tass--2020-08-11--Northern Europe, Baltic States call on Minsk to launch dialogue with opposition

RIGA , August 11 .
/TASS/ .
Foreign ministers of five Northern European countries and three Baltic States have urged Belarusian authorities to stop persecuting political opponents , immediately release all detainees and launch an open dialogue with opposition , the eight ministers said in a joint statement issued Tuesday .
The Latvian Foreign Ministry noted that the appeal was signed by top diplomats of Denmark , Estonia , Finland , Iceland , Latvia , Lithuania , Norway and Sweden .
`` We urge the Belarusian authorities to stop persecution of political opponents , to release all those unfairly detained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freedoms .
We call upon the Belarusian government to immediately engage in a genuine political dialogue with the opposition in order to avoid further use of violence , '' the statement reads .
The foreign ministers also expressed concern about the violence that gripped the country amid nationwide protests sparked by reports of electoral fraud and rigging .
`` We are very troubled by the reports of physical injuries inflicted on the demonstrators , '' the top diplomats specified .
`` The presidential elections , which took place in Belarus on 9th August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international commitments of Belarus and globally recognized standards of democracy and rule of law , and they were not free and fair , '' they added .
`` We remain committed to the people of Belarus and will continue to closely follow developments . ''
On August 9 , Belarus held its presidential election .
Preliminary results show incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko securing his reelection with 80.08 % of the votes , while his biggest rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya received 10.09 % of the ballots cast .
The other three candidates failed to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exit poll results were revealed late on August 9 , many cities and towns across the country saw mass protests that in some cases turned into clashes with the police .
The national Interior Ministry said 3,000 had been detained while dozens of police officers and protesters had been injured .
Moreover , law enforcement officers apprehended a few reporters .
Tikhanovskaya challenged the results , refused to recognize them and said that she believes herself to be the elected president .
She also filed a complaint with the national election commission .

RIGA, August 11. /TASS/. Foreign ministers of five Northern European countries and three Baltic States have urged Belarusian authorities to stop persecuting political opponents, immediately release all detainees and launch an open dialogue with opposition, the eight ministers said in a joint statement issued Tuesday.
The Latvian Foreign Ministry noted that the appeal was signed by top diplomats of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden. "We urge the Belarusian authorities to stop persecution of political opponents, to release all those unfairly detained immediately and to respect human rights and freedoms. We call upon the Belarusian government to immediately engage in a genuine political dialogue with the opposition in order to avoid further use of violence," the statement reads.
The foreign ministers also expressed concern about the violence that gripped the country amid nationwide protests sparked by reports of electoral fraud and rigging. "We are very troubled by the reports of physical injuries inflicted on the demonstrators," the top diplomats specified.
"The presidential elections, which took place in Belarus on 9th August 2020, did not comply with the international commitments of Belarus and globally recognized standards of democracy and rule of law, and they were not free and fair," they added. "We remain committed to the people of Belarus and will continue to closely follow developments."
On August 9, Belarus held its presidential election. Preliminary results show incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko securing his reelection with 80.08% of the votes, while his biggest rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya received 10.09% of the ballots cast. The other three candidates failed to get more than two percent each. After exit poll results were revealed late on August 9, many cities and towns across the country saw mass protests that in some cases turned into clashes with the police. The national Interior Ministry said 3,000 had been detained while dozens of police officers and protesters had been injured. Moreover, law enforcement officers apprehended a few reporters. Tikhanovskaya challenged the results, refused to recognize them and said that she believes herself to be the elected president. She also filed a complaint with the national election commission.


tass--2020-08-11--Belarus ready to furnish evidence of foreign interference in its domestic affairs

MINSK , August 11 .
/TASS/ .
Belarus is ready for constructive dialogue with foreign partners and can furnish convincing evidence of foreign interference in the current situation in the country , the Belarusian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday .
`` We suggest dropping emotions and straightening out objectively what and why is going on in Belarus .
We are ready for a constructive , and what is most important , objective dialogue on that topic with all foreign partners .
We are ready to provide convincing and rock-solid evidence exposing the background of the ongoing events , including external @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belarusian Foreign Ministry blasted as unacceptable statements of some European officials that ensued following the recent presidential election in the country .
`` Bearing in mind a number of statements coming from European capitals , we would like to stress that we do care about the reaction of our foreign partners to the process of voting at the presidential elections in Belarus and their results .
Naturally , we are keeping a close eye on it .
We are thankful for the words of support to Belarus ’ sovereignty and independence , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same time , it is absolutely unacceptable that a number of European officials rushed to come out with political statements that are of major importance for our country , not even trying to analyze the situation objectively . ''
The ministry also noted that some conclusions were drawn based on `` one-sided information and brazen lies . ''
On August 9 , Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991 .
According to the country ’ s Central Election Commission , incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won 80.08 % of votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tikhanovskaya , scored 10.09 % of votes .
The other three candidates managed to win less than two percent each .
Tikhanovskaya however said she did not recognize the voting results and filed a complaint with the Central Election Commission .

MINSK, August 11. /TASS/. Belarus is ready for constructive dialogue with foreign partners and can furnish convincing evidence of foreign interference in the current situation in the country, the Belarusian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
"We suggest dropping emotions and straightening out objectively what and why is going on in Belarus. We are ready for a constructive, and what is most important, objective dialogue on that topic with all foreign partners. We are ready to provide convincing and rock-solid evidence exposing the background of the ongoing events, including external interference," it said.
The Belarusian Foreign Ministry blasted as unacceptable statements of some European officials that ensued following the recent presidential election in the country. "Bearing in mind a number of statements coming from European capitals, we would like to stress that we do care about the reaction of our foreign partners to the process of voting at the presidential elections in Belarus and their results. Naturally, we are keeping a close eye on it. We are thankful for the words of support to Belarus’ sovereignty and independence," the statement reads. "At the same time, it is absolutely unacceptable that a number of European officials rushed to come out with political statements that are of major importance for our country, not even trying to analyze the situation objectively."
The ministry also noted that some conclusions were drawn based on "one-sided information and brazen lies."
On August 9, Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991. According to the country’s Central Election Commission, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won 80.08% of votes. His closest rival, housewife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, scored 10.09% of votes. The other three candidates managed to win less than two percent each. Tikhanovskaya however said she did not recognize the voting results and filed a complaint with the Central Election Commission.


tass--2020-08-11--EU mulls imposing sanctions on Belarus

EU mulls imposing sanctions on Belarus

BRUSSELS , August 11 .
/TASS/ .
The European Union does not believe that the recent Belarusian presidential election was either free or fair and is now exploring possibilities to impose sanctions against people responsible for police violence that ensued after voting was closed , EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said Tuesday in a statement agreed by foreign ministers of all 27 EU member states .
`` The elections [ in Belarus ] were neither free nor fair .
State authorities deployed disproportionate and unacceptable violence causing at least one death and many injuries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crackdown on freedoms of assembly , media and expression intensified .
We call on the Belarusian authorities to release immediately and unconditionally all detained , '' the statement reads .
`` It is against this background that we will be assessing the Belarusian authorities ’ actions to address the current situation and conducting an in-depth review of the EU ’ s relations with Belarus .
This may include , inter alia , taking measures against those responsible for the observed violence , unjustified arrests , and falsification of election results , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ credible reports of domestic observers show that the electoral process did not meet the international standards expected of an OSCE participating State .
The people of Belarus deserve better , '' the EU diplomatic service believes .
Borrell recalled that in 2015-2016 the EU took a few big steps to lift some sanctions that were imposed against Minsk back in 2004 .
`` Since the 2015 release of political prisoners , the relationship between the EU and Belarus had improved .
But without progress on human rights and the rule of law , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the document reads .
`` We call on Belarusian political leadership to initiate a genuine and inclusive dialogue with broader society to avoid further violence .
The EU will continue to support a democratic , independent , sovereign , prosperous and stable Belarus , '' the diplomatic agency stressed .
When is the decision due ?
However , the statement does not clarify when the EU foreign ministers intend to review and reevaluate relations with Belarus and consider possible sanctions .
As a diplomatic source in Brussels told TASS earlier , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ensued after the presidential election in Belarus at an informal meeting in Berlin on August 27-28 .
The source confirmed that it could consider `` proposals of some EU countries to reinstate sanctions . ''
At the same time , Poland on Monday called for an urgent EU summit on Belarus , however , there were no confirmations either on official or technical level that such a meeting could indeed be convened .
Some diplomats in Brussels concede that a short video conference could be set up for foreign ministers to discuss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are no specifics about these plans as well .
The EU as yet neither congratulated Alexander Lukashenko on his election victory nor rejected the voting results .
On August 9 , Belarus held its presidential election .
Preliminary results show incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko securing his reelection with 80.08 % of the votes , while his biggest rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya received 10.09 % of the ballots cast .
The other three candidates failed to get more than two percent each .
After exit poll results were revealed late on August 9 , many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mass protests that in some cases turned into clashes with the police .
The national Interior Ministry said 3,000 had been detained with dozens of police officers and protesters being injured .
Moreover , law enforcement officers apprehended a few reporters .
Tikhanovskaya challenged the results , refused to recognize them and said that she believes herself to be the elected president .
She also filed a complaint with the national election commission .

BRUSSELS, August 11. /TASS/. The European Union does not believe that the recent Belarusian presidential election was either free or fair and is now exploring possibilities to impose sanctions against people responsible for police violence that ensued after voting was closed, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said Tuesday in a statement agreed by foreign ministers of all 27 EU member states.
"The elections [in Belarus] were neither free nor fair. State authorities deployed disproportionate and unacceptable violence causing at least one death and many injuries. Thousands of people were detained and the crackdown on freedoms of assembly, media and expression intensified. We call on the Belarusian authorities to release immediately and unconditionally all detained," the statement reads.
"It is against this background that we will be assessing the Belarusian authorities’ actions to address the current situation and conducting an in-depth review of the EU’s relations with Belarus. This may include, inter alia, taking measures against those responsible for the observed violence, unjustified arrests, and falsification of election results," the statement notes.
International standards
"Furthermore, credible reports of domestic observers show that the electoral process did not meet the international standards expected of an OSCE participating State. The people of Belarus deserve better," the EU diplomatic service believes.
Borrell recalled that in 2015-2016 the EU took a few big steps to lift some sanctions that were imposed against Minsk back in 2004. "Since the 2015 release of political prisoners, the relationship between the EU and Belarus had improved. But without progress on human rights and the rule of law, the EU-Belarus relationship can only get worse," the document reads.
"We call on Belarusian political leadership to initiate a genuine and inclusive dialogue with broader society to avoid further violence. The EU will continue to support a democratic, independent, sovereign, prosperous and stable Belarus," the diplomatic agency stressed.
When is the decision due?
However, the statement does not clarify when the EU foreign ministers intend to review and reevaluate relations with Belarus and consider possible sanctions. As a diplomatic source in Brussels told TASS earlier, the top diplomats could discuss the situation that ensued after the presidential election in Belarus at an informal meeting in Berlin on August 27-28. The source confirmed that it could consider "proposals of some EU countries to reinstate sanctions."
At the same time, Poland on Monday called for an urgent EU summit on Belarus, however, there were no confirmations either on official or technical level that such a meeting could indeed be convened. Some diplomats in Brussels concede that a short video conference could be set up for foreign ministers to discuss ties with Minsk, however, there are no specifics about these plans as well.
The EU as yet neither congratulated Alexander Lukashenko on his election victory nor rejected the voting results.
Belarus election
On August 9, Belarus held its presidential election. Preliminary results show incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko securing his reelection with 80.08% of the votes, while his biggest rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya received 10.09% of the ballots cast. The other three candidates failed to get more than two percent each. After exit poll results were revealed late on August 9, many cities and towns across the country saw mass protests that in some cases turned into clashes with the police. The national Interior Ministry said 3,000 had been detained with dozens of police officers and protesters being injured. Moreover, law enforcement officers apprehended a few reporters. Tikhanovskaya challenged the results, refused to recognize them and said that she believes herself to be the elected president. She also filed a complaint with the national election commission.


tass--2020-08-11--Israel scrutinizes Russian coronavirus vaccine

TEL AVIV , August 11 .
/TASS/ .
Israel is interested in holding talks with Russia on purchasing the first registered novel coronavirus vaccine in the world , Israeli Health Minister Yuli Edelstein said Tuesday .
`` We have already agreed to hold talks about the vaccine development with the research institute [ Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology - TASS ] .
If we are reassured that it is a serious injection , we are interested in launching talks , '' the minister said when reporters asked him about the coronavirus vaccine that was registered in Russia Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is carefully watching any news and checks all publications [ about coronavirus vaccines - TASS ] . ''
At the same time , the minister noted that there ’ s little use in hoping that `` the vaccine will be available tomorrow '' since `` there is yet to be a vaccine that passed all the necessary [ trial ] stages and received all the needed certifications . ''
Earlier on Tuesday , Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia had registered the world 's first vaccine against the novel coronavirus .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vaccine dubbed Sputnik V was developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology and its clinical trials were successfully completed in June-July .
Putin also revealed that one of his daughters received the injection and is feeling well .
According to Kirill Dmitriyev , CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) , Russia received preliminary applications to purchase more than one billion doses of its breakthrough vaccine from 20 countries .
He noted that Latin American , Middle Eastern and Asian countries are most interested to buy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already finalized .

TEL AVIV, August 11. /TASS/. Israel is interested in holding talks with Russia on purchasing the first registered novel coronavirus vaccine in the world, Israeli Health Minister Yuli Edelstein said Tuesday.
"We have already agreed to hold talks about the vaccine development with the research institute [Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology - TASS]. If we are reassured that it is a serious injection, we are interested in launching talks," the minister said when reporters asked him about the coronavirus vaccine that was registered in Russia Tuesday.
Edelstein also revealed that Israel "is carefully watching any news and checks all publications [about coronavirus vaccines - TASS]." At the same time, the minister noted that there’s little use in hoping that "the vaccine will be available tomorrow" since "there is yet to be a vaccine that passed all the necessary [trial] stages and received all the needed certifications."
Earlier on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia had registered the world's first vaccine against the novel coronavirus. According to Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko, the vaccine dubbed Sputnik V was developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology and its clinical trials were successfully completed in June-July. Putin also revealed that one of his daughters received the injection and is feeling well.
According to Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), Russia received preliminary applications to purchase more than one billion doses of its breakthrough vaccine from 20 countries. He noted that Latin American, Middle Eastern and Asian countries are most interested to buy it, with a number of contracts already finalized.


tass--2020-08-11--MiG-31 fighter jet makes emergency landing in Perm

PERM , August 11 .
/TASS/ .
A MiG-31 fighter jet made an emergency landing at Perm ’ s Bolshoye @ @ @ @ @ malfunction , a source in the local emergencies agencies told TASS on Tuesday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ landing at Bolshoye Savino due to a malfunction , '' the source said .
The @ @ @ @ @ Military District confirmed that the plane had landed in Perm with its tail landing gear @ @ @ @ @ made a routine landing , the plane was not damaged .
The MiG-31 ( NATO @ @ @ @ @ ) is a two-seat all-weather supersonic long-range interceptor .
It was the first Soviet combat @ @ @ @ @ as developed in the 1970s .

PERM, August 11. /TASS/. A MiG-31 fighter jet made an emergency landing at Perm’s Bolshoye Savino Airport due to a malfunction, a source in the local emergencies agencies told TASS on Tuesday.
"A MiG-31 made an emergency landing at Bolshoye Savino due to a malfunction," the source said.
The press service of the Central Military District confirmed that the plane had landed in Perm with its tail landing gear wheel broken. The crew made a routine landing, the plane was not damaged.
The MiG-31 (NATO’s reporting name Foxhound) is a two-seat all-weather supersonic long-range interceptor. It was the first Soviet combat plane of the fourth generation as developed in the 1970s.


tass--2020-08-11--Experts of Big Norilsk Expedition reach Kara Sea

MOSCOW , August 11 .
/TASS/ .
A group of scientists of the Big Norilsk Expedition , organized by the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Siberian Branch , reached the place where the Pyasina River flows into the Kara Sea , the expedition ’ s press service said on Tuesday .
“ A group of six scientists has covered more than 500km by helicopter to reach the northernmost destination on the route – the confluence of the Pyasina River with the Kara Sea , ” the press service said .
“ The expedition camped on Cape Vkhodnoi near an old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people for a few years.
” The researchers took samples of soil , plants and water at a few locations along the Pyasina River .
“ As the scientists were taking the samples , they spotted a seal at a distance of one and a half kilometers .
It would hide under the water a few times but would each time return to where it had been seen .
The water in the river , by the way , is slightly salty , but clean .
All the team would drink it right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the press service said .
The experts will study the hydrocarbon geochemical background and geochemical anomalies .
The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences for the first time in recent years heads for the Taimyr Peninsula at the invitation of Nornickel .
The big scientific expedition will study the peninsula and later on scientists will present suggestions for industrial companies , working in the Arctic , on how to preserve the nature .

MOSCOW, August 11. /TASS/. A group of scientists of the Great Norilsk Expedition, organized by the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Siberian Branch, reached the place where the Pyasina River flows into the Kara Sea, the expedition’s press service said on Tuesday.
“A group of six scientists has covered more than 500km by helicopter to reach the northernmost destination on the route – the confluence of the Pyasina River with the Kara Sea,” the press service said. “The expedition camped on Cape Vkhodnoi near an old fishing base, which had not seen people for a few years.”
The researchers took samples of soil, plants and water at a few locations along the Pyasina River. “As the scientists were taking the samples, they spotted a seal at a distance of one and a half kilometers. It would hide under the water a few times but would each time return to where it had been seen. The water in the river, by the way, is slightly salty, but clean. All the team would drink it right from the river without any fear,” the press service said. The experts will study the hydrocarbon geochemical background and geochemical anomalies.
About expedition to Taimyr
The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences for the first time in recent years heads for the Taimyr Peninsula at the invitation of Nornickel. The big scientific expedition will study the peninsula and later on scientists will present suggestions for industrial companies, working in the Arctic, on how to preserve the nature.


tass--2020-08-11--Jordan eyes Russian coronavirus vaccine

Jordan eyes Russian coronavirus vaccine

CAIRO , August 11 .
/TASS/ .
Jordan is planning to submit a request to purchase Russia ’ s novel coronavirus vaccine , Jordanian Health Minister Saad Jaber said according to Ammon News portal .
`` Jordan has been tracking the vaccine from the early stages of its development , it was studied in closed circles , '' he said .
`` The Kingdom will contact Russian authorities to get the Russian vaccine as soon as possible . ''
The minister also underlined that the vaccine created in Russia was not initially up for sale commercially unlike in the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for pre-order .
Earlier on Tuesday , Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia had registered the world 's first vaccine against the novel coronavirus .
According to Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko , the vaccine was developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology and its clinical trials were successfully completed in June-July .
Putin also revealed that one of his daughters received the injection and is feeling well .
According to Kirill Dmitriyev , CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) , Russia received preliminary applications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its breakthrough vaccine from 20 countries .
He noted that Latin American , Middle Eastern and Asian countries are most interested to buy it , with a number of contracts already finalized .

CAIRO, August 11. /TASS/. Jordan is planning to submit a request to purchase Russia’s novel coronavirus vaccine, Jordanian Health Minister Saad Jaber said according to Ammon News portal.
"Jordan has been tracking the vaccine from the early stages of its development, it was studied in closed circles," he said. "The Kingdom will contact Russian authorities to get the Russian vaccine as soon as possible."
The minister also underlined that the vaccine created in Russia was not initially up for sale commercially unlike in the case of many international companies that offered vaccines for pre-order.
Earlier on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia had registered the world's first vaccine against the novel coronavirus. According to Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko, the vaccine was developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology and its clinical trials were successfully completed in June-July. Putin also revealed that one of his daughters received the injection and is feeling well.
According to Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), Russia received preliminary applications to purchase more than one billion doses of its breakthrough vaccine from 20 countries. He noted that Latin American, Middle Eastern and Asian countries are most interested to buy it, with a number of contracts already finalized.


tass--2020-08-11--Released journalists back in Russia from Belarus

MOSCOW , August 11 .
/TASS/ .
Russian journalists Semyon Pegov , Anton Starkov , Dmitry Lasenko and Vladislav Zizdok , who were released after detention in Belarus , have returned to Russia , Daily Storm Editor-in-Chief Alena Sivkova told TASS on Tuesday .
`` They have just crossed the border and are now heading for Smolensk , '' she said .
On Sunday , Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991 .
Mass protests and clashes with the police took place in Minsk and other Belarusian cities on Sunday night into Monday morning after exit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same day , Vasily Polonsky and Vladimir Romensky , reporters of the Russian television channel Dozhd and their cameraman Nikolai Antipov were detained in Minsk when covering the Belarusian election .
According to Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova , they had no accreditation .
Meanwhile , Dozhd Editor-in-Chief Tikhon Dzyadko told TASS documents for accreditation had been submitted back on June 15 .
The journalists were deported from Belarus overnight to Monday .
It was reported on Monday that Daily Storm and Meduza journalists and defense correspondent Semyon Pegov had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dispersing protests in Minsk .
Apart from that , Rossiya Segodnya press photographer Ilya Pitalev was also detained .
On Monday , Russian Ambassador to Belarus Dmitry Mezentsev told the Rossiya-24 television channel that Pegov , Starkov and Lasenko had been released .

MOSCOW, August 11. /TASS/. Russian journalists Semyon Pegov, Anton Starkov, Dmitry Lasenko and Vladislav Zizdok, who were released after detention in Belarus, have returned to Russia, Daily Storm Editor-in-Chief Alena Sivkova told TASS on Tuesday.
"They have just crossed the border and are now heading for Smolensk," she said.
On Sunday, Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991. Mass protests and clashes with the police took place in Minsk and other Belarusian cities on Sunday night into Monday morning after exit poll results were made public.
On the same day, Vasily Polonsky and Vladimir Romensky, reporters of the Russian television channel Dozhd and their cameraman Nikolai Antipov were detained in Minsk when covering the Belarusian election. According to Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, they had no accreditation. Meanwhile, Dozhd Editor-in-Chief Tikhon Dzyadko told TASS documents for accreditation had been submitted back on June 15. The journalists were deported from Belarus overnight to Monday.
It was reported on Monday that Daily Storm and Meduza journalists and defense correspondent Semyon Pegov had been detained on Sunday when the police were dispersing protests in Minsk. Apart from that, Rossiya Segodnya press photographer Ilya Pitalev was also detained. On Monday, Russian Ambassador to Belarus Dmitry Mezentsev told the Rossiya-24 television channel that Pegov, Starkov and Lasenko had been released.


tass--2020-08-11--Death toll from Beirut port blast up to 171

BEIRUT , August 11 .
/TASS/ .
The death toll from the Beirut port blast has risen to 171 , @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday citing the Lebanese Health Ministry .
According to the television channel , at least @ @ @ @ @ .
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport area near the Lebanese Navy ’ s @ @ @ @ @ sending a shockwave through residential neighborhoods of the Lebanese capital .
The shockwave destroyed and @ @ @ @ @ 200,000 apartments , leaving more than 300,000 people without shelter .
Local authorities say the @ @ @ @ @ detonation of more than 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate , stored in the port after @ @ @ @ @ services in 2014 .
According to latest updates , around 6,000 were injured .
Insurance @ @ @ @ @ blast at three billion US dollars .

BEIRUT, August 11. /TASS/. The death toll from the Beirut port blast has risen to 171, Sky News Arabiya said on Tuesday citing the Lebanese Health Ministry.
According to the television channel, at least 30 people are still missing.
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport area near the Lebanese Navy’s base on August 4, sending a shockwave through residential neighborhoods of the Lebanese capital. The shockwave destroyed and damaged around 40,000 houses and 200,000 apartments, leaving more than 300,000 people without shelter. Local authorities say the blast was caused by the detonation of more than 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, stored in the port after being confiscated by the customs services in 2014. According to latest updates, around 6,000 were injured.
Insurance companies estimate losses from the blast at three billion US dollars.


tass--2020-08-11--Belarusian riot police suppress protest in Minsk

MINSK , August 11 .
/TASS/ .
Special purpose mobile units of the Belarusian police ( OMON ) have suppressed an unsanctioned protest held in downtown Minsk .
An improvised memorial was set up on Pushkin Square in the Belarusian capital at the site where a protester had been killed .
TASS reports from the scene that about 200 people had gathered near the memorial .
Three have been detained .
OMON officers are asking the remaining people to leave the memorial .
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9 .
According to the preliminary results provided by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.08 % of the vote .
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , who was considered his main opponent , came in second with 10.09 % .
She stated that she didn ’ t recognize these results , considering herself the elected head of state , and filed a complaint with the Central Election Committee .
After exit poll results were announced in the evening of August 9 , protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other regions of the country , leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement forces .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Interior Ministry , about 3,000 people were detained while dozens of police officers and protesters were injured .
The Belarusian Interior Ministry informed of one person killed in the protests , stating that a man `` tried to throw an unidentified explosive at law enforcement officers , but it exploded in his hand . ''

MINSK, August 11. /TASS/. Special purpose mobile units of the Belarusian police (OMON) have suppressed an unsanctioned protest held in downtown Minsk. An improvised memorial was set up on Pushkin Square in the Belarusian capital at the site where a protester had been killed.
TASS reports from the scene that about 200 people had gathered near the memorial. Three have been detained. OMON officers are asking the remaining people to leave the memorial.
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9. According to the preliminary results provided by the Belarusian Central Election Commission, incumbent President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.08% of the vote. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who was considered his main opponent, came in second with 10.09%. She stated that she didn’t recognize these results, considering herself the elected head of state, and filed a complaint with the Central Election Commission. After exit poll results were announced in the evening of August 9, protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other regions of the country, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement forces. As a result, according to the republic’s Interior Ministry, about 3,000 people were detained while dozens of police officers and protesters were injured.
The Belarusian Interior Ministry informed of one person killed in the protests, stating that a man "tried to throw an unidentified explosive at law enforcement officers, but it exploded in his hand."


tass--2020-08-11--Protest demonstrations resume in Beirut

Protest demonstrations resume in Beirut

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tass--2020-08-11--Lithuania vows readiness to grant asylum to Belarusian opposition members

VILNIUS , August 11 .
/TASS/ .
Lithuania is ready to consider asylum requests from Belarusian opposition members if they choose to file them , Lithuanian Interior Minister Rita Tamasuniene said .
`` It is not the first time that Belarusian opposition members seek asylum in our country , '' she pointed out , as cited in the ministry ’ s statement .
`` If it happens again for political reasons or possible threats , Lithuania is ready to come to their support until conditions are created for their safe return home , '' she added .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have worked out an action plan in case there is a rise in asylum requests from Belarusian nationals .
Belarusian presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya and her campaign team chief Maria Moroz left for Lithuania earlier on Tuesday .
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9 .
According to preliminary results , incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.08 % of the vote , Tikhanovskaya garnered 10.09 % and the other three presidential candidates gained less than 2 % each .
Tikhanovskaya refused to recognize the election ’ s results and filed a complaint @ @ @ @ @ @

VILNIUS, August 11. /TASS/. Lithuania is ready to consider asylum requests from Belarusian opposition members if they choose to file them, Lithuanian Interior Minister Rita Tamasuniene said.
"It is not the first time that Belarusian opposition members seek asylum in our country," she pointed out, as cited in the ministry’s statement. "If it happens again for political reasons or possible threats, Lithuania is ready to come to their support until conditions are created for their safe return home," she added.
According to the minister, Lithuania’s relevant agencies have worked out an action plan in case there is a rise in asylum requests from Belarusian nationals.
Belarusian presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya and her campaign team chief Maria Moroz left for Lithuania earlier on Tuesday.
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9. According to preliminary results, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.08% of the vote, Tikhanovskaya garnered 10.09% and the other three presidential candidates gained less than 2% each. Tikhanovskaya refused to recognize the election’s results and filed a complaint with the Central Election Commission.


tass--2020-08-11--Palestine expects to receive Russian coronavirus vaccine

CAIRO , August 11 .
/TASS/ .
Palestine expects to become one of the first countries to receive Russia ’ s coronavirus vaccine , Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said in a message to Russian leader Vladimir Putin , the WAFA news agency reported on Tuesday .
`` We congratulate you , Mr. President , and through you we highly value the efforts of the Russian scientists , laboratories and your government for being the leader of this unique scientific discovery , '' Abbas said in his message , according to the news agency .
`` We wish you , your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while looking forward to your valuable instructions that our people benefit from this vaccine so that the State of Palestine will be one of the first countries to receive your attention in this regard , especially since you have already provided us with assistance and medical equipment to deal with this critical pandemic , '' Abbas added .
Putin announced earlier on Tuesday that Russia had become the first country to register a coronavirus vaccine .
The vaccine was developed by the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology and underwent clinical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that the vaccine had been given to one of his daughters .

CAIRO, August 11. /TASS/. Palestine expects to become one of the first countries to receive Russia’s coronavirus vaccine, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said in a message to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, the WAFA news agency reported on Tuesday.
"We congratulate you, Mr. President, and through you we highly value the efforts of the Russian scientists, laboratories and your government for being the leader of this unique scientific discovery," Abbas said in his message, according to the news agency.
"We wish you, your people and your friendly country more successes while looking forward to your valuable instructions that our people benefit from this vaccine so that the State of Palestine will be one of the first countries to receive your attention in this regard, especially since you have already provided us with assistance and medical equipment to deal with this critical pandemic," Abbas added.
Putin announced earlier on Tuesday that Russia had become the first country to register a coronavirus vaccine. The vaccine was developed by the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology and underwent clinical trials in June and July. Putin added that the vaccine had been given to one of his daughters.


tass--2020-08-11--Teams of Iskander tactical missile systems go on alert in drills in Russia’s northwest

MOSCOW , August 11 .
/TASS/ .
The teams of Iskander tactical missile systems from the Western Military District ’ s all-arms army went on alert during drills in the Leningrad Region , the District ’ s press office reported on Tuesday .
`` The personnel of the missile brigade of the Western Military District ’ s all-arms army stationed in the Leningrad Region went on alert in a combat readiness check as part of a special tactical exercise , '' the press office said in a statement .
The teams of Iskander missile systems will practice launches at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day and night both on firing positions and from the march , the statement says .
The personnel will sharpen the skills of reconnoitering enemy air and ground targets and repelling an attack by subversive and reconnaissance groups , according to the statement .
`` The inspection involves about 300 personnel and over 40 items of armament and military and special hardware of the missile formation , '' the press office specified .
The Iskander-M tactical missile system is designated to destroy enemy air and anti-ballistic missile defenses and also other vital facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ km .

MOSCOW, August 11. /TASS/. The teams of Iskander tactical missile systems from the Western Military District’s all-arms army went on alert during drills in the Leningrad Region, the District’s press office reported on Tuesday.
"The personnel of the missile brigade of the Western Military District’s all-arms army stationed in the Leningrad Region went on alert in a combat readiness check as part of a special tactical exercise," the press office said in a statement.
The teams of Iskander missile systems will practice launches at the Luzhsky training ground at various time of day and night both on firing positions and from the march, the statement says.
The personnel will sharpen the skills of reconnoitering enemy air and ground targets and repelling an attack by subversive and reconnaissance groups, according to the statement.
"The inspection involves about 300 personnel and over 40 items of armament and military and special hardware of the missile formation," the press office specified.
The Iskander-M tactical missile system is designated to destroy enemy air and anti-ballistic missile defenses and also other vital facilities at a distance of up to 500 km.


tass--2020-08-11--Police seize over 50 guns and 6,000 rounds in Moscow resident’s apartment

MOSCOW , August 11 .
/TASS/ .
Police seized over 50 guns and about 6,000 rounds in a Moscow resident ’ s apartment , Interior Ministry Spokeswoman Irina Volk told TASS on Tuesday .
US student sentenced to 9 years in penal colony for assaulting police in Moscow '' In the apartment of a resident of one of the residential buildings in Malaya Pereyaslavskaya Street , over 50 items similar to short- and long-barrel guns were seized .
The police also found over 6,000 rounds , cartridge casings , silencers , gunpowder and a lot of integral parts of guns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ various types , '' the spokeswoman said .
The police also found the equipment `` that was used to make and adjust the design of firearms and ammunition , '' she added .
Specifically , the guns confiscated by the police included a WWII German SiG 44 assault rifle , a Mauser pistol , a Stechkin automatic pistol and a WWII Walther P38 pistol .
Besides , the police found an anti-Semitic booklet and insignia of the Hitlerite army .
A criminal case has been opened .
The man has been released upon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city , the spokeswoman said .

MOSCOW, August 11. /TASS/. Police seized over 50 guns and about 6,000 rounds in a Moscow resident’s apartment, Interior Ministry Spokeswoman Irina Volk told TASS on Tuesday.
US student sentenced to 9 years in penal colony for assaulting police in Moscow
"In the apartment of a resident of one of the residential buildings in Malaya Pereyaslavskaya Street, over 50 items similar to short- and long-barrel guns were seized. The police also found over 6,000 rounds, cartridge casings, silencers, gunpowder and a lot of integral parts of guns, grenades, mines and shells of various types," the spokeswoman said.
The police also found the equipment "that was used to make and adjust the design of firearms and ammunition," she added.
Specifically, the guns confiscated by the police included a WWII German SiG 44 assault rifle, a Mauser pistol, a Stechkin automatic pistol and a WWII Walther P38 pistol. Besides, the police found an anti-Semitic booklet and insignia of the Hitlerite army.
A criminal case has been opened. The man has been released upon a written pledge not to leave the city, the spokeswoman said.


tass--2020-08-11--Released Russian journalists leave Minsk to be escorted by diplomats to Russian border

MOSCOW , August 11 .
/TASS/ .
Russian journalists Semyon Pegov , Anton Starkov , Dmitry Lasenko and Vladislav Zizdok , who were released after detention in Belarus , have left capital city Minsk and will be escorted by Russian diplomats to the Russian border , Daily Storm Editor-in-Chief Alena Sivkova told TASS on Tuesday .
`` They have left Minsk .
As far as I understand , they will be escorted by our diplomats , '' she said .
`` I exchanged messages with Anton and spoke with Dmitry .
They feel all right , if I may say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' According to Sivkova , they are expected to arrive in Moscow by the end of the day .
On Sunday , Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991 .
Mass protests and clashes with the police took place in Minsk and other Belarusian cities on Sunday night into Monday morning after exit poll results were made public .
On the same day , Vasily Polonsky and Vladimir Romensky , reporters of the Russian television channel Dozhd , and their cameraman Nikolai Antipov were detained in Minsk when covering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova , they had no accreditation .
Meanwhile , Dozhd Editor-in-Chief Tikhon Dzyadko told TASS that documents for accreditation had been submitted back on June 15 .
The journalists were deported from Belarus overnight to Monday .
It was reported on Monday that Daily Storm and Meduza journalists and defense correspondent Semyon Pegov had been detained on Sunday when the police were dispersing protests in Minsk .
Apart from that , Rossiya Segodnya press photographer Ilya Pitalev was also detained .
On Monday , Russian Ambassador to Belarus Dmitry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pegov , Starkov and Lasenko had been released .

MOSCOW, August 11. /TASS/. Russian journalists Semyon Pegov, Anton Starkov, Dmitry Lasenko and Vladislav Zizdok, who were released after detention in Belarus, have left capital city Minsk and will be escorted by Russian diplomats to the Russian border, Daily Storm Editor-in-Chief Alena Sivkova told TASS on Tuesday.
"They have left Minsk. As far as I understand, they will be escorted by our diplomats," she said. "I exchanged messages with Anton and spoke with Dmitry. They feel all right, if I may say so, missing home and families."
According to Sivkova, they are expected to arrive in Moscow by the end of the day.
On Sunday, Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991. Mass protests and clashes with the police took place in Minsk and other Belarusian cities on Sunday night into Monday morning after exit poll results were made public.
On the same day, Vasily Polonsky and Vladimir Romensky, reporters of the Russian television channel Dozhd, and their cameraman Nikolai Antipov were detained in Minsk when covering the Belarusian election. According to Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, they had no accreditation. Meanwhile, Dozhd Editor-in-Chief Tikhon Dzyadko told TASS that documents for accreditation had been submitted back on June 15. The journalists were deported from Belarus overnight to Monday.
It was reported on Monday that Daily Storm and Meduza journalists and defense correspondent Semyon Pegov had been detained on Sunday when the police were dispersing protests in Minsk. Apart from that, Rossiya Segodnya press photographer Ilya Pitalev was also detained. On Monday, Russian Ambassador to Belarus Dmitry Mezentsev told the Rossiya-24 television channel that Pegov, Starkov and Lasenko had been released.


tass--2020-08-11--US on wrong track imposing sanctions against Nord Stream 2 — German foreign minister

MOSCOW , August 11 .
/TASS/ .
The United States is on the wrong track , imposing sanctions against the companies involved in the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline , as it harms the interests of the European Union , German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told a press conference following talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov .
`` For us , for the German government , the Transatlantic ties have been of great importance not only at the moment , but for many years .
This is true not only for us , but for Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] are deeper than any political situation , '' Maas said .
`` Nevertheless , we must state that sanctions between partners are indeed the wrong and false path .
In the end , this is our sovereign decision where we buy energy resources from , '' he added .
The German foreign minister stressed that no state can dictate the EU energy policy by means of threats .
`` At the EU level , we are also discussing this topic , how extraterritorial sanctions violate international law .
We will talk about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ telephone conversation with the US secretary of state [ Michael Pompeo ] , I made our position very clear , '' he said .
On June 4 , US Senators Ted Cruz , Jeanne Shaheen and John Barrasso introduced a bill expanding sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project to the Senate .
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said that the project fell under the Countering America 's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act ( CAATSA ) .
The US move prompted harsh criticism in Germany .
The Nord Stream 2 project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the total capacity of 55 bln cubic meters per year from Russia to Germany across the Baltic Sea .
The gas pipeline is 93 % complete to date .
The construction was suspended at the end of 2019 when the Swiss pipe-laying company Allseas stopped work due to US sanctions .

MOSCOW, August 11. /TASS/. The United States is on the wrong track, imposing sanctions against the companies involved in the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, as it harms the interests of the European Union, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told a press conference following talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.
"For us, for the German government, the Transatlantic ties have been of great importance not only at the moment, but for many years. This is true not only for us, but for Europe in general. They [the ties] are deeper than any political situation," Maas said.
"Nevertheless, we must state that sanctions between partners are indeed the wrong and false path. In the end, this is our sovereign decision where we buy energy resources from," he added.
The German foreign minister stressed that no state can dictate the EU energy policy by means of threats. "At the EU level, we are also discussing this topic, how extraterritorial sanctions violate international law. We will talk about this with our partners. In a telephone conversation with the US secretary of state [Michael Pompeo], I made our position very clear," he said.
On June 4, US Senators Ted Cruz, Jeanne Shaheen and John Barrasso introduced a bill expanding sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project to the Senate. US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said that the project fell under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). The US move prompted harsh criticism in Germany.
The Nord Stream 2 project envisages construction of two gas pipeline strings with the total capacity of 55 bln cubic meters per year from Russia to Germany across the Baltic Sea. The gas pipeline is 93% complete to date. The construction was suspended at the end of 2019 when the Swiss pipe-laying company Allseas stopped work due to US sanctions.


tass--2020-08-11--Serbian leader Vucic says ready to be first to take Russian coronavirus vaccine

BELGRADE , August 11 .
/TASS/ .
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that he is ready to be the first person to be injected with the coronavirus vaccine developed in Russia , he told reporters Tuesday when asked about registration of the world 's first coronavirus vaccine in Russia .
`` I will be the first to take the vaccine when Serbian specialists say it ’ s good .
I am happy if Russians created a vaccine that was expected before November .
Our specialists must just confirm to us that it is safe and reliable .
It is important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible because it will save our economy , '' he noted .
Earlier on Tuesday , Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia had registered the first vaccine against the novel coronavirus worldwide .
Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko informed that the vaccine was developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology .
On Monday , President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte also volunteered to test the Russian vaccine against the coronavirus on himself during a televised address to the nation .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
More than 20 million people contracted the virus worldwide , while more than 736,000 patients died .
Serbia has currently reported 28,497 infections and 652 coronavirus-related deaths .

BELGRADE, August 11. /TASS/. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that he is ready to be the first person to be injected with the coronavirus vaccine developed in Russia, he told reporters Tuesday when asked about registration of the world's first coronavirus vaccine in Russia.
"I will be the first to take the vaccine when Serbian specialists say it’s good. I am happy if Russians created a vaccine that was expected before November. Our specialists must just confirm to us that it is safe and reliable. It is important that the vaccine appears as soon as possible because it will save our economy," he noted.
Earlier on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia had registered the first vaccine against the novel coronavirus worldwide. Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko informed that the vaccine was developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology.
On Monday, President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte also volunteered to test the Russian vaccine against the coronavirus on himself during a televised address to the nation.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. More than 20 million people contracted the virus worldwide, while more than 736,000 patients died. Serbia has currently reported 28,497 infections and 652 coronavirus-related deaths.


tass--2020-08-11--Media: Hainan to generously reward organizers of major forums

HAIKOU , August 11 .
/TASS/ .
The Hainan authorities will reward the organizers of major exhibitions and forums on the island with cash — up to 7 million yuan ( about $ 1 million ) , reported the Sanya Daily .
According to the newspaper , the local administration has recently approved a new strategy aimed at expanding and strengthening Hainan 's external contacts .
Officially , this state program will come into force on September 1 .
`` This way we can breathe new life into the exhibition industry , '' explained a representative of a local company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We need to increase the number of projects at the national and global levels . ''
According to the Sanya administration , the city plans to seize the opportunity to host many more major international events .
One of the key tasks is `` to intensify the development of industries related to the latest technologies , projects in the field of network space , with the financial sector , medicine and healthcare . ''
`` There will be closer cross-sectoral cooperation , there will be new opportunities for using the existing advantages .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of events held on Hainan will increase and their scale will increase as well , '' the representative of the local department of commerce pointed out .
According to statistics , in 2019 , more than 8,700 various exhibitions , forums and conferences were held in Sanya - by 3 % more than in the previous 12 months .
More than a thousand people took part in 75 of said events , and over 10,000 — in one of those .
According to this indicator , the city ranks first on Hainan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future its status of a place , which hosts prestigious large-scale events periodically , will elevate constantly .

HAIKOU, August 11. /TASS/. The Hainan authorities will reward the organizers of major exhibitions and forums on the island with cash — up to 7 million yuan (about $ 1 million), reported the Sanya Daily.
According to the newspaper, the local administration has recently approved a new strategy aimed at expanding and strengthening Hainan's external contacts. Officially, this state program will come into force on September 1.
"This way we can breathe new life into the exhibition industry," explained a representative of a local company specializing in organizing large-scale events. "We need to increase the number of projects at the national and global levels."
According to the Sanya administration, the city plans to seize the opportunity to host many more major international events. One of the key tasks is "to intensify the development of industries related to the latest technologies, projects in the field of network space, with the financial sector, medicine and healthcare."
"There will be closer cross-sectoral cooperation, there will be new opportunities for using the existing advantages. At the same time, the quality of events held on Hainan will increase and their scale will increase as well," the representative of the local department of commerce pointed out.
According to statistics, in 2019, more than 8,700 various exhibitions, forums and conferences were held in Sanya - by 3% more than in the previous 12 months. More than a thousand people took part in 75 of said events, and over 10,000 — in one of those. According to this indicator, the city ranks first on Hainan, and the authorities expect that in the future its status of a place, which hosts prestigious large-scale events periodically, will elevate constantly.


tass--2020-08-11--Infortrend developed exclusive distributed mode for its EonStor CS scale-out NAS systems

TAIPEI , Aug. 11 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Infortrend® Technology , Inc. ( TWSE : 2495 ) , the industry-leading enterprise storage provider , developed exclusive distributed mode for its EonStor CS scale-out NAS systems .
It allows enterprises ensure data protection while increasing capacity utilization by 90 % and performance by up to 50 % compared to traditional data protection policies , i.e .
Erasure Code and Replica .
EonStor CS is a scale-out NAS system that can be scaled horizontally by adding more nodes , so that capacity and performance linearly expands with the increase of system nodes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Code and Replica policies , EonStor CS supports exclusive distributed mode for data protection which gives enterprises such benefits as increased performance , capacity optimization , and lowered TCO .
Thanks to supporting single and dual node clusters , system deployment can be started with only one or two nodes and then subsequently expanded with new nodes as storage capacity and performance demands grow .
In distributed mode , a file is evenly distributed in each node , and only one copy of it is written to storage .
Unlike Erasure Code , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calculation and unlike Replica mode , it does not create duplicated copies of data .
This allows ultra-high 90 % capacity utilization and increased by up to 50 % performance compared to other modes .
EonStor CS has a unique system architecture with embedded layer of Infortrend RAID protection .
Opposed to traditional scale-out NAS , where the damaged data must be reconstructed from other nodes through the network , recovery of corrupted data in EonStor CS architecture does not occupy the network bandwidth as it occurs inside the node via RAID mechanism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performance is not affected .
Learn more about Exclusive features of EonStor CS Infortrend ( TWSE : 2495 ) has been developing and manufacturing storage solutions since 1993 .
With a strong emphasis on in-house design , testing , and manufacturing , Infortrend storage delivers performance and scalability with the latest standards , user friendly data services , personal after-sales support , and unrivaled value .
For more information , please visit www.infortrend.com Infortrend® and EonStor® are trademarks or registered trademarks of Infortrend Technology , Inc. ; other trademarks are the property of @ @ @ @

TAIPEI, Aug. 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Infortrend® Technology, Inc. (TWSE: 2495), the industry-leading enterprise storage provider, developed exclusive distributed mode for its EonStor CS scale-out NAS systems. It allows enterprises ensure data protection while increasing capacity utilization by 90% and performance by up to 50% compared to traditional data protection policies, i.e. Erasure Code and Replica.
EonStor CS is a scale-out NAS system that can be scaled horizontally by adding more nodes, so that capacity and performance linearly expands with the increase of system nodes number. On top of traditional Erasure Code and Replica policies, EonStor CS supports exclusive distributed mode for data protection which gives enterprises such benefits as increased performance, capacity optimization, and lowered TCO. Thanks to supporting single and dual node clusters, system deployment can be started with only one or two nodes and then subsequently expanded with new nodes as storage capacity and performance demands grow. In distributed mode, a file is evenly distributed in each node, and only one copy of it is written to storage. Unlike Erasure Code, distributed mode does not require data parity calculation and unlike Replica mode, it does not create duplicated copies of data. This allows ultra-high 90% capacity utilization and increased by up to 50% performance compared to other modes.
EonStor CS has a unique system architecture with embedded layer of Infortrend RAID protection. Opposed to traditional scale-out NAS, where the damaged data must be reconstructed from other nodes through the network, recovery of corrupted data in EonStor CS architecture does not occupy the network bandwidth as it occurs inside the node via RAID mechanism, so it is faster and system performance is not affected.
Learn more about Exclusive features of EonStor CS
Learn more about EonStor CS scale-out NAS
About Infortrend
Infortrend (TWSE: 2495) has been developing and manufacturing storage solutions since 1993. With a strong emphasis on in-house design, testing, and manufacturing, Infortrend storage delivers performance and scalability with the latest standards, user friendly data services, personal after-sales support, and unrivaled value. For more information, please visit www.infortrend.com
Infortrend® and EonStor® are trademarks or registered trademarks of Infortrend Technology, Inc.; other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
CONTACT: Infortrend Technology, Inc. Уилсон Сун (Wilson Sung) Тел.: +886-2-2226-0126 8300 Email: wilson.sung@infortrend.com или sales.ru@infortrend.com; Юрий Шогенов (Yuriy.Shogenov) Тел.: +886-2-2226-0126 8309 Email: yuriy.shogenov@infortrend.com или sales.ru@infortrend.com


tass--2020-08-11--Russia exposes many cyberattacks coming from Germany — Lavrov

According to the top diplomat , more than 50 government offices were targeted '' We have expressed our concern to the German side over the situation in our cybersecurity cooperation .
We said that last year and this year we exposed many cyberattacks against facilities and organizations in Russia coming from the German segment of the Internet , '' he said .
Lavrov said that Russia ’ s National Coordination Center for Computer Incidents in January 2019-May 2020 identified 75 cases in which Russian resources , including more than 50 government offices , came under hacker attacks from the German @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerning all these 75 cases were dispatched to the German authorities concerned .
Only in seven cases of the 75 formalistic replies were received .
None of them contained any answers to the essence of the questions asked .
In the meantime , those questions implied that each of the incidents should be scrutinized professionally , because we exposed hacker attacks , including ones against our government resources , '' Lavrov said .
Germany is interested in resuming consultations on issues of information security , the Russian foreign minister commented after talks with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I would like to recall , we had a mechanism of consultations on cybersecurity which was scaled down by the German side two years ago .
Today , thank God , we heard interest in resuming such dialogue in this or that format , '' he said .
According to the Russian top diplomat , Russia is ready to discuss possible resumption of cybersecurity consultations with the German side .
`` The more so since we want to hear what our German colleagues can say in response to the 75 offers we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18 months concerning hacker attacks on Russian institutions , including government agencies , from the German sector of the Internet , '' he noted .
Sergey Lavrov also expressed satisfaction that Moscow and Berlin were finally beginning to understand that it was necessary to have proper professional channels to maintain conversation not in the context of any domestic political interests , not in the context of any electoral considerations , but just because the sides are `` partners and good friends . ''
`` Russia doesn ’ t want cooperation with Germany to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any such attempts , Lavrov stressed .

According to the top diplomat, more than 50 government offices were targeted
MOSCOW, August 11. /TASS/. Russia exposed many cyberattacks against Russian facilities and organizations coming from Germany last year and this year, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said after talks with his German counterpart Heiko Maas on Tuesday.
Read also Embassy in Germany denies Russia’s involvement in 2015 cyberattacks on Bundestag
"We have expressed our concern to the German side over the situation in our cybersecurity cooperation. We said that last year and this year we exposed many cyberattacks against facilities and organizations in Russia coming from the German segment of the Internet," he said. Lavrov said that Russia’s National Coordination Center for Computer Incidents in January 2019-May 2020 identified 75 cases in which Russian resources, including more than 50 government offices, came under hacker attacks from the German segment of the Internet. "Notifications concerning all these 75 cases were dispatched to the German authorities concerned. Only in seven cases of the 75 formalistic replies were received. None of them contained any answers to the essence of the questions asked. In the meantime, those questions implied that each of the incidents should be scrutinized professionally, because we exposed hacker attacks, including ones against our government resources," Lavrov said. Resuming cybersecurity dialogue
Read also Germany’s Heiko Maas says has evidence of Russian involvement in cyberattack on Bundestag


tass--2020-08-11--Journalists working in Belarus without accreditation may face 10-year entry ban

MINSK , August 11 .
/TASS/ .
Journalists working in Belarus without accreditation may face a ten-year entry ban , Alexei Begun , chief of the Belarusian Interior Ministry ’ s Citizenship and Migration Department , told TASS on Tuesday .
`` A ten-year entry ban is typically imposed in such cases , '' he said , adding that a five-year ban was imposed in most of the cases with Russian journalists .
On Sunday , Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991 .
According to the country ’ s Central Election Commission , incumbent President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His closest rival , housewife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , scored 10.09 % of votes .
The other three candidates managed to win less than two percent each .
On August 9 , Vasily Polonsky and Vladimir Romensky , reporters of the Russian television channel Dozhd , and their cameraman Nikolai Antipov were detained in Minsk when covering the Belarusian election .
According to Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova , they had no accreditation .
Meanwhile , Dozhd Editor-in-Chief Tikhon Dzyadko told TASS documents for accreditation had been submitted back on June 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overnight to Monday .
It was reported on Monday that Daily Storm and Meduza journalists and defense correspondent Semyon Pegov had been detained on Sunday when the police were dispersing protests in Minsk .
Apart from that , Rossiya Segodnya press photographer Ilya Pitalev was also detained .
They will be deported from Belarus too .

MINSK, August 11. /TASS/. Journalists working in Belarus without accreditation may face a ten-year entry ban, Alexei Begun, chief of the Belarusian Interior Ministry’s Citizenship and Migration Department, told TASS on Tuesday.
"A ten-year entry ban is typically imposed in such cases," he said, adding that a five-year ban was imposed in most of the cases with Russian journalists.
On Sunday, Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991. According to the country’s Central Election Commission, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won 80.08% of votes. His closest rival, housewife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, scored 10.09% of votes. The other three candidates managed to win less than two percent each.
On August 9, Vasily Polonsky and Vladimir Romensky, reporters of the Russian television channel Dozhd, and their cameraman Nikolai Antipov were detained in Minsk when covering the Belarusian election. According to Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, they had no accreditation. Meanwhile, Dozhd Editor-in-Chief Tikhon Dzyadko told TASS documents for accreditation had been submitted back on June 15. The journalists were deported from Belarus overnight to Monday.
It was reported on Monday that Daily Storm and Meduza journalists and defense correspondent Semyon Pegov had been detained on Sunday when the police were dispersing protests in Minsk. Apart from that, Rossiya Segodnya press photographer Ilya Pitalev was also detained. They will be deported from Belarus too.


tass--2020-08-11--COVID-19 vaccine may cause short-term changes in body, expert thinks

MOSCOW , August 11 .
/TASS/ .
The vaccine against the coronavirus infection developed in Russia may cause certain changes in the human body but they are of short-term nature and are directed at the protection of the body , said President of Russia ’ s Bakulev National Medical Research Center of Cardiovascular Surgery Leo Bokeria .
`` Now that the vaccine is created , several people of high standing on their own initiative went to get inoculated .
Of course , certain changes in the body may be expected .
But on the other hand , we made sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no harm in them , besides , they are meant to protect the body , '' he told journalists at the nationwide Nation ’ s Health as the Foundation for a Flourishing Russia forum .
He stressed that the issue of inoculation will be resolved properly by the Russian healthcare system .
According to him , nobody will be forced to get vaccinated .
He noted that it is important to understand that after inoculation the individual may endure a light form of the infection and then will develop protection against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he hasn ’ t been offered to get vaccinated yet .

MOSCOW, August 11. /TASS/. The vaccine against the coronavirus infection developed in Russia may cause certain changes in the human body but they are of short-term nature and are directed at the protection of the body, said President of Russia’s Bakulev National Medical Research Center of Cardiovascular Surgery Leo Bokeria.
"Now that the vaccine is created, several people of high standing on their own initiative went to get inoculated. Of course, certain changes in the body may be expected. But on the other hand, we made sure that these are short-term changes, there is no harm in them, besides, they are meant to protect the body," he told journalists at the nationwide Nation’s Health as the Foundation for a Flourishing Russia forum.
He stressed that the issue of inoculation will be resolved properly by the Russian healthcare system. According to him, nobody will be forced to get vaccinated. He noted that it is important to understand that after inoculation the individual may endure a light form of the infection and then will develop protection against the virus.
The heart surgeon added that he hasn’t been offered to get vaccinated yet.


tass--2020-08-12--OPEC countries fulfill their obligations under oil production cut deal by 97% in July

MOSCOW , August 12 .
/TASS/ .
Oil production in OPEC countries in July increased by 0.98 million barrels per day ( bpd ) , to 23.17 million bpd , mainly due to Saudi Arabia , which added 1 million barrels to its daily production , it voluntarily reduced in June , according to the OPEC report .
Oil price will be about $ 45/bbl in 2021 , Fitch says Thus , oil production in Saudi Arabia increased by 0.86 million bpd - up to 8.4 million bpd .
At the same time , Saudi Arabia fully fulfilled its obligations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June , the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait also took on additional reduction volumes to their obligations .
In aggregate , the three of them reduced production by 1.1 million bpd .
In July , the UAE increased production by 98,000 bpd bringing it to 2.43 million bpd , Kuwait added 73,000 bpd and produced up to 2.16 million bpd .
July production in both Gulf states is also fully in line with the OPEC+ agreements .
Meanwhile , Iraq increased oil production in July - by 39,000 bpd to 3.75 million bpd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quota established at 3.59 million bpd .

MOSCOW, August 12. /TASS/. Oil production in OPEC countries in July increased by 0.98 million barrels per day (bpd), to 23.17 million bpd, mainly due to Saudi Arabia that added 1 million barrels to its daily production, which it voluntarily reduced in June, according to the OPEC report.
Thus, oil production in Saudi Arabia increased by 0.86 million bpd - up to 8.4 million bpd. At the same time, Saudi Arabia fully fulfilled its obligations under the OPEC+ agreement.
In June, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait also took on additional reduction volumes to their obligations. In aggregate, the three of them reduced production by 1.1 million bpd.
In July, the UAE increased production by 98,000 bpd bringing it to 2.43 million bpd, while Kuwait added 73,000 bpd and produced up to 2.16 million bpd. July production in both Gulf states is also fully in line with the OPEC+ agreements.
Meanwhile, Iraq increased oil production in July - by 39,000 bpd to 3.75 million bpd, which is higher than its production quota established at 3.59 million bpd.
Only ten OPEC member-states cut oil production under the OPEC+ agreement. Iran, Libya and Venezuela are freed from restrictions due to the sanctions imposed on them and the difficult internal political situation there.
In June, OPEC countries fulfilled the agreement by 112% of the plan. At the same time, according to OPEC, Russia produced 8.75 million bpd in June and 8.8 million bpd in July. This is higher than the level of 8.5 million bpd, which is stipulated for Russia by the agreement.
The updated OPEC+ agreement on the reduction of oil production has been in effect since May. Until the end of July, the countries of the alliance were to reduce oil production by 9.7 million bpd, with each country's quota being reduced by 23% from the base level. Since August and until the end of the year, they are to cut oil production by only 7.7 million bpd. Russia, which curtailed oil production in May-June by 2.5 million bpd, may increase it by 0.5 million bpd from August. However, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said that the real production growth will be 0.4 million bpd.
Non-OPEC oil output
Production of liquid hydrocarbons (oil and gas condensate) in non-OPEC countries will decrease by 3.03 mln barrels per day in 2020 compared with the previous year, whereas in 2021 it is expected to rise by almost 1 mln barrels per day, the cartel said in its August report released on Wednesday.
Non-OPEC liquids production growth in 2020 has been revised up by 235,000 barrels per day compared with the previous report.
"Non-OPEC liquids production in 2021 is revised up by 66,000 barrels per day and is now expected to grow by 0.98 mln barrels per day, mainly due to a better-than-expected recovery in production of Canada," OPEC said.
Total non-OPEC crude oil supply in Q2 2020 dropped by around 6 mln barrels per day, the organization said, adding that it will shift to growth in Q3, particularly in August.
"Nevertheless, uncertainty surrounding financial and logistical constraints for US production, as well as a potential second wave of COVID-19 infections globally, remains a concern," the report said.
Outlook on global oil demand decline in 2020
OPEC has downgraded its outlook on global oil demand decline in 2020 by around 100,000 barrels per day due to economic slowdown in a number of countries. Particularly, OPEC projects a decline in global demand by 9.06 mln barrels per day this year (July’s report projected 8.95 mln barrels per day), according to the report.
According to OPEC, global oil demand will stand at 90.63 mln barrels per day this year. Meanwhile, OPEC projects growth of global oil demand by 7 mln barrels per day to 97.6 mln barrels per day as early as in 2021 as it expects the coronavirus to be localized with its shattering impact on the global economy stopped.
Despite the fact that the economy is starting to recover, OPEC doubts that oil demand will return to the pre-pandemic levels next year due to changes on the labor market and the spread of the remote working practice.


tass--2020-08-12--All volunteers inoculated with Vector vaccine in good health — sanitary watchdog

MOSCOW , August 12 .
/TASS/ .
All fourteen volunteers who received the vaccine against the novel coronavirus developed by the Vector State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology are feeling well , the press service of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing told TASS on Wednesday .
`` Trials of the EpiVacCorona peptide antigen-based vaccine developed by the Vector State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing are being conducted as planned in strict coordination with the schedule .
As of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The volunteers are in good health , '' the sanitary watchdog said .
The agency noted that following the results of the observation of health condition of the first stage participants for five days , a decision will be made on the second inoculation of the first stage volunteers and the first inoculation of the second stage volunteers will begin .
`` During stage two , the placebo-controlled one , two groups of volunteers will be inoculated , 86 people in all .
The first group will be vaccinated twice with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The second group will receive placebo , '' the press service added .
Russian President Vladimir Putin reported on August 11 that the first vaccine against the novel coronavirus infection worldwide had been registered in Russia .
According to Health Minister Mikhail Murashko , the president meant the preparation developed by the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry .

MOSCOW, August 12. /TASS/. All fourteen volunteers who received the vaccine against the novel coronavirus developed by the Vector State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology are feeling well, the press service of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing told TASS on Wednesday.
"Trials of the EpiVacCorona peptide antigen-based vaccine developed by the Vector State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing are being conducted as planned in strict coordination with the schedule. As of August 12, 14 volunteers were inoculated. The volunteers are in good health," the sanitary watchdog said.
The agency noted that following the results of the observation of health condition of the first stage participants for five days, a decision will be made on the second inoculation of the first stage volunteers and the first inoculation of the second stage volunteers will begin. "During stage two, the placebo-controlled one, two groups of volunteers will be inoculated, 86 people in all. The first group will be vaccinated twice with the EpiVacCorona vaccine with a 21-day interval. The second group will receive placebo," the press service added.
Russian President Vladimir Putin reported on August 11 that the first vaccine against the novel coronavirus infection worldwide had been registered in Russia. According to Health Minister Mikhail Murashko, the president meant the preparation developed by the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry.


tass--2020-08-12--Over 50 journalists detained in Belarus in the past week

MINSK , August 12 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian security agencies detained 55 journalists this week , including 41 during the past two days of protests against the results of the presidential election , the Belarusian Association of Journalists said on Wednesday .
The Belarusian NGO notes that since the start of the August 4 early vote the detentions have been on the rise .
On August 7 , reporters of Current Time TV channel Irina Romaliyskaya , Ivan Grebenyuk ( Ukraine ) and Yuri Baranyuk ( Russia ) were held .
They were deported from Belarus and were barred from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Sunday , correspondents of Daily Storm Anton Starkov and Dmitry Lasenko were detained but were later released .
A photographer of the Associated Press news agency , Mstislav Chernov , was injured and sent to hospital .
On the same day , a film crew of Russia ’ s Dozhd TV channel was detained and later deported from the country .
Polish journalist Vitold Dobrovolsky was held on Monday .
The Belarusian Interior Ministry is investigating the incidents of obstructing the journalists ’ professional activity .
`` We won ’ t leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chemodanova said .

MINSK, August 12. /TASS/. Belarusian security agencies detained 55 journalists this week, including 41 during the past two days of protests against the results of the presidential election, the Belarusian Association of Journalists said on Wednesday.
The Belarusian NGO notes that since the start of the August 4 early vote the detentions have been on the rise. On August 7, reporters of Current Time TV channel Irina Romaliyskaya, Ivan Grebenyuk (Ukraine) and Yuri Baranyuk (Russia) were held. They were deported from Belarus and were barred from entering the country for 10 years.
On Sunday, correspondents of Daily Storm Anton Starkov and Dmitry Lasenko were detained but were later released. A photographer of the Associated Press news agency, Mstislav Chernov, was injured and sent to hospital. On the same day, a film crew of Russia’s Dozhd TV channel was detained and later deported from the country. Polish journalist Vitold Dobrovolsky was held on Monday.
The Belarusian Interior Ministry is investigating the incidents of obstructing the journalists’ professional activity. "We won’t leave this without attention," spokesperson Olga Chemodanova said.


tass--2020-08-12--Baltic Fleet forces wrap up participation in Russian Navy’s Oceanic Shield drills

KALININGRAD , August 12 .
/TASS/ .
The Baltic Fleet forces completed their participation in the Russian Navy ’ s Oceanic Shield-2020 maneuvers that ran at naval ranges of the Baltic and North seas , the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Wednesday .
`` In the course of several days , the Fleet ’ s ships integrated into several tactical groups accomplished a large set of designated combat training assignments at the Baltic Fleet ’ s naval ranges and also in various areas of the North Sea , '' the press office said in a statement .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ships and support vessels : Project 20380 corvettes , amphibious assault ships , small missile ships , missile boats and other craft , the statement says .
During the Oceanic Shield-2020 drills , the Fleet ’ s forces practiced anti-submarine warfare and air defense , mine countermeasures and anti-saboteur operations and held artillery firings of various complexity against air and sea targets .
Aircraft and helicopters of the Fleet ’ s naval aviation provided support for the ships in accomplishing combat training missions , according to the statement .
At the Khmelyovka training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Baltic Fleet carried out a large-scale operation of its multi-service grouping to land an amphibious assault force .
The operation involved up to 20 surface ships , support vessels and boats , 18 aircraft and helicopters of the Baltic Fleet ’ s naval aviation , over 30 items of combat hardware of marine infantry and engineering units and also up to 2,000 personnel .
`` After accomplishing the assignments under the plan of the Oceanic Shield-2020 drills , the ships are returning to their permanent bases and switching to their planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The Oceanic Shield-2020 drills ran in the Baltic Sea under the command of Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov .
The naval maneuvers involved over 30 warships of various classes , naval aviation , coastal defense troops , air defense forces and marine infantry .
During the drills , the naval forces conducted launches of attack and anti-aircraft missiles and held artillery firings .

KALININGRAD, August 12. /TASS/. The Baltic Fleet forces completed their participation in the Russian Navy’s Oceanic Shield-2020 maneuvers that ran at naval ranges of the Baltic and North seas, the Fleet’s press office reported on Wednesday.
"In the course of several days, the Fleet’s ships integrated into several tactical groups accomplished a large set of designated combat training assignments at the Baltic Fleet’s naval ranges and also in various areas of the North Sea," the press office said in a statement.
The naval maneuvers involved over 20 Baltic Fleet ships and support vessels: Project 20380 corvettes, amphibious assault ships, small missile ships, missile boats and other craft, the statement says.
During the Oceanic Shield-2020 drills, the Fleet’s forces practiced anti-submarine warfare and air defense, mine countermeasures and anti-saboteur operations and held artillery firings of various complexity against air and sea targets. Aircraft and helicopters of the Fleet’s naval aviation provided support for the ships in accomplishing combat training missions, according to the statement.
At the Khmelyovka training range on the Baltic coast near Kaliningrad, the Baltic Fleet carried out a large-scale operation of its multi-service grouping to land an amphibious assault force. The operation involved up to 20 surface ships, support vessels and boats, 18 aircraft and helicopters of the Baltic Fleet’s naval aviation, over 30 items of combat hardware of marine infantry and engineering units and also up to 2,000 personnel.
"After accomplishing the assignments under the plan of the Oceanic Shield-2020 drills, the ships are returning to their permanent bases and switching to their planned combat training," the press office said.
The Oceanic Shield-2020 drills ran in the Baltic Sea under the command of Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov. The naval maneuvers involved over 30 warships of various classes, naval aviation, coastal defense troops, air defense forces and marine infantry.
During the drills, the naval forces conducted launches of attack and anti-aircraft missiles and held artillery firings.


tass--2020-08-12--Hundreds of girls with white flowers gather in Minsk in act of solidarity with opposition

MINSK , August 12 .
/TASS/ .
Several hundred girls wearing white clothes holding white flowers in their hands formed a human chain outside Minsk ’ s Komarovsky Market in solidarity with those injured during the protests in the previous days , a TASS correspondent reported from the scene .
Police officers asked the girls to disperse .
They began to disperse , but then returned .
Holding hands , they chanted , `` We believe , we can , we will win ! ''
Belarus held the presidential election on August 9 .
After the results of exit polls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Alexander Lukashenko won 80.08 % of the vote , mass protests flared up in Minsk and other cities , which spiraled into clashes with police .
The protests continued at nights on August 10 and August 11 .
According to the Interior Ministry , several thousands of protesters were detained .
One person was killed when he tried to throw an unidentified explosive device at the law enforcement officers , but it exploded in his hand .
Lukashenko ’ s key rival Svetlana Tihanovskaya , who garnered 10.09 % of the vote @ @ @ @ @ @

MINSK, August 12. /TASS/. Several hundred girls wearing white clothes holding white flowers in their hands formed a human chain outside Minsk’s Komarovsky Market in solidarity with those injured during the protests in the previous days, a TASS correspondent reported from the scene.
Police officers asked the girls to disperse. They began to disperse, but then returned. Holding hands, they chanted, "We believe, we can, we will win!"
Belarus held the presidential election on August 9. After the results of exit polls were announced, according to which incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won 80.08 % of the vote, mass protests flared up in Minsk and other cities, which spiraled into clashes with police. The protests continued at nights on August 10 and August 11. According to the Interior Ministry, several thousands of protesters were detained. One person was killed when he tried to throw an unidentified explosive device at the law enforcement officers, but it exploded in his hand. Lukashenko’s key rival Svetlana Tihanovskaya, who garnered 10.09 % of the vote, has fled to Lithuania.


tass--2020-08-12--Oppositionist Tsepkalo announces formation of National Salvation Front of Belarus

`` I am announcing the formation of the National Salvation Front of the Republic of Belarus , '' his statement said .
He has formulated the three main goals of the organization , the first one being the `` mobilization of Belarusian people to fight against the violations of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus and the forceful seizure of state power by Lukashenko A. G. '' Additionally , he announced a `` combat to preserve the national sovereignty , democracy and freedom of the Republic of Belarus . ''
The third goal concerns the protection of the `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and forceful hoaxes on the part of the government . ''
The presidential election was held in Belarus on August 9 .
According to the preliminary data of the Central Election Committee , incumbent president of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.08 % of the vote .
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya who was considered his main opponent , was second with 10.09 % .
She refused to accept these results , considering herself the elected head of state , and filed a complaint with the Central Election Committee .
After exit poll results were announced in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ erupted in downtown Minsk and other regions of the country , leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement forces .
As a result , according to the republic ’ s Interior Ministry , about 3,000 people were detained while dozens of policemen and protesters were injured .

"I am announcing the formation of the National Salvation Front of the Republic of Belarus," his statement said.
He has formulated the three main goals of the organization, the first one being the "mobilization of Belarusian people to fight against the violations of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus and the forceful seizure of state power by Lukashenko A. G." Additionally, he announced a "combat to preserve the national sovereignty, democracy and freedom of the Republic of Belarus." The third goal concerns the protection of the "democratic choice of Belarusian people from mass and forceful hoaxes on the part of the government."
The presidential election was held in Belarus on August 9. According to the preliminary data of the Central Election Commission, incumbent president of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.08% of the vote. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya who was considered his main opponent, was second with 10.09%. She refused to accept these results, considering herself the elected head of state, and filed a complaint with the Central Election Commission. After exit poll results were announced in the evening of August 9, protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other regions of the country, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement forces. As a result, according to the republic’s Interior Ministry, about 3,000 people were detained while dozens of policemen and protesters were injured.


tass--2020-08-12--Afghan president recalls ambassador to Russia

False US reports about Russia in Afghanistan led to threats against diplomats — embassy MOSCOW , August 12 .
/TASS/ @ @ @ @ @ Ghani has recalled ambassador to Russia Latif Bahand , Afghanistan ’ s Foreign Ministry reported @ @ @ @ @ the ministry , cited by the Pajhwok Afghan news agency , the ambassador was recalled @ @ @ @ @ of the president .
The reasons for this are not reported .

False US reports about Russia in Afghanistan led to threats against diplomats — embassy
MOSCOW, August 12. /TASS/. President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani has recalled ambassador to Russia Latif Bahand, Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry reported on Wednesday.
According to the ministry, cited by the Pajhwok Afghan news agency, the ambassador was recalled due to the verbal instructions of the president.
The reasons for this are not reported.


tass--2020-08-12--EU in talks with companies on COVID-19 vaccine, not disclosing names

BRUSSELS , August 12 .
/TASS/ .
The European Commission ( EC ) is currently holding talks with several companies on a potential vaccine against the new coronavirus but can not name them before the end of the process , an EC spokesperson told TASS on Wednesday .
`` We are negotiating quite intensely with a view to building a diversified portfolio of vaccines for EU citizens at fair prices .
Negotiations are advanced with several companies having a promising vaccine candidate .
We can not name companies with whom we ’ re negotiating at this point , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support the objective of developing a vaccine as quickly as possible , we can not compromise on evidence requirements for a vaccine , especially as it is given to healthy people .
This requires sufficient data from clinical trials that show that the vaccine is safe and efficacious , '' the spokesperson added .
The European Commission said earlier in its press release that it concluded exploratory talks with Sanofi-GSK company on a contractual framework for purchases of 300 mln doses .
On August 11 , Russia became the first country across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus infection , named Sputnik V .

BRUSSELS, August 12. /TASS/. The European Commission (EC) is currently holding talks with several companies on a potential vaccine against the new coronavirus but cannot name them before the end of the process, an EC spokesperson told TASS on Wednesday.
"We are negotiating quite intensely with a view to building a diversified portfolio of vaccines for EU citizens at fair prices. Negotiations are advanced with several companies having a promising vaccine candidate. We cannot name companies with whom we’re negotiating at this point," the spokesperson said.
"While we fully support the objective of developing a vaccine as quickly as possible, we cannot compromise on evidence requirements for a vaccine, especially as it is given to healthy people. This requires sufficient data from clinical trials that show that the vaccine is safe and efficacious," the spokesperson added.
The European Commission said earlier in its press release that it concluded exploratory talks with Sanofi-GSK company on a contractual framework for purchases of 300 mln doses.
On August 11, Russia became the first country across the globe that registered a vaccine against the coronavirus infection, named Sputnik V.