unian--2020-08-07--OSCE SMM on Aug 5 records no ceasefire violations in Donbas, first time since it starts collecting d

OSCE SMM on Aug 5 records no ceasefire violations in Donbas, first time since it starts collecting data

As many as 251 incidents have been recorded since July 27 , the day when a new ceasefire began .
The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission ( SMM ) to Ukraine on August 5 recorded no ceasefire violations in Donbas , eastern Ukraine , for the first time since its monitors started collecting data there .
`` For the first time since the Mission began systematic data collection , it recorded no ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions , '' the OSCE SMM said in its August 6 report based on information as of 19:30 Eastern European Summer Time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If everything depended on Ukraine alone , Donbas would see real ceasefire According to the report , it recorded three ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and two in Luhansk region in the previous reporting period .
Following agreement reached at the meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group ( TCG ) on July 22 regarding additional measures to strengthen the ceasefire , from 00:01 on July 27 until the end of the reporting period , the SMM recorded a total of 251 ceasefire violations , both in Donetsk and Luhansk regions ( including 45 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three illumination flares and 201 bursts and shots of small-arms fire ) .
The OSCE SMM began its work on March 21 , 2014 , based on a request from the Ukrainian government to the OSCE and a consensus decision of all 57 OSCE participating states .

As many as 251 incidents have been recorded since July 27, the day when a new ceasefire began.
The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine on August 5 recorded no ceasefire violations in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, for the first time since its monitors started collecting data there.
"For the first time since the Mission began systematic data collection, it recorded no ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions," the OSCE SMM said in its August 6 report based on information as of 19:30 Eastern European Summer Time on August 5.
Read alsoZelensky: If everything depended on Ukraine alone, Donbas would see real ceasefire
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According to the report, it recorded three ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and two in Luhansk region in the previous reporting period.
Following agreement reached at the meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) on July 22 regarding additional measures to strengthen the ceasefire, from 00:01 on July 27 until the end of the reporting period, the SMM recorded a total of 251 ceasefire violations, both in Donetsk and Luhansk regions (including 45 explosions, two projectiles in flight, three illumination flares and 201 bursts and shots of small-arms fire).
The OSCE SMM began its work on March 21, 2014, based on a request from the Ukrainian government to the OSCE and a consensus decision of all 57 OSCE participating states.


unian--2020-08-07--Harvest 2020 in Ukraine: expert outlook

Harvest 2020 in Ukraine: expert outlook

Forecasts for this year 's grain harvest in Ukraine have somewhat improved , while farmers suggest they are unlikely to repeat the record yield in 2020 , while gardeners are suffering losses due to spring frosts , having pumped prices up .
UNIAN has gathered expert estimates on grain , vegetable , and fruit crops .
The Ukrainian Grain Association ( UGA ) has recently published its latest forecast for this year 's grain and oilseeds harvests in Ukraine .
Their estimates say the total gross harvest of the said crops could reach a record 100 million tonnes .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the year marked by drought , uneven precipitation , and unexpected frosts that ruined part of the crops .
In its official outlook , the Ministry for Development of Economy , Trade , and Agriculture says the grain harvest will not exceed 90 million tonnes .
`` The increase in the gross harvest and export forecast was due to the improved forecast for barley and maize , which could set a new absolute record for Ukraine , '' UGA said .
Experts say this year farmers could harvest almost 39 million tonnes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million tonnes , while exports could grow to 33 million tonnes , which will also be a new high .
Noteworthy , maize is the country 's major export product on which foreign exchange earnings largely depend , as well as general well-being of population , respectively .
Weather pundits also expect pin great hopes on the record maize harvest this year .
`` Rains that came in May provided good moisture to the soil under late crops – paradise conditions were formed for maize , sunflower , and soybeans .
If farmers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be only at the expense of maize .
There will be no record high for wheat this year due to the drought , '' Tetiana Adamenko , head of the agri-meteorology department at the Ukrhydrometeorology Center , told UNIAN .
The only issue was uneven precipitation in different regions across the country .
In southern areas , drought is still ongoing , so dry soil does n't allow crops to fully develop .
In some areas , on the contrary , heavy downpours were what affected maize crops .
`` Maize was literally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ideally , the rains should have started earlier .
There will be maize , but its quality will deteriorate , '' says Stanislav , a farmer from Poltava region .
It should be noted that Ukraine ion 2020 is seeing almost a million more hectares of corn fields on year , which leaves hope for a nice gross harvest .
Wheat harvest is expected at around 27 million tonnes , slightly lower than in 2019 .
The pace of harvesting still lags significantly behind last year 's due to the June rains .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ discuss the issue about this , global grain prices may go up against the backdrop of a possible second coronavirus wave in many countries and quarantine restrictions set to be re-imposed this fall , which could lead to a rise in bread prices in Ukraine .
Summer vegetables of domestic production are gradually filling the counters of Ukrainian markets and supermarkets , but at the same time Ukraine continues to increase greenhouse tomato and cucumber imports .
`` Low air temperatures and heavy rains delayed vegetable ripening , so , respectively , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market was limited , while prices remained fairly high .
This fact stimulated importers to continue purchasing tomatoes and cucumbers from Turkey , Poland , the Netherlands , and other European countries , '' said Kateryna Zvereva , Development Director at the Ukrainian Fruit and Vegetable Association .
The August sun and heat contribute to the open ground vegetable ripening at farms and household land plots .
However , Ukrainian producers in the midst of the summer salad season will have to compete for buyers with cheap tomato and cucumber imports .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most affected agricultural sectors in 2019 was potato growing .
Ukraine unexpectedly increased potato imports , mainly from Russia , by 43 times !
At the same time , high-quality , albeit expensive Ukrainian potatoes simply disappeared from storage facilities and only at the end of the year did they reappear in Ukrainian and foreign markets .
Deemed unfeasible , potato sowing dropped among Ukrainian villagers who are the main suppliers of these root crops to food markets .
At the same time , the sowing area for industrial-level potato growing has expanded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expanding the area for potato processing ( chips and starch ) .
Production areas have also been expanded for table potatoes , '' Oksana Ruzhenkova , chief of the Ukrainian Association of Potato Producers , told UNIAN .
The Institute of Potato Growing at the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine is optimistic about the productivity of current crops .
`` There are all preconditions that potato yield will be higher than last year .
Despite the fact that long rains and cold spring created not too favorable the conditions , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Institute for Research in Breeding and Seed Production .
As for the rest of the vegetables in the borsch kit – beet , carrot , onion , and cabbage – nothing critical is expected in their relation .
However , it is worth considering that with every year the harvest of these vegetables is becoming lower , and in the event of a bad harvest , prices hikes are possible in the fall .
This spring , Ukrainian orchards were shocked by sudden frosts , due to which farmers almost said goodbye @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and apples .
Cherries , albeit very expensive , we out there on store shelves this summer , so apples will be there , too .
At professional farms , these crops did n't suffer from bad weather , says Yevhen Kuzin , an analyst with APK-Inform .
`` Weather conditions for apple producers in Ukraine this season were more favorable than a year earlier .
Issues such as hot summers and spring frosts have had a negative impact mainly on less intensive gardens , '' he notes .
It is expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.2 million tonnes of apples , which is slightly more than in 2019 .
This season 's peculiarity is that Ukrainian gardeners are guided mainly by the domestic market due to high prices .
Exports to India , China and other countries will fade into the background for now .
Apricots will be scarce this year .
In early August , even wholesale prices for these fruits reached UAH 40 per kilo , which is one and a half times higher than last year .
The main reason for the decline in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's continued frosts , which led to southern farms losing up to half of their crops .
The same applies to the thermophilic peach orchards in Odesa and Kherson regions , which did n't survive sudden temperature jumps this April .
In August , at the beginning of the watermelon season , the cost of Kherson berries , much loved by most Ukrainians , came as an unpleasant stunner .
Traders say prices for watermelons at the beginning of August were the highest for the last five years and reached UAH 6 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grain exports from Ukraine slower than last year Experts reassure that this is due to the peculiarities of 2020 weather conditions and the uneven ripening of watermelons in the main producing areas , rather than poor watermelon harvest in general .
Accordingly , watermelon supplies on the market remain uneven , analysts say .
In general , one thing is certain about grain , vegetable , and fruit crops in 2020 – this year will not be the worst one and it will definitely not leave Ukrainians starving .
Indeed , many farmers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while buyers will sometimes have to fork out for the long-sought produce .
However , things this year got difficult for most countries , not only Ukraine .
Coronacrisis , quarantine restrictions , and unfavorable weather conditions complicate harvesting in Europe – that 's besides labor force deficit as the traditional flow of Ukrainian migrant workers is down due to massive border lockdowns .

Forecasts for this year's grain harvest in Ukraine have somewhat improved, while farmers suggest they are unlikely to repeat the record yield in 2020, while gardeners are suffering losses due to spring frosts, having pumped prices up. UNIAN has gathered expert estimates on grain, vegetable, and fruit crops.
The Ukrainian Grain Association (UGA) has recently published its latest forecast for this year's grain and oilseeds harvests in Ukraine. Their estimates say the total gross harvest of the said crops could reach a record 100 million tonnes.
This is the most optimistic forecast for 2020, the year marked by drought, uneven precipitation, and unexpected frosts that ruined part of the crops.
In its official outlook, the Ministry for Development of Economy, Trade, and Agriculture says the grain harvest will not exceed 90 million tonnes.
Видео дня
"The increase in the gross harvest and export forecast was due to the improved forecast for barley and maize, which could set a new absolute record for Ukraine," UGA said.
Experts say this year farmers could harvest almost 39 million tonnes of maize against last year's 35 million tonnes, while exports could grow to 33 million tonnes, which will also be a new high.
Noteworthy, maize is the country's major export product on which foreign exchange earnings largely depend, as well as general well-being of population, respectively.
Weather pundits also expect pin great hopes on the record maize harvest this year. "Rains that came in May provided good moisture to the soil under late crops – paradise conditions were formed for maize, sunflower, and soybeans. If farmers reap a record harvest, it will be only at the expense of maize. There will be no record high for wheat this year due to the drought," Tetiana Adamenko, head of the agri-meteorology department at the Ukrhydrometeorology Center, told UNIAN.
The only issue was uneven precipitation in different regions across the country. In southern areas, drought is still ongoing, so dry soil doesn't allow crops to fully develop. In some areas, on the contrary, heavy downpours were what affected maize crops.
"Maize was literally going crazy over precipitation in June. Ideally, the rains should have started earlier. There will be maize, but its quality will deteriorate," says Stanislav, a farmer from Poltava region.
It should be noted that Ukraine ion 2020 is seeing almost a million more hectares of corn fields on year, which leaves hope for a nice gross harvest.
Wheat harvest is expected at around 27 million tonnes, slightly lower than in 2019. The pace of harvesting still lags significantly behind last year's due to the June rains.
Although it might be too early to discuss the issue about this, global grain prices may go up against the backdrop of a possible second coronavirus wave in many countries and quarantine restrictions set to be re-imposed this fall, which could lead to a rise in bread prices in Ukraine.
Salad seasons not canceled
Summer vegetables of domestic production are gradually filling the counters of Ukrainian markets and supermarkets, but at the same time Ukraine continues to increase greenhouse tomato and cucumber imports.
"Low air temperatures and heavy rains delayed vegetable ripening, so, respectively, the supply of Ukrainian products to the domestic market was limited, while prices remained fairly high. This fact stimulated importers to continue purchasing tomatoes and cucumbers from Turkey, Poland, the Netherlands, and other European countries," said Kateryna Zvereva, Development Director at the Ukrainian Fruit and Vegetable Association.
The August sun and heat contribute to the open ground vegetable ripening at farms and household land plots. However, Ukrainian producers in the midst of the summer salad season will have to compete for buyers with cheap tomato and cucumber imports.
Read alsoExperts predict increase in global potato consumption
It is worth recalling that one of the most affected agricultural sectors in 2019 was potato growing. Ukraine unexpectedly increased potato imports, mainly from Russia, by 43 times! At the same time, high-quality, albeit expensive Ukrainian potatoes simply disappeared from storage facilities and only at the end of the year did they reappear in Ukrainian and foreign markets.
Deemed unfeasible, potato sowing dropped among Ukrainian villagers who are the main suppliers of these root crops to food markets. At the same time, the sowing area for industrial-level potato growing has expanded.
"The main focus is on expanding the area for potato processing (chips and starch). Production areas have also been expanded for table potatoes," Oksana Ruzhenkova, chief of the Ukrainian Association of Potato Producers, told UNIAN.
The Institute of Potato Growing at the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine is optimistic about the productivity of current crops.
"There are all preconditions that potato yield will be higher than last year. Despite the fact that long rains and cold spring created not too favorable the conditions," says Mukola Furdiga, Deputy Director of the Institute for Research in Breeding and Seed Production.
As for the rest of the vegetables in the borsch kit – beet, carrot, onion, and cabbage – nothing critical is expected in their relation. However, it is worth considering that with every year the harvest of these vegetables is becoming lower, and in the event of a bad harvest, prices hikes are possible in the fall.
Rising fruit prices
This spring, Ukrainian orchards were shocked by sudden frosts, due to which farmers almost said goodbye to the harvest of cherries, apricots, and apples. Cherries, albeit very expensive, we out there on store shelves this summer, so apples will be there, too. At professional farms, these crops didn't suffer from bad weather, says Yevhen Kuzin, an analyst with APK-Inform.
"Weather conditions for apple producers in Ukraine this season were more favorable than a year earlier. Issues such as hot summers and spring frosts have had a negative impact mainly on less intensive gardens," he notes.
It is expected that Ukraine this season will produce nearly 1.2 million tonnes of apples, which is slightly more than in 2019. This season's peculiarity is that Ukrainian gardeners are guided mainly by the domestic market due to high prices. Exports to India, China and other countries will fade into the background for now.
Apricots will be scarce this year. In early August, even wholesale prices for these fruits reached UAH 40 per kilo, which is one and a half times higher than last year. The main reason for the decline in the gross harvest of apricots were this spring's continued frosts, which led to southern farms losing up to half of their crops.
The same applies to the thermophilic peach orchards in Odesa and Kherson regions, which didn't survive sudden temperature jumps this April.
In August, at the beginning of the watermelon season, the cost of Kherson berries, much loved by most Ukrainians, came as an unpleasant stunner. Traders say prices for watermelons at the beginning of August were the highest for the last five years and reached UAH 6 per kilo in wholesale.
Read alsoPace of grain exports from Ukraine slower than last year
Experts reassure that this is due to the peculiarities of 2020 weather conditions and the uneven ripening of watermelons in the main producing areas, rather than poor watermelon harvest in general.
Accordingly, watermelon supplies on the market remain uneven, analysts say.
In general, one thing is certain about grain, vegetable, and fruit crops in 2020 – this year will not be the worst one and it will definitely not leave Ukrainians starving.
Indeed, many farmers and exporters will suffer certain losses, while buyers will sometimes have to fork out for the long-sought produce. However, things this year got difficult for most countries, not only Ukraine. Coronacrisis, quarantine restrictions, and unfavorable weather conditions complicate harvesting in Europe – that's besides labor force deficit as the traditional flow of Ukrainian migrant workers is down due to massive border lockdowns.
Anna Nahorna


unian--2020-08-07--Kolomoisky responds to U.S. Justice Department's accusations

He categorically rejected all other accusations of the U.S. Justice Department .
Ukrainian businessman Ihor Kolomoisky has denied the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ of money laundering related to PrivatBank .
`` All investments in the United States of @ @ @ @ @ own funds received in 2007-2008 under an agreement with Evraz , and from the income @ @ @ @ @ kept in PrivatBank , '' Kolomoisky said in an exclusive comment to LB.ua .
He @ @ @ @ @ of the U.S. Justice Department .
On August 6 , the U.S. accused Kolomoisky of @ @ @ @ @ PrivatBank and using a huge number of companies to launder this money in the United @ @ @ @ @ .
The U.S. Department of Justice demands the confiscation of two facilities of commercial real @ @ @ @ @ acquired with the funds allegedly stolen from PrivatBank .

He categorically rejected all other accusations of the U.S. Justice Department.
Ukrainian businessman Ihor Kolomoisky has denied the U.S. Department of Justice's accusations of money laundering related to PrivatBank.
"All investments in the United States of America were made from our own funds received in 2007-2008 under an agreement with Evraz, and from other businesses' revenue deposited in PrivatBank," Kolomoisky said in an exclusive comment to LB.ua.
Read alsoUkrainian businessman Kolomoisky wins suit against ex-NBU Governor Gontareva
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He categorically rejected all other accusations of the U.S. Justice Department.
On August 6, the U.S. accused Kolomoisky of stealing billions of dollars from PrivatBank and using a huge number of companies to launder this money in the United States and other countries.
The U.S. Department of Justice demands the confiscation of two commercial real estate facilities, which the businessman acquired with the funds allegedly siphoned from PrivatBank.


unian--2020-08-07--Ukraine's Health Minister: Kharkiv included in red zone as a result of 'clerical error'

The information was not final .
Ukraine 's Health Minister Maksym Stepanov says that including the city of Kharkiv in @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 quarantine on August 7 was a clerical error .
`` There has been a @ @ @ @ @ outlets disseminated information that they had seen at the Public Health Center , '' he @ @ @ @ @ August 7 , according to nv.ua .
`` It was a clerical error . ''
@ @ @ @ @ red zone '' of COVID-19 quarantine as Ukraine reviews zoning Aug 7 The information was @ @ @ @ @ .
As was reported earlier , Kharkiv got into the red zone as Ukraine authorities @ @ @ @ @ weekly review of its recently-introduced quarantine zoning .
Rivne region 's Kostopilsky district and Chernivtsi @ @ @ @ @ part of the red zone .
Meanwhile , the city of Ternopil migrated from the @ @ @ @ @ restrictions will be in effect there from August 8 , while the city of Lutsk @ @ @ @ @ and will stay in the orange zone for at least a week .

The information was not final.
Ukraine's Health Minister Maksym Stepanov says that including the city of Kharkiv in the red zone of the COVID-19 quarantine on August 7 was a clerical error.
"There has been a technical error when some media outlets disseminated information that they had seen at the Public Health Center," he said at a briefing on August 7, according to nv.ua. "It was a clerical error."
Read alsoKharkiv now in "red zone" of COVID-19 quarantine as Ukraine reviews zoning Aug 7
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The information was not final, he said.
As was reported earlier, Kharkiv got into the red zone as Ukraine authorities on August 7 completed a weekly review of its recently-introduced quarantine zoning. Rivne region's Kostopilsky district and Chernivtsi region's Kitsmansky district became part of the red zone.
Meanwhile, the city of Ternopil migrated from the red zone, and yellow-zone restrictions will be in effect there from August 8, while the city of Lutsk also left the red zone and will stay in the orange zone for at least a week.


unian--2020-08-07--Ukrainian PM announces readiness to supply water to Crimea "in case of humanitarian disaster"

He says water will not be supplied to `` the occupation forces , for the military bases ' needs . ''
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal does not rule out the possibility of supplying drinking water from the mainland of Ukraine to Russia-occupied Crimea in the event of , as he put it , a `` humanitarian disaster '' on the peninsula .
`` If necessary to provide people with water , if there is a humanitarian disaster , of course , Ukraine will provide Ukrainians – somewhere in Crimea or elsewhere – with water and with everything they need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Shmyhal said in an interview for Radio Svoboda 's Ukrainian service .
Yet , he added , Ukraine will not supply water to `` the occupation forces , for the needs of military bases . ''
`` It 's impossible , '' he said .
According to him , it is technically impossible at the moment to supply water from the Dnipro River to Russia-occupied Crimea .
`` The Crimean Canal is closed , and journalists have conducted more than one investigation that it is impossible today to supply water to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is necessary to invest funds , to repair this infrastructure , '' he said .
Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv on June 11 , Shmyhal said that the issue of resuming the supply of fresh water to Crimea was not on the Ukrainian agenda .
Prior to that , on March 5 , Shmyhal claimed that his Cabinet `` would not cut off the water for Ukrainians in Crimea '' and said that the failure to supply water `` would lead to a humanitarian disaster . ''
Later , he wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not supply water to Crimea until the end of the peninsula 's occupation , because `` it is technically impossible to split water for households and for [ Russia 's ] military bases . ''

He says water will not be supplied to "the occupation forces, for the military bases' needs."
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal does not rule out the possibility of supplying drinking water from the mainland of Ukraine to Russia-occupied Crimea in the event of, as he put it, a "humanitarian disaster" on the peninsula.
"If necessary to provide people with water, if there is a humanitarian disaster, of course, Ukraine will provide Ukrainians – somewhere in Crimea or elsewhere – with water and with everything they need, medicines, food and so on," Shmyhal said in an interview for Radio Svoboda's Ukrainian service.
Read alsoSwitzerland allocates 1.4 mln francs for water purification in Donbas
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Yet, he added, Ukraine will not supply water to "the occupation forces, for the needs of military bases." "It's impossible," he said.
According to him, it is technically impossible at the moment to supply water from the Dnipro River to Russia-occupied Crimea.
"The Crimean Canal is closed, and journalists have conducted more than one investigation that it is impossible today to supply water to Crimea using the existing infrastructure. It is necessary to invest funds, to repair this infrastructure," he said.
Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv on June 11, Shmyhal said that the issue of resuming the supply of fresh water to Crimea was not on the Ukrainian agenda. Prior to that, on March 5, Shmyhal claimed that his Cabinet "would not cut off the water for Ukrainians in Crimea" and said that the failure to supply water "would lead to a humanitarian disaster."
Later, he wrote on Facebook that the Ukrainian authorities could not supply water to Crimea until the end of the peninsula's occupation, because "it is technically impossible to split water for households and for [Russia's] military bases."


unian--2020-08-07--Reuters: U.S. imposes sanctions on Hong Kong's Lam, other officials over crackdown

The sanctions freeze any U.S. assets of the officials and generally bar Americans from doing business with them .
The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam , the territory 's current and former police chiefs and eight other top officials for what Washington says is their role in curtailing political freedoms in the territory .
The sanctions were imposed under an executive order President Donald Trump signed last month to punish China for its moves against dissent in Hong Kong and are the latest dramatic action by his administration against Beijing in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reuters said .
Read alsoEU imposes sanctions on four Russians , GRU military intel unit over cyberattacks As well as Lam , the sanctions target Hong Kong Police commissioner Chris Tang and his predecessor Stephen Lo ; John Lee Ka-chiu , Hong Kong 's secretary of security , and Teresa Cheng , the justice secretary .
Among six other officials targeted were Luo Huining , mainland China 's top official in Hong Kong , and Xia Baolong , the director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office in Beijing .
The Treasury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ draconian '' national security legislation had undermined Hong Kong 's autonomy and set `` the groundwork for censorship of any individuals or outlets that are deemed unfriendly to China .
`` `` Carrie Lam is the chief executive directly responsible for implementing Beijing 's policies of suppression of freedom and democratic processes , '' it said .
In a separate statement , U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the moves `` send a clear message that the Hong Kong authorities ' actions are unacceptable '' and in contravention of China 's `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We will not stand by while the people of Hong Kong suffer brutal oppression at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party or its enablers , '' he added in a tweet .
The sanctions freeze any U.S. assets of the officials and generally bar Americans from doing business with them .

The sanctions freeze any U.S. assets of the officials and generally bar Americans from doing business with them.
The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, the territory's current and former police chiefs and eight other top officials for what Washington says is their role in curtailing political freedoms in the territory.
The sanctions were imposed under an executive order President Donald Trump signed last month to punish China for its moves against dissent in Hong Kong and are the latest dramatic action by his administration against Beijing in the run-up to his November re-election bid, Reuters said.
Read alsoEU imposes sanctions on four Russians, GRU military intel unit over cyberattacks
Видео дня
As well as Lam, the sanctions target Hong Kong Police commissioner Chris Tang and his predecessor Stephen Lo; John Lee Ka-chiu, Hong Kong's secretary of security, and Teresa Cheng, the justice secretary.
Among six other officials targeted were Luo Huining, mainland China's top official in Hong Kong, and Xia Baolong, the director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office in Beijing.
The Treasury Department said Beijing's imposition of "draconian" national security legislation had undermined Hong Kong's autonomy and set "the groundwork for censorship of any individuals or outlets that are deemed unfriendly to China.""Carrie Lam is the chief executive directly responsible for implementing Beijing's policies of suppression of freedom and democratic processes," it said.
In a separate statement, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the moves "send a clear message that the Hong Kong authorities' actions are unacceptable" and in contravention of China's "one country, two systems" commitments.
"We will not stand by while the people of Hong Kong suffer brutal oppression at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party or its enablers," he added in a tweet.
The sanctions freeze any U.S. assets of the officials and generally bar Americans from doing business with them.


unian--2020-08-07--Ukrainian journalists reportedly detained in Minsk, their phones turned off – media

Two of the detainees are citizens of Ukraine .
Staff correspondents of the Current Time ( Nastoyashcheye Vremya ) TV channel Irina Romaliyskaya , Yury Baranyuk and Ivan Grebenyuk have reportedly been detained in Minsk Hotel in the capital of Belarus .
They are currently en route to the Minsk-based Moskovsky police department , Current Time TV reported .
It is now unknown why they were detained .
Romaliyskaya and Grebenyuk are citizens of Ukraine , Baranyuk is a citizen of Russia .
Their phones were turned off .
Roman Vasyukovich , Current Time TV 's Belarus-based correspondent , does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Current Time TV has been covering the [ presidential ] elections in Belarus for several weeks already , and yesterday it had a four-hour special broadcast featuring presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya 's disrupted rally .
It has been viewed more than half a million times on social media alone , '' the publication said .
Current Time TV is a Russian-language television channel whose editorial office is based in Prague , it was created by the media corporations Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty with participation of Voice of America .
The channel – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the U.S. Congress through the U.S. Agency for Global Media .
Romaliyskaya is the host of the Vecher ( `` Evening '' ) program , Current Time TV 's top news show .
Grebenyuk is a Ukrainian journalist , senior writer who is currently working for Current Time TV in Prague .
Baranyuk is Current Time TV 's own correspondent in St. Petersburg , Russia .
There is no official information about their detention yet .

Two of the detainees are citizens of Ukraine.
Staff correspondents of the Current Time (Nastoyashcheye Vremya) TV channel Irina Romaliyskaya, Yury Baranyuk and Ivan Grebenyuk have reportedly been detained in Minsk Hotel in the capital of Belarus.
They are currently en route to the Minsk-based Moskovsky police department, Current Time TV reported.
It is now unknown why they were detained.
Видео дня
Read alsoUkrainian law enforcers detain Belarusian citizen wanted by Interpol
Romaliyskaya and Grebenyuk are citizens of Ukraine, Baranyuk is a citizen of Russia.
Their phones were turned off. Roman Vasyukovich, Current Time TV's Belarus-based correspondent, does not respond to phone calls too.
"Current Time TV has been covering the [presidential] elections in Belarus for several weeks already, and yesterday it had a four-hour special broadcast featuring presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya's disrupted rally. It has been viewed more than half a million times on social media alone," the publication said.
Current Time TV is a Russian-language television channel whose editorial office is based in Prague, it was created by the media corporations Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty with participation of Voice of America. The channel – via RFE/RL – is funded through grants from the U.S. Congress through the U.S. Agency for Global Media.
Romaliyskaya is the host of the Vecher ("Evening") program, Current Time TV's top news show.
Grebenyuk is a Ukrainian journalist, senior writer who is currently working for Current Time TV in Prague.
Baranyuk is Current Time TV's own correspondent in St. Petersburg, Russia.
There is no official information about their detention yet.


unian--2020-08-07--Kyiv may impose tough quarantine-related curbs again

Over the past day alone , another 186 people contracted the virus .
The city of Kyiv may again impose tough quarantine-related curbs amid an increase in COVID-19 cases .
`` Kyiv may get back to tough quarantine restrictions , '' the COVID19_Ukraine channel on Telegram reported on August 7 , citing the Corona Kyiv channel .
`` In recent days , an increase in coronavirus cases has been recorded in the city .
Over the past day alone , another 186 people contracted the virus . ''
Read alsoUkraine hit by another daily record high in COVID-19 cases on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new adaptive quarantine rules in Ukraine became effective from August 3 .
The quarantine itself was extended until August 31 .
Under the new rules , Ukraine is divided into several zones : green , yellow , orange , and red , depending on the COVID-19 threat levels .
Such a division is based on several criteria : the bed occupancy rate in hospitals should not exceed 50 % , the average number of COVID-19 tests should be at least 24 tests per 100,000 people , the ascertainment rate should not exceed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growth of confirmed cases should be no more than 10 % .
The rules of the green zone envisage wearing face masks or respirators in public places ; holding mass events with no more than one person per five square meters ; occupancy at cinemas should not exceed 50 % ; and passengers should be transported only within the seating capacity .
The restrictions of the yellow zone include the green zone 's rules along with a ban on visits to social welfare facilities where elderly people are staying , except for those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The orange zone 's bans include the yellow zone restrictions along with a ban on the operation of accommodation establishments ( hostels , tourist bases , etc . )
, except hotels ; work of entertainment facilities , restaurants at night ; scheduled hospitalizations ; operation of gyms , fitness centers , cultural institutions ; new shifts in children 's camps ; and restrictions for public events : one person per 20 square meters and no more than 100 people .
The red zone 's bans include the orange zone 's restrictions along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public transport ; visits to educational institutions ; and work of shopping malls , cafes , and restaurants .
Migration from one to another zone is possible if there are excessive indicators for five days in a row , and a region could return to the zone with the better epidemiological situation after improvements in the indicators for three days in a row .

Over the past day alone, another 186 people contracted the virus.
The city of Kyiv may again impose tough quarantine-related curbs amid an increase in COVID-19 cases.
"Kyiv may get back to tough quarantine restrictions," the COVID19_Ukraine channel on Telegram reported on August 7, citing the Corona Kyiv channel. "In recent days, an increase in coronavirus cases has been recorded in the city. Over the past day alone, another 186 people contracted the virus."
Read alsoUkraine hit by another daily record high in COVID-19 cases on Aug 7
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As UNIAN reported earlier, the new adaptive quarantine rules in Ukraine became effective from August 3. The quarantine itself was extended until August 31. Under the new rules, Ukraine is divided into several zones: green, yellow, orange, and red, depending on the COVID-19 threat levels.
Such a division is based on several criteria: the bed occupancy rate in hospitals should not exceed 50%, the average number of COVID-19 tests should be at least 24 tests per 100,000 people, the ascertainment rate should not exceed 11%, and the rate of growth of confirmed cases should be no more than 10%.
The rules of the green zone envisage wearing face masks or respirators in public places; holding mass events with no more than one person per five square meters; occupancy at cinemas should not exceed 50%; and passengers should be transported only within the seating capacity.
The restrictions of the yellow zone include the green zone's rules along with a ban on visits to social welfare facilities where elderly people are staying, except for those that provide services in critical situations.
The orange zone's bans include the yellow zone restrictions along with a ban on the operation of accommodation establishments (hostels, tourist bases, etc.), except hotels; work of entertainment facilities, restaurants at night; scheduled hospitalizations; operation of gyms, fitness centers, cultural institutions; new shifts in children's camps; and restrictions for public events: one person per 20 square meters and no more than 100 people.
The red zone's bans include the orange zone's restrictions along with a ban on the operation of public transport; visits to educational institutions; and work of shopping malls, cafes, and restaurants.
Migration from one to another zone is possible if there are excessive indicators for five days in a row, and a region could return to the zone with the better epidemiological situation after improvements in the indicators for three days in a row.


unian--2020-08-07--Zelensky outlines ways to achieve peace in Donbas

The president says the peace is key to Ukraine 's economic growth .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has outlined ways to achieve peace in Donbas , saying that the Armed Forces of Ukraine should be constantly and persistently strengthened while peace talks are held in the Normandy and Minsk formats .
`` The president stressed that one of the ways to peace is the constant and persistent strengthening of our Armed Forces in parallel with talks in the Normandy and Minsk formats , '' the press service of the President 's Office said , reporting on Zelensky 's working trip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Ukrainian government will continue seeking the peace , the return of Ukrainian hostages and recovery of the occupied territories , because this is what the Ukrainian nation wants , he said .
According to him , achieving peace in Donbas is key to economic growth of the state and an improvement in the quality of life of every Ukrainian .
Andriy Ordynovych , a representative of the Joint Center for Control and Coordination of issues related to the ceasefire regime and stabilization of the situation along the contact line in Donbas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provocation by Russia-controlled forces , the Ukrainian military 's morale is high .
`` They are ready to continue to carry out the tasks set by the country 's military and political leadership , '' he said .
`` When communicating with them , I would say this : everyone is determined to protect the state and achieve peace as soon as possible . ''
Zelensky also visited the front-line town of Maryinka in Donetsk region and talked with local residents .
They said that in the absence of hostilities , the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are returning home , many local residents are beginning to repair their homes .
At the same time , people complained about the lack of natural gas and water supply .
Chairman of Donetsk Regional State Administration and head of the region 's Military-Civil Administration Pavlo Kyrylenko , in turn , said that amid the ceasefire , it would be possible to safely begin repairing infrastructure to solve this problem .
He said that under such conditions , natural gas and water would be available within six months .
In addition , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rebuilding Maryinka 's infrastructure , namely roads , as soon as possible .

The president says the peace is key to Ukraine's economic growth.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has outlined ways to achieve peace in Donbas, saying that the Armed Forces of Ukraine should be constantly and persistently strengthened while peace talks are held in the Normandy and Minsk formats.
"The president stressed that one of the ways to peace is the constant and persistent strengthening of our Armed Forces in parallel with talks in the Normandy and Minsk formats," the press service of the President's Office said, reporting on Zelensky's working trip to the Joint Forces Operation zone.
Read alsoOnly random shots recorded in Donbas amid truce, General Staff chief says
Видео дня
The Ukrainian government will continue seeking the peace, the return of Ukrainian hostages and recovery of the occupied territories, because this is what the Ukrainian nation wants, he said.
According to him, achieving peace in Donbas is key to economic growth of the state and an improvement in the quality of life of every Ukrainian.
Andriy Ordynovych, a representative of the Joint Center for Control and Coordination of issues related to the ceasefire regime and stabilization of the situation along the contact line in Donbas, confirmed that, despite random acts of provocation by Russia-controlled forces, the Ukrainian military's morale is high. "They are ready to continue to carry out the tasks set by the country's military and political leadership," he said. "When communicating with them, I would say this: everyone is determined to protect the state and achieve peace as soon as possible."
Zelensky also visited the front-line town of Maryinka in Donetsk region and talked with local residents. They said that in the absence of hostilities, the city is gradually reviving: people with children are returning home, many local residents are beginning to repair their homes. At the same time, people complained about the lack of natural gas and water supply.
Chairman of Donetsk Regional State Administration and head of the region's Military-Civil Administration Pavlo Kyrylenko, in turn, said that amid the ceasefire, it would be possible to safely begin repairing infrastructure to solve this problem. He said that under such conditions, natural gas and water would be available within six months.
In addition, the president asked the local authorities to start rebuilding Maryinka's infrastructure, namely roads, as soon as possible.


unian--2020-08-07--Only random shots recorded in Donbas amid truce, General Staff chief says

The shots are random and do not reach the Ukrainian positions .
Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Ruslan Khomchak has said only random shots were recorded in Donbas amid the newly-agreed truce .
He called on the public to distinguish between single shots , which are now recorded in the JFO [ Joint Forces Operation ] area from the armed formations , from shelling .
And it is precisely the shelling on the front line that has not yet taken place since the beginning of the ceasefire , Khomchak said during the president 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our territory in Ukraine , where there is no war , there are so many shooting and explosions every day ...
But here is the contact line .
And in general , there were such random shots before during more serious shelling , '' he said .
According to Khomchak , not a single shot was recorded on the contact line on August 6 , while two shots were made in different places on August 7 .
`` Previously , we did not record them at all .
They are random , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have clearly determined that we are not deceiving anyone .
First of all , public , so that everyone understands what is happening .
In general , they could not be taken into account , '' Khomchak said .
• Participants in the Trilateral Contact Group ( Ukraine , Russia , and OSCE ) on the peace settlement in Donbas on July 22 agreed on full and comprehensive ceasefire along the contact line from 00:01 on Monday , July 27 .
• The new ceasefire regime was enforced at 00:01 Kyiv time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very first day of the newly-agreed truce , Russia 's hybrid military forces mounted three attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas , eastern Ukraine .
• Ukraine reported more fire provocations were reported over the past few days .

The shots are random and do not reach the Ukrainian positions.
Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Ruslan Khomchak has said only random shots were recorded in Donbas amid the newly-agreed truce.
He called on the public to distinguish between single shots, which are now recorded in the JFO [Joint Forces Operation] area from the armed formations, from shelling. And it is precisely the shelling on the front line that has not yet taken place since the beginning of the ceasefire, Khomchak said during the president's working trip to Donbas.
Read alsoDonbas truce: Ukraine reports two violations since midnight Aug 7
Видео дня
"In our territory in Ukraine, where there is no war, there are so many shooting and explosions every day... But here is the contact line. And in general, there were such random shots before during more serious shelling," he said.
According to Khomchak, not a single shot was recorded on the contact line on August 6, while two shots were made in different places on August 7.
"Previously, we did not record them at all. They are random, they do not reach our positions. But we have clearly determined that we are not deceiving anyone. First of all, public, so that everyone understands what is happening. In general, they could not be taken into account," Khomchak said.
Background


unian--2020-08-08--Ukraine needs about US$10 bln to restore occupied Donbas after reintegration, Zelensky's advisor say

This is about 5-7 % of Ukraine 's GDP .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky 's economic advisor Oleh Ustenko has @ @ @ @ @ $ 10 billion to restore the occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions after their @ @ @ @ @ estimate is about US $ 10 billion that will be needed to restore the uncontrolled @ @ @ @ @ 5-7 % of our GDP , '' he told RFE/RL 's Donbas.Realii project .
According @ @ @ @ @ be necessary to create a fund , including for donor money , to restore the @ @ @ @ @ reintegration .
As UNIAN reported earlier , Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied @ @ @ @ @ was developing an ambitious new economic strategy for the east of the country .

Ukraine needs about US$10 bln to restore occupied Donbas after reintegration, Zelensky's advisor says
23:20, 08.08.20 10853
This is about 5-7% of Ukraine's GDP.
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unian--2020-08-08--Ukraine's Health Ministry: Kyiv, eight regions not ready for lifting COVID-19 curbs

The epidemiological situation did not let Kyiv and such regions as Volyn , Ivano-Frankivsk , Kyiv , Odesa , Rivne , Kharkiv , Chernivtsi , and Chernihiv enter the next stage of easing the coronavirus-related quarantine .
Ukraine 's Health Ministry says the city of Kyiv and eight Ukrainian regions are not ready for lifting COVID-19 curbs .
The epidemiological situation as of August 8 did not let Kyiv and such regions as Volyn , Ivano-Frankivsk , Kyiv , Odesa , Rivne , Kharkiv , Chernivtsi , and Chernihiv enter the next stage of easing the coronavirus-related quarantine , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alsoUkraine 's Health Minister : Kharkiv included in red zone as a result of 'clerical error' To have COVID-19 curbs lifted , regions , cities and towns in Ukraine should meet a set of criteria .
Such criteria reflect measures to control the spread of the virus , hospitals ' capacities , and the ability of the healthcare system as a whole to counter the spread of COVID-19 , the ministry said .
As UNIAN reported earlier , Ukraine 's authorities on Saturday , August 8 , said the number of new active @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past 24 hours .
Depending on the epidemiological situation , all regions in Ukraine are divided into several zones from August 1 : green , yellow , orange , and red according to the COVID-19 risk levels .

The epidemiological situation did not let Kyiv and such regions as Volyn, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kyiv, Odesa, Rivne, Kharkiv, Chernivtsi, and Chernihiv enter the next stage of easing the coronavirus-related quarantine.
Ukraine's Health Ministry says the city of Kyiv and eight Ukrainian regions are not ready for lifting COVID-19 curbs.
The epidemiological situation as of August 8 did not let Kyiv and such regions as Volyn, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kyiv, Odesa, Rivne, Kharkiv, Chernivtsi, and Chernihiv enter the next stage of easing the coronavirus-related quarantine, the ministry said on its website.
Read alsoUkraine's Health Minister: Kharkiv included in red zone as a result of 'clerical error'
Видео дня
To have COVID-19 curbs lifted, regions, cities and towns in Ukraine should meet a set of criteria.
Such criteria reflect measures to control the spread of the virus, hospitals' capacities, and the ability of the healthcare system as a whole to counter the spread of COVID-19, the ministry said.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukraine's authorities on Saturday, August 8, said the number of new active COVID-19 cases increased by 1,489 over the past 24 hours.
Depending on the epidemiological situation, all regions in Ukraine are divided into several zones from August 1: green, yellow, orange, and red according to the COVID-19 risk levels.


unian--2020-08-08--Kravchuk announces four possible options to achieve full ceasefire in Donbas

Kravchuk stressed Ukraine is ready to make concessions if appropriate steps are taken from the `` other side . ''
Head of the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group ( TCG ) and first president of independent Ukraine Leonid Kravchuk has announced four possible options that could be used to achieve a full ceasefire in Donbas .
`` We see this should be done through negotiations – first , through discussions – second , through compromises – third , and by making appropriate concessions – fourth , '' he told Obozrevatel TV channel .
Kravchuk stressed Ukraine is ready @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken from the `` other side . ''
At the same time , he opposed any ultimatums .
`` The Ukrainian side is ready to offer and demand that the signatures that have been put be respected both by us and by people subordinate to certain structures in those regions .
So that we really start a truce seriously and for a long time , not in words , but in deeds , '' the official added .
Participants in the Trilateral Contact Group ( Ukraine , Russia , and OSCE ) on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22 agreed on full and comprehensive ceasefire along the contact line from 00:01 on Monday , July 27 .
The new ceasefire regime was enforced at 00:01 Kyiv time on July 27 .
On the very first day of the newly-agreed truce , Russia 's hybrid military forces mounted three attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas , eastern Ukraine .
Ukraine reported more fire provocations were reported over the past few days .

Kravchuk stressed Ukraine is ready to make concessions if appropriate steps are taken from the "other side."
Head of the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) and first president of independent Ukraine Leonid Kravchuk has announced four possible options that could be used to achieve a full ceasefire in Donbas.
"We see this should be done through negotiations – first, through discussions – second, through compromises – third, and by making appropriate concessions – fourth," he told Obozrevatel TV channel.
Kravchuk stressed Ukraine is ready to make concessions if appropriate steps are taken from the "other side."
Видео дня
Read alsoOnly random shots recorded in Donbas amid truce, General Staff chief says
At the same time, he opposed any ultimatums.
"The Ukrainian side is ready to offer and demand that the signatures that have been put be respected both by us and by people subordinate to certain structures in those regions. So that we really start a truce seriously and for a long time, not in words, but in deeds," the official added.
Background
Participants in the Trilateral Contact Group (Ukraine, Russia, and OSCE) on the peace settlement in Donbas on July 22 agreed on full and comprehensive ceasefire along the contact line from 00:01 on Monday, July 27.
The new ceasefire regime was enforced at 00:01 Kyiv time on July 27.
On the very first day of the newly-agreed truce, Russia's hybrid military forces mounted three attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine reported more fire provocations were reported over the past few days.


unian--2020-08-08--Ukraine suspends crossing checkpoints with occupied Crimea over coronavirus

The operation of entry and exit checkpoints is temporarily suspended from 08:00 on August 9 , 2020 , till 08:00 on August 30 , 2020 .
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has decided to suspend the crossing of entry and exit checkpoints with the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol .
The relevant decision was made at an extraordinary meeting on Saturday , August 8 , according to the government portal .
The document is aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 on the territory of Ukraine by temporarily suspending the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Read alsoZelensky instructs PM Shmyhal to mobilize government to prevent second COVID-19 wave According to the order , the operation of entry and exit checkpoints is temporarily suspended from 08:00 on August 9 , 2020 , till 08:00 on August 30 , 2020 , except for the following categories of citizens of Ukraine and members of their families : - The place of residence of whom is in established by the law order registered in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea or the city of Sevastopol , as well as their vehicles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enter the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea ; - Whose place of residence is in the established by law order registered outside the Autonomous Republic of Crimea or the city of Sevastopol and who have agreed to self-isolation within 14 days using the electronic service `` Diia .
Act at Home '' from the moment of crossing the checkpoint , as well as their vehicles , cargo and other property – to leave the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea ; and - Persons in order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or in connection with the fulfillment of international obligations , representatives of diplomatic missions and humanitarian missions leaving the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea , as well as their vehicles , cargo and other property .
Apart from that , the order states that the departure of other categories of foreigners and stateless persons from the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol is carried out in coordination with the Ministry for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories .
Departure from the temporarily occupied territory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city of Sevastopol and entry of Ukrainian citizens on humanitarian grounds is carried out by the decision of the head of the State Border Guard Service in coordination with the Ministry for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories .

The operation of entry and exit checkpoints is temporarily suspended from 08:00 on August 9, 2020, till 08:00 on August 30, 2020.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has decided to suspend the crossing of entry and exit checkpoints with the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.
The relevant decision was made at an extraordinary meeting on Saturday, August 8, according to the government portal.
The document is aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 on the territory of Ukraine by temporarily suspending the operation of the relevant checkpoints, it said.
Видео дня
Read alsoZelensky instructs PM Shmyhal to mobilize government to prevent second COVID-19 wave
According to the order, the operation of entry and exit checkpoints is temporarily suspended from 08:00 on August 9, 2020, till 08:00 on August 30, 2020, except for the following categories of citizens of Ukraine and members of their families:
- The place of residence of whom is in established by the law order registered in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea or the city of Sevastopol, as well as their vehicles, cargo and other property – to enter the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea;
- Whose place of residence is in the established by law order registered outside the Autonomous Republic of Crimea or the city of Sevastopol and who have agreed to self-isolation within 14 days using the electronic service "Diia. Act at Home" from the moment of crossing the checkpoint, as well as their vehicles, cargo and other property – to leave the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea; and
- Persons in order to ensure the protection of national interests or in connection with the fulfillment of international obligations, representatives of diplomatic missions and humanitarian missions leaving the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, as well as their vehicles, cargo and other property.
Apart from that, the order states that the departure of other categories of foreigners and stateless persons from the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol is carried out in coordination with the Ministry for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories.
Departure from the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol and entry of Ukrainian citizens on humanitarian grounds is carried out by the decision of the head of the State Border Guard Service in coordination with the Ministry for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories.


unian--2020-08-08--Zelensky sees Normandy as "beginning of Donbas freedom"

The president spent two days on the front line .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pins his hopes on the Normandy format of peace talks between Ukraine , Russia , France and Germany , saying it is `` the beginning of Donbas ' freedom . ''
`` Normandy is the starting point for bringing civilization back to that long-suffering territory of ours – when laws work , when human rights are respected .
Normandy is the beginning of Donbas ' freedom .
And this is the beginning of a long journey .
The next stop is Berlin , where we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and move on .
To finally have the warfare case over .
And we will do everything to make it happen .
And we will do it transparently , openly .
And if something goes wrong , then everyone will see what has gone wrong and why .
And who is to blame , '' Zelensky said on his Telegram channel on August 7 .
`` It is clear that today Donbas is mainly about war .
Unfortunately , it is still going on at our home .
But if we do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Normandy format has given huge impetus to the development of the logistics of peace .
Minsk [ talks ] hammer out the rules , providing an opportunity to discuss extremely difficult issues .
And eleven days of the ceasefire prove that if everything is done in the right and persistent way , there will definitely be a chance .
We 've got it already , '' the president said .
Zelensky also elaborated on his recent visit to the east of Ukraine .
For two days ' trip to Donbas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uneasy questions , looked into the eyes of different people , '' he said .
`` This is not my first trip to the Joint Forces Operation zone .
And every time I get convinced that we have a professional and strong army , and we already have a super team of negotiators who will be able to build a sustainable peace on our terms , '' he said .
According to him , these were also two days of frank conversations with soldiers on the front line , two days of active @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the situation rooms , as well as scheduled visits to the front line .
`` Over the two days , I traveled 100 kilometers along the contact line .
If you want to check the ceasefire regime – go and control it yourself .
I first of all believe the servicemen on the front line , who could compare the situation : what was the war like last year , what was it in the first half of 2020 , what it is now ...
Despite minor provocations , we can say that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the extremely complex agreements .
It is clear that our military perfectly and professionally assess all possible risks .
But it is necessary that the other side could finally realize the value of peace and also observe the ceasefire with diligence , '' he said .
As UNIAN reported earlier , Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on July 31 that the next meeting of Normandy Four leaders ( Ukraine , Germany , France and Russia ) in Berlin depends on the Russian Federation .

The president spent two days on the front line.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pins his hopes on the Normandy format of peace talks between Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany, saying it is "the beginning of Donbas' freedom."
"Normandy is the starting point for bringing civilization back to that long-suffering territory of ours – when laws work, when human rights are respected. Normandy is the beginning of Donbas' freedom. And this is the beginning of a long journey. The next stop is Berlin, where we will formalize the intermediate successes of the armistice and move on. To finally have the warfare case over. And we will do everything to make it happen. And we will do it transparently, openly. And if something goes wrong, then everyone will see what has gone wrong and why. And who is to blame," Zelensky said on his Telegram channel on August 7.
Read alsoZelensky outlines ways to achieve peace in Donbas
Видео дня
"It is clear that today Donbas is mainly about war. Unfortunately, it is still going on at our home. But if we don't make efforts, it will not disappear. The Normandy format has given huge impetus to the development of the logistics of peace. Minsk [talks] hammer out the rules, providing an opportunity to discuss extremely difficult issues. And eleven days of the ceasefire prove that if everything is done in the right and persistent way, there will definitely be a chance. We've got it already," the president said.
Zelensky also elaborated on his recent visit to the east of Ukraine.
For two days' trip to Donbas, "I listened a lot, asked uneasy questions, looked into the eyes of different people," he said.
"This is not my first trip to the Joint Forces Operation zone. And every time I get convinced that we have a professional and strong army, and we already have a super team of negotiators who will be able to build a sustainable peace on our terms," he said.
According to him, these were also two days of frank conversations with soldiers on the front line, two days of active monitoring of the situation and work in the situation rooms, as well as scheduled visits to the front line.
"Over the two days, I traveled 100 kilometers along the contact line. If you want to check the ceasefire regime – go and control it yourself. I first of all believe the servicemen on the front line, who could compare the situation: what was the war like last year, what was it in the first half of 2020, what it is now... Despite minor provocations, we can say that we are able to fulfill our part of the extremely complex agreements. It is clear that our military perfectly and professionally assess all possible risks. But it is necessary that the other side could finally realize the value of peace and also observe the ceasefire with diligence," he said.
Yet, he noted, difficult negotiations lie ahead.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on July 31 that the next meeting of Normandy Four leaders (Ukraine, Germany, France and Russia) in Berlin depends on the Russian Federation.


unian--2020-08-08--Hryvnia strengthens to UAH 27.65 to U.S. dollar on Aug 10

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Hryvnia strengthens to UAH 27.65 to U.S. dollar on Aug 10
17:25, 08.08.20 2977
The official forex rate against the euro for Monday is fixed at UAH 32.68 per euro.
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unian--2020-08-08--Number of COVID-19 cases confirmed worldwide exceeds 19.4 mln

The overall death toll is 721,925 people , while 11,769,949 coronavirus patients have already recovered .
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world exceeded 19.4 million patients as of August 8 .
As many as 19,406,765 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases had been reported as of 15:35 on August 8 , according to the Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering ( CSSE ) at Johns Hopkins University .
Read alsoUkraine reports another record spike in COVID-19 cases on Aug 8 The overall death toll is 721,925 people , while 11,769,949 coronavirus patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toll was recorded in the United States ( 161,367 people ) , Brazil ( 99,572 ) , Mexico ( 51,311 ) , the United Kingdom ( 46,596 ) , India ( 42,518 ) , Italy ( 35,190 ) , and France ( 30,327 ) .
The countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic include the United States ( 4,942,747 confirmed cases ) , Brazil ( 2,962,442 ) , India ( 2,088,611 ) , Russia ( 880,563 ) , South Africa ( 545,476 ) , Mexico ( 469,407 ) , Peru ( 463,875 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 367,204 ) , and Iran ( 324,692 ) .
As many as 188 countries have been affected by the virus .

The overall death toll is 721,925 people, while 11,769,949 coronavirus patients have already recovered.
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world exceeded 19.4 million patients as of August 8.
As many as 19,406,765 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases had been reported as of 15:35 on August 8, according to the Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.
Read alsoUkraine reports another record spike in COVID-19 cases on Aug 8
Видео дня
The overall death toll is 721,925 people, while 11,769,949 coronavirus patients have already recovered.
The highest death toll was recorded in the United States (161,367 people), Brazil (99,572), Mexico (51,311), the United Kingdom (46,596), India (42,518), Italy (35,190), and France (30,327).
The countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic include the United States (4,942,747 confirmed cases), Brazil (2,962,442), India (2,088,611), Russia (880,563), South Africa (545,476), Mexico (469,407), Peru (463,875), Chile (368,825), Colombia (367,204), and Iran (324,692).
As many as 188 countries have been affected by the virus.


unian--2020-08-08--Zelensky instructs PM Shmyhal to mobilize government to prevent second COVID-19 wave

Also , the Cabinet of Ministers must revise the operation of the entry and exit checkpoints on the administrative border with occupied Crimea .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has instructed Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal to mobilize the government to prevent the second COVID-19 wave .
`` Given the rapid growth in the number of cases of COVID-19 coronavirus infection in Ukraine , President Volodymyr Zelensky has instructed Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal to urgently assess the readiness of hospitals to help patients , to provide institutions with all the necessary equipment , '' as reported by the president 's press service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government to provide medical workers with personal protective equipment in full and strengthen control over compliance with quarantine measures .
Also , the Cabinet of Ministers must revise the operation of the entry and exit checkpoints on the administrative border with the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol .
`` Ukraine knows how to mobilize if necessary .
It 's time for the government to mobilize to prevent a second wave of coronavirus infection , which can have dire consequences not only for the economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Zelensky said .
As UNIAN reported earlier , Ukraine 's authorities on Saturday , August 8 , said the number of new active COVID-19 cases increased by 1,489 over the past 24 hours .

Also, the Cabinet of Ministers must revise the operation of the entry and exit checkpoints on the administrative border with occupied Crimea.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has instructed Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal to mobilize the government to prevent the second COVID-19 wave.
"Given the rapid growth in the number of cases of COVID-19 coronavirus infection in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky has instructed Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal to urgently assess the readiness of hospitals to help patients, to provide institutions with all the necessary equipment," as reported by the president's press service.
Read alsoKyiv may impose tough quarantine-related curbs again
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In addition, Zelensky instructed the government to provide medical workers with personal protective equipment in full and strengthen control over compliance with quarantine measures.
Also, the Cabinet of Ministers must revise the operation of the entry and exit checkpoints on the administrative border with the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.
"Ukraine knows how to mobilize if necessary. It's time for the government to mobilize to prevent a second wave of coronavirus infection, which can have dire consequences not only for the economy, but also for our human capital," Zelensky said.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukraine's authorities on Saturday, August 8, said the number of new active COVID-19 cases increased by 1,489 over the past 24 hours.


unian--2020-08-08--Kyiv mayor reports 200 new COVID-19 cases, three fatalities in past day

As of today , the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 9,378 .
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko has said the number of confirmed coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) cases in the city rose by 200 in the past day .
`` In the past day , another 200 residents of Kyiv tested positive for the coronavirus .
There were three fatalities , '' he wrote on Facebook on August 8 .
As of today , the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 9,378 .
According to Klitschko , 99 women and 90 men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 11 children tested positive for the coronavirus .
Klitschko said 17 new patients had been hospitalized , while the rest were self-isolating , undergoing treatment at home under medical supervision .
Forty-two people recovered from the disease in the past day , he said .
In total , 3,205 Kyiv residents have already recovered .
The highest number of the new cases in Kyiv was registered in Darnytsky district ( 29 ) , Dniprovsky district ( 28 ) , Desniansky district ( 24 ) , and Obolonsky and Sviatoshynsky districts ( 23 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the city is 145 cases .

As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 9,378.
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko has said the number of confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the city rose by 200 in the past day.
"In the past day, another 200 residents of Kyiv tested positive for the coronavirus. There were three fatalities," he wrote on Facebook on August 8.
As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 9,378.
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According to Klitschko, 99 women and 90 men are among those infected.
Read alsoKyivkhlib bakery on lockdown after major COVID-19 outbreak – Klitschko
In addition, 11 children tested positive for the coronavirus.
Klitschko said 17 new patients had been hospitalized, while the rest were self-isolating, undergoing treatment at home under medical supervision.
Forty-two people recovered from the disease in the past day, he said.
In total, 3,205 Kyiv residents have already recovered.
The highest number of the new cases in Kyiv was registered in Darnytsky district (29), Dniprovsky district (28), Desniansky district (24), and Obolonsky and Sviatoshynsky districts (23 each).
The total death toll in the city is 145 cases.


unian--2020-08-08--Deported Current Time journalists arrive in Ukraine from Belarus – media

One member of the team has said they have been banned from entering Belarus for 10 years .
Three Current Time journalists deported from Belarus ahead of the country 's August 9 presidential election have arrived safely in Odesa , Ukraine .
One member of the team has said they have been banned from entering Belarus for 10 years .
The reason for their August 7 detention remains unclear , Current Time TV reported .
The journalists – Evening news anchor Iryna Romaliiska and correspondents Yury Baranyuk and Ivan Grebenyuk – had been covering Belarus ' presidential campaign for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Europe/Radio Liberty in association with the Voice of America .
Read alsoUkrainian journalists reportedly detained in Minsk , their phones turned off – media Police detained the journalists on August 7 in the Belarusian capital 's Hotel Minsk .
Current Time has sent a request for information about these detentions to Belarus ' Interior Ministry .
Based on preliminary information , the detention appears to be connected to the journalists ' accreditation status .
`` Our Current Time journalists were detained in the course of professionally carrying out their work covering the Belarusian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President and Editor-in-Chief Daisy Sindelar .
`` Current Time requested accreditation for its journalists well in advance of the election .
The failure by Belarusian authorities to grant credentials is yet another example of their contempt for the rights of a free press and the right of Belarusians to uncensored Information .
We are outraged by their detention and demand respect for the internationally recognized rights of journalists to do their work . ''
Romaliiska and Grebenyuk are Ukrainian citizens , based in Current Time 's headquarters in the Czech capital , Prague @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in St. Petersburg , Russia .

One member of the team has said they have been banned from entering Belarus for 10 years.
Three Current Time journalists deported from Belarus ahead of the country's August 9 presidential election have arrived safely in Odesa, Ukraine.
One member of the team has said they have been banned from entering Belarus for 10 years. The reason for their August 7 detention remains unclear, Current Time TV reported.
The journalists – Evening news anchor Iryna Romaliiska and correspondents Yury Baranyuk and Ivan Grebenyuk – had been covering Belarus' presidential campaign for the Russian-language television-digital network led by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in association with the Voice of America.
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Read alsoUkrainian journalists reportedly detained in Minsk, their phones turned off – media
Police detained the journalists on August 7 in the Belarusian capital's Hotel Minsk.
Current Time has sent a request for information about these detentions to Belarus' Interior Ministry.
Based on preliminary information, the detention appears to be connected to the journalists' accreditation status.
"Our Current Time journalists were detained in the course of professionally carrying out their work covering the Belarusian presidential election," commented RFE/RL Acting President and Editor-in-Chief Daisy Sindelar. "Current Time requested accreditation for its journalists well in advance of the election. The failure by Belarusian authorities to grant credentials is yet another example of their contempt for the rights of a free press and the right of Belarusians to uncensored Information. We are outraged by their detention and demand respect for the internationally recognized rights of journalists to do their work."
Romaliiska and Grebenyuk are Ukrainian citizens, based in Current Time's headquarters in the Czech capital, Prague; Baranyuk is a Russian citizen based in St. Petersburg, Russia.


unian--2020-08-08--Ukraine reports another record spike in COVID-19 cases on Aug 8

The pandemic has taken 1,879 lives with 27 fatalities recorded over the past day .
Ukraine 's authorities on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ the number of new active COVID-19 cases increased by 1,489 over the past 24 hours @ @ @ @ @ high since the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic , as evidenced by the NSDC map of @ @ @ @ @ as 43,655 patients , including 600 in the past day , have recovered .
Read @ @ @ @ @ Kharkiv included in red zone as a result of 'clerical error' In total , 79,750 @ @ @ @ @ detected in Ukraine .
The pandemic has taken 1,879 lives with 27 fatalities recorded over @ @ @ @ @ total , 1,154,378 polymerase chain reaction ( PCR ) tests have been run since the @ @ @ @ @ reported earlier , Ukraine on August 7 reported 1,453 new COVID-19 cases .

The pandemic has taken 1,879 lives with 27 fatalities recorded over the past day.
Ukraine's authorities on Saturday, August 8, said the number of new active COVID-19 cases increased by 1,489 over the past 24 hours.
This marked a new high since the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic, as evidenced by the NSDC map of COVID-19 spread.
As many as 43,655 patients, including 600 in the past day, have recovered.
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Read alsoUkraine's Health Minister: Kharkiv included in red zone as a result of 'clerical error'
In total, 79,750 COVID-19 cases have already been detected in Ukraine.
The pandemic has taken 1,879 lives with 27 fatalities recorded over the past day.
In total, 1,154,378 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests have been run since the pandemic start.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukraine on August 7 reported 1,453 new COVID-19 cases.


unian--2020-08-08--Price of imported natural gas in Ukraine 60% up – economy ministry

Price of imported natural gas in Ukraine 60% up – economy ministry
11:00, 08.08.20 2857
The price grew from US$88.4 to US$140.6.
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unian--2020-08-08--Donbas truce: Ukraine reports three enemy provocations on Aug 7

No casualties were reported among Ukrainian troops over the past day .
Ukraine has reported three enemy provocations on Friday , August 7 as Russia 's hybrid military forces three times violated the newly-agreed truce in Donbas , eastern Ukraine .
`` In particular , random shots from small arms were heard near the village of Novoluhanske .
The enemy also opened fire once from an under-barrel grenade launcher near the village of Shumy , as well as once from an automatic grenade launcher near the village of Travneve , '' the press center of Ukraine 's Joint Forces Operation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on August 8 , 2020 .
Since the shots were provocative , the Ukrainian soldiers did n't return fire , the report stresses .
In addition , another two violations by the enemy were recorded near the villages of Uzhivka and Zolote-5 , which are not controlled by the Ukrainian government .
In these sectors of the front , the enemy carried out engineering work contrary to the agreements reached within the Trilateral Contact Group .
No casualties were reported among Ukrainian troops over the past day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Russian Federation 's armed formations have been recorded , the JFO HQ said .
The situation is under full control of Ukrainian military .
Participants in the Trilateral Contact Group ( Ukraine , Russia , and OSCE ) on the peace settlement in Donbas on July 22 agreed on full and comprehensive ceasefire along the contact line from 00:01 on Monday , July 27 .
The new ceasefire regime was enforced at 00:01 Kyiv time on July 27 .
On the very first day of the newly-agreed truce , Russia 's hybrid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positions in Donbas , eastern Ukraine .
Ukraine reported more fire provocations were reported over the past few days .

No casualties were reported among Ukrainian troops over the past day.
Ukraine has reported three enemy provocations on Friday, August 7 as Russia's hybrid military forces three times violated the newly-agreed truce in Donbas, eastern Ukraine.
"In particular, random shots from small arms were heard near the village of Novoluhanske. The enemy also opened fire once from an under-barrel grenade launcher near the village of Shumy, as well as once from an automatic grenade launcher near the village of Travneve," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation (JFO) said in a Facebook update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on August 8, 2020.
Since the shots were provocative, the Ukrainian soldiers didn't return fire, the report stresses.
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In addition, another two violations by the enemy were recorded near the villages of Uzhivka and Zolote-5, which are not controlled by the Ukrainian government. In these sectors of the front, the enemy carried out engineering work contrary to the agreements reached within the Trilateral Contact Group.
Read alsoZelensky outlines ways to achieve peace in Donbas
No casualties were reported among Ukrainian troops over the past day.
Since Saturday midnight, no attacks by Russian Federation's armed formations have been recorded, the JFO HQ said.
The situation is under full control of Ukrainian military.
Background
Participants in the Trilateral Contact Group (Ukraine, Russia, and OSCE) on the peace settlement in Donbas on July 22 agreed on full and comprehensive ceasefire along the contact line from 00:01 on Monday, July 27.
The new ceasefire regime was enforced at 00:01 Kyiv time on July 27.
On the very first day of the newly-agreed truce, Russia's hybrid military forces mounted three attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine reported more fire provocations were reported over the past few days.


unian--2020-08-09--RFE/RL: Belarusian election officials declare presidential vote valid

The Central Election Commission in Belarus has declared the country 's August 9 presidential election as valid , announcing shortly after noon local time that 54 percent of eligible voters had cast ballots in a race where incumbent Alexander Lukashenko is seeking a sixth term .
The election commission had announced just before polling stations opened on August 9 that about 40 percent of the 6.8 million eligible voters had cast ballots during early voting that started on August 4 , Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty ( RFE/RL ) reported .
Read alsoBelarus promises to cooperate with Ukraine on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belarus Service reports there have been long lines of voters outside of polling stations , with people wearing white bracelets to show solidarity with opposition candidate Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya – who had told her supporters to wear the bracelets as a symbol of `` honesty and purity . ''
Several voters told RFE/RL that they had never taken part in an election in the country before but had turned out to cast a ballot on August 9 because they want and expect changes .
The election follows a campaign marked by the arrest of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barring of several potential challengers , claims of a Russian plot to sow instability , and the rise of an unheralded candidate who analysts say poses the greatest challenge to the 65-year-old authoritarian leader since his rise to power in 1994 .
Four challengers are on the ballot , but attention has focused on Tsikhanouskaya , who was a last-minute replacement after husband , Syarhey Tsikhanouski , a popular vlogger who urged Belarusians to squash the “ cockroach ” Lukashenko with their slippers , was barred from running following his controversial arrest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a.m. local time , and close 12 hours later at 8 p.m. local time .
First preliminary results are due early August 10 .

First preliminary results are due early August 10.
The Central Election Commission in Belarus has declared the country's August 9 presidential election as valid, announcing shortly after noon local time that 54 percent of eligible voters had cast ballots in a race where incumbent Alexander Lukashenko is seeking a sixth term.
The election commission had announced just before polling stations opened on August 9 that about 40 percent of the 6.8 million eligible voters had cast ballots during early voting that started on August 4, Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported.
Read alsoBelarus promises to cooperate with Ukraine on suspected Russian mercenaries – media
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RFE/RL's Belarus Service reports there have been long lines of voters outside of polling stations, with people wearing white bracelets to show solidarity with opposition candidate Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya (Tikhanovskaya) – who had told her supporters to wear the bracelets as a symbol of "honesty and purity."
Several voters told RFE/RL that they had never taken part in an election in the country before but had turned out to cast a ballot on August 9 because they want and expect changes.
The election follows a campaign marked by the arrest of more than 1,000 opposition supporters, the barring of several potential challengers, claims of a Russian plot to sow instability, and the rise of an unheralded candidate who analysts say poses the greatest challenge to the 65-year-old authoritarian leader since his rise to power in 1994.
Four challengers are on the ballot, but attention has focused on Tsikhanouskaya, who was a last-minute replacement after husband, Syarhey Tsikhanouski, a popular vlogger who urged Belarusians to squash the “cockroach” Lukashenko with their slippers, was barred from running following his controversial arrest in late May.
Polls opened at 8 a.m. local time, and close 12 hours later at 8 p.m. local time. First preliminary results are due early August 10.


unian--2020-08-09--Number of daily COVID-19 cases in Kyiv on the decline

The death toll since the start of the epidemic is 147 people .
The number of daily COVID-19 cases in Kyiv is on the decline as 120 new cases were confirmed on August 8 .
`` In the past day , another 120 residents of Kyiv tested positive for the coronavirus .
There were two fatalities , '' Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said on Facebook on August 9 .
`` As of today , the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 9,498 . ''
Read alsoUkraine reports almost 1,200 new COVID-19 cases on Aug 9 According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 69 and 54 men aged 21 to 82 are among those infected .
In addition , four girls aged 4 to 10 , and seven boys from 9 months to 17 years old tested positive for the coronavirus .
Five healthcare workers were among the new confirmed cases .
Klitschko said 19 new patients had been hospitalized , while the rest were self-isolating , undergoing treatment at home under medical supervision .
The highest number of new cases was recorded in Obolonsky district ( 24 ) followed by Dniprovsky and Solomyansky districts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district ( 13 ) .
The death toll since the start of the epidemic is 147 people .
As was reported earlier , the number of new cases confirmed in Kyiv on August 7 was 200 people , including three deaths .

The death toll since the start of the epidemic is 147 people.
The number of daily COVID-19 cases in Kyiv is on the decline as 120 new cases were confirmed on August 8.
"In the past day, another 120 residents of Kyiv tested positive for the coronavirus. There were two fatalities," Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said on Facebook on August 9. "As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 9,498."
Read alsoUkraine reports almost 1,200 new COVID-19 cases on Aug 9
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According to Klitschko, 55 women aged 19 to 69 and 54 men aged 21 to 82 are among those infected. In addition, four girls aged 4 to 10, and seven boys from 9 months to 17 years old tested positive for the coronavirus.
Five healthcare workers were among the new confirmed cases.
Klitschko said 19 new patients had been hospitalized, while the rest were self-isolating, undergoing treatment at home under medical supervision.
The highest number of new cases was recorded in Obolonsky district (24) followed by Dniprovsky and Solomyansky districts (17 cases each) and Holosiyivsky district (13).
The death toll since the start of the epidemic is 147 people.
As was reported earlier, the number of new cases confirmed in Kyiv on August 7 was 200 people, including three deaths.


unian--2020-08-09--One Ukrainian citizen killed in massive Beirut explosion – Ukraine's embassy

A 32-year-old citizen of Ukraine was killed in a massive explosion in the port of Beirut , Lebanon , on August 4 .
`` He was only 32 .
He was going to get married .
Not so long ago he visited the embassy to take part in the voting , '' Ukraine 's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Lebanon Ihor Ostash said on Facebook late on August 8 .
`` The young promising economist left the KPMG office , heading home ... A terrible explosion took the life of the citizen of Ukraine , William Azar .
His mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
According to the embassy 's previous report , Ukrainians were not seriously injured in the explosion .
`` They sustained minor injuries , such as wounds or bruises .
But no one was seriously injured , '' the ambassador said then .
As UNIAN reported earlier , a massive explosion rocked the port area of Lebanon 's capital , Beirut , on August 4 .
As of August 8 , there were 158 people killed and 6,000 wounded in the incident .
It was unclear what exactly caused the explosion .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ would focus on an estimated 2,750 metric tons of the explosive ammonium nitrate stored at a warehouse .
After the explosion in Beirut , Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ordered to check the handling of explosive materials in Ukraine .
The Ukrainian government , in turn , endorsed a draft presidential decree on the provision of humanitarian aid to Lebanon to overcome the consequences of the disaster .

A 32-year-old citizen of Ukraine was killed in a massive explosion in the port of Beirut, Lebanon, on August 4.
"He was only 32. He was going to get married. Not so long ago he visited the embassy to take part in the voting," Ukraine's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Lebanon Ihor Ostash said on Facebook late on August 8. "The young promising economist left the KPMG office, heading home... A terrible explosion took the life of the citizen of Ukraine, William Azar. His mother, Natalya Azar, is from Kyiv."
According to the embassy's previous report, Ukrainians were not seriously injured in the explosion. "They sustained minor injuries, such as wounds or bruises. But no one was seriously injured," the ambassador said then.
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As UNIAN reported earlier, a massive explosion rocked the port area of Lebanon's capital, Beirut, on August 4.
As of August 8, there were 158 people killed and 6,000 wounded in the incident. It was unclear what exactly caused the explosion. Lebanon's prime minister said an investigation would focus on an estimated 2,750 metric tons of the explosive ammonium nitrate stored at a warehouse.
After the explosion in Beirut, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ordered to check the handling of explosive materials in Ukraine. The Ukrainian government, in turn, endorsed a draft presidential decree on the provision of humanitarian aid to Lebanon to overcome the consequences of the disaster.


unian--2020-08-09--Reuters: Ukraine president says Kyiv staying out of U.S. internal politics, elections

Zelensky appealed to Ukrainian politicians to avoid any actions that could be linked to U.S. elections .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that it was a matter of Ukraine 's national security to stay out of U.S. internal politics , particularly its election .
`` # Ukraine did not and will not allow itself to interfere in the elections and thus harm our trusting and sincere partnership with the # USA , '' he wrote on Twitter late on Saturday , August 9 , according to Reuters .
Read alsoZelensky 's visit to U.S. may happen before presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Never , under any circumstances , it 's acceptable to meddle in another country 's sovereign elections , '' Zelensky wrote .
Zelensky appealed to Ukrainian politicians to avoid any actions that could be linked to U.S. elections , nor allow themselves to try to solve any of their personal , political or business problems that way .
`` Ukraine 's reputation is worth much more than the reputation of any of our politicians , '' the president said .
Earlier this week , Zelensky told Reuters that he hoped U.S. support for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wins the American election .

Zelensky appealed to Ukrainian politicians to avoid any actions that could be linked to U.S. elections.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that it was a matter of Ukraine's national security to stay out of U.S. internal politics, particularly its election.
"#Ukraine did not and will not allow itself to interfere in the elections and thus harm our trusting and sincere partnership with the #USA," he wrote on Twitter late on Saturday, August 9, according to Reuters.
Read alsoZelensky's visit to U.S. may happen before presidential elections in that country – Ambassador
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"Never, under any circumstances, it's acceptable to meddle in another country's sovereign elections," Zelensky wrote.
Zelensky appealed to Ukrainian politicians to avoid any actions that could be linked to U.S. elections, nor allow themselves to try to solve any of their personal, political or business problems that way.
"Ukraine's reputation is worth much more than the reputation of any of our politicians," the president said.
Earlier this week, Zelensky told Reuters that he hoped U.S. support for Ukraine would remain strong regardless of who wins the American election.


unian--2020-08-09--Ukraine reports almost 1,200 new COVID-19 cases on Aug 9

The death toll was 1,897 , including 18 patients who died in the past 24 hours .
Some 1,199 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Ukraine in the past 24 hours as of August 9 , 2020 .
The total number of confirmed cases grew to 80,949 , according to the interactive map of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine .
Read alsoUkraine reports another record spike in COVID-19 cases on Aug 8 The following areas are in the lead by number of confirmed cases : Lviv region ( 10,851 ) , the city of Kyiv Kiev ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , Chernivtsi region ( 6,669 ) , and Zakarpattia ( 5,765 ) .
The death toll was 1,897 , including 18 patients who died in the past 24 hours .
Since the beginning of the coronavirus epidemic , 43,972 people have recovered ( +317 in the past day ) .
There are 136,065 suspected cases .
Ukraine 's Health Ministry says that the epidemiological situation does not allow the local authorities to ease quarantine-related restrictions in the city of Kyiv , as well as in Volyn region , Ivano-Frankivsk region , Kyiv @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Kharkiv region , Chernivtsi region , and Chernihiv region .

The death toll was 1,897, including 18 patients who died in the past 24 hours.
Some 1,199 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Ukraine in the past 24 hours as of August 9, 2020.
The total number of confirmed cases grew to 80,949, according to the interactive map of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.
Read alsoUkraine reports another record spike in COVID-19 cases on Aug 8
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The following areas are in the lead by number of confirmed cases: Lviv region (10,851), the city of Kyiv (9,498), Rivne region (6,840), Chernivtsi region (6,669), and Zakarpattia (5,765).
The death toll was 1,897, including 18 patients who died in the past 24 hours.
Since the beginning of the coronavirus epidemic, 43,972 people have recovered (+317 in the past day). There are 136,065 suspected cases.
Ukraine's Health Ministry says that the epidemiological situation does not allow the local authorities to ease quarantine-related restrictions in the city of Kyiv, as well as in Volyn region, Ivano-Frankivsk region, Kyiv region, Odesa region, Rivne region, Kharkiv region, Chernivtsi region, and Chernihiv region.