tass--2020-08-16--Russia’s COVID-19 cases rise by 4,969 in the past day

MOSCOW , August 16 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s coronavirus cases rose by 4,969 in the past day to 922,853 , the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Sunday .
The number of COVID-19 cases was fewer than 5,000 for the second time this week .
According to the data , the daily growth rate dropped to 0.5 % for the first time .
Some 688 new coronavirus cases were recorded in Moscow , 163 in St. Petersburg , 154 in the Moscow Region , 150 in the Sverdlovsk Region and 129 in the Stavropol Region and the Rostov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recorded in the Nenets Autonomous Region ( 0.0 % ) , the Moscow Region ( 0.2 % ) , North Ossetia ( 0.2 % ) , Moscow ( 0.3 % ) , the Tyva Republic ( 0.3 % ) , the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic ( 0.3 % ) , the Bryansk Region ( 0.3 % ) , the Tula Region ( 0.3 % ) , the Trans-Baikal Region ( 0.3 % ) , the Chechen Republic ( 0.3 % ) and the Lipetsk Region ( 0.3 % ) .
Currently , some 174,200 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia .
Russia ’ s coronavirus recoveries rose by 3,557 in the past day , the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters .
A total of 732,986 people have recovered , according to the crisis center .
This is 79.4 % of all those infected in Russia .
Some 1,045 patients were discharged in the past day in Moscow , 222 in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region , 197 in the Chuvash Republic , 172 in the Bashkortostan Republic and 138 in the Moscow Region .
The death toll from the coronavirus in the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day earlier .
This is the lowest daily death toll since May 3 .
A total of 15,685 people died of the infection .
The share of deaths among those infected in Russia reached 1.7 % .
In the past day , 11 fatalities were recorded in Moscow , 10 in St. Petersburg , 6 in the Omsk Region , 4 in the Murmansk Region , 3 in the Moscow Region , the Novoribirsk Region , the Tver Region and the Rostov Region , and the death toll in another 18 regions did @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, August 16. /TASS/. Russia’s coronavirus cases rose by 4,969 in the past day to 922,853, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Sunday.
The number of COVID-19 cases was fewer than 5,000 for the second time this week.
According to the data, the daily growth rate dropped to 0.5% for the first time.
Some 688 new coronavirus cases were recorded in Moscow, 163 in St. Petersburg, 154 in the Moscow Region, 150 in the Sverdlovsk Region and 129 in the Stavropol Region and the Rostov Region.
The lowest growth rate was recorded in the Nenets Autonomous Region (0.0%), the Moscow Region (0.2%), North Ossetia (0.2%), Moscow (0.3%), the Tyva Republic (0.3%), the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (0.3%), the Bryansk Region (0.3%), the Tula Region (0.3%), the Trans-Baikal Region (0.3%), the Chechen Republic (0.3%) and the Lipetsk Region (0.3%).
Currently, some 174,200 people are undergoing treatment for the coronavirus in Russia.
Coronavirus recoveries
Russia’s coronavirus recoveries rose by 3,557 in the past day, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters. A total of 732,986 people have recovered, according to the crisis center. This is 79.4% of all those infected in Russia.
Some 1,045 patients were discharged in the past day in Moscow, 222 in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region, 197 in the Chuvash Republic, 172 in the Bashkortostan Republic and 138 in the Moscow Region.
The death toll from the coronavirus in the past day grew by 68 versus 119 a day earlier. This is the lowest daily death toll since May 3. A total of 15,685 people died of the infection. The share of deaths among those infected in Russia reached 1.7%.
In the past day, 11 fatalities were recorded in Moscow, 10 in St. Petersburg, 6 in the Omsk Region, 4 in the Murmansk Region, 3 in the Moscow Region, the Novoribirsk Region, the Tver Region and the Rostov Region, and the death toll in another 18 regions did not exceed 2.


tass--2020-08-16--COVID-19 vaccine production for civilian circulation to begin a month after 3rd stage

MOSCOW , August 16 .
/TASS/ .
The coronavirus vaccine developed by the N. F. Gamaleya Federal Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry may enter production for civilian circulation a month after the launch of the third stage ( post-registration ) of the research , the center ’ s Director Alexander Gintsburg told TASS .
However , not all Russian citizens will be able to get the vaccine at once , he stressed .
`` The civilian production will be launched in parallel [ with post-registration research ] but with some delay because there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a delay of one month at maximum after the post-registration research begins , '' Gintsburg said .
Earlier , Gintsburg told TASS that several tens of thousands of people would take part in the third stage of the research .
The scientist explained that the excessive amount of the vaccine would be sent for civilian circulation and this could be enough for several Russian regions .
The scientist said it was difficult to predict how many doses of the drug could be produced in the coming weeks because the production would be expanded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian government on the president ’ s order the production capacity will grow 10-fold in the coming 1.5 or 2 months , Gintsburg noted .
`` In the near future 3-4 more facilities will be launched and by December they will produce 4 mln-5 mln doses per month or a bit more and this will allow to ensure the necessary amount of the vaccine for the entire country for 9-12 months , '' the scientist said .
On August 11 , Russia registered the world ’ s first vaccine against the novel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ V , was developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology , and its clinical trials were successfully completed in June-July .
It was created on a platform that had been used for the development of a number of other vaccines .
On August 15 , the Health Ministry announced that the production of the vaccine had been launched .

MOSCOW, August 16. /TASS/. The coronavirus vaccine developed by the N. F. Gamaleya Federal Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry may enter production for civilian circulation a month after the launch of the third stage (post-registration) of the research, the center’s Director Alexander Gintsburg told TASS.
However, not all Russian citizens will be able to get the vaccine at once, he stressed.
"The civilian production will be launched in parallel [with post-registration research] but with some delay because there is not enough vaccine…I think this will be a delay of one month at maximum after the post-registration research begins," Gintsburg said.
Earlier, Gintsburg told TASS that several tens of thousands of people would take part in the third stage of the research. The scientist explained that the excessive amount of the vaccine would be sent for civilian circulation and this could be enough for several Russian regions.
The scientist said it was difficult to predict how many doses of the drug could be produced in the coming weeks because the production would be expanded. Thanks to the money allocated by the Russian government on the president’s order the production capacity will grow 10-fold in the coming 1.5 or 2 months, Gintsburg noted.
"In the near future 3-4 more facilities will be launched and by December they will produce 4 mln-5 mln doses per month or a bit more and this will allow to ensure the necessary amount of the vaccine for the entire country for 9-12 months," the scientist said.
On August 11, Russia registered the world’s first vaccine against the novel coronavirus. The vaccine, dubbed Sputnik V, was developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, and its clinical trials were successfully completed in June-July. It was created on a platform that had been used for the development of a number of other vaccines. On August 15, the Health Ministry announced that the production of the vaccine had been launched.


tass--2020-08-16--Third stage of Russia’s coronavirus vaccine research may begin in 7-10 days

MOSCOW , August 16 .
/TASS/ .
The third ( post-registration ) stage of the research on the coronavirus vaccine developed by the N. F. Gamaleya Federal Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry , may begin in 7-10 days , its Director Alexander Gintsburg told TASS .
Several tens of thousands of people are expected to take part in this research .
`` On Monday , we will present the first version of the protocol on post-registration research .
Given this great interest and attention of the public and the press , I think that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the process and will approve the protocol within a week .
So , I believe within seven or ten days at maximum everything will begin , '' Gintsburg said .
Earlier , the press service of Russia 's public health watchdog , Roszdravnadzor , said some 2,000 people would take part in the clinical trials after the drug ’ s registration .
In his turn , Gintsburg said several tens of thousands of people were expected to be involved by the third stage .
The research will be conducted in the Moscow Region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world ’ s first vaccine against the novel coronavirus .
The vaccine , dubbed Sputnik V , was developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology , and its clinical trials were successfully completed in June-July .
It was created on a platform that had been used for the development of a number of other vaccines .
On August 15 , the Health Ministry announced that the production of the vaccine had been launched .

MOSCOW, August 16. /TASS/. The third (post-registration) stage of the research on the coronavirus vaccine developed by the N. F. Gamaleya Federal Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry, may begin in 7-10 days, its Director Alexander Gintsburg told TASS.
Several tens of thousands of people are expected to take part in this research.
"On Monday, we will present the first version of the protocol on post-registration research. Given this great interest and attention of the public and the press, I think that the Health Ministry won’t delay the process and will approve the protocol within a week. So, I believe within seven or ten days at maximum everything will begin," Gintsburg said.
Earlier, the press service of Russia's public health watchdog, Roszdravnadzor, said some 2,000 people would take part in the clinical trials after the drug’s registration. In his turn, Gintsburg said several tens of thousands of people were expected to be involved by the third stage. The research will be conducted in the Moscow Region.
On August 11, Russia registered the world’s first vaccine against the novel coronavirus. The vaccine, dubbed Sputnik V, was developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, and its clinical trials were successfully completed in June-July. It was created on a platform that had been used for the development of a number of other vaccines. On August 15, the Health Ministry announced that the production of the vaccine had been launched.


tass--2020-08-16--Bank of Russia viewing cash depositing to cards at cash desks

MOSCOW , August 16 .
/TASS/ .
The Bank of Russia is considering an option of introducing a system of @ @ @ @ @ cash desks in stores , the Izvestiya newspaper reports on Sunday , citing a regulator @ @ @ @ @ The Bank of Russia considers the service of cash depositing to cards at cash desks @ @ @ @ @ of increasing financial accessibility in remote and sparsely populated regions , '' the Central Bank @ @ @ @ @ task will require time and probably changes in currently effective laws , the Bank of @ @ @ @ @ be able to make cash depositing operations to cards in the nearby stores , owing @ @ @ @ @ service is available now on condition that an individual buys something in a store .

MOSCOW, August 16. /TASS/. The Bank of Russia is considering an option of introducing a system of cash depositing to cards via cash desks in stores, the Izvestiya newspaper reports on Sunday, citing a regulator’s spokesperson.
"The Bank of Russia considers the service of cash depositing to cards at cash desks as fairly promising in terms of increasing financial accessibility in remote and sparsely populated regions," the Central Bank said.
Solution of this task will require time and probably changes in currently effective laws, the Bank of Russia added.
Users will be able to make cash depositing operations to cards in the nearby stores, owing to such service. This service is available now on condition that an individual buys something in a store.


tass--2020-08-16--One miner died after rock fall - source

One miner died after rock fall - source

KEMEROVO , August 16 .
/TASS/ .
Three miners were hospitalized after the rock fall in the Erunakovskaya-8 mine in @ @ @ @ @ Kuzbass disaster medical center told TASS on Sunday .
The fourth injured miner died , @ @ @ @ @ emergency services said .
`` One individual died , '' the source said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ .
One is in the medium severity condition , the second one in the grave @ @ @ @ @ one - in the very grave condition , '' the press service of the disaster @ @ @ @ @ rockslide occurred in the mine on Saturday .
The fall occurred `` as a result @ @ @ @ @ '' said Raspadskaya Company , the mine operator .
Investigative authorities opened earlier a criminal @ @ @ @ @ safety requirement in the Erunakovskaya-8 mine .

KEMEROVO, August 16. /TASS/. Three miners were hospitalized after the rock fall in the Erunakovskaya-8 mine in Novokuznetsk, press service of Kuzbass disaster medical center told TASS on Sunday. The fourth injured miner died, a TASS source in regional emergency services said.
"One individual died," the source said.
"Three injured individuals were hospitalized. One is in the medium severity condition, the second one in the grave condition, and the third one - in the very grave condition," the press service of the disaster medical center said.
The rockslide occurred in the mine on Saturday. The fall occurred "as a result of a seismic event," said Raspadskaya Company, the mine operator. Investigative authorities opened earlier a criminal case regarding the violation of safety requirement in the Erunakovskaya-8 mine.


tass--2020-08-16--Expert: Modern methods making possible to reduce vaccine development time to one month

MOSCOW , August 16 .
/TASS/ .
Modern research methods make possible to develop vaccine prototypes in advance , lowering @ @ @ @ @ to one month in case of necessity , Director of the N. F. Gamaleya National @ @ @ @ @ Microbiology Alexander Gintsburg said in an interview with the Rossiya-1 TV Channel .
`` Current @ @ @ @ @ in advance prototype vaccines against epidemically significant strains that may appear , as we anticipate @ @ @ @ @ developed in advance and simply stored in fridges as a specific pharmaceutical .
This will @ @ @ @ @ time for new medicines development to actually one month , probably even to smaller terms @ @ @ @ @ months , '' the expert said .
The advantage of the vaccine development by the @ @ @ @ @ bi-component , Gintsburg noted .
The immunity after vaccination is expected to remain four about @ @ @ @ @ .
On August 11 , Russia registered the first coronavirus vaccine known as Sputnik V @

MOSCOW, August 16. /TASS/. Modern research methods make possible to develop vaccine prototypes in advance, lowering the timeframe of vaccine development to one month in case of necessity, Director of the N. F. Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology Alexander Gintsburg said in an interview with the Rossiya-1 TV Channel.
"Current gene engineering methods enable creating in advance prototype vaccines against epidemically significant strains that may appear, as we anticipate. Such prototypes can be developed in advance and simply stored in fridges as a specific pharmaceutical. This will make possible to reduce the time for new medicines development to actually one month, probably even to smaller terms, rather than during five months," the expert said.
The advantage of the vaccine development by the center is that it is bi-component, Gintsburg noted. The immunity after vaccination is expected to remain four about two years, he added.
On August 11, Russia registered the first coronavirus vaccine known as Sputnik V.


tass--2020-08-17--Number of reported COVID-19 fatalities in US exceeds 170,000

TASS , August 17 .
A total number of fatalities in the United States caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ , according to data from the Johns Hopkins University , which relies on the data @ @ @ @ @ and local authorities .
The US-based research university reports that as of today the highest @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 pandemic was registered in the state of New York ( 32,840 ) , @ @ @ @ @ state of New Jersey ( 15,912 ) and the state of California ( 11,243 ) @ @ @ @ @ currently the leading country in terms of confirmed novel coronavirus cases , which exceed 5.4 @ @ @ @ @ million people have been reported to recover from the virus .

TASS, August 17. The total number of fatalities in the United States caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic exceeded the figure of 170,000, according to data from the Johns Hopkins University, which relies on the data of international organizations, federal and local authorities.
The US-based research university reports that as of today the highest number of fatalities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic was registered in the state of New York (32,840), which is followed by the state of New Jersey (15,912) and the state of California (11,243).
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.


tass--2020-08-17--Russian military inspectors to hold observation flight over Finland this week

MOSCOW , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
A group of Russian military inspectors will carry out this week an observation flight over the territory of Finland within the frames of the international Open Skies Treaty , Russian Defense Ministry ’ s newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda reported .
`` The observation flight over the territory of Finland will be held between August 17 and 21 from the Helsinki-Vantaa airport , '' the newspaper quoted Sergey Ryzhkov , the head of the Russian Defense Ministry ’ s National Nuclear Risk Reduction Center , as saying .
`` The maximum flight range is estimated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] . ''
The inspection flight will be carried out on board of an An-30B aircraft , which will be strictly following an earlier approved route .
Military specialists from Finland on board of the plane will be supervising the use of the surveillance equipment and observation of the Treaty provisions .
The Treaty on Open Skies was signed in March 1992 in Helsinki by 23 member-nations of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) .
The Open Skies ’ main goals are to build transparency , render assistance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arms control agreements , broaden possibilities for preventing crises and managing crisis situations .
The accord establishes a program of unarmed aerial surveillance flights over the entire territory of its participants .
Now , the treaty has more than 30 signatory states .
Russia ratified the Treaty on Open Skies on May 26 , 2001 .
US President Donald Trump declared on May 21 that Washington was going to withdraw from the Treaty on Open Skies , which provides for inspection flights over member countries ’ territories to monitor military activities .
US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a written statement that the decision on Washington ’ s withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty would enter into force in six months , starting from May 22 .
The US side motivated its move by Russia ’ s alleged violation of the treaty .
Moscow denies these accusations , stating that it keeps its commitment to the treaty and laying counterclaims .

MOSCOW, August 17. /TASS/. A group of Russian military inspectors will carry out this week an observation flight over the territory of Finland within the frames of the international Open Skies Treaty, Russian Defense Ministry’s newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda reported.
"The observation flight over the territory of Finland will be held between August 17 and 21 from the Helsinki-Vantaa airport," the newspaper quoted Sergey Ryzhkov, the head of the Russian Defense Ministry’s National Nuclear Risk Reduction Center, as saying. "The maximum flight range is estimated at 1,400 kilometers [some 870 miles]."
The inspection flight will be carried out on board of an An-30B aircraft, which will be strictly following an earlier approved route. Military specialists from Finland on board of the plane will be supervising the use of the surveillance equipment and observation of the Treaty provisions.
The Treaty on Open Skies was signed in March 1992 in Helsinki by 23 member-nations of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
The Open Skies’ main goals are to build transparency, render assistance in monitoring compliance with existing or future arms control agreements, broaden possibilities for preventing crises and managing crisis situations. The accord establishes a program of unarmed aerial surveillance flights over the entire territory of its participants. Now, the treaty has more than 30 signatory states. Russia ratified the Treaty on Open Skies on May 26, 2001.
US President Donald Trump declared on May 21 that Washington was going to withdraw from the Treaty on Open Skies, which provides for inspection flights over member countries’ territories to monitor military activities.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo explained later in a written statement that the decision on Washington’s withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty would enter into force in six months, starting from May 22.
The US side motivated its move by Russia’s alleged violation of the treaty. Moscow denies these accusations, stating that it keeps its commitment to the treaty and laying counterclaims.


tass--2020-08-17--Belarusian opposition to go to court over use of force against protesters

MINSK , August 16 .
/TASS/ .
Belarus ’ opposition on Monday will go to court demanding a criminal case be opened against law enforcement agencies over excessive use of force to disperse protests , Maria Kolesnikova , an ally of presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , said on Sunday at a protest rally in central Minsk .
`` Tomorrow , we will lodge a motion to open a criminal case over the death of people and illegal actions of law enforcers .
All those who used violence must be held responsible under the Belarusian laws , '' she said as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Tikhanovskaya ’ s election team .
On August 9 , Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991 .
According to the final results of Sunday ’ s voting , the incumbent president , Alexander Lukashenko , won 80.1 % of the vote .
His closest rival , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , scored 10.12 % of votes .
However , she did not recognize the results of the voting .
Mass protests and clashes with police took place in Minsk and other Belarusian cities on Sunday night into Monday morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Rallies continued for several days .
As a result , several thousands of people were detained , dozens of law enforcers and demonstrators were injured .

MINSK, August 16. /TASS/. Belarus’ opposition on Monday will go to court demanding a criminal case be opened against law enforcement agencies over excessive use of force to disperse protests, Maria Kolesnikova, an ally of presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, said on Sunday at a protest rally in central Minsk.
"Tomorrow, we will lodge a motion to open a criminal case over the death of people and illegal actions of law enforcers. All those who used violence must be held responsible under the Belarusian laws," she said as cited by Maxim Znak, an attorney of Tikhanovskaya’s election team.
On August 9, Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991. According to the final results of Sunday’s voting, the incumbent president, Alexander Lukashenko, won 80.1% of the vote. His closest rival, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, scored 10.12% of votes. However, she did not recognize the results of the voting.
Mass protests and clashes with police took place in Minsk and other Belarusian cities on Sunday night into Monday morning after exit poll results were made public. Rallies continued for several days. As a result, several thousands of people were detained, dozens of law enforcers and demonstrators were injured.


tass--2020-08-17--Number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Belarus exceeding 69,500

MINSK , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
Ninety-two more novel coronavirus cases were confirmed in Belarus in the past day , or by 24 cases less than on the previous day , with the overall number of such cases exceeding 69,500 , the country ’ health ministry reported on Sunday .
`` As many as 69,516 people have tested positive for COVID-19 , '' it said , adding that the daily tally was 92 .
`` A total of 610 coronavirus patients with a number of chronic diseases have died since the epidemic outbreak , '' it said , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
According to the latest update , as many as 67,072 coronavirus patients have recovered from the disease , including 325 in the past 24 hours .
A total of 1,422,158 coronavirus tests have been conducted .
Belarus did not impose any coronavirus lockdowns , with mass gathering not being banned .
The maximal daily tally of newly confirmed coronavirus cases was reported in April when more than 900 patients tested positive in one day .
The country ’ s health ministry anticipates a second wave of the coronavirus epidemic in November-December @

MINSK, August 17. /TASS/. Ninety-two more novel coronavirus cases were confirmed in Belarus in the past day, or by 24 cases less than on the previous day, with the overall number of such cases exceeding 69,500, the country’ health ministry reported on Sunday.
"As many as 69,516 people have tested positive for COVID-19," it said, adding that the daily tally was 92.
"A total of 610 coronavirus patients with a number of chronic diseases have died since the epidemic outbreak," it said, adding that three patients died during the past day.
According to the latest update, as many as 67,072 coronavirus patients have recovered from the disease, including 325 in the past 24 hours. A total of 1,422,158 coronavirus tests have been conducted.
Belarus did not impose any coronavirus lockdowns, with mass gathering not being banned. The maximal daily tally of newly confirmed coronavirus cases was reported in April when more than 900 patients tested positive in one day.
The country’s health ministry anticipates a second wave of the coronavirus epidemic in November-December.


tass--2020-08-17--Five members of armed group plotting attack on policemen detained in Makhachkala

MAKHACHKALA , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
Five members of an illegal armed group , which plotted attacks on policemen @ @ @ @ @ Makhachkala , a spokesman for the Federal Security Service ’ s department for the Republic @ @ @ @ @ Sunday .
`` On August 16 , officers of the republican departments of the Federal @ @ @ @ @ , and the National Guard , who conducted a joint operation , identified five members @ @ @ @ @ among local residents .
The five men were taken to a police office .
According @ @ @ @ @ men plotted a series of armed attacks on law enforcers in Makhachkala , Khasavyurt , @ @ @ @ @ spokesman said , adding that the young people are aged from 15 to 17 .
@ @ @ @ @ bladed weapons and fatigues .
Materials on the case have been referred to investigative agencies @ @ @ @ @ .

MAKHACHKALA, August 17. /TASS/. Five members of an illegal armed group, which plotted attacks on policemen, have been detained in Makhachkala, a spokesman for the Federal Security Service’s department for the Republic of Dagestan told TASS on Sunday.
"On August 16, officers of the republican departments of the Federal Security Service, Interior Ministry, and the National Guard, who conducted a joint operation, identified five members of an armed group from among local residents. The five men were taken to a police office. According to police data, these men plotted a series of armed attacks on law enforcers in Makhachkala, Khasavyurt, and Derbent," the spokesman said, adding that the young people are aged from 15 to 17.
"The pat-down search yielded bladed weapons and fatigues. Materials on the case have been referred to investigative agencies," the spokesman added.


tass--2020-08-17--Single-engine plane crash land near Moscow, pilot hurt

MOSCOW , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
The pilot of a single-engine plane was hurt when making a crash landing @ @ @ @ @ in the emergencies agencies told TASS on Sunday .
`` According to preliminary data , @ @ @ @ @ crash landing in the village of Shchekino , Klin municipality , Moscow region .
No @ @ @ @ @ was hurt , '' the source said .
The pilot ’ s life is out @ @ @ @ @ source , the plane ’ s engine failed when it was taking off from a @ @ @ @ @ airfield .
No fire followed .
No damages were reported on the ground .

MOSCOW, August 17. /TASS/. The pilot of a single-engine plane was hurt when making a crash landing near Moscow, a source in the emergencies agencies told TASS on Sunday.
"According to preliminary data, a single-engine plane made a crash landing in the village of Shchekino, Klin municipality, Moscow region. No one died. The pilot was hurt," the source said.
The pilot’s life is out of danger. According to source, the plane’s engine failed when it was taking off from a private territory of the Shchekino airfield. No fire followed. No damages were reported on the ground.


tass--2020-08-17--Ex-candidate for Belarus' president Dmitriyev to challenge poll results with Supreme Court

MINSK , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
Former candidate for Belarusian president Andrei Dmitriyev told TASS on Sunday he plans @ @ @ @ @ of the August 9 presidential elections in Belarus with the Supreme Court .
`` Yes @ @ @ @ @ I call on all members of election commissions to be my witnesses of falsifications .
@ @ @ @ @ '' said Dmitriyev , who scored 1.21 % of the vote .
On August 9 @ @ @ @ @ presidential election since declaring independence in 1991 .
According to the final results of Sunday @ @ @ @ @ incumbent president , Alexander Lukashenko , won 80.1 % of the vote .
His closest @ @ @ @ @ scored 10.12 % of votes .
However , she did not recognize the results of @ @ @ @ @ and clashes with police took place in Minsk and other Belarusian cities on Sunday night @ @ @ @ @ poll results were made public .
Rallies continued for several days .
As a result @ @ @ @ @ were detained , dozens of law enforcers and demonstrators were injured .

MINSK, August 17. /TASS/. Former candidate for Belarusian president Andrei Dmitriyev told TASS on Sunday he plans to challenge the final results of the August 9 presidential elections in Belarus with the Supreme Court.
"Yes, without fail. And I call on all members of election commissions to be my witnesses of falsifications. It is their chance," said Dmitriyev, who scored 1.21% of the vote.
On August 9, Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991. According to the final results of Sunday’s voting, the incumbent president, Alexander Lukashenko, won 80.1% of the vote. His closest rival, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, scored 10.12% of votes. However, she did not recognize the results of the voting.
Mass protests and clashes with police took place in Minsk and other Belarusian cities on Sunday night into Monday morning after exit poll results were made public. Rallies continued for several days. As a result, several thousands of people were detained, dozens of law enforcers and demonstrators were injured.


tass--2020-08-17--No one detained during Sunday’s protests in Minsk - interior ministry

MINSK , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
The Belarusian interior ministry refutes medial allegations about detentions during Sunday ’ s @ @ @ @ @ official results of the presidential polls , Belarusian Interior Ministry Spokeswoman Olga Chemodanova told TASS @ @ @ @ @ has no information about detentions on Sunday , '' she said .
A number of @ @ @ @ @ the day citing eyewitnesses that unidentified men has captured several people in central Minsk and @ @ @ @ @ minibus .
It was also reported that several people had been detained in courtyards .

MINSK, August 17. /TASS/. The Belarusian interior ministry refutes medial allegations about detentions during Sunday’s protests in Minsk against the official results of the presidential polls, Belarusian Interior Ministry Spokeswoman Olga Chemodanova told TASS.
"The interior ministry has no information about detentions on Sunday," she said.
A number of media outlets reported earlier in the day citing eyewitnesses that unidentified men has captured several people in central Minsk and drove them away in a minibus. It was also reported that several people had been detained in courtyards.


tass--2020-08-17--Belarus' interior ministry denies reports about 4,000 people still in detention facilities

MINSK , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
Belarus ’ interior ministry denies reports about some 4,000 people being still kept @ @ @ @ @ rallies , Interior Ministry Spokeswoman Olga Chemodanova told TASS on Sunday .
`` It is @ @ @ @ @ not true .
All the lists of those kept at detention facilities in Zhodino and @ @ @ @ @ doors to these facilities .
Stop indulging in fake news , '' she said .
@ @ @ @ @ how many people who had been detained during the protests were still kept at detention @ @ @ @ @ should be requested from the supervisory department .
I can give this figure on Monday @ @ @ @ @ Maria Kolesnikova , an ally of presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , said earlier on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ still kept at detention facilities and demanded their immediate release .

MINSK, August 17. /TASS/. Belarus’ interior ministry denies reports about some 4,000 people being still kept at detention facilities after protest rallies, Interior Ministry Spokeswoman Olga Chemodanova told TASS on Sunday.
"It is a fake. It is not true. All the lists of those kept at detention facilities in Zhodino and Minsk are available at the doors to these facilities. Stop indulging in fake news," she said.
She did not say however how many people who had been detained during the protests were still kept at detention facilities. "These data should be requested from the supervisory department. I can give this figure on Monday," she said.
Maria Kolesnikova, an ally of presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, said earlier on Sunday that around 4,000 people are still kept at detention facilities and demanded their immediate release.


tass--2020-08-17--Ten more coronavirus patients die in Moscow in past day - crisis center

MOSCOW , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
Ten more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day , with @ @ @ @ @ exceeding 4,660 , the city ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Sunday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ pneumonia have died in Moscow , '' it said , adding the overall number of @ @ @ @ @ reached 4,666 .
The coronavirus situation in Moscow , which was the most serious in @ @ @ @ @ .
By today , Moscow has reported nearly 252,400 confirmed coronavirus cases .
Some 197,000 @ @ @ @ @ campaign of voluntary testing for coronavirus antibodies is underway in the capital city .
According @ @ @ @ @ more than 21.4 million people have been infected worldwide and more than 771,000 deaths have @ @ @ @ @ , 922,853 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 732,968 patients having recovered @ @ @ @ @ ’ s latest data indicates 15,685 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set @ @ @ @ @ keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, August 17. /TASS/. Ten more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day, with the overall number of fatalities exceeding 4,660, the city’s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Sunday.
"Ten coronavirus-positive patients diagnosed with pneumonia have died in Moscow," it said, adding the overall number of coronavirus-related deaths in Moscow has reached 4,666.
The coronavirus situation in Moscow, which was the most serious in Russia, has visibly stabilized. By today, Moscow has reported nearly 252,400 confirmed coronavirus cases. Some 197,000 patients have recovered. A campaign of voluntary testing for coronavirus antibodies is underway in the capital city.
According to the latest statistics, more than 21.4 million people have been infected worldwide and more than 771,000 deaths have been reported.
To date, 922,853 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 732,968 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 15,685 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-08-17--Number of COVID-2019 cases across globe up by over 267,000 in past day

GENEVA , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
More than 267,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide on August 16 , with the overall number of such cases exceeding 21.29 million , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin on Sunday .
As of 11:00 Moscow time on August 16 , as many as 21,294,845 novel coronavirus cases and 761,779 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases grew by 267,291 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 5,985 .
The WHO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the countries .
South and North America accounts for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 11,420,860 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 149,645 and the number of deaths - by 3,843 and reached 414,326 .
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 3,745,649 and the number of fatalities is 214,092 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 19,888 and the number of deaths - by 410 .
Southeast Asia has 3,040,168 cases and 59,875 fatalities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of cases grew by 69,064 and the number of deaths - by 1,031 .
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States ( 5,258,565 ) , Brazil ( 3,275,520 ) , India ( 2,589,682 ) , Russia ( 922,853 ) , South Africa ( 583,653 ) , Peru ( 516,296 ) , Mexico ( 511,369 ) , Colombia ( 445,111 ) , Chile ( 383,902 ) , and Spain ( 342,813 ) .

GENEVA, August 17. /TASS/. More than 267,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide on August 16, with the overall number of such cases exceeding 21.29 million, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin on Sunday.
As of 11:00 Moscow time on August 16, as many as 21,294,845 novel coronavirus cases and 761,779 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by 267,291 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 5,985.
The WHO statistics is based on officially confirmed data from the countries.
South and North America accounts for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 11,420,860. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 149,645 and the number of deaths - by 3,843 and reached 414,326.
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 3,745,649 and the number of fatalities is 214,092. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 19,888 and the number of deaths - by 410.
Southeast Asia has 3,040,168 cases and 59,875 fatalities. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 69,064 and the number of deaths - by 1,031.
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States (5,258,565), Brazil (3,275,520), India (2,589,682), Russia (922,853), South Africa (583,653), Peru (516,296), Mexico (511,369), Colombia (445,111), Chile (383,902), and Spain (342,813).


tass--2020-08-16--Belarusian opposition says around 4,000 people still kept at detention facilities

MINSK , August 16 .
/TASS/ .
Maria Kolesnikova , an ally of presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , said on @ @ @ @ @ still kept at detention facilities following mass protests against the results of last Sunday ’ @ @ @ @ @ their immediate release .
`` According to the latest update I have , there are @ @ @ @ @ demand their release .
We also demand the release of political prisoners who were detained @ @ @ @ @ she told TASS .

MINSK, August 16. /TASS/. Maria Kolesnikova, an ally of presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, said on Sunday around 4,000 people are still kept at detention facilities following mass protests against the results of last Sunday’s presidential elections and demanded their immediate release.
"According to the latest update I have, there are about 4,000 detainees. We demand their release. We also demand the release of political prisoners who were detained before the elections," she told TASS.


tass--2020-08-16--West seeking to lure away Russian vaccine developers - Gamalei Center head

MOSCOW , August 16 .
/TASS/ .
Western research institutions are seeking to lure away scientists from the Gamalei National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry , but to no avail , the center ’ s chief , Alexander Gintsburg , said on Sunday .
`` Our researchers have been working at the Gamalei Institute for ten years… Any American or European university can only dream of having such researchers .
And they are seeking to lure them away .
But they won ’ t be able to , '' he said in an interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Rossiya-1 television channel .
According to Gintsburg , the West ’ s negative reaction to the newly-registered Russian anti-coronavirus vaccine was quite predictable .
`` I wouldn ’ t call it collusion .
I would call it a natural negative reaction of Western companies to the emergence of a Russian production they did not expect .
So , I think we should ignore these negative things that are being poured on us and that have been well-paud , '' he stressed .
On August 11 , Russia registered the world ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The vaccine , dubbed Sputnik V , was developed by the Gamalei National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry , and its clinical trials were successfully completed in June-July .
The vaccine was developed on a platform that had been used for a number of other vaccines .
CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriyev said earlier more than 20 countries had already applied for supplies of one billion doses of the new vaccine .

MOSCOW, August 16. /TASS/. Western research institutions are seeking to lure away scientists from the Gamalei National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry, but to no avail, the center’s chief, Alexander Gintsburg, said on Sunday.
"Our researchers have been working at the Gamalei Institute for ten years… Any American or European university can only dream of having such researchers. And they are seeking to lure them away. But they won’t be able to," he said in an interview with the Vesti Nedeli weekly news program on the Rossiya-1 television channel.
According to Gintsburg, the West’s negative reaction to the newly-registered Russian anti-coronavirus vaccine was quite predictable. "I wouldn’t call it collusion. I would call it a natural negative reaction of Western companies to the emergence of a Russian production they did not expect. So, I think we should ignore these negative things that are being poured on us and that have been well-paid," he stressed.
On August 11, Russia registered the world’s first vaccine against the novel coronavirus. The vaccine, dubbed Sputnik V, was developed by the Gamalei National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry, and its clinical trials were successfully completed in June-July. The vaccine was developed on a platform that had been used for a number of other vaccines. CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev said earlier that more than 20 countries had already applied for obtaining some one billion doses of the new vaccine overall.


tass--2020-08-16--No lethal weapons used by Belarusian police to disperse protesters - interior minister

MINSK , August 16 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian Interior Minister Yuri Karayev said on Sunday the police did not use lethal weapons when dispersing protests in the country .
In an interview with tut.by , a web media outlet , he promised to investigate all the cases when excessive violence had been used by the police .
`` Escalation was on both sides , '' he said .
`` When colleagues are knocked down , one may lose temper .
It is wrong and I am against it .
It should not be this way .
We will probe into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , but when the situation calms down . ''
When asked about the death of a protester , Karayev said he was not an investigator .
`` Yes , he ( the protester - TASS ) died , '' the minister said .
`` But how many people did die during riots in America ?
But we did not use firearms , we used only nonlethal weapons . ''
On August 9 , Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991 .
According to the final results of Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Alexander Lukashenko , won 80.1 % of the vote .
His closest rival , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , scored 10.12 % of votes .
However , she did not recognize the results of the voting .
Mass protests and clashes with police took place in Minsk and other Belarusian cities on Sunday night into Monday morning after exit poll results were made public .
Rallies continued for several days .
As a result , several thousands of people were detained , dozens of law enforcers and demonstrators were injured .
One man was @ @ @ @ @

MINSK, August 16. /TASS/. Belarusian Interior Minister Yuri Karayev said on Sunday the police did not use lethal weapons when dispersing protests in the country.
In an interview with tut.by, a web media outlet, he promised to investigate all the cases when excessive violence had been used by the police.
"Escalation was on both sides," he said. "When colleagues are knocked down, one may lose temper. It is wrong and I am against it. It should not be this way. We will probe into each of such case. Not right now, but when the situation calms down."
When asked about the death of a protester, Karayev said he was not an investigator. "Yes, he (the protester - TASS) died," the minister said. "But how many people did die during riots in America? But we did not use firearms, we used only nonlethal weapons."
On August 9, Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991. According to the final results of Sunday’s voting, the incumbent president, Alexander Lukashenko, won 80.1% of the vote. His closest rival, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, scored 10.12% of votes. However, she did not recognize the results of the voting.
Mass protests and clashes with police took place in Minsk and other Belarusian cities on Sunday night into Monday morning after exit poll results were made public. Rallies continued for several days. As a result, several thousands of people were detained, dozens of law enforcers and demonstrators were injured. One man was killed in central Minsk.


tass--2020-08-16--Daughter of Kazakhstan’s first president Nazarbayev confirms deaths of her son

NUR-SULTAN , August 16 .
/TASS/ .
Dariga Nazarbayev , former speaker of Kazakhstan ’ s Senate , or upper parliament house , and a daughter of the country ’ s first President Nursultan Nazarbayev , has confirmed the death of her son Aisultan .
`` My family is grieving about the death of our dear Aisultan .
And in this very difficult moment , we hope that people will demonstrate understanding and respect to our irreparable loss , '' she wrote on Sunday on the Facebook account of the Nursultan Nazarbayev Fund she head .
Zakon.kz , a news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aisultan had died , presumably of a heart failure , last night in London at the age of 29 .
Aisultan is the son of Nazarbayev ’ s elder daughter Dariga , who was speaker of Kazakhstan ’ s upper house until early May .
His father Rakhat Aliyev , who had held several posts in the government , moved to Austria and was granted political asylum .
Later he was arrested upon Kazakhstan ’ s request and was imprisoned and was found dead in his prison cell in 2015 .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom in 2010 and worked for Kazakhstan ’ s main intelligence department for one year since 2012 .
On February 13 , 2020 Aisultan allegedly wrote two posts on his Facebook page requesting political asylum in the UK , complaining of pressure against him .
On the same day , Kazakhstan ’ s Minister of Information and Social Development Dauren Abayev dismissed this speculation , saying that Aisultan was `` a drug addict .
`` .

NUR-SULTAN, August 16. /TASS/. Dariga Nazarbayev, former speaker of Kazakhstan’s Senate, or upper parliament house, and a daughter of the country’s first President Nursultan Nazarbayev, has confirmed the death of her son Aisultan.
"My family is grieving about the death of our dear Aisultan. And in this very difficult moment, we hope that people will demonstrate understanding and respect to our irreparable loss," she wrote on Sunday on the Facebook account of the Nursultan Nazarbayev Fund she head.
Zakon.kz, a news portal, reported earlier on Sunday that Aisultan had died, presumably of a heart failure, last night in London at the age of 29.
Aisultan is the son of Nazarbayev’s elder daughter Dariga, who was speaker of Kazakhstan’s upper house until early May. His father Rakhat Aliyev, who had held several posts in the government, moved to Austria and was granted political asylum. Later he was arrested upon Kazakhstan’s request and was imprisoned and was found dead in his prison cell in 2015.
According to zakon.kz, Aisultan graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom in 2010 and worked for Kazakhstan’s main intelligence department for one year since 2012.
On February 13, 2020 Aisultan allegedly wrote two posts on his Facebook page requesting political asylum in the UK, complaining of pressure against him. On the same day, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Information and Social Development Dauren Abayev dismissed this speculation, saying that Aisultan was "a drug addict.".


tass--2020-08-16--Belarus’ ex-presidential candidate Kanopatskaya demands rerun elections

MINSK , August 16 .
/TASS/ .
Former candidate for Belarusian president Anna Kanopatskaya has demanded rerun presidential election be held in the country .
`` Your support gives me the right to speak on behalf of each of you : The country needs rerun elections !
People have the right !
, '' she wrote on her Facebook account .
`` Much is being decided now in the streets of Belarusian cities , '' Kanopatskaya , who scored 1.68 % of votes at last Sunday ’ s presidential polls , wrote .
`` My heart and my soul are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streets .
However much also depends on what is going on in the quiet of negotiating rooms of our European partners and in courtrooms . ''
`` Common sense , political expedience and understanding that I , the last woman with a legal capacity of a candidate for Belarusian president , call for maximal prudence and rationality .
The recent developments impose obligations on me to work in the name of the future of our country , including with power institutions , in talks with European partners , with representatives of civil society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9 , Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991 .
According to the final results of Sunday ’ s voting , the incumbent president , Alexander Lukashenko , won 80.1 % of the vote .
His closest rival , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , scored 10.12 % of votes .
However , she did not recognize the results of the voting .
Mass protests and clashes with police took place in Minsk and other Belarusian cities on Sunday night into Monday morning after exit poll results were made public .
Rallies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result , several thousands of people were detained , dozens of law enforcers and demonstrators were injured .

MINSK, August 16. /TASS/. Former candidate for Belarusian president Anna Kanopatskaya has demanded rerun presidential election be held in the country.
"Your support gives me the right to speak on behalf of each of you: The country needs rerun elections! People have the right!," she wrote on her Facebook account.
"Much is being decided now in the streets of Belarusian cities," Kanopatskaya, who scored 1.68% of votes at last Sunday’s presidential polls, wrote. "My heart and my soul are with the people in Minsk’s streets. However much also depends on what is going on in the quiet of negotiating rooms of our European partners and in courtrooms."
"Common sense, political expedience and understanding that I, the last woman with a legal capacity of a candidate for Belarusian president, call for maximal prudence and rationality. The recent developments impose obligations on me to work in the name of the future of our country, including with power institutions, in talks with European partners, with representatives of civil society," she noted.
On August 9, Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991. According to the final results of Sunday’s voting, the incumbent president, Alexander Lukashenko, won 80.1% of the vote. His closest rival, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, scored 10.12% of votes. However, she did not recognize the results of the voting.
Mass protests and clashes with police took place in Minsk and other Belarusian cities on Sunday night into Monday morning after exit poll results were made public. Rallies continued for several days. As a result, several thousands of people were detained, dozens of law enforcers and demonstrators were injured.


tass--2020-08-16--Five-hour opposition rally in Minsk brings together tens of thousands of people

MINSK , August 16 .
/TASS/ .
Tens of thousands of people gathered for another peaceful rally in central Minsk on Sunday to protest against the official results on the August 9 presidential elections .
People began to gather around the Hero City Minsk monument by 14:00 local time .
In a couple of hours , the square , the park near it and adjacent streets were full of people .
People were coming in families , many with their children .
The traffic along the neighboring streets was not blocked , with people crossing streets only on the green @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their horns .
Some stopped to hand out bottled water .
The weather in Minsk was hot on Sunday , with air temperatures being around 30 degrees Celsius .
Maria Kolesnikova , an ally of presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , took part in the rally .
`` That ’ s great !
The Belarusian people are incredible !
They demonstrate that they have the right to call themselves Europeans , '' she told TASS .
When asked what the opposition planned to do bearing in mind that President Alexander Lukashenko was not going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` He is no opponent to us any longer . ''
The protesters chanted slogans demanding Lukashenko resign and all those detained during the protests be released .
Later , the protesters moved to the Independence Square , which had been the venue of a rally in support of incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko earlier in the day .
People were chanting `` Go Away ! ''
Police did not interfere during the entire day .
By 19:00 local time , the protesters began to leave the square .
On August 9 , Belarus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independence in 1991 .
According to the final results of Sunday ’ s voting , the incumbent president , Alexander Lukashenko , won 80.1 % of the vote .
His closest rival , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , scored 10.12 % of votes .
However , she did not recognize the results of the voting .
Mass protests and clashes with police took place in Minsk and other Belarusian cities on Sunday night into Monday morning after exit poll results were made public .
Rallies continued for several days .
As a result , several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of law enforcers and demonstrators were injured .
One man was killed in central Minsk .

MINSK, August 16. /TASS/. Tens of thousands of people gathered for another peaceful rally in central Minsk on Sunday to protest against the official results on the August 9 presidential elections.
People began to gather around the Hero City Minsk monument by 14:00 local time. In a couple of hours, the square, the park near it and adjacent streets were full of people. People were coming in families, many with their children.
The traffic along the neighboring streets was not blocked, with people crossing streets only on the green. Cars were driving by, honking their horns. Some stopped to hand out bottled water. The weather in Minsk was hot on Sunday, with air temperatures being around 30 degrees Celsius.
Maria Kolesnikova, an ally of presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, took part in the rally.
"That’s great! The Belarusian people are incredible! They demonstrate that they have the right to call themselves Europeans," she told TASS. When asked what the opposition planned to do bearing in mind that President Alexander Lukashenko was not going to step down, she said, "He is no opponent to us any longer."
The protesters chanted slogans demanding Lukashenko resign and all those detained during the protests be released.
Later, the protesters moved to the Independence Square, which had been the venue of a rally in support of incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko earlier in the day. People were chanting "Go Away!"
Police did not interfere during the entire day. By 19:00 local time, the protesters began to leave the square.
On August 9, Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991. According to the final results of Sunday’s voting, the incumbent president, Alexander Lukashenko, won 80.1% of the vote. His closest rival, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, scored 10.12% of votes. However, she did not recognize the results of the voting.
Mass protests and clashes with police took place in Minsk and other Belarusian cities on Sunday night into Monday morning after exit poll results were made public. Rallies continued for several days. As a result, several thousands of people were detained, dozens of law enforcers and demonstrators were injured. One man was killed in central Minsk.


tass--2020-08-16--Russian Su-27 fighter scrambled to intercept Italian maritime patrol plane over Black Sea

MOSCOW , August 16 .
/TASS/ .
A Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jet was scrambled to identify and escort an Italian @ @ @ @ @ the Black Sea , a spokesman for Russia ’ s National Defense Management Center said @ @ @ @ @ control systems detected two air targets over the neutral waters of the Black Sea approaching @ @ @ @ @ on August 14 , the Center said .
`` A Su-27 fighter plane from the @ @ @ @ @ air defense quick reaction alert forces was scrambled to identify the target .
The Russian @ @ @ @ @ approached the aerial object at a safe distance and identified it as an Italian Atlantic @ @ @ @ @ it said .
After the Italian plane moved away from Russia ’ s state border @ @ @ @ @ returned to its home airfield , it said .
`` The entire flight of the @ @ @ @ @ compliance with the international rules of using the airspace .
No violations of the Russian @ @ @ @ @ aircraft were allowed , '' the Center stressed .

MOSCOW, August 16. /TASS/. A Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jet was scrambled to identify and escort an Italian Atlantic maritime patrol aircraft over the Black Sea, a spokesman for Russia’s National Defense Management Center said on Sunday.
Russian airspace control systems detected two air targets over the neutral waters of the Black Sea approaching Russia’s state border on August 14, the Center said.
"A Su-27 fighter plane from the Southern Military District’s air defense quick reaction alert forces was scrambled to identify the target. The Russian fighter’s crew consistently approached the aerial object at a safe distance and identified it as an Italian Atlantic maritime patrol aircraft," it said.
After the Italian plane moved away from Russia’s state border, the Russian fighter safely returned to its home airfield, it said.
"The entire flight of the Su-27 fighter proceeded in strict compliance with the international rules of using the airspace. No violations of the Russian state border by the US aircraft were allowed," the Center stressed.


tass--2020-08-16--Lavrov, Pompeo discuss Putin’s initiative on 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 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lasting security in the 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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--2020-08-16--Developer of Sputnik V said third stage of trials can be called mass vaccination

MOSCOW , August 16 .
/TASS/ .
The third ( post-registration ) stage of research on the coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V , which is expected to be launched within 7-10 days , can be called mass vaccination because it will involve tens of thousands of people , Director of the N. F. Gamaleya Federal Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry Alexander Gintsburg told TASS .
`` According to the law , civilian circulation can begin now but the vaccine won ’ t be enough for both things [ post-registration research and mass vaccination ] .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vaccine will enter post-registration research and this is also mass vaccination .
It is called so because there is tougher control over those vaccinated .
The civilian circulation [ will start ] when the demand for vaccine is met for post-registration [ stage ] - this is nearly 30,000 doses of drug , and then civilian circulation will begin immediately - with a delay of 3-4 weeks [ since the start of the third stage ] , '' the scientist said .
Gintsburg noted that the third stage could start within 7-10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain protocol .
The trials will be carried out in the Moscow Region and some 20,000 - 30,000 people will get the vaccine .
`` The post-registration research can take 4-5 months on average , '' he said .
On August 11 , Russia registered the world ’ s first vaccine against the novel coronavirus .
The vaccine , dubbed Sputnik V , was developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology , and its clinical trials were successfully completed in June-July .
It was created on a platform that had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of other vaccines .
On August 15 , the Health Ministry announced that the production of the vaccine had been launched .

MOSCOW, August 16. /TASS/. The third (post-registration) stage of research on the coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V, which is expected to be launched within 7-10 days, can be called mass vaccination because it will involve tens of thousands of people, Director of the N. F. Gamaleya Federal Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry Alexander Gintsburg told TASS.
"According to the law, civilian circulation can begin now but the vaccine won’t be enough for both things [post-registration research and mass vaccination]. So, in the first place, the vaccine will enter post-registration research and this is also mass vaccination. It is called so because there is tougher control over those vaccinated. The civilian circulation [will start] when the demand for vaccine is met for post-registration [stage] - this is nearly 30,000 doses of drug, and then civilian circulation will begin immediately - with a delay of 3-4 weeks [since the start of the third stage]," the scientist said.
Gintsburg noted that the third stage could start within 7-10 days after the Health Ministry approves a certain protocol. The trials will be carried out in the Moscow Region and some 20,000 - 30,000 people will get the vaccine. "The post-registration research can take 4-5 months on average," he said.
On August 11, Russia registered the world’s first vaccine against the novel coronavirus. The vaccine, dubbed Sputnik V, was developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, and its clinical trials were successfully completed in June-July. It was created on a platform that had been used for the development of a number of other vaccines. On August 15, the Health Ministry announced that the production of the vaccine had been launched.


tass--2020-08-17--Europe encounters continuation of first COVID-19 wave, not second wave — expert

MOSCOW , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
Rise in the incidence of the coronavirus infection in Europe is due not to the second wave but to the continuation of the first one , says specialist in communicable diseases Nikolai Malyshev .
`` I am still inclined [ to think ] that the WHO [ the World Health Organization ] in this case is right , that this is a continuation of that wave , rather to say , the current , the present one .
We see that the outbreaks are uneven , the incidence is uneven , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , answering the question about publications on the beginning of the second wave of epidemic in Europe .
However , he thinks that a new outbreak is possible in the fall .
`` The rise in respiratory infections , as you and I know , [ occurs ] yearly at the end of autumn - beginning of winter .
< ... > Gradually , the flu already begins to appear , possibly , the rise in the respiratory diseases will be a little earlier .
The coronavirus is also a respiratory disease , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rise in respiratory infections there will be a certain rise in coronavirus , '' the specialist said .
A number of countries in Western and Southern Europe , most of which in general coped with the first major outbreaks of the coronavirus , again saw an uptick in the COVID-19 incidence at the beginning of July , soon after the opening of internal and some of external borders .
Thus , the situation went worse in Spain , Germany , and France , although it has stabilized as early as by the middle @ @ @

MOSCOW, August 17. /TASS/. Rise in the incidence of the coronavirus infection in Europe is due not to the second wave but to the continuation of the first one, says specialist in communicable diseases Nikolai Malyshev.
"I am still inclined [to think] that the WHO [the World Health Organization] in this case is right, that this is a continuation of that wave, rather to say, the current, the present one. We see that the outbreaks are uneven, the incidence is uneven," he said at a press conference on Monday, answering the question about publications on the beginning of the second wave of epidemic in Europe.
However, he thinks that a new outbreak is possible in the fall. "The rise in respiratory infections, as you and I know, [occurs] yearly at the end of autumn - beginning of winter. <...> Gradually, the flu already begins to appear, possibly, the rise in the respiratory diseases will be a little earlier. The coronavirus is also a respiratory disease, and I think that along with the rise in respiratory infections there will be a certain rise in coronavirus," the specialist said.
A number of countries in Western and Southern Europe, most of which in general coped with the first major outbreaks of the coronavirus, again saw an uptick in the COVID-19 incidence at the beginning of July, soon after the opening of internal and some of external borders. Thus, the situation went worse in Spain, Germany, and France, although it has stabilized as early as by the middle of August.


tass--2020-08-17--More than 700 complaints of injuries when detained, in detention centers filed in Belarus

MINSK , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
More than 700 people filed complaints with Belarusian investigative agencies about sustaining bodily injuries when detained and in detention centers , the national Investigative Committee said Monday .
`` Currently , < … > more than 600 citizens filed complaints about sustaining bodily injuries when detained by law enforcement officers and around 100 people [ filed complaints ] about attaining bodily injuries in temporary detention centers , '' the statement reads .
At the same time , the committee added that law enforcement officers submitted 124 complaints about violence against them .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 124 complaints and reports of protesters ’ violent actions against police officers , destruction and damage of property : service transport and objects of city infrastructure , '' the statement reads .
The agency reassured that all complaints will be given due process .
Investigation officers refer people with bodily injuries to expert studies to determine their severity .
Belarus has been engulfed by mass protests since August 9 when the country held its presidential election , as people reject the official results of the vote , showing incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko securing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of unrest , the rallies were coupled with clashes between demonstrators and police officers .
According to the national Interior Ministry , more than 6,000 people were detained , while dozens of police officers and protesters were wounded .
On August 16 , Interior Minister Yuri Karayev vowed to address all cases of violence and abuse of power by police officers , while underlining that the police did not use lethal weapons during the protests .

MINSK, August 17. /TASS/. More than 700 people filed complaints with Belarusian investigative agencies about sustaining bodily injuries when detained and in detention centers, the national Investigative Committee said Monday.
"Currently, <…> more than 600 citizens filed complaints about sustaining bodily injuries when detained by law enforcement officers and around 100 people [filed complaints] about attaining bodily injuries in temporary detention centers," the statement reads.
At the same time, the committee added that law enforcement officers submitted 124 complaints about violence against them. "As of today, investigative offices received 124 complaints and reports of protesters’ violent actions against police officers, destruction and damage of property: service transport and objects of city infrastructure," the statement reads.
The agency reassured that all complaints will be given due process. Investigation officers refer people with bodily injuries to expert studies to determine their severity.
Belarus has been engulfed by mass protests since August 9 when the country held its presidential election, as people reject the official results of the vote, showing incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko securing his reelection. In the first days of unrest, the rallies were coupled with clashes between demonstrators and police officers. According to the national Interior Ministry, more than 6,000 people were detained, while dozens of police officers and protesters were wounded. On August 16, Interior Minister Yuri Karayev vowed to address all cases of violence and abuse of power by police officers, while underlining that the police did not use lethal weapons during the protests.


tass--2020-08-17--Hundreds converge at Belteleradio building in Belarus’s Minsk

MINSK , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
Several hundred people remain near the National State Broadcasting Company ( Belteleradio , @ @ @ @ @ s Minsk , according to a TASS reporter at the site .
It is unclear @ @ @ @ @ them .
The building ’ s glass wall is now plastered with posters , calling @ @ @ @ @ The protesters demand to see the BTRC CEO Ivan Eismont .
According to TASS , @ @ @ @ @ from various enterprises is moving towards the building .
Mass protests have engulfed Belarus , @ @ @ @ @ August 9 .
During the first day of protests , the events involved clashes with @ @ @ @ @ the Interior Ministry , over 6,000 people were apprehended ; several dozen police officers and @ @ @ @ @ opposition calls on factories to strike , in a bid to ramp up pressure on @ @ @

MINSK, August 17. /TASS/. Several hundred people remain near the National State Broadcasting Company (Belteleradio, BTRC) in Belarus’s Minsk, according to a TASS reporter at the site.
It is unclear whether BelTA employees are among them. The building’s glass wall is now plastered with posters, calling to stop the violence. The protesters demand to see the BTRC CEO Ivan Eismont.
According to TASS, a vast procession of workers from various enterprises is moving towards the building.
Mass protests have engulfed Belarus, which held presidential elections on August 9. During the first day of protests, the events involved clashes with police officers. According to the Interior Ministry, over 6,000 people were apprehended; several dozen police officers and protesters were injured.
The opposition calls on factories to strike, in a bid to ramp up pressure on the authorities.


tass--2020-08-17--Some 120 remain in detention in Belarus after protests — Interior Ministry

MINSK , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
There are 122 people , detained during unauthorized protests in Belarus , who @ @ @ @ @ .
The work on their release is still underway , the Belarusian Interior Ministry said @ @ @ @ @ [ Monday Minsk time ] , 122 people remain in detention facilities .
[ … @ @ @ @ @ release continues , the information is being updated constantly , '' the Ministry said .
@ @ @ @ @ Belarusian Prosecutor General ’ s Office announced that almost all people , detained over participation @ @ @ @ @ had already been released .
Mass protests have engulfed Belarus , which held the presidential @ @ @ @ @ The first day of protests saw clashes with the police .
According to the Interior @ @ @ @ @ were apprehended while several dozen police officers and protesters were injured .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ Alexander Lukashenko was re-elected with 80.10 % of votes , followed by Svetlana Tikhanovskaya with @ @ @ @ @ marked the largest protest of Lukashenko ’ s opponents .

MINSK, August 17. /TASS/. There are 122 people, detained during unauthorized protests in Belarus, who still remain in detention facilities. The work on their release is still underway, the Belarusian Interior Ministry said Monday.
"By 14:00 [Monday Minsk time], 122 people remain in detention facilities. […] The work on their release continues, the information is being updated constantly," the Ministry said.
Earlier on Monday, the Belarusian Prosecutor General’s Office announced that almost all people, detained over participation in unauthorized mass events, had already been released.
Mass protests have engulfed Belarus, which held the presidential election on August 9. The first day of protests saw clashes with the police. According to the Interior Ministry, over 6,000 people were apprehended while several dozen police officers and protesters were injured.
According to the Central Electoral Commission, president Alexander Lukashenko was re-elected with 80.10% of votes, followed by Svetlana Tikhanovskaya with 10.12%. August 16 marked the largest protest of Lukashenko’s opponents.


tass--2020-08-17--No consensus of opinion about of Sputnik V vaccine’s readiness for mass use

MOSCOW , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
There is no consensus of opinion among experts about reliability of safety and efficiency tests of Russia ’ s newly-registered anti-coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V. Thus , Tatiana Kusaiko , a deputy chairperson of the social policy committee of Russia ’ s Federation Council upper parliament house and holder of the title of Russia ’ s Honored Doctor , told a news conference on Monday the vaccine trials that had already been done were quite enough .
`` Sputnik V is based on a well-known platform , so the five months of research are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` We should trust our researchers who have a 20-year experience of work and such research .
We see how effective the anti-Ebola vaccine ( based on the same platform as Sputnik V - TASS ) is . ''
`` Franky speaking , I would have got inoculated if I had such a possibility , '' she stressed .
Meanwhile , Svetlana Zavidova , executive director of the Association of Organizations for Clinical Tests , said she doubted that the existing tests were enough for the vaccine ’ s mass use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine development knows episodes , quite high-profile ones , when a poorly-tested vaccine was used to cause serious immunobiological reactions provoking a disease , '' she said .
`` I hope it is not the case with this vaccine .
But it is a factor of danger .
There is a factor of efficiency , which was not seriously studied for this vaccine .
It is impossible to prove the vaccine efficiency on 38 patients in principle . ''
Meduza , a Russian-language internet news outlet , said on August 10 that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ministry to postpone the registration of the vaccine developed by the Gamalei National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology , now known as Sputnik V. However , the vaccine was registered on August 11 to be the world ’ s first vaccine against the novel coronavirus infection .
Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said that criticism about the vaccine stemmed from tough competition on the pharmaceutical market .

MOSCOW, August 17. /TASS/. There is no consensus of opinion among experts about reliability of safety and efficiency tests of Russia’s newly-registered anti-coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V.
Thus, Tatiana Kusaiko, a deputy chairperson of the social policy committee of Russia’s Federation Council upper parliament house and holder of the title of Russia’s Honored Doctor, told a news conference on Monday the vaccine trials that had already been done were quite enough. "Sputnik V is based on a well-known platform, so the five months of research are enough for its use," she said. "We should trust our researchers who have a 20-year experience of work and such research. We see how effective the anti-Ebola vaccine (based on the same platform as Sputnik V - TASS) is."
"Franky speaking, I would have got inoculated if I had such a possibility," she stressed.
Meanwhile, Svetlana Zavidova, executive director of the Association of Organizations for Clinical Tests, said she doubted that the existing tests were enough for the vaccine’s mass use. "Regrettably, the history of vaccine development knows episodes, quite high-profile ones, when a poorly-tested vaccine was used to cause serious immunobiological reactions provoking a disease," she said. "I hope it is not the case with this vaccine. But it is a factor of danger. There is a factor of efficiency, which was not seriously studied for this vaccine. It is impossible to prove the vaccine efficiency on 38 patients in principle."
Meduza, a Russian-language internet news outlet, said on August 10 that the Association had called on the Russian health ministry to postpone the registration of the vaccine developed by the Gamalei National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, now known as Sputnik V. However, the vaccine was registered on August 11 to be the world’s first vaccine against the novel coronavirus infection. Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said that criticism about the vaccine stemmed from tough competition on the pharmaceutical market.


tass--2020-08-17--European Parliament does not recognize Lukashenko as elected president of Belarus

BRUSSELS , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
Members of the European Parliament do not recognize the results of the Belarusian presidential election , considering Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko a persona non grata in the EU , the joint statement by European Parliament ’ s parties published on Monday informs .
`` The 9th August presidential elections were neither free , nor fair , and credible reports point to a victory of Svetlana Tikhanovskaya .
We therefore do not recognise Alexander Lukashenko as the re-elected President of Belarus and consider him a persona non grata in the European Union .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for new and free elections , under the supervision of independent observers , '' the statement reads .
`` We strongly condemn the arrests and appalling acts of violence and torture perpetrated against peaceful protesters , and call for a full investigation of these crimes , which can not go unpunished .
In this regard , we remind Alexander Lukashenko of his responsibility , '' members of the European Parliament stressed .
`` We strongly condemn the suppression of internet and media , road blockades , and intimidation of journalists in order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation in the country .
We call for the immediate release of all those arbitrarily detained , and political prisoners who have been detained before and during the election campaign . ''
Besides , the European Parliament supports the decision of EU foreign ministers on introducing individual sanctions against `` all those responsible for violence and the falsified presidential elections . ''
`` We urge the sanctions list to be compiled as soon as possible , so people who committed these crimes are banned from visiting the EU and their assets are frozen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The European Union can and must do more to further the cause of democracy and freedom in Belarus , including by strengthening assistance to Belarusian civil society and immediately ceasing any financial support to the government and state-controlled projects .
We suggest the relaunch of targeted EU assistance programmes to help repressed people in Belarus and their families , '' the statement continues .
According to the European Parliament , `` the European Union should equally take strong and unequivocal action by reassessing its relations with the current regime in Belarus , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and reconsider its cooperation with Minsk , including within the Eastern Partnership . ''
`` The EU should prepare a comprehensive review of its policy towards Belarus , taking into account different scenarios and developments in the country , that also includes a substantially increased role for the EU ( politically , technically , financially ) , '' the MPs noted .
Members of the European Parliament expressed their regret in relation to the denied access to two MPs `` who were travelling in their private capacity to Minsk to support the people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that EU appoints a special representative for Belarus in order to support the process of a peaceful transition of power in accordance with the will of Belarusian people , '' the statement added .
`` We call on the EU to support a peaceful transition of power , and engage in a dialogue with the Belarusian opposition and civil society with a view to launch a new electoral process , under the supervision of a new Electoral Commission , a body that can be trusted by all the parties .
It is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elect their own political representatives , '' the European Parliament stressed .
Members of the European Parliament also noted that Russia must `` refrain from any interference , covert or overt , in Belarus following the election . ''
They `` call on EU institutions and Member States to vigilantly counter any Russian actions in this regard . ''
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 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

BRUSSELS, August 17. /TASS/. Members of the European Parliament do not recognize the results of the Belarusian presidential election, considering Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko a persona non grata in the EU, the joint statement by European Parliament’s parties published on Monday informs.
"The 9th August presidential elections were neither free, nor fair, and credible reports point to a victory of Svetlana Tikhanovskaya. We therefore do not recognise Alexander Lukashenko as the re-elected President of Belarus and consider him a persona non grata in the European Union. We join the Belarusian people in their demand for new and free elections, under the supervision of independent observers," the statement reads.
Support for new sanctions
"We strongly condemn the arrests and appalling acts of violence and torture perpetrated against peaceful protesters, and call for a full investigation of these crimes, which cannot go unpunished. In this regard, we remind Alexander Lukashenko of his responsibility," members of the European Parliament stressed. "We strongly condemn the suppression of internet and media, road blockades, and intimidation of journalists in order to stop the flow of information about the situation in the country. We call for the immediate release of all those arbitrarily detained, and political prisoners who have been detained before and during the election campaign."
Besides, the European Parliament supports the decision of EU foreign ministers on introducing individual sanctions against "all those responsible for violence and the falsified presidential elections." "We urge the sanctions list to be compiled as soon as possible, so people who committed these crimes are banned from visiting the EU and their assets are frozen," the statement notes.
"The European Union can and must do more to further the cause of democracy and freedom in Belarus, including by strengthening assistance to Belarusian civil society and immediately ceasing any financial support to the government and state-controlled projects. We suggest the relaunch of targeted EU assistance programmes to help repressed people in Belarus and their families," the statement continues.
Revised EU policy
According to the European Parliament, "the European Union should equally take strong and unequivocal action by reassessing its relations with the current regime in Belarus, in line with EU values and principles, and reconsider its cooperation with Minsk, including within the Eastern Partnership." "The EU should prepare a comprehensive review of its policy towards Belarus, taking into account different scenarios and developments in the country, that also includes a substantially increased role for the EU (politically, technically, financially)," the MPs noted.
Members of the European Parliament expressed their regret in relation to the denied access to two MPs "who were travelling in their private capacity to Minsk to support the people in Belarus." "We propose that EU appoints a special representative for Belarus in order to support the process of a peaceful transition of power in accordance with the will of Belarusian people," the statement added.
"We call on the EU to support a peaceful transition of power, and engage in a dialogue with the Belarusian opposition and civil society with a view to launch a new electoral process, under the supervision of a new Electoral Commission, a body that can be trusted by all the parties. It is the right of the people of Belarus to elect their own political representatives," the European Parliament stressed.
Members of the European Parliament also noted that Russia must "refrain from any interference, covert or overt, in Belarus following the election." They "call on EU institutions and Member States to vigilantly counter any Russian actions in this regard."
Situation in Belarus
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--Putin urges COVID-19 safety for Russian tourists in Turkey in phone call with Erdogan

MOSCOW , August 17./TASS/ .
In a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan , Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of Russian tourists in Turkey which has reopened after the coronavirus lockdown , the Kremlin press service reported .
`` In view of the restart of regular flights to Ankara and Istanbul , as well as resort areas , Vladimir Putin emphasized the importance of ensuring sanitary-epidemiological safety of Russian nationals staying in Turkey , '' it said .
Within this context , the sides noted the importance of expanding cooperation among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , also in connection with the registration of a coronavirus vaccine in Russia .
Besides , the presidents focused on certain issues on the bilateral agenda , including the expansion of trade and economic partnership .
They agreed to continue contacts at different levels .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the globe .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 21.6 million people have been infected worldwide and more than 775,000 deaths have been reported .

MOSCOW, August 17./TASS/. In a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of Russian tourists in Turkey which has reopened after the coronavirus lockdown, the Kremlin press service reported.
"In view of the restart of regular flights to Ankara and Istanbul, as well as resort areas, Vladimir Putin emphasized the importance of ensuring sanitary-epidemiological safety of Russian nationals staying in Turkey," it said.
Within this context, the sides noted the importance of expanding cooperation among the concerned agencies to fight the spread of coronavirus, also in connection with the registration of a coronavirus vaccine in Russia.
Besides, the presidents focused on certain issues on the bilateral agenda, including the expansion of trade and economic partnership. They agreed to continue contacts at different levels.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 21.6 million people have been infected worldwide and more than 775,000 deaths have been reported.


tass--2020-08-17--Ukraine quits trade mission agreement with Russia

KIEV , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
The Ukrainian government has decided to withdraw from the agreement with Russia on @ @ @ @ @ , the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry reported Monday .
`` Today , at an urgent meeting @ @ @ @ @ , the decision was made to terminate the agreement between the Ukrainian government and the @ @ @ @ @ of trade offices , which was active since October 1992 , '' the agency ’ @ @ @ @ @ Dzhaparova , the first deputy foreign minister of Ukraine , as saying .
According to @ @ @ @ @ state of the Russian-Ukrainian relations , `` this agreement lost practical purpose and does not @ @ @ @ @ interests . ''
`` Such a decision was a logical and consistent step of the @ @ @ @ @ senior diplomat underlined .

KIEV, August 17. /TASS/. The Ukrainian government has decided to withdraw from the agreement with Russia on mutual establishment of trade missions, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry reported Monday.
"Today, at an urgent meeting of the cabinet of ministers, the decision was made to terminate the agreement between the Ukrainian government and the Russian government on mutual establishment of trade offices, which was active since October 1992," the agency’s Facebook page quoted Emine Dzhaparova, the first deputy foreign minister of Ukraine, as saying.
According to her, considering the current state of the Russian-Ukrainian relations, "this agreement lost practical purpose and does not meet Ukraine’s national interests." "Such a decision was a logical and consistent step of the Ukrainian government," the senior diplomat underlined.


tass--2020-08-17--Moscow summons Dutch envoy over spy equipment found in Russian military attache’s car

MOSCOW , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
Dutch Charge d ’ Affaires in Moscow Dominique Kuhling-Bakker was summoned to Russia @ @ @ @ @ the spy equipment found in the car of the Russian military attache in The Hague @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
`` Russia ’ s Foreign Ministry lodged a resolute protest to the Dutch @ @ @ @ @ found in the car of the Russian military attache in The Hague , '' the @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The Dutch diplomat was told about the need to take all-embracing measures immediately @ @ @ @ @ run counter to the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations , '' the @ @ @ @ @ s Foreign Ministry also stressed that such unfriendly acts `` complicate the already uneasy bilateral @ @ @

MOSCOW, August 17. /TASS/. Dutch Charge d’Affaires in Moscow Dominique Kuhling-Bakker was summoned to Russia’s Foreign Ministry over the spy equipment found in the car of the Russian military attache in The Hague, the ministry said on Monday.
"Russia’s Foreign Ministry lodged a resolute protest to the Dutch ambassador over the surveillance equipment found in the car of the Russian military attache in The Hague," the ministry said in a statement.
"The Dutch diplomat was told about the need to take all-embracing measures immediately to prevent such incidents that run counter to the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations," the statement reads.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry also stressed that such unfriendly acts "complicate the already uneasy bilateral relations."