tass--2020-08-17--Nearly all people detained during Belarus protests released

`` The Prosecutor General ’ s Office in cooperation with the Interior Ministry has been working on releasing citizens detained for administrative violations in relation to the participation in unauthorized mass events .
Practically all aforementioned persons have been released , '' the press service stated .
MINSK , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
Nearly all people detained during Belarusian protests have been released from custody , the Belarusian Prosecutor General ’ s Office informed on Monday .
Lukashenko : Re-election out of question , power to be delegated only through constitution The press service has published a list of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the list will be updated .
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9 .
According to the final results provided by the Belarusian Central Election Commission on August 14 , incumbent President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.1 % of the vote .
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , who was considered his main opponent , came in second with 10.12 % .
After exit poll results were announced in the evening of August 9 , protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other regions of the country , leading to clashes between protesters and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the following days .
As a result , several thousand people were detained , dozens of police officers and protesters were injured .

"The Prosecutor General’s Office in cooperation with the Interior Ministry has been working on releasing citizens detained for administrative violations in relation to the participation in unauthorized mass events. Practically all aforementioned persons have been released," the press service stated.
MINSK, August 17. /TASS/. Nearly all people detained during Belarusian protests have been released from custody, the Belarusian Prosecutor General’s Office informed on Monday.
Lukashenko: Re-election out of question, power to be delegated only through constitution
The press service has published a list of people currently in custody, noting that the list will be updated.
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9. According to the final results provided by the Belarusian Central Election Commission on August 14, incumbent President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.1% of the vote. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who was considered his main opponent, came in second with 10.12%.
After exit poll results were announced in the evening of August 9, protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other regions of the country, leading to clashes between protesters and the law enforcement. The protests continued over the following days. As a result, several thousand people were detained, dozens of police officers and protesters were injured.


tass--2020-08-17--Latest cruise missile corvette arrives at Black Sea Fleet base for state trials

SEVASTOPOL , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
The new small missile ship Graivoron built for Russia ’ s Black Sea Fleet arrived in Novorossiysk for state trials , the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Monday .
`` Currently , assembly work is underway to equip the superstructure of the ship ’ s hull .
After the preparatory work is over , the crew of the small missile ship Graivoron and the Shipyard ’ s delivery team will start a series of state trials , '' the press office said in a statement .
Following the state trials , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Black Sea Fleet and will be the Fleet ’ s fourth corvette armed with Kalibr-NK cruise missile systems , the statement says .
The corvette ’ s crew earlier underwent re-training at the Navy ’ s training center in St. Petersburg .
The sailors also underwent training at industrial enterprises where they familiarized themselves with shipborne equipment and armament , which they will operate .
The small missile ship Graivoron is the Project Buyan-M eighth serial-produced ship .
The same-type ships Vyshny Volochyok , Orekhovo-Zuyevo and Ingushetia are already operational in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buyan-M-class small missile ships are outfitted with the latest artillery , missile , anti-saboteur , air defense and radio-technical armament , including the most advanced Kalibr-NK precision missile system designated to strike naval and coastal targets .
Buyan-M corvettes that have been built for the Russian Navy since 2010 are river-sea multi-purpose ships designated to defend and protect the state ’ s coastal area .
Missile corvettes of this Project delivered strikes with Kalibr-NK cruise missiles against terrorist targets in Syria .
Some Buyan-M corvettes are operational in Russia ’ s Mediterranean permanent @ @ @ @ @ @

SEVASTOPOL, August 17. /TASS/. The new small missile ship Graivoron built for Russia’s Black Sea Fleet arrived in Novorossiysk for state trials, the Fleet’s press office reported on Monday.
"Currently, assembly work is underway to equip the superstructure of the ship’s hull. After the preparatory work is over, the crew of the small missile ship Graivoron and the Shipyard’s delivery team will start a series of state trials," the press office said in a statement.
Following the state trials, the Graivoron will be accepted for service in the Black Sea Fleet and will be the Fleet’s fourth corvette armed with Kalibr-NK cruise missile systems, the statement says.
The corvette’s crew earlier underwent re-training at the Navy’s training center in St. Petersburg. The sailors also underwent training at industrial enterprises where they familiarized themselves with shipborne equipment and armament, which they will operate.
The small missile ship Graivoron is the Project Buyan-M eighth serial-produced ship. The same-type ships Vyshny Volochyok, Orekhovo-Zuyevo and Ingushetia are already operational in the Black Sea Fleet.
Project 21631 Buyan-M-class small missile ships are outfitted with the latest artillery, missile, anti-saboteur, air defense and radio-technical armament, including the most advanced Kalibr-NK precision missile system designated to strike naval and coastal targets.
Buyan-M corvettes that have been built for the Russian Navy since 2010 are river-sea multi-purpose ships designated to defend and protect the state’s coastal area.
Missile corvettes of this Project delivered strikes with Kalibr-NK cruise missiles against terrorist targets in Syria. Some Buyan-M corvettes are operational in Russia’s Mediterranean permanent taskforce on a rotating basis.


tass--2020-08-17--US Whelan transferred to colony No. 17 in Mordovia

MOSCOW , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
American citizen Paul Whelan , sentenced in Russia for espionage , has been transferred from colony No .
18 in Mordovia where he had been undergoing quarantine , to high security colony No .
17 in the village of Ozerny in the Zubovo-Polyansky district of the republic , head of the regional Public Oversight Commission Valery Krutov told TASS on Monday .
`` He was transferred to colony No .
17 , '' the head of the commission said .
He specified that Whelan is in good health and has not filed any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have any questions , did not write any letters to us or to the commissioner [ on human rights ] , got used to the food , is healthy , '' the official noted .
As Commissioner for Human Rights in the Republic of Mordovia Valery Levin told TASS , the convicted offenders at colony No .
17 in general are employed at clothing manufacture , sewing work uniforms for enterprises .
According to him , there have been no complaints from the offenders serving their sentences in this colony since the beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2018 , Paul Whelan was detained by the Russian Federal Security Service ( FSB ) in a room of the Metropol Hotel in Moscow while on an alleged spy mission .
The FSB opened a criminal case against him on charges of espionage under Article 276 of the Russian Criminal Code .
The Moscow City Court found Whelan guilty of spying against Russia and sentenced him to 16 years in the high security colony .

MOSCOW, August 17. /TASS/. American citizen Paul Whelan, sentenced in Russia for espionage, has been transferred from colony No. 18 in Mordovia where he had been undergoing quarantine, to high security colony No. 17 in the village of Ozerny in the Zubovo-Polyansky district of the republic, head of the regional Public Oversight Commission Valery Krutov told TASS on Monday.
"He was transferred to colony No. 17," the head of the commission said.
He specified that Whelan is in good health and has not filed any complaints. "He doesn’t have any questions, did not write any letters to us or to the commissioner [on human rights], got used to the food, is healthy," the official noted.
As Commissioner for Human Rights in the Republic of Mordovia Valery Levin told TASS, the convicted offenders at colony No. 17 in general are employed at clothing manufacture, sewing work uniforms for enterprises. According to him, there have been no complaints from the offenders serving their sentences in this colony since the beginning of the year.
On December 28, 2018, Paul Whelan was detained by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) in a room of the Metropol Hotel in Moscow while on an alleged spy mission. The FSB opened a criminal case against him on charges of espionage under Article 276 of the Russian Criminal Code. The Moscow City Court found Whelan guilty of spying against Russia and sentenced him to 16 years in the high security colony.


tass--2020-08-17--Latvian court sentences ex-Interior Ministry employee to 15 years for espionage

`` Burak ’ s sentence was announced during a court hearing .
The court ruled him guilty and sentenced to 15 years in prison , as the prosecutors demanded , '' she said .
According to Jansone , the defense insisted on full exoneration .
`` We will definitely appeal - I have already filed an inquiry for the ruling ’ s full text to that extent .
In my opinion , there is not a single proof of his guilt , [ Burak ] himself also pleads not guilty .
This case is definitely politicized , '' the lawyer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Latvian State Security Service ( VDD ) apprehended Oleg Burak , a Latvian citizen , born in 1956 , over suspicions of espionage for Russia .
Burak worked for the Ministry of the Interior for a long time and retired in late 2006 .
He was put under arrest .
Searches at Burak ’ s place discovered data storage devices with over 13,000 files , two makeshift firearms , ammo , explosives and special equipment that private citizens are not allowed to buy , possess and use .
In late March last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s office to initiate criminal proceedings against Burak over charges of espionage , illegal trafficking of firearms , dissemination of pornography and illegal trafficking of special equipment .
In late May , the prosecutor ’ s office handed the case to the Vidzeme Suburbs Court , which began reviewing the case in mid-June .
Earlier , Jansone told TASS that her client denies all allegations and pleads not guilty .
Burak believes that the case against him is an act of revenge for his fight against corruption during his service in the Ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fired for that but was later restored in office .

"Burak’s sentence was announced during a court hearing. The court ruled him guilty and sentenced to 15 years in prison, as the prosecutors demanded," she said.
According to Jansone, the defense insisted on full exoneration.
"We will definitely appeal - I have already filed an inquiry for the ruling’s full text to that extent. In my opinion, there is not a single proof of his guilt, [Burak] himself also pleads not guilty. This case is definitely politicized," the lawyer said.
In mid-October 2018, the Latvian State Security Service (VDD) apprehended Oleg Burak, a Latvian citizen, born in 1956, over suspicions of espionage for Russia. Burak worked for the Ministry of the Interior for a long time and retired in late 2006. He was put under arrest.
Searches at Burak’s place discovered data storage devices with over 13,000 files, two makeshift firearms, ammo, explosives and special equipment that private citizens are not allowed to buy, possess and use. In late March last year, the VDD asked the prosecutor’s office to initiate criminal proceedings against Burak over charges of espionage, illegal trafficking of firearms, dissemination of pornography and illegal trafficking of special equipment. In late May, the prosecutor’s office handed the case to the Vidzeme Suburbs Court, which began reviewing the case in mid-June.
Earlier, Jansone told TASS that her client denies all allegations and pleads not guilty. Burak believes that the case against him is an act of revenge for his fight against corruption during his service in the Ministry of the Interior. He was previously fired for that but was later restored in office.


tass--2020-08-17--Echelon-2020 OSCE drills kick off in Russia’s Astrakhan Region

ROSTOV-ON-DON , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
Some 1,000 servicemen take part in the Echelon-2020 special military drills of the OSCE ’ s Collective Rapid Reaction Force ( KSOR ) in Russia ’ s Astrakhan Region , according to the Southern Military District 's press service .
`` The Echelon-2020 special military exercise of the OSCE ’ s Collective Rapid Reaction Force started at the Kapustin Yar proving ground in the Southern Military District , '' the announcement reads .
The military exercises take place despite the complicated pandemic-related sanitary and epidemiological situation , says Major General Mukhamedjan Talasov , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commander .
`` One of the exercises ' main goals is to increase the coordination of joint actions on material and technical supply of the KSOR , intended for prompt response to challenges and threats to the security of our states , '' Talasov said , according to the press service .
The exercises , led by Lieutenant General Viktor Voronov , the District ’ s deputy commander on material and technical supply , involve about 1,000 servicemen from OSCE member states and about 250 vehicles .
During the drills , the servicemen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personnel transportation and will establish material and technical supply during a joint operation on localization of a border military conflict .
The units will practice various methods of loading and unloading vehicles , evacuation and repairs of damaged vehicles and mass refueling .

ROSTOV-ON-DON, August 17. /TASS/. Some 1,000 servicemen take part in the Echelon-2020 special military drills of the OSCE’s Collective Rapid Reaction Force (KSOR) in Russia’s Astrakhan Region, according to the Southern Military District's press service.
"The Echelon-2020 special military exercise of the OSCE’s Collective Rapid Reaction Force started at the Kapustin Yar proving ground in the Southern Military District," the announcement reads.
The military exercises take place despite the complicated pandemic-related sanitary and epidemiological situation, says Major General Mukhamedjan Talasov, OSCE Joint Chiefs of Staff's deputy commander.
"One of the exercises' main goals is to increase the coordination of joint actions on material and technical supply of the KSOR, intended for prompt response to challenges and threats to the security of our states," Talasov said, according to the press service.
The exercises, led by Lieutenant General Viktor Voronov, the District’s deputy commander on material and technical supply, involve about 1,000 servicemen from OSCE member states and about 250 vehicles.
During the drills, the servicemen will deploy the supply depots, perform personnel transportation and will establish material and technical supply during a joint operation on localization of a border military conflict. The units will practice various methods of loading and unloading vehicles, evacuation and repairs of damaged vehicles and mass refueling.


tass--2020-08-17--Press review: Lukashenko supporter rally flops and Turkey at loggerheads with Greece

Protests continued in Belarus over the results of the recent presidential elections , culminating on Sunday in a historic rally with a reported 200,000 people in Minsk .
Meanwhile , the authorities also held a rally in support of President Alexander Lukashenko in the capital .
For the first time , Lukashenko himself addressed his supporters , vowing to not `` give up the country '' to the external threat .
Experts told Vedomosti that this unsuccessful pro-government rally would prevent similar future events .
Meanwhile , factory strikes could prove to be more damaging to the country ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tut.by , the supporters ’ rally was attended by at least 10,000 people , the Interior Ministry estimated the number of participants at 60,000 .
At the same time , the opposition protest in Minsk , which began soon after the pro-government one , gathered , according to Tut.by , around 200,000 people .
Meanwhile , the joint opposition headquarters announced that it is ready to negotiate with the authorities about how and when Lukashenko will leave office .
The main opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , who has left Belarus for Lithuania , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the transfer of power .
Protest actions are accompanied by strikes at the main Belarusian enterprises .
Andrey Skriba from the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at the Higher School of Economics told Vedomosti that the rally in support of Lukashenko was not successful .
`` This is definitely not the kind of crowd and not the kind of crowd activity that is worth using to express support , '' he said .
The expert noted that the ideological machine was unable to mobilize Lukashenko 's electorate , passive in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strikes - they will hit the Belarusian economy hard , especially if the striking factories do not have warehouses of unsold finished goods , Skriba noted .
Associate professor of the Faculty of World Economy and Politics Andrey Suzdaltsev told the newspaper he believes that strikes at Belarusian factories pose only a `` relative '' danger to Lukashenko in terms of the economy , but a huge danger in social terms , increasing the level of instability .
He is also convinced that there will be no more rallies in support of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters ] from all over Belarus were taken by buses and trains , and half a million [ protesters ] were already in the center of Minsk .
Every fourth resident of the capital is on the street against Lukashenko , '' Suzdaltsev concluded .
Ankara is gradually increasing its military presence in North Africa .
While growing its forces in Libya , Ankara agreed on the deployment of a Turkish military base in Niger , sources familiar with the situation told Izvestia .
This is taking place against the aggravation of Turkey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the start of geological exploration on a disputed shelf area .
Experts told the newspaper they believe that an armed conflict with Greece is unlikely , but Turkey is using the Libyan foothold to strengthen its influence throughout the Eastern Mediterranean .
Turkey and Greece are in disagreement over claims to hydrocarbon resources in the region .
The dispute escalated recently when Turkey dispatched the Oruc Reis research vessel accompanied by its navy off the Greek island of Kastellorizo .
`` Turkey is now the most dynamic force in the region , promoting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systematically , not paying attention to the interests of other countries , '' leading research fellow at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences Boris Dolgov told Izvestia .
`` Ankara has significantly increased its influence in Libya , in Syria in the Idlib region , and in the region as a whole .
They have military bases in Qatar .
Erdogan has consistently pursued a policy aimed at making Turkey not only a regional center of power , but also at strengthening it globally .
This is certainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the expert added .
Nevertheless , a military clash between Turkey and the European nations of Greece and Cyprus , should not be expected , the expert noted .
But there may be conflicts between Turkey and Arab countries .
Perhaps in the form of an aggravation of the civil war in Syria and the involvement of other parties in it , primarily Egypt .
`` How far Erdogan will go depends on how other countries will oppose him : Egypt , the United Arab Emirates , Greece and , possibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
President Donald Trump has pledged to continue ousting Chinese tech companies from the US market .
After threatening to ban social network TikTok , the US President chose internet giant Alibaba as the next likely target for the ban .
Alibaba 's closest competitor , US e-commerce company Amazon , left the Chinese market last summer due to a significant reduction of its share .
Experts interviewed by Nezavisimaya Gazeta believe that US policy towards Chinese companies shows double standards .
Chairman of the Board of the Russian-Chinese Center for Trade and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ double standards have become habitual policy of the Trump administration .
According to him , the existing model of globalism is bursting at the seams along with the institutions created by the West such as the WTO or the IMF .
Using these preliminary tests outside any legislative framework and interstate agreements , the United States is trying to understand how far it can go in narrowing the Chinese zone of influence by non-military methods as of yet , expert in foreign policy , defense and security Grigory Trofimchuk suggested .
He argued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decided whether it is worth it to finally destroy the US-China agreements and how it could end .
Alibaba 's US competitor , Amazon left the Chinese market last year due to its market share drop .
Amazon and Alibaba remain the largest players in their respective countries , while actively competing in third country markets .
In terms of net revenues , both companies are close to $ 12 bln per year .
Kommersant : Russia plans to expand tax incentives in IT Russian manufacturers of telecommunications equipment could be included in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Council for the Digital Economy under the Federation Council proposed to establish an insurance premium rate of 7.6 % and a profit tax rate of 3 % for such companies , Kommersant writes .
This measure will affect about 70 domestic equipment manufacturers who face pressure from foreign competitors .
However , drastic changes in the market should not be expected , experts told the newspaper .
Russian companies will , at best , expand their presence in certain segments and increase investment in development by about 20 % , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the tax maneuver announced by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin applies only to software companies , Deputy General Director for Foreign Economic Affairs and Relations with Government Bodies at T8 ( manufactures equipment for optical communication networks ) Alexei Ivanov said .
`` We are in favor of such privileges being extended to Russian manufacturers of telecom equipment , which have to compete with such giants as Huawei and Nokia even on the domestic market , '' Ivanov said .
Market players interviewed by Kommersant assess the new initiative positively , but do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against prevalence of imported products on the market .
`` Such a measure would have a positive effect on the companies that manufacture telecom equipment , the impact will be strong .
But it wo n't affect the industry dramatically , '' Zelix President Sergei Sukhman told the newspaper .
Managing partner of AC & M Consulting Mikhail Alekseev is also skeptical about the initiative .
`` The fact that the tax maneuver will cover telecom equipment manufacturers will not make them more competitive on the market , '' the expert said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for failure to develop mineral resources The Russian Government supported the introduction of fines into the Code of Administrative Offenses for failure to develop or meet the deadlines for the extraction of minerals , which are stipulated in the respective licenses , Izvestia writes .
The authors of the bill , the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan , explained their initiative by the shortfall in taxes to the budget , as well as a significant discrepancy between production plans and actual figures , the newspaper writes .
All factions of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make the punishment tougher - to the extent of revoking licenses .
According to the authors of the bill , the budget of Russia ’ s Republic of Tatarstan is seeing a shortfall in taxes on the extraction of minerals in the amount of 81.28 mln rubles ( $ 1.11 mln ) per year .
The bill proposed to amend the Code of Administrative Offenses and establish fines of 2,000 - 3,000 rubles ( $ 27.38-41 ) for citizens , 20,000-40,000 rubles ( $ 273.8-547.68 ) for officials , and 300,000-500,000 rubles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Izvestia writes .
The energy committee of the State Duma reacted positively to the initiative of Tatarstan .
`` Unfortunately , our economy is mostly resource-based , and the nature of its use is licensed .
Therefore , the issue of the efficiency of subsoil use for the state is very urgent , '' Head of the committee , a member of the United Russia faction , Pavel Zavalny told Izvestia .
Member of the LDPR faction Valery Seleznev told the newspaper he believes that reconsidering or even stripping companies of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews .

Vedomosti: Lukashenko supporter rally fails in Minsk as protests grow
Protests continued in Belarus over the results of the recent presidential elections, culminating on Sunday in a historic rally with a reported 200,000 people in Minsk. Meanwhile, the authorities also held a rally in support of President Alexander Lukashenko in the capital. For the first time, Lukashenko himself addressed his supporters, vowing to not "give up the country" to the external threat. Experts told Vedomosti that this unsuccessful pro-government rally would prevent similar future events. Meanwhile, factory strikes could prove to be more damaging to the country’s authorities than opposition protests. According to Tut.by, the supporters’ rally was attended by at least 10,000 people, the Interior Ministry estimated the number of participants at 60,000. At the same time, the opposition protest in Minsk, which began soon after the pro-government one, gathered, according to Tut.by, around 200,000 people. Meanwhile, the joint opposition headquarters announced that it is ready to negotiate with the authorities about how and when Lukashenko will leave office. The main opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who has left Belarus for Lithuania, initiated the creation of a coordinating council for the transfer of power. Protest actions are accompanied by strikes at the main Belarusian enterprises. Andrey Skriba from the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at the Higher School of Economics told Vedomosti that the rally in support of Lukashenko was not successful. "This is definitely not the kind of crowd and not the kind of crowd activity that is worth using to express support," he said. The expert noted that the ideological machine was unable to mobilize Lukashenko's electorate, passive in nature. Another serious problem is factory strikes - they will hit the Belarusian economy hard, especially if the striking factories do not have warehouses of unsold finished goods, Skriba noted. Associate professor of the Faculty of World Economy and Politics Andrey Suzdaltsev told the newspaper he believes that strikes at Belarusian factories pose only a "relative" danger to Lukashenko in terms of the economy, but a huge danger in social terms, increasing the level of instability. He is also convinced that there will be no more rallies in support of the authorities. "50,000 [Lukashenko's supporters] from all over Belarus were taken by buses and trains, and half a million [protesters] were already in the center of Minsk. Every fourth resident of the capital is on the street against Lukashenko," Suzdaltsev concluded. Izvestia: Turkey boosts military presence in North Africa amid conflict with Greece
Ankara is gradually increasing its military presence in North Africa. While growing its forces in Libya, Ankara agreed on the deployment of a Turkish military base in Niger, sources familiar with the situation told Izvestia. This is taking place against the aggravation of Turkey’s conflict with Athens due to the start of geological exploration on a disputed shelf area. Experts told the newspaper they believe that an armed conflict with Greece is unlikely, but Turkey is using the Libyan foothold to strengthen its influence throughout the Eastern Mediterranean. Turkey and Greece are in disagreement over claims to hydrocarbon resources in the region. The dispute escalated recently when Turkey dispatched the Oruc Reis research vessel accompanied by its navy off the Greek island of Kastellorizo. "Turkey is now the most dynamic force in the region, promoting its interests actively, rigidly, and systematically, not paying attention to the interests of other countries," leading research fellow at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences Boris Dolgov told Izvestia. "Ankara has significantly increased its influence in Libya, in Syria in the Idlib region, and in the region as a whole. They have military bases in Qatar. Erdogan has consistently pursued a policy aimed at making Turkey not only a regional center of power, but also at strengthening it globally. This is certainly aggravating the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean," the expert added. Nevertheless, a military clash between Turkey and the European nations of Greece and Cyprus, should not be expected, the expert noted. But there may be conflicts between Turkey and Arab countries. Perhaps in the form of an aggravation of the civil war in Syria and the involvement of other parties in it, primarily Egypt. "How far Erdogan will go depends on how other countries will oppose him: Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Greece and, possibly, France," Dolgov told Izvestia. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Trump meddles with Amazon-Alibaba competition
President Donald Trump has pledged to continue ousting Chinese tech companies from the US market. After threatening to ban social network TikTok, the US President chose internet giant Alibaba as the next likely target for the ban. Alibaba's closest competitor, US e-commerce company Amazon, left the Chinese market last summer due to a significant reduction of its share. Experts interviewed by Nezavisimaya Gazeta believe that US policy towards Chinese companies shows double standards. Chairman of the Board of the Russian-Chinese Center for Trade and Economic Cooperation Sergey Sanakoev believes that the double standards have become habitual policy of the Trump administration. According to him, the existing model of globalism is bursting at the seams along with the institutions created by the West such as the WTO or the IMF. Using these preliminary tests outside any legislative framework and interstate agreements, the United States is trying to understand how far it can go in narrowing the Chinese zone of influence by non-military methods as of yet, expert in foreign policy, defense and security Grigory Trofimchuk suggested. He argued that the US government has not yet decided whether it is worth it to finally destroy the US-China agreements and how it could end. Alibaba's US competitor, Amazon left the Chinese market last year due to its market share drop. Amazon and Alibaba remain the largest players in their respective countries, while actively competing in third country markets. In terms of net revenues, both companies are close to $12 bln per year. Kommersant: Russia plans to expand tax incentives in IT
Read also Putin approves law on tax maneuver in IT sector
Russian manufacturers of telecommunications equipment could be included in the tax maneuver for the IT industry. The Council for the Digital Economy under the Federation Council proposed to establish an insurance premium rate of 7.6% and a profit tax rate of 3% for such companies, Kommersant writes. This measure will affect about 70 domestic equipment manufacturers who face pressure from foreign competitors. However, drastic changes in the market should not be expected, experts told the newspaper. Russian companies will, at best, expand their presence in certain segments and increase investment in development by about 20%, the newspaper writes. In its current form, the tax maneuver announced by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin applies only to software companies, Deputy General Director for Foreign Economic Affairs and Relations with Government Bodies at T8 (manufactures equipment for optical communication networks) Alexei Ivanov said. "We are in favor of such privileges being extended to Russian manufacturers of telecom equipment, which have to compete with such giants as Huawei and Nokia even on the domestic market," Ivanov said. Market players interviewed by Kommersant assess the new initiative positively, but do not consider it to be a cure-all against prevalence of imported products on the market. "Such a measure would have a positive effect on the companies that manufacture telecom equipment, the impact will be strong. But it won't affect the industry dramatically," Zelix President Sergei Sukhman told the newspaper. Managing partner of AC&M Consulting Mikhail Alekseev is also skeptical about the initiative. "The fact that the tax maneuver will cover telecom equipment manufacturers will not make them more competitive on the market," the expert said. Izvestia: Russia wants to introduce fines for failure to develop mineral resources
Read also Russia’s agency for natural resources opens office north of Polar Circle


tass--2020-08-17--No Russians injured in explosion during joint patrol in Syria’s Idlib

SARAQIB /Syria/ , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
An unidentified ordnance exploded near the Turkish escort vehicle during the joint Russian-Turkish patrol in Syria ’ s Idlib .
No Russian servicemen were injured , the Russian Reconciliation Center for Syria reported Monday .
`` An unidentified ordnance exploded next to a Turkish escort vehicle .
There were no injuries among Russian servicemen , '' the Center said .
The incident took place during the 22nd joint Russian-Turkish patrol of the M-4 highway , connecting Aleppo and Latakia in the Idlib de-escalation zone .
Today , it covered the entire route @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the third time .
`` The joint patrol ’ s route was over 70 kilometers , '' the Reconciliation Center said .
The convoy was observed from air by Russian military drones .
Besides , three Russian BTR-82A armored personnel carriers were involved from the Russian side .
The sides communicated through the Joint Coordination Center .
The first joint Russian-Turkish patrol of the M-4 highway took place on March 15 .
The patrols take place in accordance with agreements , reached by the presidents of Russia and Turkey on March 5 @ @ @

SARAQIB /Syria/, August 17. /TASS/. An unidentified ordnance exploded near the Turkish escort vehicle during the joint Russian-Turkish patrol in Syria’s Idlib. No Russian servicemen were injured, the Russian Reconciliation Center for Syria reported Monday.
"An unidentified ordnance exploded next to a Turkish escort vehicle. There were no injuries among Russian servicemen," the Center said.
The incident took place during the 22nd joint Russian-Turkish patrol of the M-4 highway, connecting Aleppo and Latakia in the Idlib de-escalation zone. Today, it covered the entire route - from Ayn al-Habr to Trumba - for the third time.
"The joint patrol’s route was over 70 kilometers," the Reconciliation Center said.
The convoy was observed from air by Russian military drones. Besides, three Russian BTR-82A armored personnel carriers were involved from the Russian side. The sides communicated through the Joint Coordination Center.
The first joint Russian-Turkish patrol of the M-4 highway took place on March 15. The patrols take place in accordance with agreements, reached by the presidents of Russia and Turkey on March 5 in Moscow.


tass--2020-08-17--HUAWEI Assistant today Wins World-Renowned Red Dot Award 2020

BEIJING , Aug. 17 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Dubbed the `` Oscars '' of the design industry , the Red Dot Award : Brands & Communication Design was recently awarded to HUAWEI Assistant · TODAY .
Based on Red Dot 's motto of `` In search of good design and creativity '' , this award is a testament to Huawei 's efforts in continuous innovation to provide a smart consumer experience .
The brand was among the select few to win this year , out of the thousands of competition entries that were vying for this revered international seal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the left most screen '' , HUAWEI Assistant · TODAY is a personal assistant embedded in HUAWEI smartphone , provides quick access to various services without downloading application .
HUAWEI and HONOR mobile device users can simply start it by swiping right from the home screen .
The smart assistant brings a new level of intelligent performance by helping users find services and information when and where they are needed .
As of Q2 2020 , HUAWEI Assistant - TODAY is making the lives of its 210 million MAUs in 170 countries and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
From a product design perspective , HUAWEI Assistant · TODAY offers a seamless intelligent user experience .
It breaks down the barriers between apps by efficiently providing services such as search and discovery , quick access , smart service dynamics and content recommendations at a single touch .
It also learns users ' preferences to offer recommendations that make the overall user experience more intuitive and optimised .
With HUAWEI Assistant · TODAY , users can now effortlessly search for any apps , settings and files on their smartphones while simultaneously scanning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Additionally , a key feature of the HUAWEI Assistant · TODAY is the smart service cards which displays notifications and reminders based on users ' needs and specific usage scenarios .
For instance , users can stay up to date on their favourite team with the Sports card while getting reminded of key travel details and updates in real-time with the Travel card based on their locations .
HUAWEI Assistant · TODAY will continue to work on bringing more smart services to its users to enhance their everyday lives .
To do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the product experience from the users ' perspective , thereby offering each and every user an experience akin to having a personal assistant in their day-to-day activities .
About the Red Dot Design Award : Originating in Germany 1955 , the Red Dot Design Award is one of the world 's three major design awards along with the iF Design Award ( Germany ) and IDEA International Design Excellence Awards ( America ) .
With more than 18,000 entries , the Red Dot Design Award is established internationally as one of the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The award winners are presented in the yearbooks , museums and online .

BEIJING, Aug. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Dubbed the "Oscars" of the design industry, the Red Dot Award: Brands & Communication Design was recently awarded to HUAWEI Assistant · TODAY. Based on Red Dot's motto of "In search of good design and creativity", this award is a testament to Huawei's efforts in continuous innovation to provide a smart consumer experience. The brand was among the select few to win this year, out of the thousands of competition entries that were vying for this revered international seal of outstanding design quality.
Located at "the left most screen", HUAWEI Assistant · TODAY is a personal assistant embedded in HUAWEI smartphone, provides quick access to various services without downloading application. HUAWEI and HONOR mobile device users can simply start it by swiping right from the home screen. The smart assistant brings a new level of intelligent performance by helping users find services and information when and where they are needed. As of Q2 2020, HUAWEI Assistant - TODAY is making the lives of its 210 million MAUs in 170 countries and regions easier and more convenient every day.
From a product design perspective, HUAWEI Assistant · TODAY offers a seamless intelligent user experience. It breaks down the barriers between apps by efficiently providing services such as search and discovery, quick access, smart service dynamics and content recommendations at a single touch. It also learns users' preferences to offer recommendations that make the overall user experience more intuitive and optimised.
With HUAWEI Assistant · TODAY, users can now effortlessly search for any apps, settings and files on their smartphones while simultaneously scanning their tailored newsfeed for items of interest. Additionally, a key feature of the HUAWEI Assistant · TODAY is the smart service cards which displays notifications and reminders based on users' needs and specific usage scenarios. For instance, users can stay up to date on their favourite team with the Sports card while getting reminded of key travel details and updates in real-time with the Travel card based on their locations.
HUAWEI Assistant · TODAY will continue to work on bringing more smart services to its users to enhance their everyday lives. To do so, HUAWEI will unceasingly optimise perfect the product experience from the users' perspective, thereby offering each and every user an experience akin to having a personal assistant in their day-to-day activities.
About the Red Dot Design Award: Originating in Germany 1955, the Red Dot Design Award is one of the world's three major design awards along with the iF Design Award (Germany) and IDEA International Design Excellence Awards (America). With more than 18,000 entries, the Red Dot Design Award is established internationally as one of the most sought-after quality marks for good design. The award winners are presented in the yearbooks, museums and online.


tass--2020-08-17--Lukashenko: Re-election out of question, power to be delegated only through constitution

During his visit , Lukashenko received a report that plants in the country were mostly operating normally , according to the BelTA news agency .
The Belarusian president stated that no presidential re-election will take place in the country .
`` You will not live to see the day I do anything under pressure .
There will be no re-election .
Because , in that case , there will be no MZKT [ Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant ] , no MAZ [ Minsk Automobile Plant ] no BelAZ [ the quarry truck plant ] .
Everything will be destroyed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , according to the BelTA news agency .
`` You speak about unfair elections and want fair ones ? ''
the president asked .
`` I have an answer for you .
We had the elections .
Unless you kill me , there will be no other elections . ''
Meanwhile the incumbent president vowed readiness to redistribute power through a constitutional process .
`` Of course , I will go away someday .
In a year or two .
But we can ’ t give up the constitution to some nobody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is what I am afraid of the most , '' Lukashenko pointed out , as cited by the BelTA news agency .
Reiterating readiness to `` share '' powers , the incumbent head of state was clear though that this would never happen under pressure .
`` We need a new constitution .
I ’ ve been proposed two variants , but rejected both of them , because they barely differ from the current one .
The work on the third variant is underway .
Come , let ’ s sit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it to a referendum .
And I will relegate my powers to you by the constitution .
But not under pressure and not through the streets , '' he said .
When commenting on calls for strikes , the Belarusian president said that `` 150 and even 200 people don ’ t set the tone at a plant . ''
`` The thing to understand is that the ‘ bad ’ president has maintained an excessive number of workers to make sure that no one is thrown on the street , '' Lukashenko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , let them work .
And as for those who don ’ t want to work , we can ’ t make them , '' the agency quoted him as saying .
Alexander Lukashenko stood firm saying that protests won ’ t bring him to his knees , according to an audio recording published by the Tut.by media outlet .
`` I can see the way you intend to speak with the president , '' Lukashenko said .
`` No offense , but you won ’ t bring me to my knees .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , first and foremost , harm you and your families .
You will see it in a week if you create chaos at the facility .
Think about what I am saying today and what I told you yesterday .
Listen , I have been through it all .
I was a director [ of a plant ] and a common man , I know how it was done in the mid-1990s .
Nothing like that will happen in our country , '' Lukashenko emphasized .
According to a TASS correspondent , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plant .
Meanwhile , several dozens people have gathered at the plant 's gate .
Some are holding posters demanding Lukashenko ’ s resignation .
The gathering particularly involves Minsk Cable Networks employees .
They expect workers from the Minsk Automobile Plant and the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant to join them .
A man in civilian clothes addressed the gathering on behalf of law enforcement agencies and asked them to leave as they are taking part in an unauthorized activity .
However , the people said they would not leave because they had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belarus held a presidential election on August 9 .
According to preliminary results , incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.1 % of the vote while his main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya garnered 10.12 % .
Protests erupted in the country 's capital of Minsk and several other cities following the presidential vote , leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers .
According to the Belarusian Interior Ministry , several thousand people were detained while dozens of police officers and demonstrators suffered injuries .
Opposition leaders called for strikes to increase pressure on @ @ @

During his visit, Lukashenko received a report that plants in the country were mostly operating normally, according to the BelTA news agency.
The Belarusian president stated that no presidential re-election will take place in the country.
"You will not live to see the day I do anything under pressure. There will be no re-election. Because, in that case, there will be no MZKT [Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant], no MAZ [Minsk Automobile Plant] no BelAZ [the quarry truck plant]. Everything will be destroyed in half a year then," Lukashenko said, according to the BelTA news agency.
"You speak about unfair elections and want fair ones?" the president asked. "I have an answer for you. We had the elections. Unless you kill me, there will be no other elections."
Meanwhile the incumbent president vowed readiness to redistribute power through a constitutional process. "Of course, I will go away someday. In a year or two. But we can’t give up the constitution to some nobody. Because it will be a disaster. This is what I am afraid of the most," Lukashenko pointed out, as cited by the BelTA news agency.
Reiterating readiness to "share" powers, the incumbent head of state was clear though that this would never happen under pressure. "We need a new constitution. I’ve been proposed two variants, but rejected both of them, because they barely differ from the current one. The work on the third variant is underway. Come, let’s sit and work on the constitution and put it to a referendum. And I will relegate my powers to you by the constitution. But not under pressure and not through the streets," he said.
When commenting on calls for strikes, the Belarusian president said that "150 and even 200 people don’t set the tone at a plant." "The thing to understand is that the ‘bad’ president has maintained an excessive number of workers to make sure that no one is thrown on the street," Lukashenko noted. "Who wants to work, let them work. And as for those who don’t want to work, we can’t make them," the agency quoted him as saying.
Alexander Lukashenko stood firm saying that protests won’t bring him to his knees, according to an audio recording published by the Tut.by media outlet.
"I can see the way you intend to speak with the president," Lukashenko said. "No offense, but you won’t bring me to my knees. Don’t do anything that will, first and foremost, harm you and your families. You will see it in a week if you create chaos at the facility. Think about what I am saying today and what I told you yesterday. Listen, I have been through it all. I was a director [of a plant] and a common man, I know how it was done in the mid-1990s. Nothing like that will happen in our country," Lukashenko emphasized.
According to a TASS correspondent, the president’s helicopter later left the plant.
Meanwhile, several dozens people have gathered at the plant's gate. Some are holding posters demanding Lukashenko’s resignation. The gathering particularly involves Minsk Cable Networks employees. They expect workers from the Minsk Automobile Plant and the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant to join them. A man in civilian clothes addressed the gathering on behalf of law enforcement agencies and asked them to leave as they are taking part in an unauthorized activity. However, the people said they would not leave because they had the right to express their opinion.
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9. According to preliminary results, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.1% of the vote while his main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya garnered 10.12%. Protests erupted in the country's capital of Minsk and several other cities following the presidential vote, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers. According to the Belarusian Interior Ministry, several thousand people were detained while dozens of police officers and demonstrators suffered injuries. Opposition leaders called for strikes to increase pressure on the authorities.


tass--2020-08-17--New round of US-Russian talks on strategic stability kicks off in Vienna

VIENNA , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
A new round of US-Russian talks on strategic stability and arms control began @ @ @ @ @ The Russian delegation is led by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov , while the US @ @ @ @ @ Billingslea , US undersecretary of state for arms control and international security .
The new @ @ @ @ @ the two countries , led by Ryabkov and Billingslea , takes place in Vienna ’ @ @ @ @ @ meeting , which will last from August 17 to August 18 , takes place behind @ @ @ @ @ professional dialogue is better than propagandistic rhetoric which prevailed in this area for a long @ @ @ @ @ Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov tweeted .

VIENNA, August 17. /TASS/. A new round of US-Russian talks on strategic stability and arms control began in Vienna on Monday. The Russian delegation is led by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, while the US delegation is led by Marshall Billingslea, US undersecretary of state for arms control and international security.
The new meeting of the representatives of the two countries, led by Ryabkov and Billingslea, takes place in Vienna’s Niederosterreich Palace. The meeting, which will last from August 17 to August 18, takes place behind closed doors.
"Open-minded professional dialogue is better than propagandistic rhetoric which prevailed in this area for a long time," Russian Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov tweeted.


tass--2020-08-17--Russia records 4,892 new daily coronavirus cases

According to the crisis center , the daily coronavirus growth rate stands at 0.5 % for the second day in a row .
MOSCOW , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s coronavirus cases rose by 4,892 to 927,745 in the past 24 hours , the anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Monday .
The rate is the lowest in the Nenets Autonomous Region ( 0 % ) , the Chukotka Autonomos Region ( 0 % ) , the Moscow Region ( 0.2 % ) , the North Ossetia Region ( 0.2 % ) , the Chechnya Region ( 0.2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , the Tuva Region ( 0.3 % ) , the Kamchatka Region ( 0.3 % ) , the Kabardino-Balkaria Region ( 0.3 % ) , the Bryansk Region ( 0.3 % ) , the Smolensk Region ( 0.3 % ) , the Tula Region ( 0.3 % ) and the Trans-Baikal Region ( 0.3 % ) .
As many as 690 coronavirus cases were identified in Moscow in the past day , 159 in St. Petersburg , 153 in the Moscow Region , 141 in the Sverdlovsk Region and 132 in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ active coronavirus cases in the country .
The number of coronavirus patients discharged over the past 24 hours in Russia has increased by 3,133 , bringing the total to 736,101 , the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Monday .
According to the crisis center , the share of recoveries to date makes up 79.3 % of the total COVID-19 case tally in Russia .
Having recovered , 819 patients were discharged in Moscow , 217 - in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area , 201 - in the Chuvash Republic , 148 - in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republic of Bashkortostan in one day .
The number of COVID-19 fatalities in Russia over the past 24 hours increased by 55 , compared to 68 the day before , which is the lowest daily number since April 27 , bringing the total to 15,740 .
The share of fatalities makes up 1.7 % of the total number of the coronavirus infections .
Of these , 10 fatalities were registered in Moscow , five - in the Murmansk and Sverdlovsk regions each and three - in the Irkutsk and Novosibirsk regions each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of fatalities has not exceeded two .

According to the crisis center, the daily coronavirus growth rate stands at 0.5% for the second day in a row.
MOSCOW, August 17. /TASS/. Russia’s coronavirus cases rose by 4,892 to 927,745 in the past 24 hours, the anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Monday.
The rate is the lowest in the Nenets Autonomous Region (0%), the Chukotka Autonomos Region (0%), the Moscow Region (0.2%), the North Ossetia Region (0.2%), the Chechnya Region (0.2%), Moscow (0.3%), the Tuva Region (0.3%), the Kamchatka Region (0.3%), the Kabardino-Balkaria Region (0.3%), the Bryansk Region (0.3%), the Smolensk Region (0.3%), the Tula Region (0.3%) and the Trans-Baikal Region (0.3%).
As many as 690 coronavirus cases were identified in Moscow in the past day, 159 in St. Petersburg, 153 in the Moscow Region, 141 in the Sverdlovsk Region and 132 in the Stavropol Region.
There are currently 175,904 active coronavirus cases in the country.
Recoveries
The number of coronavirus patients discharged over the past 24 hours in Russia has increased by 3,133, bringing the total to 736,101, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Monday.
According to the crisis center, the share of recoveries to date makes up 79.3% of the total COVID-19 case tally in Russia.
Having recovered, 819 patients were discharged in Moscow, 217 - in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area, 201 - in the Chuvash Republic, 148 - in the Moscow Region and 143 - in the Republic of Bashkortostan in one day.
The number of COVID-19 fatalities in Russia over the past 24 hours increased by 55, compared to 68 the day before, which is the lowest daily number since April 27, bringing the total to 15,740. The share of fatalities makes up 1.7% of the total number of the coronavirus infections.
Of these, 10 fatalities were registered in Moscow, five - in the Murmansk and Sverdlovsk regions each and three - in the Irkutsk and Novosibirsk regions each, while in 20 more regions the number of fatalities has not exceeded two.


tass--2020-08-17--Healthcare workers to be inoculated against COVID-19 parallel with phase 3 of trials

MOSCOW , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
Healthcare workers as well those in the risk groups will be the first @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus infection simultaneously with the third post-registration phase of the vaccine trials , the press @ @ @ @ @ Healthcare Ministry told reporters on Monday .
`` The vaccine developed by the Gamaleya National @ @ @ @ @ Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry is registered `` on conditions . ''
Therefore , @ @ @ @ @ voluntarily vaccinated will be the citizens in the heightened risk group , first of all @ @ @ @ @ post-registration studies will be conducted simultaneously , '' the statement reads .
On August 11 @ @ @ @ @ country worldwide to register a vaccine against the coronavirus which was named Sputnik V. The @ @ @ @ @ Gamaleya institute and passed clinical trials in June - July .
It is based on @ @ @ @ @ for other vaccines .
On August 15 , the Healthcare Ministry reported about the production @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, August 17. /TASS/. Healthcare workers as well those in the risk groups will be the first to be inoculated against the coronavirus infection simultaneously with the third post-registration phase of the vaccine trials, the press service of Russia’s Healthcare Ministry told reporters on Monday.
"The vaccine developed by the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry is registered "on conditions." Therefore, the first ones to be voluntarily vaccinated will be the citizens in the heightened risk group, first of all, healthcare workers. The post-registration studies will be conducted simultaneously," the statement reads.
On August 11, Russia became the first country worldwide to register a vaccine against the coronavirus which was named Sputnik V. The preparation was developed by the Gamaleya institute and passed clinical trials in June - July. It is based on a known platform previously used for other vaccines. On August 15, the Healthcare Ministry reported about the production launch of the vaccine.


tass--2020-08-17--Russian diplomat slams Macron’s call for supporting Belarusian protests as hypocrisy

Macron said on August 16 that the EU must continue to be mobilized in support of participants in peaceful protests taking part in the Belarusian capital of Minsk and other cities of the country .
`` When will he call on the European Union to be mobilized in support of hundreds of thousands of ‘ Yellow Vests ’ demonstrators who peacefully seek to ensure respect for their rights , freedoms and sovereignty ?
When will the European Union stop waiting for calls from presidents of its member states and start to mobilize proactively in support of protests held on its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This is what hypocrisy is , '' she added .
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9 .
According to preliminary results , incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.1 % of the vote , while his main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya garnered 10.12 % .
Protests erupted in the country 's capital of Minsk and several other cities following the presidential vote , leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers .
The European Union 's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said on August 14 that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Belarusian presidential election .
`` Work begins on sanctioning those responsible for violence and falsification , '' he pointed out .

Macron said on August 16 that the EU must continue to be mobilized in support of participants in peaceful protests taking part in the Belarusian capital of Minsk and other cities of the country.
"When will he call on the European Union to be mobilized in support of hundreds of thousands of ‘Yellow Vests’ demonstrators who peacefully seek to ensure respect for their rights, freedoms and sovereignty? When will the European Union stop waiting for calls from presidents of its member states and start to mobilize proactively in support of protests held on its own territory?" Zakharova said. "This is what hypocrisy is," she added.
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9. According to preliminary results, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.1% of the vote, while his main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya garnered 10.12%. Protests erupted in the country's capital of Minsk and several other cities following the presidential vote, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers. The European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said on August 14 that the EU did not accept the results of the Belarusian presidential election. "Work begins on sanctioning those responsible for violence and falsification," he pointed out.


tass--2020-08-17--Tikhanovskaya vows ready to become national leader in Belarus

MINSK , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
Former Belarusian presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya stated that she was ready to become a national leader on Monday .
`` I am ready to assume the responsibility and act as a national leader in order for the country to calm down and enter the normal rhythm , '' she said in a video address posted on YouTube .
She demanded to release `` all political prisoners '' in the republic as well as `` to prepare as soon as possible the legal framework and the conditions to organize new presidential elections , real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be unreservedly recognized by the global community . ''
In Belarus , protest rallies have been continuing for a week .
The protesters do not agree with the announced results of the presidential election in which , according to the Central Election Commission , incumbent president of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.10 % of the vote .
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya who was considered his main opponent , came second with 10.12 % .
Immediately after exit poll results were announced , mass protests erupted , leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it did not recognize Lukashenko ’ s victory .
Tikhanovskaya left Belarus for Lithuania on the night of August 10-11 .

MINSK, August 17. /TASS/. Former Belarusian presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya stated that she was ready to become a national leader on Monday.
"I am ready to assume the responsibility and act as a national leader in order for the country to calm down and enter the normal rhythm," she said in a video address posted on YouTube.
She demanded to release "all political prisoners" in the republic as well as "to prepare as soon as possible the legal framework and the conditions to organize new presidential elections, real, honest, and transparent elections which will be unreservedly recognized by the global community."
In Belarus, protest rallies have been continuing for a week. The protesters do not agree with the announced results of the presidential election in which, according to the Central Election Commission, incumbent president of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.10% of the vote. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya who was considered his main opponent, came second with 10.12%. Immediately after exit poll results were announced, mass protests erupted, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement forces. Tikhanovskaya’s headquarters stated that it did not recognize Lukashenko’s victory. Tikhanovskaya left Belarus for Lithuania on the night of August 10-11.


tass--2020-08-17--International Forum on One Korea Explores Prospects for Reunification amid Global Pandemic

WASHINGTON , Aug. 15 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon today called upon the U.S. to make `` principled unification '' its key foreign policy goal for the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia and for giving the `` torch to the Korean people '' to lead fulfillment of the destiny of a free and unified Peninsula .
`` From a strategic perspective , the U.S. should recognize the need for principled unification as the long-term permanent solution to denuclearization and regional peace .
A Korean-led process for unification should be backed by commitment to support the process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done with the Marshall plan after WW II .
He was speaking at the International Forum on One Korea , a global online conference held along with gatherings of civic leaders across Korea to mark the 75th anniversary of Korea 's liberation from Japanese colonial rule at the end of World War II .
Dr .
Moon is the founder and chair of the Global Peace Foundation , a co-sponsor of the conference .
Dr. Edwin Feulner , founder of the Heritage Foundation in the U.S. , said Korea today stands at an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever scholars and policy experts , faced with the failure of past efforts , see Korean unification as the necessary way forward , '' he said .
Crediting Dr .
Moon 's National Bestseller Korean Dream , which stresses the shared values and culture of the Korean people , Dr. Feulner said it was time to move the pursuit of unification outside of the sphere of government to engage the support of the Korean people as a whole .
In Korean Dream Dr .
Moon calls for a revival of Korea 's original @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bridge the gap between conservatives and progressives in South Korea and ultimately between the North and South .
Emerging from division as a new nation , a unified Korea `` must be rooted in a firm foundation of universal spiritual principles and moral values , '' Dr .
Moon said .
`` These form the essential bedrock for true liberty .
Hongik Ingan—living for the greater benefit of all humanity—is the founding aspiration of the Korean people . ''
The forum brought together leading Korea experts , policymakers , and civil society leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unification on the theme : `` Realignment amid Global Changes : New Opportunities for a Free and Unified Korea , '' on August 15 , 2020 .
Amb .
Ahn Ho-young , former ROK Ambassador to the U.S. and currently president of the University of North Korean Studies , said the first step toward unification is to build national consensus based on values of freedom , democracy and human rights , and the right to choose and practice one 's religion .
He noted that German unification depended on the close partnership between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a common understanding of all the important nations involved .
Panelists from the United States expressed grave concerns about North Korea 's nuclear capability and closed society , while noting the significant role that civil society can play in bridging the division between the two Koreas .
`` While the current crisis presents enormous risks , it also presents opportunities ; opportunities to eliminate once and for all weapons of mass destruction from the Korean peninsula ; an opportunity to allow China to play a constructive role as an emerging great power ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the world of responsible nations , in the longer term , it may allow reunification of the Korean people under a government that is supportive of freedoms found only in democracies , '' said Dr. William Parker , past president of the EastWest Institute .
The forum was sponsored by the Global Peace Foundation , Action for Korea United and Alliance for Korea United USA and is the first of a series of forums scheduled for the fall of 2020 .

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon today called upon the U.S. to make "principled unification" its key foreign policy goal for the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia and for giving the "torch to the Korean people" to lead fulfillment of the destiny of a free and unified Peninsula.
"From a strategic perspective, the U.S. should recognize the need for principled unification as the long-term permanent solution to denuclearization and regional peace. A Korean-led process for unification should be backed by commitment to support the process both economically and geopolitically" as was done with the Marshall plan after WW II.
He was speaking at the International Forum on One Korea, a global online conference held along with gatherings of civic leaders across Korea to mark the 75th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule at the end of World War II. Dr. Moon is the founder and chair of the Global Peace Foundation, a co-sponsor of the conference.
Dr. Edwin Feulner, founder of the Heritage Foundation in the U.S., said Korea today stands at an important transition point. "More than ever scholars and policy experts, faced with the failure of past efforts, see Korean unification as the necessary way forward," he said.
Crediting Dr. Moon's National Bestseller Korean Dream, which stresses the shared values and culture of the Korean people, Dr. Feulner said it was time to move the pursuit of unification outside of the sphere of government to engage the support of the Korean people as a whole.
In Korean Dream Dr. Moon calls for a revival of Korea's original founding principles as an ethic that can bridge the gap between conservatives and progressives in South Korea and ultimately between the North and South.
Emerging from division as a new nation, a unified Korea "must be rooted in a firm foundation of universal spiritual principles and moral values," Dr. Moon said. "These form the essential bedrock for true liberty. Hongik Ingan—living for the greater benefit of all humanity—is the founding aspiration of the Korean people."
The forum brought together leading Korea experts, policymakers, and civil society leaders to examine new opportunities for advancing Korean unification on the theme: "Realignment amid Global Changes: New Opportunities for a Free and Unified Korea," on August 15, 2020.
Amb. Ahn Ho-young, former ROK Ambassador to the U.S. and currently president of the University of North Korean Studies, said the first step toward unification is to build national consensus based on values of freedom, democracy and human rights, and the right to choose and practice one's religion.
He noted that German unification depended on the close partnership between President Bush and Chancellor Kohl together with a common understanding of all the important nations involved.
Panelists from the United States expressed grave concerns about North Korea's nuclear capability and closed society, while noting the significant role that civil society can play in bridging the division between the two Koreas.
"While the current crisis presents enormous risks, it also presents opportunities; opportunities to eliminate once and for all weapons of mass destruction from the Korean peninsula; an opportunity to allow China to play a constructive role as an emerging great power; to welcome the people of North Korea to the world of responsible nations, in the longer term, it may allow reunification of the Korean people under a government that is supportive of freedoms found only in democracies," said Dr. William Parker, past president of the EastWest Institute.
The forum was sponsored by the Global Peace Foundation, Action for Korea United and Alliance for Korea United USA and is the first of a series of forums scheduled for the fall of 2020.


tass--2020-08-17--ZTE to launch the world's first 5G smartphone with under-display camera on September 1

SHENZHEN , China , Aug. 17 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- ZTE Corporation ( 0763.HK/000063 , SZ ) , a major international provider of telecommunications , enterprise and consumer technology solutions for the mobile internet , today announced that it will launch ZTE Axon 20 5G in China on September 1 , 2020 .
The device will be the world 's first mass-produced 5G smartphone featuring under-display camera , marking another milestone in ZTE 's exploration of the true full display smartphone .
Aiming to continuously provide consumers with unprecedented user experiences , ZTE is committed to accelerating the development of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breakthroughs in the field of smartphone displays , including launching the world 's first pressure-sensitive display , the world 's first naked-eye 3D display smartphone , as well as the world 's first foldable dual-screen smartphone .
In 2019 , ZTE took the lead in launching the first commercial 5G smartphone , ZTE Axon 10 Pro 5G , in China , the Nordic countries and the Middle East .
The device features a compact , uniquely curved display employing the advanced Oncell-Metal Mesh and COP packaging technologies .
All the major industry players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smartphone .
Consumers have also witnessed the evolution of smartphone display forms from notch display , water-drop notch display , pop-up selfie camera smartphone , to hole punch display .
By launching the world 's first 5G smartphone with under-display camera , ZTE will further promote the development of display technologies in the smartphone industry , thereby bringing a revolutionized experiences to all consumers .
ZTE is a provider of advanced telecommunications systems , mobile devices and enterprise technology solutions to consumers , operators , companies and public sector customers .
The company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ integrated end-to-end innovations to deliver excellence and value as the telecommunications and information technology sectors converge .
Listed in the stock exchanges of Hong Kong and Shenzhen ( H share stock code : 0763.HK / A share stock code : 000063.SZ ) , ZTE sells its products and services in more than 160 countries .

SHENZHEN, China, Aug. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- ZTE Corporation (0763.HK/000063,SZ), a major international provider of telecommunications, enterprise and consumer technology solutions for the mobile internet, today announced that it will launch ZTE Axon 20 5G in China on September 1, 2020. The device will be the world's first mass-produced 5G smartphone featuring under-display camera, marking another milestone in ZTE's exploration of the true full display smartphone.
Aiming to continuously provide consumers with unprecedented user experiences, ZTE is committed to accelerating the development of innovative technologies. ZTE has achieved numerous breakthroughs in the field of smartphone displays, including launching the world's first pressure-sensitive display, the world's first naked-eye 3D display smartphone, as well as the world's first foldable dual-screen smartphone.
In 2019, ZTE took the lead in launching the first commercial 5G smartphone, ZTE Axon 10 Pro 5G, in China, the Nordic countries and the Middle East. The device features a compact, uniquely curved display employing the advanced Oncell-Metal Mesh and COP packaging technologies.
All the major industry players have been working on the under-display camera smartphone. Consumers have also witnessed the evolution of smartphone display forms from notch display, water-drop notch display, pop-up selfie camera smartphone, to hole punch display.
By launching the world's first 5G smartphone with under-display camera, ZTE will further promote the development of display technologies in the smartphone industry, thereby bringing a revolutionized experiences to all consumers.
ZTE is a provider of advanced telecommunications systems, mobile devices and enterprise technology solutions to consumers, operators, companies and public sector customers. The company has been committed to providing customers with integrated end-to-end innovations to deliver excellence and value as the telecommunications and information technology sectors converge. Listed in the stock exchanges of Hong Kong and Shenzhen (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ), ZTE sells its products and services in more than 160 countries.


tass--2020-08-17--CGTN: 15 years on: In China, green is new gold

BEIJING , Aug. 16 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Saturday marks 15 years since the proposal of the green development concept – `` Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets . ''
Yucun Village , a flourishing hamlet in east China 's Zhejiang Province , is its birthplace .
The village , now a national 4A-class scenic area , is renowned for its beauty .
Yet , believe it or not , just a decade ago , filthy water and dust-covered trees lay beneath a grey sky in what is now an idyllic oasis .
How did the small village @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bid to reduce poverty , Yucun pursued economic growth from mining in the 1990s .
However , the source of the prosperity brought a severe pollution problem .
In 2003 , the village ended its reliance on the `` stone economy '' and tried to restore the local ecosystem .
In August 2005 , the move won the praise of Xi Jinping , then Party secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China .
`` Just now you said that you 've made the decision to shut down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move .
Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets , '' Xi told the local officials at a meeting .
In 2019 , the village registered a gross economic income of about 280 million yuan ( 40 million U.S. dollars ) , becoming a model of the comprehensive construction of a well-off society in rural Zhejiang .
In an article published by Zhejiang Daily in 2006 , Xi elaborated on the three stages of developing ties between green development and economic growth .
During the first phase , people sought quick economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second phase , they began to realize the importance of green development but still pursued high economic growth .
It was only during the third phase that people finally realized that green development produces true `` gold , '' and it is only through green development that humans and nature can coexist harmoniously .
Green development is not an empty idea in China .
In order to solve waterway pollution , China introduced the `` Master of the River '' scheme in 2016 .
The Yangtze River , the Yellow River , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Heilongjiang River and the Nenjiang River – have witnessed significant improvements in their water quality over the past years .
Controlling sandy lands is another major task for China .
In 2019 , a study by NASA concluded that between 2000 and 2017 , China had been responsible for over a quarter of the new green areas created worldwide , making it the world 's biggest contributor .
In addition , China released an array of national measures to drive economic development towards a green transition .
These include the establishment of ecological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Protection Law , the launch of environmental inspections and the levying of new environmental protection taxes .

BEIJING, Aug. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Saturday marks 15 years since the proposal of the green development concept – "Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets." Yucun Village, a flourishing hamlet in east China's Zhejiang Province, is its birthplace.
The village, now a national 4A-class scenic area, is renowned for its beauty. Yet, believe it or not, just a decade ago, filthy water and dust-covered trees lay beneath a grey sky in what is now an idyllic oasis.
How did the small village accomplish such a stunning transformation?
Yucun, cradle and model
In a bid to reduce poverty, Yucun pursued economic growth from mining in the 1990s. However, the source of the prosperity brought a severe pollution problem.
In 2003, the village ended its reliance on the "stone economy" and tried to restore the local ecosystem.
In August 2005, the move won the praise of Xi Jinping, then Party secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China.
"Just now you said that you've made the decision to shut down some mines, which is a wise move. Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," Xi told the local officials at a meeting.
In 2019, the village registered a gross economic income of about 280 million yuan (40 million U.S. dollars), becoming a model of the comprehensive construction of a well-off society in rural Zhejiang.
Evolution
In an article published by Zhejiang Daily in 2006, Xi elaborated on the three stages of developing ties between green development and economic growth.
During the first phase, people sought quick economic returns by ignoring environmental protection.
In the second phase, they began to realize the importance of green development but still pursued high economic growth.
It was only during the third phase that people finally realized that green development produces true "gold," and it is only through green development that humans and nature can coexist harmoniously.
Walk the talk
Green development is not an empty idea in China.
In order to solve waterway pollution, China introduced the "Master of the River" scheme in 2016.
The Yangtze River, the Yellow River, and two other key waterways – the Heilongjiang River and the Nenjiang River – have witnessed significant improvements in their water quality over the past years.
Controlling sandy lands is another major task for China. In 2019, a study by NASA concluded that between 2000 and 2017, China had been responsible for over a quarter of the new green areas created worldwide, making it the world's biggest contributor.
In addition, China released an array of national measures to drive economic development towards a green transition.
These include the establishment of ecological compensation mechanisms, amendments to the Environmental Protection Law, the launch of environmental inspections and the levying of new environmental protection taxes.


tass--2020-08-17--Russian Vector research center starts phase two of COVID-19 vaccine trials

NOVOSIBIRSK , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
The Vector State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology in Novosibirsk has started the second phase of clinical studies of the vaccine against the novel coronavirus .
All participating volunteers are in good health , Head of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing Anna Popova told journalists in Novosibirsk on Monday .
`` Yes , of course [ phase two has started ] .
Today clinical trials are held , all volunteers who were specially selected are feeling well .
Those injected with the vaccine have no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even slight reddening at the site of injection , '' she said .
Earlier the sanitary watchdog who runs the Vector center reported that 86 volunteers would receive the vaccine during the second phase of clinical trials .
Russia , like any other country , should have several different vaccines against the novel coronavirus , chief sanitary physician Popova told journalists , answering the question about the difference between the vaccines developed by the Gamaleya institute and by the Vector center .
`` It is absolutely certain that in each country , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several different vaccines .
This is on which we are working today , '' she said .
On August 11 , Russia became the first country worldwide to register a vaccine against the coronavirus which was named Sputnik V. The preparation was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry and passed clinical trials in June - July .
It is based on a known platform previously used for other vaccines .
Head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) Kirill Dmitriev stated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 countries to supply 1 bln doses of the vaccine .
Meanwhile on July 24 , another developer , the Vector center received a permit from Russia ’ s Healthcare Ministry to conduct clinical trials of its vaccine on volunteers .
The first volunteer was inoculated on July 27 .
Five volunteers aged 18-30 participated in the first stage of clinical trials .
The center ’ s General Director Rinat Maksyutov reported that the production launch of the vaccine is scheduled for November .

NOVOSIBIRSK, August 17. /TASS/. The Vector State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology in Novosibirsk has started the second phase of clinical studies of the vaccine against the novel coronavirus. All participating volunteers are in good health, Head of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing Anna Popova told journalists in Novosibirsk on Monday.
"Yes, of course [phase two has started]. Today clinical trials are held, all volunteers who were specially selected are feeling well. Those injected with the vaccine have no reactions, there are no cases of even slight reddening at the site of injection," she said. Earlier the sanitary watchdog who runs the Vector center reported that 86 volunteers would receive the vaccine during the second phase of clinical trials.
Read also First registered COVID-19 vaccine worldwide is named Sputnik V
Russia, like any other country, should have several different vaccines against the novel coronavirus, chief sanitary physician Popova told journalists, answering the question about the difference between the vaccines developed by the Gamaleya institute and by the Vector center.
Read also Russia receives request for 1 bln COVID-19 vaccine doses from 20 states


tass--2020-08-17--Aeroflot passenger jet bound from New York for Moscow bringing home 375 Russian nationals

NEW YORK , August 17 .
Another plane of Russia ’ s Aeroflot flagship carrier took off from New York to Moscow on Sunday night bringing home 375 Russian nationals , who wished to return back from the United States amid the novel coronavirus pandemic , according to flight departures information from the John F. Kennedy International Airport .
The flight is expected to land at Moscow ’ s Sheremetyevo International Airport at 11:50 a.m. Moscow time , Monday , August 17 .
The Russian Embassy in the United States announced earlier on its Facebook page that it was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationals home amid the global COVID-19 pandemic .
The Russian Embassy stated , `` All citizens of Russia were invited to board the plane . ''
Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said that there were ten new-born babies among the 375 passengers on the flight from New York to Moscow .
`` We also carry on with the so-called ‘ humanitarian list ’ and keep on with providing assistance to Russians from vulnerable groups… This flight carries 46 Russians , who had pressing needs to be repatriated , '' Antonov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced , `` In the course of several months ’ hard work we have managed to repatriate over 6,300 of Russian nationals from the United States . ''
According to the Johns Hopkins University , which relies on the data of international organizations , federal and local authorities , the total number of fatalities in the United States caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic exceeded the figure of 170,000 .
The United States is currently the leading country in terms of confirmed novel coronavirus cases , which exceed 5.4 million , while over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recover from the virus .

NEW YORK, August 17. Another plane of Russia’s Aeroflot flagship carrier took off from New York to Moscow on Sunday night bringing home 375 Russian nationals, who wished to return back from the United States amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, according to flight departures information from the John F. Kennedy International Airport.
The flight is expected to land at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport at 11:50 a.m. Moscow time, Monday, August 17.
The Russian Embassy in the United States announced earlier on its Facebook page that it was the 20th flight organized to bring back Russian nationals home amid the global COVID-19 pandemic. The Russian Embassy stated, "All citizens of Russia were invited to board the plane."
Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said that there were ten new-born babies among the 375 passengers on the flight from New York to Moscow.
"We also carry on with the so-called ‘humanitarian list’ and keep on with providing assistance to Russians from vulnerable groups… This flight carries 46 Russians, who had pressing needs to be repatriated," Antonov stated.
Last week, Ambassador Antonov announced, "In the course of several months’ hard work we have managed to repatriate over 6,300 of Russian nationals from the United States."
According to the Johns Hopkins University, which relies on the data of international organizations, federal and local authorities, the total number of fatalities in the United States caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic exceeded the figure of 170,000.
The United States is currently the leading country in terms of confirmed novel coronavirus cases, which exceed 5.4 million, while over 1.8 million people have been reported to recover from the virus.
COVID-19


tass--2020-08-17--Protesters come to Belarusian embassy in Moscow for eighth day in a row

MOSCOW , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
Around 300 people came to the Belarusian embassy in Moscow to protest against @ @ @ @ @ elections in Belarus and the use of force by Belarusian police while dispersing demonstrators , @ @ @ @ @ Sunday .
Protesters are coming to the Belarusian embassy for the eighth day in a @ @ @ @ @ human chain along Maroseika Street , from the embassy building to the nearest metro station @ @ @ @ @ white-red-white flags and posters .
Some chanted slogans and clapped their hands .
Cars driving @ @ @ @ @ horns .
Police were ensuring law and order .
No one was detained .

MOSCOW, August 17. /TASS/. Around 300 people came to the Belarusian embassy in Moscow to protest against the results of the presidential elections in Belarus and the use of force by Belarusian police while dispersing demonstrators, a TASS correspondent reported on Sunday.
Protesters are coming to the Belarusian embassy for the eighth day in a row.
People formed a human chain along Maroseika Street, from the embassy building to the nearest metro station. Many held flowers, white-red-white flags and posters. Some chanted slogans and clapped their hands. Cars driving by them were honking their horns.
Police were ensuring law and order. No one was detained.


tass--2020-08-16--Lavrov, Pompeo discuss Putin’s initiative on Persian Gulf security summit

MOSCOW , August 16 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo have discussed Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s initiative to organize a summit of the leader of the five United Nations Security Council permanent members , Germany and Iran on security in the Persian Gulf region , the Russian foreign ministry said on Sunday after their telephone conversation .
`` The two top diplomats exchange views on Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s initiative to hold a meeting of the leaders of the UN Security Council member nations , Germany , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensuring lasting security in the Persian Gulf region with due account of concerns of all the sides , '' the ministry said .
According to the ministry , the Russian side reiterated its support to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 that created a legal basis for the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA ) on the settlement of around the Iranian nuclear program .
`` Lavrov stressed that the signing of this agreement back in 2015 was a major political and diplomatic achievement geared to enhance the nuclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Middle East , '' it said .
`` The sides also discussed a schedule of bilateral contacts for the immediate perspective , '' the ministry added .
On August 14 , Russian President Vladimir Putin came out with an initiative to organize a summit of the United Nations Security Council permanent members , Germany and Iran to discuss problems of the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA ) .
`` We suggest holding an online meeting of the heads of state from the five permanent members of the UN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Iran in the near future , '' the president said in a statement posted on the Kremlin website .
`` The purpose is to identify steps that will allow for avoiding confrontation and an aggravation of the situation in the UN Security Council and for furnishing collective support for the further uninterrupted implementation of UN Security Council ’ s Resolution 2231 , which provided an international legal basis for JCPOA implementation .
`` .

MOSCOW, August 16. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo have discussed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s initiative to organize a summit of the leader of the five United Nations Security Council permanent members, Germany and Iran on security in the Persian Gulf region, the Russian foreign ministry said on Sunday after their telephone conversation.
"The two top diplomats exchange views on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s initiative to hold a meeting of the leaders of the UN Security Council member nations, Germany, and Iran to look for ways of ensuring lasting security in the Persian Gulf region with due account of concerns of all the sides," the ministry said.
According to the ministry, the Russian side reiterated its support to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 that created a legal basis for the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the settlement of around the Iranian nuclear program. "Lavrov stressed that the signing of this agreement back in 2015 was a major political and diplomatic achievement geared to enhance the nuclear nonproliferation regime and regional security in the Middle East," it said.
"The sides also discussed a schedule of bilateral contacts for the immediate perspective," the ministry added.
On August 14, Russian President Vladimir Putin came out with an initiative to organize a summit of the United Nations Security Council permanent members, Germany and Iran to discuss problems of the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). "We suggest holding an online meeting of the heads of state from the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and the leaders of Germany and Iran in the near future," the president said in a statement posted on the Kremlin website. "The purpose is to identify steps that will allow for avoiding confrontation and an aggravation of the situation in the UN Security Council and for furnishing collective support for the further uninterrupted implementation of UN Security Council’s Resolution 2231, which provided an international legal basis for JCPOA implementation.".


tass--2020-08-18--Defense Ministry’s plane evacuates 26 Russian children from Syria

MOSCOW REGION , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
A plane of the Russian Defense Ministry has evacuated 26 Russian children @ @ @ @ @ service of Russian children ’ s rights commissioner Anna Kuznetsova told reporters .
The plane @ @ @ @ @ in the Moscow Region on Tuesday .
This was the first evacuation flight of the @ @ @ @ @ pause amid the anti-coronavirus restrictions .
`` With the assistance of the Russian president ’ @ @ @ @ @ , who were in orphanages in Damascus , were brought back home , '' the @ @ @ @ @ the flight , the children were accompanied by doctors and all medical recommendations were observed @ @ @ @ @ evacuation .
The children will be sent to an observation center in the Moscow Region @ @ @ @ @ to their relatives after the quarantine measures .
Earlier , Kuznetsova said 122 Russian children @ @ @ @ @ by four flights .

MOSCOW REGION, August 18. /TASS/. A plane of the Russian Defense Ministry has evacuated 26 Russian children from Syria, the press service of Russian children’s rights commissioner Anna Kuznetsova told reporters.
The plane successfully landed at Chkalovsky airfield in the Moscow Region on Tuesday. This was the first evacuation flight of the Russian Defense Ministry after a pause amid the anti-coronavirus restrictions.
"With the assistance of the Russian president’s commissioner 26 Russian children, who were in orphanages in Damascus, were brought back home," the press service said.
During the flight, the children were accompanied by doctors and all medical recommendations were observed at all stages of the evacuation. The children will be sent to an observation center in the Moscow Region and will be handed over to their relatives after the quarantine measures.
Earlier, Kuznetsova said 122 Russian children would be evacuated from Syria by four flights.


tass--2020-08-18--South Ossetian interior minister’s car comes under fire in Tskhinval

TSKHINVAL , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
Unidentified individuals opened fire at a car carrying South Ossetia ’ s Interior @ @ @ @ @ , but he was not wounded , his deputy Tarzan Kokoity told TASS on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ the minister ’ s car came under fire from an abandoned house , which was @ @ @ @ @ the Moskovsky neighborhood in the northern part of Tskhinval .
Out of three bullets , @ @ @ @ @ s door on the driver ’ s side .
No one was hurt , '' @ @ @ @ @ operation has been launched in South Ossetia ’ s capital .

TSKHINVAL, August 18. /TASS/. Unidentified individuals opened fire at a car carrying South Ossetia’s Interior Minister Igor Naniyev in Tskhinval, but he was not wounded, his deputy Tarzan Kokoity told TASS on Tuesday.
"At around 23:00 the minister’s car came under fire from an abandoned house, which was opened from a handgun near the Moskovsky neighborhood in the northern part of Tskhinval. Out of three bullets, one hit the car’s door on the driver’s side. No one was hurt," Kokoity said.
A search operation has been launched in South Ossetia’s capital.


tass--2020-08-17--Syrian army checkpoint in al-Hasakah governorate comes under fire from US helicopters

MOSCOW , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
A Syrian government army checkpoint in the al-Hasakah governorate came under fire from US army helicopters , Alexander Shcherbitsky , chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria , said on Monday .
`` According to reports from the Syrian side , at 9:45 local time on August 17 , 2020 , helicopters of the US Armed Forces opened fire at a Syrian government army checkpoint near the settlement of Tel Dahab in the al-Hasakah governorate , '' he said , adding that , according to preliminary data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two more soldiers were wounded .
Syrian state-run news agency SANA reported earlier in the day that the US forces had delivered an airstrike on a Syrian army checkpoint located in a village southeast of al-Qamishli .
According to the agency , the strike was delivered after the Syrian army had barred a US patrol from passing via the checkpoint .
One Syrian soldier was killed and two more were wounded .
Meanwhile , Pentagon said that no airstrikes had been delivered by the US-led international coalition in the vicinity of al-Qamishli in @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, August 17. /TASS/. A Syrian government army checkpoint in the al-Hasakah governorate came under fire from US army helicopters, Alexander Shcherbitsky, chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria, said on Monday.
"According to reports from the Syrian side, at 9:45 local time on August 17, 2020, helicopters of the US Armed Forces opened fire at a Syrian government army checkpoint near the settlement of Tel Dahab in the al-Hasakah governorate," he said, adding that, according to preliminary data, one Syrian soldier was killed and two more soldiers were wounded.
Syrian state-run news agency SANA reported earlier in the day that the US forces had delivered an airstrike on a Syrian army checkpoint located in a village southeast of al-Qamishli. According to the agency, the strike was delivered after the Syrian army had barred a US patrol from passing via the checkpoint. One Syrian soldier was killed and two more were wounded.
Meanwhile, Pentagon said that no airstrikes had been delivered by the US-led international coalition in the vicinity of al-Qamishli in the al-Hasakah governorate.