tass--2020-10-22--Russian intel chief says discussed security issues with Belarusian president

MINSK , October 22 .
/TASS/ .
Director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service ( SVR ) Sergei Naryshkin has said that issues related to ensuring the security of Russia and Belarus were discussed at his meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday .
`` A fairly detained conversation with Alexander Grigorievich [ Lukashenko ] concerning the issues of allied relations between Russia and Belarus , the need to concentrate efforts on ensuring the security of our countries and the Union State took place , '' he told reporters after the meeting with the Belarusian leader .
Naryshkin noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ various fields had been discussed .
`` Not only cooperation between the special services , the intelligence services of our countries , but also the development of economic and military-political cooperation , '' he said .
`` In recent years , we have used the analytical potential of our services to a great extent and are helping each other .
Moreover , we draft some documents together with an analysis of the situation in a certain hotspot of tension of the world , '' Naryshkin noted .
He added that the two countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countering international terrorism .
`` We are interested in everything related to the transit of terrorists , channels for obtaining financial resources , plans of terrorist organizations , individual groups , the plans they are hatching in relation to Belarus , the Russian Federation .
This is a very active area of cooperation , '' he stressed .

MINSK, October 22. /TASS/. Director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Sergei Naryshkin has said that issues related to ensuring the security of Russia and Belarus were discussed at his meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday.
"A fairly detained conversation with Alexander Grigorievich [Lukashenko] concerning the issues of allied relations between Russia and Belarus, the need to concentrate efforts on ensuring the security of our countries and the Union State took place," he told reporters after the meeting with the Belarusian leader.
Naryshkin noted that issues related to strengthening cooperation in various fields had been discussed. "Not only cooperation between the special services, the intelligence services of our countries, but also the development of economic and military-political cooperation," he said.
"In recent years, we have used the analytical potential of our services to a great extent and are helping each other. Moreover, we draft some documents together with an analysis of the situation in a certain hotspot of tension of the world," Naryshkin noted.
He added that the two countries’ special services exchanged intelligence information on countering international terrorism. "We are interested in everything related to the transit of terrorists, channels for obtaining financial resources, plans of terrorist organizations, individual groups, the plans they are hatching in relation to Belarus, the Russian Federation. This is a very active area of cooperation," he stressed.


tass--2020-10-22--Nagorno-Karabakh issue unrelated to Russian-Turkish cooperation on Syria, says diplomat

MOSCOW , October 22 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin stated that the Nagorno-Karabakh issue is unrelated @ @ @ @ @ .
`` To be honest , I do not see the connection here , '' @ @ @ @ @ , answering a corresponding question by TASS .
`` I can only say one thing @ @ @ @ @ Nagorno-Karabakh ] was discussed in New York within the Security Council , where a common @ @ @ @ @ a ceasefire is the main goal today .
We discussed this when we met here @ @ @ @ @ of both sides and our foreign minister , '' he added .
Earlier , the @ @ @ @ @ TASS that Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal would be in Moscow on Thursday on @ @ @

MOSCOW, October 22. /TASS/. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin stated that the Nagorno-Karabakh issue is unrelated to Russian-Turkish cooperation on Syria.
"To be honest, I do not see the connection here," he told reporters on Thursday, answering a corresponding question by TASS.
"I can only say one thing: the situation [in Nagorno-Karabakh] was discussed in New York within the Security Council, where a common stance was declared: establishing a ceasefire is the main goal today. We discussed this when we met here in Moscow, foreign ministers of both sides and our foreign minister," he added.
Earlier, the Turkish Embassy in Russia informed TASS that Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal would be in Moscow on Thursday on a visit.


tass--2020-10-22--Russian-Belarusian intelligence cooperation unrelated to events in Belarus — Kremlin

MOSCOW , October 22 .
/TASS/ .
Cooperation between Russian and Belarusian intelligence agencies is unrelated to the events in the republic after the election but is maintained constantly within the Union State , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday .
`` As you can see , this is about the cooperation between foreign intelligence agencies .
Within the Union State , there are mechanisms of cooperation in all areas , including the work of intelligence services , '' the Kremlin spokesman stated , commenting on the meeting between head of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The cooperation is taking place on a large scale , and it is unrelated to the events in Belarus , '' Peskov noted .
The Kremlin official added that both countries ’ intelligence agencies exchange information , organize joint events and make mutual visits .
`` This is completely normal cooperation within the Union State , '' Peskov stated .
Peskov did not disclose the agenda of Naryshkin ’ s meeting with Lukashenko .
`` I can not tell you .
This is a rather sensitive area of work and cooperation , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the spokesman stated .
Earlier on Thursday , Naryshkin met with Lukashenko in Minsk .
He noted that both countries ’ intelligence agencies have great potential to defend the countries ’ interests and react to arising threats and challenges .
Lukashenko thanked the Russian foreign intelligence chief for providing information to Belarus on a regular basis .

MOSCOW, October 22. /TASS/. Cooperation between Russian and Belarusian intelligence agencies is unrelated to the events in the republic after the election but is maintained constantly within the Union State, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday.
"As you can see, this is about the cooperation between foreign intelligence agencies. Within the Union State, there are mechanisms of cooperation in all areas, including the work of intelligence services," the Kremlin spokesman stated, commenting on the meeting between head of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
"The cooperation is taking place on a large scale, and it is unrelated to the events in Belarus," Peskov noted.
The Kremlin official added that both countries’ intelligence agencies exchange information, organize joint events and make mutual visits. "This is completely normal cooperation within the Union State," Peskov stated.
Peskov did not disclose the agenda of Naryshkin’s meeting with Lukashenko. "I cannot tell you. This is a rather sensitive area of work and cooperation, so this information cannot be made public," the spokesman stated.
Earlier on Thursday, Naryshkin met with Lukashenko in Minsk. He noted that both countries’ intelligence agencies have great potential to defend the countries’ interests and react to arising threats and challenges. Lukashenko thanked the Russian foreign intelligence chief for providing information to Belarus on a regular basis.


tass--2020-10-22--Russian diplomat says no plans to discuss Nagorno-Karabakh with Turkish counterpart

MOSCOW , October 22 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin has said that he will not discuss @ @ @ @ @ Turkish counterpart at a meeting in Moscow .
`` I will not [ discuss it @ @ @ @ @ reporters on Thursday responding to a question from TASS .
`` We discuss a number @ @ @ @ @ with our Turkish counterparts .
In this case , we will focus on issues of @ @ @ @ @ countries .
You know that we have a good exchange on both Syria and Libya @ @ @ @ @ it . ''
Commenting on the situation with the resumption of joint patrols of the @ @ @ @ @ s Idlib , Vershinin noted that there was good cooperation between the Russian and Turkish @ @ @ @ @ that they `` will resolve those issues brilliantly . ''
The Turkish Embassy in Moscow @ @ @ @ @ Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal would visit Moscow on Thursday where he planned to have @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, October 22. /TASS/. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin has said that he will not discuss the Nagorno-Karabakh issue with his Turkish counterpart at a meeting in Moscow.
"I will not [discuss it]," he told reporters on Thursday responding to a question from TASS. "We discuss a number of international and regional issues with our Turkish counterparts. In this case, we will focus on issues of common interest to our two countries. You know that we have a good exchange on both Syria and Libya, and we will continue it."
Commenting on the situation with the resumption of joint patrols of the M4 highway in Syria’s Idlib, Vershinin noted that there was good cooperation between the Russian and Turkish militaries, expressing the opinion that they "will resolve those issues brilliantly."
The Turkish Embassy in Moscow earlier informed TASS that Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal would visit Moscow on Thursday where he planned to have meetings on Syria and Libya.


tass--2020-10-22--Edward Snowden obtains open-ended Russian residence permit

MOSCOW , October 22 .
/TASS/ .
Former contractor of the United States ’ National Security Agency ( NSA ) Edward Snowden has obtained Russia ’ s open-ended residence permit , his lawyer , Anatoly Kucherena , told TASS on Thursday .
`` Snowden was granted an open-ended residence permit earlier today , '' he said , adding that for the time being Snowden does not consider the possibility of applying for Russian citizenship .
Earlier , Kucherena said that Snowden ’ s residence permit was to expire on April 30 , 2020 , but was automatically extended till June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon as the lockdown ended , Snowden applied for its prolongation .
In 2013 , Snowden leaked information on US intelligence ’ s methods of electronic surveillance , including illegally eavesdropping on foreign leaders .
Fleeing punitive consequences from US federal authorities , Snowden sent requests for asylum to some countries , including Russia .
On August 1 , 2014 , he received a Russian residence permit valid for three years , which was later extended for another three years .
In the United States , Snowden faces two counts of violating the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ten years in prison on each of the counts .
The US authorities have repeatedly stated that they consider Snowden to be a traitor who caused grave damage to national security .

MOSCOW, October 22. /TASS/. Former contractor of the United States’ National Security Agency (NSA) Edward Snowden has obtained Russia’s open-ended residence permit, his lawyer, Anatoly Kucherena, told TASS on Thursday.
"Snowden was granted an open-ended residence permit earlier today," he said, adding that for the time being Snowden does not consider the possibility of applying for Russian citizenship.
Earlier, Kucherena said that Snowden’s residence permit was to expire on April 30, 2020, but was automatically extended till June 15 amid the coronavirus pandemic. As soon as the lockdown ended, Snowden applied for its prolongation.
In 2013, Snowden leaked information on US intelligence’s methods of electronic surveillance, including illegally eavesdropping on foreign leaders. Fleeing punitive consequences from US federal authorities, Snowden sent requests for asylum to some countries, including Russia. On August 1, 2014, he received a Russian residence permit valid for three years, which was later extended for another three years. In the United States, Snowden faces two counts of violating the Espionage Act. He may risk up to ten years in prison on each of the counts. The US authorities have repeatedly stated that they consider Snowden to be a traitor who caused grave damage to national security.


tass--2020-10-22--Recovery of global economy and oil demand may start in 2021 — Rosneft CEO

VERONA , October 22 .
/TASS/ .
Recovery of the global economy and demand for oil may begin as early @ @ @ @ @ Igor Sechin said at the XIII Eurasian Economic Forum .
`` According to available estimates @ @ @ @ @ global economy and oil demand may begin as early as 2021 .
But humanity needs @ @ @ @ @ achieve results .
This is a difficult task , but solvable .
A good example @ @ @ @ @ was the first to suffer from the pandemic , '' he said .

"According to available estimates, the recovery of the global economy and oil demand may begin as early as 2021. But humanity needs to make coordinated efforts to achieve results. This is a difficult task, but solvable. A good example here is China, which was the first to suffer from the pandemic," he said.
VERONA, October 22. /TASS/. Recovery of the global economy and demand for oil may begin as early as 2021, Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin said at the XIII Eurasian Economic Forum.
Ramifications of isolating economies and establishing barriers
Isolating economies and establishing barriers lead to devastating consequences for the energy sector, Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin told the forum.
"Isolating economies and establishing various barriers are inapplicable in the energy sector and lead to devastating consequences for both producers and consumers of energy resources," he said.
He stressed that the interaction between the countries - producers of energy resources - will further strengthen to ensure economic security. "Ensuring interaction between producer countries is a guarantee of energy and economic security. The importance of this interaction will only grow," Sechin said.
He added that the sanctions are hampering the recovery of markets and the world economy, an example of which is the Nord Stream 2 project. "The sanctions topic is hindering and will hinder the recovery of markets and the world economy. A striking example is the pressure on the Nord Stream 2 project, included in the US defense budget law," he said.


tass--2020-10-22--Daily growth in coronavirus cases in Poland reaches record of 12,000

WARSAW , October 22 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases in Poland per day increased by 12,107 , 168 patients died .
These are the largest figures in the country over the entire course of the pandemic , according to data released on Thursday by the Health Ministry .
In total , since March 4 , when the first coronavirus case was detected in the country , 214,686 people have been infected , 4,019 have died and 102,204 have recovered .
Recently , in Poland , the daily number of cases has been steadily on the rise .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in mid-March , which continues to this day .
In connection with the surge in morbidity , on October 10 , a widespread mask regime was restored in the republic and restrictions were imposed on the work of establishments , on mass events and on family holidays .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 41,544,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 1,137,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 30,942,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , 1,463,306 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 1,107,988 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 25,242 fatalities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

WARSAW, October 22. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Poland per day increased by 12,107, 168 patients died. These are the largest figures in the country over the entire course of the pandemic, according to data released on Thursday by the Health Ministry.
In total, since March 4, when the first coronavirus case was detected in the country, 214,686 people have been infected, 4,019 have died and 102,204 have recovered. Recently, in Poland, the daily number of cases has been steadily on the rise.
The Polish authorities introduced a pandemic regime in mid-March, which continues to this day. In connection with the surge in morbidity, on October 10, a widespread mask regime was restored in the republic and restrictions were imposed on the work of establishments, on mass events and on family holidays.
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 41,544,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 1,137,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 30,942,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, 1,463,306 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 1,107,988 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 25,242 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-10-22--Prospects of Nagorno-Karabakh peaceful regulation distant, says Azerbaijani leader

BAKU , October 22 .
/TASS/ .
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev does not rule out the possibility of meeting with @ @ @ @ @ in Moscow , stressing however that the prospects of Nagorno-Karabakh peaceful regulation remain distant .
@ @ @ @ @ ] is possible , because we held such meetings before .
If this meeting takes @ @ @ @ @ on the agenda .
Unfortunately , prospects of peaceful regulation with Armenia ’ s current @ @ @ @ @ Aliyev said in an interview with Japanese news outlet Nikkei , shown on Azerbaijan ’ @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday .

BAKU, October 22. /TASS/. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev does not rule out the possibility of meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Moscow, stressing however that the prospects of Nagorno-Karabakh peaceful regulation remain distant.
"This [a meeting] is possible, because we held such meetings before. If this meeting takes place, it will depend on the agenda. Unfortunately, prospects of peaceful regulation with Armenia’s current government are distant," Aliyev said in an interview with Japanese news outlet Nikkei, shown on Azerbaijan’s state TV channel AzTV on Thursday.


tass--2020-10-22--Third parties to engage in Karabakh talks only upon Baku's, Yerevan's consent — Kremlin

MOSCOW , October 22 .
/TASS/ .
The involvement of third countries in the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement will be possible only on the condition of consent from both parties to the conflict , Russian presidential spokesman , Dmitry Peskov told the media on Thursday .
`` As far as the participation of third countries in the existing settlement formats is concerned , it depends entirely on the political will of the parties to the conflict .
There are two of them - Azerbaijan and Armenia .
Participating in the conflict ’ s settlement , playing the role of a go-between or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other way will be possible only on the condition of consent from both parties , '' he said , when asked if Turkey might be plugged into Nagorno-Karabakh settlement efforts .
Peskov remarked that `` for the time being it can not be said that the previously achieved agreements on a ceasefire and a humanitarian pause are observed . ''
`` Regrettably , they are not observed by the parties , '' the Kremlin official said .
Seeing no alternative to diplomatic settlement Russia does not see any other possible ways to settle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will continue to make efforts to achieve it , the Kremlin spokesman told reporters .
`` Russia has been and is doing everything possible to steer the current situation towards a political and diplomatic settlement .
We are still convinced that there are no alternatives to peaceful resolution of this issue , '' Peskov noted .
The spokesman added that the Russian side intends to `` continue making efforts to achieve a peaceful settlement of this conflict . ''
`` There is no other option , '' he said .
Peskov refused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Armenian side doubts any progress can be achieved through diplomacy .
`` The Armenian president should be asked that , '' he pointed out .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .
Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 12 noon local time on October 10 but was violated .
Later , the foreign ministries of Armenia and Azerbaijan announced plans to declare another ceasefire at midnight on October 18 , but the hostilities continue and the warring parties keep blaming each other for violating the truce .
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group , led by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

MOSCOW, October 22. /TASS/. The involvement of third countries in the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement will be possible only on the condition of consent from both parties to the conflict, Russian presidential spokesman, Dmitry Peskov told the media on Thursday.
"As far as the participation of third countries in the existing settlement formats is concerned, it depends entirely on the political will of the parties to the conflict. There are two of them - Azerbaijan and Armenia. Participating in the conflict’s settlement, playing the role of a go-between or being involved in the formats in any other way will be possible only on the condition of consent from both parties," he said, when asked if Turkey might be plugged into Nagorno-Karabakh settlement efforts.
Peskov remarked that "for the time being it cannot be said that the previously achieved agreements on a ceasefire and a humanitarian pause are observed." "Regrettably, they are not observed by the parties," the Kremlin official said.
Seeing no alternative to diplomatic settlement
Russia does not see any other possible ways to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict but through diplomatic means and will continue to make efforts to achieve it, the Kremlin spokesman told reporters.
"Russia has been and is doing everything possible to steer the current situation towards a political and diplomatic settlement. We are still convinced that there are no alternatives to peaceful resolution of this issue," Peskov noted.
The spokesman added that the Russian side intends to "continue making efforts to achieve a peaceful settlement of this conflict." "There is no other option," he said.
Peskov refused to comment on the information that the Armenian side doubts any progress can be achieved through diplomacy. "The Armenian president should be asked that," he pointed out.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.
Moscow brokered a humanitarian ceasefire that took effect at 12 noon local time on October 10 but was violated. Later, the foreign ministries of Armenia and Azerbaijan announced plans to declare another ceasefire at midnight on October 18, but the hostilities continue and the warring parties keep blaming each other for violating the truce.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-10-22--Russia to reject US resolution based on OPCW report at UN — Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW , October 22 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is against the adoption of a US-sponsored draft resolution on Syria based on a report of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons ( OPCW ) at the UN Security Council and seeks to cooperate with other countries on this issue , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin told a roundtable at the Federation Council ( parliament 's upper house ) on Thursday .
On October 21 , the OPCW report on Syria was submitted to the UN Security Council .
The diplomat said it was likely that based on it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absolutely unacceptable resolution '' on chemical weapons against Syria .
`` It ’ s clear what this will trigger .
We can not allow this , we can not agree to this , '' the high-ranking diplomat stressed at the roundtable `` 75 years of the United Nations Organization : The lessons of history , modern challenges and threats to international security . ''
`` We will be actively working with the capitals to make sure that the Americans don ’ t obtain the majority , '' he said .
The Russian Foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OPCW ’ s current leadership was again showing a political bias in Syrian affairs .
The ministry commented on the reports by the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission ( FFM ) in early October .
According to the diplomatic office , in one case , the OPCW specialists ignored convincing evidence of the militants ’ chemical attack in Syria ’ s Aleppo while in another case they just confirmed that the Saraqib incident was another chemical false flag by the opposition .

MOSCOW, October 22. /TASS/. Russia is against the adoption of a US-sponsored draft resolution on Syria based on a report of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) at the UN Security Council and seeks to cooperate with other countries on this issue, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin told a roundtable at the Federation Council (parliament's upper house) on Thursday.
On October 21, the OPCW report on Syria was submitted to the UN Security Council. The diplomat said it was likely that based on it, Washington could suggest passing "an absolutely unacceptable resolution" on chemical weapons against Syria.
"It’s clear what this will trigger. We cannot allow this, we cannot agree to this," the high-ranking diplomat stressed at the roundtable "75 years of the United Nations Organization: The lessons of history, modern challenges and threats to international security." "We will be actively working with the capitals to make sure that the Americans don’t obtain the majority," he said.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said a week ago that the OPCW’s current leadership was again showing a political bias in Syrian affairs. The ministry commented on the reports by the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) in early October. According to the diplomatic office, in one case, the OPCW specialists ignored convincing evidence of the militants’ chemical attack in Syria’s Aleppo while in another case they just confirmed that the Saraqib incident was another chemical false flag by the opposition.


tass--2020-10-22--Kremlin rejects all US election meddling accusations against Russia

MOSCOW , October 22 .
/TASS/ .
All accusations against Russia of trying to meddle in the electoral processes in @ @ @ @ @ unfounded , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday .
New wave of blame @ @ @ @ @ to US elections , says diplomat Referring to remarks by Director of US National Intelligence @ @ @ @ @ Iran allegedly seek to influence elections in the United States , Peskov noted that he @ @ @ @ @ `` with regret . ''
`` Accusations are pouring in every day , they are @ @ @ @ @ are not based on anything .
It is rather a tribute to the domestic political @ @ @ @ @ [ US presidential ] election , '' he said .
Ratcliffe earlier alleged that Russia @ @ @ @ @ voter registration data and sought to influence the election .
The issue of potential meddling @ @ @ @ @ on a regular basis in connection with US officials ’ statements on Russia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Moscow has rejected such allegations more than once .

MOSCOW, October 22. /TASS/. All accusations against Russia of trying to meddle in the electoral processes in the United States are totally unfounded, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday.
New wave of blame Russia game expected in run-up to US elections, says diplomat
Referring to remarks by Director of US National Intelligence John Ratcliffe that Russia and Iran allegedly seek to influence elections in the United States, Peskov noted that he was commenting on the issue "with regret."
"Accusations are pouring in every day, they are all absolutely groundless, they are not based on anything. It is rather a tribute to the domestic political processes related to the upcoming [US presidential] election," he said.
Ratcliffe earlier alleged that Russia and Iran had obtained American voter registration data and sought to influence the election. The issue of potential meddling in US elections is raised on a regular basis in connection with US officials’ statements on Russia’s involvement in such actions. Moscow has rejected such allegations more than once.


tass--2020-10-22--Lukashenko says situation around Union State difficult

MINSK , October 22 .
/TASS/ .
The situation around the Union State of Russia and Belarus is difficult , the allies need to jointly react to emerging challenges , Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Thursday at a meeting with Director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin .
`` We openly say that the situation around us is difficult , I mean the Union State of Russia and Belarus , '' he noted .
He extended gratitude to Naryshkin for providing the relevant information to Belarus .
`` Thank you for the information that you regularly communicate to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We are treating it very seriously , we have a lot of joint work in light of this , '' the Belarusian leader stressed .
Lukashenko added that many documents introduce him to `` results of work of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service when it comes to relations of the Union State . ''
`` We have few friends in this crazy world , the world that is gone especially mad because of this pandemic , '' he continued .
`` Everybody has interests in us , Russia and Belarus .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agree a lot of things about our joint work , activities for the betterment of our nations , of course , '' Lukashenko said .

MINSK, October 22. /TASS/. The situation around the Union State of Russia and Belarus is difficult, the allies need to jointly react to emerging challenges, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Thursday at a meeting with Director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin.
"We openly say that the situation around us is difficult, I mean the Union State of Russia and Belarus," he noted.
He extended gratitude to Naryshkin for providing the relevant information to Belarus. "Thank you for the information that you regularly communicate to our intelligence services and me in particular. We are treating it very seriously, we have a lot of joint work in light of this," the Belarusian leader stressed. Lukashenko added that many documents introduce him to "results of work of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service when it comes to relations of the Union State."
"We have few friends in this crazy world, the world that is gone especially mad because of this pandemic," he continued. "Everybody has interests in us, Russia and Belarus. We should react. I think we will agree a lot of things about our joint work, activities for the betterment of our nations, of course," Lukashenko said.


tass--2020-10-22--Press review: NATO on guard over space threats and the ruble’s direction after US election

Media : Russia sees no alternative to peace settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh Moscow is calling on Baku and Yerevan to refrain from military action to iron out the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and resume talks .
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated on October 21 that `` at the moment there is no diplomatic solution to the conflict in Karabakh . ''
Vice President of the National Assembly of Armenia Alen Simonyan told Izvestia that Yerevan was forced to make this statement due to Baku ’ s aggression , but actually Armenia does not see any alternatives to a political settlement to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gadzhiyev assured that Baku backs peace talks and expected Yerevan to be ready to start substantive dialogue .
Political scientist Denis Denisov told Izvestia that the Armenian prime minister ’ s statement ran counter to Russia ’ s general line towards reconciling the two countries and a political settlement to the conflict .
Therefore , soon Moscow will take steps to encourage Yerevan to sit down at the negotiating table .
`` Russia will call on Armenia to change its bellicose rhetoric and switch to peaceful dialogue , '' the expert said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Yerevan ’ s diplomatic efforts and the calls by international mediators to observe the ceasefire are unlikely to be effective .
However , this is a necessary effort in order to prevent serious bloodshed and the infiltration of terrorists into the region , he noted .
According to Azerbaijani political scientist Ilgar Velizade , Yerevan ’ s contradictory statements are likely to backfire .
Editor-in-chief of Caucasian Knot online media outlet Grigory Shvedov told Vedomosti that given the achieved military successes , Baku won ’ t just seek a ceasefire , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ status quo be changed .
At this stage , the issue of a ceasefire tops the agenda for Armenia , he pointed out .
According to him , neither side will agree to a total change of Karabakh ’ s status , but some compromises are possible .
Russian businesses are not planning to put up with the EU ’ s proposed introduction of its so-called carbon border tax .
Members of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs ( RSPP ) concur unanimously that this tax is a protectionist measure and its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ competitive advantage at the expense of other countries .
Russian exporters could lose anywhere between 1 bln euro and 5 bln euro per year due to this new EU tax move , Izvestia writes .
Russian entrepreneurs submitted their proposals on retaliatory measures against the EU at a meeting between the lobby group and President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday .
One of the initiatives was a potential review of conditions for EU companies ’ investments in Russia .
As a party to the Paris Agreement , Russia should take a more active @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , experts said .
A source familiar with the lobby ’ s proposals recalled that measures like a carbon border adjustment mechanism , which is expected to be introduced by 2023 , contradict the rules of the World Trade Organization .
The proposed carbon border tax as part of the European Green Deal could really impact the Russian economy , said Anastasiya Okorochkova , who is responsible for environmental security at the Presidential Commission for Strategic Development of the Fuel and Energy Sector .
According to her , Moscow ’ s advantage is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paris climate deal .
Therefore , Russia should take a more active stance at its talks with its European colleagues on issues regarding adapting to negative consequences , monitoring and easing the consequences of climate change as well as ensuring a global shift to sustainable development , she stressed .
Nowadays , it is vital to discuss and coordinate principles , norms and rules of ensuring a new economic order , she pointed out .
The expert also highlighted that Russia , which is a leader in terms of cutting greenhouse emissions among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advocate its position and the right to independently count carbon balance .
Kommersant : NATO gears up to counter Russian and Chinese ‘ space threats ’ The defense chiefs of 30 NATO member-states are due to deliberate over key security threats on Thursday and Friday , which customarily point to Russia .
The North Atlantic Alliance now plans to counter Moscow in outer space .
For this goal , a new space center will be created at the alliance ’ s Air Command at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany .
NATO will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facility .
For the first time in history , ten member-states increased their defense spending to 2 % of their GDP .
So , the NATO defense budget in 2020 exceeded $ 1 trln , Kommersant business daily writes .
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday that competition in space is rising every year and claimed that Russia and China are developing anti-satellite systems , which could `` blind , disable or shoot down satellites and create dangerous debris in orbit . ''
According to Dmitry Stefanovich , research fellow at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of World Economy and International Relations , the focus on `` space threats coming from Russia and China '' was expected .
“ This has become the universal rationale for any activity in the field of military development of NATO countries , ” he told the newspaper .
The commentator believes that at the first stage a more advanced system for space monitoring will be created , `` which is not bad for mankind . ''
`` Moreover , in the event of some normalization of NATO-Russia relations , a kind of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emerge , for example , with our system for space control . ''
Earlier , Russia put forward initiatives on creating a single catalogue of space objects , he recalled .
On the other hand , according to German media reports , the new center could further coordinate `` space defense . ''
`` This is just a step away from a ‘ space attack ' , '' the expert warned .
So far , space has not become a battleground , but space infrastructure is a key element of ensuring combat actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia and China have accused the US and NATO of seeking to turn outer space into a new battleground .
At the UN , Moscow and Beijing are promoting the idea of signing a legally binding agreement on banning space militarization .
However , the countries fail to agree on universal rules of behavior in this field .
Izvestia : How a Trump or Biden win could impact Russia ’ s currency Any outcome of the US election could positively influence the ruble and the price of Russian assets .
Should Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factor , whereas if Joe Biden won , this would have a short-term effect , experts questioned by Izvestia said .
Nearly the entire Senate Committee on Banking , which imposes financial sanctions , consists of Democrats , who accuse Russia of meddling in the 2016 election and seek revenge , said Executive Director of Trade OneTwoThree company Vladimir Rozhankovsky .
`` If Donald Trump leaves and Joe Biden becomes president , restrictions will come down like lightning since it will be easier to adopt them , '' the expert said .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruble and Russian assets , said Yevgeny Mironyuk , an analyst at Freedom Finance .
This will ease geopolitical risks and make the hydrocarbon market more stable .
If Biden takes the presidential reins , sanctions could target energy projects ranging from Nord Stream 2 to LNG and developing shelf fields .
Besides , under a harsh scenario , export and even Russia ’ s foreign trade partners could be targeted .
According to Kirill Sokolov , chief economist at Sovkombank , a Biden victory would be moderately negative for Russian assets .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ worsen to a certain extent .
But we don ’ t expect the introduction of harsh sanctions against ruble-based government debt and a ban on settlement in dollars because this would harm American investors .
That ’ s why a moderately negative impact on Russian assets could be short-term , '' the expert noted .
The most unfavorable scenario for investors could be where a candidate refuses to recognize the outcome of the election and the vote counting process would be delayed .
In this case , analysts believe that the S & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with further sales around the world .
RBC : Experts praise Russia ’ s measures to curb COVID-19 during first wave The Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration under the President of the Russian Federation ( RANEPA ) released a 740-page study devoted to Russia ’ s struggle against COVID-19 .
The report , which also involved leading state scientific institutes and the Central Bank , evaluates how Russia ’ s healthcare system , the economy and financial sector , education and the social support system handled the first wave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affects the adjustment of the state administration ’ s model .
The key conclusion made by the experts is that Russia managed to prevent an explosion of COVID-19 cases and a dire crisis in the healthcare system .
However , the authorities failed to stop the mass spread of the virus in the regions .
Only South Korea carried out effective measures to contain the spread of the virus at home , they said .
According to the authors , the hopes that harsh self-isolation measures would be effective were not justified : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first incubation period ( on April 14-16 ) nor a decrease in incidence after two periods ( by April 30 ) .
However , the self-isolation measures helped to slow the growth in new cases and buy time to prepare the healthcare system to receive new patients .
The government ’ s anti-crisis response was generally effective and more socially-oriented than many foreign programs , experts said .
The government ’ s three packages of economic support measures as of July 1reached 2.7 % of the GDP .
This is much less than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share of state support relies on state guarantees , while in Russia the share of direct spending in 2020 exceeded 70 % , the authors said .
The study notes that the pandemic crisis could encourage positive changes in many fields in Russia .
For example , the oil and gas sector could become a driver of the entire economic development .
The pandemic also showed the importance of digital technologies for the economy and public life .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews

Media: Russia sees no alternative to peace settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh Moscow is calling on Baku and Yerevan to refrain from military action to iron out the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and resume talks. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated on October 21 that "at the moment there is no diplomatic solution to the conflict in Karabakh." Vice President of the National Assembly of Armenia Alen Simonyan told Izvestia that Yerevan was forced to make this statement due to Baku’s aggression, but actually Armenia does not see any alternatives to a political settlement to the conflict. Azerbaijan’s MP Sabir Gadzhiyev assured that Baku backs peace talks and expected Yerevan to be ready to start substantive dialogue.
Political scientist Denis Denisov told Izvestia that the Armenian prime minister’s statement ran counter to Russia’s general line towards reconciling the two countries and a political settlement to the conflict. Therefore, soon Moscow will take steps to encourage Yerevan to sit down at the negotiating table. "Russia will call on Armenia to change its bellicose rhetoric and switch to peaceful dialogue," the expert said. Armenian political scientist Grant Mikaelyan told Kommersant that Yerevan’s diplomatic efforts and the calls by international mediators to observe the ceasefire are unlikely to be effective. However, this is a necessary effort in order to prevent serious bloodshed and the infiltration of terrorists into the region, he noted. According to Azerbaijani political scientist Ilgar Velizade, Yerevan’s contradictory statements are likely to backfire. Editor-in-chief of Caucasian Knot online media outlet Grigory Shvedov told Vedomosti that given the achieved military successes, Baku won’t just seek a ceasefire, but will now demand the region’s status quo be changed. At this stage, the issue of a ceasefire tops the agenda for Armenia, he pointed out. According to him, neither side will agree to a total change of Karabakh’s status, but some compromises are possible. Izvestia: Russian industry seeks to retaliate against EU’s carbon border tax Russian businesses are not planning to put up with the EU’s proposed introduction of its so-called carbon border tax. Members of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) concur unanimously that this tax is a protectionist measure and its key goal is to ensure European producers’ competitive advantage at the expense of other countries. Russian exporters could lose anywhere between 1 bln euro and 5 bln euro per year due to this new EU tax move, Izvestia writes. Russian entrepreneurs submitted their proposals on retaliatory measures against the EU at a meeting between the lobby group and President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday. One of the initiatives was a potential review of conditions for EU companies’ investments in Russia. As a party to the Paris Agreement, Russia should take a more active position in its negotiations with European colleagues, experts said. A source familiar with the lobby’s proposals recalled that measures like a carbon border adjustment mechanism, which is expected to be introduced by 2023, contradict the rules of the World Trade Organization. The proposed carbon border tax as part of the European Green Deal could really impact the Russian economy, said Anastasiya Okorochkova, who is responsible for environmental security at the Presidential Commission for Strategic Development of the Fuel and Energy Sector. According to her, Moscow’s advantage is that it is a member of the Paris climate deal. Therefore, Russia should take a more active stance at its talks with its European colleagues on issues regarding adapting to negative consequences, monitoring and easing the consequences of climate change as well as ensuring a global shift to sustainable development, she stressed. Nowadays, it is vital to discuss and coordinate principles, norms and rules of ensuring a new economic order, she pointed out. The expert also highlighted that Russia, which is a leader in terms of cutting greenhouse emissions among major economies, should hold talks and advocate its position and the right to independently count carbon balance. Kommersant: NATO gears up to counter Russian and Chinese ‘space threats’ The defense chiefs of 30 NATO member-states are due to deliberate over key security threats on Thursday and Friday, which customarily point to Russia. The North Atlantic Alliance now plans to counter Moscow in outer space. For this goal, a new space center will be created at the alliance’s Air Command at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany. NATO will have enough money to open the new facility. For the first time in history, ten member-states increased their defense spending to 2% of their GDP. So, the NATO defense budget in 2020 exceeded $1 trln, Kommersant business daily writes.
Read also Russia to create advanced space tracking system — aerospace forces
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday that competition in space is rising every year and claimed that Russia and China are developing anti-satellite systems, which could "blind, disable or shoot down satellites and create dangerous debris in orbit." According to Dmitry Stefanovich, research fellow at the Center for International Security at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations, the focus on "space threats coming from Russia and China" was expected. “This has become the universal rationale for any activity in the field of military development of NATO countries,” he told the newspaper. The commentator believes that at the first stage a more advanced system for space monitoring will be created, "which is not bad for mankind." "Moreover, in the event of some normalization of NATO-Russia relations, a kind of a "single window" for cooperation could emerge, for example, with our system for space control." Earlier, Russia put forward initiatives on creating a single catalogue of space objects, he recalled. On the other hand, according to German media reports, the new center could further coordinate "space defense." "This is just a step away from a ‘space attack'," the expert warned. So far, space has not become a battleground, but space infrastructure is a key element of ensuring combat actions on the planet’s surface. Russia and China have accused the US and NATO of seeking to turn outer space into a new battleground. At the UN, Moscow and Beijing are promoting the idea of signing a legally binding agreement on banning space militarization. However, the countries fail to agree on universal rules of behavior in this field. Izvestia: How a Trump or Biden win could impact Russia’s currency Any outcome of the US election could positively influence the ruble and the price of Russian assets. Should Donald Trump emerge victorious this would be a long-term factor, whereas if Joe Biden won, this would have a short-term effect, experts questioned by Izvestia said.
Nearly the entire Senate Committee on Banking, which imposes financial sanctions, consists of Democrats, who accuse Russia of meddling in the 2016 election and seek revenge, said Executive Director of Trade OneTwoThree company Vladimir Rozhankovsky. "If Donald Trump leaves and Joe Biden becomes president, restrictions will come down like lightning since it will be easier to adopt them," the expert said. A Trump victory is more advantageous for the ruble and Russian assets, said Yevgeny Mironyuk, an analyst at Freedom Finance. This will ease geopolitical risks and make the hydrocarbon market more stable. If Biden takes the presidential reins, sanctions could target energy projects ranging from Nord Stream 2 to LNG and developing shelf fields. Besides, under a harsh scenario, export and even Russia’s foreign trade partners could be targeted. According to Kirill Sokolov, chief economist at Sovkombank, a Biden victory would be moderately negative for Russian assets. "We believe that Russian-US relations could worsen to a certain extent. But we don’t expect the introduction of harsh sanctions against ruble-based government debt and a ban on settlement in dollars because this would harm American investors. That’s why a moderately negative impact on Russian assets could be short-term," the expert noted. The most unfavorable scenario for investors could be where a candidate refuses to recognize the outcome of the election and the vote counting process would be delayed. In this case, analysts believe that the S&P 500 indexes would drop 8% with further sales around the world. RBC: Experts praise Russia’s measures to curb COVID-19 during first wave The Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration under the President of the Russian Federation (RANEPA) released a 740-page study devoted to Russia’s struggle against COVID-19. The report, which also involved leading state scientific institutes and the Central Bank, evaluates how Russia’s healthcare system, the economy and financial sector, education and the social support system handled the first wave of the pandemic and how the crisis affects the adjustment of the state administration’s model. The key conclusion made by the experts is that Russia managed to prevent an explosion of COVID-19 cases and a dire crisis in the healthcare system. However, the authorities failed to stop the mass spread of the virus in the regions. Only South Korea carried out effective measures to contain the spread of the virus at home, they said.


tass--2020-10-22--Security services can do plenty to defend Russian, Belarusian interests, intel chief says

MINSK , October 22 .
/TASS/ .
Special services of Russia and Belarus have a great potential to ensure the @ @ @ @ @ react adequately to the emerging threats and challenges , Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Head Sergei @ @ @ @ @ Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday .
`` The security services can do a great @ @ @ @ @ of our countries and the interests of our citizens and protect them from those threats @ @ @ @ @ time , '' Naryshkin affirmed .
According to the Russian foreign intelligence chief , Minsk @ @ @ @ @ of the two countries ’ special services ’ boards .
`` We are holding it @ @ @ @ @ a difficult time .
I absolutely agree with the estimates on the degree of tensions @ @ @ @ @ , including around our countries , '' Naryshkin said .

MINSK, October 22. /TASS/. Special services of Russia and Belarus have a great potential to ensure the two states’ interests and react adequately to the emerging threats and challenges, Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Head Sergei Naryshkin told a meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday.
"The security services can do a great deal to guarantee the interests of our countries and the interests of our citizens and protect them from those threats that emerge from time to time," Naryshkin affirmed.
According to the Russian foreign intelligence chief, Minsk will host a joint meeting of the two countries’ special services’ boards. "We are holding it [the meeting] at a difficult time. I absolutely agree with the estimates on the degree of tensions in the world in general, including around our countries," Naryshkin said.


tass--2020-10-22--Over 1,200 coronavirus patients hospitalized in Moscow

MOSCOW , October 22 .
/TASS/ .
The number of patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in Moscow in the past day @ @ @ @ @ are connected to ventilators , the city ’ s crisis center for controlling and monitoring @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .
`` Some 4,413 new cases of the coronavirus infection have been confirmed in @ @ @ @ @ past day , 1,231 patients with COVID-19 were hospitalized .
Some 343 people are connected @ @ @ @ @ hospitals , '' the crisis center said .
According to the crisis center , 8.5 @ @ @ @ @ children , 43.5 % are people aged between 18 and 45 , 31.4 % are @ @ @ @ @ 65 , and another 12 % are aged between 66 and 79 .
Some 4.6 @ @ @ @ @ people above 80 years of age .
All patients and their close contacts are under @ @ @

MOSCOW, October 22. /TASS/. The number of patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in Moscow in the past day reached 1,231 and 343 people are connected to ventilators, the city’s crisis center for controlling and monitoring the coronavirus situation reported on Thursday.
"Some 4,413 new cases of the coronavirus infection have been confirmed in the capital. Over the past day, 1,231 patients with COVID-19 were hospitalized. Some 343 people are connected to lung ventilators in Moscow hospitals," the crisis center said.
According to the crisis center, 8.5% among those ill are children, 43.5% are people aged between 18 and 45, 31.4% are patients aged between 46 and 65, and another 12% are aged between 66 and 79. Some 4.6% of those ill are people above 80 years of age. All patients and their close contacts are under medical supervision.


tass--2020-10-22--Armenia registers record high coronavirus growth rate in past day

YEREVAN , October 22 .
/TASS/ .
Coronavirus cases in Armenia grew by a record high number of 2,306 in the past twenty-four hours to 70,836 , the republic ’ s Health Ministry reported on Thursday .
`` In the past twenty-four hours , 2,306 coronavirus cases were identified and 588 patients recovered from the illness .
To date , 49,787 patients have recovered from the disease while the total number of the infected stands at 70,836 , '' the statement reads .
On October 21 , Armenia reported 1,836 new coronavirus cases .
A total of 10 coronavirus patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ twenty-four hours , bringing fatalities to 1,131 , the latest data indicate .
To date , Armenia has conducted about 362,000 coronavirus tests , covering about 12.4 % of the country ’ s population .
As many as 5,191 coronavirus tests were conducted in the past twenty-four hours , over 44 % of which were positive .
The virus has been identified among about 2.4 % of the republic ’ s population that equals 2.9 million people .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 41,522,720 people have been infected worldwide and more than 1,136,900 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 30,935,020 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

YEREVAN, October 22. /TASS/. Coronavirus cases in Armenia grew by a record high number of 2,306 in the past twenty-four hours to 70,836, the republic’s Health Ministry reported on Thursday.
"In the past twenty-four hours, 2,306 coronavirus cases were identified and 588 patients recovered from the illness. To date, 49,787 patients have recovered from the disease while the total number of the infected stands at 70,836," the statement reads.
On October 21, Armenia reported 1,836 new coronavirus cases. A total of 10 coronavirus patients died at Armenian hospitals in the past twenty-four hours, bringing fatalities to 1,131, the latest data indicate.
To date, Armenia has conducted about 362,000 coronavirus tests, covering about 12.4% of the country’s population. As many as 5,191 coronavirus tests were conducted in the past twenty-four hours, over 44% of which were positive.
The virus has been identified among about 2.4% of the republic’s population that equals 2.9 million people.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified 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.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 41,522,720 people have been infected worldwide and more than 1,136,900 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 30,935,020 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-10-22--Georgia records almost 1,600 new COVID-19 cases

TBILISI , October 22 .
/TASS/ .
Georgia ’ s coronavirus cases rose by 1,595 in the past day , setting a new record since the start of the pandemic .
The country ’ s total case tally reached 22,803 , according to the government ’ s website informing about the coronavirus spread .
Some 1,351 new cases were registered on Wednesday , 1,194 on October 20 and 1,186 on October 19 .
In the past 24 hours , 398 people recovered .
The total number of recoveries made 9,401 ( 41.23 % of those infected ) .
The number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours dropped by 54 to 4,408 .
Some 1,848 people are undergoing treatment in special hotels under medical supervision .
This is 76 more than a day earlier .
The coronavirus spread rate in the past eight days has been at 1.35 .
Some 0.61 % of Georgia ’ s 3.7 million population have contracted the virus .
In the past day , six people died .
The country ’ s total death toll hit 178 .
A total of 810,729 COVID-19 tests have been carried out in the republic among 21.81 % @ @ @

TBILISI, October 22. /TASS/. Georgia’s coronavirus cases rose by 1,595 in the past day, setting a new record since the start of the pandemic.
The country’s total case tally reached 22,803, according to the government’s website informing about the coronavirus spread.
Some 1,351 new cases were registered on Wednesday, 1,194 on October 20 and 1,186 on October 19.
In the past 24 hours, 398 people recovered. The total number of recoveries made 9,401 (41.23% of those infected). The number of quarantined individuals in the past 24 hours dropped by 54 to 4,408. Some 1,848 people are undergoing treatment in special hotels under medical supervision. This is 76 more than a day earlier.
The coronavirus spread rate in the past eight days has been at 1.35. Some 0.61% of Georgia’s 3.7 million population have contracted the virus. In the past day, six people died. The country’s total death toll hit 178. A total of 810,729 COVID-19 tests have been carried out in the republic among 21.81% of citizens.


tass--2020-10-22--Donetsk leader thanks Russia for its helping hand in curbing COVID-19

DONETSK , October 22 .
/TASS/ .
Head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People ’ s Republic ( DPR ) Denis Pushilin expressed gratitude to Russia for its assistance in combating the coronavirus spread , the Donetsk News Agency reported citing his statement on Thursday .
`` This is invaluable and timely assistance in the fight against the coronavirus infection and pneumonia .
The support of fraternal Russia will allow us to curb the spread of the epidemic and save the lives and health of our citizens .
On behalf of the Donetsk People 's Republic ’ s citizens , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the entire people of Russia for not leaving us alone with an invisible threat , '' the statement reads .
The DPR leader noted that this problem can not be solved independently because of the global nature of the second wave of the coronavirus and the republic ’ s social and economic conditions , as well as blockade and resumed shellings by Ukraine .
`` Against this background , with the goal of improving the epidemiological situation in the Republic , in October 2020 the Russian Federation will provide us with humanitarian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and medical goods , '' Pushilin said .
According to the republic ’ s head , Russia will send test systems and consumables to carry out PCR tests , as well as individual protection gear , sanitizers and medical equipment - 30 lung ventilators , 75 oxygen concentrators and pulse oximeters - to the DPR .
The aid package ’ s price tag is 258 mln rubles ( $ 3.3 mln ) .
The Donetsk People ’ s Republic reported its first COVID-19 case on March 31 , declaring a state of high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease .
Later on , coronavirus-related restrictions were eased , but recently the authorities tightened them again banning , in particular , outdoor mass events .

DONETSK, October 22. /TASS/. Head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) Denis Pushilin expressed gratitude to Russia for its assistance in combating the coronavirus spread, the Donetsk News Agency reported citing his statement on Thursday.
"This is invaluable and timely assistance in the fight against the coronavirus infection and pneumonia. The support of fraternal Russia will allow us to curb the spread of the epidemic and save the lives and health of our citizens. On behalf of the Donetsk People's Republic’s citizens, I express my deep gratitude to the leadership and the entire people of Russia for not leaving us alone with an invisible threat," the statement reads.
The DPR leader noted that this problem cannot be solved independently because of the global nature of the second wave of the coronavirus and the republic’s social and economic conditions, as well as blockade and resumed shellings by Ukraine.
"Against this background, with the goal of improving the epidemiological situation in the Republic, in October 2020 the Russian Federation will provide us with humanitarian assistance, and will namely supply medicines and medical goods," Pushilin said.
According to the republic’s head, Russia will send test systems and consumables to carry out PCR tests, as well as individual protection gear, sanitizers and medical equipment - 30 lung ventilators, 75 oxygen concentrators and pulse oximeters - to the DPR. The aid package’s price tag is 258 mln rubles ($3.3 mln).
The Donetsk People’s Republic reported its first COVID-19 case on March 31, declaring a state of high alert to contain the spread of the disease. Later on, coronavirus-related restrictions were eased, but recently the authorities tightened them again banning, in particular, outdoor mass events.


tass--2020-10-22--BRICS to stand up for just world order — Lavrov

KAZAN , October 22 .
/TASS/ .
The BRICS countries ( Brazil , Russia , India , China and South Africa ) will defend principles of a more just world order based on respect for international law , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in a video address to participants of the Fifth BRICS Young Diplomats Forum .
`` Deepening the BRICS strategic partnership is one of the priorities for Russia ’ s foreign policy .
In the past decade , the association asserted itself as a needed and reputable format for cooperation .
The members of the association unanimously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , respect for sovereignty , sovereign equality of all states and resolution of any conflicts by exclusively peaceful means .
We stand up for a more just world order based on respect for principles of international law and the UN Charter , '' Lavrov said .
The foreign minister underlined that it is symbolic to hold the BRICS Young Diplomats Forum in Russia ’ s Kazan because representatives of different nations and religions live in this city , one of the oldest in Russia , in friendship .
`` It is in tune @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world regions as well as cultural and civilizational spaces .
It is in the diversity that the strength of our association manifests itself , '' Lavrov emphasized .
The top Russian diplomat hopes that the forum hosted by Kazan will make its contribution to the development of the political and youth agenda of BRICS and will facilitate stronger strategic partnership , trust and friendship between the countries and nations of the association .
The BRICS Young Diplomats Forum is taking place in Kazan between October 21 and 24 .
It is organized by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Council of Young Diplomats and other organizations .

KAZAN, October 22. /TASS/. The BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) will defend principles of a more just world order based on respect for international law, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in a video address to participants of the Fifth BRICS Young Diplomats Forum.
"Deepening the BRICS strategic partnership is one of the priorities for Russia’s foreign policy. In the past decade, the association asserted itself as a needed and reputable format for cooperation. The members of the association unanimously back stronger collective approaches in global affairs, respect for sovereignty, sovereign equality of all states and resolution of any conflicts by exclusively peaceful means. We stand up for a more just world order based on respect for principles of international law and the UN Charter," Lavrov said.
The foreign minister underlined that it is symbolic to hold the BRICS Young Diplomats Forum in Russia’s Kazan because representatives of different nations and religions live in this city, one of the oldest in Russia, in friendship. "It is in tune with the BRICS strategy that unites various world regions as well as cultural and civilizational spaces. It is in the diversity that the strength of our association manifests itself," Lavrov emphasized.
The top Russian diplomat hopes that the forum hosted by Kazan will make its contribution to the development of the political and youth agenda of BRICS and will facilitate stronger strategic partnership, trust and friendship between the countries and nations of the association.
The BRICS Young Diplomats Forum is taking place in Kazan between October 21 and 24. It is organized by the Russian Foreign Ministry, the ministry’s Council of Young Diplomats and other organizations.


tass--2020-10-22--Russia reports over 15,900 new COVID-19 cases

A 1.1 % growth rate in cases was recorded in the past two days .
MOSCOW , October 22 .
@ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases rose by 15,971 in the past day to 1,463,306 , the anti-coronavirus crisis @ @ @ @ @ .
The lowest growth rates in the past 24 hours were registered in the Nenets @ @ @ @ @ Republic ( 0.2 % ) , the Dagestan Republic and the Chukotka Autonomous Region ( @ @ @ @ @ Moscow Region , the Chuvash Republic , the Republic of Tatarstan and the Chelyabinsk Region @ @ @ @ @ Most new coronavirus cases were confirmed in Moscow - 4,413 , St. Petersburg - 697 @ @ @ @ @ 462 , the Nizhny Novgorod Region - 354 and the Rostov Region - 297 .
@ @ @ @ @ are undergoing treatment in Russia .

A 1.1% growth rate in cases was recorded in the past two days.
MOSCOW, October 22. /TASS/. Russia’s coronavirus cases rose by 15,971 in the past day to 1,463,306, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Thursday.
The lowest growth rates in the past 24 hours were registered in the Nenets Autonomous Region and the Chechen Republic (0.2%), the Dagestan Republic and the Chukotka Autonomous Region (0.5%), the Moscow Region, the Chuvash Republic, the Republic of Tatarstan and the Chelyabinsk Region (0.6%).
Most new coronavirus cases were confirmed in Moscow - 4,413, St. Petersburg - 697, the Moscow Region - 462, the Nizhny Novgorod Region - 354 and the Rostov Region - 297.
Currently, some 330,076 people are undergoing treatment in Russia.


tass--2020-10-22--Almost 322,000 people in Russia remain under medical supervision due to COVID-19

Over 1,200 coronavirus patients hospitalized in Moscow over past day MOSCOW , October 22 .
/TASS/ .
Almost 322,000 citizens @ @ @ @ @ Russia due to the suspected coronavirus infection , the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on @ @ @ @ @ Wellbeing reported on Thursday .
`` [ A total of ] 321,958 people remain under @ @ @ @ @ '' its press service said .
According to the watchdog , more than 55.6 million @ @ @ @ @ nationwide so far , with 512,000 tests made in the past 24 hours .

Over 1,200 coronavirus patients hospitalized in Moscow over past day
MOSCOW, October 22. /TASS/. Almost 322,000 citizens remain under medical supervision in Russia due to the suspected coronavirus infection, the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing reported on Thursday.
"[A total of] 321,958 people remain under medical supervision in Russia," its press service said.
According to the watchdog, more than 55.6 million coronavirus tests have been conducted nationwide so far, with 512,000 tests made in the past 24 hours.


tass--2020-10-22--Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can only be resolved by peaceful means, says Yerevan

MOSCOW , October 22 .
/TASS/ .
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can only be resolved by peaceful means with the assistance of the OSCE Minsk Group , the Armenian Foreign Ministry said in a statement .
`` Consistently pursuing the position of excluding the military settlement of the conflict , we once again emphasize that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can be resolved exclusively by peaceful means , within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship , which holds an international mandate , '' the statement reads .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .
Moscow brokered a humanitarian ceasefire that took effect at 12 noon local time on October 10 but was violated .
Later , the Foreign Ministries of Armenia and Azerbaijan announced plans to declare another ceasefire at midnight on October 18 , but the hostilities continue and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violating the truce .
Baku and Yerevan have disputed sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh since February 1988 , when the region declared secession from the Azerbaijani Soviet Socialist Republic .
In the armed conflict of 1992-1994 Azerbaijan lost control of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjoining districts .

MOSCOW, October 22. /TASS/. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can only be resolved by peaceful means with the assistance of the OSCE Minsk Group, the Armenian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"Consistently pursuing the position of excluding the military settlement of the conflict, we once again emphasize that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can be resolved exclusively by peaceful means, within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship, which holds an international mandate," the statement reads.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.
Moscow brokered a humanitarian ceasefire that took effect at 12 noon local time on October 10 but was violated. Later, the Foreign Ministries of Armenia and Azerbaijan announced plans to declare another ceasefire at midnight on October 18, but the hostilities continue and the warring parties keep blaming each other for violating the truce.
Baku and Yerevan have disputed sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh since February 1988, when the region declared secession from the Azerbaijani Soviet Socialist Republic. In the armed conflict of 1992-1994 Azerbaijan lost control of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjoining districts.


tass--2020-10-22--Baku says fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone continues

`` The hostilities currently continue along the entire frontline , '' the ministry said in a statement posted on its website .
According to the Defense Ministry , the fighting continued with varying degrees of intensity during the past day and on Wednesday night into Thursday morning in the Agdere-Agdam , the Fizuli-Jabrail and Zangilan-Qubadli directions .
`` The enemy shelled the Azerbaijani army ’ s defense positions with small arms , mortars and cannons , '' the report said .
It also stated that , as a result of the Azerbaijani armed forces ’ operation in the Qubadli area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Armenian armed forces had to retreat from some important heights and a number of positions sustaining heavy losses in manpower and military equipment . ''
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .
Baku @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since February 1988 , when the region declared secession from the Azerbaijani Soviet Socialist Republic .
In the armed conflict of 1992-1994 Azerbaijan lost control of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjoining districts .

"The hostilities currently continue along the entire frontline," the ministry said in a statement posted on its website.
According to the Defense Ministry, the fighting continued with varying degrees of intensity during the past day and on Wednesday night into Thursday morning in the Agdere-Agdam, the Fizuli-Jabrail and Zangilan-Qubadli directions. "The enemy shelled the Azerbaijani army’s defense positions with small arms, mortars and cannons," the report said.
It also stated that, as a result of the Azerbaijani armed forces’ operation in the Qubadli area, "the defending units of the Armenian armed forces had to retreat from some important heights and a number of positions sustaining heavy losses in manpower and military equipment."
"Azerbaijani troops control the operational situation," the Defense Ministry noted.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.
Baku and Yerevan have disputed sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh since February 1988, when the region declared secession from the Azerbaijani Soviet Socialist Republic. In the armed conflict of 1992-1994 Azerbaijan lost control of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjoining districts.


tass--2020-10-22--Verdict on Russia bitcoin suspect Vinnik’s case expected at least in two weeks

PARIS , October 22 .
/TASS/ .
The Paris Correctional Court will pronounce a verdict on the case of Russian bitcoin suspect Alexander Vinnik in two weeks or later , his attorney Frederic Belot told TASS on Wednesday .
`` The verdict will come at least in 15 days after Friday ’ s hearings , '' he said .
Wednesday ’ s hearings ended late in the evening because of a three-hour break requested by the prosecutor who objected against hearing a cryptocurrency expert who had previously been heard as a defense witness .
The hearings were extended till Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interrogation , Vinnik gave exhaustive explanations the court had asked , '' Belot said , adding that Vinnik ’ s answers `` have made the court call in question '' charges against his client .
`` The defense has achieved serious success '' today , he added .
Alexander Vinnik , a Russian IT specialist , was detained while vacationing in Greece on July 25 , 2017 at the United States ’ request , where he is accused of laundering four to nine billion US dollars through a no longer existent Internet exchange @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was extradited to France .
The final decision was made by Greece ’ s State Council , or the Supreme Court of Greece .
Vinnik ’ s extradition was also sought by Russia and the United States .
The Russian dismissed all the charges brought against him and expressed the readiness to return home .
A Paris court ruled on February 17 to keep the man in custody .
On May 12 , Paris ’ court refused to release Vinnik for medical considerations .

PARIS, October 22. /TASS/. The Paris Correctional Court will pronounce a verdict on the case of Russian bitcoin suspect Alexander Vinnik in two weeks or later, his attorney Frederic Belot told TASS on Wednesday.
"The verdict will come at least in 15 days after Friday’s hearings," he said.
Wednesday’s hearings ended late in the evening because of a three-hour break requested by the prosecutor who objected against hearing a cryptocurrency expert who had previously been heard as a defense witness. The hearings were extended till Friday because of this pause.
"During interrogation, Vinnik gave exhaustive explanations the court had asked," Belot said, adding that Vinnik’s answers "have made the court call in question" charges against his client. "The defense has achieved serious success" today, he added.
Vinnik case
Alexander Vinnik, a Russian IT specialist, was detained while vacationing in Greece on July 25, 2017 at the United States’ request, where he is accused of laundering four to nine billion US dollars through a no longer existent Internet exchange of cryptocurrencies BTC-e. On January 23, he was extradited to France. The final decision was made by Greece’s State Council, or the Supreme Court of Greece. Vinnik’s extradition was also sought by Russia and the United States. The Russian dismissed all the charges brought against him and expressed the readiness to return home.
A Paris court ruled on February 17 to keep the man in custody. On May 12, Paris’ court refused to release Vinnik for medical considerations.


tass--2020-10-22--Roscosmos CEO congratulates Soyuz MS-16 crew on safe landing

MOSCOW , October 22 .
/TASS/ .
CEO of Russia ’ s state space corporation Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin has congratulated @ @ @ @ @ MS-16 spaceship on safe return to Earth .
`` Everything is all right onboard .
@ @ @ @ @ the return to Earth .
I also congratulate members of the state commission on manned @ @ @ @ @ successful completion of one more manned mission , '' he wrote on his Twitter account @ @ @ @ @ MS-16 spaceship ’ s reentry vehicle with Roscosmos cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner and @ @ @ @ @ at 05:54 Moscow time on Thursday in the steppe southeast of the city of Dzhezkazgan @ @ @ @ @ undocked from the International Space Station ( ISS ) at 02:32 Moscow time on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ are Russian cosmonauts Sergei Ryzhikov and Sergei Kud-Sverchkov and US astronaut Kathleen Rubins .

MOSCOW, October 22. /TASS/. CEO of Russia’s state space corporation Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin has congratulated the crew of the Soyuz MS-16 spaceship on safe return to Earth.
"Everything is all right onboard. I congratulate the crew on the return to Earth. I also congratulate members of the state commission on manned spacecraft flight trials on the successful completion of one more manned mission," he wrote on his Twitter account on Thursday.
The Soyuz MS-16 spaceship’s reentry vehicle with Roscosmos cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner and NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy landed at 05:54 Moscow time on Thursday in the steppe southeast of the city of Dzhezkazgan in Kazakhstan.
The spaceship undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) at 02:32 Moscow time on Thursday.
The ISS current crew are Russian cosmonauts Sergei Ryzhikov and Sergei Kud-Sverchkov and US astronaut Kathleen Rubins.


tass--2020-10-22--Soyuz MS-16 reentry vehicle with three crew members onboard lands in Kazakhstan

MOSCOW , October 22 .
/TASS/ .
The Soyuz MS-16 spaceship ’ s reentry vehicle with Roscosmos cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner and NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy has landed in the steppe southeast of the city of Dzhezkazgan in Kazakhstan .
Broadcasting was available at the website of Russia ’ s state space corporation Roscosmos .
Ivanishin , Vagner and Cassidy are out of the Soyuz MS-16 spaceship ’ s reentry vehicle which landed early in Kazakhstan ’ s steppe .
Ivanishin was the first to be evacuated from the capsule .
`` Cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Roscosmos said on its Twitter account .
The spaceship undocked from the International Space Station ( ISS ) at 02:32 Moscow time on Thursday .
The ISS current crew are Russian cosmonauts Sergei Ryzhikov and Sergei Kud-Sverchkov and US astronaut Kathleen Rubins .
A spokesman for the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center told TASS that because of the coronavirus situation Ivanishin and Vagner will be able to see only those of their family members who are not in a risk group and are coronavirus-negative .
They will be able to see children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` after a period of rehabilitation of five to seven days , '' the spokesman added .
While on a space mission , Ivanishin and Vagner conducted scientific experiments and took part in efforts to trace an air leak aboard the orbital outpost from August .
On October 15 , Ivanishin reported to Earth that a probable air leak location had been traced in the inter-section compartment of the Russian Zvezda module thanks to a tea bag .
The leak might have been cause by a crack , which was temporarily sealed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Soyuz MS-16 lands , a source in the space industry told TASS .

MOSCOW, October 22. /TASS/. The Soyuz MS-16 spaceship’s reentry vehicle with Roscosmos cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner and NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy has landed in the steppe southeast of the city of Dzhezkazgan in Kazakhstan.
Broadcasting was available at the website of Russia’s state space corporation Roscosmos.
Ivanishin, Vagner and Cassidy are out of the Soyuz MS-16 spaceship’s reentry vehicle which landed early in Kazakhstan’s steppe. Ivanishin was the first to be evacuated from the capsule.
"Cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner and NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy feel well," Roscosmos said on its Twitter account.
The spaceship undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) at 02:32 Moscow time on Thursday.
The ISS current crew are Russian cosmonauts Sergei Ryzhikov and Sergei Kud-Sverchkov and US astronaut Kathleen Rubins.
A spokesman for the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center told TASS that because of the coronavirus situation Ivanishin and Vagner will be able to see only those of their family members who are not in a risk group and are coronavirus-negative. They will be able to see children under 12 and parents older than 65 "after a period of rehabilitation of five to seven days," the spokesman added.
While on a space mission, Ivanishin and Vagner conducted scientific experiments and took part in efforts to trace an air leak aboard the orbital outpost from August. On October 15, Ivanishin reported to Earth that a probable air leak location had been traced in the inter-section compartment of the Russian Zvezda module thanks to a tea bag. The leak might have been cause by a crack, which was temporarily sealed. The leak will be completely fixed when the Soyuz MS-16 lands, a source in the space industry told TASS.


tass--2020-10-22--New wave of blame Russia game expected in run-up to US elections, says diplomat

LONDON , October 22 .
/TASS/ .
Another wave of accusations may come from London and Washington ahead of the presidential elections in the United States , Russian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Andrei Kelin told TASS following this week ’ s blaming of Russian special services for committing cyberattacks .
`` I have a feeling that this is a coordinated campaign that will unfold in several waves .
It is a support act Washington now needs , a social put-up job ahead of the upcoming elections to keep on placing all the blame on Russia in a bid to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s actions , '' he said .
`` So , it is quite expectable that Russia will be held to blame in case the Republicans lose the race .
Likewise , it will be blamed by the Democrats if they lose . ''
The ambassador also commented on the Times ’ reports alleging that Russia had indulged in misinformation about the anti-coronavirus vaccine developed jointly by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca , a British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical company .
`` It is nothing but competition .
As you know , the [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the basis of a human adenovirus and is a two-component vaccine whereas the vaccine developed by Oxford and AstraZeneca is a one-component vaccine on the basis of a chimpanzee adenovirus , which has not yet been studied .
But in this case it is a purely scientific , medical matter and it is especially sad that it is being converted into a political matter , which is an absolutely wrong thing to do , '' he said , adding that international cooperation is needed to combat the coronavirus infection .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and call for consolidating efforts , but there are certain forces that are seeking to drive a wedge by discrediting vaccines made in Russia , '' Kelin added .
According to the diplomat , the Russia is trying to work with `` any forces that will have a constructive position . ''
`` If there is no demand for political cooperation with Russia , we will cooperate in the economic and humanitarian areas and we will work with those countries and continents that are open for cooperation with us , '' he stressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see it with London or other Western European countries , that 's no big deal .
It will eventually happen . ''

LONDON, October 22. /TASS/. Another wave of accusations may come from London and Washington ahead of the presidential elections in the United States, Russian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Andrei Kelin told TASS following this week’s blaming of Russian special services for committing cyberattacks.
"I have a feeling that this is a coordinated campaign that will unfold in several waves. It is a support act Washington now needs, a social put-up job ahead of the upcoming elections to keep on placing all the blame on Russia in a bid to excuse whatever happens in America by Russia’s actions," he said. "So, it is quite expectable that Russia will be held to blame in case the Republicans lose the race. Likewise, it will be blamed by the Democrats if they lose."
The ambassador also commented on the Times’ reports alleging that Russia had indulged in misinformation about the anti-coronavirus vaccine developed jointly by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca, a British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical company.
"It is nothing but competition. As you know, the [Russian] Sputnik V vaccine was developed on the basis of a human adenovirus and is a two-component vaccine whereas the vaccine developed by Oxford and AstraZeneca is a one-component vaccine on the basis of a chimpanzee adenovirus, which has not yet been studied. But in this case it is a purely scientific, medical matter and it is especially sad that it is being converted into a political matter, which is an absolutely wrong thing to do," he said, adding that international cooperation is needed to combat the coronavirus infection.
"We don’t want to demonize anyone and call for consolidating efforts, but there are certain forces that are seeking to drive a wedge by discrediting vaccines made in Russia," Kelin added.
According to the diplomat, the Russia is trying to work with "any forces that will have a constructive position."
"If there is no demand for political cooperation with Russia, we will cooperate in the economic and humanitarian areas and we will work with those countries and continents that are open for cooperation with us," he stressed. "If we don’t see it with London or other Western European countries, that's no big deal. It will eventually happen."


tass--2020-10-21--Income of the poor in one of Hainan's counties up by $ 15 mln due to poverty alleviation

HAIKOU , October 21 .
/TASS/ .
The income of the poor population of Lingshui Li Autonomous County ( south of Сhina 's Hainan ) has increased by more than 100 million yuan ( over $ 15 million ) since the beginning of the year .
According to the Hainan Daily , the provincial authorities achieved this by stimulating domestic consumption .
According to published data , there were 40 villages with a low standard of living in the region .
The government 's active measures to combat poverty have made it possible to significantly improve their well-being — all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ materially disadvantaged now belong to the lower middle class in terms of income .
“ Taking into account the incomplete statistics , in January-September 139 companies and organizations took part in the program to alleviate poverty by boosting consumption in our district , ” the local authorities said .
The involvement of low-income households in the economic activities of a number of sectors in the region is supported by state enterprises , educational , medical and government institutions , public canteens , hotels and private catering establishments , as well as wholesale markets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ e-commerce plays an important part in poverty alleviation , creating new jobs and quickly finding interested buyers for the products of low-income farmers .
According to official data , there are over 3,400 small online stores in Lingshui-Lis Autonomous County , which have provided employment for more than 11,000 people in the three quarters of 2020 .
Many of them belong to the category of people in need of material support .
In addition , Hainan periodically hosts festivals to boost consumption , as well as numerous exhibitions , both online and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also carried out through live video broadcasting channels on popular commercial sites , which allow buyers to learn more about the goods , purchase products on the Internet , the high quality of which is guaranteed by a strict regulation system .
Hainan has an active policy aimed at improving the population 's general welfare .
At the beginning of 2020 , the island announced an early implementation of the state plan to tackle poverty .
According to the general program for the development of Hainan 's free trade port , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an important trade , economic and financial center , thus in the next decade , the authorities plan to create a solid group of highly professional personnel , including those from low-income families .
The government pays close attention to training young professionals in the field of advanced agriculture , knowledge-intensive industries , as well as in the modern service sector .

HAIKOU, October 21. /TASS/. The income of the poor population of Lingshui Li Autonomous County (south of Сhina's Hainan) has increased by more than 100 million yuan (over $ 15 million) since the beginning of the year. According to the Hainan Daily, the provincial authorities achieved this by stimulating domestic consumption.
According to published data, there were 40 villages with a low standard of living in the region. The government's active measures to combat poverty have made it possible to significantly improve their well-being — all 42,000 people who were previously classified as materially disadvantaged now belong to the lower middle class in terms of income.
“Taking into account the incomplete statistics, in January-September 139 companies and organizations took part in the program to alleviate poverty by boosting consumption in our district,” the local authorities said. The involvement of low-income households in the economic activities of a number of sectors in the region is supported by state enterprises, educational, medical and government institutions, public canteens, hotels and private catering establishments, as well as wholesale markets.
Hainan's Commerce Administration explained that e-commerce plays an important part in poverty alleviation, creating new jobs and quickly finding interested buyers for the products of low-income farmers. According to official data, there are over 3,400 small online stores in Lingshui-Lis Autonomous County, which have provided employment for more than 11,000 people in the three quarters of 2020. Many of them belong to the category of people in need of material support.
In addition, Hainan periodically hosts festivals to boost consumption, as well as numerous exhibitions, both online and in person. The promotion of agricultural products is also carried out through live video broadcasting channels on popular commercial sites, which allow buyers to learn more about the goods, purchase products on the Internet, the high quality of which is guaranteed by a strict regulation system.
Hainan has an active policy aimed at improving the population's general welfare. At the beginning of 2020, the island announced an early implementation of the state plan to tackle poverty. According to the general program for the development of Hainan's free trade port, in the foreseeable future the province should become an important trade, economic and financial center, thus in the next decade, the authorities plan to create a solid group of highly professional personnel, including those from low-income families. The government pays close attention to training young professionals in the field of advanced agriculture, knowledge-intensive industries, as well as in the modern service sector.