tass--2020-09-09--China honors pandemic fighters, vows to carry on fighting COVID-19 globally

China held a meeting on Tuesday to honor role models in the country 's fight against the COVID-19 epidemic – the fastest spreading , most extensive and most challenging public health emergency it has encountered since the founding of the People 's Republic of China in 1949 .
Renowned respiratory disease expert Zhong Nanshan was awarded the Medal of the Republic , the highest state honor .
Zhong identified the SARS virus in 2003 and is currently leading the Chinese government 's efforts in the fight against COVID-19 .
Three other medical specialists were conferred on the national honorary title @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The recipients are Zhang Boli , a traditional Chinese medicine expert who presided over the research of the COVID-19 treatment scheme combining traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine , Zhang Dingyu , head of Wuhan 's designated coronavirus-treating Jinyintan Hospital , and Chen Wei , a military medical scientist who made major achievements in COVID-19-related basic research and development of vaccine and protective medicine .
`` Medical workers are the most beautiful angels and the most lovable people in the new era , '' Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ names and feats will never be forgotten by the nation , the people and history , and will be engraved on the monument of the republic . ''
Millions of medical workers fought on the frontline against COVID-19 nationwide , including 540,000 in central China 's Hubei Province and its capital city Wuhan , the hardest-hit region during the outbreak , said Xi , who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission .
Xi pledged that China will join hands with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenges of the pandemic .
Noting that the novel coronavirus outbreak is the worst pandemic the world has seen in a century , he underscored China 's contributions in the global fight .
China has acted with `` openness , transparency and responsibility '' and actively fulfilled its international obligations since the start of the outbreak , he stressed .
It `` voluntarily provided information about the outbreak to the World Health Organization ( WHO ) and relevant countries and regional organizations in a most timely fashion , and released the genome sequence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible time , '' he said .
China has conducted more than 70 exchanges with various countries and international and regional organizations on epidemic control to share its experience , Xi noted .
China has announced the decision to provide two batches of cash support totaling 50 million U.S. dollars to the WHO ; it has sent 34 medical expert teams to 32 countries and offered assistance to 150 countries and four international organizations ; from March 15 to September 6 , the country exported 151.5 billion masks , 1.4 billion protective suits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 209,000 ventilators , 470 million testing kits and 80.14 million infrared thermometers , according to Xi .
The pandemic has demonstrated that mankind is a community that shares weal and woe , he said , calling for solidarity and cooperation across the world to tackle the crisis .
China will continue to promote international cooperation on epidemic control , support the WHO in playing the leading role in the fight , and contribute to the building of a community of common health for mankind , he said .
The president reviewed what measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and called for unity and determination throughout the nation to address challenges and achieve development goals .
Over the past seven-plus months , more than 80,000 Chinese were infected by the virus and about 4,700 people lost their lives .
The numbers could have been much bigger without the firm measures implemented at various levels and sacrifices made by medical workers , community workers as well as residents who have strictly followed restrictions for epidemic control .
`` In little more than a month , the rising spread of the virus was contained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily increase in domestic coronavirus cases fell to single digits ; and in approximately three months , a decisive victory was secured in the battle to defend Hubei Province and its capital city of Wuhan , '' Xi noted .
With the easing of the outbreak , China announced a series of policies to help enterprises , create jobs , boost investment and consumption and advance poverty alleviation , he said .
The world 's second-largest economy grew by 3.2 percent in the second quarter from a year earlier , reversing a 6.8-percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China has become the first major economy to return to growth since the start of the pandemic , '' Xi said .
Looking ahead , Xi said China must continue to implement regular epidemic control measures and strive for full victory in the fight against COVID-19 .
He stressed strengthening institutional guarantees for safeguarding the people 's lives and health , calling for developing a strong public health system and upgrading the system of prevention , control and treatment of major epidemics .
He also called for intensified efforts to ensure economic growth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that national development goals and tasks must be accomplished .
China aims to eradicate absolute poverty and complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects by 2020 .
Meanwhile , Xi stressed the importance of increasing awareness of risks and sticking to bottom-line thinking and called for efforts to enhance capabilities to prevent and defuse different kinds of risks along China 's development path .
He expressed confidence in China 's future in the new era .
`` Nobody and no force can stop the Chinese people from achieving a @ @ @ @ @ @ @

BEIJING, Sept. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report by CGTN:
China held a meeting on Tuesday to honor role models in the country's fight against the COVID-19 epidemic – the fastest spreading, most extensive and most challenging public health emergency it has encountered since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.
Renowned respiratory disease expert Zhong Nanshan was awarded the Medal of the Republic, the highest state honor. Zhong identified the SARS virus in 2003 and is currently leading the Chinese government's efforts in the fight against COVID-19.
Three other medical specialists were conferred on the national honorary title, "the People's Hero." The recipients are Zhang Boli, a traditional Chinese medicine expert who presided over the research of the COVID-19 treatment scheme combining traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine, Zhang Dingyu, head of Wuhan's designated coronavirus-treating Jinyintan Hospital, and Chen Wei, a military medical scientist who made major achievements in COVID-19-related basic research and development of vaccine and protective medicine.
"Medical workers are the most beautiful angels and the most lovable people in the new era," Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a speech after presenting the medals. "Their names and feats will never be forgotten by the nation, the people and history, and will be engraved on the monument of the republic."
Millions of medical workers fought on the frontline against COVID-19 nationwide, including 540,000 in central China's Hubei Province and its capital city Wuhan, the hardest-hit region during the outbreak, said Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.
Joint efforts to address global challenges
Xi pledged that China will join hands with the international community to tackle the global challenges of the pandemic.
Noting that the novel coronavirus outbreak is the worst pandemic the world has seen in a century, he underscored China's contributions in the global fight.
China has acted with "openness, transparency and responsibility" and actively fulfilled its international obligations since the start of the outbreak, he stressed.
It "voluntarily provided information about the outbreak to the World Health Organization (WHO) and relevant countries and regional organizations in a most timely fashion, and released the genome sequence of the novel coronavirus at the earliest possible time," he said.
China has conducted more than 70 exchanges with various countries and international and regional organizations on epidemic control to share its experience, Xi noted.
China has announced the decision to provide two batches of cash support totaling 50 million U.S. dollars to the WHO; it has sent 34 medical expert teams to 32 countries and offered assistance to 150 countries and four international organizations; from March 15 to September 6, the country exported 151.5 billion masks, 1.4 billion protective suits, 230 million pairs of goggles, 209,000 ventilators, 470 million testing kits and 80.14 million infrared thermometers, according to Xi.
The pandemic has demonstrated that mankind is a community that shares weal and woe, he said, calling for solidarity and cooperation across the world to tackle the crisis.
China will continue to promote international cooperation on epidemic control, support the WHO in playing the leading role in the fight, and contribute to the building of a community of common health for mankind, he said.
China steadfast in pursuing better future
The president reviewed what measures China has taken to fight the virus and called for unity and determination throughout the nation to address challenges and achieve development goals.
Over the past seven-plus months, more than 80,000 Chinese were infected by the virus and about 4,700 people lost their lives. The numbers could have been much bigger without the firm measures implemented at various levels and sacrifices made by medical workers, community workers as well as residents who have strictly followed restrictions for epidemic control.
"In little more than a month, the rising spread of the virus was contained; in around two months, the daily increase in domestic coronavirus cases fell to single digits; and in approximately three months, a decisive victory was secured in the battle to defend Hubei Province and its capital city of Wuhan," Xi noted.
With the easing of the outbreak, China announced a series of policies to help enterprises, create jobs, boost investment and consumption and advance poverty alleviation, he said.
The world's second-largest economy grew by 3.2 percent in the second quarter from a year earlier, reversing a 6.8-percent decline in the first quarter.
"China has become the first major economy to return to growth since the start of the pandemic," Xi said.
Looking ahead, Xi said China must continue to implement regular epidemic control measures and strive for full victory in the fight against COVID-19.
He stressed strengthening institutional guarantees for safeguarding the people's lives and health, calling for developing a strong public health system and upgrading the system of prevention, control and treatment of major epidemics.
He also called for intensified efforts to ensure economic growth and improve people's livelihood, stressing that national development goals and tasks must be accomplished.
China aims to eradicate absolute poverty and complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects by 2020.
Meanwhile, Xi stressed the importance of increasing awareness of risks and sticking to bottom-line thinking and called for efforts to enhance capabilities to prevent and defuse different kinds of risks along China's development path.
He expressed confidence in China's future in the new era. "Nobody and no force can stop the Chinese people from achieving a better life!" Xi said.


tass--2020-09-09--Russian flagship air carrier Aeroflot resumes Moscow-Cairo flights

MOSCOW , September 9 .
/TASS/ .
Russian flagship air carrier Aeroflot will on Wednesday resume flights from Moscow to Cairo , interrupted this spring amid the novel coronavirus pandemic .
Last week , Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a decree to resume air traffic with Egypt , the United Arab Emirates and the Maldives on a mutual basis .
Flights to Egypt can be performed three times a week , to the UAE and the Maldives - twice a week .
Earlier , Russia resumed air service with Turkey , the United Kingdom , Switzerland and Tanzania .
Aeroflot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cairo from September 9 , to the Maldives from 10 September and the UAE from 11 September .
According to the flight schedule , posted by Aeroflot on its website , flights to Cairo will depart on Mondays , Wednesdays and Saturdays .
At the same time , EgyptAir will also carry out three flights a week - on Tuesdays , Thursdays and Saturdays .
Russians who arrived in Cairo will not have to stay in self-isiolation , but they are obliged to carry a document confirming their negative novel coronavirus status received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrival .
Upon their return to Moscow , Russians have to pass another coronavirus test within three days and upload the result to the state services portal .

MOSCOW, September 9. /TASS/. Russian flagship air carrier Aeroflot will on Wednesday resume flights from Moscow to Cairo, interrupted this spring amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Last week, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a decree to resume air traffic with Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and the Maldives on a mutual basis. Flights to Egypt can be performed three times a week, to the UAE and the Maldives - twice a week. Earlier, Russia resumed air service with Turkey, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Tanzania.
Aeroflot has announced the resumption of flights to Cairo from September 9, to the Maldives from 10 September and the UAE from 11 September.
According to the flight schedule, posted by Aeroflot on its website, flights to Cairo will depart on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. At the same time, EgyptAir will also carry out three flights a week - on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Russians who arrived in Cairo will not have to stay in self-isiolation, but they are obliged to carry a document confirming their negative novel coronavirus status received no earlier than 72 hours before the arrival. Upon their return to Moscow, Russians have to pass another coronavirus test within three days and upload the result to the state services portal.


tass--2020-09-09--Putin, Lukashenko to discuss many issues, including state debt of Belarus — Kremlin

MOSCOW , September 9 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko will discuss a wide range of trade and economic issues at their forthcoming meeting in Moscow , including the Belarusian state debt restructuring , Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS .
`` Work on pressing issues continues without interruptions at the level of experts and various agencies , be it the issue of Belarusian debts , the integration roadmap , prices for fuel supplied to Belarus , the future of our integration , the matter of cooperation between a wide range of enterprises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the entire complex of trade and economic relations . ''
`` All of this is being discussed at the meeting of the two presidents every time .
Now , as Belarus is going through a difficult period , this dialogue is becoming even more topical and important , '' Peskov said .
When asked whether the issue of refinancing the Belarusian state debt to Russia will be raised at the talks , he replied `` naturally , of course . ''
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said opening a meeting with his Belarusian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presidents of Russia and Belarus are to meet in Moscow within the next two weeks .
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin arrived in Minsk for talks on September 3 and met with Lukashenko .
The Belarusian president told the Russian premier he planned to `` dot the i ’ s regarding all those issues which are very sensitive and painful for both countries '' during the upcoming meeting with Putin .

MOSCOW, September 9. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko will discuss a wide range of trade and economic issues at their forthcoming meeting in Moscow, including the Belarusian state debt restructuring, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS.
"Work on pressing issues continues without interruptions at the level of experts and various agencies, be it the issue of Belarusian debts, the integration roadmap, prices for fuel supplied to Belarus, the future of our integration, the matter of cooperation between a wide range of enterprises, that is to say - on the entire complex of trade and economic relations."
"All of this is being discussed at the meeting of the two presidents every time. Now, as Belarus is going through a difficult period, this dialogue is becoming even more topical and important," Peskov said.
When asked whether the issue of refinancing the Belarusian state debt to Russia will be raised at the talks, he replied "naturally, of course."
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said opening a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart Vladimir Makei on September 2 that the presidents of Russia and Belarus are to meet in Moscow within the next two weeks.
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin arrived in Minsk for talks on September 3 and met with Lukashenko. The Belarusian president told the Russian premier he planned to "dot the i’s regarding all those issues which are very sensitive and painful for both countries" during the upcoming meeting with Putin.


tass--2020-09-09--No Putin-Trump contacts planned before US elections — Kremlin spokesman

MOSCOW , September 9 .
/TASS/ .
No contacts between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ elections in the United States , but a phone call may take place if necessary @ @ @ @ @ told TASS .
`` So far , no conversation is planned .
There is no @ @ @ @ @ But , as you know , they communicate quite often , '' Peskov said .
@ @ @ @ @ are sometimes initiated by the Russian side , and sometimes by the US .
`` @ @ @ @ @ when needed , '' he added .
Putin and Trump had eight phone calls since @ @ @ @ @ .
Two of them were trilateral , as Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, September 9. /TASS/. No contacts between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump are planned before the November elections in the United States, but a phone call may take place if necessary, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS.
"So far, no conversation is planned. There is no reason to do so. But, as you know, they communicate quite often," Peskov said.
The spokesman said such talks are sometimes initiated by the Russian side, and sometimes by the US. "They arrange phone calls easily when needed," he added.
Putin and Trump had eight phone calls since the start of the year. Two of them were trilateral, as Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud also joined those conversations.


tass--2020-09-09--Putin’s traditional Q&A session not planned this year, Kremlin says

MOSCOW , September 9 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s annual question-and-answer session will not be held in its traditional format this year , but its elements will be added to the Russian leader ’ s big press conference in December 2020 , Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS .
The Russian president regularly addresses the nationwide audience during his annual 'Direct Line with Vladimir Putin ' broadcast , answering a multitude of questions flooding in by telephone , text , email , social media , or live via television studios .
However , Peskov told TASS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s events , `` the president has been holding a direct line for the past few months already . ''
`` That is why , naturally , holding a Direct Line this year in its traditional format would be too much , '' Peskov said .
`` Therefore , we will undoubtedly try to add some elements of the Direct Line , allowing the president to receive feedback from residents of various regions , to Putin ’ s annual press conference in December , '' he said .
Putin ’ s previous event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 .
It was his 17th Q & A session .
The very first ‘ Direct Line with Vladimir Putin ’ was held in late 2001 .
Since then , this event has been held annually , except for 2004 and 2012 .
The first five broadcasts took less than two hours each , but , since 2007 , the broadcast has always exceeded this length .
The 2013 broadcast was the longest , taking 4 hours 47 minutes .
Since 2001 , Putin has also held the major year-end news conference every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his premiership in May 2008-May 2012 .
He resumed the tradition after his election for a six-year presidential term in 2012 .
The previous major press conference was held on December 19 , 2019 .
This year , due to the novel coronavirus pandemic , the majority of events with Putin ’ s participation have been held in the format of a video conference since late March .

MOSCOW, September 9. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s annual question-and-answer session will not be held in its traditional format this year, but its elements will be added to the Russian leader’s big press conference in December 2020, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS.
The Russian president regularly addresses the nationwide audience during his annual 'Direct Line with Vladimir Putin' broadcast, answering a multitude of questions flooding in by telephone, text, email, social media, or live via television studios.
However, Peskov told TASS that, due to this year’s events, "the president has been holding a direct line for the past few months already."
"That is why, naturally, holding a Direct Line this year in its traditional format would be too much," Peskov said.
"Therefore, we will undoubtedly try to add some elements of the Direct Line, allowing the president to receive feedback from residents of various regions, to Putin’s annual press conference in December," he said.
Putin’s previous event of this format was held in June 2019. It was his 17th Q&A session. The very first ‘Direct Line with Vladimir Putin’ was held in late 2001. Since then, this event has been held annually, except for 2004 and 2012.
The first five broadcasts took less than two hours each, but, since 2007, the broadcast has always exceeded this length. The 2013 broadcast was the longest, taking 4 hours 47 minutes.
Since 2001, Putin has also held the major year-end news conference every year, except for the period of his premiership in May 2008-May 2012. He resumed the tradition after his election for a six-year presidential term in 2012. The previous major press conference was held on December 19, 2019.
This year, due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, the majority of events with Putin’s participation have been held in the format of a video conference since late March.


tass--2020-09-09--US mulls additional sanctions against Belarus — top diplomat

MOSCOW , September 9 .
/TASS/ .
The United States and its allies are considering the possibility of imposing additional targeted sanctions against Belarus , US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said in a statement , released by the Department of State ’ s press office .
`` The United States , in coordination with our partners and Allies , is considering additional targeted sanctions to promote accountability for those involved in human rights abuses and repression in Belarus , '' the statement says .
The Department of State also called upon the Belarusian authorities to `` end the violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who have been unjustly detained , including U.S. citizen Vitali Shkliarov , and engage in meaningful dialogue with genuine representatives of Belarusian society . ''
The US foreign policy agency also expressed its concern about `` reported abduction '' and `` attempted forced expulsion over the border to Ukraine '' of Coordination Council ’ s presidium member Maria Kolesnikova and council members Anton Rodnenkov and Ivan Kravtsov .
`` We remind the Belarusian authorities of their responsibility to ensure the safety of Ms. Kalesnikava and all those unjustly detained , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukrainian border service informed that Belarusian opposition members Anton Rodnenkov and Ivan Kravtsov had arrived on the Ukrainian territory .
According to Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Anton Gerashchenko , they were expelled from Belarus by force .
Rodnenkov claimed that the Belarusian special forces had attempted to force another opposition member , Maria Kolesnikova , to leave the country , however , she tore up her passport to avoid leaving .
State TV channel Belarus-1 informed that she had been detained during an attempt to cross the border illegally .
Belarus held its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Central Election Commission ’ s data , incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.1 % of the vote , while Svetlana Tikhanovskaya garnered 10.12 % .
After the election , she left for Lithuania .
Protests erupted in the country 's capital of Minsk and several other cities following the presidential vote , leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers .
The opposition set up the Coordination Council for the transition of power in the country , calling on protesters to continue demonstrations .

MOSCOW, September 9. /TASS/. The United States and its allies are considering the possibility of imposing additional targeted sanctions against Belarus, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said in a statement, released by the Department of State’s press office.
"The United States, in coordination with our partners and Allies, is considering additional targeted sanctions to promote accountability for those involved in human rights abuses and repression in Belarus," the statement says.
The Department of State also called upon the Belarusian authorities to "end the violence against their own people, release all those who have been unjustly detained, including U.S. citizen Vitali Shkliarov, and engage in meaningful dialogue with genuine representatives of Belarusian society."
The US foreign policy agency also expressed its concern about "reported abduction" and "attempted forced expulsion over the border to Ukraine" of Coordination Council’s presidium member Maria Kolesnikova and council members Anton Rodnenkov and Ivan Kravtsov.
"We remind the Belarusian authorities of their responsibility to ensure the safety of Ms. Kalesnikava and all those unjustly detained," the statement reads.
On Tuesday, the Ukrainian border service informed that Belarusian opposition members Anton Rodnenkov and Ivan Kravtsov had arrived on the Ukrainian territory. According to Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Anton Gerashchenko, they were expelled from Belarus by force. Rodnenkov claimed that the Belarusian special forces had attempted to force another opposition member, Maria Kolesnikova, to leave the country, however, she tore up her passport to avoid leaving. State TV channel Belarus-1 informed that she had been detained during an attempt to cross the border illegally.
Belarus held its presidential election on August 9. According to the Central Election Commission’s data, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.1% of the vote, while Svetlana Tikhanovskaya garnered 10.12%. After the election, she left for Lithuania. Protests erupted in the country's capital of Minsk and several other cities following the presidential vote, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers. The opposition set up the Coordination Council for the transition of power in the country, calling on protesters to continue demonstrations.


tass--2020-09-08--Lukashenko says most Belarusians supported him, though many may see him as a "bore"

MINSK , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said that most Belarusians supported him in the presidential election , although many may have begun to see him as a bore .
He made the statement in an interview to Russian mass media .
Some extracts from it were published by the RT television channel on Tuesday .
Lukashenko acknowledged he felt upset at the thought part of the Belarusian population was against him .
`` Of course , it was very upsetting and even tragic , if you wish .
But that does not mean that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I look at this philosophically , '' he said .
Lukashenko stressed he regarded it as his duty to defend the positive results achieved over the years of his rule .
`` I must protect what has been made by our hands .
Protect the people who accomplished it .
These people are in an overwhelming majority .
They voted for me , although they see and hear me each day on TV .
Possibly , some of them have begun to feel bored , but they supported me .
Now I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
In Belarus ’ August 9 presidential election Lukashenko emerged the winner with 80.1 % of the votes .
The runner-up , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , who received 10.12 % , did not recognize the election returns .
Shortly afterwards she moved to neighboring Lithuania , where she has remained since .
Right after the election returns were made public several Belarusian cities saw mass protest demonstrations .
During the first days there were clashes with police .

MINSK, September 8. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said that most Belarusians supported him in the presidential election, although many may have begun to see him as a bore. He made the statement in an interview to Russian mass media. Some extracts from it were published by the RT television channel on Tuesday.
Lukashenko acknowledged he felt upset at the thought part of the Belarusian population was against him.
"Of course, it was very upsetting and even tragic, if you wish. But that does not mean that I’ve given up, because I look at this philosophically," he said.
Lukashenko stressed he regarded it as his duty to defend the positive results achieved over the years of his rule.
"I must protect what has been made by our hands. Protect the people who accomplished it. These people are in an overwhelming majority. They voted for me, although they see and hear me each day on TV. Possibly, some of them have begun to feel bored, but they supported me. Now I have to live with this," Lukashenko said.
In Belarus’ August 9 presidential election Lukashenko emerged the winner with 80.1% of the votes. The runner-up, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who received 10.12%, did not recognize the election returns. Shortly afterwards she moved to neighboring Lithuania, where she has remained since. Right after the election returns were made public several Belarusian cities saw mass protest demonstrations. During the first days there were clashes with police.


tass--2020-09-08--Media: Hainan simplifies procedure for issuing work permits for foreigners

HAIKOU , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
The Hainan administration simplified the procedure for obtaining work and residence permits for foreign specialists , reported the Hainan Daily newspaper .
Previously , citizens of other countries planning to move to this Chinese province had to separately apply for employment and registration in two different departments : the department of labor activity of foreigners and the migration department .
Now the package of documents can be submitted at a time through the employer .
The data on the new employee will be uploaded to an online platform , where the relevant departments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to plan , this approach will help to avoid the repeated submission of the same documents , which will ultimately speed up the procedure for their consideration .
`` The goal [ of simplifying the registration procedure ] is to provide a convenient service to organizations and enterprises hiring foreigners , to better the business climate and attract more necessary highly qualified personnel to Hainan , '' Li Haixuan , a spokesman for the provincial science and technology department , said .
According to official figures , more than 10,000 foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work in education , tourism , transport , business services , science and technology , culture and other fields , and make a great contribution to Hainan 's free trade port .
Over the recent years , the Hainan authorities have been pursuing a targeted policy of attracting valuable workers .
Thus , for example , a preferential income tax is established for this category of employees , with a maximum rate of 15 % .
In addition , the Hainan authorities provide a temporary residence permit for up to five years or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of their families .

HAIKOU, September 8. /TASS/. The Hainan administration simplified the procedure for obtaining work and residence permits for foreign specialists, reported the Hainan Daily newspaper.
Previously, citizens of other countries planning to move to this Chinese province had to separately apply for employment and registration in two different departments: the department of labor activity of foreigners and the migration department. Now the package of documents can be submitted at a time through the employer. The data on the new employee will be uploaded to an online platform, where the relevant departments can view information about the foreign specialist.
According to plan, this approach will help to avoid the repeated submission of the same documents, which will ultimately speed up the procedure for their consideration. "The goal [of simplifying the registration procedure] is to provide a convenient service to organizations and enterprises hiring foreigners, to better the business climate and attract more necessary highly qualified personnel to Hainan," Li Haixuan, a spokesman for the provincial science and technology department, said.
According to official figures, more than 10,000 foreign specialists currently live on Hainan. They work in education, tourism, transport, business services, science and technology, culture and other fields, and make a great contribution to Hainan's free trade port.
Over the recent years, the Hainan authorities have been pursuing a targeted policy of attracting valuable workers. Thus, for example, a preferential income tax is established for this category of employees, with a maximum rate of 15%. In addition, the Hainan authorities provide a temporary residence permit for up to five years or a residence permit for foreign professionals and members of their families.


tass--2020-09-10--UK adheres to agreements on Northern Ireland - Prime Minister

TASS , September 10 .
London sticks to agreements regarding Northern Ireland , the UK government said Wednesday , following Prime Minister Boris Johnson ’ s phone call with his Irish counterpart Micheal Martin .
`` The Prime Minister confirmed the UK ’ s commitment to implementing the Northern Ireland Protocol and the Joint Committee process , '' the statement says .
`` The leaders also spoke about the bilateral relationship and the Prime Minister reiterated his desire to strengthen ties and increase dialogue between the countries in the future , '' it adds .
The new bill will regulate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United Kingdom after the Brexit transition period that ends on December 31 , 2020 .
The document states directly that some of its clauses will have effect despite its contradiction or incompatibility with the international law .
The bill refers primarily to one of the main Brexit agreement clauses - the status of the Northern Ireland as a part of the UK customs space which also enjoys access to the EU single market and customs zone .
The new bill has already been condemned not only by the EU , bot also by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of centralization of power ; the bill has also been criticized by some members of the ruling Conservative party , who warn about the damage it will cause to the UK ’ s reputation on the international arena .

TASS, September 10. London sticks to agreements regarding Northern Ireland, the UK government said Wednesday, following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s phone call with his Irish counterpart Micheal Martin.
"The Prime Minister confirmed the UK’s commitment to implementing the Northern Ireland Protocol and the Joint Committee process," the statement says.
"The leaders also spoke about the bilateral relationship and the Prime Minister reiterated his desire to strengthen ties and increase dialogue between the countries in the future," it adds.
The new bill will regulate trade relations between the parts of the United Kingdom after the Brexit transition period that ends on December 31, 2020. The document states directly that some of its clauses will have effect despite its contradiction or incompatibility with the international law.
The bill refers primarily to one of the main Brexit agreement clauses - the status of the Northern Ireland as a part of the UK customs space which also enjoys access to the EU single market and customs zone.
The new bill has already been condemned not only by the EU, bot also by Wales and Scotland, who accuse London of centralization of power; the bill has also been criticized by some members of the ruling Conservative party, who warn about the damage it will cause to the UK’s reputation on the international arena.


tass--2020-09-10--ISS’s orbit to be raised by 800 meters ahead of Soyuz MS-17’s launch

MOSCOW , September 10 .
/TASS/ .
The International Space Station ’ s ( ISS ) orbit will be corrected @ @ @ @ @ ’ s engines Thursday , Roscosmos press service said .
`` In order to establish @ @ @ @ @ Soyuz MS-17 cargo spacecraft launch , an ISS orbit correction is planned September 10 , @ @ @ @ @ .
The engines of the Progress MS-14 , currently docked to the ISS , will @ @ @ @ @ and will work for 225.1 seconds .
It is expected that the maneuvers will raise @ @ @ @ @ height by 800 meters , up to about 419.6 kilometers above Earth .
The Soyuz @ @ @ @ @ for launch on October 14 .
It will take two Russian cosmonauts and one NASA @ @ @ @ @ the Baikonur Cosmodrome .

MOSCOW, September 10. /TASS/. The International Space Station’s (ISS) orbit will be corrected using the Progress MS-14 spacecraft’s engines Thursday, Roscosmos press service said.
"In order to establish ballistic conditions ahead of the Soyuz MS-17 cargo spacecraft launch, an ISS orbit correction is planned September 10," the space company said.
The engines of the Progress MS-14, currently docked to the ISS, will start on 23:32 Moscow time and will work for 225.1 seconds. It is expected that the maneuvers will raise the orbit’s average height by 800 meters, up to about 419.6 kilometers above Earth.
The Soyuz MS-17 manned spacecraft is scheduled for launch on October 14. It will take two Russian cosmonauts and one NASA astronaut to the ISS from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.


tass--2020-09-10--Global COVID-19 death toll reaches 900,000

TASS , September 10 .
The global COVID-19 death toll has exceeded 900,000 Thursday , according to the Johns Hopkins @ @ @ @ @ leads with 190,649 victims , followed by Brazil ( 127,464 ) and India ( 73,890 @ @ @ @ @ 27 million people have contracted the infection around the world , the University says .
@ @ @ @ @ statistics , over 1 million cases have been registered in Russia , 856,458 of them @ @ @ @ @ .

TASS, September 10. The global COVID-19 death toll has exceeded 900,000 Thursday, according to the Johns Hopkins University statistics.
The US leads with 190,649 victims, followed by Brazil (127,464) and India (73,890).
A total of 27 million people have contracted the infection around the world, the University says.
According to the Russian federal statistics, over 1 million cases have been registered in Russia, 856,458 of them recovered, while 18,135 died.


tass--2020-09-10--European Commission Deputy Head goes to London over possible Brexit agreement violation

BRUSSELS , September 10 .
/TASS/ .
European Commission Deputy Chairman Maros Sefcovic will travel to London Thursday for emergency Brexit talks in the wake of publication of a bill that allows violation of the agreement between Brussels and London , EC spokesman Eric Mamer said in his Twitter Wednesday .
`` Following today ’ s announcement by the UK , [ EC Deputy Chairman Maros Sefcovic ] will travel to London tomorrow [ … ] for an extraordinary meeting of the Joint Committee .
The EU seeks clarifications from the UK on the full and timely implementation of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A source in the European Commission told Reuters that the UK bill contradicts the Withdrawal Agreement , approved by both sides , in particular regarding the status of Northern Ireland after the exit is complete .
The Joint Committee has been established specifically to oversee the Brexit agreement implementation .
It held two scheduled meetings previously .
On Wednesday , the UK government presented a bill on internal markets , which is supposed to regulate trade relations between the parts of the United Kingdom after the Brexit transition period that ends on December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directly that some of its clauses will have effect despite its contradiction or incompatibility with the international law .
The bill refers primarily to one of the main Brexit agreement clauses - the status of the Northern Ireland as a part of the UK customs space which also enjoys access to the EU single market and customs zone .
The new bill has already been condemned not only by the EU , bot also by Wales and Scotland , who accuse London of centralization of power ; the bill has also been criticized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party , who warn about the damage it will cause to the UK ’ s reputation on the international arena .

BRUSSELS, September 10. /TASS/. European Commission Deputy Chairman Maros Sefcovic will travel to London Thursday for emergency Brexit talks in the wake of publication of a bill that allows violation of the agreement between Brussels and London, EC spokesman Eric Mamer said in his Twitter Wednesday.
"Following today’s announcement by the UK, [EC Deputy Chairman Maros Sefcovic] will travel to London tomorrow […] for an extraordinary meeting of the Joint Committee. The EU seeks clarifications from the UK on the full and timely implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement," Mamer tweeted.
A source in the European Commission told Reuters that the UK bill contradicts the Withdrawal Agreement, approved by both sides, in particular regarding the status of Northern Ireland after the exit is complete.
The Joint Committee has been established specifically to oversee the Brexit agreement implementation. It held two scheduled meetings previously.
On Wednesday, the UK government presented a bill on internal markets, which is supposed to regulate trade relations between the parts of the United Kingdom after the Brexit transition period that ends on December 31, 2020. The document states directly that some of its clauses will have effect despite its contradiction or incompatibility with the international law.
The bill refers primarily to one of the main Brexit agreement clauses - the status of the Northern Ireland as a part of the UK customs space which also enjoys access to the EU single market and customs zone.
The new bill has already been condemned not only by the EU, bot also by Wales and Scotland, who accuse London of centralization of power; the bill has also been criticized by some members of the ruling Conservative party, who warn about the damage it will cause to the UK’s reputation on the international arena.


tass--2020-09-10--The Lancet calls on Sputnik V vaccine developers to answer Western colleagues’ questions

LONDON , September 10 .
/TASS/ .
The British medical journal The Lancet has called on the scientists that have developed the Russian coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V to answer the questions from their Western colleagues about alleged anomalous data in the article published by The Lancet about the vaccine ’ s trials , the journal ’ s press office told TASS .
`` The Lancet has invited the authors of the Russian vaccine study to respond to the questions raised in the open letter by Enrico Bucci [ a biology professor at Temple University in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania - TASS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation closely , '' the journal said .
`` We encourage scientific debate on papers we have published , and are aware of the open letter on the Russia vaccine trial by Logunov et al .
We have shared the letter directly with the authors and encouraged them to engage in the scientific discussion , '' they continued .
On September 7 , some scientists from US , Italian and other universities released an open letter to the Russian researchers , drawing their attention to some experiments depicted in the article , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , certain statistics anomalies could be detected .
The Russian scientists announced their readiness to provide required explanations to The Lancet , if the journal requested that .
On Tuesday , Alexander Kabanov , Associate Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Professor of North Carolina University and Moscow State University , told TASS that criticism of scientific articles is part of a normal scientific process , `` moreover , when we talk about the works of paramount social importance , like a vaccine or a drug amid the pandemic . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean that the researchers ’ results are erroneous .
Kabanov recalled that three months ago , articles by US scientists were withdrawn from two leading journals , including The Lancet , after criticism of the published results and the refusal to provide primary data on the outcome of their research on the use of certain drugs to treat COVID-19 .
Last week , the Russian Direct Investment Fund , the Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology and the Russian Health Ministry announced that a scientific article based on results of Phases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Sputnik V vaccine against coronavirus , which was the first candidate vaccine registered in the world , had been published in the most influential medical journal The Lancet .
The article lists key characteristics of the vaccine .
On August 11 , Russia registered the world ’ s first vaccine against the novel coronavirus .
The vaccine , dubbed Sputnik V , was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry , and its clinical trials were successfully completed in June-July .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been used for a number of other vaccines .

LONDON, September 10. /TASS/. The British medical journal The Lancet has called on the scientists that have developed the Russian coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V to answer the questions from their Western colleagues about alleged anomalous data in the article published by The Lancet about the vaccine’s trials, the journal’s press office told TASS.
"The Lancet has invited the authors of the Russian vaccine study to respond to the questions raised in the open letter by Enrico Bucci [a biology professor at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - TASS]. We continue to follow the situation closely," the journal said.
"We encourage scientific debate on papers we have published, and are aware of the open letter on the Russia vaccine trial by Logunov et al. We have shared the letter directly with the authors and encouraged them to engage in the scientific discussion," they continued.
On September 7, some scientists from US, Italian and other universities released an open letter to the Russian researchers, drawing their attention to some experiments depicted in the article, where, according to the letters’ authors, certain statistics anomalies could be detected. The Russian scientists announced their readiness to provide required explanations to The Lancet, if the journal requested that.
On Tuesday, Alexander Kabanov, Associate Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Professor of North Carolina University and Moscow State University, told TASS that criticism of scientific articles is part of a normal scientific process, "moreover, when we talk about the works of paramount social importance, like a vaccine or a drug amid the pandemic."
He emphasized that this criticism does not mean that the researchers’ results are erroneous. Kabanov recalled that three months ago, articles by US scientists were withdrawn from two leading journals, including The Lancet, after criticism of the published results and the refusal to provide primary data on the outcome of their research on the use of certain drugs to treat COVID-19.
Last week, the Russian Direct Investment Fund, the Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology and the Russian Health Ministry announced that a scientific article based on results of Phases 1 and 2 of the clinical trials of the Sputnik V vaccine against coronavirus, which was the first candidate vaccine registered in the world, had been published in the most influential medical journal The Lancet. The article lists key characteristics of the vaccine.
On August 11, Russia registered the world’s first vaccine against the novel coronavirus. The vaccine, dubbed Sputnik V, was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry, and its clinical trials were successfully completed in June-July. The vaccine was developed on a platform that had been used for a number of other vaccines.


tass--2020-09-09--Moscow's death toll from confirmed coronavirus cases rises by 14

MOSCOW , September 9 .
/TASS/ .
The death toll from confirmed coronavirus cases has risen by 14 to 4,947 in Moscow over the past 24 hours , the city ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Wednesday .
`` Fourteen patients have passed away in Moscow .
Their diagnoses of pneumonia were confirmed and they tested positive for the coronavirus infection , '' the center informed .
According to statistics , it is the highest number of deaths from COVID-19 , a disease caused by the novel coronavirus , since July 21 when 19 fatalities were recorded .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Moscow .
As of September 9 , Moscow confirmed more than 268,400 coronavirus cases , while nearly 224,800 patients have recovered from COVID-19 .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the latest statistics , over 27,761,500 people have been infected worldwide and more than 902,300 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 19,845,600 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , 1,041,007 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 856,458 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 18,135 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, September 9. /TASS/. The death toll from confirmed coronavirus cases has risen by 14 to 4,947 in Moscow over the past 24 hours, the city’s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Wednesday.
"Fourteen patients have passed away in Moscow. Their diagnoses of pneumonia were confirmed and they tested positive for the coronavirus infection," the center informed.
According to statistics, it is the highest number of deaths from COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus, since July 21 when 19 fatalities were recorded.
The coronavirus death toll has climbed to 4,947 in Moscow. As of September 9, Moscow confirmed more than 268,400 coronavirus cases, while nearly 224,800 patients have recovered from COVID-19.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 27,761,500 people have been infected worldwide and more than 902,300 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 19,845,600 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, 1,041,007 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 856,458 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 18,135 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-09-09--Belarusian opposition launches talks with German foreign ministry

MINSK , September 9 .
/TASS/ .
The Belarusian opposition is launching talks with the German Foreign Ministry in Berlin @ @ @ @ @ Council set up by the opposition Pavel Latushko said on Wednesday .
`` After the @ @ @ @ @ Poland we are launching talks in Berlin with the German Foreign Ministry .
We expect @ @ @ @ @ have a consolidated stance on the domestic policy crisis in Belarus , '' Latushko said @ @ @ @ @ election on August 9 .
According to the Central Election Commission ’ s data , @ @ @ @ @ 80.1 % of the vote , while Svetlana Tikhanovskaya garnered 10.12 % .
After the @ @ @ @ @ Lithuania .
Protests erupted in the country 's capital of Minsk and several other cities @ @ @ @ @ leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers .
The opposition set up a @ @ @ @ @ of power in the country , calling on protesters to continue demonstrations .
The government @ @ @ @ @ be stopped .

MINSK, September 9. /TASS/. The Belarusian opposition is launching talks with the German Foreign Ministry in Berlin, member of the Coordination Council set up by the opposition Pavel Latushko said on Wednesday.
"After the talks held in Lithuania and Poland we are launching talks in Berlin with the German Foreign Ministry. We expect that the European Union will have a consolidated stance on the domestic policy crisis in Belarus," Latushko said.
Belarus held its presidential election on August 9. According to the Central Election Commission’s data, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.1% of the vote, while Svetlana Tikhanovskaya garnered 10.12%. After the election, she left for Lithuania. Protests erupted in the country's capital of Minsk and several other cities following the presidential vote, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers. The opposition set up a Coordination Council for the transition of power in the country, calling on protesters to continue demonstrations. The government demands that all unlawful protests be stopped.


tass--2020-09-09--TASS Director General to head media coverage task force on Russian-African cooperation

MOSCOW , September 9 .
/TASS/ .
A working group under the leadership of TASS Director General Sergei Mikhailov will establish a strategy for media coverage of Russian-African cooperation , head of the secretariat of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum Oleg Ozerov said on Wednesday .
`` TASS Director General Sergei Vladimirovich Mikhailov will be appointed head of the working group on media coverage .
Under his leadership , the working group will develop a strategy for media coverage of the work on the development and expansion of ties with the African continent , '' he said .
According to Ozerov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to achieve `` maximum efficiency of the secretariat ’ s work . ''
Besides , coordination , public and research councils will be established with the same aim .
Those structures will deal with developing `` conceptual offers on substantive content for the speedy development of economic , science-technical , humanitarian and other types of cooperation between Russia and the African states . ''
`` In the near future , TASS will work on expanding its network and opening new bureaus in Africa , '' the secretariat ’ s head informed .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans to organize photo exhibitions , conferences and press tours of Russian journalists to Africa .
He stated that the main goal of the Russian Foreign Ministry and the secretariat is to develop the positive impetus given to the Russian-African relations during the Sochi summit .
`` This is a matter of honor for all of us to make sure that the second summit is better , '' he added .
`` We all need to develop a roadmap working up to the next summit and its concept , to offer an action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participants , '' Ozerov pointed out .
He added that the work of the secretariat would be coordinated by the Russian Foreign Ministry , the Russian presidential administration and Roscongress structures .
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said in his address that important mechanisms for dialogue and partnership had been created during the Russia-Africa summit in Sochi , including the secretariat of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum .
The senior diplomat pointed out that the secretariat focuses on the issues of development and strengthening the ties between Russian and African business community .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ African States , which was formed in April of this year , will facilitate the work of the secretariat to a significant extent .
It will include the leading companies of Russia and Africa .
Therefore , the secretariat must become an effective instrument of strengthening and developing Russian-African relations further , '' he said .
During the meeting , a partner agreement between the Association of Economic Cooperation with African States and Roscongress has been signed .
For his part , head of the Russian Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Humanitarian Cooperation ( Rossotrudnichestvo ) Yevgeny Primakov pointed out that the dialogue between Moscow and the African states `` is not about charity , it ’ s about joint development . ''
He added that many Russian companies that wish to enter the African market are ready to invest in the humanitarian sphere as well .
Primakov also noted that Rossotrudnichestvo continues to promote education programs in Africa , working on expanding the quotas for African students at Russian universities .
According to him , Russia could develop this format by establishing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am calling on Russian companies to join this initiative as well , '' head of Rossotrudnichestvo said .
`` The public interest in the development of Africa is huge .
We would like our relations to be based not only on the nostalgic memories of our shared past , of the liberation of African states , but on new values as well : protection and reinforcement of the African states ’ sovereignty , the idea of maintaining and strengthening peace , good neighborliness and cooperation with Russia , '' he concluded .

MOSCOW, September 9. /TASS/. A working group under the leadership of TASS Director General Sergei Mikhailov will establish a strategy for media coverage of Russian-African cooperation, head of the secretariat of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum Oleg Ozerov said on Wednesday.
"TASS Director General Sergei Vladimirovich Mikhailov will be appointed head of the working group on media coverage. Under his leadership, the working group will develop a strategy for media coverage of the work on the development and expansion of ties with the African continent," he said.
According to Ozerov, the working group has been formed to achieve "maximum efficiency of the secretariat’s work." Besides, coordination, public and research councils will be established with the same aim. Those structures will deal with developing "conceptual offers on substantive content for the speedy development of economic, science-technical, humanitarian and other types of cooperation between Russia and the African states."
"In the near future, TASS will work on expanding its network and opening new bureaus in Africa," the secretariat’s head informed. In this regard, he informed of the plans to organize photo exhibitions, conferences and press tours of Russian journalists to Africa.
He stated that the main goal of the Russian Foreign Ministry and the secretariat is to develop the positive impetus given to the Russian-African relations during the Sochi summit. "This is a matter of honor for all of us to make sure that the second summit is better," he added.
"We all need to develop a roadmap working up to the next summit and its concept, to offer an action program for the next cycle to its participants," Ozerov pointed out. He added that the work of the secretariat would be coordinated by the Russian Foreign Ministry, the Russian presidential administration and Roscongress structures.
An instrument for development
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said in his address that important mechanisms for dialogue and partnership had been created during the Russia-Africa summit in Sochi, including the secretariat of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum.
The senior diplomat pointed out that the secretariat focuses on the issues of development and strengthening the ties between Russian and African business community. "The Association of Economic Cooperation with African States, which was formed in April of this year, will facilitate the work of the secretariat to a significant extent. It will include the leading companies of Russia and Africa. Therefore, the secretariat must become an effective instrument of strengthening and developing Russian-African relations further," he said.
During the meeting, a partner agreement between the Association of Economic Cooperation with African States and Roscongress has been signed.
New values
For his part, head of the Russian Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo) Yevgeny Primakov pointed out that the dialogue between Moscow and the African states "is not about charity, it’s about joint development." He added that many Russian companies that wish to enter the African market are ready to invest in the humanitarian sphere as well.
Primakov also noted that Rossotrudnichestvo continues to promote education programs in Africa, working on expanding the quotas for African students at Russian universities. According to him, Russia could develop this format by establishing a grant system for African students. "I am calling on Russian companies to join this initiative as well," head of Rossotrudnichestvo said.
"The public interest in the development of Africa is huge. We would like our relations to be based not only on the nostalgic memories of our shared past, of the liberation of African states, but on new values as well: protection and reinforcement of the African states’ sovereignty, the idea of maintaining and strengthening peace, good neighborliness and cooperation with Russia," he concluded.


tass--2020-09-09--Two Russian jets scramble to intercept Norway’s spy planes over Barents Sea

MOSCOW , September 9 .
/TASS/ .
Two MiG-29 fighter jets of the Russian Aerospace Force have been scrambled on Wednesday to intercept the Falcon 20 and P-3S Orion aircraft of the Royal Norwegian Air Force over the Barents Sea , the Russian National Defense Control Center told reporters .
According to the Russian military , Russian radars detected two targets in international airspace over the neutral waters of the Barents Sea .
`` Two MiG-31 fighter jets were scrambled to identify and intercept the targets in midair so as to prevent their unauthorized incursion into the Russian sovereign airspace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Russian jets ’ crews identified the air targets as a radio-technical reconnaissance and electronic warfare aircraft Falcon-20 and a P-3S Orion maritime surveillance aircraft of the Royal Norwegian Air Force . ''
The center added that no violation of the Russian state border had been recorded .
The National Defense Control Center pointed out that the Russian fighters shadowed the foreign aircraft over the Barents Sea and returned to their home airfield after those had turned away from the Russian airspace .
On September 5 , Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surveillance aircraft close to Russian borders had increased by more than 30 % in comparison to last year , from 87 missions in August 2019 to about 120 in 2020 .
The minister said that on August 23 through September 2 , the Russian Aerospace Force scrambled their jets at least ten times to intercept spy planes over the Baltic , Barents and Black Seas .

MOSCOW, September 9. /TASS/. Two MiG-29 fighter jets of the Russian Aerospace Force have been scrambled on Wednesday to intercept the Falcon 20 and P-3S Orion aircraft of the Royal Norwegian Air Force over the Barents Sea, the Russian National Defense Control Center told reporters.
According to the Russian military, Russian radars detected two targets in international airspace over the neutral waters of the Barents Sea.
"Two MiG-31 fighter jets were scrambled to identify and intercept the targets in midair so as to prevent their unauthorized incursion into the Russian sovereign airspace," the center said. "The Russian jets’ crews identified the air targets as a radio-technical reconnaissance and electronic warfare aircraft Falcon-20 and a P-3S Orion maritime surveillance aircraft of the Royal Norwegian Air Force."
The center added that no violation of the Russian state border had been recorded.
The National Defense Control Center pointed out that the Russian fighters shadowed the foreign aircraft over the Barents Sea and returned to their home airfield after those had turned away from the Russian airspace.
On September 5, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that intensity of the use of NATO surveillance aircraft close to Russian borders had increased by more than 30% in comparison to last year, from 87 missions in August 2019 to about 120 in 2020. The minister said that on August 23 through September 2, the Russian Aerospace Force scrambled their jets at least ten times to intercept spy planes over the Baltic, Barents and Black Seas.


tass--2020-09-09--Companies with foreign capital will do business in Russia despite crisis - official

MOSCOW , September 9 .
/TASS/ .
Large and medium-sized companies with foreign capital intend to develop their businesses in Russia , despite the crisis caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic , President of Russia ’ s Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sergey Katyrin said on Wednesday .
He was speaking during an online meeting of the Council of Heads of Chambers of Commerce of the CIS member-states .
`` Today , we are monitoring the sentiments of foreign businesses for their readiness to continue working in the Russian market .
In general , large and medium-sized companies with foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a long time and have firm production and logistics chains here confirm their interest in further developing business in Russia , '' he said .
According to him , the consequences of the pandemic `` for the global economy and world economic relations are to be fully assessed yet . ''
Katyrin reiterated that just like in all other countries Russian entrepreneurs and the authorities faced a difficult socio-economic situation due to the restrictions taken to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection .
`` Cooperation of the chambers of the CIS member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult time .
Initiatives in various integration formats - at the level of the chambers of the Union State , the Advisory Council of the EAEU states , the SCO Business Council - did not go unnoticed .
Consolidated information was sent to the Eurasian Economic Commission about barriers in mutual trade , including those arising in connection with the pandemic , and proposals for their elimination .
Basically , they talked about problems with transport , movement of labor , measures of tariff and non-tariff regulation , product certification and so on @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, September 9. /TASS/. Large and medium-sized companies with foreign capital intend to develop their businesses in Russia, despite the crisis caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic, President of Russia’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sergey Katyrin said on Wednesday. He was speaking during an online meeting of the Council of Heads of Chambers of Commerce of the CIS member-states.
"Today, we are monitoring the sentiments of foreign businesses for their readiness to continue working in the Russian market. In general, large and medium-sized companies with foreign capital that have been working in Russia for a long time and have firm production and logistics chains here confirm their interest in further developing business in Russia," he said.
According to him, the consequences of the pandemic "for the global economy and world economic relations are to be fully assessed yet."
Katyrin reiterated that just like in all other countries Russian entrepreneurs and the authorities faced a difficult socio-economic situation due to the restrictions taken to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection.
"Cooperation of the chambers of the CIS member states did not stop even at this difficult time. Initiatives in various integration formats - at the level of the chambers of the Union State, the Advisory Council of the EAEU states, the SCO Business Council - did not go unnoticed. Consolidated information was sent to the Eurasian Economic Commission about barriers in mutual trade, including those arising in connection with the pandemic, and proposals for their elimination. Basically, they talked about problems with transport, movement of labor, measures of tariff and non-tariff regulation, product certification and so on," Katyrin said.


tass--2020-09-09--Export of Russian vodka down 3.8% in Jan-July 2020 to $75.7 mln, says customs service

MOSCOW , September 9 .
/TASS/ .
Russia 's exports of vodka fell by 3.8 % in money terms in @ @ @ @ @ 2020 year-on-year to $ 75.7 mln , the Federal Customs Service reported on Wednesday .
@ @ @ @ @ supplies edged up by 0.3 % in the period to 1.1 bln decaliters .
In @ @ @ @ @ by 22.8 % in money terms month-on-month to $ 13.5 mln , whereas exports in @ @ @ @ @ % year-on-year to 200.445 mln decaliters , the customs service said .

MOSCOW, September 9. /TASS/. Russia's exports of vodka fell by 3.8% in money terms in January - July period of 2020 year-on-year to $75.7 mln, the Federal Customs Service reported on Wednesday.
In physical terms, vodka supplies edged up by 0.3% in the period to 1.1 bln decaliters.
In July, vodka exports dropped by 22.8% in money terms month-on-month to $13.5 mln, whereas exports in physical terms decreased by 19.2% year-on-year to 200.445 mln decaliters, the customs service said.


tass--2020-09-09--Ambassador Antonov says no question of "exchange" of jailed Russian, US citizens

WASHINGTON , September 9 .
/TASS/ .
The issue of `` exchange '' of the sentenced citizens of Russia and the United States has not been touched upon in the contacts with US officials , Russia ’ s Ambassador in Washington Anatoly Antonov said in a statement on Wednesday , commenting on a recent publication in the New Yorker weekly .
`` Along with this , we have never raised the issue of ‘ an exchange ’ of the Americans convicted in Russia for Russians in the US .
The article contains a blatant lie , '' the diplomat stressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Yorker ’ s article Russia can trace `` the continuation of the campaign to mobilize the public opinion , '' to try to whitewash US citizen Paul Whelan , who was earlier jailed in Russia for spying , as well as to `` tarnish the Russians who have been unfairly sentenced in America . ''
`` The intentional distortion of the Russian ambassador ’ s words and actions - with reference to US officials - is astonishing and resentful , '' says the commentary posted on the Facebook account of the diplomatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any requests from the authors of this publication , nor had we received any requests to comment .
They did not reflect our point of view .
Non-compliance with elementary journalistic norms clearly indicates the article ’ s biased and propagandistic plot , '' Antonov said .
The ambassador says that `` there is only one allegation in that article that is true . ''
`` It says that we [ Russian diplomats ] constantly raise the issue of Konstantin Yaroshenko , Viktor Bout and other Russians jailed in the US in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ambassador explained .
Antonov says with confidence that `` the protection of Russian citizens is an undoubted priority of the Russian embassy ’ s work in the United States . ''
`` We have made multiple public statements demanding their release , and if there were health problems , we were issuing demarches insisting that they be provided with required medical services ( the problem became especially acute amid the coronavirus pandemic , which affected the US penitentiary system as well ) , '' the ambassador added .

WASHINGTON, September 9. /TASS/. The issue of "exchange" of the sentenced citizens of Russia and the United States has not been touched upon in the contacts with US officials, Russia’s Ambassador in Washington Anatoly Antonov said in a statement on Wednesday, commenting on a recent publication in the New Yorker weekly.
"Along with this, we have never raised the issue of ‘an exchange’ of the Americans convicted in Russia for Russians in the US. The article contains a blatant lie," the diplomat stressed.
According to Antonov, in the New Yorker’s article Russia can trace "the continuation of the campaign to mobilize the public opinion," to try to whitewash US citizen Paul Whelan, who was earlier jailed in Russia for spying, as well as to "tarnish the Russians who have been unfairly sentenced in America."
"The intentional distortion of the Russian ambassador’s words and actions - with reference to US officials - is astonishing and resentful," says the commentary posted on the Facebook account of the diplomatic mission.
"We had not received any requests from the authors of this publication, nor had we received any requests to comment. They did not reflect our point of view. Non-compliance with elementary journalistic norms clearly indicates the article’s biased and propagandistic plot," Antonov said.
The ambassador says that "there is only one allegation in that article that is true."
"It says that we [Russian diplomats] constantly raise the issue of Konstantin Yaroshenko, Viktor Bout and other Russians jailed in the US in our conversations with US official figures," the ambassador explained.
Antonov says with confidence that "the protection of Russian citizens is an undoubted priority of the Russian embassy’s work in the United States."
"We have made multiple public statements demanding their release, and if there were health problems, we were issuing demarches insisting that they be provided with required medical services (the problem became especially acute amid the coronavirus pandemic, which affected the US penitentiary system as well)," the ambassador added.


tass--2020-09-09--Deputy Energy Minister Tikhonov detained for 2 months in case of embezzlement

MOSCOW , September 9 .
/TASS/ .
The Basmanny Court of Moscow ruled to sent Deputy Energy Minister Anatoly Tikhonov , accused of embezzlement of 603 mln rubles ( $ 7.9 mln ) , to a pre-trial detention center for two months , a TASS correspondent reported from the courtroom .
`` The petition of the investigation is legal , substantiated , motivated and subject to satisfaction , '' according to the ruling by Judge Valentina Levashova .
The court also ruled to detain other persons involved in the case until November 8 .
The Investigative Committee asked to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It grounded its petition by the fact that if a milder measure was chosen , Tikhonov could hide from the investigation , put pressure on witnesses , hamper an objective investigation of the criminal case and continue to engage in criminal activity .
The prosecutor supported the investigation 's petition and said that Tikhonov 's involvement in the crime was confirmed by the testimony of a witness .
Tikhonov 's lawyers said they would appeal against the ruling .
The defense also asked to postpone the meeting for 72 hours , since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the state of health of the official .
The lawyers said that the criminal prosecution of Tikhonov was an attempt to `` discredit the ministry ’ s top officials . ''
`` The charges are actually based on the testimony of one interested person , '' one of the lawyers said .
According to the files of the case , presented to the court , the Russian Energy Agency ( REA ) under the Energy Ministry was recognized as the injured party .
According to the investigation , Tikhonov has real estate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , his associates are putting pressure on witnesses .
Tikhonov noted that the real estate indicated by the investigation was officially declared .
According to spokeswoman of the Investigative Committee Svetlana Petrenko , the investigation revealed that former director of Federal State Budgetary Institution REA Anatoly Tikhonov , his adviser Roman Ryzhkov , as well as vice-presidents of JSC Lanit Vladimir Makarov and Viktor Serebryakov were involved in the theft of at least 603 million rubles .
They all were detained and charged with fraud .
Tikhonov has been the Deputy Energy Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Investigative Committee , the defendants stole the money allocated for the creation of an information system .

MOSCOW, September 9. /TASS/. The Basmanny Court of Moscow ruled to sent Deputy Energy Minister Anatoly Tikhonov, accused of embezzlement of 603 mln rubles ($7.9 mln), to a pre-trial detention center for two months, a TASS correspondent reported from the courtroom.
"The petition of the investigation is legal, substantiated, motivated and subject to satisfaction," according to the ruling by Judge Valentina Levashova. The court also ruled to detain other persons involved in the case until November 8.
The Investigative Committee asked to keep the official under arrest until November 8. It grounded its petition by the fact that if a milder measure was chosen, Tikhonov could hide from the investigation, put pressure on witnesses, hamper an objective investigation of the criminal case and continue to engage in criminal activity.
The prosecutor supported the investigation's petition and said that Tikhonov's involvement in the crime was confirmed by the testimony of a witness.
Tikhonov's lawyers said they would appeal against the ruling. The defense also asked to postpone the meeting for 72 hours, since the case file does not contain information about the state of health of the official. The lawyers said that the criminal prosecution of Tikhonov was an attempt to "discredit the ministry’s top officials."
"The charges are actually based on the testimony of one interested person," one of the lawyers said.
According to the files of the case, presented to the court, the Russian Energy Agency (REA) under the Energy Ministry was recognized as the injured party. According to the investigation, Tikhonov has real estate in France, and by his order, his associates are putting pressure on witnesses. Tikhonov noted that the real estate indicated by the investigation was officially declared.
According to spokeswoman of the Investigative Committee Svetlana Petrenko, the investigation revealed that former director of Federal State Budgetary Institution REA Anatoly Tikhonov, his adviser Roman Ryzhkov, as well as vice-presidents of JSC Lanit Vladimir Makarov and Viktor Serebryakov were involved in the theft of at least 603 million rubles. They all were detained and charged with fraud. Tikhonov has been the Deputy Energy Minister since the summer of 2019. According to the Investigative Committee, the defendants stole the money allocated for the creation of an information system.


tass--2020-09-09--Incomes of half of Russian freelancers fell during pandemic - survey

MOSCOW , September 9 .
/TASS/ .
More than half of freelancers reported a drop in income during the pandemic , with one in four forced to cut prices for their services .
This is according to a joint study by Qiwi , telecommuting exchange Freelance.ru and the National Guild of Freelancers .
More than 1,200 freelancers took part in the survey .
The survey reveals that incomes of 57 % of freelancers dropped in the spring and summer of 2020 decreased compared to the same period last year .
At the same time , 27 % of freelancers lowered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on the contrary , raised prices .
A third of freelancers needed additional funds during the pandemic : half of them took out a loan from a bank or microfinance organization , and the other half chose to borrow money from friends and family .
According to Freelance.ru , the demand for the following services significantly decreased amid the pandemic : photography ( -28 % ) , graphic design ( -25 % ) , texts ( -15 % ) .
However , there has been an increase in demand for educational ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % ) services , as well as for IT services ( 10 % ) .
Retailers , IT companies , marketing and advertising agencies , as well as companies from the service sector were the main customers of freelance services during the pandemic , experts say .
After most of the quarantine restrictions were lifted in June , the income level of more than half ( 56 % ) of freelancers did not change , the income of 24 % of freelancers continued to decline , and the income of 20 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whose incomes dropped after the lifting of quarantine restrictions are looking for and finding new sources of income .
`` Only for the period of May 2020 holidays , the number of transactions in the education category in our online payment channels exceeded the May results of last year by 2.5 times .
It ’ s not surprising that educational services have become the most popular during the period of quarantine restrictions and closed borders '' Victoria Kiyachenko , Director of Mass Services Development at Qiwi , said .

MOSCOW, September 9. /TASS/. More than half of freelancers reported a drop in income during the pandemic, with one in four forced to cut prices for their services. This is according to a joint study by Qiwi, telecommuting exchange Freelance.ru and the National Guild of Freelancers. More than 1,200 freelancers took part in the survey.
The survey reveals that incomes of 57% of freelancers dropped in the spring and summer of 2020 decreased compared to the same period last year.
At the same time, 27% of freelancers lowered prices for services, and 11%, on the contrary, raised prices. A third of freelancers needed additional funds during the pandemic: half of them took out a loan from a bank or microfinance organization, and the other half chose to borrow money from friends and family.
According to Freelance.ru, the demand for the following services significantly decreased amid the pandemic: photography (-28%), graphic design (-25%), texts (-15%). However, there has been an increase in demand for educational (64%) and engineering (25%) services, as well as for IT services (10%). Retailers, IT companies, marketing and advertising agencies, as well as companies from the service sector were the main customers of freelance services during the pandemic, experts say.
After most of the quarantine restrictions were lifted in June, the income level of more than half (56%) of freelancers did not change, the income of 24% of freelancers continued to decline, and the income of 20% of them increased. 94% of freelancers whose incomes dropped after the lifting of quarantine restrictions are looking for and finding new sources of income.
"Only for the period of May 2020 holidays, the number of transactions in the education category in our online payment channels exceeded the May results of last year by 2.5 times. It’s not surprising that educational services have become the most popular during the period of quarantine restrictions and closed borders" Victoria Kiyachenko, Director of Mass Services Development at Qiwi, said.


tass--2020-09-09--Decline of Russia’s GDP is 8% yoy in 2Q, 3.4% yoy in 1H 2020 - statistics service

MOSCOW , September 9 .
/TASS/ .
The decline in Russia 's GDP , according to the first estimate , totaled 8 % year-on-year in the second quarter of 2020 and 3.4 % year-on-year in the first half of the year , the Federal Statistics Service ( Rosstat ) reported on Wednesday .
Rosstat preliminary estimated the decline in Russia 's GDP in the second quarter at 8.5 % , in the first half of the year - at 3.6 % .
Under the current prices , the volume of GDP is estimated at 48.606 trillion rubles ( $ 644 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 .
Rosstat explained that the index of the physical volume of GDP was revised in comparison with the preliminary estimate due to revisions of the statistical reporting submitted by enterprises , as well as additional information from the Bank of Russia .
In the second quarter , amid the spread of coronavirus infection , the biggest drop in added value was marked in services , in particular in such sectors as hotels and restaurants ( -56.9 % ) , culture and sports ( -28.0 % ) , in transport ( -19.3 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Also a significant drop was observed in the extractive industry ( -12.8 % ) and manufacturing ( -7.9 % ) .
According to the forecast the Economic Development Ministry presented in May , by the end of 2020 , Russia 's GDP will fall by 4.8 % .
On September 10 , the ministry is to present an updated forecast of socio-economic development with more positive assessments of the situation , Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov said earlier .

MOSCOW, September 9. /TASS/. The decline in Russia's GDP, according to the first estimate, totaled 8% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2020 and 3.4% year-on-year in the first half of the year , the Federal Statistics Service (Rosstat) reported on Wednesday.
Rosstat preliminary estimated the decline in Russia's GDP in the second quarter at 8.5%, in the first half of the year - at 3.6%.
Under the current prices, the volume of GDP is estimated at 48.606 trillion rubles ($644 bln) in the first half of 2020.
Rosstat explained that the index of the physical volume of GDP was revised in comparison with the preliminary estimate due to revisions of the statistical reporting submitted by enterprises, as well as additional information from the Bank of Russia.
In the second quarter, amid the spread of coronavirus infection, the biggest drop in added value was marked in services, in particular in such sectors as hotels and restaurants (-56.9%), culture and sports (-28.0%), in transport (-19.3%), trade (-12.7%).
Also a significant drop was observed in the extractive industry (-12.8%) and manufacturing (-7.9%).
According to the forecast the Economic Development Ministry presented in May, by the end of 2020, Russia's GDP will fall by 4.8%. On September 10, the ministry is to present an updated forecast of socio-economic development with more positive assessments of the situation, Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov said earlier.


tass--2020-09-09--Donetsk hails Ukraine’s consent to inspect trenches along contact line

DONETSK , September 9 .
/TASS/ .
The Donetsk People ’ s Republic ( DPR ) has welcomed Kiev ’ s consent to inspect jointly Ukrainian engineering structures next to the contact line , the DPR Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday after an emergency meeting of the Contact Group via a video call .
`` At an emergency meeting of the Contact Group , we finally managed to get the Ukrainian side to conduct a joint inspection so as to record the removal of previous violations concerning the advancement of Ukraine ’ s Armed Forces outside the inhabited locality of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said on a Telegram channel .
`` We hail the consensus on this joint investigation , which is nothing else but the implementation of the measures agreed by everyone to control and safeguard the current indefinite ceasefire .
We call on Kiev and OSCE representatives to treat this measure with impartiality , responsibility and complete awareness of the significance of its implementation within the framework of coordinated interaction , '' the DPR foreign ministry said .
According to the DPR foreign ministry , the inspection is scheduled for Thursday , September 10 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ envoys to the Joint Center for Ceasefire Control and Coordination ( JCCC ) .
They will be accompanied by observers of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission ( SMM ) .
Earlier , DPR ’ s head , Denis Pushilin , issued an order to the republic ’ s servicemen to open fire to destroy Ukraine ’ s engineering structures along the contact line near the settlement of Shumy that were mounted in violation of the agreements .
Pushilin called on the Ukrainian command to pull out soldiers from the area before 08:00 local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Ukrainian president said on Sunday that the OSCE SMM had found no changes in the position of the Ukrainian army near Shumy at the contact line in Donbass .

DONETSK, September 9. /TASS/. The Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) has welcomed Kiev’s consent to inspect jointly Ukrainian engineering structures next to the contact line, the DPR Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday after an emergency meeting of the Contact Group via a video call.
"At an emergency meeting of the Contact Group, we finally managed to get the Ukrainian side to conduct a joint inspection so as to record the removal of previous violations concerning the advancement of Ukraine’s Armed Forces outside the inhabited locality of Shumy," the DPR Foreign Ministry said on a Telegram channel.
"We hail the consensus on this joint investigation, which is nothing else but the implementation of the measures agreed by everyone to control and safeguard the current indefinite ceasefire. We call on Kiev and OSCE representatives to treat this measure with impartiality, responsibility and complete awareness of the significance of its implementation within the framework of coordinated interaction," the DPR foreign ministry said.
According to the DPR foreign ministry, the inspection is scheduled for Thursday, September 10, with participation of the DPR and Ukrainian envoys to the Joint Center for Ceasefire Control and Coordination (JCCC). They will be accompanied by observers of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM).
Earlier, DPR’s head, Denis Pushilin, issued an order to the republic’s servicemen to open fire to destroy Ukraine’s engineering structures along the contact line near the settlement of Shumy that were mounted in violation of the agreements. Pushilin called on the Ukrainian command to pull out soldiers from the area before 08:00 local time on September 7. The office of the Ukrainian president said on Sunday that the OSCE SMM had found no changes in the position of the Ukrainian army near Shumy at the contact line in Donbass.


tass--2020-09-09--Weekly inflation in Russia at zero for the fourth week in a row

MOSCOW , September 9 .
/TASS/ .
Weekly inflation in Russia was zero from September 1 to 7 for the fourth successive week , the Federal Statistics Service ( Rosstat ) reported on Wednesday .
Since the beginning of September , consumer prices have not changed but risen 3 % since the year start .
Inflation was about 3.52 % in annual terms as of September 7 .
According to the Federal State Statistics Service , sugar rose in price by 1 % , which is the highest price hike among foodstuffs .
Prices of sunflower oil and cookies rose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ edged upby 0.2 % , beef , canned meat , frozen fish , rennet hard and soft cheeses , pasteurized milk , butter , sour cream and caramel added 0.1 % .
Meanwhile , prices for millet and buckwheat fell by 0.4 % , chicken , rice and salt prices dropped by 0.3 % , pork , semi-smoked and cooked smoked sausages , chicken eggs and tea became cheaper by 0.2 % .
Prices for fruits and vegetables on average fell by 3.1 % , in particular potatoes became 5.4 % cheaper , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , apples - by 3.6 % , cabbage - by 3.4 % .
Among non-food essential goods , toothpaste increased in price by 0.7 % , diapers for newborns , diapers for babies and dry pet food added 0.2 % , laundry soap and toothbrushes - by 0.1 % .
Prices for toilet paper fell by 0.3 % , laundry detergent - by 0.2 % , and toilet soap - by 0.1 % .
Among other non-food products , there was an increase in prices for passenger cars of foreign brands ( + @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 0.6 % ) , women 's tights ( + 0.5 % ) , men 's socks and Russian filter cigarettes ( +0 , 2 % ) , and floor-standing electric vacuum cleaners fell in price by 0.4 % .
The prices for motor gasoline and diesel fuel did not change .

MOSCOW, September 9. /TASS/. Weekly inflation in Russia was zero from September 1 to 7 for the fourth successive week, the Federal Statistics Service (Rosstat) reported on Wednesday.
Since the beginning of September, consumer prices have not changed but risen 3% since the year start. Inflation was about 3.52% in annual terms as of September 7.
According to the Federal State Statistics Service, sugar rose in price by 1%, which is the highest price hike among foodstuffs. Prices of sunflower oil and cookies rose by 0.3%, wheat bread prices edged upby 0.2%, beef, canned meat, frozen fish, rennet hard and soft cheeses, pasteurized milk, butter, sour cream and caramel added 0.1%.
Meanwhile, prices for millet and buckwheat fell by 0.4%, chicken, rice and salt prices dropped by 0.3%, pork, semi-smoked and cooked smoked sausages, chicken eggs and tea became cheaper by 0.2%.
Prices for fruits and vegetables on average fell by 3.1%, in particular potatoes became 5.4% cheaper, carrots fell in price by 4.6%, apples - by 3.6%, cabbage - by 3.4%.
Among non-food essential goods, toothpaste increased in price by 0.7%, diapers for newborns, diapers for babies and dry pet food added 0.2%, laundry soap and toothbrushes - by 0.1%. Prices for toilet paper fell by 0.3%, laundry detergent - by 0.2%, and toilet soap - by 0.1%.
Among other non-food products, there was an increase in prices for passenger cars of foreign brands (+ 0.7%), shampoos (+ 0.6%), women's tights (+ 0.5%), men's socks and Russian filter cigarettes (+0, 2%), and floor-standing electric vacuum cleaners fell in price by 0.4%. The prices for motor gasoline and diesel fuel did not change.


tass--2020-09-09--About 31,000 volunteers selected for Sputnik V vaccine trials

MOSCOW , September 9 .
/TASS/ .
About 31,000 volunteers out of planned 40,000 have already been selected for the @ @ @ @ @ of the Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus , Russian Healthcare Minister Mikhail Murashko told @ @ @ @ @ Practically 31,000 of those wishing to participate have been recruited already , literally over 10 @ @ @ @ @ observation format was developed , including a mobile application which will allow to establish direct @ @ @ @ @ the vaccine developer for the first time worldwide , '' he said .

MOSCOW, September 9. /TASS/. About 31,000 volunteers out of planned 40,000 have already been selected for the third phase of clinical trials of the Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus, Russian Healthcare Minister Mikhail Murashko told journalists on Wednesday.
"Practically 31,000 of those wishing to participate have been recruited already, literally over 10 days. Simultaneously a new observation format was developed, including a mobile application which will allow to establish direct contact between the patient and the vaccine developer for the first time worldwide," he said.


tass--2020-09-09--OSCE confirms planned visit to problem area in Donbass on September 10

KIEV , September 9 .
/TASS/ .
Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group ( TCG ) Ambassador Heidi Grau has confirmed the planned inspection of a problem area on the line of contact in Donbass on September 10 , advising the participants of the talks to take additional necessary steps to ensure the current ceasefire in the region .
Grau has made the corresponding statement disseminated by the Kiev office on Wednesday on the outcomes of the TCG extraordinary meeting on Wednesday in the format of a video conference .
`` Today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Group was devoted to security issues and compliance with the ceasefire in the conflict zone , in particular , to discussing the situation in the area of Shumy , of which the participants of the meeting have diverging assessments .
The participants of the TCG meeting agreed that a visit of the discussed area would be useful .
The visit is scheduled for 10 September 2020 .
I urge the sides to continue doing all it takes to ensure an effective and sustainable ceasefire , first and foremost in the interest of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Monday , the DPR ’ s foreign ministry called on Kiev to liquidate trenches along the contact line near the settlement of Shumy before 22:00 local time on September 8 to spare the republic the necessity to take last-ditch measures and open fire to destroy these engineering structures .
It was then prolonged until September 9 .
Earlier , DPR ’ s head , Denis Pushilin , issued an order to the republic ’ s servicemen to open fire to destroy Ukraine ’ s engineering structures along the contact line near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in violation of the agreements .
The office of the Ukrainian president said on Sunday the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission had found no changes in the position of the Ukrainian army near Shumy on the contact line in Donbass .

KIEV, September 9. /TASS/. Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) Ambassador Heidi Grau has confirmed the planned inspection of a problem area on the line of contact in Donbass on September 10, advising the participants of the talks to take additional necessary steps to ensure the current ceasefire in the region. Grau has made the corresponding statement disseminated by the Kiev office on Wednesday on the outcomes of the TCG extraordinary meeting on Wednesday in the format of a video conference.
"Today's extraordinary meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group was devoted to security issues and compliance with the ceasefire in the conflict zone, in particular, to discussing the situation in the area of Shumy, of which the participants of the meeting have diverging assessments. The participants of the TCG meeting agreed that a visit of the discussed area would be useful. The visit is scheduled for 10 September 2020. I urge the sides to continue doing all it takes to ensure an effective and sustainable ceasefire, first and foremost in the interest of the civilian population," the ambassador stated.
On Monday, the DPR’s foreign ministry called on Kiev to liquidate trenches along the contact line near the settlement of Shumy before 22:00 local time on September 8 to spare the republic the necessity to take last-ditch measures and open fire to destroy these engineering structures. It was then prolonged until September 9.
Earlier, DPR’s head, Denis Pushilin, issued an order to the republic’s servicemen to open fire to destroy Ukraine’s engineering structures along the contact line near the settlement of Shumy that were mounted in violation of the agreements. The office of the Ukrainian president said on Sunday the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission had found no changes in the position of the Ukrainian army near Shumy on the contact line in Donbass.