tass--2020-12-25--Press review: US seeks control of Arctic skies and Brexit deal delayed till 2021

Izvestia : Washington decides on new sanctions against Nord Stream 2 The Trump administration is planning to adopt a new package of sanctions to prevent the completion of the last 160 km of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline .
According to experts interviewed by Izvestia , these new restrictive measures against the pipeline project are dictated by the domestic political struggle in the US and may complicate its implementation .
At the same time , Moscow and its European partners remain committed to the project .
Sergey Zheleznyak , a member of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new package of sanctions against Nord Stream 2 from the US `` sound like a broken record . ''
`` The United States seems to have gotten confused about what kind of sanctions they are trying to apply against the Russian-European gas project , '' he said , adding that irritation is growing in Europe over Washington ’ s meddling in internal affairs .
The new sanctions may be adopted in order to complicate the pipeline project ’ s implementation as much as possible , as well as to make the lifting of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden administration , said Deputy Director of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at the Higher School of Economics Dmitry Suslov .
`` Due to the anti-Russian consensus in the United States , Biden is unlikely to lift the sanctions that were imposed by the Trump administration , '' he believes .
`` With each new package of sanctions , completing the construction will be more difficult , because the US restrictive measures are transnational ( extraterritorial ) in nature and hit those foreign companies that are involved in this construction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Center for North American Studies at IMEMO RAS Victoria Zhuravleva noted that it is fundamentally important for the Americans to show that they are against the project , as well as to try to `` reduce the energy component of Russia 's foreign policy influence , '' while pushing forward a leading role for the US on EU energy markets .
Izvestia : Brexit deal may be postponed to 2021 After 11 months of negotiations , Brussels and London have agreed on the format of their relationship after Brexit .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the issue has been finally ironed out .
The deal must be approved by the parliaments of both parties and the 27 EU member states .
There are no guarantees that this will happen , especially since a week is left before the UK ’ s final exit from the EU .
Sources familiar with the course of the negotiations told Izvestia it is likely that in the beginning of January , Brussels and London will still live in a `` no deal '' mode .
If the UK and the European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they will have to trade according to the WTO rules with the introduction of all duties and quotas , on a common basis , that is , as if Brussels and London had never had any special relations .
`` The overwhelming majority of British voters and Conservative MPs ( including Brexit supporters ) wanted the deal to be concluded , '' a Westminster source told Izvestia .
According to the source , if there is an agreement , trade will go much smoother .
At the same time , the fact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU were finally able to reach an agreement does not mean that the deal is finally concluded .
Now it must be approved by both parties ’ parliaments .
As far as the main deal is concerned , it was problematic - lawmakers in the UK rejected it three times , which caused the Brexit timing to be postponed .
However , according to an Izvestia source in Westminster , there should be no such difficulties with the trade agreement .
Members of the European Parliament did not turn out to be so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the legislators do not intend to meet again before the end of the year .
Yet , the newspaper ’ s source in European diplomatic circles says that Brussels allows a short `` no deal '' period in early January , which will last until the agreement comes into force .
In addition , all 27 member-countries must approve the agreement , but it is impossible to say for sure whether they will do it .
The United States continues to build up its military capabilities in the Arctic .
Just the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lightning II multipurpose fighters arrived at Alaska ’ s Eilson Air Base , and they were used in Elephant Walk maneuvers , one of the goals of which was to demonstrate to Moscow the strength and influence of the American Air Force , Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes .
Russia will have to fend off these emerging military threats , while the costs of strengthening the military infrastructure in the Arctic should be compensated by implementing large-scale economic projects in the region , according to the newspaper .
According to the Pentagon , the base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms of the number of fifth-generation fighters deployed there .
The potential enemy was not specified , but the only influential military force in the Arctic is Russia , the newspaper writes .
That said , Moscow is taking quid-pro-quo measures .
Commander of the Russian Pacific Fleet , Admiral Sergey Avakyants , announced that the MiG-31 long-range interceptor fighters were deployed in Anadyr ( Chukotka ) .
Since December 1 , they have been on combat duty in the Arctic .
`` We clearly understand the importance of this region for Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infrastructure has been deployed to the Anadyr airfield , which will allow our forces to carry out continuous air defense duty , '' Avakyants said .
`` The Arctic is an undeveloped storehouse of the Earth 's natural resources .
For instance , it makes up a quarter of the world 's oil and gas reserves , in addition to reserves of rare earth metals and much more .
Their production will significantly eclipse the money that Russian is currently allocating for the defense of the region , '' retired Colonel Eduard Rodyukov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Military Sciences , told Nezavisimaya Gazeta .
The future launch of the digital ruble may solve Russia ’ s ongoing worries of detaching users from the SWIFT payment transfer system , since it will partially duplicate it , according to the Bank of Russia .
The key issue will be not only the speed of payments , but also the cost of transactions .
Experts told Vedomosti , they consider it quite likely that SWIFT will be replaced by settlements in digital money .
SWIFT can also become one of the platforms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Compared to SWIFT , the digital ruble may well be an alternative means for international transfers .
As demonstrated by cryptocurrencies , this is a reliable , relatively fast , and secure way of transnational settlements that do not require trust between participants , because trust is provided by the blockchain system itself , '' Talkbank CEO and founder Mikhail Popov told the newspaper .
The key issue is the popularity of this type of ruble abroad , the banking guru noted .
`` And the point is not in the protocol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ready to purchase a regular or digital ruble and use it in settlements , and whether foreign counterparties are ready to connect to our system and blockchain used for the digital ruble , '' Popov added .
According to the expert , even with the introduction of the digital ruble , SWIFT will remain an important component of the financial system for a long time .
At the same time , if the digital ruble really offers convenient methods of transfers and business will actively use it , then SWIFT ’ s usage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Over the past five years , Russia has not been able to return to the pre-crisis 2012 values in terms of investments in fixed assets , and the pandemic was added to the chronic economic problems .
Although , according to a survey conducted by PwC and the NAFI Research Center , large businesses , as opposed to small ones , have adapted much better to the coronavirus crisis and even felt a recovery in the investment climate .
Experts told Nezavisimaya Gazeta , inking investment protection and promotion agreements ( IPPA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the positive outlook .
Representatives of large and medium-sized businesses assess the investment climate more positively than small business , the study suggests .
In the case of large players , only 10 % noted that they had reduced investments in their own business , while 35 % kept investments at the same level .
Companies generally invested in the development of their own business , equipment and technology , yet only 5 % saw investments in personnel as promising .
Executive Director of the department at Univer Capital Artem Tuzov considers the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as one of the most effective support measures .
The move can attract about 4 trillion rubles ( $ 54.23 bln ) of investments per year .
`` Agreements help businesses feel more confident in times of crisis , '' he added .
`` Business receives certain guarantees from the state that investments will bring them possible privileges and benefits , '' Head of the analytical department at AMarkets Artyom Deev told the newspaper .
`` This sort of tool will lead to improvements in the investment climate , '' the financial guru @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the material quoted in these press reviews

Izvestia: Washington decides on new sanctions against Nord Stream 2 The Trump administration is planning to adopt a new package of sanctions to prevent the completion of the last 160 km of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. According to experts interviewed by Izvestia, these new restrictive measures against the pipeline project are dictated by the domestic political struggle in the US and may complicate its implementation. At the same time, Moscow and its European partners remain committed to the project. Sergey Zheleznyak, a member of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, told Izvestia that threat of a new package of sanctions against Nord Stream 2 from the US "sound like a broken record." "The United States seems to have gotten confused about what kind of sanctions they are trying to apply against the Russian-European gas project," he said, adding that irritation is growing in Europe over Washington’s meddling in internal affairs.
Read also Sanctions may complicate construction of Nord Stream 2, Kremlin says
The new sanctions may be adopted in order to complicate the pipeline project’s implementation as much as possible, as well as to make the lifting of these sanctions highly difficult by the incoming Biden administration, said Deputy Director of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at the Higher School of Economics Dmitry Suslov. "Due to the anti-Russian consensus in the United States, Biden is unlikely to lift the sanctions that were imposed by the Trump administration," he believes. "With each new package of sanctions, completing the construction will be more difficult, because the US restrictive measures are transnational (extraterritorial) in nature and hit those foreign companies that are involved in this construction," the expert added. Head of the Center for North American Studies at IMEMO RAS Victoria Zhuravleva noted that it is fundamentally important for the Americans to show that they are against the project, as well as to try to "reduce the energy component of Russia's foreign policy influence," while pushing forward a leading role for the US on EU energy markets. Izvestia: Brexit deal may be postponed to 2021 After 11 months of negotiations, Brussels and London have agreed on the format of their relationship after Brexit. However, it is too early to say that the issue has been finally ironed out. The deal must be approved by the parliaments of both parties and the 27 EU member states. There are no guarantees that this will happen, especially since a week is left before the UK’s final exit from the EU. Sources familiar with the course of the negotiations told Izvestia it is likely that in the beginning of January, Brussels and London will still live in a "no deal" mode. If the UK and the European Union don’t agree, then they will have to trade according to the WTO rules with the introduction of all duties and quotas, on a common basis, that is, as if Brussels and London had never had any special relations. "The overwhelming majority of British voters and Conservative MPs (including Brexit supporters) wanted the deal to be concluded," a Westminster source told Izvestia. According to the source, if there is an agreement, trade will go much smoother.
Read also European Parliament approves Brexit agreement
At the same time, the fact that the leadership in the UK and the EU were finally able to reach an agreement does not mean that the deal is finally concluded. Now it must be approved by both parties’ parliaments. As far as the main deal is concerned, it was problematic - lawmakers in the UK rejected it three times, which caused the Brexit timing to be postponed. However, according to an Izvestia source in Westminster, there should be no such difficulties with the trade agreement. Members of the European Parliament did not turn out to be so accommodating. According to media reports, the legislators do not intend to meet again before the end of the year. Yet, the newspaper’s source in European diplomatic circles says that Brussels allows a short "no deal" period in early January, which will last until the agreement comes into force. In addition, all 27 member-countries must approve the agreement, but it is impossible to say for sure whether they will do it. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: US pursuing control of Arctic skies The United States continues to build up its military capabilities in the Arctic. Just the other day, another batch of fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II multipurpose fighters arrived at Alaska’s Eilson Air Base, and they were used in Elephant Walk maneuvers, one of the goals of which was to demonstrate to Moscow the strength and influence of the American Air Force, Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes. Russia will have to fend off these emerging military threats, while the costs of strengthening the military infrastructure in the Arctic should be compensated by implementing large-scale economic projects in the region, according to the newspaper. According to the Pentagon, the base will become one of the largest in terms of the number of fifth-generation fighters deployed there. The potential enemy was not specified, but the only influential military force in the Arctic is Russia, the newspaper writes. That said, Moscow is taking quid-pro-quo measures. Commander of the Russian Pacific Fleet, Admiral Sergey Avakyants, announced that the MiG-31 long-range interceptor fighters were deployed in Anadyr (Chukotka). Since December 1, they have been on combat duty in the Arctic. "We clearly understand the importance of this region for Russia, and that is why the appropriate infrastructure has been deployed to the Anadyr airfield, which will allow our forces to carry out continuous air defense duty," Avakyants said. "The Arctic is an undeveloped storehouse of the Earth's natural resources. For instance, it makes up a quarter of the world's oil and gas reserves, in addition to reserves of rare earth metals and much more. Their production will significantly eclipse the money that Russian is currently allocating for the defense of the region," retired Colonel Eduard Rodyukov, a corresponding member of the Academy of Military Sciences, told Nezavisimaya Gazeta. Vedomosti: Digital ruble might help Russia abandon SWIFT The future launch of the digital ruble may solve Russia’s ongoing worries of detaching users from the SWIFT payment transfer system, since it will partially duplicate it, according to the Bank of Russia. The key issue will be not only the speed of payments, but also the cost of transactions. Experts told Vedomosti, they consider it quite likely that SWIFT will be replaced by settlements in digital money. SWIFT can also become one of the platforms for the circulation of digital currency.
Read also Ruble not actually responding to key rate reduction
"Compared to SWIFT, the digital ruble may well be an alternative means for international transfers. As demonstrated by cryptocurrencies, this is a reliable, relatively fast, and secure way of transnational settlements that do not require trust between participants, because trust is provided by the blockchain system itself," Talkbank CEO and founder Mikhail Popov told the newspaper. The key issue is the popularity of this type of ruble abroad, the banking guru noted. "And the point is not in the protocol itself, but whether the counterparties are ready to purchase a regular or digital ruble and use it in settlements, and whether foreign counterparties are ready to connect to our system and blockchain used for the digital ruble," Popov added.
Read also Press review: Donbass talks stuck in the mud and Iran urges Russia for SWIFT alternative
According to the expert, even with the introduction of the digital ruble, SWIFT will remain an important component of the financial system for a long time. At the same time, if the digital ruble really offers convenient methods of transfers and business will actively use it, then SWIFT’s usage may indeed decline, the commentator believes. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Russia’s big business quickly develops ‘immunity’ amid pandemic Over the past five years, Russia has not been able to return to the pre-crisis 2012 values in terms of investments in fixed assets, and the pandemic was added to the chronic economic problems. Although, according to a survey conducted by PwC and the NAFI Research Center, large businesses, as opposed to small ones, have adapted much better to the coronavirus crisis and even felt a recovery in the investment climate. Experts told Nezavisimaya Gazeta, inking investment protection and promotion agreements (IPPA) is one of the reasons for the positive outlook.


tass--2020-12-25--New state program for Arctic zone development submitted to government, says Deputy PM

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
The state program for development of the Arctic zone has been submitted to the Russian government , Deputy Prime Minister , Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev said at a meeting of the State commission on Arctic development issues , adding that its financing through 2024 will amount to 19.5 bln rubles ( $ 264.5 mln ) .
`` The new state program for development of the Arctic zone has been submitted to the government .
Its financing through 2024 will amount to 19.5 bln rubles .
First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allocated for supporting implementation of investment projects , due to which 30,000 new jobs will appear in the Arctic in coming four years , '' he said .
The Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic released in September a draft of new state program for social and economic development of Russia ’ s Arctic zone for 2021-2024 that envisions budget financing exceeding 22.6 bln rubles ( $ 306.7 mln ) .
The actions suggested by the program are expected to attract 490 bln rubles ( $ 6.65 bln @ @ @ @ @ @ @ macroregion by 2025 .
The anticipated number of residents of the Arctic zone during the state program ’ s implementation is 250 , whereas the number of created jobs is 28,500 .

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. The state program for development of the Arctic zone has been submitted to the Russian government, Deputy Prime Minister, Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev said at a meeting of the State commission on Arctic development issues, adding that its financing through 2024 will amount to 19.5 bln rubles ($264.5 mln).
"The new state program for development of the Arctic zone has been submitted to the government. Its financing through 2024 will amount to 19.5 bln rubles. First of all, the funds will be allocated for supporting implementation of investment projects, due to which 30,000 new jobs will appear in the Arctic in coming four years," he said.
The Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic released in September a draft of new state program for social and economic development of Russia’s Arctic zone for 2021-2024 that envisions budget financing exceeding 22.6 bln rubles ($306.7 mln). The actions suggested by the program are expected to attract 490 bln rubles ($6.65 bln) worth of extrabudgetary investments to the macroregion by 2025. The anticipated number of residents of the Arctic zone during the state program’s implementation is 250, whereas the number of created jobs is 28,500.


tass--2020-12-25--LikeLib2.0 Technical Features Released, Redefining Public Chain

SHANGHAI , Dec. 25 .
/PRNewswire/ .
Recently the technical features of LikeLib2.0 public chain system , a blockchain technology from Shanghai Heshu Information Technology Group Co. , Ltd. , are announced through the media .
Based on the country 's strategy to promote the development of blockchain , the company focus on the core issues of blockchain applications in various fields , take typical blockchain applications as an important breakthrough , promote breakthroughs in key application technologies of blockchain , and study blockchain service architecture , data Key technologies such as access technology , hybrid storage , data source @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IoT intelligent system integration , and develop a basic platform for blockchain services , in blockchain education and training , e-government , supply chain , and carry out application demonstrations in key areas such as finance to open up the innovation chain , application chain and value chain , thus providing common and secure blockchain basic support capabilities .
LikeLib2.0 provides a secure and stable blockchain service basic platform , covering more than 3 core modules with independent intellectual property rights , such as data connection , hybrid storage , and cross-chain technology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solutions for typical application scenarios .
Compared with LikeLib1.0 , LikeLib2.0 has a higher level of improvement in core technology architecture , and the transaction speed is about 10000TPS .
The newly released 2.0 system will not only merge transaction program fees , but also copy forks of the blockchain and increase the volume of transfer transactions .
The average transaction value can be distributed among the running nodes .
In addition , there have been steady improvements in supporting smart contracts , exchangeable consensus mechanisms , and various storage networks .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the basic IPFS distributed storage network according to different factors ( such as transaction volume ) , which can store a large amount of data outside the chain .
LikeLib2.0 uses database fragmentation technology .
Within the database of LikeLib2.0 public chain system , only a small part of the input transactions need to be processed , and a large amount of verification work can be completed through other conventional parallel processing on the network .
Here , BTC and LikeLib seem to be merchants from two countries .
The two parties can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currencies , so they can not directly trade .
Therefore , the two parties negotiated a set of rules ( equivalent to a relay chain protocol ) and established a special trading venue to handle transactions , jointly managed by large merchants ( equivalent to gateways ) in their own country as representatives .
These large merchants also need to have a sufficient amount of assets as security .
The whole process is called a cross-chain bridge , which has technical advantages such as multi-signature technology/ring signature technology/hash locking .
LikeLib2.0 uses Lightning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Both parties transfer funds to a common payment channel and conduct transactions by transferring funds from one end to the other .
The existing hosting solutions on the Lightning Network only manage their users ' funds on one or a few , and they will not use one channel with each user .
Instead , an internal private ledger is kept to record when the funds belong to the user .
Therefore , users do not have to wait for the payment channel to be broadcast to the chain .
The result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with each custodian running a centralized subnet with users .
Earlier we mentioned the ring signature technology in the LikeLib2.0 cross-chain bridge .
The ring signature is named because a certain parameter implicit in the signature is composed according to certain rules .
However , many schemes proposed later do not require the structure of the signature to be a ring , as long as the formation of the signature satisfies the spontaneity , anonymity and group characteristics , and it is also called a ring signature .
In fact , the security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quite high , such as : unconditional anonymity , unforgeability , unconditional anonymity of the signer , and the signer can freely specify his own anonymity range , forming a beautiful ring logic structure , which can realize group signatures The main function of but does not require trusted third parties or group administrators .
Ring signature is a special group signature .
There is no trusted center and no group establishment process .
For the verifier , the signer is completely anonymous .
In terms of zero-knowledge proofs , in theory , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone else without exposing anything significant , and the volume of the generated proof is small , the proof cost is very low , and it has nothing to do with the amount of calculation that needs to be proved .
LikeLib2.0 uses the generation algorithm ( G ) to generate public parameters for the proposition , the proof algorithm ( P ) to generate the proof of the satisfiability of R1CS , and the verification algorithm ( V ) to verify the proof and other technical methods and means to finally generate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there is a secret value reset equation satisfied without revealing the secret .
Data traceability , from the perspective of application , focuses on the process and method of tracking .
The `` decentralized and distributed '' technology of LikeLib2.0 records all information publicly on the `` public ledger '' , and can only be entered and can not be modified .
Due to the feature of multiple parties jointly maintaining the simultaneous ledger , the traditional information island problem is broken and decentralized management is realized .
In this open distributed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with openness and consensus ; decentralized and transparent transactions and anonymity for both parties .
The data traceability annotation is a technique for tracing the source , reproduce the historical state and evolution process of the data according to the trace path , and realize the redirection of the historical data archives .
The World Wide Web has continued to iterate for thirty years before it has today 's prosperity and `` Internet + '' .
If we still have confidence in the blockchain in 2020 , perhaps we should give it more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chain system has given the blockchain industry a gratifying answer in 2020 .

SHANGHAI, Dec. 25. /PRNewswire/. Recently the technical features of LikeLib2.0 public chain system, a blockchain technology from Shanghai Heshu Information Technology Group Co., Ltd., are announced through the media.
Based on the country's strategy to promote the development of blockchain, the company focus on the core issues of blockchain applications in various fields, take typical blockchain applications as an important breakthrough, promote breakthroughs in key application technologies of blockchain, and study blockchain service architecture, data Key technologies such as access technology, hybrid storage, data source, cross-chain and sharding, blockchain and IoT intelligent system integration, and develop a basic platform for blockchain services, in blockchain education and training, e-government, supply chain, and carry out application demonstrations in key areas such as finance to open up the innovation chain, application chain and value chain, thus providing common and secure blockchain basic support capabilities.
LikeLib2.0 provides a secure and stable blockchain service basic platform, covering more than 3 core modules with independent intellectual property rights, such as data connection, hybrid storage, and cross-chain technology, which is able to quickly build solutions for typical application scenarios.
Compared with LikeLib1.0, LikeLib2.0 has a higher level of improvement in core technology architecture, and the transaction speed is about 10000TPS.
The newly released 2.0 system will not only merge transaction program fees, but also copy forks of the blockchain and increase the volume of transfer transactions. The average transaction value can be distributed among the running nodes.
In addition, there have been steady improvements in supporting smart contracts, exchangeable consensus mechanisms, and various storage networks. It can replace the blockchain consensus mechanism and the basic IPFS distributed storage network according to different factors (such as transaction volume), which can store a large amount of data outside the chain.
LikeLib2.0 uses database fragmentation technology. Within the database of LikeLib2.0 public chain system, only a small part of the input transactions need to be processed, and a large amount of verification work can be completed through other conventional parallel processing on the network.
Here, BTC and LikeLib seem to be merchants from two countries. The two parties cannot trust each other and use different currencies, so they cannot directly trade.
Therefore, the two parties negotiated a set of rules (equivalent to a relay chain protocol) and established a special trading venue to handle transactions, jointly managed by large merchants (equivalent to gateways) in their own country as representatives. These large merchants also need to have a sufficient amount of assets as security.
The whole process is called a cross-chain bridge, which has technical advantages such as multi-signature technology/ring signature technology/hash locking.
LikeLib2.0 uses Lightning Network transactions and zero configuration transaction channels.
Both parties transfer funds to a common payment channel and conduct transactions by transferring funds from one end to the other. The existing hosting solutions on the Lightning Network only manage their users' funds on one or a few, and they will not use one channel with each user. Instead, an internal private ledger is kept to record when the funds belong to the user.
Therefore, users do not have to wait for the payment channel to be broadcast to the chain. The result is a decentralized network of custodians, with each custodian running a centralized subnet with users.
Earlier we mentioned the ring signature technology in the LikeLib2.0 cross-chain bridge. The ring signature is named because a certain parameter implicit in the signature is composed according to certain rules. However, many schemes proposed later do not require the structure of the signature to be a ring, as long as the formation of the signature satisfies the spontaneity, anonymity and group characteristics, and it is also called a ring signature.
In fact, the security of the ring signature technology scheme is quite high, such as: unconditional anonymity, unforgeability, unconditional anonymity of the signer, and the signer can freely specify his own anonymity range, forming a beautiful ring logic structure, which can realize group signatures The main function of but does not require trusted third parties or group administrators.
Ring signature is a special group signature. There is no trusted center and no group establishment process. For the verifier, the signer is completely anonymous.
In terms of zero-knowledge proofs, in theory, it is possible to prove something to everyone else without exposing anything significant, and the volume of the generated proof is small, the proof cost is very low, and it has nothing to do with the amount of calculation that needs to be proved.
LikeLib2.0 uses the generation algorithm (G) to generate public parameters for the proposition, the proof algorithm (P) to generate the proof of the satisfiability of R1CS, and the verification algorithm (V) to verify the proof and other technical methods and means to finally generate the proof. It can be proved that there is a secret value reset equation satisfied without revealing the secret.
Data traceability, from the perspective of application, focuses on the process and method of tracking.
The "decentralized and distributed" technology of LikeLib2.0 records all information publicly on the "public ledger", and can only be entered and cannot be modified. Due to the feature of multiple parties jointly maintaining the simultaneous ledger, the traditional information island problem is broken and decentralized management is realized.
In this open distributed accounting system, the blockchain provides users with openness and consensus; decentralized and transparent transactions and anonymity for both parties.
The data traceability annotation is a technique for tracing the source, reproduce the historical state and evolution process of the data according to the trace path, and realize the redirection of the historical data archives.
The World Wide Web has continued to iterate for thirty years before it has today's prosperity and "Internet +". If we still have confidence in the blockchain in 2020, perhaps we should give it more time. Obviously, the LikeLib2.0 public chain system has given the blockchain industry a gratifying answer in 2020.
CONTACT: Mr. Xiong Shikai, +86-180-2531-5530, 158303389@qq.com


tass--2020-12-25--Newly-built corvette Aldar Tsydenzhapov joins Russia’s Pacific Fleet

VLADIVOSTOK , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Navy ’ s St. Andrew flag was hoisted Friday on the corvette of project 20380 Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov , built at the Amur Shipbuilding Plant .
From this moment on the ship is an organic unit of the Pacific Fleet .
The special ceremony was attended by Aldar Tsydenzhapov ’ s parents , who arrived from Buryatiya to Vladivostok on a special flight , the Pacific Fleet ’ s press-service told TASS .
`` On the basis of an order issued by the Navy ’ s commander-in-chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Pacific Fleet ’ s combat ships , '' the news release says .
The corvette was named after 19-year-old sailor Aldar Tsydenzhapov , who in September 2010 at the cost of his life stopped a fire in the engine room of the Pacific Fleet ’ s destroyer The Bystryi .
He was posthumously awarded the title of the Hero of Russia .
`` After the transfer and acceptance act was signed , the St. Andrew flag was hoisted on the corvette .
The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Pacific Fleet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Primorye Region ’ s governor Oleg Kozhemyako , delegates from the Amur Shipbuilding Plant and Tsydenzhapov ’ s parents and other relatives , '' the press-service said .
Avakyants addressed those present with a reminder of Aldar Tsydenzhapov ’ s heroic deed , honored the young soldier ’ s parents and asked the ship ’ s crew to be worthy of their predecessor .
On July 16 , the corvette was brought from Komsomolsk-on-Amur to Vladivostok .
A dozen sea trials followed for testing its systems , mechanisms and weapons , including the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six-barrel artillery piece AK-630 .
The ship destroyed a cruise missile and coastal targets simulating the hypothetical enemy ’ s equipment and fortifications and hit a towed target .
An anti-ship cruise missile was launched with the shipborne system Uran against a surface target .
The crew practiced electronic jamming and tested an onboard aviation complex .
The keel-laying ceremony for corvette The Aldar Tsydenzhapov ( project 20380 ) , a third in a series of multirole corvettes being built in Komsomolsk-on-Amur , took place on July 22 , 2015 .
The ship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speed - 27 knots and endurance up to 4,000 miles .

VLADIVOSTOK, December 25. /TASS/. The Russian Navy’s St. Andrew flag was hoisted Friday on the corvette of project 20380 Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov, built at the Amur Shipbuilding Plant. From this moment on the ship is an organic unit of the Pacific Fleet. The special ceremony was attended by Aldar Tsydenzhapov’s parents, who arrived from Buryatiya to Vladivostok on a special flight, the Pacific Fleet’s press-service told TASS.
"On the basis of an order issued by the Navy’s commander-in-chief the ship was included in the list of the Pacific Fleet’s combat ships," the news release says. The corvette was named after 19-year-old sailor Aldar Tsydenzhapov, who in September 2010 at the cost of his life stopped a fire in the engine room of the Pacific Fleet’s destroyer The Bystryi. He was posthumously awarded the title of the Hero of Russia.
"After the transfer and acceptance act was signed, the St. Andrew flag was hoisted on the corvette. The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Pacific Fleet’s Commander Sergey Avakyants, the Primorye Region’s governor Oleg Kozhemyako, delegates from the Amur Shipbuilding Plant and Tsydenzhapov’s parents and other relatives," the press-service said.
Avakyants addressed those present with a reminder of Aldar Tsydenzhapov’s heroic deed, honored the young soldier’s parents and asked the ship’s crew to be worthy of their predecessor.
On July 16, the corvette was brought from Komsomolsk-on-Amur to Vladivostok. A dozen sea trials followed for testing its systems, mechanisms and weapons, including the universal shipborne 100mm artillery unit A-190 and six-barrel artillery piece AK-630. The ship destroyed a cruise missile and coastal targets simulating the hypothetical enemy’s equipment and fortifications and hit a towed target. An anti-ship cruise missile was launched with the shipborne system Uran against a surface target. The crew practiced electronic jamming and tested an onboard aviation complex.
The keel-laying ceremony for corvette The Aldar Tsydenzhapov (project 20380), a third in a series of multirole corvettes being built in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, took place on July 22, 2015. The ship’s displacement is 2,200 tonnes, speed - 27 knots and endurance up to 4,000 miles.


tass--2020-12-25--Contamination of Lake Pyasino near Norilsk below background concentrations

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
The oil contamination of Lake Pyasino is below the background levels , and the highest concentration was found in the Bezymyannyi Brook , which is right next to the fuel tank , where the accident occurred , the Great Norilsk Expedition , organized by the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Siberian Branch , said in its final report .
“ The key parameters of water quality in the surveyed streams differed greatly , ” the report reads .
“ The biggest concentrations , which were high above the background levels , were in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stream the concentrations were declining .
In Lake Pyasino no parameters were exceeded , and some were even below the background levels .
Experts have not seen notable differences in samples from various depths of Lake Pyasino , and in certain areas they registered self-cleaning conditions in the water - apparently were due to the oxidizing processes.
” In Lake Pyasino , the concentrations of oil products are below allowable safe limits for fishery , which proves the effectiveness of used oil booms , scientists say .
Between August 4 and 11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Environmental Problems ( the Academy of Sciences ’ Siberian Branch ) surveyed 12 areas .
They pointed to a highly diverse distribution of oil products ’ concentrations in the water .
The most contaminated areas were found in the Bezymyannyi Brook , and contamination rates in the Daldykan and Ambarnaya Rivers were much higher than the background levels .
“ The concentration of phenols in the Bezymyannyi Brook , the Daldykan and Ambarnaya Rivers is much higher than the background levels – up to 0.018 milligrams per cubic decimeter .
Further down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the experts said .
“ However , in Lake Pyasino the concentration of phenols is within the background limits – that is below the allowable safe limits for fishery reservoirs.
” Experts stressed the temperature was not different at various locations , where they collected samples .
The hydrogen content , redox potential and dissolved oxygen indicators in the watercourses showed an increase from the Bezymyannyi Brook to the sources of the Pyasina River .
Scientists suppose the changing color of the water could be explained by the water logging , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 29 , more than 21,000 cubic meters of oil products spilled onto the ground at a power plant near Norilsk .
The environmental watchdog , Rosprirodnadzor , estimated the damage at 148 billion rubles ( $ 2 billion ) .
The Norilsk Nickel Company ( Nornickel ) disagreed the amount claiming the authority ’ s incorrect estimation methods .
The company says the damage from the fuel spill is 21.4 billion rubles ( $ 289 million ) .
The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences for the first time over recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , at the invitation of Nornickel , a big scientific expedition to conduct a large-scale survey of the area .
Scientists will use the expedition ’ s results to present nature-friendly solutions and suggestions for industrial companies , working in the Arctic .
The expedition ’ s key points were watersheds of the Rivers Pyasina , Norilka and Ambarnaya , and Lake Pyasino .
In August , experts from 14 research institutes of the Academy of Sciences ’ Siberian Branch collected samples of soils , plants and sediments and later began tests at @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. The oil contamination of Lake Pyasino is below the background levels, and the highest concentration was found in the Bezymyannyi Brook, which is right next to the fuel tank, where the accident occurred, the Great Norilsk Expedition, organized by the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Siberian Branch, said in its final report.
“The key parameters of water quality in the surveyed streams differed greatly,” the report reads. “The biggest concentrations, which were high above the background levels, were in the Bezymyannyi Brook, and further down the stream the concentrations were declining. In Lake Pyasino no parameters were exceeded, and some were even below the background levels. Experts have not seen notable differences in samples from various depths of Lake Pyasino, and in certain areas they registered self-cleaning conditions in the water - apparently were due to the oxidizing processes.”
In Lake Pyasino, the concentrations of oil products are below allowable safe limits for fishery, which proves the effectiveness of used oil booms, scientists say.
Between August 4 and 11, specialists from the Institute for Water and Environmental Problems (the Academy of Sciences’ Siberian Branch) surveyed 12 areas. They pointed to a highly diverse distribution of oil products’ concentrations in the water. The most contaminated areas were found in the Bezymyannyi Brook, and contamination rates in the Daldykan and Ambarnaya Rivers were much higher than the background levels.
“The concentration of phenols in the Bezymyannyi Brook, the Daldykan and Ambarnaya Rivers is much higher than the background levels – up to 0.018 milligrams per cubic decimeter. Further down the streams, the concentrations declined gradually,” the experts said. “However, in Lake Pyasino the concentration of phenols is within the background limits – that is below the allowable safe limits for fishery reservoirs.”
Experts stressed the temperature was not different at various locations, where they collected samples. The hydrogen content, redox potential and dissolved oxygen indicators in the watercourses showed an increase from the Bezymyannyi Brook to the sources of the Pyasina River. Scientists suppose the changing color of the water could be explained by the water logging, not by industrial activities.
Power plant’s accident and expedition to Taimyr
On May 29, more than 21,000 cubic meters of oil products spilled onto the ground at a power plant near Norilsk. The environmental watchdog, Rosprirodnadzor, estimated the damage at 148 billion rubles ($2 billion). The Norilsk Nickel Company (Nornickel) disagreed the amount claiming the authority’s incorrect estimation methods. The company says the damage from the fuel spill is 21.4 billion rubles ($289 million).
The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences for the first time over recent years has sent to the Taimyr Peninsula, at the invitation of Nornickel, a big scientific expedition to conduct a large-scale survey of the area. Scientists will use the expedition’s results to present nature-friendly solutions and suggestions for industrial companies, working in the Arctic.
The expedition’s key points were watersheds of the Rivers Pyasina, Norilka and Ambarnaya, and Lake Pyasino. In August, experts from 14 research institutes of the Academy of Sciences’ Siberian Branch collected samples of soils, plants and sediments and later began tests at the institutes’ labs.


tass--2020-12-25--Russia records 29,018 new daily coronavirus cases

According to the crisis center , the coronavirus growth rate does not exceed 1 % .
MOSCOW , December 25 @ @ @ @ @ s coronavirus cases rose by 29,018 to 2,992,706 in the past 24 hours , the @ @ @ @ @ Friday .
Those vaccinated against COVID-19 can become blood plasma donors , expert says The @ @ @ @ @ the Tuva region ( 0.5 % ) , the Yamalo-Nenets autonomous region , the Khanty-Mansiysk @ @ @ @ @ , Karachay-Circassian , Mari El , Novosibirsk and Kemerovo regions ( 0.6 % ) .
@ @ @ @ @ cases were recorded in St. Petersburg in the past day , 1,576 in the Moscow @ @ @ @ @ Nizhny Novgorod region , 416 in the Pskov region , and 403 in the Sverdlovsk @ @ @ @ @ 540,793 active coronavirus cases in Russia .

According to the crisis center, the coronavirus growth rate does not exceed 1%.
MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. Russia’s coronavirus cases rose by 29,018 to 2,992,706 in the past 24 hours, the anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Friday.
Those vaccinated against COVID-19 can become blood plasma donors, expert says
The rate is the lowest in the Tuva region (0.5%), the Yamalo-Nenets autonomous region, the Khanty-Mansiysk autonomous region, the Magadan, Karachay-Circassian, Mari El, Novosibirsk and Kemerovo regions (0.6%).
In particular, 3,751 new cases were recorded in St. Petersburg in the past day, 1,576 in the Moscow region, 505 in the Nizhny Novgorod region, 416 in the Pskov region, and 403 in the Sverdlovsk region.
There are currently 540,793 active coronavirus cases in Russia.


tass--2020-12-25--Significant oil contamination near Norilsk found only in water near power plant

TASS , December 25 .
Results of the survey of insects and invertebrates , living on the bottom of reservoirs , show significant oil contamination in the Bezymyannyi Brook , the Daldykan and Ambarnaya Rivers only near the power plant in Norilsk , where fuel spilled in May , the Great Norilsk Expedition , organized by the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Siberian Branch , said in its final report .
“ The presence and domination at all the test stations , with the exception for the Bezymyannyi Brook , the Daldykan and Ambarnaya Rivers , of larvae of caddisflies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which normally would disappear after an oil contamination , proves there has not been significant oil contamination of those aquatic ecosystems , ” the report reads .
“ On the contrary , the domination of oligochaetes , registered in the Bezymyannyi Brook , the Daldykan and Ambarnaya Rivers , is absolutely similar to well-known consequences from oil spills and thus proves the power plant ’ s accident did have an impact on the bottom communities in those rivers.
” The expedition ’ s participants have taken 13 samples of bottom sediments .
Soils @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a poor species composition with a high number of forms that are resistant to pollution , and in case of a strong contamination the entire community is affected , the scientists said .
“ The hydrobiology studies , conducted as the pollutants were coming , allow us to assess the ecosystem ’ s stability under stressful conditions , to identify self-purification processes , ” the experts said .
“ In the studied water bodies , specialists have found 36 species of higher-ranking invertebrates , which are widely represented in the Arctic.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with representatives of dipterous insects , which have more opportunities for settlement during the ground-air stage of development .
The greatest species diversity was observed among dipterous insects of the Chironomidae family .
There are four groups of the Oligochaeta organisms , three groups of mollusks , two of larvae of caddisflies .
The remaining groups of invertebrates are represented by single examples .
“ Since larvae of caddisflies are a group , which is most sensitive to oil contamination , and they are usually the first to disappear in case of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pyasina River proves there has not been a significant oil contamination in the said river , ” the report reads .
“ The smallest amount of bottom fauna was registered in the sources of the Daldykan River and near Cape Golyi of Lake Pyasino.
” The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences for the first time over recent years has sent to the Taimyr Peninsula , at the invitation of Nornickel , a big scientific expedition to conduct a large-scale survey of the area .
Scientists will use the expedition ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggestions for industrial companies , working in the Arctic .
The expedition ’ s key points were watersheds of the Rivers Pyasina , Norilka and Ambarnaya , and Lake Pyasino .
In August , experts from 14 research institutes of the Academy of Sciences ’ Siberian Branch collected samples of soils , plants and sediments and later began tests at the institutes ’ labs .

TASS, December 25. Results of the survey of insects and invertebrates, living on the bottom of reservoirs, show significant oil contamination in the Bezymyannyi Brook, the Daldykan and Ambarnaya Rivers only near the power plant in Norilsk, where fuel spilled in May, the Great Norilsk Expedition, organized by the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Siberian Branch, said in its final report.
“The presence and domination at all the test stations, with the exception for the Bezymyannyi Brook, the Daldykan and Ambarnaya Rivers, of larvae of caddisflies, chironomids, freckles and amphipods, which normally would disappear after an oil contamination, proves there has not been significant oil contamination of those aquatic ecosystems,” the report reads. “On the contrary, the domination of oligochaetes, registered in the Bezymyannyi Brook, the Daldykan and Ambarnaya Rivers, is absolutely similar to well-known consequences from oil spills and thus proves the power plant’s accident did have an impact on the bottom communities in those rivers.”
The expedition’s participants have taken 13 samples of bottom sediments. Soils with signs of oil pollution are characterized by a poor species composition with a high number of forms that are resistant to pollution, and in case of a strong contamination the entire community is affected, the scientists said.
“The hydrobiology studies, conducted as the pollutants were coming, allow us to assess the ecosystem’s stability under stressful conditions, to identify self-purification processes,” the experts said. “In the studied water bodies, specialists have found 36 species of higher-ranking invertebrates, which are widely represented in the Arctic.”
In bottom communities the dominating role remains with representatives of dipterous insects, which have more opportunities for settlement during the ground-air stage of development. The greatest species diversity was observed among dipterous insects of the Chironomidae family. There are four groups of the Oligochaeta organisms, three groups of mollusks, two of larvae of caddisflies. The remaining groups of invertebrates are represented by single examples.
“Since larvae of caddisflies are a group, which is most sensitive to oil contamination, and they are usually the first to disappear in case of an accidental spill, their presence in the Pyasina River proves there has not been a significant oil contamination in the said river,” the report reads. “The smallest amount of bottom fauna was registered in the sources of the Daldykan River and near Cape Golyi of Lake Pyasino.”
Expedition to Taimyr
The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences for the first time over recent years has sent to the Taimyr Peninsula, at the invitation of Nornickel, a big scientific expedition to conduct a large-scale survey of the area. Scientists will use the expedition’s results to present nature-friendly solutions and suggestions for industrial companies, working in the Arctic.
The expedition’s key points were watersheds of the Rivers Pyasina, Norilka and Ambarnaya, and Lake Pyasino. In August, experts from 14 research institutes of the Academy of Sciences’ Siberian Branch collected samples of soils, plants and sediments and later began tests at the institutes’ labs.


tass--2020-12-25--Teenager plotting terrorist attack detained in Russia’s Tambov

`` The Federal Security Service has thwarted a terrorist attack in Tambov .
A Russian citizen born in 2003 was @ @ @ @ @ , '' the statement reads .
MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ FSB ) has thwarted a terrorist attack in the city of Tambov , the FSB @ @ @ @ @ Friday .
FSB officers seized explosives , components and manuals for making an explosive device @ @ @ @ @ young man ’ s rented apartment .
The Russian Investigative Committee in the Tambov region @ @ @ @ @ under Articles 30.1 and 205.1 of the Russian Criminal Code ( preparations for a terrorist @ @ @ @ @ Committee said in a statement that the 17-year-old was a college student .
`` According @ @ @ @ @ , who shares the ideas of a destructive subculture , planned to carry out a @ @ @ @ @ in Tambov , using a homemade explosive device created based on an online manual , @ @ @ @ @

"The Federal Security Service has thwarted a terrorist attack in Tambov. A Russian citizen born in 2003 was detained for plotting the crime," the statement reads.
MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has thwarted a terrorist attack in the city of Tambov, the FSB said in a statement on Friday.
FSB officers seized explosives, components and manuals for making an explosive device and communication means at the young man’s rented apartment.
The Russian Investigative Committee in the Tambov region has opened a criminal case under Articles 30.1 and 205.1 of the Russian Criminal Code (preparations for a terrorist attack).
The Investigative Committee said in a statement that the 17-year-old was a college student. "According to investigators, the defendant, who shares the ideas of a destructive subculture, planned to carry out a terrorist attack in a building in Tambov, using a homemade explosive device created based on an online manual," the statement said.


tass--2020-12-25--Russia conducts over 88 mln coronavirus tests

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
More than 88 mln coronavirus tests have been conducted in Russia so far @ @ @ @ @ Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing said in a statement on Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ tests have been conducted in Russia , '' the statement reads .
As many as @ @ @ @ @ in the past day .
According to the watchdog , about 651,400 people remain under @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. More than 88 mln coronavirus tests have been conducted in Russia so far, the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing said in a statement on Friday.
"Over 88 mln coronavirus tests have been conducted in Russia," the statement reads. As many as 516,000 tests were carried out in the past day.
According to the watchdog, about 651,400 people remain under medical observation over the coronavirus.


tass--2020-12-25--Closer China-Japan Health Cooperation for Healthier Mankind and Healthier Earth

BEIJING , December 25 .
/PRNewswire/ .
The China-Japan Health Forum for the New Era co-sponsored by Global Health Forum of Boao Forum for Asia and Nippon Global Medical Organization was held on December 22 , 2020 .
Representatives of China and Japan including Chen Zhu , Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People 's Congress of China ; Zhou Xiaochuan , Vice Chairman of Boao Forum for Asia ; Li Baodong , Secretary General of Boao Forum for Asia ; Margaret Chan Fung Fu-chun , President of the Global Health Forum , leaders of Qingdao government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan and former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda attended the forum .
Themed Healthier Mankind , Healthier Earth , the forum was held simultaneously in Qingdao , China and Tokyo , Japan .
Discussions were held around such topics as Sino-Japanese friendship , green development , energy saving and environmental protection , medical and health care , old-age care , and joint development of smart ecological healthy city project .
Extensive consensus has been reached .
Participants believe that the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that human society is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China and Japan , as two major economies in the world , should engage in deeper practical cooperation in areas including green development , carbon neutrality , health and old-age care , and healthy urban lifestyle .
Both sides should shoulder shared responsibilities to make contribution to global environmental and health undertakings .
Global Health Forum is an important platform of exchange and cooperation launched by Boao Forum for Asia .
The second edition of the forum is scheduled for June 2021 in Qingdao .

BEIJING, December 25. /PRNewswire/. The China-Japan Health Forum for the New Era co-sponsored by Global Health Forum of Boao Forum for Asia and Nippon Global Medical Organization was held on December 22, 2020. Representatives of China and Japan including Chen Zhu, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China; Zhou Xiaochuan, Vice Chairman of Boao Forum for Asia; Li Baodong, Secretary General of Boao Forum for Asia; Margaret Chan Fung Fu-chun, President of the Global Health Forum, leaders of Qingdao government and Toshihiro Nikai, Secretary General of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan and former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda attended the forum.
Themed Healthier Mankind, Healthier Earth, the forum was held simultaneously in Qingdao, China and Tokyo, Japan. Discussions were held around such topics as Sino-Japanese friendship, green development, energy saving and environmental protection, medical and health care, old-age care, and joint development of smart ecological healthy city project. Extensive consensus has been reached.
Participants believe that the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that human society is a community with a shared future. China and Japan, as two major economies in the world, should engage in deeper practical cooperation in areas including green development, carbon neutrality, health and old-age care, and healthy urban lifestyle. Both sides should shoulder shared responsibilities to make contribution to global environmental and health undertakings.
Global Health Forum is an important platform of exchange and cooperation launched by Boao Forum for Asia. The second edition of the forum is scheduled for June 2021 in Qingdao.
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1391887/image_5006269_12351546.jpg
CONTACT: Niu Lifang, +86-18610846020


tass--2020-12-25--Russian government considers $45-55 per barrel oil price range optimum

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s government considers the oil price range of $ 45-55 per barrel optimum in the current market situation , which allows preventing the market from overheating , on the one hand , and supporting producers , on the other hand , Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told reporters .
`` The range of prices of $ 45-55 per barrel is optimum for recovery of our production , which we have let strongly down , otherwise we will never restore production , others will do , whereas we will remain at our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Head of the commodity strategy department at Saxo Bank Ole Hansen said earlier that the price of Brent crude oil might decrease amid reports about a new strain of the coronavirus that may push the infecting rates up and lead to new lockdowns .
That may halt the growth of futures and even get them back , to $ 46 per barrel in the short-term .
On December 14 , Britain ’ s Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock said British scientists had identified a new coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high infection rates in southeastern England .
On December 19 , UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that , according to the current findings , the new strain might be 70 % more contagious , however , there is no proof yet of a greater risk of lethal outcome .
The World Health Organization has said that the mutated strain has already reached Australia , Denmark , and the Netherlands .

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. Russia’s government considers the oil price range of $45-55 per barrel optimum in the current market situation, which allows preventing the market from overheating, on the one hand, and supporting producers, on the other hand, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told reporters.
"The range of prices of $45-55 per barrel is optimum for recovery of our production, which we have let strongly down, otherwise we will never restore production, others will do, whereas we will remain at our level all the time," he said.
Head of the commodity strategy department at Saxo Bank Ole Hansen said earlier that the price of Brent crude oil might decrease amid reports about a new strain of the coronavirus that may push the infecting rates up and lead to new lockdowns. That may halt the growth of futures and even get them back, to $46 per barrel in the short-term.
On December 14, Britain’s Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock said British scientists had identified a new coronavirus strain that might be to blame for high infection rates in southeastern England. On December 19, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that, according to the current findings, the new strain might be 70% more contagious, however, there is no proof yet of a greater risk of lethal outcome. The World Health Organization has said that the mutated strain has already reached Australia, Denmark, and the Netherlands.


tass--2020-12-25--Hainan, Grodno Region in Belarus establish twin city relations

HAIKOU , December 24 .
/ TASS/ .
China 's Hainan and the Grodno region ( Belarus ) signed an agreement on the establishment of twin city relations between the two regions .
According to the `` Hainan Daily '' , the ceremony took place on December 21 in online format .
On the Belarusian side , the document was signed by the chairman of the Grodno city executive committee Vladimir Karanik , and on the Chinese side — by the acting governor of Hainan province Feng Fei .
The parties also signed an agreement of intent , providing for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trade , economic , scientific , technical and cultural fields .
At the signing ceremony , the Acting Governor of Hainan expressed his hope that after the establishment of twin city relations , both regions will be able to increase cooperation , create a mechanism for practical cooperation in various areas , including trade , investment , tourism , medicine , science .
A memorandum of intent to establish twin city relations between the two regions of Hainan and Grodno region was signed in July 2018 .
The parties then noted that in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regions need to establish direct flights as soon as possible .
Grodno region is located in the western part of Belarus .
It covers an area of 25,000 square kilometers , and the population is about 1.04 million people , of which about 370,000 live in the administrative center of the region .
The cities in Hainan have twin city relations with more than 60 settlements and other administrative units abroad .

HAIKOU, December 24. / TASS/. China's Hainan and the Grodno region (Belarus) signed an agreement on the establishment of twin city relations between the two regions. According to the "Hainan Daily", the ceremony took place on December 21 in online format.
On the Belarusian side, the document was signed by the chairman of the Grodno city executive committee Vladimir Karanik, and on the Chinese side — by the acting governor of Hainan province Feng Fei. The parties also signed an agreement of intent, providing for interaction between the two regions in the trade, economic, scientific, technical and cultural fields.
At the signing ceremony, the Acting Governor of Hainan expressed his hope that after the establishment of twin city relations, both regions will be able to increase cooperation, create a mechanism for practical cooperation in various areas, including trade, investment, tourism, medicine, science.
A memorandum of intent to establish twin city relations between the two regions of Hainan and Grodno region was signed in July 2018. The parties then noted that in order to further expand ties, the regions need to establish direct flights as soon as possible.
Grodno region is located in the western part of Belarus. It covers an area of 25,000 square kilometers, and the population is about 1.04 million people, of which about 370,000 live in the administrative center of the region.
The cities in Hainan have twin city relations with more than 60 settlements and other administrative units abroad.


tass--2020-12-25--China documents 31 cases of COVID-19 in past 24 hours

BEIJING , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
China has documented 31 cases of COVID-19 , a disease caused by the novel coronavirus , in the past 24 hours , including 22 imported from abroad and nine local cases , China ’ s National Health Commission informed on Friday .
There are also 17 asymptomatic cases recorded .
China counts asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 in a separate statistic .
In the past 24 hours , no deaths from the virus have been recorded in China .
No COVID-19 patients have died in the country since April 15 .
The lethality rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dead from the disease .
There are currently 320 patients hospitalized ( 556 including asymptomatic cases ) , and only six are in a serious condition .
In the past 24 hours , nine people have recovered .
According to the official data , 94.3 % of COVID-19 patients in mainland China have recovered .
China has recorded over 86,900 cases of the disease since December 2019 , with 124 cases documented in the past 7 days ( 232 including asymptomatic cases ) .
China ’ s epidemiological control bodies closely monitor all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start of the pandemic , 4,181 cases of COVID-19 have been documented among foreigners arriving to the country , and out of this number , 3,909 foreigners have recovered .

BEIJING, December 25. /TASS/. China has documented 31 cases of COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in the past 24 hours, including 22 imported from abroad and nine local cases, China’s National Health Commission informed on Friday.
There are also 17 asymptomatic cases recorded. China counts asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 in a separate statistic.
In the past 24 hours, no deaths from the virus have been recorded in China. No COVID-19 patients have died in the country since April 15. The lethality rate reaches 5.33%, with 4,634 people dead from the disease. There are currently 320 patients hospitalized (556 including asymptomatic cases), and only six are in a serious condition. In the past 24 hours, nine people have recovered.
According to the official data, 94.3% of COVID-19 patients in mainland China have recovered. China has recorded over 86,900 cases of the disease since December 2019, with 124 cases documented in the past 7 days (232 including asymptomatic cases).
China’s epidemiological control bodies closely monitor all people arriving from abroad. Since the start of the pandemic, 4,181 cases of COVID-19 have been documented among foreigners arriving to the country, and out of this number, 3,909 foreigners have recovered.


tass--2020-12-25--Those vaccinated against COVID-19 can become blood plasma donors, expert says

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
Those vaccinated against COVID-19 can become donors of blood plasma used to treat @ @ @ @ @ the Gamaleya Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology Alexander Ginzburg told TASS .
`` Of @ @ @ @ @ become donors , but first , they need to check their antibodies level , because @ @ @ @ @ drop with time , '' he said .
It is believed that transfusions of blood @ @ @ @ @ patients can help treat other people diagnosed with the disease .
This method is widely @ @ @ @ @ Germany , China and other countries .
However , in September , the medRxiv research @ @ @ @ @ of blood plasma transfusion clinical trials which showed that this method of treatment did not @ @ @ @ @ the severity of the disease .

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. Those vaccinated against COVID-19 can become donors of blood plasma used to treat coronavirus patients, head of the Gamaleya Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology Alexander Ginzburg told TASS.
"Of course, vaccinated people can become donors, but first, they need to check their antibodies level, because as we know, they drop with time," he said.
It is believed that transfusions of blood plasma belonging to recovered COVID-19 patients can help treat other people diagnosed with the disease. This method is widely used in the US, Germany, China and other countries. However, in September, the medRxiv research library published the preliminary results of blood plasma transfusion clinical trials which showed that this method of treatment did not significantly affect the course and the severity of the disease.


tass--2020-12-25--Russian COVID-19 vaccine developer ready to submit project for clinical trials on children

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
One of the developers of Russia ’ s COVID-19 vaccine `` Sputnik V '' is ready to submit a draft research project on holding clinical trials of the vaccine among children to the Russian Health Ministry .
This can happen in a month , after the ministry analyzes the outcomes of the trials held among the elderly , head of the Gamaleya Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology Alexander Ginzburg told TASS .
`` As soon as they ( the Health Ministry - TASS ) submit the data on seniors , after this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , maybe in a month , I am ready to submit a draft research project on testing this vaccine among children , '' he said .
The researcher noted that the trials among children would likely to be split in three groups depending on the age .
Earlier , Ginzburg informed that trials among children might start in May-June 2021 .
Russia registered the first COVID-19 vaccine in the world under the name of Sputnik V on August 11 .
The vaccine was developed by the Gamaleya Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Moscow on September 7 , with first volunteers getting the first vaccine shot on September 9 .
Overall , the trials should have included 40,000 people , with 10,000 receiving a placebo dose instead of the vaccine .
However , the Russian Health Ministry decided to stop vaccinating volunteers after some 31,000 people had taken part in the trials .

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. One of the developers of Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine "Sputnik V" is ready to submit a draft research project on holding clinical trials of the vaccine among children to the Russian Health Ministry. This can happen in a month, after the ministry analyzes the outcomes of the trials held among the elderly, head of the Gamaleya Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology Alexander Ginzburg told TASS.
"As soon as they (the Health Ministry - TASS) submit the data on seniors, after this, I hope in about two-three weeks, maybe in a month, I am ready to submit a draft research project on testing this vaccine among children," he said.
The researcher noted that the trials among children would likely to be split in three groups depending on the age.
Earlier, Ginzburg informed that trials among children might start in May-June 2021.
Russia registered the first COVID-19 vaccine in the world under the name of Sputnik V on August 11. The vaccine was developed by the Gamaleya Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology. Post-registration testing of the vaccine began in Moscow on September 7, with first volunteers getting the first vaccine shot on September 9. Overall, the trials should have included 40,000 people, with 10,000 receiving a placebo dose instead of the vaccine. However, the Russian Health Ministry decided to stop vaccinating volunteers after some 31,000 people had taken part in the trials.


tass--2020-12-25--Santa Claus is coming to town: NORAD reports Kris Kringle’s flight over Moscow

OTTAWA , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
Santa Claus ’ s sleigh has flown over Moscow , the North American Aerospace Defense Command ( NORAD ) informed on Thursday .
For 65 years , NORAD has been `` tracking '' the journey of Santa Claus on the night before Christmas , celebrated on December 25 in the Gregorian calendar .
`` Santa has made it to Moscow , Russia ! ''
NORAD ’ s Twitter informed .
Earlier , NORAD `` spotted '' Santa Claus delivering presents on the Kuril Islands , in Siberia , in the Ural Region , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in other Russian locations .
So far , Santa has delivered over 3.4 bln gifts .
As of 0:35 Moscow time , he was spotted flying over Bosnia and Herzegovina .
The North American Aerospace Defense Command , which includes US and Canadian air defense and missile defense systems , `` tracks '' Santa Claus ’ journey since 1955 using radars and satellites .
Santa ’ s sleigh takes off from the North Pole on 02:01 December 24 Eastern Standard Time ( 10:01 Moscow time ) .
Children in Australia and New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gifts .
Santa then visits Asia , Africa , Europe , Latin and North America .

OTTAWA, December 25. /TASS/. Santa Claus’s sleigh has flown over Moscow, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) informed on Thursday. For 65 years, NORAD has been "tracking" the journey of Santa Claus on the night before Christmas, celebrated on December 25 in the Gregorian calendar.
"Santa has made it to Moscow, Russia!" NORAD’s Twitter informed. Earlier, NORAD "spotted" Santa Claus delivering presents on the Kuril Islands, in Siberia, in the Ural Region, along the Volga, in St. Petersburg and in other Russian locations.
So far, Santa has delivered over 3.4 bln gifts. As of 0:35 Moscow time, he was spotted flying over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command, which includes US and Canadian air defense and missile defense systems, "tracks" Santa Claus’ journey since 1955 using radars and satellites. Santa’s sleigh takes off from the North Pole on 02:01 December 24 Eastern Standard Time (10:01 Moscow time). Children in Australia and New Zealand are usually the first to receive gifts. Santa then visits Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin and North America.


tass--2020-12-26--Georgian parliament approves resolution on EU, NATO aspirations

TBILISI , December 26 .
/TASS/ .
The parliament of Georgia unanimously adopted on Friday a resolution to proclaim the country ’ s aspirations for membership in the European Union and NATO .
`` Membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization remains a zero-option priority in Georgia ’ s foreign policy .
Trans-Atlantic unity is the most important precondition for strengthening global security , '' the resolution reads .
According to the document , membership in the European Union also remains a `` zero-option priority '' for the country .
In line with the resolution , the country favors only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary and Political Council Member of the ruling party `` Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia '' Irakli Kobakhidze said in October that the country would apply for full-fledged EU membership in 2024 .
It was his party ’ s main electoral promise .
Georgia has been cooperating with NATO since late 1990s .
Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze ( 1928-2014 ) expressed the country ’ s aspiration to join the alliance at a summit in Prague in November 2002 .
This intention was later confirmed by his successor Mikheil Saakashvili .
The new Georgian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Georgian Dream coalition won in October 2012 , continued the policy aimed at joining NATO , while at the same time branding `` gradual normalization of ties with Russia as a goal of utmost importance without compromising Georgia ’ s territorial integrity . ''
Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg visited Tbilisi in 2015 and 2016 , when he assured the Georgian leadership that Georgia would become a NATO member , while conceding that he could not lay out a precise timetable of admitting the country .
Since 2009 , Georgia has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Eastern Partnership program , aimed at developing regional cooperation with former republics of the Soviet Union .
IN 2014 , Georgia signed an Association Agreement with the European Union .
In 2017 , Georgian citizens were granted visa-free travel to countries of the Schengen Area .

TBILISI, December 26. /TASS/. The parliament of Georgia unanimously adopted on Friday a resolution to proclaim the country’s aspirations for membership in the European Union and NATO.
"Membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization remains a zero-option priority in Georgia’s foreign policy. Trans-Atlantic unity is the most important precondition for strengthening global security," the resolution reads.
According to the document, membership in the European Union also remains a "zero-option priority" for the country.
In line with the resolution, the country favors only peaceful settlement of all conflicts.
Executive Secretary and Political Council Member of the ruling party "Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia" Irakli Kobakhidze said in October that the country would apply for full-fledged EU membership in 2024. It was his party’s main electoral promise.
Georgia has been cooperating with NATO since late 1990s. Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze (1928-2014) expressed the country’s aspiration to join the alliance at a summit in Prague in November 2002. This intention was later confirmed by his successor Mikheil Saakashvili.
The new Georgian government, which ascended to power after the Georgian Dream coalition won in October 2012, continued the policy aimed at joining NATO, while at the same time branding "gradual normalization of ties with Russia as a goal of utmost importance without compromising Georgia’s territorial integrity." Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg visited Tbilisi in 2015 and 2016, when he assured the Georgian leadership that Georgia would become a NATO member, while conceding that he could not lay out a precise timetable of admitting the country.
Since 2009, Georgia has been a member of the European Union’s Eastern Partnership program, aimed at developing regional cooperation with former republics of the Soviet Union. IN 2014, Georgia signed an Association Agreement with the European Union. In 2017, Georgian citizens were granted visa-free travel to countries of the Schengen Area.


tass--2020-12-26--New strain of novel coronavirus detected in eight European countries — WHO official

STOCKHOLM , December 26 .
/TASS/ .
The new strain of novel coronavirus , known as VOC-202012/01 , has already been detected in eight European countries , WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge said .
`` 8 countries in the WHO_Europe region have now identified the new COVID19 variant VOC-202012/01 , '' Kluge wrote in a Twitter post on Friday .
`` The variant also seems to be spreading among younger age groups unlike previous strains .
Vigilance is important while research is ongoing to define its impact . ''
The official called for strengthening the existing protective measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face masks and staying in core support bubbles .
On December 14 , Britain ’ s Secretary of State for Health and Social Care , Matt Hancock , said British scientists had identified a new coronavirus strain that might be to blame for high infection rates in southeastern England .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson told an urgent news conference on December 19 that according to the current findings the new strain might be 70 % more contagious .
He added that British experts had not yet found any proof that the mutated virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lethal outcome .
Some countries , including Russia , have paused air links with Britain .

STOCKHOLM, December 26. /TASS/. The new strain of novel coronavirus, known as VOC-202012/01, has already been detected in eight European countries, WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge said.
"8 countries in the WHO_Europe region have now identified the new COVID19 variant VOC-202012/01," Kluge wrote in a Twitter post on Friday. "The variant also seems to be spreading among younger age groups unlike previous strains. Vigilance is important while research is ongoing to define its impact."
The official called for strengthening the existing protective measures, such as social distancing, wearing face masks and staying in core support bubbles.
On December 14, Britain’s Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, said British scientists had identified a new coronavirus strain that might be to blame for high infection rates in southeastern England. Prime Minister Boris Johnson told an urgent news conference on December 19 that according to the current findings the new strain might be 70% more contagious. He added that British experts had not yet found any proof that the mutated virus was fraught with a greater risk of lethal outcome. Some countries, including Russia, have paused air links with Britain.


tass--2020-12-26--Russian premier approves national anti-HIV strategy until 2030

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin approved the national strategy of containing the HIV infection in Russia , valid until 2030 , according to a decree published by Russia ’ s official web portal of legislative acts on Friday .
The document `` approves the enclosed strategy of countering the spread of the HIV infection in Russia for the period until 2030 . ''
Russia ’ s Health Ministry and federal executive bodies were tasked with drafting and submitting to the government a plan of implementing this strategy .
Regional authorities were recommended to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , taking into account the epidemiological situation in this particular region .
The strategy mentions raising awareness about HIV among the population , including with the help of the internet and the media , and avoiding discrimination and social stigma against HIV-positive people .
It also includes developing and implementing prevention programs in every region of Russia , taking into account specific features of every territory , and engaging public and non-commercial organizations into the effort .
It also underscores the importance of increasing the scope of HIV screening and antiretroviral therapy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ no less than 95 % of individuals registered in the federal database of HIV-positive persons must be provided with antiretroviral therapy .
It also sets the benchmark of 45,000 new cases to be registered in the country by 2030 .
Besides , no less than 39 % of the country ’ s population must be involved in HIV screenings by that date .
In line with the strategy , Russia will continue cooperating on the issue with the Eurasian Economic Union ( EAEU ) , the BRICS ( Brazil , Russia , India @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of nations , the Commonwealth of Independent States , the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the United Nations .

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin approved the national strategy of containing the HIV infection in Russia, valid until 2030, according to a decree published by Russia’s official web portal of legislative acts on Friday.
The document "approves the enclosed strategy of countering the spread of the HIV infection in Russia for the period until 2030."
Russia’s Health Ministry and federal executive bodies were tasked with drafting and submitting to the government a plan of implementing this strategy. Regional authorities were recommended to prepare and adopt their own HIV measures, taking into account the epidemiological situation in this particular region.
The strategy mentions raising awareness about HIV among the population, including with the help of the internet and the media, and avoiding discrimination and social stigma against HIV-positive people. It also includes developing and implementing prevention programs in every region of Russia, taking into account specific features of every territory, and engaging public and non-commercial organizations into the effort. It also underscores the importance of increasing the scope of HIV screening and antiretroviral therapy.
The document stipulates that by 2030, no less than 95% of individuals registered in the federal database of HIV-positive persons must be provided with antiretroviral therapy.
It also sets the benchmark of 45,000 new cases to be registered in the country by 2030.
Besides, no less than 39% of the country’s population must be involved in HIV screenings by that date.
In line with the strategy, Russia will continue cooperating on the issue with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) group of nations, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the United Nations.


tass--2020-12-26--No allergic reactions from Sputnik V vaccine recorded — developer

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
No severe allergic reactions to the Russian vaccine Sputnik V have been documented during clinical trials or after the vaccine was released into civil circulation , Alexander Gintsburg , Director of the Gamaleya National Research Center ( which developed Sputnik V ) , said in a televised interview with Rossiya ’ 24 news channel on Friday .
`` No allergenic reactions to the Sputnik V vaccine were documented during clinical trials - Phases One , Two and Three - as well as during its civil circulation , '' he said commenting on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine produced by the US company Pfizer .
Gintsburg added that about 700,000 Russians had been vaccinated with Sputnik V. '' The Health Ministry alongside Roszdravnadzor ( the Federal Service for Surveillance in Healthcare ) monitor side effects very strictly , '' he assured .
Earlier , the United States Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) said that they were probing at least five cases of allergic reactions to the vaccine approved by the regulator .
According to FDA experts , polyethylene glycol , which is one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Moderna ’ s vaccines , could cause allergic reactions .
Afterwards , the number of cases grew to seven .

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. No severe allergic reactions to the Russian vaccine Sputnik V have been documented during clinical trials or after the vaccine was released into civil circulation, Alexander Gintsburg, Director of the Gamaleya National Research Center (which developed Sputnik V), said in a televised interview with Rossiya’24 news channel on Friday.
"No allergenic reactions to the Sputnik V vaccine were documented during clinical trials - Phases One, Two and Three - as well as during its civil circulation," he said commenting on the reports about allergic reactions developed by seven Americans after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine produced by the US company Pfizer.
Gintsburg added that about 700,000 Russians had been vaccinated with Sputnik V.
"The Health Ministry alongside Roszdravnadzor (the Federal Service for Surveillance in Healthcare) monitor side effects very strictly," he assured.
Earlier, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said that they were probing at least five cases of allergic reactions to the vaccine approved by the regulator. According to FDA experts, polyethylene glycol, which is one of the ingredients in Pfizer’s and Moderna’s vaccines, could cause allergic reactions. Afterwards, the number of cases grew to seven.


tass--2020-12-26--Kiev calls Lukashenko’s remarks on smuggling of weapons through Ukraine ‘insinuation’

KIEV , December 25 /TASS/ .
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry called remarks previously made by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko regarding smuggling @ @ @ @ @ Belarus an insinuation .
Previously on Friday , Lukashenko announced apprehension of a terror group @ @ @ @ @ .
According to Lukashenko , Belarusian intelligence revealed all channels that the group used to @ @ @ @ @ through Ukraine . ''
`` Ukraine vehemently denies yet another insinuation of Alexander Lukashenko .
@ @ @ @ @ , an , in particular , about the ‘ weapons from Ukraine ’ fit nicely @ @ @ @ @ of terrorizing the Ukrainian people , '' Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko said in @ @ @ @ @ spokesman added that Ukraine is not an enemy of Belarus and condemns terrorism in every @ @

KIEV, December 25 /TASS/. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry called remarks previously made by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko regarding smuggling of weapons from Ukraine to Belarus an insinuation.
Previously on Friday, Lukashenko announced apprehension of a terror group, led by Nikolai Avtukhovich. According to Lukashenko, Belarusian intelligence revealed all channels that the group used to "bring tonnes of weapons through Ukraine."
"Ukraine vehemently denies yet another insinuation of Alexander Lukashenko. The rhetoric of foreign meddling, an, in particular, about the ‘weapons from Ukraine’ fit nicely into Lukashenko’s policy of terrorizing the Ukrainian people," Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko said in his Twitter Friday.
The spokesman added that Ukraine is not an enemy of Belarus and condemns terrorism in every form.


tass--2020-12-26--Russian, Egyptian top diplomats discuss El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant project

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
The foreign ministers of Russia and Egypt , Sergei Lavrov and Sameh Shoukry , discussed by phone on Friday the implementation of projects to build the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant and a Russian industrial zone in Egypt .
`` During the conversation , the ministers discussed the current state of affairs and perspectives for further strengthening of the diverse cooperation between Russia and Egypt , as stipulated by the Treaty on comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation , signed in 2018 , '' the ministry said .
`` Special attention was paid to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of bilateral trade and economic cooperation , namely the construction of the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant and the creation of the Russian industrial zone in Egypt . ''
Lavrov and Shoukry also discussed the situation in Libya , noting the need to ensure an inclusive national dialogue in the country and reaffirming their commitment to peaceful settlement of the internal conflict in line with decisions made during the international conference in Berlin and provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 2510 .
While addressing the situation in Syria , the ministers also confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people of Syria to determine their country ’ s future , as envisaged by UN Security Council Resolution 2254 .
Besides , the two top diplomats reaffirmed the need to consolidate international efforts for restarting direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations , with the ultimate goal of achieving all-encompassing peace in the Middle East .

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. The foreign ministers of Russia and Egypt, Sergei Lavrov and Sameh Shoukry, discussed by phone on Friday the implementation of projects to build the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant and a Russian industrial zone in Egypt.
"During the conversation, the ministers discussed the current state of affairs and perspectives for further strengthening of the diverse cooperation between Russia and Egypt, as stipulated by the Treaty on comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation, signed in 2018," the ministry said. "Special attention was paid to implementation of large-scale projects in the area of bilateral trade and economic cooperation, namely the construction of the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant and the creation of the Russian industrial zone in Egypt."
Lavrov and Shoukry also discussed the situation in Libya, noting the need to ensure an inclusive national dialogue in the country and reaffirming their commitment to peaceful settlement of the internal conflict in line with decisions made during the international conference in Berlin and provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 2510.
While addressing the situation in Syria, the ministers also confirmed the need to ensure the right of the people of Syria to determine their country’s future, as envisaged by UN Security Council Resolution 2254.
Besides, the two top diplomats reaffirmed the need to consolidate international efforts for restarting direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, with the ultimate goal of achieving all-encompassing peace in the Middle East.


tass--2020-12-26--Moscow's death toll from confirmed COVID-19 cases rises by 77 to 10,840 — crisis center

MOSCOW , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
The death toll from confirmed coronavirus cases has risen by 77 in Moscow @ @ @ @ @ , bringing the total number of fatalities to 10,840 , the Russian capital ’ s @ @ @ @ @ on Friday .
`` Seventy-seven patients have passed away in Moscow .
Their diagnoses of @ @ @ @ @ tested positive for coronavirus , '' the center informed .
The death toll from confirmed @ @ @ @ @ to 10,840 in Moscow .
The Russian capital accounts for most cases of COVID-19 in @ @ @ @ @ 25 , as many as 772,104 COVID-19 cases were recorded in the city .
Of @ @ @ @ @ in the past 24 hours .
At the same time , 593,939 patients recovered from @ @ @

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. The death toll from confirmed coronavirus cases has risen by 77 in Moscow over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of fatalities to 10,840, the Russian capital’s anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Friday.
"Seventy-seven patients have passed away in Moscow. Their diagnoses of pneumonia were confirmed and they tested positive for coronavirus," the center informed.
The death toll from confirmed cases of COVID-19 has risen to 10,840 in Moscow.
The Russian capital accounts for most cases of COVID-19 in Russia. As of December 25, as many as 772,104 COVID-19 cases were recorded in the city. Of those, 7,315 were confirmed in the past 24 hours. At the same time, 593,939 patients recovered from the disease.


tass--2020-12-26--WHO reports over 655,000 new daily cases of COVID-19

GENEVA , December 25 .
/TASS/ .
More than 655,000 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus have been recorded globally in the past day , pushing a total number of infections to 78.19 million , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin on Friday .
According to the WHO updates , the coronavirus-related deaths increased by over 11,500 to exceed 1.73 million .
As of 18.54 Moscow time on December 25 , as many as 78,194 , 947 coronavirus cases and 1,736,752 coronavirus-related deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours and the number of fatalities increased by 11,564 .
The WHO statistics are based only on officially confirmed data provided by countries .
South and North America account for more than 49 % of new COVID-19 cases submitted to the WHO in the past 24 hours ( 323,507 ) .
Europe goes second ( 245,610 cases ) followed by South East Asia ( 33,084 ) .
Most COVID-19 cases are recorded in the United States ( 18,311,405 ) , followed by India ( 10,146,845 ) , Brazil ( 7,365,517 ) , Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , the UK ( 2,188,591 ) , Italy ( 2,009,317 ) , Spain ( 1,854,951 ) , Germany ( 1,612,648 ) , Argentina ( 1,563,865 ) , Colombia ( 1,544,826 ) , and Mexico ( 1,350,079 ) .

GENEVA, December 25. /TASS/. More than 655,000 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus have been recorded globally in the past day, pushing a total number of infections to 78.19 million, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin on Friday.
According to the WHO updates, the coronavirus-related deaths increased by over 11,500 to exceed 1.73 million.
As of 18.54 Moscow time on December 25, as many as 78,194, 947 coronavirus cases and 1,736,752 coronavirus-related deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by 655,041 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 11,564.
The WHO statistics are based only on officially confirmed data provided by countries.
South and North America account for more than 49% of new COVID-19 cases submitted to the WHO in the past 24 hours (323,507). Europe goes second (245,610 cases) followed by South East Asia (33,084).
Most COVID-19 cases are recorded in the United States (18,311,405), followed by India (10,146,845), Brazil (7,365,517), Russia (2,992,706), France (2,484,875), the UK (2,188,591), Italy (2,009,317), Spain (1,854,951), Germany (1,612,648), Argentina (1,563,865), Colombia (1,544,826), and Mexico (1,350,079).