affect the process of appealing, Head of Gazprom's Financial and Economic Department Alexander Ivannikov said during a conference call with investors.
"Also in the second quarter, Gazprom Export paid Polish company PGNiG 100 billion rubles in accordance with the decision of the Stockholm Arbitration," he said.
Ivannikov explained that this payment will not affect the appeal process of this decision and will not damage the company's position. "Gazprom Export continues to appeal against the decision of the Stockholm Arbitration, and the transfer of funds does not damage our position during the appeal," he said.


tass--2020-08-31--Nearly 3,600 people take part in online voting test run

MOSCOW , August 31 .
/TASS/ .
Some 3,590 people have taken part in the test run of the online @ @ @ @ @ used during the Russian State Duma ( lower house ) election in the Yaroslavl and @ @ @ @ @ .
The test vote was held from 10:00 to 15:00 Moscow time , with 8,402 @ @ @ @ @ , 6,693 voters from the Yaroslavl Region and 244 members of the expert community signed @ @ @ @ @ According to the Central Election Commission , the turnout at the test run of the @ @ @ @ @ in the Kursk Region ( 2,233 voters ) , 16.96 % in the Yaroslavl Region @ @ @ @ @ and 90.98 % among experts ( 222 voters ) .
The online vote for the @ @ @ @ @ held on September 11-13 .
In order to take part , residents of the Kursk @ @ @ @ @ apply for the vote from July 29 to September 8 through an online portal .

MOSCOW, August 31. /TASS/. Some 3,590 people have taken part in the test run of the online voting procedure that will be used during the Russian State Duma (lower house) election in the Yaroslavl and Kursk regions planned for September.
The test vote was held from 10:00 to 15:00 Moscow time, with 8,402 voters from the Kursk Region, 6,693 voters from the Yaroslavl Region and 244 members of the expert community signed up for the vote. According to the Central Election Commission, the turnout at the test run of the vote has reached 26.58% in the Kursk Region (2,233 voters), 16.96% in the Yaroslavl Region (1,135 voters), and 90.98% among experts (222 voters).
The online vote for the Russian State Duma will be held on September 11-13. In order to take part, residents of the Kursk and Yaroslavl regions have to apply for the vote from July 29 to September 8 through an online portal.


tass--2020-08-31--Gazprom supplied 1 bln cubic meters of gas to China at prices higher than European in Q2

MOSCOW , August 31 .
/TASS/ .
Gazprom supplied 1 bln cubic meters of gas in the Q2 to China @ @ @ @ @ pipeline at prices significantly higher than European , Head of Gazprom 's Financial and Economic @ @ @ @ @ a conference call with investors .
`` It is also worth noting that in the @ @ @ @ @ about 1 billion cubic meters of gas to China via Power of Siberia gas pipeline @ @ @ @ @ European prices .
As the volume of gas supplies under the CNPC contract grows , @ @ @ @ @ a more significant contribution to Gazprom 's revenues and profits , '' Ivannikov said .

MOSCOW, August 31. /TASS/. Gazprom supplied 1 bln cubic meters of gas in the Q2 to China via the Power of Siberia pipeline at prices significantly higher than European, Head of Gazprom's Financial and Economic Department Alexander Ivannikov said during a conference call with investors.
"It is also worth noting that in the second quarter, Gazprom supplied about 1 billion cubic meters of gas to China via Power of Siberia gas pipeline at prices that significantly exceeded European prices. As the volume of gas supplies under the CNPC contract grows, the Chinese market will provide a more significant contribution to Gazprom's revenues and profits," Ivannikov said.


tass--2020-08-31--Lavrov says Russia ready to aid inter-Syrian dialogue during talks with opposition

MOSCOW , August 31 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has discussed Syrian regulation with members of the @ @ @ @ @ ’ s readiness to aid inter-Syrian dialogue , the Russian Foreign Ministry informed on Monday @ @ @ @ @ Lavrov had discussed the issues of Syrian regulation , namely , the reaching of inter-Syrian @ @ @ @ @ of the UN Security Council , with co-chair of the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Council Ilham @ @ @ @ @ Popular Front for Change and Liberation Qadri Jamil .
`` Sergey Lavrov has reaffirmed Russia @ @ @ @ @ aiding the promotion of inclusive constructive inter-Syrian dialogue in the interest of the soonest recovery @ @ @ @ @ s sovereignty , unity and territorial integrity , the formation of conditions for harmonious co-existence @ @ @ @ @ and religious parts of the Syrian society , '' the message says .
Members of @ @ @ @ @ the Russian top diplomat about the memorandum of understanding between the Syrian Democratic Council and @ @ @ @ @ party signed on the outcomes of the talks in Moscow .

MOSCOW, August 31. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has discussed Syrian regulation with members of the Syrian opposition, reaffirming Russia’s readiness to aid inter-Syrian dialogue, the Russian Foreign Ministry informed on Monday.
The ministry stated that Lavrov had discussed the issues of Syrian regulation, namely, the reaching of inter-Syrian agreements based on Resolution 2254 of the UN Security Council, with co-chair of the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Council Ilham Ahmed and leader of the Popular Front for Change and Liberation Qadri Jamil. "Sergey Lavrov has reaffirmed Russia’s readiness to continue aiding the promotion of inclusive constructive inter-Syrian dialogue in the interest of the soonest recovery and reinforcement of Syria’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, the formation of conditions for harmonious co-existence and development of all ethnic and religious parts of the Syrian society," the message says.
Members of the Syrian opposition have informed the Russian top diplomat about the memorandum of understanding between the Syrian Democratic Council and the People’s Will party signed on the outcomes of the talks in Moscow.


tass--2020-08-31--Russian biologists create cell culture producing COVID-19 antibodies

MOSCOW , August 31 .
/TASS/ .
Specialists of the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences have grown a mouse cell culture capable of producing large amounts of antibodies to one of the key proteins of the coronavirus , potentially suitable for COVID-19 treatment and use in diagnostic systems .
The description of this cell culture was published in an article at the bioRxiv electronic library .
`` We created a new monoclonal antibody which can be used both to study SARS-CoV-2 and to create diagnostic systems and therapies capable of helping patients with COVID-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fact that they can be produced in almost unlimited numbers for a very small amount of money , '' the researchers wrote .
Over the past six months biologists worldwide discovered dozens of various antibodies capable of attaching themselves to the key part of the coronavirus , the so-called S-protein , which directly participated in the cell infection .
Such molecules may be used both to treat COVID-19 and to detect traces of the virus in humans or animals .
Despite a large number of such preparations , almost all of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientists headed by Marat Pavlyukov , senior research associate at the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow , developed one of the first Russian cell cultures capable of mass production of such antibodies .
They are represented by the so-called hybridoma , a cell line obtained as a result of merging of certain types of neoplastic cells and B-lymphocytes , immune system corpuscles , which can produce antibodies .
Such a procedure allows `` hybrid '' cells to divide unlimited number of times and mass-produce antibodies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ antibodies .
In order to obtain such cells the researchers first prepared a large number of copies of the RBD protein , a key fragment of the S-protein , which directly joins the ACE2 receptor on the surface of human cells and lets the coronavirus inside .
Having obtained these molecules , biologists administered them to several mice and waited for the formation of the immune reaction .
These experiments demonstrated that the RBD protein molecules by themselves caused a massive immune reaction which allowed the scientists to trap a large number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and convenient ones .
Having fused them with myeloma cells , the researchers obtained over a hundred variations of antibody-producing hybrids .
Having selected 14 most interesting versions , the scientists attempted to use the antibodies produced to create prototypes of test systems , aimed to detect the coronavirus S-protein traces in a solution or a biological sample .
During these experiments the scientists singled out one cell culture whose antibodies could recognize the full version of the coronavirus membrane and were highly selective at that .
Using this cell variation , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the genome of its descendants which led to small changes in the antibody structure and sometimes improved its properties .
One of such variants , dubbed 11/9 , was interacting much more actively with the coronavirus particles than its `` predecessor . ''
For instance , subsequent experiments showed that the antibodies decreased the number of coronavirus models inside the human cell culture at least twice .
Additionally they recognized the S-protein both in its pure form and in the format , in which it exists inside the infected cells .
The researchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ production of the antibodies and their high effectiveness will allow making the diagnostic systems necessary to trace the spread of the coronavirus much cheaper .
Additionally , the team of scientists presumes that the RBD protein may be used as one of the vaccine components , but its safety for humans is yet to be established .

MOSCOW, August 31. /TASS/. Specialists of the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences have grown a mouse cell culture capable of producing large amounts of antibodies to one of the key proteins of the coronavirus, potentially suitable for COVID-19 treatment and use in diagnostic systems. The description of this cell culture was published in an article at the bioRxiv electronic library.
"We created a new monoclonal antibody which can be used both to study SARS-CoV-2 and to create diagnostic systems and therapies capable of helping patients with COVID-19. The main advantage of our antibodies is the fact that they can be produced in almost unlimited numbers for a very small amount of money," the researchers wrote.
Over the past six months biologists worldwide discovered dozens of various antibodies capable of attaching themselves to the key part of the coronavirus, the so-called S-protein, which directly participated in the cell infection. Such molecules may be used both to treat COVID-19 and to detect traces of the virus in humans or animals.
Despite a large number of such preparations, almost all of them are produced abroad. A group of scientists headed by Marat Pavlyukov, senior research associate at the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow, developed one of the first Russian cell cultures capable of mass production of such antibodies.
They are represented by the so-called hybridoma, a cell line obtained as a result of merging of certain types of neoplastic cells and B-lymphocytes, immune system corpuscles, which can produce antibodies. Such a procedure allows "hybrid" cells to divide unlimited number of times and mass-produce antibodies, which is widely used to obtain monoclonal antibodies.
Cheap and selective antibodies
In order to obtain such cells the researchers first prepared a large number of copies of the RBD protein, a key fragment of the S-protein, which directly joins the ACE2 receptor on the surface of human cells and lets the coronavirus inside. Having obtained these molecules, biologists administered them to several mice and waited for the formation of the immune reaction.
These experiments demonstrated that the RBD protein molecules by themselves caused a massive immune reaction which allowed the scientists to trap a large number of antibody-producing cells and select the most effective and convenient ones. Having fused them with myeloma cells, the researchers obtained over a hundred variations of antibody-producing hybrids.
Having selected 14 most interesting versions, the scientists attempted to use the antibodies produced to create prototypes of test systems, aimed to detect the coronavirus S-protein traces in a solution or a biological sample. During these experiments the scientists singled out one cell culture whose antibodies could recognize the full version of the coronavirus membrane and were highly selective at that.
Using this cell variation, the scientists traced the appearance of mutations in the genome of its descendants which led to small changes in the antibody structure and sometimes improved its properties. One of such variants, dubbed 11/9, was interacting much more actively with the coronavirus particles than its "predecessor."
For instance, subsequent experiments showed that the antibodies decreased the number of coronavirus models inside the human cell culture at least twice. Additionally they recognized the S-protein both in its pure form and in the format, in which it exists inside the infected cells.
The researchers hope that a simple technology of the production of the antibodies and their high effectiveness will allow making the diagnostic systems necessary to trace the spread of the coronavirus much cheaper. Additionally, the team of scientists presumes that the RBD protein may be used as one of the vaccine components, but its safety for humans is yet to be established.


tass--2020-08-31--Biocad company to produce Russia’s second coronavirus vaccine

`` Biocad was initially chosen as a partner , '' he said , when asked who would produce the second vaccine .
According to the minister , the company was chosen at an early stage , when the vaccine was in the works .
A vaccine developed by the State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology Vector is supposed to become Russia ’ s second coronavirus vaccine .
Chief of the center ’ s zoonotic infections and influenza department Alexander Ryzhikov said earlier that the first batch of the vaccine might be available in late October or early November .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine to be registered in October and the third phase of trials to take place afterwards .
On July 24 , the center received the Health Ministry ’ s permission to conduct clinical trials of the vaccine on volunteers .
The first volunteer was vaccinated on July 27 .
On August 11 , Russia became the first country to register a coronavirus vaccine , which was named Sputnik V. The vaccine was developed by the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology and underwent clinical trials in June and July .
More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ works globally , of which over 30 are being tested on humans .

"Biocad was initially chosen as a partner," he said, when asked who would produce the second vaccine.
According to the minister, the company was chosen at an early stage, when the vaccine was in the works.
A vaccine developed by the State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology Vector is supposed to become Russia’s second coronavirus vaccine. Chief of the center’s zoonotic infections and influenza department Alexander Ryzhikov said earlier that the first batch of the vaccine might be available in late October or early November. According to him, Vector expects the vaccine to be registered in October and the third phase of trials to take place afterwards. On July 24, the center received the Health Ministry’s permission to conduct clinical trials of the vaccine on volunteers. The first volunteer was vaccinated on July 27.
On August 11, Russia became the first country to register a coronavirus vaccine, which was named Sputnik V. The vaccine was developed by the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology and underwent clinical trials in June and July. More than 160 vaccines are currently in the works globally, of which over 30 are being tested on humans.


tass--2020-08-31--Baltic Fleet, troops in Russia’s northwest wrap up large-scale drills

ST. PETERSBURG , August 31 .
/TASS/ .
Command and staff drills of the Baltic Fleet and a combined arms army involving 6,000 personnel came to an end in the Kaliningrad and Leningrad Regions , the press office of the Western Military District reported on Monday .
`` Practical measures by the headquarters and troops took place at five training grounds in the Leningrad and Kaliningrad Regions and at naval ranges in the Baltic Sea and islands of the Gulf of Finland , '' Western Military District Commander Colonel-General Alexander Zhuravlyov who was in charge of the drills was quoted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The large-scale force-on-force exercise involved about 6,000 personnel and 1,500 items of armament and military hardware , including combat ships , planes and helicopters , the statement says .
During the drills , the headquarters gained the experience of planning defensive operations , implementing a set of measures to stabilize the situation , maintain inter-operability and comprehensive support for ongoing missions .
The troops practiced seeking out , blocking and eliminating illegal armed formations , protecting and defending sea lanes , landing an amphibious assault force onto an unequipped shore and carrying out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office specified .
All-embracing anti-epidemic measures were taken at all the stages of the drills .
The troops are currently returning to their permanent bases , the press office said .

ST. PETERSBURG, August 31. /TASS/. Command and staff drills of the Baltic Fleet and a combined arms army involving 6,000 personnel came to an end in the Kaliningrad and Leningrad Regions, the press office of the Western Military District reported on Monday.
"Practical measures by the headquarters and troops took place at five training grounds in the Leningrad and Kaliningrad Regions and at naval ranges in the Baltic Sea and islands of the Gulf of Finland," Western Military District Commander Colonel-General Alexander Zhuravlyov who was in charge of the drills was quoted by the press office as saying.
The large-scale force-on-force exercise involved about 6,000 personnel and 1,500 items of armament and military hardware, including combat ships, planes and helicopters, the statement says.
During the drills, the headquarters gained the experience of planning defensive operations, implementing a set of measures to stabilize the situation, maintain inter-operability and comprehensive support for ongoing missions. The troops practiced seeking out, blocking and eliminating illegal armed formations, protecting and defending sea lanes, landing an amphibious assault force onto an unequipped shore and carrying out anti-assault and counter-offensive operations, the press office specified.
All-embracing anti-epidemic measures were taken at all the stages of the drills. The troops are currently returning to their permanent bases, the press office said.


tass--2020-08-31--Russian, Belarusian top diplomats to have talks in Moscow on September 2

MOSCOW , August 31 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to have talks with his Belarusian @ @ @ @ @ on September 2 in Moscow , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Monday @ @ @ @ @ Belarus under control , no need to use Russian police reserve '' Talks between Russian @ @ @ @ @ expected to be held in Moscow on September 2 , '' she said .
On @ @ @ @ @ its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991 .
According to the final results @ @ @ @ @ , the incumbent president , Alexander Lukashenko , won 80.10 % of the vote .
@ @ @ @ @ Tikhanovskaya , scored 10.12 % of votes but refused to recognize the voting outcome .
@ @ @ @ @ results were announced , mass protests broke out in the country to continue until now @ @ @ @ @ that the Belarusian people is capable of resolving the current crisis on its own and @ @ @ @ @ to refrain from interfering into the situation .

MOSCOW, August 31. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to have talks with his Belarusian counterpart, Vladimir Makei, on September 2 in Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Monday.
Kremlin says situation in Belarus under control, no need to use Russian police reserve
"Talks between Russian and Belarusian top diplomats are expected to be held in Moscow on September 2," she said.
On August 9, Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991. According to the final results of Sunday’s voting, the incumbent president, Alexander Lukashenko, won 80.10% of the vote. His closest rival, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, scored 10.12% of votes but refused to recognize the voting outcome. Shortly after the exit poll results were announced, mass protests broke out in the country to continue until now.
Moscow has repeatedly said that the Belarusian people is capable of resolving the current crisis on its own and calls on the Western nations to refrain from interfering into the situation.


tass--2020-08-31--Russian schoolchildren not required to wear masks in class

MOSCOW , August 31 .
/TASS/ .
Russian schoolchildren will not be required to wear masks in class , the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing informed , quoted by the Telegram channel of the Russian anti-coronavirus information website .
Back-to-school shopping : Parent to spend $ 67 more on girls than boys , say federal stats '' The requirements of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing and the Ministry of Education do not include recommendations for mask wear by children .
They will be able to remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breaks , in cafeterias and during physical education classes , '' the message reads .
A special schedule will be drafted to avoid mass gatherings of children .
There are no plans to move Russian schools to remote learning starting on September 20 , the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing said in a statement on Telegram on Monday .
`` There are no plans to introduce restrictions on September 20 , the new academic year will begin with in-person classes , '' the statement reads .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a chance to attend extra-extracurricular  classes online but only if they have technical capabilities to do so .

MOSCOW, August 31. /TASS/. Russian schoolchildren will not be required to wear masks in class, the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing informed, quoted by the Telegram channel of the Russian anti-coronavirus information website.
Back-to-school shopping: Parent to spend $67 more on girls than boys, say federal stats
"The requirements of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing and the Ministry of Education do not include recommendations for mask wear by children. They will be able to remain without masks in schools during class and breaks, in cafeterias and during physical education classes," the message reads.
A special schedule will be drafted to avoid mass gatherings of children.
Remote learning
There are no plans to move Russian schools to remote learning starting on September 20, the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing said in a statement on Telegram on Monday.
"There are no plans to introduce restrictions on September 20, the new academic year will begin with in-person classes," the statement reads.
According to the watchdog, students will have a chance to attend extra-extracurricular  classes online but only if they have technical capabilities to do so.


tass--2020-08-31--Baltic states ban entrance to Lukashenko, 29 more Belarusian officials

Kremlin says situation in Belarus under control , no need to use Russian police reserve The Russian president has pointed @ @ @ @ @ used as a measure of last resort , according to the Kremlin spokesman

It would be US ‘golden dream’ to have nuclear weapons in Ukraine — diplomat
Maria Zakharova recalled that Italy and many other countries possess the US nuclear weapons but do not have access to them
Read more


tass--2020-08-31--Russia plans to start mass vaccination of high-risk groups against COVID-19 in November

IRKUTSK , August 31 .
/TASS/ .
Mass vaccination of high-risk groups , namely doctors and teachers , against COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ the novel coronavirus , is planned to start in November-December 2020 , Russian Health Minister @ @ @ @ @ a working visit to Irkutsk .
`` First vaccines will be supplied for high-risk groups @ @ @ @ @ vaccination is planned after November-December , '' the minister said .

IRKUTSK, August 31. /TASS/. Mass vaccination of high-risk groups, namely doctors and teachers, against COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus, is planned to start in November-December 2020, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko told reporters during a working visit to Irkutsk.
"First vaccines will be supplied for high-risk groups in September, and mass vaccination is planned after November-December," the minister said.


tass--2020-08-31--Russia can join ranks of top five global economies this year, presidential aide says

MOSCOW , August 31 .
/TASS/ .
Russia can become the fifth economy of the world by the purchasing power @ @ @ @ @ 2020 , presidential aide Maxim Oreshkin says on Monday .
`` Russia has not dropped @ @ @ @ @ five [ global ] economies .
If you open the latest outlook of the International @ @ @ @ @ , you will see Russia will be the fifth economy of the world , will @ @ @ @ @ can be said it [ the goal ] is delivered in this year , '' @ @ @ @ @ be necessary to consolidate the position among the top five most developed world ’ s @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Further on , performance and delivery of the goal on sustainable economic development @ @ @ @ @ average indicators will make it possible to remain in this group , '' he added @

MOSCOW, August 31. /TASS/. Russia can become the fifth economy of the world by the purchasing power parity as early as in 2020, presidential aide Maxim Oreshkin says on Monday.
"Russia has not dropped goals of joining the top five [global] economies. If you open the latest outlook of the International Monetary Fund for this year, you will see Russia will be the fifth economy of the world, will achieve this level. It can be said it [the goal] is delivered in this year," Oreshkin said.
It will be necessary to consolidate the position among the top five most developed world’s economies, the aide says. "Further on, performance and delivery of the goal on sustainable economic development above the world’s average indicators will make it possible to remain in this group," he added.


tass--2020-08-31--Indian forces block movement of Chinese troops near Pangong Lake

According to the TV channel , Chinese soldiers came `` in large numbers , '' planning to `` unilaterally occupy areas . ''
However , Indian troops took measures to prevent those activities .
Sources said that there had been no physical skirmishes .
NEW DEHLI , August 31 .
/TASS/ .
Indian forces blocked the movement of Chinese troops in the union territory of Ladakh , NDTV reported on Monday , citing sources .
The Indian Defense Ministry earlier issued a statement , saying that on the night of August 29-30 , Chinese troops `` carried out provocative military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` Indian troops pre-empted this PLA [ People 's Liberation Army ] activity on the southern bank of Pangong Tso Lake , '' the ministry added .
The situation on the Indian-Chinese border in Ladakh deteriorated following clashes in early May , which involved about 250 Chinese and Indian soldiers .
More than 100 were wounded on both sides .
Early on June 16 , new skirmishes between Indian and Chinese troops occurred in Ladakh near the Galwan River .
According to Indian military sources , the troops used stones and sticks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At least 20 Indian troops were killed and 76 suffered wounds .
India also claimed that some 45 Chinese soldiers had been killed and wounded .
India and China later held a series of talks on the diplomatic and military level but failed to achieve mutually acceptable results .

According to the TV channel, Chinese soldiers came "in large numbers," planning to "unilaterally occupy areas." However, Indian troops took measures to prevent those activities. Sources said that there had been no physical skirmishes.
NEW DEHLI, August 31. /TASS/. Indian forces blocked the movement of Chinese troops in the union territory of Ladakh, NDTV reported on Monday, citing sources.
The Indian Defense Ministry earlier issued a statement, saying that on the night of August 29-30, Chinese troops "carried out provocative military movements to change the status quo." "Indian troops pre-empted this PLA [People's Liberation Army] activity on the southern bank of Pangong Tso Lake," the ministry added.
The situation on the Indian-Chinese border in Ladakh deteriorated following clashes in early May, which involved about 250 Chinese and Indian soldiers. More than 100 were wounded on both sides.
Early on June 16, new skirmishes between Indian and Chinese troops occurred in Ladakh near the Galwan River. According to Indian military sources, the troops used stones and sticks but never firearms in the attacks. At least 20 Indian troops were killed and 76 suffered wounds. India also claimed that some 45 Chinese soldiers had been killed and wounded.
India and China later held a series of talks on the diplomatic and military level but failed to achieve mutually acceptable results.