themoscowtimes--2020-08-11--Putin Announces ‘World’s First’ Coronavirus Vaccine

The state-run Gamaleya research institute last week launched Phase III trials of the Covid-19 vaccine involving thousands of volunteers .
The Health Ministry has said it plans to begin mass production of the vaccine as soon as next month and launch a mass vaccination drive in October .
Russia has registered the world ’ s first coronavirus vaccine early Tuesday , President Vladimir Putin announced , adding that one of his daughters has already been inoculated amid ongoing concerns about the rapidly developed vaccine ’ s safety .
“ This morning , for the first time in the world , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ registered , ” Putin said in a televised cabinet session broadcast .
“ I know that it ’ s effective and forms sustainable immunity , ” he said .
Putin said one of his daughters , whose identity he has neither confirmed nor denied to date , has already taken the vaccine .
He said the only side effect she experienced was a high temperature of 38 degrees Celsius for one day .
Its registration certificate on the Health Ministry website notes that the vaccine , an injection solution called “ Sputnik-V , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 , 2021 .
Experts , including an industry body representing multinationals that conduct clinical trials in Russia , have called the vaccine ’ s swift registration without completing Phase III trials a “ Pandora ’ s box.
” The World Health Organization last week urged Russia to follow established guidelines and go `` through all the stages '' necessary to develop a safe vaccine .
Russia has the world ’ s fourth-highest Covid-19 caseload with almost 900,000 infections .

The state-run Gamaleya research institute last week launched Phase III trials of the Covid-19 vaccine involving thousands of volunteers. The Health Ministry has said it plans to begin mass production of the vaccine as soon as next month and launch a mass vaccination drive in October.
Russia has registered the world’s first coronavirus vaccine early Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin announced, adding that one of his daughters has already been inoculated amid ongoing concerns about the rapidly developed vaccine’s safety.
“This morning, for the first time in the world, a vaccine against the new coronavirus was registered,” Putin said in a televised cabinet session broadcast.
“I know that it’s effective and forms sustainable immunity,” he said.
Putin said one of his daughters, whose identity he has neither confirmed nor denied to date, has already taken the vaccine. He said the only side effect she experienced was a high temperature of 38 degrees Celsius for one day.
Its registration certificate on the Health Ministry website notes that the vaccine, an injection solution called “Sputnik-V,” will enter civilian circulation on Jan. 1, 2021.
Experts, including an industry body representing multinationals that conduct clinical trials in Russia, have called the vaccine’s swift registration without completing Phase III trials a “Pandora’s box.”
The World Health Organization last week urged Russia to follow established guidelines and go "through all the stages" necessary to develop a safe vaccine.
Russia has the world’s fourth-highest Covid-19 caseload with almost 900,000 infections.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-11--Russia Presses on With Coronavirus Vaccine Registration Despite Safety Concerns

President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday announced that the vaccine was registered , with mass production expected to start in September and mass vaccination in October .
On Monday , the Association of Clinical Trials Organizations ( ACTO ) industry body that represents organizations conducting multinational clinical trials in Russia had urged for more tests before its registration .
Russia will move forward with registering its potential coronavirus vaccine , its state health watchdog said , defying calls to put off the process until the vaccine ’ s trials are complete .
“ ACTO is obviously jumping to conclusions without knowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deputy chief of the health watchdog Roszdravnadzor , told the RBC news website Tuesday .
“ Several hundred volunteers were vaccinated with this vaccine and there were no serious adverse reactions , ” Kosenko was quoted as saying .
Russia ’ s state-run Gamaleya research institute launched Phase III trials for its Covid-19 vaccine last week .
Kosenko said the trials will involve thousands of volunteers .
Sergei Glagolev , the head of Roszdravnadzor ’ s quality control department , told RBC that laboratory confirmation of the vaccine will be conducted after registration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s acceptable to register the drug during the early stages of clinical studies .
Similar schemes exist in the EU and the U.S. , ” Glagolev was quoted as saying .
“ During pandemics , countries have resorted to allowing drugs in the absence of normal randomized trials ; that ’ s not the case with Gamaleya ’ s vaccine .
In our case , we ’ re talking about early admission to the market under strictly controlled conditions.
” Gamaleya 's vaccine is a so-called viral vector vaccine , meaning it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encoding the necessary immune response into cells .
It is based on the adenovirus , the common cold .

President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday announced that the vaccine was registered , with mass production expected to start in September and mass vaccination in October. On Monday, the Association of Clinical Trials Organizations (ACTO) industry body that represents organizations conducting multinational clinical trials in Russia had urged for more tests before its registration.
Russia will move forward with registering its potential coronavirus vaccine, its state health watchdog said, defying calls to put off the process until the vaccine’s trials are complete.
“ACTO is obviously jumping to conclusions without knowing the results,” Valentina Kosenko, deputy chief of the health watchdog Roszdravnadzor, told the RBC news website Tuesday.
“Several hundred volunteers were vaccinated with this vaccine and there were no serious adverse reactions,” Kosenko was quoted as saying.
Russia’s state-run Gamaleya research institute launched Phase III trials for its Covid-19 vaccine last week. Kosenko said the trials will involve thousands of volunteers.
Sergei Glagolev, the head of Roszdravnadzor’s quality control department, told RBC that laboratory confirmation of the vaccine will be conducted after registration and during final trials.
“It’s acceptable to register the drug during the early stages of clinical studies. Similar schemes exist in the EU and the U.S.,” Glagolev was quoted as saying.
“During pandemics, countries have resorted to allowing drugs in the absence of normal randomized trials; that’s not the case with Gamaleya’s vaccine. In our case, we’re talking about early admission to the market under strictly controlled conditions.”
Gamaleya's vaccine is a so-called viral vector vaccine, meaning it employs another virus to carry the DNA encoding the necessary immune response into cells. It is based on the adenovirus, the common cold.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-11--Russia Registers Less Than 5K New Coronavirus Cases

Russia confirmed 4,945 new coronavirus infections Tuesday , bringing the country ’ s official number of cases to 897,599 .
@ @ @ @ @ 130 people have died , bringing the total official toll to 15,131 .
Separate figures @ @ @ @ @ s statistics agency Rosstat found that the number of deaths from the virus could be @ @ @ @ @ tally , updated daily by the country ’ s coronavirus task force .
It found @ @ @ @ @ died during June alone , with the virus confirmed or believed to be the main @ @ @ @ @ than 7,000 cases , while the task force figures showed only 4,880 for the same @ @ @ @ @ 6,494 people recovered over the last 24 hours .

The highest number of new cases were in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Russia's fatality rate has remained low compared to other badly-hit countries, raising speculation that Moscow could be underreporting figures.
Russian authorities began easing anti-virus measures in June ahead of a massive World War II military parade in Moscow and a nationwide vote on constitutional reforms that now allow President Vladimir Putin to stay in power until 2036.
Both events were initially postponed due the epidemic.
Moscow opened cinemas and theaters on Aug. 1. In the capital, masks are mandatory in stores and on public transport but not in the streets.
Several institutes in Russia are working on a coronavirus vaccine.
The Russian Defense Ministry has said it developed a "safe" vaccine following clinical trials on a group of volunteers.
The trials are ongoing, and the Defense Ministry expects clinical trials to be fully completed in the coming weeks.
AFP contributed reporting to this article.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-11--One Killed in Second Night of Protests Against 'Rigged' Belarus Election

One man has died in protests in Belarus as demonstrators clashed with police for a second night after a disputed election handed a sixth term to strongman Alexander Lukashenko .
Thousands took to the streets of the capital Minsk Monday night , saying Lukashenko had stolen the election from his surprise challenger , political novice Svetlana Tikhanovskaya .
Police used rubber bullets , stun grenades and tear gas but demonstrators fought back with stones and fireworks and built makeshift barricades , AFP reporters , protesters and witnesses said , in chaotic scenes of defiance in the authoritarian former Soviet republic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lukashenko , '' Pavel , a 34-year-old protester , told AFP .
`` Our goal is to depose Lukashenko .
He is not worthy of being president . ''
At one flashpoint in Minsk , protesters — mostly men but also several women — used sacks , buckets and metal barriers to build barricades , an AFP photographer said .
The whereabouts of Tikhanovskaya — who has claimed victory in Sunday 's poll and called for Lukashenko to step down — were unknown as of late Monday .
A man died when an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday night , police said , confirming the first casualty of the post-election protests .
`` One of the protesters tried to throw an unidentified explosive device at members of law enforcement .
It exploded in his hand , '' the interior ministry said , adding that he died of his injuries .
A police spokeswoman could not immediately say how many people had been injured in Monday 's clashes .
Tikhanovskaya had said earlier she would not take part in the demonstrations to avoid `` provocations . ''
`` The authorities should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power to us , '' she told reporters .
The 37-year-old mother of two decided to run for president after the authorities jailed her husband , popular blogger Sergei Tikhanovsky , and barred him from contesting .
Her campaign galvanized the opposition , presenting the most serious challenge to former collective farm director Lukashenko , who has ruled Belarus since 1994 , brooking no dissent and earning the nickname of `` Europe 's last dictator . ''
Tikhanovskaya 's whereabouts were not known to her campaign staff on Monday night , her spokeswoman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tikhanovskaya went to lodge a complaint with the Central Election Commission where she spent three hours , Krasulina told AFP .
After leaving the commission headquarters she had gone incommunicado , Krasulina added , without providing further details .
The foreign minister of EU member Lithuania , another ex-Soviet republic , said he could not reach Tikhanovskaya as of late Monday .
`` I tried to reach her for several hours but her whereabouts are unknown since she went to the election commission to file a protest over the vote count , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raises concern about her safety , '' Linkevicius said .
Earlier Monday , election officials confirmed Lukashenko 's re-election for a sixth term , saying he had won more than 80 % of the vote , with Tikhanovskaya coming second with 10 % .
The White House said Monday it was `` deeply concerned , '' adding that `` intimidation of opposition candidates and the detention of peaceful protesters '' were among numerous factors that marred the election and its aftermath .
European governments also questioned the results , with Germany voicing `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vote and France urging restraint .
But Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Lukashenko , a longtime ally , as did Chinese leader Xi Jinping .
Lukashenko was defiant , vowing he would not allow Belarus to be `` torn apart . ''
`` We recorded calls from abroad .
There were calls from Poland , Britain and the Czech Republic , they were directing our — forgive me — sheep , '' Lukashenko said .

One man has died in protests in Belarus as demonstrators clashed with police for a second night after a disputed election handed a sixth term to strongman Alexander Lukashenko. Thousands took to the streets of the capital Minsk Monday night, saying Lukashenko had stolen the election from his surprise challenger, political novice Svetlana Tikhanovskaya.
Разгон возле Пушкинской — взрывы и силовики. pic.twitter.com/0Z6B22P5D0 — TUT.BY (@tutby) August 10, 2020
Police used rubber bullets, stun grenades and tear gas but demonstrators fought back with stones and fireworks and built makeshift barricades, AFP reporters, protesters and witnesses said, in chaotic scenes of defiance in the authoritarian former Soviet republic. "Too many people are against Lukashenko," Pavel, a 34-year-old protester, told AFP. "Our goal is to depose Lukashenko. He is not worthy of being president." At one flashpoint in Minsk, protesters — mostly men but also several women — used sacks, buckets and metal barriers to build barricades, an AFP photographer said. The whereabouts of Tikhanovskaya — who has claimed victory in Sunday's poll and called for Lukashenko to step down — were unknown as of late Monday. A man died when an explosive device went off in his hand Monday night, police said, confirming the first casualty of the post-election protests. "One of the protesters tried to throw an unidentified explosive device at members of law enforcement. It exploded in his hand," the interior ministry said, adding that he died of his injuries. A police spokeswoman could not immediately say how many people had been injured in Monday's clashes.
Tikhanovskaya had said earlier she would not take part in the demonstrations to avoid "provocations." "The authorities should think about how to peacefully hand over power to us," she told reporters. The 37-year-old mother of two decided to run for president after the authorities jailed her husband, popular blogger Sergei Tikhanovsky, and barred him from contesting. Her campaign galvanized the opposition, presenting the most serious challenge to former collective farm director Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus since 1994, brooking no dissent and earning the nickname of "Europe's last dictator." Whereabouts unknown Tikhanovskaya's whereabouts were not known to her campaign staff on Monday night, her spokeswoman Anna Krasulina told AFP. On Monday Tikhanovskaya went to lodge a complaint with the Central Election Commission where she spent three hours, Krasulina told AFP. After leaving the commission headquarters she had gone incommunicado, Krasulina added, without providing further details. The foreign minister of EU member Lithuania, another ex-Soviet republic, said he could not reach Tikhanovskaya as of late Monday. "I tried to reach her for several hours but her whereabouts are unknown since she went to the election commission to file a protest over the vote count," Linas Linkevicius told AFP. "It raises concern about her safety," Linkevicius said. Earlier Monday, election officials confirmed Lukashenko's re-election for a sixth term, saying he had won more than 80% of the vote, with Tikhanovskaya coming second with 10%. White House 'deeply concerned' The White House said Monday it was "deeply concerned," adding that "intimidation of opposition candidates and the detention of peaceful protesters" were among numerous factors that marred the election and its aftermath. European governments also questioned the results, with Germany voicing "strong doubts" about the conduct of the vote and France urging restraint. But Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Lukashenko, a longtime ally, as did Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Lukashenko was defiant, vowing he would not allow Belarus to be "torn apart." "We recorded calls from abroad. There were calls from Poland, Britain and the Czech Republic, they were directing our — forgive me — sheep," Lukashenko said.
news How the World Has Reacted to Belarus Presidential Vote Read more


themoscowtimes--2020-08-11--Lukashenko Challenger Makes 'Difficult Decision' to Leave Belarus

The main challenger in Belarus 's disputed presidential election said Tuesday she had left the country after two nights of clashes between police and opposition supporters left a protester dead .
The European Union condemned the polls as `` neither free nor fair '' and threatened to impose sanctions on those responsible for `` violence , unjustified arrests , and falsification of election results . ''
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , who claimed victory over authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko in Sunday 's vote , said she had left the country out of concern for her children .
The political novice who has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the early hours and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius told AFP she was `` safe '' in the EU member country .
`` I have made a very difficult decision , '' a distressed-looking Tikhanovskaya said in a video statement .
`` Children are the most important thing we have in life , '' said the 37-year-old , whose five-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son had earlier been taken out of the country for their safety .
Tikhanovskaya decided to run for president after the authorities jailed her husband , popular blogger Sergei @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election .
He remains in prison in Belarus .
`` I know that many will understand me , many will judge me , and many will begin to hate me , '' Tikhanovskaya said .
`` But God forbid anyone face the choice I had . ''
Belarusian state media released a second video where Tikhanovskaya urged supporters not to protest , apparently reading from a script .
Maria Kolesnikova , one of Tikhanovskaya 's campaign partners , said `` we think this video was recorded under pressure from law enforcement authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader Lukashenko had secured a sixth term with 80 percent of the vote , prompting a second night of protests and mass detentions by riot police .
Tikhanovskaya came second with 10 percent according to the official count but protesters are backing her claim to have won the election .
Her second campaign partner , Veronika Tsepkalo , on Tuesday released a video statement urging the international community to `` recognise Svetlana as the only lawfully elected president . ''
On Tuesday evening , riot police patrolled Minsk and began detaining pedestrians and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the previous night .
Broadband and mobile internet were cut off , a reporter in Minsk said , while residents have had difficulties connecting to opposition-linked websites and social media since Sunday .
Police used rubber bullets , stun grenades and tear gas to disperse the previous days ' demonstrations , though protesters fought back with stones and fireworks and built makeshift barricades , AFP reporters , protesters and witnesses said .
The interior ministry said it detained more than 5,000 protesters .
The chaotic scenes of defiance with protesters fighting back against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unusual in the authoritarian country .
Protesters said Tikhanovskaya 's departure would not stop their movement .
`` Our goal is to overthrow the Lukashenko regime , '' Yakov , a 51-year-old engineer , told AFP in Minsk .
`` That Tikhanovskaya has left for Lithuania is even better , she is safe there . ''
Dozens of people have been injured in the violence and the first fatality was confirmed on Monday when police said a man died after an explosive device went off in his hand .
On Tuesday , people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the spot where the protester died and passing drivers honked their horns .
The health ministry said more than 200 protesters were in hospital with wounds including chest and head injuries .
Tikhanovskaya 's campaign galvanised the opposition , presenting the strongest challenge yet to former collective farm director Lukashenko , who has ruled Belarus since 1994 , brooking no dissent and earning the nickname of `` Europe 's last dictator . ''
Western governments have condemned the police crackdown and the EU statement came after German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reimpose harsh sanctions on Lukashenko .
The White House said it was `` deeply concerned '' by the violence .
Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz said Warsaw was `` ready to act as a mediator '' between Lukashenko and the opposition after between Lukashenko and the opposition after calling for an emergency EU summit .
Lukashenko on Monday defiantly vowed he would not allow Belarus to be `` torn apart '' and dismissed the protesters as pawns of foreign powers .
`` We recorded calls from abroad .
There were calls from Poland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were directing our — forgive me — sheep , '' he said .
The Belarusian foreign ministry on Tuesday it had `` irrefutable '' evidence of `` interference from abroad . ''

The main challenger in Belarus's disputed presidential election said Tuesday she had left the country after two nights of clashes between police and opposition supporters left a protester dead. The European Union condemned the polls as "neither free nor fair" and threatened to impose sanctions on those responsible for "violence, unjustified arrests, and falsification of election results." Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who claimed victory over authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko in Sunday's vote, said she had left the country out of concern for her children. The political novice who has energized Belarus's opposition crossed the border in the early hours and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius told AFP she was "safe" in the EU member country. "I have made a very difficult decision," a distressed-looking Tikhanovskaya said in a video statement. "Children are the most important thing we have in life," said the 37-year-old, whose five-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son had earlier been taken out of the country for their safety.
Tikhanovskaya posts a video to YouTube where she says she left Belarus for the sake of her children.
God forbid any of you are forced with the choice that I was,” she said. “Not one life is worth what is happening right now. Children are the most important thing in our lives.” pic.twitter.com/oN7maF3AW8 — max seddon (@maxseddon) August 11, 2020
Tikhanovskaya decided to run for president after the authorities jailed her husband, popular blogger Sergei Tikhanovsky, and barred him from contesting the election. He remains in prison in Belarus. "I know that many will understand me, many will judge me, and many will begin to hate me," Tikhanovskaya said. "But God forbid anyone face the choice I had." Belarusian state media released a second video where Tikhanovskaya urged supporters not to protest, apparently reading from a script. Maria Kolesnikova, one of Tikhanovskaya's campaign partners, said "we think this video was recorded under pressure from law enforcement authorities."
Situation gets weirder: In video apparently recorded before she left Belarus, reading from script, Tikhanovskaya calls on Belarusians to accept Lukashenko’s “victory” and stop protesting. We know she was held incommunicado at election commission yday. Seems this happened there. pic.twitter.com/eWb93Vcxap — Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) August 11, 2020
Belarus on Monday declared long-serving leader Lukashenko had secured a sixth term with 80% of the vote, prompting a second night of protests and mass detentions by riot police. Tikhanovskaya came second with 10% according to the official count but protesters are backing her claim to have won the election. Her second campaign partner, Veronika Tsepkalo, on Tuesday released a video statement urging the international community to "recognize Svetlana as the only lawfully elected president." On Tuesday evening, riot police patrolled Minsk and began detaining pedestrians and cyclists in the area that saw clashes the previous night. Broadband and mobile internet were cut off, a reporter in Minsk said, while residents have had difficulties connecting to opposition-linked websites and social media since Sunday.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-11--EU Says Belarus Vote Not Free, Threatens Sanctions

The European Union declared Tuesday that the Belarus presidential election that returned authoritarian president Alexander Lukashenko to office had been `` neither free nor fair . ''
And , in a statement from EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell on behalf of EU members , the bloc threatened `` measures on those responsible for the observed violence , unjustified arrests and falsification of election results . ''
Belarus went to the polls on Sunday against a backdrop of large-scale opposition protests against Lukashenko 's rule , but the official electoral commission declared him the winner .
Street demonstrations that have since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police crackdown , and opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya fled to Lithuania , saying she was fearful for her children .
`` During the electoral campaign , the people of Belarus have demonstrated the desire for democratic change , '' Borrell said in the statement drawn up after consultations with the 27 EU member states .
`` State authorities deployed disproportionate and unacceptable violence causing at least one death and many injuries , '' he said , his language echoed in a tweet by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said , demanding the release of the thousands of alleged opposition activists rounded up during the protests .
Brussels previously had wider sanctions against figures linked to Lukashenko 's government , but lifted many of them in 2016 after the release of a previous batch of political prisoners .
There is still a ban on exports of weapons and equipment that could be used to repress the population , and four Belarusians are subject to an EU travel ban and asset freeze .
The European Union 's foreign ministers will meet on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and could prepare new measures against Minsk for the approval of their leaders when they meet at a September 24 summit in Brussels .

The European Union declared Tuesday that the Belarus presidential election that returned authoritarian president Alexander Lukashenko to office had been "neither free nor fair."
And, in a statement from EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell on behalf of EU members, the bloc threatened "measures on those responsible for the observed violence, unjustified arrests and falsification of election results."
Belarus went to the polls on Sunday against a backdrop of large-scale opposition protests against Lukashenko's rule, but the official electoral commission declared him the winner.
Street demonstrations that have since broken out were met with a forceful police crackdown, and opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya fled to Lithuania, saying she was fearful for her children.
"During the electoral campaign, the people of Belarus have demonstrated the desire for democratic change," Borrell said in the statement drawn up after consultations with the 27 EU member states.
"State authorities deployed disproportionate and unacceptable violence causing at least one death and many injuries," he said, his language echoed in a tweet by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
"The people of Belarus deserve better," he said, demanding the release of the thousands of alleged opposition activists rounded up during the protests.
Brussels previously had wider sanctions against figures linked to Lukashenko's government, but lifted many of them in 2016 after the release of a previous batch of political prisoners.
There is still a ban on exports of weapons and equipment that could be used to repress the population, and four Belarusians are subject to an EU travel ban and asset freeze.
The European Union's foreign ministers will meet on August 27 and 28 in Berlin, and could prepare new measures against Minsk for the approval of their leaders when they meet at a September 24 summit in Brussels.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-11--‘World’s First’ Coronavirus Vaccine: What We Know So Far About Russian Injection

— The RDIF and its partners have invested 4 billion rubles ( $ 550,000 ) in the project .
— The state-run Gamaleya Research Institute in Moscow in coordination with the Russian Defense Ministry and the Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) .
Here ’ s what we know so far about the Russian vaccine , dubbed “ Sputnik V ” in a nod to the Soviet Union ’ s 1957 launch of the world ’ s first space satellite that triggered the Space Race : Russia , which has the world 's fourth-highest coronavirus caseload , is one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine to halt the disease that has killed more than 740,000 people and slammed the global economy .
Russia has become the first country to approve a vaccine against the coronavirus , President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday despite widespread concerns about its safety .
— The vaccine underwent two phases of trials in June and July : The first involving 38 civilians and 38 military volunteers and the second involving 100 people .
— Phase 3 trials , which will involve several thousand participants , began with the shot ’ s registration Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in countries including Saudi Arabia , the United Arab Emirates and the Philippines , according to RDIF head Kirill Dmitriyev .
— The World Health Organization ( WHO ) ’ s overview from on July 31 lists the vaccine as still being in Phase 1 .
How does it work ?
— The vaccine is a so-called viral vector vaccine , meaning it employs another virus to deliver small parts of a pathogen and stimulate an immune response .
— It is an injection solution based on the adenovirus , the common cold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a similar technology with its coronavirus vaccine prototype .
Who has taken it so far ?
— Gamaleya chief Alexander Gintsburg and the institute 's scientists have inoculated themselves with the vaccine .
Experts criticized their move as an unorthodox and rushed way of starting human trials .
— Dmitriyev has said he and his family have also taken the vaccine .
— Putin said Tuesday that one of his daughters , whose identity he has neither confirmed nor denied to date , has already taken the vaccine .
He said the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temperature of 38 degrees Celsius for one day .
— “ Several hundred ” members of Russia ’ s political and business elite may have been inoculated with the experimental vaccine as early as April , Bloomberg reported in July .
Some participants reported experiencing fever and muscle aches after receiving the shots , while one unnamed top executive said he had no side effects .
— Its developers tout the vaccine as safe and Putin on Tuesday said it is “ quite effective ” and “ gives sustainable immunity , ” citing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot .
— Scientists in the West have raised concerns over the speed of development of Russian vaccines , suggesting that researchers might be cutting corners after coming under pressure from the authorities to deliver .
— Russian virologists have also warned that the vaccine could be dangerous for people who have antibodies against the virus .
— The World Health Organization last week urged Russia to follow established guidelines and go `` through all the stages '' necessary to develop a safe vaccine .
On Tuesday , it said a stamp of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rigorous safety review of trial data .
— Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said clinical trials involving several thousand participants would continue .
When will it be available to the public ?
— A registration certificate on the Russian Health Ministry website notes that the vaccine will enter civilian circulation on Jan. 1 , 2021 .
— Tatyana Golikova , a deputy prime minister in charge of health issues , said officials hoped that vaccinations of medical workers could begin by late August or early September .
— RDIF ’ s head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin among volunteers in Russia in October , a month after industrial production is expected to launch .
Twenty countries have pre-ordered more than 1 billion doses , he said .

— The RDIF and its partners have invested 4 billion rubles ($55 million) in the project.
— The state-run Gamaleya Research Institute in Moscow in coordination with the Russian Defense Ministry and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF).
Here’s what we know so far about the Russian vaccine, dubbed “Sputnik V” in a nod to the Soviet Union’s 1957 launch of the world’s first space satellite that triggered the Space Race:
Russia, which has the world's fourth-highest coronavirus caseload, is one of several countries racing to develop a vaccine to halt the disease that has killed more than 740,000 people and slammed the global economy.
Russia has become the first country to approve a vaccine against the coronavirus, President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday despite widespread concerns about its safety.
— The vaccine underwent two phases of trials in June and July: The first involving 38 civilians and 38 military volunteers and the second involving 100 people.
— Phase 3 trials, which will involve several thousand participants, began with the shot’s registration Tuesday. They will also be carried out in countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the Philippines, according to RDIF head Kirill Dmitriyev.
— The World Health Organization (WHO)’s overview from on July 31 lists the vaccine as still being in Phase 1.
How does it work?
— The vaccine is a so-called viral vector vaccine, meaning it employs another virus to deliver small parts of a pathogen and stimulate an immune response.
— It is an injection solution based on the adenovirus, the common cold. China’s CanSino is developing a similar technology with its coronavirus vaccine prototype.
Who has taken it so far?
— Gamaleya chief Alexander Gintsburg and the institute's scientists have inoculated themselves with the vaccine. Experts criticized their move as an unorthodox and rushed way of starting human trials.
— Dmitriyev has said he and his family have also taken the vaccine.
— Putin said Tuesday that one of his daughters, whose identity he has neither confirmed nor denied to date, has already taken the vaccine. He said the only side effect she experienced was a high temperature of 38 degrees Celsius for one day.
— “Several hundred” members of Russia’s political and business elite may have been inoculated with the experimental vaccine as early as April, Bloomberg reported in July. Some participants reported experiencing fever and muscle aches after receiving the shots, while one unnamed top executive said he had no side effects.
Is it safe?
— Its developers tout the vaccine as safe and Putin on Tuesday said it is “quite effective” and “gives sustainable immunity,” citing his daughter’s response to the shot.
— Scientists in the West have raised concerns over the speed of development of Russian vaccines, suggesting that researchers might be cutting corners after coming under pressure from the authorities to deliver.
— Russian virologists have also warned that the vaccine could be dangerous for people who have antibodies against the virus.
— The World Health Organization last week urged Russia to follow established guidelines and go "through all the stages" necessary to develop a safe vaccine. On Tuesday, it said a stamp of approval on the vaccine candidate would require a rigorous safety review of trial data.
— Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said clinical trials involving several thousand participants would continue.
When will it be available to the public?
— A registration certificate on the Russian Health Ministry website notes that the vaccine will enter civilian circulation on Jan. 1, 2021.
— Tatyana Golikova, a deputy prime minister in charge of health issues, said officials hoped that vaccinations of medical workers could begin by late August or early September.
— RDIF’s head Dmitriyev said a mass vaccination campaign will begin among volunteers in Russia in October, a month after industrial production is expected to launch. Twenty countries have pre-ordered more than 1 billion doses, he said.
AFP contributed reporting.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-12--Hundreds Detained, Firearms Used in Third Night of Belarus Unrest

Western governments have condemned the crackdown and the European Union said the bloc 's foreign ministers would discuss Belarus at an extraordinary meeting on Friday .
Police in Belarus said Wednesday they had detained hundreds more people and used firearms against protesters in a third night of violence over a disputed presidential election .
Protesters rallied again on Tuesday night to contest strongman President Alexander Lukashenko 's claim of having won Sunday 's election , although they were in smaller numbers after police cordoned off city centers and limited transport .
In the capital Minsk , protesters and witnesses said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who did gather , firing stun grenades and rubber bullets in the suburbs .
In the southwestern city of Brest on the Polish border , police said they had used firearms against a group of demonstrators armed with metal bars who had ignored warning shots , wounding one .
`` A group of aggressive citizens with metal rods in their hands attacked police employees in Brest '' on Tuesday , interior ministry spokeswoman Olga Chemodanova said in statement .
`` Firearms were used to protect the lives and health of the employees , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the attackers '' was wounded .
The ministry said protesters gathered in 25 cities and towns on Tuesday night and that more than 1,000 people had been detained .
The latest arrests have brought the number of detentions to more than 6,000 after three days of protests .
More than 50 people sought medical assistance , it said .
Chemodanova said there had been smaller gatherings on Tuesday than on the two previous nights .
`` The number of protesters was smaller last night , as was the number of cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told AFP .
Dozens of people have been wounded in the crackdown and police said that one protester died when an explosive device went off in his hand on Monday night .
The protests broke out after authorities said Lukashenko , who has been in power since 1994 , won 80 % of the vote in Sunday 's polls .
Election officials said Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , a 37-year-old political novice who ran after other potential opposition candidates including her husband were jailed , came second with 10 % .
Tikhanovskaya said the vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Lukashenko hand over power .
She left Belarus on Tuesday for neighboring Lithuania , with supporters saying she came under pressure from authorities .
Protesters said Tuesday night 's crackdown in Minsk was especially violent , with videos released on social media showing police kicking protesters lying prone on the ground , smashing cars with truncheons and assaulting passers-by .

Western governments have condemned the crackdown and the European Union said the bloc's foreign ministers would discuss Belarus at an extraordinary meeting on Friday.
Police in Belarus said Wednesday they had detained hundreds and shot at protesters in a third night of violence over a disputed presidential election.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged the EU to "take action," saying: "We want the people of Belarus to have the freedoms that they are demanding."
Protesters rallied again on Tuesday night to contest strongman President Alexander Lukashenko's claim of having won Sunday's election, although they were in smaller numbers after police cordoned off city centers and limited transport.
Lukashenko on Wednesday claimed the demonstrators were "people with a criminal past who are now unemployed" and told them to get jobs.
The authorities also blocked internet access overnight and riot police targeted press photographers, pulling out memory cards and breaking cameras.
In the capital Minsk, protesters and witnesses said riot police used indiscriminate force against those who did gather, firing stun grenades and rubber bullets in the suburbs.
Police said they opened fire on demonstrators and wounded one in the southwestern city of Brest on the Polish border. They said the protesters were armed with metal bars and ignored warning shots.
Belarus's Euroradio reported the wounded man was shot in the head.
The interior ministry said protesters gathered in 25 cities and towns on Tuesday night and that more than 1,000 people had been detained.
The latest arrests have brought the number of detentions to more than 6,000 after three days of protests.
The health ministry said 51 people were hospitalized Tuesday night.
Tikhanovskaya 'recovering'
Interior ministry spokeswoman Olga Chemodanova said there had been smaller gatherings on Tuesday than on the two previous nights.
"The number of protesters was smaller last night, as was the number of cities where protests took place," she told AFP.
Hundreds of people have been wounded in the crackdown and police said that one protester died when an explosive device went off in his hand on Monday night.
Belarus banned the sale of fireworks from Wednesday after people set them off at protests.
The protests broke out after authorities said Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994, won 80% of the vote in Sunday's polls.
Election officials said Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, a 37-year-old political novice who ran after other potential opposition candidates including her husband were jailed, came second with 10%.
Tikhanovskaya said the vote was rigged and claimed victory, demanding that Lukashenko hand over power.
She left Belarus on Tuesday for neighboring Lithuania as allies said she came under official pressure.
Tikhanovskaya "is recovering from this stress... and feels better," Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius told Russia's Echo of Moscow radio station.
"She herself will say what her future plans are."
Protesters said Tuesday night's crackdown in Minsk was especially violent, with videos released on social media showing police kicking protesters lying prone on the ground, smashing cars with truncheons and assaulting passers-by.
Yan, a 28-year-old paramedic who has protested every night since the election, said police had become more aggressive.
"Things were scary last night, it was complete lawlessness," he told AFP. "All of this is aimed at intimidating people so that they keep quiet."
'Love cannot be forced'
Oleg Gulak, the head of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee rights group, said he was "stunned by the unprecedented level of cruelty and violence" used against protesters.
"Last night was the scariest night in Belarus's modern history," he said.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-12--Popular Russian YouTuber to Belarus Officers: ‘Tell Your Bosses to Shove Off’

Nationwide demonstrations broke out in Belarus after election officials declared President Alexander Lukashenko the winner in Sunday ’ s vote .
Authorities said they have detained around 6,000 protesters , many of whom were filmed being beaten , shot with rubber bullets and attacked with stun grenades by riot police .
Popular Russian YouTuber Yury Dud has urged law enforcement officials in neighboring Belarus to stop violence against civilians following three violent nights of protests against the re-election of its longtime authoritarian leader .
“ Something tells me you didn ’ t exercise your strength and became supermen to maim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on social media , addressing Belarusian police , military and security forces .
“ If you ’ re doing this of your own free will , I think you ’ re wrong .
If you ’ re doing this on the orders of your superiors , then tell them to f*** off , ” the influential YouTuber said late Tuesday .
Another popular Russian blogger Stalingulag called Dud ’ s appeal misguided and predicted that “ Lukashenko ’ s orcs will only laugh at his naivete.
” “ That ’ s exactly what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great purpose of protecting the world from evil , ” said Stalingulag , who revealed his identity last year after authorities raided his parents ’ home .
Dud , however , predicted that Lukashenko faces “ the hatred of his own people and total isolation from all progressive countries ” following the beatings ; jailing and disappearance of journalists ; and a video address by Belarus ' main opposition candidate that has been likened to a hostage video .
“ These are about the same prospects for all who supported him , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depriving your future over ?
”

Nationwide demonstrations broke out in Belarus after election officials declared President Alexander Lukashenko the winner in Sunday’s vote. Authorities said they have detained around 6,000 protesters, many of whom were filmed being beaten, shot with rubber bullets and attacked with stun grenades by riot police.
Popular Russian YouTuber Yury Dud has urged law enforcement officials in neighboring Belarus to stop violence against civilians following three violent nights of protests against the re-election of its longtime authoritarian leader.
“Something tells me you didn’t exercise your strength and became supermen to maim your unarmed countrymen,” Dud wrote on social media, addressing Belarusian police, military and security forces.
“If you’re doing this of your own free will, I think you’re wrong. If you’re doing this on the orders of your superiors, then tell them to f*** off,” the influential YouTuber said late Tuesday.
Another popular Russian blogger Stalingulag called Dud’s appeal misguided and predicted that “Lukashenko’s orcs will only laugh at his naivete.”
“That’s exactly what they trained for, not for some great purpose of protecting the world from evil,” said Stalingulag, who revealed his identity last year after authorities raided his parents’ home.
Dud, however, predicted that Lukashenko faces “the hatred of his own people and total isolation from all progressive countries” following the beatings; jailing and disappearance of journalists; and a video address by Belarus' main opposition candidate that has been likened to a hostage video.
“These are about the same prospects for all who supported him,” Dud said. “Is it worth depriving your future over?”


themoscowtimes--2020-08-12--Beleaguered Belarus Opposition Finds Baltic Refuge

Tikhanovskaya said she had made the `` difficult decision '' to leave for Lithuania following a disputed election in which she has claimed victory against Alexander Lukashenko who has ruled with an iron fist since 1994 .
Waves of repression in Belarus have turned its EU neighbors into places of refuge for pro-democracy Belarusians , with presidential challenger Svetlana Tikhanovskaya only the latest to shelter there .
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius announced her arrival on Tuesday and said on Wednesday she was in `` good spirits '' and would speak `` in the near future . ''
NATO member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once under Soviet rule , shares a 680 kilometer ( 420 mile ) border with its neighbor to the south and has long sheltered Belarusian and Russian opposition figures .
The Lithuanian capital Vilnius is just 170 kilometers from Minsk , which makes it a `` convenient geographic location '' for pro-democracy Belarusians , Vilnius university analyst Laurynas Jonavicius told AFP .
The city hosts the Belarusian Human Rights House , a non-governmental organization , and an EU-funded Belarusian university in exile , the European Humanities University , which was shut down by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread information from here because in Belarus the authorities are controlling the internet , '' Sabina Aliyeva , an 18-year-old opposition activist who is also head of the university 's student union , told AFP .
Vadzim Vileita , a 37-year-old journalist and political analyst , originally from Belarus living in Lithuania , said the country was `` a very natural destination for Belarusians seeking a safe place away from Belarus . ''
`` If people want to leave Belarus for political reasons , usually they travel to Lithuania or Poland .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Belarus , we had waves of political immigrants coming to Lithuania every time to avoid political prosecution , '' he said .
But , with street protests following Sunday 's vote still ongoing , Aliyeva said that at the moment many young Belarusians based in Lithuania are going back .
`` They want to help out , '' she said , adding that she herself had been asked by her parents to stay away .
Both Lithuania and Latvia , which also has a border with Belarus , have offered to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Poland have called for an emergency EU summit and Poland has offered to mediate any dialogue between Lukashenko and the opposition .
Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski said any political refugees arriving in the city would receive assistance and called for `` solidarity . ''
Poland has a population of around 28,000 Belarusians and received 37 asylum requests from Belarusians in 2019 .
Lithuania officially hosts around 20,000 Belarusians and has granted refugee status to 55 of them since 2011 , with authorities now preparing for many more to come .
Lithuanian Interior Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan of measures , if the number of Belarusian citizens asking for asylum in Lithuania grows . ''
Viktoryia Andrukovic , a Belarusian based in Lithuania who is also involved in the pro-democracy movement , said the Baltic state could even host a sort of government in exile for Belarus headed by Tikhanovskaya .
She would be a `` symbol of freedom '' for Belarusians even from outside the country .
`` She is the legitimate president , '' she said .

Tikhanovskaya said she had made the "difficult decision" to leave for Lithuania following a disputed election in which she has claimed victory against Alexander Lukashenko who has ruled with an iron fist since 1994.
Waves of repression in Belarus have turned its EU neighbors into places of refuge for pro-democracy Belarusians, with presidential challenger Svetlana Tikhanovskaya only the latest to shelter there.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius announced her arrival on Tuesday and said on Wednesday she was in "good spirits" and would speak "in the near future."
NATO member Lithuania, which like Belarus was also once under Soviet rule, shares a 680 kilometer (420 mile) border with its neighbor to the south and has long sheltered Belarusian and Russian opposition figures.
The Lithuanian capital Vilnius is just 170 kilometers from Minsk, which makes it a "convenient geographic location" for pro-democracy Belarusians, Vilnius university analyst Laurynas Jonavicius told AFP.
The city hosts the Belarusian Human Rights House, a non-governmental organization, and an EU-funded Belarusian university in exile, the European Humanities University, which was shut down by Lukashenko in 2004.
'Waves of political immigrants'
"We help spread information from here because in Belarus the authorities are controlling the internet," Sabina Aliyeva, an 18-year-old opposition activist who is also head of the university's student union, told AFP.
Vadzim Vileita, a 37-year-old journalist and political analyst, originally from Belarus living in Lithuania, said the country was "a very natural destination for Belarusians seeking a safe place away from Belarus."
"If people want to leave Belarus for political reasons, usually they travel to Lithuania or Poland.
"After many elections when we had crackdowns in Belarus, we had waves of political immigrants coming to Lithuania every time to avoid political prosecution," he said.
But, with street protests following Sunday's vote still ongoing, Aliyeva said that at the moment many young Belarusians based in Lithuania are going back.
"They want to help out," she said, adding that she herself had been asked by her parents to stay away.
Government-in-exile?
Both Lithuania and Latvia, which also has a border with Belarus, have offered to take in any political refugees.
Lithuania and Poland have called for an emergency EU summit and Poland has offered to mediate any dialogue between Lukashenko and the opposition.
Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski said any political refugees arriving in the city would receive assistance and called for "solidarity."
Poland has a population of around 28,000 Belarusians and received 37 asylum requests from Belarusians in 2019.
Lithuania officially hosts around 20,000 Belarusians and has granted refugee status to 55 of them since 2011, with authorities now preparing for many more to come.
Lithuanian Interior Minister Rita Tamasuniene said there was "a plan of measures, if the number of Belarusian citizens asking for asylum in Lithuania grows."
Viktoryia Andrukovic, a Belarusian based in Lithuania who is also involved in the pro-democracy movement, said the Baltic state could even host a sort of government in exile for Belarus headed by Tikhanovskaya.
She would be a "symbol of freedom" for Belarusians even from outside the country.
"She is the legitimate president," she said.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-12--Philippines' Duterte Says Will Be Russia Vaccine 'Guinea Pig' as Talks Begin

Moscow says it has developed the world 's first vaccine offering `` sustainable immunity '' against the virus and is in the final stage of tests involving 2,000 people .
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will be a guinea pig for a controversial Russian coronavirus vaccine , his spokesman said on Wednesday , as the Southeast Asian nation emerged as a frontrunner for overseas clinical trials .
However , Western scientists have previously raised concerns about the speed of development of Russian vaccines , suggesting researchers might be cutting corners .
But despite the skepticism , Manila has accepted Russia 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine supply and production of the drug , and Philippine health authorities said they are meeting the Russian drug developer Gamaleya on Wednesday .
Russian President Vladimir Putin said the drug was safe and that one of his own daughters had received the inoculation , dubbed `` Sputnik V '' after the pioneering 1950s Soviet satellite .
Duterte has also expressed `` huge trust '' in Russia 's efforts to stop the contagion .
`` I believe the vaccine that you have produced is really good for humanity , '' Duterte said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first one to be experimented on , '' he said on Monday .
Duterte 's spokesman Harry Roque said that the president — known for making controversial remarks — was not joking .
`` He 's old .
He can sacrifice his life for the Filipino people , '' Roque said .
A government technical working group was meeting officials of the Moscow-based Gamaleya research institute to discuss the scope and protocols of the clinical trials in the Philippines , health undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said .
The country of around 107 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections .
There have been more than 143,000 cases — the highest in Southeast Asia after Indonesia — and the death toll is now over 2,400 .
More than 27 million people have been under strict stay-at-home orders since last week to contain the spread of the virus in the capital Metro Manila and nearby areas .
Officials have said an extension of the two-week lockdown is unlikely as the government struggles to provide aid for the country 's poorest .
Vaccine confidence remains an issue in the country .
The Philippines in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dengue vaccine Dengvaxia in a mass program , but a botched rollout led to claims several dozen children had died after being vaccinated .
Duterte last year banned the drug after a nationwide panic among parents , although a government-commissioned investigation found no conclusive proof that Dengvaxia was to blame and the drug 's manufacturer Sanofi has always denied the claims .
The World Health Organization said 20 countries have licensed the dengue vaccine for widespread use .

Moscow says it has developed the world's first vaccine offering "sustainable immunity" against the virus and is in the final stage of tests involving 2,000 people.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will be a guinea pig for a controversial Russian coronavirus vaccine, his spokesman said on Wednesday, as the Southeast Asian nation emerged as a frontrunner for overseas clinical trials.
However, Western scientists have previously raised concerns about the speed of development of Russian vaccines, suggesting researchers might be cutting corners.
But despite the skepticism, Manila has accepted Russia's offer to participate in clinical trials, vaccine supply and production of the drug, and Philippine health authorities said they are meeting the Russian drug developer Gamaleya on Wednesday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said the drug was safe and that one of his own daughters had received the inoculation, dubbed "Sputnik V" after the pioneering 1950s Soviet satellite.
Duterte has also expressed "huge trust" in Russia's efforts to stop the contagion.
"I believe the vaccine that you have produced is really good for humanity," Duterte said, praising Putin.
"I will be the first one to be experimented on," he said on Monday.
Duterte's spokesman Harry Roque said that the president — known for making controversial remarks — was not joking.
"He's old. He can sacrifice his life for the Filipino people," Roque said.
27 million in lockdown
A government technical working group was meeting officials of the Moscow-based Gamaleya research institute to discuss the scope and protocols of the clinical trials in the Philippines, health undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.
The country of around 107 million people is scrambling to contain coronavirus infections. There have been more than 143,000 cases — the highest in Southeast Asia after Indonesia — and the death toll is now over 2,400.
More than 27 million people have been under strict stay-at-home orders since last week to contain the spread of the virus in the capital Metro Manila and nearby areas.
Officials have said an extension of the two-week lockdown is unlikely as the government struggles to provide aid for the country's poorest.
Vaccine confidence remains an issue in the country.
The Philippines in 2016 was the first nation to use dengue vaccine Dengvaxia in a mass program, but a botched rollout led to claims several dozen children had died after being vaccinated.
Duterte last year banned the drug after a nationwide panic among parents, although a government-commissioned investigation found no conclusive proof that Dengvaxia was to blame and the drug's manufacturer Sanofi has always denied the claims.
The World Health Organization said 20 countries have licensed the dengue vaccine for widespread use.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-12--Lukashenko Challenger’s Ally Calls for End to Belarus Protest Crackdown

Law enforcement officials were filmed beating and shooting rubber bullets at protesters in the days after official results declared strongman leader Alexander Lukashenko the winner .
One protester has died , hundreds have been hospitalized and thousands arrested since Sunday .
A key ally of Belarus ’ main opposition candidate in the country ’ s disputed presidential polls has urged the authorities to end violence against protesters after three nights of post-election unrest .
“ We see ordinary people who want change on the streets , ” Maria Kolesnikova said in a video address shared online Tuesday .
“ These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and won ’ t forget what happened .
They won ’ t be able to live the way they used to , ” she said .
Kolesnikova , a campaign partner of opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , has remained in Belarus amid the unrest even after Tikhanovskaya left for Lithuania shortly after challenging the election results .
Tikhanovskaya ’ s second partner Veronika Tsepkalo had left for Moscow ahead of Sunday ’ s vote .
Responding to the Belarusian authorities ’ claims that foreign powers are orchestrating the nationwide anti-Lukashenko protests , Kolesnikova @ @ @ @ @ @ @ puppeteers from abroad but Belarusians themselves who want change.
” “ We ask the authorities to find the strength to face the will of the people .
We ask the authorities to listen to Belarusians , ” she said .
Kolesnikova joined forces with Tsepkalo to back Tikhanovskaya in July after the prominent candidates they had backed were either jailed or fled the country amid a crackdown on opposition forces .
Tikhanovskaya herself joined the race after her husband , popular blogger Sergei Tikhanovskoy , was jailed on charges of planning “ mass @ @ @

Law enforcement officials were filmed beating and shooting rubber bullets at protesters in the days after official results declared strongman leader Alexander Lukashenko the winner. One protester has died, hundreds have been hospitalized and thousands arrested since Sunday.
A key ally of Belarus’ main opposition candidate in the country’s disputed presidential polls has urged the authorities to end violence against protesters after three nights of post-election unrest.
“We see ordinary people who want change on the streets,” Maria Kolesnikova said in a video address shared online Tuesday.
“These people won’t go away now and won’t forget what happened. They won’t be able to live the way they used to,” she said.
Kolesnikova, a campaign partner of opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, has remained in Belarus amid the unrest even after Tikhanovskaya left for Lithuania shortly after challenging the election results.
Tikhanovskaya’s second partner Veronika Tsepkalo had left for Moscow ahead of Sunday’s vote.
Responding to the Belarusian authorities’ claims that foreign powers are orchestrating the nationwide anti-Lukashenko protests, Kolesnikova said “it’s not imagined puppeteers from abroad but Belarusians themselves who want change.”
“We ask the authorities to find the strength to face the will of the people. We ask the authorities to listen to Belarusians,” she said.
Kolesnikova joined forces with Tsepkalo to back Tikhanovskaya in July after the prominent candidates they had backed were either jailed or fled the country amid a crackdown on opposition forces. Tikhanovskaya herself joined the race after her husband, popular blogger Sergei Tikhanovskoy, was jailed on charges of planning “mass unrest.”


themoscowtimes--2020-08-12--Russia's Coronavirus Cases Surpass 900K

Russia's Coronavirus Cases Surpass 900K

The highest number of new cases were in Moscow and Sverdlovsk in the Urals .
Russia 's fatality rate has @ @ @ @ @ badly-hit countries , raising speculation that Moscow could be underreporting figures .
Russian authorities began @ @ @ @ @ ahead of a massive World War II military parade in Moscow and a nationwide vote @ @ @ @ @ allow President Vladimir Putin to stay in power until 2036 .
Both events were initially @ @ @ @ @ Moscow opened cinemas and theaters on Aug. 1 .
In the capital , masks are @ @ @ @ @ public transport but not in the streets .
Several institutes in Russia are working on @ @ @ @ @ Russian Defense Ministry has said it developed a `` safe '' vaccine following clinical trials @ @ @ @ @ .
The trials are ongoing , and the Defense Ministry expects clinical trials to be @ @ @ @ @ weeks .