tass--2020-12-02--Press review: Iran seeks to punish Trump and Turkey aims to push Russia out of S. Caucasus

Media : Tehran looks for ways to punish Trump In response to the killing of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh , the country ’ s parliament has passed a bill requiring Tehran to abandon its obligations under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the nuclear program .
The bill won ’ t probably be approved , failing to come into force , but it will still complicate Iran ’ s dialogue with the Biden administration , Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes .
The main thing about the bill is that Iran refuses to comply with its obligation not to produce weapons-grade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( IAEA ) inspectors with access to all its nuclear sites .
Incumbent US President Donald Trump and his administration officials have repeatedly stressed that they view it as a threat to US national security .
That said , the move increases the possibility of a military conflict between the US and Iran but only if the bill gets approval from Iran ’ s Guardian Council and becomes law .
There are no disagreements between Iranian President Hassan Rouhani ’ s administration and conservative forces on whether or not to respond to Fakhrizadeh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about what the response should be , Iranian political scientist Hamidreza Azizi told Kommersant .
According to him , those in Rouhani ’ s inner circle believe that Tehran needs to avoid getting trapped by cutting ties with the IAEA because it will have negative consequences for the country and reduce the chance of establishing contact with the new US administration .
Hardliners , in turn , may take advantage of the situation to block Rouhani ’ s attempts to build diplomatic ties with the new US president .
`` Conservative circles have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , advocated by President Hassan Rouhani ’ s team .
Now it ’ s not just about sanctions but also about murders committed on the country ’ s soil and the violation of Iran ’ s sovereignty , '' PIR Center consultant Yulia Sveshnikova pointed out .
Meanwhile , Pavel Sharikov , who heads the Russian Center for Applied Research at the Academy of Sciences ' Institute for the United States and Canada , is skeptical about the assumption that by killing Fakhrizadeh , Trump sought to prevent Biden from building dialogue with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he organized the murder , it may cost him his freedom .
Many Democrats call for holding Trump criminally liable and this would be a real gift for them , '' the expert told Nezavisimaya Gazeta .
Nezavisimaya Gazeta : Turkey seeks to push Russia out of South Caucasus Ankara is beginning to pressure Russia in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone .
Following the Turkish Defense Ministry 's announcement of an agreement with Russia on the creation of a joint monitoring center , Baku said that Turkish troops were already operating in Karabakh as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ channel posted a photo of such a group , assuming that it was an SAS special forces unit , Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes .
Such reports can point to Ankara ’ s attempts to demonstrate its success and prove that Moscow was unable to prevent the Turkish leadership from achieving its geopolitical goals in the post-Soviet South Caucasus .
The Turkish authorities earlier made a political decision to send troops to Azerbaijan .
On November 22 , Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said that the country ’ s Land Forces units would be deployed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , special forces units may also mix in , '' Russian military expert retired Lieutenant General Yuri Netkachev emphasized .
In his view , Turkey ’ s goal is to drive Russia out of Nagorno-Karabakh and the entire South Caucasus .
`` Turkish special operations forces can do it by carrying out subversive activities and turning locals against Russian peacekeepers , '' Netkachev noted .
Before the war had broken out in Nagorno-Karabakh , anti-Russian protests had taken place in Azerbaijan with demonstrators holding Turkish flags along with Azerbaijani ones , the expert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Azerbaijani Armed Forces ’ wrote on Tuesday that `` Armenian and Russia ’ s pro-Armenian news outlets are spreading reports that people in Azerbaijan are unhappy about the presence of Russian peacekeepers and they are calling for kicking the Russians out of Karabakh , particularly by using military force . ''
`` I think it ’ s Turkey that benefits from it and its information forces are working in this field , '' Netkachev said .
Russia ’ s Central Bank plans to issue a digital ruble that will be used along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Deputy Chairman Alexei Zabotkin said in an interview with Izvestia .
`` We will thoroughly consider all initiatives concerning technological options to create a digital ruble .
I would like to point out that in any case , the digital ruble will be the third form of money issued by the Central Bank that will circulate along with the two previous ones , cash and non-cash money , '' Zabotkin noted .
He stressed that the Central Bank would be the only issuer of the Russian digital currency .
`` As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruble goes , avenues to interact with other financial market players will depend on the model that will be adopted in the end , '' the Central Bank official added .
At the same time , in Zabotkin ’ s words , `` banks and other financial intermediaries will have the opportunity to create and develop additional services to work with the digital ruble , which will ensure its deep integration with existing financial products and services . ''
When asked if the Russian digital currency would сompete with cash and non-cash transactions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to tell at the moment how financial resources would be divided between the three forms of the ruble because there were no precedents .
`` All central banks are merely working on the possibility of launching digital currencies .
We are going to cultivate the digital ruble platform so that all economic agents can use it .
The important aspect of the digital ruble ’ s launch is that it should be easy for the country ’ s population to use it , '' Zabotkin emphasized .
A number of experts believe that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mass protests against a new security law .
Following a string of terrorist attacks and tightened security measures , people fear that police will abuse their power and the ban on sharing photos of police officers on duty will allow police brutality to go unpunished , Nezavisimaya Gazeta notes .
`` The law pits police against journalists who demand this particular provision be removed , though lawmakers promised that the legislation wouldn ’ t affect the activities of the media and judicial authorities .
However , freedom of speech is highly important for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , deputy head of the Department of Applied Political Science and International Relations at the Higher School of Economics in St. Petersburg .
She pointed out that the bill had been initiated by the police .
`` The life of police officers became much harder in late 2018 , when Yellow Vest protesters went smashing everything up .
The number of police officers injured between November 2018 and the end of 2019 amounts to the total for the past 20 years .
The police ’ s job is indeed dangerous , '' Ageyeva @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current situation in France is reminiscent to that of the late 18th century as it is unclear what will happen next .
Society is under pressure due to the lockdown restrictions and police have been operating in an emergency mode for two years because of the Yellow Vest protests , '' noted Natalya Lapina , head of the Department of Global Problems at the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Institute of Scientific Information on Social Sciences .
According to the expert , the controversial bill is an example of how the authorities can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undermine people ’ s trust in the government , which is already on the decline .
More than half of Russians have stopped using cash .
Analysts point out that Russia is in the global top five for non-cash payment growth .
In particular , the coronavirus pandemic made Russians give up on cash , Izvestia notes .
According to the Russian Central Bank , the share of non-cash payments rose to 69 % in the second quarter of the year .
It was expected to happen only in late 2020 , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The World Health Organization said that banknotes could carry COVID-19 and people realized that using paper money was not only impractical but also unsafe .
However , analysts say that apart from the risk of contracting the virus , the evolution of delivery and other online services during the spring lockdown was the main driver behind the change in consumer habits .
`` A significant part of the population started to use food delivery services and online cinemas .
Non-cash payments also grew because of the restrictions imposed on cafes and bars where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ co-founder of the A3F Group Alexander Duzhnikov .
Experts also point to another reason behind Russia ’ s leading position in terms of the use of bank cards incorporated into mobile devices .
It turns out that Russian users perceive new technologies better .
`` The young generation skipped the stage of card payments and opened digital wallets .
Young people tend to use their gadgets for contactless payment , '' Retail Business Development Director at RGS Bank Marina Dembitskaya emphasized .
Finally , the government is interested in making sure that as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as it makes it easier to control the movement of money , bolsters the safety of transactions and facilitates an end to shadow payments .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews .

Media: Tehran looks for ways to punish Trump
Read also Russian MP blasts Iranian nuclear scientist’s murder as terror attack
In response to the killing of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the country’s parliament has passed a bill requiring Tehran to abandon its obligations under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the nuclear program. The bill won’t probably be approved, failing to come into force, but it will still complicate Iran’s dialogue with the Biden administration, Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes. The main thing about the bill is that Iran refuses to comply with its obligation not to produce weapons-grade uranium and provide International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors with access to all its nuclear sites. Incumbent US President Donald Trump and his administration officials have repeatedly stressed that they view it as a threat to US national security. That said, the move increases the possibility of a military conflict between the US and Iran but only if the bill gets approval from Iran’s Guardian Council and becomes law. There are no disagreements between Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s administration and conservative forces on whether or not to respond to Fakhrizadeh’s assassination. The dispute is about what the response should be, Iranian political scientist Hamidreza Azizi told Kommersant. According to him, those in Rouhani’s inner circle believe that Tehran needs to avoid getting trapped by cutting ties with the IAEA because it will have negative consequences for the country and reduce the chance of establishing contact with the new US administration. Hardliners, in turn, may take advantage of the situation to block Rouhani’s attempts to build diplomatic ties with the new US president. "Conservative circles have long questioned the effectiveness of the JCPOA, advocated by President Hassan Rouhani’s team. Now it’s not just about sanctions but also about murders committed on the country’s soil and the violation of Iran’s sovereignty," PIR Center consultant Yulia Sveshnikova pointed out. Meanwhile, Pavel Sharikov, who heads the Russian Center for Applied Research at the Academy of Sciences' Institute for the United States and Canada, is skeptical about the assumption that by killing Fakhrizadeh, Trump sought to prevent Biden from building dialogue with Iran. "If evidence arises that he organized the murder, it may cost him his freedom. Many Democrats call for holding Trump criminally liable and this would be a real gift for them," the expert told Nezavisimaya Gazeta. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Turkey seeks to push Russia out of South Caucasus
Ankara is beginning to pressure Russia in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone. Following the Turkish Defense Ministry's announcement of an agreement with Russia on the creation of a joint monitoring center, Baku said that Turkish troops were already operating in Karabakh as deminers. The Voice of Turkey Telegram channel posted a photo of such a group, assuming that it was an SAS special forces unit, Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes. Such reports can point to Ankara’s attempts to demonstrate its success and prove that Moscow was unable to prevent the Turkish leadership from achieving its geopolitical goals in the post-Soviet South Caucasus. The Turkish authorities earlier made a political decision to send troops to Azerbaijan. On November 22, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said that the country’s Land Forces units would be deployed there. "Where there is infantry, special forces units may also mix in," Russian military expert retired Lieutenant General Yuri Netkachev emphasized. In his view, Turkey’s goal is to drive Russia out of Nagorno-Karabakh and the entire South Caucasus. "Turkish special operations forces can do it by carrying out subversive activities and turning locals against Russian peacekeepers," Netkachev noted. Before the war had broken out in Nagorno-Karabakh, anti-Russian protests had taken place in Azerbaijan with demonstrators holding Turkish flags along with Azerbaijani ones, the expert pointed out. The Telegram channel ‘Azerbaijani Armed Forces’ wrote on Tuesday that "Armenian and Russia’s pro-Armenian news outlets are spreading reports that people in Azerbaijan are unhappy about the presence of Russian peacekeepers and they are calling for kicking the Russians out of Karabakh, particularly by using military force." "I think it’s Turkey that benefits from it and its information forces are working in this field," Netkachev said. Izvestia: Russia's Central Bank embarks on creating digital ruble
Read also Digital ruble circulation in international transfers feasible — Central Bank
Russia’s Central Bank plans to issue a digital ruble that will be used along with cash and non-cash transactions, the bank’s Deputy Chairman Alexei Zabotkin said in an interview with Izvestia. "We will thoroughly consider all initiatives concerning technological options to create a digital ruble. I would like to point out that in any case, the digital ruble will be the third form of money issued by the Central Bank that will circulate along with the two previous ones, cash and non-cash money," Zabotkin noted. He stressed that the Central Bank would be the only issuer of the Russian digital currency. "As far as the distribution of the digital ruble goes, avenues to interact with other financial market players will depend on the model that will be adopted in the end," the Central Bank official added. At the same time, in Zabotkin’s words, "banks and other financial intermediaries will have the opportunity to create and develop additional services to work with the digital ruble, which will ensure its deep integration with existing financial products and services." When asked if the Russian digital currency would сompete with cash and non-cash transactions, he said that it was hard to tell at the moment how financial resources would be divided between the three forms of the ruble because there were no precedents. "All central banks are merely working on the possibility of launching digital currencies. We are going to cultivate the digital ruble platform so that all economic agents can use it. The important aspect of the digital ruble’s launch is that it should be easy for the country’s population to use it," Zabotkin emphasized. Nezavisiamaya Gazeta: France facing nascent revolutionary situation
Read also Woman beheaded in knife attack in France’s Nice
A number of experts believe that France has entered a pre-revolutionary situation amid mass protests against a new security law. Following a string of terrorist attacks and tightened security measures, people fear that police will abuse their power and the ban on sharing photos of police officers on duty will allow police brutality to go unpunished, Nezavisimaya Gazeta notes. "The law pits police against journalists who demand this particular provision be removed, though lawmakers promised that the legislation wouldn’t affect the activities of the media and judicial authorities. However, freedom of speech is highly important for the French," said Vera Ageyeva, deputy head of the Department of Applied Political Science and International Relations at the Higher School of Economics in St. Petersburg. She pointed out that the bill had been initiated by the police. "The life of police officers became much harder in late 2018, when Yellow Vest protesters went smashing everything up. The number of police officers injured between November 2018 and the end of 2019 amounts to the total for the past 20 years. The police’s job is indeed dangerous," Ageyeva explained. "Some believe that the current situation in France is reminiscent to that of the late 18th century as it is unclear what will happen next. Society is under pressure due to the lockdown restrictions and police have been operating in an emergency mode for two years because of the Yellow Vest protests," noted Natalya Lapina, head of the Department of Global Problems at the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Scientific Information on Social Sciences. According to the expert, the controversial bill is an example of how the authorities can overreact to security concerns. It may undermine people’s trust in the government, which is already on the decline. Izvestia: Pandemic makes Russians give up on cash
Read also Russian online retailers can be obliged to accept cash, reports say


tass--2020-12-02--Russians will get COVID-19 vaccines first, Kremlin says

MOSCOW , December 2 .
/TASS/ .
Russian citizens will be provided with vaccines against the coronavirus on a priority @ @ @ @ @ Peskov told reporters on Wednesday .
`` Naturally , Russians are an absolute priority , @ @ @ @ @ to him , domestic production in Russia , which is being developed now , will @ @ @ @ @ the first place .
`` As for demands of potential consumers of this vaccine from @ @ @ @ @ mainly provided via those production chains , which the Russian Direct Investment Fund is currently @ @ @ @ @ '' Peskov noted .

MOSCOW, December 2. /TASS/. Russian citizens will be provided with vaccines against the coronavirus on a priority basis, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday.
"Naturally, Russians are an absolute priority," Peskov said. According to him, domestic production in Russia, which is being developed now, will meet Russians’ demands in the first place.
"As for demands of potential consumers of this vaccine from overseas, they will be mainly provided via those production chains, which the Russian Direct Investment Fund is currently cultivating with foreign partners," Peskov noted.


tass--2020-12-02--Brazilian accused of firebombing 'gay Jesus film' office requests asylum in Russia

YEKATERINBURG , December 2 .
/TASS/ .
Brazilian citizen Eduardo Fauzi , arrested in Russia and accused in his homeland of attacking a movie company in Rio de Janeiro last December after it made a film depicting Jesus as gay , has asked for political asylum in Russia , his lawyer Vitaly Chernykh told TASS .
After being arrested in absentia by the Rio de Janeiro Court in December 2019 , the man was placed on Interpol 's wanted list .
Fauzi left Brazil after committing the crime and was found in Moscow , where he lived with the mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported .
`` The application [ for political asylum ] has been accepted , it will take three months to consider it .
He was told that the response would be given by February 23 .
< ... > Brazil plans to send an extradition request , we have not received it in full and detailed form yet .
Meanwhile , we must understand that the treaty between Russia and Brazil stipulates a three-month period for such communication , hence , he was detained on September 4 , so this term expires on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to the lawyer , Fauzi is charged with attempted murder in Brazil .
`` It was 4 o'clock in the morning , there was no one in the building , except for the guard , who was able to leave the studio from any exit .
Fauzi is the only one charged with attempted murder , while the others who threw [ Molotov cocktail ] bottles are just witnesses in the case .
So , according to investigators , they attempted to kill the guard , but they did not even know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was a demarche and an act of hooliganism , '' Chernykh explained .
Five people attacked the Porta dos Fundos studio in Rio de Janeiro on December 24 , 2019 , on Christmas eve , throwing Molotov cocktails at the door .
The crime caused a wide public outcry .
This attack came after comedy group Porta dos Fundos had released a short film portraying Jesus as gay .
Fauzi was arrested by the Leninsky District Court of Russia ’ s Urals city of Yekaterinburg on November 19 .
The Sverdlovsk Regional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until March 6 .

YEKATERINBURG, December 2. /TASS/. Brazilian citizen Eduardo Fauzi, arrested in Russia and accused in his homeland of attacking a movie company in Rio de Janeiro last December after it made a film depicting Jesus as gay, has asked for political asylum in Russia, his lawyer Vitaly Chernykh told TASS.
After being arrested in absentia by the Rio de Janeiro Court in December 2019, the man was placed on Interpol's wanted list. Fauzi left Brazil after committing the crime and was found in Moscow, where he lived with the mother of his child, the Globo newspaper reported.
"The application [for political asylum] has been accepted, it will take three months to consider it. He was told that the response would be given by February 23. <...> Brazil plans to send an extradition request, we have not received it in full and detailed form yet. Meanwhile, we must understand that the treaty between Russia and Brazil stipulates a three-month period for such communication, hence, he was detained on September 4, so this term expires on December 3," Chernykh said.
According to the lawyer, Fauzi is charged with attempted murder in Brazil. "It was 4 o'clock in the morning, there was no one in the building, except for the guard, who was able to leave the studio from any exit. Fauzi is the only one charged with attempted murder, while the others who threw [Molotov cocktail] bottles are just witnesses in the case. So, according to investigators, they attempted to kill the guard, but they did not even know he was there. <...> It was a demarche and an act of hooliganism," Chernykh explained.
Five people attacked the Porta dos Fundos studio in Rio de Janeiro on December 24, 2019, on Christmas eve, throwing Molotov cocktails at the door. The crime caused a wide public outcry. This attack came after comedy group Porta dos Fundos had released a short film portraying Jesus as gay. Fauzi was arrested by the Leninsky District Court of Russia’s Urals city of Yekaterinburg on November 19. The Sverdlovsk Regional Court upheld the extension of his arrest until March 6.


tass--2020-12-02--TOJOY Creates New Opportunities Within Dual Circulation Policy

BEIJING , Dec. 2 .
/PRNewswire// Recently , TOJOY has promoted Chinese economic growth by connecting the resources of start-ups and traditional enterprises alike .
Through its business acceleration platform , TOJOY helps companies to access the resources they need to grow nationwide , as well as upgrade legacy business models to be more competitive .
TOJOY promotes its clients ' and users ' projects to a network of over one million high-net-worth entrepreneurs through both online and offline events .
The increased presence has allowed TOJOY to accelerate businesses even in the face of the pandemic .
Even when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , TOJOY hosted over thirty online acceleration events , attracting more than 300,000 entrepreneurs and facilitating over 20,000 cooperation agreements .
TOJOY has expanded its international business to the US , Europe , and Latin America .
Despite the ongoing pandemic in other parts of the world , TOJOY did not stop its global push .
Through internationally focused outreach and events , TOJOY is growing global companies and bringing more and more global entrepreneurs and companies onto the TOJOY platform .
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic , TOJOY has also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TOJOY Global CEO Ge Jun has met with the embassies of Indonesia , Moldova and Montenegro , Armenia , the Netherlands , Finland , Latvia , and Portugal to conduct in-depth business exchanges .
Some of the dialogues were selected and presented as special episodes of Ge Jun 's Nightly Talk , an online business dialogue program where Ge shares his experiences on how to turn crises into opportunities during the pandemic .
TOJOY has also organized a variety of events , and Ge has participated in a variety of forums related to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ By working with global economic organizations and global media , TOJOY is doing its part to spur international economic growth in conjunction with domestic growth ; a clear promotion of the Dual Circulation policy .
TOJOY also co-hosted the 2nd Global Unicorn Fair with the High-tech Investment Committee of the Investment Association of China ( IAC ) .
The event witnessed the debut of ten global projects , enabling cooperation between world-class global businesses and leading Chinese entrepreneurs .
These win-win situations promote growth around the world , in clear support of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ projects being accelerated by TOJOY is healthcare services company PACS Online .
With a R & D base in Seattle and a local operations team in China , the company created a set of industry-leading digitalized medical imaging equipment .
PACS Online 's products greatly reduce the cost of medical data and image collection and transmission .
The digitization of medical images makes it much easier for patients to obtain examination results .
The project achieved runaway success after its launch on TOJOY 's platform .
PACS Online products have now been adopted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
TOJOY has always been committed to expanding China 's domestic demand and exploring growth opportunities in both domestic and international markets .
The company serves as a global business empowerment platform to promote and accelerate projects that follow new economic and consumption trends across China .
Under the Dual-Circulation policy TOJOY will continue to help domestic and global companies to access what they need to grow across China , and to provide traditional enterprises with new channels for upgrading .
With these services , TOJOY will grow and upgrade businesses in support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy .

BEIJING, Dec. 2. /PRNewswire// Recently,TOJOY has promoted Chinese economic growth by connecting the resources of start-ups and traditional enterprises alike. Through its business acceleration platform, TOJOY helps companies to access the resources they need to grow nationwide, as well as upgrade legacy business models to be more competitive.
TOJOY promotes its clients' and users' projects to a network of over one million high-net-worth entrepreneurs through both online and offline events.
The increased presence has allowed TOJOY to accelerate businesses even in the face of the pandemic. Even when COVID-19 was at its peak in China, TOJOY hosted over thirty online acceleration events, attracting more than 300,000 entrepreneurs and facilitating over 20,000 cooperation agreements.
Strengthening Cooperation to Promote Domestic and International Growth
TOJOY has expanded its international business to the US, Europe, and Latin America. Despite the ongoing pandemic in other parts of the world, TOJOY did not stop its global push. Through internationally focused outreach and events, TOJOY is growing global companies and bringing more and more global entrepreneurs and companies onto the TOJOY platform.
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, TOJOY has also worked with foreign embassies in China. TOJOY Global CEO Ge Jun has met with the embassies of Indonesia, Moldova and Montenegro, Armenia, the Netherlands, Finland, Latvia, and Portugal to conduct in-depth business exchanges. Some of the dialogues were selected and presented as special episodes of Ge Jun's Nightly Talk, an online business dialogue program where Ge shares his experiences on how to turn crises into opportunities during the pandemic.
TOJOY has also organized a variety of events, and Ge has participated in a variety of forums related to global business growth throughout the pandemic. By working with global economic organizations and global media, TOJOY is doing its part to spur international economic growth in conjunction with domestic growth; a clear promotion of the Dual Circulation policy.
Ge Shares His Views During Mexico's CANACINTRA Webinar
TOJOY also co-hosted the 2nd Global Unicorn Fair with the High-tech Investment Committee of the Investment Association of China (IAC). The event witnessed the debut of ten global projects, enabling cooperation between world-class global businesses and leading Chinese entrepreneurs. These win-win situations promote growth around the world, in clear support of the Dual Circulation Policy.
Among the high-profile projects being accelerated by TOJOY is healthcare services company PACS Online. With a R&D base in Seattle and a local operations team in China, the company created a set of industry-leading digitalized medical imaging equipment. PACS Online's products greatly reduce the cost of medical data and image collection and transmission. The digitization of medical images makes it much easier for patients to obtain examination results. The project achieved runaway success after its launch on TOJOY's platform. PACS Online products have now been adopted by 424 hospitals in 18 Chinese provinces.
Domestic Growth Driven By Industrial Upgrades
TOJOY has always been committed to expanding China's domestic demand and exploring growth opportunities in both domestic and international markets. The company serves as a global business empowerment platform to promote and accelerate projects that follow new economic and consumption trends across China. Under the Dual-Circulation policy TOJOY will continue to help domestic and global companies to access what they need to grow across China, and to provide traditional enterprises with new channels for upgrading.
With these services, TOJOY will grow and upgrade businesses in support of both elements of the Dual Circulation policy.
CONTACT: Guoxiaoyu, +86-18611740095, guoxiaoyu@tojoy.com


tass--2020-12-02--Russia’s top brass to train naval pilots using artificial intelligence

MOSCOW , December 2 .
/TASS/ .
The latest simulator facility with artificial intelligence elements has come into operation in @ @ @ @ @ train naval pilots , the Russian Defense Ministry reported on Wednesday .
The facility comprises @ @ @ @ @ for full-fledged training of the flight and ground personnel of the Russian Navy ’ s @ @ @ @ @ aviation , the ministry said in a statement .
`` Six specialized classes have been @ @ @ @ @ training and dynamic simulators of Ka-27M , Ka-29 and Ka-52K helicopters have been installed along @ @ @ @ @ the Su-30SM multi-role fighter , '' the statement says .
As its specific feature , @ @ @ @ @ artificial intelligence elements for practicing piloting and the aircraft ’ s combat employment in a @ @ @ @ @ speeds , the ministry said .
The simulators help practice the entire range of flight @ @ @ @ @ anti-submarine warfare and the employment of air-launched weapons , simulating any technical failures , weather @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Defense Ministry specified .

MOSCOW, December 2. /TASS/. The latest simulator facility with artificial intelligence elements has come into operation in Yeisk in southern Russia to train naval pilots, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on Wednesday.
The facility comprises the latest system of simulators for full-fledged training of the flight and ground personnel of the Russian Navy’s fighter, anti-submarine and deck-based aviation, the ministry said in a statement.
"Six specialized classes have been equipped for naval pilots’ training and dynamic simulators of Ka-27M, Ka-29 and Ka-52K helicopters have been installed along with a multi-task trainer of the Su-30SM multi-role fighter," the statement says.
As its specific feature, the Su-30SM fighter simulator embraces artificial intelligence elements for practicing piloting and the aircraft’s combat employment in a full range of altitudes and speeds, the ministry said.
The simulators help practice the entire range of flight assignments maximally realistically, including anti-submarine warfare and the employment of air-launched weapons, simulating any technical failures, weather and tactical conditions, Russia’s Defense Ministry specified.


tass--2020-12-02--Absen LED Configured to Handle Diverse Virtual Studio Tasks

MOSCOW , December 2 .
/PRNewswire/ .
As the pandemic is still going on , the entertainment industry across the globe is continuing to be affected and LED display offers an ideal solution for filmmakers , broadcasters and event companies in creating virtual studios and production sets .
The Russian 5TV are utilizing the cutting edge LED technology from Absen ( SZSE : 300389 ) , a leading global LED manufacturer , to handle various TV broadcasting and filming tasks .
5TV 's plan was to build three cyclorama studios of 60sqm , 80sqm and 100sqm , with ceilings stretching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ floors up to 60sqm .
Parallax Digital designed the professional virtual solutions for 5TV , in collaboration with Sound , Light and System , in use of Absen LED .
Absen 's DV and PL Lite series are configured flexibly for different requirements .
Up to now two virtual studio solutions were realized successfully and the team now are working on the third one , which will be a space where the customers can conduct kinds of activities .
In the first virtual studio solution engineered for 5TV , more than 100sqm D2V @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video wall and 60sqm PL4.8W Lite the LED ceiling .
From program filming , TV commercial shooting to film production and the other kinds of virtual events , those LED stages offer an inspiring and versatile solution for 5TV to empower brands , artists and producers to tell different stories .
`` These are experiments for film productions of Unreal Engine , also for television production and various tasks as well '' , saying John Zhang , the general manager of Absen Russian office .
`` We are glad our partners selected Absen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solutions .
In these times , LED walls can really be a helpful tool in film production and delivering virtual events as the artists and producers can not travel around .
It eliminates the needs of green screen and traveling to remote locations '' , commented John Zhang .
PL Lite series , the successor of DV series , is one of Absen 's most customer-favoured rental ranges .
Featuring innovative Sidelock design , the PL Lite series supports curve of -7.5° to +10° for design flexibility .
It boasts the advantages of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With high refresh rate , wide colour gamut and adjustable brightness , PL Lite is able to meet the demanding requirements of a live broadcast environment , delivering extraordinary camera-friendly visual performance .
Contact Absen Russian team at absen.russ @ absen.com .

MOSCOW, December 2. /PRNewswire/. As the pandemic is still going on, the entertainment industry across the globe is continuing to be affected and LED display offers an ideal solution for filmmakers, broadcasters and event companies in creating virtual studios and production sets. The Russian 5TV are utilizing the cutting edge LED technology from Absen (SZSE: 300389), a leading global LED manufacturer, to handle various TV broadcasting and filming tasks.
5TV's plan was to build three cyclorama studios of 60sqm, 80sqm and 100sqm, with ceilings stretching 30sqm, 50sqm and 60sqm respectively and floors up to 60sqm. Parallax Digital designed the professional virtual solutions for 5TV, in collaboration with Sound, Light and System, in use of Absen LED.
Absen's DV and PL Lite series are configured flexibly for different requirements. Up to now two virtual studio solutions were realized successfully and the team now are working on the third one, which will be a space where the customers can conduct kinds of activities.
In the first virtual studio solution engineered for 5TV, more than 100sqm D2V were used to create the curved LED video wall and 60sqm PL4.8W Lite the LED ceiling. From program filming, TV commercial shooting to film production and the other kinds of virtual events, those LED stages offer an inspiring and versatile solution for 5TV to empower brands, artists and producers to tell different stories.
"These are experiments for film productions of Unreal Engine, also for television production and various tasks as well", saying John Zhang, the general manager of Absen Russian office.
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tass--2020-12-02--Latest corvette built for Russia’s Pacific Fleet test-fires artillery guns in Sea of Japan

VLADIVOSTOK , December 2 .
/TASS/ .
The Project 20380 latest corvette Aldar Tsydenzhapov built for Russia ’ s Pacific Fleet delivered artillery fire against coastal targets and checked its air defense weapons during state trials in the Sea of Japan , the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Wednesday .
`` At the combat training range near Zheltukhin Island , the ship conducted artillery fire to suppress invisible coastal targets hidden by the terrain , eliminating the targets simulating a notional enemy ’ s sheltered fire emplacements and combat hardware , and visible targets on the coastline .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ A-190 multi-purpose shipborne artillery gun , '' the press office said in a statement .
Also , pilots of Russia ’ s Aerospace Force earlier checked the reliability of the operation of the latest ship ’ s systems in the Sea of Japan .
At this stage of the state trials , three Tu-22M3 strategic missile-carrying bombers and Su-35 fighter jets of the fighter aviation regiment from the Eastern Military District ’ s Air Force and Air Defense Army attacked the corvette from various altitudes and directions , the statement says .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures to suppress the ship ’ s radio-technical and communications systems .
In the course of joint operations , the groupings of the Navy and the Aerospace Force were sharpening the skills of multi-service force inter-operability , the press office said .
The Project 20380 third corvette Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov developed by the Almaz Central Design Bureau of Marine Engineering ( St. Petersburg ) is designed to accomplish green-water missions , fight enemy surface ships and submarines and provide artillery support for amphibious assault operations .
The corvette incorporates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fields .
In particular , the shipbuilders significantly reduced its radar signature during its construction , using radio absorption materials and specially designing the ship ’ s hull and superstructure .
Project 20380 ships are armed with multi-purpose artillery guns , surface-to-air missile/artillery systems , supersonic missiles and automatic artillery launchers .
The Project 20380 corvettes can carry a Ka-27 helicopter .
They displace 2,200 tonnes and have a crew of 99 .
The corvette Aldar Tsydenzhapov is set to be accepted for service in Russia ’ s Pacific Fleet until the end @ @ @ @

VLADIVOSTOK, December 2. /TASS/. The Project 20380 latest corvette Aldar Tsydenzhapov built for Russia’s Pacific Fleet delivered artillery fire against coastal targets and checked its air defense weapons during state trials in the Sea of Japan, the Fleet’s press office reported on Wednesday.
"At the combat training range near Zheltukhin Island, the ship conducted artillery fire to suppress invisible coastal targets hidden by the terrain, eliminating the targets simulating a notional enemy’s sheltered fire emplacements and combat hardware, and visible targets on the coastline. The fire was delivered from a 100mm A-190 multi-purpose shipborne artillery gun," the press office said in a statement.
Also, pilots of Russia’s Aerospace Force earlier checked the reliability of the operation of the latest ship’s systems in the Sea of Japan. At this stage of the state trials, three Tu-22M3 strategic missile-carrying bombers and Su-35 fighter jets of the fighter aviation regiment from the Eastern Military District’s Air Force and Air Defense Army attacked the corvette from various altitudes and directions, the statement says.
The aircraft employed passive jamming and carried out measures to suppress the ship’s radio-technical and communications systems. In the course of joint operations, the groupings of the Navy and the Aerospace Force were sharpening the skills of multi-service force inter-operability, the press office said.
The Project 20380 third corvette Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov developed by the Almaz Central Design Bureau of Marine Engineering (St. Petersburg) is designed to accomplish green-water missions, fight enemy surface ships and submarines and provide artillery support for amphibious assault operations.
The corvette incorporates the latest solutions for reducing its physical fields. In particular, the shipbuilders significantly reduced its radar signature during its construction, using radio absorption materials and specially designing the ship’s hull and superstructure.
Project 20380 ships are armed with multi-purpose artillery guns, surface-to-air missile/artillery systems, supersonic missiles and automatic artillery launchers. The Project 20380 corvettes can carry a Ka-27 helicopter. They displace 2,200 tonnes and have a crew of 99.
The corvette Aldar Tsydenzhapov is set to be accepted for service in Russia’s Pacific Fleet until the end of this year.


tass--2020-12-02--Russia’s daily coronavirus deaths hit all-time high of 589

MOSCOW , December 2 .
/TASS/ .
As many as 589 coronavirus deaths were recorded in Russia in the past @ @ @ @ @ daily number since the beginning of the pandemic , the anti-coronavirus crisis center said on @ @ @ @ @ people contract coronavirus in one week — WHO According to data from the crisis center @ @ @ @ @ patients have died in the country .
In particular , 82 coronavirus deaths were recorded @ @ @ @ @ past day , 32 in the Moscow region , 26 in the Rostov region , @ @ @ @ @ and 17 in the Irkutsk region .

MOSCOW, December 2. /TASS/. As many as 589 coronavirus deaths were recorded in Russia in the past 24 hours, the highest daily number since the beginning of the pandemic, the anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Wednesday.
Almost 4 mln people contract coronavirus in one week — WHO
According to data from the crisis center, 1.75% of coronavirus patients have died in the country.
In particular, 82 coronavirus deaths were recorded in St. Petersburg in the past day, 32 in the Moscow region, 26 in the Rostov region, 20 in the Krasnoyarsk region and 17 in the Irkutsk region.


tass--2020-12-02--The 11th IIICF opens grandly in Macao

The 11th IIICF opens grandly in Macao

MACAO , December 2 .
/PRNewswire/ .
The 11th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum ( The 11th IIICF ) , hosted by the China International Contractors Association ( CHINCA ) and the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Agency , grandly opened on December 2 in Macao .
Ho Iat Seng , Chief Executive of the Macao SAR ; Wang Bingnan , Vice Minister of Ministry of Commerce of the People 's Republic of China ; Fu Ziying , Director General of the Liaison Office of the Central People 's Government in the Macao SAR ; Wang Dong , Acting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the People 's Republic of China in the Macao SAR ; Kou Hoi In , President of the Legislative Assembly of the Macao SAR ; Lei Wai Nong , Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR Government ; and Raimundo do Rosário , Secretary for Transport and Public Works of the Macao SAR Government started the forum along with 32 foreign diplomatic envoys in China and heads of international financial institutions .
Wang Bingnan , Vice Minister of Ministry of Commerce of the People 's Republic of China ; Sun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Works and Transport , Cambodia ; Asim Saleem Bajwa , Chairman of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority ; Song Shuguang , Chairman of China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation ( SINOSURE ) ; and Tomas Kuta , President of Region Asia at Volvo Construction Equipment delivered thought-provoking keynote speeches .
Fang Qiuchen , Chairman of the China International Contractors Association ( CHINCA ) , hosted the opening ceremony .
As the world 's most influential event of infrastructure field in 2020 , the 11th IIICF attracted over 1,000 industrial elites of over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40 countries and regions , including 32 foreign diplomatic envoys in China , high-level managements of over 20 international financial institutions and over 60 giants among ENR Top 250 International Contractors , as well as senior executives of enterprises in sectors such as equipment manufacturing , international consulting and engineering service , etc .
Themed on Responding to Challenges and Promoting Global Infrastructure Development , the Forum plays a positive role in restoring confidence and building consensuses to address challenges commonly and promote the high-quality development of the industry .
Meanwhile , combined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government , and the concerted efforts of the Macao SAR Government and relevant cooperative parties , the Forum has developed an important platform through which Macao participates in the construction of the `` Belt and Road '' and the cooperation in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area .

MACAO, December 2. /PRNewswire/. The 11th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum (The 11th IIICF), hosted by the China International Contractors Association (CHINCA) and the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Agency, grandly opened on December 2 in Macao. Ho Iat Seng, Chief Executive of the Macao SAR; Wang Bingnan, Vice Minister of Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China; Fu Ziying, Director General of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR; Wang Dong, Acting Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao SAR; Kou Hoi In, President of the Legislative Assembly of the Macao SAR; Lei Wai Nong, Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR Government; and Raimundo do Rosário, Secretary for Transport and Public Works of the Macao SAR Government started the forum along with 32 foreign diplomatic envoys in China and heads of international financial institutions.
Wang Bingnan, Vice Minister of Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China; Sun Chanthol, Senior Minister & Minister of Public Works and Transport, Cambodia; Asim Saleem Bajwa, Chairman of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority; Song Shuguang, Chairman of China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation (SINOSURE); and Tomas Kuta, President of Region Asia at Volvo Construction Equipment delivered thought-provoking keynote speeches. Fang Qiuchen, Chairman of the China International Contractors Association (CHINCA), hosted the opening ceremony.
As the world's most influential event of infrastructure field in 2020, the 11th IIICF attracted over 1,000 industrial elites of over 400 enterprises and institutions from more than 40 countries and regions, including 32 foreign diplomatic envoys in China, high-level managements of over 20 international financial institutions and over 60 giants among ENR Top 250 International Contractors, as well as senior executives of enterprises in sectors such as equipment manufacturing, international consulting and engineering service, etc.
Themed on Responding to Challenges and Promoting Global Infrastructure Development, the Forum plays a positive role in restoring confidence and building consensuses to address challenges commonly and promote the high-quality development of the industry.
Meanwhile, combined with the strong support of the Central Government, and the concerted efforts of the Macao SAR Government and relevant cooperative parties, the Forum has developed an important platform through which Macao participates in the construction of the "Belt and Road" and the cooperation in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
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Xianguang Meng, +86-10-81130128


tass--2020-12-02--Ukraine reports over 13,000 daily COVID-19 cases

KIEV , December 2 .
/TASS/ .
Ukrainian medical workers confirmed 13,141 coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours , the total number of infected people throughout the country has reached 758,264 , Health Minister Maxim Stepanov said on Wednesday .
`` Another 13,141 COVID-19 cases were recorded in Ukraine on December 2 .
In particular , 744 children and 579 medical workers contracted the disease , '' he wrote on Facebook .
According to the minister , 13,882 people recovered in the past 24 hours , 169 patients died .
As many as 1,447 people were hospitalized .
Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours , including 44,445 PCR tests .
The number of infected people in Ukraine has reached 758,264 , 369,054 patients have recovered by now , 12,717 others have died .
Ukraine confirmed its first coronavirus case on March 3 .
The authorities imposed a lockdown on March 17 .
According to the government ’ s decision , the restrictions were extended until December 31 .
On August 1 , a new adaptive quarantine was introduced in Ukraine .
The country ’ s regions were divided into four zones , where various restrictions were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , on November 11 , the Cabinet established one zone throughout the country , imposing what they dubbed to be a ‘ weekend lockdown ’ .

KIEV, December 2. /TASS/. Ukrainian medical workers confirmed 13,141 coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, the total number of infected people throughout the country has reached 758,264, Health Minister Maxim Stepanov said on Wednesday.
"Another 13,141 COVID-19 cases were recorded in Ukraine on December 2. In particular, 744 children and 579 medical workers contracted the disease," he wrote on Facebook.
On Tuesday, the authorities reported 12,498 COVID-19 cases.
According to the minister, 13,882 people recovered in the past 24 hours, 169 patients died. As many as 1,447 people were hospitalized.
Ukraine conducted 76,626 tests in the past 24 hours, including 44,445 PCR tests. The number of infected people in Ukraine has reached 758,264, 369,054 patients have recovered by now, 12,717 others have died.
Ukraine confirmed its first coronavirus case on March 3. The authorities imposed a lockdown on March 17. According to the government’s decision, the restrictions were extended until December 31. On August 1, a new adaptive quarantine was introduced in Ukraine. The country’s regions were divided into four zones, where various restrictions were imposed depending on the epidemiological situation.
However, on November 11, the Cabinet established one zone throughout the country, imposing what they dubbed to be a ‘weekend lockdown’.


tass--2020-12-02--Russian peacekeepers carry out mine clearing effort in Nagorno-Karabakh’s school

MOSCOW , December 2 .
/TASS/ .
Troops of Russia ’ s peacekeeping contingent examined the premises of a school in Stepanakert , the de facto capital of Nagorno-Karabakh , carrying out a search for explosives , the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday .
`` In the past day , an effort was completed to examine the area , search and clear the premises of public school number 10 in Stepanakert of explosives .
The Russian servicemen of the Center for Humanitarian Demining checked the school ’ s building and its premises for explosives , '' the ministry stated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on restoring power and heat supply and also safe delivery of required school items .
The engineering unit has removed mines on the area of more than 34 hectares and some 12 km of roads .
The experts also checked more than 110 houses and social facilities , found and defused 1,077 explosives .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
On November 9 , Russian President Vladimir Putin , Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10 .
The Russian leader said the Azerbaijani and Armenian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had held and Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the region .
Besides , Baku and Yerevan must exchange prisoners and the bodies of those killed .
The 15th detached motorized infantry brigade units of the Central Military District form the backbone of the peacekeeping contingent .
The Russian peacekeepers have set up observation posts along the contact line in Nagorno-Karabakh and along the Lachin corridor that connects Armenia with the enclave to exercise control of the ceasefire observance .
The peacekeeping mission ’ s command is stationed in Stepanakert , the de @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the area is monitored round-the-clock .

MOSCOW, December 2. /TASS/. Troops of Russia’s peacekeeping contingent examined the premises of a school in Stepanakert, the de facto capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, carrying out a search for explosives, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.
"In the past day, an effort was completed to examine the area, search and clear the premises of public school number 10 in Stepanakert of explosives. The Russian servicemen of the Center for Humanitarian Demining checked the school’s building and its premises for explosives," the ministry stated.
Besides, specialists carried out works on restoring power and heat supply and also safe delivery of required school items.
The engineering unit has removed mines on the area of more than 34 hectares and some 12 km of roads. The experts also checked more than 110 houses and social facilities, found and defused 1,077 explosives.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them.
On November 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10. The Russian leader said the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides would maintain the positions that they had held and Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the region. Besides, Baku and Yerevan must exchange prisoners and the bodies of those killed. The 15th detached motorized infantry brigade units of the Central Military District form the backbone of the peacekeeping contingent. The Russian peacekeepers have set up observation posts along the contact line in Nagorno-Karabakh and along the Lachin corridor that connects Armenia with the enclave to exercise control of the ceasefire observance. The peacekeeping mission’s command is stationed in Stepanakert, the de facto capital of Nagorno-Karabakh. The situation in the area is monitored round-the-clock.


tass--2020-12-02--Another 6,575 patients recover from COVID-19 in Moscow

MOSCOW , December 2 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow ’ s coronavirus recoveries grew by 6,575 in the past 24 hours @ @ @ @ @ told reporters on Wednesday .
`` Another 6,575 coronavirus patients recovered after treatment in the @ @ @ @ @ of people who have recovered from the disease has reached 464,984 , '' the report @ @ @ @ @ from the disease are offered to become blood plasma donors .
People aged between 18 @ @ @ @ @ from COVID-19 can become blood plasma donors , provided they don ’ t have chronic @ @ @ @ @ HIV , Hepatitis B and C .

MOSCOW, December 2. /TASS/. Moscow’s coronavirus recoveries grew by 6,575 in the past 24 hours, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Wednesday.
"Another 6,575 coronavirus patients recovered after treatment in the capital. The total number of people who have recovered from the disease has reached 464,984," the report said.
Those who recover from the disease are offered to become blood plasma donors. People aged between 18 and 55 who have recovered from COVID-19 can become blood plasma donors, provided they don’t have chronic diseases and test negative for HIV, Hepatitis B and C.


tass--2020-12-02--Putin to chair summit of post-Soviet security bloc CSTO

MOSCOW , December 2 .
/TASS/ .
On Wednesday , December 2 , Russian President Vladimir Putin will chair a meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organization ( CSTO ) ’ s Collective Security Council via videoconference , the Kremlin press service said .
`` Participants in the meeting will discuss allied interaction within the organisation and further efforts to improve the efficiency of the CSTO .
They will also exchange opinions on current issues of international and regional security , '' the Kremlin said in a statement .
`` The key decisions of the session participants will be reflected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the statement reads .
Russian top diplomat Sergey Lavrov said at a meeting of the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers on Tuesday that a package of documents aimed at improving the peacekeeping capacity of the Collective Security Treaty Organization ( CSTO ) has been prepared for the upcoming meeting of the CSTO Collective Security Council .
Russia holds the organization ’ s rotating presidency this year , and will hand it over to Tajikistan in 2021 .
Currently , six countries form the CSTO : Russia , Armenia , Belarus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2013 , the lower chamber of the Serbian parliament , the lower chamber of the Afghan parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of Belarus and Russia received the status of observer with the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly .
On November 6 , 2014 , the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly invited the parliaments of China , India , Iran , Mongolia and Pakistan to take part in the organization ’ s activity as observers .

MOSCOW, December 2. /TASS/. On Wednesday, December 2, Russian President Vladimir Putin will chair a meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)’s Collective Security Council via videoconference, the Kremlin press service said.
"Participants in the meeting will discuss allied interaction within the organisation and further efforts to improve the efficiency of the CSTO. They will also exchange opinions on current issues of international and regional security," the Kremlin said in a statement.
"The key decisions of the session participants will be reflected in a final declaration and other documents," the statement reads.
Russian top diplomat Sergey Lavrov said at a meeting of the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers on Tuesday that a package of documents aimed at improving the peacekeeping capacity of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has been prepared for the upcoming meeting of the CSTO Collective Security Council.
Russia holds the organization’s rotating presidency this year, and will hand it over to Tajikistan in 2021.
Currently, six countries form the CSTO: Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. In 2013, the lower chamber of the Serbian parliament, the lower chamber of the Afghan parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of Belarus and Russia received the status of observer with the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly. On November 6, 2014, the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly invited the parliaments of China, India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan to take part in the organization’s activity as observers.


tass--2020-12-02--Almost 4 mln people contract coronavirus in one week — WHO

GENEVA , December 2 .
/TASS/ .
The number of novel coronavirus cases registered all over the world increased by almost four million in the past week , which is slightly less than during the previous seven-day period , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said on Wednesday .
According to the global organization ’ s data , a total of 3,935,330 novel coronavirus cases and 69,916 fatalities were registered worldwide between November 23 and 29 .
During the previous seven-day period , 4,060,891 cases of the novel coronavirus and 67,221 deaths were reported .
WHO says the global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slight decline observed lately .
Mortality continues to grow , however .
Cases declined in Europe in the reported period , although the region remains the second hardest-hit area in terms of cases , after the North and South America .
The death toll grew by 5 % in Europe compared to the period of November 16-22 , by 4 % in Southeast Asia and by 2 % in North and South America .
About 1.57 million cases and over 35,000 deaths were registered in Europe in the past week .
Over 1.65 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ registered between November 16 and 22 in North and South America .
Some 371,000 people contracted the illness in Southeast Asia in the past seven days , while the death toll increased by about 4,800 .
The case count increased by more than 1.15 million in the United States , by over 297,000 in India , by more than 218,000 in Brazil , by almost 184,000 in Italy , by over 179,000 in Russia and by over 130,000 in Poland in the reported period .
The infection has also been spreading rapidly in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the United Kingdom ( over 111,000 ) , and Iran ( over 94,000 ) in the past week .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statistics , about 63.3 mln people have been infected worldwide and more than 1.4 mln deaths have been reported .
According to Russia ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center , 2,322,056 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the country so far , with 1,803,467 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 40,464 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

GENEVA, December 2. /TASS/. The number of novel coronavirus cases registered all over the world increased by almost four million in the past week, which is slightly less than during the previous seven-day period, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday.
According to the global organization’s data, a total of 3,935,330 novel coronavirus cases and 69,916 fatalities were registered worldwide between November 23 and 29. During the previous seven-day period, 4,060,891 cases of the novel coronavirus and 67,221 deaths were reported.
WHO says the global infection rate remains high, despite the slight decline observed lately. Mortality continues to grow, however.
Cases declined in Europe in the reported period, although the region remains the second hardest-hit area in terms of cases, after the North and South America. The death toll grew by 5% in Europe compared to the period of November 16-22, by 4% in Southeast Asia and by 2% in North and South America.
About 1.57 million cases and over 35,000 deaths were registered in Europe in the past week. Over 1.65 million new cases and over 22,000 deaths registered between November 16 and 22 in North and South America. Some 371,000 people contracted the illness in Southeast Asia in the past seven days, while the death toll increased by about 4,800.
The case count increased by more than 1.15 million in the United States, by over 297,000 in India, by more than 218,000 in Brazil, by almost 184,000 in Italy, by over 179,000 in Russia and by over 130,000 in Poland in the reported period.
The infection has also been spreading rapidly in Germany (over 124,000 new cases), the United Kingdom (over 111,000), and Iran (over 94,000) in the past week.
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, about 63.3 mln people have been infected worldwide and more than 1.4 mln deaths have been reported.
According to Russia’s anti-coronavirus crisis center, 2,322,056 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the country so far, with 1,803,467 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 40,464 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-12-02--World faces worst humanitarian crisis since WWII — UN chief

UNITED NATIONS , December 2 .
/TASS/ .
The United Nations needs $ 35 billion to respond to the greatest humanitarian crisis since the Second World War , UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in a statement to launch the 2021 Global Humanitarian Overview .
`` This year , 2020 , has been a year like no other .
Conflict , climate change and COVID-19 have created the greatest humanitarian challenge since the Second World War , '' he said .
`` The number of people at risk of starvation has doubled .
Hundreds of millions of children are out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have risen for the first time in 22 years . ''
`` We must mobilize to support those at greatest risk in these unprecedented times .
We need $ 35 billion to get life-saving aid to 160 million of the most vulnerable people , '' the UN chief said .
Guterres also pointed out the need to `` continue to address the root causes driving humanitarian needs , starting with conflict . ''
`` I urge all parties to conflict , and those with influence over them , to support my call for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 , '' he said .

UNITED NATIONS, December 2. /TASS/. The United Nations needs $35 billion to respond to the greatest humanitarian crisis since the Second World War, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in a statement to launch the 2021 Global Humanitarian Overview.
"This year, 2020, has been a year like no other. Conflict, climate change and COVID-19 have created the greatest humanitarian challenge since the Second World War," he said. "The number of people at risk of starvation has doubled. Hundreds of millions of children are out of school. Levels of extreme poverty have risen for the first time in 22 years."
"We must mobilize to support those at greatest risk in these unprecedented times. We need $35 billion to get life-saving aid to 160 million of the most vulnerable people," the UN chief said.
Guterres also pointed out the need to "continue to address the root causes driving humanitarian needs, starting with conflict."
"I urge all parties to conflict, and those with influence over them, to support my call for a global ceasefire by the end of 2020," he said.


tass--2020-12-02--Russia to present Sputnik V vaccine at UN

UNITED NATIONS , December 2 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko will present the Sputnik V vaccine against @ @ @ @ @ UN headquarters , Russia ’ s UN mission spokesman Fedor Strzhizhovskiy told reporters .
The @ @ @ @ @ the virtual format .
It will begin on Wednesday , at 09:30 local time ( @ @ @ @ @ In his speech to the UN General Assembly in September , Russian President Vladimir Putin @ @ @ @ @ vaccine for voluntary vaccination of the UN personnel .
Two domestically-developed anti-coronavirus vaccines have been @ @ @ @ @ of them , Sputnik V , was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for @ @ @ @ @ Russian Health Ministry , the other one , Epivaccorona , was developed by the Vector @ @ @ @ @ developed by the Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune and Biological @ @ @ @ @ of Sciences , is expected to be registered soon .

UNITED NATIONS, December 2. /TASS/. Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko will present the Sputnik V vaccine against the novel coronavirus at the UN headquarters, Russia’s UN mission spokesman Fedor Strzhizhovskiy told reporters.
The presentation will be held in the virtual format. It will begin on Wednesday, at 09:30 local time (17:30 Moscow time).
In his speech to the UN General Assembly in September, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered to supply the Russian vaccine for voluntary vaccination of the UN personnel.
Two domestically-developed anti-coronavirus vaccines have been registered in Russia. One of them, Sputnik V, was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry, the other one, Epivaccorona, was developed by the Vector Center. Another one, developed by the Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune and Biological Products of the Russian Academy of Sciences, is expected to be registered soon.


tass--2020-12-02--Western powers rammed through their view of OPCW program, budget — diplomat

THE HAGUE , December 2 .
/TASS/ .
Western nations and their allies have rammed through their version of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons ( OPCW ) program and budget for the next year , Russia ’ s permanent envoy to the OPCW , Alexander Shulgin , has told TASS .
The document was voted upon by 130 delegations , 103 of whom supported it ; representatives of 13 nations abstained , while 14 delegations voted against the new budget , including Russia , Iran , China , Cuba and Syria .
According to the paper , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ euro .
According to the Russian envoy , during debates on this issue , Russia was guided by the assumption that such decisions should be made by consensus , achieved through negotiations and respect to each other ’ s opinions .
`` Regretfully , nothing of this kind can be observed in the OSCE for the second consecutive year , '' Shulgin said .
`` Western countries and their satellites took advantage of their numerical superiority in OPCW governing bodies and rammed through their decision on the program and the budget . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ delegations , including China , voiced concrete concerns and put forward possible solutions and mutually acceptable variants .
However , they were not heard , '' he continued .
According to the Russian envoy , the first part of the 25th Conference of member states `` confirmed deep disagreements among the member states and further degradation on the Hague platform . ''
`` The rift in the OPCW can be overcome only through discussing all painful issues on the equal basis , with mutual respect and regard to each other ’ s interests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is ready for that . ''
The second part of the 25th Conference of member states , to discuss less pressing issues related to OPCW activities , is to be held in The Hague in spring .

THE HAGUE, December 2. /TASS/. Western nations and their allies have rammed through their version of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) program and budget for the next year, Russia’s permanent envoy to the OPCW, Alexander Shulgin, has told TASS.
The document was voted upon by 130 delegations, 103 of whom supported it; representatives of 13 nations abstained, while 14 delegations voted against the new budget, including Russia, Iran, China, Cuba and Syria. According to the paper, the OPCW 2021 budget is 71.1 million euro.
According to the Russian envoy, during debates on this issue, Russia was guided by the assumption that such decisions should be made by consensus, achieved through negotiations and respect to each other’s opinions.
"Regretfully, nothing of this kind can be observed in the OSCE for the second consecutive year," Shulgin said. "Western countries and their satellites took advantage of their numerical superiority in OPCW governing bodies and rammed through their decision on the program and the budget."
"Russia and a number of other delegations, including China, voiced concrete concerns and put forward possible solutions and mutually acceptable variants. However, they were not heard," he continued.
According to the Russian envoy, the first part of the 25th Conference of member states "confirmed deep disagreements among the member states and further degradation on the Hague platform."
"The rift in the OPCW can be overcome only through discussing all painful issues on the equal basis, with mutual respect and regard to each other’s interests," he said. "Russia is ready for that."
The second part of the 25th Conference of member states, to discuss less pressing issues related to OPCW activities, is to be held in The Hague in spring.


tass--2020-12-03--Soyuz-2 rocket with Gonets satellite and Defense Ministry system launched in Russia

MOSCOW , December 3 .
/TASS/ .
A Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket with a Gonets-M satellite and a system which will be used by the Russian Defense Ministry has been launched from the Plestesk spaceport in Russia 's northwestern Arkhangelsk Region , the Russian Defense Ministry said Thursday .
`` A combat duty unit of the Russian Space Troops of the Aerospace Forces conducted a successful launch of a Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket with a cluster of spacecraft of the Gonets-M low-orbit commercial system of satellite communication and spacecraft in in interests of the Russian Defense Ministry , '' the agency noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am Moscow time .
The ministry underscored that the pre-start processes and the launch itself were carried out as normal .
This is the sixth Soyuz-2 middle-class missile launch from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome this year , last launch was carried out on October 25 , 2020 .
The Gonets is Russia ’ s sole low-orbit satellite communications system designed for the global exchange of various types of information with mobile and stationary facilities , and for organizing re-broadcasting channels for various purposes .
The system allows transmitting Glonass coordinate data from a mobile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , irrespective of a subscriber ’ s location .
The Gonets next-generation satellite system will offer communications , including telephone services , in hard-to-access places , including the Arctic , and provide infrastructure for the Internet of things .
In a perspective , it will allow transmitting data online from any objects , including mobile .
The orbital grouping is expected to comprise 28 satellites in low near-Earth orbit .
The Russian Aerospace Forces are now escorting the Soyuz-2.1b space rocket that was launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Thursday , the Russian Defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Gonets-M satellite spacecraft cluster and spacecraft launched in the interests of the Russian Defense Ministry has separated from the carrier rocket , the ministry added .

MOSCOW, December 3. /TASS/. A Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket with a Gonets-M satellite and a system which will be used by the Russian Defense Ministry has been launched from the Plestesk spaceport in Russia's northwestern Arkhangelsk Region, the Russian Defense Ministry said Thursday.
"A combat duty unit of the Russian Space Troops of the Aerospace Forces conducted a successful launch of a Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket with a cluster of spacecraft of the Gonets-M low-orbit commercial system of satellite communication and spacecraft in in interests of the Russian Defense Ministry," the agency noted.
The launch took place at 04:14 am Moscow time. The ministry underscored that the pre-start processes and the launch itself were carried out as normal.
This is the sixth Soyuz-2 middle-class missile launch from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome this year, last launch was carried out on October 25, 2020.
The Gonets is Russia’s sole low-orbit satellite communications system designed for the global exchange of various types of information with mobile and stationary facilities, and for organizing re-broadcasting channels for various purposes. The system allows transmitting Glonass coordinate data from a mobile post to remote monitoring and communications centers, irrespective of a subscriber’s location.
The Gonets next-generation satellite system will offer communications, including telephone services, in hard-to-access places, including the Arctic, and provide infrastructure for the Internet of things. In a perspective, it will allow transmitting data online from any objects, including mobile. The orbital grouping is expected to comprise 28 satellites in low near-Earth orbit.
The Russian Aerospace Forces are now escorting the Soyuz-2.1b space rocket that was launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Thursday, the Russian Defense Ministry informed.
The Fregat booster with the Gonets-M satellite spacecraft cluster and spacecraft launched in the interests of the Russian Defense Ministry has separated from the carrier rocket, the ministry added.


tass--2020-12-03--Sotheby’s racks up almost $27 million in Russian art sales

The house held its second and last day of the auction on Wednesday , as art collectors were bidding for @ @ @ @ @ sales hit £6.4 million ( $ 8.5 million ) , £3.3 million ( $ 4.4 @ @ @ @ @ renowned House of Faberge masterpieces .
On Tuesday , Sotheby ’ s held a painting @ @ @ @ @ million ( $ 18.3 million ) .
Famous Russian painter Ivan Aivazovsky ’ s Shipwreck @ @ @ @ @ ( 1887 ) was the top lot and was sold for £2.3 million ( $ @ @ @ @ @ the initial estimate of £1.2-1.8 million .
This week ’ s auction was broadcast live @ @ @ @ @ tradition of the Russian sales traditionally held in the British capital twice a year .
@ @ @ @ @ auction houses also held their own sales of Russian art .

LONDON, December 2. /TASS/. Sotheby’s Russian art sales have topped £20 million ($26.8 million), the auction house told TASS.
The house held its second and last day of the auction on Wednesday, as art collectors were bidding for decorative art objects. The sales hit £6.4 million ($8.5 million), £3.3 million ($4.4 million) was spent on renowned House of Faberge masterpieces.
On Tuesday, Sotheby’s held a painting auction, racking up £13.6 million ($18.3 million). Famous Russian painter Ivan Aivazovsky’s Shipwreck off the Black Sea Coast (1887) was the top lot and was sold for £2.3 million ($3.1 million), exceeding the initial estimate of £1.2-1.8 million.
This week’s auction was broadcast live from London and continued the tradition of the Russian sales traditionally held in the British capital twice a year. Christie’s and Bonhams auction houses also held their own sales of Russian art.


tass--2020-12-03--There’s still time to extend New START - Russian envoy to US

WASHINGTON , December 3 .
/TASS/ .
There is still enough time to extend the Russian-US Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms ( New START ) , Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said Wednesday at a videoconference organized by Washington ’ s Brookings Institution .
He was asked whether there is any time left for the countries to extend the treaty .
`` We have time .
We can get it [ extension ] very quickly .
If anybody can call me now from State Department or White House , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ready to continue such negotiations , '' he noted .
The diplomat also highlighted that Russia has `` an excellent team in Moscow '' tasked with arms control issues .
The envoy added that Russia is still in talks with the current US administration to secure a possible extension of the treaty .
`` Yes , we are in close contact with [ US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control ] Marshall Billingslea who is a key negotiator from the American side , '' Antonov added .
According to him , the parties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extension .
`` We are still in dialogue , we hope that we will continue it for the foreseeable future , '' the Russian ambassador concluded .
Moscow and Washington signed the Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms in 2010 .
Under its terms , either country must reduce its strategic offensive arms in such a way that at the end of the seventh year following its entry into force and later on their overall amounts should not exceed 700 units of deployed inter-continental ballistic missiles ( ICBMs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and heavy bombers , 1,550 warheads and 800 operational and non-operational missile launchers and strategic bombers .
The treaty was concluded for a period of ten years ( until February 5 , 2021 ) .
It can be replaced by a follow-up agreement before the deadline expires , or prolonged for no more than five years ( until 2026 ) by mutual consent .
On October 16 , Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed extending New START by at least a year without any additional conditions .
According to him , this will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In turn , the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Russia is ready to freeze its nuclear arsenals with the US in case the treaty is extended , and no additional demands are put forward by Washington .
Antonov has voiced hope that the Russian-American dialogue between heads of diplomatic and defense agencies can be resumed .
`` We [ Russia and the US ] need to restore channels of communication .
I am dreaming to see the minister of foreign affairs of the Russian Federation and the minister of defense of the Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to restore the 2+2 channel .
It is an excellent channel to exchange views on various issues .
Everybody can raise any issue of interest , but at the same time we can restart it and we can find a wider base for potential cooperation between the United States and Russia , '' Antonov told a videoconference organized by Washington ’ s Brookings Institution .
Moscow was hoping to hold discussions with Washington on missile defense , hypersonic weapons and other emerging systems after extending the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New START ) , however , the US did not support the Russian approach , trying to essentially prefigure the result of such potential talks , Antonov said .
The decision of Western countries to not follow the US lead in exiting the Treaty on Open Skies demonstrated that problems of implementing this agreement can be resolved , Antonov said .
`` I am a little bit surprised why nobody from Western countries decided to withdraw from the treaty , why they decided not to follow suit of the United States .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems can be possible solved by the special commission that we have in Vienna , '' the Russian diplomat assured when commenting on the recent Open Skies Treaty developments .
At the same time , Antonov underlined that Moscow is concerned by potential scenarios when Western countries , who remain in the treaty , feed data to Washington about Russia .
The US quit the treaty on November 22 .
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry , the Treaty on Open Skies , developed with Moscow ’ s active cooperation , is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Together with the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe and the Vienna Document 1999 , the treaty effectively completed the creation of the trust building and transparency regime in the conventional forces field in the European-Atlantic space .
From a practical standpoint , the treaty allows the member states to conduct flights over any territory of each other to survey the military activity in compliance with the established quota .
The treaty outlines flight procedures , treaty compliance verification mechanism , requirements for surveillance planes and restriction on composition and parameters of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia of selective compliance with the treaty and violation of a number of the treaty clauses for several years .
Russia has its own complaints to Washington regarding the treaty implementation .
In 2017 , Washington announced introduction of certain restrictions against Russian surveillance flight over the US territory , causing Russia to respond in a mirror-like fashion .
Russia wants to cooperate in the Arctic and opposes the efforts to turn this region into a zone of international cooperation , Antonov said .
`` The Arctic is a zone of friendship and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I can say right away that we are against any competition in high latitudes , '' he noted .
`` We support the principle of pragmatism in cooperation in the Arctic , including in the bilateral relations .
We know the need for joint active work to address the problems of the Arctic . ''
The Russian envoy underlined that there is a `` huge agenda for a potential cooperation between the United States and Russia . ''
According to him , Moscow is ready for cooperation and is waiting for `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue .
Russia will follow the state protocol and will congratulate the US presidential election winner after all the necessary guidelines and procedures are followed and official results are announced , Antonov said .
He was asked when Russian President Vladimir Putin will offer congratulations to US Democratic nominee Joe Biden for his presumptive victory .
`` Firstly , I am not working in the Kremlin , I am not in close contact with Mr. Putin .
But , of course , I am aware of the position of the Russian Federation on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s American people who decide themselves who will run this country .
We will recognize any choice that your people make , '' Antonov responded .
`` As I understand , we need to wait [ for the end ] of some legal procedures in your country , when all official results will be announced .
It goes without saying that after this moment or this event , everything will be done in accordance with the state protocol , '' the envoy concluded .
Last week , Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consider the decision to wait for official results of the election and resolution of the legal challenges put forward by incumbent President Donald Trump as Putin ’ s rejection of the Biden victory .
He also added that the messages of congratulations that had already been sent by other world leaders to Biden are not influencing Putin ’ s plans .
The United States held the presidential elections on November 3 .
Though the vote count is still underway , major US media outlets project that the Democratic contender has presumptively won the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Associated Press have put Biden over the top , beyond the needed 270 vote threshold .
The US General Services Administration ( GSA ) practically recognized Biden ’ s victory and notified him in writing about the readiness to provide budget funds necessary to launch transition of power .
The inauguration ceremony will take place on January 20 .
Nevertheless , Trump is challenging the current outcome , claiming irregularities in the ballot processing in key swing states , and has filed lawsuits to fight his case in court .
Latest reports show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes , while Trump racked up 74 million ballots .

WASHINGTON, December 3. /TASS/. There is still enough time to extend the Russian-US Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (New START), Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said Wednesday at a videoconference organized by Washington’s Brookings Institution.
He was asked whether there is any time left for the countries to extend the treaty. "We have time. We can get it [extension] very quickly. If anybody can call me now from State Department or White House, I am ready to come. I am ready to continue such negotiations," he noted. The diplomat also highlighted that Russia has "an excellent team in Moscow" tasked with arms control issues.
The envoy added that Russia is still in talks with the current US administration to secure a possible extension of the treaty. "Yes, we are in close contact with [US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control] Marshall Billingslea who is a key negotiator from the American side," Antonov added. According to him, the parties are exchanging proposals on the New START extension.
"We are still in dialogue, we hope that we will continue it for the foreseeable future," the Russian ambassador concluded.
New START
Moscow and Washington signed the Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms in 2010. Under its terms, either country must reduce its strategic offensive arms in such a way that at the end of the seventh year following its entry into force and later on their overall amounts should not exceed 700 units of deployed inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and heavy bombers, 1,550 warheads and 800 operational and non-operational missile launchers and strategic bombers.
The treaty was concluded for a period of ten years (until February 5, 2021). It can be replaced by a follow-up agreement before the deadline expires, or prolonged for no more than five years (until 2026) by mutual consent.
On October 16, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed extending New START by at least a year without any additional conditions. According to him, this will provide time to conduct substantial talks. In turn, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Russia is ready to freeze its nuclear arsenals with the US in case the treaty is extended, and no additional demands are put forward by Washington.
2+2 talks with US
Antonov has voiced hope that the Russian-American dialogue between heads of diplomatic and defense agencies can be resumed.
"We [Russia and the US] need to restore channels of communication. I am dreaming to see the minister of foreign affairs of the Russian Federation and the minister of defense of the Russian Federation to come to Washington in order to restore the 2+2 channel. It is an excellent channel to exchange views on various issues. Everybody can raise any issue of interest, but at the same time we can restart it and we can find a wider base for potential cooperation between the United States and Russia," Antonov told a videoconference organized by Washington’s Brookings Institution.
Missile defense
Moscow was hoping to hold discussions with Washington on missile defense, hypersonic weapons and other emerging systems after extending the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (New START), however, the US did not support the Russian approach, trying to essentially prefigure the result of such potential talks, Antonov said.
Open Skies Treaty
The decision of Western countries to not follow the US lead in exiting the Treaty on Open Skies demonstrated that problems of implementing this agreement can be resolved, Antonov said.
"I am a little bit surprised why nobody from Western countries decided to withdraw from the treaty, why they decided not to follow suit of the United States. It means that they are sure that all problems can be possible solved by the special commission that we have in Vienna," the Russian diplomat assured when commenting on the recent Open Skies Treaty developments.
At the same time, Antonov underlined that Moscow is concerned by potential scenarios when Western countries, who remain in the treaty, feed data to Washington about Russia.
The US quit the treaty on November 22.
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the Treaty on Open Skies, developed with Moscow’s active cooperation, is a major trust and security building measure. Together with the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe and the Vienna Document 1999, the treaty effectively completed the creation of the trust building and transparency regime in the conventional forces field in the European-Atlantic space.
From a practical standpoint, the treaty allows the member states to conduct flights over any territory of each other to survey the military activity in compliance with the established quota. The treaty outlines flight procedures, treaty compliance verification mechanism, requirements for surveillance planes and restriction on composition and parameters of the surveillance hardware.
Washington was accusing Russia of selective compliance with the treaty and violation of a number of the treaty clauses for several years. Russia has its own complaints to Washington regarding the treaty implementation. In 2017, Washington announced introduction of certain restrictions against Russian surveillance flight over the US territory, causing Russia to respond in a mirror-like fashion.
Arctic
Russia wants to cooperate in the Arctic and opposes the efforts to turn this region into a zone of international cooperation, Antonov said.
"The Arctic is a zone of friendship and cooperation between the United States and Russia. I can say right away that we are against any competition in high latitudes," he noted. "We support the principle of pragmatism in cooperation in the Arctic, including in the bilateral relations. We know the need for joint active work to address the problems of the Arctic."
The Russian envoy underlined that there is a "huge agenda for a potential cooperation between the United States and Russia." According to him, Moscow is ready for cooperation and is waiting for "any reaction" from Washington on this issue.
US election winner
Russia will follow the state protocol and will congratulate the US presidential election winner after all the necessary guidelines and procedures are followed and official results are announced, Antonov said.
He was asked when Russian President Vladimir Putin will offer congratulations to US Democratic nominee Joe Biden for his presumptive victory. "Firstly, I am not working in the Kremlin, I am not in close contact with Mr. Putin. But, of course, I am aware of the position of the Russian Federation on this issue. We consider that it’s American people who decide themselves who will run this country. We will recognize any choice that your people make," Antonov responded.
"As I understand, we need to wait [for the end] of some legal procedures in your country, when all official results will be announced. It goes without saying that after this moment or this event, everything will be done in accordance with the state protocol," the envoy concluded.
Last week, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that the Kremlin deems it wrong to consider the decision to wait for official results of the election and resolution of the legal challenges put forward by incumbent President Donald Trump as Putin’s rejection of the Biden victory. He also added that the messages of congratulations that had already been sent by other world leaders to Biden are not influencing Putin’s plans.
The United States held the presidential elections on November 3. Though the vote count is still underway, major US media outlets project that the Democratic contender has presumptively won the presidential election. Both Fox News and Associated Press have put Biden over the top, beyond the needed 270 vote threshold.
The US General Services Administration (GSA) practically recognized Biden’s victory and notified him in writing about the readiness to provide budget funds necessary to launch transition of power. The inauguration ceremony will take place on January 20. Nevertheless, Trump is challenging the current outcome, claiming irregularities in the ballot processing in key swing states, and has filed lawsuits to fight his case in court. Latest reports show that Biden secured more than 80 million votes, while Trump racked up 74 million ballots.


tass--2020-12-03--Ex-French President Valery Giscard d’Estaing has died from coronavirus - family

PARIS , December 3 .
/TASS/ .
Former French leader Valery Giscard d ’ Estaing has died aged 94 from @ @ @ @ @ Agence France-Presse on Thursday .
`` Valery Giscard d ’ Estaing died on December 2 @ @ @ @ @ the Loir-et-Cher Department .
The death came as a result of sharp deterioration of his @ @ @ @ @ from COVID-19 , '' the statement of the politician ’ s family reads .
His @ @ @ @ @ a close family circle .
The French National Assembly held a minute of silence to @ @ @ @ @

PARIS, December 3. /TASS/. Former French leader Valery Giscard d’Estaing has died aged 94 from COVID-19, his family told Agence France-Presse on Thursday.
"Valery Giscard d’Estaing died on December 2 in his family home in the Loir-et-Cher Department. The death came as a result of sharp deterioration of his health condition, he died from COVID-19," the statement of the politician’s family reads. His funeral will be attended by a close family circle.
The French National Assembly held a minute of silence to honor the former president.