tass--2020-08-04--Russia’s new spacecraft can make flights to Moon and Mars, says chief designer

MOSCOW , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Oryol latest spacecraft will be able to fly to asteroids @ @ @ @ @ an inter-planetary system , Oryol Chief Designer Igor Khamits said in an interview with the @ @ @ @ @ the federal space agency Roscosmos .
`` The technical specifications do not stipulate a flight @ @ @ @ @ , a flight can be carried out as part of an asteroid ( inter-planetary ) @ @ @ @ @ a flight to Mars , '' he said .
One of the basic tasks of @ @ @ @ @ make crewed flights to the Moon , he stressed .
`` Also , the technical @ @ @ @ @ crews to the International Space Station , '' the chief designer said .

MOSCOW, August 4. /TASS/. Russia’s Oryol latest spacecraft will be able to fly to asteroids and Mars as part of an inter-planetary system, Oryol Chief Designer Igor Khamits said in an interview with the Russian Space magazine published by the federal space agency Roscosmos.
"The technical specifications do not stipulate a flight mission to asteroids. However, a flight can be carried out as part of an asteroid (inter-planetary) system, as well as a flight to Mars," he said.
One of the basic tasks of the Oryol spacecraft is to make crewed flights to the Moon, he stressed. "Also, the technical specifications stipulate the transportation of crews to the International Space Station," the chief designer said.


tass--2020-08-04--Press review: Russia scrapping tax deal with Cyprus and US expanding presence in Poland

The Ministry of Finance implemented Vladimir Putin 's March promise to unilaterally withdraw from agreements with low-tax jurisdictions - the ministry has announced preparations for the denunciation of the double taxation treaty with Cyprus .
With the decision , the authorities intend to push holdings to move to Russian `` offshores '' - special administrative regions .
The unexpected step will disrupt the existing financial flows for business , Kommersant writes .
However , experts told the newspaper they expect Russia and Cyprus to conclude a new tax agreement .
Negotiations with Cyprus were difficult , but observers still expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was reported that a new agreement would be signed during Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov ’ s visit to the island .
On Monday , anonymous negotiators at the Cypriot Finance Ministry were surprised by the decision of their Russian colleagues , Kommersant writes .
According to various estimates , under the agreement , 1.4 trillion rubles ( $ 19.16 bln ) were moved from Russia to Cyprus in 2018 , and 1.9 trillion rubles ( $ 26 bln ) in 2019 .
The Finance Ministry considers it a scheme under which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian beneficiaries through a transit jurisdiction .
Cancelling the agreement on the avoidance of double taxation with Cyprus means that taxes on many transactions with companies registered there will have to be paid both in Russia and in Cyprus , the newspaper noted .
`` Rejecting the agreement with Cyprus is a shock for Russian business .
Financial flows will definitely change their course , '' Head of tax dispute resolution group at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner Alexander Erasov told Kommersant .
Meanwhile , some experts believe that the countries might conclude a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Negotiations with Cyprus have been going on for a long time , it can not be ruled out that new conditions will be specified in a new agreement .
The parties might have considered it inexpedient to make a large number of amendments to the previous document , '' Director of Tax and Legal Consulting at KPMG in Russia and the CIS Alexander Tokarev told Kommersant .
Vedomosti : Additional 1,000 US troops to be deployed in Poland The United States and Poland have completed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement ( EDCA ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two countries ' partnership in this area .
According to the new treaty , another 1,000 US troops will be deployed in Poland .
The Pentagon said additional troops are being sent to Poland to support armored units and combat aviation brigades , joining some 4,500 already stationed there .
Experts told Vedomosti that the US do not see this step as a violation of Russia - NATO relations .
According to the US Department of Defense , the objectives of the EDCA talks are containing Russia , strengthening NATO , and encouraging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power in Europe .
According to the statement , NATO ’ s continued presence in Poland would improve its strategic and operational flexibility .
As expert at the Russian International Affairs Council Alexander Yermakov told Vedomosti , Poland has sought to increase the American military contingent on its territory since joining NATO .
`` Since then , Poland has been trying to strengthen its partnership with the United States as much as possible .
... Trump likes this a lot , it correlates with his propaganda slogans that the allies must pay for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the expert explained .
At the same time , according to Yermakov , 1,000 US troops stationed in Poland will be mostly serving in the rear detachment , dealing with logistics , infrastructure , and integration with the local military .
`` Half of the [ German ] contingent is returning to the United States , half will be relocated to Europe , primarily to Italy , to the Black Sea region , possibly to Romania .
And Poland will receive units on rotation in larger volumes .
According to the US , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia-NATO ’ act , where NATO promised not to deploy significant permanent forces in the former countries of the Warsaw Treaty Organization , '' Yermakov explained .
Izvestia : Poland , Ukraine , Lithuania want to form new union Poland , Lithuania , and Ukraine have agreed to deepen cooperation and create a structure called the Lublin Triangle .
The purpose of the format is to reconsider relations with Brussels and Moscow , Izvestia writes , noting that the `` Russian issue '' is all but central in this informal alliance .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lack of resources and difference in goals might hinder the alliance .
The parties plan to intensify not only political , economic and social cooperation , but also to establish more intensive ties in the military .
The countries stated that they do not recognize the `` occupation '' of Crimea by Russia and gave their support to `` the restoration of Ukraine ’ s territory '' .
The parties also actively oppose the Nord Stream 2 project .
All participants in the Lublin Triangle pursue their own interests .
Ukraine is interested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European Union .
Warsaw is trying to create its own center of power within the EU , which could become an opponent of Moscow and Brussels , Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council Andrey Kortunov told Izvestia .
`` All three countries are very critical of Moscow .
Poland ’ s leadership can be seen clearly here .
The current attitude of the European Union towards Poland is taken into account : statements on the reduction of subsidies , structural funds .
This is Warsaw 's bid for subregional leadership , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that this association can at best become a lobbying structure in Brussels .
`` I don ’ t think it ’ s going to be anything serious .
First , these are very different states .
Poland and Lithuania are member countries of NATO and the European Union .
Ukraine is not a member of any of these organizations and isn ’ t likely to join them in the foreseeable future .
Second , these are relatively poor states , their resource base is limited , '' Kortunov told the newspaper .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Moscow-St. Petersburg high-speed railway , Kommersant wrote Tuesday with reference to the document sent to the Ministry of Transport by Deputy Head of Russian Railways Sergey Kobzev .
In addition to the already announced capital grant of 200 bln rubles ( $ 2.73 bln ) , the budget will invest another 248 bln rubles ( $ 3.39 bln ) into the project company ’ s capital .
In addition , there are plans to place bonds for 427 bln rubles ( $ 5.84 bln ) .
Who will buy these securities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The total funding for the project remained the same - 1.7 trillion rubles ( $ 23.25 bln ) , including 1.3 trillion rubles ( $ 17.78 bln ) in extrabudgetary investments .
The document also makes no mention of the use of money from the National Wealth Fund , which was expected to become a significant part of the project ’ s overall funding .
One of Kommersant 's sources claims that the new financial model was specifically developed without the participation of the Fund .
Head of Infoline-Analytics Mikhail Burmistrov calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.3 trillion rubles ( $ 17.78 bln ) in the current environment `` utopian . ''
These funds could come from state banks , but then these are `` pseudo-budgetary funds , '' the analyst told Kommersant .
Taking currency risks into account , the model does not look attractive to foreign investors , he said .
From the point of view of construction , the launch of the railway into operation by 2027 looks realistic , but by this time the passenger traffic required to pay off the project will be unattainable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Burmistrov concluded .
Ticket prices from Russia to Turkey and back have increased by about 30 % compared to last year , industry representatives told Izvestia .
Meanwhile , the beaches of Antalya are overcrowded with tourists , and hotels are dealing with peak demand , the Turkish parliament told the newspaper .
Meanwhile , the Russian Union of Travel Industry told Izvestia that there is no need to fear crowds on the Antalya coast - Russians generally pick larger hotel complexes .
Press service of travel planning company OneTwoTrip told the newspaper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July 24 to July 31 increased almost 6-fold compared to early July .
The largest number of tickets ( round trip ) was purchased to Istanbul , the average price was 26,000 rubles ( $ 355.7 ) .
Travel booking service Aviasales told Izvestia that the price of tickets for the Russia-Turkey-Russia route increased by 26 % over the year .
Despite the fact that planes have been leaving for Istanbul and Ankara for three days , there are still few Russians in Turkey , the newspaper wrote .
They mostly travel for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel independently , Executive Director of the Alliance of Travel Agencies Natalia Osipova noted .
`` In our opinion , the deferred demand for travel , formed amid the pandemic in April-June , has already been partly satisfied on domestic routes .
In July , we saw a complete recovery in air ticket sales in Russia and even an increase of 6 % , '' travel service Biletix told the newspaper .
Meanwhile , there have been reports of large tourist crowds on the Mediterranean coast .
As for hotels and beaches in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Union of Travel Industry Yuri Barzykin believes that the information is exaggerated .
`` There is definitely enough space on Turkish beaches .
Moreover , our fellow citizens prefer to relax in large hotel complexes with their own beaches , '' the expert told Izvestia .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews .

Kommersant: Russia plans to scrap tax deal with Cyprus
Read also Russia to initiate denunciation of tax convention with Cyprus from August 3
The Ministry of Finance implemented Vladimir Putin's March promise to unilaterally withdraw from agreements with low-tax jurisdictions - the ministry has announced preparations for the denunciation of the double taxation treaty with Cyprus. With the decision, the authorities intend to push holdings to move to Russian "offshores" - special administrative regions. The unexpected step will disrupt the existing financial flows for business, Kommersant writes. However, experts told the newspaper they expect Russia and Cyprus to conclude a new tax agreement. Negotiations with Cyprus were difficult, but observers still expected the agreement to get an update. It was reported that a new agreement would be signed during Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s visit to the island. On Monday, anonymous negotiators at the Cypriot Finance Ministry were surprised by the decision of their Russian colleagues, Kommersant writes. According to various estimates, under the agreement, 1.4 trillion rubles ($19.16 bln) were moved from Russia to Cyprus in 2018, and 1.9 trillion rubles ($26 bln) in 2019. The Finance Ministry considers it a scheme under which revenues of Russian origin are paid to Russian beneficiaries through a transit jurisdiction. Cancelling the agreement on the avoidance of double taxation with Cyprus means that taxes on many transactions with companies registered there will have to be paid both in Russia and in Cyprus, the newspaper noted. "Rejecting the agreement with Cyprus is a shock for Russian business. Financial flows will definitely change their course," Head of tax dispute resolution group at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner Alexander Erasov told Kommersant. Meanwhile, some experts believe that the countries might conclude a new agreement in the future. "Negotiations with Cyprus have been going on for a long time, it cannot be ruled out that new conditions will be specified in a new agreement. The parties might have considered it inexpedient to make a large number of amendments to the previous document," Director of Tax and Legal Consulting at KPMG in Russia and the CIS Alexander Tokarev told Kommersant. Vedomosti: Additional 1,000 US troops to be deployed in Poland
Read also US expects to get along with Russia despite plans to deploy troops in Poland — Trump
The United States and Poland have completed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) talks aimed at strengthening and deepening the two countries' partnership in this area. According to the new treaty, another 1,000 US troops will be deployed in Poland. The Pentagon said additional troops are being sent to Poland to support armored units and combat aviation brigades, joining some 4,500 already stationed there. Experts told Vedomosti that the US do not see this step as a violation of Russia - NATO relations. According to the US Department of Defense, the objectives of the EDCA talks are containing Russia, strengthening NATO, and encouraging allies in the changing strategic balance of power in Europe. According to the statement, NATO’s continued presence in Poland would improve its strategic and operational flexibility. As expert at the Russian International Affairs Council Alexander Yermakov told Vedomosti, Poland has sought to increase the American military contingent on its territory since joining NATO. "Since then, Poland has been trying to strengthen its partnership with the United States as much as possible. ... Trump likes this a lot, it correlates with his propaganda slogans that the allies must pay for the presence of US troops," the expert explained. At the same time, according to Yermakov, 1,000 US troops stationed in Poland will be mostly serving in the rear detachment, dealing with logistics, infrastructure, and integration with the local military. "Half of the [German] contingent is returning to the United States, half will be relocated to Europe, primarily to Italy, to the Black Sea region, possibly to Romania. And Poland will receive units on rotation in larger volumes. According to the US, this does not violate the fundamental ‘Russia-NATO’ act, where NATO promised not to deploy significant permanent forces in the former countries of the Warsaw Treaty Organization," Yermakov explained. Izvestia: Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania want to form new union
Read also Putin says worsened ties with Ukraine not linked to Crimea’s reunification
Poland, Lithuania, and Ukraine have agreed to deepen cooperation and create a structure called the Lublin Triangle. The purpose of the format is to reconsider relations with Brussels and Moscow, Izvestia writes, noting that the "Russian issue" is all but central in this informal alliance. According to experts interviewed by the newspaper, lack of resources and difference in goals might hinder the alliance. The parties plan to intensify not only political, economic and social cooperation, but also to establish more intensive ties in the military. The countries stated that they do not recognize the "occupation" of Crimea by Russia and gave their support to "the restoration of Ukraine’s territory". The parties also actively oppose the Nord Stream 2 project. All participants in the Lublin Triangle pursue their own interests. Ukraine is interested in deeper cooperation within NATO and the European Union. Warsaw is trying to create its own center of power within the EU, which could become an opponent of Moscow and Brussels, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council Andrey Kortunov told Izvestia. "All three countries are very critical of Moscow. Poland’s leadership can be seen clearly here. The current attitude of the European Union towards Poland is taken into account: statements on the reduction of subsidies, structural funds. This is Warsaw's bid for subregional leadership," the expert noted. Kortunov believes that this association can at best become a lobbying structure in Brussels. "I don’t think it’s going to be anything serious. First, these are very different states. Poland and Lithuania are member countries of NATO and the European Union. Ukraine is not a member of any of these organizations and isn’t likely to join them in the foreseeable future. Second, these are relatively poor states, their resource base is limited," Kortunov told the newspaper. Kommersant: Russia plans to increase budget spending on high-speed railway
The Russian government plans to increase direct spending on the Moscow-St. Petersburg high-speed railway, Kommersant wrote Tuesday with reference to the document sent to the Ministry of Transport by Deputy Head of Russian Railways Sergey Kobzev. In addition to the already announced capital grant of 200 bln rubles ($2.73 bln), the budget will invest another 248 bln rubles ($3.39 bln) into the project company’s capital. In addition, there are plans to place bonds for 427 bln rubles ($5.84 bln). Who will buy these securities is not yet clear, Kommersant writes. The total funding for the project remained the same - 1.7 trillion rubles ($23.25 bln), including 1.3 trillion rubles ($17.78 bln) in extrabudgetary investments. The document also makes no mention of the use of money from the National Wealth Fund, which was expected to become a significant part of the project’s overall funding. One of Kommersant's sources claims that the new financial model was specifically developed without the participation of the Fund. Head of Infoline-Analytics Mikhail Burmistrov calls attracting extrabudgetary funds in the amount of 1.3 trillion rubles ($17.78 bln) in the current environment "utopian." These funds could come from state banks, but then these are "pseudo-budgetary funds," the analyst told Kommersant. Taking currency risks into account, the model does not look attractive to foreign investors, he said. From the point of view of construction, the launch of the railway into operation by 2027 looks realistic, but by this time the passenger traffic required to pay off the project will be unattainable due to increased competition with aviation, Burmistrov concluded. Izvestia: Tickets to Istanbul, Turkish resorts cost 30% more
Read also S7 Airlines to resume flights to Turkey from August 10


tass--2020-08-04--Russia not in talks with US over possibility to trade Paul Whelan, senior diplomat says

Wife of jailed Russian national Bout ready to ask US to exchange him for Whelan MOSCOW , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian side does not discuss with Washington the possibility of trading Paul Whelan , an American convicted in Russia of espionage , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated on Tuesday .
`` We are not having a dialogue with the US as regards trading Paul Whelan .
It is not clear what the basis for the periodic revival of this subject is .
Americans are aware of our proposals to resolve an issue of the return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with lengthy sentences , which is important to us , '' the senior diplomat stressed .
In this regard , Ryabkov reiterated that earlier Moscow had submitted to Washington lists of its citizens who could have been considered as candidates for applying the mechanism of the Council of Europe ’ s convention on extraditing the arrested to their country of citizenship .
`` They did not show any interest .
So , from all points of view , the ball is in their court , '' the senior diplomat pointed out .
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ active talks to trade their client .
According to them , the swap may occur in September .

Wife of jailed Russian national Bout ready to ask US to exchange him for Whelan
MOSCOW, August 4. /TASS/. The Russian side does not discuss with Washington the possibility of trading Paul Whelan, an American convicted in Russia of espionage, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated on Tuesday.
"We are not having a dialogue with the US as regards trading Paul Whelan. It is not clear what the basis for the periodic revival of this subject is. Americans are aware of our proposals to resolve an issue of the return of the compatriots who were unjustly convicted with lengthy sentences, which is important to us," the senior diplomat stressed.
In this regard, Ryabkov reiterated that earlier Moscow had submitted to Washington lists of its citizens who could have been considered as candidates for applying the mechanism of the Council of Europe’s convention on extraditing the arrested to their country of citizenship. "They did not show any interest. So, from all points of view, the ball is in their court," the senior diplomat pointed out.
Earlier Whelan’s attorneys reported of the active talks to trade their client. According to them, the swap may occur in September.


tass--2020-08-04--Russia, US mull over holding consultations on counterterrorism

MOSCOW , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow and Washington are considering the possibility of holding consultations on counterterrorism , @ @ @ @ @ Ryabkov told TASS on Tuesday .
`` Indeed , such a meeting is under consideration @ @ @ @ @ response to a question , adding that Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Syromolotov would lead Russia @ @ @ @ @ was the United States that suspended dialogue on the fight against terrorism , Ryabkov pointed @ @ @ @ @ well aware that we are interested in maintaining it [ dialogue ] , particularly because @ @ @ @ @ multi-faceted issue , '' he said .
`` We welcome the restoration of all platforms @ @ @ @ @ past .
We would like the dialogue to resume , '' Ryabkov noted .
Another @ @ @ @ @ strategic stability may take place in the near future , Sergei Ryabkov told TASS .

MOSCOW, August 4. /TASS/. Moscow and Washington are considering the possibility of holding consultations on counterterrorism, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told TASS on Tuesday.
"Indeed, such a meeting is under consideration," he said in response to a question, adding that Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Syromolotov would lead Russia’s delegation.
It was the United States that suspended dialogue on the fight against terrorism, Ryabkov pointed out. "Washington is well aware that we are interested in maintaining it [dialogue], particularly because it is a pressing and multi-faceted issue," he said. "We welcome the restoration of all platforms that proved effective in the past. We would like the dialogue to resume," Ryabkov noted.
Strategic stability consultations
Another round of Russian-US consultations on strategic stability may take place in the near future, Sergei Ryabkov told TASS.


tass--2020-08-04--Control of missile technologies must remain technical — Russian Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is a proponent of preserving purely technical control of missile technologies , the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a commentary on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Russia ’ s accession to the Missile Technology Control Regime ( MTCR ) .
In 2021-2022 , the commentary runs , Russia will take the rotating chairmanship of the regime upon a unanimous decision by the member countries .
`` We stand for preserving a purely technical nature of this regime and for the priority accession to the list of participants of those countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential and are capable of making a tangible contribution to the implementation of MTCR goals and tasks , '' the Foreign Ministry said .
`` In the capacity of the MTCR president and as an individual nation we are going to press for preserving the effectiveness and further improvement of MTCR operation in the interests of the imperative goals of non-proliferation of missile technologies as WMD delivery vehicles , '' the commentary says .
Since its creation in 1987 , the Russian Foreign Ministry says , the MTCR has won acclaim as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basis of consensus and by means of effective integration of national approaches and expert potentials of the participating countries decisions are generated that constitute a tangible contribution to forming a reliable infrastructure of preventing the proliferation of WMD delivery vehicles .
Russia is one of the leading donors of information exchanges within the regime ’ s framework .
It contributes heavily to the functioning of the group of experts on licensing and enforcement and participates actively in the group of technical experts for regular actualization of the list of goods and technologies under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The MTCR is an unofficial and voluntary association of countries sharing missile non-proliferation goals .
Created in 1987 , it unites 35 countries , including industrialized ones .
The goal of the MTCR is to resist the proliferation of technologies of creating WMD delivery vehicles .
The ban applies to missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles ( UAV ) or other delivery vehicles capable of carrying a payload of 500 kilograms at a distance of 300 kilometers or more .
The MTCR members achieve this goal by conducting responsible export policies .
Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin at the end of May 2020 signed an order to accept the Foreign Ministry ’ s proposal , agreed with all federal bodies of executive power concerned and the corporation Roscosmos , on nominating Russia for MTCR chair in 2021-2022 .

MOSCOW, August 4. /TASS/. Russia is a proponent of preserving purely technical control of missile technologies, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a commentary on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Russia’s accession to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
In 2021-2022, the commentary runs, Russia will take the rotating chairmanship of the regime upon a unanimous decision by the member countries.
"We stand for preserving a purely technical nature of this regime and for the priority accession to the list of participants of those countries that possess a considerable missile and space potential and are capable of making a tangible contribution to the implementation of MTCR goals and tasks," the Foreign Ministry said.
"In the capacity of the MTCR president and as an individual nation we are going to press for preserving the effectiveness and further improvement of MTCR operation in the interests of the imperative goals of non-proliferation of missile technologies as WMD delivery vehicles," the commentary says.
Since its creation in 1987, the Russian Foreign Ministry says, the MTCR has won acclaim as a forum of great authority where on the basis of consensus and by means of effective integration of national approaches and expert potentials of the participating countries decisions are generated that constitute a tangible contribution to forming a reliable infrastructure of preventing the proliferation of WMD delivery vehicles.
Russia is one of the leading donors of information exchanges within the regime’s framework. It contributes heavily to the functioning of the group of experts on licensing and enforcement and participates actively in the group of technical experts for regular actualization of the list of goods and technologies under control, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
On the MTCR
The MTCR is an unofficial and voluntary association of countries sharing missile non-proliferation goals. Created in 1987, it unites 35 countries, including industrialized ones.
The goal of the MTCR is to resist the proliferation of technologies of creating WMD delivery vehicles. The ban applies to missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) or other delivery vehicles capable of carrying a payload of 500 kilograms at a distance of 300 kilometers or more. The MTCR members achieve this goal by conducting responsible export policies. Russia has been an MTCR member since 1995.
Russian President Vladimir Putin at the end of May 2020 signed an order to accept the Foreign Ministry’s proposal, agreed with all federal bodies of executive power concerned and the corporation Roscosmos, on nominating Russia for MTCR chair in 2021-2022.


tass--2020-08-04--Russian Navy chief calls 1st stage of Oceanic Shield drills ‘successful’

MOSCOW , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov inspected the fleets ’ command and control during the Oceanic Shield-2020 naval drills and called the first stage of the maneuvers for landing an amphibious assault force ‘ successful , ’ the Navy ’ s press office reported on Tuesday .
`` Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov personally inspected the process of organizing the command and control of the operation of the fleets ’ forces for landing an amphibious assault force and characterized the first stage of the Oceanic Shield drills as successful , '' the press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first stage of the maneuvers , the warships left their naval bases , practiced mine counter-measures jointly with minesweepers , deployed to the designated areas in the Baltic Sea and landed an amphibious assault force .
Overall , the amphibious assault operation involved over 20 surface ships , boats and support vessels , 18 aircraft and helicopters of naval aviation , over 30 items of combat hardware of a formation of marine infantry and engineering units and also about 2,000 personnel .
The Oceanic Shield-2020 drills are running in the Baltic Sea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Admiral Yevmenov .
The naval maneuvers involve over 30 warships of various classes , naval aviation , coastal defense troops , air defense forces and marine infantry .
During the drills , the naval forces will conduct launches of attack and anti-aircraft missiles and hold artillery firings .

MOSCOW, August 4. /TASS/. Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov inspected the fleets’ command and control during the Oceanic Shield-2020 naval drills and called the first stage of the maneuvers for landing an amphibious assault force ‘successful,’ the Navy’s press office reported on Tuesday.
"Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov personally inspected the process of organizing the command and control of the operation of the fleets’ forces for landing an amphibious assault force and characterized the first stage of the Oceanic Shield drills as successful," the press office said in a statement.
At the first stage of the maneuvers, the warships left their naval bases, practiced mine counter-measures jointly with minesweepers, deployed to the designated areas in the Baltic Sea and landed an amphibious assault force.
Overall, the amphibious assault operation involved over 20 surface ships, boats and support vessels, 18 aircraft and helicopters of naval aviation, over 30 items of combat hardware of a formation of marine infantry and engineering units and also about 2,000 personnel.
Oceanic Shield drills
The Oceanic Shield-2020 drills are running in the Baltic Sea under the command of Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Yevmenov. The naval maneuvers involve over 30 warships of various classes, naval aviation, coastal defense troops, air defense forces and marine infantry.
During the drills, the naval forces will conduct launches of attack and anti-aircraft missiles and hold artillery firings.


tass--2020-08-04--Haikou's airport doubles the number of domestic flights to 90%

HAIKOU , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
Domestic flights carried out daily through Hainan 's Meilan International Airport have almost completely reached their level before the pandemic last year , reported the Hainan Daily citing the airport 's administration .
According to official data , in recent days , the total number of domestic flights operated through this airport has been at the level of about 370 daily .
This figure amounts to 91 % of what it used to be before the pandemic and a significant decrease in domestic air traffic .
As for passenger traffic , the airport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 85 % of the average for 2019 .
On July 26 , the newspaper writes , for the first time since the beginning of the novel coronavirus epidemic , the passenger traffic amounted to 54,000 people .
The rapid recovery of passenger flights to their previous level , the newspaper writes , is expained by a number of factors , including an increase in the quota for one person for purchases in the island 's duty-free shops , as well as the lifting of the ban on group tourist trips .
By now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hefei , Shenyang , Harbin , Chongqing , Hangzhou and Xiamen have already been resumed .
In August , according to the newspaper , Guangzhou , Shijiazhuang , Qingdao and Nanjing will also join the list .
In the near future , according to the airport 's administration , the daily number of flights will be increased to 400 , and the passenger traffic will reach 60,000 people .

HAIKOU, August 4. /TASS/. Domestic flights carried out daily through Hainan's Meilan International Airport have almost completely reached their level before the pandemic last year, reported the Hainan Daily citing the airport's administration.
According to official data, in recent days, the total number of domestic flights operated through this airport has been at the level of about 370 daily. This figure amounts to 91% of what it used to be before the pandemic and a significant decrease in domestic air traffic. As for passenger traffic, the airport currently serves about 50,000 people daily: 85% of the average for 2019. On July 26, the newspaper writes, for the first time since the beginning of the novel coronavirus epidemic, the passenger traffic amounted to 54,000 people.
The rapid recovery of passenger flights to their previous level, the newspaper writes, is expained by a number of factors, including an increase in the quota for one person for purchases in the island's duty-free shops, as well as the lifting of the ban on group tourist trips. By now, flights from Haikou to Shanghai, Hefei, Shenyang, Harbin, Chongqing, Hangzhou and Xiamen have already been resumed. In August, according to the newspaper, Guangzhou, Shijiazhuang, Qingdao and Nanjing will also join the list.
In the near future, according to the airport's administration, the daily number of flights will be increased to 400, and the passenger traffic will reach 60,000 people.


tass--2020-08-04--Around 1.5 mln tourists visited Crimea in July

`` From July 1 to July 31 , 1.432 mln tourists vacationed in Crimea .
Of these , 31.9 % arrived by air , 62.7 % - via Crimean Bridge by cars and buses , 5 % - by rail , and less than 1 % - through the state border of Russia at Armyansk , Dzhankoy , Perekop sites , '' Aksenov wrote on his Vkontakte social network page .
He added that the average occupancy of accommodation facilities in July was 80 % , which reached 95 % for a number of properties .
Crimea set records in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 .
Thus , in 2018 , 6.8 mln people visited the peninsula , and in 2019 , 7.4 mln tourists arrived in the region .
In 2020 , the holiday season in Crimea began with a delay due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The republic , according to various estimates , has lost 1 - 2 mln tourists .
Hotels and health resorts of the peninsula began to accommodate visitors from other regions of the country from July 1 .
Prior to that , they had worked only for residents of the @ @ @ @ @

"From July 1 to July 31, 1.432 mln tourists vacationed in Crimea. Of these, 31.9% arrived by air, 62.7% - via Crimean Bridge by cars and buses, 5% - by rail, and less than 1% - through the state border of Russia at Armyansk, Dzhankoy, Perekop sites," Aksenov wrote on his Vkontakte social network page.
He added that the average occupancy of accommodation facilities in July was 80%, which reached 95% for a number of properties.
Crimea set records in terms of tourist flow in 2018 and 2019. Thus, in 2018, 6.8 mln people visited the peninsula, and in 2019, 7.4 mln tourists arrived in the region. In 2020, the holiday season in Crimea began with a delay due to the coronavirus pandemic. The republic, according to various estimates, has lost 1 - 2 mln tourists. Hotels and health resorts of the peninsula began to accommodate visitors from other regions of the country from July 1. Prior to that, they had worked only for residents of the region for two weeks.


tass--2020-08-04--75% of COVID-19 patients recover in Moscow, crisis center says

MOSCOW , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
The share of COVID-19 recoveries in Moscow has exceeded 75 % , with @ @ @ @ @ cured , the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Tuesday .
Over the past 24 @ @ @ @ @ were detected in the capital while the recoveries were twice as many , reaching 1,456 @ @ @ @ @ cases , that is , of patients who are currently undergoing treatment , is 55,947 @ @ @ @ @ new infections over the past 24 hours is below 0.3 % .
In all , @ @ @ @ @ has reached 244,097 .

MOSCOW, August 4. /TASS/. The share of COVID-19 recoveries in Moscow has exceeded 75%, with the total of 183,640 patients cured, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Tuesday.
Over the past 24 hours, 691 new infections were detected in the capital while the recoveries were twice as many, reaching 1,456. The number of active cases, that is, of patients who are currently undergoing treatment, is 55,947.
The growth rate of new infections over the past 24 hours is below 0.3%. In all, the total number of infections has reached 244,097.


tass--2020-08-04--Russia’s top brass taking measures to avoid air incidents due to human factor

MOSCOW , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Defense Ministry is concerned over the human factor as one @ @ @ @ @ incidents and is taking special measures , Defense Minister Army General Sergei Shoigu said at @ @ @ @ @ call on Tuesday .
`` We are somewhat concerned over the so-called human factor , @ @ @ @ @ causes of air incidents .
That is why , today we pay great attention to @ @ @ @ @ personnel and enhancing control of organizing flights in order to prevent incidents , '' the @ @ @ @ @ ministry ’ s conference call will today discuss proposals for improving the safety of flights @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, August 4. /TASS/. Russia’s Defense Ministry is concerned over the human factor as one of the causes of air incidents and is taking special measures, Defense Minister Army General Sergei Shoigu said at the ministry’s conference call on Tuesday.
"We are somewhat concerned over the so-called human factor, which is one of the causes of air incidents. That is why, today we pay great attention to improving the training of qualified personnel and enhancing control of organizing flights in order to prevent incidents," the defense chief said.
The ministry’s conference call will today discuss proposals for improving the safety of flights, he said.


tass--2020-08-04--Sanya's foreign trade turnover up by 19% over six months

SANYA , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
The foreign trade turnover of Hainan 's Sanya over January-June amounted to 4.39 billion yuan ( about $ 630 million ) , which is by 19 % more compared to the same period last year , reported the Sanya Daily newspaper citing the local customs office .
Over the six months of 2020 , Sanya imported goods and services worth 4.18 billion yuan ( approximately $ 600 million ) , and exported 210 million yuan ( about $ 30 million ) .
At the same time , in the first half of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while imports increased by 22.3 % .
This city , which maintains commercial relations with 69 countries , accounted for 11 % of the total foreign trade turnover of Hainan Province .
According to the customs office , most of Sanya 's commercial transactions with foreign partners were carried out in the second quarter of 2020 - amid an improving epidemiological situation and the resumption of economic activity in China .
The city 's exports and imports totaled 3 billion yuan ( about $ 428 million ) between April and June .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ turnover in 2019 amounted to 90.5 billion yuan ( about $ 13.3 billion ) , which is by 6.8 % more than in 2018 .
The cities of Danzhou , Haikou and Sanya had the highest figures last year : 41 billion yuan ( $ 6 billion ) , 33.1 billion yuan ( $ 4.8 billion ) and 9.7 billion yuan ( $ 1.4 billion ) , respectively .
Earlier , the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Сhinese State Council published the “ General Program for the Establishment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” according to which the island ’ s administration intends to create an effective system to fulfill a number of important social and economic goals by 2025 , and within 10 years to decisively enhance the innovative mechanisms for the region 's development .
By 2025 , the Chinese government intends to create an `` international center for tourism and consumption '' on Hainan .
In order to do so , the `` Eastern Hawaii '' with their unique natural landscapes , thick rainforests and great climate will establish a developed network of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sandy beaches stretching along the coastline .
The combination of an exotic subtropical nature and a modern eco-friendly infrastructure will boost tourist inflow to the island from the most distant parts of the world .

SANYA, August 4. /TASS/. The foreign trade turnover of Hainan's Sanya over January-June amounted to 4.39 billion yuan (about $ 630 million), which is by 19% more compared to the same period last year, reported the Sanya Daily newspaper citing the local customs office.
Over the six months of 2020, Sanya imported goods and services worth 4.18 billion yuan (approximately $ 600 million), and exported 210 million yuan (about $ 30 million). At the same time, in the first half of the year, exports fell by 22.3%, while imports increased by 22.3%. This city, which maintains commercial relations with 69 countries, accounted for 11% of the total foreign trade turnover of Hainan Province.
According to the customs office, most of Sanya's commercial transactions with foreign partners were carried out in the second quarter of 2020 - amid an improving epidemiological situation and the resumption of economic activity in China. The city's exports and imports totaled 3 billion yuan (about $ 428 million) between April and June.
The volume of Hainan's foreign trade turnover in 2019 amounted to 90.5 billion yuan (about $ 13.3 billion), which is by 6.8% more than in 2018. The cities of Danzhou, Haikou and Sanya had the highest figures last year: 41 billion yuan ($ 6 billion), 33.1 billion yuan ($ 4.8 billion) and 9.7 billion yuan ($ 1.4 billion), respectively.
About Hainan's free trade port
Earlier, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Сhinese State Council published the “General Program for the Establishment of a Free Port on Hainan,” according to which the island’s administration intends to create an effective system to fulfill a number of important social and economic goals by 2025, and within 10 years to decisively enhance the innovative mechanisms for the region's development.
By 2025, the Chinese government intends to create an "international center for tourism and consumption" on Hainan. In order to do so, the "Eastern Hawaii" with their unique natural landscapes, thick rainforests and great climate will establish a developed network of hotels, which blend perfectly with white sandy beaches stretching along the coastline. The combination of an exotic subtropical nature and a modern eco-friendly infrastructure will boost tourist inflow to the island from the most distant parts of the world.


tass--2020-08-04--Russia records lowest number of coronavirus cases since April 23

Three Russian firms to start serial production of COVID-19 vaccine in September MOSCOW , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
Russia 's coronavirus cases rose by 5,159 to 861,423 in the past 24 hours , the anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Tuesday .
The number is the lowest since April 23 , when 4,774 cases were identified .
The daily coronavirus growth rate is 0.6 % .
The growth rate is the lowest in the Pskov Region ( 0 % ) , the Chukotka Autonomous Region ( 0 % ) and the Karachay-Circassian , Kabardino-Balkaria and North Ossetia-Alania regions ( 0.2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 0.3 % in the Moscow , Ingushetia , Altai , Kaluga , Ivanovo , Smolensk , Kursk and Trans-Baikal regions .
There are currently 185,601 active coronavirus cases in Russia .
The number of coronavirus patients recovered over the past 24 hours has increased by 7,878 , the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Tuesday .
According to the crisis center , in all , 661,471 patients have been discharged .
Of these , 1,456 patients were discharged in Moscow , 404 - in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region , 310 - in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Irkutsk Region , and 276 - in the Nizhny Novgorod Region .
The total share of recoveries exceeded 76 % of the total COVID-19 case tally in Russia .
Russia ’ s coronavirus death toll rose by 144 to 14,351 in the past day , the anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Tuesday .
Of these , 22 fatalities were registered in St. Petersburg , 13 - in the Arkhangelsk Region , 12 - in Moscow , 10 - in the Altai Region , and nine - in the Sverdlovsk Region .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus patients have died in the country .

Three Russian firms to start serial production of COVID-19 vaccine in September
MOSCOW, August 4. /TASS/. Russia's coronavirus cases rose by 5,159 to 861,423 in the past 24 hours, the anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Tuesday.
The number is the lowest since April 23, when 4,774 cases were identified. The daily coronavirus growth rate is 0.6%.
The growth rate is the lowest in the Pskov Region (0%), the Chukotka Autonomous Region (0%) and the Karachay-Circassian, Kabardino-Balkaria and North Ossetia-Alania regions (0.2%).
The rate stands at 0.3% in the Moscow, Ingushetia, Altai, Kaluga, Ivanovo, Smolensk, Kursk and Trans-Baikal regions.
There are currently 185,601 active coronavirus cases in Russia.
Recoveries
The number of coronavirus patients recovered over the past 24 hours has increased by 7,878, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Tuesday.
According to the crisis center, in all, 661,471 patients have been discharged. Of these, 1,456 patients were discharged in Moscow, 404 - in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region, 310 - in the Murmansk Region, 278 - in the Irkutsk Region, and 276 - in the Nizhny Novgorod Region.
The total share of recoveries exceeded 76% of the total COVID-19 case tally in Russia.
Death toll
Russia’s coronavirus death toll rose by 144 to 14,351 in the past day, the anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Tuesday. Of these, 22 fatalities were registered in St. Petersburg, 13 - in the Arkhangelsk Region, 12 - in Moscow, 10 - in the Altai Region, and nine - in the Sverdlovsk Region.
According to the crisis center, 1.67% of coronavirus patients have died in the country.


tass--2020-08-04--Trump says intelligence on Russia’s alleged bounties to Taliban never reached his desk

WASHINGTON , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
US President Donald Trump said in an interview with the Axios news website that intelligence on Russia ’ s alleged bounties to the Taliban to kill American soldiers `` never reached '' his desk .
When commenting on the interviewer ’ s statement that `` the US has intelligence indicating that Russia paid bounties or offered to pay bounties to Taliban fighters to kill American soldiers , '' Trump said : `` If it reached my desk , I would have done something about it , it never reached my desk . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were fighting Russia , too , '' Trump pointed out , referring to the Soviet Union ’ s involvement in the conflict in Afghanistan in 1979-1989 .
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said in early July that Russia was engaged in Afghanistan `` in a way that ’ s adverse to the United States . ''
`` The Russians have been selling small arms that have put Americans at risk there for ten years , '' he added .
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova , in turn , emphasized that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s legitimate government .

WASHINGTON, August 4. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump said in an interview with the Axios news website that intelligence on Russia’s alleged bounties to the Taliban to kill American soldiers "never reached" his desk.
When commenting on the interviewer’s statement that "the US has intelligence indicating that Russia paid bounties or offered to pay bounties to Taliban fighters to kill American soldiers," Trump said: "If it reached my desk, I would have done something about it, it never reached my desk."
"Well, we supplied weapons when they were fighting Russia, too," Trump pointed out, referring to the Soviet Union’s involvement in the conflict in Afghanistan in 1979-1989.
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said in early July that Russia was engaged in Afghanistan "in a way that’s adverse to the United States." "The Russians have been selling small arms that have put Americans at risk there for ten years," he added. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, in turn, emphasized that Moscow only provided weapons to Afghanistan’s legitimate government.


tass--2020-08-04--LG ThinQ App Opens New Doors to Make Life Good From Home

SEOUL , South Korea , Aug. 4 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Electronics ( LG ) is reducing worries for users while maximizing ease and fun through the LG ThinQ mobile app .
The home assistant that goes wherever you go , the ThinQ app comes with an intuitive interface and intelligent features1 to make your life good at home .
Launched in November 2015 and currently available in more than 150 countries , the app provides unparalleled convenience in lifestyle by connecting LG 's astounding range of ThinQ-powered AI appliances and Wi-Fi connected devices .
Even today , LG @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which currently extends across 32 LG products including washers , dryers , air conditioners , air purifiers , TVs , and refrigerators .
Easily check the status of compatible LG appliances around the house through real-time monitoring on the ThinQ app .
Whether at home or not , you can quickly see how much time is remaining on the washing machine , dryer or dishwasher cycle right from your phone and set the app to notify you as soon as the job is done .
With no need to hang around the laundry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do chores the easy way .
Running low on household supplies ?
Easily order your go-to detergent through the ThinQ app .
LG 's range of proactive customer support services ensures the best product experience , so you can be carefree when it comes to chores .
Proactive Customer Care communicates directly with compatible appliances to provide the best results for longer .
Leveraging device status and usage preferences , the AI-based customer service solution also gives helpful tips and suggestions for keeping each appliance in tip-top shape .
In addition , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carry out simple maintenance from home .
Since consumable replacement alerts will let you know when to change the filter on the refrigerator , you can experience maximum operational effectiveness and efficiency with minimal worry .
Perform a 'health check ' on LG appliances via Smart Diagnosis™ on the ThinQ app , and take advantage of useful maintenance advice .
For example , if the refrigerator feels unusually warm inside , the app can examine temperature settings and provide easy-to-follow instructions if adjustment is recommended .
Smart Diagnosis™ is like having an expert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand to help deliver an enhanced product experience .
Do n't forget : your verified ownership with product registration will secure basic warranty protection and speedy support and service , so you do n't have to worry .
Remote Home Control Leaving You Free to Have Fun The LG ThinQ app makes it possible to conveniently control your home from wherever , so you can remotely switch on , turn off , start , stop , or adjust settings on ThinQ appliances .
Further use the app to download new , specialized cycles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adjust the temperature setting on the air conditioner , and take care of chores without leaving the couch and watch your favorite show on TV .
With such comprehensive control , you have more free time to have fun and enjoy .
Not Just an App – A Game Changer The LG ThinQ app reflects the brand 's core objective to facilitate easy control , personalized performance , proactive care , and energy efficiency .
By strengthening the app 's capabilities , LG puts smooth control of the smart home – and around-the-clock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your hand .
The app is a key element of both the current ThinQ ecosystem and future vision for a whole home solution that allow users around the world to enjoy an easy , no-worry , fun lifestyle .
LG Electronics is a global innovator in technology and consumer goods with a presence in almost every country in the world and a diverse workforce of 74,000 .
LG is composed of five companies – Home Appliance & Air Solution , Home Entertainment , Mobile Communications , Vehicle Component Solutions and Business Solutions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion , LG is a leading manufacturer of a wide range of products from TVs , washing machines , refrigerators , air conditioners , mobile devices , digital signage and automotive components .
LG is also known for its premium LG SIGNATURE and advanced LG ThinQ brands , which feature the company 's artificial intelligence technology .

SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Electronics (LG) is reducing worries for users while maximizing ease and fun through the LG ThinQ mobile app. The home assistant that goes wherever you go, the ThinQ app comes with an intuitive interface and intelligent features1 to make your life good at home.
Launched in November 2015 and currently available in more than 150 countries, the app provides unparalleled convenience in lifestyle by connecting LG's astounding range of ThinQ-powered AI appliances and Wi-Fi connected devices. Even today, LG is growing the app's compatibility, which currently extends across 32 LG products including washers, dryers, air conditioners, air purifiers, TVs, and refrigerators.
Real-Time Monitoring for Easy Living
Easily check the status of compatible LG appliances around the house through real-time monitoring on the ThinQ app. Whether at home or not, you can quickly see how much time is remaining on the washing machine, dryer or dishwasher cycle right from your phone and set the app to notify you as soon as the job is done. With no need to hang around the laundry or kitchen to track progress anymore, do chores the easy way.
Running low on household supplies? Easily order your go-to detergent through the ThinQ app.
Product Support for No Worries
LG's range of proactive customer support services ensures the best product experience, so you can be carefree when it comes to chores. Proactive Customer Care communicates directly with compatible appliances to provide the best results for longer. Leveraging device status and usage preferences, the AI-based customer service solution also gives helpful tips and suggestions for keeping each appliance in tip-top shape. In addition, you can now enjoy one-on-one customer support to carry out simple maintenance from home. Since consumable replacement alerts will let you know when to change the filter on the refrigerator, you can experience maximum operational effectiveness and efficiency with minimal worry.
Perform a 'health check' on LG appliances via Smart Diagnosis™ on the ThinQ app, and take advantage of useful maintenance advice. For example, if the refrigerator feels unusually warm inside, the app can examine temperature settings and provide easy-to-follow instructions if adjustment is recommended. Smart Diagnosis™ is like having an expert technician at your fingertips, always on hand to help deliver an enhanced product experience.
Don't forget: your verified ownership with product registration will secure basic warranty protection and speedy support and service, so you don't have to worry.
Remote Home Control Leaving You Free to Have Fun
The LG ThinQ app makes it possible to conveniently control your home from wherever, so you can remotely switch on, turn off, start, stop, or adjust settings on ThinQ appliances. Further use the app to download new, specialized cycles for the washing machine and dryer, adjust the temperature setting on the air conditioner, and take care of chores without leaving the couch and watch your favorite show on TV. With such comprehensive control, you have more free time to have fun and enjoy.
Not Just an App – A Game Changer
The LG ThinQ app reflects the brand's core objective to facilitate easy control, personalized performance, proactive care, and energy efficiency. By strengthening the app's capabilities, LG puts smooth control of the smart home – and around-the-clock customer care – in the palm of your hand. The app is a key element of both the current ThinQ ecosystem and future vision for a whole home solution that allow users around the world to enjoy an easy, no-worry, fun lifestyle.
About LG Electronics, Inc.
LG Electronics is a global innovator in technology and consumer goods with a presence in almost every country in the world and a diverse workforce of 74,000. LG is composed of five companies – Home Appliance & Air Solution, Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Vehicle Component Solutions and Business Solutions. With 2019 global sales of USD 53 billion, LG is a leading manufacturer of a wide range of products from TVs, washing machines, refrigerators, air conditioners, mobile devices, digital signage and automotive components. LG is also known for its premium LG SIGNATURE and advanced LG ThinQ brands, which feature the company's artificial intelligence technology.


tass--2020-08-04--Lukashenko promises to preserve independence of Belarus

MINSK , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko considers the preservation of the country ’ s independence and sovereignty important and wants to remove the dependence in oil and gas , finance , and other spheres .
This is mentioned in his electoral program published on Tuesday in the Zvyazda daily .
`` Independence comes at a price but it is worth preserving and passing it on to next generations , '' the incumbent president said .
According to him , over the quarter of the century , the republic ’ s citizens were building a `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ East and West both . ''
`` We ’ ve always been open to friendship and cooperation .
We ’ ve never meddled in the internal affairs of other states .
Our peaceful diplomacy has always been and remains a guarantee of Belarusian security , '' he emphasized .
However , according to him , the world enters `` an era of global geopolitical shocks . ''
`` Everything will be done so that the disagreements in foreign policy won ’ t affect the friendship of the people who are destined to live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Europe and so that the geography of friendly countries expands , '' Lukashenko stated .
He also noted that the `` situation demonstrated how important it is to remove the country ’ s dependence in oil and gas , finance , and other spheres . ''
`` When resolving these issues , we will adhere to global trends of creating new branches of economy , '' the Belarusian president pointed out .
He also promised that the authorities wouldn ’ t resort to `` shock therapy '' in the economic sphere .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ place on August 9 .
On Tuesday , early voting begins which will continue through August 8 .
Besides the incumbent head of state , there are four presidential candidates in the running - Co-Chairman of the Tell the Truth movement Andrey Dmitriev , former member of the lower house of the Belarusian parliament Anna Kanopatskaya , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , and Chairman of the Belarusian Social Democratic Hramada party Sergey Cherechen .
Two applicants , ex-head of Belgazprombank Viktor Babariko who is under arrest and ex-head of Hi-Tech Park Valery Tsepkalo , were @ @ @

MINSK, August 4. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko considers the preservation of the country’s independence and sovereignty important and wants to remove the dependence in oil and gas, finance, and other spheres. This is mentioned in his electoral program published on Tuesday in the Zvyazda daily.
"Independence comes at a price but it is worth preserving and passing it on to next generations," the incumbent president said.
According to him, over the quarter of the century, the republic’s citizens were building a "common house with windows looking to the East and West both." "We’ve always been open to friendship and cooperation. We’ve never meddled in the internal affairs of other states. Our peaceful diplomacy has always been and remains a guarantee of Belarusian security," he emphasized.
However, according to him, the world enters "an era of global geopolitical shocks." "Everything will be done so that the disagreements in foreign policy won’t affect the friendship of the people who are destined to live together in this land in the center of Europe and so that the geography of friendly countries expands," Lukashenko stated.
He also noted that the "situation demonstrated how important it is to remove the country’s dependence in oil and gas, finance, and other spheres." "When resolving these issues, we will adhere to global trends of creating new branches of economy," the Belarusian president pointed out. He also promised that the authorities wouldn’t resort to "shock therapy" in the economic sphere.
The presidential election in Belarus will take place on August 9. On Tuesday, early voting begins which will continue through August 8. Besides the incumbent head of state, there are four presidential candidates in the running - Co-Chairman of the Tell the Truth movement Andrey Dmitriev, former member of the lower house of the Belarusian parliament Anna Kanopatskaya, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, and Chairman of the Belarusian Social Democratic Hramada party Sergey Cherechen. Two applicants, ex-head of Belgazprombank Viktor Babariko who is under arrest and ex-head of Hi-Tech Park Valery Tsepkalo, were denied registration.


tass--2020-08-04--Over 247,000 people remain under medical observation over coronavirus in Russia

MOSCOW , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
More than 247,000 people in Russia remain under medical observation over the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing said in a statement on Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ US is receding '' As many as 247,476 people remain under medical observation in Russia @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the watchdog , more than 29.2 mln coronavirus tests have been conducted @ @ @ @ @ with 171,000 tests carried out in the past 24 hours .

MOSCOW, August 4. /TASS/. More than 247,000 people in Russia remain under medical observation over the coronavirus, the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing said in a statement on Tuesday.
Trump says coronavirus pandemic in US is receding
"As many as 247,476 people remain under medical observation in Russia," the statement reads.
According to the watchdog, more than 29.2 mln coronavirus tests have been conducted in the country so far with 171,000 tests carried out in the past 24 hours.


tass--2020-08-04--China confirms 36 new daily coronavirus cases and 21 asymptomatic carriers

No fatalities were registered in the past 24 hours and 17 people were discharged from hospitals .
BEIJING , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
Chinese authorities recorded 36 COVID-19 cases and another 21 asymptomatic carriers of the infection in the past day , the National Health Commission reported .
Out of the 36 cases of the infection six were imported - four were registered in the Guangdong province , one in Shanghai and another one in the Sichuan province .
Among 30 so-called domestic cases the majority were confirmed in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region .
The number of imported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,001 people recovered and were discharged from hospitals .
Another 97 are undergoing treatment , with two in grave condition .
No one died out of the infected persons who had arrived in China from abroad .
As of midnight on August 4 , the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in China reached 84,464 , with 4,634 deaths and 79,030 recoveries .
Currently , the number of the so-called active cases of the disease in China stands at 800 , while 36 patients are in grave condition .
Since early April , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on asymptomatic patients .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

No fatalities were registered in the past 24 hours and 17 people were discharged from hospitals.
BEIJING, August 4. /TASS/. Chinese authorities recorded 36 COVID-19 cases and another 21 asymptomatic carriers of the infection in the past day, the National Health Commission reported.
Out of the 36 cases of the infection six were imported - four were registered in the Guangdong province, one in Shanghai and another one in the Sichuan province. Among 30 so-called domestic cases the majority were confirmed in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
The number of imported coronavirus cases in China reached 2,098 while 2,001 people recovered and were discharged from hospitals. Another 97 are undergoing treatment, with two in grave condition. No one died out of the infected persons who had arrived in China from abroad.
As of midnight on August 4, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in China reached 84,464, with 4,634 deaths and 79,030 recoveries. Currently, the number of the so-called active cases of the disease in China stands at 800, while 36 patients are in grave condition.
Since early April, the Chinese authorities have published additional statistics on asymptomatic patients.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-08-04--Media: Meilan airport's new runway passes tests

HAIKOU , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
The runway of the new , second terminal of Hainan 's Meilan International Airport has successfully passed a usability test , reported the Hainan Daily newspaper .
According to the newspaper , a wide-body passenger aircraft Airbus A330 , owned by Hainan Airlines , participated in the testing .
It took off and landed , observing all safety standards .
`` This means that the new terminal , built in accordance with advanced international standards , is ready for operation and can begin to receive civilian aircraft , '' the airport administration stated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airport capacity is expected to play a key role in the development of Hainan 's free trade port .
In particular , the passenger traffic will amount to 45 million people a year ( of which approximately 22 % will fall on foreign flights ) , and the volume of freight traffic will increase to 600,000 tonnes .
The new terminal will include the largest duty free zone in China , covering more than 100,000 square meters .
According to plan , the second terminal will start working no later than by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ construction exceeded 17.8 billion yuan ( about $ 2.5 billion ) .
With this money , an additional runway with a length of 3.6 km was built , as well as premises with an area of over 296,000 square meters .
The architects designed the new buildings taking into account the island 's tropical climate and the special status of the island , the importance of which in the field of regional and global transport communications is expected to grow constantly .

HAIKOU, August 4. /TASS/. The runway of the new, second terminal of Hainan's Meilan International Airport has successfully passed a usability test, reported the Hainan Daily newspaper.
According to the newspaper, a wide-body passenger aircraft Airbus A330, owned by Hainan Airlines, participated in the testing. It took off and landed, observing all safety standards.
"This means that the new terminal, built in accordance with advanced international standards, is ready for operation and can begin to receive civilian aircraft," the airport administration stated following the tests.
The increase in airport capacity is expected to play a key role in the development of Hainan's free trade port. In particular, the passenger traffic will amount to 45 million people a year (of which approximately 22% will fall on foreign flights), and the volume of freight traffic will increase to 600,000 tonnes. The new terminal will include the largest duty free zone in China, covering more than 100,000 square meters.
According to plan, the second terminal will start working no later than by the end of 2020. Investment in its construction exceeded 17.8 billion yuan (about $ 2.5 billion). With this money, an additional runway with a length of 3.6 km was built, as well as premises with an area of over 296,000 square meters. The architects designed the new buildings taking into account the island's tropical climate and the special status of the island, the importance of which in the field of regional and global transport communications is expected to grow constantly.


tass--2020-08-04--Brazil records lowest growth in daily coronavirus cases since early June

This is the lowest growth in new coronavirus cases since June 8 .
According to the Health Ministry , some 70 % of the total number of cases ( 1,912,319 ) have recovered and another 743,334 people are active virus carriers .
RIO DE JANEIRO , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
Brazil ’ s novel coronavirus cases rose by 16,641 in the past day , reaching 2,750,318 , according to the Health Ministry ’ s official data .
The death toll from the disease caused by the coronavirus rose by 561 to 94,665 .
Some 1,308 cases and 45 fatalities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , 313,364 new cases were registered , nearly 6,300 fewer than on July 19-25 , when this figure reached a record high of 319,653 .
Before that for the first time since the start of the epidemic in the country the number of cases started to decrease .
The number of fatalities despite some decline ( 7,114 on July 26-August 1 ) over the past 10 weeks reaches nearly 1,000 per day or more .
Brazil , where the first coronavirus case was confirmed on February 26 , is ranked second after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 cases and fatalities .
The Health Ministry earlier predicted that the situation would stabilize by July and in August the infection spread would begin to slow .
According to the ministry , in June the country reached a plateau in the number of fatalities .

This is the lowest growth in new coronavirus cases since June 8. According to the Health Ministry, some 70% of the total number of cases (1,912,319) have recovered and another 743,334 people are active virus carriers.
RIO DE JANEIRO, August 4. /TASS/. Brazil’s novel coronavirus cases rose by 16,641 in the past day, reaching 2,750,318, according to the Health Ministry’s official data.
The death toll from the disease caused by the coronavirus rose by 561 to 94,665. Some 1,308 cases and 45 fatalities are recorded per 100,000 citizens.
Last week, 313,364 new cases were registered, nearly 6,300 fewer than on July 19-25, when this figure reached a record high of 319,653. Before that for the first time since the start of the epidemic in the country the number of cases started to decrease. The number of fatalities despite some decline (7,114 on July 26-August 1) over the past 10 weeks reaches nearly 1,000 per day or more.
Brazil, where the first coronavirus case was confirmed on February 26, is ranked second after the United States for the biggest number of COVID-19 cases and fatalities. The Health Ministry earlier predicted that the situation would stabilize by July and in August the infection spread would begin to slow. According to the ministry, in June the country reached a plateau in the number of fatalities.


tass--2020-08-04--Mexico’s coronavirus cases near 444,000

Mexico’s coronavirus cases near 444,000

MEXICO CITY , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases in Mexico has reached 443,813 , the @ @ @ @ @ of Epidemiology Jose Luis Alomia said at a press conference .
Over one million coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ the country so far , and 488,207 were negative .
Mexico ’ s coronavirus death @ @ @ @ @ , and 295,667 patients have recovered .
According to the Health Ministry , a total @ @ @ @ @ in the past two weeks , which indicates that the pace of the coronavirus outbreak @ @ @ @ @ December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the @ @ @ @ @ pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases @ @ @ @ @ named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe @ @ @ @ @ March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

MEXICO CITY, August 4. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Mexico has reached 443,813, the Health Ministry’s Director of Epidemiology Jose Luis Alomia said at a press conference.
Over one million coronavirus tests have been conducted in the country so far, and 488,207 were negative.
Mexico’s coronavirus death toll has climbed to 48,012, and 295,667 patients have recovered.
According to the Health Ministry, a total of 42,360 cases were recorded in the past two weeks, which indicates that the pace of the coronavirus outbreak is declining.
Coronavirus pandemic
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, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-08-04--Bulgaria confirms record high daily COVID-19 death toll

SOFIA , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
Bulgaria ’ s doctors registered 204 coronavirus cases in the past day , which is 85 more than the day earlier , and a record high number of daily fatalities , 16 , pushing the death toll to 404 , the Health Ministry ’ s United Information Portal said .
The overall number of infections hit 12,159 , including 701 medical workers .
Some 6,684 people recovered and 823 patients are staying in hospitals , including 43 in grave condition , who are in intensive care .
Bulgaria has carried out 4,137 tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a serious lack of medical personnel .
One of key sites of the outbreak is the home for elderly people in Varna , where 102 people , including nine support staff , were infected after contacting with a doctor diagnosed with COVID-19 .
Bulgaria reported its first coronavirus cases on March 8 .
The authorities declared a state of emergency on March 13 until May 14 .
At present an emergency epidemic situation is in effect in Bulgaria , which was extended until the end of August .
Social distancing and wearing face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and on transport .

SOFIA, August 4. /TASS/. Bulgaria’s doctors registered 204 coronavirus cases in the past day, which is 85 more than the day earlier, and a record high number of daily fatalities, 16, pushing the death toll to 404, the Health Ministry’s United Information Portal said.
The overall number of infections hit 12,159, including 701 medical workers. Some 6,684 people recovered and 823 patients are staying in hospitals, including 43 in grave condition, who are in intensive care. Bulgaria has carried out 4,137 tests for the coronavirus.
Bulgarian hospitals face a serious lack of medical personnel. One of key sites of the outbreak is the home for elderly people in Varna, where 102 people, including nine support staff, were infected after contacting with a doctor diagnosed with COVID-19.
Bulgaria reported its first coronavirus cases on March 8. The authorities declared a state of emergency on March 13 until May 14. At present an emergency epidemic situation is in effect in Bulgaria, which was extended until the end of August. Social distancing and wearing face masks is compulsory in indoor public places and on transport.


tass--2020-08-04--Over 360 Russians evacuated from Miami to Moscow by Aeroflot flight

NEW YORK , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
More than 360 Russian nationals boarded an evacuation flight by Russia ’ s Aeroflot airline from Miami , Florida , to Moscow and will later travel to other Russian cities .
According to Miami Airport , SU111 flight has departed and is due to arrive at Sheremetyevo Airport at 16:56 Moscow Time , three hours later than scheduled .
The flight was delayed at Miami Airport .
`` We have just seen off the evacuation flight for our nationals , which took off to Moscow from the international airport in Miami , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who were stranded in the US at the peak of the coronavirus pandemic , including 24 infants .
We wish everyone to be at home as soon as possible , '' Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said in a statement .
Some twenty passengers needed immediate repatriation due to urgent reasons .
Among those who are onboard the plane are specialists of Roscosmos state space corporation , who completed their work at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center ( JSC ) in Texas .
This is the second evacuation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the US .
In April , Antonov said more than 2,000 Russian nationals staying in the US wished to return home amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Aeroflot arranged a number of evacuation flights to Russia from New York , Los Angeles and Miami .

NEW YORK, August 4. /TASS/. More than 360 Russian nationals boarded an evacuation flight by Russia’s Aeroflot airline from Miami, Florida, to Moscow and will later travel to other Russian cities.
According to Miami Airport, SU111 flight has departed and is due to arrive at Sheremetyevo Airport at 16:56 Moscow Time, three hours later than scheduled. The flight was delayed at Miami Airport.
"We have just seen off the evacuation flight for our nationals, which took off to Moscow from the international airport in Miami, Florida. There are 364 people onboard, who were stranded in the US at the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, including 24 infants. We wish everyone to be at home as soon as possible," Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said in a statement.
Some twenty passengers needed immediate repatriation due to urgent reasons. Among those who are onboard the plane are specialists of Roscosmos state space corporation, who completed their work at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Texas.
This is the second evacuation flight from Miami and the 17th flight from the US. In April, Antonov said more than 2,000 Russian nationals staying in the US wished to return home amid the coronavirus pandemic. Aeroflot arranged a number of evacuation flights to Russia from New York, Los Angeles and Miami.


tass--2020-08-04--Lukashenko suggests amending Belarusian Constitution at referendum

MINSK , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko believes it is necessary to hold a nationwide referendum in the coming five years on amending the Constitution , he said in his program for the presidential election .
`` As our Belarus changed , we changed .
The Belarusians ’ readiness to take responsibility for the country ’ s fate is obvious , and the degree of this responsibility will be determined by the people themselves .
But according to the law .
Not on the streets and squares , but through legal relations .
Let 's start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's program published in the Zvyazda newspaper on Tuesday .
The incumbent head of state noted that at the nationwide referendum the Belarusians will define their rights , responsibilities , freedoms and obligations as well as powers of state bodies .
Presidential election will be held in Belarus on August 9 .
On Tuesday , an early vote will kick off , which will last until August 8 .
The Belarusian Central Election Commission decided to register five presidential candidates , including the incumbent president .
Two more candidates , Valery Tsepkalo and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrest , were denied registration .

MINSK, August 4. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko believes it is necessary to hold a nationwide referendum in the coming five years on amending the Constitution, he said in his program for the presidential election.
"As our Belarus changed, we changed. The Belarusians’ readiness to take responsibility for the country’s fate is obvious, and the degree of this responsibility will be determined by the people themselves. But according to the law. Not on the streets and squares, but through legal relations. Let's start with the Constitution," says Lukashenko's program published in the Zvyazda newspaper on Tuesday.
The incumbent head of state noted that at the nationwide referendum the Belarusians will define their rights, responsibilities, freedoms and obligations as well as powers of state bodies.
Presidential election will be held in Belarus on August 9. On Tuesday, an early vote will kick off, which will last until August 8. The Belarusian Central Election Commission decided to register five presidential candidates, including the incumbent president. Two more candidates, Valery Tsepkalo and Viktor Babariko, who is currently under arrest, were denied registration.


tass--2020-08-05--Russia, US should play leading role in nuclear disarmament — Chinese ambassador

NEW YORK , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
The Chinese government believes that the leading role in the nuclear disarmament should be played by Moscow and Washington , but not Beijing , because China ’ s nuclear arsenal is noticeably smaller , Chinese Ambassador to US Cui Tiankai told the annual Aspen Security Forum .
The diplomat was asked whether China was interested in signing any arms control deals with the participation of Moscow and Washington .
`` I think that there are now very important negotiations between the US and Russia concerning the existing treaties between those countries .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ international strategic stability .
We hope those treaties would continue , '' the Chinese diplomat said .
`` We could have reasons to be optimistic , but I don ’ t know . ''
In his words , the Chinese side hopes that Moscow and Washington would `` continue those treaties and keep the international strategic stability . ''
`` The United States and Russia have the largest nuclear arsenal .
This is known by everybody .
There is international consensus .
So they should take the lead in international nuclear disarmament , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a very small amount of nuclear weapons .
It ’ s not at the same level .
We are < … > behind US and Russia . ''
He said that one of his colleagues earlier asked whether the United States was ready to reduce its current nuclear stockpile to the size of the Chinese one as a precondition for launching the negotiations .
`` I hope we could receive a very convincing answer , '' the Chinese ambassador said .
US President Donald Trump said in response to a TASS question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States would like to make a new arms control agreement with Russia and China , and maybe some other countries .
A US Department of State official said later that despite Beijing ’ s refusal to take part in arms control talks , Washington was interested in launching a strategic security dialogue with China that would be similar to its dialogue with Russia .
New START , which came into force in 2011 , limits Russia and the US to no more than 700 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles ( ICBM ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and strategic bombers , no more than 1,550 deployed warheads and 800 deployed and non-deployed launchers .
The Treaty is set to remain in effect for ten years ( until 2021 ) unless a new document is signed to replace it .
The document can also be extended for no more than five years ( that is , until 2026 ) by mutual agreement of the parties .

NEW YORK, August 5. /TASS/. The Chinese government believes that the leading role in the nuclear disarmament should be played by Moscow and Washington, but not Beijing, because China’s nuclear arsenal is noticeably smaller, Chinese Ambassador to US Cui Tiankai told the annual Aspen Security Forum.
The diplomat was asked whether China was interested in signing any arms control deals with the participation of Moscow and Washington.
"I think that there are now very important negotiations between the US and Russia concerning the existing treaties between those countries. And these treaties are extremely important for international strategic stability. We hope those treaties would continue," the Chinese diplomat said. "We could have reasons to be optimistic, but I don’t know."
In his words, the Chinese side hopes that Moscow and Washington would "continue those treaties and keep the international strategic stability."
"The United States and Russia have the largest nuclear arsenal. This is known by everybody. There is international consensus. So they should take the lead in international nuclear disarmament," Cui Tiankai said. "China has a very small amount of nuclear weapons. It’s not at the same level. We are <…> behind US and Russia."
He said that one of his colleagues earlier asked whether the United States was ready to reduce its current nuclear stockpile to the size of the Chinese one as a precondition for launching the negotiations.
"I hope we could receive a very convincing answer," the Chinese ambassador said.
US President Donald Trump said in response to a TASS question on November 4, 2019, that the United States would like to make a new arms control agreement with Russia and China, and maybe some other countries. A US Department of State official said later that despite Beijing’s refusal to take part in arms control talks, Washington was interested in launching a strategic security dialogue with China that would be similar to its dialogue with Russia.
New START, which came into force in 2011, limits Russia and the US to no more than 700 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) and strategic bombers, no more than 1,550 deployed warheads and 800 deployed and non-deployed launchers. The Treaty is set to remain in effect for ten years (until 2021) unless a new document is signed to replace it. The document can also be extended for no more than five years (that is, until 2026) by mutual agreement of the parties.


tass--2020-08-05--Several UN peacekeepers injured in Beirut seaport blast

MOSCOW , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
Several peacekeepers of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon ( UNIFIL ) were injured as a result of the blast that rocked the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Tuesday , the UNIFIL command said in a statement .
`` As a result of a huge explosion that rocked Beirut Port this evening , one of the UNIFIL ships of the Maritime Task Force docked in the port was damaged , leaving some UNIFIL naval peacekeepers injured - some of them seriously , '' the statement says .
UNIFIL is transporting the injured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment and is assessing the situation , including the scale of the impact on UNIFIL personnel .
The exact number of injured peacekeepers is unknown at the moment .
UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Del Col said : `` We are with the people and the Government of Lebanon during this difficult time and stand ready to help and provide any assistance and support . ''
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport district on Tuesday , sending a shockwave that ripped through residential areas of the Lebanese capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of buildings and cars .
A TASS correspondent learned from sources in the Lebanese capital that a cargo of ammonium nitrate had been stored in the port after being confiscated from a Moldovan vessel with Ukrainian crew in 2015 .
According to latest reports , 78 people were killed and some 4,000 injured in the disaster .
An effort to search for victims and remove debris is now under way .
The government declared a four-day nationwide mourning .

MOSCOW, August 5. /TASS/. Several peacekeepers of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) were injured as a result of the blast that rocked the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Tuesday, the UNIFIL command said in a statement.
"As a result of a huge explosion that rocked Beirut Port this evening, one of the UNIFIL ships of the Maritime Task Force docked in the port was damaged, leaving some UNIFIL naval peacekeepers injured - some of them seriously," the statement says.
UNIFIL is transporting the injured peacekeepers to the nearest hospitals for medical treatment and is assessing the situation, including the scale of the impact on UNIFIL personnel. The exact number of injured peacekeepers is unknown at the moment.
UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Del Col said: "We are with the people and the Government of Lebanon during this difficult time and stand ready to help and provide any assistance and support."
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport district on Tuesday, sending a shockwave that ripped through residential areas of the Lebanese capital. The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars. A TASS correspondent learned from sources in the Lebanese capital that a cargo of ammonium nitrate had been stored in the port after being confiscated from a Moldovan vessel with Ukrainian crew in 2015.
According to latest reports, 78 people were killed and some 4,000 injured in the disaster. An effort to search for victims and remove debris is now under way. The government declared a four-day nationwide mourning.


tass--2020-08-05--US generals believe that Beirut explosion caused by bomb — Trump

WASHINGTON , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
US generals believe that a bomb exploded in the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Tuesday , US President Donald Trump told reporters in the White House .
At a media briefing Trump described the events in Beirut as a `` terrible attack . ''
When asked by a reporter whether he was sure that the incident in Beirut was a result of an attack , the US leader replied : `` It would seem like it based on the explosion , I ’ ve met with some of our great generals and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not a - some kind of manufacturing explosion type of event . ''
`` This was a - seems to be according to them , they would know better than I would , but they seem to think it was an attack .
It was a bomb of some kind , '' the US leader said .
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport district on Tuesday , sending a shockwave that ripped through residential areas of the Lebanese capital .
The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lebanese capital that a cargo of ammonium nitrate had been stored in the port after being confiscated from a ship in 2015 .
According to latest reports , more than 70 people were killed and 3,700 injured in the disaster .
An effort to search for victims and remove debris is now under way .
The government declared a four-day nationwide mourning .

WASHINGTON, August 5. /TASS/. US generals believe that a bomb exploded in the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump told reporters in the White House.
At a media briefing Trump described the events in Beirut as a "terrible attack."
When asked by a reporter whether he was sure that the incident in Beirut was a result of an attack, the US leader replied: "It would seem like it based on the explosion, I’ve met with some of our great generals and they just seem to feel that it was not a - some kind of manufacturing explosion type of event."
"This was a - seems to be according to them, they would know better than I would, but they seem to think it was an attack. It was a bomb of some kind," the US leader said.
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport district on Tuesday, sending a shockwave that ripped through residential areas of the Lebanese capital. The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars. A TASS correspondent learned from sources in the Lebanese capital that a cargo of ammonium nitrate had been stored in the port after being confiscated from a ship in 2015.
According to latest reports, more than 70 people were killed and 3,700 injured in the disaster. An effort to search for victims and remove debris is now under way. The government declared a four-day nationwide mourning.


tass--2020-08-05--Lebanon’s military council declares Beirut a disaster-stricken city

BEIRUT , August 6 .
/TASS/ .
The Supreme Defense Council of Lebanon , which convened for an emergency meeting on Tuesday night , declared the country ’ s capital Beirut a disaster-stricken city following a powerful blast in the seaport .
`` The defense council decided to declare Beirut a disaster-stricken region and declare the state of emergency for the period of August 4-18 , '' said the press service of Lebanese President Michel Aoun , who chaired the meeting .
`` The Defense Council resolved to set up a special commission to investigate the disaster , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five days , '' the press service said in a statement .
Al Jazeera quoted Prime Minister Hassan Diab as saying that an investigative commission should be established and publish its findings within 48 hours .
Diab also said it was inadmissible that 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate had been stored in the port for six years , without necessary precautions being taken .
In his words , the government would focus on search for survivors and removal of the dead from the debris .
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ripped through residential areas of the Lebanese capital .
The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars .
According to first reports , the tragedy was caused by the detonation of 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate during welding works .
A TASS correspondent learned from sources in the Lebanese capital that the explosive cargo was stored in the port after being confiscated from a Moldovan vessel with Ukrainian crew in 2015 .
Strong signals from the blast were detected by infrasound stations of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization ’ s International @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tunisia and Germany .
`` CTBTO IMS detected strong signals from large explosion in Beirut today 4 August 20 ~15:05 UTC at infrasound stations I48TU Tunisia & I26DE Germany .
Analysts continue to review all data .
Our thoughts go to the many victims caused by the explosion - Solidarity with Lebanon , '' Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization Lassina Zerbo said on Twitter .
According to latest reports , 78 people were killed and some 4,000 injured in the disaster .
An effort to search for victims and remove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government declared a four-day nationwide mourning .

BEIRUT, August 6. /TASS/. The Supreme Defense Council of Lebanon, which convened for an emergency meeting on Tuesday night, declared the country’s capital Beirut a disaster-stricken city following a powerful blast in the seaport.
"The defense council decided to declare Beirut a disaster-stricken region and declare the state of emergency for the period of August 4-18," said the press service of Lebanese President Michel Aoun, who chaired the meeting.
"The Defense Council resolved to set up a special commission to investigate the disaster, which is to prepare its report within the next five days," the press service said in a statement.
Al Jazeera quoted Prime Minister Hassan Diab as saying that an investigative commission should be established and publish its findings within 48 hours.
Diab also said it was inadmissible that 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate had been stored in the port for six years, without necessary precautions being taken.
In his words, the government would focus on search for survivors and removal of the dead from the debris.
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport district on Tuesday, sending a shockwave that ripped through residential areas of the Lebanese capital. The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars. According to first reports, the tragedy was caused by the detonation of 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate during welding works.
A TASS correspondent learned from sources in the Lebanese capital that the explosive cargo was stored in the port after being confiscated from a Moldovan vessel with Ukrainian crew in 2015.
Strong signals from the blast were detected by infrasound stations of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization’s International Monitoring System (CTBTO IMS) in Tunisia and Germany.
"CTBTO IMS detected strong signals from large explosion in Beirut today 4 August 20 ~15:05 UTC at infrasound stations I48TU Tunisia & I26DE Germany. Analysts continue to review all data. Our thoughts go to the many victims caused by the explosion - Solidarity with Lebanon," Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization Lassina Zerbo said on Twitter.
According to latest reports, 78 people were killed and some 4,000 injured in the disaster. An effort to search for victims and remove debris is now under way. The government declared a four-day nationwide mourning.