tass--2020-08-06--WHO reports one-day surge in coronavirus cases by over 206,000

GENEVA , August 6 .
/TASS/ .
More than 206,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide in the past day , exceeding 18.35 million , while the coronavirus-related fatalities increased by over 5,000 to surpass 696,000 , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin on Wednesday .
As of 11.00 Moscow time on August 5 , as many as 18,354,342 novel coronavirus cases and 696,147 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases grew by 206,709 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 219,862 new cases and 4,278 fatalities were documented throughout the world .
The WHO statistics are based on officially confirmed data provided by countries .
South and North America account for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 9,841,842 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 100,115 and the number of deaths - by 2,600 to top 367,934 .
The number of confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 3,451,556 and the number of fatalities is 214,731 .
In the past 24 hours , the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of deaths went up by 476 .
South East Asia has 2,299,433 cases and 48,569 fatalities .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 56,777 and the number of deaths - by 995 .
The biggest number of coronavirus cases is registered in the United States ( 4,678,610 ) , followed by Brazil ( 2,750,318 ) , India ( 1,908,254 ) , Russia ( 866,627 ) , South Africa ( 521,318 ) , Mexico ( 443,813 ) , Peru ( 433,100 ) , Chile ( 362,962 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran ( 314,786 ) .
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 .

GENEVA, August 6. /TASS/. More than 206,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide in the past day, exceeding 18.35 million, while the coronavirus-related fatalities increased by over 5,000 to surpass 696,000, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin on Wednesday.
As of 11.00 Moscow time on August 5, as many as 18,354,342 novel coronavirus cases and 696,147 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by 206,709 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 5,116.
The day before, 219,862 new cases and 4,278 fatalities were documented throughout the world. The WHO statistics are based on officially confirmed data provided by countries.
South and North America account for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 9,841,842. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 100,115 and the number of deaths - by 2,600 to top 367,934. The number of confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 3,451,556 and the number of fatalities is 214,731. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew, by 21,623 and the number of deaths went up by 476.
South East Asia has 2,299,433 cases and 48,569 fatalities. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 56,777 and the number of deaths - by 995.
The biggest number of coronavirus cases is registered in the United States (4,678,610), followed by Brazil (2,750,318), India (1,908,254), Russia (866,627), South Africa (521,318), Mexico (443,813), Peru (433,100), Chile (362,962), Colombia (327,850) and Iran (314,786).
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--2020-08-05--'Catch Icebreaker' mission. How teacher became mate on nuclear-powered vessel

MOSCOW , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is the only country , which has a fleet of nuclear-powered icebreakers - the 50 Let Pobedy , the Yamal , the Vaigach , the Taimyr , and the Sevmorput LASH carrier and container ship .
Female crew members are not rare .
But a captain is .
Marina Starovoitova was lucky to become the Yamal ’ s second mate .
After party right on board `` You know , the sea is catching , '' Marina told me as we met .
`` Take for example the Kara Sea , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cold , with frequent fogs and storms , it ’ s normally under ice , and in the Ob Bay water is always murky .
Or take the Barents Sea - the color of aquamarine , crystal with turquoise , but very severe .
Every sea has its own character , like every ship or every person '' .
She has been 'at seas ' since 2005 .
Right from a school , where she had worked as a teacher of the Russian Language and Literature , Marina came to Murmansk .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Murmansk Shipping Company , which back then managed the entire civil fleet in Murmansk , and started working on the Sevmorput nuclear-powered container carrier as a keeper on duty .
This is how her marine career began .
A coincidence ?
No , she says , it ’ s the fate .
`` At some point it was clear to me - my life must be connected with the sea .
You may speak about it endlessly , it ’ s the unpredictable force to see and to feel .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the spirit of adventure .
Besides , my name Marina means 'marine ' , `` she said .
The Sevmorput is the world ’ s only nuclear-powered container carrier .
Marina worked on it for two years .
In 2007 , the vessel stayed at port for a long time , the crew was released .
In 2008 , the nuclear icebreaker fleet , including the Sevmorput , changed the manager from the Murmansk Shipping Company for the Atomflot state-run agency .
Like most of the crew , for the time after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work on the transport fleet .
Vessels there were mostly bulkers and tankers .
`` I worked at the canteen , served food , washed dishes , though it was clear this is not what I want to do , '' Marina said .
`` I took the risk of entering the Makarovka in St. Petersburg '' .
The Makarovka is the Admiral Makarov State University of Sea and River Fleet in St. Petersburg .
Marina was a part-time student , continued working at sea , and graduated in 2014 .
She got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued working at the cargo fleet , though in a different status .
`` I applied to the Association of Marine Captains , passed a training course and got a certificate of a 1st class sailor .
I used to work like all other sailors on the deck , participated in berthing , cleaned the holds , '' Marina said .
`` I was ready for any work , got used to work since childhood '' .
In childhood , Marina spent summers in the village .
Work and discipline were nothing new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was stubborn enough to progress from a sailor to the first mate - thus , she took a position , which follows the position of captain .
However , assistant captain on a bulk ship with a crew of only 18-20 people was not the limit .
Marina continued the education .
`` Working in the Arctic was not new to me , remember , I began sailing on the container carrier , which also sailed along the Northern Sea Route .
Later on , on cargo ships we went to Sabetta , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on Franz Josef Land , and even sailed along the Northern Sea Route to China .
We were escorted by icebreakers , of course .
At a certain moment , I realized I want to try working on an icebreaker '' .
At the other end of tow rope While transport vessels carry cargo , icebreakers assist the transport fleet through the ice : they lay a route , so that vessels , which can not sail in heavy ice conditions , could use it .
There are two options : either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There are two variants of towing : either on a short tow rope of up to 40m , or right next to the icebreaker - when a vessel is adjusted to the icebreaker , pushing its bow into a special cutting in the icebreaker ’ s stern .
`` Towing must be made with high precision , at a given speed and direction , so that not to damage the vessel .
I did not have such experience .
It is done the following way : the huge icebreaker pulls to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ' the sailor on duty gives signals - 'left ' or 'right , ' they get connected , and the towing rope adjusts the vessel ’ s bow to the icebreaker .
Doing it at first time was very complicated and I was so nervous , but it was so interesting !
Later on , everything is fine , and here is the excitement : you can see a huge icebreaker 150 meters long and 30 meters wide , you get closer , and - yes , here the vessel is towed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been working as the Yamal ’ s second mate for one year .
She is responsible for the route planning and control , work with electronic and paper maps .
She watches the ice , meteorology forecasts , ice structures , depths , and the escorted vessels .
Every step is registered in the ship ’ s log .
`` For example , we often work in the Ob Bay , and there we have certain reporting points , where we follow up the situation and send out reports as we pass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` This work requires maximum attention .
While on a transport vessel you just lay a route and follow it , on an icebreaker you are permanently searching for the best route , as you are not on your own , you have other ships following you .
If the ice is complicated , we tow up the vessels .
We ask Marina , whether she dreams of becoming a captain .
She smiles .
`` He ’ s a bad sailor if he does not dream of becoming a captain .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibility to be the first mate or even more - to be a captain .
The position requires experience , and much work .
I love what I am doing , but won ’ t take guesses - time will show , and the sea will show '' .
'How I caught up with the icebreaker ' When Marina was finalizing formalities at Atomflot and passed medical tests , the Yamal icebreaker , where she was supposed to work , left the port .
She had to ‘ hitchhike.
’ `` You know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a mission dubbed 'How I caught up with the icebreaker . '
A towboat from Murmansk took me and my colleagues to a tanker , which was bound for the icebreaker .
And then down the pilot ladder , carrying the bags , we got into a boat , which the Yamal had sent for me , and then upwards , to the icebreaker ’ s deck , '' Marina said .
Climbing and descending along the pilot ladder is nothing special for a sailor , she added .
On board the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many crew members had been at sea with her , or studied together at the Makarovka .
`` It ’ s always a challenge to come to a new ship - how the crew will meet you .
While climbing on the Yamal , I expected meeting people who I knew , and I met them , I was happy .
With some of them we used to work on the Sevmorput , with others we studied at the university .
I cheered up .
All the navigators were very friendly , professionals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teacher was very good - Sergei Gerasimov - the first mate , I used to take his course .
Emotionally I felt comfortable , and this is very important ! ''
Every day on an icebreaker is divided into six equal parts - four hours of duty .
Everyone is on duty for four hours in every eight hours .
Marina ’ s shifts begin every day at 8 in the morning and at 8 in the evening .
`` During time off , preferences differ , but I prefer the gym .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ gym for games , where I play volleyball , and the second - a small one - for workout .
We have a pool with sea water , which is warmed .
A huge library , a chess club , and we all are recommended to stroll on the heli pad , '' Marina said .
Later on , she adds - every free minute she tries to chat with the son .
Artem , aged 9 , waits for mom in the Unecha town , the Bryansk Region .
Marina comes from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Every time she leaves the town for Murmansk to begin another voyage .
`` Nowadays , voyages are four months long , but back on the transport fleet they could be twice longer , and the longest was 11 months and a few days .
It was tough to be away from the family .
The cell and the Internet save us .
At times , I do homework with my son on WhatsApp .
When asked about the most complicated part - I say it ’ s being away from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next hug would be only in 120 days ! ''
A nuclear icebreaker may remain at sea for five years without refueling .
It calls a port only to rotate the crew and resupply the food .
The Yamal icebreaker was named and launched in 1992 .
The construction began in 1986 at the Baltic Shipyard as an upgraded version of Arctic 10521 project , named Oktyabrskaya Revolutsiya ( October Revolution ) .
In 2000 , the icebreaker made an expedition to the North Pole .
The Yamal is the ninth vessel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It has made 48 voyages to the Earth ’ s top .
`` No other icebreaker in the world has smiling shark jaws .
The icebreaker is identified by this toothed smile , '' Marina said .
`` The shark ’ s jaws appeared there in 1994 , when the icebreaker took children from across the globe to the North Pole .
Since then , the jaws are smiling to other vessels .
This smile is a world-known brand already . ''
Sailors say every ship has it aura .
The Yamal gives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The icebreaker ’ s two reactors are of 75,000hp .
The ship cuts its way through 2.5-meter thick ice .
Pitching and rolling are typical for ships , and vibration is typical for icebreakers .
It grows when the vessel works in the ice .
`` Some people , who are on an icebreaker for the first time , may feel uneasy when the ice cracks and breaks , but I ’ ve got used to it . ''
Navigators say : never turn your back on a porthole not to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I know this sign , but on icebreakers it is not easy to observe it - the captain , mates and navigators must look forward and backwards to watch vessels in the caravan or towed ships .
This is the marine truth , `` she smiles .
The smile is warm , and full of confidence .

MOSCOW, August 5. /TASS/. Russia is the only country, which has a fleet of nuclear-powered icebreakers - the 50 Let Pobedy, the Yamal, the Vaigach, the Taimyr, and the Sevmorput LASH carrier and container ship. Female crew members are not rare. But a captain is. Marina Starovoitova was lucky to become the Yamal’s second mate. After party right on board "You know, the sea is catching," Marina told me as we met. "Take for example the Kara Sea, where we work most often. It is cold, with frequent fogs and storms, it’s normally under ice, and in the Ob Bay water is always murky. Or take the Barents Sea - the color of aquamarine, crystal with turquoise, but very severe. Every sea has its own character, like every ship or every person". She has been 'at seas' since 2005. Right from a school, where she had worked as a teacher of the Russian Language and Literature, Marina came to Murmansk. She prepared all papers, passed an interview with the Murmansk Shipping Company, which back then managed the entire civil fleet in Murmansk, and started working on the Sevmorput nuclear-powered container carrier as a keeper on duty. This is how her marine career began. A coincidence? No, she says, it’s the fate.
"At some point it was clear to me - my life must be connected with the sea. You may speak about it endlessly, it’s the unpredictable force to see and to feel. I fell in love with the sea, with the spirit of adventure. Besides, my name Marina means 'marine', " she said. The Sevmorput is the world’s only nuclear-powered container carrier. Marina worked on it for two years. In 2007, the vessel stayed at port for a long time, the crew was released. In 2008, the nuclear icebreaker fleet, including the Sevmorput, changed the manager from the Murmansk Shipping Company for the Atomflot state-run agency. Like most of the crew, for the time after those reforms, the girl went to work on the transport fleet. Vessels there were mostly bulkers and tankers. "I worked at the canteen, served food, washed dishes, though it was clear this is not what I want to do," Marina said. "I took the risk of entering the Makarovka in St. Petersburg". The Makarovka is the Admiral Makarov State University of Sea and River Fleet in St. Petersburg. Marina was a part-time student, continued working at sea, and graduated in 2014. She got the diploma of a navigator. She continued working at the cargo fleet, though in a different status. Female first mate "I applied to the Association of Marine Captains, passed a training course and got a certificate of a 1st class sailor. I used to work like all other sailors on the deck, participated in berthing, cleaned the holds," Marina said. "I was ready for any work, got used to work since childhood". In childhood, Marina spent summers in the village. Work and discipline were nothing new to her. She took decisions and was stubborn enough to progress from a sailor to the first mate - thus, she took a position, which follows the position of captain. However, assistant captain on a bulk ship with a crew of only 18-20 people was not the limit. Marina continued the education. "Working in the Arctic was not new to me, remember, I began sailing on the container carrier, which also sailed along the Northern Sea Route. Later on, on cargo ships we went to Sabetta, called on the Kotelny (Island), on Franz Josef Land, and even sailed along the Northern Sea Route to China. We were escorted by icebreakers, of course. At a certain moment, I realized I want to try working on an icebreaker". At the other end of tow rope While transport vessels carry cargo, icebreakers assist the transport fleet through the ice: they lay a route, so that vessels, which cannot sail in heavy ice conditions, could use it. There are two options: either a vessel sails or it is towed. There are two variants of towing: either on a short tow rope of up to 40m, or right next to the icebreaker - when a vessel is adjusted to the icebreaker, pushing its bow into a special cutting in the icebreaker’s stern.
"Towing must be made with high precision, at a given speed and direction, so that not to damage the vessel. I did not have such experience. It is done the following way: the huge icebreaker pulls to the vessel 'takes it into the stern cutting,' the sailor on duty gives signals - 'left' or 'right,' they get connected, and the towing rope adjusts the vessel’s bow to the icebreaker. Doing it at first time was very complicated and I was so nervous, but it was so interesting! Later on, everything is fine, and here is the excitement: you can see a huge icebreaker 150 meters long and 30 meters wide, you get closer, and - yes, here the vessel is towed," Marina said proudly. Marina has been working as the Yamal’s second mate for one year. She is responsible for the route planning and control, work with electronic and paper maps. She watches the ice, meteorology forecasts, ice structures, depths, and the escorted vessels. Every step is registered in the ship’s log. "For example, we often work in the Ob Bay, and there we have certain reporting points, where we follow up the situation and send out reports as we pass those points," Marina told us. "This work requires maximum attention. While on a transport vessel you just lay a route and follow it, on an icebreaker you are permanently searching for the best route, as you are not on your own, you have other ships following you. If the ice is complicated, we tow up the vessels. We ask Marina, whether she dreams of becoming a captain. She smiles. "He’s a bad sailor if he does not dream of becoming a captain. Well, seriously - it is huge responsibility to be the first mate or even more - to be a captain. The position requires experience, and much work. I love what I am doing, but won’t take guesses - time will show, and the sea will show". 'How I caught up with the icebreaker' When Marina was finalizing formalities at Atomflot and passed medical tests, the Yamal icebreaker, where she was supposed to work, left the port. She had to ‘hitchhike.’ "You know, it was like in a movie, a mission dubbed 'How I caught up with the icebreaker.' A towboat from Murmansk took me and my colleagues to a tanker, which was bound for the icebreaker. And then down the pilot ladder, carrying the bags, we got into a boat, which the Yamal had sent for me, and then upwards, to the icebreaker’s deck," Marina said. Climbing and descending along the pilot ladder is nothing special for a sailor, she added. On board the Yamal, she was welcomed warmly. Many crew members had been at sea with her, or studied together at the Makarovka. "It’s always a challenge to come to a new ship - how the crew will meet you. While climbing on the Yamal, I expected meeting people who I knew, and I met them, I was happy. With some of them we used to work on the Sevmorput, with others we studied at the university. I cheered up. All the navigators were very friendly, professionals, showed everything to me. My teacher was very good - Sergei Gerasimov - the first mate, I used to take his course. Emotionally I felt comfortable, and this is very important!" Every day on an icebreaker is divided into six equal parts - four hours of duty. Everyone is on duty for four hours in every eight hours. Marina’s shifts begin every day at 8 in the morning and at 8 in the evening. Time after shifts "During time off, preferences differ, but I prefer the gym. We have two gyms: a big gym for games, where I play volleyball, and the second - a small one - for workout. We have a pool with sea water, which is warmed. A huge library, a chess club, and we all are recommended to stroll on the heli pad," Marina said. Later on, she adds - every free minute she tries to chat with the son. Artem, aged 9, waits for mom in the Unecha town, the Bryansk Region. Marina comes from that town. Her family resides there. Every time she leaves the town for Murmansk to begin another voyage.
Read also Arctic tourism grows into a fashion trend, says Russian tourism authority


tass--2020-08-05--Military ecologists collect 450 tonnes of scrap metal on Yamal

TASS , August 5 .
Military ecologists of the Central Military District collected about 450 tonnes of scrap metal in @ @ @ @ @ on the Yamal in 2020 .
The works will be completed before mid-September , the @ @ @ @ @ Commander Col-Gen Alexander Lapin said on Wednesday .
`` The grouping continues cleaning in the @ @ @ @ @ Cape on the Yamal Peninsula , '' the press service quoted him as saying .
@ @ @ @ @ 443 tonnes of scrap metal , which is 66 % of planned 676 tonnes .
@ @ @ @ @ before September 15 . ''
According to the press service , the military have cleaned @ @ @ @ @ .
A key task was to collect parts of a pipeline at the former fuel @ @ @ @ @ scrap metal and take it to a certain location for further transportation .
The grouping @ @ @ @ @ uses almost 25 special vehicles .
The cleaning has begun in 2020 .

TASS, August 5. Military ecologists of the Central Military District collected about 450 tonnes of scrap metal in cleaning of the Marre-Sale Cape on the Yamal in 2020. The works will be completed before mid-September, the Central Military District’s Commander Col-Gen Alexander Lapin said on Wednesday.
"The grouping continues cleaning in the Arctic zone on the Marre-Sale Cape on the Yamal Peninsula," the press service quoted him as saying. "They have collected almost 443 tonnes of scrap metal, which is 66% of planned 676 tonnes. We shall complete the work before September 15."
According to the press service, the military have cleaned the area of two hectares. A key task was to collect parts of a pipeline at the former fuel storage. The military collect scrap metal and take it to a certain location for further transportation.
The grouping of more than 30 military uses almost 25 special vehicles. The cleaning has begun in 2020.


tass--2020-08-05--Damage from Beirut explosion may amount to $15bln

MOSCOW , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
The massive explosion in Beirut might cost up to $ 15 billion worth in damage , Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud said in a televised interview with Al-Hadath channel on Wednesday .
`` The damage caused by the blast could be higher than it was announced .
It could reach up to $ 15 billion , '' Abboud said adding that `` half of Beirut is either partially or completely destroyed . ''
He pointed out that the capital `` has some grain stocks , so the authorities are planning to cope with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Tuesday , a powerful blast ripped through Beirut ’ s port located near the Lebanese naval base and generated a shockwave that either destroyed or damaged dozens of houses and cars and shattered glass throughout the city .
According to local authorities , the detonation of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate , which was seized by the customs service back in 2014 , caused the explosion .
The country is in mourning on Wednesday .
A two-week state of emergency is in place in Lebanon ’ s capital , which was declared @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, August 5. /TASS/. The massive explosion in Beirut might cost up to $15 billion worth in damage, Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud said in a televised interview with Al-Hadath channel on Wednesday.
"The damage caused by the blast could be higher than it was announced. It could reach up to $15 billion," Abboud said adding that "half of Beirut is either partially or completely destroyed."
He pointed out that the capital "has some grain stocks, so the authorities are planning to cope with the food crisis without external interference."
On Tuesday, a powerful blast ripped through Beirut’s port located near the Lebanese naval base and generated a shockwave that either destroyed or damaged dozens of houses and cars and shattered glass throughout the city. According to local authorities, the detonation of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, which was seized by the customs service back in 2014, caused the explosion. The country is in mourning on Wednesday. A two-week state of emergency is in place in Lebanon’s capital, which was declared a disaster-stricken city.


tass--2020-08-05--Regular flights between Arkhangelsk, Vologda are scheduled for August 6

ARKHANGELSK , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
Regular flights between Arkhangelsk and Vologda will begin from August 6 , the @ @ @ @ @ told TASS .
`` The first flight Arkhangelsk - Velsk - Vologda is scheduled for @ @ @ @ @ administration ’ s press service said .
`` A ticket from Arkhangelsk to Velsk costs @ @ @ @ @ ) , from Arkhangelsk to Vologda - 3,708 rubles ( $ 50.7 ) - those @ @ @ @ @ The flights will be operated by Let L-410 planes on Tuesdays and Thursdays .
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ flights from Arkhangelsk to Vologda .
Flights to Velsk used to be operated in the @ @ @ @ @ subsidies are financed by Rosaviatsiya , the aviation agency , and the other part is @ @ @ @ @ ’ s budget .

ARKHANGELSK, August 5. /TASS/. Regular flights between Arkhangelsk and Vologda will begin from August 6, the Arkhangelsk Region’s administration told TASS.
"The first flight Arkhangelsk - Velsk - Vologda is scheduled for August 6," the administration’s press service said. "A ticket from Arkhangelsk to Velsk costs 3,414 rubles ($46.7), from Arkhangelsk to Vologda - 3,708 rubles ($50.7) - those flights are subsidized."
The flights will be operated by Let L-410 planes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Earlier, there have not been flights from Arkhangelsk to Vologda. Flights to Velsk used to be operated in the Soviet times only.
The subsidies are financed by Rosaviatsiya, the aviation agency, and the other part is covered by the Arkhangelsk Region’s budget.


tass--2020-08-05--Lebanese authorities deny rumors about Israel’s possible role in Beirut blast

BEIRUT , August 5./TASS/ .
Lebanese authorities categorially dismissed on Wednesday rumors about subversive action or an Israeli trace in @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday .
Lebanese Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmi dismissed the possibility of Israel ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Lebanon 24 television reported .
Commenting on journalists ’ saying that people had seen Israeli @ @ @ @ @ , he said `` You know , there is such a thing as fake news @ @ @ @ @ television , the army command also denied allegations about premeditated detonation , calling them false @ @ @ @ @ asking to wait for the official results of the probe in the blast .
The @ @ @ @ @ probe would be transparent and would take five days .
Shortly after the blast rocked @ @ @ @ @ , Arab users of social networking systems engaged in active discussion of Israel ’ s @ @ @ @ @ , coming up with numerous conspiracy theories .

BEIRUT, August 5./TASS/. Lebanese authorities categorially dismissed on Wednesday rumors about subversive action or an Israeli trace in a powerful blast in Beirut on Tuesday.
Lebanese Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmi dismissed the possibility of Israel’s role in the tragedy, Lebanon 24 television reported. Commenting on journalists’ saying that people had seen Israeli planes shortly before the blast, he said "You know, there is such a thing as fake news".
According to LBCI television, the army command also denied allegations about premeditated detonation, calling them false rumors in a communique and asking to wait for the official results of the probe in the blast.
The interior minister pledged that the probe would be transparent and would take five days.
Shortly after the blast rocked the port area of Beirut, Arab users of social networking systems engaged in active discussion of Israel’s possible involvement in the tragedy, coming up with numerous conspiracy theories.


tass--2020-08-05--Russian fighter jet scrambles to intercept US spy planes over Black Sea

MOSCOW , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
A Russian fighter jet Sukhoi Su-27 has been scrambled to intercept an RC-135 @ @ @ @ @ Air Force and an R-8A Poseidon , the US Navy ’ s maritime patrol aircraft @ @ @ @ @ , Russia ’ s National Defense Control Center told reporters on Wednesday .
According to @ @ @ @ @ detected two targets in international airspace over the neutral waters of the Black Sea earlier @ @ @ @ @ aircraft were heading towards the Russian sovereign airspace .
`` A Su-27 fighter jet of @ @ @ @ @ s air defense units on duty was scrambled to intercept the targets in midair , @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The Russian fighter jet crew approached the aircraft at a safe distance and @ @ @ @ @ strategic reconnaissance aircraft of the US Air Force and an R-8A Poseidon , the US @ @ @ @ @ aircraft , '' the center said .

MOSCOW, August 5. /TASS/. A Russian fighter jet Sukhoi Su-27 has been scrambled to intercept an RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft of the US Air Force and an R-8A Poseidon, the US Navy’s maritime patrol aircraft, over the Black Sea, Russia’s National Defense Control Center told reporters on Wednesday.
According to the center, Russian radars detected two targets in international airspace over the neutral waters of the Black Sea earlier in the day. The aircraft were heading towards the Russian sovereign airspace.
"A Su-27 fighter jet of the Southern Military District’s air defense units on duty was scrambled to intercept the targets in midair," the Defense Ministry said. "The Russian fighter jet crew approached the aircraft at a safe distance and identified them as an RC-135 strategic reconnaissance aircraft of the US Air Force and an R-8A Poseidon, the US Navy’s maritime patrol aircraft," the center said.


tass--2020-08-05--Beirut explosion death toll rises to 135 — media

MOSCOW , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
At least 135 people have been killed in the explosion in Beirut , @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday citing Lebanon ’ s Health Ministry .
According to the channel , the @ @ @ @ @ to about 5,000 .
Dozens are reported missing .
On Tuesday , a powerful blast @ @ @ @ @ port located near the Lebanese naval base and generated a shockwave that either destroyed or @ @ @ @ @ cars and shattered glass throughout the city .
According to local authorities , the detonation @ @ @ @ @ nitrate , which was seized by the customs service back in 2014 , caused the @ @ @ @ @ in mourning on Wednesday .
A two-week state of emergency is in effect in Lebanon @ @ @ @ @ was declared a disaster-stricken city .

MOSCOW, August 5. /TASS/. At least 135 people have been killed in the explosion in Beirut, Al Jazeera TV channel said on Wednesday citing Lebanon’s Health Ministry.
According to the channel, the number of those injured rose to about 5,000. Dozens are reported missing.
On Tuesday, a powerful blast ripped through Beirut’s port located near the Lebanese naval base and generated a shockwave that either destroyed or damaged dozens of houses and cars and shattered glass throughout the city. According to local authorities, the detonation of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, which was seized by the customs service back in 2014, caused the explosion. The country is in mourning on Wednesday. A two-week state of emergency is in effect in Lebanon’s capital, which was declared a disaster-stricken city.


tass--2020-08-05--Lebanese opposition urges international probe into Beirut explosion

`` There are certain doubts related to circumstances of the explosion .
We call on the authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation .
We insist that international experts take part in the probe , '' the Al Arabyia television channel said on Wednesday citing the movement ’ s statement .
MOSCOW , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
Lebanon ’ s opposition Sunni movement Al-Mustaqbal has called on international experts to take part in the investigation of the deadly explosion in Beirut .
Earlier , Lebanon ’ s Interior Minister Muhammad Fahmi said that the government does not think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look into the blast , as the authorities are confident about the Lebanese investigators ’ competence .
A powerful blast ripped through Beirut ’ s port located near the Lebanese naval base and generated a shockwave that either destroyed or damaged dozens of houses and cars and shattered glass in even remote districts .
According to local authorities , detonation of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate , which was seized by the customs back in 2014 , caused the explosion .
According to latest reports , at least 113 people were killed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The country is in mourning .
Beirut was declared a disaster-stricken city and also a two-week state of emergency was declared in Lebanon ’ s capital .

"There are certain doubts related to circumstances of the explosion. We call on the authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation. We insist that international experts take part in the probe," the Al Arabyia television channel said on Wednesday citing the movement’s statement.
MOSCOW, August 5. /TASS/. Lebanon’s opposition Sunni movement Al-Mustaqbal has called on international experts to take part in the investigation of the deadly explosion in Beirut.
Earlier, Lebanon’s Interior Minister Muhammad Fahmi said that the government does not think it necessary to engage international specialists to look into the blast, as the authorities are confident about the Lebanese investigators’ competence.
A powerful blast ripped through Beirut’s port located near the Lebanese naval base and generated a shockwave that either destroyed or damaged dozens of houses and cars and shattered glass in even remote districts. According to local authorities, detonation of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, which was seized by the customs back in 2014, caused the explosion. According to latest reports, at least 113 people were killed and more than 4,000 injured in the explosion.
The country is in mourning. Beirut was declared a disaster-stricken city and also a two-week state of emergency was declared in Lebanon’s capital.


tass--2020-08-05--Lebanese authorities order to place Beirut port’s senior officials under house arrest

BEIRUT , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
Lebanon ’ s government ruled on Wednesday that all senior officials of the Beirut port are to be placed under house arrest until each ’ s responsibility for the Tuesday deadly blast is established , the Lebanese television channel LBC International reported citing the cabinet ’ s emergency meeting .
`` The cabinet decided to place all port officials under house arrest until the responsibility of those complicit in the explosion is determined , '' the cabinet said in a resolution .
The officials are barred from leaving homes and are suspended `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The army is assigned to oversee their house arrest .
According to the TV channel , those responsible for the blast have not been identified in Beirut yet , but the investigation looks into the current and former high-ranking officials working at the harbor who oversaw storage and security of hazardous chemicals in the port area .
Apart from that , the government approved all the recommendations passed by Lebanon ’ s Supreme Defense Council at its emergency session on Tuesday , including `` to declare a two-week state of emergency in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the circumstances of the tragedy , which results are to be announced within minimum five days . ''
A powerful blast ripped through Beirut ’ s port located near the Lebanese naval base and generated a shockwave that either destroyed or damaged dozens of houses and cars and shattered glass in even distant districts of the city .
According to local authorities , detonation of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate , which was seized by the customs back in 2014 , caused the explosion .
On Wednesday , Badri Daher , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief of the Lebanese Customs , said that both his agency and the country ’ s General Security Directorate repeatedly called for the hazardous cargoes to be removed from the port , but their requests were ignored over the past six years .

BEIRUT, August 5. /TASS/. Lebanon’s government ruled on Wednesday that all senior officials of the Beirut port are to be placed under house arrest until each’s responsibility for the Tuesday deadly blast is established, the Lebanese television channel LBC International reported citing the cabinet’s emergency meeting.
"The cabinet decided to place all port officials under house arrest until the responsibility of those complicit in the explosion is determined," the cabinet said in a resolution.
The officials are barred from leaving homes and are suspended "pending the conclusion of the investigation." The army is assigned to oversee their house arrest.
According to the TV channel, those responsible for the blast have not been identified in Beirut yet, but the investigation looks into the current and former high-ranking officials working at the harbor who oversaw storage and security of hazardous chemicals in the port area.
Apart from that, the government approved all the recommendations passed by Lebanon’s Supreme Defense Council at its emergency session on Tuesday, including "to declare a two-week state of emergency in Beirut and to conduct an investigation into all the circumstances of the tragedy, which results are to be announced within minimum five days."
A powerful blast ripped through Beirut’s port located near the Lebanese naval base and generated a shockwave that either destroyed or damaged dozens of houses and cars and shattered glass in even distant districts of the city. According to local authorities, detonation of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, which was seized by the customs back in 2014, caused the explosion.
On Wednesday, Badri Daher, the head of the Beirut port and the chief of the Lebanese Customs, said that both his agency and the country’s General Security Directorate repeatedly called for the hazardous cargoes to be removed from the port, but their requests were ignored over the past six years.


tass--2020-08-05--Lebanese authorities decline international experts’ assistance in Beirut blast probe

BEIRUT , August 5./TASS/ .
The Lebanese authorities don ’ t believe that the participation of international experts in the probe into the Beirut port blast is needed , Lebanon 24 TV channel quoted Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmi as saying on Wednesday .
`` We don ’ t need the participation of international experts in the investigation of the Beirut blast , our investigators have the required competency , '' he said .
The minister said he had known nothing about highly explosive goods in the port of the Lebanese capital .
Meanwhile , earlier on Wednesday , the director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Lebanese Customs Administration , Badri Daher , said that the customs service and the General Security Directorate had repeatedly sought the removal of the dangerous cargoes from the port , but their requests had been ignored for several years .
On Wednesday , the government ruled to put the Beirut Port officials under house arrest until concrete officials were held responsible .
Authorities pledge to complete the probe into the blast within five days .
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport area near the Lebanese Navy ’ s base on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residential neighborhoods of the Lebanese capital .
The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars .
Local authorities say the blast was caused by the detonation of 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate , stored in the port after being confiscated by the customs services in 2015 .
According to latest updates , at least 113 people were killed and over 4,000 were injured .
Dozens are still missing .
Over 300,000 people were left homeless .

BEIRUT, August 5./TASS/. The Lebanese authorities don’t believe that the participation of international experts in the probe into the Beirut port blast is needed, Lebanon 24 TV channel quoted Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmi as saying on Wednesday.
"We don’t need the participation of international experts in the investigation of the Beirut blast, our investigators have the required competency," he said. The minister said he had known nothing about highly explosive goods in the port of the Lebanese capital.
Meanwhile, earlier on Wednesday, the director of the Beirut port and the chief of the Lebanese Customs Administration, Badri Daher, said that the customs service and the General Security Directorate had repeatedly sought the removal of the dangerous cargoes from the port, but their requests had been ignored for several years.
On Wednesday, the government ruled to put the Beirut Port officials under house arrest until concrete officials were held responsible. Authorities pledge to complete the probe into the blast within five days.
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport area near the Lebanese Navy’s base on August 4, sending a shockwave through residential neighborhoods of the Lebanese capital. The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars. Local authorities say the blast was caused by the detonation of 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, stored in the port after being confiscated by the customs services in 2015.
According to latest updates, at least 113 people were killed and over 4,000 were injured. Dozens are still missing. Over 300,000 people were left homeless.


tass--2020-08-05--First Russian flight leaves for Beirut with rescuers, doctors and hospital aboard

ZHUKOVSKY /Moscow Region/ , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
An Il-76 jet with an air mobile hospital , doctors and @ @ @ @ @ from the Moscow Region ’ s Zhukovsky Region and headed to Beirut , the capital @ @ @ @ @ a massive explosion in the city port , the Russian Emergency Ministry ’ s press @ @ @ @ @ The Il-76 jet has left for Beirut to provide help to those injured in the @ @ @ @ @ operational unit , Tsentrospas doctors as well as the necessary equipment to deploy an air @ @ @ @ @ , there are 56 people and 3 hardware units , '' the ministry noted .
@ @ @ @ @ flights are expected to leave within the next 24 hours .
The ministry clarified that @ @ @ @ @ 15 Russian consumer watchdog specialists to Beirut as well as the necessary equipment to open @ @ @ @ @ for COVID-19 .

ZHUKOVSKY /Moscow Region/, August 5. /TASS/. An Il-76 jet with an air mobile hospital, doctors and rescuers onboard has taken off from the Moscow Region’s Zhukovsky Region and headed to Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, ravaged by a massive explosion in the city port, the Russian Emergency Ministry’s press service told TASS.
"The Il-76 jet has left for Beirut to provide help to those injured in the explosion. There is an operational unit, Tsentrospas doctors as well as the necessary equipment to deploy an air mobile are onboard. Overall, there are 56 people and 3 hardware units," the ministry noted. The next four Emergency Ministry flights are expected to leave within the next 24 hours.
The ministry clarified that the second Il-76 will deliver 15 Russian consumer watchdog specialists to Beirut as well as the necessary equipment to open a laboratory to test people for COVID-19.


tass--2020-08-05--Ship whose cargo allegedly exploded in Lebanon belongs to Russian businessman

MOSCOW , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
/TASS/ .
Entrepreneur from Khabarovsk turned out to be the owner of the Rhosus ship from which , allegedly , ammonium nitrate that possibly exploded in Beirut ’ s port was confiscated , the Seafarers ’ Union of Russia reported on its website on Wednesday .
`` In 2013 , a bulk cargo ship sailing under Moldovan flag was carrying hazardous cargo from Batumi to Mozambique and made an unplanned call to Beirut .
There the motor vessel was detained by the port authorities due to the technical violations of operations .
Simultaneously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizens appealed to the International Transport Workers ’ Federation ( ITF ) complaining that their employer , a Cyprian Teto Shipping company from the beginning of the contracts had not been paying their salary .
< … > In response to the ITF address , the ship ’ s owner , a businessman from Khabarovsk , promised to sell the ship and settle the debts , '' the statement said .
According to the professional union , at first the port authorities were not giving permission to unload the hazardous cargo .
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief and third engineers , and the boatswain remained aboard .
`` Then the sailors said that in addition to the ship ’ s detention and the unpaid salary , the crew was also worried by the fact that the Rhosus carried particularly dangerous cargo - ammonium nitrate .
Beirut ’ s port authorities refused either to unload the cargo or to move it to a different vessel , '' the statement said .
In the summer of 2014 , during the meeting with a consulate official , director general of land and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Lebanese authorities began to review the issue of repatriation of the Rhosus crew combined with the issue of the sale of the vessel and its explosive cargo .
`` In the end , the court issued a permission to unload ammonium nitrate but the port agent M. Baghdadi continued to postpone the repatriation of sailors flat out refusing to hire the local technical crew .
After some time the locals to unload the cargo were found , and the crew was allowed to return home .
The staff of the Assol Sailors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repatriation , the statement noted .
To date , according to the information of the ITF inspector in Novorossiysk Olga Ananyina , the ship ’ s owner hasn ’ t paid the crew yet and the hazardous cargo was not disposed of properly over all this time .

MOSCOW, August 5. /TASS/. /TASS/. Entrepreneur from Khabarovsk turned out to be the owner of the Rhosus ship from which, allegedly, ammonium nitrate that possibly exploded in Beirut’s port was confiscated, the Seafarers’ Union of Russia reported on its website on Wednesday.
"In 2013, a bulk cargo ship sailing under Moldovan flag was carrying hazardous cargo from Batumi to Mozambique and made an unplanned call to Beirut. There the motor vessel was detained by the port authorities due to the technical violations of operations. Simultaneously the crew consisting of Russian and Ukrainian citizens appealed to the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) complaining that their employer, a Cyprian Teto Shipping company from the beginning of the contracts had not been paying their salary. <…> In response to the ITF address, the ship’s owner, a businessman from Khabarovsk, promised to sell the ship and settle the debts," the statement said.
According to the professional union, at first the port authorities were not giving permission to unload the hazardous cargo. By March 2014, only the captain, chief and third engineers, and the boatswain remained aboard. "Then the sailors said that in addition to the ship’s detention and the unpaid salary, the crew was also worried by the fact that the Rhosus carried particularly dangerous cargo - ammonium nitrate. Beirut’s port authorities refused either to unload the cargo or to move it to a different vessel," the statement said.
In the summer of 2014, during the meeting with a consulate official, director general of land and maritime transport Abdel Hafiz El Kaissi reported that Lebanese authorities began to review the issue of repatriation of the Rhosus crew combined with the issue of the sale of the vessel and its explosive cargo.
"In the end, the court issued a permission to unload ammonium nitrate but the port agent M. Baghdadi continued to postpone the repatriation of sailors flat out refusing to hire the local technical crew. After some time the locals to unload the cargo were found, and the crew was allowed to return home. The staff of the Assol Sailors’ Support Foundation in Odessa assisted in repatriation, the statement noted.
To date, according to the information of the ITF inspector in Novorossiysk Olga Ananyina, the ship’s owner hasn’t paid the crew yet and the hazardous cargo was not disposed of properly over all this time.


tass--2020-08-05--Beirut explosion aftermath: destruction, chaos and search for survivors

Press review : Who is behind the deadly blast in Beirut and Lukashenko rails against Moscow Top stories in the @ @ @ @ @ August 5

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tass--2020-08-05--Over 160 tanks and armored vehicles arrive for Russian Army and Airborne Force

MOSCOW , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian land troops and Airborne Force received over 160 tanks and other armored vehicles in the first half of 2020 , Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko said on Wednesday .
`` A total of 57 new and 104 repaired armored vehicles were delivered to the Army and the Airborne Force , '' the deputy defense minister said on Russia ’ s single military output acceptance day on Wednesday .
The military hardware delivered to the troops included BMD-4M airborne infantry fighting vehicles , BMP-3 and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles and also T-72B @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister specified .
Kurgan Machine-Building Plant Executive Director Pyotr Tyukov said that the enterprise would deliver 85 BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles to the troops this year and 68 of them had already been dispatched .
The Russian troops also received 543 new and 145 repaired vehicles , over 150 items of missile and artillery armament , more than 400,000 items of man-portable weapons and gear and over 2,000 parachute systems .
Uralvagonzavod Deputy CEO Vyacheslav Khalitov said that the defense manufacturer had delivered 22 Msta-S howitzers and 10 2S35 ‘ Koalitsiya-SV ’ self-propelled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DT-10PM two-section tracked transporters is also underway , he added .
CEO of the Kalashnikov Group Dmitry Tarasov said that the gunmaker had delivered 37,500 latest AK-12 assault rifles planned for their delivery this year ahead of schedule .
The Kalashnikov Group already started fulfilling its contractual obligations for 2021 , he said .

MOSCOW, August 5. /TASS/. The Russian land troops and Airborne Force received over 160 tanks and other armored vehicles in the first half of 2020, Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko said on Wednesday.
"A total of 57 new and 104 repaired armored vehicles were delivered to the Army and the Airborne Force," the deputy defense minister said on Russia’s single military output acceptance day on Wednesday.
The military hardware delivered to the troops included BMD-4M airborne infantry fighting vehicles, BMP-3 and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles and also T-72B and T-80 tanks, the deputy defense minister specified.
Kurgan Machine-Building Plant Executive Director Pyotr Tyukov said that the enterprise would deliver 85 BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles to the troops this year and 68 of them had already been dispatched.
The Russian troops also received 543 new and 145 repaired vehicles, over 150 items of missile and artillery armament, more than 400,000 items of man-portable weapons and gear and over 2,000 parachute systems.
Uralvagonzavod Deputy CEO Vyacheslav Khalitov said that the defense manufacturer had delivered 22 Msta-S howitzers and 10 2S35 ‘Koalitsiya-SV’ self-propelled artillery guns. The delivery of 11 DT-10PM two-section tracked transporters is also underway, he added.
CEO of the Kalashnikov Group Dmitry Tarasov said that the gunmaker had delivered 37,500 latest AK-12 assault rifles planned for their delivery this year ahead of schedule. The Kalashnikov Group already started fulfilling its contractual obligations for 2021, he said.


tass--2020-08-06--Average number of new COVID-19 cases in Moscow is stably low for over one month

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin earlier noted that the second wave of infection is not expected in near future , the level of Moscow residents ’ herd immunity to the coronavirus allows to lift confidently the restrictions , introduced due to the pandemic , and their re-introduction seems unlikely .
MOSCOW , August 6 .
/TASS/ .
The average daily number of the coronavirus infections in Moscow for over a month has remained at the consistently low level .
The rate of the daily growth in new cases since the beginning of August has not surpassed the 0.28 mark , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The average daily number of infections for over a month has remained at the consistently low level .
The number of new infections is almost 10 times less than their number in May .
The daily growth rate since the beginning of August has not exceeded 0.28 , '' the statement said .
It is noted that 53.1 % of the newly infected are people aged from 18 to 45 , 24.5 % - from 46 to 65 , 9.2 % - people aged from 66 to 79 , and another 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of the infected are children .
All patients as well as their close contacts are already under medical observation .
In Moscow the coronavirus situation which was the most complicated in Russia , according to the statistics , has improved significantly .
In all , 245,486 cases of infection have been detected in the city , 684 of them in the past 24 hours .
186,223 patients have recovered , with 4,534 fatalities .
The number of recoveries over the past 24 hours has again surpassed the number of infections and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduced in the capital due to the coronavirus pandemic have already been lifted .
The most recent mitigation involved the opening on August 1 of theaters , movie theaters , and concert halls with no less than 3,000 seats , provided the occupancy does not exceed 50 % , and the increase in the number of spectators of sporting events from 10 % to 50 % of the maximum stadium occupancy .
Additionally , the open-air events for the Moscow retirees have resumed .
At the same time it is still necessary to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s public transportation , healthcare establishments , stores , and other public places .
The requirements of social distancing remain .
The mayor earlier said that the mask and gloves regime in the capital may remain effective until the end of the year , noting that everything depends on the inoculation timetable .
Among the restrictions that remain effective are the ban on open-air mass entertainment and cultural and recreation events , as well as mass public events due to the impossibility to observe social distancing .
According to the city mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those restrictions will be announced when there is certainty that the infection incidence is decreasing .

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin earlier noted that the second wave of infection is not expected in near future, the level of Moscow residents’ herd immunity to the coronavirus allows to lift confidently the restrictions, introduced due to the pandemic, and their re-introduction seems unlikely.
MOSCOW, August 6. /TASS/. The average daily number of the coronavirus infections in Moscow for over a month has remained at the consistently low level. The rate of the daily growth in new cases since the beginning of August has not surpassed the 0.28 mark, the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Thursday.
"The average daily number of infections for over a month has remained at the consistently low level. The number of new infections is almost 10 times less than their number in May. The daily growth rate since the beginning of August has not exceeded 0.28," the statement said.
It is noted that 53.1% of the newly infected are people aged from 18 to 45, 24.5% - from 46 to 65, 9.2% - people aged from 66 to 79, and another 4% are older than 80. 9.2% of the infected are children. All patients as well as their close contacts are already under medical observation.
In Moscow the coronavirus situation which was the most complicated in Russia, according to the statistics, has improved significantly. In all, 245,486 cases of infection have been detected in the city, 684 of them in the past 24 hours. 186,223 patients have recovered, with 4,534 fatalities. The number of recoveries over the past 24 hours has again surpassed the number of infections and was at 1,254.
On restrictions
The majority of restrictions introduced in the capital due to the coronavirus pandemic have already been lifted. The most recent mitigation involved the opening on August 1 of theaters, movie theaters, and concert halls with no less than 3,000 seats, provided the occupancy does not exceed 50%, and the increase in the number of spectators of sporting events from 10% to 50% of the maximum stadium occupancy. Additionally, the open-air events for the Moscow retirees have resumed.
At the same time it is still necessary to use masks and gloves in the capital’s public transportation, healthcare establishments, stores, and other public places. The requirements of social distancing remain. The mayor earlier said that the mask and gloves regime in the capital may remain effective until the end of the year, noting that everything depends on the inoculation timetable.
Among the restrictions that remain effective are the ban on open-air mass entertainment and cultural and recreation events, as well as mass public events due to the impossibility to observe social distancing. According to the city mayor, the timetable for the lifting of those restrictions will be announced when there is certainty that the infection incidence is decreasing.


tass--2020-08-06--Environmentalists' claim against Nord Stream 2 will hardly be successful — German lawmaker

BERLIN , August 6 .
/TASS/ .
The complaint filed by the German environmental protection organization Deutsche Umwelthilfe ( DUH @ @ @ @ @ Authority regarding the permit to commission the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline will hardly be @ @ @ @ @ [ German diet ] Economy and Energy Committee Klaus Ernst told TASS on Thursday .
@ @ @ @ @ an opportunity of applying to court .
However , I assume the complaint has no @ @ @ @ @ light of the fact that all permits were issued in accordance with the law and @ @ @ @ @ 90 % completed , '' Ernst said .
The court hearing date for the complaint @ @ @ @ @ Stralsund Mining Authority has not yet been fixed , a spokesperson of the supreme administrative @ @ @ @ @ Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania told TASS earlier on Thursday .

BERLIN, August 6. /TASS/. The complaint filed by the German environmental protection organization Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) against the Stralsund Mining Authority regarding the permit to commission the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline will hardly be successful, head of Bundestag [German diet] Economy and Energy Committee Klaus Ernst told TASS on Thursday.
"Certainly Deutsche Umwelthilfe has an opportunity of applying to court. However, I assume the complaint has no chances for success in the light of the fact that all permits were issued in accordance with the law and the project is more than 90% completed," Ernst said.
The court hearing date for the complaint filed by DUH against the Stralsund Mining Authority has not yet been fixed, a spokesperson of the supreme administrative court of the State of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania told TASS earlier on Thursday.


tass--2020-08-06--Russian hospital opens in Beirut

Russian hospital opens in Beirut

MOSCOW , August 6 .
/TASS/ .
An air mobile hospital of the Russian Emergency Ministry ’ s Tsentrospas unit @ @ @ @ @ ravaged by a major explosion on Monday , the ministry ’ s press service told @ @ @ @ @ , the Russian Emergency Ministry Tsentrospas unit ’ s hospital opened for patient admission .
@ @ @ @ @ clock in case injured people are rushed in after being found under the rumble by @ @ @ @ @ 20:00 to receive patients on an ambulatory basis , '' the ministry noted .
Russian @ @ @ @ @ hours to deploy the hospital at a stadium near the emergency zone .

MOSCOW, August 6. /TASS/. An air mobile hospital of the Russian Emergency Ministry’s Tsentrospas unit has begun operation in Beirut ravaged by a major explosion on Monday, the ministry’s press service told TASS.
"At 15:00, the Russian Emergency Ministry Tsentrospas unit’s hospital opened for patient admission. It will work round the clock in case injured people are rushed in after being found under the rumble by rescuers and between 08:00 and 20:00 to receive patients on an ambulatory basis," the ministry noted.
Russian rescuers took less than 12 hours to deploy the hospital at a stadium near the emergency zone.
The Russian unit features various professionals, while the hospital is operating autonomously and can stay like that up to 30 days straight. It can receive up to 200 people a day and have beds for 50 patients. The ministry clarified that the hospital has an ICU, operating theatre, diagnosis and consultation units as well as ultrasound, X-ray and EKG departments and a blood lab. The hospital is equipped for the most complicated surgeries.
Beirut explosion
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport area near the Lebanese Navy’s base on August 4, sending a shockwave through residential neighborhoods of the Lebanese capital. The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars. Local authorities say the blast was caused by the detonation of 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, stored in the port after being confiscated by customs services in 2015. According to the latest updates, 137 people were killed and nearly 5,000 others were injured. Authorities say that reckless welding work caused the chemical to explode.


tass--2020-08-06--Moscow’s Ostankino TV Tower to go dark in honor of Beirut blast victims

MOSCOW , August 6 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow ’ s Ostankino TV tower will go dark for an hour in @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday ’ s explosion in the Lebanese capital of Beirut , a spokesperson for the @ @ @ @ @ Network told TASS on Thursday .
`` Ostankino TV Tower will be dark between 11 @ @ @ @ @ the Beirut victims , '' the spokesperson said .
A powerful blast rocked the Lebanese @ @ @ @ @ near on August 4 .
Shockwaves from the explosion destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings @ @ @ @ @ say that the blast was caused by the detonation of 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate @ @ @ @ @ in 2015 .
According to the latest data , the explosion killed 137 people and @ @ @ @ @ while dozens are missing .
A two-week state of emergency has been declared in Beirut @

MOSCOW, August 6. /TASS/. Moscow’s Ostankino TV tower will go dark for an hour in honor of the victims of Tuesday’s explosion in the Lebanese capital of Beirut, a spokesperson for the Russian Television and Radio Broadcasting Network told TASS on Thursday.
"Ostankino TV Tower will be dark between 11 pm and midnight to mourn the Beirut victims," the spokesperson said.
A powerful blast rocked the Lebanese capital’s port area near on August 4. Shockwaves from the explosion destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars. Local authorities say that the blast was caused by the detonation of 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, seized by customs officials in 2015.
According to the latest data, the explosion killed 137 people and left about 5,000 injured, while dozens are missing. A two-week state of emergency has been declared in Beirut.


tass--2020-08-06--Lukashenko: US passport holders among those detained in Belarus ahead of election

MINSK , August 6 .
/TASS/ .
Individuals with US passports linked to the Department of State were detained in the run-up to the election in Belarus , Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday .
`` Mass media are inflating our concerns that the Americans and NATO seek to capture us , '' Lukashenko was quoted by the BelTA news agency as saying during a meeting on ensuring security of the election campaign .
`` Some people were detained with US passports , who were married to American women working for the Department of State . ''
Lukashenko added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they are Americans , the State Department staff or belong to < ... > the Democratic Party . ''
`` I think the Americans will start defending them now .
Nothing of the kind , '' he went on .
`` Money blinds , making one just green of this money : the one who pays gets backing .
That ’ s the only answer .
We have a lot of such people . ''
`` Their first and last names are known , as well as addresses , appearances and passwords @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lukashenko said .
`` Mass media are ringing alarm bells that the Americans and NATO seek to capture us , '' he noted .
`` Some people were detained with US passports , who were married to American women working for the Department of State . ''
The Belarusian leader gave no details on who had been apprehended .
On July 29 , the Belarusian law enforcement agencies detained spin doctor Vitaly Shklyarov , who had consulted Belarusian opposition activists .
Shklyarov was born in Belarus but lived in the US for several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US citizens .
According to some media reports , he also has a US passport and his wife is working for the US Embassy in Kiev .

MINSK, August 6. /TASS/. Individuals with US passports linked to the Department of State were detained in the run-up to the election in Belarus, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday.
"Their first and last names are known, as well as addresses, appearances and passwords. Certain things are just beyond belief," Lukashenko was quoted by the BelTA news agency as saying during a meeting on ensuring security of the election campaign. "Mass media are ringing alarm bells that the Americans and NATO seek to capture us. Some people were detained with US passports, who were married to American women working for the Department of State."
Lukashenko added that "it doesn’t matter if they are Americans, the State Department staff or belong to <...> the Democratic Party." "I think the Americans will start defending them now. Nothing of the kind," he went on. "Money blinds, making one just green of this money: the one who pays gets backing. That’s the only answer. We have a lot of such people."
The Belarusian leader gave no details on who had been apprehended.
On July 29, the Belarusian law enforcement agencies detained spin doctor Vitaly Shklyarov, who had consulted Belarusian opposition activists. Shklyarov was born in Belarus but lived in the US for several years. His wife and child are US citizens. According to some media reports, he also has a US passport and his wife is working for the US Embassy in Kiev.
Hybrid war


tass--2020-08-06--Press review: US ramps up Syrian oil plunder and Russia-EU carbon border adjustment talks

The United States keeps `` laying its hands on Syrian hydrocarbons , '' Izvestia writes : this time , a US company signed a deal on modernizing oil fields with the Kurdish units controlling areas to the east of the Euphrates .
Expectedly , this step was harshly criticized by Damascus , but also by Turkey , the paper writes , adding that the Syrian oil plunder could trigger a serious political aftermath , which will be lambasted by many countries of the Middle Eastern region .
The deal on modernizing oil fields was announced by US Senator Lindsey Graham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US company .
However , Al-Monitor wrote that this was Delta Crescent Energy LLC , which was registered in February 2019 in the Delaware state .
Among its partners there are former diplomats , military personnel as well as businessmen involved in developing oil deposits .
Essentially , the new agreement has become another blow for Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity .
In its turn , Ankara expressed regret over the US move , saying that it was tantamount to sponsoring terrorism .
Turkey , fearing the prospects of an independent Kurdistan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Syria .
The US has to choose between Turkey and the Kurds , who have become bitter enemies amongst themselves .
Nevertheless , the US could make serious concessions for Turkey , but it is not going to fully stop supporting the Kurds , because a lot depends on them : the election campaign , the standoff with Iran , Israel ’ s support and probably the creation of an independent Kurdistan over a long-term horizon .
Syrian oil in this case is becoming a pleasant bonus for Washington , the paper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is satisfied not only with the US policy aimed at containing Tehran , but also with the cooperation between the Americans and the Kurds .
Israel understands that if an independent Kurdistan is established , which will incorporate parts of Syria , Iraq , Iran and Turkey , this will deal a serious blow to the Islamic world , according to the paper .
The Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs ( RSPP ) has submitted to the Ministry of Economic Development its proposals on the ways to reduce risks of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the European Union .
This means bringing national carbon standards closer to international ones and supporting measures to decrease carbon intensity in Russian products .
In the worst-case scenario , Russia is likely to face litigation with the EU in the World Trade Organization , and even retaliatory measures could be introduced .
According to Kommersant business daily , Russia and the EU will hold their first consultations on this new regulation on September 8 .
The new European measure could cost Russian exporters several billion euro per year .
The EU ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes the introduction of a carbon border adjustment mechanism for certain economic sectors by 2021 .
So far , particular mechanisms are unclear but they are already raising concerns among Russian businesses : Russian exports are some of the most carbon-intensive in the world .
According to estimates by KPMG International Cooperative , this mechanism could cost companies some 4 - 6 bln euro annually .
A draft EU budget for 2021-2027 says that the new measure could ensure from 5 to 14 bln euro per year and thus Russia ’ s share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exports in European imports .
In its official statement , the Russian Ministry of Economic Development said that the carbon border adjustment mechanism must not be discriminative , must be in line with the WTO ’ s norms and must not create obstacles in mutual trade .
Some experts believe that the most effective measures of responding to these plans could be introducing the so-called `` carbon price '' and passing a law aimed at reducing emissions and implementing the principle that the `` polluter pays '' for greenhouse gases .
In its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposals saying that Russia ’ s economy expenses in case of introducing internal Russian fiscal mechanisms could reach nearly 1 trillion rubles ( $ 13.7 bln ) annually .
Russia , China and Iran are cultivating economic and political ties and are creating a new bloc , Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes .
The force bringing these three countries closer is the US sanctions pressure currently affecting them .
These countries are already using their national currencies in mutual trade instead of the US dollar .
They are also creating special mechanisms to bypass US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on long-term cooperation with China and Russia .
Iranian diplomats are talking about establishing a new Asian bloc , according to the paper .
Meanwhile , the current Russian-Iranian trade does not exceed $ 2 bln .
Although the countries agreed to bring trade to $ 25 bln , Russia ’ s exports to Iran mostly include food and agricultural products , metals and chemical goods .
Last year , Iran and Russia established communications between their national systems for sending financial data on payments without using SWIFT .
Russia continues building the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is due to be commissioned by early 2026 .
Iran is also purchasing Russia ’ s S-300 missile systems and is fulfilling the International North-South Transport Corridor project jointly with Russia .
However , Russian experts don ’ t see a high potential for boosting Russian-Iranian economic cooperation .
`` The US policy on naming the countries which are reluctant to yield to Washington ’ s pressure as rogue states is inevitably bringing them together .
After the creation of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS , other associations could emerge and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with each other amid the current transformation of the unipolar world , '' said Mikhail Kogan , who heads the analytical research department of the Higher School of Finance Management .
However , he believes that the expectations of Iranian diplomats are more linked to cooperation in foreign policy .
Tehran and Moscow are actively coordinating their Middle Eastern policy and are cooperating as part of the `` oil-for-food '' program , but it ’ s early to speak about enhancing economic ties now .
Amid plunging oil prices , Moscow and Tehran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its investments , which could support the economy and create new jobs , Kogan said .
The explosion at Beirut ’ s port , which killed more than 130 people , injured at least 4,000 and left 300,000 people homeless , is believed to have been mainly caused by `` corruption and negligence '' , Kommersant writes .
Before the tragedy at the port , Lebanon was a bankrupt state and international financial bodies refused to deal with it unless it carried out reforms .
The Lebanese population was pushed into poverty , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms so far .
The blast dealt a heavy blow to Lebanon ’ s entire economy , the paper says .
According to the country ’ s official version , the blasts occurred at the facility storing 2,750 tonnes of ammonia nitrate for six years , which had been seized from a Moldova-flagged Rhosus vessel .
This ammonia nitrate was probably produced at the Azot plant in Georgia ’ s Rustavi , according to Kommersant .
In October 2013 , the ship was arrested by Beirut ’ s port authorities over gross violations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were allowed to go home , while the others were allowed to leave only in summer 2014 .
The cargo was supposed to be disposed of .
`` The shady scheme with vessel registration negatively impacts sailors and could finally cause such tragedies like in Beirut with ammonia nitrate ’ s explosion .
The owners can never be reached , the cargo has no owner and the sailors are abandoned , '' said inspector of the International Transport Workers ' Federation in Novorossiysk Olga Ananyina .
`` According to estimates , without taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least $ 93 bln even before the blast to avoid defaulting on its debt .
Now it will have to spend more on Beirut ’ s restoration .
We will wait for final calculations of the damage , but probably , they will need to at least double that sum in the end , if not more .
It ’ s unclear where to borrow money , '' said Svetlana Babenkova , senior researcher at the Center for Arab and Islamic Studies of the Institute of Oriental Studies at the Russian Academy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to launch its own cryptocurrency Russia ’ s biggest lender Sberbank is preparing to launch Sbercoin - digital money with a fixed value ( stablecoin ) in rubles - for transactions in digital financial assets , Vedomosti writes citing Sergei Popov , director of Sberbank ’ s Transaction Business Division .
He explained that the new law `` On Digital Financial Assets '' allows issuing digital assets and exchanging them for other such assets .
Experts were not surprised by Popov ’ s announcement because Sberbank has been actively searching for new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specialists have been long exploring the technical and legal possibility of issuing Sbercoin as a tool for transactions and that ’ s why no doubt , the adoption of the law `` On Digital Financial Assets '' will become a trigger , significantly stimulating working in this direction , '' said Commercial Director of Waves Enterprise blockchain developer Igor Kuzmichev .
However , any practical steps on issuing digital currency are impossible until additional legislation is adopted .
This is expected in autumn and next year digital financial assets could be a reality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Despite the delayed start , the development of stablecoin in Russia is in line with international trends , said Head of the Russian Center for Competences and OECD Standards Analysis Anonina Levashenko .
`` Given that Sberbank is building its own ecosystem and is focusing not only on financial services , its stablecoin could be in high demand , '' she noted .
The launch of this cryptocurrency could be explained by the wish to boost transactions inside the ecosystem and reduce their costs .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted @ @ @ @ @

Izvestia: US ramps up Syrian oil plunder
Read also Turkey launches ground operation against Kurdish militants in northern Iraq
The United States keeps "laying its hands on Syrian hydrocarbons," Izvestia writes: this time, a US company signed a deal on modernizing oil fields with the Kurdish units controlling areas to the east of the Euphrates. Expectedly, this step was harshly criticized by Damascus, but also by Turkey, the paper writes, adding that the Syrian oil plunder could trigger a serious political aftermath, which will be lambasted by many countries of the Middle Eastern region. The deal on modernizing oil fields was announced by US Senator Lindsey Graham, who did not specify a particular US company. However, Al-Monitor wrote that this was Delta Crescent Energy LLC, which was registered in February 2019 in the Delaware state. Among its partners there are former diplomats, military personnel as well as businessmen involved in developing oil deposits. Essentially, the new agreement has become another blow for Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity. In its turn, Ankara expressed regret over the US move, saying that it was tantamount to sponsoring terrorism. Turkey, fearing the prospects of an independent Kurdistan, has been stonewalling Washington’s steps in Syria. The US has to choose between Turkey and the Kurds, who have become bitter enemies amongst themselves. Nevertheless, the US could make serious concessions for Turkey, but it is not going to fully stop supporting the Kurds, because a lot depends on them: the election campaign, the standoff with Iran, Israel’s support and probably the creation of an independent Kurdistan over a long-term horizon. Syrian oil in this case is becoming a pleasant bonus for Washington, the paper writes. As for Tel Aviv, it is satisfied not only with the US policy aimed at containing Tehran, but also with the cooperation between the Americans and the Kurds. Israel understands that if an independent Kurdistan is established, which will incorporate parts of Syria, Iraq, Iran and Turkey, this will deal a serious blow to the Islamic world, according to the paper. Kommersant: Russia, EU launch talks on carbon border adjustment mechanism
Read also Back to the caves? Putin warns ditching hydrocarbons would end civilization
The Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) has submitted to the Ministry of Economic Development its proposals on the ways to reduce risks of a possible introduction of cross-border carbon regulation in the European Union. This means bringing national carbon standards closer to international ones and supporting measures to decrease carbon intensity in Russian products. In the worst-case scenario, Russia is likely to face litigation with the EU in the World Trade Organization, and even retaliatory measures could be introduced. According to Kommersant business daily, Russia and the EU will hold their first consultations on this new regulation on September 8. The new European measure could cost Russian exporters several billion euro per year. The EU’s program dubbed the European Green Deal includes the introduction of a carbon border adjustment mechanism for certain economic sectors by 2021. So far, particular mechanisms are unclear but they are already raising concerns among Russian businesses: Russian exports are some of the most carbon-intensive in the world. According to estimates by KPMG International Cooperative, this mechanism could cost companies some 4 - 6 bln euro annually. A draft EU budget for 2021-2027 says that the new measure could ensure from 5 to 14 bln euro per year and thus Russia’s share in this sum is equivalent to Russian exports in European imports. In its official statement, the Russian Ministry of Economic Development said that the carbon border adjustment mechanism must not be discriminative, must be in line with the WTO’s norms and must not create obstacles in mutual trade. Some experts believe that the most effective measures of responding to these plans could be introducing the so-called "carbon price" and passing a law aimed at reducing emissions and implementing the principle that the "polluter pays" for greenhouse gases. In its letter the RSPP did not support such proposals saying that Russia’s economy expenses in case of introducing internal Russian fiscal mechanisms could reach nearly 1 trillion rubles ($13.7 bln) annually. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Russia, China, Iran come closer amid US sanctions
Russia, China and Iran are cultivating economic and political ties and are creating a new bloc, Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes. The force bringing these three countries closer is the US sanctions pressure currently affecting them. These countries are already using their national currencies in mutual trade instead of the US dollar. They are also creating special mechanisms to bypass US sanctions. Iran is preparing new agreements on long-term cooperation with China and Russia. Iranian diplomats are talking about establishing a new Asian bloc, according to the paper. Meanwhile, the current Russian-Iranian trade does not exceed $2 bln. Although the countries agreed to bring trade to $25 bln, Russia’s exports to Iran mostly include food and agricultural products, metals and chemical goods. Last year, Iran and Russia established communications between their national systems for sending financial data on payments without using SWIFT. Russia continues building the Bushehr-2 nuclear power plant in Iran, which is due to be commissioned by early 2026. Iran is also purchasing Russia’s S-300 missile systems and is fulfilling the International North-South Transport Corridor project jointly with Russia. However, Russian experts don’t see a high potential for boosting Russian-Iranian economic cooperation. "The US policy on naming the countries which are reluctant to yield to Washington’s pressure as rogue states is inevitably bringing them together. After the creation of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS, other associations could emerge and their participants will be acting in coordination with each other amid the current transformation of the unipolar world," said Mikhail Kogan, who heads the analytical research department of the Higher School of Finance Management. However, he believes that the expectations of Iranian diplomats are more linked to cooperation in foreign policy. Tehran and Moscow are actively coordinating their Middle Eastern policy and are cooperating as part of the "oil-for-food" program, but it’s early to speak about enhancing economic ties now. Amid plunging oil prices, Moscow and Tehran have to mostly rely on China and its investments, which could support the economy and create new jobs, Kogan said. Kommersant: Beirut blast caused by ‘corruption and negligence’
The explosion at Beirut’s port, which killed more than 130 people, injured at least 4,000 and left 300,000 people homeless, is believed to have been mainly caused by "corruption and negligence", Kommersant writes. Before the tragedy at the port, Lebanon was a bankrupt state and international financial bodies refused to deal with it unless it carried out reforms. The Lebanese population was pushed into poverty, but politicians have failed to come to terms so far. The blast dealt a heavy blow to Lebanon’s entire economy, the paper says. According to the country’s official version, the blasts occurred at the facility storing 2,750 tonnes of ammonia nitrate for six years, which had been seized from a Moldova-flagged Rhosus vessel. This ammonia nitrate was probably produced at the Azot plant in Georgia’s Rustavi, according to Kommersant. In October 2013, the ship was arrested by Beirut’s port authorities over gross violations of safety rules. Some crew members were allowed to go home, while the others were allowed to leave only in summer 2014. The cargo was supposed to be disposed of. "The shady scheme with vessel registration negatively impacts sailors and could finally cause such tragedies like in Beirut with ammonia nitrate’s explosion. The owners can never be reached, the cargo has no owner and the sailors are abandoned," said inspector of the International Transport Workers' Federation in Novorossiysk Olga Ananyina. "According to estimates, without taking into account COVID-19 consequences, Lebanon needed at least $93 bln even before the blast to avoid defaulting on its debt. Now it will have to spend more on Beirut’s restoration. We will wait for final calculations of the damage, but probably, they will need to at least double that sum in the end, if not more. It’s unclear where to borrow money," said Svetlana Babenkova, senior researcher at the Center for Arab and Islamic Studies of the Institute of Oriental Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences. Vedomosti: Sberbank gearing up to launch its own cryptocurrency
Read also Venezuela to use petro cryptocurrency for oil sales, Maduro says


tass--2020-08-06--Total sales at Hainan duty free stores in July reach $358 mln

HAIKOU , August 6 .
/TASS/ .
Total sales at Hainan duty free shops nearly tripled in July after increasing the quota for one person .
According to the Hainan Daily , the corresponding figure last month reached 2.5 billion yuan ( about $ 358 million ) .
One customer spent an average of 5,527 yuan ( about $ 801 ) in the local duty free stores , an 82 % increase over the same period last year , the newspaper cites data from the local finance department .
The most popular goods were mobile phones and alcohol .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the total sales , respectively .
`` I believe that the benefits of the new category and pricing policy will allow to more efficiently motivate Chinese people looking to shop overseas to Hainan , '' Huang Shengqiang , Dean of the School of Customs and Public Administration of Shanghai Customs College , was quoted as saying .
Since July , Hainan 's quota for one person for purchases in duty free shops has been increased from 30,000 to 100,000 yuan ( from $ 4,200 to $ 14,200 ) , and the list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 38 to 45 items .
Four duty free shops are currently open on Hainan : two of them are located in the provincial capital , Haikou , the rest — in Sanya and the coastal town of Boao .
According to the latest data , their sales in May amounted to more than 1.9 billion yuan ( about $ 279 million ) , which is by 141 % more compared to the same period last year .
Over the recent years , Hainan 's duty free zones have shown solid revenue growth .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ duty free shops on Hainan reached 10.1 billion yuan ( about $ 1.47 billion ) , which is about 26 % of the corresponding national figure .
Last year , sales grew by more than 34 % , to 13.61 billion yuan ( $ 1.97 billion ) .

HAIKOU, August 6. /TASS/. Total sales at Hainan duty free shops nearly tripled in July after increasing the quota for one person. According to the Hainan Daily, the corresponding figure last month reached 2.5 billion yuan (about $ 358 million).
One customer spent an average of 5,527 yuan (about $ 801) in the local duty free stores, an 82% increase over the same period last year, the newspaper cites data from the local finance department. The most popular goods were mobile phones and alcohol. They accounted for 66% and 22% of the total sales, respectively.
"I believe that the benefits of the new category and pricing policy will allow to more efficiently motivate Chinese people looking to shop overseas to Hainan," Huang Shengqiang, Dean of the School of Customs and Public Administration of Shanghai Customs College, was quoted as saying.
Since July, Hainan's quota for one person for purchases in duty free shops has been increased from 30,000 to 100,000 yuan (from $ 4,200 to $ 14,200), and the list of duty-free goods has been expanded from 38 to 45 items.
Four duty free shops are currently open on Hainan: two of them are located in the provincial capital, Haikou, the rest — in Sanya and the coastal town of Boao. According to the latest data, their sales in May amounted to more than 1.9 billion yuan (about $ 279 million), which is by 141% more compared to the same period last year.
Over the recent years, Hainan's duty free zones have shown solid revenue growth. Thus, in 2018, sales in duty free shops on Hainan reached 10.1 billion yuan (about $ 1.47 billion), which is about 26% of the corresponding national figure. Last year, sales grew by more than 34%, to 13.61 billion yuan ($ 1.97 billion).


tass--2020-08-06--Lebanon has no financial means to cope with explosion aftermath, economy minister says

BEIRUT , August 6 .
/TASS/ .
Lebanon does not have sufficient financial means to cope with the consequences of the explosion in Beirut .
This opinion was voiced on Thursday by Lebanese Minister of Economy and Trade Raoul Nehme in a commentary for the Sky News Arabia TV channel .
`` Lebanon does not have financial means to overcome the consequences of the explosion .
We are asking the international community for aid .
The damage caused by the explosion is assessed as billions of dollars .
We will need time to estimate the total damage , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the only solution for Lebanon is the cooperation with the International Monetary Fund . ''
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport district on August 4 , sending a shockwave that ripped through residential areas of the Lebanese capital .
The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars , leaving over 300,000 people homeless .
As per latest reports , 137 people were killed and about 5,000 wounded while dozens are missing .
According to the local law enforcement , the blast was caused by the detonation during welding at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nitrate , confiscated by the customs services over six years ago .

BEIRUT, August 6. /TASS/. Lebanon does not have sufficient financial means to cope with the consequences of the explosion in Beirut. This opinion was voiced on Thursday by Lebanese Minister of Economy and Trade Raoul Nehme in a commentary for the Sky News Arabia TV channel.
"Lebanon does not have financial means to overcome the consequences of the explosion. We are asking the international community for aid. The damage caused by the explosion is assessed as billions of dollars. We will need time to estimate the total damage," he stated.
He also added that "the only solution for Lebanon is the cooperation with the International Monetary Fund."
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport district on August 4, sending a shockwave that ripped through residential areas of the Lebanese capital. The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars, leaving over 300,000 people homeless. As per latest reports, 137 people were killed and about 5,000 wounded while dozens are missing. According to the local law enforcement, the blast was caused by the detonation during welding at a warehouse with over 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, confiscated by the customs services over six years ago.


tass--2020-08-06--Soka Gakkai Calls for Elimination and Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

TOKYO , Aug. 6 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 6 , to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki , the Soka Gakkai Buddhist organization put out a statement calling for the elimination of nuclear weapons and the early entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons ( TPNW ) .
The Soka Gakkai pledges to exert all efforts for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons and also urges the Japanese government to move toward participation in the TPNW , stating , `` At this deeply significant juncture , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have suffered atomic bombings during war , should announce its readiness to consider participation in the TPNW , thus positively shaping the discourse on the elimination of nuclear weapons within the international community . ''
In the statement , Yoshiki Tanigawa , chair of the Soka Gakkai Council on Peace Issues , states , `` In recent years , there are signs that a nuclear arms race among the nuclear-weapon states is again intensifying .
At the same time , the global spread of the novel coronavirus has demonstrated that military force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compelling us to confront the question of what constitutes authentic security for human beings . ''
On August 6 and 8 respectively , the Soka Gakkai in Hiroshima and Nagasaki will hold online meetings to listen to testimonies of hibakusha , the survivors of the atomic bombings .
Over the past year , youth members in these areas have continued to collect testimonies of wartime experiences , including those of hibakusha , aiming to publish the latest volume this fall .
The Soka Gakkai in Japan will also hold an online youth summit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At the global level , the SGI ( Soka Gakkai International ) , with around 200 organizations of different faith backgrounds , including Buddhist , Christian , Hindu , Jain , Jewish , Muslim and indigenous traditions , has signed a Joint Interfaith Statement on the 75th Anniversary of the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki .
The statement affirms that `` the presence of even one nuclear weapon violates the core principles of our different faith traditions and threatens the unimaginable destruction of everything we hold dear . ''
It lays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consequences of a nuclear explosion and urges governments to ratify the TPNW .
This is the twelfth such interfaith statement issued since 2014 , supported by a growing number of faith groups .
The Soka Gakkai is a global Buddhist organization with 12 million members around the world that promotes peace , culture and education .
The Soka Gakkai has worked toward the abolition of nuclear weapons for 60 years , since the Declaration Calling for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons issued by second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda on September 8 , @ @

TOKYO, Aug. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 6, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Soka Gakkai Buddhist organization put out a statement calling for the elimination of nuclear weapons and the early entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).
The Soka Gakkai pledges to exert all efforts for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons and also urges the Japanese government to move toward participation in the TPNW, stating, "At this deeply significant juncture, the government of Japan, the only country to have suffered atomic bombings during war, should announce its readiness to consider participation in the TPNW, thus positively shaping the discourse on the elimination of nuclear weapons within the international community."
In the statement, Yoshiki Tanigawa, chair of the Soka Gakkai Council on Peace Issues, states, "In recent years, there are signs that a nuclear arms race among the nuclear-weapon states is again intensifying. At the same time, the global spread of the novel coronavirus has demonstrated that military force is incapable of resolving global challenges, compelling us to confront the question of what constitutes authentic security for human beings."
On August 6 and 8 respectively, the Soka Gakkai in Hiroshima and Nagasaki will hold online meetings to listen to testimonies of hibakusha, the survivors of the atomic bombings. Over the past year, youth members in these areas have continued to collect testimonies of wartime experiences, including those of hibakusha, aiming to publish the latest volume this fall. The Soka Gakkai in Japan will also hold an online youth summit toward the renunciation of war in September.
At the global level, the SGI (Soka Gakkai International), with around 200 organizations of different faith backgrounds, including Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim and indigenous traditions, has signed a Joint Interfaith Statement on the 75th Anniversary of the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The statement affirms that "the presence of even one nuclear weapon violates the core principles of our different faith traditions and threatens the unimaginable destruction of everything we hold dear." It lays out the environmental, health and economic consequences of a nuclear explosion and urges governments to ratify the TPNW. This is the twelfth such interfaith statement issued since 2014, supported by a growing number of faith groups.
The Soka Gakkai is a global Buddhist organization with 12 million members around the world that promotes peace, culture and education. The Soka Gakkai has worked toward the abolition of nuclear weapons for 60 years, since the Declaration Calling for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons issued by second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda on September 8, 1957.